Ladies and Gents, We have Bridesmaids Dresses

Before I begin to tell you about the most fantastic black cocktail dress you will ever see I should mention that the above photo comes from this uber cute Etsy shop.  http://www.etsy.com/shop/LittleLadyCompany

So, there have been a few posts about Bridesmaids dresses on this here blog.  The most important thing to me about these dresses is that they 1) need to be flattering 2) need to be chic and cute 3) need to not look like a bridesmaid dress.  I love my friends a lot, and I really want them to look fantastic.  I have gone to pictures like this for inspiration: 

Cute black cocktail dress that makes everyone feel good.

For accessories and hair, I am going to these two photos to be inspired.

I love how in the above photo all the bridesmaids have different hair and accessories.  So even though it is the same dress, they still look like themselves and have individual style.

I love the glam in this photo.  And I really like that necklace... I wish I knew where it was from. First picture is from GreenWeddingShoes and the second is StyleMePretty.  

We actually did go to Priscilla of Boston (see previous post) and tried on a lot of those dresses.  We all really liked them too.  If it wasn't for the fact that Bridesmaid O and Bridesmaid DL were in Connecticut with me having a fun sleepover we would have never ventured into White House Black Market.  In fact, we were pretty sure we were going to forget about shopping altogether and instead we were going to get Mani/Pedis.  I am not going to say manicures and pedicures because they are not called that.... they are called Mani/Pedis.  

Back to White House Black Market.  We strolled in and decided to try on a few dresses.  Low and behold this adorable dress was on sale for $50 bucks!  I wouldn't mention the price except it was such a steal!  Both Bridesmaid O and Bridesmaid DL looked amazing in it!  I knew the rest of the ladies would too!  Now, the new challenge was to find all the dresses in the right sizes.  Something I now know, that everyone should know about this store is:  THEY SEND THEIR DRESSES ANYWHERE IN THE U.S FOR FREE.  This is very important if you need to ship a size 2 and a size 4 to Kansas City for one bridesmaid and ship a size 8 from Vegas to your house in Connecticut!  Even though the dress looks much better in person, here it is!  

So, to conclude, not only did we find the perfect black cocktail dress, but we found it for a great deal and were able to get all the sizes we needed.  I can't wait to see them all together looking amazing.  Makes me so happy!  Now it is on to accessories for me and for them!  Oh and I guess I have to figure out what Andrew and the Groomsmen are wearing, and my sister..ok so I have a lot to do.  But in my mind, the two most important parts are done.  That is definitely the designer in me that thinks Bridesmaids dresses and my wedding dress are the most important parts.  Ok, maybe it's my shoes. ;p

Iain Crawford rocks my socks off...

This man is a genius... Thanks to my lovely friend Brianne over at http://coolbreez.tumblr.com/ for filling me in on these incredible images.  How have I not heard of him before?!  Check out more of the brilliance here  http://www.iaincrawford.com/

Happy Valentine's Day

photo by http://www.joeelariophotography.com/
I know there are Valentine's day skeptics out there.  But I think anything that celebrates love in any way can't be a bad thing.   For all of you "haters" out there.  There ARE ways to tell the person you love them without going to Hallmark.  I say we celebrate love all the time.  It doesn't need to be on February 14th.  And it doesn't need to be someone you are in a relationship with.  Tell your best friend, your sister, or mother, anyone you love, how special they are to you.  Ok, I know I am in a mushy, lovey mood.  But anyone who knows me that I am just that mushy, lovey person.

As for our Valentine's day celebration,  I made homemade chocolate truffles (seen above and taken on my Iphone camera), a painting, and a homemade card for my love.  And I think it made it even more special, because any gift given with love is the best kind.  Andrew whisked me away to Boston this weekend.  And the act of someone showing you how much they care, and how much they want to spend time with you is really special.  I am very grateful to have the kind of love I have in my life.  And maybe that makes me a romantic, or maybe that makes me a sucker.  But I would like to think we celebrate love more than once a year, and I suggest you do the same.  =)

Purple love

If I have not discussed it before, purple is the main color in my wedding.  White, black, grey, and PURPLE.  Vibrant, luxurious, and just plain lovely.  Love me some purple.  Have for quite some time!  Here are a few pretty, pretty pics of the color in all of it's glory.

From Junebug's best of 2009: http://junebugweddings.com/blogs/what_junebug_loves/

Pretty Pretty Bouquet from Style me Pretty 

Lucy Liu in Zac Posen... LOVE

Natalie Portman looking sophisticated as always in this Lanvin dress.  She is the Audrey Hepburn of our generation...

It's a snow day!

Inspired by the snow:

This was found awhile ago on http://greylikesweddings.wordpress.com/

Anthropologie made snowy little creations... Oh Anthro... I love you

Here is a pic of me, all bundled up in the snow.  I was mid fall, about to make a snow angel!  Haha!  I have very fond memories of this weekend.  It was about 3 years ago, and my love and I went to a house up in the Poconos and had a romantic snowed in weekend.  Great memories...

Enjoy your snow day everyone!!!!

Cheese is the best stuff on earth!

Boy do I love cheese.  It is probably my number 1 most favorite food ever.  Since I am trying to eat healthy, I have had to cut down slightly.  Now, don't get me wrong,  I am still eating it.  I have tried to cut it out before and it is just torture for me.  But I have decided that maybe I don't need Brie in my fridge at all times.  I know, it is pretty sad.  So being the masochist that I am, I was on https://www.murrayscheese.com/index.asp  torturing myself by looking at delicious cheese.  While browsing I found this baby!  

