Contemplating the PWC

I'll be honest: I've been thinking about this day almost as long as I was planning the wedding.

I'm talking about the PWC. Oh, the glorious PWC...how I've dreamed about it longingly. I started growing my hair out in February of 2009; around the time when the chatter of engagement began with Mr. Buttons. I knew I'd want to sport an updo of some sort on the wedding day, and I knew that I'd need to start early to get the length necessary. This is how my hair looked after my last REAL haircut...a chin length inverted bob with long bangs:

This is how it looked about one year after that (in November 2009) - my bangs had grown out, and my hair was at shoulder level:

And this is what it looked like 2 weeks ago...right before the wedding:

It is LONG (for me at least)! I've joked around with many people that I was about ready to take a pair of kitchen scissors to it on a daily basis. I'm SO ready for a new look!

But...what should I do? It has been about a year and a half since I tried to have some sort of "style" with my hair cut. I am not sure which direction I should go now! I have grown somewhat attached to the "longer" length of my hair; it is useful to have the ability to put my hair in a ponytail/clip because of the heat in Florida. However, I need some SHAPE in it, and Mr. Buttons agrees.

I have an appointment for my PWC tomorrow afternoon (eek!), and I am desperately searching the Internet for some inspiration! Come on hive, help me out! Lets find some inspiration photos for medium length, straight hair! Here is what I've compiled so far...

This reminds me of my old haircut...I like the long bangs swept to the side...

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I am fond of the layers in Sienna Miller's hair; even though it is long, it does have some shape!

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I'm also throwing around the idea of shorter bangs...I've had them in the past as well. I rather like the look of Anne Hathaway's in this photo:

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Again, the sideswept bangs...

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Finally, what I think is one of my favorite photos so far - a "long version" of the inverted bob (aka shorter in the back than in the front) with long sideswept bangs

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So...what do you think? Do you have any inspiration photos to share? Send them along!

Did you have a PWC? How did it feel and did you have a hard time finding some inspiration???

I think its safe to say we had a good time...

Oh hey there hive! Guess what!?!

Chicken butt!

Ok, ok...I swear I'm not 6 years old. But I'm oh so happy to return to you as a MARRIED woman! Woo hoo! It feels good...it feels really good!

Mr. Buttons and I have been pretty busy in the past week (moving into a new apartment is exhausting!). And, as I am (im)patiently waiting to see our pro photos, I did want to take some time to complete some of the posts that I didn't have the chance to share with you in the weeks before the wedding! I was a busy little bee, constructing a good deal of DIY projects, having a lovely bachelorette party/wedding shower, and the like!

And, I wouldn't leave you hanging without at least ONE teaser of the fun we had at our wedding! The following photo is cropped, because I can't possibly give away the awesomeness that is happening in the other half of the photo until I have the time to fully describe the scene. I promise to show you the full picture (excuse the poor quality for now), but you're going to have to wait...just a little longer!

Ok, I think we can also have some fun with this - leave a comment and guess what is actually happening in this photo! Gosh, I've missed you guys - it is great to be back! :)

The time is here, the time is now

As I sit in my hotel room with hot rollers in my hair, I can't believe that the day is already here (and passing by in the blink of an eye). Today is the day! The day that I've been planning for almost a year...the day I have been talking about to every single person who has wanted to hear about it (or heck...those who probably haven't wanted to hear about it too...).

I feel like the day is going to pass by too quickly. I've already been awake for 6 hours, and I am trying to take in every moment; a mental picture of each and every experience that I go through during this day. Mommy Buttons has already been to the venue...she reports that it looks spectacular. I can't wait to see it.

This week hasn't been without its setbacks though...we've had some major issues and ulcer-inducing stress come into play. But, I'm here to tell you that everything DID work out in the end; the world has a way of working itself out. And, somehow I've been able to keep my head on straight.

I'm anxious. I'm excited. I'm a little bit nervous. But, somehow I'm extremely calm (for now). I can't wait to marry Mr. Buttons this evening. I can hardly believe I was lucky enough to snatch him up off the beach that fated fall day. I love him so much.

