Find Your Seat

Posted on January 10, 2011 by tomorrowstodos

Be Mine Update: Created the invitations to the Valentine’s dinner and they are ready to rock. Just have to address, stamp, and send them on their merry way.

DIY alert! Since the theme of the V-day dinner is ‘wine’ I thought it would be cute to use some of our leftover corks to create each guests place card holder. Since this party will consist of both friends and family, I think it’s fun to create a seating chart to get people to mingle with one another. Plus, it can be such a unique addition to your tablescape.

Loving these DIY place card holders at the moment. Might have to try them out sometime.

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Be Mine

Posted on January 9, 2011 by tomorrowstodos

If The Shoe (Clip) Fits Update: After pilates on Saturday morning (yes, we got to keep our class and have a new instructor!) I popped in to Michael’s Craft Store to check out their ribbon and possibly get some clips to accessorize a pair of my shoes. Shoe clip brainstorming has started. Not sure if I’m going to go with the flowers or a polka dot bow. What do you guys think would look best? We also knocked out some printing. Recipe cards (which will serve as our guest book), invites and the RSVP cards are done. Now all my mom has to do is cut them – THANKS MOM, YOU’RE THE BEST!!! Here are some pics of this afternoon’s accomplishments.

I know it’s a little early to start thinking about Valentine’s Day, but I am. Mostly because Marcus has decided that he wants to host a dinner for a group of friends and family at Terrace Hill. He and his buddies have an affinity for cooking extravagant meals, and us significant others aren’t complaining. All we have to do is show up, sit back and enjoy.

Except this dinner I have decided to put on my party planner/decorator hat. The wheels are turning and I’ve already started to gather ideas and items to make this Valentine’s Dinner memorable. I plan to send out hard invites this week so I’ll be sharing them with you shortly. In the meantime I have picked a theme to work from- wine.

Here’s a little inspiration board I’ve put together of my ideas for the Valentine’s Dinner tablescape:

Vino for two or fifteen.

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If The Shoe (Clip) Fits

Posted on January 7, 2011 by tomorrowstodos

Pretty Paper Update: Well, I was planning on starting the printing process tonight over at my parents, but we didn’t exactly get around to it. I thought it was just going to be me going over to work on wedding stuff, but it turned into an entire family event. After dinner my mom and sister sat down with me and finished labeling and ribboning the honey jar favors. While having a glass of wine of course. I am a firm believer that DIY projects are best done with a little vino! I didn’t get as much done tonight as I thought I was going to, but I’ll be over again on Sunday to knock out some invite printing. Plus, who could possibly be stressing out over wedding projects when you could be spending time with this cute little bean!!!

My niece Sidney's first time in her Bumbo chair.

I have always loved a good blog, but since being engaged and planning our wedding I have become obsessed with bridal blogs. My two favorites are Snippet&Ink and Style Me Pretty. I check them daily for inspiration and am incorporating a few of my finds into my own big day.

I love to look at photographs from other peoples’ weddings to see what they did, what they wore, and how they decorated. There are so many great ideas to pull from these sites not only for your wedding, but for any event or party you might be throwing.

Recently, I have been noticing some uber-colorful bridal shoes featured in the posts. Brides are opting for a pop of color under their gorgeous gowns, and it has me thinking that the pair of shoes I ordered already might be to ‘blah’ for me.

Obsessed!

My current wedding shoes...

So after seeing these bright pops of color on other brides’ tootsies, I’ve decided to try a little DIY project this weekend. I am going to try and make some shoe clips to go on another pair of shoes that I already own. They don’t get nearly as much ‘wear’ time as they should, but if the clips turn out OK, I think they’d be super cute under my dress. Tune in later for some before and after pics…

Here are a few pics from Etsy (LOVE LOVE LOVE) to get an idea of what I’m thinking:

Etsy, Lemonring, $17

Etsy, MissRubySue, $35 (#8 or #11 would be a perfect match!)

Etsy, LushSugar, $40

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Pretty Paper

Posted on January 6, 2011 by tomorrowstodos

Dangly Ones Update: After traipsing around JCTC (Jordan Creek Town Center) for over an hour I cam up empty handed in the earring department. On my way home I decided to stop by my sister Marissa’s house and low and behold, she had the perfect pair of “dangly ones” to dress up my lobes at the Inaugural Ball next week. SCORE!

