Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Let Them Wear Fabulous Shoes!!


Oh Shoes how fabulous you are

Oh Marie Antoinette how divine you are

Oh Christian Louboutin how ingenious you are

Oh Bank Balance how low you are



Christian Louboutin teamed up with Jean-Francois Lesage and these two gentle men have created an extremely limited edition (36 ONLY!!) Marie Antoinette collection. Selling for about $6300 (US) these are even more out of my reach than the previous mentioned Blue Manolos!! But let us all sit and stare wide eyed, jaw dropped and admire…… there is no such things as “just shoes” when Christian is involved.











I think Marie would be proud!!

Sofia Coppola's Marie Antoinette staring Kirsten Dunst

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Love in a Stubby!

How cute is this? I love ebay.... in my colours and everything!
Sure its only a stubby holder but come on!!



Found on ebay at: The Queen Bee and Me

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

And The Bride Wore..... Part Duo

My FMIL has offered to pay for my dress. A lovely gesture. She has set a very generous budget for it and H2B is always on about involving her more. So when the Dusk Bridal Fair happened we asked if she would like to come along. Of course she said yes so off the 3 of us went. I am on the topic of dresses but this expo will be brought up again in other posts.

So we were looking at dresses. After awhile they all start to be the same. Each stall has the same dresses just with slight differences. Same dress but there it’s in white and over there ivory, some have it strapless others with straps and so on. And then I saw “IT”. It was stunning. A complete one of a kind thing that most people would not like but I loved it. I can’t find a picture of it either but the word “frou frou” comes to mind. The rack size was an 8 (that won’t even fit over my thigh) and there were not change rooms either so speaking to the lady, I asked if I could make an appointment to try on the dress. She also assured me I would be able to try it on in my size or at least one I could put on just maybe not do up. Which is fine by me, I have seen heaps of people do dresses that way. So I made the appointment.

So a couple of Sundays ago now, Mum, FMIL, Pony and obviously myself as well, all headed to this particular bridal shop. After telling the lady at the desk I had an appointment we were lead around the store being shown all different gowns before we came to the one we went for. The lady put it in the change rooms and we had another look around making sure nothing else caught my eye (which Mum and FMIL were kinda hoping for as they were not 100% on it) So there was a couple of others and they got added to the change room. The ladies took their seat and I went through the embarrassing task of stripping to my underwear in front of a skinny sales lady as she got the dresses ready. The Dress was the first one to be tried on. Only this time, after I bent slightly so it could be pulled over my head I didn’t get to stand up in surprise with a gorgeous dress on. It didn’t even make it over my boobs. She then asked me to try to get into it by stepping into it, but as I predicted – didn’t even go over my thigh. I questioned her about the size after being assured at the expo they had a larger size in this design I would made the whole appointment to try on. It was a larger design she assured me. This one was the 12 not the 8 as seen at Expo.

Giving up on The Dress we tried another and another, by which time I had no self confidence left, felt even larger than I normally do and had a face as red as a tomato. My posse who was waiting patiently outside started calling in asking what was taking so long which only made my embarrassment level raise to a height I didn’t know existed, especially when the sales lady refused to give into my plea that its ok and I’ll just put my jeans and shirt back on for a hint of dignity and that’ll be that. I don’t know how many gowns I wasted my time stepping into before I almost lost it and told her enough. I pushed the dress she had in her hands away and said slightly annoyed “Seriously, do you think that’s going to fit after all this?”

She was trying to find something she thought would fit me but her tone of voice had changed from bubbly and helpful to almost fed up. We both knew time was being wasted only she was going for good customer service and didn’t want to say so first. So I got my clothes back on, thanked her for her time and walked out. It didn’t help that FMIL and Mum kept asking 100 questions and Mum got all defensive and did the mothering thing which made the tears that I had been managing to cover start to spill out which made them all fuss over me even more. If I could do something to block out memories of that morning – I would. Drugs? Sign me up.

So I was feeling pretty dam shit. I didn’t think this was meant to happen when wedding things are involved. It’s a happy time, I’m the bride aren’t I meant to be swooned over and have everything I could want at my beck and call? We went and had coffee and it was very awkward as we all had our own thoughts going on and no one wanting to say anything as I was obviously upset. Even FMIL was quiet (and this N E V E R happens!)My previous happy dress trying on seemed like forever ago. Did it actually happen? This one was exactly as I had imagined so why was I so disappointed?

