I'm a sucker for yellow gold

Check out these gorgeous diamond rings from Joolia. If I didn't already have an amazing antique wedding band I'd be all over that last one.

122 days and counting

Sometimes it's hard to imagine that I went from being a girl who wanted to elope, to a girl who really wanted to elope, to a girl who wished she had eloped, to a giddy bride-to-be. This whole wedding planning thing has really grown on me. I know it's crazy, but I think I'm really going to miss this come May 30th.

Ok, just a little.


photos by Joey Bloom

Sneak Peek!

The rest will have to wait until after the wedding!

From top: favor tag by Things are better with a Parrott, bolero by Twigs & Honey, antique brooch given to me by a good friend, and a tiny glimpse of my reception dress.

Black & Red

Via Spiga 'Monique'. $199

Holy Crap

Miss Shugarman , Caitlin , and Sapphyre recently tagged me, asking that I divulge all of my most personal and scandalous secrets to the world(ok, not really). Unfortunately, I'm just not that cool, so bear with me here while I try and think up something entertaining...

1. This is one of my new favorite blogs to stalk. I've always been one to enjoy mean humor, especially when it's at the expense of fuzzy little animals.
2. Right now I am obsessed with these sculptures by Double Parlour on Etsy. I want to own them all.
3. For our wedding Nick's mom booked us a few nights at a lovely little bed & breakfast on the beach. I think I'm abnormally excited about it. Like, in a creepy way. I've already printed off maps to all the local hiking areas (because hiking is my all-time favorite thing to do), presented Nick with a monologue about how cool it is that the inn is certified "green", and hunted for pictures of their famous breakfasts on flickr. Yes, I'm a creep. But an appreciative creep nonetheless! (Is that a biscuit shaped like a heart? Seriously, how cute is that? Image from here)

4. I'm a leftie and have the worst handwriting imaginable. I recently sent out makeshift save-the-dates to our out-of-town relatives. A few days after receiving his, my grandfather called my mom up and said, "I just got a card in the mail from Amanda. I'm not sure exactly what it says..." Ouch.

5. I finally discovered fried polenta, and it's amazing. (Nick agrees)

6. Our cats have always favored Nick over me. It drives me crazy.

7. I think Mickey Rourke is much more attractive in The Wrestler than he is in normal life. It must be the hair.

8. I would kill for Anthony Bourdain's job. Who wouldn't?


And I'm spent. Sorry guys, I couldn't make it to ten. I told you I'm not that exciting!

Yes, I'm one of those people

You can start feeling bad for my future children now.

I'ts a Meeze Ball!

Sexy Silhouettes

I am totally biased, but I love a sexy, hip hugging sheath gown.

The curvier, the better.

From top: Victorio & Lucchino, Pepe Botella, and Valentino for Pronovias. All from the Spring/Summer 2009 issue of grace ormonde wedding style.

Milk Glass FAIL?

I've been hugely into milk glass lately. During one of my many ebay searches I stumbled upon these spice jars.I totally want them, and for under $16 I'm tempted to bid... but does it make me a complete pervert that I think there's something a little "off" about that design?

Seriously.

I can only milk this "wedding planning" thing so much

My friend and I went to the Portland Bridal Show this past Saturday and I have to admit, the whole time I was there I just wanted to sneak under one of the tables with a plate of wedding cake samples and hide. Some wedding vendors are mean. And they smell like spray tan and bleach.

I guess I'm just not "bride" material.

Photo from here

Ok, I lied

I just got these in the mail. Next step, pack them up and ship the fabric up to a lovely woman in Vancouver who's going to make napkins for me. It looks like I don't actually have the cojones to sew them myself (besides, I happen to really like my digits, and I know I wouldn't want to start sewing until after a glass of wine or two).

Cojones or not, these napkins are going to look sweet on my linen tablecloths. Thanks again, Chelsea!

black wedding shoes

This is probably my favorite photo by Joey Bloom. I hope that on our wedding day we can be as relaxed as them.

It also won't hurt if my legs look even half as good in my reception mini-dress as hers do here. sigh

Congratulations Meesha!

An intimate celebration this past November where the sophisticated Portlander and her British beau tied the knot. I'm definitely impressed with all of the paper flowers she made for the wedding.

Also, isn't that flower girl the cutest thing you've ever seen?


Pictures taken by her guests

Livia Cetti

I love these arrangments by Livia Cetti , especially the fish bowl vases.

Found at Eco-Chic Weddings

I love you more than Merk loves plastic bags

From I love you more than___ via unruly-things.

Added: Nick saw this and emailed me, "I love you more than bums love mad dog 20-20". How romantic.

[ART]

I want to frame these dresses and hang them up on my wall.


From Sandra Backlund's current collection, via BrittonBritton.

Baby Goat Love

I saw this picture on Sarah's new wedding blog and haven't been able to get it out of my mind since. First, you know how much I love baby goats. Also, this hairstyle will never go out of style. It reminds me of the days when I could twist my long locks up in a messy braid, grab a good book, and spend an afternoon lounging in the grass at Washington Park (not that long ago I got one of those uber "trendy" NW Portland mullet-inspired cuts that I've been trying to grow out for ages. It's. Almost. Long. Enough!).

Plus, like I mentioned to Sarah already, any girl who would cradle a baby goat up against her wedding gown is cool in my book.

photo from Rhode Island Monthly Bride via Homegrown Wedding

Ace ♥

I just discovered that Ace Hotel here in Portland has a room featuring a mural painted by one of our favorite local artists, Martin Ontiveros. Yowza! This almost makes me want to hop in a car and come right back to Portland after our reception to spend the night here. Perhaps a romantic anniversary treat instead?

Thank you Chelsea!

Girl Crush

I want to throw a reception like an Amy Sedaris dinner party.

Image from here

Again with the tea party...

I think Anne was right when she predicted pink as one of the new "it" colors of 2009.

Maybe a bit rosier than the baby pink she prefers, but the color is definitely growing on me.


photo styling by Camille Soulayrol

French Macaroons

In the latest issue of Martha there's a spread on the loveliest Parisian Macaroons. I read it and got to thinking, what's the point of having wedding favors if they're not something unique? If we're going to invest money in something as frivolous as favors, shouldn't they be something our guests can really savor?I saw these delicate little cookies and instantly pictured them packaged in kraft boxes with ribbon for our wedding. I know they can get pretty spendy to buy pre-made, but luckily Martha shares a detailed recipe with her readers.

Here's the plan: make a batch of raspberry macaroons. See how they turn out. DIY favors?

Image from here

It's cold outside...

...and I want to have a tea party.


Photo styling by Kelly McKaig

Beautiful Bridesmaids

Check out these adorable bridesmaid dresses from Miss Trini's wedding. Pink perfection!

Photo by Juma Bannister

this is all i know

I love these paintings by Amanda Blake on Etsy.