I'VE FOUND THE DRESS!!!!!

Sunday, July 27, 2008


And the winner is......




Casablanca, Style 1896






I feel like a princess and when I look at myself in the mirror, I feel beautiful.

This dress is so amazing in person and the bodice is embroidered and completely dripping with swarovski crystals. The back of the dress/train is unlike anyting I've ever seen and the fabric just looks so luscious in person. It's amazing.


I ABSOLUTELY LOVE MY DRESS!!!!!

Update 1:

Bride Beautiful called me back Monday morning to tell me about their tax free sale as well as the fact that they could get the dress for cheaper.I called D'Anne and she gave me a credit for the differnce between the two dresses.

However, she couldn't give me credit for the taxes because technically it's illegal to eat the tax or to not charge taxes for something that's not under $100....interesting.

Oh well, I figure, I'm paying for the service and the knowledge that I'll have access to a better seamstress and less stress in general about being just another bride at a bridal shop like I felt at Bride Beautiful.

Update 2:

D'Anne called about cost for additions to the dress. It will be $70 for beaded spaghetti straps.

Then in order to make the little shrug or jacket out of the same material as the skirt of the dress, it will be approximately $200.

I think I may pass on the jacket and order a bolero from Etsy for $75. We'll see, I'll have to do some more hunting on that one.

Nope, still no ring

Monday, July 21, 2008

For those who are still wondering/asking/puzzled/curious....

No, I have still not gotten a proposal or an engagement ring. I started writing this blog in January and had been "planning" even before then. And here I am 7 months later and no ring. Sad isn't it?

At what point do you just stop and go.....enough.

This year has been the year of weddings and engagements happening all around me. I've attended 3 weddings and an ex boyfriend of mine recently got engaged and is getting married this New Year's (congrats Warren!). Another friend from high school was recently proposed to and has been broadcasting all over the knot which is yet another wedding board that I frequent. It's almost like torture at this point. I'm running out of single friends to toss the bouquet to (which of course is making me re-think that tradition).

Make no mistake, I am genuinely happy and excited for all of these people. My little girl just can't help but wonder "when is it my turn?"

Beauty is pain....

Sunday, July 13, 2008

So today we were on a killing time mission and decided to take a trip to Northlake Mall. Our first stop was the Men's Warehouse to check out another option for tuxes. We looked through the book and found only one tux that we liked. It was the Calvin Klein two button pinstripe. The price was about $40.00 cheaper, but we didn't like any of the patterns for the vests or ties and none of the colors seemed right. The golds were either a bright yellow or a dirty blonde color.

We weren't impressed. So we're back to Savvi as the top contender. While I did consider the tux place at Bridal's by Lori, I'm guessing that like their Bridesmaid dresses, it's possible that they are going to be pricey. I figure we'll check out After Hours which is where Erin's husband (Charlie) got his tux.

Then we happened upon one of those free standing kiosks that featured the "art" of Threading. There was a video playing and we stopped to check it out. I have always been intrigued by threading, but have never gone to actually have it done. It's a technique used to pluck hair that is supposed to be less painful than waxing and tweezing. So basically, I decided to try it out since I haven't had anything professionally done in over 6 months (I can't believe I'm actually posting this). So for any of you ladies out there that have wanted to try this, I'll say it's very interesting. I can't speak to it being less painful (I teared up a bit), but the resuls were pretty darn good.

So here are the before and after:















Despite the bright pink surrounding my eyebrows, I was really pleased with out it turned out. They say it's supposed to last for 3 to 4 weeks, so we'll see.




A super close up of my scraggly brows.












The process of threading. It's kind of weird to watch. Part of the thread is in her mouth to keep tension.

It's so bizarre in fact that I garnered a bit of an audience. Apparently a family stopped by to check out the process and there were even people who were on the second floor looking down at me getting my brows done. Very strange feeling.








She asked me to "pull my eyebrows apart". So I had to stretch up the top part of my eyebrows and pull down the lowers.


Overall it was a decent experience and once you get used to the sound, it's not so bad. My skin calmed down after 15 minutes and the pinkness faded pretty quickly. I'd definitely have it done again.

Bride Beautiful - The Bridesmaid Edition

Saturday, July 12, 2008

After our yummy lunch at Applebee's, we went across the street to Bride Beautiful.

When we walked in, they were on the verge of closing, so we went down the line and started picking up any floor length dresses that had the basic components we were looking for. V-neck or "different" neckline, spaghetti straps, and a chiffon material for the skirt.

I continue to be drawn to gathers, pleats and shirring.

The style that I gravitate towards does not necessarily scream Bridesmaid. I'm pretty much against excessive seams, structured heavy fabric, shiny taffeta and raw silk.


This dress was definitely Erin's favorite and it looked fantastic on her. The detail is a little difficult to see because the dress is black but the bodice is pleated with a shirred waist line and a chiffon skirt. Beautiful and floaty. We both really loved it.








Here's a shot of the back of it. This dress also had a beautiful sash that trailed down the black.








This next dress is the dress that I originally fell in love with. It's so beautiful, but it IS strapless.
However, throughout the day, we found that our top contender for dresses happened to be strapless. Bizarre. I'm all for strapless, I just want to make sure that my girls are not tugging up their dress all night (our falling out of them). Comfort is key.






A shot of the back of the dress. I love the draping and the way the material floats as you walk.


We picked three other dresses (one being the one shoulder dress we saw at Bridals by Lori) to go in my file.

Among the contenders were a Lekovff, Jim Helm and B2.
I'll have to get more pictures when I go back to shop for the my dress.

Erin and I came to the conclusion that we should have come to Bride Beautiful first for the slightly cheaper prices and a larger selection of floor length dresses.

