Wedding Post: Dresses

This weekend, I'll be going to check out dresses with some of my family, soon to be in-laws and friends. I'm so stoked! I've already tried on a few dresses already to get an idea of what I want (and to scope out a sale at a local store).


Since I was young, I've ALWAYS pictured myself in a short dress. Yep, at the ripe old age of 9 I just knew my dress would be short. Aaaaand with a casual backyard wedding a short dress is perfectly fitting. My biggest concern here is that it would look trendy for this time or when I look back in 20+ years I will wish I went with a traditionally long gown. If I were to go with a long dress, I would want it to be flowy on the bottom and not a ball gown skirt. I've also thought about having a long dress for the ceremony and a short one for the reception, if I were to find both dresses and still stay within my budget ($700). However, I'm willing to try any and all styles on because you just never really know. Never say never right? My only must-haves for a dress are as follows: a strapless, sweetheart neckline, beading only at the top- either my bust or waistline.


*Please keep in mind that dresses on a model vs me will look different, will be accessorized differently, etc so keep an open mind about what the dress "could be"*


Here are some of my favorite designer short dresses





Here are some of my favorite designer long dresses, yes I know that some of them are not necessarily flowy on the bottom, but I still love the drama of these skirts. Also, I do want my dress to be appropriate with my theme and location, but since I'm the bride- can't I wear what my heart desires (as long as it's not too over the top)?



Here are some celeb dresses, I WON'T be looking for inspiration from:



Look, I know it was the 80s and 90s, but come on. Mariah's poofy sleeves, ridiculously long veil, and a gigantic bouquet? There is such a thing as too much of a good thing sister! Celine, I guess I can let it slide since you and your spouse are "foreigners", jk! A headpiece like that is not good in any decade woman, oh and I love the bottom of your sleeves! Courtney, Courtney, Courtney, where was your BFF Jen to help you pick out a dress? Princess Di, my family and I loved you, but there's never a reason to drown in fabric.


Ok, not that I necessarily care for the first two of these brides, but you must give credit where it's due right?

Avril's dress and overall look shocked me, only because this is not what I envisioned she would choose. I love all of her style on this day; her hair, veil, dress, all of it! Heidi kept it classy on her big day and didn't go with any of her usual clothing choices. Love her entire look too (except for her choice in the groom) down to the multiple strand necklaces and bracelets. Ivanka can do no wrong with fashion. She's looks stunning from head to toe here and I bet I'll sitll think so 25 years from now. Cindy is also looking gorg in a casual short dress and it's already been a decade or so since this picture! All of these ladies look so classic, elegant, and gorgeous! This is what I envision for myself for my wedding day, whether I'm wearing a short or long dress.

Honestly, whenever I browse websites for wedding ideas, be it Southern Weddings, Style Me Pretty, or The Knot, I seriously love so many different styles of weddings that there's not a single solitary one that's perfect for you, but I could find several perfect dresses just depending on what I want to look like and what will fit with the theme and location of my wedding. Is that how you ladies felt?What do you ladies (and any gents out there who peruse my blog) think? What's your take on short vs long? What did you wear on you big day and do you have any regrets?

Major 2010 Trends...In One Outfit

Kim Kardashian has great style and is always "on" in the public eye. She could even be considered a fashionista, always wearing the latest everything and wearing it well.

What about when you just go for it and wear all the trends at once? Does "too much of a good thing" exist? I think so ladies. She did it in 2009 (see my post here) and now she's done it again with the 2010 trends.

Sexy cut-outs? Check. Asymmetrical dress? Check. Fierce shoulders? Check. Peplum skirts? Check. Yep, she's got them all there in this LBD:

 

In other Internet buzz, rumors have been swirling about Khloe Kardashian and whether or not she's prego. She and Lamar have talked openly about wanting and trying for children, but she's recently kept mum on the current status of it. She's also worn mostly baggy tops and conveniently poses with props in front of her waist to keep the buzz going. I saw this pic of her this morning... looks like it could be a baby bump or just an extra poofy skirt. What's your take?

Resolutions, July Update

I CANNOT believe that summer is more than halfway over. Thank goodness CA stays warm through mid-October. Seriously, I don't think any month has flown by as quickly as this one. I must be having fun!

I'm sure many of you, myself included, have given up, started new resolutions, etc.

Here is my progress for July: 

1. Write in my journal- No change from previous months, I did go to Borders to look for the One Line A Day: A Five-Year Memory Book, where you write one line a day, but wasn't able to find it. Let's be honest though, I don't know if it would get much use.

 

2. This is my year of savings- With less than 300 days before the wedding every penny we save counts! I'm continuing to save for the wedding, but still trying to put a little something away for my personal savings.

3. Lose 15lbs by May 1st- So, May 1st has come and gone. Why don't we change this to lose body fat before the wedding date? Does that work?

