Not Your Traditional Wedding

Hey, it's 2012!

2012-02-03T00:18:00.000-05:00

It snowed my first week here! over 6" total!

yep. and I live in WA now! woo! so i'm now planning the detail-oriented part of the wedding from across the country. woo! Invites are DONE and ready to be mailed soon. Room group rates are set up. I still have to pay the bartender cuz *SOMEONE* forgot to mail the contract and deposit two weeks ago.. We have an officiant and are in progress of customizing our ceremony. I get to call the rental place tomorrow and set up the renting of the plates and stuff. I'm waiting on a strapless bra in the mail so I can get my dress altered. I lost 2 dress sizes since I last updated you guys. So I need a TON of alterations done. yay... -_- Got shoes. What's left? uhhh.. oh yeah.. paying for everything. The moms are still looking for their dresses. I think we may rent a shuttle for all the guests. (open bar and all) blah. now is the crunch time to make sure everything works.

So hi?

2011-11-23T00:34:00.000-05:00

Hi guys! Remember me? Wow... July was my last post.. dang. I blame it on school. I'm in my last semester now, and all was going well- i was on track to getting a 4.00 this semester.. until September 6... I was rear-ended pretty bad and was launched into a jeep. So that really screwed up my school plans. I'm still in school, but no 4.00 for me anymore. I'm just aiming to pass. The whole thing makes me so mad. The kid admits that he was "checking" his phone, but the cop didn't check if he was texting (illegal here). I'm very sure he was. Up until the collision he was tail-gating me and kept having to break (he was speeding pretty heavy). So he was probably going 50-55 before he started breaking. Oh, and I was stopped. So I've been seeing a chiropractor and struggling with fibromyalgia flares all thanks to this punk. And I may not graduate with honors anymore. So I'm very ticked, to say the least...

Anyways! Wedding! Less than 5 months to go! I designed our save-the-dates and invites, and had them printed at cards and pockets. The print quality was decent, and the paper is great. I'm quite happy. I'll post a picture soon. everything is at the parents'.

Dress. Ah, my dress struggles... Remember that I gained close to 30 lbs? Well.... I lost it all again. It turns out it was a medication I was on. So I got to get a whole new wardrobe, and dress. I had ordered a size 6, and at the time we were going to need to let it out. Well, I lost weight and they let us exchange it for a 4. And now, the 4 needs to be taken in. So I'm really trying to maintain a healthy weight. All this fluctuating is very annoying, and really wreaks havoc on my self-confidence. And I should probably get a new bra now too...

My feet also shrunk. So to fit in my flats now, I have to wear rubber bands around the middle of my feet! it's pretty funny.

I'll try to remember to post updates periodically. But school is devouring my time. Oh, and Skyrim. Skyrim too. (Can't wait to play Skyward Sword in December- Lance has the Wii)

FOOD

2011-07-18T19:10:00.000-04:00

I love food. But when it comes to planning our menu I'm a little lost. We're both kinda picky, and we have nut and shrimp allergies in the family.. along with diabetes. So I'm kinda lost as to what to have! The only real thing I require is chocolate covered strawberries, or strawberries and chocolate. Oh and real plates and silverware and glasses. No plastic. I've been known to shatter plastic forks on a salad...

Any suggestions? Our budget is about $2300 for food, beverages, the whole shebang. So we're thinking about $20 per person on just food, then we'll go from there for alcohol/ desserts.

Skin (again)

2011-07-16T22:49:00.001-04:00

Oh, so randomly I developed an allergy to Clinique... I blame it on prednisone... but whatever.. So now I'm using Clarins with no problems. It's gentle and "all natural" or so the lady said. But my skin is smooth, now the scars just need to heal..

I'm not dead!

2011-07-16T21:20:00.000-04:00

Hey guys!
I'm officially the worst blogger in the world. I know... but hey! in NINE MONTHS I'll be married!

Scuury!

K, so I found the bestest florist in the world! ok I'm partial but still.. check this out!

http://www.angelacoxphotography.com/?p=293

Here you will find both photos taken by our photographer, and the flowers were done by our florist!

In other news.. Lance graduated college.. again.. and has a full-time job in Richland, WA. yep. Washington. So we're currently in a long-distance shenanigan. And I'm taking summer courses (which sucks) and then I have my last semester of college! In January I move out there with him. Then come April we fly back to SC for the wedding. Yay moving... my least favorite thing to do.

Skincare routine

2011-03-11T20:06:00.000-05:00

I have acne. And REALLY oily skin. Like fry an egg on my face oily. I've tried differin, retin-a, proactiv, and otc stuff. And the ONLY system that works for me is Clinique's Acne Solutions. I combine that with their exfoliating scrub and turnaround concentrate. Right now my skin is TERRIBLY congested because I had a minor RA flare and was put on 40mg of prednisone. And the Clinique has kept my skin from getting too too bad, it just feels really dirty. So I can only imagine how clear and smooth it will be once the Prednisone is out of my system.

The big thing I love about Clinique is it's widely available, and if it doesn't work, you can return it no questions asked. Even if you used half the bottle!

so on to my routine..

Morning
Wash with Acne cleansing foam
Tone with Acne "lotion" (toner)- I scrub pretty good cuz my oily skin likes to hang on to dead skin cells
Mix 1/2 pea size Acne moisturizer with 1 pea size Moisture Surge gel (I'll explain in a minute)
Top with 1 pump Turnaround concentrate

Night/Shower
Steam skin for 5 min in shower
Scrub gentle in circular motions using a dime size amount of exfoliating scrub
Wash with Acne cleansing foam
Tone
Apply turnaround concentrate
apply moisture surge gel

And when my skin feels extra dirty and nasty I use the Turnaround Instant Facial. But only in the shower cuz It's hard to wash off at the sink.