Purdy!

P.S. Look what just came in the mail today!!!

Just downloaded my first Nook Book from the library - 'From Dead to Worse' by Charlaine Harris (or as Marcus calls it, Vampire Smut).

I know that the day that I put stamps on all of my completed wedding invitations and take them to the post office is going to be one of the best days of my DIY life. And I haven’t even started the process of printing and stuffing them yet! This is not a good sign. Tomorrow I am heading over to my parents house because that is where my large Epson printer currently resides. I moved back here from Chicago over a year ago and I still have stuff lurking in my old bedroom. It’s probably for the best though since I love working on these sorts of projects with my mom. Although she might not feel the same after I’m through with her!

If I wasn’t as insane as I am to be printing and making my own wedding invitations,  here are a few local stores that I’d probably have do them:

Ephemera, 505 E. Locust Street (East Village)

Letter Perfect, 2900 University Avenue (Clocktower Square)

Pink Fine Stationery, 847 42nd Street (Shops of Roosevelt)

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“She’s got her own earrings, a whole shoe box full of them dangly ones.”

Posted on January 5, 2011 by tomorrowstodos

You’ve Been Invited Update: Well, I think everything is up-to-date on the invites. I have decided to scrap the map that was on the back of the reception card. I mean, it is 2011. I think people know what Mapquest is. Plus, we are doing the whole “Catholic Mass early, small break, then party” deal, so the map doesn’t really help much. People will be doing their own thing in between the ceremony and reception, so who knows where they will be coming from. Here is a picture of the ‘vites from the first draft.

I'll probably need a few glasses of wine after this is all said and done.

Next up on the Inaugural outfit to do list is to accessorize my ball gown. The shoes are going to set the tone for my jewelery, so I’m looking for some brownish bronze baubles to adorn my ears. And if I find something I like, possibly my wrist. Looks like I might have to go shopping for these as I don’t think anything in my jewelry box will fit the bill. Perhaps my sisters have something I could borrow. For some reason, they both have endless amounts of costume jewelry. Might have to go dig through that too if I don’t have any luck at the stores.

If I do end up hitting the stores, here are few gems that have already caught my eye whilst browsing online:

Forever21, Structure Rhinestone Earrings, $6.80

Givenchy, Double Drop Earrings, $48 via VonMaur

J.Crew, Ice Drop Earrings, $55

Monet, Teardrop Earrings, $18 via Dillard's

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You’ve Been Invited

Posted on January 4, 2011 by tomorrowstodos

In Her Shoes Update: After thinking I’d have to send out the search party for the perfect Inaugural Ball shoes, I lucked out and found the winning pair in my own closet. Super saver bonus!!! The pair were worn in November at my friend Erin’s wedding in Chicago. I tried them on with the gown and we are good to go. Sound the trumpets!

Just going to add a few inches!

As I’ve resolved to do, my wedding DIYs have become the focus of my to do list. I must be crazy because I have decided to not only design, but also print and cut my own invitation suite. I originally created them for my graphic design portfolio a couple of years ago with the intention of using them one day when I got hitched. I’ve made a few changes from the original design, but most parts have stayed intact. My current task is to review all of the information that is on the invitation, response card and reception card to make sure they are ready to print. I am hoping to knock some of the printing out this weekend to get a head start on all of the cutting that will need to be done. Right now our guest list is hovering around 365, so I better start doing some hand stretches. It’ll be a labor of love, literally.

I’ll share some shots of my invites tomorrow, but in the meantime here are a few of my favorite suites:

Paper Source, Playbill Wedding Invitations

Ephemera, 505 E. Locust , Passport Invitation (Perfect for a destination wedding!)

Wedding Paper Divas, Captivating Coral Invitations

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In Her Shoes

Posted on January 3, 2011 by tomorrowstodos

Resolutions to Keep Update: Thank God for my mom! She is THE BEST. Here are a few “in progress” pics of our wedding favors. My Matron of Honor (and older sister) Marissa came up with the ‘Meant to B’ saying for the labels, playing up both the honey producer and my new last name, Branstad. Cutest!

On my "Honey Do" list.

