Life Changes

Things change. Life changes. Sometimes you need to follow the wind, the tidal wave, your heart...



It's time to move into a new blogosphere. I'm following what makes me tick, what's on my mind all the time these days and starting something anew. From now on you'll be able to find me over at:

Indulgeonhappiness.tumblr.com

Enjoy!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

My Valentine

This card was made for me and my Valentine.

Not Just Bridal

Don't get me wrong, BHLDN is definitely my go-to for bridal inspiration and gorgeous finds. Today, however, their new Spring collection was announced and ever since I've been dreaming about the new event dresses and accessories at BHLDN...

Don't forget... Chicago location opening on Valentine's Day, 2012!

Wedding Highlight Video

I'm taking the blog a little too personal maybe...

Many old friends, new acquaintances and fellow bloggers out there have been asking to view our wedding video. Today it is my pleasure to share the highlight reel with you. Sorry folks, this is likely all you'll get.... unless you receive the coveted invitation to the viewing party! ;)

Best wishes and much love to all!

Best Videographer. Ever.

I'm not even kidding. Other vendors may hope I am kidding because they are getting tired of competing with Ben Mahoney, Stephanie Mueller & Leap Weddings, but I'm not kidding. Leap Weddings mantra is "Film - Hair - Fun" and they are experts at all three!

This week we received our complete set of wedding videos from Leap Weddings. Whoa. Talk about sensory and emotion overload. We laughed. We cried. We watched all eight videos four times! (Ok, maybe I've watched about ten times now.) From the team's professionalism and invisibility while shooting to the flawless execution of production, we could not be happier with Leap Weddings.

It's funny. A lot of family & friends were quite surprised when, during the wedding planning process, Prince Charming and I announced we were not hiring a photographer and instead putting all of our budget into videography. Receivers of this information were astonished, annoyed and quick to try to negate our idea. Boy were they wrong. This was the smartest thing we could have done. {Disclaimer: It's also easier to make this decision when you have family & friends that are pretty dang talented behind the lens, like Cali Fagan.}

Did I also mention the team has a hair division? Steph turned by messy head of hair into something gorgeous. We had tested a style a few months prior to the wedding, but on the day of Steph turned the gorgeousness up a notch and executed a style that really completed my whole look. I walked into that day with nothing but confidence knowing I had been well taken care of and looked amazing. I felt pretty amazing thanks to her and makeup artist Eric Holt. Everyone in the wedding party that had the pleasure of working with Leap Wedding's hair team expressed the need for Steph to move-in with them and be available for hairstyling every day of the week.

Ben, Steph and their team will be friends for life. They are on Facebook - find them here. If you like their page, you may be the first to see a sneak peek of our wedding video highlight reel.

We love you, Leap Weddings!

p.s. Videographers are not just for weddings; check out Ben Mahoney Productions for some less matrimonial information.

Whoa.

Click to view all of the lovely offerings... swoooooooooon!

Today's Etsy Find

Gorgeous and fun-loving hutch found via Found Design Miami's Etsy Shop

St. Nick likes me

What did St. Nick treat you to today? I guess I was a good girl this year because St. Nick gifted to me this sweet lil' number...

image via Amazon.com

White Lady

Everyone has family traditions for the holidays. Those of us that are lucky enough to have unique family situations have the opportunity to celebrate holidays many times over... it's during one of my favorite holidays each year that family comes together to enjoy these. Delicious. Highly recommended. Currently craving a White Lady...

{image & recipe courtesy of Serious Eats}

• 4 parts dry gin such as Martin Miller's or Beefeater (2 ounces)
• 1 part Cointreau (1/2 ounce)
• 1 part fresh lemon juice (1/2 ounce)
• 
  
• Shake in ice and serve.

We typically enjoy the version that also has an egg white incorporated... give it a try, you will not be disappointed! Let me know how it goes; and if this drink gets added to your family tradition.

sometimes knotted

via LeLove

Thank you, Wedding Vendors!

We were blessed to work with some of the best wedding vendors on the planet in preparation for our big celebration. From flagged straws to a jamming DJ, from a specialty cocktail to a dress to die-for, every detail was perfect in our eyes. I'm going to take credit for some of this - my research skills are incredible! As the bride & groom, we imagined, created and managed every single detail. It was a lot of work but fun, fabulous and I miss the planning process already.

Prince Charming and I had a marvelous time and would do it all over again in an instant... if we won the lotto. Enjoy some pictures below and do visit our vendor's websites - we highly recommend each and every one!

Baumbirdy Ceremony Programs
BHLDN Hairpiece
Love, L - the Bride's company! Flower Design
By Invitation Only Invitations & Wedding Certificate
Cali Fagan Photography (The professional-looking ones!)
Christopher Pines Sparkle Ribbon
Davis Imperial Cleaners Dress Alterations
Elevage Events Day-of Coordinator
Emelie Friday Return Address Stamp
Eric Holt Makeup
Fifty Flowers Wholesale Flowers
Funky Quail Vintage Vintage Decor
Hugo Boss Groom's Suit
K Grace Childcare Babysitting Services during Dinner
Leap Weddings Videography & Hair Design
Lil Missi Chair Signs
Loralee Lewis Straws with Flags
Natalie Briggs Garter
Nordstrom Weddings Bride's Valentino Shoes, Bride's Pearl Baguette Clutch, Mother of the Bride Dress, Grooms shirt & tie
Save-on-Craft Fairy Berries
The Aisle New York Dress
The Elysian Hotel Location & Accomodations
Toast & Jam DJs
Z Gallerie Candlesticks

Day-of Coordinator

Avid readers may remember the daunting decision we toyed with leading up-to our big day....