Now, as for the moisture surge.. Remember I said I have SUPER oily skin? Well, this past weekend I went to the Clinique counter looking for something to dry me out MORE than the acne line. The lady said that my skin might be dehydrated.. I rolled my eyes to myself and went with her to look at the moisturizers. She said that the Moisture surge is great for really oily skin cuz it has aloe and it's a gel and therefore oil free. And before I know it she's slathering a quarter size dollop on my face! I was horrified! Then to my surprise, she exclaims "ohhhh yeah! You're skin is VERY dehydrated!" I asked how she knew? she said my skin creped up when she was applying the moisturizer! I was shocked! Then!!!!! to my surprise and delight! MY skin remattified!!!! MATTIFIED I tell you!! And I won't even start on how smooth, supple, and baby-like my skin felt.. ok maybe a little.. I couldn't stop touching my face! So I've replaced their Dramatically Different Moisture Gel with the Moisture Surge, and LOVE the results! My skin ISN'T oily! WOW! It's been great! And it's so soothing especially on acne marks (which are barely there anymore!) I actually look forward to my skin care regime now. I used to dread it.

One final thing. If you are sensitive to benzyl peroxide, definitely cut the amount of the acne moisturizer with another. I have to or I get a rash-like burn.

That's all for now! I'm gonna go wash my face. ;P

PLEASE!!!!!!

2011-03-03T10:46:00.000-05:00

Hey guys!
HUGE FAVOR!

PLEASE vote for Lance and me! And please pass it on! We need a LOT of votes to catch up and win.
This would be a huge blessing for both of us and allow us to better afford my medicines and health care once we're married. I can iterate enough how grateful we would be.

http://www.ultimateweddingcontest.com/entry/146732

Please? :)

BAH!

2011-02-26T19:31:00.000-05:00

Hi all!
Long time no blog. school is horrendous. like for reals. anywho.

The dress search continues! yes I know I know.. but this time not cuz of the OCD... cuz of weight gain! I HAVE CURVES!!!! WOOT!

So yeah. I have curves, I'm rockin them, and they aint going away. so the jasmine haute couture t282 dress has to go. So if you know anyone who wants a slightly smaller than size 12, dry cleaned but with dirty hem, lacey pretty gown for $600, send 'em my way! The dress is listed on OnceWed as well.

I'll keep ya updated on the search.

Anniversary Time!

2011-01-10T18:50:00.000-05:00

It's our 3 year today! and to celebrate, we got snowed in! woo! we went to dinner yesterday cuz we knew there'd be snow today. And we bought each other wallets. We both needed one, so we each got a brand new Fossil wallet! yay! Today I slept in, and then took a nap. It was great. He worked. how exciting.. woo.. lol

Merry Christmas and stuff

2010-12-29T14:44:00.000-05:00

Hope everyone had a nice Holiday break. I know I did! Got lots of goodies!

I'm thinking of starting to sell skin care on etsy. I already make my own stuff, why not bottle and sell it? well.. the start-up cost would be $300. That's why.

In other news my nose ring fell down the sink :( so I ordered more but it's going to HURT to pop one back in after 2 days with nothing in. :(((

I've started collecting windows for the wedding backdrop. They average $12 a piece. Ouch. but it'll be cool.

Also, got a sketch email about doing a giveaway. So I'm checking into it. If it's legit, then I'll be doing my first official real giveaway! From CSNstores.com. ooooo, I know, right? I hope it's legit but I'm not holding my breath.

Abby's cuteness

2010-12-15T22:42:00.003-05:00

she has this cute habit of sticking her tongue out and leaving it out. sometimes she sleeps like that. needless to say when i got the camera she woke up.. but still. so cute.

Cheap CANVAS prints

2010-12-15T20:21:00.001-05:00

By a local dude here in Greenville, SC.

http://canvasphoto.us/

check him out. this is where we're going to get my bridal portrait printed and stuff. :)

bouquet- good pics

2010-12-14T17:15:00.000-05:00

Ceremony Backdrop

2010-12-14T17:13:00.000-05:00

Here's post one of two for today.
Imagine this with greenery and flowers.. and with a burlap and ivory fabric backdrop, not brick. I wish Whaley had the brick. that'd be awesome. but nope.

as promised

2010-12-11T00:05:00.000-05:00

as promised i decided that fake is the way to go. with my allergies, ocd, and other factors, fake is just better for us. As much as i'd love real, it's just not realistic. so! pottery barn had nice succulents on sale.. half off. so i bought them out. only 8 stems (24 individual succulents) but that's enough for bouquets and bouts. next, to hobby lobby to get the hydrangea that i love from them. lance thought even with the succulents the bouwut looked bare. cue mini callas from the wedding aisle meant for diy bouts. they look real enough and are small and dainty enough for a bouquet. yay! input would be great!

Flowers part 3

2010-12-08T21:59:00.001-05:00

Sooooo my little self looked at the posts.. and wow.. twice as many real hydrangea for $7 more... something is off...
so..
new real prices
60 hydrangea stems = $157.44
60 succulent stems = $300 (guess)
--------------------------------------------
total = $458

yeah. hrm
throws a wrench into my plans and trying to convince myself that fake is the way to go.. hrm..

Flowers part 2

2010-12-08T21:53:00.000-05:00

so like I said.. today fake flowers seem so much more appealing to the pocketbook and for sanity's sake.

so on with the numbers..
20 pots of crate & barrel succulents = $300
51 fake hydrangea stems = $255
----------------------------------------------------
total = $555

Lance likes this number a lot better.

