MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

I'm just finishing up my packing and getting ready to head out to Flagstaff for the holidays to hang out with my future in laws!  I'm excited to check out the location where I'm getting married...the church was in the middle of renovations when I first visited Flagstaff, so I have no idea what the building looks like where the ceremony will be held!  I look forward to sharing the details when I get back. 

Flagstaff Winter

After I Do

I can't wait...I just can't wait until we turn around and are man and wife!  

Via Alan Maudie Photography

The First Look

I really like the idea of doing "first look" photos before ceremony.  I think it gives the bride and groom time to enjoy a few moments together and really take each other in before they walk down the aisle.  I feel like it would be a very intimate time and I really want that before the ceremony.  I love how a moment can be caught on camera and say so much. 

Via Jasmine Star Photography

Wedding Weight

Perhaps its because the holidays are here and there are plates of cookies, candies and holiday yumminess being passed around the office and pretty much everywhere I go; but I have no self discipline.  Even the fact that I'm allergic to wheat has not stopped me from indulging.  Last night I had a burger, fries and a milkshake.  Is anyone else "too busy" to work out?  I keep telling myself that I'll get serious in January...but that leaves me about 50 days to feeling good about fitting into my dress.  I know that if I show restraint during the holidays and "just say no" to the sugar bombs that I'm surrounded with, then I can get through January and feel good about myself.  I definately do  not want to obsess about this part of the wedding planning, I just want to feel good in my dress and not feel like I'm sucking in all night for all the pictures!

So, this exactly opposite of what I'm going for. 

Emotional

64 more days.  I think subconciously I'm stressing out.  I'm an emotional roller coaster right now and I can't figure out why.  I've been having crazy dreams, trouble sleeping, and a hard time focusing.  What helps is knowing that after all the planning, I'll be married to the love of my life. 

I just re-read one of my favorite scriptures.  If you're having any stress...this might help; it soothes my mind.

Verses from Psalm 139

"...You know when I set and when I rise;

you perceive my thoughts from afar.

You discern my going out and my lying down;

you are familiar with all my ways.

Before a word is on my tongue

you know it completely, O Lord.

....For you created my inmost being;

you knit me together in my mother's womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

your words are wonderful,

I know that full well.

My frame was not hidden from you

when I was made in the secret place.

When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

your eyes saw my unformed body.

All the days ordained for me

were written in your book

before one of them came to be."  

Warm Fuzzies

I wasn't a fan of the faux fur stoles until I saw this picture.  Now I'm rethinking it. 

Via Green Wedding Shoes

Photographed by Leigh Miller

I Love Him

Sometimes I'm overwhelmed by the way he loves me.  It's beyond what I could have ever imagined.

(our feet) via me

My Shoes!

Well, I caved in and ordered shoes online.  There are some things that I just don't order online---shoes, jeans, and bikini's, you just never know how things will fit.  I'm generally a size 8 shoe, but of course I have shoes that range from size 7 to 9 in my closet.  BUT, I found these shoes while scouring the internet and not only were they the perfect color, they were only $35!  (But I only paid $17.50 because the store was having a buy one get one half off sale. Yay for me!)  I also found a pair of navy blue rain boots for the outdoor shots from Ross for $20. (Of course those were a size 7.)

The wedding shoes.

I hope they fit!

I couldn't find an exact replica of the rain boots, but they pretty much look like these.

Have I Mentioned How Much I LOVE Etsy?

Andy and I finished the majority of our Christmas shopping over the weekend and we did 90% of it online...and I got lots of fun stuff on Etsy! Since our wedding is soon after the holidays (and we're all trying to be more frugal in these times) our families have set limits on our gift giving budget.  I just wanted to share a really cool item you can find on Etsy--vinyl wall decals.  I got them for my niece, nephews and dad.  However, I think these would make great gifts in general any time!  My niece Ashley is 15 and a huge fan of Marilyn Monroe, this is what I found for her. 

Via  Loladecor

One of my nephews is into skateboarding and the other into the guitar.

Both by StephenEdwardGraphic

My dad is into airplanes

Via PillBoxDesigns

But here are some other really cute items:

Via Singlestonestudios

Via ten23designs  

There are a ton of creative, fun decals on Etsy...just type in the search bar "wall decals" and there are thousands of items to choose from!

