Pretty Palette

* Pretty palette *
Slate Grey & Marigold Yellow

I always feel that yellow has a sort of charm when combined with outdoor elements like green grass, white tents, and natural skies. I love thinking outside the white wedding box. In fact, I'm not much of a white wedding fan. I have seen a few unbelievably beautiful white weddings, although, it's not necessarily easy to pull off a classic all white event. Will someone I know please go for the yellow & grey color scheme already?! Hello gorgeous.
P.S. If you're into white weddings, check out green wedding shoes latest post on a fabulously inspiring white soirée with modern flecks of rich gold and dark grey. Sounds interesting huh? Yes indeed!

Hot Pink Bride

I spent the evening rummaging through the internet world, trying to find some hot pink wedding inspiration and this board is dedicated to an August bride to be. She's brilliantly decided on wearing a hot pink gown! I'm head over heels for the idea and can't wait to see all her pink ideas come together. Heaven knows I loveee pink and I love a gal who's not afraid to rock an out there style. This one's for Heather - the hot pink bride.

P.S. I was doing my usual blog reading this evening and saw that I missed this adorable post that my cousin and fellow blogger oh la cherie had posted the day after our wedding. Just click the link and read all her Vancouver-ite takes on fashion and life in the city.

sparkle me pretty

This dress makes my heart sparkle ... it's simply gorgeous! And no, just because it's glittery doesn't mean it's limited to flourish in a winter wedding. So if you feel like sparkling in summer, do it. Just do it in style. The sparkles look fantastic next to the royal blue hues! P.S. This amazing little soiree was featured on Style Me Pretty - where else huh!

Just Married!

Well, we did it! The sunshine was on our side and the day was more than I could have ever imagined. It's very strange to say goodbye to my last name that has been apart of me for my entire life and at the same time, it's so exciting to see Ben's last name, become a new part of my life. Ben passed on his cold to me due to a lot of wine glass 'dinging' and so I'm just trying to enjoy my days off before it's back to school and practicum. June 5th was everything we had hoped for and more. Our families and friends were SO essential to celebrating the beginning of our formal life as husband and wife! Photos will arrive sometime soon so check back!

lifes a pearl

I'm so glad I did a final try on of all my wedding day attire tonight - shoes, accessories, sweaters and all. Angela came by and lent a hand in doing up laces, judging between two potential wedding day pearl necklaces, and doing some final alterations on my blusher veil. I could not be any happier with the way things have turned out. I never imagined one year ago, that everything would have come together the way it has. I stood pretty solid with what I had envisioned although there are always times when your ideas don't pan out and you're forced to go another route. I now see that it's completely normal to go back and forth, changing styles and wants for your big day a ton of times. 

Onto fashion, I've ironically enough, decided to wear my .75 CENT blush pink pearls I 

scored at the Salvation Army thrift store rather than my chunky ivory pearl necklace I paid way too much for. I think it's meant to be. I considered throwing them both together for a layered look like below but it was just a TAD too much ;) I would love to say 'when is it ever' .. too much I mean, however, I think there really is a point when it's too much. I suppose I had to agree that this would have been one of those times but I'm still going to try it out sometime soon! I can't wait to lay my pearls over my neck this Saturday and exchange vows with my fiancé who deserves everything that I have to offer which I hope is a lot!

DIY lovely labels

Being a budget minded bride, I had to be as thrifty as possible when it came to creating all the fun details of our big day. I did a ton of blog surfing and gathering inspiration from every corner of the blog world. One of the sites I can't wait to tell other brides about is Wedding Chicks. You'll find tons of free customized goodies that you can't go without! The candy bar sign is the latest label I'm trying to sneak into our wedding somehow at the last minute. But here's a peek at the type of fun stuff you can create. It takes seconds so just do it ;) AND it comes directly to your email - perfect for the busy bee bride. Just right click on your image and save! P.S. On the 'Madly in Love' label , I included a quote that I love to live by. It's a sweet reminder of how strong love really can be.

