***Cincy2011***

tamtam7

Hey girl!  You asked me to post a pic of the earrings I'm wearing with my e-pic dress.  Here they are:
[IMG]http://i40.tinypic.com/395jc.jpg[/IMG]
Here is a better pic:
[IMG]http://i39.tinypic.com/1ylfs3.jpg[/IMG]

Also, here is a pic of the jewelry I'm wearing to one of my bridal showers:
[IMG]http://i40.tinypic.com/2vs4wwo.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i39.tinypic.com/2zr270j.jpg[/IMG]

And this is a pic of the dress, in case you missed it:
http://www.anntaylorloft.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=25320&N=1200007&pCategoryId=3359&categoryId=211&Ns=CATEGORY_SEQ_211&loc=TN&gridSize=sm&showAll=true&defaultColor=Midnight%20Navy&defaultSizeType=Regular

I usually wear silver jewelry but the dress has antique gold details so I decided it would be best to go with gold this time.

tamtam7

Hey girl!  You asked me to post a pic of the earrings I'm wearing with my e-pic dress.  Here they are:
[IMG]http://i40.tinypic.com/395jc.jpg[/IMG]
Here is a better pic:
[IMG]http://i39.tinypic.com/1ylfs3.jpg[/IMG]

Also, here is a pic of the jewelry I'm wearing to one of my bridal showers:
[IMG]http://i40.tinypic.com/2vs4wwo.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i39.tinypic.com/2zr270j.jpg[/IMG]

And this is a pic of the dress, in case you missed it:
http://www.anntaylorloft.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=25320&N=1200007&pCategoryId=3359&categoryId=211&Ns=CATEGORY_SEQ_211&loc=TN&gridSize=sm&showAll=true&defaultColor=Midnight%20Navy&defaultSizeType=Regular

I usually wear silver jewelry but the dress has antique gold details so I decided it would be best to go with gold this time.

tamtam7

Oh!  I just read your response to my question in your e-pics post.  Thanks for complimenting my dress.  I understand your point about the waist thing.  I would love it if I could find bronze antique gold shoes, but I haven't been succesful thus far.  I'll keep looking.  I need to stop spending money.  Is it just me, or do you justify spending more money than you would normally on stuff because it's for the wedding.  Although the jewelry I purchased today was on sale, I wouldn't have spent that much normally. 

Oh!  And about your hair.  Girl, I do the same thing when I go to a new hairstylist.  I especially like to show them the before so that they can get an idea of what my hair looks like so that there are no surprises.  I've had hairstylists say to me, oh I didn't know your hair was natural.  Oh!  It's natural alright.  So, I want them to know what they are getting themselves into.  Because if you're not used to working with natural hair it can be a cultural shock for some. 

cincy2011

Tam I LOVE your jewelry!  It is so pretty and feminine looking.  It will bring the look together so nicely!  Good job on getting them on sale - you have great taste girl!  

I wish you luck with the antique gold shoes....that will be a tough one.  Maybe you can wear some light/medium brown or caramel colored shoes?  That might look okay too b/c it's a neutral but the brown/caramel tone will bring out the beading around the neckline.  

I am starting to spend money a little too freely when it concerns the wedding.  Especially now for these e-pics, its like I want to buy three new outfits (no, none of the hundreds of outfits in my closet will work - LOL!) and new shoes/jewelry/etc.  I am getting hair and airbrush make up, want to get a facial and possibly waxing or laser hair removal before hand.  It adds up quickly.  I figure I'll be the all out girly-girl now and spend a little more, and then go into saving mode later.  

I pray my hair turns out nice.  You just can never tell when you're dealing with a new stylist.  I know you understand girl - speaking of, how are your hair trials turning out?  Did you have any more last weekend?  Any pics to share?  Your hair is so pretty, I know someone will get it right.  So you are 1 month and 2 weeks out...how does it feel?  Are you getting more nervous or has it not really hit you yet?  Do you feel like things are coming together or do you feel frazzled?  Or both, depending on what time of day it is?  LOL 

I can't wait to be a month away from my wedding.  I'm sure it's a very stressful time, but so exciting that you'll be marrying the love of your life.  All 6 feet, 7 inches of him!    Which reminds, me I meant to ask you if you're tall?  B/c I'm 5'6" and I dated someone 6'8" in college and it was actually difficult.  As in he could barely fit in my car (I had a 2 door coupe), many times if we wanted to kiss while standing up I would stand on a chair (when we were at home) and he just towered over me in general.  But it was crazy how people react to someone that tall - it was like instant respect from everyone wherever we went.  LOL!  Do you get that same reaction when you're out with FI?  

tamtam7

Thanks for complimenting my jewelry.  I am actually wearing the bracelet today.  I like your suggestion regarding the brown/tan shoes.  I actually have a pair in mind.  I tried them on with the dress and the jewelry yesterday and thought that it looked nice together. 

