Ornamental Inspiration: Labrador Edition

When I first heard about this new series the Bees were doing, I immediately knew I wanted a pink and gold ornament to work with. Why? (Confession alert!) Because I sorta kinda wish I had made my wedding colors rosey pink, gold, and champagne. Making this board was really fun, but now I'm kinda jealous of my own creation!

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This ornament is SO me. I LOVE LOVE LOVE anything pink and glitzy and (as Carrie said to Samantha in the Sex and the City movie) "a little too much". Working off that sentiment, I decided to make a wedding inspiration board fit for a princess.

First, the colors!

Palette made using Color Combos.com

And now...the inspiration board!

A Wedding Fit For A Princess by missleilani featuring 1928 jewelry

Grace Kelly, Rose Gold Rings, Chandelier, Ornament, Rose Bouquet, Champagne & Macaroons, Earrings, Shoes, Perfume, Bracelet, Lace Invitation, Rose & Ruby Dresses, Table Setting

I imagine this wedding taking place in late January/early February at a grand chateau on a French countryside. I'm absolutely in love with Grace Kelly's bridal look (and style in general) and the Rose & Ruby bridesmaids' dresses.

Then, as I was looking for a ring to add to the board, I ran across "rose gold". Um, can I just say that I'm very glad I didn't know about this type of ring BEFORE I got engaged? I would have driven myself crazy looking for one like this in our price range (The one pictured is a whopping $129,500 for the set! I told you guys, "a little TOO much". :P)

For dessert, there would be a champagne toast and macaroon favors (ala Mrs. Perfume) to accompany the wedding cake.

Ah, a girl can dream right? ;)

Happy Holidays!

Made Up

A couple weekends ago, I had my makeup trial with Savannah's famed Jules of Dollface by Jules. I had a blast with Jules who is a bride-to-be herself. She's super stylish and very easy going. I know she'll provide some comic relief and much needed calmness to my big day while getting ready.

These photos really don't do her work justice. I had driven 4 hours that day straight from my home in Athens to the appointment in Savannah. When I got to the studio, I realized that my camera was dead and my mom had the charger. And if you remember from this post, I also had a bit of a crying fit before my camera was charged and I took photos of the trial results (hours later after sitting in my FSIL's house with a broken A/C!). So please keep all that in mind!

The overview. Kinda blurry but you get the picture.

Jules asked me what I wanted and unlike most brides, I let her use her creativity and just wing it. Because I model part-time, I've gone through several makeup appointments and was kind of sick of having to let the artist know exactly what they had to paint on my face. And no matter how many inspiration photos I bring in to an appointment, they never recreate my vision (even though the makeup was done nicely, it's just never done to my specifications). So this time I went in with no expectations. All I said was that I wanted a soft, romantic feel and I let Jules work her magic.

Before:
(Actually taken the next morning since I didn't get a chance to take a real before photo!)

After:

I loved the results and they lasted through hours of sitting in a very hot and humid Savannah condo (notice the "glow" on my clavicle)! I only had to blot with an oil sheet and dab on a light layer of blot powder to freshen up. My kind of upkeep!

Geez...I've gots a huge honker!

I think I'm going to ask for a little more of a light pink on my eyelids instead of purple. In my experience, purple seems to be the "go-to color" for MUA's to use on people with brown eyes. She's also going to add false lashes the day of the wedding to really help my eyes pop!

Cheesing it cause I'm happy!

Good lawd it's hot in heeerrrrree! Like my lace fan? :)

So whatcha think? Any suggestions? Have you done your makeup trial yet or are you waiting until the last minute like I did?

DIY Bridal Bouquet Part 2: Changing My Mind

It's been awhile since I wrote about my bouquet-making adventures. In the first installment, I told you about my mock trial run. But a lot has happened since then. I've changed my mind about our wedding colors and opted to change my bouquet to reflect that. I sold the old, all-white peony bouquet and ordered some new, light pink peonies*! Aren't they fabulous?!? :D

I swear they're really pink. The flash seems to wash them out!

Along with the new bouquet, I switched up the bouquet handle. Instead of the simple champagne ribbon, I used a gorgeous (pictures don't show it) dusty pink ribbon. I also took some of your advice and beefed up the handle by using leftover stem parts!


To add some Southern charm, I added lace ribbon as an overlay. I love the look of the lace and pink ribbon together and it'll go perfectly with my dress.


