I lied?

Okay, maybe I lied... (GASSP!)

I could TOTALLY love housework, if I had a cute little apron like this!!

How fantastic is Anthropologie!?! Always coming up with the most fantastic finds. This too can be yours for only $32!

Happy Shopping!

That's what i'm saying...

How much do you LOVE these tea towels?!

They're a tad bit pricey, but i'm loving the sentiment, and the fabulous swirls. Want more? Check out Materialistic.com.

link love courtesy of mishy lane and decor8 designs.

Happy Tuesday!

Utterly Engaged - Free online version

Love bridal magazines? But can't afford the endless stack of magazines you'd LIKE to buy? Well, no need to spend hours at Borders trying to cram in reading for free... enjoy the free online version of Utterly Engaged -- here!

It's love. SHOE love

So there really isn't much to say, but that I am in shoe love. I LOVE these shoes, and OBVIOUSLY so does everyone else who saw Jillian's final rose special on the Bachelorette.

Are they completely ridiculously priced? OF-COURSE. Do I still think of them and absolutely WISH they had them in my size? YOU BETTCHA!

Dear shoe god, please make these available in a size nine :)

Anyone else in shoe love? Yes, these would be perfect for a wedding, a birthday part.. heck, if I had these, I might even wear them to bed. Okay, I kid, but they're pretty fabulous, aren't they!?!?

A husband like no other

So if you're not aware, I am a HUGE fan of Giada De Laurentiis. HUGE. Like I have a serious teenage girl crush on every recipe, show, ingredient and tool that she uses. I don't know what it is.... but I see a tool/recipe/[insert anything] that she uses ... and instantly my brain says "oh yes, you NEED that." Despite the thousands of kitchen tools I have, recipes i've tried. If Giada likes it, I like it. I know it sounds completely silly. Well, it is. My family - they laugh (of course, not in front of my face). The only way I can TRY to explain it is that in some strange world of mine, I feel like she brings me closer to my Italian roots. She's Italian, modern, and pretty fabulous in her own right. So yes, I love everything Giada.

Anyway...

So a few months ago I learned that Giada is doing a celebrity theater at the Washington Metropolitan Cooking Entertaining show. The GOOD tickets (i.e. where you could actually SMELL what she's cooking) are $75 (x's two because I couldn't exactly EXCLUDE my husband). So in an effort to be budget savvy, I'm resisted (somehow) my immediate urge to RUSH and buy tickets. So patiently, I waited, and I held off buying tickets. (New wife thinking:: it's a bad economy, I need to save, blah, blah, blah).

Anyway...

So this weekend, I was talking to husband about how my WONDERFUL friend (insert Cami) gave me tickets to Guy Fieri's celebrity theater at the Metropolitan Cooking Entertaining Show. Let me back up by saying that love watching pretty much anything food network (MINUS Rachel ray - but that's a rant for another day!). So while I wasn't getting to see Giada, getting to meet and see Guy was a fun alternate (and free - thanks Cami!) Anyway, so I was telling husband about how great it will be to go to the show, meet guy, but that REALLY I'd also SUPER SUPER love to see Giada.

And that's when he turns to me and says the most fantastic thing...

"Well, That's good, because I already bought us tickets!!!"

Yes, that's right husband-of-the-year (that's my new nickname for him), scored some SUPER bonus points by surprising me with Giada tickets (and, oh yes, they are great seats). So just a little shout out this morning to my wonderful husband... for knowing me well enough to gift me with a gift that is truly out of this world fabulous!

See you at the show!!

<3.

With this Ring... :)

Check out even more details about our wedding by visiting one of my favorite blogs... With This Ring!! and here!

Our wedding - Part II

These are LONG overdue, but here are some of my favorite photos and memories from our wedding day!

(Photos taken by Charlie Shin - our amazing photographer from Studio Kama!)

The view, before the wedding.

Our rings - custom made by Gems of the Jungle in Orlando, FL

Mark & his groomsmen. Such great friends.

My bridemaids - and TRULY my best friends. Bridesmaid dresses - Ella by Jenny Yoo.

I asked my dad to say a prayer for Mark and I right before we walked down the aisle.

Thank you Dad!

So handsome... waiting for me to walk out :)

My dad, walking me down the aisle.

It was JUST the way I envisioned it :)

Saying our vows, one of my favorite parts of the day!

And then, he kissed me and we became Husband and Wife :)

Our entire wedding party. Family & best friends!

The backs of our chairs - signs made by KHamm75 on ETSY.

The crystal tree that I made -- the centerpiece of our place card table.


Our wedding cake! Flowers made by CCbyCherrie on ETSY.

