Still Alive!

Hi friends! Sorry I have been MIA! 

I may not have been blogging about it but I have been getting LOTS done as the days inch closer and closer to June 9th!

I've got some fun gifts planned for my sweet bridesmaids butttt.....I can't share those because some of them read this ;)  So you will have to wait a couple more months for those posts! 

I am currently busy working away on invitations!! They are coming together very smoothly and are going out next week! Woohoo! I'll post about those once I send them out so I don't give away anything yet!

On a boring non-wedding note I'm finishing up this semester of grad school....boo.  It's no fun having to work on a project right now when all I want to do is finish with the invites.  Oh well, gotta push through because only a week or two left then I can focus only on the wedding!!

Let's see...oh yes my friend JB is busy working away on table linens for the reception! She is an awesome little seamstress and I'm so thankful to have her helping me out with day of coordinating!

I ordered personalized cups and napkins for the reception....I absolutely cannot wait to see how these turn out! They each have a different personalized logo that I got created! I may be showing a sneak peek soon so stay tuned!

This is my new collection of washi tape.  I finally ordered some and love it just as much as I thought I would! This stuff can be used for anything.  Definitely one of my new obsessions!

This little journal has hands down been my favorite Bridal organizer! I love the look of it, the size is perfect, and the layout is great! I highly recommend!!

I have another shower next weekend that I am so excited for!! I can't wait to catch up with friends and see what other goodies we collect!

Just wanted to stop in and let y'all know I'm still here and trudging on! As my busy schedule somewhat winds down in the next couple of weeks I will definitely be posting more as we lead up to the big day!!!

xoxo Candace

Bridal Shower

3.31.12

 

Saturday I had my very first bridal shower! Everything about the day was wonderful and beautiful!

There are too many pictures to post on here but I'd love to share a few highlights of the special day!

 

.pretty flowers.

 .sweet cookie table.

.yummy cookies.

.pretty table.

.the gift journal I decorated.

.mommy & me.

.sweetest woman I know...my Grandorothy.

 .mine & Michael's moms. we are beyond blessed to have them.

.gift time.

.love my pillow shams.

.love my soon-to-be initial.

.too cute not to share. 

.my beautiful bridesmaids. we missed Meghann & Brooke. 

.our moms and grandmothers.

.and finally the lovely hostesses that threw me such a beautiful and perfect shower. 

I'm so thankful for this wonderful celebration. 

It was such a lovely day and I'm so blessed to have so many sweet friends and family that care for us. 

We racked up on some wonderful gifts! 

I'll be back soon to share a few of my favorites and some of the fun goodies we are registered for!

Fun fact for the day....69 days until 06.09!

 

 

Double Digits

Since I last blogged (yes, a long time ago...) we have reached the double digits in our wedding countdown!

What an awesome milestone...sitting at 95 days as of today!

Last week my Mr. to be was home for almost the whole week on a business trip.  We had such a fun week and weekend together.  We haven't spent that much time together since the holidays and we probably won't get to spend that length of time together until our wedding week! So crazy! Having to be apart all during the week and some weekends makes me truly cherish every minute we get to spend together.  I'm so blessed to have such a hardworking and loving man to call my own.  

With the fast arrival of our big day, I'm having to really start focusing on what projects have to start getting done. 

Two weekends ago I finished our moss covered initial wreaths! As of right now, I plan to use these on both the church and reception site doors (my mind could change). 

Like every other project I get started on it always seems to take me a tad bit longer than anticipated.  I think it's just due to my perfectionist, Type A personality.  Oh well!

Here is a peak into how I created these initial wreaths.  

Yes, you are seeing correctly...I had to build my very own letters.  After searching high and low on the internet and local craft stores, I could not find paper mache letters that were large enough to make a statement on the doors for the ceremony and reception.  My next option was to buy a few poster boards and create my own.  So I did just that!

I wrote out my letters by hand and using a ruler but you could easily print out a large letter in the font of your choice and trace it onto the poster board.  The letters are 22" tall and about 22" wide as well.  After cutting out a front and a back to each letter, I cut 2" wide pieces of the scrap poster board to use for the depth of the letters.  With some clear mailing tape and patience I was able to get both letters shaped up and ready for the next step.

