A Registry of a Different Sort

Much like The Bear Cubs, we, The Cowboy Boots don't really need all that much stuff for our house. We've lived together for over three years at this point which means we've made numerous trips to Bed, Bath & Beyond, Target, and many other home goods stores throughout the course of our relationship. True, we don't have much furniture (we rent a partially furnished place) but we don't expect our guests to buy us expensive things--I mean, they're traveling all the way to Colorado for our wedding. 

So, we put in for a few things on Williams-Sonoma (we're big into cooking), Pottery Barn, and Sears. You know, a toaster here, a showerhead there. Mainly just little things that would make our lives that much better. 

And while we never got the luxury of going through the store scanning things (does that sound fun to anyone else? It does to me!) because we registered online, there is one store we got to handpick our items. Mr. CB's parent's gallery. That's right. They own a gallery in Upstate New York called Gallery Three, Two, One. With one-of-a-kind crafts, gorgeous pottery, and other goods, it's like a treasure trove when I'm in there (not to mention the jewelry). Here are a couple of the items we registered for: 

A pottery birdfeeder

Royce Yoder Dinnerset

Beyond house goods, though, Mr. CB and I talked a lot about registering for a home down payment. Money towards a house is more valuable to us than curtains and bedspreads. But we couldn't figure out how to do this without going through a website that takes a percentage of the gift. There's FeatherOurNest.com which requires $200 to create a registry and makes you pick out a house and work with a real estate agent almost immediately. We're not quite there yet. 

OurWishingWell.com is another option--you can register for general things like a "digital camera" instead of, say, a Leica D-Lux 4. Or a "home down payment fund." It's kind of nice that you don't have to pick out the exact stuff you want in the midst of wedding planning. The downside? There is a "small transaction fee when you withdraw" (i.e. the website takes a percentage of your gifts). 

In the end, we opted for Honeyfund.com. A honeymoon-specific registry that acts in a general way like Ourwishingwell. For instance we registered for "Horse-Trekking" with no specific outfitter or "Wine Tasting" with no particular vineyard in mind. You make up the amounts, how many gifts of that amount you need, and you get as specific as you want with each item. The closer it gets to our trip, the more specific our listings might become when we know where we're staying or what restaurant we want to eat in. Our gifts range from increments of $25 to $100. And guests can buy as many or as few as they want. Take a look:

Guests can pay by PayPal, credit card, or bring you cash or a check at the wedding. And, the website tracks who buys you what as items are purchased. Plus, they don't take any fees. Sample registries on the website can also give you ideas for activities on your own honeymoon. 

We didn't ditch the home down payment fund altogether though. Check out the final item on our honeymoon registry: 

What unconventional registries did you use? Do you think they'll be successful?

All You Need Is Love

I already mentioned to you that my two MOHs gave me a shower last weekend. It was so adorable, I just had to share more of the details. There's no other place I would've wanted it than on my parents' deck in the Hollywood Hills. With views over the San Fernando Valley, a soothing fountain, and lush plants, it's beautiful.

The day started off drizzling which was not a good sign, since all of the chairs had been set up outside, but as soon as people started arriving, the sky got lighter and the precipitation stopped. It was even fairly warm. The guests arrived to tables full of snapdragons and a spread that was delicious: lox and cream cheese sandwiches, pesto pasta salad, cucumber sandwiches, regular salad, and cheese and crackers. 

About sixteen friends and family showed up, including my step-grandmother who won't be able to attend the wedding because she can't travel anymore. 

My step-grandmother who speaks Italian with me

There were no games involved, only sipping wine, eating finger foods and chatting away. 

MOH J's mom, my friend, my brother's girlfriend, and MOH J

Step-grandmother, Aunt, and Cowboy Boot Cuz

Friend from college and me

Cousin and aunt

After a while, everyone gathered for the opening of the gifts.

The Victoria Secret tank read: Soon to be a Mrs...

I plan to wear this before changing into my dress

My aunt made a ribbon bouquet out of the ribbons from the gifts for my rehearsal

Dessert time!

And, finally, the cutest picture of Cowboy Boot Cuz. My parents have a lemon tree and CB Cuz was loving it!

What's funnier is CB Cuz held this face for about five minutes so I could snap a pic!

Where was your shower? Was it a surprise? 

Gifting the Shower Hostesses

I learned an important lesson this weekend: Ask for advice more than five minutes ahead of time. Even if you think you're prepared. 

