Some Alma Mater Love

This is the perfect combo for me - I love college football and I love cute little coin purses. So I am thrilled that I found these from fossil. They are perfect because they are pretty subtle and don't scream "Go Longhorns", while also made out of leather too. These would have been perfect for all of my bridesmaids, but now I think I might be doing them for x-mas gifts. They don't have all of the schools, but they at least had my alma mater.

Simply Vera Mini-Clutch

I never have really shopped at Kohl's, but had received a gift from my shower there and had to return it. I came across this bag and had to have it. Unfortunately and fortunately, they had it in a deep chocolate and I realized this was my final gift to my bridesmaids. Plus - it was on sale. They don't show all the colors on their website but they come in brown, light brown, lime and amber.

Must-Have Purchases

I ended buying a couple last minute purchases that were a must. I found this on Brooklyn Bride a long time ago, and just kept it in the files, but ended up purchasing a couple weeks ago - Kiehl's Anti-Perspirant and Deodorant Cream. I have been trying this stuff out for the last week, and it is wonderful (and probably more information than you need to know - I sweat BIG TIME and I was amazed how well it worked).

A Steam Buddy for our dresses. Even though my seamstress said I could probably iron my dress, I ended opted for this little guy. I broke it in last night and I think it worked really, really well. We will see how it handles on Sunday.

Lastly, Hollywood Fashion Tape. This stuff rocks.

Enough about the Bridesmaids Dresses!

So it is interesting the stories you hear after the fact. My sister called me last night and informed me of this - when she received her bridesmaids dress, it did not fit. Unfortunately, it was a little too snug. Well, more than a little too snug! As many of you know, we did not get our dresses until a month before the wedding. She started out the conversation saying, I just got back from the seamstress and everything is good, but...and then she went into her story. Some of my bridesmaids had to measure themselves and then call in their measurements. She thought she was measuring correctly - she was not (I guess that waist part threw her off). So here is what happened. She went to the seamstress who told her that unless she loses some weight - a lot of weight - she could get her into the dress. So my sister worked out for three hours a day and then on Saturday went to the seamstress. She lost 15 pounds in about three weeks and the dress fits. Of course, she did not tell me any of this until last night. Please note - She would not recommend this to anyone. She says she can't move because of the workouts, so dancing at the wedding will probably be out for her! Oh my...

Bridesmaids Dress Drama II

• So what can folks learn from my bridesmaids dress drama?
  
  1) Research, research, research. I didn't even think of looking at the yahoo or google comments, etc., until I started having problems. My feeling is you may have one bad rating, but when you have about 300...that tells me there is a problem.
  
  2) Even if you feel rushed to make a decision and the salesperson was nice to you - take your time. They are like car salespeople - they are going to tell you anything you want to hear.
  
  3) Read the contract. I was told first week of March. After reading the contract, it of course said a minimum of 18 weeks, so of course that was what I was constantly told whenever I asked after the 18 weeks where the dresses were.
  
  4) Even as they try to blame the designer (mine was Jim Hjelm) for the delay - they are still at fault, because they promised they would have the dresses.
  
  5) Lastly, don't ever go to Eva's Bridal in Orland Park. Just don't do it. They are rude and the dresses took forever to get here - more than 18 weeks, which they promised they would be here by the 12th week.
  
  I decided last night after writing the first post, the owner was hoping I would follow every other bride who has had a problem and wanted to blast them. She would scare us into believing she could stop us. Also - I even started going, well...I did get the dresses. But still - they had horrible customer service and I don't want anyone to go through the stress I had to go through.

Bridesmaid Dress Drama

So recently, I alluded to some drama over our Bridesmaids dresses. I would like to say that we did receive the dresses last week and have since been delivered to my bridesmaids. They are beautiful and I am thrilled with my decision to go with this dress. To give you a little history, I was "late" in ordering these dresses, but they were still ordered way over 20 weeks ago. I was assured that I would have them by the first week of March (around the 12 week mark). Rather than rehashing the whole story again, I will just say that I was pretty much at my wits end, because I found out last Tuesday that they would not be arriving until this week and they couldn't even promise me if they would arrive then. (Hello - Our wedding is less than 30 days away).

