A Few of My Favorite Things

Having a wedding is sort of like an extended Christmas/Birthday season.  The gifts seem to just keep on coming!  The only weird thing is that you sign up for the gifts you want and you can see what gets purchased and when.  It reminds me of looking for our Christmas presents when my brother and I were little.  One year, we found them hidden in our parents' closet.  Thrilling.  I dislike most surprises because I find a lot of joy in being in the know, so the registry was super fun.  That said, some of my favorite gifts were strays from the registry.  Here a few of my favorite gifts:

Ice-cream Attachment for KitchenAid Mixer

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Since I already inherited a KitchenAid from my grandmother, I was on the hunt for attachments that I could add to my registry and that I would be most likely to use.  I don't really envision me grinding my own meat regularly, so I went for the ice-cream attachment.  Not only did the giver send the attachment, but she also included an amazing recipe book as well.  I've already made 3 batches this season (chocolate peanut butter, chocolate custard, and vanilla bean).  Homemade ice cream is AMAZING.  I highly recommend this attachment because it takes up much less space than an independent unit and as a novice ice cream maker, I've had great success.  I also recommend the yummy recipe book (below)!

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I had been coveting the Cuisinart griddler/grill for years.  I imagined paninis and pancakes galore. I never bought it myself because I figured it was an unjustified expense since I already owned an electric griddle.  Then I dropped it on the floor breaking one of the legs.  Broken electric griddle = guilt free registry addition!  I use this appliance at least once a week, if not twice.  It lays completely flat so I can easily make 8 pancakes at a time.  I also used it all winter to grill chicken in doors.   Those smarties at Cuisinart really hit out of the park with this design and function.

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We did not receive a Blu Ray player as a gift, but we used a generous gift card to Best Buy to procure a great model.  We gave our dvd/vcr player the old heave ho and hailed our new player with great fanfare.  Now we can watch movies straight from my Netflix queue or download them from Amazon (for much cheaper than the on demand feature with our cable company).  I didn't realize how much I would enjoy a piece of technology until I had choices again when it came to the age old question: "Feel like a movie tonight?"

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My absolutely favorite gift combined the heartfelt, creative, and practical.  Dear family friends documented our rehearsal dinner, printed photographs, and assembled an album for us.  They did this all on the wedding day so that we had it to enjoy on our mini-moon.  We were so touched and excited to see pictures from the dinner.  It was so crazy to think that the picture taken of us that night was on the last day we were not married. 

Our friend is super creative and resourceful.  She used the ribbon from her OOT bag to dress up the photo album cover.

Then she pieced together the rehearsal dinner invitation that my mother-in-law made as a title page.

Our welcome postcards even made their way into the album.  I love how happy we look.

The top photo is a bit blurry, but those are our friends with my parents and then the lower picture is just our friend and my mom.  When I was a baby, they spent their spare time dressing me up in costumes and taking embarrassing pictures of me.  Thanks Mom and Aunt Dana!

Tell me about your favorite gift (either received or given)!

Mine at Last: DIY Card Box

Two weeks before my wedding, I considered my to-do list and then promptly cut it in half by losing pipe dream projects.  There were items that we no longer had a budget for (black and white snack table with Oreos on shots of milk and homemade whoopie pies!), items I couldn't find (perfect parents' gifts), and items that were just not that big of a priority anymore.  Our card box fell into all three categories.  I had thought I wanted something cool and antique to fit our vintage vibe, but never ran across the right piece at the right price.  I was sick of spending money on things that weren't going to last but one night.  At the end of the day, I came to the conclusion that I would make a box with items I had on hand.

I found three boxes that were roughly the same shape (which I had plenty of considering people sent a lot of gifts beforehand and I had been ordering DIY supplies like a fiend).  I grabbed the roll of wrapping paper I had used for our envelope liners and proceeded to wrap each box.  I created a whole in between the bottom and middle box so that cards could fall through to the bottom.  I thought about creating a full tutorial, but this really wasn't rocket science.  It takes a little time to figure out the best way to piece the boxes together, but it's nothing that a little packing tape and hot glue won't fix.  The box doesn't have to survive nuclear war, it just has to sit on a table and look pretty.

