let the countdown begin...

we're officially one month away from the wedding.

*cue mild panic attack.

(image via east side bride, of course)

something blue

i'm not really a pearls kind of girl... it's been done to death as far as weddings go. but, i would love to wear these on the big day... oh, and this too. thoughts?

*anthro, you get me every time. every single time.

get out your umbrellas...

the jacqueline

the rosemary

there's going to be a shower! a bridal shower that is... mine is coming up on saturday, hosted by my sweet friend christy. i could not be more excited. however, i'm in the midst of a what on earth am i going to wear dilemma. i bought these two lovelies from anthropologie hoping one of them would work for the shower. so what do you think? the jacqueline or the rosemary.... help please!

*i have a feeling you're all going to initially say the jacqueline, but the rosemary really does look lovely when you put it on. i'm just saying.

this just in...

my dress is here! i get to pick it up on friday... yay!

*no peeking kiwi

(image via east side bride obvi)

la vida es un carnival

i've been a bad bride. haven't been thinking much about the wedding lately... but today i was struck by these amazing wedding photos over at snippet & ink. i'm a sucker for a bride with flowers in her hair and a little latin sass.

*using a 400 year old hacienda as your backdrop doesn't hurt either.

(images via snippet & ink)

bridal bootcamp: week five

okay, so week four has come and gone with no major changes to the workout... but 24 hour fitness was so kind as to send me a coupon for a free session with a personal trainer ( i heart free things) yipee! i was a little nervous going into the session, for a kinesiology major i know very little about actually working out. but, as it turns out the session was incredibly helpful. we went through and my trainer dan taught me two new exercises for each major muscle group. kelly and i are going to use them to supplement our workouts from weeks one two and three. dan was a huge fan of the bosu ball which as it turns out, makes every exercise you've ever learned about 5 times more difficult.

legs:
lunges with bosu ball- 3x15
lateral lunges with bosu ball-3x15

back:
single leg rows-3x15 (on cable pulley machine)
single leg lat pull downs- 3x15 (on cable pulley machine)

chest:
push ups with bosu ball-3x15
chest press-3x15 (on cable pulley machine)

shoulders:
overhead press-3x15 (standing on bosu) *note: it is super hard to balance... good for the core!
overhead press-3x15 (on cable pulley machine)

arms:
bicep curls-3x15 (standing on bosu) *see above note
overhead soccer throw with med ball-3x15 (partner toss)

abs:
abdominal twists-3x15 (on cable pulley machine) *note: straight arms, eyes follow hands
sit-ups with med ball -3x15 (sitting on bosu)

*the entire time we never lifted above 10 lb. weights... high repetition, low weight.
** this program is not endorsed by 24 hr. fitness, just passing along what i learned . blah blah blah, disclaimer, blah blah blah.

que bonita

i really hope our wedding turns out like this. a little latin flair and lots of class... my grandma saved her mother's mantilla (spanish veil) from her wedding, and i am thinking of wearing it during the ceremony. i think the vibe is perfect for the dress and the shoes. que bonita!

(images via snippet & ink)

OMG shoes!

i ordered these sassy little jeffrey campbell numbers a while back and i just love them. they are so soft and lovely and turquoise. since kiwi decided to totally veto the cowboy boots idea i'm thinking of sporting the jc pair instead. wouldn't they look amazing with this dress and these flowers? i tried it on this weekend and loved it. the girls at uptown bridal call it the senorita dress which i pretty much adore.

*for more unconventional bridal footwear, check this out.

bridal bootcamp: week two

week one of operation: healthy bride went surprisingly well... i already feel stronger and more energized. i actually look forward to the gym, mostly because kelly and i gossip the entire time. for week two i am adding leslie's leg workout. leslie is a fellow kinesiology major and overall motivational lady. she yells at me when i try to use the little weights... leslie and i usually do this on tues/thursdays because it is such a light day on the workout plan. week two, here we go...

leslie's leg workout: *warning i am usually so sore post workout that i can't sit down without assistance. this feeling generally lasts all weekend and i try to talk kiwi into carrying me up and down stairs. this side effect is normal, do not be alarmed.

