FINALLY!

Today I found the dress of my dreams - the dress I will wear in less than 6 months at my August wedding!

So, my plan for today was to go dress shopping with my future mother in-law Barb, who I adore and her daughter (my future sister in-law) who I also adore. :) We got out of the house today around 12. And we went to three stores.
1st store: There I liked two dresses but I didn't love them. Sooo...
2nd store: There the people were such bitches (excuse my choice of wording) so I honestly didn't want to try on anything there. However I did & then I left.
3rd store: The final store - ending at David's Bridal. A little story about me and David's their dresses are beautiful. I love them. But I had tried honestly, no I mean honestly EVERY dress in that store. (I tried it on and if I didn't like it I would "X" it out in the bridal book I have from there at my house.) But I did pick bridesmaid dresses from David's for my girls and Bre wanted to choose whether she was going to order the strapped dress or the strapless dress (she ordered the strapless today... it looked so cute on her!). So arriving at David's Bre (my further sister in-law) waiting in line while Barb looked through all of the wedding dresses. Barb called me out of line and threatened Bre to stay in line because the store was VERY busy and there were people everywhere and no rooms open. I walked over to Barb to see the dress she had found... she said, "what about this one" Hmm doesn't look like I've tried it on before, wait is that a tea-length dress? NOPE! Hmmm.. never seen that dress before. As the rooms opened they were taking people back to a room. It was our turn. Our sales associate Tammy came out and am I glad that she was so pleasant. she let me show her the dress that Barb found and she gathered two other dresses for me, while Breanne and I ventured into the bridesmaid dresses to find her dresses to try on.
We met in room 17.
Where I grabbed that dress Barb had found and tried it on.
I tried it on and didn't want to take it off.
It was PERFECT!
After trying on a billion dresses (well maybe not a billion but at least 50+ dresses)
I have found THE ONE!
(Thanks for going with me today Barb & Bre)

It is sooo perfect.

I want to post pictures but Rick (my fiance') often views my blog. So maybe if I can keep him off of here for a week or two I can post a picture. :)

Until then: It is white, somewhat fitted, strapless, with a lace/ little beaded detail overlay, it has a beautiful cage train. It is exactly what I pictured myself wearing on my wedding day. I honestly did NOT want to take this dress of it made me feel so beautiful and confident. You better believe I walked out of that store with the dress in bag - in hand!

::::::: I'M SO HAPPY WITH MY DRESS ::::::: :) :) :) :)

DIY: Flower Girlies T's Completed!

That's right, I said it! The flower girl t-shirts are finished - just in time for the weekend, that being to begin new DIY projects!!! Bring on that big 'ol CHECK off my list of wedding things to do!

DIY: Photo Frames

Alright so I finally did it! I painted the only regular wooden frame that has been in my room for forever - to match the rest of my black and white decor. While this isn't much of DIY project it has been on my list of things to do for a very long time. [CHECK] Now I just need new photos for it.

AND this is a DIY photo frame. I bought this frame ages ago at Michael's craft store (it's one of those wooden ones that has a peg that goes into a hole that is drilled in the back). So ages ago I had bought this frame and a can of chalk board spray to make a chalk board photo frame - that didn't work with this frame cause the wood isn't fine enough so I re-painted it black let it dry. Used a stencil and white paint and Waa La - Ta Da! Not sure if I like the middle part... may change it this weekend - unless it grows on me.

As for WEDDING STUFF...
::: Almost done with the flower girl shirts. One more shirt to stitch (2 CHECKs for 2 flowers)
::: Going dress shopping for myself this weekend.
::: Today my Matron of Honor paid me back for her wedding shoes YEA $25 (2 down {CHECK} 6 to go - now I only need $150 more)
::: Today after work I am meeting a very nice girl by the name of Anna whom I am purchasing a strapless never worn bra. (CHECK)
::: How could I almost forget - Rick and I have finalized our guest list & I almost have all of the families address - So this weekend GOODBYE SAVE-THE-DATES/ you'll have a new home next week! (& that would call for another CHECK)

&&& Shhh don't tell but I am dying to go home and do some more crafts that I have started but aren't completed enough for a blog appearance. :) :) But don't worry I will share some more DIY soon!

I'm Lovin' Some of These...

About my future dress - that I have not chosen:

♥White
♥Would love a LOW back
♥Not a poof but not too clingy
♥Reflect timeless beauty
♥A little lace would be nice
♥Some beading detail is okay too
♥Price/Budget friendly


I JUST found some dresses that I have fallen for that are actually very, very, VERY reasonably priced!