The vintage love bird cake toppers were made by Ann Wood

Our kiss after cutting the cake.

A beautiful night at Lansdowne Resort

LOVE.

Are you ALL in?

So i must confess, I've been a TOTAL blog slacker. I was doing great before the wedding - uploading fun things, and giving much love to my now poor, lonely blog. But once wedding madness kicked in, it's like my mind was consumed and my poor blog fell to the waste side. Even now, living in marital bliss (awwww....), it's been hard to get back into the swing of things. For the past few weeks I've been been reading other blogs (::GASP::)...in an effort to try to determine were I'd like to take this blog. Do I continue with my constant obsession on everything that is fantastic in the wedding world, or do I venture into the world of being a newly wed and the journey that accompanies my new life....?

(Alexis:: thinking::)....

......still thinking....

So I've decided to do a little of both. That's right. I'll never stop swooning over wedding magazines (Ack... I STILL buy them). But I think there's also got to be a place to chat and openly share newlywed life that doesn't yet involve babies.

So join me.... I promise more posts - but this time, a little bit wedding, and a little bit newlywed. But a whole lot of me.

After all, Bride-to-be, bride, or newlywed... it's all pretty much the same thing :)

The story of our wedding: PART I

First of all, let me begin the story by thanking EACH and every one of our friends and family members who truly helped our wedding day to be SUCH a great success. We were blessed with a perfect day. And by perfect I mean the weather was fantastic (key for an outdoor wedding) and any potential mishaps were completely oblivious to us. (Now THAT's love!)

Since we were married at 6:30pm, we had the entire day to get dressed, primp and have fun girl time (and boy did we take advantage of it). I was fortunate enough to have Laura Bateman do our makeup and Melanie from Rain salon all in our suite for our beauty day. The afternoon was perfect - laughing and joking with my best friends and family. Any girl's dream start to her wedding day...

A wedding day toast with my Bridesmaids

(Yes we had a bit of wine, but come on, it was after 12!)

All smiles - getting to spend time with my best friends - and the world's best bridesmaids!

Laura Bateman is my makeup hero! Need a makeup artist? Check out her website.

Of course, I got a little emotional - I was on happy overload. But thank God my mom was there to hold my hand.

Getting dressed took a bit longer than I thought, but as I started the excitement was overwhelming. All the planning leading to this moment - the dress - the details - and MOST importantly the man I love dearly waiting at the end of the aisle to marry me. It's a pretty powerful moment. Make sure you allow yourself enough time to treasure it!

Of course I forgot to put my garter on - Thankfully my maid of honor was there to help.

And of course, once you lift up your skirt the paps go crazy (ha). I kid, Charlie and his crew from Studio Kama were fantastic. They were there every step of the way to capture every shot!

The next step was to head down to the terrace and walk down the aisle.. :)

(more to come...)

Good Advice - passed on.

This advice is just TOO good not to pass on ... check out Sue Holfeld's advice at The Bride's Guide:

For some reason, RSVP'ing to an invitation is hard for guests. And even some guests who are prompt to send their reply cards back manage to goof.

Their only tasks are to 1) write their name(s) on the card, 2) check "yes" or "no," 3) stick it in the envelope, and 4) put it in the mailbox. But many are the brides sitting there with a reply card in their hand checked "will attend" and wondering, "Whose RSVP is this?"
Because the guest forgot to write in their names on that little line that says: M______________________.

There's a simple trick that will help: Number your guest list. Then use a pencil to write the number on the back of the reply card. Sneaky smart, right?

Cry me a river... well, okay :)

Looking for a another unique accessory to add to your wedding ensemble? Why not add a little something 'old' or 'blue' in your wedding purse by purchasing a vintage hanky. One of my favorite ETSY sellers, Hankylady, has a huge selection of beautiful and well-taken care of vintage handkerchiefs.

Check out this one, just posted this weekend. For only $18, it's a perfect 'something blue.'

This week's ETSY OBSESSION

Okay, so I love ribbons & bows. AND... I love my iphone. Well, WALLA- the Little White Dog has ingeniously combined the two.

Meet my newest obsession, the ribbon & bow iphone cover.

AND until July 5th, you can save $10 by entering code "GeekSugar."

Happy shopping!

A fun DIY

A cute DIY idea to brighten your Wednesday...

See, now isn't that better?

Take a seat...

So, we're BACK from our honeymoon and i've got SOOO much to share - about the wedding, honeymoon, and so much more. But while I attempt to unpack and get my life together, I thought i'd share this great idea I saw - look at these place cards from Timeless paper. How fantastic are these?!?

Even the peacocks look SO neat...

