DIY INVITES: Part Three: BLING BLING!!!!!

Good Morning my fellow bloggers =)

I told you I'd be back to show you what will fill the top part of my invites....

THESE!!!

I bought about 200 of these crystal brooches at the San Francisco Jewelry Mart.

I have to be honest with you. They're not actually brooches just yet.

They're rings that I'll convert into brooches. There was no way in heck I was willing to cash out $3 to $5 per brooch, so I had to do what I do best. GET CREATIVE!!

Aren't these rings a beauty?

I couldn't decide which ones I liked best, so I had to have all of them. hehe

And although this is not bling bling, I have purchased 50 yards of black satin ribbon.

Ooooooh, and the cool spy pens I got!! You can read all about them here.

Now that I have all of my wedding invitation needs, it is time for MASS PRODUCTION!!

Wish me luck!!

DIY INVITES: Part Two: LETTERPRESS!!!

That's right ladies! I have letterpressed invites. eeeeeeekkk!

Now did I press them? I don't think so :p But did I design them.... of course I did. ;)

Can you believe I had these pressed over 10 months ago? HA! I told you I wasn't lying when I said I've been literally planning my invites for a year.

It took nothing but an hour for me to design and a week for my oh so fabulous presser, Aerialist Press to create them.

As for the designing aspect, I wanted something simple. So I decided to use this gorgeous flourish.

Well, to say the least, I am thrilled to have such a beautiful beginning to my DIY invites.

Wondering why there is so much extra space at the top? Stay tuned, you'll find out very soon! hehe

Happy Sunday!!

DIY INVITES: Part One

First off, I just want to apologize for being MIA. Life has consisted of so many wedding planning events. So with that being said, I have much to tell you.

In this post, I'd like to let you in a little somethin' somethin' that I have been working soooo hard on. OUR INVITATIONS!!

I have been working on our invites for over a year now. I repeat, over a year now. HA! I have done more research I had ever dreamed I would do. I guess you can call it my little secret addiction :/

A few days I ago I got a few boxes in the mail.

And I was pleasantly surprised to see my wedding invitation boxes happily awaiting my arrival from work.

I ordered 120 5x7 1/2 matte black jewelry boxes.

I purchased each box at 80 cents a piece from Box and Wrap. It definitely beats the $2 a piece price Paper Source was charging me.

I also received my order from Cards and Pockets.

I purchased 120 "black tie" 5x7 custom made pockets at $1.05 each. These pockets will hold my Maps, Directions, Accommodations, Additional Info and RSVP cards.

I also purchased 120 "black tie" 5x7 panel cards for 25 cents each. These will show case the actual invite that I got letterpressed =)

I am so happy they are finally here!!! I can't wait to start the MASS PRODUCTION this weekend.

Please stay tuned as I have more and more to reveal!

SPEECHLESS....almost

All I have to say is wow. This highlight reel is amazing. Everyone has their own way of expressing themselves in their wedding and THIS couple did just that! I can't hide the fact that this wedding has me drawn like a moth to a flame.

The video has got to be the most sincere, honest, unique reel I have yet to see. I love how this video captured who and what the bride and groom are all about.

Gosh, what a fun, exciting, touching, endearing, heartfelt moment caught on film.

Enjoy.

And the WINNER is.....

My girl from DFY!!!!

You were hand picked by Ramon. He was so cute. I made him close his eyes and pick a name out of my new black clutch. HA! He's a good sport!

I'm sure which ever luck kiddo you decide to gift this to, will looove it.

Also, if you'd like the whole set {sorry, I didn't notice this while I was searching for my giveaway}, you can purchase the matching chef hat for only $8.76 here.

CONGRATULATIONS!

***DFY: please check your email

MY SUPER, SWEET GIVEAWAY(S)!!

As our big day is closely approaching, I have been doing a lot of nesting... in my mind. Meaning a lot of online shopping, browsing and getting ideas of how I would like to make our house a home.

Lately, my attention has been geared towards the kitchen essentials where I have been lurking high and low for the cutest kitchen ware around. Which leads me to my first giveaway provided by CSN Stores. Hopefully in my next post, I can fulfill my baby itch by giving away some awesome kids bedding, kids bedroom decor or some cool educational toys.

