Confessions of an Indecisive Bride

It's so Cold in London

2010-08-25T12:59:00.003-04:00

Hello from London!

It feel so weird being here and I wish I didn't have so much to complain about but I do. Since the weather has been in the 90's for all of August in Philadelphia and it's usually the hotter month of the year, I didn't think about packing any sweater (my sister is coming in two weeks and she is bringing my last 2 suitcases) and oh gosh was I in for a surprise!

It's raining more than I ever remember - or was it because I was so in love and missing Mr. Chic that nothing else mattered every time I saw him; hence me not noticing the weather...

Speaking of Mr. Chic, we are adjusting to living together and it's a riot in a frustrating but funny way. More on that later.

Till then,

Bisous!

Tomorrow Night....

2010-08-18T07:13:00.001-04:00

.... I will be on a plane to see my love!!!!

Poor thing, instead of seeing a beautiful wife, he will face (lol) all the breakout pimples on my face from all this stress. eich! I have never felt this overwhelmed or overworked in my entire life. This move is going to kill me.

Anyways, I always love taking pictures of clouds from the airplanes, particularly on international travel since the plane is so much higher in the air. Weirds things I do right? LOL

But I can't wait to be up in the air knowing it's all "over".

Bisous,

STD

2010-08-17T07:07:00.000-04:00

I always love quirky save-the-dates. They get my creative juice streaming (yep) and put the wheels in my head in motion...

Credit

Bisous,

Are you easy to Love?

2010-08-16T06:10:00.000-04:00

Happy Monday Blog World!

I read an article thru a "page" on facebook, which I just discovered(http://www.facebook.com/happilyeverafterthemovie) and it really resonated with me.
My biggest fear is for Mr. Chic to get to the point where he'd just put up with me and find it hard to love me... and we will become one of those couples! I know I am not the easiest person to love and I am grateful that he loves me anyways, and without *much* complaints. But everyone has a limit right? So I better be careful.

Not sure if that makes sense but I want him to enjoy our love...

"Let’s make the goal being easier to love. What if we focus on bringing more of the good stuff into our relationships? Believe it or not, the more good stuff you bring in, the less room there is for the toxic stuff!"

I like that!

One of our engagement pictures from our fabulous wedding photographer

So, are you easy to love? Does it even matter to you?

Bisous,

Yummy

2010-08-12T15:44:00.001-04:00

Who knew they were so many things you could do with cake!

Favors:

Nice wedding cake:

Individual miniature cakes for dessert

Or masterpiece or whatever this is...

So many options!

Bisous,

Babies On The Brain????

2010-08-11T15:23:00.006-04:00

Or maybe not!

If someone could guarantee I would be a good mother AND Mr.Chic, myself, and BabyChic would be this stylish AND happy AND in love ALL the time, I would jump on the baby making wagon. Till then, it's negotiation with Mr.Chic.

(source)

Yep! I guess I am a selfish superficial person like that.... or I am just really freaked out at the idea of messing up!

Bisous,

Finger food

2010-08-10T20:01:00.002-04:00

Literally!

Bisous,

Plane tickets

2010-08-09T15:53:00.000-04:00

(So I guess as I am moving away from wedding planning to married life, this blog will reflect the changes in my life... So instead of talking about how to find a great deal while shopping for a wedding dress, let's talk about how to find a great deal buying a plaine ticket. Deal? Ok!)

In the last four years Mr. Chic and I have been together, I have always avoided traveling in August as the prices for planes tickets are completely ridiculous!

Bust since I kept moving my "move-in" date from June to July to August and then September, Mr. Chic finally put his foot down and August it is! I am still freaking out from time to time about the no job situation but it getting much much better!

Back to the plane tickets. I've never used an agent before and with all the traveling I have done in my life, I want to believe I am pretty good at getting good airfares deals. But since I couldn't find anything under $2k for this trip -Say what now? - I went back to all the tricks I learned before:

Always get a roundtrip tickets (one-way to London was $2400 and round trip was $1900)
Fly mid-week day (Mondays and Fridays are obviously the most expensive days to travel and it is always a good idea to stay a Saturday night because you get a non-business traveler rate)
Find nearby airport instead of your home/destination airport if that makes sense to you (traveling from Newark instead of Philly would have saved me $300 but that wouldn't be worth it since I have 7 suitcases and therefore couldn't hop on the train.... and renting a car would cut that saving in half and I would get on one of those car rental buses with 7 suitcase and.... well, you get the point! So this route was not worth it for ME in THIS particular instance)
Keep your date of travel flexible (unless it's an emergency or the dates are set in stone, I always use "my dates are flexible" option on any website I am looking at. That way, I can see what the lowest days to travel are around my ideal date, play around with it, and usually then determine my date of travel.)
Keep your time of travel flexible (If you are flying west to east, red-eyes are almost always cheaper. However, International overnight flights -which I prefer as they help with jet lag- are not too different in prices with the daytime international flights -which I dislike because I basically waste a whole day in the air)
Start shopping early and give yourself plenty of time (the best deals obviously go early. 21-days before your departure date is usually when you can find the best deals, unless you want to do one of those last minutes deals- a week to a few days before your trip... not always guarantee though! Particularly for popular destinations such as London/Paris/Vegas/NYC/etc)
Keep looking and looking and looking (Prices fluctuate throughout the weeks and most airlines never advertise discounted seats. Also some people say that most airline companies re-boot their servers every Tuesday nights so the best time to snatch those beautiful deals one hour after Tuesday midnight, so Wednesdays at 1:00 AM. You can read more about why that's true here. So like I said, keep shopping.)
Don't only look at non-stop flights (but be careful that your layover is not too long if you are going on a short trip, or so short that you may miss your connecting flight)

I can go on so much more details but this should do for now... and I save $800 (could had been $1100 but oh well). sweet!

So i followed all the trick AND went on on a website i just came across: www.fly.com. (And no they don't pay me to recommend them here. LOL!) It helps you compare prices not only from the actual airlines but also from all the consolidator sites such as expedia, travelocity, etc, after which you can go on the website where you see the lowest $$. It's a bit of "shopping around" but that's how else do you find good deals right? So I hope these "tricks" help someone out there!

So in exactly 10 days, I will be on a plane (by the way, why do you say hop in a car but hop on a plane?) to see my love and we can actually live permanently in the same continent.

I.Can't.Wait!

Now if I could miraculously ship all my luggage there with a magic wand and not deal with all the suitcases, I will be very happy!

Bisous,

I guess it's Michelle O

2010-07-09T01:13:00.002-04:00

Remember this post I wrote few months ago about whether you would prefer to be Michelle Obama or Oprah?

Well, I wish Mr. Chic could win the lottery and I'd be a trophy wife and I would dine and volunteer

Back to reality

Well, I guess I will be a stay-at-home wife for a while.
I wonder if I will be good at it...
We decided I am moving to the UK in the next month (a date that kept changing from May to June to July to now August- Thank goodness he is a very patient man!)
I know it's absolutely the right decision for both of us
But looking for a job from here is hell (can't do it during the day since I am at work; have to take care of a billion things when I get home and can't make any phone call till 2 or 3 AM because of the time difference and then I am tired the remainder of the day at work)
So I just have to bite the bullet and just do it.
Next month it is then
I am moving and then continuing or rather -starting more efficiently- the job search.
Who knows how long it will take for me to get a job
I haven't depended on anyone since I was 16 years old
I guess God is teaching me to be humble and learn how to depend on other people... Mainly on the husband.
So this blog my turn into my adventures as a broke stay at home wife
So do I just say, honey I need money for new panties? LOL!
This should be fun
Bisous,

Vendredi Video - Pasma + Eric

2010-06-18T10:51:00.004-04:00

Yep that's us!
It's our wedding trailer.... Still have to wait a few months for the full length film or complete recap. I can't even tell you how many times I have watched this. LOL

I hope you like it!

Pasma & Eric Wedding Trailer from Derek Dienner on Vimeo.

Bisous,

I Am Mrs. Chic Now!

2010-06-18T07:08:00.000-04:00

Hello Blog world!

Sorry for the really long absence. I have been struggling for two days on how to write this post.

I will start by saying that I love being married. It's better than I ever thought it would be. Not sure how to explain it....

The wedding itself was weird (at some point I will give you all the juicy details) and I wish I was one of those girls who come back after their wedding and say, "things went wrong but it was perfect." LOL. It wasn't and I am trying not to be bitter about it. But I love that at the end of the day, I became Mrs. Chic!

Since the wedding day, I have stayed away from anything wedding related. I wanted nothing to do with any of it! That is so weird since my life revolved around wedding planning for almost 18 months, whether it was just obsessing thoughts, procrastinating attitude, or even actual productive wedding planning. And now nothing!

Now that the wedding is over, I guess I just wanted something else to obsess over that is not wedding related (maybe I need to get knocked up or something... Just kidding). So you can say I lost my wedding planning mojo!

I am sure it will come back as I get my pictures and videos back though!

Meanwhile, I just wanted to come back and say thank you to all the readers and followers who have given me advices on the multiple decisions I was struggling with, and encouragements along the way. So thank you!

I can't believe I am someone's wife! I am Mrs. Chic now. Ick!

Bisous,

Take a Sip

2010-05-21T09:18:00.008-04:00

Since half of the people on our guest list don't drink ANY alcohol and most of them don't know much about mix drinks, I wanted to give them a cute little non alcoholic drink (Mocktail) that wouldn't be boring, and will give them an option outside of the regular sodas and juices. So we decided on doing a signature drink.

But I would be a bad hostess if I left my {heavy} drinkers out, so we decided to also do a signature cocktail as well

So if I want to keep in/with the wedding colors, I can do a Shirley Temple for a mocktail

and a Blue Hawaiian (not blue Hawaii- know the difference? lol) for the cocktail.

...but I think we will invert the glasses for service.

Thoughts?

And for those of you who want to give your non-drinker guests something interesting to have at the cocktail hour/reception, or those who are having a non-alcoholic reception, you can spice things up a little. Oh yeah, the mocktail is exactely the same price as a glass of soda or juice or water as far as our reception drink bill is concerned. Go figure!

Few other mocktails....

From left to right Strawberry Sparkler, Peachy Gingertini and Mango Kiwi Cooler from busy-mom.com. Yum!

(clockwise from middle back) – Enak Sling, Citrusy Slide, Cue Fresh and Sublime from foodstreer.com

Here is a link to a LONG list of mocktail recipes... Here is another link to another long list!

I hope this inspires someone in the blogsphere. Have a fabulous weekend!

Bisous,

DIY Photosharing card

2010-05-20T13:09:00.000-04:00

So I always get annoyed when people take pictures of me and I never get them "back."

Since we are having a weekend filled with events and we hired a photographer just for our ceremony and reception {and it will take a while before we get our pictures back from him}, I created a photo sharing site with Shutterfly. This way, we can see every one's pictures and hopefully this will satisfy me!

To let our guests know, I designed this cute little cards on Photoshop and printed them through VistaPrint on business card size paper. I will put them in our out of town baskets and somewhere at the reception...

The actual cards came out crooked but it was dirt cheap and I can't be bothered right now.

Front

BackWelcome page

[sorry I am having technical difficulties showing you what the page looks like... I will try reloading it later]

Thoughts?

Bisous,

Dance with my Brother

2010-05-19T06:12:00.000-04:00

I mentioned earlier that my brother will walk me down the aisle and dance with me. I can't decide between:

Dance with my father from the late Luther Vandross

and
Dance with Cinderella from Steven Curtis Chapman

Both songs are fitting, so it's not helping.

Thoughts?

Bisous,

hum...

2010-05-18T12:41:00.001-04:00

Sorry for the absence
I have so much to say but at the same time I don't have anything to say.
I miss blogging
I miss you guys
Plans are moving forward
Jour J - 12.. eek!
That's all

Bisous,

Guess Who This Is

2010-05-10T13:57:00.006-04:00

OMG, it's J Hudson!

I saw this picture on my blogger friend Yaye Marie's blog and I didn't recognize who it was.

If she can loose all the weight, why is my ass seating at home getting bigger everyday? I have no excuse. I mean, I realize that she is loaded and has all sorts of personal trainers that create specific/targeted exercise routines for her (on top of her weight watcher "diet"), and she is not working a 9 to 5 and blah blah blah....

But I need to give the girl some credit!

