The Winner!

Thanks to all for participating in my Tea Favor Giveaway!  The future Mr. Palindrome is sitting here watching the Oklahoma vs. Texas game and was very confused as to why I was making him choose a number between 1 and 5 and what the heck a Tea Favor was.  He chose #2 when I kept saying, "PICK A NUMBER!"

Congratulations to Maria of The Carosello Wedding!  I've emailed you about claiming your prize :)

I have the next giveaway planned and my picture taking will kick into high gear as I pick up the charger for the camera this weekend too :)

Friday Finds - Leafy Greens

TGIF! I went for leafy inspired greens today. Leafy greens are nutritious too! :)

Clockwise from Top L:
Dandyapple - Sweet Little Flower Bobby Pins
Viva la Violette - Leafy Invitation Set
Silver Garden - Wide Leaf Textured Silver Ring
Blue Sky Pottery - 7 piece Lettuce Leaf Set

*Sale Alert* - eInvite.com 20% off!

I ordered my invitations from eInvite and cannot wait to show you how they turned out.  Until the big reveal after they've been mailed out, feel free to order your own for 20% off by entering FF20 at the checkout through November 17 (on select products). Here's some inspiration for you:

 

 

TJ Maxx and I are like *this*

My name is Palindrome "Impulse Buyer" Bride.  I've got the shopping gene and it's a strong one passed down by grandmotherdrome to motherdrome to me.  TJ Maxx, Ross, DSW, Marshalls, Home Goods . . . I imagine a piece of heaven to be similar stores where you find a bargain everytime you walk in. 

Thankfully for my overtaxed personal budget, the wedding budget has allowed me to satisfy some impulse buying without any guilt.  For example, I was wandering around TJ Maxx at the Janaf Center (a tad on the sketchy side, but they have surprisingly good stuff) and happened to spot these little guys:

I had candleholders on my list of wedding items to buy.  I like lace.  I like vintage.  Black is in my color palette.  I held my breath and checked the bottoms for prices.  Clearance! Cha-ching!  I grabbed the trio and walked out that night with about $10 less in my pocket and these beauts swinging in a bag from my arm. 

Can't you picture them on my guest book table?  Or maybe by the seating chart?  I can't wait to see the candles in them and how the lace looks with the warm glow!

Are you keeping your eyes out for wedding items at your regular haunts?  Have you had any success stories at a discount store?

Tea Favor Giveaway!

I know that I taunted you with a look at my hometown bridal shower. Tonight, I'm offering you no more than another taunt, with a small look at the lovely favors my mom made all of the guests.

A collection of yummy teas is packed in a faux cut glass candy dish and wrapped with a silver bow and demitasse spoon.  The perfect take away for our high afternoon tea.

To make up for my lack of reporting and gift opening pictures, I'm giving away the very favor pictured!

To enter, please leave a comment below with your favorite tea time edible!  The contest will open until Thursday at 7:00 pm EST.  The winner will be announced on Friday morning.  One entry per person please.

Palindromaid S and her feminine vintage look

Palindromaid S just received her custom dress to pull her vintage look together!

Clockwise from the Top
Dress: Monica Freng (Etsy seller: MoniRose)
Earrings: Swarovski
Necklace: Macy's
Shoes: Macy's

I was really eager to hear about her experience with a custom dress, so I weberviewed her! 

Q: Why did you decide to have your dress custom made?
A: Once you told me the parameters for choosing a dress, I was thrilled with the challenge of finding the perfect one. Unfortunately, I have champagne tastes on a beer budget. So if I did find a dress I loved, it was hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars more than I was willing to spend. There were lots of Okay black dresses, but none really struck me as special for the amount of money they cost. Finally, I was perusing Etsy (which you introduced me to) for jewelery when I noticed the Alchemy feature. Commission someone to make a custom dress for me at and I get to pick the price? It sounded like a dream!

Q: Were you nervous about posting an alchemy request?
A: I was a little nervous! But I knew that if no one came forward with options that I liked, then I wasn't going to be forced to pick someone to work with. I had the freedom to drop the idea. I was also nervous about being fair - I didn't want to insult anyone by asking too low a price for the dress or drive anyone away from making bids. Also, I knew there was a bit of risk in the final product not being the quality I wanted. Nevertheless, I took the plunge.

Q: How did you decide which vendor to ultimately work with?
A: I had nine people offer to make me my dress. All the info I provided was my dress size, ideal price, and a photo of the dress I wanted made/replicated. I declined some of the offers right away because the estimated costs were too much. For the remaining contenders, I asked for portfolios of their bridal/evening gown work if they had not provided me with them and noted whether they were easy to communicate with, meaning they were careful to address all my comments and questions. I finally chose to work with Monica because of the beautiful work she had done in the past (I was thoroughly impressed that she amde her own BEAUTIFUL wedding dress, as well as all the dresses for her bridesmaids) and her openness in her e-mails.

Q: Describe the process of working with the seamstress.
A: Working with Monica was very easy. We had discussions about types of fabrics that would fit in my budget and provide similar drape and flow as the dress in the photo I provided as a guide to the design. Then we had discussions about the ideal color combinations, given the color palette you provided to the bridesmaids. She then sent me a list of measurements that she would need. I got a neighbor to measure me, sent the numbers to Monica, and that was pretty much it. She gave me plenty of updates regarding when she purchased the fabric, when she started the dress, and when she anticipated sending it to me.

Q: How did the dress fit when you received it?
A: I was nervous putting on the dress. What if it was all wrong!? But my worries were for nothing. It all fit pretty well. The bust needs to be taken in a little but that's much easier than having it be too slight. Also, if I could, I'd have the dress be about a half an inch longer. However, I realize those are my own measuring issues and not the fault of Monica in any way, shape, or form.

Q: Would you commission another dress in the future?
A: Yes! I love having clothes custom made for me. It makes me feel unnecessarily special. I've had custom made dresses made for me before, when I was in Asia for part of my study-abroad. It's something fun to do once in a while if the price is right.

Q: Do you recommend the seamstress you worked with?
A: Absolutely. I've loved sharing updates with my friends about how my dress has developed. Monica was easy to work with and none of my questions were ever too stupid for her to address. She did great work for a fair price. I've already been recommending her to friends who are in need of bridesmaids dresses in the future.

Friday Finds - Au Naturale

TGIF! With a heat wave in the 757, I can't help but be drawn back outdoors. It's not time to hibernate quite yet!

Clockwise from Top L:
Weegreenspot - Green Tea with Lichen
April Hiler Designs - Firefly Lantern
Dash of Magic - Rustic Oak Chalk Board
Family Attic - Wedding Sign