Song Book: Fools in Love - Inara George

Song: Fools in Love
Artist: Inara George
Duration: 4:45m



PS - have been watching a lot of Grey's Anatomy these days (Seasons 1 and 2)

DIY: Fabric Date Art

A fan of cool gifts showing off an important date, when I saw these fabric posters by The Indigo Bunting, I immediately pictured this with my wedding date.

Or how about creating name art? Perhaps the surname of the couple you are giving the gift to?

Simple, cheap and beautiful. What a perfect combination.

{Images via The Indigo Bunting}

As sweet as honey as presented by Polyvore

This dress by 3.1 Phillip Lim makes my heart do strange cart-wheel like flips.

And looks like I'm not the only one who may be affected this way! Check out these fabulous inspriration boards I found on polyvore.

Life with hat by Jelena M S featuring 3.1 Phillip Lim dresses

Sin título by Marcela42 featuring Miss Selfridge shoes

Sem título by rosaf♥ featuring 3.1 Phillip Lim dresses

For more polyvore creations centred around this dress, follow this link.

My question to you; have you ever used polyvore to visually brainstorm your fabulous party clothes?

Margaret MacLeod: organic, sustainable and recycled fabrics

Margaret MacLeod is a Toronto-based dress designer who creates fabulous eco-friendly dresses from bridal to cocktail.

Margaret MacLeod offers a collection of designer dresses made in sustainable fabrics to create striking silhouettes that are feminine and sophisticated, giving women the option to buy green without compromising their sense of style and love of fashion.

Design details such as intricate pleating, subtle tucking, twisting, layering, and fluid drapery is combined with expert tailoring to deliver a collection of exceptional dresses with enduring style.(source)

{Images via Margaret MacLeod}

Bi-Coastal Bride: Keepin' it Thrifty

It's no surprise that weddings are expensive.  But being among the first of my friends to tie the knot, I didn't realize just how expensive things could get.  Luckily, I had been saving a good chunk of my paycheck well before we got engaged, so we didn't have the whole "oh gosh I have a year to save X amount of cash."  Nonetheless, the economy here in Southern California is really bad, and so budgeting is always on our mind.  So, we've been acting as frugally as we can while still having fun, and have been quite successful.  Now, if something unexpected pops up (wedding-related or otherwise), it won't cause a pre-wedding meltdown.

Neither of us had spending problems and we've both been good at saving... and "living as students."  We both lived in dorms throughout undergrad and I kept that up in grad school as an residence don (I'd do anything to go back to rent-free living).  When living together this year, we opted to live in a smaller apartment to save on rent, and one near a bus stop so J wouldn't need to rent a car to get to work for the summer.  Even so, we've been living in some of the most expensive cities where our wallets can take a beating.

I've been scouring various wedding blogs to see budget-saving tips, but I realized that beyond saving on your wedding by getting a sweet deal with a vendor, it's important to save for your wedding (and other future expenses).  So we've enacted some actions to further save.  Some of our tips are based specifically on our spending habits, but they've been working well and will hopefully be of use to others.

* I set up my checquing/savings account such that on paydays at work, almost 20% of my net pay is transferred directly into my savings account.  And I act like I can't touch that money.  Out of sight, out of mind.  I started doing this when I got my full-time job and saved a considerable chunk for the wedding by the time I got engaged.

* Living in big cities, it's so easy to go out to eat.  In New York, we could justify it - groceries cost more than prepared food.  Then, when we were living apart, we could argue that it cost too much to cook for one.  But for two of us, we don't have that excuse.  So on Saturdays we devise a weekly meal plan, and get groceries on the weekend from the farmer's market, kosher meat market, and grocery store.  We can go out to eat two nights per week and cook the rest.  We can also bank our "dinners out" and save for a nicer meal out (which may be pricier but will actually cost less in the long run).  Both our wallets and our waistlines are thanking us for this.

* We started Monday night potlucks (and sitcoms) with friends.  It cuts out a night of cooking, and adding extra servings doesn't cost much more, while one less day of cooking does.

* My co-workers go out to lunch a lot.  It used to go to sit-down restaurants, so I felt bad if I wasn't joining.  But when the dynamic shifted to more "grab-and-go" places, I realized that dropping $5+ dollars a day for lunch was just a waste for me.  So now I eat leftovers for lunch every day - usually we have enough food leftover for one lunch, but not two dinners, so it's a win-win situation.  I've gotten good use out of our office microwave, and can still socialize with co-workers when they bring their lunches back.

* We try to keep our fun stuff cheap, and take public transit whenever possible.  We've limited going to the movies and other activities that cost money, and replaced them with walks, trips to the gym, or just hanging out with friends.  We've always been taking public transit out here for discretionary trips - which saves on gas and parking costs.

* I'm a total sucker for Old Navy online - it's so easy to purchase and their clothing isn't pricey.  But those clothes can add up.  Now, I'll "shop" online but wait at least two days before making a purchase.  If I still feel like I need it, then I'll buy it, but I'm finding that I really don't need the things I put into my virtual shopping bag.  Instead, I'll go deep into our closet to find clothing that I don't regularly wear and try to mix and match for more styles.

I haven't done this yet, but Sara at 2000 Dollar Wedding (my newest idol) had a great budget tip too.  She and her husband budget a certain amount for discretionary spending each month.  They carry around a piece of paper with that amount, and whenever they make a purchase they subtract the amount from the number on their paper.  Once the number is zero, they can't spend anymore for the rest of the month. I'd really like to try this too!

We've been on this plan since J went back to school in September and it's really helping to save beyond what I sock into my savings account each month.

Song Book: Our Way To Fall - Yo La Tengo

Song: Our Way To Fall
Artist: Yo La Tengo
Duration: 4:19m

Partying with Natalya and Chris

Natayla and Chris were married on October 2, 2009. These 2 were a complete riot and have fantastically hilarious friends and family. Calla Evans sent me these fabulous pictures she captured to share with you.

One of the bridesmaids made this genius video as a surprise for the couple. She interviewed people on the street about the upcoming marriage of Natalya and Chris. I must try and get my hands on it to show you. 100% genius. This is the couple's reaction to this video.

One of the interviewees was Natalya's grandmother who traveled from South Africa. When asked what advice she'd like to give the couple, her response was along the line of "To make Chris listen, kick him where it counts". The room almost died with laughter. This is her grandmother.

Like most of the weddings we help plan, this wedding was a true representation of A Hot Pink party. The couple are young and creative, the wedding party adopted me like I was one of them, and their friends and family exuded strong, powerful energy the entire day and night.

Thank you Natalya and Chris for choosing me to be involved in your wedding. The event was spectacular and a day I will truly never forget.
___________________________________________________

Other vendors from this crazy party include:


Calla Evans Photography - photography
Rosewater Supper Club - reception
Prodigy Entertainment - DJ
Petals and Twigs - flowers and decor
The Cupcakery - cupcakes
Civello - hair and makeup