His & Hers Champagne Flutes

Obsessed.

$23.95

JackGlass

A Closet Dream Wednesdays

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I dream of the day when my closet is stocked with peonies.

Cheeky Dahlias

Ever since I received the super cute invite for my bridal shower, I've been on a mission to find the perfect blushing bride to be ensemble. My shower is a ladies cocktail hour so initially I had considered buying a new cocktail dress.

M so kindly suggested that I consider looking in my own closet before I run out to Newbury street for a new dress. (Oh men...they are so practically adorable). I stumbled upon a barely been worn shimmering sand colored strapless cocktail dress from Club Monaco that is fittingly bridal. Yet I was kind of disappointed to be wearing something I already own...after all...I will only have one bridal shower.

Then the lightbulb went off. A perfect excuse to purchase a fabulously ethereal creation from Emerson Made.

May I introduce you to the cheeky dahlia?

Happy Birthday to My Lil Nugget

I cannot believe my little Ed-man is 2 years old today!

Gifting the Shower Hostesses

I received the adorable invitation to my bridal shower in the mail yesterday! Four of my mom's nearest and dearest friends are hosting it for me in Chicago. I'm so looking forward to celebrating with all of the women in my life who have been so important to myself and my mom throughout the years.

Yet I'm now on a mission for sweet and unique gifts for our hostesses with the mostesses...

I've started at Anthro (obsessed)

Bali Basket Candle Tins

$20

Mistral Shea Butter Soap Gift Set

$16

Paisleys Spoon Rest

$10

Plucked Petals Measuring Spoons

$14

I'd love any other ideas or suggestions!

A Closet Dream Wednesdays

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Any closest with a chic sofa...yes please!

An Ode to A Ghost Chair

I fell in love with ghost chairs while watching "Wedded to Perfection" on TLC last summer. These funky sculpted beauties added a contemporary elegance to the insanely over the top events planned by Jung and her team at Fete. (P.S. I have a secret fantasy that Jung will randomly find this blog and decide she MUST take-over on our wedding planning)

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Our floral and event designer created a fabulously elegant look for our wedding, including none other than the elusive white ghost chair. The look was breath taking. All white, square tables, contemporary white ghost chairs, showcasing brilliantly robust plumes of coral, raspberry, and butter yellow in clustered centerpieces.

Yet, those dreams were quickly dashed when our caterer sent through the dreaded upgrade price for the ghost chairs. Let me just say...they put the chivari upgrade price to shame. So we have a slightly drastic change to our overall design. I have removed myself from the disappointment at this time and felt it appropriate to leave you with some lasting droolworthy images of a ghost chair wedding or two.

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Lessons From A Dress Fitting

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My first dress fitting on Saturday was a success (for the most part)! It was so nice having my mom in town to see me try on MY dress for the first time. She was fabulously supportive and encouraging as the nerves kicked in slightly. She also took great pictures that I promise to post after the wedding (after all M does know about this blog and I would hate for him to happen upon them).

My dad stopped by mid fitting as well with a bottle of champagne and 3 flutes to celebrate. This was such a sweet gesture and I was so happy that he was able to see the dress as well. M was kind enough to wait patiently on Newbury Street while we were celebrating in a Vera Wang fitting room.

So what went wrong, you might ask? Well, after standing under the hot lights in super high heels in a stuffy room for 30 minutes, I started to feel slightly off. At first it just seemed to be a uneasy stomach but as I got hotter and hotter, I began to panic. I tried to keep my cool but finally I asked Lili (the super amazing seamstress at VW) if I could take a seat for a few minutes and have some water. I felt better after this breather but I made a list of some lessons that I think would benefit any of you ladies who have dress fittings coming up!

1. Eat!

Make sure you have a healthy snack or meal before you go in to your fitting.

We had had lunch at the Union Oyster House (delicious) yet I had only munched on garlicky mussels that were hardly filling.

2. Hydrate!

Drink a full 8 oz. glass of water before you go in for your fitting and keep a bottle handy throughout the day.

I rarely drink water...this is something that I have been working on a daily basis. I had not drank anything on Saturday except for some fruit juice in the morning for breakfast. I felt 100 times better after I drank the bottle of the water during my fitting.

3. Breath!

This is an emotional and momentous occasion. Prepare yourself for these feelings and bring someone along that you love and trust.

