The Shoe Hunt Continues!

Well, I received my beautiful Aldo shoes that I ordered last week and I was heartbroken to discover they were waaaay too narrow! They would've been perfect if my toes hadn't felt like they were stuck in a mousetrap. After 5 minutes of wearing them around on the carpet, I was nearly crippled. There's no chance they'd stretch out enough for me to wear them comfortably. The color was ideal- unlike the pink iridescent look that they had in the photos they were more of an ivory with a subtle metallic sheen over them. Unfortunately, with the style of them I couldn't go up another size- my heel would've kept lifting out of the d'orsay back. I kept them for a week because I couldn't stop drooling over them but I finally chalked it up and returned them at Southpoint Mall yesterday. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't sad to see them go, but at least Aldo has a really good, no hassle return policy which made it a little less painful.

goodbye my beautiful shoes... (source)

I guess the hunt's still on for me... I've pretty much decided I want a pair of dark pink or a pair of ivory shoes now which makes it even more difficult for me to find anything! Right now, I'm throwing around the idea of buying a pair of dyeables and having them custom dyed, even though I've been trying so desperately to avoid such an idea. I've never been a huge fan of satin or any kind of fabric shoes. I'm definitely a leather girl through and through but I'm having the hardest time finding shoes. I don't want to settle on just any ol' pair. I want a pair that make me drool. A pair that I never want to take off. Something that makes me feel like a movie star.

I have however stumbled across the bridesmaids shoes. I've been fighting with myself as to whether or not I should have them all wear the same shoes since I'm letting them pick their dresses (anything knee to tea length from mori lee bridesmaids in midnight chiffon) but it's pretty difficult to find navy blue dress shoes in general and I don't want them in silver or gold. Pink shoes are reserved for me. I think these shoes by Nina (I found them at Dillards.com retailing for only $79!) are about as simple as you can get while still looking very comfortable. Now to find a way to approach the girls about this... without sounding bridezilla.

(source)

Do NOT use lisahsieh.com!

Normally, I try not to be negative on here, but I feel I should let you know about my latest argument. We all know that online shopping is risky, and that sellers aren't always as truthful as they should be, but this just takes the mickey!

I bought a necklace & earrings set from them at the end of march- in the photos it looked perfect. when I recieved it, it was entirely the wrong color (black instead of blue) and it was way too long (i even measured it and it's a good 2 inches longer than the description) so it just wasn't going to work. I tried getting in touch with them for nearly a month to get a return number- I emailed, called, and I was persistent. Finally, after a month they said that it would be no problem to return it, I just needed to have the return number & my invoice with the item for them to process it. Last night I received an email from them claiming that I'd broken the item and there were pieces missing. I tried the necklace on once and promptly put it back in the packaging I received it in. I even inspected it before I mailed it back to ensure that there was no damage to it and I paid extra for insurance on it through UPS. They claim that there was no damage to the packaging it was sent in, so therefore it MUST'VE been me and they won't give me a refund, nor will they provide photographic evidence of the "broken" necklace. I've written back saying that they have 3 days to give me a refund (including my shipping costs as this has all been such a hassle) or I'll be seeking legal advice. (good thing some of FH's friends are lawyers!) I'm hoping that they'll give me the refund without having to have a letterhead sent out, and I've already registered a complaint with the better business bureau. I paid for it through paypal, so I'm currently opening a dispute through them as well. I guess we'll see how things go, but please don't order from them!

More shopping!

Oh how I do love the mother's day sales on jewelry! My FMIL gave me $40 of "Kohl's Cash" that she wasn't planning on using so I decided that it would be perfect to buy my wedding jewelry with. However, there was just one thing- I really had no idea what I wanted. I just knew I wanted it to be a statement piece with blue rhinestones/sapphires in it, and something that would be very attention grabbing as my dress is so simple. I saw lots of pretty pieces, but for the most part when I asked about bridal jewelry they directed me to the diamonds, CZ's, & pearls. All too cliche for my tastes- I was certain that i absolutely must have something blue, & I wasn't about to settle until I found it. Then I spied a pretty blue twinkling gem in a sale case. I put the items on hold for 24 hours while I pondered them and decided to go back this morning.