After gluing ribbon and pearl beading (in the dollar bin at JoAnns) around each layer, I decided to gussy it all up with leftover remnants from bouquet and boutonniere endeavors.  The decorations helped to hide the seams in my less than perfect wrapping job.  I figured the whole thing was going to be thrown out after the wedding anyways and since it was a freebie project I didn't make any big time investments here.  My Aunt ended up rescuing the decorations at the farewell brunch to re-purpose in other crafting - so my card box lives on in other crafting reinventions!

Here she is in all her glory on the gift table.  It seemed like a lot of people got my gift wrap color memo!  You can also see the table seating chart which was a clutch last minute addition from Kinko's.  I designed it in publisher and we filled in the table numbers in the 11th hour.  Special thanks to my colleague, Meg, who ran to Kinko's the morning of the wedding and to my event planner, Pavaune, who found the easel and drape.

One of the things that wedding planning (or any kind of project management for that matter) teaches you is that everything cannot be a priority.  Have you learned that lesson?  Are there any projects that you're moving to a lower priority as the wedding approaches?

Mine at Last: Palindromaid Gifts

Oh, thank you! Just what I always wanted!  This jewelry box that will only hold two pairs of earrings will go really well with the other 6 I've collected from graduations, sweet 16s and Christmases!"

None of the palindromaids would ever say that in real life, but I knew that if I got a jewelry box with my initials on it, that's what I would think in my own head.  I love the 6 I already have, but I just feel that my collection is complete now.  In light of this, I had a hard time figuring out what I thought the palindromaids would all appreciate.  I had thought of personalizing each gift and began to ask them what they wanted.  I'm practical like that. My family asks what I want for Christmas, they get what I asked for, and though there are few surprises on Christmas morning, everyone seems happy that they didn't waste a million hours shopping and we all got something we liked.  The palindromaids' consensus was that they wanted something sentimental and would leave it up to me.

I really wanted to treat the girls to something nice, sentimental, that would appeal to all of them, that had a tinge of vintage appeal, and that was within my budget.  Not going to lie, this was a tough tasking for me.

Working on the assumption that if I should choose something that I would love to have for myself, I narrowed it down to a few options.

Silk screened scarves in classic b+w (matched our wedding colors, but were neutral) from Cyberoptix Tie Lab:

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Delicate, silver leaf pendents from Riki Craft:

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Personalized silver business card cases:

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My issue with the scarves was that they may not have fit with everyone's personal style.  I had the same issue with the pendents.  The card cases seemed to strike a balance between useful and sentimental.  I bought myself one years ago at a shop in Dupont Circle and am complimented whenever I take it out.  The pricing would also allow me to add a few fun items into the mix as well.  I bit the bullet and ordered the card cases.

I knew I wanted to incorporate this lovely wrapping design from Martha Stewart,

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so I printed the gray version onto fabric paper.  I attempted to follow the rest of the instructions, but couldn't find scalloping scissors in the time frame that I needed them to be special ordered, so I had to use pinking shears.  Also, since I printed onto fabric paper, the resulting clutch was very limp.  If I were making it into a real clutch rather than just fancy wrapping, I would have followed her instructions or I would have added some interfacing and lining to make it more substantial.

I added pearl letter ornaments from Michael's to the front of each package.  I hope that they looked coordinated with the wedding, but not too matchy.

Then I stuffed the little packages with goodies for the weekend.

I added gum, Advil, Shout wipes, mini tooth brushes with built in toothpaste, and Stila lip gloss.

My favorite part was taking the time to write each girl a meaningful letter.  I love handwritten notes and strive to keep the art alive.  Even if they didn't really like the gifts, I hoped that the note would touch them.

My only regret is that in the midst of getting our makeup and hair done, I handed out their belated Christmas presents, but completely forgot to give them their wedding gifts!  I was able to hand some of them off the following day, but had to mail two of them.  If I could have a do over for the day, I would have set aside a specific time to do this, rather than wait for what feels like a good time.

Lesson Learned: Set aside a specific time to hand out gifts (maybe even the day before the wedding) to ensure that the exchange is a priority.
PS - I kept one of those Stila lipglosses for myself and LOVE it! 

Did you decide to give bridal gifts that you loved/owned yourself?

Mine at Last: My Wedding Present

 

Mr. Palindrome was shocked when I told him that I had gotten him a wedding present.  "Do I have to get you one?" he raised his eyebrows in disbelief.  Sigh.  What a romantic! 