Pros-
- they don't die/ can be resold
- can be made months in advance
- no one will care otherwise
- cheaper
- can be dropped and wont crumble to petal-y pieces

Cons
- they don't look as nice
- My ocd will probably induce a panic attack one week out about how they just aren't as nice and not what i want and wahhhh

Flowers

2010-12-08T13:48:00.000-05:00

You know me, I get in these moods. Well, I'm now wanting real flowers (and tomorrow I'll prob want fake lol) but anyways. We'd get them from Sam's Club. Here's the lineup-

24 bunches of assorted greenery = $161.31
225 white hotel roses = $284.49
140 stems white dendrobium orchids = $240.92
100 stems white hydrangea = $262.40
+ succulents at ????
-----------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal = $949.12

Not sure if this is a good number for alllll flowers or not. we'll still need vases, ribbon, styrofoam, etc. plus the time to make the centerpieces, bouquets, bouts, and corsages.. still weighing on if it'll be worth it. thoughts?

Life

2010-12-02T21:25:00.000-05:00

Life is tough for us right now. Financial situation is tight, and looks like he will be joining the workforce very soon due to lack of funding for the rest of grad school. That is, unless he can pull some strings with the department. But he's stressed to the max so I feel like a failure as a fiance because I can't help. I feel so powerless and nothing is in my control. And that's hard for me. So many things in my life are outside my control and I hate it. Classes start again in January and I'm so ready to be done. Like unbelievably. I'd drop out if it weren't for the fact that my parents would probably hate me and that everyone expects me to finish. I'm just so burned out and so tired of not having a say in my life. Words of wisdom, advice, and prayers are definitely needed right about now. especially since the outcome of our financial future lies within the next week. I feel at rock bottom, and the wedding planning is on hold. The date is still solid, but I can hardly invest time and money in something so far away when there are other pressing matters at hand. :( So please keep us in your thoughts and prayers. Thanks..

Katie

Happy Birfday to me!

2010-11-17T23:01:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow is my 23rd birthday! I totally don't feel 23. more like 18. barely. can't believe how time flies. mom and I will be spending the day together. It's the first time I've been home for my birthday in 5 years. So she's really excited, to say the least. The only downside is Lance is back in Clemson, while I'm here home. So yeah.. kinda bittersweet.

In other news I've been home since Friday, for some craft fairs. one last Sat and Sun, and one this Sat. Then Thanksgiving.. so we decided it'd be cheaper and easier for me to just stay here till the 28th.

yikes

2010-11-07T01:03:00.000-04:00

putting down deposits is scary! I mean, here we are less than a year and a half out.. and making deposits.. so now 1) the date is official and 2) we're gonna be out a lot of money

we've made deposits on:
location
wedding planner
photographer
dj
and very soon the caterer

AHH!!! it's getting "real" and official! so scary! 0.o

registry fun!

2010-11-04T21:38:00.000-04:00

here is our set! it's vera wang's lace set mixed with june lane's set! the saucer would match the "crackle" plate. ^_^

Whaley it is

2010-10-31T02:34:00.000-04:00

we've decided whaley is the place for our reception at least. maybe ceremony. i need to do more research on what you can do with a blank slate.

AHHHHH

2010-10-30T00:56:00.000-04:00

We went to see the chapel today.. and it's wayyyy up the mountain. like an hour and a half drive from civilization. sooo we're having second thoughts. especially since the reception hall would be far from the ceremony location. I'm going absolutely crazy. I don't know what to do. I wish we could have the chapel and Whaley. that's be perfect. minus the price. ouch.
anyone know of a cheap ceremony location or at least a pretty outdoor area to take pictures in?

Offering new services

2010-10-29T02:02:00.002-04:00

I may start printing invitations for other brides soon. That is, IF my application for wholesale paper goes through on cardsandpockets.com. Then I can design AND print invites. If I can't get the wholesale account, then forget it.. It's not worth it to charge broke brides $4 per invite, rsvp, enclosure.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/lilacsandlace

email

2010-10-26T23:37:00.001-04:00

you can now reach me directly at...

notyourtraditionalwedding at gmail dot com

one more..

2010-10-26T03:07:00.001-04:00

gah. hopefully last post for the night.. apparently you all have been leaving comments! YAY! but my stupid google hasn't been telling me! BAD GOOGLE! so i'll attempt to keep up with any questions. ;)

ha

2010-10-26T03:03:00.001-04:00

you guys must like for serious think i'm crazy. heck, I think i'm crazy!
I've been going over old posts.. and just realizing how many friggin times i've changed my mind on things..
5 dresses
at least 5 ceremony locations
about 5 photographers
countless boutonniere, bouquet, and invitation designs.
my god! your heads must be spinning!

It comes down to this.. after many many many months of self searching.. i've discovered that in my lack of self-esteem, i have attempted to fill it with accomplishments elsewhere. wedding stuff just so happens to be the most rewarding for me right now.. so i'm really working on 'me' right now. trying to end this stupid and senseless spending and searching.
i think all these cruddy feelings come from a dark past relationship. anyways..
luckily for me, and everyone else, the wedding is actually moving towards us now. we're less than 18 months away! so now decisions made will have to start being the final decision. no more "playing house."
so anyways... just a moment of "holy crap I'm stupid!" thought I'd share.
oh, and if anyone out there knows of a cheap but nice reception hall within an hour of Landrum, SC.. please let me know.. i'm searching but am coming up empty handed.. sigh.

bad katie!

