of envelopes. and liners. and first gifts.

So where have I been? Well, I've been doing a little of this:

And a lot of this:

*can you see my computer buried under the envelopes?

And just a tiny bit of this:

*yay for first presents: i have been drooling over this mixer for at least 5 years. Thanks, mom!

We've been busy in wedding land.  I've been working on our invitations and envelopes (instead of picking a photographer and caterer, but more on that in the future). Rather than pre-ordering everything, I wanted to design them myself--with help from my fabulous designer friend.  I knew I wanted cream, rounded corners, and fun liners, so I started searching.  Thanks to the Paper Studio, Paper Source, and Sam, I'm slowly turning a corner--and it's a good thing since they need to go out in two weeks.  Paper Source has fabulous paper stock for a great price.  Finding Paper Studio was just luck and a little google help, but watch out.  Pretty soon every card I send will have a fantastic lined envelope (kell, I already picked out fun liners for your baby shower.  although, they're dependent on boy v. girl.) And Sam, well, let me tell you.  I may have the best fiance in the world.  He spent three hours last night (after setting up his new blu-ray player and making dinner) cutting out A7 envelope liners.  So go show him some love on his blog or leave a comment here: i already know i'm lucky, but what did your future men (or women) do that really convinced you?

it's been a long. long. week.

I have tons of inspiration to show and get opinions on, but after a week full of craziness and work, I'm completely flat.  Next week, though, get ready.

In the meantime, go here to Yele Haiti.  I don't know about you, but this week's disaster totally makes my terrible week seem small in comparison.  Lots of people have written about this much more eloquently than I, so I'm not going to try to even put it into words.  Text $5 through yele because every little bit helps.  Like my dad said, they'll rebuild (and quickly), they just need relief now.

And if you're still feeling generous, pledge here to read the printed word. Yes, I know this is a blog on a computer screen, and we all spend lots of time on the internets.  (it's actually nice to be able to read the NY Times in the ham). But don't forget about the wonderfulness that is books and real newspapers--black fingerprints and all. (PS: they have cute buttons to download, but i can't figure out how to do it.  see, too tired. ) Plus, you'll be saving my business.  And for that, we're all grateful.

Wanted: 1 really good photographer

Oh, this is funny.  Really funny. I find photographers for a living, but I can't seem to find one for my own wedding.  It hasn't escaped me that the two are probably related.  On the chance that they are not, this is not funny or ironic.  It's annoying.

There are worse things in the world, I know.  But right now, it's really annoying that the perfect wedding photographer hasn't popped up.

I definitely don't want a gimmick.  Today alone, I've looked at countless websites with cheesy names and even cheesier images (no, we don't want our picture taken in a bathtub or running through the ocean, thanks).  And I don't want to trash my dress--even after the ceremony.  (Are you kidding me? I paid actual money for this; I'd rather not trash it even if it sits in a box in my closet for the next 50 years.) I don't want a hard-to-navigate website or flashing colors.  I don't want weird angles in my pictures (yes, the horizon is actually straighter than that, thanks).  I could show you examples of all these, but...I also don't want to burn any bridges just in case I have to resort to these cheesy photographers.

Here's what I want: a great photographer with a good personality and an even better eye. I want good coverage for the wedding and the reception.  I want photos of my family and friends (with and without us) that we'll love looking back at 50 years from now.  I want a photographer comfortable with film because there's no escaping that quality.  But he / she should be good at digital because the immediacy and flexibility can't be beat.  I want the details.  I want to not spend $4500.  And mostly, I want to find someone soon.  I'm about at the end of my decision making limit...pretty soon, I'll be picking burgundy napkins and foie gras just because I don't care. (eww.)

 
Someone who shoots like this.   Or this.

So to all the photographers out there, give me a call or send me an email. PS...if any of you who actually read this know of someone that matches my description, let me know.  i'll be eternally grateful. or at least less stressed.




                                  




*Tara Donne for Martha Stewart Weddings

the color.