On Saturday, my two MOHs threw me a beautiful bridal shower. Almost twenty of my closest female friends and family were there and it was so amazing to have them all in one place at one time. I couldn't help but get excited about what the wedding will be like! But, more on the shower later. For now, let's focus how to appreciate your shower hostesses. Here's a sneak peek of me and my two MOHs from the shower:

MOH A, Me, And MOH J

Before they came over, I had two gift bags all ready for them. Someone had mentioned giving them shower products would be a cute way to return the favor and I agreed so I put together a few products I found and loved. Here's what was included in each:

A packet of Bluebird Bath Products Salts ($7) each. The packets each have a cute quote on them. On the "Living Large Oatmeal Milk & Honey" salt package it read: Here's to great friends, howling, laughing, tremendous memories, divine food, & stylish clothes. That's as large as it gets! 

The other one, "Hey Girlfriend Cool Coconut" bath salts read: Mixing lots of vodka & lipstick? Not a good look. Mixing lots of vodka and best friends? A great look! When you finally pull out of it, fill your tub with warm water, add these salts, rest up and try to reclaim your dignity (good luck with that)!

(source)

The girls also received a bar of Pre de Provence soap ($5) in sage or mint leaf. 

(source)

And, finally, they got a tub of Mediterranean Spa Body Butter ($12) in either Olio di Oliva (olive oil) or Olio di Basilico (basil oil). 

(source)

I wasn't sure when to present the gifts to the girls until I came across a posting online that mentioned giving it to them just before opening your gifts and making a little toast to them for putting the shower on as well as thanking everyone for coming. I liked this idea and went with it. 

The Girls Opening their Gifts

I failed to do one thing: Contact my MOHs beforehand to see if anyone else was going to help out with the shower. You see, another friend of ours was there bright and early with them to help set up. I felt bad that I didn't have anything for her as she did nearly as much as they did. I thanked her profusely as she was leaving for all of her help. She brushed it off saying, "Oh, I love doing stuff like this!" Nonetheless, I felt bad. 

Soon after they left, I sat down at my computer and had a gift bag of goodies sent to her from The Body Shop. They make it easy with a link that sends you directly to gift sets. And, for $3.50, they'll gift wrap it and attach a little card. I wrote a note: "Sorry for the belated gift but thank you for your help--the shower was wonderful!" Here's what I got her:

Moringa Magic Gift Set with shower gel, body butter, body scrub, and loofa

And here are the true shower hostesses:

Me with My Girls

What did you do for your shower hostesses to show your appreciation? Did you have any unexpected hosts and how did you handle it?

A Song From Family

There planning of our ceremony has been a bit piece-meal. A little bit here. A little bit there. So far, we've nailed down the box idea (no pun intended) and are on the hunt for the perfect box, wine, and stationary for our love letters. I know exactly what song I want to walk down the aisle to (more on that later) and who will play it. Besides that, I only have one other detail figured out. 

But, a little background first to explain why it's important to us: I come from an extremely musical family. My grandfather was a composer who moved to the states from Austria during World War II and won the Oscar for the soundtrack to the 1960s film Exodus. My grandmother was the singing voice for many a movie actress in quite a few classic movies (Natalie Wood in West Side Story, Deborah Kerr in The King and I, Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady), but she was also an actress in her own right; She played Sister Sophia in The Sound of Music. Here's a quick clip of my grandmother's accomplishments. You might recognize a few:

At my parents wedding, my grandmother sang Ave Maria from a balcony high in the church. She did it a capella and my parents loved it. While I'd love for my grandmother to sing at my wedding, she doesn't have the voice capacity she once did. Sure, she still performs on Broadway occasionally and she was touring with her one-woman show based on her life a few years ago, but her voice is starting to age and she often takes parts of older characters.

Of the three kids that set of grandparents had, my mom (the middle child) did not receive the musical talent of the other two. That said, she was courageous enough to sing You Light Up My Life to my father at their reception. The two other kids--my uncle and my aunt--both have musical talent bursting out of them. My uncle wrote the theme to Golden Girls, while my aunt can sing gospel like nobody's business. Thus, we're trying to find a song for my aunt to serenade us with at the ceremony. It will be a capella as well. 

Here's what we've come up with so far. Keep in mind that my friend can accompany her on guitar.