2010-10-26T02:38:00.000-04:00

I just realized I haven't posted a pic of me in my dress.. she's currently home with mom all safe and sound, but not before i got some pics with one of my bouquets (on sale on my etsy page ;) )

Invites

2010-10-26T00:24:00.000-04:00

I've finally designed some invites worthy to be called mine. lol. after all, being a graphic designer... yeah. so i designed these. ^_^ the only way these could be any better is if they were letterpressed. enjoy.

inspiration board 9

2010-10-21T21:33:00.000-04:00

Change of location..maybe

2010-10-21T21:01:00.001-04:00

we'll see

Grabby Hands

2010-10-20T22:07:00.000-04:00

My Dream Bouquet

My dream aisle.

Suddenly I want a unity candle

2010-10-19T22:36:00.002-04:00

hrmmm I wonder why??

wicked cool

2010-10-19T15:26:00.000-04:00

Found this site that allows you to mock up your table arrangement! <3

http://www.bbjlinen.com/Design-Your-Event-Table

Boutonnieres

2010-10-10T21:02:00.000-04:00

the bouts i've been meaning to make since last year.

SOAP

2010-10-05T13:40:00.001-04:00

For those who do not know.. I'm selling soap! And Natural Laundry Detergent is coming soon!

http://www.facebook.com/simplenaturalsoap

http://www.simplenaturalsoap.com/

Check out the site for ingredients, benefits, and even my own product review! ^_^

Enbrel Injection Tips from an Enbrel Veteran

2010-09-26T02:18:00.000-04:00

This is completely and totally unrelated to wedding planning but I feel it's a necessary post. I've seen so many people give bad tips and bad advice, or misguided advice, about enbrel injections. So here goes..

I've been on enbrel for... oh.. 10 years. basically since it came out. it's a biological drug that is a TNF inhibitor. So basically it helps keep your body from attacking itself. Enbrel really is a miracle drug. After taking it for 7 years, I was able to go OFF it for TWO WHOLE YEARS! Now I take it maybe once every 3 months? My doctor is baffled as to how I'm in remission, but the enbrel magically trained my body to behave. I take the enbrel at any slight signs that I may be having a flare. So when I start getting achy joints at night I take a 25 mg shot. Just one. and Body goes back to being fine.

So anyways. It's technically not how you're "supposed" to do things, but I've been doing it this way for 5 years without a problem.

I use 31g insulin syringes. I mix the solution as normal, then i pop out the stopper of the insulin syringe, and fill 'er up. I then gently put the stopper back in the bottom, not pushing up, and i flick HARD to get the air bubble to the top. I then push the air out and voile!

I also find that enbrel can scar your skin on the inside, so after 10 years of doing this, I "pull" the skin apart rather than pinching. Pinching keeps the itty bitty needle from going in.

and I also can't just shoot the needle in.. i do it slowly. I like to be in control.. and when you do it slowly you're less likely to puncture a vein.. cuz you feel it. I actually like to feel for the needle to go through the different layers of skin. and sometimes it just goes right through, other times it pinches.

People will say it hurts less if you wait for the alcohol to dry, or to bring the medicine to room temp or whatever.. but i find with the 25 mg mix vials.. it really doesn't matter. It's going to itch afterwards.and with the premixed/sureclick.. it's going to freaking hurt. like bad.

I should comment on the abomination that is the pre-filled syringe/ sure click. wtf enbrel developers? i mean really? a shot that burns like morphine? come on.. try giving that to a kid.. right.. and you'll never get them to cooperate AGAIN.

If you have fibromyalgia like me, or a child, or sensitive skin. just get the you mix set. you can even get your kids involved. it's like a chemistry set! the medicine in the you mix vials doesn't burn or sting, or make your leg feel like it's being severed. really. it hurts that much. and this is coming from a joint replacement survivor.

if you have itching like me for hours after the injection.. I'm told benadryl pills help. and the spray helps. but NO SCRATCHING. makes it worse. but i normally just try to ignore it and imagine the medicine infusing into my body and starting to work.

after your first injection, or in my case every injection as i only do them once a month or less... you may feel "flu-y" for the next few days. This is because the body is adjusting. Perfectly normal. I normally do my shot on a friday so I can rest all weekend. You may also experience some depression. Again, normal. I mean.. dude.. you have to give yourself shots.. that's pretty life-altering. give yourself some time to adjust, and it'll pass. and until it does.. chocolate ice cream. eat it after your shot. and sit the container on the shot spot. it'll numb the itching and you get a treat! magic!

I can't think of anything else.. so if you have any questions.. especially pertaining to children.. post a comment. I've had JRA since I was 12. well. diagnosed at 12, had it probably since 10. I'm 22 now. And I was that kid you had to sit on to give shots to.. and now I do them myself.

STUFF FOR SALE

2010-08-29T21:31:00.016-04:00

13 small, 4 tall candle holders, some with candles. $17 plus shipping/insurance
6 pillar candles/holders $15 plus shipping

pillar candle holder *free* with purchase

Bride's invite set for 36 invites and rsvp cards with ribbon $8 plus shipping
2 spools ribbon *free* with purchase

36 colored pencils $3 plus shipping

embossing gun $8 plus shipping

ink $2
vintage handkerchief $1
bicone purple crystals $1
pins $1

brown pigment ink pad $2

corner punch $4
NINE (9) clear envelopes $3
TEN (10) brown envelopes $4

ALSO.. check out my etsy store for bouquets, boutonnieres and other stuff..

