Say "I Guess" to the dress...

I am obsessed with TLC's "Say Yes to the Dress." Having each season available on instant Netflix is an enabler. Amidst making dozens of mini pecan tartlets and pumpkin cheesecake for work, I've been watching episode after episode of bride after bride try on dress after dress after dress. And I keep thinking about my dress-buying experience.

My Matron of honor, Nissa, and I decided to go dress shopping while she was here for the engagement party. I had no intention of purchasing a dress, but I wanted her to be part of the deciding process since I tremendously value her opinion. The girl knows what I like.

We started the afternoon at a small dress shop in Madison, where Aaron's sister had purchased her dress several years ago. Nissa and I felt confident that this would be the best store to find the dress of my dreams. I tried on a few really gorgeous dresses (and a stunning belt), but every dress had something I wanted to change. Remove the beading hear, take this off there, take it up here, add this, nix that. It was very frustrating. I felt like the consultant continued to bring dresses that were the opposite of what I was asking for. After about an hour of trying on, we decided on a dress that needed work. The consultant pushed for the sale, but I quickly explained that I needed my family to be with me for the final decision, so I would be waiting and making another appointment for the following month.

Onto our next appointment at a larger, big box store. Nissa didn't have a good feeling about finding the dress here, and I felt underwhelmed at the choices when I was there with my sister in July. The consultant slipped the first dress over my head, I walked out of the room and Nissa said, "Oh Sara." I looked in the mirror and smiled from ear to ear. It was flirty and fun. It had some of the playful elements I was looking for and the fabric was fantastic. But there were a few other dresses waiting to be tried on.

After several dresses and explaining to the consultant what I was looking for, she asked if she could bring something out for me to try. I slipped the dress on and instantly felt glamourous. Nissa loved it as well. I realized it was one I had seen online and in a magazine and thought it was beautiful. And for a moment, I felt like I could cry...a feeling very new to me throughout this process. It was completely unlike the first dress. And then the consultant explained something. This was the last dress in this style... in the color I wanted... in my size... on mega sale... like 50% off sale. Ummmmm. riiiiight. So at this point I've gone from not thinking about purchasing a dress at all to, "How can I possibly walk out of the store without this dress today!?!?"

So I tried my two favorites on... about 3 times each. I walked around the store in them. I twirled in them. I stared at them in the mirror until it didn't even feel like I was the person in the reflection. We considered several things:

• What will I think of photos of me wearing this dress in 20 years?
• Is this a dress I can wear? Or is it a dress that wears me?
• Fit of the dress (obviously) and how it moves
• What dress will people expect me in vs what will wow them

In the end, I couldn't leave this dress knowing someone else would buy it within a week. I walked out of the store, dress in hand. It's in the other room. I think I'll go visit it....

OK, back. Yeah, it's in our 2-bedroom apartment right now. I'm sure Aaron feels like the garment bag is staring him in the dress, but it will stay here for now.

So this wasn't my original plan for dress shopping. I was planning on an entourage of family and friends in the middle of November. But, when it's right, it's right. :) I only slightly feel like I might have missed out on some of the experience, but there's always the fitting, right? And I get to make some sweet fabric flowers to go on it and spice it up a bit!

Anyway, here's my advice for brides going dress shopping.

• Look for ideas- Peruse magazines, web sites, bridal shows. Go to your appointment armed with ideas. That said...
• Be open-minded- Try on various dress shapes to see what truly looks best on you. I thought A-line was the way to go, but I still attempted the dreaded trumpet and ball gown just to be sure I wasn't missing out.
• Trust your instinct- I feel lucky that Nissa let me formulate my own opinion before expressing her ideas. And when I asked her for input, she was truthful. And if the dress makes you want to cry, then cry. Surefire sign you're making the right choice.
• Don't tempt fate- At the first dress, I would have had to change so many things and the price of the dress would skyrocket. As badly as I wanted to buy my dress there... they didn't have it at the price I wanted. The fact that store 2 had a dress that incorporated elements I wanted, allowed room for creativity, fit me almost perfectly AND was on sale... come on. That just doesn't happen twice.