Epoisses is so stinky that it has been BANNED from being on public transportation in France because of the smell.  That is some stinky cheese!  So naturally, I can't wait to try it!  

Almost checked off the list

On this Wedding Wednesday by brain is exploding.  There is so much to think about.  So many decisions.  I have to focus on the positive and on the things I have accomplished or that I am in the process of accomplishing.  One of these tasks that is in the process of being checked off the list is Bridesmaids dresses.  It's funny how these lists work.  You would think the list would read something like this:

Get Engaged

Find place to have wedding

Find clothes for everyone

Find food for everyone

Find music to dance to

Get married

But the list ends up having to get so much more detail oriented in order for things to actually get done.  Don't get me wrong, I am a list maker to the MAX.  I love it!  I find deep satisfaction in knowing I have the ability to cross something off of a list because I was productive.  But, in the wedding planning process, there are so many things on that list, that you end up crossing things off, but not feeling nearly as accomplished as you would like.  For example, if I were to make a list for Bridesmaids Dresses ( a smaller part of the bigger Wedding To Do list) it would have to read something like this:

Decide style of Bridesmaids Dresses

Decide color of Bridesmaids Dresses

Decide on same dresses or different for each Bridesmaid

Find time to go shopping with as many Bridesmaids as you can

The list would go on and on, but I don't want to overwhelm you.  I would like to be laid back about this, but I feel like the more laid back I am, the less that gets done.  And ultimately, I don't want to be super stressed last minute.  I hate when things become last minute!  I know it is kind of inevitable, but I am still trying to avoid it at all costs!

That all being said, on the positive note, after talking to my Bridesmaids and getting some feedback (check it off the list!), we are going to go to Priscilla of Boston to check out their Vineyard Collection, as well as the Melissa Sweet Collection.  I have been eyeing their dresses since I got engaged.  I think they really have one of the only lines of Bridesmaid dresses that are affordable and cute and don't look like ugly, plastic dresses.  I am very excited to go there with two of my BM's in a few weeks.  If it doesn't work out there, we will hopefully have enough knowledge to lead us in a new direction!  Here are a few of my favs.

Aren't they all so cute?!  I know they are very different.  I clearly need some focus!  I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel though.  You will hopefully see a post with a decision on some fabulous Bridesmaid Dresses soon!

I want to be Giada when I grow up

Ok, so that first picture is a little much.  But Giada de Laurentiis is seriously perfection.  I don't know if it is because I am Italian, or that I love to cook, but I think she is so fantastic.  Every recipe she makes I LOVE.  Also, when you watch her shows on the Food Network she has a way of teaching her recipes that is very friendly and calming.  Although, she does sort of make everything slightly more sexual than it needs to be.  But hey, that is sort of a good thing too!  I think the number one reason that she is so fantastic really is her demeanor and how much love she has for the food she makes.  I of course am watching her show "Everyday Italian" as we speak.  Because I DVR it everyday.  I know, I have a problem.  I love her!!!!!  I could seriously go on and on about how awesome she is, but I understand the obsession is slightly embarrassing so I will stop now.  Here is one of her recipes that my fiance and I make all the time for Thanksgiving or any holiday where we want to have a delicious, juicy, fresh turkey.  Thanks Food Network, for this recipe, and many others... and mostly thank you for Giada...

Cook Time: 3 Hours

• 1 (14 to 15-pound) turkey, neck and giblets reserved
• 1 orange, cut into wedges
• 1 lemon, cut into wedges
• 1 onion, cut into wedges
• 6 fresh rosemary sprigs
• 6 fresh sage sprigs
• 6 fresh oregano sprigs
• 7 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons herbes de Provence
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
• 6 cups canned low-salt chicken broth (approximate amount)
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour

Directions

To make the turkey: Position the rack in the lowest third of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees F.

Rinse the turkey and pat it dry with paper towels. Place the turkey on a rack set inside a large roasting pan. Place the orange and lemon wedges, onion, and 2 sprigs of each fresh herb in the main turkey cavity. Tie the legs together to hold the shape of the turkey. Stir 2 tablespoons of butter, the herbes de Provence, oil, and 1 1/2 teaspoons of each the salt and pepper in a small saucepan over medium heat just until the butter melts. Rub the butter mixture all over the turkey and between the turkey breast meat and skin. Place the turkey neck and giblets in roasting pan. (Recipe can be prepared up to this point 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Let stand at room temperature 30 minutes before roasting.)

Cover the turkey breast with foil. Roast for 20 minutes. Pour 3 cups of broth into the pan and stir to scrape up any brown bits on the bottom of the pan. Add the remaining sprigs of fresh herbs to the pan. Roast the turkey for 40 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F. Remove the foil from the turkey; pour 1 more cup of broth into the pan. Continue roasting the turkey until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 165 degrees F to 175 degrees F or until the juices run clear when the thickest part of the thigh is pierced with a skewer, basting occasionally with pan juices, about 1 hour and 30 minutes longer. Transfer the turkey to a platter and tent with foil. Let stand 30 minutes while preparing the gravy.

To make the gravy: Strain the turkey pan juices from the roasting pan through a sieve and into a 4-cup glass measuring cup; discard the solids. Spoon off the fat from atop the pan juices. Add enough chicken broth, about 1 to 2 cups, to the pan juices to measure 4 cups total. Melt the remaining butter in a heavy large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the flour and whisk for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in the broth. Simmer until the gravy thickens slightly, whisking often, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Serve the turkey with the gravy.