Sit Back and Relax

I'm taking the morning off to go to the beach. Seems reasonable, but I'm the sort of person who regards self discipline as the undoing of my creative nature, thus leaving many a project incomplete.

My fiance and I are having problems with regards to our respective families and work. Thank God, the issues are not with one another. The one most in our faces is that we have moved in with his parents in an effort to save some money (you know, a wedding, the house, etc.).

When we accepted the offer, as offers so often are, the parameters were different. I expected we would have to adjust a little bit, but our independence would remain intact for the most part. I am a very self sufficient person, and the idea of living with parents at the age of 32 is appalling to me. I surveyed the situation before agreeing that it was the best step (financially) for us to take at this time.

I knew better. Deep down, I knew what it was going to be like. I told the voice to shush when it would wake me in the middle of the night, foretelling that my every move, my every word is going to be analyzed by my future in-laws. I was going to be compared, like purebreed puppies are before adoption, to their daughter in law, who is more successful, more exuberant, more together. Every insecurity I have worked so hard to overcome, or at least learn to hide, would rise to the surface. I would have to answer for what I had planned for the day, hour by hour. And my bad habits, of which I have been completely unapologetic about until now, would be on display for criticism, which is as common as a car driving by the house. Just something to expect, and as often as is inclined.

So the voice I told to shush was right. My worst anxieties have been realized. I am uncomfortable, verging on depressed. It's not to say that I'm not grateful, but believe me, we are paying a steep price. We are at the parents' disposal, and my fiance's mother is not shy about asking us to do things. Wait, scratch that. She isn't shy about volunteering us for things, especially me. And privacy? I once knew it very well. For 14 wonderful years, I always had at least an hour a day to shut the door to the rest of the world and think my thoughts and feel my feelings. Now, if I'm lucky, I have the ten minutes before I fall asleep at night. And this, my need for solitude, the aching desire I have to be independent of the expectations of others, is politely (always politely. I have been told several times that I'm too thin and appear to have an eating disorder, but it's always said in a kind tone) criticized. In excess.

I go to the beach, and for a few hours, it's the ocean, the sand, my book and I. None of my companions judge me, critique me, keep tabs on me. We are a harmonious group. When it is time for us to depart, I try to hold on to the inner peace I've been graced with for the remainder of the day. So today, after a weekend of feeling like a tape measure has slipped up and down me every which way, while I pack my bag with lotions and towels, I also pack the hope of finding peace.

Because ultimately, isn't that what it's all about?

Jennine and Jesse's Wedding

If I haven't said this a million times before, I'll say it again because it bears repeating: Lori Barbely is awesome. Her photographs capture moments that, at first glance, appear to be from another generation. I love her work.

This ultra-fabulous wedding (the bride wore the best pink vintage wedding gown EVER) is my favorite so far. Jennine and Jesse were married in Winter Park, Florida at Casa Feliz, which provided a beautiful backdrop for this gorgeous affair.

Congratulations Jennine and Jesse! Thank you so much Lori for sharing these photos. To see more of the event and Lori's work, subscribe to her blog.

I mean, seriously, that pink dress rocks my socks.

Earring Giveaway!

I'm giving away four pairs of beautiful earrings from Etsy to my readers! Don't you just love them? Simply subscribe to brides {bliss} and leave a comment below. I will select the winners at random. Please submit all entries by June 30 at 9 PM. Thanks for reading and good luck!

Happy Friday!

So far, this Summer has been a bust for me. Aside from the daily dousing of rain here in the Northeast, I've been trying to care for my father who has cancer and my future mother in law, recently stricken with pneumonia. Life can some times put the joys of wedding planning on the back burner. It's hard to be inspired when you are responsible for making sure another person takes the right medication or going to doctor after doctor with a loved one.

One thing I've learned though is to take some time each day for yourself, even if it's only thirty minutes, to enjoy life's small pleasures.

