pretty and local(ish)

I was just going through the latest edition of Engaged and greatly enjoyed the section on vintage inspired gowns. Very pretty! So far, I have to say that I have been a tad disappointed by the range of bridalwear designers in NZ (to be fair, I have only looked online.... there may be many more excellent options lurking in the yellow pages). Some seem really couture-y (which in my mind = pricey) and others seem to design quite "Bridey" dresses and nothing too out of the ordinary (if your experience is different please feel free to enlighten me!). But in engaged today, there was a lovely selection of gowns all made by local designers.

I especially liked this one, by Vinka Brides

(Other)homeward bound!

Great news - today I received an email saying that my visa has been approved and my passport is now on it's way back to me! I am more relieved than I can say, not least because Dave has told me that we are going to Holland for Christmas, and also Frankfurt, Cologne, and Brussels, and I would have been GUTTED to miss it! Of course, being the contrary person that I am, I am now really really sad to be leaving again - especially having met and fallen in love with JP (a.k.a. perfect nephew) - but the excitement of picking up my travels where I left off goes some way to making up for it! Also, Dave has booked for us 6 days in Northern Italy at the end of Jan. So that's something else to {really} look forward to.

In world news - thank goodness lovely Helena is going to be getting on a flight out of Thailand on Friday!!

And in wedding news - I got an email from the Maggie Sottero NZ stockist today telling me the cost of getting Vienna shipped out to NZ is $X (= far too much), so that puts paid to that. Now on to finding a dressmaker that will do a copy of it justice! (it's all in the boning, baby). Also - the bridesmaids have been asked, and have said YES and they are... dum de dum dum: My big sister Nic (surprise surprise) is Chiefy, and the other is Katie; one of my best buds from high school, uni, and since. We've gone with two on each side, as Dave is just having his two brothers and we wanted to keep things simple and small (although I think JP will be a wee cutie pageboy in a tux or possibly a spiderman outfit). Nic was asked over a seafood chowder and nachos (didn't really need to be asked, but I like to stand on ceremony), and Katie over tapas and a wine at a restaurant in Napier (attended upon by a goatee'd sommelier who Katie greatly impressed having just been to the NZ Wine Awards two nights previously).

So that's all a bit exciting! hopefully I'll be meeting with the photographer this week to pay the deposit, and then that will be about it in the way of proper planning for a while! so it's back to pipe-dreaming and internet inspiration...

Can't wait for Christmas with my boy again!!!!

Betwixt and Between

After a few days in sunny sunny Ashburton (eating far too much lovely farm food cooked by Gran), I'm now back in Blenheim for one night, and one night only, before heading down to our bach in the Marlborough Sounds until Friday.

I could get used to this gallivanting around.

Ashburton was fab - I LOVE the farm, it's one of my favourite places, and it was so nice to spend time with my grandparents when I didn't expect to see them for another year or more. I also got to talk weddings a bit. sigh. Now off to another one of my favourite places ever - all this relaxing is making my visa worries disappear (nearly).

Best best wishes to wonderful Helena who is now off on her big OE - currently in Bangkok, I believe.

Just a thought - would it not be prudent of the Canterbury District Health Board to not spend $7,000 on a farewell party when hospitals in the area are understaffed and patients are on waiting lists? Could Gordon Davies have perhaps spent some of his $450,000 pay packet on a party for himself? Some cheese and pineapple toothpicks? a plate of sausage rolls? a tray of fairy bread?

** an adendum to this post - perhaps, instead of spending X amount on a wedding, we could donate said sum to the people of Canterbury to try and increase staff numbers and reduce waiting lists. Just touche'd myself really.

Best Place My Arse

New Plymouth is not the best place in the world to live.

It's just not.

Lo and behold

I have something to say about the wedding again already (my new nonchalant attitude lasting all of two days).

Today I was in town for the Armistice Day service, and took the opportunity to check out a couple of churches nearby. I walked into the Nativity Church and instantly felt that that was the one (for me anyway - will have to check all this with Dave obviously). It is light and airy and happy-feeling. Also, although it isn't technically my family church, I have attended far more concerts, events, and services there - be they incredibly happy or incredibly sad - than anywhere else, and I feel more of a connection to it.

