.the story behind the dress.

For as long as I've been blogging on this site, my wedding dress was a huge source of stress. I can finally, two months after the wedding, share all with you. Yes, I could have done this sooner, but I must say this-- the wedding wore me out. It seemed like recovery was nowhere in sight at times. But here I am, to recap everything from the wedding. Let's start with my dress.

When I started out, I didn't have a budget, but in my head, I knew that spending over $1,200 on a dress (and even that was pushing it) would eat me alive. But I still tried on Elizabeth Filmore, Amy Michaelson, Vera Wang and more. They all look maaaahhhvelous. And I loved the silk charmeuse on my skin. So at one point, I went to a seamstress and took her this love of my then bride-to-be life. It is Taj Mahal by Amy Michelson. It retailed for about $3,800 at Kleinfelds. Which, by the way, shopping there is ground for a whole other blog.

Here is the dress, courtesy of AmyMichelson.com



Gorgeous, huh? After trying on this gem, of which there are no photos courtesy of Kleinfeld's rules, which we respected, I needed a sexy back dress. I wanted to hear my guests gasp after I passed them while walking down the aisle. But I refused to pay that much. It was a new dress, from the fall 2009 line, so there weren't any for sale. I also found some from Winnie Couture that had the open back and they came in my price range, around $1,200.


This is the Winne Couture "Giada" dress. I wasn't able to try it on, the only store in Vegas who carried the line wouldn't order a sample. Silly, because I probably would have bought it. So...at this point we moved on.

Come June, my sister, my six-week-old niece and I went dress shopping. Again. We turned up at a little shack-on-the-road called Tina's Bridal in Totowa, NJ. When we pulled up, I almost told her to turn around, it was that much of a shack looking place. But we went in, smart move. What I would like to say most about Tina's is that we had an appointment to look at bridesmaids dresses, but when I asked if I could see their bridal gowns, they didn't even bat an eyelash and 100 percent accommodated us. And in the end, I bought a dress there.

I wasn't looking for poofy, I didn't want any skirt underneath and then I came across two gems there. One was a "Destination" label by.... I don't even remember. Darn. This was the dress. Of course, I wanted to open the back and make some adjustments to it....




Then, there was this beauty by Jovani. I had to slide into and hold my breath. However, wearing it on my wedding was of no concern. I was the thinnest I had pretty much ever been, with no intent on gaining weight, so I was good to go in this looker. I loved the back and how vintage it looked. I pictured a glamorous walk down the aisle, posing for photos with my chin just coming over my shoulder. And my body? It would be bangin'! It was June and I had 10 months to firm up and rock this dress. Apparently, my pancreas had other plans in the weeks to come.




This is what it is supposed to look like on the model who needs to be fed a steak.


So there you have it, my dress loves.... I went from loving a $3,800 gown to not being able to try on a $1,200 gown to deciding between a $400 and a $350 gown. I ended up buying the Jovani gown.... we had it ordered in a size bigger than the sample shown in the above photos. As you can tell, it was a bit snug. I was thrilled to buy my wedding dress in a size six. As someone who battled weight my whole life, this was a huge accomplishment. However, I would only be able to bask in that glory for a few short weeks.

What happened? The rest in my next post. Which will not be in six weeks. I am going to write it now.

By the way, I have the Jovani dress in my hands and am willing to part with it. If anyone is interested please message me.

.i'm back and feeling alive.

If you are a new friend or blog follower, you aren’t acquainted with my hair color history. I am a red head. Out of a box. It’s true. I will admit it and my stylist will allow me to admit it. She doesn’t take credit for the color…just the low lights.

Once I found Herbal Essences #44…my life changed forever and I have been defined by my hair color. Between that and my height, I easily stand out in a crowd. Because of the color, people remember me from the make up counter, the grocery store and the manicure place.

When I have coupons, I stock up. There was a time when it would have been safe to say that I had…..10-12 boxes stashed away. As someone who uses two boxes per coloring this lasts a decent amount of time.

Earlier this year, tragedy struck and I was unable to locate my color for quite some time. GASP!! So I found some others, they were decent….but a part of me was missing. Luckily, Wal-Mart (yea, yea I know…. You hate that place) seems to be carrying some in low quantities. When I spot them, I buy them. 2 boxes, four boxes, however many they may have.

If I play my cards right, there will be enough to carry me through our wedding in April.