Tiny-waisted Bride...please :)

Wedding diets and physical appearance is such a touchy subject. I’ve read tales of brides who “force” their bridesmaids to go on diets and lose weight prior to the big day. Sometimes the wedding party uses the wedding as a motivator for them to make certain changes in their lifestyle to achieve their best possible figure before the day comes. And of course, brides always want to look their absolute best as they walk down the aisle. I’m no different. It might sound vain, but my goal is to make Aaron’s jaw drop the second he sees me. Hey, I’ve been a little chubby much of my life and always felt awkward about my body. If I can have one single moment of feeling like the most beautiful girl in the world, I’m going to snatch it while I can. That in mind, I keep telling myself I’m not going to shop for dresses until I’m positively certain I won’t lose another single pound (or gain) before the wedding. Well... that didn't happen. I bought the dress on somewhat of a whim, but that's another story.

I feel really blessed that I’ve had the determination and will power to work off about 40 lbs in a year and a half. No joke. But I’m not satisfied. Hey, the dress can still be taken in! I haven’t been this size in probably 10 years, but it’s just not quite good enough for “wow factor” yet. So what measures am I taking?

First, I have two goals:

Drop 15-20 lbs more

Tone, tone, tone my arms and back… like… meh, idk hot Hilary Swank style?

For the past 6 weeks I’ve been taking an at-work Boot Camp class that mixes cardio and strength in a circuit-training style. I’ve been running pretty seriously for the last year and let me tell you, this is a work OUT! You can work at your own pace, but keep in mind that you only get out what you put in. So push it real good. Through the same gym, Edge Fitness in Sun Prairie, WI, I recently started a 3-week “Challenge.” This challenge combines a serious diet and workout schedule. Not quite as hardcore as P90X, but promises results. I’m just over halfway through week one. I’ve lost a pound or so and I notice a difference.

Week one’s diet includes extremely lean proteins, Omega-3 eggs, liquid egg white, a little cheese and tons of veggies. I’m the type of dieter that craves chocolate the second you tell me I can’t have it, even if I don’t really care for it. So this week, no sugar and no grains, it has been a rough one. I’m already thinking about how I’m going to sabotage myself by eating out once the 3 weeks are over. So if willpower can be willed… please will it to me. Maybe I need to tear out some “hot bride” pics from magazines and post them at my desk with the quote, “Nothing tastes as good as you’ll feel in this slinky dress.”

The working out part of the challenge is a piece of cake for me… mmm… cake… I typically work out several days a week and love to run while catching up on Food Network shows… OK, no more food references. The hardest part is waking up early in the morning for Boot Camp. However, it’s remarkable the amount of energy you feel after you’ve sweat buckets for an hour. It’s an amazing sense of accomplishment. That’s what keeps me going. In addition to 2-3, 45-60 minute Boot Camps per week, I play basketball with the boys at work on our lunch hour about twice per week. And I’m in a run group at work. We’re training for a 5k in November and run together twice a week. Sounds like I should have lost like 20 lbs in the last month, right? Well, now you see why I’m frustrated at this plateau.

What I would like to do:

Add an extra run or 2 throughout the week—one intervals run and one long distance, slow run

Stick fairly close to the diet. I’m not missing out on that much and it will give me a deeper sense of appreciation for quality food and date nights. I may give and go to Olive Garden next month, but it doesn’t mean I have to fall off the wagon for good, ya know?

So, I’m going to start perusing some Web sites and articles to find good wedding workouts and diet tips you can try if you’re looking to shake that few extra pounds before you try on the puffy, white marshmallow. Stay tuned.

Fabric Flower Extravaganza

Well folks, I found my dress last Friday! It was completely unexpected. After my Matron of Honor and I went to Vera's Bridals, I thought I found "what I was looking for," though it totally was NOT what I was looking for. But it looked good. :) So then we went to David's Bridals. The first dress I tried on was fun, flirty and amazing. I thought it was the one, but I decided to try a few more. After telling the sales associate what I liked and what I didn't, she asked if she could bring a dress for me to try on. She brought it out, I slipped it on, and voila. I felt magical. I still had to try the first and last dress on about 3 times each to make my final decision, but the facts are these:The last dress was literally the last dress of that style in the store

