the bridal portrait session

This morning at 5:30am I set out with my huge hair flower from Feathers & Frills and my sweet and sassy birdcage from Fascinating Creations, a small box of different necklaces, bracelets, and earrings, a super simple cream colored JCrew dress, some huge a** heels (as my dress hasn't been hemmed yet), my hair in it's crazy curls and sunscreen slathered all over. I was ready for this whole "bridal portrait" thing.

I met up with my friend Johanna and her husband, and the pictures started a snappin'. Not gonna lie, I had intended to bring a bottle of wine (a small bottle of wine) to loosen me up as I tend to get fairly camera shy. I forgot it, it was 5:30am, not really all mentally awake at 5:30am. We had to try and beat the heat of the Arizona summer sun, so an early morning shoot was more of a survival tactic that anything else.

It was actually fun! A lil awkward of course...because...well...I'm not a model and had no idea how to move my body or what to really do. Thankfully Johanna was right there to tell me where to look, when to move my arms, when to fix my hair, etc. We took some shots in the beautiful red rocks at Papago Park, in downtown Phoenix at the new art installation park, and finished up at the Biltmore Fashion Park. It got easier as the morning went on...I'm pretty much a professional now.

I can't wait to see how they turned out!!

surprise proposal pictures!

I've never heard of this actually happening in real life...but it's pretty stinkin' cute! He hired the photographer to capture his surprise proposal!! What a sweet guy. Another Julie Harris shoot.

every heart matters

California's decision broke my heart this week. Via A Practical Wedding.

when he kisses her shouldar...

...it's the sweetest thing. Don't you think?

photo by Julie Harris. This whole wedding was lovely. Observe the Mexican magic here.

my absolute obsession!

OK. So I've been desperate to get myself a big flower for my bridal portraits. I've searched high and low but only managed to find flowers that are too too big and puffy...and I seek big, flat and flowy.

Then I found it. The clouds opened up and angels sang sweet melodies. The flower of my dreams. (and yes, there have been a couple of actual-in-my-slumber-dreams about a hair flower...lame? Perhaps. But it's true).

(this is my new lil lovely....oh gosh....I just love it!)

I found it at the Etsy shop Feathers & Frills my friends....Feathers & Frills.

(there are a couple different colors)

It came in the mail today. I squealed! I smiled suuuuper big! I've worn it all night...during the baseball game on TV, while I ate dinner, and in my office studying. I can't take it off! I feel so prettttttty!! It's perfection in petal form.

(I also really liked this one in ivory)

Plus, Kristen, the designer behind Feathers & Frills is an absolute doll! When I contacted her about my flower I could have sworn she was my bff in another life...she is just as excited about my wedding as I am! We discussed the colors at length, as I had specific ideas in mind. She listened! She created a masterpiece just for me! It's magnificent.

(a smaller flower if the huge head sized bloom isn't quite your thang)

(this might not be entirely appropriate...but I feel that I should let you know a lil something about ban.do, those pretty hair flowers and headbands. First, all sales are final (my friend didn't know that and is now stuck with a $130 headband!) Also, ban.do headbands come on a circular wire rim that is wrapped in ribbon...it "sits" on the head, and is NOT elastic...so the thing doesn't even stay on her head! Just so know)

real life: san ysidro ranch

My heart skipped a lil beat when I saw this on Design*Sponge this weekend. Simply breathtaking. The wedding took place at San Ysidro Ranch in Montecito, California and these captivating pictures were shot by Jose Villa (you must run to Jose Villa's site to look at even more dazzling pictures!)

This wedding really makes me feel like taking a nice deep breath of lavender scented air.

4th year

Today, I officially become a 4th year medical student. A 4th year!! My last year of school! My 10th year of higher education...dear God.

The next three months will be my last in Phoenix, which actually puts a knot in my throat and makes me want to cry. Moving in the fall, though it will surely be an adventure, will be tough as it's a road I have to travel alone. My foot and ankle surgical rotation begins today...I'm beyond excited...and wicked nervous. New beginnings always have me so nostalgic...so reflective of where I've come from, how hard I've worked, and how much I've enjoyed the journey. Life. I just love it!

will you marry us?

here

To me, our ceremony is the most important part of the entire wedding celebration. It's always been such a priority for me to be married by someone who knows us and loves us as a couple...someone that I respect and who has a beautiful sense of what love is. I have a friend in mind who I would just LOVE to marry us. This person isn't a minister and isn't ordained...just a friend, one of our favorite people. So far, My Guy and I have discussed it a little bit and we think that it could be a huge imposition to ask this friend to do this huge thing (this friend has one of those crazy life schedules and lives far far away.)