This is great news because I’ve been feeling a little blah the past few months and now I feel complete again. Sounds weird and no, I shouldn’t be defined by a color, but it is so fabulous! It shines, it stands out and random people on the street stop to compliment me. It is a big of a confidence booster; it makes me feel sassy and invincible alive. And it covers the damn grey hair that I found.

Allow me to reintroduce you to Herbal Essences #44. DO NOT buy any of these from my local Wal-Mart. Said with love, of course…..

.my shoes have arrived.

To much delight and dismay, I received my shoes. They arrived via USPS on Monday in a lovely little box for shoes that has since made it's way to my box pile for keeping. Here is my problem with shoes:

1. I HATE, despise, would rather pour lemon juice in paper cuts than be around feet. I am sooo anti-foot it is bizarre.
2. I hate my feet too. Their size and shape. They are a secent size for my height by they are wide. And my arch can reach the moon, it is that high.

Having a to the moon and back arch means that I have to put lots of stuff into my shoes to make them comfy. They need arch supports, padding on teh ball of my foot and usually a good heel wrap also. There can be no cute shots of the inside of my wedding shoes because they will be a mangled mess.

Anyway, the shoes that I settled on:

Liz Rene Couture, Giselle.

Here is how the shoe arrival unfolded:

.progress in the fashion area.

We made some progress in the fashion department over the past few weeks:

1. I bought my dad a tie. This compliments both the wedding and my mom's dress. I had originally found this on The Tie Bar and thought, "oh we have PLENTY of time"....well when I went to buy it.... it was gone. At J. Crew, I had seen one there and after finally making it to the local J. Crew Outlet, they had one left. One left in two colors: an olivey green and a brighter green. It looks like the tie below...except without the white. But now that I see the white...hmmmm.....

2. Flo bought some ties at the Tie Bar as well. We bought two green ties and matching pocket squares. Am loving the The Tie Bar, for serious. We haven't.... He hasn't decided on which tie her prefers. That will be his choice. He is fashion aware, as I like to call him and will give him that decision to make.

3. We are ordering the Zillaz dresses! Yay! M-Zilla and K-Zilla were able to try on the dress and both gave it three snaps up and a Z formation. So we moved forward with the order forms. I am hoping that the Zillaz all get them in and ordered by October 1. I had emailed all four of my Zillaz and heard back from one that she got it and has ordered her dress. But I have faith that all will be ordered on time. I know, it is me being crazy...but a "hey I got it." Or, "Hey I ordered it" would calm my neuroses.

4. We are ordering coordinating ties for our guys! We are going with the Dessy Group Satin ties and Pocket Squares in concord. They will coordinate with the Zillaz. So Groomsmaids and Zillaz are all set, for the most part.

5. MOB ordered her dress, had it shortened like I suggested (yay! It was optional, but it will look way cuter for the "theme"). She is going with a sassy navy dress. I haven't a clue what MIL will be wearing which is making me mildly nervous....but I can't control every detail. We haven't revisited her outfitting since showing me something white she'd like to wear. Again, my neuroses...

6. I ordered shoes. Yup. Finally. They are NOT the Louboutin's that I had dreamt about... but we DID change our venue and add quite a bit of $$$ to our budget for that. It's all good because I do love these.... and bought them for a great price. I actually love challenging myself to see what I can find for the lowest price. They are the "Giselle" by Liz Rene. Still debating on dyeing them to match Flo's tie tho....

.we picked a zillaz dress.

Last Saturday, K-Zilla and I ventured to the other side of town to check out the Zillaz dress. I loved it already, so this was a nail biting trip. M-Zilla went the week prior to check it out and she loved it as well. Well, at least I think that they love it. Maybe they are lying but I doubt it. So far the count is 2 yay and 0 nay. I am guessing that my other Zillaz won’t be able to try on the dress—no because they won’t, but it is a hard sample to come across.

Jamie at Bella Bridesmaid was kind enough to order a sample and even better—she ordered samples in colors that I was considering. After seeing the color “Concord”, I decided that was THE ONE. Originally, I wanted different colors for the Zillaz, but with Concord being the only color I truly like, we are sticking with one color but will wrap the dress different ways.

I love this dress so much that I’ve considered buying my own. A word to the wise: This dress runs BIG. And in sizes XS-S-M-L, which is great for those who don’t want to get measured!