I haven't checked out the beloved Convent yet, and I still will (don't panic pro-conventees!), but I just have a feeling that the Nativity Church is right. It could also have helped that it is a sunshiny day here today and I am feeling quite positive generally.

As I said - today is Armistice Day. Remember those who fought and died, or fought and lived, on both sides of the line. Whether you agree with the fighting of past or present wars or not - the fact remains that if we remember and reflect, perhaps we can stop history repeating itself.

Lest we forget.

Not only...

am I now back from holiday, but I am also back in New Zealand! Surprise! it was all a bit hush hush so as to be a surprise for my sister, but here I am back in NZ hopefully not for too long. It's a visa issue I have... trying to convince British Immigration that Dave and I are a real couple (wish me luck; it's been a nightmare thus far) so that I can come back to the UK and carry on working. All a bit tiresome, not to mention expensive, but there are a couple of silver linings; meeting my gorgeous nephew, catching up with family and friends, including my grandparents, and enjoying the weather. Also, my sister and I can go scouting prospective wedding venues (I have been warned by no less than 3 independent sources that the Convent is perhaps not as large as I have been informed, so I need to go see for myself).

It's nice being home and all, everything is familiar and cosy and whatnot, but it's a bit odd too; being away from Dave (possibly for 6 months if I don't get my way with the Authorities) and in a sort of suburban limbo.

But I need to stop complaining and start enjoying it. The application has been sent and there's not a lot I can do about it now.

One of the Best things about being home is that I was able to vote in person in our national election! Voting Day is one of my favourite days in the year (every three years, I mean) and I love getting all dressed up to Make a Difference. Unfortunately (in my opinion) the wrong party won. I am a little bitter, and it will take a while for me to get over it, but things could be worse I guess. I have 10,000 words worth of rant, but I won't get into it.

In brighter news - Yay Obama!!! that was something of a highlight. In my opinion, it changes everything, and, as a humble quasi-political scientist, I did get chills thinking of all those people in America who are now feeling socially engaged because they personally effected change. Wicked.

Apart from being excited about venue perusal, I have to say I am a little wedding'd out. Maybe it's because it's 2 whole years away. Maybe it's because I have, over the last 2 months, gorged myself at the trough of Wedding Ideas. Probably it's a mixture of both. But in any case, I am not Feeling It right now. I expect that it will return though. So, although I will continue to read my favourite wedding blogs, this blog may drift a little. Not sure in what direction yet, but I'll figure something out. And undoubtedly I will become enthralled by centrepieces again in due course!

just a lazy back from holiday post

I've just had the nicest holiday away with my mum and dad. We met up with them down in London, as our band was playing in a contest at the Royal Albert Hall (we came 5th! oh yeah!), and then we headed down to beautiful Bath for a week. We were staying in a gorgeous wee cottage and I got some much needed relaxation in. Then Dave came down to meet us and we headed over to the Loire Valley, south of Paris for 4 days. We drank lots of wine, ate lots of cheese, and generally pottered around tiny villages all week. Bliss!! A perfect two weeks away was nicely rounded off with a gig with the band at the Louvre. A bit surreal, but very cool. We were doing our Acid Brass stuff (remixes of old Acid classics... a bit hard to explain, but it's good fun and goes off at the festivals) and got a good crowd in. It was awesome catching up with mum and dad too.

So now I'm just feeling a bit sleepy and worn out (worn out from relaxing? seems so) so today's post is a lazy one.

Check out this dress. Got $12m?? Feel like blowing it all on a dress? It's pretty sparkly I guess, but I'm not so into the lace-up side bits.

I'll get back on track with something a bit more interesting soon... promise.

Something I don't get about weddings

The rehearsal dinner. I honestly don't get it - I understand the bridal party meeting at the ceremony venue a day prior to the Day to run through how it's all going to happen. I understand wanting to catch up with out of town guests, because the reception itself is likely to be pretty busy and full on, but a dinner? to practice eating and engaging in polite conversation? I hope by now I have those skills covered. And if you give a speech at the rehearsal dinner, what is then said at the reception?

But The Knot (I know, I know) has taught me that not only is it Absolutely Necessary to have a rehearsal dinner, but it is also vital that a brand new dress is bought for said occasion.

