I’m Cheap, So What May 26, 2008

In the pursuit of decent wedding flowers, I have stumbled upon Costco. Bulk, cheap, yadda yadda.

Before that, I was thrilled with a local florist who offered to do centerpieces of ranunculus (about 12 flowers per arrangement) for $35 each. The original bid I’d gotten from another florist was more like $55/table.

Soooo, I go onto the Costco page because we’re dorks and have a membership. I found 150 stems of ranunculus for… $130 each! Woo hoo! So I can do all my tables for under $300 (excluding vases, which I am crafting up).

So, that shaves several hundred from our budget AND I get to be crafty at the same time. Sweet.

Hello Lola! May 14, 2008

Lola front

Originally uploaded by KikiLaRae

We have gotten past the initial grief. We still miss Stella, I still sometimes think I hear her little clicking toenails on the hardwood floors. We have her ashes at home, and that’s a step in the right direction.

However, I miss the snuggle of a puppy. The warm snoring body on my chest, the billions of patient kisses that smell somewhat like puppy food but completely like love.

That’s where Lola comes in. She’s a French Bulldog, soon to be AKC registered. I’m excited to meet her on Thursday and hope that she loves us.

I’m looking forward to the Frenchie attitude — hello stubborn, as well as the snoring, spitting, burping and more.

We’re not looking for a substitute or replacement for Stella, rather a baby sister to the big (but small) sister who would be so proud, slightly bossy and so full of love.

Jenna Bush Got Married May 10, 2008

Have you seen the pics from Jenna Bush’s wedding?

It looked casual (for a $50,000 + event), and I think its fairly cool that they did it outside, with the reception in the tent. The food looked redonkulously fancy — I’d love to see what was on the menu.

I heart the fact that the maids wore Leila Rose.

I didn’t adore Jenna’s dress. I dig Oscar de la Renta, but her dress looked just “okay” to me.

Her hair was cute but simple.

What did you think?

Gotta Decide On Shoes May 7, 2008

wedding shoes

Originally uploaded by KikiLaRae

I have 2 pair of potential wedding shoes (so far).

On top, we’ve got the funky Salvatore Ferragamo’s from Saks.

I love the stacked heel, the lucious leather, the comfort. These are all quality.

On the bottom are the Zara shoes that we got in San Francisco.

They are fairly comfy, I love the patent leather, and the wedge heel could prevent me from having my shoes sink into the grass as we do post-wedding, pre-reception photos.

I just can’t decide.

Perfect Lace Bolero May 4, 2008

LaceBolero

Originally uploaded by KikiLaRae

My lace bolero is done! I worked with an awesome costume designer on Etsy — Rohm — and she just let me know that it is done.

Check out the pics — I don’t think I could be happier — there’s an Alencon Lace top layer and a swiss dot (pont de esprit) underlayer (I believe). Its actually much more beautiful than the ones I saw at the Macy’s Bridal Boutique (IMHO), and far less expensive.

She made this Bolero for only $160 — which is a steal compared to those $600 + NON-TAILORED ones.

Here’s how the process worked:
I emailed (convo’d) her on Etsy — explained what I was looking for as far as collar, materials, sleeves. She could have done a more structured collar, longer (even long-sleeved) arms, more coverage on the front, etc., but the parameters of this bolero are what I wanted.
She sent me a list of measurements to take, I sent them back.
We verified everything — including the color and she got working on it.
The turnaround time was about 6 weeks, but I let her know that there was no urgency on my part (my wedding isn’t for a year!).

Soooo… I am thrilled, you may be too. If you didn’t catch the link above, click here and check out her shop - you can see my bolero and other previous items if you click (under “other sales”) on the 48 (or more) sales link.

Oh, bliss.

Oooh, Vintage Beauty May 3, 2008

Whirling Turban

Originally uploaded by KikiLaRae

I’ve seen Whirling Turban online before but realized that I’d never posted about it.

I heart this site SOOO much. The cute, retro-style dresses, the fun fabrics, the Betty Page look-a-likes, what’s not to love?

Seriously, these dresses harken back to a day where ladies would wear curlers in their hair (even to the grocery store), and heels while vaccuming. You can go back to those days — without the mysogynistic undertones — with one of these sweet beauties.

Oooh, I can totally picture one of these cuties with some up-to-there peep toes, bright red lipstick and eyeliner.

Just like you’d want Dita Von Teese to wear.
Or maybe what you’d envision your dear grandmother (or mom, depending on your age) wearing as she welcomed the kids home from school. Sigh.

May I Have The Invitation, Please? May 3, 2008

WeddingInviteOptions

Originally uploaded by KikiLaRae

I am working with dear friend to develop our invitations. She a graphic designer (and thus has Illustrator, which I do not) and does some pretty sweet stuff.

Anyway, the plan is that I will be doing our invites myself, on the letterpress. It’ll be a lot o’ work, but it’ll totally be worth it to have beautiful, extravagant-ish invitations.

This is one of our drafts. The image will be different than it is now, but the font is perfect, and it matches our custom-designed embosser for the envelopes!

Of course the colors will be different as well, as they will be imprinted on the press (and I’ll be mixing them myself). The process for getting this all done is… slightly time consuming (but I’ve got time baby, check the date!)

Pretty, Inexpensive & A Good Cause May 3, 2008

The White Aisle 1

Originally uploaded by KikiLaRae

Need bridal earrings? Bridesmaid favors? A handwoven sash?

I discovered The White Aisle and I am enamored.

Some items on the site are actually made in Cambodia, in an effort to help sex workers get out of their terrible situations and get into a life where they can support themselves without being exploited. Awesome.

The jewelry and accessories are cute and inexpensive… I am loving some of the brooches and may have to order one if my dear grandma doesn’t come through with one for the wedding.

I Heart This Photographer! May 3, 2008

Red Apple Images

Originally uploaded by KikiLaRae

There’s this great little local studio that makes me wish we could get married twice, so we could get another photographer!

I love, love, love Shannon and Brett at 1 Fine Day (our chosen photog), but I’ve also since found Kate of Red Apple Images. I heart her personality, her great angles and shots and also her sweet prices (Hello — $800 for 6 hours and digital proofs?!?!?).

She’s got a great eye for sweet, delicate, loving shots (or this couple is amazingly photogenic and hugely thrilled about their wedding day. Or both.

You can see her work on Offbeat Bride as well — that shoot is beyond cute.

On Choosing A Twin Cities Restaurant Venue May 1, 2008

When you’re chosing your venue, it can be a daunting task if you aren’t careful. Between the reception halls, parks, hotels and more, its easy to look over a natural alternative: Restaurants.

Now, it depends on your wedding party size. If you’re expecting 500, there are only a few restaurants than can handle your group. But if you’re expecting somewhere between 100 and 200, you’ve got some solid options. If you go smaller, you are in even better shape.