For reals this time.. dress found and BOUGHT

2010-08-14T13:01:00.002-04:00

saw an ad for a Jasmine T282 on Weddingbee and fell head over heels. we're talking couldn't sleep and had tingles and butterflies and all that jazz. AND! she was only $400 and in MY size!
so FI and i met mom in Irmo at Jo Lins and tried on the dress... and omg... she's gorgeous. so FI bought the $400 dress for me and i'll be paying him back. I'm so excited. It's a $1300 dress.. and I get her for $400 plus cleaning price. she has dirt along the hem and so needs to be cleaned. but aside from that.. she's perfect! I'll get her in the mail either monday or tuesday!

Allure ball gown

2010-08-09T16:42:00.001-04:00

here are many angles. mom LOVES it. as do I. so maybe THIS is it?

which?

2010-08-07T17:20:00.000-04:00

i like both. but they are like complete opposites!

OCD strikes again

2010-08-07T02:23:00.003-04:00

long story short.. i'm depressed and anxious and I'm ready to find THE dress already so I won't want to look anymore. anyways... tried on a ball gown i like.. might be the one, but the button dress might be. or maybe i'll just go nudist and not worry about it.

Dress confusion!!!!

2010-08-01T23:12:00.004-04:00

Have been thinking about said dress and the vision for the wedding and not sure how it's going to work.. And I've been wanting a pic of me in it to look back at. But alas, no pics allowed. So! In hopes that The Perfect Dress in Anderson had one like it, we went and took pics of another Allure gown. This one is similar on top, but a satin bottom.. wait for it... WITH BUTTONS!!!! (I have a secret love affair with buttons) BUT.... mom like the other dress better, but then adds "I don't know I'd have to see it on you." ugh. so we need to get her up here. and I like said new dress. it makes my body look awesome.. it has the sweetheart neckline, buttons, lace, a little bling, and then the bottom makes me look tall! All my requirements! but mom likes the other one.... so i'm left confused. Being on my OCD meds, I can't physically get attached to a dress. so I almost need someone else to make the decision for me. cuz I can't decide which is better now. I feel the button dress goes better with the venue, and is more "me".. not too over-the-top or fancy. It may even be more timeless? But IDK!!!! I can't remember the last one. and they don't allow pics. grr. i just need help. sigh. here's said new dress. and photoshopped lace dress.

Things are coming together

2010-07-19T20:49:00.003-04:00

So a lot of thinking has happened. and things are changing. I did a search for locations, and somehow I found 701 Whaley. It's a 1920's building in downtown Columbia. It's a little industrial, a little modern, and a little vintage. It's also affordable. It's large enough to have ceremony and reception in the same place.

Next, I did a little stalkig of 701 Whaley. and found this. serious. same place. on an $8000 budget. serious. and the food? $10 per person. I HAD to find this caterer. and I did. and we're at $20 per person AT MOST.

and. found the wedding ring for Lance. $200. with free engraving and shipping.

so, right now.. we have a wedding planner, photographer, location, caterer, and i'm doing the centerpieces and bouquets. I think that about covers it! now we just have to make it to 2012...

Dress search shinannigans= OVER

2010-07-17T11:51:00.002-04:00

meet my dress. she's GORGEOUS.. the most gorgeous thing i've ever seen. all thats left is getting money for the deposit. and she's mine!

ranunculus bouquet

2010-06-14T22:42:00.003-04:00

the ranunculus I ordered came in! Here's the bouquet I made from them.

more flowers and photoshopping

2010-06-06T22:35:00.002-04:00

another idea/ option

additional pic

2010-06-06T11:55:00.000-04:00

flowers revision

2010-06-06T02:12:00.001-04:00

sooo i didn't like just the hellebore, and after a mild freak out session i ripped it apart and made this one. it has peonies and a couple orchids.

hellebore flowers

2010-06-05T23:28:00.001-04:00

thoughts?

inspiration board 8

2010-05-31T21:44:00.003-04:00

Top 3 big images are of the Cotton Dock at Boone Hall in Charleston, SC. Where we may now be getting married, cuz it may be more affordable.

Confession

2010-05-10T14:58:00.002-04:00

I have OCD. Like really. and because of the OCD I get into a lot of trouble. Especially in spending. and the buying of previous dresses is no exception. So, I'm wanting to do things right. I want the dress selection to be with my mom. I want to think about the purchase before I make it. I don't want to buy THE dress because of some OCD obsession. So, that being said. I have in my right mind found a dress that I'm interested in. I'm not in love or whatever yet.. because that could lead to another frivolous purchase and another disappointment.. I've tried on said dress and will be trying on dresses with mommy hopefully sometime this week. And I hope she cries and says it's the one and all that stuff. I have this strange fantasy that it will be like my senior prom dress shopping. I tried it on, and she said "Oh, my gosh, Katie... This is it." And that was that. My OCD was not as bad then as it is now. I find myself in panic attacks over purchases and I HAVE to buy whatever it is to avoid said attack. It's just very unfortunate that I've done that so far with the dresses. I don't want my association with my dress to be.. "oh, I went out and tried it on and wasn't able to control my OCD and thus had to buy it and then wasn't able to return it.." That's not exactly a pleasant association. So without further ado.. here's the dress I tried on..

jewelry

2010-04-20T11:59:00.002-04:00

so i'm thinkin that maybe i'm going to not wear a necklace and only wear earrings... and i think these are it. but things change. right now these are it. and i really love them. oh, and i made them :)

^_^

2010-04-04T23:32:00.002-04:00

this week has rocked. nice weather, made some earrings, no massive amounts of homework.. and got a kitty!!!!!! ^_^ her name is Abby and she's the most chill, well-behaved, spunky, and incredibly sweet kitty. doesn't feel real that we have a kitty yet. almost like they're going to take her back. well, technically they can. and by they i mean the humane society. We're technically fostering her for 2 weeks and they reserve the right to not let us adopt her. buuut hopefully they will let us. cuz she's awesome and so happy here with us. so much better than the cages at the shelter. boo.

inspiration board 7

2010-03-25T11:36:00.002-04:00

Got bored, so updated my vision.