Hmmmm this is coming out a wee bit snarky - it's not intended to be! maybe it's just different cultures and traditions; it seems as though the rehearsal dinner thang is more an American tradition - is that true? how about in the UK? in NZ? I guess also the style of wedding might impact upon other expectations too...

Personally, I would rather spend the night before the wedding chilling with my girls and my mum, having a couple of wines and watching The Sweetest Thing (ok, I stole that directly from my sister's wedding eve - but it was lovely!).

While I'm questioning it all... is there a difference between a bachelorette party, a hens night and a bridal shower? And a bridesmaids luncheon?

Goodness gracious me.

However. If we were to have a rehearsal dinner, and I was to buy a dress for it, I would HAVE to buy this:

an apology

very sorry to anyone who has been checking to see if I've written anything since last Wednesday. Unfortunately, Talk Talk (= worst internet provider in the UK) has let me down and the internet has been on the blink for a few days. I have called the Indian sub-continent a couple of times, but their databases are down also, so no help there.

After a trip to the library to write a couple of necessary emails, I've managed to restart the computer and the internet appears to be working again. However, it did that on Friday for all of 10 minutes and then crashed again, so I'm not holding my breath. Why didn't I do a course in computers? a B.A. can't fix the internet.

All going well I'll get some posting in this week - but from Friday I am off to London to perform with the Fairey Band at the Royal Albert Hall. Then, following a fun London day with Mel, I am on holiday with my mum and dad (yay! they just arrived in London yesterday!) in Bath for a week and then in the Loire Valley in France for a second week. The holiday finishes up with Dave and I performing, again with the Fairey Band, this time at the Louvre - woopee!!!!

A big thanks to everyone who has been reading and commenting! I know Paper Ballerinas hasn't achieved world domination just yet, but it's been lots of fun nevertheless!

Hair pieces

When I've tried on wedding dresses, I've loved it when the bridal store assistant has popped a veil on my head. It makes it all seem that much more bridal. But then, the other day, I tried on a stunning taffeta gown that had a silk flower at the waist. Instead of a veil, a clutch of silk flowers were clipped into my hair.

I was sold - veil schmael; I'm totally going with flowers.

Twigs and Honey is currently taking Etsy and the blogging world by storm, and Myra's creations have become so popular that apart from the first 30 orders received today, orders are closed for the time being! I tried valiantly to win a hair piece for myself, but no such luck.

But fear not, there are some other stunning hair piece options lurking on the web.

Mikiye Creations have many many hair pieces that I would be more than happy to wear (and are still taking custom orders!). These two are my favourites from her collection

This one is called Camellia. So romantic.

And this whimsical wee love is called Holly Golightly.

And this pair of peonies from Butterfly Enchantress

There are a ton of other options just on Etsy alone - with jewels, feathers, headbands, fascinator veils; all sorts!

The coolest wall tile in the world

I was just cruising around on Esty and stumbled across this - the most beautiful wall tile ever created. I challenge you to find a more aesthetically pleasing wall tile. It's 9" sq, and 3" deep. And I want it so bad. So bad I can taste it. It's name is Fungi, its made of porcelain, and it's by Heather of Element Clay Studio. There are a bunch of others in the collection, all cool, but I am drawn to this one. It's on the market for a cool $245 - well worth it for a good piece of art, but unfortunately a tad out of my budget. Check out Heather's other listings - I also love the Urchin Bowls.

Who ate all the pies?

There are two things that Dave has specifically requested for our wedding. As he's pretty laid back when it comes to centrepieces, save the date designs, and shoes, I figure that it's only fair that he should have his few wishes granted.

First off the blocks: the man wants a big band to play at the reception. No arguments from me. This is something that I really wanted, but had never mentioned as I thought it would be waaay too expensive, so I popped it on the nice, but not gonna happen pile. But then he bought it up. Bless.

Secondly: he wants pies. Yep, Mrs Macs in a pie warmer pies. Dave has a few in-jokes with a few people concerning the beauty of the 1 dollar pie. He wants a pie warmer at the reception so that if our guest don't like their Moroccan lamb whatnots they can be consoled with some beef and gravy in a soggy pasty pocket.

Fair enough. Who am I to judge? He wants so little... let them eat pies.

Papermaking!

