Alright, so my MOH calls me today to "discuss" my bridal shower. She has decieded on the '50s theme....
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08/18/2009
 30 days left!! |
30 Days ...
hath September, May, June and November
Wooooooooohoooooooooooooooooo!!!
September 18, 19, and 20 brides: We have one month left, and then it's our turn!!! Isn't that awesome??!! Sometimes it feels like this time would never come. It was always so far away. There was always plenty of time left to do everything. This is a wonderful time right now. I've enjoyed looking back on our relationship today. We've come a long way from the time that Mr. JoyfulSong got down on one knee (IN THE SNOW!!!) and asked me to be his wife. It's been even longer since he forced out the words, "do you want to come on a walk with me sometime?" all those years ago. Since that time, we've had a lot to deal with. He's helped me seen myself in a new light, and whenever I lose sight of how precious I really am in God's eyes, he reminds me. He loves me so completely and wholly. I am the luckiest girl alive. Well, it's pouring rain all this week, so I hope it rains itself out. Hopefully, this is not a premonition of what the weather will be like in exactly one month. I doubt it, but you never know. I must say, I've really enjoyed the wedding planning experience. For me, it wasn't stressful at all. Now, I'm a planner and an organizer by nature, and I have had a lot of support from my family, my friends, my bridal party, and my church. I am very blessed!! This engagement has been magical. I wish it would never end. We've had our arguments - the worst ones were about invitations and the ceremony itself, because we wanted different things - but we learned new skills in compromising. I can't describe it more than that. We're suddenly a team, and no one else matters. It's nothing short of a miracle. How is your planning going? What was the good, the bad, and the stressful? I hope you feel as blessed as I do on this cold, rainy, August day. |
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08/18/2009
 |
Wedding Photography
Boudoir Photoshoot tips and ideas
This is just information that I really don't want to lose.
I want to do my own boudoir shoot, mostly because I'm really shy, but also because I don't want to spend the money for pro pics. There are lots of websites that give you good ideas and tips. Here are my faves: - http://loribarbelyphotography.blogspot.com/2009/02/boudoir-basics-tips-for-getting-most.html - http://jenniferimages.blogspot.com/2009/01/tips-for-successful-boudoir-session.html - - http://www.weddingbycolor.com/mamamia321/milestones/61807 ----------------------------------------- These are the tips to keep in mind (most of these aren't listed in the links above): - There is a program that you can download for free to edit pictures, similar to Photoshop. I haven't checked it out yet, but the link is: www.picnik.com. - Make sure to wear lingerie that doesn't blend into your background. - Use natural lighting wherever possible. Flashes make a person look two-dimensional and less real. To filter the light, use a room with a large window, and place a white sheet over it. You get the effect without the glare. - Don't take it too seriously. Have fun. Let your sexy beast loose!!! Things I have on hand that I can use: - Current lingerie. I have two pieces of lingerie, one of which is from FH. - Feather boa - Scarves - Tights / Pantyhose - Moisturizer - Coveralls - FH is a mechanic by trade, so he'd get a kick out of this! - tub and bubble bath - makeup - FH likes lots and lots of it! - a kimono-style dress that FH bought - other dresses I own Now, what will I do for props and/or backdrops?? My house seems kind of boring, and if I wait until I move, then he'll be home. I'll have to come up with something. Maybe in front of the fireplace, if I can ever get the house to myself. We'll see. |
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08/15/2009
 aunt flo |
My monthly friend ...
Oh crap! oh crap! oh crap!
Hey ladies! I need your expert advice.
I'm exactly 33 days away from my wedding, and my period started today! It wasn't supposed to start just yet. I was expecting another week or so, making it absolutely ideal. Now what do I do?? |
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07/28/2009
 TTD |
Wedding Photography
FREE?!!? Really??
A number of posts ago, I ask the question about using my roommate as a photographer, or hiring a professional. My roommate, "L", has finished a one year photography program, but doesn't have a lot of experience. Now, she'd be willing to do it for free, which would save a lot of money.