Turns out, he truly is a romantic.  With a few days until our wedding, he booked us a last minute dance lesson to prepare us for our first dance and serve as his gift to me.  He knows how much I love to dance and how much I had been wanting to rock our reception.  I fancy myself a ballroom dancer, much like I fancy myself an American Idol contestant.  

As our Ukranian instructor whipped us into shape, I realized how very much we had to learn and the very short amount of time we had to learn it.  We danced back to back lessons with our instructor tucking wayward chins, lifting sloppy arms, and tolerating us as we stepped on his feet.  

Every day after the lesson, we dutifully practiced.  We set up a video camera to critique our hand placement, sway, and expression.  We danced some really great routines.  We made ourselves nervous with bad routines where we forgot even the most basic step.  Whether we nailed it or failed it, I was all smiles.  I would whisper into his ear as he pulled me close for a spin that this was the best present he had ever given me.

However, when the band cued At Last and our gorgeous vocalist channeled her inner Etta James, our feet responded with all the right muscle memory.  I was sweeping across the dance floor.  I was lit by the glow of our new initials.  I was in the arms of the man I love.  The one who had just promised his life to me.  And that was better than being on Dancing with the Stars.  I think.

Are you considering dance lessons in preparation for your wedding?

*Dance lessons taken at Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Durham, NC.  We were very pleased with the choreography, the one on one attention, and their flexibility with our scheduling.  We would highly recommend them to couples in the Triangle area.

 **All photographs courtesy of Sam Hughes Photography

Toasty Tootsies

Mr. Palindrome never quite remembers our family name for toes.  Totsies, footsies, toesies . . . no, no Mr. Palindrome, TOOTSIES! 

Anytoes, my tootsies have been keeping toasty recently thanks to my very thoughtful Palindromaid of Honor.  E sent me home from the wedding with a relaxation kit full of bath goodies, an eye mask and these darling slippers.

I'm not sure how she pulled it off, but she found slippers that commemorated my Weddingbee moniker!  Look closely at the tag: Lambie!

I died from the cuteness, especially the sweet eyelashes, the serene smile, and the pink bow!

I wear them pretty much every day, all day, as I started working from home when I moved to Durham.  Not only are they functional, but they remind to blog and they remind me of my great friendship with E.  She held my hand when I was freaked out about being late for formal photos.  She held my dress up when I had to go to the bathroom.  If that's not friendship, I don't know what is.  Thanks my dear!

One Hot Tip

If it were any hotter, I'd charge ya. 

Have Thank You cards ready to go early.

Having these bad boys at the ready, will save you heartache, pain, agony, ulcers, and appendicitis.  Ok, well maybe not appendicitis. 

If you plan on buying them, no problemo.  Just order a bunch (like the same number of invitations you ordered plus extras if you're having a shower) a few months out.  If you're a glutton for crafting punishment like me, then get those magic fingers a cuttin' and a stampin'!  Here, I've turned my kitchen table into a Thank You card workshop.  After stamping and arranging cards to dry all over the table, I promptly starting cursing that I had run out of horizontal drying surfaces.  "Dagnabbit!  I've stamped myself into a 2 foot square space and can't reach the bathroom!" 

For the showers, I created lots of blue stamped wonders on some deeply discounted Martha Stewart notecards.  I've learned that whenever I see blank notecards on sale to snatch them up.  I actually will use them and not just find them in a box after 2 more moves and wonder why I ever bought them in the first place.

I also made an assortment of black and white cards that match our wedding colors to use whenever I need a note.  The embellishments were all in the clearance section which I frequent every time I'm within 100 yards of a Michael's.  My sniffer has gotten really good at sniffing out the items in our wedding colors.

As we have received gifts, I have been sending Thank Yous so that the sender knows we have received the gift and appreciate their kind thoughts.  Though I know that we'll have plenty to write post wedding as well, having the notes made already will make the process a little easier.  Well, that and a bottle of wine. 

Do you have any Thank You card tips?  Did any preparations make your process easier?

These are a few of my favorite things . . .