I have read some shocking stories of larger ladies (14 is not even plus size!!) and their experiences on the same thing but at least my sales lady was well, nicer than the ones I had heard about. So why did I expect to be immune to this? But why should we even be subjected to it? Looking at larger brides, no offence to them, but their dresses are usually plain, lacking detail as most have just settled for what is available to them. Its like normal shopping, do they think because we are big we don’t want to wear the latest season fashion – oversized t-shirt and tracky pants is not everyone’s idea of clothing even in the area I come from, and neither are cotton collard shirts that Mums wear. I get most of clothes from City Chic (Supre for larger ladies) only unlike Supre, we don’t get the luxury of 2 tops for $10 and everything starts at a minimum of $60 or online shopping like Ezibuy where again most things are $50 and up. Surely a few centimetres of fabric doesn’t cost that much more in order to justify those prices. The population is larger, shouldn’t we stop being punished and embarrassed and stores start to cater for the majority? Either way, I am still on my workout diet in hopes of fitting into the norm and being able to shop at Live, Supre, Forever New, Sports girl (really any store) and go on shopping spree for $50 and not walk away with a scarf or hat. My biggest thing now - not be put to shame when I have to find the dress I am marrying my Mr in. Just because I am big why cant I feel beautiful or fashionable and not that I am the ugly fat chick that sticks out from a mile away?? Sure my H2B loves me as I am, but I do not love myself and that plays a big part as well.....

Monday, April 13, 2009

A June wedding at The Plaza

I saw Bride Wars at the movies twice and since aquiring the DVD... I have lost count. I dont know if its because I am B2B but I just love this movie!! I think I would normally as I am a huge sucker for a chick flick. But dam how good was Kate Hudson? I think she totally nailed her character and at the end, every time, I get teary. Something about the love BFFs have for each other I think.... no idea but i love it and although its totally wrong for me (then again how can Vera Wang be wrong for anyone?) I love Liv's dress.... and yeah.
Just had to give it a mention after watching it for the 16th time.......




"You don’t alter Vera to fit you; you alter yourself to fit Vera"

And The Bride Wore.....Part Uno

One of the biggest parts of the day is well the bride’s dress. It’s true. In Wedding Planning for Dummies there is a whole chapter dedicate to the mission of getting The Dress. ‘Have you got your dress yet?’ is the second question asked after ‘Have you set a date?’ The Dress issue has intrigued and quite frankly scared the shit out of me. Why? I hear you ask; surely dress shopping is one of the most exciting parts of the wedding planning process? It sure is – if you’re under a size 14. I am unfortunately not being a true to form plus size – 22. Yup I wear the same size as my age, something that isn’t meant to happen once you get past the age of 5. Sadly I have also heard of size 12/14 girls being called plus size when they’ve gone dress hunting. Wtf? How the hell does that work?

I tried on my very first dress in January when I was more a 24 than 22 and it was at a Bridal Expo. My Mum and Pony were gushing over the gowns and as much as I admired the lace overlay ivory bodice with swarkovski crystal detailing and fitted waist going into a ball gown skirt I was more nervous than I had ever been in my life when they said I should try one on. I swear I even threw up a little inside as a few scenarios rushed through my mind like a) facing the horror as nothing but sample sizes are available and I’d be told to go home and diet until the next expo so I may have a chance of slipping something over my hips and b) that was discovered while I was standing in nothing but my bra and undies in a room full of strangers while fellow Brides to Be swirled around me in all their skinny glory able to try on the dresses.

So the sales assistant helped my mother get the dress off the rack and we were directed where to go to stand in line for the changing rooms and that dress was placed in que waiting for my turn. I had butterflies in my tummy and my hands were shaking as I tried to control my breathing thinking I was going faint or throw up for real as we slowly shifted through the line. I tried to laugh my nerves off saying it’s just so real and how excited I was but honestly, it was the complete opposite. I think my Mum had some suspicions but they both had their happy faces on and I swear it was only to build up the hype for a major let down.

