gkashmira

Quote: Originally Posted by AQHARIDER Kash- I really like the first one you posted. But, I agree with what Tammy said- if you don't instantly love it, then it's not the one. Too funny, I have to share...Last night I dreamed that I went to have one of my wedding dresses altered at a seamstress' shop in town. When I went there she had started carrying consignment bridal dresses and I asked if she had the ML Scarlet. She said she did and I was sooo excited. She said it was a size 10 and I thought of you, so I called you on my cell phone while she went to get it for me. omg, she brought the dress out and someone had dyed it pink and added red ruffles to it (!) and the train was ripped. I was so sad. Then I woke up. Anyway, I just thought it was pretty crazy that now your dress shopping has invaded my dreams too... lol OMG! You are TOO funny! That is so hilarious - what a good friend you are! I think you guys may be right - everything is "fine" but nothign is great. I need to keep looking I guess. It's all, "I guess this could work" instead of "I love this." I'm going to keep trying dresses on and if I can't find something I love I'm just going to buy the damn thing (and then sell it!). I'm still of course searching for it used online too. Actually I have a "WANTED" add on Craigslist and eBay and this other girl emailed me and was like, "I am also looking for this dress in a size 2 - 6 so if you find one will you let me know and if I find one I'll let you know. I thought that was very cute. And also a good indication of it's resale value!

Janet - that's hilarious! Well it sounds like it was a fantastic dress

I like edyta's idea of whiter for you and yellow (or you could pink) for ther BMs

I've asked to buy the sample but no one will sell it! Anyway after I wrote my post I was called David's Bridal and made a quick appointment and went in and tried on a few dresses. Nothing was fantastic but there were a couple that could be okay: David's Bridal - Bridal Gowns S8551 All over beaded lace sheath gown This one would look good if I could love like 10 more pounds. Right now my stomach and hips don't look thyat great in it. David's Bridal - Bridal Gowns T8627 All over lace A-line, tea length gown This one is alright - fit okay but might be a bit too informal David's Bridal - Bridal Gowns T8792 Strapless organza A-line gown with ribbon details on waist and skirt trim. This one I liked except I had those weird little bulges near my armpits which I hate. But this dress is pretty - sort of reminds me of that Priscilla of Boston dress everyone likes so much David's Bridal - Bridal Gowns VW8893 Organza halter trumpet gown with ribbon trim on bodice and skirt. This one was nice but it was hard to tell because the sample was a too big on me after it was clipped it wasn't lying flat and smooth like the picture.

Great idea Edyta! I know - those are so pretty too!

You may be right. Well two things can come from it: 1) One it looks great and I just go for it and feel excited about the dress and start making plans to sell it after 2) It doesn't look great and instead I buy a cheaper dress and save myself the money. I do think however before I BUY it I'm going to go and check out some more dresses. Make an appointment at David's Bridal and maybe Alfred Angelo just to see if I can find something I like for a LOT less money. I guess thatr thing is that is to me it's not worth spending like 3000 on something I don't love - I'd rather just spend more and get scarlet. BUT if I find something for around 1000 or lower than I have the weigh the different in how it looks versus the price. As more time goes by since I tried on the dress I am becoming slightly more my normal rational self. That's doesn't mean I won't buy it though!

Ann - I think you're right. I have an appointment to go try on dresses next week and it's also the ML trunk show (but Scarlet isn't on sale). Sadly my dreams of buying the dress at a discount are pretty much dead

I wish! I've been totally off plan for like a week now and feel gross. But as of today I am back on! It's amazing how awful you feel when you don't eat right. It's so not worth it! I think that's why I'm suddenly doubting how the dress looks on me!

I actually realize I already have a cheap dress to do this in! remember that dress i got for $50 from loehman's? perfect!

I think I want to do this! The more I think about it the more cool it seems (in a different dress though). I think it would actually be amazing to do in a saree too!

