Tomorrow I have my first fitting for my wedding dress.
Wedding dress shopping must be in the top five of stressful wedding tasks. I’m of the mind of not spending an exorbitant amount on something I’m going to wear for one day. I researched and groused and talked to everyone. Out of the ready-to-wear bridal gowns, J.Crew has a great selection and they have an accommodating price range. I pretty much thought I would go there, but I kept putting off the task - then I remembered Kimera (cue dark clouds separating, sun rays pour out, heavenly music begins).
Kimera is on boutique-lined Atlantic Avenue in the Boerum Hill section. I have popped in and out of the store, admiring but never buying. One girlfriend I knew had a dress made there (not for a wedding) a number of years ago and was very pleased with the design. I want to think I put off buying a dress because Kimera was lurking in the recesses of my mind, waiting to reveal itself at the right moment. I called, worried I had waited too long, and was able to see Yvonne, the owner and designer, the following weekend.
My experience with Yvonne was very positive and I’m very happy with my choice. She’s professional and easy to work with. I lucked out because the first dress I tried was THE ONE. (I’m laughing as I write that out!) I did try on others but I knew the first one looked great on me. The one thing I changed was a v-neck for the back, as well as the front. It fit my body type, looked elegant, and I’m going to change things up by switching sashes from long for the ceremony to a shorter obi sash for the reception. The long sash will be the gold and silver fabric and the short sash will be indigo - solid on one side and patterned on the other. And, afterwards, I’m going to shorten the hem so I can wear the dress again! I wrote a check for the deposit on my first wedding dress shopping venture. Hey, you know when you know.
Downstairs at Kimera is Iris Lingerie. Iris is extremely knowledgeable about lingerie, friendly and professional too. She and her assistant helped me with the correct undergarment to wear with my wedding dress. I also asked to be professionally bra fitted. I’ve been wanting to do that ever since Oprah’s show, The Bra Revolution. Let me tell you, I am a reformed woman! It changes everything. Besides looking “perkier”, I feel like I’m standing straighter and my waist looks trim. I only bought my wedding bra and one t-shirt bra, but it was hard because Iris carries many lines of beautiful lingerie. To think of all those years, putting up with the wrong bra and the troubles that come with wearing the wrong bra.
Alex and I were at La Casita last week when she asked me if I was going to crochet hearts for the wedding. I laughed hysterically. I mean really, I’m going to crochet all those hearts for the wedding?!!? I love all my DIY wedding ideas, and it’s so easy to get carried away but then I saw this tiny crochet heart pattern on Whip Up. I changed my mind BITB*. I’ll make some to see if I like it or not.
Now the funny thing about getting married is everyone’s opinions. (First, I hope I was never annoying to any of my friends or family when they got married, if so, I apologize, and you can now know it’s coming back to bite me.) Folks, remember, my wedding is not your wedding. When you get married, you can do whatever you want - be it lavish or simple or eccentric or traditional - but only when it’s your wedding. I’ll repeat, it’s MY wedding, NOT your wedding. (Oooh, it’s good to vent!) It’s amazing how people are down right shocked at the choices I’ve made - as if weddings come in one flavor. It’s not just the big choices people will judge, even the little decisions people feel they must voice their opinion. When I tell you about my wedding, it’s too share and rejoice in, not for your personal critique. I know, I know, it’s all human nature, but it still feels good to vent.
Back to knitting . . . . I heart La Casita! My Friday Night Knitting Club hung out there 2 weeks ago and we had a grand time. It had been a while since we all saw each other so there was a lot of catching up. Maria joined 10 shawls in 2010 on Ravelry and she finished the Zephyr Capelet that night. We all admired Alex’s Noro Mittens; she’s almost done with the second mitt. Jocelyn was working on clogs to be felted. I don’t remember what Elizabeth was making, but the cashmere yarn she bought was luscious. Aislinn was trying out a lace pattern. I’m working on the Debbie Bliss Cashmere Baby Blanket for my nephew who will show up in about 15 days - give or take a couple of weeks since he’s the first baby. I’ve knit about 12 inches of rows and rows of garter stitch. I’m eyeing some Noro at La Casita; I want to make mittens like Alex too. It’s only $20 for the skein. I want to buy it, but I’m trying to keep purchases only wedding related.
I’ve been on my diet for one month and I have lost weight!
I didn’t buy a scale so I can’t give you that kind of a number. I did measure my waist - it was 32 inches. I am now 31 inches, my clothes are getting looser and I see the results in the mirror. My energy level is increasing and, I don’t know if this has anything to do with it, my skin has improved too. I feel great about this! I have renewed my sense of discipline and I no longer feel at a loss when it comes to my weight.