I chose the professional. They are Bob and Lynn of Celebrity Photo Studio in St. John's, NL. I went to book them yesterday. Yes, I know, there's less than two months left, and I should hang my head in shame for not doing it a year ago. I realize that I am incredibly lucky that these guys are still available. After I had made my downpayment, and they had gotten all the information they needed for my wedding and such, Bob mentioned that there was something he had always wanted to do but hadn't. I figured it was some sort of silly pose or something, and I was thinking that I'd be game for it. Then he says that there's this new trend that hasn't really been done here in NL, and that's the Trash The Dress phenomenon. So, I get really really really excited. My eyes must have lit up. Anyway, they booked me on the spot (FOR FREE!!!!) for the day after the wedding. All of them had really great ideas ... Lynn suggested we go to the gun area of Cape Spear to do some of it, and we can use the swords as props in the pics. ... anyway, we had great fun. Anyway, long story short, I was excited! Imagine, a free TTD shoot!! With professionals!! ... aaaaaand, this means that I'd be featured on their website, their blog, probably in large blow-up pictures, and all sorts of things! No one here has people in a TTD shoot in their portfolio! I think I'm gonna be a part of starting the trend here in Newfoundland! I think that's really really cool. ------------------------------------- Ladies, if you want a TTD shoot, JUST ASK!!! Photographers want in on this phenomenon, and are willing to do discounts, or for free. I got lucky, because I was going to have my friend "L" do the TTD, but my professional photographer OFFERED to do it for free! ------------------------------------ I chose Bob and Lynn because: 1. I liked their shots 2. I liked their personalities & attitudes 3. I thought I was getting a good deal 4. I liked their creativity & the way these two worked together 5. They were willing to let my friend "L" take photos as well, and they said they'd give her pointers for starting her own photography career. (They recognize that she'll want some for her portfolio, and they said they would give her as many tips about business and photography as they can! "L" has met them, and approves of them, too.) They're just really great people!! This is what they offer: Engagement shoot 2 photographers for the entire day (a husband-wife team w/ 25 + years of experience) Attendance at the rehearsal (I've never seen a photographer to offer this!) Unlimited photos 120 page 12x12 scrapbook of wedding photos Showers, engagement parties, gift openings, etc. possibly at an additional cost. I didn't enquire, because I don't really need them that much. Not only that, but these guys are a-ok with my friend "L" tagging along and taking photos too. They recognize that she'll want some for her portfolio, and they said they would give her as many tips about business and photography as they can! "L" has met them, and approves of them, too. |
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07/25/2009
 michael's |
Wedding Decoration
Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My!
I woke up this beautiful Saturday morning. I fritter the morning away on my lovely facebook and WBC friends.
I check the mail, and the Saturday flyers are here. I rummage through the pile for the Michael's flyer. I find it, but I don't look at it. Instead, I'm distracted. My super-crafty roommate wakes up. We discuss a trip to Michael's before she has to go to work. That reminds me, I need to actually LOOOK INTO the flyer, to see what's on sale. I'm waiting for beads to go on sale, to make my wedding jewelry. I open the flyer. Oh, yay!! Beads are 50% off. Sweet. I continue on. Their entire selection of baskets are on sale. Exellent. I'll pick up two for "Bathroom Baskets". Ribbon is on sale! 3 spools for 1.00!!! Surely, they have one of my wedding colours. After all, I'm using an autumn theme, and almost any shade of red, orange, yellow, or brown can be used. Speaking of autumn, they have autumn flowers and chains of autumn leaves on sale for 3.00 and 5.00 each, respectively! Well, then!! Is there anything else I could possibly need at Michael's that's on sale?? |
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07/23/2009
 Seamstress Extraordinaire |
Ask a Question
Alterations
I suppose I'll start out with the remainder of my story.
(A few posts back, I had written that the bridal salon had LOST my dress. The previous post was about me going to look at it, and pick it up, since it had been found again!! Yay!) Well, I was a little frustrated with the service I received today at the bridal salon. It wasn't all bad, but I arrived when only one other person was around, and other people came in and out, and got served first. I enquired about what I should do for alterations (who do they recommend, how much should I budget for it. ... etc. The saleslady calls their seamstress up to talk to me. The seamstress talks to me for a few minutes, but then goes off to get a tux or something for someone else. I don't see her again. (I'm going to take the advice of the beautiful ladies who commented on my last post, and I'm going to go elsewhere for my alterations.) This is my question: How much did your alterations cost? Or, what did seamstresses quote you? What is reasonable? What should I expect? |
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07/23/2009
 Thge The too-big store sample; Details are in white, not red! Close up view of store sample. Side detail of dress on store sample Dress on model with the accent colour in "claret" red.      |
Wedding Dress
So very nervous!
Well, a few posts back, I told about how the Bridal Salon has misplaced my wedding dress.
It has since been found. Woooooohooooo! I'm going to have something to wear on my big day! Today after work, I'm going to go try it on. I need to make sure it's the right dress, and that it hasn't been damaged. Who knows where it's been!! I'm also going to have to look into alterations. I'm afraid of alterations, that's for sure! I'm afraid of the costs, and I'm afraid that I'll end up feeling "fat" if I need to get too many. I know, it's irrational, but still. I can't help feel that way. Wish me luck, ladies!! I really hope I fall in love with this dress all over again! |
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07/15/2009
 lighted-punch-bowl |
Market Place
Want to buy: Punch Fountain
I would love to have a punch fountain or two at our wedding. If anyone is willing to sell theirs after their own nuptials are over, I'd appreciate it. Our marriage date is September 18th of this year.
I don't care about the style, shape, colour. I'd prefer that it light up, but it's not necessary. I did post on someone's blog who had a list of items for sale, but I can't remember who it is. I did look in the market place category, and tried a site search to find that post again, but with no luck. If you are this person, I'm still interested in your punch fountain, if it's available. |
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06/26/2009
 bridezilla |
I think I'm gonna cry!!
