Another Alternative To The Wedding Cake.....

(source)
It's a "shooter" cake. Now THAT'S different! Nothing I would consider, but pretty cool if you ask me.
Speaking of, we had our cake tasting this weekend. Out of the 4 different flavors we tried (rasberry, lemon mousse, coconut mousse, cream cheese mousse)....all were white cake with buttercream......we chose the cream cheese mousse filling. It was heavenly. Because it was a mousse, it didn't have a bite to it. Just smooth and mellow. So yay! One task down. We've still lots of time before we put our order in, but at least we know what we want.
Since we'll be having a small 2 tier (for show and for cutting) and the sheet cake for the guests, we will probably make the 2 tiered with 2 different flavors. The coconut and the lemon.....also very mellow and yummy. =)
What are your favorite flavors, and do you have any flavors that you just can't stand?

Just Got My Winnings! Earrings!

And they came wrapped in a box with a pretty pink bow...all the way from Canada! I won these on a giveaway that Chic 'n Cheap Living hosted.



Aren't they puuurty? These were made with tender loving care by Kim from A Little Bit Of Pretty (etsy shop). And she has FREE wordlwide shipping! So go check out her shop....you're sure to find something you'll fall in love with.

And I got a greeting card with it to boot! She's a sweetheart.
How cute is the card? Right?
Well, just thought I'd share.
Thanks Chic 'n Cheap Living and A Little Bit Of Pretty.

Latte or Cappuccino Decor!

Aren't these so incredibly cool?
What a great idea for a sweet message.



I found these on CoffeeStencil's shop on Etsy.
Hey, I can do this! Oh no....there I go again....but I can.....I CAN do this. OK...I won't.
But it's a cute idea, yes? =)

LOVE Is ALIVE - Tear Jerker For Sure

You have to watch this. Remarkable.
A woman was found alive after six days, trapped under the rubble of a collapsed bank in Haiti.
A man in Haiti refused to believe that his wife lay dead underneath the rubble of her workplace. He placed his ear to the debris every time heavy equipment scraped away a layer. Finally, he heard a voice. It was his wife. http://cnn.com/video/?/video/world/2010/01/19/neely.haiti.wife.alive.itn

UPrinting Postcards I Actually Won!

So this is the second set of postcards I've received from UPrinting. The first set I got was from hosting a giveaway, and this set here was from me entering on another person's blog. As you can see.....I won!
I needed a simple design (and my Mr. agreed) because these will be used for my RSVP's, but seeing as I don't need 100 RSVP's, I designed them so I could use them for other things. They're basically blank (no wording), which makes them multipurpose!
My plan is to make a sticker with the RSVP wording printed on it and place it on the left. That way, all our guests have to do is check off the appropriate box and throw it in the mail.
The following pics are the designs I sent in to Uprinting.
This picture of us (just the black/white pic) is the pic that is on our invites, so it will match great with our RSVP's.
And if you look closely at our unity candle, you'll see this dandelion on it too.

I'm hosting yet ANOTHER postcard giveaway from UPrinting! I have absolutely NO idea what I will do with the postcards I get from there. I didn't host it to get more, but more to give you...my readers....another opportunity to get some for yourself.
So good luck if you enter! Deadline to enter is Saturday, Jan. 23rd.

My DIY Unity Candles

I bought my "not so perfect" candle holder from Party City on clearance. I saw that it desperately needed a paint job, but for $2.00 I couldn't resist.
I painted her up a bit, bought some white candles and decorated them with vellum I ran through the printer......
.....and ribbons.
Piece of cake! One of my easiest DIY's.
Breakdown: Candle holder (Party City) $2.00
Pillar (Michael's) $3.99
Tapers (Dollar Tree) $2.00
Ribbon ( Michael's) $1.00 ( lots left over)
Vellum (already had) 0
---------
$8.99 TOTAL (not including tax)

Yet Another UPrinting Postcard Giveaway!

Another chance to win! Uprinting Postcards.
PRIZE WINNERS WILL RECEIVE

100 Postcards for one (1) lucky winner

Size: 4x6; Paper: 14pt Cardstock Gloss; Printing: Full color both sides

Shipping: Sponsored bloggers and Winners have to pay for shipping

Offer Valid for UNITED STATES SHIPPING ONLY.

