Shoulda, Coulda, Woulda...

Nine months. Can you believe it's been nine months since our wedding? It feels like yesterday I was still stamping out-of-town bags and collecting jars for our centerpieces. No matter that married life has taken ahold of us, I can't stop noticing wedding-related goodies--and I'm feeling the need to share. Here are a few things I kinda, sorta wish I had when I was in the planning process.

For the decor...

A wedding planner. Not just a day-of-coordinator, but someone to design the event for you. I had fun DIYing, don't get me wrong, but it would've been fun to have had a life the summer before my wedding too. Who would I have chosen? More than likely, local Santa Fean Jessie Abrams Baca. Just get a look at this eye candy.

Photos from jessieabramsbaca.com

For the invitations...

Paperjules.com. I just stumbled across this stationer and her work is adorable. It reminds me of summer in all of its carefree, fun-loving spirit. Not only does she offer custom invitations, she also has custom e-invitations for eco-friendly weddings!

Source: PaperJules.com

Source: PaperJules.com

Source: PaperJules.com

For the bridesmaids...

Sample gift certificate from Joyofspa.com

Joyofspa.com. I so wish I'd known about this option when I was handing my ladies their gifts. If you're like me, your bridesmaids--and I had five--are spread across the country. I had two in Los Angeles, one in Boulder, Colorado, one in Upstate New York and one in Brooklyn. This website lets you buy gift certificates towards spa treatments, no matter the location of the recipient. They have a database of spas across the country (even in tiny Santa Fe) that participate in accepting their gift certificates and the cool thing is that most of the spas are independent so, by buying this, your also supporting your bridesmaid's local economy.

Did you find anything after your wedding you wish you'd done? How about something you just can't go without on your wedding day if it hasn't happened yet?

A Fresh Start

Well, hello, hive. How have you been? It's nice to see you again. We've been uber-busy training for a marathon (using this training plan from the magazine I work for), getting ready for Mr. Cowboy Boot's show this October (he's an oil painter) at this gallery, and most of all, moving! No, we didn't purchase a home (I wish!) but we moved into a great two-bedroom, unfurnished place.

We've lived in partially-furnished homes for the past three years so it's amazing to finally feel like we have a fresh canvas we can make our own. While we're not completely finished decorating, we're close, so I thought I'd share our new home with you, here in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The best part? It's on three enclosed acres and comes with a dog door, so you know our pups--who graced our Thank You cards--are smiling from ear-to-ear.

The entrance

The view of Ski Santa Fe from our driveway

The corner of our house with views of the Sandia Mountains

The first room you walk into--our mud room--has plants in it. So far.

From the mud room, you walk into an open living/dining room

Our dining room still needs its curtains and a few more seats

Those pillows were made from our wedding photo booth fabric by my SIL

Our kitchen is cozy but a lot of wedding registry gifts are in there

Mr. CB was in charge of the photo wall; I ordered the duvet from West Elm

The dogs are blissed out at our new house

And, yes, we're pretty blissed out too...

Did you or are you planning on moving into a new home after getting married?

Homegrown Wedding Part II

Today is the first time I've been back to my parents' house in Los Angeles since I seriously started planning the decor. Eight months ago (the last time I was home), we had just booked our venue and I was on the search for The Dress so things are feeling more nailed down this time. It's funny how, when you're on the search for something, everything you've been looking at for the past 20 years all of a sudden appeals to you more. This time around, it's decor items. 

As I got settled in, I started to notice little antiques around the house that would look adorable adorning our escort tables or dessert tables. I was already in love with weddings in which the guests bring simple personal touches to contribute to the decor, so bringing stuff from my childhood home seems natural. My mom mentioned she'd be happy to bring some things along (via plane) to our wedding in Colorado if I just made her a list. Here are a few of the items I've come across:

More Cow Bell Please.

Horse Decor.

A Spur from Custer's Last Stand in the 19th Century

A Cute Teapot

An Adorable Rooster for our Buffet Table

A Cute Pitcher With Fake Flowers

A Shabby Chic Lantern

A Mason Jar I Bought in Sausalito, California

A Frame with My Parents' Wedding Portraits

An Antique Clock (if only it worked)

While searching around the house, I came across two pictures that are pure evidence that I was meant to be Ms. Cowboy Boot and have a horse-themed wedding:

What do you plan to incorporate into your wedding that you already own? Or what are you borrowing from friends or family?