 * loved you yesterday, love you still. Always have, always will * 

rain ready

It's time to face the facts I guess ... but the fatcs might still be really pretty. The facts are: our wedding is ONE week from today and it just might rain, rain rain. As the day is inching closer, I'm realizing a few things: it's the West Coast, rain can add a lush, garden, stormy feel to outdoor events, and most importantly, fun things like rain boots and umbrellas can add so much character to your big day. I have my own purple plaid Roxy rain boots very similar to the ones featured below but I decided to borrow my Mom's pink ones instead (pictured below). I also love the idea of a bridal party all decked out in cowboy boots, how cute! I'm heading out to some of the local thrift shops this afternoon to see if I can pick up any last minute wedding knick knacks - I've had good luck so far! Happy Saturday!

mad OPI luv

I went out and found a pretty OPI shade called 'Dulche de Leche', which is kind of ironic since that is my most favorite ice cream flavor ever!! I did a little test run and though my nails are no where near being even almost manicured, I like the color and I think this is the one. It's more of a nude rose hue although I searched all over for taupe. I get my nails and toes done next week with my Mom and Angela. We're doing a spa afternoon so I'll post photos of all our wedding nails then! 

P.S. As you can see, I'm in mad love with our new camera. I'm so looking forward to having a little more free time after the wedding to photograph all the exciting people and things happening around us this Summer - my sister's growing baby belly, my nephew as he discovers blades of grass, sand and lake water, my little friend Sarah's wedding, my 24th birthday, and perhaps our annual trip to the Kelowna cabin. Lots of memories to make - it's a goooood feeling.

drama-tic it up

I came across a make up style that I fell head over heels for instantly in the latest LOU LOU magazine. It's been ripped out and pinned on my fridge to remind me to bring it the salon with me next week. I don't wear eye make up very often so maybe this is too harsh for me but something along this color line. I'm wanting a little more of a  dramatic look but I'll leave it to the pros to tell me if it's a go or not. I also have my hair consultation next week. I hope I know what I want, if not it'll be a first ;) 

Off topic but worth mentioning - it's Ben's stag this weekend and they're heading off to Whistler. I had my celebration and now it's time for his! I'm hoping his trip is full of lots of fun and memories he'll never forget. All of his friends are amazing guys so I feel confident they'll look out for one another. Enjoy my love!

Garter Girl

I decided to try out my new sewing kit I received at my bridal shower from my Mom's best friend Angela who is also our little wedding party 'fashion coordinator'. She probably wanted to stop the cycle in regards to a serious lack in sewing skills. My Mom was never a sewer to say the least. Her sewing kit was pretty pathetic really. It consisted of some terribly ugly and severely outdated fabric swatches, seafoam green thread, a few random buttons and a handful of dull pins. I have a completely fantastic Mother with many talents, however, sewing was not one! I don't necessarily have the 'sewing' gene either Mom and while I would consider myself to be rather crafty, any projects involving sewing I've managed to steer clear from. I tend to alter them whenever possible but this time, I thought I'd dive in so I can at least say I tried it out! I thought maybe adding some charm to my garter might be a simple first step and indeed it was. Creating the fabric flower was simple and the instructions can be found at Project Wedding. I also used Dylon fabric dye in 'dusty rose' to dye the originally white garter. I thought it turned out pretty cute. It's very pink, very girly, and fairly frilly ... sound familiar?

P.S. Love you Mom!