When we first got engaged I started getting excited about all the awesome craft projects I was going to complete (insert visions of piles of invitations looking just so, tables of homemade placecards, and centrepieces looking like they've just walked out of the pages of Martha Stewart magazine). I am now a little daunted, as I most certainly did not inherit my Gran's artistic talents, but am taking heart from the DIY projects by other bloggers, and in particular those completed by Tara of In This Instance (seriously - check this blog out, its stunning). So, with a hearty two years to go, I've started making my own paper. And now the lounge is full of buckets of paper pulp, towels, and drying sheets of paper.

The first few attempts were distinctly average (it took me a while to figure out that I'm actually not too good for instructions) but I'm getting there and am proud to say I have 5 perfectly thin and smooth pieces of recycled paper!

Not sure where to from here... if I can find a way to print or stamp effectively on the paper I'd love to make the invites from scratch, but in any case the paper will do for placecards and backing sheets for orders of service.

I'm using the Kundalini Kit, which I picked up from crafting utopia Fred Aldous

More budget friendly

I was an Ezibuy kid growing up. I loved the catalogues coming out each month (+ a special supplement at Christmas. Oh yeah) and being allowed to choose a couple of things to order. I remember the anticipation when the 3 day delivery time seemed to take soooo looooonnnggg, and I remember the gorgeous pink skirt that arrived in time for my 17th birthday (I try not to remember the dungarees that I thought were super cool only a few years beforehand). I was having a wee browse on their site today (how times have changed - Ezibuy on the net! yegads!!!) and saw that between their Capture, Grace Hill, Urban, and Emerge ranges there are actually some really pretty dresses, a few of which would not be unsuitable for bridesmaids! Most are cocktail length, and aside from the Grace Hill Dresses are more on the casual side - but above all they are cheap. Here are a couple that took my fancy:

For $129.99

For $79.99

For $20. That's right - $20. Each of these styles are available in each colour, plus a pretty shade of yellow. And they're 100% cotton.

~ Congratulations!!! ~

Today is my parents' 30 year wedding anniversary! that calls for a celebration in my book. As we speak, they have just arrived in Morocco (they're in the first couple of weeks of a big Spanish/Portuguese/Moroccan/British/French adventure which will get them here to me in only a few short weeks - yay!!) so will be unlikely to read this post, but I thought it still definitely deserves a mention.

I'm sure there have been marital ups and downs of which I am unaware, but from what I can see Mum and Dad have been each others best friend since they first locked eyes across the bandroom in Blenheim.

They both complement and compliment each other, and although they are quite different people, they find the same things funny and want the same things from their lives. The trip they're currently on is one of many they have taken (some with my sister and I, but, latterly, more often by themselves) and they are always trying new cultures and sharing things together.

I am a less extroverted version of my Dad - we respond in the same way to the same things, and I think my Mum is a perfect foil for him. I know the belief is that girls subconsciously look for someone like their father in a boyfriend, but I think that in Dave I've actually found someone more like my Mum. I like to think that we're a pretty good team too.

And if we can have 30 (+) years like they have had, we'll be doing just fine.

Congratulations Mum and Dad!!

The Bridget Jones Dilemma

So I would love to wear something as gorgeous and romantic as this on my wedding day:

But the dress would probably prefer that I wear this instead:

Such a shame. Maybe the next couple of years spent on a treadmill will help the situation.

In brighter news, Mel and I are planning another exciting dress shopping London excursion - we've found one bridal salon that stocks both of the current dressesofourdreams. Yay!

Not wedding related but...

These clothes make me want a baby. At least, they make me want to buy my gorgeous nephew a load of cool clothes.
By Free Range Baby, based in Wellington, NZ.
He would be the coolest kid in the playground.

The Dingbat's Agenda: Dingbat Press Giveaway!!!!

I've entered, and so should you!!! Dingbat Press produces some of the most stunning invitation suites I've seen - and now one lucky blogger has the chance to win a custom invitation suite of their own! There is also a 10% discount for all orders through the Etsy shop untill the end of the month - check it out for more details!

The Dingbat's Agenda: GIVEAWAY 3, A Sweet Suite#links

Fingers crossed!

Add it all together

That Dress

+

These Shoes

+

Bridesmaids in This Dress

= Too Pretty.

Love is:

This Dress. Wow.

Another picture of Rosa is to be found here.

And the other extreme

Meet India Blue.