And this after giving birth? Like I said, I have no excuse. Maybe it's married life.... or maybe she just had a really good reason to do this. But whatever the case may be, she is just plain fabulous and I admire her.

I feel like I need to do a before-and-after shot for full effect, but those always made me feel weird so I won't. If you don't know her (and therefore what she looked like before,) you have been living under a rock and you need to google her. So no "before" picture, but two beautiful "after" silhouettes!

Getty Images through Celebrity-gossip.net

Bisous,

Napkin Folds

2010-05-10T11:31:00.001-04:00

I mean, who else will obsess over this but me, right?

Photos

Now some "prettier" pictures of napkin folds/place settings from theknot.com....

So many choices + no time to be indecisive = bad bad bad

Bisous,

DIY Invites

2010-05-06T01:27:00.001-04:00

It took us forever to decide on what to do with the wedding invitations. We wanted to incorporated our wedding colors but not have something too similar to our Save the Dates and their pockets. We also didn't want the two projects to look completely disconnected and we knew we wanted our guests to feel like they were receiving a gift. You know? Give them a peek into the wedding celebration.

But I wasn't sure where to start and I was getting frustrated until I looked at my juicy bracelet and it just clicked! I guess I find my inspiration in non-wedding things. Remember how we decided on the wedding colors? LOL. Anyways...

My inspiration:

The real deal:

So I started looking around for the perfect {gasp} boxes. Perfect in sizes and in colors. But everything was so expensive and I was almost ready to give up. Then I "left" the wedding business and looked at jewelry boxes, and Bingo! Then I had to find the right ribbons and voila!

The box

I embossed the flourish on top of some of the boxes (bad picture from my cell phone)

I only used the flourish of our monogram throughout this project, unlike the save the date where we used the actual {whole} monogram.
Now that we had pretty wrapping/presentation box, how about the actual invite? LOL. I admit my priorities are twisted!

When you open the box, you see a light pink tissue paper sealed with our second monogram.

When you open the tissue paper, you see the actual invite.

Guess what's under the invites....
Yep! Jelly beans :)

I got really adventurous and gutty, and ordered butterflies brooches from a factory in China I found on Alibaba (I recommend that only for the courageous out there. Long story!) I designed the brooch and they custom made it. Between the language barrier, time difference, Chinese New year celebration, and my indecisiveness, this wasn't easy at all. But I knew what I wanted and I wouldn't pay $6 to $20 a brooch here in the US.

When the top lid of the box is flipped, you see the inserts. I used one half of the flourish and I designed the inserts such that when they are all stacked, they look like one design/picture. We had 4 inserts (African Celebration, Information, Reception, and RSVP)

Open the ribbon and you can see all four inserts

On the back of the RSVP, we gave people 3 ways to RSVP, one of which was through the addressed envelopes. Sorry, no actual pictures but they were the same material as the inserts (metallic light pink card stock) and I printed the addresses through my printer. Sorry etiquette gods, no calligraphy for these broken fingers. Here is the design I did to see how it would come out

Almost half of the boxes ready to be stamped/labeled and/or wrapped My living room floor was a no man walking zone for a very long time!

So glad this project is over!

Bisous,

Bank Transaction Denied...

2010-05-06T00:44:00.001-04:00

So my photographer was trying to get his last payment and my bank wouldn't let him.

Apparently, I have never spent a few thousand dollars on photographer and flowers so the bank "got suspicious because of the irregular activities and they put a hold on my account".

Hum yeah, I am not getting married everyday, bank people. LOL! Nothing about this whole process is "regular."

I guess I should be grateful that they are looking out for me but now I have to go through an automated machine for 30 minutes I don't have tomorrow because my bank is lame. LOL.

I keep telling myself better safe than sorry... Don't get mad, better safe than sorry... Don't get. Oh boy!

Bisous,

DIY Invites- Preview

2010-05-05T08:57:00.006-04:00

Now that they are all gone and RSVP are painfully slowly coming back, here they are. They took forever and I almost hated myself for even starting with this. Was is worth it? Well, let me answer that when my fingers regain life, after all the cutting, folder, pinching, gluing, etc...

For some guests, I wrapped the invitations in a khaki brown craft wrapping paper and used labels for the address.

For others, I didn't.

I originally wanted to wrap all the invites going internationally but ended up not doing it. and they got there in perfect conditions!

I used the same return address stamp I used on the STDs, which I had received for free form VistaPrint earlier last year...

The rest of the suite coming up tomorrow!

Bisous,

Jump Jump Jump

2010-05-05T06:35:00.000-04:00

I know many people feel strongly about this and I almost don't want to post this, and I hope it doesn't offend anyone... So here we go:

Jumping the broom is an African American tradition I always assumed we would do as part of the wedding ceremony and I was very surprised Mr. Chic IS totally opposed to the idea. I mean totally. It's OK because I don't feel that strongly about it. I just assumed... well, I just assumed! He said he doesn't need to be reminded of slavery. I am assuming that's one of the many differences between African Americans and Africans in general...

"Jumping the Broom" is a symbol of sweeping away the old and welcoming the new, or a symbol of new beginnings.
Jumping the broom has become one of the most popular African traditions at weddings-traditional and African-centered. History tells us that the ancestral roots of this ritual began deep in the heart of Africa. It's original purpose and significance has been lost over the years because of the association with slavery. You can read more from here

But yeah, we don't know this in Africa... LOL! But I still love the meaning of new beginning behind it though.

Credit

Bisous,

Lashes

2010-05-04T16:23:00.001-04:00

I used to think fake eyelashes were for strippers only. But when we did our epics, I decided to go for them {as suggested by our photographer's wife} and bam!

Remember my epics? Look at them lashes! :)

So I now love fake eye lashes. They added a little Je ne sais quoi. And though It's not something I will wear around everyday or even for every special occasion, I am definetely putting them on for the wedding.

I just got back from my makeup trial and the lady laughed at my stripper comment but I know I am not the only who thinks/thought that way. Am I? LOL

Pics of the trials from my cell phone...

Close up of the eyes

Bisous,

Michelle O vs. Oprah!

2010-05-03T07:01:00.006-04:00

Which one would you want to be? Michelle or Oprah?

Maybe not to that level, but that's how I am looking at the changes ahead of me. Mr. chic and I decided a long time ago that we want to live here in the US. Unfortunately, immigration does not agrees with our plans, or rather is making that very difficult right now. If we were to stay in the US, Mr. Chic and I would spend another year apart, which we refuse to do after we are married. We did the long distance thing for four years and it's hard and VERY expensive. So since I still have my European citizenship it would be easier for me to get a job in the UK (technically.) So we finally made a decision.

I am moving to London!

It will be a temporary move and my hope is to come back in the US in the next 2 or 3 years when we start our family, since my support system apart from him (and his, to a certain extent) is here. But that return time is not certain.

Oh Gosh! I am happy we made a decision but so scared. We prayed about it and I know deep in my heart that's the right thing to do, but then my mind wonders. What if I don't find a job? can I really stay at home and be a good housewife? Maybe if he wins the lottery or something. Then my dream of becoming a domesticated and sex goddess can become reality! I would be one of those women who dines, or become a Michelle O. A very intelligent and educated woman who decided to use all she has to support her husbands from the background. She is {presented as} a good wife, a great mother, a role model for young women, and Mr. Chic thinks she's so pretty (I will keep quiet on that, but) She holds it down and is everything to her husband, and he puts her on a pedestal at every chances he gets. It almost sounds perfect. That is almost what I want. But we know her as President Obama's wife. Not sure how to explain it, but I need more than just being someone's wife. And they are loaded. LOL!

Thing is, I always thought I wanted to be an Oprah. Do it all, conquer it all! I've worked so hard to get everything I want out of this live and all those Engineering degrees will just... well, let's not get there.

I guess I want what Both of those women have. A successful career, a stable and loving family, a husband I am proudly rooting for, and who is as equally proud of me. I want to put my {positive} stamp on this world before I die. I have big dreams. Most of them require me having a job though. LOL!

Mr. chic and I have plan of starting a business. I thought I needed more time, more experience. But maybe it's time to start now... Or I can just get a job and all will be good!

Things we do for love! I never imagined I would even consider this kind of choice few years ago. But there is no other place I rather be, than at this crossroad.

Bisous,

PS: This is in no way saying anything against stay-at-home moms. Many of my friends are and I really respect that. Most of the time, I even envy that, but I am no mom {yet- and it might take a while to become one} so I need to do something. LOL!

Ceremony Decor

2010-05-01T06:57:00.001-04:00

Dream

vs. Reality {if that}

Oh Boy!

Photo credit: Michael Leslie Photography; Blue World Studio

Bisous,

Coat Check

2010-04-30T11:06:00.003-04:00

If the wedding was during the fall or winter, I would definitely do this as a DIY project!

Ha, the neurotic details that make me happy!

Bisous,

1 Month to go

2010-04-30T07:17:00.001-04:00

It doesn't feel like it. I keep telling myself I have time and I know that I am setting myself up for a big freak out session in the near future because I have a gazillion projects left. OMG!

My Shoes

2010-04-29T07:05:00.005-04:00

So I just realized I never shared my wedding shoes with you guys. I bought them a while back, way before I even started thinking about my dress.

The thing is I have a height complex. I am the oldest but shortest one in my family, so I always wear 4 to 5 inch heels. Then here comes Mr. Chic who is not very tall. Well, for someone in my family! So with those shoes on, I am almost/about the same height as he is. And I think I even look taller on some pictures. He likes it and almost seems to be be turned on by this, and it never really bothered me before. Now with the wedding, I am becoming a bit self-conscious because I guess I am vain and I want a difference of heights on the pictures. So I decided I would wear flats... He on the other hand, wants me to wear high heels like I normally do, plus, I walk "funny" in flats. I guess I am not use to them.

So while trying to make that decision, I saw this fabulous pair from Nina on Zappos.com and since they have a whole year return policy, and I thought I really had to have pink shoes, I bought these babies early last year. (I realize you don't need to see every angle of my shoes, but it makes me happy... So there)

Then in December I went shopping with Mr. Chic and my friend Miss T. After successfully pulling him away from trying new jackets and TR jeans, Mr. Chic helped me pick these Hotness. LOL!

I will give you a second to drool. Go on, drool! LOL

Need a tissue?

Ok moving on.

My friend Miss T. decided to buy them for me. Say what now? I wasn't really expecting it since Mr. Chic and I are footing our whole wedding bill and noone had volunteer to help. You know I did not hesitate. I hugged that skinny girl so hard I think I broke a bone. So Miss T. darling, I know I said it before -and I even once woke up in the middle of my sleep to call you and thank you again- but thank you SO very much.

Then either because of the height thing I mentioned above or because I needed a reason to break from the "spending freeze" I put myself in since we started planning, I went and bought some cute flats (Sorry no pics, but they are grey and cute.) I wore them once to work to try them and of course, I walked funny. Everyone was telling me, "Wow, I didn't know you were that short!" Whatever people! Maybe this is a good place for me to tell you that my license says I am 5' 8 but of course I am not. I mean what are they going to do? Ask me to take off my shoes? LOL!

So there! I guess technically, I am supposed to return at least one of the pairs but after the stun Mr. Chic pulled, I am keeping all three :) though I am not sure which one I will be wearing...

Of course I slept with each of them when I got them, in order to bond. Ha! The crazy things I do.
Bisous

One Little Drop, Please!

2010-04-28T06:45:00.002-04:00

Dear Mr. Chic,

I know this is {in your language} rubbish and {in my language} completely vain and childish but can you please give me a tear on the wedding day? No sobbing please! And no, I don't have any real reason than to satisfy this weird obsession I have with men crying at weddings.

Pretty please?

I know you can't force it or get it on cue, but can you think about something really sad for like 2 seconds? You can do it on your own or I can have someone put some pepper on you shirt or something. What do you say?

Thank you very much!

Lovingly yours forever,

Miss Chouette, Soon to be Mrs. Chic

PS: I realize that every time I come up with these weirds things, you look at me like I have 3 heads. But we've already established that I have issues... so I'm cool with it.

From my very own wedding photographer. Yippee!

Credit

Bisous,

Guess What I Got in the Mail Last Week?

2010-04-27T06:22:00.001-04:00

So I realized I never shared the result/decision regarding the bridesmaid dresses.