I was surprised by how quickly my emotions tangled with each other. It was a mix of joy and nerves as I began picturing myself in that moment next June.

How did your first fittings go? Anyone experience anything similar?

Sorry and A Give Away

Sorry I've been beyond MIA. Work has been nuts and I spent most of last weekend cooking up a storm for our super bowl party. I promise to get back on it after this weekend (my first dress fitting!!)

On to more exciting news...my bloggy pal, Random Reflections of a Perfectionist is hosting a fabulous give away.

Quick...scurry on over there and enter the sexy little giveaway now!

Win the Ultimate Wedding!

Hold the presses! Two fantastically exciting pieces of news this Monday morning.

First, Daily Candy is starting a weekly wedding edition. Must sign up immediately!

Second, they are partnering with Crate & Barrel on a contest for $100,000 for the Ultimate Wedding!

Prizes are amazing…even down to the honorable mention in which 15 winners will receive $1000 C&B gift cards.

Enter here!

Hustles And Bustles...Oh My!

My dress has arrived to Vera! I was practically singing when I received the phone call last month. My mom is coming into town in February so that she can come along with me to my first fitting. I think one of my bridesmaids will as well so she can learn how to bustle my dress. It won't be too extensive because I barely have a train but it will be good for one of my ladies to go.

How was your first dress fitting?

Drool Worthy Moment: Peony Pomander

I never really understood the fuss about pomanders. That is until I stumbled across this beauty on one of my most favoritest blogs...Erin ever After

Seriously...I'm drooling.

A Closet Dream

As I sift through my brown Ikea armoire...I cannot help but think that a closet like this would be much more inspiring.

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Glam It Up

Thanks to Em over at Burning River Bride for sending along a little Glam award to me!

I love it!

So I'm passing this fabby award over to 6 ladies who continue to surprise and delight with their equally GLAM blogs.

A Bride's Brain

A Chocolate Lover's Confessions

Behind the Knot

A Cape Cod Bride

A Glimpse of the Girl Next Door

Thirty Something Bride

A Couture Registry: Part 3

M and I had our 3rd (and most successful) registry trip yesterday. From the beginning, I was not especially keen on registering at Crate & Barrel. After working there in high school with my older brother, I had visions of generic everything flashing through my head when I even considered it. Yet I was so horribly disappointed with the options at Pottery Barn (along with the service) for dinnerware, flatware, and kitchen goodies that I caved.

So off to C&B at the Burlington Mall we went. Um...hello lover:

Regent Narrowband Dinnerware

Might I introduce you to our fabulous new bone china dinnerware with a freakin' awesome turquoise / gold accent?? Drool. I practically threw the scanner at the place setting when I saw it on the shelf. Fortunately at this point in the registering process, M has admitted that he really doesn't give a hoot about anything that is acceptable for a registry purchase. So we no longer bicker about what will and will not be scanned...I just scamper ahead of him and scan to my heart's content.

Oh and P.S. I have since deleted all the items from our PB registry except for the gallery frames. So there!

How were your registry experiences?

Another Hairy Gathering

I'm heading back to Chicago next weekend for one of my bridesmaid's engagement parties. I've also scheduled several wedding related appointments for myself, including a hair and make-up trial. So I've been searching through my hair inspiration folder as well as gathering new images to bring along to my appointment.

I've had a vision in my head for some time of wearing my hair up in a low loose messy bun with a low veil for the ceremony and a hair flower for the reception. I almost always wear my hair down and I think that a low updo will be boho chic and a little different from the day to day. I would like to have the option perhaps to pull my hair down during the reception if I feel like letting loose without too much hassle. So we'll see what the options are there.

I started with the first inspiration picture I had pulled...featuring Michelle Williams.

And my portfolio has evolved slightly...

via Style Me Pretty

via Style Me Pretty

Trust me...those are just a select 2 from the nearly 50 that I have collected.

I have a couple of requirements from the updo perspective that I'll be passing along as well.

1. Sustainability

I do not want to worry about pieces falling out as we frolic during the first look or walk down the aisle.

2. Modern

I want a modern fresh look - avoid at all costs the prom-style ringlets, severe pull back, or big bushy top of the head buns.

3. Me

I want to look like a fancy version of myself.

