Wine Cork Escort Cards

I stole this idea right off the Weddingbee DIY! The photo had been in my inspiration folder long before I became a bee, but didn't become reality until 2 weeks before the wedding.

A family friend of Mr. B's owns a winery in Mendocino County and was kind enough to donate the corks for this project.

I hot glued 2 corks together and tied a 10"purple satin ribbon around the pair. 250 corks later, those babies looked like this:

I created the escort cards on my Mac and the tables were named after villages in Guam. Luckily there were enough villages for 16 tables!

Mom and Dad Barrettes printed out all the escort cards onto thick cardstock and brought them to me in Napa. I didn't see the final result until after the ceremony, but was so proud to see my project come to life!

What favorite idea did you re-create from Weddingbee? Did your reality turn out as good as your inspiration?

Lessons on Lashes

I have worn eyelashes almost every day for the past 2 years. Every night, in my dressing room, I'd whip out the lash glue, and apply a full strip (usually my trusty ol' Mac 5's).

When I needed a smaller lash, or just a pop, I'd apply Ardells or other drug store brands. Lashes are awesome and they do wonders for your face.

So as I sit back and look at pictures from our wedding, I can't help but think to myself, "Why aren't you wearing lashes?"

It never occurred to me so plainly that I just didn't think they were up for it. Have you ever gotten sweat in your eye when you had eye makeup on? Know what happens when you wipe your eye? Mascara and liner  failure. I think I must have subconsciously remembered previous experiences. When the glue from your falsies gets wet, the eyelash comes off. Sometimes just a corner pops up. You have to take 5 minutes to either jimmy it back into place, or do the darn thing all over again.

"Use more glue", you say. Use too much glue to apply and you have a sloppy mess.

Lash glueing is an art. Either you got it, or you don't. I usually got it, but on my wedding day I didn't feel like testing the system.

Can you imagine my emotional craziness and propensity to tears-- mixed with false eyelashes? Sounds like a recipe for a small bridal meltdown.  I remember talking with John about perhaps applying singlets on the outer corners, but then dismissing the idea for fear of teary eye. Imagine how pretty those photos would have turned out with our happy faces and me with a melting lash. Que horror!

So when I go to scold myself in the future over not wearing lashes on our wedding day, I'll try to remember that I was averting a small makeup predicament. Cover Girl Lash Blast Volume, in waterproof, did the trick.

But for you controlled criers out there, a few tips:

1. Practice, practice, practice. Don't use your wedding day as the first day you try lashes. If you do decide to do this, be warned.

2. Don't use as much glue as you would think. A thin coat does the job. If you need more hold let that thin coat dry a little and apply a 2nd coat on top of it.

3. Let the glue dry on the lash a little before you apply. I blow on mine. You want the glue tacky, not wet. Also, I've found the black glue to work better than the white stuff.

4. Don't be afraid to cut the ends of the lash. If you have smaller eyes, cut the lash to your lash line. Nothing looks faker than lashes that don't fit your eyeline.

5. Apply your lashes after your shadow and liner. The lash should be the finishing touch. Don't apply eyeshadow after, or the shadow will fall in the curve of the lash.

(Here is a shot of the same makeup, with and without lashes. Makes a difference!)

Good luck with your lashes! And someone please tell me that it's okay that I didn't do more of a show makeup look for my wedding. I'm having a hard time wrestling with the fact that I went "less is more"!

D.I.Y. Photobooth Board

I promised I'd show you our photobooth which Mr. B and I produced with 3 days until our wedding. I thought it had fallen off our to-do list, but after a trip to Home Depot and a suggestion from his stepfather, it was brought to life.

Like many before me, the inspiration started with this Sasha Souza creation:

(source)

After brainstorming a way to make ours light and without stands, we bought large sheet of this styrafoam. I'm not sure what it's really used for but it worked for us.

I found some fabric I liked and spray glued it to the foam board.

We used Elmers spray glue and let it sit for 10 mins.

Mr. B and stepfather, Gary, made these frames the previous day from scrap moulding. We played with the placement until we were happy.