In case you haven’t read my post on wanting my aisle to look more like a runway, read my post here.

We will be ordering the dresses within the next few weeks! Check that off of the list!

.sample sale.

Wow! Cocktail Bling is having a sample sale. I am salivating over this:
The beading matches my dress perfectly; however, I am not feeling the pearls. Anyone wish to make me one without pearls??

Check out Cocktail Bling for sale pricing!!

.when good things happen to great people.

One of my favorite things is celebrating the joys, accomplishments and successes of others. Really, I do. I know that this is a rare find...but I truly think that if you are happy for others, good things come your way and others can be happy for you.

I'd love for my blogging friends to get book deals... then I can go to their signings and have a gront spot in the line...or do their hair or style their clothes. I love when new businesses take off and become hugely popular thanks for social networking sites and their own personal triumphs.

So today, I am going to shout out my accomplishments....be happy if you want...post yours if you would like! Let's hear it for success!

My first ever article was published in Las Vegas Bride Magazine (Summer 2009). In meeting with the magazine to discuss wedding stuff, I asked for space and they delivered. So please, follow them on blogger and check out my article, The Nearlywed Report

I am currently blogging for myself (ahem...you are here) and three other FABULOUS wedding websites... again, congrats to those who have started these sites and have pursued making them the successes that they are!
In no order:
1. TweetMyWedding- This site had five bloggers who expand on one of the "Tweets" from the week. Happily, I can say that I am the first blogger on this site... my first post went live on Monday. There are four other talented blogger brides who write... so check them out daily!
2. Bridal Buds- I love this site! An inspirational place for brides, who are named after "buds". I love posting here and hope to continue well after I am a Misses. You can find my posts under the name of "Poinsettia" bud...along with all of the other talented brides.
3. Weddzilla- This site provides inspiration & insight to brides from brides. There are so many great posts from how to be a great MOH to e-pic ideas and beyond. My intro post is on August 5th, so stay tuned for great posts by Jennifer B. (that is my government name!)

So there ya have it! I am trying to make my way as a writer... anyone have any book deals they want to hand out?!? Ha...well if you do, who am I to say no!?

Share your recent joys with me! I'd love to be happy for you!

.bridal beauty in the making, part dos.

This trip for the MOB and FOB has been quite productive. Since they booked their tix, I wanted MOB to have her hair turned fabu by my stylist, Andeen, and she obliged. MOB is a girlie girl like me, but she doesn't get to come out to play too often. So we took our before pic....and went to get our hairs did.

Andeen is the most talented hair guru I've ever met and what I enjoy the most is that she will take the time to ask what you normally do with your hair, how you normally style it and then create something new that will not conflict with your lifestyle or willingness to be high maintenance. She also takes the time to teach you how to curl, style, dry, whatever your hair. Everything that I've ever learned about cute hair was taught to me by Andeen. If you need a stylist here locally, she is who I recommend, hands down. Hair tools, will travel.

What she created for MOB was amazing.... And here is our "after" photo, before GNO (Girls Nite Out)

I also thought that it would be nice to start looking at shoes for MOB's dress. I should have known that the first pair she tries on would be the winner, just like her fabu dress. I will show pics of the shoes....but not the dress. Is it just me or are MOB dresses soooo matronly these days?? Anyway, I delivered several boxes of silvery shoes to MOB and she gracefully tried them on. Like with the dress, I will give my opinion but the decision truly comes down to what makes MOB feel the most glamorous and most comfortable. It will be a long day in a dress that constricts breathing and makes you squirm.

So I leave you with this..... some fabu shoes.... that quite possibly after the wedding will be a new, something old just for me!

.dress maybe not so a mess.

If today got any worse, I’m not sure what would be happening right now. It was just one of “those” days. The last wrong occurrence?? I lost my medicine bag. As a diabetic, having your medicine bag near you at all times is as important as turning off the iron, shutting off the stove and locking the door. It is habit. It is a necessity. If I am low, there are glucose tabs. If I am high, there is symlin. And when all else fails, there is a meter and poker to tell me where I fall. Would I rather leave my cell phone or medicine at home? Tough call, but I would rather say buh-bye to the cell phone. So my medicine bag is missing and I am hoping it is not at the gym, where I went to blow off some steam today. Fabulous workout but being alone with my thoughts for 30 minutes was less than beneficial.