This is only one thing, singular, but it certainly is a favorite amongst many lovely shower gifts I received.  Palindromaid A outdid herself on the gift front.  I can usually count on her to get me beautiful jewelry, fun kitchen gadgets, and other little luxuries.  This gift is not only practical, but largely sentimental and just perfect for a shower (or for Christmas if you're still looking for gifts).  Behold:

Nothing says"Open me!" quite like the perfect wrapping job.  Too bad I tore into it and then had to recreate the perfection to snap the shot above.

Oh, why Hello!  What do we have here?  A book with a delicious hard cover.

And it stands open.  This will be important.

It's not just a book.  It's a collection recipes that Palindromaid A solicited from our friends and family.

The 3 ring binder is organized by food category and tabbed for convenience.

And get this!  Not only did she add the recipes, but she included pictures of the recipe giver with the recipe they donated!  Here I am with Allison of the trifle bowl fame.

And here's a recipe from Palindromaid A with a picture of us from this past spring.  I was really struck by how thoughtful it was to gather recipes for me and also by the professional quality of the book.  When she told me she was making a recipe book, I thought it would be 3x5 cards in a photo album - and I was thrilled because I've been hounding some of these people for their recipes for years!  Palindromaid A exceeded all of my expecations.  I'm really excited to order some extra recipe pages with the credits that were included with the gift.  If you're interested for any brides (or for that matter anyon who likes to cook!) in your life, or if you'd just like organize your own collection, check out the website at Taste Book.

Did you receive any gifts that exceeded your expectations?  Was it something innovative or sentimental?

Making the list, and checking it twice

The future Mr. Palindrome and I were watching football on Thanksgiving day (a tradition right up there with eating turkey) when he turned to me during the commercials and said, "I don't understand why anyone would go shopping on Black Friday." 

I fell off the couch, died a thousand deaths, revived myself and ask him if he were serious.

"Yeah, I mean, it doesn't seem like they're having that good of sales.  And it's crowded."

I fell off the couch again.  I was out cold for a few minutes.  This.  This was. This was blasphemy!!!  If my parents taught me anything, it was that Black Friday is pure magic.  You eat turkey, you watch football, you watch Miracle on 34th Street, then you go to bed early so that you can up with the alarm and get some doorbuster action!

Growing up, I'd wait for my parents to come home from their early outing, anxious to see if I could catch peeks at potential presents.  They typically completed the vast majority of their Christmas shopping this way.

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I've been following suit for the past few years.  It just feels so good to get it all done before December even starts!  You can put up your tree and stash the freshly wrapped presents beneath it to enjoy for the next month.   Something about it just satisfies my inner longing to start celebrating Christmas.

This year, since I'm in wedding high gear, I decided that Black Friday was THE DAY to finish all of my Christmas shopping.  I marathoned it for 5 hours (at the lovely South Point Shops in Durham! Woot Woot!).  My feet were sore, I had a caffeine headache, and I had to run out to the car to drop off handfuls of bags a few times, but goshdarnit!  I crossed off every single last person on my list.  Yesterday, I wrapped them while listening to carols and now the only part left is the distribution.  The only part missing was a little dusting of snow!

Have you pushed up your Christmas shopping to work around wedding planning?  Or better yet, were you able to take advantage of any Black Friday sales for wedding supplies?

My Little Blue Book

This is my little blue book - full of wedding vendors, to do lists, and inspiration.  It has been my constant companion, even through my seasonal purse change.

My dear Aunt sent it to me shortly after my engagement and inscribed the first page with a note and a verse from the Bible.

 
You can also see all the junk that fell out of the front including a handwritten list and my makeup artist's card.

 

My aunt also tucked in this little card of advice about God being involved in your marriage and playing a role in cementing your bond as a couple.  It serves as a reminder that we're not alone and that God is there for us.

It has handy dandy tabs for appointments, ideas, to dos, books & mags, budget, and shopping.  As you can tell, the budget and shopping tabs are starting to wear a little ragged . . . Hmmmm.

This is an example of the type of item that I track in this little book.  I was scrolling through dafont.com and instead of bookmarking each of my favorites, I just jotted down the name so that I had easy access to them later if I wasn't in front of my computer.

Some things still don't quite make it into the book - like this note to call a vendor.  It did, however, make it to a sticky note which got stuck to the back of my little blue book.  So I consider that a half success.

Do you keep a notebook in your purse for spontaneous wedding thoughts?  Do you use your smart phone or another electronic form?