Short story, I wanted them to pick different dresses but they ended up picking the same one (Go figure!) Anyways, we picked a dress but hated all the colors options they had on that dress... So they picked another dress in the Berry color (I hate it but I have other things on my plate to worry about + I am not paying for it + I am not wearing it, so there)

PS: Sorry sister of mine - whom I told I didn't want to read this blog because I try to be honest and transparent here but who didn't listen to me, and who is going to wear this dress- I am however very happy you love the dress and you will all look hot in it!

PS: PS: We went to the seamstress on Saturday for alteration and she said, Oh! what a beautiful burgundy dress and I almost had a heart attack. So it's not even passing as a dark pink but burgundy? I am trying really hard to let this go...

edit: I really like the dress itself. it's just the color I am not in love with. Just felt like I had to elaborate that. LOL!

Bisous,

Blog-niversary

2010-04-26T07:47:00.001-04:00

When I started blogging exactely a year ago, it didn't even crossed my mind that anyone would want to read/hear anything I had to say. It was more an outlet for all my wedding thoughts and a way not to overwhelmed people around me {in real life} who don't care about my wedding and all the crazy details as much as I do.
So here we are a year later, and I am so humble and grateful that many of you take the time to read this blog often. So thank you from the bottom of my heart!

::Tears? This emotional breakdown is getting really old::

Bisous,

I thought this was only for movies

2010-04-26T06:21:00.001-04:00

I almost always get up in the middle of the night to {what's a clean way to say it?} tinkle...

Because for some strange reason, I have really bad sleeping habits and it takes me forever to fall asleep, I try not to wake up. I have thus mastered this thing where I go to the bathroom with my eyes closed and in thirty (30) seconds, I am right back in my bed and and fast asleep.

I have a point I promise. LOL

Anyways, the last time Mr. Chic was here, I was going through my nightly routine when all of the sudden, I felt this really cold thing on my thighs-butt area and my sleep was completely gone. I tried everything but couldn't go back to sleep. I tried to wake up Mr. Chic, but you know he stayed asleep. It was 4 AM and I was PISSED! I decided to whine and then got out of bed and vacuumed for a good 30 minutes and did laundry. Ha!

So I used to think the whole leaving the toilet seat up was just a thing that people say or fight over just because that's what couples do. But it isn't. I really HATE it and I am hoping that this boy stops doing that before we move in together. My first instinct was to pour some cold water on him so we would both be awake, and I don't think next time I will have any self control....

I guess I have to be able to laugh at any situation I find myself in...

Do you think it's something I will just get over? Or maybe we will bicker over this till he changes? I hope not.

What about you guys? Have you trained you fiance? LOL! Does it bother you?

Bisous,

Vendredi Video - Teddy + Toyin

2010-04-23T07:36:00.002-04:00

::Insert happy dance here:: I am so exited to share this video.

Reader "Just Me" shared this beautiful video with me when I started the Vendredi Video feature on the blog, and I love it SO very much. The colors just pop and the couple is hot. We have tons on stuffs in common (they included some African elements in their wedding among other things) and I was going to use the song they have for something at the wedding. I love everything about this wedding. Everything. Ok, I can go on and on, but I won't. So I will just let you enjoy the video...

Teddy + Toyin ~ Wedding Teaser from Impressive Creations on Vimeo.

Thanks again "Just Me" (Do you have a blog by the way? I can't seem to find it...)

Bisous,

Acts of God

2010-04-22T12:55:00.006-04:00

I read that in all my contracts for the wedding, and always wondered what that meant or if such things would ever happen to me. Well, you know that volcano eruption in Iceland? I think that's kind of it!

Can you imagine planning a wedding for a whole year but then you can't even make it? That's what happen to these people. I feel so bad for them...

I am grateful we stuck to our guts and picked our wedding date the way we did. If not, we would had set a date for last week. And I guess that wedding was never going to happen since more than half of our guests, including Mr. Chic would not have made it! No amount of insurance or reimbursement would make it OK for me, since we probably would not reschedule it... Visas headaches. Need I say more?

So today, I am thankful!

Bisous,

Unity Candles

2010-04-22T07:08:00.000-04:00

So I like the thought/meaning behind unity candles, but I don't really like the old fashioned looks I have seen. I went to Ikea two days ago to look at photo frames and guess what I found?

Candles holders of course! I am sure they were not thinking about weddings when they made these, but I like that I can use it them in my house after the wedding...

Let's just say I kept rearranging the shelves so I could see the holders side by side. The guy working there was not happy. LOL! I went to yet another section to get candles to complete my look and when I came back, he had put my set up away. Of course I reset it and snap a pic with my cell phone. I am a hooligan.

I really like the one on the far right because of the interesting triangular shape, but they didn't have a bigger holder to support my pillar candle. Then I thought I would use it with the middle holder, but it looks forced. Now I am thinking about the one on the right with the one in the middle.

What do you think? Keep looking? Buy it?

Bisous,

Happy Birthday Mous!

2010-04-21T06:50:00.001-04:00

So you all know by now that my dad passed away few years ago. We had a very interesting relationship and I won't go into all the details. You can blame my sister who reads this blog since that was her idol and I don't mind it staying that way....

Anyways, obviously he won't be there on the wedding day and my brother will play his "role." He will walk me down the aisle and dance with me. And as I previously mentioned, he will perform a song at the wedding. He has such a beautiful voice and I wish you could all hear him. I know, I know. Everyone thinks their kids/siblings are the best at what they do. But he truly is!

Anyways, can I just say that I love my baby brother so very much and he is one of the best men I know? (Almost right there next to Mr. Chic!) After my dad passed away, I was afraid my brother would be too effeminate, being a little boy in a house full of women and always listening to all the gossip and drama between my sisters and I. But today he is a Man's man. He stays out of our drama and probably finds it more amusing/weird than interesting. He is gentle but firm. Quiet and funny. And he has such a good heart! So we are good, so long as he keeps those large hands of his off my hair. LOL! Of course all the little girls at his school drool over him...

He took all my dad good qualities but somehow by the grace of God, also developed qualities my father lacked! Often, I remember to pray for his future, which I know will be a bright one.

My sister is taking photography classes and is trying to take that hobby to the next level. She took this shot of him during one of his games

Mr. Chic hates it when I say my baby brother. He says there is nothing "baby" about him and he is a man, not a boy. Lol! He is turning 18 today and he is -edit- 6'7 (which makes it really difficult to buy him a suit for the wedding, gasp!) So I get it. But he will always be my baby brother.

So that him last year going to prom and me in 5 inch heels next to him. LOL!

So today is his birthday and I just want the whole universe to know how special he is to me.

I Love you, Baby Brother!

Bisous,

What do Indians, New Orleans, and African's Weddings Have in Common?

2010-04-20T06:05:00.003-04:00

Amongst other things? Well, joyful processionals, street parades, second lines or whatever you want to call them...

In India, the groom comes on an elephant (or other decorated animal) accompanied by his family singing and dancing to get his bride.

credit

Wikepedia: Second line is a tradition in brass band parades in New Orleans, Louisiana. The "main line" is the main section of the parade, or the members of the actual club with the parading permit; those who follow the band just to enjoy the music are called the "second line."

Credit

In Africa (at least in Cameroon) after the ceremony, the guests proceed around town singing, dancing, playing drums/maracas/etc with others sharing their joys. Kids on the street join in so at the end who have tons of people who have travelled MILES and they don't even know the bride or the groom. Since the guests are "accompanying" the bride into her new family (sometimes another town,) the ride {or rather walk} is pretty long. Here are few pictures to the last wedding Mr. Chic and I attended while in Cameroon in '08. Mr. Chic took the pictures... This was a four hour procession and yep, that's the bride trailing her big white dress in the red dirt with high heels.

Mr. Chic, my sister, her sisters in laws and I made our first stop while the parade continued. We still look fresh here. The tall girl on my left is one of my younger sisters and on my right are two of her sisters in law.

Our Nth stop (lol.) We are not smiling anymore because we are tired and the march thingy is no where to be done. What do we do? We stop at a bar and have some -suya/soya- grilled meat (much to Mr.Chic's dismay and probably the reason I am the only one giving a big smile here) and some drinks. We stopped there for 45 minutes but didn't miss much. LOL

Here, I am nowhere to be found because I am done walking. I was seating in the "music" van, which is where the sound system/speakers were. Apparently, I have impractical shoes for those events according to Mr. Chic. LOL. So no pics of me, since Mr. Chic was too busy taking pictures of people who were actually a little more entertaining than me whining...

I first thought I wanted to do (a version of) this since the reception is only four blocks away from the church, but we are taking some family pictures afterward. So do we just ask people to wait at the church till we are done? Also, I need a city permit if we have too many participating in this. The police wants to block the streets and accompany us in this march. I think that's a bit much. All eyes on the blocked streets will be on me. Hum, maybe not. Maybe I should just wait and do it when we have our traditional wedding in Cameroon... Since our family will definitely do that whether we like it or not!

Humm.... Well I guess we will see.

You probably realize that most people on the pictures are wearing one of two types of cloth/material. In most African weddings, the bride's family usually has a particular cloth they choose to wear, same thing for the groom's family... So you not only have to pick your bridesmaids' & groomsmen outfits, but you also have to pick different material for your families. Many people also choose a particular pattern for the close friends/entourage of the bride and another one for the groom's. I think that's a bit extra but I guess in a 500 people's wedding you need to know who is who. So what can I say? LOL!

Bisous,

I Cheated...

2010-04-19T10:00:00.001-04:00

...On my hairstylist. Not my words, hers! And she was pissed off. LOL!

You should never play with black women and their hair or the hair that a black stylist takes care of. Don't ask. Just take my word for it.

Anyways, let me go back and tell you a little bit more about my relationship with her. I thinks she is a hair genius. She always hooks me up when I need my hair done but she has a terrible attitude. I don't know how old she is but I don't ever want to be on her bad side. LOL! She always has stories about this B she beat up and that guy she punched on the mouth. I find it very bizarre but very entertaining nonetheless, as long as it has nothing to do with me.

Every time I see her, she is taking her "last cigarette" and she is always late.

She gets very "possessive" with my hair, and always criticizes whoever else does it. Thing is, I travel a lot and sometimes, I have to get my hair done in other countries/cities.

So whenever someone is looking for a hairdresser, I so badly want to recommend her because her work itself is just fabulous, but I can't. {We've established I am lame so} I put up with her and I don't really know many people who would. Maybe I will be the one who gets punched in the mouth after someone I send there gets mad at her and she retaliates.

So now comes this wedding and I am pretty sure she would do a good job, but who knows when she will show up? Also, I KNOW she will get on everyone nerves and for the 1st time, I will blow up at her. So do I tell everyone to find themselves a hairdresser for the day of the wedding (though many of the girls don't live in the city/country and therefore need help finding someone?) or do I just find a new girl/salon?

So I started looking at other places and trying new hairdressers. But since I needed to look nice for -hum hum- something special I was doing yesterday, I went to see her. What can I say? She is like my drug or something. Between her and my primary care physician who is a geriatric doctor... Well, that's another story. LOL

Anyways, when I walked in, she looked at me side eyed and said, I KNOW that's not my work. Who did that? You cheated on me? Gurl, you make me mad sometimes. Anyways, I wanted to tell you I got a new man... And his ex was like, whatchou doing with my man... And I was like, I will punch you in the mouth if you even look at me one more time and he is MY man... And she was like..... and off she went unto another story.

But for those few seconds after I got in the shop, I thought she was going to slap me. Or should I say punch me in the mouth. LOL!

So that's her, I love her and I don't. But I am pretty sure I do not want to deal with her on the wedding day....and no, she doesn't know I am getting married. I don't even think she knows anything about me since she does the talking for both of us- so she may never know. If that's the case, why do I feel so guilty? Why do I feel like I am cheating?

Bisous,

It finally hit me... Kind of

2010-04-16T11:41:00.002-04:00

I stopped at Michael's yesterday after work and I bought an aisle runner. I cried for a good 2 minutes like a stupid idiot in the middle of the store, and I couldn't stop myself. Looking back, it must have been an interesting sight. A long runner under one armpit, my humongus handbag on the opposite shoulder, and a basket that was way too full (I didn't want to take the cart so I wouldn't buy too many stuffs- yeah my logic doesn't work all the time) So I had to carry with both hands. I just stood there in the aisle and sobbed.