Here's a sneak.

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

<- There is no full view or a back view of this dress. What the heck!

The back of the dress below is breath-taking & it reminds me of my future mother in-laws wedding dress.

Well that is all for now ladies. I'm going to look more into this website tomorrow while I am at work & if it is legit I'll share the link. :)

♥P.S. ALL of these dresses are less than $400 & Free shipping to boot!

HOT MAMA!

Bridesmaid Gift Idea

Last night I went shopping with my Matron of Honor [Amanda] and I was in search of cheap tank tops to make "Matron, Maid, Bridesmaid" Shirts. I know that NOT all of the girls want to wear one of these tanks BUT I also know my younger sisters [Bridesmaids] REALLY want one!

So, after walking around Old Navy I spotted the ribbed tanks that are usually 2 for $10 but instead their $7.50 each [OUCH!] After debating on tank top that reads "Matron, Maid, Bridesmaid" I weighed a decision that has yet to be made...

For everyone I could MAKE [I smell a DIY project] buttons that pin onto whatever their wearing OR sashes. :) And instead I could buy them all...

TA DA! This sun dress from Old Navy ONLY $15 & this way they could wear it again - rather than a "matron, Maid, Bridesmaid" tank. And we could all wear this (in different colors) for the rehearsal! Now only if I could find a coupon or something and I would totally jump on this thought.

$15 Sun Dresses x 1 Matron 1 Maid & 6 Bridesmaids = $120

I want great gifts for the girls but this may be pushing the gift budget just a little.

DIY: Flower Girl Shirts

I'm so excited to say I made shirts for my flower girls! Well, I have actually only made one shirt but I am determined to finish the other this week to check this DIY project off my list!

The flower is ribbon. I know right?

The ribbon pattern is by Martha Stewart

And I stitched the word "girl" with thinner matching ribbon.

For a DIY Bride on a budget:

- 2 Pink T-Shirts $5

- One spool of wide ribbon $2.40

- One spool of thin ribbon $1.30

Total: $8.70

ONLY $4.35 per shirt!

Congrats!

Congratulations to my little brother Andrew & his NOW fiance' Jerrica!

THEIR ENGAGED & it's sucha cute LOVE story.
He proposed to her on the beach in a drawing contest... she walked away drew her, he drew his, she came over and wha-la his drawing, "Will You Marry Me?"
ADORABLE!

I wanna hear your proposal story. ♥

{photo credits to ME}

So Lucky

What’s in a song??

Have you ever been driving in the car listening to the radio and hear a song that you feel was written just for you? So many times we can relate a song to our life no matter what we are going through. Recently I heard this song by Jason Mraz featuring Colbie Callait. When I heard this song I thought of Erica and our relationship. Although there are always ups and downs we make it through each time because I am in love with my best friend. We understand each other and just knowing we are together makes everything okay. When I hear Colbie’s voice I hear Erica singing to me.

So to me what’s in a song? It’s your heart, it’s what you feel and it’s what you relate to your life as you listen to it. Music is therapy to our heart and soul. Some of the lyrics to the song are posted below and come from Jason Mraz CD “We sing, We dance, We steal things” (2008). I hope that when you hear this song you think of your fiancé and the journey you are about to embark on.

They don't know how long it takes
Waiting for a love like this
Every time we say goodbye
I wish we had one more kiss
I wait for you I promise you I will


Lucky I'm in love with my best friend
Lucky to have been where I have been
Lucky to be coming home again
Lucky we're in love in every way
Lucky to have stayed where we have stayed
Lucky to be coming home someday


[Awww.. I love my Ricky. Last week he told me he wanted to make a post on my blog, I told him he could; then on Saturday he gave me this to post. CUTEY!]

6 MONTHS

SIX MONTHS!
SIX months!!
SiX MoNtHs!!!
sIx mOnThS!!!!
six months!!!!!
SIX MONTHS!!!!!!

6MONTHS UNTIL THE WEDDING.

:::We have six months remaining and no plan for a cake.

:::No one to marry us.

:::No idea what we're going to do about the flower situation.

:::A TON of DIY projects on the TO DO list.

:::And STILL NO dress for me!!!!!!!

Other than the stress side of 6 months remaining I am SO GLAD that there are only 6 months remaining. Not because I don't LOVE this wedding stuff. But I am SO ready to spend every day of the rest of my life with the love of my life. And I am so OVER only being able to spend time with my love on the weekends.