I'm Engaged!!!!

2010-03-16T18:02:00.003-04:00

So we went up to the mountains today, and Lance really wanted to go to the twin falls outside of Pickens, SC. When we hike up to the falls, there's an observation deck we were standing on. Well, he turns to me and says "so, you ready to go under the falls?" I all but fall over. We then proceed to hike down off the deck and scramble over slippery rocks to get to a large rock in front of the falls. Once we get there, he gets down on bended knee, says some eloquent pretty romantic stuff, and asked if i will marry him. I manage a yes, and then we hug in the freezing cold then scramble back down the rocks.

and the pic above is my ring. i did a small photo shoot ^_^

Spring Break!

2010-03-14T14:50:00.003-04:00

Lance and I are going to the mountains this week to see some waterfalls. I'm excited. I hope the weather stays fair.

side note: i got a double lens camera i'm experimenting with 35mm film in. i just stuck some sponges on the sides of the 35mm roll and voila! it fits. Sure i have to slam the door shut but hey! it's compromise! I'm hoping it works. keep your fingers crossed! this camera is a Argus seventy-five if you wanted to know and it takes 620 film.

i've also recently switched from proactiv to clinique and my skin is soooo much smoother and softer. Yay outgrowing acne! i've become nearly obsessed with trying all their products. and then if they don't work i return them. i'm so glad they take returns with no questions asked. it's most awesome.

not much in the ways of wedding planning lately due to pushing the date back soooo far. but i think we've decided for sure, 100% on a photographer: Heidi from Our Labor of Love. Her work is AMAZING and most perfect for our style. so we have the location and photographer selected, now just the date and all that important stuff, lol. we're so backwards with this whole thing. oh well. it's us and we're quirky.

promise ring

2010-02-25T21:58:00.003-05:00

funny story. this was originally my engagement ring. but then we decided that since a wedding band can't fit against it (i want to be able to wear my band alone as well as with the e-ring), we'd have to get a new set. which we did. you get to see that once he proposes ;) so this is my promise ring. me love.

help

2010-01-31T19:45:00.002-05:00

I love the cathedral length, Lance likes the fingertip. Which do you guys like better or should i go for this waltz length veil instead?

fingertip

cathedral

want

2010-01-30T17:25:00.002-05:00

from david's bridal

must see

2010-01-29T00:56:00.001-05:00

so gorgeous. doily garlands!

alternating centerpieces: found

2010-01-29T00:44:00.002-05:00

going to place our terrariums on the fireplaces as decor, and use these pretties and the existing square moss centerpieces for the tables.

inspiration board 6

2010-01-27T11:04:00.000-05:00

I decided to make yet another board. so here it is

a "Very near 10"

2010-01-24T22:36:00.002-05:00

the image comes on the "organic" transparencies you can buy at michael's for the yudu. the font and layout was done by me and printed on the computer, then the tree image was screen printed. I suggest if you screen print, you use 110lb stock paper. this 90lb curled.

i love them. and lance gives them a "very near 10" which has been a pain in the you know what. it's been hard finding invites that match the venue, our styles, and the overall feel we want. this matches pretty perfectly. and the rounded corners gives it that vintagey-photo feel. ^_^

inspiration board 5

2010-01-17T13:33:00.002-05:00

featuring my dress and my bouquet

New date

2010-01-16T00:15:00.002-05:00

So... not too happy.. we've had to push the date back another 5 months. *sadness* So now we're looking at the beginning of October of 2011. And it may even get pushed to May of 2012! yikes. It's really discouraging. It's like school and lack of money is keeping us from being together as husband and wife, and it's totally not fun. Onward to waiting!

I got a 10

2010-01-15T23:38:00.002-05:00

I'm always asking Lance "what is this on a scale of 1-10." It annoys him. But tonight I was trying on jewelry with my dress.. and I put on oneof my vintage pieces-an aurora borealis crystal choker, and immediately he says "now this is a 10." it was sweet. So he took a pic.

bouquets

2010-01-15T17:14:00.002-05:00

new crush

2010-01-13T23:04:00.001-05:00

TOTALLY have a crush on this.

Centerpieces again

2010-01-13T22:55:00.003-05:00

took some pics. these are our 2 centerpiece versions. one on every other table.

$20 bouts

2010-01-10T19:34:00.003-05:00

I finally got our bouts done. They're made from millinery leaves, little beady things, sterling leaves, velvet leaves, feathers, and fake berries. Lance's has peacock details.

2nd Anniversary

2010-01-10T12:17:00.002-05:00

Today is Lance and my second anniversary! We were going to go to a fancy restaurant to celebrate, but we're broke, lol. So I'm just going to make my yummy spaghetti and we'll have some Arbor Mist.. mmmm... Cheers to 2 years of happiness and goofing off.

Centerpieces: revisited

2010-01-09T19:45:00.002-05:00

Remember these? ya know, the centerpieces that when we brought them to the venue didn't match? well, they've been revamped. that's right, me armed with a glue-gun, glued gunmetal and champagne ribbon around them to soften the look. and they look awesome! take a look

Happy New Year!

2009-12-31T13:51:00.002-05:00

this new year is bittersweet. I should have been graduating this may, but thanks to changing majors i won't be till Dec 2011. also, when I was still a Fine Arts major, Lance and I were planning on getting married in 2010. but everything happens for a reason, right? Hope this new year brings you happiness and success.

