The Hair Witch Project

Alright, alright, I told you that I was attempting a new hair style for Sams and my first anniversary. I also said that I would either put up a turtorial or the embarrassing photo's of the aftermath. To say no more you will be seeing.... Well, I'll let you see for yourself...

These are traditional pin curls. Gently take the end of the hair, and twirl it up to the scalp, and secure it with a bobby pin. But, beware! If your hair is unpredictable, the result may be too!

Yes, it was bad, it took over an hour to get it to lay down far enough to be seen in public (and not the international space station!). I would have loved it if my hair had turned out the way I expected, but life is full of disappointments. My hair just happened to be one of them today! But, I will live. I'm going into the local city on Friday before the date, and I fully plan on stopping into a salon and asking them to do what I cannot.

It's not much of a surprise, I suppose. I was never gifted with my hair, and there were times that a pony-tail was a challenge. Which is one of the reasons that I keep it so short. Hopefully a professional stylist will have better luck than I did. This DIY project turned into a LSE...Let Someone Else!

On a brighter note for today, I bought my cake topper! I'm a very non-traditional person, and love my adapted sense of style that I have the keen ability to purchase at antique shops. So, instead of the traditional bride and groom topper, I chose one that suits my taste much better.

Next, I will surprise you with how to make the perfect cake topper! Sometimes it takes the most unexpected items, and the right idea. Here's a sneak peek...

Less Than Success

Today could have gone better. To be honest, this do-it-yourself bride didn't do anything. Or at least it seemed that way.

One thing I did accomplish was a good bargain hunt. I've been with my wonderful fiance, Sam, for just short of a year now, and we have been planning a big date for our first anniversary. So, I went out to a second hand shop in search of a nice evening dress. I found one hanging on the wall for $7.50... alright. Then I was informed that the shop was having a "grocery bag" sale. Anything you can fit in your grocery bag you get for a flat rate of $3.00. Well, I am setting up housekeeping, so I shopped around a little bit for some odds and ends. I bought a $7.50 dress, 4 Pyrex dishes

at $2.50 each, a butter slicer and dough cutter at $0.25 each, a lunch bag for Sam $0.45, and for my mother-in-law-to-be (and thats a lot of hyphens!) a crystal candy dish $4.75, a trivet $0.25, and a new bag of shower curtain rings $0.25, all for $3.17 (tax included). All in all it was a fantastic shopping trip! I'm pretty sure the woman who was checking me out at the register thought I could fit that much merchandise into such a small bag. I'll give you a tip. If you're going to purchase clothing at a grocery bag sale, don't fold the clothing! Roll it! Roll blue jeans and skirts, and tuck shirts between each of them. But, if your bag is getting too full, start holding it from the bottom.

Now for what I wanted to accomplish today. I wanted to go to a different shop and buy a 1920's buffet. A local jeweler to look at a wedding band for Sam... And an antique shop to buy a hat that matches my dress, and the parrot cake toppers I've found for the wedding. Unfortunately snow kept me home. But, there is always tomorrow!

On a bright note I have my anniversary dress, and I figured out how to do my hair style for the big date! I was told that this hair style could be accomplished by creating pin curls with wet hair and bobby pins! I'm going to experiment tomorrow and let you know how it turns out!

A tutorial will come soon if it works, embarrassing pictures if it doesn't!

The Dress

I realize I only posted a couple hours ago, but I want to get started, and no one reads the introduction to a blog anyways. I want to talk about the dress.

Ah the dress, it's lovely, it fits you perfectly, and then you look at the price tag... You didnt think it would cost that much, did you? I'm here to say, yes, it does cost that much, but I have a few helpful hints for all of you brides out there that are struggling with the wedding budget.

1) Browse the sales racks. I know, you dont want to wear anything that's outdated, or just so ugly that the shop couldn't sell it, and truth be told, that's what most women think when they hear "Sale" and "Fashion" in the same sentence. But, this is not true. Go to a big shop that has lots of "floor samples," and ask what they have that is discontinued. You might find what you're looking for at a price you never expected.

2) Try looking at consignment shops. Gowns that are beautiful and only need to be tailored to your fit are just waiting for you. And, for all you bargain hunters, sometimes you can negotiate prices on the gown you're looking for!

3) And please, no judgement, but try a second hand shop. I know, it's a used gown, it might as well be used underwear, but just try it (the gown, not the underwear!). If you're the crafty girl that has a true eye for hidden beauty, then this might be the perfect DIY project for you! Look at a gown, try it on, and look at it from the aspect of "what can I do to tweak this?" Look at the style of dress it is, and imagine all the lace off of it, and no sleeves. Then, look at it with your own vision... maybe you want capped sleeves, maybe you want to use a flash of color, or perhaps add an heirloom to the waist band to give it your own personal touch. You might even reuse the lace, but use it in a tasteful way to revision your self-inspired gown. Even look at the bridal magazines and see if there's something you can make to give your gown the make-over it deserves! The best part about this project? Wedding gowns are incredibly cheap when found at places like Goodwill. You might spend $80 on the gown, $50 on a fitting, and $10-$20 on the embellishments. And that adds up a lot better than the $900 gown you think you can't live without!

I personally took option 1 and bought a dress from Davids Bridal. It was discontinued, and was the last dress they handed me before they were going to toss me out of the store for not having an appointment. It cost $200 flat, and my wonderful father told me that if I found my dress, he would foot the bill, I'm just glad I found the dress for me, and a bargain for him!

Just remember, feel pretty. Find the dress that you know is going to add the perfect touch to the biggest day of your life. And most importantly, have fun! This is your wedding, have fun with it while it lasts! And remember, it's not just your wedding, it's the beginning of your marriage. And that should lend you every happy thought you need to get through all the planning.

Welcome to the Do-It-Yourself Bride

"I'm getting married," its a wonderful phrase, but, after you first utter those words, your life will never be the same. Suddenly you're taken from this world of bliss and enchantment where the love of your life just asked you the biggest question you'll ever be asked, and you are thrown into this whirlwind of questions you cant answer, and ideas you cant figure out how to make a reality. You decide that the dress is the first thing. Then the venue, the caterer, the brides maids dresses, and all the details... It's a lot of work.

I said those fateful words "I'm getting married," three months ago at midnight on New Years Eve, and it's true, my life hasn't been the same, and it never will be again.

My name is Sarah, and I'm the Do-It-Yourself Bride. From the flowers to the dresses, it's all me, and my wonderful friends who are keeping me sane through it all. I will show you how to do it yourself, and let you know that you're not alone.