As I’ve said before, keeping the diet journal is an eye-opening exercise. I’ve learned my weaknesses are potato chips, french fries and pastries. (Like Delancey’s cinnamon swirl - soooo goooood.) If I have one bite of any of those foods, then I’m in trouble. I have more control when it comes to dark chocolate. I can have 1/2 an ounce of chocolate and I’m satisfied. The other trouble area is going out to eat. There is too much temptation and the servings are too big. The hard fact is the best way to control your calorie intake is to cook and prepare your own food. It’s not always easy to do that but I’m getting better at it. I’m most pleased with my breakfast choices. I used to eat muffins or croissants. Now I eat 1/2 cup each of lowfat yogurt and applesauce; or low calorie slice of whole wheat bread with 1 tablesppon natural peanut butter; or when I want to treat myself, egg white, lowfat cheese, turkey bacon on a whole wheat bagel.
I treated myself today with the purchase of a low calorie cookbook. I was looking for a book with a variety of meals, specific calorie and serving intake and, most importantly, tasty recipes. Epiphany folks - watching your calories does not mean giving up taste! I went to Book Court, an independent book shop in Brooklyn, and found Eating Well’s 500 Calorie Dinners.
I tried one of the recipes for dinner tonight, Mozzarella-Stuffed Turkey Burgers. My modifications: added mushrooms to the marinara sauce, no garlic in the burger because I thought there was enough garlic in the marinara, and instead of focaccia bread for the bun, I used Pepperidge Farm’s 100 calorie Deli Flats. Quick and easy to prepare, very flavorful and (not including the PF deli flat) 300 calories per serving! This may become a standard in our house.
To all those who are on a diet: pat yourself on the back! It’s hard work and a book like this can help.
So I’ve narrowed down the wedding DIY projects, now what? Once I selected my wedding colors, indigo and cream, I knew that would be one of the things to help in decision making. Remember, the idea is to keep things simple.
This being New York City, the resources are all here!
1. Make our own invitations / wedding programs / place cards / table numbers
Start at the paper mecca known as Paper Presentation. I’ve known about this place for years. My first visit there, I wandered around for 30 minutes and then made a frantic call to my honey, “I’m overwhelmed! Help!” Then I calmed down, listened to my instincts, repeated the mantra, “Keep it simple” and went with the Seal ‘N Send Invitations in Crest Baronial Ivory. I didn’t want an invitation with all that extra paper froufrou, plus the RSVP card is detatchable - smart! If I want to add an insert, like a map, easy to do. We decided to use sealing wax (navy wax was the closest color) with our initials, instead of stickers, to seal the invite. Also, I bought matching envelopes, in case I need to include an insert. I figured if I don’t use the envelopes, I can save them for the thank-you cards. Paper Presentations offers volume discounts, so I felt comfortable buying extra because I know there will be mistakes.
To keep it simple, I bought the wedding programs, place cards and table numbers in the same Crest Baronial Ivory color. Everything is going to be done on the computer, except for maybe the table numbers. I am toying around with another idea. I will either use indigo patterned paper and cut out the numbers to glue against the cream background - OR - I will print the number and on the other side have an image depicting weddings or lovers. I got this idea from a painting show at the Metropolitan Museum of Art - specifically this wedding portrait. Whichever one I choose is going to depend on time and energy.
2. Make our own table decorations
To fit our budget, I was going to nix the flower centerpiece for the table, but I thought I would do something else in paper. My first idea was the ever popular large paper pompom, ala Martha Stewart. Then while waiting to get a massage, I browsed through the November 2009 issue of Real Simple and saw a great idea using a branch and paper flowers. I’d like to make this table center piece one day, but it’s not keeping it simple. Finally, and I don’t remember how I found him, I saw the art work of Peter Callesen, and I was inspired.
I bought navy blue cardstock and I’m going to cut a simple heart. The base of the heart will stay attached, then I can bend the heart shape up. My mother-in-law-to-be gave us as a Christmas gift the love letters of Abigail and John Adams. I’m going to write quotes from their letters in silver ink on the base of the cardstock.
