dominiqueamber

Even though I have OOT bags, I tried cause I really wanted some. They only had red with blue stars and some purple design ones. I might look at another Wal-mart cause I really like them for 88 cents!

I tried 5 stores before finding them. I think that light blue was what they had last year, which I really wanted more of, but I got navy which I really like, plus I bought a bunch of the other colors because I like the bags so much. The people in line behind me were so upset I was taking a long time to buy like 50 bags.

I bought one of each but since they're so big I'm worried that they're going to be too heavy once I try to take 30 of each.

I really like your bags Sharon...You did a great job and I understand about wanting to be done with the details and planning...Oh and cute bottle openers btw!

I love that you did something simple! I can understand why your guests LOVED the bags so much. I like the way you coordinated everything with the labels/descriptions. I also think your sand ceremony idea was unique and memorable. You did a fantastic job!

These are great ideas! I can't wait to see more!

Thanks! Please let me know how I can improve! Thank you....You guys inspire me to keep going!

Thank you for your kind words!

I'm so honored to be featured on the home page! Thank you Tammy! I poured my heart and soul into these posts hoping to be able to inspire other women, I feel like now that so many have seen it maybe I will do so. Stay tuned - much more adventure to come!

Nice..I like all your fonts!

Thanks! I appreciate you taking the time to comment!

Very nice...I love that they kinda double as your maternity shoot as well

you did a fantastic job! I love the picture of your groomsmen and of your flower girls and ring bearer. I also love your water bottles in your out bags, where'd you find them.

I've been trying to put in an offer on 100 pink sea urchins and they won't take anything less than what they're selling it at! So frustrating!!

Sent you a pm!

Is it becoming a trend, we all have similar tastes with the lace and burlap. I'm going for contrast of organic/rustic/beachy and vintage/glam/sparkly. It's the hardest thing to describe but I plan to use shades of white/taupe, peach, blush pink & rose gold/copper accented with navy and seafoam. I'm using elegant details like crystals and glitter against burlap, wood and bamboo. Because of my love for the sea I'm using sand, shells, conch shells, coral, seahorses, sea urchins, starfish, ect I love chartreuse and haven't seen it in a wedding, I can't wait to see your pictures!

Wrapping it Up March 19, 2012 It feels so good to wrap this project up. It literally took me 5 days. Not 24 hours a day though because my fingers were so sore I had to take breaks. I’m sure your dying to see what I wrapped up. I have to admit his was not an original idea. I combined the wooden utensils I had fallen in love with and these images. Images via Mrs.Beagle on Weddingbee Thanks to these images I was melting all over my keyboard. The collection of patterns appealed to my love of mismatched items, the fact that they were not disposable struck a chord with the desire to be green and turning the napkins into a quilt after the wedding was right up my alley because I’m all kinds of sentimental. I had discovered this idea last summer and once I had settled on my color scheme (which I’m calling Buff, Blush and Bashful with a little Blue for Raoul) I started collecting fabrics. I set a limit of $3.00 a yard or less. I broke the rule twice with a $4.00 a yard fabric and $7.95 a yard fabric I had to have. It’s hard to see in the picture but it was a white fabric with white nautical designs on it. I was more than excited when my package from Webrestaurant store arrived in the mail because that meant I could start! It came pretty quickly and I highly reccomend them by the way. I was anxious to get started and I pulled out all of the fabrics I had collected and started cutting one with pinking shears. I took a break to look online and make sure I was doing it right and it said wash and iron the fabrics first. I had to force myself to do this tedious part. After I washed the fabrics I took them to my mothers house so I could iron in front of the TV (since I got rid of mine a while ago because it was too much of a distraction) My mother told me I was crazy and should just go buy a pack of napkins from the dollar store but I kept right on. I did get worried when she said they were too small, being I’m a lazy DIY-er I didn’t measure them I just folded the yard into equal pieces and started cutting. My thumb and forefinger was in pain from all the cutting so I cut a few then started rolling to break it up. Personal Image I didn’t want to go to the store to buy twine so I used ribbon that I had from the dollar store. It really bothered me that this ribbon will just go in the trash or probably blow away in the wind but I couldn’t think of a green alternative. I decided not to put a tag on each one to make up for my lack of being green and instead make a sign that explains why were eating off wood and why I want to save the napkins. So after 5 days of work the fruits of my labor are 100 forks for dessert and 100 forks, spoons, and knives for dinner rolled up in fabric napkins tied with coordinating ribbon. For dessert / Personal Image For dinner / Personal Image I’d like to find a crate to store them in standing up and maybe label them dinner and dessert and a pretty container for dirty napkins. It would be nice if I could wash and re-cut them to use for the Virginia Beach reception as well but we’ll see. Hopefully they get saved and one day maybe I’ll learn to make a quilt with them. For now they’re packaged in ziplock bags to stay dust free waiting to go to the Bahamas. Personal Image I’m very pleased with the results and I know they’ll be beautiful at the wedding even if they aren’t appreciated by all. Did you spend a lot of time and effort on a project that family and friends didn’t care much about?