He used a box cutter to cut the fabric along the outside of the frame. This way, the frame could be glued to the board and not the fabric.

He peeled the cut fabric off the board and put it aside.

The frame was glued to the board.

He repeated the process for the remaining frames and used the discarded material to cover the bottom of the board.

Next, it was my turn. I printed out the following photos on our computer and framed them in silver.

All are wedding photos from family members, except Mr. B's USMC photo that I just thought was so handsome I had to add.

Mr. B waited until the day of the wedding to cut out the foam in the frames and glue the photos to the board. I didn't see the finished product until it was hanging in the courtyard during our reception.

Ok, so a few notes:

 1.You may notice that the horizontal square is broken. "Someone" thought the board was more sturdy and tried to put weight on it, ending with that person lying flat on their back on the ground below and the photobooth slightly broken.

2. If you are going to hang your booth, hang it lower than you think. The space in the frames is largely unused because it was hanging too high for most guests. Also have a set plan for hanging. Without a plan, we ended up looping ribbon from the frames.

3. Don't hang the booth in front of strong light. I haven't seen the pro shots of this yet, but I imagine ours would have looked better if it was hanging in front of an un-lit wall.

4. Don't wait until the day-of to cut out the holes. White foam was everywhere, but because it was done last minute, we hadn't prepared for that. If you are the type of person who likes things perfect, don't let anyone touch, hang, or cut your board without your supervision.

In the end, I was super happy we had the photobooth and it added another fun element to the reception. While crafting it at the last minute did present its own set of problems, I'm sure if you take the time to plan it out, you can really nail this super easy project!

The Morning After

The morning after the wedding, we both we're feeling awesome besides the slight hangovers, the adrenaline rush of the wedding still pumping through our veins. We met family at a local breakfast spot, stopped by John's hotel to trade stories, and checked-out of our hotel, and into a time-share resort.

Our vehicle was packed with suitcases, boxes, presents, clothes, wedding crafts, cases of wine, our top layer of wedding cake, and various other goodies that needed to be sorted. I had anxiety about tackling all of it, but tried to push it to the back of my memory and just soak in every little new-married-moment. It does feel different after you are married. Maybe it's just me, but Mr. B just looked all sparkly and new. Maybe I was all sparkly and new. There was definitely something.

When we couldn't check-in at the resort right away, we swung by In-N-Out burger. I'm an East Coast girl and had never had the pleasure before. I was told it was a must. So with our burgers in tow, we looked for a grassy spot to sit down around the area.

When we got out of the car, Mr. B rifled through the back and came out with this:

An awesome picnic basket set with our new initial hand-painted on it!

Fun treats!

My *husband* set it all up...

...but we still ate the In-N-Out...

...and of course drank the wine. =)

We still didn't know who it was from until we opened the card. I was so happy to see Bridesmaid Lisa's handwriting! That clever woman!

Mr. B fielded "day after" phone calls...

...while I attended to Baby Barrettes. Seriously, how cute is he?

It was so peaceful to lay there and just look up at the leaves and enjoy a moment after the insanity of the weekend.

I was happy, tired, thankful, and married.

Laying down felt so good =)

With our batteries refreshed, we headed back to The Meritage and indulged in opening our gifts, sleeping without alarm clocks, spa treatments, and a romantic dinner for 2. It was the perfect Day After.

How did you and your spouse unwind the Day After?

A Bee's Life

How did you find Weddingbee?
When I became engaged, a fashion-forward and lifelong New Yorker friend of mine suggested I check out a site called Weddingbee, where she had spent a lot of time finding inspiration for her wedding. I'd always admired her style, so I figured she was on to something! I don't remember when it was that I actually clicked on the site, but I do remember Mrs. Espresso starting her recaps and being obsessed with her mountain wedding details.

