Cute, cute, and cute!

Soooooo I love this 5 way wrap dress from Urban Minx. At first look, it doesn't seem quite fancy enough, but I would totally get this for my bridesmaids if it was the right color. It's on sale for a wonderful $138.50. which is quite the savings from the original $198.00.

I thought the photo on the site was used was cute, but when I clicked on 'more photos' I found the dress a way I liked even more. You can see all 5 ways to wrap the dress in the photos. As the web site says "make is look dressy, casual, or in between." That's what's great, your girls could wrap it to make it a little more classy, and then definitely re-wear it later! You could get so many looks out of it!

And, as everyone says, you should get your girls something they could wear again!

Love at first sight . . .

I have totally fallen for the bridesmaids dress over at Coren Moore. From the looks of the site, it seems like they're a pretty popular brand, but I haven't heard of them before. It seems like most of their dress are out of our budget ($150), but a girl can dream, right? Most of the dresses cost $220-$320, but what is nice is that you have your choice of what fabric you choose to order the dress in. Shantung, cotton sateen, and seersucker seem to be most of the options they offer. They also off group discounts. I wonder how much I could save if I really wanted some of their dresses for my girls? Hmmm, I'm not sure. I should check it out.

Another plus to Coren Moore is that the website is easy to navigate and nicely designer. It's always a turn off for me if I can't quite figure out the website. It makes me quickly navigate elsewhere.

So, without further ado, here are a few of the cutest / freshest bridesmaids dresses so far! (image source for all images)

Here is the Rose. The small photo doesn't do it justice. Head over to the website to size the full length photo in all it's glory. I'm actually quite smitten with it, but $290 is way over our $150 price tag. But it's the perfect length - Just above the knee is just right! Oh and those little ruffles around the neckline! Mmm - gorgeous! And I still have an obsession of putting a sash/bow on everyone, which doesn't work on all dresses, but it could work here! The nice flat panel around the waist could be perfect for a nice little sash.
Maybe they have sales? I'm not sure, I'll have to keep an eye on it. But regardless, this is love.

Oh Tara, how I love your neckline. You're so cute and sweet and definitely ready for the party. Tara is ready for all occasions actually! She can be bought as a full length dress under the evening section ($315), or as a shorter dress under the cocktail section ($285). Swoon! I love options!

Oh Lily, what's that you say? I was trying to add a sash to Rose, when you were all ready perfect for it? You guys have the same adorable neckline, but Lily's shape it just fantastic. So cute, so lovely!

So there they are! If your budget allows, I highly suggest heading over to the site to see some cute dresses!

Oh! And did I mention they have a bridal line too??

Who doesn't love to shop, really?

I told you all how much I love cake toppers so in spirit of that, I just had to share this really quick:I don't blame her :). I love to shop.
Is this right for your cake? Buy it here.

Unity Sand. . . What?

So Mr.Giraffe and I will not be doing a unity candle at our wedding, but I think what they stand for is very sweet and can be a touching/memorable moment for the mr and almost mrs.

I'd seen a few different unity candles, but in my mind, they were all pretty much the same. I think the reason for this is that I never really looked into them because we never planned to have one at our wedding.

Regardless, now I know that I am wrong and that there's a whole looooooot of different kinds of unity candles, all the same in their purpose but all slightly different. How did I learn this? Well I was at WhereBridesGo.com and after seeing a photo on their main page that made me curious, I clicked on it and it led me to their unity candle section. Okay, so now I'd see a pretty big amount of unity candles, but what about the photo on their main page that piqued my interest originally? (image source)

It's a unity sand (sand kit? sand set?) ?! I know, I know, I had never heard of it either. But honestly, what a neat idea!! It's such a cool twist on such a normal tradition that its super unexpected. I think it would be a treat for your guests, and I definitely think that it looks as pretty as a regular unity candle. It's just so . . . hip! I really can't find another word - It's hip, fresh, cool! It's so unheard of to me that I just love the idea. Another plus? You can choose sand to match your color scheme, for all those OCD brides out there (or pretty much any bride!).