• It was in my size
• It was on super sale

I couldn't possibly leave without it. So now i

t's mine. It needs a couple of special DIY touches. I've been scouring etsy with a passion. Although I haven't found exactly what I'm looking for, I found some good stuff. Floreti seems to be the best fabric/ couture flower designer that I've come across so far, but there are a few other promising designers.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/49480067/ivory-silk-bridal-hair-flower-accessory?ref=cat3_gallery_24

http://www.etsy.com/listing/49566214/couture-bridal-hair-accessory-magnolia?ref=cat3_gallery_28

http://www.etsy.com/listing/43896473/yellow-and-green-flower-brooch?ref=cat3_gallery_25

http://www.etsy.com/listing/52035400/vera-wang-inspired-ivory-large-fluffly?ref=cat3_gallery_20

Wedding Planning: The 10 Wedding Rules You Can Break

Wedding Planning: The 10 Wedding Rules You Can Break

This article from The Knot has a list of rules to be broken for the modern bride, paralleling nicely with my previous blog on wedding registries.

Registration Station

Hooray to starting our Wedding Registry today! How exciting... and exhausting. To prepare for the event, last night I looked at several suggestive registry lists and together we compiled our own list of "must haves." Today we perused the aisles of Target and Kohl's and found item after item on our list. We could have easily checked everything off and been home by lunch. Unfortunately, we didn't really find many items we actually liked. So rather than settling by adding items that less than met our expectations, we said, "Maybe later."

I've read several articles on wedding Web sites and in magazines about registering for items in a wide range of price points to accommodate the budgets of your many friends and family. I don't disagree with this concept. As someone who knows plenty of people on a tight budget, I think it's appropriate to make your wedding an affordable event for all you would like to attend. However, I'm not about to register for a $10 gadget or knickknack I will never use for the sole purpose of expanding the lower price point of my registry.

If your 5 college friends can only afford something inexpensive on their own, they shouldn't feel guilty for all chipping in to buy one item you'll really love. Other options: Items that really speak to who you are as a couple. Love music? iTunes gift cards. Foodies? A wonderful bottle of wine or tickets to a local food and/or wine festival. My favorite new registry option... honeymoon registries! I'm working on convincing Aaron right now that we need to register for our honeymoon in Ocho Rios, Jamaica.

Aaron and I have lived together for several years and after combining housewares, purchasing new items together, and receiving exactly what we want for gifts, we find ourselves with little that we need to register for. We pretty much decided that hangers, a filing cabinet and an ironing board were the only real necessities. :) We're really happy with the things we have and don't want to put something on the registry just to get something new. So for family and friends who might be reading this, if you don't see something on our registry that you're dying to get us... hold tight. I'm working on something we're sure to love and remember for a lifetime.

Martha Stewart: Wedding decor genius

There are reasons to dislike Martha Stewart--granted. But there are also reasons to adore and emulate her. In searching for wedding decor to transform the dinner venue from bright white canvas to bright bold and welcoming, some ideas have seemed daunting. I stumbled across these cheerful paper crafts on Martha's Web site and I think I'm in love. I tried one out this weekend and it's utterly fun and flashy without being too stuffy. Paper pom-poms are definitely on the guest list.

Motivate me, please!

I'm staying in a sleepy little town outside of Pittsburgh, PA for work this week. When I left, I had all of these wonderful intentions to write, write, write and run, run, run. So far, I've done so little of each. All of my energy has instead gone into the fruitless task of completing a very large project. However, I feel that I've uncovered a linear relationship between planning a wedding and this work trip.

When faced with a task of completing any project, the best way to start is with a positive attitude, ready to set out and accomplish everything on your to-do list. However, as set backs begin to rear their ugly head, it's easy to drift from hopeful to doubtful that things will ever be finished the way you intended. With this work trip, we tried to work with what we had, achieved all we could, and we'll hopefully go home tomorrow with a little pride in the work we accomplished despite the disappointment in the lack of materials and man power.

Nearly two months ago, I threw myself into planning this wedding with Aaron and was filled with hope, excitement and promise. I'm still so excited and can't wait to get all of the details set despite lack of time and resources. As we experience minor setbacks and delays, I find myself feeling like I'm wading in quicksand. Rather than give up, I focus on the things we can get done while we wait to tie up some loose ends. Oh, the hours I've spent digging on Craigslist and Ebay. It's endless. I keep searching for more ways to make our special day truly a day that's specially ours. Motivation is coming through accomplishing each small task rather than focusing on the culmination of events. I'm also hunting for ways you can make your day completely unique.

Next up: Start piecing some of these great finds together and present them to you. I better get started. :)