There is a big event coming up for my soon-to-be family. Next week my fiance’s dad will be sworn in as Governor of Iowa, again. My future father-in-law, Terry, was Governor of our great state from 1983 until 1999 and in November won the election and will return to his old post next Friday. It is a very exciting time for the family, and we are all looking forward to next week’s Inauguration events.

With the Inauguration comes the Inaugural Ball which means finding a ball gown. Now, the aforementioned task has already been taken care of (huge sigh of relief), and I will talk about it in a future post. But now I am faced with the challenge of what shoes to wear. The gown is a champagne, off-white color so the shoe options are endless, but I’m thinking about going with something in the bronze color family.

Here are a few fabulous heels that would add that extra oomph:

Chinese Laundry 'Lyndia S' Pump, $69.95

Badgley Mischka 'Odell', $139.75

Kate Spade 'Caz', $298

Nina 'Erna', $99.95

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Resolutions to Keep

Posted on January 2, 2011 by tomorrowstodos

New Year’s Newlyweds Update: What a blast! We rang in the New Year with the newlyweds at a fabulous fete at Zart 1312 in downtown Des Moines. Here are a few shots from the extravaganza:

With every new year comes new resolutions to keep. My biggest being to get into gear with my wedding DIYs. I have decided to take on quite a few of my own tasks for the wedding and I must be diligent about getting them done earlier than later. I don’t want to have a case of the “I should’ve done this a long time ago” syndrome come May 1st. First up are my favors. We have decided to go with an “Iowa” themed wedding so I wanted to give our guests something to take with them that is Iowa-made that would fall in line with the yellow theme. Enter in Sue Bee honey made in Sioux City, Iowa. I found the perfect little octagon, gold capped jars with golden honey in them that will be at every place setting. Now all I need to do is get the labels and ribbons put on all 360 of them! Here goes nothing (and everything!)

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New Year’s Newlyweds

Posted on December 30, 2010 by tomorrowstodos

Sequins & Sparkle Update: I have decided to go with a colorful satin number for the NYE nuptials instead of a sequined number. Either way, I’m really looking forward to the blessed event. It has really been a treat to watch my friends couple up and get married. This will be our 4th wedding this year, and ours is up next in May. Yikes, I feel a serious 2011 resolution coming on…to get on the ball with the DIYs for our wedding!

Oh La La

Speaking of weddings, I’m glad that more people are embracing the winter weddings, especially ones held on New Year’s Eve. It makes NYE plans a lot easier for the guests. I am glad I don’t have to plan an outing to an overcrowded and loud bar where you pay an outrageous cover only to get 2 drinks. And good luck trying to find a cab home too!

No thanks. Having a wedding ceremony and reception to attend sounds like a much better deal to me. I get to ring in the New Year with some of my closest friends, celebrate the marriage of another and dance the night away. Oh, and have an open bar and catered dinner. My parents have even agreed to pick us up from the reception and take us home. Not too shabby.

I have no clue what the decor will be at the wedding tomorrow, but knowing Sara, I would guess there will be lots of shimmer and shine. Think crystals, sequins and diamonds. If I was gettin’ hitched on NYE, the inspiration board below is what I envision it looking like.

Glowing with Gold: A little NYE Wedding inspiration

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Sequins & Sparkle

Posted on December 29, 2010 by tomorrowstodos

Nicole tested, Mom approved Update: We celebrated my mom’s birthday tonight like we usually do with a dinner out at one of our favorite haunts, Mezzodi’s. Located on Des Moines’ south side, this Italian-American eatery has been serving the Haas family for years. One of our favorite reasons to go there is the delectable Chocolate Falling Down Cake. It may not be on the pre-wedding diet, but man, it’s worth it!

Happy Birthday Mom!

I am at that age when all of my friends are starting to get engaged and married. What is great about this, other than all the pseudo-high school reunions, is that I get to pick out the perfect party dress for each matrimonial event.

This Friday, on New Year’s Eve, we will be attending the nuptials of our high school friends, James Williams and Sara Schwen. With a New Years wedding, attendees can get away with a little bit more sparkle and a lot more sequins.

Why not ring in 2011 in something sparkly?

Chetta B, Illusion Bodice Sequin Dress, $105.90

J.Crew, Jewel-trimmed Jade Dress, $695

ModCloth, Gold Dust Gal Dress, $89.99

Aiden Mattox, One shoulder ruffle dress, $165

Maggy London, Sequin & Lace Sheath, $148

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