Well, I didn't end up with attention grabbing, but I did end up with simple sapphires & diamond's set in sterling silver. The deal was just too good to pass up- the earrings and the necklace would normally go for $300 (sold separately however, each being $150). They were on sale for $59.99 each making the total $120 plus the 7% tax in NC making it nearly $130 for the two items. The Kohl's cash took a further $40 off the price, making the amount I actually had to pay out of pocket only $88. And on top of that, my ever so lovely husband-to-be has offered to pay $44 of his own money towards it as a gift for me. Which means, I've got a gorgeous sapphire and diamond set for only $44 out of my wedding fund. Is that a stroke of luck or what?!

top photos from Kohls.com, bottom photos from my personal collection

Now, I'll admit, I was extremely hesitant about wearing silver with an ivory dress. But when I tried it all on this afternoon, the earrings looked absolutely amazing. The necklace needs something... definitely a thicker chain, but I'm also considering making it into a layered necklace by getting a few other silver chains of various lengths & thicknesses. I'm a big fan of the layered look. And with them being so simple, I'm pretty sure I can get away with it. I think I'll play around and see what i like best before the big day.

Now, I just need to find a crinoline (if my dress even needs one. I'm going to ask a seamstress about that first), a bra, and shoes- then my outfit's almost complete. And I think I may well have found my shoes. Browsing through the clearance section of Aldo, I stumbled across these beauties:

photo credit: aldo

They're on sale for $40 and they're the perfect height. I know I've been going on about wanting colored shoes for ages but I'm having the hardest time finding a pair of blue or pink shoes that I actually like. I really wish they'd make these in blue or pink, but alas, I may have to just settle for the lovely pearlescent iridescent pink that washes over them. If height wasn't such an issue and I wasn't worried about being taller than him in the photos (why oh why can't he grow 3 inches before the wedding?! lmao! j/k!) then I'd be all over these babies from DSW on sale for a cool $50:

I drool so much every time I look at them that there's a good chance I'll probably buy them anyway. I have to keep telling myself to breathe because they're so gorgeous!

To-Do Lists...

I know I've been a bit MIA lately, and for that I apologise but I've mostly been stressed and flipping out about my long list of to-do's that are still left to be done before the end of this month! Now, I'm not much of a fan of the knot but their checklist is one of the most comprehensive I've found online so I've been using it to kind of keep on track. Remember that over half of these to-do's should've been done months ago! take my advice: don't procrastinate for 2 years and leave everything until there's only 5 months left to get things done! I've also already done some of these things, so you'll notice that a few things aren't really in order anymore. The things in pink are what I'm hoping to get done tomorrow.
- Finalize the guest list.
- Sign your caterer contract and send in a deposit.
- Start auditioning reception bands or DJs.
- Set up appointments with various florists to discuss options.
- Decide on and meet with your officiant to discuss ceremony structure and any religious requirements (such as counseling).yuuuuuup... we still don't have an officiant. um, oops? lol
- Interview and get price lists from several wedding photographers and videographers.
- Book reception band or DJ, sign the contract, and send a deposit.
- If you plan to use frequent flyer miles to travel to your honeymoon destination, book your flight now.
- Request demo tapes from ceremony musicians.
- Reserve photographer and/or videographer, decide on a package, sign contract, and send deposit.
- Choose your florist and send a deposit to reserve their services.
- Set aside blocks of hotel rooms for out-of-town guests.
- Book a baker, choose your wedding cake design, and send a deposit.
- Brides: Collect necessary measurements from attendants or pass along vender information so that they can order the dresses themselves.
- Book ceremony musicians and send deposit.
- Start planning the rehearsal dinner. Provide the host with contact information for your attendants and any other guests.
- Start working on your invitation wording and design.
- Finalize your invitation wording.
- Finalize menu and service details with caterer.
- Order your invitations and announcements (don't forget plenty of extra envelopes).
- Decide on a floral scheme, choose flowers, and negotiate prices with florist. Be sure to sign a contract outlining what you agreed upon.
- Start thinking about flower arrangement styles you like, and figure out what flowers will be in season on your wedding day.
- Book rehearsal-dinner site.
- Book hotel room for your wedding night.
- Compile packages for out-of-town guests with hotel reservation and city information, and mail them out.
- Grooms: Decide on your groomsmen's attire.
- Book your honeymoon flights (if not using frequent flyer miles) and make all your other travel reservations.
- Brides: Choose your bridesmaids' accessories (shoes, gloves, etc.) and either purchase or pass along purchasing information.
- Grooms: Give all of the groomsmen the information they need to buy and/or reserve their attire.
- Pick out or design a ketubah or other marriage contract required by your religion.