Coming home meant at least one good thing- Flo would be there and he always makes me smile and laugh. He lets me cry, even if I am in the wrong and being a bitch. He listens to me whether he agrees with my stance or not. He lends an ear and a shoulder in a way that no one else can. I’m not for certain that he listens intently to my vents, but either way, it always makes me feel better to be in his company.

Today, there was a bonus moment of happy, happy joy, joy. I received my fabric samples from NY Fashion Center! YAY! In my hunt for THE DRESS, I ordered some fabric samples in color and texture that I’ve been desiring. And they arrived today. Two dress samples: same fabric, different colors. I showed the colors to Flo, he pointed to one, I pointed to the other. Nice. Hooray for the Groom-to-be having ZERO say in the Bride-to-be's dress. Whew!

And three samples of the wedding colors:

I’ve still been going back and forth between colors and uncertain if what we picked it what can work. Today, my vision was solidified. Flo and I absolutely love our color palette. Going back to how he makes my day… he actually cares about the fabrics and colors that arrive in our mail box. He doesn’t just agree with me to shut me up and appease me. He actually has an opinion. And I just fell in love with him a little bit more, just now.

What will I do with my samples? Well, touch them and love the fabric, for one. Then, I plan on taking them to every fabric store that I can visit and see if this particular fabric varies from store to store. I also plan on ordering more samples! Maybe….just maybe after the wedding, I will have enough samples to make a snazzy scarf?? Hmmmm….. and the conundrum begins.

.dress mess, part 1.

Dress shopping began ever before there was a ring on my finger. It was before we met with a jeweler and before I ever had a budget. I knew that couture/designer gowns were costly; thanks to the wedding websites who are kind enough to embark on the monetary journey by featuring dollar signs letting you know what to expect.

I didn’t expect to go and get measured for a bridesmaid dress and fall in love with Star. That is what I am calling her. Ivory charmeuse, corset bodice, curve hugging, gut sucking prettiness on a hanger. At first, the $$$$ price tag didn’t scare me- I wasn’t even formally engaged, there was plenty of time to save up! Well life I this thing that happens while you are busy making other plans and my saved up $$$ went out he door onto more important things. Star was the love of my bridal life until Jai came along at yet another alarming $$$$$ price tag. Jai is the one who put a twinkly tear in my eye. It was a few weeks later when I questioned those tears- was it because the dress was so perfect and so stunning or was it because it was a dress I’d never pay for? I am going to lean toward the latter and carry on.
After this experience and wrangling myself back into reality, I began to browse shops that seemed more attainable. I’ve been to five shops in Vegas and two in NYC. And still no dress. In each gorgeous gown, there is an element in which I fall in love. Whether it’s the material, the delicate detailing, the simplicity, the classic beauty of the dress, there is something.

Finding the right dress easily compares to finding the right man. You try on several, you think that you may have found “The One” but you keep looking and realize that the one still exists in a place you’ve never been. Each dress gets you closer to finding the one, just as each desperate date produced a similar result.

After 7 stores and at least 70 gowns later… I’ve tried on traditional…. Form fitting, lacey, sating, chiffony, and altogether different…. I am not where the journey began, yet 70 elements closer to finding the one.

.ps: none of these are the dress- or even close to the dress.

.shoe me baby.

There is a saying about putting a cart before the horse and not to do it. I’m guessing that you also shouldn’t put the shoe before the wedding dress?? Lately, I have been obsessing over a certain style of how, inspired by a Christian Louboutin that is nowhere to be found on line. Anywhere. It must not be real then because we all know that if it’s online then it is true, real and correct. Not being able to locate this shoe is probably a good thing because I’m 995 dollars, I mean percent, sure that they would fall out of my shoe budget.

I browsed a few sites and found several variations of the style over which I obsess. The true test will be trying on this style and confirming comfort. The closed back looks like a heel wound waiting to happen. Luckily, I have quite sometime left before needing to find and purchase shoes and scrutinizing their level of comfort. Oh…yea, there needs to be a dress first, also. So in the meantime I share with you my current love of this shoe.

PS By the way, if you are a bettor, I’m making odds that they won’t be in white, ivory, diamond white, eggshell or any other neutral!

.shoe by touch ups.

.shoe by benjamin adams.

.shoe by liz rene.