3. Make my own bouquet, boutonnieres and corsages for the wedding party
There are many tutorials out there on making your bouquet, boutonnieres and corsages. These are the tutorials I like:
My plan is to first make practice bouquet, corsages and boutonnieres. You know, work out all the kinks first. My sister-in-law recommended Jamali Garden Supplies so a couple of weekends ago I went on a wedding supply shopping spree and bought the floral wire, tape, and pins from Jamali and organza ribbon from M&J Trimming. I feel okay, like I have what I need, but I’m sure as the day gets closer I’ll think of all sorts of last minutes purchases. (Must keep breathing, chant, “Keep it simple.”) The next big task on the To Do list are the invites, then I can play around with arranging flowers and paper heart designs.
Being a fiber gal, I thought I would use knitting or crochet elements in the wedding. My first idea was knit or crochet boutonnieres and corsages. I immediately bought these two books:
100 Flowers to Knit & Crochet
Next idea was crochet hearts. Crochet hearts could be used for anything - strewn artfully on a table, tied with ribbon onto the rungs of a chair, hanging from a church pew, sewed into a garland - the list is endless. There are many free heart crochet projects on Ravelry. My favorite is the Corazoncitos amigurumi hearts.
I also thought about felt. Just like the crochet hearts, felt can be used in numerous ways. Specifically, I have this idea of a “Just Married” banner in felt, with a stiff interface backing, maybe wired so it looks like it’s moving in the wind. I probably have seen this somewhere online on a DIY site of blog, but I can’t find the link. If you find any good examples, let me know.
With the internet, it’s an endless DIY creative universe out there. One can be very quickly overwhelmed by all the DIY wedding projects out there. I kept thinking to myself, “I need to keep this simple.” So after thinking about possible wedding projects, I’ve narrowed down my DIY wedding projects, albiet non-fiber, to the following:
Make our own invitations
Make our own wedding programs
Make our own place cards and table numbers
Make our own table decorations - But not centerpieces! I’m not doing centerpieces! Kind of shocking, huh?
Make my own bouquet, boutonnieres and corsages for the wedding party - Easy-peasy. I figured if I can knit and crochet, I can do my own flowers and not spend the $$$, thankyouverymuch!
These are possible DIY wedding projects if I find the time and energy to do it:
Banner - Either a “Just Married” or one with our names or initials.
Garland - Using either felt or paper - So many examples on the internet.
Crochet or knit bowls for the table
More than enough to take care of, especially since I’ve been trying to keep things simple.
At first, I decided there was no way I would diet for my wedding - what you see is what you get.
As the bride I get to change my mind any time I want.
My dad is my diet hero. He went on a diet and lost 15 pounds by counting calories, weighing his food and keeping a record of what he ate in one of these.
After Christmas, I went out to my local B&N to buy the diet journal and a food calorie book, and I stopped by my favorite chef supply store for the food scale. I decided not to buy a regular scale because I would knew I would obsess about the weight number and it would more likely become a de-motivator. I’m going by the tightness/looseness of my clothes and using a measuring tape to keep track of the weight loss.
The diet began January 1st, 2010.
The first week SUCKED. I thought I was hungry all the time. I would look at the clock to see when I could eat my next meal. I had to constantly remind myself how great I will look when I lose the weight. All I wanted to eat was cheese and chocolate. But then something changed and it’s actually a rewarding process. I will say it’s still not an easy, but I do get a personal satisfaction from knowing I am making healthy choices. From a scientific point of view, I am learning a lot about the food I eat and what I decide to ingest.
I am also exercising. I joined a pilates studio and I love the workout. It takes me out of my day-to-day distractions and I focus on the here-and-now of the body’s movement. It’s week three and I can tell I’ve lost some weight because my pants are a eensy bit looser. And I definitely feel better.
I have learned to love salad. I am beginning to prefer cooking or making my own meals rather than buying take-out. I know when I am full. I drink a lot more water. I can forgive myself if I go higher than my allotted daily calorie count because tomorrow really is another day. It’s okay to leave some food on the plate. There are countless delicious low-cal recipes on the internet, like this one, I can’t wait to try it. Here is the recipe.
That’s right, my honey and I are tying the knot this spring! I’m busy busy planning and researching and organizing and scheduling and shopping and weddingyadayadayada — thus, the lack of knit or crochet.
I’m thinking of creating a separate webpage on this blog on all things wedding. I’ll probably list links to the vendors and other DIY finds we’re using. If I get any knit or crochet time, I’ll update the blog.
It’s the end of 2009 and I’m finally getting to posting photos of the last three months of knitting projects. I admit, it’s been a skimpy three months, but I’ve been busy - more about that later.
I made two hats for Munchie’s birthday in November - the baby hat from One Skein by Leigh Radford and the pompon beret from Simply Baby by Debbie Bliss. They match the ribbed sweater I made for her.
