Breathe, Just Breathe....

A few posts ago I wrote about how I was trying to stay afloat in an ocean of stress.... the ocans waters are really rocky these days! The election came, the election went. My boss lost. I am getting married in 107 days, I am unemployed in 27 days. Perfect timing huh? To add a little cherry on top, I will have been with my employer 5 years July 17th, I would be what they consider "vested" after five years, being vested allows you to collect your retirement once you are of retirement age. Seeing that I am in my twentys its still a ways out. I have to try to talk to the administrator beg them to let me stay working here until July 18th or I will loose 5 years worth on contributions to my retirement.

(photo from atr.org)



Just like that, I can watch my hard work flushed down the drain if they wont let me work an extra two weeks. Inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale (sorry just reminding myself again)  I know "everything happens for a reason", and "everything will work out" I am trying to think positive, keep my  head up and move on to the next but I can help but think, what if.  What if im not able to secure a new job right away, what if I have to tap in to my savings and wedding fund to pay the monthly bills.

I am not sure if I want to curl up and cry or just scream. I am a strong woman I will figure it out, but in the mean time.... please send positive thoughts my way! I can use each and every one of them!

Inhale, exhale... It will all work out, right?

Pictures, Pictures, Pictures!

Our engagement pictures are in and are as fabulous as I hoped they would be! Our venue is semi "all-inclusive" they have a photographer they use, but if we wanted to bring in our own we could with no penalty or problems. I was fine using their photographer as long as he/she was reputable and I would feel comfortable around them.

I was browing the venue's photographers website and the photos were Eh, it looks like he only does mostly out of town brides as most of his photos are taken on the strip.  I am a local bride, born and raised in Las Vegas and do not feel the need to take a photo in front of the Bellagio water show.

Another thing was I did not get a good vibe from him, just looking a photo of him I knew I waould not feel comfortable with this strange guy taking pictures of me getting dressed on my wedding day.

Here is where Adena, my amazing photograper comes in to play. I have known her since I was in high school and she takes stunning photos. She is new with weddings, but the ones she has shot are A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! With out futher a do, here are some of my favorites from our engagement shoot.

We thought just posing in FRONT of the watefall was a little too boring for our taste. So we decided to climb it for some fun pictures, yes I climbed it in hot pink 4" heels!

This one makes me giggle.

Ahhh, I love my pink shoes!

All photos taken by Photos by Adena



Think Pink!

Pink is by far one of my favorite colors, I knew I wanted it to be one of my wedding colors. However, I did not want an overkill of pink. Such as :

(Project Wedding)

I wanted pink to be more of an accent color rather than THE color. I decided to add little pops of pink here and there. I knew I wanted pink shoes, and I found them! (see previous post)  I also knew after looking through the brilliant ladies on weddingbee.com that I wanted pink crinoline. I thought it would be near to impossible to find pink crinoline! I then learned (thanks to weddingbee) that I could dye my own crinoline in the washing machine. I did just that!

(personal photo)

This is how I dyed my crinoline:

1. Place crinoline in the washing machine around the center post, it helps prevent it from getting into one big knot.
2. Run crinoline through the wash on hot with no detergent, just with plain water to get it wet and rinse off any thing that may be sticking to the material.
3. Remove wet crinoline from machine and set aside.
4. Start the washing machine and allow it to fill with the hottest water possible. Choose the most extended wash cycle, and a load size that allows the crinoline to easily move within the machine.
5. Turn the crinoline inside-out, so that the netting is facing outward.
6. I suggest using the liquid rit, much easier than mixing!  I used two full bottles of the fuchsia to get my crinoline bright pink.
7. Wearing rubber gloves, add the crinoline to the dye bath. Allow it to agitate for at least 30 minutes. Reset the cycle for another 30 minutes of agitation if you prefer a darker/brighter color.
8. After the agitation cycle, let the crinoline finish out the rinse cycle in the washing machine.
9. I washed my crinoline with detergent to make sure the dye was set (didn't want to have pink rub off on my dress on the wedding day)
10. Hang to dry.
11. Clean the washing machine by running a large, hot water cycle and adding detergent and one cup of bleach.

I was so happy with how bright the pink turned out, The outside is a little brighter/darker pink than the mesh/tulle inside but it gives it a nice look with the various shades of pink!

(Personal Photo)

I couldn't wait to try it on under my dress for a few reasons: 1. to make sure my entire bottom half of my dress did not look pink with the crinoline under it (it didn't!) and 2. I wanted to admire my handy work (ha ha)

And it is exactly what I was hoping it would be!