What the heck is wrong with me? I felt nothing when I booked the reception or bought my dress (but cried a bit when I picked it up) and no tears or overwhelming feeling when I sent the invites (it was more like, girl, you finally got off your lazy behind to send them. it's about damn time!) None when I got engaged.

So I guess it is hitting me now. And it's hitting hard! Or maybe nothing is hitting me and I just needed a good cry.

Thoughts? What about you guys? When did it hit you?

Bisous,

Vendredi Video - Jacqueline + Richard

2010-04-16T06:23:00.000-04:00

I kind of wish my wedding was this laid back. Beautiful bride!

Trunk Bay St John Wedding 3.14.09 from High Definition Video LLC on Vimeo.

Bisous

I Fell in Love with Another Guy

2010-04-13T07:21:00.001-04:00

I doubt he likes women but that's OK because I don't love him that way. Ich people! What where you thinking?

He is my potential florist. He makes my heart giggle with his bright ideas, his genius self, and his very I-have-no-word-how-to-describe-it-but-oh-so-sparkling personality!

Few weeks ago, I begged my AAW knotties sisters to talk me out of DIY-ing my own flowers. I thought since I had to cut our budget {for various} reasons, the only places I could do so where in areas I hadn't book vendors yet (transportation, floral, Hair and makeup, with floral being the biggest chunk of money of course)

So they encouraged me not to do it, which in my head I understood, but it wasn't really sinking in. So I met this guys with my minuscule budget and humongous ideas and told him about all the stuffs I bought to DIY my stuffs with. He looked at me like a crazy person and said "Girl, you need to stop buying stuff." I laughed, but what I really wanted to do was cry... and I am not sure why. So I showed him what I had in mind and right there he started making mockups.

All I was thinking was Ms. Chouette, hold your self together, don't jump and kiss this man and he'd think you are crazy and not want to work with you anymore. Get it together woman!

So I have few floral appointments lined up for next week and I can't even be bothered at this point.

I am in love and that's the end of it! I want this guy, so I am waiting to hear back from him on a proposal. I am crossing my fingers (and toes) that he comes up with something I can work with...

So you want to see pictures of florals (a variations of these of course) I dreamed about and thought they would -with no money- miraculously make themselves for me on the day of the wedding and appear on my tables?

photo

And last but not least, this floral inspired by Christina Aguilera's wedding. Oh the dreams!

Yeah, I know I am crazy!

Bisous,

Our Wedding is Turning Into a Freak Show

2010-04-12T10:47:00.006-04:00

I had 3 additional people at church yesterday asking me if they can "perform" at the wedding.

People, this is neither a talent show, nor a platform for you to test whether you can sing or act or whatever it is you explained you do, and it is definitely not a free zone for anybody 15 minutes of fame.

This will not be a freak show!

On the other hand, I am so exited to hear my baby brother sing that day. He is amazing!!

Bisous,

Vendredi Video - Kim + Adam

2010-04-09T07:25:00.001-04:00

Can I tell you how much I love this wedding from Joe Simon Wedding Films? Oh my!

The guests must have felt like royalty. Five-star service, lobster, beautiful view, beach and pool, and more. And of course, such a fun end of the night....

Most destination weddings I have seen are so laid back and informal. This one? Formal-ish, upscale, but oh so much fun. Just my cup of tea. Just Beautiful!

PS: I realize these people must be loaded and not everyone can pull this but I can't help it. I love love love this wedding.

Enjoy

Kim + Adam - St. John, Virgin Islands Wedding Film from Joe Simon Films on Vimeo.

Bisous

Look At That Sparkle!

2010-04-08T00:25:00.003-04:00

Do you guys think 6 PM in Philadelphia in late May/early June is still too daytime for me to have sparklers?

No grand exit from the reception so if we are having any type of exit, it is after the ceremony...

Thoughts?

I am not a big fan of bubbles but I can do them.

Definitely no rose toss.

Maybe ribbon wands? I smell another DIY project.

Hum, maybe not.

Or do nothing. Why add more stuffs to my plate, right? But it's me we are talking about here. LOL.

So, thoughts on sparklers and timing?

Photo credit: http://www.sayanythingceramics.com ; http://www.blog.geoffwhite.com; http://www.chicncheapliving.blogspot.com

Bisous,

Pretty Food

2010-04-07T17:14:00.007-04:00

So now that I {almost} finished knocking down my vendors, I started to think back about the food we will be having at our reception. In case I haven't mention it yet, we decided to have stations, though we really wanted a sit down dinner. I just think it's more fitting with the feel of the night (and stations are way more expensive!)

But because Mr. Chic is a food snob and he likes "authentic" everything, we are having different caterers handle the food. Logistic wise, It just made sense to go the station route. We made it work and I think we will be just fine.

So no menu set in stones yet, but we carefully and meaningfully {just like every other decisions we have made about the wedding} picked our food "themes"

So...

The French restaurant at the hotel will make food for our European station (Remember Mr. Chic is British and I am still a Belgian Citizen)

The American Caterer (through the hotel) will make some American dishes for our second station (remember this post? Additionally, we will live in the US eventually) - Mr. Chic's request is no burger or mac & cheese, which I pictured such a nice presentation in martini glasses in my head. GASP! So any input from you guys on American dishes?

Finally, we are having an African Caterer make our African food for the last station.

Thing is I am completely vain and just like pretty stuffs. Mr. chic likes quality. So all these caterers have some work in front of them. To make really good-tasting, authentic food that looks good, just like this beautiful picture!

Beautiful food station from www.evantinedesign.com

Photo Credit: jasminestar.com; unknown; fete.com

Let's hope it all works out!

Bisous

One Thing Our Wedding Will Never Be...

2010-04-06T11:11:00.004-04:00

... is a Popularity Contest!

So apparently because I believe that weddings are intimate events and I am not inviting all my facebook friends, phone contacts, and random acquaintances, people take it as me being a loner with no friend and some even go as far as "pitying me." Lol!

One of the people who are "pitying" my lack of "friends" asked me when the wedding date was because she already bought 2 dresses. One "cute" dress for if she gives birth before the wedding and one maternity gown for if the wedding comes before she gives birth.

So Let me ask you this. The wedding is less than 2 months away, I have been engaged for 1.5 years, you are not my friend, and I have never spoken to you about the wedding or anything of value for that matter. So why would you think you are invited? Wouldn't you know that date if you were?

Girl, please! Go on and wear your outfits for other occasions.

Some people I tell you!

Photo from here

Sorry I couldn't help it. LOL!

Bisous,

One Thing Marriage Means to Me {+ Real Wedding}

2010-04-03T08:07:00.001-04:00

Have you ever heard the phrase "A family that prays together stays together?" I have. And I believe it's true!

You can see the rest of this beautiful wedding from a photographer I really like here.

I have no word....

Bisous,

Vendredi Video - Melanie + Chris

2010-04-02T07:57:00.003-04:00

Before going into the video, I just wanted to thank you ladies for all the messages, both here and on TK, as well as on Facebook. You never know where you will find support and comfort. So thank you ladies!

Now to the video:
I love everything about this video and this wedding:
Clean
Fresh
Simple
The love between them is the focal point of the whole video.
For me it's a love video with a wedding and not a wedding video of people in love.
Love it love it love it.

I also really love the song. Anyone knows who is singing it?

Melanie & Chris - ND-SDE from Joshua Smith on Vimeo.

Bisous,

Sad Day

2010-04-01T13:01:00.006-04:00

Today is such a sad day. My grandma didn't get the visa to come to the US for the wedding and I am completely discouraged. Apart from Mr. Chic, she is probably the only person I NEEDED to be here. She is blind, so it's not as though she can watch the video or look at the pictures afterward.

All this because I can't trust anyone to follow instructions. And people wonder why I want to do everything myself. Well that's because apparently I can't rely on anyone.

I just want to cry and hide in a hole for the next 3 months...

In other news, The Cake Girls' shop (from WE TV Amazing Wedding Cakes) burned down. I really love those girls as bakers, people, and as a sister duo. It gives me hope that I can accomplish something big with my sisters some day.

I feel bad for the brides this weekend who have to find a new baker or not have a cake at all. But I can even begin to imagine what thecakegirls are going through. They lost everything. Their hard work, all their files, EVERYTHING!

They closed their website for now and have a message http://www.thecakegirls.com/

To read the story of the fire http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2010/03/cakegirls-bakery-in-flames.html

Like I said, today is a sad sad day...

Bisous,

Peek-A-Boo

2010-03-31T02:12:00.005-04:00

When I first joined some wedding boards after getting engaged, I saw a lot of brides doing colored crinolines under their dresses and I just loved that. The idea of unexpected color in the bride attire really drew my attention. I even decided that If I went ahead with the crinoline, I would do it myself in order to get the exact shade of pink I wanted. I googled instructions and was all set.

For a while I thought I would have to pick between the pink critoline and the pink shoes I was dreaming about {and of.}

Until I saw this picture and asked myself why not both?

Or I can be daring and have a multicolored one? Hum, yeah... or maybe not!

Then I guess I grew out of the idea and started to feel almost silly for liking it so much in the first place. Lol!

Now I am falling back in love with the idea but I decided not to go that way with my attire. It is just not me I guess...

Anyone doing/considering/considered this?

*Sorry but I don't have any photo credit as I don't remember where I found these...

Bisous,

Let's Talk About Sex Baby...

2010-03-30T01:07:00.004-04:00

They say money, sex, and children are the biggest causes of divorce. Interesting!

Anyways, I was working on the wedding day timeline and realized that the wedding day will be a long one. Our reception ends at midnight after all! Then I started to think about what happens next. I will spare you all the details but then I got to the sex part and started wondering. What if I am tired? What if Mr. Chic is tired? Do people really have sex on the wedding night?

So I asked my AA knotties sisters and my friend Bubbles. Apparently it is not a myth! People really do "do it" on the wedding night! I need a game plan... Maybe sexy lingerie?

Oh yeah, who gets you out of the wedding dress? Ha!

Photo Credit

Totally random post I know...

Bisous,

Vendredi Video - Nancy + Bill

2010-03-26T07:44:00.001-04:00

I am back... Thank you for all the lovely messages.

I feel like I have to explain what's been going on but I don't have the energy to do so.... so please just bear with me until I can explain everything.

In the meantime, I am glad to be back {and today} to our Vendredi Video. This one is from my very own wedding videographer. LOVE HIM! I absolutely love the message too:

"It's not expecting the husband to wear a hallow or the wife to have the wings of an angel. It's not looking for perfection in each other. It's cultivating flexibility, patience, understanding, and a sense of humor. It is not only marrying the right partner, it is being the right partner..."

WOW!

Nancy & Bill Short Film for Hershey from Derek Dienner on Vimeo.

Bisous

Break

2010-03-17T14:49:00.003-04:00

Please forgive the interruption on this blog {and all wedding related activities in my life} until I get my sanity back. LOL!

Bisous,

I Just Wrote, To Say...

2010-03-13T15:45:00.006-05:00

...That I picked up my wedding dress... and I cried like an idiot! Not cute little tears streaming down my cheeks, but flood of tears, ugly face and all.
For the first time in the 15 months I have been engaged, it felt "real."
I am a mess, a happy one that is!

Bisous,

Photo Credit: http://www.jessica-johnston.com/blog

Vendredi Video - Janet + Jason + Jahnoya

2010-03-12T07:25:00.000-05:00

So many things to say about this wedding but in one word? Creative or maybe Unique
The colors?
The personalization of the suit?
The fan instead of BM bouquets?
BM dresses that I am sure were tailor made?
Funky dance?
3 people's wedding?
Do I need to go on?

See the little girl singing during the ceremony... I guess someone played/sang the same song as the one they use for the highlight during the service. I love how the videographer was able to capture that...

I like the beginning part {everyone adds a words about the B+G like you would see on commercials) and I really really really want to incorporate something like that in our video. I am not sure how to ask that to my videographer. Do I just show him another man's work?

Yeah, this is also from StillMotion (Told you I love them, LOL!)

I hope you enjoy this as much as I did, and still do, now that i just watched it again....

the triple threat sde // parts one and two from stillmotion on Vimeo.

Bisous

Who the Hell Buys ...

2010-03-10T08:08:00.004-05:00

... a $300+ belt? LOL!

I started looking for Mr. Chic wedding gift and my mind went from something he can use the day of the wedding, to something sentimental, and back to something practical. I thought maybe I will get him nice belt or cufflinks or something.

And then I came across these beautiful but oh so expensive belts.