What are you hair rules? Are you going up or down?

Winter Wedding Wear

Wouldn't this be the sweetest overcoat for a winter bride?

$399 via Persephone's Vintage Etsy Shop

A Dressing Room Made for a Bride

Doesn't this look like a dressing room just asking for a bride to get all fixed up in?

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From the calm swirled wallpaper, to the fluffy white hydrangeas, to the tied up velvet chair?

Swoon!

Gifting My Ladies

Next on my list of to do's...gifting my maids. I have 8 lovely ladies standing up at the alter with me in June and I want to put together a little goody bag to thank them. The challenge of course is that means 8 goody bags...which again means 8 times the price. But we'll deal with that when the time comes.

I want to have a unique assortment of gifts that can be custom to each of my ladies personalities. I love the idea of including a framed handmade print from one of my favorite Etsy shops.

$29.00 from The Love Shop

I wish I could wallpaper my office at work with their drool worthy prints.

$25.00 from Hijirik

I've seen this print on many a blog...it comes in a rainbow of colors and is just so simple and true.

$10.00 from Keilee

I may need to have this posted in the dressing room before the wedding. Oh my nerves!

Are you doing anything unique for your ladies?

The Perfect Bouquet II

2 days in a row.

It must be fate...or coincidence!

via 100 Layer Cake

Couture Kitchen: Cranberry Upside-Down Deliciousness

Despite my health goals for 2010, I cannot stifle the cooking / baking bug that has bitten me in the past year. I look forward to cooking up deliciousness for M and I. Much to the chagrin of both our waistbands, I tend to lean towards the sweeter side of things when it comes to the kitchen.

I've started taking my Cooking Light subscription a bit more seriously nowadays. Though I realize that baked goods can rarely be healthy, I figure that they must be slightly better for us if feature in Cooking Light!

Voila...the Couture Kitchen debut of Cranberry Upside-Down Cake (adapted from Cooking Light magazine 2009)

Cranberries and brown sugar, and butter...oh my!

Looking forward to my KitchenAid Stand Mixer...

Ingredients

Topping:

Cooking Spary

1/3 cup packed brown sugar

2 tablespoons butter

6 oz. fresh or frozen, thawed cranberries

Cake:

1.5 cups of all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup butter (softened)

2 large egg yolks

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup 1% low-fat milk

2 large egg whites

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees

2. To prepare topping, lightly coat 9-inch roun cake pan with cooking spray. (I only had an 8 inch pan so I went with it. I ended up just slicing off the top of the cake after baking due to some overflow). Heat brown sugar and 2 tbsp butter in small saucepan over medium heat until butter melts, stirring occassionally. Pour into prepared cake pan (cover bottom completely) and arrange cranberries over sugar.

3. To prepare cake, combine flour, baking powder, and salt in small mixing bowl (stir lightly with whisk). Place granulated sugar and butter in bowl; beat with mixer at medium speed until fluffy. Add egg yolks, 1 at a time, beating well after each. Beat in vanilla. Fold flour mixture into sugar mixture alternately with milk, beginning and ending with flour mixture.

4. Beat egg whites in separate bowl with clean, dry beaters until stiff peaks form. (About 4 minutes) Gently fold the egg whites into the batter. Spoon batter over cranberries, spreading evenly. Bake for 55 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean.

5. Cool in pan for 15 minutes. Loosen cake from sides of pan using knife. Place a sesrving plate upside down on top of cake, and invert cake pan onto plate. Let stand 5 minutes and remove pan. Serve warm. Yield 12 servings. (Only 252 calories per slice)

Chow down!

The outcome is a light fluffy sweet cake, topped with an excellent combination of tart from the cranberries and toffee sweet from the brown sugar and butter.

What are you "light" recipes for the new year?

Perfect Bouquet

It's such a fabulous feeling to stumble across a picture on the vast bridal interwebs that is exactly what I am envisioning for our wedding.

May I introduce you to...the Perfect Bouquet?

via Style Me Pretty (of course)

A Fresh Idea

I am still not quite sure what we will do with our place cards for the reception. I want to do something really unique and the florists we met with had some great ideas that we will consider once we actually make our final decision on the florist.

Isn't this a really gorgeous fresh idea?

Fits perfectly with our wedding colors.