Hire a day-of coordinator, or no?

As our timeline became more and more detailed, and more and more out of the ordinary, the decision was made! We hired Elevage Events to manage our day-of needs and wow, what a glorious job Emily did! We thank her with all we have for keeping us sane and worry-free on 09.10.11.

If you'd like a personal recommendation for Emily, please don't hesitate to ask - we're happy to oblige. In the meantime, please read the blog post that went live today!

Inadvertently famous.

Our wedding was a The Aisle New York feature blog post!  

Fashion Community Unite!

LaundryMagazine is bringing the fashion community together for a day of discussion, knowledge and continued learning. On Saturday October 22, 2011, the first Grow Here Workshop will be held at the Block 37 Shops. The Grow Here Workshop will focus on industry experts sharing skills and ideas that will inspire and continue to build Chicago’s fashion community.

The day will feature Q&A sessions from the most innovative leaders in the fashion industry; Mel Muoio, of TOPSHOP, Michael Corrigan of Zapwater Communications, Emma Arnold of Tres Awesome and Kelly Ryan O’Brien of the Chicago Blogger Network, Jessica Herman of Time Out Chicago, jewelry designer Laura Lombardi and ready-to-wear designer Antonio Ciutto are a few slated to speak.  

With the help of our wonderful sponsors, Block 37 Shops, Fashion Focus Chicago, Chicago Blogger Network, Poppin, Kind Healthy Snacks and Sprout Home, Grow Here Workshop will be a day full of growth and networking for emerging fashion students as well as those in Chicago’s fashion community.

Grow Here Workshop will mark the first opportunity for students to receive information on the next installment of LaundryMagazine’s Growing Works Show or on Facebook here.

For more information on ticket sales and sponsorship please visit www.GrowHereWorkshop.BigCartel.com

Student All Day Pass $65

All Day Pass $85

Ticket price includes lunch, refreshments and a gift bag for the first 150 attendees.

Playing with Florals

Michele is at home today prepping the flowers for Saturday!

Already dreaming...

We're more than a week away from our honeymoon, but I'm already dreaming. Two weeks in Italy with the man of my dreams is going to be heaven. Sure, there will be some pretty sweaty motorcycle rides through Tuscany (it's supposed to be in the mid-80's while we're visiting)... but we'll be eating some of the best food, seeing some of the most beautiful sights and enjoying some of the best culture/ambience in the World!

Trent has done an amazing job scheduling our honeymoon! We've been talking about going to Italy for our honeymoon since our last trip to Europe (in 2007!)... but have never talked about where in Italy we would visit. After weeks of research and deliberation, a decision has been made and hotels have bene booked. We're scheduled to visit Rome, Bologna, Cinque Terre and Montepulciano (plus every little town in between) via motocicletta (that's motorcycle) and then spend several days living the Mediterranean life in Anacapri!

Some random images of the places we may see while touring around...

Rome

Bologna

Yes, we're also going to the Ducati factory!

Cinque Terre

Montepulciano

Anacapri

Everything looks so beautiful and memorable, I don't know which we're going to enjoy more! In true fashion, Trent's answer will tie to wherever he had his favorite meal. My answer, however, is typically un-measurable; it's a vibe, a feeling.

As we prepare for departure, rest assured... we have registered our trip abroad with the local Embassies and have a police officer watching our home. Did you think I wouldn't? I've been talking publicly about leaving the country for months - that's asking for trouble! ;)



We're all set for a relaxing and fun honeymoon! Let the good times begin!

Packing for Vegas

I'm feeling good about my bachelorette party outfit selections. Cheers to your Labor Day celebrations!!!

Time to Celebrate!

Division Street Watch Co., Chicago’s only vintage watch shop, is celebrating one year of business on September 6th, 2011. Located at 2017 West Division Street, in the heart of Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood, Division Street Watch Co. boasts a vast collection of vintage Swiss made watches. Vintage Rolexes, Omegas, Longines’, Gallets, and Breitlings are beautifully displayed. All collections carried at Division Street Watch Co. were hand crafted in the late 1940’s extending into the early 1970’s, the golden age of watch making. Each piece is truly unique.

Division Street Watch Co. is a vintage watch collectors dream. Tucked away in a cozy neighborhood, rather than downtown on busy Jeweler’s Row, Division Street Watch Co. provides the customer with an intimate experience from beginning to end. Vintage watch experts aid in finding the perfect watch, replacing vintage watch parts or help revamp the accessories on a vintage time piece. Division Street Watch Co. is a must for anyone seeking a unique, beautiful and historical piece of wearable art.

Loving Room Style

A dining room and kitchen to die for... someday, someday!

Images and inspiration courtesy of Pink Wallpaper.

Don't be Grey...

... or do!

We opted to not have 'colors' for our wedding decor for a couple of reasons. (1) The hotel is already beautifully decorated and (2) with a focus on grey and neutrals, we'll really get to see each other. Each face will pop, each outfit will shine, each smile will sparkle and all of the individuals will take center stage, rather than the decor.

It's really exciting to see all of the little details coming together; and I thought it might be fun to show you some of the photos I've seen online that have served as inspiration for the last 11 months...