I'm kind of loving the Patty Griffin Heavenly Day song. Not only is it already accompanied by a guitar, but it's so sweet. Alicia Keys' Lovin' You might be too hard a capella, Tracy Chapman's I Am Yours is a bit depressing, and Wild Is The Wind is a song I'm not familiar with. My aunt suggested it but it's not striking me. 

What do you think? Any other suggestions?

Screwing Couture

This morning, before heading into Saks Fifth Avenue for my second fitting, I was nervous. I'd played out how it would go down in the dressing room over and over after my first fitting. If I wasn't methodical about it--taking my time, trying my cap sleeves again, holding tulle over my straps--I'd rush into a decision and second guess myself. But when we arrived, everything changed. 

Jean slicing away at the tulle.

We worked slowly, starting at the at the bottom--avoiding the inevitable question. What would I do with the top? After the last fitting, Jean had sewn the underlayers of satin and crinoline of the skirt. This time, we got the length of the outer layer, the tulle, right. 

I didn't get any pictures of the bustle, but basically it involves bringing the end of the train up to my waist, tucking and buttoning it under the waist band and that's it. One fold and the skirt becomes completely even all the way around. The way the tulle falls, it doesn't look folded, it looks like the skirt has always been one length. 

This whole time, I was holding onto the cap sleeves in my hand, playing with them in various ways on the dress. Just before arriving, one of my MOHs (who had to work and couldn't join in) texted me an idea: What about using some of the the cap sleeves around the waist to add a little sparkle and detail? 

I held the beading up and loved it. Jean looked up from where she was cutting. "That's beautiful," she said in her French accent. The saleswoman walked by and said the same thing. 

This was my only rushed decision. Yes, I love this idea. Let's do it! At first we tried it thick--almost the whole width of the waistband.

My mom, MOH J, and I all thought it was too thick. How about something thinner?

This was alright, but almost too thin. We all agreed the piece of sparkly goodness should take up about a third of the band. The above was just under. Here's what we ended up going with:

We did everything above with no mention of the straps. I think I'd made it pretty obvious by tucking the straps in from the first moment I arrived but it needed to be said. "I really want it strapless," I told Jean, "I don't care if there's a tiny dip under my arm--let's do it strapless." Jean didn't say much. She simply said it wouldn't be done by Sunday (when I head back to New Mexico) but that she'd finish it and send it to Denver for me to pick up before the wedding. I'll be getting it a couple of days before the wedding so if all else fails, I'll have a few days to do some emergency alterations if necessary.

Here's what the back looks like pinned down. It will be cleaner once it's sewn.

Walking out of there, I was relieved. I hadn't even tried all of the different strap ideas I'd brought with me (print outs of pictures and everything). I stuck with what I wanted from the beginning and went with it. 

All of your advice was so helpful. It made me realize how beautiful the cap sleeves were and made me want to incorporate them. I also stuck to my guns when it came to the neckline. Strapless, it is.

Did you have indecision with how your dress should be altered? How did you deal with it?

A Recycled Shower Dress

I didn't plan this at first. It was one of those moments that magically fell into place. During college, I worked in the Savvy department of Nordstrom. I was constantly surrounded by my favorite designers--Marc Jacobs, Nanette Lepore, Adriana Goldschmied, Ella Moss--and often, I'd spend much of my pay check on designer duds. 

Theory Galila Dress ($325)

One dress, though, never made it up to the counter with me. I eyed a particular Diane von Furstenberg wrap dress over and over, taking in the vintage print and the flattering cut, the adorable buttons, and the dreamy color. But, I couldn't justify paying nearly $200 for a semi-casual dress. I left it where it hung and life went on.

Nanette Lepore Painted Rose Dress ($425)

Last January, Mr. Cowboy Boot was working in New York for a month designing a loft/entertaining space and I went to visit him. As we rounded the corner to the loft, we stumbled upon a very small flea market and decided to check it out. I was sifting through a rack of vintage coats when The Dress I'd Left Behind at Nordstrom five years before appeared. Not only was it in perfect shape, it was my size. A quick bargain and the dress was mine for less than $80. It also doubled as Mr. Cowboy Boot's Christmas present (lucky him, huh?). 

Theory Edan Dress ($295)

For now, I don't have any pictures of it. But you'll get a peek when I post pictures from my shower which is planned for this upcoming Saturday. 

Leifsdottir Embroidered Lace Dress ($378)

If I hadn't found the DVF dress, though, I'd consider the dresses throughout this post. They're all adorable! 

Where did you find your shower dress?

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)