Black opal, diamonds, and platinum all mixed together by Boodles for their Wonderland exhibition. I've met her in real life, and she is even more beautiful than in this picture. Considering that This costs £190,000, it's hardly surprising that India Blue doesn't have a price tag. I'm glad, because now I can imagine going into the store and seeing her on sale for, oh, £100? And then I would wear her with This (Note: in this particular dream sequence I am, of course, a staggeringly beautiful 6 foot size 2 beauty and can wear such things without looking like an extra from the munchkin scene in the Wizard of OZ).

Sigh. Back to the sewing patterns.

Budget Friendly

It seems like a lot of weddings cost a LOT of money - and that's cool, if your budget can allow for it, but some super-excellent sites like Practical Wedding and 2000 Dollar Wedding have got me thinking that there are budget friendly shortcuts for everything. Even The Dress. At the end of the day, its about the marriage, not the wedding, right? Of course I spend a fair bit of time salivating over This or That dress, but is my budget really going to allow for it? and I would love to give my bridesmaids dresses like This - but a group expedition to the US for fittings seems a touch excessive! So, why not make your dress(es)? If you are a bit of a crafty-craftsperson, or have friend/relative who is handy with a sewing machine, why not? Even if neither you nor any of your loved ones can sew, a local dressmaker/seamstress is certainly going to be cheaper than the professional bridal gown designer down the road. My sister had her dress designed and made up from scratch, and the bridesmaid dresses made from an altered pattern, by a local dressmaker. The results were amazing, the quality outstanding, and the total cost for all three dresses was less than a ready-made dress she had previously admired!

I know that sometimes it seems as though the sewingpattern people don't exactly design their pattern packet covers to scream "wear me"- but that's the beauty of it - you can pick any fabric, and colour you like, and in a size that fits you exactly. Most of the patterns include a range of alternatives and embellishments, so if your seamstress is a bit clever, you really could end up with your dream dress. Taking it even further - find a pattern for a evening dress and have it made up in bridal fabric... perfect!

From top to bottom: Simplicity; Simplicity together with Project Runway; Vogue; McCall's together with Hilary Duff & McCall's; Butterick; Simplicity.

Cake toppers!

I'm not sure if we'll end up having figurines or anything on our wedding cake, but these are cute enough to convince me! As always, Etsy has come through to save the day, but there are a few lovely ones from other sources too.

From top to bottom: By Rainsend on Etsy; Wedding Cake Toppers; next two images from That's My Topper ; Lynn's Little Creations on Etsy. All toppers by Rainsend, Lynn, and Wedding Cake Toppers can be completely individualised to suit. But there's something about the simplicity of the porcelain figurines that really grabs my attention.

It seems like Summer's passed us by.

Sorry for the distinct lack of posts over the last couple of weeks - I have just wound up at work (thanks, British Immigration) and am now officially unemployed. Hopefully posting will be much more regular from now on! So, as promised, here is the inspiration board based on the gorgeous bouquet from Blush. As Summer seems to have passed Britain by, and Winter is looming, I've gone for a bright summery wedding: think low-budget, lots of laughs, bright and cheery, and simple. In searching for these images, I stumbled across my new favourite blog; Thoughtful Day. Erica has, while also showering her readers with billions of beautiful finds, pulled together a stunning destination wedding with a gorgeous yellow and grey colour scheme. In fact, the paper suite in the upper left corner is Erica's, and she has now started up a business designing invites and paper goods for other couples! Check out Thoughtful Day for a much prettier version of what I have tried to pull together below.Image credits Top row: Design suite by Thoughtful Day; Photograph via Practical Wedding; Bridemaid dress from Top Shop; Centrepiece from Martha Stewart; Middle row: Earrings from Tanya McGuire; Bouquet by Blush; Bridal gown by Thread Design; Invitation by Creative Montage. Bottom row: Ring Holder from Paloma's Nest; Print by Karen Faulkner; Cake by Rodney Bailey via Wedding Channel.

Nie Nie Dialogues

Hi Everyone,

Just a very quick one for now (yes, I know I've not yet put up the promised inspiration board... it'll happen over the weekend all going to plan). For anyone who hasn't already checked it out, Nie Nie Dialogues is one of the most beautiful blogs going - Stephanie (Nie) and her husband Christian, have four gorgeous kids and her blog is pretty much about their lives - it's beautiful and heatwarming and full of a LOT of love; these are the people you seriously want to know in real life.

