In the Spirit of the Holidays....

It's that time of year...gift giving season. Time to pick out gifts for all of your loved ones. Not sure what to get someone on your list this year? Well, there' s a site called Gilt Groupe that sells designer clothing/shoes/accessories at discount prices. And this isn't past seasons stuff either! It's current designs from your favorite (but could never afford!) designers. I mean this stuff is like 70% off!! Sounds too good to be true right? Well, there are a few catches...

1 - you have to be a member

2 - you have to be invited by a member to become a member

3 - the sales only last a very short time

4 - there are VERY few items in each size (honestly I'm not sure how many, but I know things sell out extremely quickly)

If anyone is interested in joining this group and scoring awesome deals on designer clothing then you can sign up right here: Gilt Groupe Invite

Happy Shopping!! :)

Here Comes the Groom Part 2

Okay, so we went back to the tux shop this week and Mark tried on some more tuxes (that fit better this time around!) and we also tried the vest/tie combos again. I think we've come to an agreement on the groom/groomsmen/FOTG and FOTB combos. Now we just have to decide WHICH combo! 

Here are the combos we came up with:

Option A Combo: Groom in Black Vest/Black Tie and Groomsmen in Black Vest/Eggplant Tie. Dads in Black Vest/Black Bow-tie

Option B Combo: Groom in Ivory Vest/Ivory Tie and Groomsmen in Black Vest/Black Tie. Dads in Black Vest/ Black Bow-Tie.

Option C Combo: Groom in Ivory Vest/Black Tie and Groomsmen in Black Vest/Black Tie. Dads in Black Vest/Black Bow-tie.

So basically, we decided that the only way the Eggplant tie looks good for the groomsmen is when Mark is wearing the all black option (option A). The Eggplant Tie/Black Vest just doesn't tie in well when Mark is wearing one of the Ivory combos. We figured that if we pick one of the options with Mark in ivory and Groomsmen in all black then we'll just do some sort of purple flower boutonniere for the groomsmen and a white boutonniere for Mark. That way, the groomsmen will still be wearing some sort of purple to match the bridesmaids. 

Also, you may notice that the jacket Mark is wearing is too short in the sleeves but fits everywhere else. That's because his arms are abnormally long. :) He's quite lanky or as we now like to say "Long and Lean"...that's what our tux consultant called it! The "long length" jacket is too long on him in the torso though, so we'll have to order the regular size then let out the sleeves. I'm glad they can easily do this! :)

So...what do you guys think? Option A, B, or C??? 

signed, 

The Indecisive Bride AND The Indecisive Groom :)

Here Comes The Groom....All Dressed In ________??

We need your help! Mark and I went to the tux shop today for him to try on some tuxes and some vest/tie combinations. Well, the jacket was a little big so we're going to have to make some adjustments there and he's trying to decide between a flat front pant (which our consultant did not have on hand today) and a two-pleat pant so our consultant is going to make those adjustments and we're going to go back in next week to try to make some decisions. Basically, for tuxes we're looking at a 3 button, satin notched lapel (basic tux, just a three button) or a very subtle black striped tux with a notched lapel and two button jacket. For vest/tie combos we have a couple options:

OPTION A: 3 button jacket, black satin vest, black tie and pleated shirt

OPTION B: black striped 2 button tux, black satin vest, black tie

OPTION C: 2 button tux (even though we like the 3 button better), ivory satin vest, ivory tie

OPTION D: 3 button tux, black satin vest, black tie, plain (no pleats) shirt - sorry this pic is a little fuzzy!!

OPTION E: This was the 2 button jacket with the ivory vest and black tie (we later decided we like the 3 button jacket better but i don't have a picture of it with this combo)

These are all options for the groom. Which do you like best?? Mark and I couldn't decide. Hopefully we'll have more success deciding when we go back next week. :)

As for the groomsmen I think we have decided on this combo:

The tie here might be a little too plummy (yeah, that's a word right?!) .....depending on the bridesmaids dresses of course! If needed, they have a tie for purchase that is more of a true eggplant. We'll go that route if we have to. But overall I like the black satin vest/purple tie combo. We definitely don't want to do the purple vest with it...I think that's just too much purple and little too tacky! :) But hey, that's just my take!