So then I was thinking, we could ask an old friend of mine from college. He left the summer between freshman and sophomore year to enter seminary to become a Catholic priest. We've kept in contact over the years and he's becoming ordained this summer (so exciting!). We dated a little bit way back in the day, which is why I don't know if that is totally appropriate...can a guy you used to date be involved with your wedding (granted he's a priest now...but still?)

I'm just throwing this stuff out there into the blogosphere...I'm just thinking about it a lot lately and sometimes writing about stuff makes it a little easier to process.

How hard is it to be ordained online? I've heard people can do that easily, but I've never looked into it...have you?? I also thought: we could get married at the courthouse to make it legal and then perhaps have that ceremony with our friends/family and our friend can officiate?

Geez. Options.

vegas vacation

One of my best friends is getting married in less than a month...so we need to get our bachelorette party on! This weekend a bunch of her closest girlfriends will be heading out to VEGAS to get our drink on...get our dance on...and to watch those Thunder From Down Under boys! Don't expect an update on Monday however...because what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.

Enjoy your long weekend!!!

give artfully bridal registry

If you follow my blog, you know that I have a deep affection for hand-crafted arts. So when I found out about giveArtfully I practically did a jig in my livingroom! It's an online bridal registry of handmade art! What a genius idea!! Instead of (or in conjunction with) a typical kitchen/bathroom bridal registry, this site utilizes real treasures! I went nuts today and picked out all of these things that I'd love to have in my home (soooo...these items will probably be included in my future registry).

Not only is this a fun and different option for art-loving couples, but so many of us already live with our fiance and have homes that are pretty much established. We don't need another measuring cup, or stainless steal mixing bowl...we have a good toaster, blender and crock pot. But...we don't have a hand tiled wall hanging with our last name on it (which I'd love love love to have! OR that stunning cake plate omg!)

Check out the site...so many lovely mediums are included: photographs, ceremic pieces, paper goods and textiles. A truly creative resourse!

real life: i want to be friends with this bride

Julie Harris does it again, and captured so many lovely details of this remarkable wedding (I swear if I was getting married in Colorado I would get on my knees and beg Ms. Harris to shoot my wedding!)

This couple is beyond exquisit. Not only do they appear to be relaxed and fun, but they are sooooooo in love! And my goodness, isn't that the most stunning bride you've ever seen!? Her dress leaves me speachless, and those beads bring out such a boho chic feel. (of course I love her curls!) Their ceremony appeared to have been very sacred, not your run of the mill "I do's" - and oh how I love that. The washing of the feet is such a lovely gesture of humility, it made me teary just to think about how spiritual and special it must have been to witness.

When I say I want to be friends with this bride, I'm being serious. See their wedding here.

wedding wish wednesday #1 - weather

Wednesday's will be my space for wedding wishes. I realize that "wishes" are subject to change, especially since our wedding is 12 months away. Wishes are fun too...as they don't necessarily have to be practical, or technical, or realistic...they can be of fairy princesses, or unicorns, or leprechauns.

This Wednesday, I wish for wonderful weather. Weather is totally out of my control...no amount of planning, or micro-managing, or paying loads of money, or anything I do can control this element. Pretty much the perfect thing to wish for.

I hope the sun is shining, the white fluffy clouds are hung high in the air, and the cool breeze is floating around the mountain. I'd love for the days to be cool, and the evenings to be warm. Perhaps the rain will stay at bay and the snow will stay far far away.

I love wishing.

our *first crisis* update

I just had to let you guys know what's going down after this.

Recap:
- My Guy and I aren't "officially" engaged...
-We've been planning our wedding anyway because there is a narrow window of wedding opportunity between med school graduation and moving away to residency
-The date is set: May 30th, 2010
-The venue chosen: ski lodge in Flagstaff, AZ
-Our families, and most of our friends don't know we are planning a wedding as we aren't officially engaged yet....so I guess you could consider it a secret?
-One of my first cousins just announced his engagement and wedding date...May 30th, 2010 (as in...the same date as ours...awesome)
-This entire side of the family (with only a couple exceptions) live in the midwest and my cousin's wedding will be held in Chicago...so we can nearly gaurantee that my family will be attending his wedding. Not mine. Ehh.