The service was really good and the saleslady explained the layout of the Bridesmaid room, pretty much left us alone to pick out dresses, took them to the fitting room as we picked them out and patiently waited for us to Erin to try on all the dresses despite the fact that they were technically closed.

Bride and Groom (Pimp) Cups

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

I found these on a website that Alden sent me a link to in order to check out the chicken purse.

http://www.whatonearthcatalog.com

So great for random and VERY unique gifts.

While perusing the site, I came across these bride and groom goblets.
I LOVE THEM!!

Al thinks they're a bit much for the actual reception (which I will begrudgingly concede to), however I intend on using these for the pre-wedding parties, rehearsal dinner and farewell brunch.

http://www.whatonearthcatalog.com/whatonearth/Shop-By-Occasion_6AA/Wedding_6BI/Item_Bride-Groom-Goblet-Set_CA2762_ps_cti-6BI.html

The Purple Hat Society

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

My name is Alicia and I am addicted to purple hats.

I don't know what's come over me, but I've become obsessed with finding the perfect purple hat for my bridal shower that my fellow bridal crazed cohort Lisa is hosting.

Exhibit(s) A: The fruits of my research labor

http://cgi.ebay.com/Belmont-Dubai-Ladies-Hat-PURPLE-and-LAVENDER-Tea-Hats_W0QQitemZ130206695503QQihZ003QQcategoryZ3005QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/PURPLE-FEATHER-HAT-TEA-PARTY-DRESS-UP-PARTY-FUN_W0QQitemZ180208687605QQihZ008QQcategoryZ3005QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/Purple-Birthday-Society-Designer-Hat-Church-Tea-Ascot_W0QQitemZ260216738851QQihZ016QQcategoryZ3005QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/PURPLE-KENTUCKY-DERBY-HAT-LADIES-CHURCH-FORMAL-TEA-HATS_W0QQitemZ300210252783QQihZ020QQcategoryZ3005QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/PURPLE-WHITE-DERBY-HAT-LADIES-CHURCH-FORMAL-TEA-HATS_W0QQitemZ300101852755QQihZ020QQcategoryZ3005QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/PURPLE-WHITE-Ladies-Wedding-Dress-Hat-Womens-Tea-HATS_W0QQitemZ300085509417QQihZ020QQcategoryZ3005QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I can't decide, though I highly favor the first one listed as it is the one that I physically tried on at the Mall of Georgia store.

In doing all this "research" I have decided to let go and completely give in to my "girl-y" side. I never realized how girl-y I can truly be. I've been suppressing it for so long that the wedding planning has really brought out a totally new facet of my personality......kinda cool. Different....but cool.

Tree Cake Topper

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

I heart Etsy!

Meet my cake topper!

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_gallery_21&listing_id=10800656

While a bit pricey, this unique idea is such a welcome change from the traditional "couple" cake toppers.

I am in love with this cake topper. Lisa sent this link to me today and it's the second time it's come across my radar. One of the bloggers on weddingbee (Mrs. Kiwi) had originally posted about this topper. At the time, my tree theme had not totally come to fruition yet, so I wasn't completely sold. After sifting through many different themed cake toppers, I've decided that this one is the best of all worlds. Fits with the theme, comes in gold, totally customizeable, can be engraved and does not scream wedding (a la precious moments wedding toppers).

The $70.00 one is the one that we will most likely get.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=10997823

The tree will be made of gold wire with Amethyst, Carnelian and Peridot.

Now if I can just convince Al to go along with my idea. I presented him examples of the tree and he was about 94% sold.

I'm squashing tradition on this one. I do NOT want couple figurines as a cake topper and while I like the rhinestone covered letter idea, we'll already have the monogram done in icing on the
second tier of the cake, so I don't want to totally go overboard.

I'm crossing my fingers and hoping that Al will give approval so that I can go ahead and order my Etsy goodness! Woo!

Lady in Red

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

I took a little bit of a break from stressing about work today and decided that I should finally use the hair dye that I bought 3 months ago. For some reason, the process helps me relax and takes my mind off of how much I hate my job.

So......I'm starting to think about possible hairstyles for the big day and because my hair is the way it is (fine, thin and thinning), I know it will be a bit more involved than usual. I'm going to have to get extensions in order to find a way to pump up my hair. I'm also trying to figure out what color I want it to be and make sure that the extensions will blend. So currently I'm in the process of finding a salon that not only does really great work but whose stylists I can get along with. So that's my challenge for the next few months. Try out different salons in the area in hopes of finding one to possibly use for the big day. At this point I'm considering Steve Moore or Scoobie West. There are a few other salons around that I have gotten some great recommendations for, so it will be interesting to try things out.

I also need to make a final decision on what color my hair will be the day of. I find that I"m drawn to various shades of red, but I don't want it to look fake. My natural color is a light to medium brown with hints of gold and copper, so it's not too much of a stretch....
Decisions.....decisions......

I'm looking at doing an updo, but not the standard one (meaning hair in tight bun with a sidesweep), along with hair jewelry or perhaps a flower.....we'll see.

my ideal hairstyle would be to do all my hair in soft curls, then pull it back into a low chignon. The Cathedral length veil and tiara will be worn for the ceremony, then I'll detach the cathedral length for the reception or more specifically the first dance and parent dances. I'll completely lose the veil for the rest of the reception and just keep the tiara. I'm hoping this will work ok. If the tiara is too much, I'll replace it with the beautiful sparkly headband that Erin is letting me borrow.

So basically, I'm on the hunt for the perfect wedding day hairstyle. I've got lots of research ahead of me. Woo! Fun times.