And here's the nearly finished product!


I still have a little tweaking to do to it and some special handle additions, but it's about 90% done! Yay for another DIY project checked off the list! Best part? This bouquet cost about half the price of the other one, so I even saved money!

How are you making your bouquet handle unique or special?

*Flowers purchased at Afloral.com!

Drinks on us! Part 2: The John Hancock of Cocktails.

As you may have guessed by the title, this post is about our signature drinks! ;)

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We're having a full bar at our cocktail hour and reception and thought it would be fun to have drinks that represent the entire wedding party. They'll be a total of three signature drinks: one for the bridesmaids, one for the groomsmen, and then one in honor of Mr. Lab and I.

Our matron of honor and best man will be in charge of creating their respective signature drinks. The only rule they have is that the ladies' drink must be a pink concoction...

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...while the men must have a brown one (again, all fitting into our color palette).

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They've yet to pick out their cocktails, so any ideas are certainly welcome! As well as cute and catchy drink names!

As for Mr. Lab and I's signature drink, we're going with the "yum-o!"-inducing White Russian. We both love love LOVE this drink. And it's white, so it sorta fits the theme of a wedding!

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In case you've never had a White Russian (or you aren't a lush like moi), here's the quick and simple recipe:

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Vodka
• 1 oz Coffee Liqueur (ours will be made with Kahlua)
• Light Cream
• Chocolate Syrup (optional decoration-we're having the bartender add the initial of our last name on the drinks!)

Mixing instructions:

Pour vodka and coffee liqueur over ice cubes in glass. Fill with light cream. Add chocolate syrup swirl to top and serve.

We've decided that we're going to use tags to label our ceremony drinks...

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And chalkboards to display our signature drink options!

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These are the two easiest and cheapest display options. I really liked the chalkboard signs, but decided using them inside only will insure they won't blow away or fall down in the wind during the ceremony. I will be hitting up Michael's tomorrow after work to get started on our DIY signs!

I've got plenty of experience working with chalkboards. I've had one chalkboard since I was a sophomore in college that has "evolved" to fit my needs. I'm hoping I can hold on to the ones I use in the wedding for many years just like the one I have already!

My trusty chalkboard as the focal point of my crazily decorated apartment door. All my roommates had similarly-overdone doors! (Hey, I was a sophomore, so don't judge! lol)

Same chalkboard, different location and messages. I love that my little sister and I are rockin' the braces at the same time!

Still the same chalkboard but with the new border I painted to match our updated "Parisian" kitchen when Mr. Lab moved in! I added the sign above it for about $2.

Now comes the hard part: naming our cocktail! Any suggestions? I hope you have some cause Mr. Lab's drink names aren't so great:

Haha! Wait, wut?

Thirsty for more? Read Part 1!

*Have you ever noticed how John Hancock and all the other men who signed the Declaration of Independence have phenomenal, calligraphy-like handwriting? Seriously, where are all the men with GOOD handwriting nowadays?!? I could use one of them, especially when I'm writing thank you notes or addressing invitations! Sheesh.

Bridal Jewelry Lust

One of the many ways I'm cutting costs for the big day is through jewelry. I'm not a fine jewelry person because I usually lose or break it. I only buy cheap, fashion jewelry from places that frequently offer buy 2 get 1 free in the mall. I'm always warning Mr. Lab that the only expensive piece of jewelry I ever want to own is my engagement ring. So when it comes to wedding day and bridal party jewelry, I'm following my own instructions.

So began the search for the wedding jewelry. I knew I'd want something with a hint of pink in both my jewelry and the bridesmaids'. I happened to run across some gorgeous pink topaz drop earrings during one of my many Google searches.

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These earrings have gold in them, which isn't one of our colors, but I thought that they would blend in very nicely with the overall color palette and with my possible shoe choice. I was immediately thrilled that I may have found my earrings so quickly!

And then I saw their price: $525. Ouch.

Okay, maybe my search wasn't starting out too smoothly. But I still loved the pink and gold combination and decided to set off to the one-stop shop of inspiration with that color combo in mind: Etsy! There, I found not only a few choices for moi, but also for my girls! I even found a couple that have chocolate in them, to match our colors!

Click to enlarge!