After I formed both letters, I chose to paper mache them with kraft paper.  With a messy mixture of flour and water I was able to fully paper mache both letters with two layers.  I had to wait over night for each layer to allow for drying time.  The paper mache layers ensured that the forms were sturdy enough to withstand the next layer. 

Above is my paper mached M and the rest of the needed supplies.  I picked up some sheet moss at my local Joann's and it worked wonderfully! I had read on a few sites that the moss already on sheets was easier for application and less mess than loose moss.  I also pulled out a cutting board and rotary cutter.  Notice I had tons of layers of newspaper below my workspace.  This was a huge help when it came to clean up time.

As you can see above, I would simply place my letter on top of the sheet moss, then trace the shape with a pen or marker, and easily cut with my rotary cutter.  I had to piece together pieces of moss in order to cover the whole letter but it worked out and no seams can be seen.  I used hot glue to glue the moss pieces onto the letter and.....

Tadaa! I have two initial moss wreaths! One for him and one for me!

I'm so pleased with the outcome and am so happy to have another project checked off my to-do list!

Did I mention how much I saved by tackling this project myself?

Well here is the breakdown...

• 4-5 poster boards spending maybe $5.00
•  Mailing tape (already had)
• Rotary cutter $12 (great investment because I will use again!)
• Roll of Kraft paper (already had)
• 5 packs of sheet moss - sell for $8.99 per pack but the nice lady counted my 50% off coupon on each pack so I spent a total of around $25 for all of the moss

With a grand total around $40 I think I made some huge savings considering they are selling for over $180 on Etsy and other sites.  

Thanks for checking out my latest project!

I have recruited my sweet friend (check her out here) to help me with table linens and runners for the reception and whatnot! I'm excited about what we have come up with.  She knows me and my style very well so I have no doubt that they will turn out precious!  I ordered some supplies tonight for a big wedding project I have coming up to do so stay tuned for hints and updates on what it could be!

Hope you all have a blessed week!

New Products

 

I typically don't blog about beauty products but I thought I would show y'all what I picked up tonight.   

• Laura Mercier compact to keep in my purse - I love this mineral pressed powder for easy touch ups on the go
• Lancome liquid eyeliner in ice black- not too dark and just the right amount of shimmer
• Clinique lip color in Lovely Honey - my mom loves the color Black Honey so I saw they came out with new colors and picked up another shade to try out
• Laura Mercier lip glace in bare pink - the perfect pale pink to layer on top of a darker lip shade
• Murad Environmental Shield cleanser and rapid age spot and pigment lightening serum - I'm trying out these two in hopes that it will help to even out spots on different areas of my face

Like any girl I always love getting new products to use! Feel free to share any of your favorites for Spring!

Secret Talent

I have a secret (maybe not so secret) talent.  It's obvious that I love to craft but when I get in the mood I also love to paint.  Art has always been one of my strong points and I took a few years of it in high school.  Other than that, it has always been a hobby of mine.  

I've learned that I work best when I have a picture, idea, or image in front of me.  Over the years, I have been able to create a few pieces of artwork that I am really proud of.  Several are displayed throughout my parents' house and a few special others have found homes with close friends and family!

With that said, I thought I would show you all a few of my favorites that I have done!

 This one I painted for my sweet friend's little girl that I got to babysit when she was little! Mommy showed me an inspiration painting that we both loved and I recreated it here! We could not have been any happier with the outcome. I'm in love with this sweet, girly canvas and it looks precious in her room!

Here is another snapshot without the bow and tag!

 This is a huge 48"x48" canvas that is hanging in our living room at home.  I love this one because it is adds a bold pop of artwork into the large space but it is subtle and abstract enough that it isn't distracting.  The colors are soft and soothing and I'm really pleased with the finished result.  This canvas is unique because I added an epoxy resin to the top of the painting.  This clear, thick finish adds a protective coat and a professional shiny look to the artwork. 

Ignore the wall color and dark trim (it has since been changed to a taupy gray and white woodwork)...but this photo gives you an idea of how large the piece is and how it works in the space. 