These are the times when I really wish my sister and my mom lived closer to me. Maybe they'd kick everyone's backside's into line and help get some of this stuff done. So far I've pretty much planned everything myself- from researching vendors to negotiating to deciding every aspect of this wedding and quite honestly, I'm completely exhausted at this point. Unfortunately, a wedding planner isn't an option for me- I refuse to throw up my hands and hand off my wedding to someone else to take care of. I know that I'm a micromanager, and it wouldn't be fair to inflict myself on someone else who does this for a living. lol. Whaddya reckon? Think I can get most of this done over the course of the next week?

Get married for only £999!!

If you said you were hosting a wedding for less than £1,000 people might just look at you like you're crazy, or ask if you're running off to the registry office. However, the Holiday Inn chain is offering a special deal at the moment for a wedding planner, civil ceremony, catering for up to 100 guests, a DJ & a room for the wedding night for only £999.

That's a pretty decent deal if you ask me- now, I personally, wouldn't go for it even though it is an amazing situation for those who need to pinch their pennies just because I'm more of a micromanager and I must thoroughly select every part of my wedding, but there's a lot of couples out there who really don't mind about a lot of things just so long as they have a good day.

Current statistics say that the average wedding in Britain now costs £20,273. As any bride knows, the reception is the largest chunk of your budget, coming in at an average of £7,724, and honeymoon's costing around £3,220.

you can read the whole article at the Daily Mail

Denise Van Outen & Lee Mead Tie the Knot!

I've always loved Denise Van Outen- I remember the first time I ever saw her she was hosting the Big Breakfast on Channel 4 (before Kelly Brook took over) and I thought she was so outrageous, but funny. Since then I've sort of followed her career on and off as she makes the news. Yesterday, Denise & Lee tied the knot in a close friends and immediate family only ceremony on a beach in the Seychelles. She looks gorgeous and they look so very much in love!

read the article at the Daily Mail

What to wear for the engagement party?

A couple of weeks ago, my FMIL asked if we wanted an engagement party as one of her friends has offered to host it. We agreed to it and the other day while browsing through the femail section of the daily mail, I noticed a feature on maxi dresses. I've always been super apprehensive of them just because of my height (I'm only 5'5 which is considered short in my family). Some of them also remind me of the muu-muu's that my friends moms used to wear when we were kids- I learned early on that extra long dresses don't necessarily look good on short people and since then I've always been terrified of looking matronly in anything like that. But there was one dress that caught my eye- a blue and white patterned dress with a deep halter neck & silver embellishment around the waist. At first, I didn't think twice about it- after all, most of the clothes featured in the Daily Mail are always ridiculously expensive and from little independent boutiques in London. As I scrolled down, I got the shock of my life- the dress is actually from Matalan- a low budget clothing store in England. I've always had a soft spot for Matalan just because you can always pick up some decent in fashion styles without breaking the bank. It's not always the best quality mind you, but if you're just looking to jazz up your closet for some random odds and ends that'll be out of style next season, i think it's one of the best places to go.

I emailed the dress to my mum who went and had a look at it yesterday. After she spoke to me over the phone about it, we decided it would be best if she went back and tried it on since we're about the same size- I'm only one size larger than her in tops because of my broad shoulders & heavy bust. She tried it on, loved it and bought it for me. She says it feels really elegant & pretty to wear and the only thing she'd be apprehensive about is the low cut of the neckline but she thinks that's just because she's older. I'm so excited to see it!! She's going to bring it with her when she comes over this summer. It's just as well she bought it today because when I checked the website, it's sold out and been removed from their listings!

Now to figure out what to wear it with. I'm thinking all silver accessories, since she described the white in the pattern as having a dove grey/light silver color, and the embellishment in the waist/neckline are silver sequins. I quickly threw this inspiration board together to get some idea of what I was hoping it would all look like, but it's subject to change depending on how the party plans end up- something more casual and I'll probably stick with silver espadrilles and sterling jewelry. Is it too over the top? Any other suggestions?

Dress: Matalan, Shoes: Aldo, handbag: DSW, Earrings & Bracelet: Dillards