iso warm up: (from week one)

box step up with dumbbells-3x20
stationary lunge-3x20

hamstring curls-3x20
single leg dead lifts-3x20

front loaded squat-3x20
leg press-3x20

standing calf raises-3x20 (you are almost done, and your legs will feel like jello right about now)

5 min abs: (from week one)
post stretch: take 5 min to stretch muscle groups used

*good luck! if this is too much try just adding it on thursdays... i am just working up to two days/week for leslie's leg workout. remember, baby steps. baby steps.

can't get enough

i can't get enough... this real bride is sporting the aforementioned stephanie james couture. how adorable is she? and with the tea length you can show off your sweet shoes that no one will get to see otherwise.

*if you know of any other tea length styles let me know! they are hard to find...

(photos via stephanie james)

here comes the bride: part III

i recently became obsessed with the tea length wedding dress after seeing photos of my grandmother in hers. 50 years later she still looks chic and glamorous. the sassy dresses above are from stephanie james couture... and there is a boutique in the valley that carries her pieces! i will definitely have to check it out.

*i already have a dress tucked away in my closet. but there seems to be a wedding dress ambivalence epidemic going around. i've caught the bug. apparently i'm not alone.

(photos via stephanie james)

scent of a woman

did you wear your signature fragrance on the big day? or buy a special scent just for the wedding? fragrance has the power to evoke so many memories and emotions... i've worn this for years, because i just love the smell of gardenias. what's a bride to do?

(photo found here )

bridal bootcamp: week one

( doutzen kroes looking buff in the vogue shape issue)

yesterday i began operation: healthy bride. there will be no crash dieting or get skinny schemes. i've got about six months before the wedding and i would just like to be my healthiest, most fabulous self. i hope that by posting this it will make me more accountable/motivated. wish me luck! here goes nothing...

iso warm up: squat-15, side lunge- 15 sec, leg out- 15 sec, push up-15 sec, arm circles-30 sec (2x through)

shoulders + arms: monday super set: front raise -10, side raise-10, 45 degree raise-10 (3x through) overhead press- 3x10, lat pull downs -3x8, vert pullback (rows)-3x8, shoulder shrugs- 2x15

movement: tuesday 4 laps or 1 mile (slow jog on turns, brisk run on straights)

chest + back: wednesday bench -3x8, flys -3x10, bicep curls- 3x10, triceps extension- 3x12

movement: thursday 4 laps or 1 mile (slow jog on turns, brisk run on straights)

legs: friday stadiums- 3 sets, step up squat (repeat) to the top (yikes, this might kill me)

post stretch: take 5 min to stretch the muscle groups used

5 min abs: (choose three from list) russian twist, crunch holds (3 sec), bicycles (20 reps), v-up, full sit-ups, plank, front leg raises, sit up twists (10 reps each unless otherwise noted)

*thank you to big rob and kelly for this awesome workout plan. i look forward to being a buff (not too buff, mind you) and beautiful bride! note: we are not health or fitness professionals (blah blah blah disclaimer disclaimer)

dos gardenias para ti

these beauties came in the mail from smitten today! i'm torn between the ban.do and the gardenias for the ceremony. what did we do before etsy?
*check out a cup of jo for more wedding hair inspiration.
*or visit east side bride and make your own!
(photo via smittenxoxo)

here comes the bride: part II

i really heart the j. crew wedding dresses. it's so nice to have contemporary and affordable options! i've always loved the feather chiffon number but, taffeta always has a special place in my heart.

(photos via j. crew)

here comes the bride: part I

okay, so i may have already found a dress... $200 calvin klein, (this is not a joke). but, i saw these bridal alternatives from thread (via snippet & ink) and i had to check it out. the breck is my favorite, followed closely by the liddy. however, i have reservations about the strapless look. (if you don't fear the armpit fat, you are a liar). simple, classic, affordable. nary a bead or rhinestone in sight.

(photos via thread)

annie get your gun

i may have purchased this little beauty for the wedding. i am smitten. i hope kiwi feels the same.
*i know blair waldorf would agree with me.
*yes, i also occasionally watch gossip girl. which brother jared assures me, you should not be allowed to watch if you have a college degree. guilty again.