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It's hard to believe that we're only about two months from the wedding. I couldn't be happier. Things are going well, and I'm anxious to be with Joe. We're still not sure when we'll see each other next, since his work schedule is still a mystery and mine is, well, erratic in a word.

The main detail left for now is the flowers, and my mom has been pulling of silk hydrangea blooms and gluing them onto florist spikes. My dad has been turning 2.5 inch styrofoam balls into 1 inch styrofoam balls, using what we've got instead of buying a bunch more. I feel horrible about the effort this is taking, but the flower girls carrying these purple hydrangea topiary balls will be worth it. (I hope, right?)

Lucky, the rest of the flower arranging is easy: wrapping some hydrangea stems, making peacock-feather-and-baby's-breath boutonnieres, turning cameos into simple "corsages." Can't wait! Thinking about the bridesmaids' flowers got me thinking about the rest of their look. I really want everyone to feel vintage, almost old Hollywood glamorous for the day. If I could, I'd force them to wear red lipstick, but I don't want anyone to be uncomfortable. I'll be rocking the bold lip stain, though!

Here's how I will make them to bring in the vintage flavor:

 (taken from another blog) 

Long, loose finger waves instead of tight, glittery hair pulled back with curls and blah. I want movement. I want loose and comfortable and classic. The girls have chiffon dresses

With an almost sweetheart neckline, so I don't want too much emphasis on their chest. The loose hairstyle will help, but to make sure we're pulling the eyes up a bit I love these simple strands of pearls. Because, let's face it, there is nothing more glamorous, more classic or more fit for a wedding than a simple string of pearls.

I rest my case. Ok, now this isn't exactly a simple string. I wouldn't expect the girls to strain their neck muscles carrying around multiple strands... just one simple, short one will do. Think Michelle Obama, or rather her inspiration, Jackie O.

Oh, I can't wait. Mom gave me my invitation to the bridal shower, now only a month away. When I read it, me getting married to on a whole new meaning. It was the first moment that made me realize I'm a bride-to-be. People see me as a bride, a woman soon to be wed. I'm starting to get butterflies.

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I used to love playing outfield, center, living for the moment when I could launch the softball from well behind second to the catcher in time to tag someone out. I used to love using my slow-pitch softball bat and the extra drag it made, the extra force it required to pull my body around and hit in fast-pitch. My arms used to be solid.

That is all gone now, apparently. As I type this, my arms are shaking. They may fall off. I've been so disgusted with myself lately that I got a new workout video. I heard she's intense. People aren't kidding. I never thought I'd think that cardio was a relief from strength training. So, I got the 30 Day Shred video.

She looks innocent enough, right? Wow. Level one kicked my ass. The strength training. My arms. Over. I'm determined not to let this get me down. I. Will. Win. It took me more than 90 days to complete the 90 in 90 challenge. It may take me more than 30 days to get any sort of "shredded" body.

And honestly, I don't want to. It's nice to know that. It's nice to finally acknowledge that that is not my body type. I am not that tall. I am not that flat-chested. I am not that dedicated. We can't all be, because then what is the "ideal"? But I know that in 30 days, I'll feel better. I'll put less shit in my body. I'll have more energy. I'll breathe easier (especially in that wedding dress).

Speaking of wedding things... Let me tell you, I'm feeling pretty solid about our wedding theme and all the small elements right now. I did some digging to see what happening with art deco weddings right now (no worries, paternally-inclined readers: I've finished two final projects already. Only one more project and 23 hours of translating to go!)

This seemed so accurate! The ostrich feathers will be making an appearance at our reception. That's our cake design, if you remember the earlier post. We even thought about getting a birdcage for our cards. I'll find that while Dad keeps working on finding our getaway cars, like the one above. He's got some good leads. Really, I just want Joe and I to pose for some cute pictures like this couple–love the casual, nostalgic feel and the desaturated color.

I love these pictures! I'm so excited to have Rachel, my best friend, as the photographer. She knows my taste exactly, and we're definitely working toward the same artsy and less conventional style. I want to play with a lot of color, do a lot more dramatic/couture/fun/fashionable poses instead of stiff styles. The play with warmth and shadow here is so fun and unique. Love.

I've been dying for a 1920s/30s hairstyle since, well, somewhere near the womb. I'm glad that this elegant picture hits so close to home with what I'm planning: the hairpiece, low hairstyle and powerful lips with simple makeup. I'm feeling like a real success today! Maybe I could keep the hairstyle long after the wedding...

This mess of art deco is so fun! I love the geometric orderliness of the movement. This picture doesn't really hit on any part of the wedding, but it shows a lot of things I love from the time and why I wanted to use it as a theme. It's sensual and sleek while still being classy and very sophisticated. The colors are, how do I say this? Muted in a powerful way? Everything I try to type about them is a contradiction. I wish I had a Katherine Hepburn body to rock the sheath dress and daring cuts like they could. Would that be inappropriate for a Catholic ceremony? Ah, well. At least I can have the amazing hair.

bathtub gin

For Christmas, Joe got me an amazing nonfiction book, Bobbed Hair and Bathtub Gin. It reminds me of everything in my life... from wanting to write nonfiction, to wanting to look as cool and as 1920s-vintage as the girl on the cover... including the gin and the unlit cigarette. And the HAIR. The book reminds me of all of the details still to do for the wedding--partly because it tells the story of Zelda and F. Scott's wedding, partly because of the pictures of amazing bobs and finger waves. I want that hair style. I want that gimlet the covergirl is sipping.

I was excited to see the pictures in the book and the typefaces they use match up to some of the things we've put together so far. My family has also been watching a lot of old movies, since they're the best for the holidays. Each one (Holiday Inn, Christmas in Connecticut, A Holiday Affair) seems to have at least one dress with a peacock feather-inspired design around the waist. Glad to know we're on the right track!

Ok, I can't take it anymore. I'm getting back to my book.

last one for the day

Oh, stop. Like there's something better I should be doing during these finals presentations right now. I found this picture on the blog Mustard and Sage, and she found it on Bona Drag.








This picture makes a lot of sense with what I ordered this morning (already two posts ago... I'm a bit overzealous).

two hundred thirty-four

days. and a partridge in a pear tree.

I am at war with PayPal, a program that I have always despised anyway. I can no longer access my account: The numbers on my cards have changed. I cannot access the new account that I created: It will not accept my password. It will not send my password to my e-mail.

ALL I WANT TO DO IS ORDER MY HAIR PIECE. This is not hard. I got around using PayPal for the veil, a humble piece of netting that will go wonderfully with my dress.

Take a peak:

from a wonderful woman on Etsy.

I think that I'll dress it up with this... or I'll switch to it for the reception. I am undecided, but I like this little number,
also found on Etsy, quite a bit. No matter how hard I try, I cannot pay for the thing.

Note to self: Call the Deacon today. Call them. But not now, because they are closed for lunch. At one, maybe give it a go. Don't forget.

Also: Do not forget to get the laundry from the drier. You'll want your matching, polka dotted flannel pajamas for movie-watching and "homework" tonight, while you make a video about making a video about making a web site.