Sources: left to right
Top: 1, 2, 3, 4
Bottom: 5, 6, 7, 8

How gorgeous are all of these?!? And they are all very reasonably priced. Even the more expensive ones come with a discount if you order a lot at once. It was hard sorting through so many beautiful pieces, but I think I may have my choices narrowed down to the ones I want for the bridesmaids and the pair I want for myself. But before I tell you which ones I picked, I want to know which ones would you choose?

I'm no "shoe"per woman...

...so will the Hive come to my rescue?

I think I may have lost it. After changing my wedding accent color, I fell in love with one particular image from the inspiration board that sparked the change. I've been obsessed ever since.

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Anybody who knows ANYthing about designer shoes will immediately recognize that signature red sole. Those shoes are a pair of coveted (read: rare & expensive) Christian Louboutins (the Coquine Pink Satin Pump, I believe). The lucky bride who owns these not only had absolutely fabulous shoes for her wedding day, but amazing shots of them as well. I want that, too! Even when my accent color was red, I still had plans to spotlight my shoes.

I fell so head over heels in love (pun certainly intended) with this image that I was determined to have my own pair of dusty pink Loubies (or even nude since they're so close to the pink shade). I googled "pink Christian Louboutin" and there they were:

Christian Louboutin Pompadouce

I originally tried to find an authentic pair since I may be able to afford them after finding my dream dress for even less than I originally planned (that's a whole 'nother post).* But I was having no luck. This only fed my addiction and launched a series of google searches with every combination of words I could think of that might bring me success. Still, nothing.

I am officially an addict. "Hi, my name is Miss Labrador and I've been up every night into the wee hours trying to find this pair of Christian Louboutin Pompadouce Pink Satin shoes to buy for my wedding. I don't care anymore if they're authentic, inspired by, or knock-offs. I just HAVE to have these before I go absolutely bonkers. I've already begun thinking that they are a myth created by some very cruel and sadistic fashion devil. Please help me."

Even Mr. Lab is feeding my addiction. He peeked over my shoulder during one search and said that the cut of the shoe and the skinny high heel are (and I quote) "sexy as hell". I can't let him down with just any ol' shoe now!

I'm at my wits end. The only explanation I could think of for these shoes not being available ANYWHERE is that their lucky owners are not giving them up. I mean, I don't blame them. Who is their right mind would give up something so beautiful?

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So here's the part where I ask for your wise advice, hive. I'm beginning to realize that if someone out there can't help me find these shoes, I'm going to need a contingency plan I can live with. I've already scoped out a couple of other Loubies I like.

Here are my options:

Option A: Very Croise Platform Slingback

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Option B: Lady Gres

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Option C: Very Prive Pailette

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Option D: Be patient and keep looking. A pair of the Pompadouce are bound to surface before the wedding!

Option E: Make my own Louboutin Pompadouce inspired shoes. I could buy an inexpensive pair of shoes in the same basic style and shade of pink (or even have them dyed). Then I could scour the internet looking for similar embellishments for the toes (maybe Etsy?). There are even places that sell red soles that I could have a cobbler attach. Who knows, this could be a fun DIY project for one of a kind shoes?

Option F: Let go of the Loubie obsession all together and find another pair of dusty pink shoes.

So what'll it be, hive?

[poll]

Option A : Very Croise Platform Slingback
Option B: Lady Gres
Option C: Very Prive Pailette
Option D: Keep looking for the original shoe! (Please share links that may be helpful!)
Option E: DIY Loubies! (Again, if you have any links to materials that will aid this project, do share!)
Option F: No Loubies. I have a link to a pair of dusty pink/rose shoes I think you'll like just as much or maybe even better! (Preferably with sky high skinny heels, a peep toe, and a sexy cut.)

PS. In case you happen to find what I'm looking for I'm a size 7.5/8 US or about a 38 Euro. I'd hate to get my hopes up just to find out they're not my size!

*I would never normally spend such a large chunk of change on a pair of shoes. But because I am saving so much money on my dress and my FMIL is contributing more than I originally expected, it has opened up my budget and allowed for me to afford these. And unlike my dress, shoes can be worn way more than once. So if it's hard for you to imagine spending a ton of moolah on a pair of shoes, think of it as inverting the cost of my dress with the cost of my shoes (seriously, my dress is THAT cheap-details soon!). And to be completely honest, I deserve to splurge on at least one thing for my wedding day! :)