Part of the problem I had with them is - fine, we will wait for the dresses, because that was all we could do - but please treat me with some respect. They never called me back (and I mean - they never called me back.) I have been in this wedding planning process for quite some time, so I am use to vendors not calling me back, but this was ridiculous. Even better yet when I did talk to someone, they constantly cut me off and would tell me something new on the delivery date and then state to me like i was a child - "we will call you when the dresses arrive!" At first I took a step back and thought maybe it was me, but I had never seen such a lack of customer service in my life. I didn't even get bridezilla or anything, they were just rude from the beginning...wait a minute - they actually became rude when I started asking questions about the dresses.

I finally talked to someone who was nice and she assured me that she would do everything to get the dresses in last Friday. It was the first time I was actually treated nicely by these people. In the meantime, I got a call from the owner (she maintained that no one had ever given her a message from me until that day before. Whatever). She was probably even worse than her sales associates. And that was when I went Bridezilla on her. I finally had it with the lack of customer service. I told her I was definitely going to make an issue on this. I said I was going to rip her on every Chicago Bridal magazine site, blog, website, etc. Ok - Was I dramatic? Yes - But I had been dealing with this for over two months now. It was actually the first time I just layed into someone over anything with this wedding.

She finally apologized for my issues with their store and I think we finally resolved all issues. Even though she informed me if I wanted the dresses here by last Friday - I would have to pay for the rush delivery. Again...Bridezilla temper peaked again and she backed off that.

Now - here is the interesting part. I think they are horrible people. Just not nice, but I actually was warned by the store owner that they are seeking legal action about negative postings on wedding sites, blogs, etc. and my feeling is the owner is watching very closely to see what I do here. Not that I ever talked about this blog to her, but I have a feeling they are watching me, just because the last conversation she made sure to tell me this. So is this just a scare tactic by her?

Stay Tuned...

I recently saw a post from a bride who graded her vendors. I actually got a little agitated by it because her reasons for a grade D or F did not seem really that bad in my eyes. It just seemed a little unnecessary to blast her vendors when they maybe didn't seem to have the right tone when she called to complain about something very small (in my eyes). I made a mental note and thought I would never do that unless there was a major problem with that vendor. Well - I might be doing this very soon...I am going to wait until the bridesmaids dresses are in my BM's closets before I start on a tirade, but my bridezilla temper is lurking...

Bridesmaids Dress Drama

I have been told numerous times - I am pretty laid back for a bride. That was my goal from the beginning - to never let them see me sweat ...and god forbid show any signs of "Bridezilla". Well, she came out last night and she might actually be here to stay. I know I was "late" ordering our bridesmaids dresses (if you consider in wedding lingo that six months before the wedding is late), but as I was told in December that we would be fine, but order them by this date (Dec. 8). So I did just that, ordered them on Dec. 1 to be exact. The saleslady at the bridal store stated that we should be getting them in by the second week of March at the earliest, but I quote - "Jim Hjelm is really good - so no worries."

I could give you the whole long drawn-out story (here are the cliff notes version - me calling them on March 20; talk to rude saleswoman who tells me that I should have them in a week; On March 31, me calling again; they never calling me back; me calling again and talk to extremely rude, rude salesperson, who tells me April 2; me calling again and never hearing back), but rather just end with my vent instead.

I am not a pest. I do not call over and over again just to hear the same answer. If you tell me that my dresses are going to be here the second week of March. I believe you. I only call when it is now April and I have not seen the dresses. I also call back when you tell me you are going to call me with an answer and days go by and I have not received a call.

So fast forward to last night. I called after again not receiving a call when promised. This time - the sales lady actually said, "Oh, you again." And that is when it happened. I snapped and Bridezilla reared her ugly head. I am to receive a call today. I am going to be optimistic and believe them. Because after a couple glasses of wine last night, I have decided this will be the one and only time that Bridezilla makes an appearance.

I heart Etsy

I love Etsy and I love them even more after coming across this designer - DLK Designs. How adorable are these? These are Vintage Dictionary Word Pendants circa 1950's or earlier. I actually just bought the Live and Laugh ones from the 1920s. These would be perfect for my bridesmaids gifts or for all the birthday presents I need to get! But I might even keep them for myself...

She even does vintage maps - here is Chitown, but I think love the Paris one and London even more!

Bridesmaids Shoes

(StudioThisIs)

So this discussion came up over the weekend with two of my bridesmaids - do we have to have matching shoes when you are wearing tea-length dresses? At first my reaction was - yeah... However, all of my bridesmaids have very different tastes, which means they have very different views on shoes. One wants to wear something strappy...another wants something open toe. So do bridesmaids have to wear the same type of shoe? I would rather have all of them be comfortable...anyone have some great advice?