On timing

2009-12-27T19:47:00.002-05:00

So possibly the biggest source of distress concerning the wedding planning for me has been the timing of the wedding. Do we have a morning wedding with little to no dancing to please Lance? It'd be smaller, simpler. or.. Do we have a 3pm ceremony with a party that goes into the night? Big, elaborate, family pleasing. Well, mom presented a third option.. a 1pm ceremony with hors d'ourves, and an ipod for music. This third option seems to fit us best. We'll have a early afternoon ceremony, but after lunch. So people know to eat beforehand. After the 1pm ceremony, we essentially will have a really long cocktail hour, with some dancing, if people want, and socializing the rest of the day, and things ending around dinnertime. This arrangement saves us close to $3000 in food costs, and $900 in dj costs. This also allows us to get away with not having alcohol. Lance has requested no alcohol. Partially because we don't want people drunk, and partially because it costs more. So if you're tight with costs but don't want a morning wedding, consider afternoon!

Surgery is over

2009-12-23T17:57:00.002-05:00

Had the breast reduction surgery friday. All is well and healing nicely. Got the drains out yesterday and feel much better. Haven't even needed pain medication since the night after surgery. Yay! things are still bruised and swollen and lumpy, but it'll take a while before they're how they're supposed to look. I'll post before and after pics once things settle out.

elegant modern bouquets/flowers that last

2009-12-14T18:41:00.002-05:00

Hobby Lobby carries these waxy-feeling hydrangea that look so real, even next to real roses and mums you can't tell they aren't real. the coloring is right and they are sooo easy to make professional looking bouquets and arrangements cuz it's already artfully put together and hand arranged. here are a couple bouquets I threw together. and the bride's bouquet looks amazing with my dress. the bridesmaid one is a mix of white and green. i pulled them apart and mixed the pieces cuz the white was too boring and the green was too bright for a bridesmaid.

on living

2009-12-12T00:53:00.002-05:00

so i've sriously fallen off the face of the planet. completely gone. off to saturn to play in the rings.. jumping from space rock to space rock.. sigh
finals week
was hell
is over..
YAY
so! onward!
Lance and I have started living together. and by living together i mean are roommates. He has his room, I have mine. Things are nice. no roommates from hell anymore. (whole other story)
I think if you're going to cohabitate before you get married you really need to realize that this is how it will be once you're married. or at least prepare yourself for it. I really don't anticipate a change. having our own rooms seems to be a nice buffer. when we want to be together we hang out in the living room, when it's time for bed we say goodnight and head to our own beds. It's a nice step towards our married life.. but it's like we're still saving the whole "sharing a bed" thing. while i don't feel "closer," i feel safer. i think to expect to feel closer when you move in together is setting yourself up for failure. yes you feel all giddy about "we have our place," but that wears off.. and if you were expecting some huge change in the emotional closeness I think you'll be let down. we're literally physically closer. in closer proximity. he doesn't have to leave at 2 am anymore to go home. he just walks to the other room. and I'm getting more sleep cuz when i'm tired i dont feel guilty falling asleep on him. cuz i know he doesn't have to go back to his place alone. so all in all it was a good choice for US. for our situation. but I honestly don't think all couples should live together before they get married. It's not a trial run. It's the real thing. If you're not prepared to stick with them before you're married.. what will change when you're married? all the wedding does is make you sign a piece of paper, spend a ton of money and wear a piece of overpriced jewelry and for what? feeling exactly the same at the end of the day. butterflies wear off. so if you're sorely disappointed with him now, sorry to break it to you... this is the best it will be. so get your priorities straight.. and realize marriage is a choice. from the moment you choose to stand by him no matter what.. you're married in your hearts. and you have to mean it. none of this half-assed i'll stand by him as long as..
but i think you get the point. just... think it through. don't get lost in teh emotions and lose sight of what this really is.

I must be crazy

2009-10-22T22:55:00.006-04:00

Went in to David's Bridal fully set on my Galina gown.. came out with another. It's a preview gown. one that may be discontinued at any moment and once they're out of the style it's GONE.
It's GORGEOUS. It's Perfect. It's mine.

inspiration board 4

2009-10-18T14:01:00.002-04:00

peonies, lace, succulents, antique bottles, burlap, wrought iron, and brick

peonies

2009-10-18T13:18:00.003-04:00

if you're hankering for realistic silk peonies, here's an awesome site. they have cream, light pink, and bright pink open and cupped blooms. i may be getting some. :)

a little photoshopping

2009-10-17T00:04:00.003-04:00

sooooo knowing i'll be having surgery in december, i photoshopped what i possibly will look like with a smaller chest and altered dress with this flower i'm obsessed with. so here's the before and after. yay photoshop. and yes it's a crude job. don't hate. haha

Fall cleaning

2009-10-15T05:37:00.003-04:00

I deleted a lot of posts. most related to the old wedding plans. best to move forward, right?

still love Millston at Adams Pond. Def think it's THE place. I'm still totally obsessed with it and haven't even wanted to look at otehr locations. yay.

oh, and now i love peonies and garden roses. go figure. yay for trying to figure out what you like?

i turn 22 soon. wow. i'm still getting used to being 18! sigh.

i miss my dress

i'm having breast reduction in December. yay no more chronic neck shoulder and back pain!

i failed not 1, not 2, but 3 tests last week. maybe i'm not cut out for college.. sigh

tummy hurts. can't sleep.

accessory hunting

2009-10-15T05:12:00.002-04:00

so i know i want some form of a flower as an accessory. i think i want it on my waist on the sash. or! as a fascinator for after i take the veil off. can't decide. oh, and of course i can't decide on the flower either.