My head is still spinning lol!

Photo credit: All pictures from http://www.saksfithavenue.com/

Bisous,

A Bride with Glasses...

2010-03-08T16:24:00.004-05:00

I used to hate taking pictures growing up; so much that I have only 6 pictures from age 12 to 19 where you can see my whole face. Yes I counted. LOL. However, I have tons of pictures with my hands covering my face or with my back turned to the camera. I guess running away from camera was my thing back then. Kids, I tell you!

Well, looking back, that kind of sucks because now I feel like they are holes in my past (sorry but I don't know how to better explain it) and it's stopping me from doing a few things, like putting a lot of my personal pictures in this post for full effect or many other cute ideas for wedding planning.

Mr. Chic on the other hand, has been a poser from day 1. LOL

Good thing is, I learned that people will always take pictures so I might as well look decent on them. So I have perfected a "pose." Granted it's only one pose I have in every picture, but at least I got one.

Anyways, this post was about glasses. I used to wear really huge glasses. Like gigantic ones with the cord around just like you see in movies. Those movies guys may have taken their inspiration from yours truly. LOL! I was a super duper geek so I guess those "loupes" {I guess the owrd is binocular in english} fit my persona.

I got smaller but still pretty big frames during my senior year of high school. I then got even smaller ones during my second year of college, and during my womanly transformation a year later, I got contacts. Last September, I got enough money to do LASIK eyes surgery... Best thing about contacts/eyes surgery? I can wear sunglasses. I know it sounds weird but I never knew what that was until few years ago...

All this rambling to say I just remember my days with glasses and thought about how different I would "look" on my wedding pictures with glasses. So all the brides with glasses, I feel connected to you on some weird level

PS: Mr. Chic thinks I am still a huge geek, but a really sexy geek :)

Bisous,

Photo credit: www.weddingbee.com, http://www.api.ning.com/, http://www.flickr.com/, http://www.bubblybride.com/

Pretty Ringbearer?!?!

2010-03-08T12:48:00.007-05:00

So let me precede this by admitting I am being difficult and a bitch, but whatever. LOL

So I thought we had the bridal party squared away until Mr. Chic and I had an interesting exchange yesterday. It didn't help that I was already very irritated by the time we started talking about this but this is how it went...

Him: Babe, can you find a role for my little niece (that niece is 4 year old I think)

Me: Like what?

Him: I don't know. Maybe throwing flowers or something

Me: What do you mean throwing flowers? We already have a flowergirl. Why are u asking this a year after we decided on the Bridal Party?

Him: I am sorry but I just thought of it now.

Me {clearly annoyed}: FINE

Him: Thanks babe

...Silence....

Me: Wouldn't her brother feel left out? (he is maybe 9 or 11 years old)

Him: You are right. So what can he do?

Me {thinking are u serious? and regretting why I asked that to begin with}: Maybe a reading or something. He can read right?

Him {I guess not realizing I was getting pissed off}: Of course but maybe something else instead.

Me: Well, little boys in weddings are usually ring bearers but he is kind of old for that.

Him: Oh you know what, maybe [the little niece] can carry the rings

Me: Hein? No!

Him: Why not?

Me: It's like asking a boy to "throw flowers" down the aisle

Him: It's not the same. You wanted your brother to be a bridesman or something so can we please do this?

Me: But you didn't let me do that so NO!

Him: It's not the same. Come on

...tears...

Me {crying}: I am not getting anything I want out of this wedding.

Him: oh oh! I am sorry but how is wanting my family more involved in the wedding the equivalent of you not getting what you want?

Me: ...

Him: If it is upsetting you that much then let's think about it and figure something else out.

Me: It doesn't matter anymore. Fine. She can be the ring bearer. She can even wear a tuxedo if you want to. Boo hoo hoo hoo

...more tears

Yeah, I am extra I know. Thing is, I don't have a problem with the girl as the ring bearer. Well, maybe a little bit. I don't even have a problem with his family being "more" involved. I am just tired of wedding planning and scared of everything that's ahead of me (in terms of planning) and I feel burned out and just doesn't feel like dealing with anything right now....

Ugh!

I guess we will be having a girl ringbearer. No throwing pretty petals for you girlie!

(photo credit: http://fotosa.ru/)

Bisous,

Vendredi Video - Michael + Chrystalle

2010-03-05T07:12:00.002-05:00

I am coming from a research background, so I always get a lot of information before making a {any} decision. Thing is, I never know what to do with information I don't need once my research is over. Regarding the wedding, I have tons of pictures and videos on my laptops, which I will not use for my own wedding anymore but I don't feel like just deleting. So how do I share it with other people who may benefit from them? I don't know about the pictures but got an idea about the video... I am going to start this new feature on the blog since I bookmarked so many videos during my "2 months video indulgence" LOL.

Let's call it Vendredi Video... for now! {That's Friday Video for you non french-speaking readers. LOL}

This first one is also from Still Motion and this is probably one of my FAVORITE VIDEOS. EVER. It is not about pretty flowers or beautiful dresses, though both the flowers and the dress of the bride on this video are stunning!

But the video captures the couple's happiness as well as the process and meaning of a wedding and marriage: It's more than just a day + Lots of work + giving yourself to someone. I love the message of the priest. Enjoy!

michael + chrystalle // a wedding is more than one day from stillmotion on Vimeo.

Bisous

Tears

2010-03-04T05:18:00.003-05:00

I saw this video of a coffee commercial on A chocolate lover's blog {Thanks girl} and I don't think she will ever understand how much it touches my heart.

I don't even know how to explain how much this video speaks to me and I don't even drink coffee! LOL.

Any African {or immigrant from a warm place. LOL} moving to the US/Canada/Europe/Antarctica (hey! just saying) can attest to it, as well as anyone in a long distance relationship. They are things you just feel and words almost cheapen them...

Bisous,

How Do I Feel about Wedding Invitations?

2010-03-03T07:05:00.002-05:00

Like I am about to loose my mind! Or maybe I already have....

Bisous,

wedding video

2010-03-02T09:14:00.006-05:00

As I mentioned last week, the videographer I had booked went out of business. Also, I am not sure whether I mentioned this or not, but I really didn't want a videographer. I mean who watch their wedding video more than once or twice?

Well Mr. Chic apparently "enjoyed" watching his siblings' videos and told me midway through planning that he really wanted us to have a videographer for the wedding. So after a few days of going back and forth, he convinced me to make room in the budget. I was frustrated because I knew it meant cutting out something else "I" wanted. But it was important to him so I did it.

{I am getting better on the relationship compromise thing. Not good at it yet. But working on it}

I set a budget of $500 and started looking. By the way I live in Philadelphia, so you can imagine how difficult that was. I even lowered my expectations and thought maybe I could just get a raw footage of the video (no frills or add ons) and work on the editing myself after the wedding. I mean how hard can it be, right? lol! But I still couldn't find anyone who would do it at that price. I ask the girls on the local board on theknot and they practically laughed at me. But I kept on looking until I found this guy who was very nice and had decent products. I liked him as a person and I respected his work after watching 5 of his DVDs. He offered me a lot more than I expected while meeting my budget restrictions. And that it was!

After I signed the contract, I didn't give it much more thoughts. It was just another check on my list. But then I started listening to a lot of married women who said not getting a videographer was their biggest mistake (well, I got one so I was fine)
Many other ladies said after the wedding, the flowers died, the food is gone, and so are the people. You are left with sometimes fading memories and your photos and videos (well, that's why I invested in a really good photographer. Isn't it?)

Wait. Fading memories? Oh boy!

Anyways I recently found myself watching "wedding video highlights" on some blogs. A LOT! Though I started wishing I had given more thoughts to this area of the wedding, I wasn't going back. I had no money to spare. Plus, I had too many other things I needed to get done and didn't need one more thing to worry about. Yet there I was watching videos at 2 AM.

Then I got the call. "I am so sorry and ashamed to admit I am filing for bankruptcy. Please ....." I was shocked, but not as mad as I thought I would be, since we are less than 3 months away from the wedding day. But I am happy to say I found someone else through weddingwire and I hope I am not making a mistake once again. He's obviously a lot more expansive than the first guy who was too good to be true anyways. But I am happy with my decision and so is Mr. Chic. God works in mysterious ways.

So here we are. I am no longer watching videos in the middle of the night {more like in the middle of every nights for two months.} Though I have done it once since then. We are cutting our floral budget and other fun little things so we can have a video that will help us relive that day whenever we feel like it.

Below: Not my videographer. Gosh, They probably charge more than my budget for the whole wedding but I think I watched every videos from this guy/girl/whoever. He/she/it is a total genius and I absolutely love his/her/it work.

Select "HD off" on the upper-bottom right side for better streaming. The beginning is strange but keep watching and you'll get it....

jennie + howard // flippin' out from stillmotion on Vimeo.

Bisous

Snow

2010-03-01T15:47:00.006-05:00

Enough with it snow already. It's been snowing in a historical manner in Philadelphia since December and I was happy to go to Austin. Guess what I found there? More snow! Ugh!!!!

I know many people like the snow, but I only do in pictures and romantic movies...

Mr. Chic's brother in Canada laughs at my ramblings about a "few" feet of snow of course. LOL!

{edit: sorry about the broken pictures. Click on them to enlarge for full pic. Too lazy to re-upload them...}

www.modernphotographics.com

www.shandrophoto.com

www.belliesandbabies.ca

http://www.manolobrides.com/

www.ssphotography.wordpress.com

(this is from my almost photographer... the really nice one -back then- Remember?)

Bisous,

Venues in the Ottawa Area + thoughts

2010-02-22T22:47:00.004-05:00

This is for my blog reader Fashiondiva81, or anyone who needs inputs on reception venues in the Ottawa (Canada) area....

Here is what I got from my future sister in law:

The Royal Ottawa Golf Club (that is where we had our reception)

The Hilton hotel (part of the Lac Leamy casino): nice but the only thing is it is one of those huge rooms divided in three by movable walls so there can be three weddings going on at the same time so if she doesn't mind her guests bumping into guests from other weddings; that is fine

The National Art Center of Ottawa; 2 inside rooms, or have the party at the top of the roof with a magnificent view of the city of Ottawa but the room rental was out of our price range
Holiday day inn Plaza - hard to believe but they have a very elegant ballroom

Chateau Cartier

Chateau Laurier

RA center (don't know what it looks like but popular for wedding)

These are the places that I can recommend because I have visited them and I liked them. The only thing with all these places is that you have to buy everything with them (cannot bring food or beverages from the outside). They offer a drink package that you could have on top of the food package but it is very expensive; almost as expensive as the food in itself. Some (well our place did) refuses the consumption bar so they force you to either have tickets and pay for that ahead of time or open bar and have the bill later on after the wedding. I am sure it is all about money. A consumption bar is what we wanted to have for our wedding but they wouldn't allow us; that is why we gave the complementary drink ticket to our guests later in the evening apart from cocktail punch, sparkling wine toast and wine that were served. That was the only option available to us. Basically, you either pay before or you wait later and end up with an unexpected bill.

My main advice is to ensure that if she is having a cash bar to ensure that there is a sign somewhere in the place indicating so that her guests are aware of it. We had the incident at our wedding since they started running the cash bar during the cocktail but there weren't supposed to since we were serving some punch.

They were supposed to have it later on at night when all the guests would have used their complimentary drink ticket so I was not very happy and I was pissed off but I guess it was a misunderstanding.

The good thing with having the complimentary ticket is that some weeks later , you can have a refund if your guests did not use them so it was nice to see that unexpected cheque in the mail! LOL!"

Hope this helps!

Bisous,

Real wedding in Canada

2010-02-22T12:33:00.010-05:00

As promised to Fashiondiva81....

I mentioned some time last year that Mr. Chic and I went to his brother's wedding in Ottawa, Canada.

It all started when we received a beautiful, simple, yet elegant and totally DIY-able invitation (can't find it anywhere right now)

Pretty easy to locate Mr. Chic and his (very tall younger brother)

I went with her and her girls to do hair and make up and although it took what seemed like forever, everything turned out beautifully.

The bride was absolutely beautiful. She and I have gotten close. After all, we will share the same name soon. Back to her. yeah, she was gorgeous!