So I got called into the next free change room and the sales girl was actually a larger lady so the humility of standing in my underwear with all my wobbly bits and orange peel thighs was slightly less. She was a lovely lady, very bubbly and talkative and as if she knew the horror of a dress not fitting tried to easy the disappointment by explaining with the dresses you normally need one or two sizes up from your regular cloth size as they’re made with a small fit. Makes sense. So what that would leave me wanting what – a size 30??? As I bent slightly and she guided the gown over me I held my breath, waiting for it to get stuck and the line about going on a diet would soon come from this ladies lips. But suddenly I was standing upright and being tied into this stunning gown. Huh? How did that happen?

I looked in the mirror as she wrestled with the tie up back – fastening me into the ivory A-line beautiful sparkly dress and I grinned. A big smile. So when I walked out of the change room and all eyes settled on me I did a little happy dance, Pony and Mum came to gush over me and a few others complimented me on the dress. Two other sales ladies came over and did their little spill about the style, fit, what alterations could be made etc etc etc. But I wasn’t listening. I was in my own little world where my hideous size let me still get dresses like this. Much to my surprise I tried on 2 other gowns the skinnier sales lady that helped us earlier thought would look good, and they did. There were no awkward moments and I realised that loosing my wedding dress virginity was much like loosing the real thing. It’s a little awkward at first, nerves are high but after that first time the results are so worth it.

I know being a larger lady it’s all of my own doing. I refer to gyms as places people go to get sweaty, I don’t own a pair of sneakers and my diet did consist of fast food once a week and eating out at restaurants on weekends. I did pretty much no physical exercise since my pooch passed away (he was my motivation) and over the last couple of years I kind of exploded. Plus being in a relationship gave that settled feeling and you get comfortable, we spend nights on the sofa watching movies eating junk food or going out with friends drinking. It all adds up – around my waist. So when I got engaged the whole dress thing has been at the back of my mind like a nightmare and in December I made a pre-attempt at a New Years Resolution of loosing weight and getting fit. It took me 5 months of being engaged to kick start this. Each night I would walk for an hour, as best we could we cut out the takeaway/eating out and tried to cook good food every night but then with work being so busy and full on things altered and so after the expo I jumped back on the band wagon and my lovely H2B brought me my first pair of sneakers since high school, and I joined curved and saw a doctor about a healthy eating plan. That was March and we’re now mid-April and I’ve just dropped a dress size and lost just over 5kgs. So by next year I hope to be a 16/18 at least. So I am being pro-active and trying to make the changes.
That was my first wedding dress experience....



Me in the dress I loved most from the expo... It wasnt The Dress but I still love it. I lost my wedding dress virginity to this one it will always be in my heart hehehe.... And at $3100 in my heart is where it can stay!!

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Much Love for Google!

My favourite phrase is "google it". If there is something I dont know or need to know or want to find/see etc... google it is.


I was just on google (i know, crazy right?) and was in images looking for some bridesmaid inspiration and noticed a new tool. So since I was looking for bridesmaid things I typed in Bridesmaid in images and all the results popped up and then in the toolbar under where you enter your search, it says All colors and you can select a colour for what you're looking for!!


How ingenius!!


So I put the color as Teal and all the search results where in that colour range!!


So much easier and more convenient......



♥ I LOVE GOOGLE!! ♥

These lovely dresses came up in the search and I just had to share!!

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Something Blue

With my wedding I want it to be traditionally modern. I want to add my touch to things and in keeping with the something borrowed, something new thing I decided to have my something blue as my shoes rather than a hankerchief or garter. Not that there is anything wrong with that but.... eh.

And well if I just happen to have to go out and buy new shoes for this purpose then you know two birds, one stone!!

Being the SATC fan that I am, I went back to the fab 4 for some inspiration and remembered Carries Manolo's that she left in the unbelievable closet Big made her. Now if only I was a rich girl who could actually afford Manolo's. Sadly I am not and I most likely be left settle with something from Spendless shoes - $20 specials. I have tried the "its my wedding i deserve special shoes" arguement with H2B but sadly, he just doesnt understand. Not even the "but if you love me" line worked!!
But a girl can dream and I thought I would let you all into my fantasies! Oh how I would kill to walk down the aisle in a pair of these!