Venue = Dream Come True!

MYSTIC CREEK GOLF CLUB

MILFORD, MICHIGAN

We are having both our ceremony and reception at this location, which makes me very happy.

CEREMONY

I'm looking forward to having an outdoor ceremony, with green grass, beautiful dress, close friends and all of our family. The only thing is... I don't think this gazebo is very pretty.

I was thinking maybe officially tying the knot in front of the pond that is just beyond the gazebo and down the hill.

Gotta convince the fiance' and Heather the venue coordinator.

What do you think of this gazebo thing?

RECEPTION

The reception area couldn't be more perfect! With all of the windows you have the effect tat you're outside but in the heat of August we will be inside in the air conditioning. Can I get an Amen! (sorry the photo is so dark)

Not only have I completely fallen in love with this place.

I absolutely love their food too.

So this is the last venue pic ladies.

Take it ALL in.

And this is Rick and I in the parking lot.

SO happy!

SO satisfied!

SO excited about our choice of venue!

(Cheese[y])

Love Ya! Award

I GOT MY FIRST AWARD! Woo Hoo!

Jess at Project 10K Wedding has given me the Love Ya! award.

Here's an explanation:
Rules do accompany this honor:

“These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award.”

1. Tina @ Tying the Knot 9.19.09

2. Amy @ my journey down the aisle

3. flamingofluffy @ Attacked by Tulle

4. The Bona Fide Preppy Bride @ Preppy Bride

5. Caroline @ A Lady and An Officer

6. Engaged Girl @ that [engaged] girl

7. hisMrs @ Blushing Bride Bulletin

8. Caitlin @ From Ms. to Mrs.

Thank you ladies for your inspiring blogs! Enjoy your "Love Ya!" Award! :)

Wedding Cost Estimater

Wedding Cost Estimate
Based on the zip code you entered for 48380 Milford township: Oakland County, MI , the number of guests (200+), and the items selected, the estimated wedding cost is between $53,638 and $89,400.

OUCH! I'll let you ladies know what I come up with in the end!
Cause I know it won't be near $53,638.

Want to know how much your wedding will average... CLICK HERE.

[ Got this link from a dear blogger JESS ]

"Uhh.. Why?" I Know - Right?

Ok - So I feel I NEED to post this short little snip into my blog that I found on Project: 10K Wedding (click on the link to see her blog)

Her Post: "... why do I hate looking at wedding dresses..?
they're everywhere, every bridal mag. is filled with him.. like 100 out of 200 pages is dresses...
Blogs have posts about dresses over and over again....
For some reason I don't like looking at them.
Ok, I'm done now.. sorry.."

And so my reply is: "I know - right?! Sick of seeing em' I have not found my dress YET and when I see ugly after ugly dresses or beautiful way - WAY out of my price range dresses I feel less and less encouraged to find THE dress. HELP!"

Very excited! --- So, Friday I took work off to relax and do some wedding shopping and searching before we head out to Canada for a Benefit Dinner (I will add the link soon if anyone is interested in donating). So, My Fi Rick called me at work & told me that his mom isn't working Friday either!!! So - her and I are going to go DRESS SHOPPING for both of us! WhoooHooo.

Introducing...

THE WEDDING PARTY

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THE LADIES

Stephanie: (on the left/ me on the right, Christmas 2008) My Maid of Honor. "Sister" (without the same birth parents) we have lived together since we both graduated high school... we argue just like "real" sisters.

Amanda: (above on the right) My Matron of Honor - married in June 2008. My Fiance's first cousin. My childhood friend - we've been best friends since I was 4 and she was 3.
Kari: (above on the left) My Bridesmaid. Best friend that lives miles and miles away in Italy. Military wife cousin.

LeighAnn: (above on the left) My Bridesmaid. Fashion forward friend. Future sister in-law (she is marrying my fiance's twin {on the right}).

Breanne: (above) My Bridesmaid. Future cheerleader sister in-law. Younger text crazy sister of my fiance'.

Brooke: (above far left) My Bridesmaid. My crazy dancing sister who loves Michael Jackson.
Samantha: (above in the middle) My Bridesmaid. My getto talking sister who is in love with Terry Clark.
Paige: (above far right) My Bridesmaid. My sassy sister who has mood swings for days.

FLOWER GIRLS PHOTOS COMING SOON!