She wore a beautiful strapless dress

...Beautiful flowers

The ceremony was help in Gatineau (PS, I just have to mention that the priest looked really pissed because he had no idea about black people's time. lol)

The church was beautiful outside

...and inside

That's me not paying attention (2nd row on the left)

...the vows (the priest gave a very funny but insightful message)

My baby Mr. chic (isn't he hot? lol!) was the witness. Interesting that in the US people don't publicly sign the marriage certificate.

Then we enjoyed a nice cocktail hour at the Royal Ottawa Golf Club while the couple, family, and bridal party were taking these pictures

Finally there was dinner and dancing...

...and cake

...and more dancing. They had some African drummers and you know Mr. Chic was the first one up

It was a beautiful day, even though the torrential rain slowed us down in the morning. Thankfully, it stopped right before the ceremony, which allowed us to enjoy the beautiful golf club's well maintained grounds...

I took this favor, which I admit I thought was useless, until I started using (it) last week :)

Few weeks later, the bride sent us this beautiful Thank You card!

Bisous,

98 days...

2010-02-21T18:44:00.000-05:00

... until the wedding day and:

My videographer went out of business
I have to decide on the ceremony structure and meet with my pastor
I still haven't ordered the Bridesmaids' dresses because I can't decide on the color I want and that will fit the whole wedding non-theme :)
I need to work on the invites and finish them by next weekend
I need to figure out what I want to do with decor
I need to book a florist, hair stylists, make up artists, jazz band, DJ, ceremony musicians, transportation, alteration person...
I need to figure out the whole African ceremony taking place the day before (venue, menu, decor, vendors, details, ceremony structure, etc.)
I need to order all ceremony, bridal, and reception accessories
I need to write all the invitations letters to US embassies in 12 countries for people to get visas
I need to figure out a timeline
I need to pay for everything, not loose my mind and not break the bank!
I haven't lost any weight!

Oh boy, what did I get myself into??

Bisous,

In remembrance

2010-02-21T17:05:00.004-05:00

Mr. Chic lost his uncle in Cameroon. It's very sad because this man raised him and his siblings after their dad passed away. So for those who believe, pray for comfort for the family. It has caused us to make some changes to the wedding plans by not only putting a damper on the finances for so many different reasons, but also because his uncle was going to perform our traditional wedding. I can't even start to think of anyone else that can fill his shoes (at the wedding or in the rest of our lives) because of the importance he played in Mr. Chic's life and well as mine...

So understandably, I have taken a break from wedding planning for almost 2 weeks.

I am back and trying to catch up. I think of his uncle more and more these days, as we were preparing for his arrival here in the US.

Few months ago I thought about doing memories candles for my dad, mom, and Mr. Chic's dad. I think I am definitely going that route, and of course I will add one for his beloved uncle. May he rests in peace!

www.sites.google.com/a/colatosti.com/wedding

Rayleigh Shores thru www.theknot.com

www.onewed.com

Bisous,

Say what now?

2010-02-08T08:14:00.001-05:00

So Mr. Chic bought his suit.

Apparently I can't even see it till the wedding day.

It cool cause I trust his sense of style.

It cost 2.5 times as much as my dress!

Which would be fine if that's the budget we agreed on

(pounds vs. dollars has something to do with it he said)

I am so mad!!!!!!!!!!!

No this is not the suit.

All he said was that it was from Black Label

And the color is black

I wanna hurt this boy

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR.

Bisous,

Today....

2010-02-05T16:04:00.002-05:00

... I became an American Citizen

Someone said, "oh that weird. Mr. Chic meet a Cameroonian girl, got engaged to a Belgian, and is marrying an American!"

Should be my facebook status or something....

Source

Bisous,

STD

2010-02-05T07:40:00.000-05:00

I haven't looked at STDs since I worked on mine. Well, I tried (No need to feed my indecisiveness)

But I think this is so creative

I clipted it a while back, I think from www.thebridecafe.com

L.O.V.E it!

Bisous

So Dapper, of Course!

2010-02-04T07:31:00.003-05:00

Mr. Chic picked the guys' outfit. And I still haven't decide on the color of the girls' dresses...

:::bending head in shame:::

Source

I'm in love.

Bisous

Let's Dance

2010-02-03T06:52:00.000-05:00

I hate the dance floor at my venue. It looks old and makes the room look even darker than it already is.

So if I can find money in the budget for it...

It's white dance floor

source (for last picture only)

vs. draped dance floor.

Source (both draping)

or why not both???

Source

Thoughts?

PS: I can't seem to find many companies that rent out white dance floor in Philly. It seems to be a Miami thing.

Bisous,

Pretty Dresses

2010-02-02T18:11:00.005-05:00

Two weeks ago, one of my sisters and bridesmaid texted me (to follow up on the facebook messages and voicemails I had been ignoring) and said "hey what's up? Why are you slacking on our dresses? You want us to walk down that aisle naked?"

Thing is, I have been struggling with what my girls will wear at the wedding. I told them I would pick a length, color, and material and they would each pick a dress (makes life easier for me) but of course they disagreed and want to look "the same."

I kept pushing making a decision about their dress because I didn't know what I wanted. Everything I liked was a little too modern/grown/edgy/sexy/whatever for at least 2 (half) of them.

I finally found a dress I absolutely adore. One of the girl thinks is hot, the other girl really likes it, the third girl wants to own ASAP, and the last one tolerates. I was sold!

And because my maid of honor has a blessed chest (hum) she would wear this

Three of the girls were in town this past weekend, we went to few bridal stores to try the dresses above and of course no one carried it. We tried other dresses and picked a dress, which {thank you Lord} looks smoking on all 3 of them, and I believe will look amazing on the curves of my bridesmaid who is in London. (no pictures yet) I just have to decide on the color and make the order.

Problem is, I can't pick a color and apparently, I have a week to decide. Instead of deciding on the color, I am admiring this dress, thinking maybe this is what we need to go with.... Just don't tell the girls.

Bisous,

I Love Me Some Mr. Chic!

2010-01-31T18:10:00.008-05:00

Have you ever had so much stuffs happening all at once that when a friend calls and ask what's up, you don't even know where to start?

Well, that's how I feel right now. I wanted to post about what has happened since we last "spoke" but so much has happened that I don't even know where to start. What I can say though is that since my last post, I have been trying to decide on what to do about the wedding invitations; agree with Mr. Chic on the whole bridal party look; decide on the bridesmaid dresses (both the actual dresses and the color of the dresses); redo our budget; decide on who is moving after the wedding (the whole whoever gets a job first in the other continent thing is not working out anymore); and the list goes on. None of those decisions was easy and I was starting to loose it.

Thanks to Mr. Chic, we've made some progress and I didn't have some type of emotional breakdown.

Even when I was being abnormally emotional, or trying to emotionally (unconsciously I promise) manipulate him, or being unreasonable, or being just straight out mean, or when I wanted to just give up, or whatever else crazy stunts I pulled, he kept it cool even though I know he must have been pretty pissed off with me. He was loving but rational. As usual, he was gentle but firm, without walking over my feelings or entertaining my drama.

He reminds me every day (not in words but in actions) why he is the best man I've ever known. He loves me just the way I am but helps me be a better person.

I love you babe!

Bisous,

All but the last picture are courtesy of Gregory Paul Photography. Please give credit if reproduced.

I HATE

2010-01-23T16:04:00.001-05:00

Wedding Invitations.

The end.

Let's go to South Africa

2010-01-22T10:55:00.000-05:00

Well, Mr. Chic WAS supposed to be in charge of the honeymoon. And since I want to believe I am not controlling and can be easy going, I told him to make it a surprise to me. He laughed, but agree to play along, I guess to entertain me...

So now I start hearing rumor we are going to South Africa. The pictures below {from google.com} look like perfection don't they?

But hear this:

Two of his sisters live there with their kids/nephews/nieces/cousins (there are LOT of them, just like any good African family)
One of his brother and his family live there too.
The honeymoon period he chose "happens to fall" during the World Soccer Cup (Show me an African/European man who is not obsess with soccer and I will explain in details why this is a BIG problem)
He is trying to put a group of guys from his office together to go see the games

Like a good man, he wants to kill 3 birds with one stone. Dude, you think you are sleek! Call it a vacation but not my honeymoon.

So we are probably going to South Africa, but I am planning our honeymoon somewhere else for another time...

Hi, My name is Ms. Chouette and I don't want to be a controlling Bitch!

Bisous,

Like BAM...

2010-01-21T14:34:00.008-05:00

...And I got a dress! LOL. This girl is not playing.

After 3 stores and I don't know how many dresses, a purchase was made. This is how it went down.

Last week I saw a dress online, which I LOVED but wasn't sure it would look good on me 'cause you know... well, you know! Anyways, the website listed stores that carried "the gown" and there was one just 15 minutes from my house.

I went there and although they carried that designer, they didn't have the dress I was looking for. The really nice consultant put me in this other dress {by another designer} that looked very similar to "the gown" and I liked it a lot. My sister got emotional, and so was this lady who was dress shopping with her daugther. The consultant made me try 5 other dresses just to be sure and that was it. Since it was a trunk show, the designer was there and not only I would get a discount if I ordered the dress that day, but they would waive the rush fee. The bad thing was that they didn't let me take pictures AND the gown was new and not yet available as sample in bridal salons. Hum, yeah!

In the back of my head, I kept thinking about "the {original} gown" I came in the store to try on. I thought:

What if I never let go of the other dress because I never tried it?
What if instead of enjoying my dress on my wedding day I just think of what ifs?
Maybe I need to try that one just to be sure.
...

So I let go of the deal (the consultant call us after the visit to tell us she would hold the deal for 24hours. How nice!)

Meanwhile, I found another store that carried the same designer. Since I was "smarter" I called ahead to see if they carry the actual dress. They did and I dragged my sister with me as usual. The sample gown was a size 6 (street size 2 or 4) WTF? My beautiful skinny sister hopped in it and I liked it on her but since we are different sizes and shapes, I needed to see myself in the dress. They could give me a discount and waive the rush fee too but told me I had to order it ASAP if I wanted it by the wedding.

I had 12 hours left in deal #1 and I started to panick. I was sure I liked the way I looked in the first gown, but could only picture {poorly} how I looked in "the gown." Mr. Chic helped with the moral and suggested I try the gown on before ordering, and I am glad I listened to him.

I found a 3rd store that carried the dress (deal #1 had expired but deal #2 was on the table and I could always order dress #1 at a decent price, even though by then I forgot how it looked on me and I couldn't go back to the store to try it on because the designer took back his sample after the trunk show.) I fit in their sample after a lot of sucking in and acrobatic movements from my sister and yours truly. It zipped up, I couldn't breathe, but I loved it. The sky didn't open and angels didn't sing. I didn't cry and neither did my sister but I looked hot in it, I loved it, and needed to make a decision. The price was lower than at salon #2. Didn't care for the Snotty consultants there at all but I put in my order, paid the rush fee {loosers!} and left.

WOUF!

After I got home and went to bed, I started thinking that maybe I made a bad choice (You didn't think it would be that easy, yeah?) I thought:

Maybe the dress screams "I got married in 2009/2010" and I may regret it 5/10/20 years down the line.
What if Mr. Chic mom's thinks I look whore-ish in it?
Maybe I should had gone with a more classic gown. What if I didn't think this through?
What if Mr. Chic hates it?

However, my knottie friend B convinced me otherwise, so I may sleep better tonight. Thanks B!

I am not going to post my dress just yet, but just know it's a bit of a combination of dresses from this post and my inner princess (who knew I had one) came out BIG time! LOL.

PS: This is NOT my dress but i L.O.V.E. it!

Bisous,

Mr. Chic Wedding Band

2010-01-18T08:32:00.001-05:00

Have you ever heard of the theory that men that are taken are more "attractive" than single ones? Meaning that a guy can be ugly but because he is taken he somehow gains some appeal? Well, I am starting to believe it a little. Weird right?

So while Mr. Chic was in town and before I went in the ER, we went to get his wedding band. Of course he had to turn it into a fashion show. A very entertaining fashion show I may add. With the whole store goo-ing or whatever over him, all I could think of what that he looked very hot with a wedding ring on. We {He} ended up picking a ring very similar to the one below, in White Gold.A week later, he went back to approve the mold and little over a week after that, the ring was done. Very painless process!!!

So maybe there is something about a man with a ring... or maybe there is something about a black man with a wedding ring, but there is definitely something about MY man with HIS wedding band on. Oh, all the nasty thoughts that went through my head!