You can buy these babies for about $945(US) from: Neiman Marcus

Red soles get me excited (ask Lovely) $795 (AUS) from: My Catwalk



I was originally going to be wearing these but unfortunatly the platform base makes me about an inch taller than H2B - he is 6'4 or maybe 6'5 I cant remember *blush* and I didnt even think about it when I got them. On the plus I do have a cute pair of shoes I just wont wear when he is around.

They're from Betts and I got them in the christmas sales for $30!!

Monday, April 6, 2009

Just a little on Miss to Mrs

I intend on keeping this blog completely anonymous but just so you can kind of get an impression on the person I am I thought I would list a few things about me:

♥ I am found in Australia

♥ I am currently 21 (22 this year though, 23 when married)
♥ I am the biggest Sex and the City fan
♥ I drive a VW Beetle
♥ I love Melbourne (but do not live there unfortunately)
♥ I have a shoe and purse addiction - combined I have over 100!!
♥ At the moment I am loving: Kate Miller-Heidke, Lily Allen, The Ting Tings and Lady GaGa!

♥ I drink WAY TO MANY cocktails
♥ I get excited by the word Sale!
♥ I believe that no matter what anyone says, golf and cricket will NEVER be interesting!
♥ I have a soft spot for the Disney Classics (bambi, dumbo, cinderella, snow white etc)

♥ I have a slight obsession with My Little Ponies..... and Elephants.
♥ Before I am 30 I will travel Europe or at least see France and Rome!
♥ I cry everytime I watch The Notebook.
♥ I have a phobia about Dentists *cringe*
♥ I have two cats and I ♥ them to bits but not in a crazy cat lady way
♥ I wish everything could be eaten Fondue Style
♥ I have recently become a Twilight addict though the reason why is escaping me

♥ I dont actually like coffee but I ♥ Vanilla Lattes!




So there you go ... now you know stuff about me!!



And one finally thing - I love my engagement ring. I feel so 'd, its a 1ct brilliant cut and has pink argyle diamonds on the band. Not a great pic but its the best I can get of it!

Sunday, April 5, 2009

HTH!

I am a member on quite a few of the wedding forums around the place and have noticed in normal typing and what not I use the abbreviations used on those sites so incase I use them and you're not sure on what it is I am talking about exactly - here is a reference page for them!


FIL Father In Law
MIL Mother In Law
SIL Sister In Law
BIL Brother In Law
*F in front of the below means future*

H2B Husband To Be
SO Significant Other
FH Future Husband
MOH Maid of Honor
BM BridesMaid or Best Man (depending on context)
FnF Friends and Family

OOS Order of Service
BTW By The Way
AFAIK as far as I know
FWIW For What It's Worth
FYI For Your Information
HTH Hope This Helps
LMAO Laugh My Ass Off
LOL Laugh Out Loud
OMG Oh My God
T2YS Talk To You Soon
TIA Thanks In Advance
TMI To Much Information
WTF What The F@%K

---

HTH!

Saturday, April 4, 2009

This Wedding Thing

Friday night I was out with a couple of fabulous girlfriends and as usual there was a good hour or so of conversation that sadly involved me, whinging about my FMIL (Future Mother In Law) and wedding discussion in general. Thankfully these two girls are as I said simply fabulous and since becoming engaged, I have learnt the harsh realities of when good friends go bad and I'm left with Frenemies. On the plus I should thank those girls as it is making the Bridesmaid selection a much easier task! But thats all for another post.

So Fabulous Friend 1 who shall be known as 'Barbie' (hair extension joke) and Fabulous Friend 2 who I will call 'Lovely' (because she is) for the purpose of this blog soon suggested I should create a blog and join the world of thousands of other frustrated, charming, amusing and planning brides on their quest to the altar. I have blogged before but gave it up in fear as I discovered my mother knew about it and it was filled with my 'just moved out of home and became single "escapades" that I dont particulary want my Mum to know about' kind of thing. When I got home Friday night I realised 'Lovely' maybe onto something and so I got onto Blogger and "This Wedding Thing" was created.

So to any who may come across TWT - Welcome!