Anyone else have a unique idea for a place card?

I scream, you scream, we all scream for MAKEUP

So here's a fabulous tip to start off our Tuesday on the right foot...

Bobbi Brown is offering 25 percent off (!!!agghhh!!!) of all of her cosmetics on her website. I mean, what's more fun than new makeup? Makeup on SALE! (duh.) Add that to the fact that you get free shipping on purchases over $60, and it's a sale made in heaven :)

I was first introduced to Bobbi's makeup through my makeup artist (Laura Bateman). Her products are super natural looking... very classy and yet realistic. No crazy makeup allowed.

Enjoy the coupon code *SUMMER1* while it lasts.

Happy Shopping!

DIY cards

A big thank you to brides little white book -- I was looking into making a few thank you cards and ran across this post for step by step directions on how to make your own fantastic (and very unique) note cards!

Happy crafting Friday!

A FREE wedding mag you just can't pass up

So thanks to Bride's cafe, here's a great offer..
For the next 8 days, the online version of the Wedding Style Guide (an Australian wedding magazine) is FREE. It's a great magazine and the online version is fantastic!


Check it out here!

I'm a sucker for succulents.

And one more thing...

While we were in Napa, we saw THE most amazing succulents. So I got to thinking, how COOL would succulents be as a favor?!?!

Well, I guess i'm not the first to think of this idea. Look at 100 Layer Cake's post from Kelly & Chris' wedding... Click here for a full DIY description.

Eat. Drink. And Be Married.

I am a lucky bride. For sure.

Man of my dreams, best friend, and mr. all around wonderful? Check.

Found the perfect location, dress, favors, and all the rest? Check.

Sharing it with the most bridesmaids a girl could ask for? Check.

So I've been SO swamped with finalizing the last little details of the wedding that i've failed to poast ANY information about the most amazing bachelorette party a girl could ever ask for....

My fantastic Maid of Honor and fab-u-loso bridesmaids planned a bachelorette trip to Napa!

The weeekend was complete with:

A crafty candle making party.

Fantastic food.

An amazing tour of Napa Valley. Seven girls. Four vineyards. A lot of wine. Hilarious.

Drinking wine at 10am (Hey, technically that would be 1pm east coast time, and isn't that well after lunch?) A spa party.

A surprise lingerie shower.

And OFCOURSE, silliness.

Thank you for such a fantastic weekend. I've got the best friends a girl could ever ask for. Seriously lucky.

A Must Read.

You've got to read this post about Marisa & John's wedding. What a great, and completely memorable idea!

Designer Dessert Tables

A huge thank you to Amanda at Elizabeth Anne for referencing Amy Atlas' AMAZING dessert tables. If you're considering doing a dessert table you absolutely MUST check out her website for inspiration! Getting married in New York, or have the cash for Amy's services... you've got to check it out. Her tables are nothing short of breathtaking!! Look at all those cute details!!

I <3 Ann Wood

So it's not really news, but it's worth another mention... I love Ann Wood's little creations. I love her birds, owls, ships, and all the fantastic little projects she works on. The miniature projects are so detailed and so fantastic that they almost transcend you into a happier, simpler time.

To be even a bit more specific, being a second-time around bride, as I got engaged and began imagining what I wanted for our wedding, I honestly felt a little stuck. As I started to try and put together a vision for the wedding - I found that it was hard to decide upon a theme and identify something that really inspired me. And that's when I stumbled across Ann Wood. I saw a picture of these cute bird cake toppers and thought, WOW... now THAT's something different. I quickly jumped on chat boards and wedding blogs and was able to identify that they were from Ann Wood.

Were they expensive? Yes. Were they WAY over our budget? Yes. Did I still have to have them? Absolutely. I tried looking for alternatives... but NOTHING really compared. So these little birds became the inspiration. Not because I was planning on having a bird themed wedding (yikes), but because I decided that everything I choose for our special day would be carefully chosen, collected, and put together... just like Ann's birds.

So i'm less than three weeks away from our big day and as I stand back and look at all the decisions we've made, and the details we've incorporated into the wedding.. I couldn't be more proud. Each detail is a reflection of 'us' and of the couple we are together... and I couldn't be more excited to share it with our friends and family. So thank you Ann... they may be little, but they sure do mean a lot!

And just in case you're wondering, Ann was kind enough to make a set for my fiancee and I... this cute little couple will be proudly perched upon our wedding cake. And will be a beautiful reminder of our special day.

PS: I just saw this posted on her blog from Design Sponge - a fun sneak peak into her studio! And another about cardboard horses.

(Visit her blog and click on the green button to the right to download the horse template)