I know! but for $3500 less it may be worth it. These days I am SO torn! I am obsessed and in love with "Scarlet" but at the same time I am just not sure if I want to spend the $$. I really need to go re-try on the dress (will be next weekend at a trunk show in Orange County (big bridal shop called Mon Amie).

I know! Her stuff is so pretty and sexy. That lace beaded one is my favorite - I think I'm going to see if my Neiman Marcus here in LA carries it so I can try it on. I went to nicole Miller a few months ago but didn't love anything - I should go back again!

These shots are amazing but it hurts me to think of putting my (not that I have one yet) gorgeous wedding dress in a chlorine pool or sea water. Now if therre was a fresh water pool available I'd be a little more willing. I dfo think it would be really cool to do this the next day in a second (cheap) dress - just for the amazing pictures!

Some of the dresses Neiman Marcus has for sale on it's website are or could be really nice for a wedding. Some are pricey but most are under $500 and could be a really good option. PLus since you can just order them online and can easily return them there's bascially no risk (NM has an amazing return policy. Anyway here are some traditional "wedding dresses" and some not-so-tradition dresses that could be really nice for a beach wedding: ONLINE BRIDAL DRESSES AT NM: Bridal Gowns*Gowns*-*Neiman Marcus Online BRIDAL: Nicole Miller*-* Crisscross-Back Gown*-* Neiman Marcus - $595 - (Very Pretty) Nicole Miller*-* Empire Gown*-* Neiman Marcus - $330 - Pretty Carmen Marc Valvo*-* Lace Gown*-* Neiman Marcus - $3190 (not cheap!) Sue Wong*-* Beaded Gown*-* Neiman Marcus - $410 Nicole Miller*-* Metallic Bow-Back Gown*-* Neiman Marcus - $880 Nicole Miller*-* Lace Beaded Gown*-* Neiman Marcus - (I love this one!) $1180 Amsale Blush Label*-* Halter Gown*-* Neiman Marcus - $350 Amsale Blush Label*-* Draped Gown*-* Neiman Marcus - $320 Laundry by Shelli Segal*-* Pinched-Front Gown, Ivory*-* Neiman Marcus - $265 NON-TRADITIONAL: Bianca Nero*-* Beaded Bubble Dress*-* Neiman Marcus Nicole Miller*-* Bubble Dress*-* Neiman Marcus Bianca Nero*-* Printed Silk Dress*-* Neiman Marcus Anyway I hope you guys like them! I thought it may be a good option for some people. I love the Nicole Miller dresses!

Thanks for the info tammy! I was so sad - i went ot the ML sample sale on Thursday and we litereally the 6th person i the door! If the dress was there I would have bough tit but it turns out that since the dress is so popular it wasn't included. Honestly I may just suck it up and buyt he real one. Then I can sell it after to try and get some money back. Chicago's resale shop "White" had told me (when I was askign if they had one) that if I did buy it new when I was done I could consign it through them. I would probably try and sell it on my own first but just in case. Thje fact that your (tammy) friend actually had it made by a dressmaker and she spent so much and still didn't like it makes me think I might as well just buyt he real one and sell it. I should be able to get at least $1000 for it I think and that would br basically the same price as havign it made for 3K... Anyway I'm undecided and all of a sudden nervous that maybe I didn't look so gorgeous... maybe it didnt' even look that good and I'm just being crazy...

You are all very motivated! Congrats Sarah on your body being so sore form a great work-out! I agree with Tammy that it's better to work out hard less often than half-a$$ed... not that I'm doing anythign these days but that's been my experience in the past. I am having such a sh*tty day today. Oh and Sarah - there weren't any "Scarlets" at the Monique Lhuiliier sample sale

I love #2 - asnd I especially like Natasha's idea of the bougainvilla sprigs! I think calla lilies are used for many occasions and quite often for weddings - I wouldn't worry so much about the funeral thing. Merry - I love those calla lilies - so gorgeous!

Love them!