Umm...Chocolate...

Continuing with the bridesmaids gift trend, how about a gift certificate to this yummy Chicago place - Chocolate For Your Body? Doesn't it sound so good and if you order the Bridal Spa Package, the bride receives a customized facial, massage, lash extensions, manicure and pedicure for free!!

Bridesmaids gifties

I have had a little ADD lately and instead of focusing on a couple things that I probably need to get done, I have been looking all over for the bridesmaids gifts - something that probably coule wait. I really love the idea of giving them a monogram bag and robe (my inspiration came from this knottie bio on Pearls Events blog). I found these bags on Fresh Ink. How adorable are these?! They had a ton more that I could totally see giving to my girls.

Check it off

Today is a great day. I have been hesitant to announce it because it seems like we have had a ton of issues over the bridesmaids dresses. BUT I am pleased to announce that they have been ordered. I had the worst time figuring out what I wanted for my wedding. (Word of advice - go with your instinct and if that is the dress - GO with it!)

I had one bridesmaid that started a coup with the others, saying that they wanted full-length instead of the tea-length. So I spent months looking for the perfect dress. Well, several weeks ago, Elizabeth wrote this on my comments. It was funny, and SO true. You do look like a tootsie roll! Above and to the left is the dress (but ours will be in mocha). It is very much something they could wear again - I swear. Now on to my invitations - those will be ordered tomorrow!

For My Girls...

For my Chicago bloggers - I have always walked past 1154 Lill Studio and thought how neat it would be to either host my shower/bachelorette party there OR design purses for my bridesmaids. How excited was I that they actually have a blog! Even if you do not live in Chicago (they also have stores in Boston and Kansas City), you still can design the purses online! I think these "Anne" purses would be perfect gifts for my bridesmaids.

Bridesmaids Dresses

The decision of the bridesmaids dresses will be made this week. It will either be the above one from JCREW or this one (same designer as my dress) OR a Watters dress that for some reason would not let me download just the photo.

I am heading to the bridal shop on Monday and just making the decision. I am really tired of looking at dresses and took way too much input from my girls...

For a night of debauchery

Yeah, I didn't accomplish anything on my to-do list that I made a couple days ago. BUT I did find some cool things over on this lovely blog. I could see getting these for my bachelorette party which my maid of honor will be hosting. How can you not buy these when they come with this description?

"Planning an evening of party-hopping and debauchery? Our Dear Cabbie Napkins will help you find your way home after you've had a few too many and can't remember where you live, what hotel you're staying at, or where the heck your pants are. Or, be a thoughtful hostess and pick up a few packs to assist your inebriated guests -- simply fill in their address, where to find payment, and pop them in a cab!"

Bridesmaids dresses

Ok...so I got sick today and stayed home. Feeling better and decided to catch up on tivo. Just watched the show Married Away - Guiliana DePandi and Bill Rancic special. Now I am thinking I might just let my bridesmaids pick out what dresses they want on JCREW or at least let my maid of honor have a different dress than the other bridesmaids. Give them a couple choices and then they decide. But can you do different lengths? Because I still have folks wanting the longer bridesmaid dress rather than tea-length.

My Saturday Hunt

Back to the bridesmaid dress hunt. I got up early determined to start the search again. Found this on JCREW and for the price - pretty good.

Plus I think they can wear it again (I know the standard line you are told when you have to wear that ugly seafoam bridesmaid dress) but I am doing chocolate so realistically my girls could wear them again. Unfortunately, I am going to have to cut it a little short today though on the search (part of the problem why I have not found the dress) - I am doing a bar crawl of all the Big Ten bars today. If I make it back alive - I will keep searching!

Always a Bridesmaid...

As you know I have been struggling over the bridesmaid dresses and instead of just figuring it - I just stopped looking for awhile. It comes down to the tea-length or full-length. I have a bridesmaid who really, really does not want tea-length. But I came across this photo in People Magazine this week and I absolutely love this dress. Katharine Heigl was a bridesmaid in her sister wedding. So...I am taking this photo and heading to the bridal shop very soon. I have to get this figured out now!

Oww...

I am still looking for the bridesmaids dresses. I found a couple last week but still don't know if it is what I want! I am a little hesitant because my sister was a little concerned over tea-length and is wanting full-length...so I guess the search continues...