What's cool about this one is that you can have the hear personalized. It's hard to see in the photo, but there are initals on the heart. The biggest most awesomest upside? I'm not sure how people hold onto a unity candle (I couldn't burn foreve), but the sand 'jar' would be a great mamento of the wedding to have and display in your home.

WhereBridesGo.com also has different unity sand a couple other styles for brides with different tastes (image source 1, image source 2).


Any body else [happily] surprised by the idea of using sand instead of a candle?

A little Flare! . . . Fred Flare that is!

If you've never been over to FredFlare.com, I suggest you head over there. It's a quirky little site with lots of things I'd love to buy, that I'd never need (like rubber duck ear buds, for instance). Their stuff is a little kitschy and a little quirky, but it has clothes, accessories, and all kinds of other stuff. My sister actually ordered a pink tool set through them.

Anyway, I would love to have my bridesmaids wear something like these, but they don't match our colors. Too bad because I think they could be very classy and glamorous.

A more En-cage-ing Gift Table.

Get it? En-cage-ing? Engaging? Hahaha. Ooooh boy.
So here's the thing, I, like many brides, love the idea of having a bird cage placed on the gift table. This would be ideal for storing card. I've seen cute card boxes and mail boxes (!), but I just looove using a bird cage. There are so many easily accessible options.

Here's a cute one. I'm not sure if I would want a white cage? I love that its cute and traditional, but I might be a little modern for that :). I think buying a white one would be a good idea because that seems a little standard and easy to get. I might spray paint it blue.

This one is available here for $49.46. It's on sale from $54.95.

Another white cage available the Wedding channel Store. I think I like the look of this one a little bit better. I feel like the taller more elongated look is a little more modern. I also like the little "cutesy" factor. It's hard to see in this tiny photo, but there are little hearts on the side in wire. Its only $40.00.

I think my problem is that I would want something a little more vintagae-y? I think (and I can't prove it, I might not know it until I see it) that I may want something that looks more like a real bird cage and less like a bird cage made for cards? I know, its a conundrum for sure :).

This one seems like more of what I want, but I don't think it matches the look we're going for. The "leaf" motif doesn't seem to really match, since we're not doing any nature themes or having an outdoor wedding or reception. You can find it here, but I can't seem to figure out if the site is selling it or not? It does say is would be $11.99 though, and that would be sweet. The problem though, is I loose the long, lean look that the second cage has. The cage search may be harder than anticipated! haha- I could settle with this one (and paint it blue or white), but seeing as we have allll kinds of time, I'll probably wait and see what comes up!

It's been a while, but it's not you, it's me! Anyway, here's an EM Paper free Invite Template!

Wow - so much for my blogging commitment! It sure has been a very long time and for that, I apologize. I am currently in my last semester in my undergrad and I don't understand where the time goes! I'm officially on spring break as of today and I have a whole week off. . .so despite the fact that I have spent wayyyyy more time reading blogs that writing one, I am back with a vengeance! Have no fear!

On the other hand, I kicked of my very last spring break ever with going to see the Watchmen last night. Unlike the future mister, TB, I had not read the comic. TB was very interested because of knowing the whole back story. I enjoyed it, but it did loose my attention a few times. This could have been because we went to a 10:10pm show and didn't get out until 1am. It was just too long for me when I had gotten little sleep due to work/stress during the week. Overall though, I did enjoy the movie. Sometimes its nice to have more on your mind then school & wedding (although I love both).

So, to make it up to you, here is another freebie in mind!.
E M Papers is an interesting web site. It's actually quite a neat idea. For a super little fee (5!!!) , you can download a zip file of matching graphic/layout of an Invitation, STD post card, response card, and thank you card. What is nice about it is that DIY brides who may be technically challenged, the files will open in microsoft word and the text can be added from there and then printed. The only downside about the Wedding Invitation section of the site is that there are only 3 designs. . . but one is free! If this matches a brides theme, she may be in luck!

That's it for today. . . but have no fear, blog, I will be back tomorrow!