The DIY Marathon Continues March 18, 2012 Remember I wanted to dress up my drinks? Well, once the taller stir sticks arrived with the fork I was able to whip out some more drink decorations. I added quote flags to the longer sticks. Personal Image And remember I was determined to make these. Image via anna and blue paperie I purchased the glitter paper which was $1.99 a sheet using a 20% off your total purchase coupon at Michaels (which also goes on 50% off sale if you watch) and the heart punch was 40% at ACMoore. Image via Amazon I punched hearts in the paper and hot glued two of them to each stick. It was so easy it seemed unfair and they’re my favorite DIY project so far! Personal Image Personal Image I also wanted to make ribbon flags but the search for peach ribbon proved too difficult and I gave up since the hearts were so beautiful. Did you find that a DIY project was easier than you expected? Did you have thoughts of listing it on Etsy?

The DIY Marathon Takes Off March 17, 2012 I started filling my down time with creating some designs on power point. I had fallen in love with this image a long time ago and thought it would fit us well since Raoul and his father really love Chess and Checkers. (If you google him and his father, pictures of them in a chess competition come up) Image via Elizabeth Anne Designs I loved it because it was functional as a place mat on an outdoor table and interactive and would keep guests busy while waiting on food. I thought about making a chess game but I knew that it would never end and break up the vibe of the party, plus I liked the way they used gummies as alternative pieces. I had stored this idea in “Things I don’t need to spend the money on†until I saw this while shopping at the local wine and cake store: They have ton’s of colors but I think I like Ivory the best. I was picking up a mold for soap, a project I hope to get to this week / Image via Wine and Cake Hobbies I thought 50 for $4.99 would make the project affordable, all I had to do was design the place mat and print it on the computer. Here’s what I have so far. Personal Image It’s a good start but I hate it because it’s so unfinished. I’m taking a pause to let my creative juices flow. But for pieces I’d like to use the sea shells and clear glass gems I bought at the dollar store when I thought I was making bubble magnets. It will be easy and cheap since I already have them. Next, I decided to work on a project I had been tripping over for the last month. I have always collected sand from places I visited and it’s something really special to me. Here’s my collection that sits in the hallway. That’s the Kalik bottle from when Ra and I first met! / Personal Image I thought it would be sweet for guests to take home sand from Nassau to remember the wedding and The Bahamas. I already had these bottles which I had purchased from Ebay a few years ago in my attic. I’m so glad I saved them because they made this project possible. (Personal Image) I had searched long and hard for sea glass online and in stores but it was not affordable and difficult to find a color I liked. One day I was in the floral aisle at Wal-Mart (shopping for my mothers’ wedding) and I found this for less than $4. Bonus: It’s made from recyclable materials! (Personal Image) I realize it’s not real but it fits through the mouth of the jar so I don’t have attack sea glass with a hammer. The bottle still needed something else. I remembered some shells I had. I purchased boxes from a bride hoping to use them for my save the dates but they turned out too small. She had included her leftover shells and starfish for free! I finally had all my supplies and they sat waiting on the floor for over a month. Fast forward to today when I carried them to my sick-bed. Yes, I craft in my bed. No, I do not recommend it. Now I have tiny pebbles everywhere! Here’s a close up of the bottle. (Personal Image) Then I lined them up and added 5 shells to each one ( I wanted to make sure I had enough) (Personal Image) I got bored with that fast and just dumped shells across the tops. (Personal Image) I didn’t have enough starfish for all the bottles so I’m going to ask brides for their leftovers instead of ordering a new bag of 500. After the starfish I added pinches of sea glass. (Personal Image) Some of the bottles have a lot more sea glass because it took too long so I just poured it across the top. (Personal Image) Which left a big mess so I just used the bottles to scoop up the pebbles. (Personal Image) After about 45 minutes they look so cute all lined up! (Personal Image) (Personal Image) When Raoul comes to visit he’s bringing sand and we can seal them closed once we add the sand. So far this project is costing me $4 for 85 bottles. I’m not counting the cost of the bottles because I bought them six years ago but they were about $11. I would like to add a label with a poem about the sand or sea glass and I can use leftover cardstock from my Save the Dates to create them. I’m also tempted to soak the corks in some tropical scented oil I already have when we get closer to August! I’m pretty proud of my first (almost) done favor but there’s more projects to work on. Do you collect anything from your travels? Were you able to make use of supplies you already had in the house before wedding planning?