Bisous,

Shopping Is Not That Easy

2010-01-15T21:09:00.006-05:00

I have been tergiversating over the wedding dress experience and I decided there is something really wrong with me. I mean, isn't this what most brides are looking forward to? Wedding dress shopping I mean. We are 4.5 months away and I have no dress. {I however have 2 wedding shoes already :) but does that really surprise you?} and until now, I didn't even know what I wanted...

I first thought I needed to loose weight before going gown shopping. We all know that didn't happen... Even after 3 weeks of sickness, I did not loose a single pound. WTF?? Anyways, When I finally accepted that I wasn't and probably wouldn't loose any weight, I realized that I just didn't know what I wanted in a wedding dress either. I see girls who have always known what they wanted and envy them. To my defense, I am not completely wedding dress stupid. I knew what I didn't want {I will spare you the pictures} so I thought I would focus on other aspects of the wedding and figure it out later. So I moved along with the wedding planning and ignored the dress issue, like it was either going to resolve itself or it would disappear just because I wanted it too.

Well, It's changing today. I called around just to check and apparently in order for me to get my dress on time to do alterations and all, I may have to pay a rush fee. That will depend on what dress I decide to order. WOW! What about people who have short engagements? Anyways, I made few appointments for this weekend and I AM GOING TO GET A DRESS at any cost!

Well, I hope so...

Anyways, I looked online this week (finally right?) and here are some gowns that caught my eyes.

By the way Mr. Chic has gently commented in the past that he thinks strapless clothes don't look nice on me. Apparently, they are for women a little more endowed. Whatever dude! Who made you a fashion designer/critic? But since I am a looser and actually care about what other people think, I am going to stay away from strapless gowns:

The gown above is so BEAUTIFUL; However, it may cost MORE than my whole wedding and I may not have the body for it... and it is strapless! If I can fantasize about a very expensive dress, I may as well fantasize about having bigger {huge} boobs in it! It's from the collection of Kleinfeld-Pnina Tornai Exclusives

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the back of the dress above by Jim Hjelm. So unique, but I definitely do not think I have the body for it.

Apparently the gown above from Alvina Valenta has been around for a while (sounds so dirty)but I like it... a lot.... But again, my body may not agree.

PS: I guess it wouldn't shock you to know that Mr. Chic knows exactly what he is going to wear... and I had no input in it. Maybe he should just pick my dress and get me out of my misery!

Bisous,

All 3 photos taken from www.theknot.com

Our DIY Wedding Website

2010-01-15T08:36:00.000-05:00

With the family and friends scattered over 4 continents, we wanted to find a way to share all the wedding info with people who will make it to the wedding and share our journey with the ones who wouldn't be able to make the trip. Also, because - again- I find new ways to overwhelmed myself and constantly need new stuffs to obsess over, we decided to created our very own wedding website.

I looked around and didn't find anything that fit; So in my {our} glorious geekeness, we decided to created our own website. And since we absolutely adore our engagement pictures and we wanted to plaster them everywhere, we decided to do a photo website instead.

Mr. Chic, one of our groomsmen (go figure,) and I had so much fun working on it. It took more work than any other wedding activity thus far, but THIS project was so much worth it and I would do it all over again in a heart beat!

THIS SITE makes my heart flutter in way you will never understand.

Something else you may never understand is how much it hurts my heart to blur out our last names/other personal info and "destroy" my pretty designs. But hey, this is the internet after all... Need I say more?

So just a few pages... I may create another post in the future with more details

And of course, a whole section dedicated to our pictures & videos

Bisous

Our Save The Date- Part III: The Pocket

2010-01-14T09:00:00.000-05:00

Yeah, I am extra! LOL. Since I had too much time on my hands, I decided to created a pocket for our STDs. You know, to complete the whole look :)

This was not too painful to do, but highly and completely unnecessary. But hey, it fed into my neurotic tendencies, so that worked!

I used:

Hot Pink ink and Clear embossing powder both from Michael's
A stamp from PaperSource
Hot Fudge 67 lbs Cardstock from CutCardstock.com
And since I don't have an embosser and did not see the need to buy one, I used my regular clothing iron for the embossing

Mr. Chic almost had a panic attack when he ironed his shirt and found some leftover glitter on it. Sorry Babe!

I will spare you the envelopes. Just know that it was small and cute.

Bisous,

Our Save The Date- Part II: DIY Boarding Passes

2010-01-13T22:12:00.002-05:00

After I did the magnets, I needed to find (even though I already knew) where to put them in order to send them.

Remember I told you I liked the idea of boarding passes since the wedding is a destination affair for most of our guests? Well, I took that idea and ran with it.

This was my inspiration from http://www.ayleebits.com/ :

I created the three different "passes" designs in MS PowerPoint. I put our monogram and a traveling quote on the first one. The accommodations on the second, and left the 3rd one to attach the magnet.

I pasted all three on a MS Word page. I tried to use Kinko's printing services but for some reason, the design came out washed out on the paper. The same thing happened when I used my job printer too (sorry boss!) so I ended up using my home printer and it came out nicely... Though I am now running out of ink...

This is how they came out:

Above with a different magnet. I really liked that magnet but Mr.Chic and Sister Chouette didn't. They thought it was too simple... Below with the magnet you saw yesterday and we went with obviously. I use clear photo corner to secure the magnet on the boarding pass.

Anyways, I paid $11.99 for the pack of 250 67 lbs cardstock paper at Office Depot. (I didn't use all 250 sheets obviously; I am saving the rest for other DIY projects that are coming up.)

I bought the clear plastic photo corners at Michael's Craft Store for $4.99 (not necessary but I like the clean look of it)

Looking back, these were a major PITA. I couldn't use a paper cutter (or stack a few sheets before cutting) because of the rounds corners, so I had to use a scissor to hand cut each of the 120 x 3 passes. The great reactions we have gotten from our guests bring life back into my numb fingers .... But would I do this all over again? Not sure

Both Mr. Chic and I are getting phone calls with people asking if the tickets are valid. LOL!

Bisous,

Our Save the Date- Part I: DIY magnets

2010-01-12T21:58:00.003-05:00

You already know the saga behind the Save-the-Dates and now that they are out, I can share with you what I ended up doing...

I feel like EVERY bride out there has seen (and is probably doing) these magnets from Magnetstreet.com... Thus not really as creative and/or unique as I wanted to be...

.... But I loved them. A lot! Since I didn't want to pay the $149 for 100 of them (without the cost of shipping,) I decided to "copy" that design. Let me just say that counting millimeters and pixels is a total pain.

I ended up designing two magnets side by side to fit the VistaPrint large magnet format (which is much larger, but a bit shorter -if that makes sense- than the Magnetstreet format.) It then took me a long of time and a lot of efforts to figure out the right proportions for each of the pictures, all the words I wanted to use, the spaces between the photos, etc....

I used two coupons, one for half of the upload fee and the other for free shipping so the magnets only cost me $2.49. Yeah!!!

Here is how they came out

(I obviously cut them in half....)

Our guests are raving over these, which brings me to lesson #4 (?)

As brides, we spend a lot of time looking at wedding magazines, blogs, and boards, which can make some ideas become blah because we see them over and over again. Remember that our guests don't. Stick to your guts when making decisions!

Next up, the STD passes....

Bisous,

I Love Him More Everyday..

2010-01-08T12:35:00.004-05:00

photo

When Mr. Chic came to Philly on December 18th, we had three fantastic weeks planned with wedding stuffs, parties, quality time together... and more. We had both been looking forward for this holidays for a really long time. Then LIFE happened and I got really sick... spent a week on a hospital bed and the following days between doctors' offices and my bed.

Him being the man that he is, took care of EVERYTHING! He was a dad, a friend, a chef, a driver, a (male)maid, a hair holding while your head is in the toilet, and alarm clock and dispenser of medicine, a very very very patient bedside companion, and much more.

Definitely NOT the holiday either one of us had in mind but more than ever, I am grateful for this man God put in my life and I can't wait till the day I become Mrs. Chic.

Now that he is back in the UK, I hope he can get some much needed rest....

Bisous,

I Thought I wanted Pink Shoes...

2009-12-12T23:35:00.006-05:00

source

This was probably my first assumption about the wedding. Every time I saw pink shoes on bridal/photographer blogs I stalk or in a magazine, my heart would melted and I "just knew" I would wear them.

So I went to Saks and Off 5th to look at jewelry and I gravitated to the shoes sections (shocker!) Lo and behold, they were 4 different pairs of pink shoes I used to think I wanted. That's right! I was so disappointed.

source

Manolo sir/m'am/whoever you are, you know I love you and have considered selling my liver for your collection so please forgive me... The shoes above were hideous. They looked like a kindergarten coloring/painting project. My heart still hurts just thinking about it...

Don't even get me started on the Louboutin that started this obsession (CL, you know at times I've lusted over your work more than I have over Mr. Chic so take it like a big boy) or the Jimmy Choo's I thought I really really REALLY loved.

They look so good on wedding pictures, which reminds me of the colored dress I will never be found dead in and my heavy make-up for the engagement pictures. I felt a bit drag queen-ish in the make-up and rather colorful in the orange dress; but that's what my photographer requested and it looked fantastic on the pictures. I doubt I would put that much make-up on my face for the wedding though. I don't want 100-ish people starring at me the whole day with a WTF look on their faces and telling all kinds of jokes post wedding day (yes, I am lame. I do care about what people think about me, at least the people I am inviting to my wedding) just because I want nice pictures.... The same goes for the shoes.

What do you think?

Look good (and normal) on the wedding day with pictures that don't "pop"
OR
Look drag queen-ish with funny colored shoes on the wedding day but have great "artsy" and "it" pictures...

For me it's back to the drawing board... I still dream about the ones above, hopefully they don't disappoint..

Bisous,

No News, Kind of Good News?

2009-11-24T18:37:00.008-05:00

Photo credit: My Samsung phone :)

Hi Y'all! It's been too long. And no, Mr Chic and I are not splitting. I took the picture above from the Philadelphia Inquirer because the nonchalance behind it just really got to me. How come it costs more to get married than to get a divorce? And why do wedding coordinators cost more than divorce lawyers? How come it seems so easy to get a divorce these days than to get married? What world are we living in?

Anyways, I lost my wedding zeal, but the excitement of marriage itself never left me. Since I have about 6 months left, I am not going to seat and wait for my mojo, but just do it. So during my time "away" form the blog and wedding planning in general, I did a lot of thinking and restructuring. We re-budgeted for the wedding and added one more day of celebration. We will party like the true African rock stars we are. LOL!

We decided that instead of cramming 7 days of celebrations (traditional weddings, church ceremony, and receptions) we will dedicate on day for some of the African celebrations, and we will do the rest in December 2010 in Cameroon.... Like I need more things to worry about right? It's all good though. We are thinking about a brunch or early evening festivities the day before the church wedding (more on that later). Now the search for a cheap hall started, as well as that of some other very inexpensive vendors (Photographers, videographer, bartenders and servers)
Also, I finished the STDs. Finally! But I still can't send them out because we are not done with the wedding website (long terribly annoyingly irritating story!)

Finally, the girls want to have a Bridesmaids "meeting" tomorrow, since most of them will be in the country. The thing is, I have no clue what that's about. I know many brides complain that members of their bridal parties are not involved or interested in their plans and I should be grateful and all, but I have no updates for them, or for the actual wedding for that matter. I don't know what I am going to wear or what they will wear. I got nothing more than what I had the last time I responded to one of their "any update on the wedding?" emails and texts. Oh! Maybe they want to call me out on my slacking... Who knows? But I do feel very blessed to have these women in my life and by my side!

I miss you guys

Bisous,

Kids at the Wedding

2009-11-04T01:45:00.000-05:00

They can be cute

Or make a scene

Or do weird things

Or easily get tired and bored

Or cry and not want to do what they probably cried they wanted to do

Well, Just being kids...

But we love them. Mr. Chic more so than I...

Are/Will/Did you have any kids at your wedding?

I don't know what I will do in this area of the wedding

Bisous,

Photo credit: http://www.thkimdesigns.com/; http://www.themichiganweddingphotographer.com/; http://www.themichiganweddingphotgrapher.com/; http://www.opheliaphotography.com/; http://www.markadamsphotography.com/; http://www.thkimdesigns.com/

Un-Wedding Bridesmaids Shoes I Love!