 I painted this one for my brother (an avid duck hunter).  I was inspired by a much more expensive piece by a local artist.  Since I obviously couldn't afford it as a house warming gift, I decided to recreate it for his new home a few years ago and I think he really loves it.  It is another large canvas and measures at least 2 ft. by 3 ft. if not bigger.  Notice my brother's has a chocolate lab beside the hunter....

I painted one just like it for Michael...except I lightened up the sky per his request and added a pointer dog instead of a lab.  This canvas currently resides over his bed in the apartment but I'm thinking it will have to be packed up once the nuptials come around and we have our new bed.  It is definitely more suited for a bachelor pad. 

This is a simple and sweet oblong canvas I painted for my bathroom.  It is simply a field of cotton and I really love it for the space it is in.  

This is the photographer that inspired my next painting.  My soon-to-be father-in-law loves barns and snapped this photo one day of one of his favorites he has seen locally.  He then commissioned me to paint it for him.  Talk about being nervous....I looked at the photo and really wasn't sure if I was going to be able to do it justice and make it look nice to actually hang in their house (particularly right over their bed).  

I used a large 36"x48" canvas and got to work.  Here are some photos that show the progression of the painting. 

 Up close of the barn...

 Started adding in the trees...

 And the finished product...

I'm proud of this one because it was challenging and allowed me to really discover how realistic I could make a painting.  I love the finished product and am so happy every time I see it hanging in their master bedroom!

And this is the latest and smaller fun canvas I created for my office space at work. It does it's job and adds a fun splash of color!

Hope you enjoyed a little sneak peek of more of my hobbies! I'm excited to be able to create some more custom pieces once we become a married couple and have our own home! 

What I'm Loving

I thought to mark the middle of the week I'd try out a What I'm Loving Wednesday post!

I'm loving that 4 months from tomorrow I get to marry my love!! Bring on the countdown! :)

I'm loving my bridesmaid dresses! They turned out to be exactly what I envisioned and are the perfect color! 

I'm loving my monthly printables from Jones Design Company.  I am signed up for a monthly plan and for $7.99 I get all sorts of fun printables for the month including monthly and weekly calendars (shown in the pictures at my desk), chore charts, dinner charts, shopping lists, note cards, mailing labels, an art print and more!

I love this lady and her online design shop.  I have several of her art prints scattered throughout my house and always love catching up with her latest project.  If you've never seen her stuff you should really check it out.  I love my monthly printables...they add the perfect touch to my office space and help to make everyday tasks that much prettier. 

I'm loving the new car that Michael got the other night! He is one of the most impulsive buyers I have ever met! haha Although it's going to be REALLY weird not seeing him in Wally (what I named his truck), it is so nice to know that he loves the new car.  It will be perfect for this time in our lives when we have to travel to see each other and gas is not cheap.  

I'm loving my Emi Jay hair ties.  They are all I use to put my hair up with.  I find them to hold my hair well without damaging it and plus they look super cute!  Just another simple thing that can make a ponytail look more cute :)

I'm loving my first swimsuit purchase of the year! I thought this was both fun and unique! The bows on either side are what absolutely did it for me.  I love the bright colors and think it will look great on the beaches of Jamaica in June!

Finally, I'm loving this man.  I love the smirks he makes and I love the way he makes me smile.  I love that he knows just how to melt my heart with his words. 

Have I mentioned how excited I am to marry him in 121 (almost) days?!

I hope you all are having a great week! It's nice to sometimes sit back and think about what we love in our lives no matter how big or small :)

You can't always get what you want....

Don't you hate it when you order something and it's not what you thought it was going to be?

I'm stuck in that dilemma.  I thought I found the perfect earrings for my bridesmaids and they were a great sale on Kate Spade's website but they are not the right color :( boo

The earrings are beautiful, don't get me wrong...but I don't need 5 crystal earrings when I was expecting an opaque white.  Sooo....if you are in need of some pretty earrings please let me know and I will be happy to sell them to you for the same great price I got them for! 

This is the picture that made the earrings look opaque and white.  Which is more of what I wanted.

And this is the earrings when they arrived today. Definitely crystal and not white. haha 

Oh well! You live and you learn.  If you really are interested in buying any or all of them ask me for more details! I hate the hassle of eBay so thought I would post on the blog about them first. They were a final sale item is why I cannot return them.