To all of you in the hive: thank you so much for sharing the journey with me. I have appreciated your kind words and support more than you could know. I am so excited to share my experiences with you (and...to show you what I've been up to the past 2 weeks or so). I'll see you all on the other side!

Make me beautiful...

One of the more difficult aspects of living a distance away from your wedding location is that it is sometimes hard to make appointments or set trial sessions for certain wedding details! It isn't easy to taste cakes, to hear a band play live, or to have a hair or makeup trial from long distance!

Since I didn't have time to find a makeup artist before I moved to Virginia last fall, I had to do it once I returned to Florida. Yes, I was cutting it close, but sometimes I work well under pressure! In my search, I came across Camposecco Artistry, and I requested more information. After speaking with Donna, we set up a time for a makeup trial!

A few weeks ago, Mommy Buttons and I met up with Donna at her home studio. And...she proceeded to make me look absolutely stunning!

We started with airbrush foundation. I had never been airbrushed before, and I really enjoyed it! Aside from the fact that it sprayed me with cold blasts of air (it is HOT here in Florida right now), it went on very smoothly and did not feel heavy at all!

She brushed translucent powder under my eyes to catch the remnants of eye makeup as she applied it. And, because I love you all so much, I'm going to show you a photo. This is frightening...

I was in awe of how amazing my eyes turned out in the end; they were dramatic yet still understated and romantic.

We also tested out fake eyelashes; I think they really gave the look a nice pop!

After the makeup trial was complete, I found myself longing for a hair trial as well. It was clear from the makeup trial that Donna understood the vision I had for my bridal look, and I wanted to see what she could do with my hair as well! She was kind enough to oblige me, and promptly got to work.

We went for a low chignon, placed off center. On the day of the wedding, Donna will add some "extra" hair to the chignon for a fuller effect. I loved it; the look was simple, chic, and it still looked like me!

I thought the complete transformation with both hair and makeup was fabulous! I couldn't stop staring at myself when I walked into the bathroom (or any other room with a mirror, or a car window, or any other reflective surface, for that matter). I took a few photos at night before I took my hair down and washed my face...still lookin good!

I can't wait to see myself in full wedding gloriousness on the big day!

Did you have a successful hair/makeup trial? Did he/she understand your vision for bridal beauty?

I'm in love...with my florist...

I'm just going to come right out and say it: I'm totally in love with our florist! Wait, correction...BOTH Mommy Buttons and I are in love!

After I won $500 in flowers from another florist, I was feeling a little pressured to book them for the wedding day. However, something just wasn't clicking completely, and I couldn't figure out what it was (well, that and the fact that the store reneged on their $500 prize because I wanted to purchase bulk flowers and arrange them myself...ugh, but that is another story for another day). So, I decided to at least look into a few other options before I made my final decision. I found The Bride's Bouquet on Carlouel's preferred vendor list, and I gave them a call. Thankfully, they were still available for our wedding date, so I set up a meeting. Mommy Buttons and I met up with Debbie and we talked flowers for an hour or two. She was SO nice, very knowledgeable, and had a ton of ideas to help with my vision. She really "got" the vision/theme that I am hoping to achieve for the wedding.

And...do you want to know my absolute FAVORITE thing about Debbie? The flower contract includes a flower preview! On Friday afternoon before the wedding, I will be able to drive to her shop to see all of our bouquets, boutonnieres, etc. all ready to go! It will also allow for changes to be made/ rearranging to occur. And, I will be able to have peace of mind knowing that everything will be gorgeous for the big day! Woo hoo! In the end, after taking a look at her price quotes, we quickly realized that The Bride's Bouquet was extremely reasonable. We booked Debbie as our florist on the spot!