No. 2 Pencil and Blush

Think art deco pencil drawings and ladies' silk robes. Or the sky over the ocean right after a thunderstorm. There are so many options when you choose shades of gray and pink! This has a formal, Great Gatsby vintage feel to it. On your wedding day, you should feel worshipped like Daisy Buchanan.

Sunshine and Butterflies

I am an incurable optimist. I believe we will see the sun again in the Northeast! In the mean time, here's a cheerful collection inspired by warm summer days in the garden.

Photographs courtesy of Martha Stewart and Anthropologie.

Invitation to Love!

This invitation knocked my socks off! It reminds me of a 1960's concert poster. I half expect to see Jefferson Airplane and The Grateful Dead splashed across the top. This AWESOME woodcut invitation is from Tugboat Printshop in Pittsburgh, PA. Their artists are available for custom designs, or you can check out their fabulous Etsy store.








I mean honestly, can you stand it! I have such a strong appreciation for artists who work with elements from nature.

Happy Friday!

It has bee raining for weeks here in the Northeast, and my perkiness is ebbing. So, I dream. Fishing in a river sounds wonderful right about now.

No matter what the weather, remember to make every moment count.

Vintage Wedding Dress! Oh My!

I wasn't going to post again today, but after coming across this FABULOUS vintage dress on Etsy, I had to. Look here to get an up close and personal look of this dress from seller BrassPaperclip. This awesome find can be yours for a cool $375! I'm not kidding!





The dress is perfection for a casual garden or beach wedding. Lovely!

Bavarian Beautiful

Bavaria is a land of romance and mystery. It's where Sleeping Beauty and Snow White reside. The people make their clothing from hand. Goats wander the mountainsides. The men wear lederhosen, the ladies dirndls. So it is in my imagination.

We're thinking about visiting Munich for Oktoberfest on our honeymoon; a groom's dream! It doesn't hurt that I'm interested in seeing where my mother's ancestors are from either. Incorporating your heritage into the wedding will make it more meaningful and inspire unique ideas. My fiance and I are both half Irish and plan to take Irish step classes for our first dance song.

Do you have a clever honeymoon idea? Is their a personal meaning behind your wedding theme?

Feminine Fancies

I have a shopping problem. I love to buy everything from clothes to housewares to groceries. I'm like Sherlock Holmes when it comes to hunting down a bargain too. My latest obsession is Leifsdottir, a new line from Anthropologie. All of the fabrics and patterns are soft and flowing. They remind me of living in a English seaside cottage.

With engagements come parties and pictures galore. During this period, we want to look romantic and soft. Check out a few ensambles I found that would be perfect!

Boleros

With more and more brides choosing strapless dresses, the demand for boleros and shrugs has increased. A bolero is multi-functional; in the fall, it will keep the bride a little bit warmer for time spent outdoors. Also, some churches do not allow brides to wear strapless dresses for the ceremony. Throw on a bolero and problem solved!

And the best part of wearing a bolero? It's yet another element of style that can be added to your wedding ensemble. Here are some fabulous designs I've found:





Top: Rohn Scalloped Lace Shrug, Etsy
Bottom: toccata Le Katerina capelt, Etsy






Top: Gertie B Modest Molly Bolero
Bottom: Bonzie Victorian Inspired Bolero

Peruse Etsy for other great styles and colors. Want to add some sass to your outfit? Check out the poppy red silk dupioni bolero! The best thing about Etsy is that all of their items are either hand made or vintage, so you won't see anyone else with the same thing.

Happy Friday Everyone!

I have awesome posts in the works for next week that I can't wait to share with you!

I'm featuring another engagement session from the super talented Lori Barbely! If you haven't already, take a look at her beautiful portfolio and blog.

I will also be sharing my absolute favorite Etsy shops.

Have a safe and happy weekend all!

Rainy Day Bride

It's been raining here in the Northeast for nearly three weeks straight. Brides to be, take a look at some super cute parasols and umbrellas. You never know if you're going to need one.

