All decked out!

It is customary for most brides to get awesome dresses (of a certain colour) for their bridesmaids/sisters, well, those with a big budget at least.

Some say the purpose of the bridesmaid's dress is to ensure that the said bridesmaid would not outshine the bride.

Case in point:

(Isla Fisher in Confessions of a Shopaholic)
(Katherine Heigl in 27 Dresses)

Though dramatized in most movies, brides really just want to make sure their friends get to bring home something a little special from the wedding, and at the same time, make sure that the receiving line at their wedding looks extremely coordinated and colour-coded.

And you can definitely do so without compromising your bridemaids' sense of style.

(Picture from 100 Layer Cake)

Then comes to all important question, how in the world do I keep within budget to provide dresses for my bridemaids that are of good quality (i.e. not one of those smocked, satiny prom dress lookalike dresses)?

Well, one way you could do it is to either get a close friend who makes dresses, or you could just do it on your own - even if you are not a dressmaker or a designer. There are tons of free dress or skirt making tutorials online and even more books available your friendly neighbourhood library.

This makes dressmaking super easy and manageable - and not to mention, easy on your pocket! It also adds to much more meaning to the bridesmaids' dresses, knowing that the bride herself, made it personally for each one of them.

(Make You Own Clothes by Marie Clayton)

I just bought a book online that comes with tutorial CD and free patterns as well as step-by-step instructions. Needless to say, I am super pumped and excited to FINALLY be able to start on my Bridesmaids Dress project :)

Updates about the project will come... soon.... as soon as I get my hands on the book and some fabric!

Much To-Do

Picture from WeddingStressRelief

Between the planning for the honeymoon, searching for a decently-priced future home and tying up the loose ends of the wedding... THAT, with work and a social life..resulted in my not having the luxury of time nor the inspiration to blog on a regular basis! *frowns*

Yesterday, however, did come as a bit of a little shocker when the some-what evil wedding day reminder clock indicated that we have just about 6 more months to D-DAY!

So yes, I took a bit of me time and I searched for what could/would inspire me for my 'kooky' wedding and what we could possibly do to make it an especially fun day, not just for our guests but for ourselves as well - cause' God-forbid that we will allow our entire wedding day to just whizz past us!

No sir-y. That ain't gonna happen with the Future Lim Newbies :)

And my latest source of inspiration these past few days have been wedding videos. Nicely done-up wedding videos that either:
1) Conclude the wedding day happenings in a few minutes
2) Can be sent out as fun wedding date reminders or pre-wedding entertainment

Max & Margaux Stop Motion from Shark Pig on Vimeo.

Apart from one hilarious video which I saw at a Chinese friend's wedding, which packaged their wedding morning shenanigans into a Japanese gameshow-styled clip (with mindless japanese commentary to boot!) It was hilarious and it also gave the guests a look into what only a selected number of people could be a part of.

Others that I saw were cute videos that inspired me to create a cutesy wedding video... for whatever the purpose.

Max & Margaux from Shark Pig on Vimeo.

And this last one is just plain cool.

*Crossing my fingers that either one of my bridesmaids or brothers can actually rap.

"Best, Man" from Youtube

Mist.

Picture from Jan De Paepe's Portfolio

Ever had that feeling that you were stuck in rut even though everything seems to be going fine and as planned?

It's such a weird phase to experience.
It's as though nothing that could ever happen would be of interest to you.
"BLAH" is the word.

I don't even feel like researching for my wedding at this time anymore!

But just like how hot chocolate always hits the spot when you're feeling blah...
Jason, my fiancee, has been a constant ray of sunshine and laughter in this seemingly ho-hum period.

And that is why I love him like a fat kid loves (chocolate) cake.

A moment, please

Now that the our wedding reception lunch venue has been pretty much booked, I find myself being more pre-occupied with finding and creating that ONE beautiful love nest for the two of us.

Picture of the living area of a Malibu Home

What goes into making a house a home?
Is it the beautifully-done decor which reflects your style as a couple?
Is it the wonderful, unblocked view from your living room?
Or is it the fact that you will be coming together as one to build what would be the rest of your lives together?

Now that's a frightening thought.
But also a very liberating one.

Through all the house hunting and praying, you get the sense of coupledom - a taste of what it'll be like when you eventually do get married.

Sweet reassurance, frustrations, tears, fears and laughter... love.
i. cannot. wait.

Cotton Candy Love

Remember how I've always talked about my superb fetish for paper goods and stationery?

Well, I have finally found a local avenue to purchase all my paper LOVES at a pocket-friendly price - sit up and say 'Hello!' to my new found BFF, Cotton Candy Island!

Enough of lurking around those chi-chi stationary and scrapbooking stores, scrummaging for discounted items... I can now purchase all the beautiful craft items in the comfort of my home as I excitedly await for their arrival at my doorstep.Check out this delicious brown paper with oh-so-vintage thread and button details!

Pictures from Cotton Candy Island

Packing your wedding favours, sending this out as a wedding invite... or even use it to pack Thank You gifts for your wedding helpers! Beautiful packaging really does accentuate the thoughtfulness of your gift :)

But this is next product is my favourite one of all and it just makes me DNA tingle with excitement - STAMP COLLECTIONS!

Picture of "Lovely Animals" stamp collection

What other shops are selling you for $30+, Cotton Candy Island is only selling at *hyperventilates* $12.50!

O-M-G.
I'm sorry. As you can tell I really love my stationery, my fiancee can be proof to that fact + my gargantuan box stocked full of stationery and crafting materials.

What amazed me about these stamp collections is that they come in Fairy, Mountain Birds, Pussycat, Jewelery..... and many many more. I am so gushing right now.

And better yet, they sell special ink stamps to allow you to do stuff like this:


Step aside BK wraps and artisan table mats... and welcome the dawning of the new era of adorable and affordable table setting ideas!

Open your eyes and crafting minds to incredible ways to beautify your house... and also, a personal way to decorate your wedding (i.e. favours, cards, menus...)

Stationery heaven........... oh my new found love :)))

All you need is a perfect excuse to buy these Cotton Candy-ed lovelies and you will be well on your way to craft heaven.