kellygrrrl

me too, I mean I'm 85% or so that the dress I bought is the one for me, but anything different would cost me $1,000 more. in some ways, I want it to be a bit more extravagent because I feel like it's my shot, but then I remember all those costume-y dresses I tried that didn't even feel real. for what I got and the money involved, I don't think I could have done better. it's like they say on TV, like the guy, once you find the dress, you have to STOP LOOKING. : ) otherwise, you're likely to find more (or at least question your decision).

on that note, I found a forum that's pretty interesting to read. lots of stories - some are SO much worse than we have it, but it's good to get such a range of information. let me know what you ladies think: http://www.steptalk.org/forum

for me, it all pretty much comes down to the number of people attending. there is just NO reason to spend that kind of money on my family - not that I don't love them, just it's a LOT. : ) I'd rather do it up if there will be a bunch of people attending, but if not, no biggie. after all, I'm not choosing to get married at the beach because I wanted some elaborate 250-person ceremony. ; )

ya, I'm with you sharon. we're about 11 months out here, too, and it seems like just yesterday I sent out the 'one year countdown' message to all our invitees. I hope the upcoming months go as fast as it one. : ) also, I like knowing that I've explored all the options, so then it's just decision time when it gets closer to the date and we have a verified head count. I think it's the options part that takes the longest. compared to that, calling someone and giving them your credit card info will be a snap! ; )

#2! I love the separation between the top and bottom of it.

LOVE the review and planning thread - thanks so much for all the details! I'm thrilled to know that everyone had such an amazing time, and I loved your use of the papel picado. it's something I've recently been considering working into invitiations. thanks again for all the hard work. I'm so glad that it all went perfectly! : )

oh yay - so glad to hear it! : ) congrats, and thanks for your note. : )

don't worry, erin, your FI will probably make it easy on you. ; ) you'll likely be more selective than him!

I think Joanne Ireland ended up starting the blue starfish thread. there were a few people I was unable to add to the clear starfish list - maybe check back through the past 10 pages or so and you'll find them?

thanks for all the support, ladies. I'll definitely pick it back up again this afternoon with renewed energy and determination. : ) just knowing what you went through is a huge help, and I really appreciate you taking the time to respond.

ok ladies, I'm about a week into month two and kinda stalling out a bit. so far in month two, I've managed to do an Insanity workout about every other day (or slightly more frequently) and am sore all over again. for those who have finished, how did you motivate yourself through the second month? these workouts are just SO hard and an HOUR LONG. I feel like I'm dying and then check the time, and there's still 30 minutes left! I'm wondering if I need to go back to month one until my muscles are stronger. month one was ok because it was all new, but now I'm just hurting and worn OUT and tired of always needing a shower. how did you guys make it through? any advice? and what did you do after to maintain the results? I don't want to start over again next year - I'd love if I could keep feeling so good until the wedding (very ambitious, I know, but I'm planning to do a bunch of different activities). thanks for any advice/motivation. : )

ehee hehee, that is a CUTE cat! : ) and great invites - thanks so much for the how-to. I would have never thought I could make something like this, but now I might just try it. : )

we are both in love with the suits. he just went in to get them hemmed today ($25 total for both through MW). I'm not sure the sale is still going on, but if you can hold off a bit I think they run it pretty often.

here's my earlier post on men's warehouse: hey ladies - this weekend, my FI and I went to the mall to see what linen suit options were out there. they carried one at Men's Warehouse - a sand-colored light linen suit by Calvin Klein. Dillards had none, Macy's had a few semi-linen options (not real linen but kinda looked the same... kinda), and Nordstrom's had several different pants but only one complete suit. on our way out of Nordstom's, my FI busts out with, "Hey, I think I liked the one at Men's Warehouse." I realize that was our only option for purchase that day, but we're planning a year out, and I know he wouldn't have chosen it if he didn't love it. so we return to MW where they are having an extroardinary sale - BUY ONE GET ONE ON EVERYTHING, INCLUDING SUITS. so we could have just picked up the pants for ~$120, but FI and I both loved the jacket (even if he wears it only for the ceremony, that's ok), so he got a second GORGEOUS Calvin Klein suit in a silver-y gray to wear for formal occasions. the price for both? only $550 (after tax), which I thought was sensational. just wanted to share the good news - according to the salesclerk, the sale runs through next weekend. best of luck shopping! -kelly