Drool Worthy: Booties

Can I say just that these are absolutely delicious?

Christian Louboutin

Globe 100 Suede Boots

Original $995, Now $557 at Net-A-Porter

If you are not subscribed to daily ShopStyle emails, I implore you to sign up immediately! It is an amped of version of Shop It To Me.

A New Year, A New Shred

Like many brides-to-be, I started my new years with a goal in mind to be healthier, leaner, and stronger for our wedding. I'm a loafer at heart. I love laying on the couch and eating homemade chocolate peanut butter cookies or doritos with a nice glass of pinot noir. But a girl's gotta do what a girls gotta do, especially when months of bachelorette parties, engagement parties, weddings (several of our friends) and a honeymoon are just around the corner.

So I have made 3 choices that I hope to sustain over the next year. (I hate the idea of resolutions as I feel like those only last until January 3rd...so we're trying "choices" this year)

1. Take a break from the week night wine.

Now I love to a glass of wine after work to unwind. But it seems like a healthy way to cut back on those empty calories. So I've decided that I will only have wine during the work week on evenings when I go out with friends or colleagues.

2. Make healthier snack decisions

For some reason I always need to snack at work. When I'm at home, I have no problem going from meal to meal without a snack but at work around 10:30AM and 3:30PM, I become ravenous. There is always a sinful treat around the office for us to snack on, such as home made cupcakes or left-over catered lunch. In 2010, I've started bringing in low-fat instant oatmeal, Yoplait Yo Plus Yogurt, and carrots with hummus to keep my blood sugar up and satiate me between meals.

3. Get my booty moving

This is the hardest part of my healthier lifestyle. Not just because I'm a lazy bum. But my work schedule is crazy during the week. I'm often working until 7 or 8 at night and then I have to get on the bus and head home to spend a few hours with my honey before we retire for the night. Typically the last thing I want to do is go for a run outside or trek to the gym. So I decided to start at home.

I checked the ExerciseTV option through our Comcast On Demand service and found Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred episodes. Now I had read about this program on many a wedding blog but did not really believe the hype. Until now. I did my first episode on Sunday night and was almost floored by the 2 circuit.

Essentially Jillian creates three 6 minute circuits, consisting of 3 minutes of strength, 2 minutes of cardio, and 1 minute of abs. This all sounds harmles...even easy in theory. Oh but think again. It is tough but worth it especially for a lazy bum like myself. I get bored easily and like to get my work out over fast and this does. But girls, you may be crying halfway through. I'm contemplating purchasing the full DVD set but I'm thinking I'll keep this going for the next week or so before I commit.

One hint, many of the strength moves require hand weights...which I clearly do not own. I have been using 2 cans of food which have been plenty of weight for this weak little chick.

What are your new years "choices"? Have you tried the dreaded Shred?

Hunting for Wedding Glass: Milk Glass

A few Etsy milk glass gems.

$8.00 from A Spoonful of Charm

$12.50 from Manland

$19.00 from DD's Restored Furniture

I think I'll really need to eBay hunt for the other types of containers as there were limited options on Etsy (not surprising).

Hunting for Wedding Glass

It's funny that I feel like most of my wedding posts are about a hunt for something or other based on the inspiration pictures I have collected over the past six months. After meeting with several florists over Thanksgiving, I have been able to fully envision the centerpieces that I want for the wedding.

I'm inspired by centerpiece clusters. Multiple unique yet thematic low and lush arrangements on each table. I'm hoping to tie the arrangements together on each table by color scheme or type of container. So now I'm on to the hunt for the containers. I want there to be multiple types.

Milk Glass

Else Chelsea

Mercury Glass

Project Wedding

Urns

Martha Stewart

Ceramic

Style Me Pretty

Where would I begin other than eBay and Etsy? I'm also thinking of checking out Homegoods and some local beantown antique fairs when it gets a bit warmer. Any other ideas for lil' old me?

Only In Boston...

...would you need a coat this big.

Well that may not be true...I know this coat would come in handy in many other wintry destinations. Yet I must have been inspired by the Nor'Easter that me and my girlfriend were braving during our Saturday spent at the outlets. Because on a whim at the Saks outlet, I decided to purchase the snuggliest sleeping bag coat available. After all, I could not resist the price of $99 (originally $395) of this Tahari beauty.