I Have a Doctors Note March 16, 2012 I apologize for the lack of posts lately. It’s not because I gave up on the wedding, I promise. It’s because I’ve been really sick! Like “feeling like poop on a stick†sick. (I could google and share a picture with you but you might not like that as much as I would) Since I’m allergic to most OTC medicines and antibiotics, I don’t go to the doctors unless it’s really bad . I’ve been trying to let my body build up the strength to fight it. I know it’s worse than a cold but I don’t think it’s the flu but the Doctor’s I work for can vouch that I’m really sick since I picked it up from their little girl. Source I promise to catch you up on what’s been going on and make up for it with a posting marathon! I have the next week off and since Raoul’s no longer able to come visit (the sucky part of long distance relationships and shrinking finances) I will have time to tackle the DIY projects that have been sitting on my couch and floor waiting for me to have time. How cool you get to see it all up close without getting infected! (Hmmm maybe I should sanatize the projects when I’m done?)

Confessions of a Shopaholic March 9, 2012 Hello, My name is Amber Dominique and I’m a Thrift Store Shopping Addict! Source It started out with things for my house and then when the wedding shopping became more serious so did my addiction. I learned that old items are marked down on Monday to make room for the new items. So Monday and Tuesday are the best days for shopping. I’ve had to work hard to make sure I’m not buying something because it’s cheap (which is so tempting)but buying things I actually need. My goal in decorating the wedding is to find things I want to decorate my home or use in the kitchen, this way I feel like I’m saving money because it’s a two for one. If live in the Tidewater area here’s the skinny on the local Thrift Stores. The Children’s Hospital for the King’s Daughters Thirft Stores tend to be less expensive and have the best finds. TheGoodwill offers a colored tag for half off each week but you must check frequently because they’re popular stores. Thrift Store City is my favorite for great finds and great prices. TheDisabled American Veterans Thrift Store and Thrift Store USA have staff that must read wedding blogs because they know the value of their stuff and it’s not always easy to score a good deal. Union Mission Thrift does not usually have good items and they’re overpriced however they have awesome sales like half off everything for 3 hours a few tines a month. You’re probably wondering what’s the fuss is all about. Besides my plate collection let me show you some of my recent treasures. Set of four jars for $6.98. The lids are begging to be painted with chalkboard paint! (Personal Photo) Three bags of seashells for $2.98 each (Personal Photo) Crystal Punch Bowl with 7 crystal cups for $2.98 and a Crystal Cake Plate for $9.98 (Personal Photo) Milk Glass Bowls, the top two were a set for $2.98 and the bottom was $1.98 (Personal Photo) Two Glass Cake Plates, $7.98 for the set (Personal Photo) From left to right, pedestal bowl for $4.25, medium jar with lid $2.98, two small jars with lids priced at $1.65 each but they were half off because they were the color of the week, cake plate with lid $6.98 (Personal Photo) The good deals add up and I have to work really hard to have self control and pay my bills before shopping but the feeling of getting great stuff for even greater prices make everyday I shop I great day! Do you thrift store shop? Have you found it to be a valuable source for your wedding?