Antiquing

2009-10-10T19:47:00.001-04:00

Went antiquing again today. got some wired Ball mason jars and little medicine jars! they'll be perfect to hold wildflowers like this picture!

new etsy site

2009-10-08T12:39:00.001-04:00

i have a new etsy username. lilacsandlace. i'll be selling cards and stuff. yay for screen printing out of my tiny apartment room!

happy dance

2009-10-01T19:52:00.001-04:00

*singsongy* i'm gettin a yuuuuduuuu. :D

Stuff for sale

2009-09-20T17:54:00.003-04:00

So, the new venue is much more rustic than our existing table decor allows. So new plan!

For sale are

6-artificial rock and moss centerpieces in modern square black boxes.

6-72" chocolate brown satin overlays.

6-"sage" (they're more like a dark lime) table runners.

colors are most like the first picture.

asking $100 for the centerpieces including shipping to inside continental US.

asking $45 for the overlays including shipping inside continental US.

asking $20 for the runners including shipping inside the continental US.

$150 for all of it including shipping inside the continental US.

Budget Breakdown

2009-09-20T03:11:00.003-04:00

Here's the scoop: our budget has been broken, so we've had to rework some things. here are our estimated costs.
venue for ceremony and reception: $2500
food and beverages (no alcohol): $3300
dress and alterations: $600
bridal accessories: $225
groom's tux rental: $150
officiant donation: $120
All flowers: $300
terrariums: $200
photographer (friend): donation to be determined
dj (ipod): free
invitations:$70
-got free paper from parents.. it was linen paper just hanging out in the closet
rings: $2000
honeymoon: $1300

Millstone at Adams Pond

2009-09-20T02:58:00.003-04:00

inspiration board 3

2009-09-20T02:51:00.002-04:00

New inspiration board to match new location. will post pics of that soon.

map!

2009-09-18T17:20:00.004-04:00

I love Adobe Illustrator! I made a map using google maps as a guide. you just use the paint brush tool to trace the roads that you want, and label them! i added a star for the destination and a drop shadow under each road. then after i printed it i punched the top and bottom to add whimsy.

new invite design

2009-09-17T00:15:00.006-04:00

didn't change much. just the punch used. so now it lays flush on the sides with the pocket folder, and looks like a lace ribbon. it's pretty ^_^ got the punch from michaels for 40% off. it's a martha stewart punch. i think it's the doily lace one? anyways. caring for punches is pretty easy. to sharpen punch aluminum foil, and to lubricate punch wax paper. but beware, pieces like to get stuck, so keep a piece of cardstock around to fish out the pieces.

Succulent crush

2009-09-13T20:27:00.004-04:00

so I totally have a crush on this wreath. it can be used as a candle wreath or a door wreath! <3

Neglecting my duties

2009-09-09T23:12:00.002-04:00

So i've totally been neglecting my little blog... but kinda on purpose.. partially cuz i had stopped the wedding planning, and kinda cuz school has started.
but now, it's totally cuz everything has changed. the location :( the flowers, possibly the photographer, the budget.. everything but my dress and the groom.
it all started cuz the stupid gazebo at swan lake. ok well it's not stupid, but it's stupid that they don't allow chairs. THAT'S stupid. ugh. and after much thought and consideration, i don't thin it fair or nice to make 80-100 friends and family stand for at least a half hour, while fighting to get a view. not cool.
so it's been back to square one. and it sucks. but we've got one location we've both set our sights and hopes on. it's like 3 times our original venue and catering price, but that's what you get in the real world i guess.
also, flowers are up in the air. today i like green hydrangea and roses with fiddlehead ferns and burgundy calla lilies, tomorrow i may like sunflowers. so who knows.
it's been quite the rollarcoaster ride for me because i like to feel secure in planning and decision making. and right now, i'm not secure.
we may not be able to afford a professional photographer. especially if the price of the venue we're holding out for changes. so there's a lot to consider. so to say the least, i've been stressed, and very scared to admit that things are changing and the plans are up in the air again. but now that i have, hopefully things will move forward.

shoes

2009-08-13T14:16:00.003-04:00

so the $7 shoes slip off. even with little strap grippy things. :( sooo onward in the search for shoes.

i found these.

i totally have a crush on them.

can you picture them with champagne lace across the toe and maybe a vintage brooch? so cute!

I have my veil!

2009-08-07T23:14:00.002-04:00

So I've been on the wild and crazy search for David's Bridal style VT9612 since I got my new dress. It's the least mantilla-y mantilla they had. Well, long story short, I've heard they're discontinuing it. Even if they weren't I'm not about to spend $200 on a veil. Soooo today on my daily search I found a bride on WeddingBee.com who is selling her ivory VT612 veil! And I got it! Yay!! total? $120 with shipping. not bad. I'm pretty excited.

Finally out of bed

2009-08-07T23:12:00.002-04:00

Gah, what a week that was! I was in bed Mon-Thurs. Flat on my back. yay prednisone and darvocet. but i'm finally healing and feeling halfway normal. and hey, i managed to drive today without killing anyone, so that's always a good day, right?

Sick

2009-08-04T21:13:00.003-04:00

sorry i've been out of commission lately. i have sun poisoning. i had to go the the ER sunday to get put on steroids and pain medicine. so i've been focusing on healing.

other than that i'm still waiting on the linens, and i've decided that we'll probably need chair covers and the tablecloths too. efavormart.com has them for cheaper than the tableclothfactory.com.

here's the link to the chair covers we'd need to get. in ivory.