It's cold, today.  Really cold.  And after all that talk about snow, there was no accumulation, no ice, and no problems (for which we're really grateful, but they let out schools and closed the libraries). 

I've been working on this post all week, but between my crazy schedule (see below) and the BCS game (13. Roll Tide!), my poor color inspiration board fell to the bottom of the list.  However, I blocked out lunch to create this today.  And it was necessary.  As a non-degreed creative person (meaning, I went to school for English, not graphic design), I needed to organize my thoughts as quickly as possible.

From top left: Country Living, Mint Paper, Paulette Macarons, 

Snippet & Ink, Red Photo Co, Meg Smith, Sprinkles Cupcakes, Sundance Catalog

It's funny.  I've been saying since before I was engaged that I wanted a green and white wedding--with accents of navy blue and gray.  However, when I finally sat down and got to work, no navy blue or gray.  Maybe it's necessary to repeat the process a few more times, but I happen to really like this board. The details are fab: I love the twine wrapped around the glass jars and am hoping that this can somehow be worked into my reception.  I love the messy flowers. And of course, there must be a peace sign somewhere.  It's the theme of my 20s!

Somehow I want to mix industrial aspects, maybe zinc letters or numbers, in with natural aspects, like driftwood.  I really just want my wedding to look like a page out of an Anthropologie catalog.  Big twinkly lights, maybe paper lanterns, and a fire.  I think it will work...

Now we just need the weather to cooperate (sunny warm day, please), and we're good to go.

keep calm.

I don't normally fancy myself a highly excitable person. Unless, of course, there's ice cream involved. But overall, I try to keep things calm. (And I can see Sam rolling his eyes.) So let me start again. In a perfect world, I would not be a highly excitable person. On a good day, I can breathe slowly and let things roll off my back. Every other day, I struggle just to roll with it.

So with the short wedding planning, crazy production month, and teaching schedule, I'm about to lose my mind. I walk out of the house without my coffee or the box that I needed to mail back two days ago. I have a to-do list that's 53 items long; the first item being to check my to do list. I forget to lock the door; I leave the candles burning all night long. I need to finish up the invitations, put together an inspiration board, lose ten pounds, and on and on and on. You can probably guess that I haven't been very calm for awhile.

I love this poster. (You can order your own here.) I've read that the British government printed these (in red) during WWII to put around the subway system. (It seems important to mention that at least two co-workers have these in their office.) Seems to be an admirable quality and very British sterotype: all stiff upper lip and stoicism.

So that's my new New Year's resolve. Keep calm. No panic. Keep all arms and legs inside the car at all times. And carry on. At least for the next 72 days.

the why.

I'm Kristen and I'm engaged, as of the last Saturday in November (also known as get your Christmas tree day). I'm kind of hoping that just admitting that will lead to peace of mind. You know, like the first step in AA. Today, I read Glamour magazine's "top 12 things you need to do after you get engaged", and realized how far behind I was. It was interesting, if a little stress inducing. Top thing on the list? Call all of your relatives. Hmmm. Sorry, relatives! For those of you who don't know (all 2 of you?), we're engaged! Numbers 2 and 3 haven't been done either: we're on that though. But number 5 was an idea I can get behind--and today! So, in good bridal fashion, I'm creating a blog. I'm sure that I'll post dates and locations and even ideas. Starting with...how we met (and subsequently got engaged) in less than 70 words: we went to high school together @ LCS in lakeland. sam went to college. i moved to birmingham. then went to college. commenced extremely different life experiences which led us to the same place. fed up in a coffee shop in birmingham. started dating. introduced our dogs. redid a kitchen. went to florida. went to california. picked out a christmas tree. went to florida (again). started planning a wedding.

phew! i covered the last 13 years pretty fast, huh?

so, for now, here's the need to know.

THE date (which Glamour put as number 4 on the list): March 19, 2010 (less than 3 months away. bet there's not a planning book out there that will touch this one!)