 

Some of my favorite styles are from Henry K and Tray6 .

Petals & Pedals

I live three blocks away from the beach. The church we are getting married in is two blocks, and our reception venue is ocean front. I am always looking for interesting ways to do things (I am totally unable to shut off the creative part of my brain) so when transportation came up, I pondered it for a while. I figured since we live in a seashore community where the common mode of transportation in the summer is a beach cruiser, why don't we have the whole wedding party go from the church to the reception in a bicycle caravan?

It seems that I am the only one not concerned with ruining my dress. So, since my brilliant idea was poo-pooed on, I pay homage to those brides lucky enough to pedal their way through the day!

Rehearsing the Part

Posting fabulous Etsy finds never gets old. I came across this gorgeous reconstructed Gunne Sax dress the other day and thought it would make a perfect rehearsal dinner dress for a bride planning a garden or beach wedding. It is sure to set the tone for what's to come.

see dress here

To be honest, this dress could be a bride's wedding dress for a casual affair. And at a cool $54.00, how can you go wrong?!


I paired up the dress with sandals from Mystique and headband from Anthropologie.


Always look beyond the typical wedding stores for awesome ideas and products. You'll often find better deals and higher quality.

Engagement Shoot With Lori Barbely

First, I'd like to thank the amazingly talented Lori Barbely from Lori Barbely Photography in Orlando, Florida for letting me post her photos from Brittany and Jesse's engagement session. When I came across the set, I knew I'd stumbled upon something really special. Not only are Brittany and Jesse a ridiculously cute couple, they have talent. They are both actors, and Jesse designed the dress Brittany wore for the shoot.

The first picture just about killed me. I mean honestly, I dare you to even try to top it.

Check out more photos from Brittany and Jesse's shoot here. I also highly recommend you visit Lori's awesome blog where you can find more engagement, wedding, and trash the dress photos, as well as information and inspiration.

Thanks again Lori for letting me share your work!

It's a Deal

I'm a notorious wheeler and dealer. Other than a few rare moments in my life, I never pay retail. To me, finding a bargain is like playing hide and seek as a child. Half of the fun is the search. So when I stumbled upon ThreeDollarEarrings, a fabulous boutique on Etsy, I had to share it with everyone. Check out some of the awesome designs:

Victoria Earring

Bronte Earring

Cottage Rose Earring

I'm thinking about buying a boat load and keeping them on hand for emergencies. These earrings are just as pretty as the ones you find in expensive boutiques. You can't afford not to add a few pairs to your bridesmaid gift bags.

And the best part? Most of them are $3.00! The priciest I came across are $7.00. I know, say what?!

Pink Lemonade in the Shade

I love the combination of citrus colors for a summer wedding! So fresh and clean. Don't forget to ask your reception venue if the bartender knows how to make a pink lemonade and make it your signature drink!


from top left: image from martha stewart weddings; image from martha stewart weddings; ditzie cakes; j crew crewcuts dress. middle row: image from the knot; image from the knot; image from martha stewart weddings; polka dot shoe photo from jennifer skog; image from martha stewart weddings. bottom row: image from martha stewart weddings; image from martha stewart wedding; image from the knot.

Sea Glass and Eyelet Lace

After several weeks of dealing with family emergencies and moving from my cluttered apartment, I am back and more inspired than ever. I recently moved three blocks from the ocean, and with the summer right around the corner, crisp white cotton eyelet and soft blue sea glass are on my mind...

from top left: ring pillow from etsy; vintage eyelet dress from poshgirlvintage.com; hey lady "at tiffany's" shoes; keira knightly in blue gown, courtesy of fashion bride; wedding sign from vintage design projects; robin's egg soaps from giannarose.com; image from martha stewart weddings; image from martha stewart weddings; veils from allure weddings; silver screen necklace from etsy