THEY LOST MY DRESS!!!!!
So, my MOH and I went to the bridal shop today, to put money down on the dresses.
They ask if we want to see the dresses, and try them on and stuff. We said "sure", even though we didn't need to actually see them. Boy, am I glad we did!!!!! The really sweet saleslady left, and came back with a few dresses - one of them was MOH's dress, and the others were for other customers in the store. She leaves again. A few minutes later - ten, maybe? - I see her speaking in half-whispers with another saleslady. I think I hear my name. The second saleslady leaves. Another while passes. She comes back, and apologizes, but says that they cannot find my dress. She explains that they were moving some stock recently, and it may just be misplaced. She assures me that the dress has to be in the store. She tells me that she has already phoned the manager, and he will personally look for it the next time he's in the store. They tell me they will call me as soon as they locate it. At least they were nice. At least they were apologetic, and at least they admitted to their error. BUT THEY LOST MY DRESS!!! I know I still have time - a little under three months - but right now that's not reassuring me. To top it off, this has been a really really really crappy week. Check out some other highlights to my week: 1. FH leaving. He works on ships, and his ship sailed. Nothing I can do. But, I'm now on my own until two weeks before the wedding. 2. Email chatting with my BM. She keeps going on and on and on about all the trips she's taken lately and is about to do. She lives in the UK, and while she is committed to coming to my wedding, her husband isn't, due to financial reasons. I can count FIVE separate trips between January - July of this year so far. Those are the ones I know about. I'm really hurt. I know that I'm super emotional, since I learn about all these random trips ON THE DAY FH LEAVES, but still. It hurts that really close friends of mine are choosing not to attend my wedding. 3. No money. Get this. FH's work mails out cheques. They mailed one TO THE WRONG ADDRESS!!! Once we call them because the cheque does not arrive, after waiting and waiting and waiting, we learn of the company's error. They DO NOT REISSUE ANOTHER CHEQUE!!! They won't for another two weeks. Boourns!! This means FH's bank account is depleted of money. He has gotten his most recent paycheque, but there's a five day hold on that money. There is 50 cents in that account that we can use. 4. Because of #3, we've been using my account more. I don't use my account a lot because it charges a lot of fees. No biggie, I don't mind paying them because I need the money. THE BANK SHUT DOWN MY ACCOUNT, BECAUSE OF SUSPECTED FRAUDULANT ACTIVITY!! Yes, it's nice that they are viligant, but they didn't contact me. I didn't know what was wrong with my debit card, since it only said "Denied Access". I went most of the week without money at all. SERIOUSLY???!?!?!?!?!? CAN ANYTHING ELSE GO WRONG THIS WEEK???????? At least the weekend is looking up??? |
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05/15/2009
 air miles |
I need your help...
... to win a contest!
Right now, Air Miles is having a "Million Air Miles" giveaway. To enter, you need to write a story about what you would spend your million air miles on if you were to win.
Here's what I have so far. I really need feedback, so I can tweak it before the deadline. I want to submit it next week! ----------------------- Ah, the college years. When I look back on them, I have fond memories. Sure, there were times when I survived on peanut butter, gala apples and good 'ole KD. I never did like marathon study sessions either, but there were great times too. The thing that made my university time good was the friends I've made. I think the struggles we faced with our college buddies cement the friendships like nothing else can. We would go for "study breaks" at a local coffee shop together. They would usually last the same amount of time the study session had. You may think that would be a waste of time, and perhaps you are correct, but something magical happened. We bonded. We talked and laughed - laughter is a great stress reliever - we shared our joys, triumphs, and successes. We divided our heartaches, our sorrows, and our struggles. As it turned out, the material we were studying wasn't important. My friends were. College was where I learned what's important in life. Sadly, these dear friends of mine have scattered over the earth. One dear friend is teaching in Saudi Arabia, another preaching in South Korea. Many friends are doing Masters or PhDs at prestigious schools around the world. I would love for these wonderful people to be at my wedding this coming fall. One million Air Miles would go far in helping me and my fiancé celebrate our nuptials with those who love us! Oh yeah, I almost forgot. With the leftover Air Miles, we could have an awesome honeymoon, and buy new furniture. It's time to upgrade the mismatched student furniture. -------------------------------------- So, what do you think? Too wishy-washy? Too informal? An interesting read? Any sentences or phrases you'd change? Should I rewrite it in 3rd person? Should I address the reader? I'm not happy yet with the 1st & 2nd paragraphs. I'm 75 words over the limit. What can I cut out / condense? Anything to make it better or more interesting? |
joyfulsong
| 4 | years since wedding |
CJ
ED
Sep 18, 2009
St. John's,
Newfoundland,
Canada
Outdoor
My good friend and roommate.
Red
My wedding will be unique. My main priority is the comfort and entertainment of the guests.
I am super excited for my wedding, but even more so for our new life together.
number of visits: 3673
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