seriously. I told them I wanted a light dress, and that narrowed the selection pretty quickly. : )

sure thing, jbmarch - you've been added. you'll be the last one to have it before me! : ) kellygrrrl's CLEAR starfish lineup User Name Travel Dates Resort Resort Location Home Location NurseM May 18 - 26, 2011 Dreams Cancun, Mexico New Orleans, LA Susanna.Hanson June 14 - 21, 2011 Cabo del Sol Houston, TX Islandbride8 June 27 - July 4, 2011 Majestic Elegance Punta Cana, Dominican Republic Morgantown, WV Amara3CUS July 17 - 31, 2011 Moon Palace Cancun, Mexico New Mexico Mallory57 August 11 - 21, 2011 Moon Dance Cliffs Negril, Jamaica Philadelphia, PA Kathie October 24 - 29, 2011 Aruba Boston, MA JayKay January 9 - 23, 2012 Gran Bahia Principe Montego Bay, Jamaica Alberta, Canada Brenners February 8 - 15, 2012 Riviera Maya, Mexico Minneapolis, MN jbmarch2012 April 9 - 16, 2012 Larimar Punta Cana, Dominican Republic kellygrrrl May 1 - 15, 2012 The Royal Playa del Carmen Playa del Carmen, Mexico Austin, TX

both me and my fiance (he was looking at the screen when I scrolled through) love it! he said, 'wow, that's a great dress!' ": )

from what I've read, the marriage is the final blow to the 'mom and dad will someday get back together' ideal they may be harboring (either consciously or unconsciously). maybe his statement about not coming to the wedding is just a reaction to that and, in time, he will want to be there. how often do you see him? when is your wedding?

hey jaykay, I think that shipping thing is NUTS, and I would be happy to intercept the ring and send it to canada for you in case you find one. : ) just let me know. happy to help.

yes absolutely, and even though our trek is only 20 - 30 mins, we're 1.5 years in (one year of living together), and I still wonder who these kids are sometimes. I heard it absolutely CAN take 7+ years for the new family to bond, but depending on your vistation, I think it could definitely take longer than that. and boys are tough, too (especially with adolescence plays a role). I don't worry so much about bonding with my FI's daughter (9 yrs), but his son (11 yrs) is a completely different story. sometimes it feels almost bleak and ominous when I wonder if there ever will be an 'easy' time of us getting along. the love isn't a guarantee, but if it's something you want, I think it's possible to get there. is there a way for you to spend time with him without doing something too 'boy' (i.e. not paintball but maybe miniature golf?) one of my (grown) friends said she had a great relationship with her stepdad growing up. when I asked why/how, she said he used to take them to school and that car ride was where they bonded. I know it's WAY easier said than done (and I need to do more of it myself), but Dr. Phil advised finding a common interest - play his video games when he's not around, etc. -- that will give you something to talk about. it could be a great place to start. : ) good luck, and please keep us posted.

hey ladies - does anyone know of a great step-parenting (or step-mom, specifically) website? sort of a bdw for stepparents? my FSIL recommended www.istepfamily.com but it appears to be down. I think a resource like that would be super helpful. thanks for any recommendations!

great review, speedy! thanks so much for posting. : )

L-O-V-E this orchid pearl collection set from etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/jurgitahandmade/search?search_query=melody&search_type=user_shop_ttt_id_5495810&shopname=jurgitahandmade

It would be cool to play up the iridescence of the feather, too. maybe you could find a metallic/pearlized spray paint and use that over the original color on the parasols? or find decorations to add to the flowers that bring in the purples and blues (michaels and hobby lobby come to mind). it's definitely a cool idea.

I remember seeing this one - did you try it on with the belt?