You can use these for invites,
R.S.V.P.'s, which are much cheaper than sending cards with envelopes. .28 to be exact!
Thank you cards.
Save The Dates. You choose. You can customize these to be anything you want. And they in no way have to be wedding related either. Do you have your own business, a small business on the side? Promote yourself with postcards!
Here's what you need to do to enter this giveaway:
MANDATORY 1st entry- leave a comment telling us what you would use these for.
For EXTRA entries you can leave separate comments for each of the following:
1) Become a follower of my blog and leave your user name so that I may verify. If you are already a follower, leave a comment stating that you are, along with your user name also.
2) Follow me on Twitter, and leave your user name so that I may verify.
3) Blog about this giveaway including a link back to this page and send me the link in a comment showing your blog.
LAST DAY TO ENTER IS SATURDAY, JAN. 23 at 5 pm PST.
( Please be sure to leave a way for me to get a hold of you if you're the winner)
So that's a possibility of 4 entries! Good luck to you!

(I will also be receiving 100 postcards for hosting this giveaway) =)

I'm A Grandma Again!

Nooooo....not kitties!
My oldest daughter (who lives in a different state) =( has been in the hospital for about 2 weeks now. She was pregnant with twins that wanted to make their grand entrance early, so we've had tons of people praying for her and the babies.
Well, they were born this morning 2 am(ish) at 28 weeks and are doing well. Two boys weighing a little over 2 lbs each. Welcome Babies!
Just had to share!

Why Am I Drawn Into All This DIY Stuff?

Ok....so I've seen these little individual tissues done as favors for the guests during my quizillion searches through the internet for anything wedding, and thought "totally unnecessary". Nope....I'm not gonna do it. So then, I just recently saw a tutorial on BP Wedding's blog site on some that she had made, and I thought her's came out so cute that I suddenly had tissue envy. Aaaargh! Nooooo. Don't do it Belinda! It's a trap. Remember BUDGET? $3,000???? Although this project is a very inexpensive one, when you put together 20 different little projects it certainly adds up! And with a budget like $3,000....yikes.
Well, I talked myself out of it and was very proud of myself for doing so. Even though I was "watching" some glassine envelopes on my Ebay (hey, it made me feel better....like "if I wanted to I could" lol).
Then I went to Big Lots. That was the end of my fighting it. I found these eyelet confetti pouches from Martha Stewart and thought "these look like the perfect size for tissues, hmmm". And since they were right there in my grasp.....not something I would have to actually order off the internet....it made it so much easier for me to cave in. So I bought them (pkg of 20/$2). So I bought 2 pkgs. I then went to a dollar store and bought 2 three packs of Kleenex.

The first thing I had to do was empty the confetti out of the packages, so I carefully opened each one as not to destroy the eyelet sticker that sealed the bags............
.....then poured the vellum flower and punch dot confetti into a ziploc baggie.
Once that was done I got 2 of the Kleenex tissues (as Bee had done) and stuffed them (nicely) into the envelope.
Ta Da! Now we just need to dress it up a bit.
I made some labels on my computer using Picassa, as I do not have any programs like Illustrator, PhotoShop, etc. I'm just a baby when it comes to creating things on the computer...I have very little knowledge besides things that I just basically learned on my own (no computer savvy here). So don't laugh!! =p
I then got some scrapbook paper I already had (in 2 designs) and cut them into strips. I wrapped it around the envelope (around and under the flap...I just slipped it through), and there it is. Above is a pic of back and front.
I like Bee's way better, especially with her pretty ribbon and special stickers she ordered, but what can I say...I'm the "roughin' it" kinda gal.
So 40 of these I did make. I know it would have been cheaper had I bought the glassine envelopes on Ebay, but I WASN'T going to make these! Here is the breakdown:
$4/40 envelopes + $2/tissues=$6 $6/40= .12 1/2 each

Whatever! I'm still mad at myself! And I'm NOT doing Flip FlopS (even though I already ran over to Target)! I'm NOT!
I really need to stop reading blogs..........
Luv ya Bee! ;)

Aren't They Adorable?

Awhile back...in December to be exact....I won a giveaway for a dozen cupcake toppers from Graceful Correspondence. The giveaway was hosted by Ashley, from Bride on a Budget.