Stephanie and her husband were just involved in a private plane crash. They're in hospital with serious injuries that are going to take a lot of time and money to heal. So, some wonderful bloggers have gotten together and set up a silent auction. All proceeds are going to the family to pay for the formidable medical and child care costs.

Design Mom has set up the silent auction, and her blog has a blog entry today that lists some of the amazing items that are up for auction.

What blows me away is that every single item (and believe, there are some impressive ones) has been donated by people who may not even know Nie and Christian but just want to do something to help.

Thoughts and prayers going out to the Nielsons.

Thanks!

And also, a big thanks to everyone who voted for me in the Creative Montage competition - I came 2nd!! I've won a $15 discount off a monogram by Aimee, which I am very excited about. Feeling a little buoyed up with inspiration board confidence, so am going to start working on a fun, summery wedding inspired by this gorgeous bouquet from Blush, a florists run by the talented Kelly Amundsen, based in Auckland.

A bit of 1930s vintage glam for Tuesday

Check out this gorgeous inspiration board submitted by the lovely Amber. Inspired by her ultimate glamour girl, Jean Harlow, Amber has concocted an opulent, seductive, and super-glam wedding for our perusal. Very nice!

A blatant plug!

A plea to all to help me win a beautiful Twigs and Honey hairpiece from Aimee at Creative Montage.

Although the other entrants have submitted amazing boards, I have worked really hard on mine too! {honestly!} so please, please, if you like what you see, go to the Creative Montage blog and vote for this board: Its board number 11


and if you’re feeling generous, please pass this message on to all and sundry… the more voting love the better!

off to enjoy my long weekend in Madrid, more inspiration to come next week.

J xx

Yum.

Please bear with me while I take a moment to drool over these creations from Urban Gourmet. Based in Auckland, this food company will cater (although "cater" seems like too ordinary a word for this lot, conjuring up images of ladies in school canteens whipping up pineapple and cheese sammies) at a venue of your choice in the Auckland region. Shame that Blenheim isn't in the Auckland region; how wonderful would it be to have this for cocktail hour? They'll also help to select appropriate venues for your function from their comprehensive list of contacts (which includes the Auckland Museum; one of The premier wedding venues in the city. sigh).

Pretty dresses in Auckland

Jane Yeh is a very successful bridal gown designer, based in Auckland, New Zealand. Her dresses are contemporary yet classic - and if you take a look through the gallery, you'll see that she's also pretty darn adept at listening to what her brides want. She also has a range of accessories on the site, including some beautiful shrugs - perfect for the winter theme featured on Snippet and Ink today!

Very inviting

I would love to receive one of these in the post... This morning, via Weddings, I found out that a new online magazine has been launched, called Engaged. I know most wedding magazine have a related website, but most of them are fairly limited and mainly aimed at teasing you until you buy their actual publication. Not so with Engaged - this is a 130-odd page magazine with everything you would usually find in an old fashioned mag, included competitions, and the inevitable advertisements. Having browsed through in my lunch hour, I was immediately smitten with one vendor in particular; Kate Holland. Every invitation in the Signature Collection is stunning, and the body of work in the Custom Collection gallery is beyond impressive. As well as designing and supplying beautiful invitations, Kate will also provide place names, menus, seating plans, RSVP's... the list goes on! Fully flexible, there is also a wee section called "Envelopments" which has a comprehensive range of envelope styles - even if you opt for one of the signature styles, it can still be unique with a tri-envelope and/or belly band! Check them out, there's a set (or 5!) for every taste. Also, in a final push for Engaged - if you register to receive the monthly newsletter, you're automatically entered in all of this months' competitions! Next issue with be online on 1st October 2008.

and here it is!

Inspired by the Louis Vuitton pouchette...

Bridesmaid dress by Amsale; Cake via Project Wedding; Tablesetting by Colin Cowie via Wedding Chicks; Calla Lillies courtesy of the The Knot; Bridal Gown by Melissa Sweet; Invitations via Project Wedding; Flowers courtesy of Bride and Bloom; Veil from The Knot; Louis Vuitton pouchette.