So, what do you guys think?? 

Old Habits Die Hard

yeah that's right...habits. We all have them. Some probably more embarrassing than others. But habits are breakable right? right! I've been thinking lately...there's a habit that I'd like to, love to, need to break. What is it? My skincare routine.

What?!? Are you disappointed?? Surprised? Did you want a juicier secret? Well...hold tight...we still have 6 months to go till the wedding - who knows what's gonna come out of my mouth before then! 

So back to my skincare routine. It currently consists of this:

Yep. Sad huh? Same stuff I used when I was 15 (sidenote - i think i've gone through several other cheapo drugstore cleansers...but they're all along the same line as good 'ole clean & clear). I'm now 25. Think it's time to switch?!? I do! Sadly, I think I'm getting to the point where it's important for me to use a good cleanser and a good skincare routine in general. I guess I'm finally realizing that I am, in fact, 25 years old and it's starting to show...on my face! Fine lines around my eyes, dark circles, dull complexion...and all of those fun things that come with age! Granted, I haven't taken the best care of my skin...5 years of lifeguarding coupled with countless hours in the sun, a few tanning bed trips (ahhh!!) and a lack of regular sunscreen use probably wasn't the best idea....

So, I'm on a search for a new (a REAL)  skincare routine. One that will help combat the fine lines and refreshen and moisturize my skin. Sounds easy enough right?!? Well, I have no idea where to begin. Honestly, I'm not even sure what skin type I have. Combination...maybe?!? I mean I don't think I'm oily...I never really look shiny. Although, my makeup definitely does fade by the end of the day...a side effect of oily skin? (then again that could be the fact that I only use a tinted moisturizer instead of foundation) Also, I don't think my skin is dry...although I definitely have to moisturize after I wash my face b/c my skin feels kinda tight. BUT...that could be the crappy cleanser :) 

So see where I'm at? I'm totally lost!!! Should I see a dermatologist?? I mean I don't necessarily have any problems with my skin so maybe that's not the route to go. I just figure that they are the actual skin professionals so maybe they could shed some light on my skin type and the best products for my skin. But do they even do that sort of thing?? I've never been to a dermatologist before (yeah, I made it all the way through my teens without any major skin problems...actually my skin is probably worse now than it was then! I literally used  to wash my face in the shower with dove soap and that was my skincare routine) I guess my other option is to go to Sephora or to a makeup counter and talk to one of the employees there. I've gotta be honest though....should I trust the advice of those employees? Do they really know their stuff?? Or is it just a part-time job for them? I mean if I'm talking about spending some money on a great skincare I want it to be the best one possible for my skin. You know??

I came across this product line on the Sephora website. 

Source

Does anyone know anything about it? Ever used it? It's the Philosophy brand Miracle gift set.

So...I desperately need your advice (as you can see!). Any good skincare products that you swear by? Dermatologist or Sephora/Cosmetic Counter Employee? Even if you can tell me what you think my skin type is....I'm game! Anything you've got for me...bring it! :)

Thanks so so much everyone!! I really appreciate it!

signed, 

the indecisive bride/ admitted skincare dummy

Our First [Very Generous] Wedding Gift

During Thanksgiving week Mark and I were surprised with our very first wedding gift. It actually pertains directly to our wedding. Any guesses?!?

.....it's.....

our wedding favors!!! Take a look:

My Stepdad surprised Mark and I by gifting 150 of these to us for our wedding to use as wedding favors for all of our guests. How awesome is that?!?  I was so excited and so surprised that I literally think I was speechless! What a sweet, generous, labor of love. I am so excited and so honored to have these as our wedding favors. It's such a unique and personal gift and I can't wait to pass this piece of our family - my stepfather's art - on to each of our guests. 

...now I just have to figure out how to package these to send along with our guests. :) suggestions?

Also, if you want to check out more of my stepfather's art you can check out his website, Greenman Ceramics.