Hairstyles for special events

For our wedding I'd like to get my hair professionally done, but I have several events coming up where I'm choosing to do my own hair. When I was a kid I looooved to do my friends' hair. At sleepovers I was the one with the curling iron in my hand during movies. While the others painted nails and read magazines I was creating elaborate up-dos and braids.
 I am pretty lazy when it comes to styling my hair now- it's wash and wear for me most days. But I feel like I am still pretty handy with a curling iron, and saving money by doing my own hair for special occasions is worth it. I've been thinking about different options and watching youtube videos. (I made my veil a couple of weeks ago and youtube videos were really helpful!)

Here are some styles that I might try:





http://myyellowsandbox.blogspot.com/2011/05/day-6-wedding-bun.html


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FbDPZNUpus

Fabric Find: Medallion by Annette Tatum

Medallion by Annette Tatum in Peacock

Fabric Find: 56 in blue floral

From Etsy Seller Cottonholic

Fabric Find: Geo Dot by Rosemarie Lavin

Geo Dot by Rosemarie Lavin in Sea Breeze 

Our Save the Dates!

We sent our save the date postcards out last week. We're still working on getting some addresses, but I was really excited to send them so I started anyways. I worked with Etsy Seller Nostalgic Imprints to design a vintage travel postcard design for Kentucky (where we're getting married). She put our names on the front and all the other pertinent details on the back. I've blocked out most of the details for the sake of privacy, but you get the gist!

 So far I've gotten lots of texts from people saying they think they are cute! I loved the idea of the souvenir postcard and BL was happy to go along.They only took 3 weeks from the day I requested a custom design and the day they were delivered at my door. The front of the card is glossy and the back is matte (for writing on). Believe it or not, this was my first purchase from an Etsy seller. Since then I've bought a few more things for the invitations.

Jane at Nostalgic Imprints already had several different state postcard designs. I think they're all so cute.

I went to three Target stores to find this skirt...

I know what I like when I see it, and this skirt was one of those things. I already have it in gray and have almost worn it out. At $22 I was willing to track down my size and buy it at the regular price. 

Winter into Spring- new Target skirt by simplysuz featuring drop earrings

L Agence white blouse, £174
Cardigan, $14
Skirt, $23
Boots, $199
Fossil handbag, $119
Old Navy drop earrings, $6.94
Sheer shawl, $18

Invitations and spring at my desk

The view at my desk today. I stopped at lunch and bought a $3 bouquet of cheerful tulips. 

Wedding planning is so much fun, and there are so many different ideas flying around in my head. I have enough ideas for 10 weddings. No, I don't want to become a wedding planner, but it is hard to decide what my favorite ideas are. I want our wedding to have a cohesive feel, and still be memorable and fun. We bought paper and envelopes to make our invites! I was toying with two different options: floral or travel themed. Everyone who knows me knows I love flowers, so that would fit me. But a green and blue color scheme with some pretty flowers doesn't necessarily show off our vintage travel theme. Plus, BL really liked the airmail theme I cooked up. Decision made, all that's left is to design the invitation and put them all together. All 150 of them. I'm excited to do it, it's a great excuse to be crafty and watch a bunch of Heartland. oh and hang out with my sweet MOH. She already offered to help and she doesn't even know what I have planned! Here's a sneak peak of the supplies I have bought so far:

Blue Wedding Shoes!

I found my blue shoes! They aren't at all like I thought I was looking for, but they are perfect.

I wasn't expecting to like ones with rhinestones, but they add a dressy element that simple flats don't have.

I'm so excited to have them! I found them at TJ Max for only $40. At department stores I've seem them for around $100, so it does my bargain shopper heart good that I got such a good deal.

They are Adrienne Vittadini "Sapphire"

Blog design, Gift Registries, and Photographer

Ok, so I'm not loving the new blog design. I'm not sure where to go next, but I'm going to ruminate over it a little. Something better will come about, I promise.  

This last weekend, BL and I registered at a few stores. It went so well. Seriously. Pish, posh you people who say that wedding registries bring fights and arguments. I didn't get everything I wanted, and BL didn't get everything he wanted, but we both left the stores feeling happy I think. I did let BL do the scanning. He took out any aggravation by pretending to zap me with the scanner. boys will be boys.

Photo from friend's wedding.

 Next up is choosing a photographer. Not sure how to go about it, but right now I'm wading through the options I've found. I guess I'll contact a few and see if they'd like to meet with us? Does anyone have any experience or advice to share in choosing a wedding photographer? 

I hope your Tuesdays are all going grand!

P.S. after 3 migraines in a row last week I got some blood work done, and found out I need another increase in Synthroid... hope it helps!!

Looking for motivation

I'm so sad that season two of Downton Abbey is over. I'm sure someone who reads this understands my sadness, and I had to say it to someone who understands. (ha... I laugh at myself... so melodramatic)

So apparently 100 mcg of Synthroid wasn't enough. I'm taking 112 mcg now, and I'm wondering if I might need more. I've been tired still, and losing weight is not happening very quickly. I keep losing between 5 and 10 lbs and then gaining it back the next week.  I joined weight watchers online again. It's been helpful and motivating. Exercising is going ok, but not great. I need to get in at least 30 minutes of cardio everyday, but in the last two weeks I've only worked out 6 times. I hung up some pictures to motive me, want to see them?

Here I am years ago at 130lbs before I got too skinny from Addison's:

 

Then I lost a bunch of weight when I got sick in 2009. My skin is really brown from the hyper-pigmentation that comes with untreated Addison's. I thought the weight loss was just my new "normal."

Three months before I was diagnosed

The week I was diagnosed.,
taking an audio tour at the Hermitage.

only one month after Addison's, before Prednisone made my face swell.

 And here I am at Christmas 2011 (40 or 50 lbs heavier than is healthy...)

I love this picture because it is of us, but it's hard
to see myself look so different than before.