Flower overload...

One of the hardest things about being a DW bride to be is that I don't get to see every single detail beforehand and I really have to trust my wedding planner to understand my vision and make executive decisions. This is insanely difficult for a Type-A, control freak, perfectionist like me!

While we were in LA for Thanksgiving, we were trying to think of a wedding related activity we could do that was (1)low stress and (2)low pressure. We decided that we should go to the Los Angeles Flower Market. As I've mentioned countless times, I am not a huge flower person so I don't really know what I like outside of orchids (which I LOVE).

This is what I learned:

1. When you look at flowers have a plan! This place was huge and it was a little overwhelming. Most of the stores carried the same flowers so it was really about finding flowers that I wanted to see in person and figuring out what colors/sizes they came in.


2. I love ranunculus. They are like a smaller, tighter peony... before I get too excited, I need to ask my wedding planner if they are available in Costa Rica.


3. Peonies are HUGE! I didn't realize what a big flower the peony is... They don't have them in Costa Rica so they aren't really an option but it seems like if someone was DIY-ing their flowers, a few strategically placed peonies would go a long way. They are also all pretty closed still at the flower market so I would be important to figure out how far in advance you need to get them so they are in their full glory on your big day!


4. I pretty much hate hydrangeas. They are definitely great filler flowers and super affordable but they just aren't my style. Of all the flowers they also seem to be the most wilt-y. That being said, I have definitely seen a lot of arrangements with hydrangeas that I do love so.... we'll see.


5. I still LOVE orchids. They are just so fabulous and elegant.


6.Last but not least, I love mums. I especially love the China mum. Look at how huge and gorgeous this flower is!


It turns out that I also don't really know the difference between mums and dahlias. Sigh. So much to learn and so little time!

Were there things you learned about flowers and your own taste once you saw the flowers in-person? Do you have any advice or suggestions about flowers that hold up in the Costa Rican heat and last all day?

Necklace DIY: Bridesmaids' gifts?

So yes, I am totally obsessed with necklaces right now. I have also been wondering what I should get my bridesmaids. I want to get them something that will be useful and can be individualized but perhaps could also be used at the wedding. In other words, I'd love to pay for something so that they don't have to... With that in mind, I've started looking at possible DIY bridesmaids' necklaces. I found a bunch of necklaces on Etsy that look DIY-able.

1. Simple and Understated

{Etsy - $44}

The thing I love about this necklace is it looks super simple to make, plus it'll be cheaper to make because it only uses 10-12 beads per necklace. I also think the flower looks pretty easy to make... you could also make if fancier by adding a crystal button to the center of the flower or adding a few crystal beads between the pearl beads.

Here is a flower DIY project that I've posted before that I think would work great for this necklace.

{DIY Instructions}
2. Feminine and Fabulous

{Etsy:Mara Necklace - $36}

This necklace has a little bigger pearl beads and the flower is a little larger. It is also more like a floral poof than a flower. The color makes it so hard for me to figure out this necklace. I think I like the general idea, but I would probably use smaller pearls.

Here is a floral poof DIY that I thought would work great for this necklace:

{DIY Instructions}

3. Elegance and Shine

{Etsy - $88}

I love love love this one. I love the crystal beads in between the pearl beads, I like the symplicity and bling in the flower and most of all I love that there are two strands of pearls. While this would be the most expensive necklace to make I definitely think it would be worth the extra $$.

I've also posted this chiffon flower DIY project before but I thought it would be perfection with this necklace, especially in the soft pink!

{DIY Instructions}
As for the beads, it looks like you can order beads for a reasonable price. At Fire Mountains Gems or Oriental Trading. If you prefer to pick some beads up in person I know that Michael's has a considerable collection but I think they are fairly pricey.

What do you think? Would you wear there necklaces? Would your bridesmaids?

Toddlers in Tutus

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I love tutus...obviously. I haven't given up on my own tutu dress dreams but I am now also obsessed with flower girl tutus. I know its pretty cheesy but adorably-so... in my opinion. Over Thanksgiving while, I was in Manhattan Beach I saw this Manhattan Beach wedding on Style Me Pretty.

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As per my modius operandi, I first looked for all the flower girl tutu wedding porn I could find:

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After looking at dozens of flower girls in tutus I realize that for itty bitty flower girls (less than 6-ish), I prefer the poofier tutus that stick straight out as opposed to the ones that look more like skirts. With this in mind, I started to do a little bit or research about where I could pick up a tutu for my own flower girl. It looks like tutus cost between $20 and $40. Tutu Girl has a great selection of solid colored Tutus for $34.99. Tutu Cute Baby also has a great selection of tutus in solid colors and mixed colors. Their tutus start at $24 but go all the way up to $114 for the red santa baby tutu dress (which is adorable by the way, but also a little sexy for a two year old...in my opinion. A cute black cardigan could fix that though!). Sweetie Pie Tutus also has a great selection of tutus for the youngest flower girls and their tutus start at just $19.

If you prefer the longer tutus check out Miss Priss Tutus. At $30 a piece the have a fabulous selection and a pretty cute website.

To be honest, I think that the longer tutus are totally adorable for flower girls who are a little older... or even brides for day after photos???? hehe.