Be Our Guest March 6, 2012 10 Points if you get the Disney reference! The guests at your wedding are very important because they help make the memories. You’ll always want to remember who was there to witness and celebrate your marriage. When the memories start to fade it’s nice to be able to pull out the guest book and remind yourself of who was there to support you that day. I’ve always loved the idea of a guest book and I even started a guest book of people what have visited my house. One of the childhood wedding plans I had early on was more than just a list of cursive names in a book that was hard to read. I didn’t know what though. I’m not sure when it became popular but as soon as I learned about a wish jar I knew I wanted one. Image via Martha Stewart (This also happens to be from a wedding in Nassau) I realize its just like a heartfelt but I loved the idea of collecting notes from all the guests to read over and over. Plus you know I love interactive activities at weddings! This wish jar grew into a wish tree and I loved that idea, but it didn’t fit well enough on the beach for me. Image via Boho Weddings and Events I tried to recreate it using driftwood and tucking notes into the holes but finding the right piece of wood caused me to give up. (Ra and I searched for driftwood the day he proposed and came up with nothing) Searching for trees brought me to this true love. I loved it! It was green (kinda), It was interactive and would look so pretty hanging on my wall. I started to think I’d have to have it in addition to something else because I really wanted my messages! Since I had always planned to use wood stationary so I searched for a wood guest book. Image via Etsy But I thought this would leave me with a list of names again. I tried searching Etsy for wood books that I could personalize so I could have inner pages like this: Image via Guestbook Store Image via Weddingbee DIY I had a hard time finding what I wanted for a price I wanted. I loved all the thought provoking questions and I thought it would be neat to have a book where they wrote marriage advice for me and a book of marriage advice for Ra. I struggled to find an affordable choice and I started to research binding my own book. Then I discovered wedding blogs I found lots of ideas to fall in love with. I’d love to have this but I couldn’t take it on the plane to Bahamas and it would leave me with short messages. Image via Creating Really Awesome Free Things

Dressy Drinks March 3, 2012 So I’ve gotten really excited about collecting the Starbucks Frappuccino bottles for drinking glasses. (I decided to use them to make coffee ice cream) Turns out many in the DIY world love them too. I could etch them / Source I would love to sugar the rims / Source Then I started thinking about what other glass bottles I could re-use. (Since I’m being green and cheap) Then I found this image. Source I could use beer bottles! I know lots of people who drink beer, I just have to ask them to save their trash for me. If you’ve been watching you’ll see all of the images of drinks have one thing in common. Paper Striped Straws / Source I couldn’t wait to dress up the drinks with these! Then my DIY folder started growing. I’m always looking for ways to incorporate kraft paper / Source Mrs. Sweet Cream makes it look so easy / Source I don’t think you can have enough hearts at a wedding / Source All my favorite images had grey and white straws and they were available for a great price. I ordered the 144 from Kikkerland through Amazon. I was on the hunt for pretty peach ribbon to dress them up. Then I found these: Sometimes you need to just stop looking. They’re $16 for 100 / Source The color is perfect. I think I’m going to order them anyway and use straws at both the Nassau and Virginia Beach receptions. I think a navy ribbon with be so striking. I also found peach stripes but I had to stop myself when I realized I would need extra long straws for the beer bottles. So far I’ve only found gray but I’m still on the hunt. So pretty!/Source In addition to ribbons I also fell for drink stirrers. I love that they bring in the beachy elements/ Source So easy to do and I love the nautical look/ Source You know I’m crazy about hearts, plus they’re sparkly!/ Source This is one of those projects that is totally unnecessary but I want it because I saw it. I do think it would add a nice touch and it would make me smile every time I looked at them. Since I’m trying to use quotes and scriptures in every place I can I thought it would be cute on a drink flag. I saw a woman use address labels to make monogram flags and had a great idea to use vista print free labels. I designed two and ordered them with my save the date stuff. I had some wooden sticks left over from a project with the kids and I couldn’t wait to try them out. (Personal Photo) Through trial and error I learned it was best to line up the edges first (Personal Photo) Then slide the stick in the middle and press it together (Personal Photo) This project is practically free and so easy since no adhesive is involved! I tried moving the flag down to see if I liked it, I didn’t. (Personal Photo) (Personal Photo) Since I’m trying to incorporate a lot of keys I used that for one and a conch for the other. I was so worried if the quote would fit on one side but it worked out wonderfully. I made a bunch before I realized they would be too short for any cup I planned to use. I ordered taller wood stir sticks from the WEBstaurant Store when I ordered the utensils and can’t wait to give them a try. Now I just have to get the straws done and my drinks will be dressed and ready for a night out! (Personal Photo) Did you add any unneccessary DIY projects to your list because you saw them online?