Last week, we all got together again to go over our order/fine tune the details. I can't wait to see everything! Here's a little sneak preview of what will be included in our flowers:

• The mantle where we will be having our ceremony in front of will be filled with blush pink peonies and garden roses, as well as greenery and large white pillar candles. The other two mantles in the club will be filled with greenery and the large white pillar candles

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• The curly willow branches hanging in the dining room will be filled with small poufs of baby's breath throughout
• For the ceremony set up, every third chair on each side of the aisle will be tied with a pouf of baby's breath
  

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• Bride's bouquet: blush pink peonies, blush pink garden roses, and coral bell foliage (similar to this photo)

The Knot

• Bridesmaid bouquets: Originally, I wanted to recreate these bouquets:
  

The Knot

I was obsessed with the pink anemones (aren't they pretty?). Then, my beautiful friend and fellow bride K (aka kjpugs) got married in March. Her bouquet was stunning, wasn't it?

Oh, and it is unrelated, but seriously...how freaking CUTE are these photos? Ok...I digress...

Erin Hession

However, she did show/tell me that her anemones completely wilted over the course of the day. Ouch! Debbie assured me that this would not happen with my flowers, but in order to ease my mind, I decided to eliminate them. So, the bridesmaids will be carrying a similar bouquet containing blush pink garden roses, pink lisianthus, some cymbidium orchids, seeded eucalyptus, and some creamy colored stock.

• Boutonnieres: single ivory ranunculus (Mr. Buttons will have 2)
  

The Knot

• Mommy Buttons will carry a small tussy mussy filled with ivory ranunculus
• Corsages for MIL/grandmothers: these will vary to match their dresses
• Cocktail hour: tables outside will be set with a wine carafe filled with blush pink garden roses and greenery

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• Reception tables: each table will have 2-3 vases filled with poufs of baby's breath. After hearing Debbie's extremely reasonable quote, we decided to forego the DIY centerpieces. We will be delivering the vases to her, and she will make them beautiful. AND Mommy Buttons won't be stressed out. Win-win!

I am literally about to burst with excitement at the prospect of seeing my wedding day flowers! Thankfully, I only have a little more than a week to wait!

Were you in love with your florist/flowers/etc?

Miss Buttons on the beach: a sneak peek

What happens when you combine Miss Buttons, Mr. Stiletto's amazing photography skills, and the beach?

Gloriousness, I tell you!


I'll be sure to post a few more photos/speak about our awesome day of photography fun, but since Mr. Buttons isn't allowed to see them until the wedding...unfortunately - neither can you!


I had such a wonderful time working with Mr. Stiletto; even though we hadn't met prior to the day of our shoot it felt like we were old friends by the end of the afternoon! And, even though I was prancing around in a bikini in front of a camera, it was definitely not as awkward as I thought it would be (well, it was a little awkward). Anyway, I wouldn't leave you hanging without a teaser or two (don't worry, Mr. Buttons has already sneaked a peek at these)!


All images courtesy of Steve Koo Photography

And...although it was an extremely brief encounter, I did get to meet up with Mrs. Stiletto at the end of the afternoon to say hello! She was getting ready for a friend's wedding - doesn't she look nice?

Did you do a boudoir session of some kind? How did it go?

The Buttons' Beach House

The Button Bachelorette Party is taking place a few days before our wedding. At the moment, I am in the dark as to what is planned for the two days my bridesmaids and I are spending together. But, one thing I am aware of and excited about is our accommodations!

We are all going to be staying in an absolutely fabulous house right on Clearwater Beach! And...by right on the beach, I really do mean it...see?

The house has three bedrooms and a loft; it can sleep up to ten people. The bridesmaids and I will be able to wake up, sit on the big porch, eat breakfast, and lounge around.

I anticipate that we will have a lot of catching up to do (some of us haven't seen each other in YEARS...I haven't seen BM L since 2007 - seriously!).

I'm really excited that we will all be in the house together; we can relax, cook our own food, and enjoy each others' company. I'm sure there might be a few other "activities" planned though...time will tell!

And...if anyone gets a little too crazy...this is where they will be staying for the night...haha ;)

Did you have a low key bachelorette party, or have a wild night out on the town?