I have gone back and forth this month with working out, one week I'll go four days the next I don't go at all. When I don't go, it's usually because of late nights at work or social events I can't pass up. Also, because my drive to work in the morning is an hour and a half I'd have to be up at 430 am to work out before work- which is not going to happen for me! Yes, I know many people all over the world do this everyday, but they are a much better person than I. There, I said it. I'm not ashamed. Remember when I said I subscribed to  Self Magazine? Well is was really Shape Magazine. Hahaha! That's the one I was reading at my future SIL that I really liked. I can't wait to get my first issue for some pointers and motivation. Have you ever read that magazine?  I'll be sure to share any knowledge I gain with you ladies! 

I'm also starting a high-protein diet for this month. Here's a breakdown of my food intake for the next 31 days:

Meal 1: 1 whole omega-3 egg, 2 egg whites, 1 packet plain oatmeal

Meal 2: 20g protein shake mixed with water, 1 small apple

Meal 3: 4oz chicken, turkey, or fish (tilapia, orange rought, cod, etc...)Green veggies or salad with 1/2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar

Meal 4: 20g protein shake, 1tbsp all natural peanut butter or 12 almonds

Meal 5: same as meal 3

Meal 6: same as meal 4

I'm a little apprehensive about this plan, but I know it will give me great results. I get one "cheat" day a week and I've already started imagining my amazing meals for those days. I'm sure I'll deviate a little from this schedule, but I'm really going to give it a good try!

Do you have any tips for motivating yourself to go to the gym? Any pointers for eating less but not being hungry or tired?? Please dish!!

4. Learn to cook- I made wine popsicles for the 4th of July that were delicious and every commenter who had anything to say said that yes, it definitely counts as cooking. So ha! Take that New Years Resolution! Also, with my new diet plan for August I'll be cooking lots of 4oz of meat so my resolution will be back in play as I learn to spice up my bland meals.

5. To be more personal on this blog- I feel the same way this month as the last few months which is this: I love so much sharing personal stuff with you guys! It's been so much fun for me. Thank you everyone who reads/comments/emails me! I appreciate each and every one of you, your messages really make my day and I've enjoyed getting to know you guys better and finding new blogs to follow. For any future posts, is there anything you'd like to see more of? Less of? Anything you'd like to know about me?

Overall, I feel really good about my resolutions, better than I've felt in a long time about them. I have high expectations for this month and look forward to the last official month of summer.

So, how have you ladies been doing with your resolutions? Have you changed or modified any of them? Have you said sayonara to any? I hope each one of you are enjoying the summer and any changes that have come your way.

Product Review: Maybelline Eye Studio Color Pearls Marbleized Eyeshadow

After my MAC fiasco, I was inspired by finding some other products that are store bought that are equally as good as my MAC shadows. Since I had good luck with my Maybelline Color Plush Silk Eyshadow (I just bought my second set because my first one is almost completely gone!) I thought I'd try these new marbleized shadows.


I had been eyeing these new Maybelline Eye Studio Color Pearls Marbelized Eyeshadows (wow, really wish Maybelline would shorten their product names!) for a while and I had a coupon for any Maybelline eye products, I thought "Why not? Let's give it a whirl", but of course I forgot to use my coupon at the counter.
Anyhoo, I bought the color below- Bronze Blowout.

I must say that I'm really loving the color! It's easy to apply, very pigmented and is true to the color shown. The swirl shadow is pretty light and the other darker color blends well for the crease or smoky eye. It also lasts all day without fading. I've been using this a lot recently with my outfits and this would be a great shadow color to pair with the new military trends this season.

Here are some pictures of the shadow on, with the marble color on my whole lid and the bronze shade in my crease and part of my lid:

Have you tried the new marbleized shadows? What color do you have? Do you wear Maybelline shadows?

Luck be a Lady Tonight! Vegas Trip!

Last month I went to Vegas with a bunch of my homies for my friend S "Dirty 30" birthday. We had so much fun! We got a sick deal on our rooms at the Hard Rock Hotel for $30/night due to their Twitter Tuesday promotions. I don't have a Twitter, but luckily my friends are cooler than me. 

We spent the day at their SkyBar and had the best time. Most of the group stayed for the whole weekend (or longer), but a small group of us just went out for one hardcore night. I don't have many pictures though, but I thought I'd share the ones I do have.

Here's some of our Laker fans rubbing the Championship in some random Celtics fans' faces. Such gentlemen.

My friend Scottie So Hottie (as we called him back in college), I loved his Wonderbread shorts and called him Moondoggie all day.

Here are some of my best BFFs and sorority sisters. I'm completely shocked that I'm posting pictures of myself in a swimsuit that aren't from the "waist up only" (as I like to tell most people who take my pic while I'm bikini clad), but I thought "Why the heck not? I heart my readers".

The birthday boy S in the middle with the blue hat. He's such a doll! Love that kid!

Here are the only two pictures I have of us at the club. We stayed out until 5am and these were the only pictures I got! I couldn't believe it! If you haven't been to Vegas before, your nights tend to be crazy, often ridiculous, and one of the best parts of the trip are looking at the pictures the next morning. We were thoroughly disappointed though when all I had was this measily one and not even a group shot. There were two others, but they were either a)blurry or b) everyone's eyes were closed. I guess I'll have to take another trip out there to make up for it huh?