2009-11-03T01:15:00.000-05:00

I doubt I'll tell them what to wear as far as shoes are concerned (and we have different styles) but I love the look of non-dyable-non-weddingish shoes with hot dresses.

The dresses are the perfect pink color I am thinking of by the way...

Bisous,

Photo Credit: www.mibelleinc.com

Seating Chart vs. Escort Cards

2009-11-02T00:17:00.009-05:00

I really like the look of escort cards. I think they will fit the formality of the wedding but I am afraid to get carried away on little anal details of the cards; If I do escorts cards, I want to have a beautiful table to display the cards on... like the one above from www.theknot.com

I really like this look. I think it's so ingenious. It looks like a portrait/canvas/even seating chart but the bride cut a poster into rectangles and added the guest's names in small print. She then mounted an identical poster beneath so the image would remain intact when guest took their cards. Why can't I come up with stuffs like that?

The monogram here reminds me a lot of mine; maybe that's why I love this one...

All escort cards from www.theknot.com

But I think the seating card will be easy and maybe cheaper to make... However, what do I do with the big chart after the wedding? It's hard enough for me to throw a 4 year old receipt so, I just don't know...

I really love the modern look of this one from www.theknot.com

You know how I love our engagement pictures... Another shameless way to plaster one of them at the reception...

www.gourmetinvitations.blogspot.com

I love this rustic one. It doesn't fit our theme but maybe someone out there might be inspired

www.eastcoastwedding.blogspot.com

You will think that after all the headache I got from the STDs, I will stay away from DIY but THIS project, whichever route I choose, will be a DIY project...

Thoughts?

Bisous,

Hi From The Other Side Of The Planet...

2009-10-28T16:34:00.006-04:00

Hi Guys!

I have been living between airports and suitcases and wedding planning has taken a back seat for now... I now have a real reason for slacking on this wedding planning. LOL!

I'll be back soon. Till then, enjoy this piece of advice with the first florist I considered using until they got on my nerves (long story)

Bisous,

Photo Credit: Laura Eaton Photography

It's Monday

2009-10-19T19:18:00.004-04:00

Hi Guys!

I hope your weekend less stressful than mine. Let's just say I have never looked forward to the end of a weekend as I have these last few days.

Let's hope the week is much better...

Photo Credit: http://www.alisonconklin.com

Isn't this cute? It's not really a "wedding" picture, though taken by a wedding photographer. But it could be. Groom and ring bearers... What do you think?

Bisous,

How cool is that?

2009-10-16T14:00:00.002-04:00

I don't know if this post qualifies me as a concerned/gracious hostess or a neurotic bride with too much time on her hand, but here we go...

I can't find anything like this here in the states. I've found simple ones where you can add your name on the thongs, but nothing special. If really needed, I guess I can always ask my family in France to look up the ones above for me.

I've see girls on Theknot and other wedding forums buy regular flip flops at Old Navy for $1, without much room for personalization like these. Also, few stores including Theknot.com sell "Bride & Groom" and "Just Married" flip fops, but nothing you can give to your guests for their aching feet...

I tried to make mine but as you can see, the features on the website I found are limited and

NOT cheap ... On average, the prices on various websites ranged from $3 to $20 per flip flops (yeah right!)

It was fun doing it though! I did the one above on http://www.technologo.com/

I Love that first picture; But is any/all of this worth the money or headache?

Have a fantastic weekend!

Bisous,

Welcome to Philly!

2009-10-15T18:57:00.005-04:00

So after my depressing post yesterday, I decided to get off my lazy behind and do something about the wedding... anything!

I thus proceeded to reserve my hotel bocks for the nights of, and around the wedding. I don't know what the norm is but I only locked two hotels. One is where the reception will take place and the other one is about four blocks away (just across the street from the church)

I don't know how my guests will feel about the prices but I think I was able to negotiate great deals for great hotels in Center City... We'll see!

So as I was doing this, I started thinking about what kinds of goodies I can surprised my guests with, hoping they will appreciate it. As most of them are coming from out of the country/town, I though maybe some American goodies or Philadelphia treats will do. (I will make another post once I think more about this)

Both hotels require $3 delivery charge to deliver to goodies in each of the guestroom; However, it will be free if we have the guests pick their "gifts" at the front desk when they check in. You know which method I chose. Right? Also, IF I end up doing a "Welcome to Philly" party before the wedding as an alternative to the rehearsal dinner like I'm thinking right now, I can give out the boxes/bags then...

I guess we can present the goodies in a box

Or in a bag (paper, tissue, or linen)

Or even in an Afrocentric basket to add that touch of our heritage. Who knows?

Or even copy the idea of this "Gift bag" a friend of a friend used as a favor bag for her wedding in Nigeria... Hum, yeah!

What do you think?

Bisous,

Photo Credits: www.blissweddingsmarket.com, http://2.bp.blogspot.com/, www.blissweddingsmarket.com , www.blissweddingsmarket.com , Mr.L

I'm So Over This!

2009-10-14T16:13:00.004-04:00

I'm so over wedding planning. I have not inspiration, no will power, nothing. I just drool over -Mr Chic of course and over- other people's wedding pictures on the net.

I want to look this happy on the wedding day but with all this stress, I doubt it.

I want to elope but no one will let me; not that it should matter since nobody is helping us pay for the wedding. At the same time, I may regret not having a "wedding" if we do elope.

I don't know what to do... but what else is new?

I Just got back from some little village in TN (who knew they were villages in America?) and I have a little over 7 months until the wedding and i realize that i haven't done anything in the last 2 months or so

Bisous,

Photo credit: http://www.romanticallinclusiveresorts.com/; http://www.groomgroove.com/

Hey Taxi!

2009-10-01T12:00:00.001-04:00

http://turnloosetheart.net/

http://www.dannyweissphoto.com/

So during my eight (8) hours flight back to Philly, a little kids was crying the whole time and therefore I couldn't sleep. Grrrrrrr! So I had a lot of time to think about a whole bunch of things. From useless thoughts that probably ate some of my brain cells to more productive things that i needed to sort out.

Somewhere in the middle was the transportation to the wedding. See, I almost never walk anywhere. I always tell Mr Chic and my BFF, who both love to walk that "a nice walk" is an oxymoron. I guess it has a lot to do my somewhat impractical shoes and I am a little lazy (There people, I said it!)

Anyways, the Church is only 4 blocks from the hotel/reception place and the area where I am considering taking the pictures is also 5 blocks from the church (and 9 blocks from the hotel)

Let me just say that I am not walking to the Church, or to take pictures, or anywhere for that matter. However, I cannot find a limo company in Philly that will offer its services for less than three (3) hours. Hein? And I don't really like limo to begin with. So I was thinking that since everything is in the heart of the city, why not take a cab?

And it will work out because we might do the African wedding march from the Church to the reception site anyways (Still not sold on this idea- Yet another post for for my readers who don't know what I am talking about!)

Not sure if the dress will fit, how many people can get into the cab, how the bridal party will get from/to where ever, and all but I really like the idea of a cab... And it will make for some really cool pictures.

It will be really nice if I could find a vintage cab like this one

http://www.jenniferdavisphotography.com/

There is room inside!

http://www.jenniferdavisphotography.com/

I guess London Cabs are more practical though- See how many people are coming out of that thing?...

www.brianharte.co.uk

They even have white taxis...

http://www.weddingtaxi.com/

Now if I can only convince Mr. Chic! In the meantime, what do you think?

Bisous,

PS: Just thought about this... I think it will be so cool if I can find a UK Taxi to add a piece of Mr. Chic's country to our wedding day!

No, I Am not Dead!

2009-09-30T18:04:00.003-04:00

I got an email from a friend asking me if I was dead, and I figured other people might wonder the same thing. Well I am alive! Sorry for abandoning you my beloved readers...

I'd the flu. Again. Go figure!

When I started feeling better, Mr. Chic needed surgery so I jumped on the first plane to London.

I am back now with 785 work emails and I am not even sure how many personal emails.

I am so behind on the wedding planning that I just want to go to the justice of peace and call it a day (will explain more later)

This last turn of things really got both Mr. Chic and I thinking more about moving, so we might not wait until after the wedding next year for one of us to move (him to the States OR me to the UK). So a decision has to be made ASAP and let the job hunt begin!

Please pray for open doors for work.

Glad -but so overwhelmed- to be back!

Bisous,

Speaking of Invitations, Je Ne Parle Pas Anglais

2009-09-09T19:00:00.004-04:00

How would you feel if you receive an wedding invite in another language (French to be specific)?

I asked the question around to see what people's opinion are, and I am getting various answers. I think I have ideas about which way I want to go but I am not sure. So here is the problem:

A lot less than half of my guests are here in the States. Mr.Chic's friends/co-workers in London obviously speak English as well (but no French). However, a big % of our families and friends do not speak English. So I am not sure whether to (so to speak):

*Design them in English ::read Families and Friends, my new life is in America deal with it and come party with us?::

*Design our invites in French ::read screw English speaking people or hey, English is not my 1st, 2nd or even 3rd language y'all::

*Make ~half of the invites in English and the other +half in French. (too much work, headaches, and questions like do I send an English or french invite to my sister who speaks both? lol I know I drive myself crazy!)

*Write in both languages and I found so many nice and different designs out there :: But will I have the design juice to come up wit something this beautiful?::

On the same page, alternate sentences in both languages

On the same page, have an English section and a French section (to replace the Vietnamese -?-version below)

An English page and a French page (to replace Chinese below)

*Maybe there is another option out there I haven't thought of yet ...

Thoughts?

Photo Credits: http://www.weddingpaperdivas.com; ???; http://swirled-wedding.com; www.bellafigura.com; www.stephita.com

Bisous,

You Are Invited To My Parents' Wedding...

2009-09-09T06:48:00.003-04:00

How cute is that for an informal wedding... of parents obviously?

Outside of the card.

And the inside.

Photo credit: http://www.le-faire-part.com/

Bisous,

Our Wedding Colors on a Person

2009-09-06T09:00:00.001-04:00

PS: I do not want to dress my bridal party in our wedding colors. I just like the way it came together on this hottie.

PS:PS: Hi from London ::wink!::

Bisous,

Monograms

2009-09-03T13:41:00.013-04:00

I did them all by myself, like a big girl and here they are! I started by browsing designs from various websites/blogs out there, and shamelessly replicated them using our colors/names/etc.
They were fairly easy to make in both PowerPoint and in Photoshop...

I feel very bad blurring my future last name after all my hard work, but this is the internet after all!

Once I started feeling comfortable with Photoshop, this is what ensued:

Both Mr. Chic and I love it and he decided that's it! Modern and Clean, it brings the colors together just how I {we} envisioned it in my head.

To create the monogram, I downloaded the flourish for free -it was part of a bigger damask ish pattern- and I downloaded the fonts from font101 (free too). I created few layers in Photoshop (one with the flourish, one for each of the "branches", one with our names, and the last one with he wedding date) and voila!

I feel so proud of myself for doing/finishing them. I know they wouldn't cost a lot if I had someone else made them but I saved some dough and this is just another labor of love!

The problem though, is that I made the background blue and the flourish white. So technically, I can't use it on a white paper/runner/material. I tried swapping the blue and the white but i don't like how it turned out. So we'll see.

Thoughts?

Bisous,

Back On My Feet

2009-09-01T23:54:00.005-04:00

So I've been sick for aboout two weeks now, hence my lack of posts. They (both work and hospital) were scared it was the swine flu but thank God it wasn't. The sucky thing (well there are a few) is that since I've been out of the office for a while now, I have tons of things to catch up at work. Today felt like the first day of school... all bad though.

Also, I did not loose a single "pound!" Two weeks of sickness and no weight loss? I admit my priorities are twisted but still, I'm quite disappointed by this, which brings me to my next point. When I checked in the hospital, they weighed me! You have to understand that I haven't weighed myself in a few (at least 3 or 4) years so I was very surprised by how much I actually weight. People say I carry it well. Thanks for the kind lies... I mean words, but the (lot of) extra pounds need to go. So here is the motivation I always wanted: That enormous number on the scale!

I feel lost in this wedding planning too. At least I've completed my STD mock-ups for Mr. Chic to "approve" Let's see how that goes.

On a good note though, I received a pretty package in the mail with my birdcage veil from Jeana and it looks fabulous. Thanks girlie!

Overall, I am grateful for good health and blogger friends. What are you grateful for today?

Bisous,