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THE GUYS

Scott (left) & Kevin (right): Two Bestmen. Scott & my fiance' Rick are Twins. Kevin is my fiance's little brother. They are all three crazy sports lovers and best friends.

Brian: (yellow shorts above) Groomsman. Cousin of my fiance'. Good man - married to a great woman, lives in Georgia.
Nick: (white t-shirt) Groomsman. Cousin of my fiance'. Good guy - in love with a wonderful girl.

Josh: Groomsman. A very good friend of mine ("E") since high school.

Andrew: (above on the left) Groomsman. My Brother. A father - soon to be husband. Walking me down the aisle.

Kyle: Groomsman. My youngest brother. Baseball fanatic. Walking me down the aisle.



Ryan: Ring Bear. My "Brother". My "sister" Stephanie's adopted brother. Ryan loves his Ricky's. (Since he was little he called both me & Rick - Ricky - I think because Erica was too hard for him to say, it's so cute!)


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SOME SPECIAL ADULTS IN MY LIFE

Rhonda & Bill
Grandpa T.
Mary Kay & Craig
Barb & Carl

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1 Chronicles 16:34 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

What's In A Date?

Brought to you first by: The Relentless Bride

Here's what is in OUR dates:

October 31 was the first time my FH came ot my house without saying he was going to spend time with his cousin. ;)

November 21 The day my FH asked me to be his girlfriend & is also my birthday.

December 5 (We always thought it was on the 5th of December but it wasn't actually and we can never remember off the top of our minds what the actual day was) we watched the movie The Five People You Meet In Heaven and confessed our love for each other in little red (my little red escort that we named)

April 4 My FH told me that he had a surprise for me the next day... but I was 1/2 asleep and didn't show much interest.

April 5 My FH surprised me with a new digital camera - we took a trip to downtown Detroit, MI to take picture sof the beautiful city/ ended up taking only pictures of ourselves & my FH asked me on one knee, "Will you marry me?".

August 22 Will be very special because it is the day we will wed. :) :) :)

Asking our Pastor

Today we decided to ask out pastor to marry us.

Talk about a journey... how do you ask a pastor to marry you?
Well, first we wrote an e-mail to our pastor and explained why we waited this long since we've been engaged since April 2008. Then we told our pastor we were going to have my fiances uncle marry us. And now we're asking our pastor.

Here is the letter we typed as a JOKE...

"Dear Pastor:

We don't know how to ask you but will you marry us?
Our wedding date is August 22, of this year.
How much?
See you there.
Rick and Erica"

...A JOKE because we don't really know what to say... it would be interesting to hear what you all said when you asked your pastor or person to marry you and your fiance.

Engagement Images of Style

(Photos by Monica Byrne *Images of Style*)

The video above was created by my fiance' to brighten my day. It is just a few of our favorite engagement photos taken by our photographer.

I thought this video would be appropriate to view on this Hallmark Valentines Holiday day.

Enjoy! :)

DRESS HIM...

TUX v. SUIT

My fiance (on the right - making his debut) and I have come to the conculsion that suit look just as nice as a tux. And in the way that we are thinking it is going to be ALOT less expensive for the guys... hence the suit he is wearing on the right costing the guys an average of $140.00 (given that they already have a "nice" pair of black shoes, their own crisp white dress shirt and black dress socks.

And while browsing the suit options we stumbled across some ties that may just do the job as groomsmen gifts.

DRESS ME...

DRESS ME... because I have NOT.

I have a problem.
& it goes like this:
- I bought a dress & took it back for a credit.
- I fell in love with a new dress & now I am having nightmares about it (thankfully I didn't put my in-store credit towards that gown.
- I am TORN.
- & I like everything... but I cannot find the ONE that I LOVE. [other than my fiance Ricky] ;)

Dear God, Why did you make me fall in love with the above dress? It is kind of a mess! And not me at all. Thanks for allowing me to return it to David's Bridal for instore credit. Loves.

(Credits for the above dresses - from left to right)

1. David's Bridal - I like this dress/ used to LOVE this dress but I am so indecisive; I am only getting married once, hence only one wedding ever that is a big decision.

2. David's Bridal - This is what my fiance has in mind for me, granted never seeing one dress on me.

3. David's Bridal - I like this dress/ it will soon be discontinued, on SALE, but I really want to wear a white dress.

4. (don't know where I got this picture from) - At this point I love the last dress because I think that it looks really fun, and I would LOVE for my wedding dress to have a low back - but I have a pretty small budget when it comes to dresses. CAN anyone help?!