Amazing straw hat!

Amazing straw hats at Maria Bonita Extra

procrastinating

I've added a couple more links to the inspirational wedding blog list, just to the RIGHT.
I am spending WAY too much time browsing wedding blogs these days.
I know that I should be working on something, you know, like WORK!
But it's just so easy to take a quick peek here or a wee gander there.

Plus it is much more fun than pounding the crap out of a sheet of metal (sometimes) or waiting for flux to dry (always).

Some of the ideas that I am leaning towards these days...
Sangria in a pour your own container. (I don't know what it's actually called, pitcher? Carafe? Giant jug with spout?)

Gold leafed rocks as decorations...

Hand punched aluminum cans as candle holders...

So cute!
Plus totally fitting in with my theme of total DIY domination.

Watch out world.
She's CRAFTY.

Might do this...

Or something like it anyway.
Check out the How To at Style Me Pretty here.

Then there is THIS dress.

I know that I am going ON about dresses, but they are SO AMAZING.

So deal with it.

Gorgeous sweater/wrap

I saw this the other day and I absolutely LOVE IT!
Wouldn't it look amazing with that JCrew dress?
sigh!

charming favour idea

Simple, sweet, and laid back.

Just like ME!!

Mwar har har.

Dress possibility?

These are all versions of a similar dress at J Crew (again I know! but they've got lovely stuff)
I like the simplicity of the style.

I am still leaning towards making the dress from scratch, I've got a hilariously cute idea.
But I wonder if I am trying to have a hand in TOO much with this, if maybe I should keep my mind open to more straightforward options.
Something that doesn't strain an already VERY busy sewing friend.
Something that doesn't involve a laser maybe.
Because my hand made idea involves BOTH of these things!

And then I saw THIS today...

Now I am torn.

Groom swoon!

I have been spending some time thinking about Geoff's outfit.
He's not a dress up kind of guy, and I want him to be as comfortable as possible.

But I will fully admit that I want him to look amazing.
I'm working on making my outfit appeal to him as much as it appeals to me.
Seems fair I think.

I am picturing sharp pants and a nice shirt.

I poked around on the J Crew website this morning and they've got some really nice stuff over there.




sigh!
That gray suit is incredible.

Potluck List

As some of you may already know, this shindig is going to be a potluck.
I've added a list to the side of this blog (just to the RIGHT of the posts) of what people are bringing.
I am hoping that this will give guests a chance to see what others are bringing and think about bringing something else.

A whole table of potato salad doesn't really appeal, you know what I am saying?
Don't get me wrong, potato salad is delicious.
But there is only so much of it you can really eat before the glamour wears off.


Also, I am going to take this opportunity to lay out some allergy ground rules.

WE ARE GLUTEN FREE.

This is a big one for us.

There are some other allergies in there, but they can be managed.

So that means that if you want us to be super excited about the food you bring, and want us to scarf it down right then and there, we ask that you watch out for these ingredients...

WHEAT
BARLEY
SPELT
KAMUT
BARLEY MALT
OATS & OAT FLOUR

Those are the big ones.

But we eat meat. And veggies. And fruit.
Well, I'll add the disclaimer that I am actually allergic to some veggies (tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, peppers, cauliflower, corn) BUT I will also say that I can manage mine easily by avoiding these things before the wedding so that I can have contraband if you want to bring something that has salsa in it for example.

I will do this for you.

And Gluten Free cooking is actually really easy.
I literally just substitute regular flour for a gluten free blend and it works out JUST FINE.

Bette Hagman's is the best so far for a straight switch...
3/4 cup garfava flour
1/3 cup sorgum flour
1 cup tapioca starch
1 cup corn starch (I can have this, just can't have the kernel anymore!)
mix this all together in a bowl and substitute 1:1 for regular all purpose flour.

If you are making a cake or breads you'll want to add 1 tsp xantham gum to the mix to add some elasticity, but pancakes or crepes don't need it.
It just turns them into a gloppy, non cooking mess.
Trust me.
All of the ingredients you need for this flour are available easily in most healthfood stores. LifeStyles Market actually have a pretty big selection of ready to go GF foods. As well as Planet Organic.

Remember too that we are used to bringing our own food to parties, so don't stress it.
I will be making ALL SORTS of dishes that we can both eat without worrying about it, so if you really need to bring your great grandma's famous oat covered wheat balls, totally feel free!
We can handle it.

I only post about it here because I think that it would be nice if on our wedding day we can eat all of the food that is available to us without worrying about it.

That seems fair right?

headband

Do I want to wear a headband?
This is pretty cute.

And I bet I could make something like this that would match my dress and accessories.
Plus it looks like something like this would be comfortable, and probably more practical that my current plan.

Which I am keeping a secret until I have sorted out if it will work.

I am planning to wear my hair down for the ceremony, and then whip it up into loose and willy nilly braids or something for the reception.

So something like this could totally work.

invites are printed

Some have even been given out already.

This is really happening!

More than one dress is acceptable right?

Because something like this would be totally adorable.