Above is the New Haven Hat from Twinkle’s Town & Country Knits. I was in the mood for a quick, fun knit. I made two changes - added a pom pom and altered the cabled brim. I knit the brim too long and instead of starting over, I overlapped the end. I might add a button to it.
Then I made some projects for Christmas gifts - knit and felt. I used stash yarn for this scarf to give to Oma - my honey’s grandmother - who is going to be 101 in 2010! I’m bummed because I forgot to take a photo of her wearing it. She looks great in orange.
Felt ornaments for my siblings - these were fun to make. I went to Pearl Paint’s craft store for the felt and while there found beads that say “Live” and “Love” on either side. The final ornaments are stuffed.
Like these - I made these for Munchie’s Christmas tree.
Rhinebeck Sheep and Wool Festival 2009 - a very important question needed to be answered . . .
What do I have to do so I don’t have the same old photos of sheep and yarn? (Because I already have plenty of photos of that from past Rhinbeck trips.)
Answer: Raise the cheese factor!
I need me some lamb sausage!
Aaaaarumppphhh!
Wall-o-wool
I’m sporting Sarah Dallas’ seed stitch jacket, from the book, Scottish Highland Knits. I finished weaving in the loose yarns on the car ride up. It did keep me warm and cozy on that brisk, autumn day, but honestly, I don’t know if seed stitch jacket and I are meant to be. It’s really really REALLY big on me. I was aiming for an oversized look but I think I’m just swimming in it. You can probably tell in the photo.
One of the problems I have with sweaters and cardigans is the sleeve proportion. The armhole is usually too low or too big. I think it’s a combination of being petite and not really understanding the pattern adjustments I think I’m doing correctly, but actually I’m faking it and keeping my fingers crossed. Plus I’m not a math person. I keep hoping that one day I’ll just “get it” - either that or the fiber goddesses, for whom I have been leaving burnt offerings, will stop giggling at me and look kindly upon their faithful pilgrim.
I’m back from summer vacation. How was your summer?
No, I didn’t go any where exotic, but I was on vacation - a vacation from . . . knitting! (Only partially, as you can tell from the photo)! It wasn’t anything I planned, it just happened that way, and instead of guilting myself about it or forcing myself to pick up the sticks, I just went with the flow, which is what summer is all about.
You can see from the evidence it wasn’t a complete abstinence. I occasionally did pick up one project when my knitting girlfriends got together around a large pitcher of frozen margaritas. I finished this:
Gentleman's Plain Winter Socks
Ravelry link here, with more photos. This pattern is from Knitting Vintage Socks, by Nancy Bush. The yarn is Socks That Rock on DPN#1. I figured my honey deserved to have these done for fall - perfect for those weekend mornings lounging on the couch and watching the tube. He’s a patient guy, considering I started these in January!
End of summer also means summer harvest. On a visit to my parents, my father sent me home with these goodies from his garden:
Bounty from my father's garden
I knew we couldn’t eat these all so I embarked on a blanching/freezing project the evening we got home from our trip. Not the most fun project on a warm and humid summer evening, but I knew I wanted to freeze the green beans while they were fresh off the vine to capture all that summer goodness.
Fresh green beans
The colors of summer
These veggies look luscious. My dad grows the long string beans, in the background, for the Filipino dish, pinakbet. I should learn how to cook that dish, but because I don’t, I decided to cut the beans into bite-sized pieces. I blanched and bagged three quart-sized bags of cut green beans. On a cold winter day, I will take these green beans out of the freezer and cook them to remind me of summer.
Labor Day, the official end of summer, was spent visiting my favorite New Hampshire cutie:
Two New Hampshire cuties & a Brooklyn cutie!
Munchie keeps getting bigger and cuter. Three months ago she was just beginning to crawl. Now she crawls and can walk around while holding onto furniture or pushing one of her push toys. She’s sooo close to walking on her own.
Sunday, we took a trip to beautiful Lake Winnipesaukee. If you were on the East coast, you know it was a gorgeosouly blue and cloud-free weekend. The light is beginning to change, it’s quality almost brighter and sharper as the summer changes into fall. The leaves are still mostly green but if you look closely you can see flashes of reddish-orange popping up.
We went on a round trip boat cruise from end to end of the lake. The lake has hundreds of islands scattered about. This island caught my eye because it’s mostly house on this tiny island.
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The people who live here must wake up every morning extremely happy. (Although I wonder what they do if there’s flooding? ) It was a peaceful day, watching the water, the boats, and eating hot dogs and grilled cheese sandwiches. It was a pleasant way to say good-bye to summer.