Etsy Discovery: Shoe Clips

I've been searching for the shoes I want to wear with my dress and so far I've not found what I'm looking for.  I can picture in my head exactly what I want, I just have not been able to find it!  While doing my daily perusing of the Etsy site, I discovered shoe clips!  How awesome are these?  I just love how you can add these to any shoes and transform their look! 

Via Ryeleigh Rose

These clips are my favorite...the navy flower is exactly the color I was looking for!

 

 Via B Poetic

Via Floreti

 

Via Mia Von Minks' Garters

Isn't this gorgeous?

Health Update

I posted previously about my health taking a downward turn, but I'm happy to report there is much improvement.  I've been seeing a natropath in addition to a western doctor and the general conclusion is that I have an auto-immune disease.  They can't identify a name, but my test results have come back negative for all the common ones (like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus).  The natropath put me on an elimination diet (which makes eating during the holidays a bit tricky), however, it is good timing since my wedding is in 2 1/2 months; he also recommended a ton of different supplements that I have faithfully been taking.  Doing these two things has helped the pain and inflammation in my body decrease significantly.  I'm so very thankful that my body is healing and for the many, many prayers that have been prayed for me.  Now, lets get back to wedding planning!

My Mamma

Yay!  When I went home over Thanksgiving, my mom told me she bought her hanbok to wear to my wedding!  I'm so excited she decided to go with the traditional Korean dress.  It's beautiful, and she's beautiful in it. 

 

My Quasi DIY Wedding Invitations

I know wedding invitations set the tone for the "style" of a wedding, but I just can't  justify spending a ton of money on something I know will end up in the garbage.  Unfortunately I lack the Martha Stewart gene, so true  DIY invites were out of the question.  Fortunately I subscribe to a greeting card service which allows you to create your own cards.  So with my limited artistic skills, I created a basic invite with the purpose of getting people to get the details and RSVP on our wedding website.  The pictures were from the DIY engagement photos we took back in October.

This is the front of the invite

This is the top half, the bottome half contained the basic details of the wedding.  

We were in "costume" when we took these pictures.  We were trying to replicate the old black and white  poster/greeting card with the little boy giving the red rose to the little girl.  We made a Goodwill run and I got the dress and boots and Andy got the oversized suit and tie and we took a drive looking for scenic spots.  This was sooooo much fun, I highly recommend it if you're on a budget! 

Oh Etsy, how I love thee

Etsy has become one of my new favorite websites.  I'm reminded how creatively untalented I am, but I'm so thankful for the inspiration and ideas I discover.  I've made two wedding purchases so far--the first was for my future husband's wedding band made by Titanium Knights...this is the ring Andy picked out (we just had it custom made with a wider band).

The next purchase was my bouqet, bridesmaid's flowers, and corsages from Ardesign (who I blogged about previously here.)  The inspiration for my bouquet was this one:

I imagine many future purchases from etsy!  What are your favorite etsy stores? 

Contest!

Check out these beautiful garters!  You can win a custom made garter by Florrie Mitton Couture by entering here. 

I didn't think I was a fan of the garter tradition...but these beautiful pieces of work are making me rethink the whole thing!

Guest Book Alternatives

I've been thinking about what we should do for a guest book.  I'm not really a fan of the signature book that will get lost in a drawer somewhere.  What I really love is the photo booth idea, but they are so darn expensive to rent, and as far as DIY goes...lets just say I'm no Martha Stewart. Also, my wedding is a destination wedding, so there is little I could do from where I'm at.  Andy really likes the idea of having a video guestbook.  Maybe hiring a college kid to take the video of guests and asking them their advice, or suggestions for a successful marriage (or some other fun question).

I like the tree idea...it would be difficult to travel with however. 

If I had gotten professional engagement photos, this would have been a simple, good idea.  

Did you have a creative guest book idea or have you seen one at a wedding?  Do share!

My Photographer: Maija Karin

I've known who my wedding photographer would be before I knew who my husband would be.  We were roommates at various times in life in LA and San Diego.  This is an old picture of us when we lived in San Diego together.

I'm so excited to have a dear, dear friend photographing this day.  She is brilliant, artistic, and knows me well...and I wouldn't want anyone else to capture the moments on my wedding day.  Introducing Maija Karin...