Love at The Ranch: Buy My Dress

After much thought and consideration, I've decided to consider offers on my dress. I so wanted to indulge all the comments that told me to keep my dress, cherish it, and watch my future (possible) daughter twirl in it down the road. But, there were very convincing arguments for selling it as well. Not only will I be making another bride happy and making a conscious decision to recycle, but you gals (and guys) gave me some great ideas for what to spend the money on: a high-end photo album, a weekend escape for our one-year anniversary, a less-expensive replica of the dress for memory's sake.

To be honest, we've been trying to get our finances in order (Mr. CB's had three ACL reconstructions) and could use this towards a down payment on a house. It would just be a start, but a fairly good one.

So, without further adieu, make me an offer!

Julianna, by Christos, sells for $3650 in bridal salons. She's had $450 worth of alterations but she does need a new button for the bustle. She has no tears, holes, or stains.

She's a size 2 and will fit someone with the measurements: 34-24-34. She's cut to a length of 5'5" (including heels). I'm 5' 2 1/2" and wore 2 1/2" heels.

If you're interested, comment below or send me a private message (PM) and we can discuss the details. :)

Love at The Ranch: Too Soon?

It's only been three months since our rustic, ranch affair, but I think I might be ready to say goodbye. No, not to you, Hive, and certainly not to Mr. Cowboy Boot, but to Julianna, my beloved, floating pool of ivory tulle. She originally came into my life in the Beverly Hills Saks Fifth Avenue and made me tingle, flit, and giggle like a school girl.

I love her and adore her, but alas, she hangs there so lonesome and without any future plans in sight. In fact, I don't really want to wear her again for fear of shaking off the significance of her debut.

It's hard to write this and face letting go of The Most Beautiful Dress I've Ever Owned. I feel like a little girl releasing her mother's hand on the first day of Kindergarten--the separation anxiety is tangible.

The reality is that my dress, by Christos, has been documented in the most meaningful way on my wedding day and nothing can change that. Not only has it been photographed with me in it as a blushing bride, but Mr. Cowboy Boot has painted me in it on a three-times life-size canvas which I promise to share with you upon its completion.

It would make me happy to see another bride have her own blissful day in this ballerina-like dress and I would also find some peace of mind to know that I'd be lessening the impact on the planet (even if it's just one dress). Not to mention my credit card will smile.

To be honest, I'm scared. I'm nervous to watch her float out of my grasp, like a balloon slipped from its string. But, I'm also scared of the financial debt she's incurred (even if it's minimal over a lifetime). I tripled my dress budget when I found her, agreeing to pay the extra myself, but I never did. I never had that extra cash flow.

So, hive, tell me: would you sell your dress to make up for a few grand or would you keep it for a sentimental twirl down the road?

The Final Dress Fitting

Today could not have gone better. In Denver, pre-wedding, I made it to Saks Fifth Avenue with all of my bridesmaids in tow to pick up my gown. Yeah, three days out. I was nervous for all sorts of reasons--it had been four months since I'd tried the dress on, I hadn't seen it with its final alterations, and there was a lot of pressure with my girls there to make sure it looked perfect!

Here are the results (MR. CB, THAT'S YOUR CUE!)

The bridesmaids brought champagne!

Now, I have a decision or two to make. The Chloe & Max earrings didn't end up working out, nor did the Roberta Chiarella ones. They were both a little too blingy.

1) Do I go with the J. Crew belt and pearl studs? See below.

Or, 2) No J Crew belt with long, pearl earrings?

I'm kind of loving the J Crew belt with the studs and hair flowers but I'm not sure if it will be too busy with a bouquet. The color from the belt is really warm and beautiful, though.

Which is your favorite? Vote below!

J Crew belt and pearl studs

No belt and long pearls

I've Been Duped

It's been a total of eight months since I've seen Julianna. That's the name of my Christos gown. Today, she arrived with an unexpected (and not entirely welcome) surprise. 

Me Getting Ready to Be Reunited with Julianna (who also happened to be on this mannequin)

I made the trip to Saks this morning with my mom for my first fitting. While my wedding isn't for another four months, I had to take advantage of my time home in Los Angeles to have my alterations done at Saks as I might not make it back to California before October. New Mexico doesn't have a Saks and, when I bought my dress, I got a $450 gift card for free alterations so I opted to have them done there. That means all of my alterations have to be completed in one week. Once they are finished, the dress will be sent to the Saks in Denver where I'll pick it up a few days before the wedding. I'll never have to stress about stuffing it into an airplane cabin, nor will I have to drive more than two hours with it. The trade off? I have to make some major decisions in very little time. 

MR. COWBOY BOOT. This is your cue...exit. Muchas gracias. 

Julianna as she fit out of the box--a little loose on top and long on bottom

Trying to show off my shoes

The cap sleeves that came with the dress arrived detached which was fine with me as I don't prefer them, and I immediately tucked in the spaghetti straps that come attached to make it strapless.

Strapless Version

As my fitter, Jean, entered the room she said this to me: "This dress cannot be done strapless." 

"What?!" I replied, "That was the whole reason I bought it. The saleswoman said it would be no problem."

But Jean pointed out how the straps come down to points on the back--without the strap, it looks like something is missing. I took a peep and, as much as I didn't want to admit it, I agreed. I asked her if she could just tuck the pointed areas in and re-sew it to be straight across the back. Apparently, because it has a sleeve-cut under the arm and not a straight cut (as strapless dresses are meant to), "people who know couture will notice," Jean said. Plus, the straps will make it more comfortable for dancing.

The right picture shows the points on the back (where the cap sleeves are attached)

At first I was upset, pouty, and felt like I wanted to throw a tantrum right there. I'm spending how much on this dress and I can't even have it the way I want it? She was right, though, the dress looked weird in spots if it wasn't worn the way it was designed to be worn. As she got to work, the straps started to grow on me. 

Jean pinning a layer of satin over crinoline while I hold up the tulle

Here was the end result of fitting one in which she pinned the back about a quarter of an inch, inserted some padding in the top so I don't have to wear a bra, and pinned the lining underneath. 

After the fitting, I went back and looked at the pictures on my camera. I'd tried to convince myself that the little satin straps (meant to go under the cap sleeves) were simple and elegant. But the more I looked at the pictures, the more I thought they looked casual and more functional than anything. So, now, I have to figure out what I want to add to them to make me happy. 

Here's what they look like with the cap sleeve. I think it's pretty but I prefer the dress more plain--the sleeves have rhinestones and sequins and feel more trendy than what I'm going for.

My thought, right now is to take some tulle from the bottom of the dress and lay it flat over the straps, letting the raw edges of the tulle come out a little wider than the strap. This would give it a ruffly, softer effect. While it wouldn't be as wide or as ruffly as this dress (below), this picture is my inspiration behind the thought.

(source)

What do you think, hive? 

1) Stick with the simple, satin strap

2) Screw "couture" and make it strapless

3) Add a layer of tulle a little wider than the straps to soften and ruffle

4) Reconsider the cap sleeves

5) Do something else (please explain below)