Soda Bar

How sweet is this soda bar? It could probably be done inexpensively and it HAS to be done with a fun, bright  plan in mind. This is on my love list especially with summer fast approaching! I really like the collection of assorted sunset hued sodas pictured below - that might take a heck of a lot of patience to gather however! Make sure to gather colored straws and create a fun sign to put above your soda bar. 

a girls garden party

My 'Girls Garden Party' bridal shower was fantastic! I had so much fun and it was even better to see everyone we love in one room together. The weather was beyond gorgeous and we pranced around inside and out since the sun was shining. Everyone got to see the space where the reception will take place. My sister is law, Carla, threw the party and had so many cute touches. She made flower cookies on sticks and held them in mason jars, she tied pink tulle to my sun hat, and had pink tulle sprinkled around the whole place, including the deck. The hat was sitting on a big comfy chair waiting for me when I arrived. It got much heavier as I opened gifts as one of my Bridesmaid's was designated to add all the ribbons and bows as we went along. I love the photo of my Grandma below wrapping herself in my new H&M floral scarf from my style savvy cousin, fellow blogger & bridesmaid Cherie. The shower was definitely an afternoon dear to my heart!

showered with luv!

I am so so excited to be a guest at my bridal shower on Saturday! I know I've posted this once before but since it's taking place in two days, I thought I'd re-post! I can't wait. Tomorrow night I have to try on my outfit and decide what shoes I'm going to go with. I'm still un-decided but I know the right pair lives in my closet so it won't be hard to find! I don't know anything about the shower or who all will be able to make it but I'm very excited to be surrounded by so many amazing people in my life.

DIY Candy Bar

I finally resorted to the Sweet Shoppe in the Nanaimo mall for things like rock candy and pink salt water taffy. It's hard to create a table that has just enough! You don't want your candy buffet looking sparse and at the same time, it's hard to be realistic by keeping in mind how much candy will actually get eaten. That's why you have to look at it from more of a decor stand point. A yummy piece of decor. So for now, I've set up a table for me to work it all out on - what jars of candy will go where and what not. I started this project thinking it would be simple but it's not so much a month before the wedding. Well nows as good a time as any to use my multi tasking skills!

I Want Candy

Making your own candy bar is easier than you think. Finding candy in shades of pink, however, is harder than it seems. You would think goodies like rock candy, twizllers, or pink grapefruit slices could be found at one of Walmart, Superstore, Dollar Store, Safeway, and I even tried Winners! I know they're out there but almost impossible to find. ALMOST but I found organic lollipops and pink sour cherry bombs at Winners, sour watermelons and light pink jelly beans at Superstore, and finally pink jelly candies and good old lollipops at Safeway. Tonight I sat down and made pretty labels and signs for each jar of candy . I'm planning on using wide mouth mason jars and a few other clear jars in shorter & taller shapes that I've been collecting for the past few months to hold the candy. Glass apothecary jars like the photos below were much too expensive and since this was sort of a last minute project, I wasn't up to adding a whole lot to our budget. 

{Tip 1}: The amount of candy used should really be based on how much you will need in order to create a full, decorative table. Don't bother basing it on how much you want per guest. If the table looks sparse and incomplete, it will lack impact and be uninspiring. 

{Tip 2}: Use a fun, bright, co-ordinating colored tablecloth for the candy table to really add depth and interest!

{Tip 3}: DEFINITELY look at your local thrift shops for jars (they always have a ton) and even try antique shops. I'm a bit of a regular at the Salvation Army. I've found so many great things I've been able to use here and there. And while you're finding what you need, you're also supporting a huge local agency that provides more to our communities than we may realize.

(Tip 4}: Check out inspiring blogs like Amy Atlas, elizabeth anne designs, and as always Martha Stewart has some pretty ideas.

the good kinda drama

I hope all of our wedding guests appreciate a bride who isn't afraid to hop outside the box. Or rather a bride who takes a few g-i-a-n-t leaps outside the box, away from the usual bridal style. I know I appreciate it and in most ways, I suppose that's all that really matters. SO I opted to go for a dramatically over sized pearl necklace to wear with my wedding dress. I had bought regular blush pink pearls & was going to have a friend of mine create a necklace for me but I had a change of heart (luckily before she even started the necklace). Below are a few other brides who also took some chances, some very pretty chances. I love it. 

To find your own statement necklace, check out funky places like J.Crew, Anthropologie, or Forever21.