What is your application story?
I started blogging under the title, The Breezy Bride as a way to stay in touch with my family and friends in the States about my journey into the white dress. I was so far away and felt like I needed to get all my wedding ideas and feelings out, without bothering my co-workers, who were uninterested. I was a bridal-blog junkie. I was still following Weddingbee, and really liked the Crafts generation as they were introduced.  I was over 1 year to our wedding, and I wasn't doing any DIY projects or dress shopping, so I tried to find my bridal style.  In the beginning there are just so many options! My inspiration stage was very long.

When the 8-month mark finally rolled around, I decided to apply to be a blogger. The Sea Creature generation had just rolled out and I was obsessed with the starfish. Living in Guam, I felt like this was a sign to send in the application. Let me tell you-- don't apply just because you want a certain icon! That is the wrong reason and you aren't seeing the big picture! I wanted that starfish so bad and when Miss Starfish was introduced a week later, I was super bummed. I still held out hope that I would hear from someone, but at 5 weeks I still hadn't heard a peep. I emailed Penguin directly, as per the instructions. She emailed me quickly to say that she had never received my application and that she would look into it pronto. Around 2 weeks later I was rejected. Bummer. But strangely, I was so relieved! I was putting so much pressure on myself! I was becoming unreasonable!

So I stopped reading Weddingbee for awhile- I needed some space from it. I realized my blog wasn't what I wanted it to be and I was trying too hard to be a "bee". I decided to release myself from that. So instead I began blogging about other things, my show, dance, life on Guam, my dog, random pretty inspiration, and sometimes wedding stuff would creep in there. Then I just stopped. I shut my computer and sat at the beach and read books. But I missed it after a few weeks. So I changed the title, changed the look, and came back refreshed. My writing became more ME.

I thought about applying just one more time. Weddingbee was my only friend for what felt like years. (I lived on Guam and all my friends were single and partying!) I wanted to honor the site's place in my process, so I thought I'd give it one more go. I waited until I was closer to the time I would be leaving Guam so that I wasn't in an inspiration stage anymore. I re-wrote my application. It was like a completely different person wrote it. Instead of being nervous about being accepted, I just let it go! I felt like if I wasn't chosen, it wasn't because I hadn't represented myself well. I loved my blog and I knew my bridal style. I was confident.

I didn't realize I had sort of forgotten about it until I woke up one morning, checked my blackberry, and there was a welcome email from Penguin! Omigod, REALLY?! I couldn't believe it! I had to read it at least 10 times before it sank in. It was awesome. When it came time to choose my moniker, those orange flower barrettes looked so "me", I could feel it all come together. It was a sweet little dream come true!

What is it like being a bee?
Time-consuming and super fun at the same time. I didn't realize how much time I would actually spend! It's not only writing posts, but also reading everyone else's posts, commenting, and being part of the community. You don't want to be a bee who wants everyone else's opinion, but doesn't participate in other bees' journeys. The camaraderie is uplifting and I feel like I've gained a whole new group of girlfriends. Even though you are reading this at your computer, and I'm typing it at mine, there is a connection between us that is very fulfilling to me. It's nice to know there are kind and interested minds on the other side of the screen.

If you want to be a bee blogger, my suggestion is to really blog for YOURSELF. My first time I was trying too hard to be crafty, cool, girlie, whatever. Not to mention that I was trying to be an icon! When I let go of what I thought a bee should be, I found myself "Miss Barrettes"!

In Sickness and In Health-- Already?

I had hoped to hit the ground running with posts as soon as we landed back in Guam, but you know how life pops into the best laid plans!

Seven days after we tied the knot, Mr. B woke up with severe abdominal pain. When the pain had not lessened by 6am, I convinced him to let me take him to the Emergency Room. After googling "right side abdominal pain" and all the hits screaming "appendicitis", I knew there was no where else he needed to be.

Upon examining him, the doctor concluded his appendix needed to be removed that afternoon. What?! Isn't  it crazy when one minute everything is normal and the next minute your love needs to be cut open? At any rate, the surgery went well and we spent the night in the hospital while his pain was managed and his food intake was monitored.