There was some sort of misunderstanding as far as correspondence from the winner (me) so it took awhile to get the ball rolling. But this is them! Aren't they great? I haven't actually received them yet, but they're on their way! I can't wait. They came out so very cute.
I told her my colors, she designed and sent me proofs, and the next morning they got sent out! Lightning fast!
I will be using these at my "sweets" table. fun, fun, fun

Be sure to become a fan of Graceful Correspondence Totally Custom Paperie on Facebook for a chance to win on her Sunday Giveaways!!!!

I did....so let's see if I can score on some more of this beautifully fun paperie!!

My UPrinting Postcards Have Arrived!

And I am very happy with them. Now, I designed these postcards to not be actual postcards, but instead more of favors for our guests.
On the front of the postcard is a picture of us, and a thank you for being able to join us.
On the back is a bit of a timeline of our relationship. So you see, if you get creative, you can do all sorts of things with these. The above are pics of the actual postcards received, and below............
.....are the designs I sent in to UPrinting. I only posted these in case you couldn't really see or read the ones of the pics I took. I think they came out great, and I'm very happy with them.
So there they are.....awesome Uprinting postcards I received for hosting a giveaway. Thank you UPrinting! You're the best!
And guess what!!?? I'll be having another giveaway for postcards from Uprinting starting this weekend! So keep an eye out, and use that imagination of yours to come up with some creative ideas on how you could use these.

To Tackle A Necklace-DIY

My next upcoming project will be an attempt to create my own necklace for my wedding day. Now, keep in mind.....I've never made any type of jewelry. I have been very lucky in finding some really great, inexpensive jewelry pieces, but I have not bought (or even looked for) a necklace because I've known from near the very beginning of my planning process that I wanted to make one myself.
I'll be using fishing wire for the cord, as I will be using the fishing wire for many other projects for the wedding (including hanging paper lanterns). I also tossed in a couple of bracelets I already had in order to maybe incorporate the pearl beads from them into the necklace. Also (not shown) are pliers and a beading board. I forgot to take a picture of them. =(
The only thing I need to run to Michael's for is a bead crimping tool. And how do I know this??? Well, from watching jewelry making videos on YouTube, of course!
So, I don't know exactly when I will get to this project, but it's sitting there waiting for me to play with it and hopefully I'll have accomplished a beautiful necklace before the end of next week. That's the plan, anyways. Wish me luck!
Is anyone planning on making their own jewelry?

Not Just Business Cards.....Another Giveaway! CLOSED

I'm hosting another giveaway from UPrinting everyone! This time it's for business cards.** Here are the details:

Giveaway Prize: 250 Business Cards for one (1) lucky winner

Size: 2 x 3.5”, 2 x 3”, 2 x 2” (square card) or 1.5 x 3.5” (skinny card)

Paper: 14 pt gloss cardstock, 14 pt matte cardstock or 13 pt recycled uncoated cardstock

Shipping: Sponsored bloggers and Winners have to pay for shipping

Eligibility: Limited to US Residents due to shipping costs.

Of course, these can be used as custom business cards for your business or side business, but you can also use them for............

....custom escort cards to match your theme , writing your guest's name and table # in after.
Or you can use them as mini Save The Dates..........


......or how about to give to your guests for your photo share site? The possibilities are endless! How about tags for favors? Just use that imagination of yours.
So anyways, this giveaway ends Friday, January 15th at 5 pm PST.
You will then be contacted via email by Uprinting on January 23rd.

To enter, each comment should include your email address so that I can contact you if you should win. Your mandatory first entry must include a comment sharing what you plan on doing with these business cards if you win.

For additional entries, you may:

1) Become a follower of my blog (be sure to leave your user name)
2) Become a follower on twitter "luv2luv226Bride" (leave your user name from twitter)
3) Blog about this giveaway (leave a link to your post)

Happy creating, and GOOD LUCK! =)


**For hosting this giveaway I will also be receiving 250 Business Cards from UPrinting.com

For The Bride With Comfort In Mind.......

I don't know.....so what do you think?
Something you might consider for the sake of comfort.........
.....with the added benefit of height?

These "comfort" shoes are offered at The Lovely Bride....also in metallic and suede.

Any thoughts?