All of you guys have great tips! I use to do that with my ING and have really slacked... I need to go do it right now! Anyway there's no way I'm cutting out the coffee runs - but at least the local coffee shop I go to is pretty cheap ($1.50 for a large). But I've stopped buying lunch every day and I think that's made a huge difference in the money I have - without even noticing I cut my food expenditure in half!

Other thing that is good about PB Rose (not that I've stayed there but Tammy just helped me book some rooms there for work) is that they have small kitchenettes. I think for people who may be on a tighter budget it's a great option to be able to cook breakfast or a quick dinner themselves - especially since a lot of the food in cabo isn't cheap!

Great info ladies! I love this idea too! For those who have done this before - how much was ther postage for each? Was it a lot higher than regular first class mail? $4/invite is very reasonable - especially for somethign so cute!

Quote: Originally Posted by jilly76 I almost forgot to post today, since it was my weigh in day! Well, I lost 1.4 lbs., I was hoping for more since it was my first week, but looking back on the weekend, I'll take the 1.4 I'm going to start doing fridays instead, so I'll have two weigh ins this week. I can't wait to hit 10 lbs, then it will feel more real. 1.4 pounds is great! Don't think it isn't something because it is! Every week will be different depending on what you ate, how much water you drank, how active you are, what clothes you're wearing.., the point is being consistent! On another note I don't know what's happenmed to me this week - I have just totally gone off the wagon for no reason. I wonder if I have PMS or something. The past few days I have just not been able to stop eating! It's awful - I feel terrible! Anyway I can't do anythign about it except start anew tomorrow... crap. I always do this - lose some weight, feel great and then put it right back on. It's like I'm self-sabotaging unconsciously or something. yuck! I just ate two cookies before I wrote this. I need to somehow start over this week!

I agree with Natasha - the time has come to lay down the rules. She is totalyl right - you and cain need to map out your plan ahead of time - that way what gets said comes from a unified front. Just like parents who disagree "kids" will find that crack in therir opiniosn and then drive it apart to get what they want (we all know this because we USED to be kids... turns out your FMIL still is one). But I think what the ladies here have said is very true - if you don't fix this problem now this will be an ongoing issue when you have kids etc. (think "Everybody Loves Raymond"). We're here for you. What about another family member - does your FMIL have any siblings close-by or cousins or close friends - maybe it's time for her to move on. I still say try and get her to rent her own place and get out but I knwo it's not really a feasible option or you guys would have done it in the first place.

Quote: Originally Posted by host kash, i am going to go against the consensus on this one...one of my good friends had a ML dress remade...although the dressmaker did a great job, the bride was really unhappy because the lace wasn't right and it did not hang the same or move the same...just my 2 cents. sorry to be a pooper... Tammy - deon't apologize - I want the truth! But I can believe it - that's my fear. Where did she buy her's from and which style was it (if you know?) I wonder if it's the same dress maker from eBay... I feel like if I can't buy the real one I may be better off going to Natasha's dress maker and see what she can do. That way I can see all the materials and approve them ahead of time (maybe). Seriously - I appreciate your honet opinion! Thye last thing I want to do is buy a bad dress - wait 2 months to get it and then have it arrive and hate it and then not have time to find a great dress!

Quote: Originally Posted by NATASHA Oh totally - but here's the trick that I learned with Liza - you gotta low ball her. She'll give you the fabric and detailing at the price that you're willing to pay so if you say $2000 that's what she'll come in at. A better strategy is when she asks how much you can spend, say, "Well, here's these pictures of a similar dress that is x price." Then be silent. Let her talk you up based upon the various fabrics and details but do your best not to committ yourself and let her back in. Oh - also, Cabo is hot - make sure the underfabric breathes. Good tip! I remember from traveling in India that you always want the vendor to quote you a price first! OK, a good plan - I may need to you to remind me of everything I need to ask her before i go (just like you gave me all those tips and questions from my scout trip!)