Details:Paper Straws

{Source} I first noticed these fabulous striped straws when I entered SWMag's MMInk calligraphy contest. (BTW how much do you love Moya from MM Ink). Then I started to notice that they are everywhere...which was inevitably followed by this ache in my stomach for paper straws (which I didn't even know was a think two weeks ago!) It's embarrassing but true. I am such a sucker for cute details. I mean, LOOK:

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So here's the deal on these darling details. As far as I can tell they come in a few colors: red, green, hot pink, blue and gray. You can get them from Kikkerland and they come in boxes of 50 for $3 or 144 for $7. I am not sure how much shipping and handling is but Kikkerland is in the UK so it may be quite pricey.
Art Fire also has them in packs of 100 for $16.

There are also a number of sellers on Etsy and Ebay who sell these straws but they all seem to be fairly pricey. All the Etsy sellers I could find seem to sell them with the flags included so they are about $25 for 20!

While it seems like most people like to decorate the actual paper straws, I love this mix and match idea. How a-dorable are those stirrers??

The further along I get in the planning process, the more I realize that one of the best and worst things about a small wedding is that I am convinced that I can add/afford anything and everything....sigh.

Has anyone gotten these straws? Did you find any good deals?What other wedding details have you fallen in love with that you didn't even know existed?

***EDIT: Shipping from Kikkerland is $10.

Inspiration Boards??

I love inspiration boards but WHY am I so bad at them!?!? I feel like I have a pretty good sense of style, color, light, blah blah blah... but I totally can't get one together.

So here are some fabulous inspiration boards that have got me wishing I could figure it out:

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At this point I am less than six months away from the big day and I am moving to Amsterdam in 5 weeks. I think an inspiration board would go a long way in helping me solidify my vision, and be a good thing to share with my wedding planner and bridesmaids who are trying to help me plan. Despite my best efforts I still haven't been able to put something together that really embodies my vision.

Have you made an inspiration board? Did you find it helpful? What program did you use to make it??

DIY Necklace

Recently I blogged about my love of statement necklaces. I have been keeping an eye out for the perfect piece but haven't found anything purchase-worthy, so like any crafty-bride-to-be I started searching for DIY options.

There are SOOO SOOO SOO many DIY pearl necklace tutorials available on the internet but I've filtered through a couple dozen and found my top favorites, which I picked because I thought the necklaces were cool, the inspiration was on point, and the instructions were fairly clear.

I think I may actually try to make my own necklace. One of the best things about living in NYC is the fabric district, it's called that but it's actually a source of all things crafty, from beads, lace, and ribbon, to crystal buttons, and feathers. Basically anything you would need for an arts and crafts project you could find in bulk in the fabric district! That being said, I figure I could make a list of the supplies I'll need and bring them with me to Amsterdam, this def seems like a travel friendly DIY project that I could work on overseas.

Here are some of my favorite DIY posts from around the blogosphere:
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I haven't quite decided which one I love....which are your favorites? Have you ever made your own necklace? Am I in over my head??

Surf, Swim, Sun ...California lovin'

Although it won't be warm enough to surf or swim, there will be some sun and lots of California love. We are headed to LA to spend Thanksgiving with D's family. It's actually pretty exciting for me because I'm not American so I had never had a "real" Thanksgiving until I started spending it with D's family. I really enjoy traditions... they definitely make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. There is also nothing more amazing then being invited into another family's tradition.

In honor of our journey to the City of Angels I wanted to do some sort of fall feast post or family post, but I really couldn't find a new take on it. Then I saw this post on Grey Likes Weddings.


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Who doesn't love sweet engagement pictures? And how much do we love an adorable vintage swimsuit. I love the idea of doing a swimsuit on my trash the dress/day after shoot... I've been playing with the idea for awhile but haven't really thought about it that seriously. D loves the water, his only request was that we get trash the dress pictures taken in the water. How can you deny a man his one and only request??

So the hunt for the picture wedding swimsuit begins. We all know how much I love Ouma! They have this fabulous playsuit, that is to die for!
{Source} The bow in the back is such a great detailor! But I def don't think I can convince myself (or my lovely fiance) that I should spend $168 on a playsuit.

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I found these cute little suits on Unique Vintage for $75.

{Source} Lolita Girl also has a selection of suits starting at $99 with a couple on sale for $69.

To be honest none of them make me swoon the way the Ouma one does... Perhaps I should go with a two piece??

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What can I say, it's a woman's prerogative, right? :D

Happy Thanksgiving!

Sparkles and Shines

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There is really nothing more amazing than a great statement necklace. I know there was certainly a time when a single strand of pearls was the only option but that was probably also when brides wore traditional veils and white satin shoes. There is obviously nothing wrong with traditional but there's also something amazing about moving away from tradition and expressing your personality on your big day.

For me that's not only gonna be a hot pair of pumps but a stunning necklace. I LOVE big bold necklaces and adore pearls. Yes, I know pearls and lace, could I be any more predictable, but I like what I like. Lately, I seem to be spotting a lot of great necklaces around the blogisphere and wanted to share:

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Aren't they gorgeous-ness!?! Also how much do you love those touching moments right before the wedding where the MOTB helps the bride put on her necklace.... so precious. I officially have a new obsession. These are the pearly possibilities I found today but the search is still young I am sure there will be plenty more to come!

{Nordstrom: $58}
{Banana Republic: $98}
{Ann Taylor: $138}
{J.Crew: $118}
{Nordstrom: $38}
{Nordstrom: $32}

Have you decided what you are going to do about jewelry? How much did you budget for your extra sparkles and shine?