Being that this is my first giveaway, I've decided to give it a little punch by posting 6 different giveaway packages. Which only one of them you will win. But thought it would be fun for you to choose which one you'd like =)

1st Package:

Butterfly Kisses Apron

Features:Apron, Butterfly Kisses collection, Material: cotton, Kitchen décor, Finest quality cotton product, Machine washable, line or flat dry only, Overall dimensions: 29" H x 27" W

2nd Package:

Corningware French White 5 Piece Bake Set

This set is a great way to bake and serve a meal all in one pan. The dishes and covers can be used in conventional, convection and microwave ovens as well for storing food in the refrigerator and freezer. These dishes wash easily by hand or in the dishwasher and the non-porous stoneware won’t absorb food odors. They are also non-reactive so acid-based foods can be prepped or baked in them.

Includes:

1-1/2-quart round dish, 2-1/2-quart Oval dish, Serving Cradle, Two glass covers

Package 3:

Cuisinart Crimson Bloom Set

Features:

Material: Stoneware, Capacity: 2.25 Quarts, Microwave and dishwasher safe

Round Serving Bowl Features:

Material: Stoneware, Diameter: 9", Capacity: 1.5 Quarts, Microwave and dishwasher safe

Round Serving Platter Features:

Material: Stoneware, Diameter: 12", Microwave and dishwasher safe

Package #4

Pfaltzgraff Garden Set

Butter Dish Set Features:

Hand-painted, Material: Earthenware

Specifications:

Cleaning and Care: Not recommended for microwave and dishwasher use

Salt & Pepper Set Features:

Hand-painted, Material: Earthenware

Specifications:

Cleaning and Care: Not recommended for microwave and dishwasher use

Package #5

Gorham Rose Serenade Covered Baker

Features:Flower design, Beautiful craftsmanship, Dimensions: 13.75" W, Microwave safe, Dishwasher safe, Conventional oven safe

Package 6:

BergHOFF 5 Piece Duck Apron w/ Utensils

And we can't forget about our little munchkins!! When I saw this adorable apron, there was no way I could pass it up.

Set includes: Apron, soup ladle, slotted serving spoon, serving spoon, and spatula.

Specifications:Material: Cotton, nylon, Cleaning and Care: Apron, machine wash, Nylon utensils- hand wash recommended, Dimensions: 25.5"

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Did you see anything you'd like to win? If so, here's how:

You are eligible for 3 entries.

1. 1 entry if you're a follower {please leave a separate comment}

2. 1 entry if you follow me on twitter {please leave a separate comment}

3. 1 entry if you re-post this giveaway on your blog with a link directing back to this giveaway {please leave a separate comment}

4. Indicate which package you'd like to win and include your email address

This giveaway ends Sunday, March 14th at 8:00 PST.

GOOD LUCK!!!!

***Disclaimer: I was not paid in any way, shape or form to post this giveaway. I just really love this stuff. Don't you?***

My Bridesmaids Bought Their Dresses!

Where my girls at?!!!!

from left to right

Top Row: Amy {childhood friend/neighbor of 20 years, Misty {future sister-in-law}, yours truly - ME!, Johna {my road dawg aka cousin} and Jady {my cousin the goofball}

Bottom Row: Carisa {my cousin}, Jennifer {my bestie, MOH and cousin}, Franchesca {my gorgeous cousin} and Lolla {my cousin; my soft spot}

We all met up in a cute little boutique called Dori Anne Veils located in Castro Valley. Although our visit wasn't the best and the owner was a tad bit rude, it was all worth it. Why? Because the price was right! Other boutiques were charging us $210 dollars for their gorgeous Bari Jay dresses and although we thought it was a fair price, I stumbled across this boutique which was offering the gown at $135 each. HA! So, of course, we were sold. Yea, we got scolded for being 10 minutes late and yea, the owner made a few rude comments to one of my bridesmaids about her measurements and yea, she told me not to try on a veil because it was very expensive..... hahahaha, need I say more? Absolutely not! Why? Because we saved about $75 per dress dealing with her. And that in itself was worth it. Oh well, ya win some {the price} and ya lose some {customer service}. But all in all, we made the best of it and left with a smile and of course a little extra cashola in the bank! lol

Here is Jenni getting her measurements!

Johna my love!

My Lolla, Bolla, Coca-Cola!

Lady Jady

Carisa Bo-Bisa

Franchesca Pea

Amy

Misty Ann

ooooh, and we can't forget about my sister Melody on the left! She was in my bridal party but unfortunately opted out since we just found out she's blessing our family with another beautiful baby {hoping it's a boy!}

Jady's sweet innocent smile. HA!

It's a Kodak moment

Helping Amy try on a random Bari Jay dress. lol

YAY! My turn! oh how I'd love to wear a crystal edged veil on my wedding day!

Trying on a mantilla veil for the fun of it.

For those of you who don't know, my girls will be wearing the eggplant floor length gown in the image below.