I spent an entire evening of stressing, freaking and kindof being pissy at My Guy once we heard of my cousins plans. I kept thinking that they "beat" us to it. So, we talked about moving our date...changing our location...in circles and circles. Funny how a night of sleep can put things into better perspective. I found myself calm and collected this morning.

We need to be fair to ourselves. We'll keep our date. We initially chose it because it's the perfect date for us. And really, with the psycho schedule I'll have next year, it's a date we can't really fudge on. (I will be moving to a different state every month for 10 months beginning in the fall. Please pray that I survive!) Also, we already booked our dream venue which typically books out at least 18 months in advance.

We'll miss having those family members with us, but the celebration will go on!

We are staying put. Crisis resolved.

diy: pretty lacy envelopes

I found these pretty envelopes on iDIY and I had to document it on my site. Wouldn't these just be perfect for a bridal shower, baby shower, tea party, or Valentine's card? Or, anytime you need a frilly girly pretty envelope. Directions were taken from here.


Here is a step by step guide to making the invite with suggested dimensions:
a) Select a doily that can fully cover your old cardstock when folded on 4 sides. I used found cardstock, which is really just an old library card measuring 4 and 7/8" by 3" (124 by 77mm) and a doily 7" (178mm) in diameter. I love it that old paper stock usually comes in round imperial measurements.
b) Fold in the flaps by the sides first, followed by the flap below.
c) Fold down the top flap and seal it with a kiss. In this case, I used Herma Self-adhesive label No. 2213, 8mm in diameter.
d) Turn card over and addess with another adhesive label. I typed guest names on Herma adhesive label No. 2253, 19mm in diameter. I could use a round label as guests to this party did not have long names.

Play around with sizes and textures. Cardstock with colour works better than white ones as the contrast enhances the pattern of the doily.

what the flip!?

Slight crisis. Haven't had time to really internalize or think about it or anything. I just found out that one of my cousins will be getting married MAY 30, 2010 in CHICAGO. Unbelievable. (In case you are new to this blog...that's our wedding day too). However, we are still waiting to become officially engaged...which at this particular moment in time seems utterly ridiculous...so our families STILL have no idea. So. Here I sit. Knowing full well that one entire side of the family will not be attending my wedding...as they all live in the Midwest....and they don't even know I'm getting married at all.

I'm soooooooooooooo bummmmmed. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!

Eff that Murphy and his damn laws.

the etsy bride behind quirkybeauty!

Here is the designer of quirkybeauty...looking dazzling for her own wedding!

The very first bridal Etsy shop that I became obsessed with was quirkybeauty. Dana, the designer, is a recent bride...very recent...as in like two weeks ago! Congratulations! (what a beautiful bride...love her look, her flowers, her hair, her dress...girl's got style!) During her quest to find a bridal hair piece for herself, she became inspired to create her own as she just couldn't find anything that suited her taste that was actually affordable.

Holy cow did she hit the mark with these! They are so unique and just sooo lovely!

Furthermore, Dana has priced her pieces to be wonderfully affordable! (OK, so I realize that I've used quite a few exclamation points in this post...but you should see how crazy excited I get when I talk about this shop...it's ridiculous.) I feel that quirkybeauty is one of those hidden gems...go browse...I'm positive you'll become a fan too!

A little about the couple:
Dana attended art school, and majored in painting. She's a painter, an illustrator, a muralist, and a fashion stylist...check out her incredible portfolio site here. Her new husband, Harry, is a photographer... check out his site here.

Dana's bridal look (so much Etsy inspiration!):

sash: vintage belt from le amor on Etsy
necklace: cleo bell on Etsy
clutch: Gracey Bags on Etsy
cardigan: All Things Pretty on Etsy
dress: JCrew
hairpiece: quirky beauty on Etsy

Here is a sampling of her swoon worthy hair pieces:

The design of the hair piece she wore in her own wedding! Amazing.

This is the one I keep looking at.

How sweet is this!? Not even just for a wedding...but for being cute all the time?
(and just for the record, I typically hate all heart shaped things...and I would actually rock this.)

Hello Greek goddess.

Ahhhh! I love love love this! It actually might be my favorite.

This lil lovely is only $22!!!

She has a new veil collection too.

And where do artists honeymoon? Well. Paris of course!