I am definately spending too much money for the wedding.  And the sad thing is that I was under budget with the vendor/venue stuff, so now it's just the little odds and ins that are putting me over the top.  I've been buying new outfits, shoes, etc.  My excuse is that since I've gained a little bit of weight most of my clothes don't fit anymore, but I've been spending more than necessary, honestly.  But you know, I beat myself up about it, but I'm not really going crazy with my spending.  Sure, the money could be saved up for other household needs, but I have always been fiscally conservative with my spending, and I figure since I work so hard, I should be able to enjoy my hard earned money and splurge a little when I can. 

You know that I know exactly what you mean regarding new hairstylists.  I can't believe that it's such a big deal.  If you are a professional you should be trained in working with a variety of hair textures.  Because even African American women with relaxers have different hair textures.  I think that what you're doing is the way to go, and I think the hairstylist will appreciate it too.  Your hair is going to be gorgeous!  I have not had another hair trial recently.  I was supposed to get my hair done last Thursday but I canceled the appointment because I won a free bridal shoot at a wedding show, so I wanted to get my hair done for that.  Unfortunately, I have been unable to get in contact with the photographer.  Go figure.  I will give him a call today.

I am a month away and very stressed out.  My insomnia is coming back and I worry constantly about everything.  But I worry and stress out about everything anyways.  My menstrual cycle is scheduled to come on next week, so I am totally out of wack anyways.  The older I get the weirder my periods are.  I hate it.  Some things seem to be coming together for the wedding, while other things are still up in the air.  I am having a shower now..YAY!  Two actually.  I posted a question twice about the shower because I didn't get much response the first time.  My aunt and mom are throwing me a shower and my FMIL is throwing me one.  FMIL said that if I have the shower too close to the wedding people won't bring gifts for both, so she proposed that I have the shower at least three weeks away.  My aunt and mom said that because most of my family is coming in from out of town, it would be difficult for them to come to the shower and the wedding so they decided to throw the shower a day before the wedding since most people will be in town already.  My aunt suggested that I send an invitation to my family for my FMIL's shower so that they can send gifts to that one if they choose to send a gift.  I don't know if I should send them two invitations or what?  I don't want them to think I'm being greedy but if they did want to send me a gift for the bridal shower I wanted to give them the option.  What do you think is the best way to handlie this?  You'll probably be in the same situation as me, how do you plan on dealing with this issue?  Also, are you going to have a separate registry for the bridal shower from the wedding registry?  I know this is probably a long way off for you, but I just wanted to know your thoughts.

Although I'm so stressed out about the wedding I am so excited about marrying my 6 foot 7 inch man.  LOL.  I was just thinking the other day about how lucky I am to have him.  He really makes me happy.  He almost seems too good to be true.  I'm not used to things working out in my life, so I'm always so afraid that something is just going to go wrong somehow.  I am not very tall at all.  I'm only 5;3" and yep he gets a lot of attention when we are out.  THere is a picture of him on my desk at work and people comment on how tall he is all of the time.

cincy2011

Hey girl - I'm glad you found some shoes that match your new dress!  So exciting - please post pics of the entire outfit!

I think wedding spending happens just how you described it - you are on point with your budget and pretty strict with yourself in the beginning, and then as the date approaches you start feeling more free.  Also, the stress level increases and a natural reaction is to shop - at least for me, LOL!  Girl if you are typically fiscally conservative, you totally deserve to spend a little more on yourself for this special time!  This is a once-in-a-lifetime process/event, so it's nice to do a little extra for yourself so you feel great.

Congrats on your free photo shoot!  Were you able to get in touch w/ the photographer today?  So is the free photo shoot your e-pics or are you using it for something else? 

I am so sorry to hear that your insomnia is back!    I was hoping you wouldn't have to deal with that for a long time.  Have you tried the stretching, not eating anything rich before bed and not watching TV before bed?  I feel you on the pre-menstrual issues...girl every month a few days prior I can literally feel my emotions swinging.  LOL!  My periods have also gotten worse over time...my cramps aren't as bad as when I was a teenager, but my mental state has taken a turn for the worse.  LOL

Sorry girl, I can't really help on the shower front.  I'm not having one (by choice) - but I'm so happy that you're having two!  I would not send two invitations to people.  If people are coming to your wedding, they're probably either bringing a gift or ordered one on your registry beforehand and had it sent to your house.  I would think they'd do the same for the shower the day before, so I wouldn't worry about sending them an invite for the first shower.  I would personally think it was strange if I got two invites to two different showers for the same person.  I would be a bit confused as to what you wanted me to do .... buy a gift for both, attend both, etc.  Maybe let the word "leak out" to your family through your mom or aunt about the other shower, and if someone is interested in knowing more about it they can ask you or your mom/aunt.  As far as the registry, I would probably register for somewhere different for the shower (vs. your bridal registry).  I would honestly just pick another store you like that's not on the bridal registry and list maybe 20 things that they can choose from.  I would probably stay away from "couple" type gifts like pots/pans, anything related to cooking/entertaining at home.  I would focus more on gifts that seem like they're just for you...even if you register at Target and put some stuff on there like a new CD you want, some new iPod earphones, some cute earrings, a little clutch, stuff like that.  Stuff that people think is fun and would want to purchase as a gift just for you.  

I'm so happy that you have a great FI and that he makes you happy - that's what this is all about!  

P.S. Wow, 5'3" and 6'7"?  That is a huge height difference!