We are at home now and I'm playing Nurse Barrettes. Seems only fitting we spent our 1-week anniversary in the hospital, as I spent our wedding night cleaning puke off his tux coat-- but that's a whole other story altogether. I'm just happy his appendix waited a week until it decided to be a bother. Timing is everything!

Did you need to care for your new spouse shortly after your wedding?

What You Didn't See at Your Wedding

Apparently there was a lot I missed at my own wedding.

DJ scooting everyone off the dancefloor to do the worm to announce the last song? Missed it. MOH and Best Man sharing a dance together (with a dip)? Missed that too. My mom and MIL hugging after lighting the unity candle tapers? Didn't see it until I watched it on video.

Or how about when I heard a bridesmaid stuck her tongue down a groomsman's throat in the parking lot? Remember when my mom went for a full-on motorcycle ride with the Best Man? Did someone try to hang from our photobooth? One minute we are cutting the cake, the next minute my groom is glassy-eyed and there is an entire glass of Amador zinfandel on my reception dress. Who gave him that flask?

The great thing about weddings is that it brings all your closest people together. Yet in all that togetherness, bride-mode kicked in and I felt like I had to be everywhere all the time. But it's impossible. Mr. B claims he was having full-on danceparty. I never saw him on the dance floor, aside from the mother/son dance. Where was I the whole time? How did I miss the live photo slideshow from our photographer, playing in the tasting room? What do you mean I didn't meet Uncle Gary?

Did you hear about something later that you missed at your wedding?

Eating My Words About That Facebook Thing.

Remember when I posted this a million years ago?

Guess what? I'm LOVING the photos our guests are sharing on facebook. Everyone's perspective of the weekend is different than mine and I'm so happy to see that they captured moments so beautifully. Silly Barrettes-- of course you'd love seeing everyone's photos. Guests posting their photos on facebook= good idea! Trust me, 2 days after its over you're going to love seeing photos go up.

Guess what else? *blink* My wedding is over. Thats it. Its crazy! Suddenly I'm sitting on my couch in Guam, typing away while my husband and canine are back to their respective routines. And I just finished washing dishes-- I'm not even wearing my ring!

So as before, I will write. I don't think the hard recaps will come until I'm done with the professional photo process, but I will try to share as much of the other details as I can!

I'm on the hunt for guest's photos. I signed up for a picasa web album, but I don't think guests can upload to it unless I invite them by email. Facebook, you win.

(all facebook photos from guests. Kansas, Johnna, and Gigi.)

Pro Pics Teasers

I can't find words yet, so I'll just leave you with these teasers our photographer posted. It was my fairytale wedding-- a real dream come true! So excited to share my story with you once I unwind!!!

xo MRS. Barrettes

...and just a cute iphone hipstaprint snap of our first dance:

Looking forward to sharing more!

Ten Ten Ten or In Vino Veritas

Well hive, I think this may be my last post as a Miss! With the whirlwind that's about to hit my life I don't know if I'll see ya until the middle of next week!

The weather in Napa is perfect for this weekend and I couldn't be more lucky. Marrying my love amongst our favorite people, nestled in wine country-- I feel like I'm dreaming. Somebody pinch me. =)

I have a plethora of details to still share, but it's hard because they're all coming together at the last minute. For example, I glued and bow-d over 200 corks for our escort cards, but the actual paper cards are with Mom Barrettes at her hotel and Mr. B constructed an amazing photobooth idea for me 2 days ago, but it won't be ready to use until later tonight. Oh, and mom's dress made mine! The final product is a hit.

Looks like I'll have plenty to blog about while we wait for our pro photos!

Here's a sneak peak--

 Mr. Barrettes making my photobooth dreams a reality...

 Our wine bag wedding favors, tagged with the personalized wine charms and filled with purple hugs, kisses and bliss!

Our favorite wine pourer in the Peju tasting room, Richie, said we are perfect together-- he called Mr. B a "Roman warrior, re-incarnated over and over" and me a "spicy butterfly". We always have the best time at our last tasting of the day.

Signing off as a Miss! In Vino Veritas-- In wine is truth!

Yours Truly,

Miss Barrettes