I'll Drink To That! March 2, 2012 Well I’ve told you my plans for what we’ll eat with and on but not what we’ll drink out of yet. Finding green drinking glasses that fit my style is easy. Finding ones that travel is a bit more difficult. I had seen a lot of destination wedding brides put travel mugs in their out of town bags. I didn’t want a stadium plastic cup or a bubba keg so I thought what else would they reuse. The insulated plastic cups with straws are very popular. But expensive / Source Aluminum water bottles would be much better than offering plastic. But expensive / Source Glass swing top bottles would be even better than aluminum, but I don’t want to wrap all that glass. Plus they’re expensive. / Source I had to think what would be light to carry and stack so as not to take up precious luggage space. Red Solo Cups wouldn’t work because they’re plastic and that bright red color will seriously clash with my pastel color scheme. But paper cups could work. Because they’re disposable it’s not very green but what if I could find a biodegradable option. Hmmmm… I found these biodegradable plastic alternative cups made from corn ($15.50 for 100) Source I fell in love with these letter cups. How cool would it be to have the first letter of your name? But then I wouldn’t have enough letters for that. / Source Because I’ve been using a lot of kraft paper in my stationary I thought that would be the perfect look, and we could use sharpies to mark them. / Source I think that’s my best option unless we end up at a restaurant and have the glassware provided. I’m just on the hunt for some cups I can buy, so far I’m only finding chinese sources with 1000 cup minimums. Now I had the chance to upgrade the glassware for my Virginia reception since it will be paired with the vintage china. I thought about renting real glasses. It would be such fun to drink sweet tea and lemonade from these outside / Source No matter what we drink out of it has to have this amazing fruit and veggie water inside! /Source Of course, I also thought about the ever popular Mason Jars Source Source I hated this look at first because it felt “My Big Redneck Wedding†but then it grew on me. I started seeing it more and more and I realized I would have what everyone else has. Moving on. Mason Jars mugs haven’t been overdone yet / Source At $12.99 for 12 they’re not too bad but not exactly my style / Source Then I found this image of a plastic milk bottle. I loved that look but really didn’t want plastic. /Source All the glass milk bottle images I found had the adorable paper straws I loved. Source Source Source Inspiration pictures were plentiful but an affordable source to buy them was a bit harder. I was looking for favor jars and came across this Martha Stewart image on Speciality Bottle’s website one day. They’re actually sauce bottles / Source Milk bottles would be cute, unique, and green. As long as I reused the bottles or bought them used. I searched and searched online and came up empty. Then one day on Craigslist I found this. $80 for 30 and they were real vintage /

Thanks, I've kinda given up. I asked about them and most people said they were thinking about it, even though I put a maybe on there! I'm able to plan with a guesstimate and if I could go back I would not do the mad lib there, I would put another one on the back because it was too confusing.