Wedding Blog Series - Part 3, The Wedding

So I have managed to get 3 posts out of just one beautiful event, & trust me if I had of been on the honeymoon this might have been endless (which I am sure is just 1 of many reasons I wasn't invited along on that trip...). But today I end it all with the Wedding...

I'm not going to bore you with all the moments of a family & couple most of you don't even know, but let me give you MY top five...

Top 5 Moments

1. Seeing my brother's face as his bride came down the aisle (ok seriously, I'm getting misty-eyed even remembering it!).
2. My other brother, the best man, singing Whitney Houston's 'I Wanna Dance With Somebody' at the top of his lungs on the dance floor, while jumping up & down & fist pumping. True story.
3. My father moving his chair over to the pie buffet for a 'better seat'.
4. Huge fireworks display set off by my cousin during which most of the guests spontaneously started a sing-a-long to Journey.

5. Having the husband drunk enough that he allowed pictures, public kissing & even danced!

Yes I do realize that 3 of the 5 are song & dance related & honestly there were 2 other contenders for the top 5 that were music related. I've always wanted my life to have a musical episode &this wedding might have been it.

I was torn between the Whitney Houston video & this....

I think I made the right choice, as did these two...

Wedding Blog Series - Part 2, What I Wore

I promised I'd share my outfit today in part 2 of the Wedding Series!
Last month I visited Boutique Zekara in Rothesay, NB & stumbled upon the perfect dress for my brother's wedding. The thing is though, I didn't tell you which one I chose!  Check back to the post to see what my options from Cherry Velvet were.

While I seemed to deliberate... I truly didn't. The moment I tried this dress on, I knew it was the perfect one. So without any further delay, the dress!



Daddy-O & Me!

As much as I wish I had a picture of me twirling in my pretty dress, I was trying desperately to avoid being the 'embarassing inlaw' this day. 

$3.00 shoes from Winners

As you can see I chose the damask version of Cherry Velvet's Charlotte dress & after much shopping, endless pondering & searching for accessories (so many choices, should I go with purple, pink, red, teal..??!) I went with my already owned black & white oxford style mary jane shoes with a cardigan from George & a cute leather flower brooch from H&M, both in black. 

Brother/Groom & Me!

In perfect symmetry, the Cherry Velvet site is now up & features an online store! You can bet I'm drooling over the latest dresses.

I wish I had a picture of my super cute & glittery nails in purple that matched my husband's outfit & my handmade bag from Parker Buttons!  Stacy of Parker Buttons created this (currently) one-of-a-kind reversible bag for me in an enchino fabric that I have been coveting for almost a year!
Here is a closer look;

You can expect to see this bag with me often, & in it's reverse, slate grey form! Thank you again Stacy!

Great thing about this dress is the potential. The black & white lends itself to endless combinations & events. Pink bolero, or purple leggings? Heck ya!

Bride aka Sister In Law & Me

How gorgeous is my new sister in law in her dress? Check out my next post to see more detailed pictures of it, the ceremony & the partying that ensued!
(Plus as an exciting bonus... I finally talked my husband into letting me post a picture of him!! Proof he exists!)

*Oh, side note; I totally based my decision to dye my hair red almost solely on this dress.

Wedding Blog Series - Part 1, The Preperations

Beauty is in the details...
The day before my brother's wedding we gathered together, two families & plenty of friends, to make all those details perfect, together.

centrepieces

It was said many times, during the day of the wedding, that a marriage is more than just the couple, it is the blending of two families but I think that blending happens the day before the event. The day that my mother spent with the mother of the bride, making the bouquets, the table arrangements, while I created 8 large arrangements for their aisle.

I think the union happens while setting tables, unfolding chairs, stocking the bar & sharing a meal together.

reception barn

Sharing a few last instagram pics from our day of preparations & rehearsing;

 

 Is there anything more beautiful than a wedding?

Stay tuned for Part 2 - my outfit!

Homeward Bound

Yes I'm in my car, but no I'm not driving so please don't hassle me about dangerous driving

Well by the time you read this I will be en route to Ontario!
I am heading back to my hometown for 10 days & 2 weddings & I have to admit I am beyond excited about the whole thing.

Our first stop will be Edmunston to spend a night with my husband's Aunt & Uncle before we make our way to Montreal for an evening with my gorgeous cousin, Noelle & her adorable family. From there we will make the drive home & arrive mid day Friday. Saturday is the first wedding, so needless to say it is a jam packed trip!

Our friend's Phil & Tiffany are an adorable couple, with an even more adorable daughter Claire (sorry guys, but she IS way cuter than both of you combined, just sayin'). We couldn't be happier that these two found each other & are finally joining us in the 'husband & wife' category!
I can't wait to show you the dress I picked out from Torrid for their wedding & how I style it.

The second big event for us on this trip, is actually HUGE... one of my younger twin brothers, Noah, is getting married to the gorgeous Mary Claire.  I mean this is huge for me. So big I don't even have words.  Let's just say I get teary thinking about it.
It is going to be an outdoor/barn wedding & I'm sure the photos I have to share from that day will be magnificent! As will the Cherry Velvet dress & a few surprises I have up my sleeve!

While I am away I have some awesome guest bloggers lined up for you so make sure you are following via google friend connect of bloglovin' to keep up to date (& this may help with an upcoming blog giveaway... hint hint).  Check back tomorrow for my first guest blog post ~ Heather from Gully Beads!

Shop Talk - Boutique Zekara

After my last post/rant I knew I had to further explore my clothing options.  As a six foot tall, size 20 woman I'm used to not finding anything that fits in a store.  So much so that I guess I gave up on boutiques.  Eventually it becomes a heartbreaking experience to see beautiful things that were never meant to be yours.

I'm sure many of you know what I'm talking about. In fact, I know you do because I've talked to some of you, commiserated with you.

Then Donna from Boutique Zekara sent me an email...

Donna has started to carry two plus sized lines in her Rothesay shop; Cherry Velvet & Diane Kennedy! I'm not going to lie... my excitement level was high!

If you are not familiar with Boutique Zekara or are not in New Brunswick, it is an amazing shop. Shoes & make up in the front, clothing & salon services in the back!

Make up counter above, shoe selection right



Clothing with items from the Diane Kennedy line in front

 I tried on all kinds of the Diane Kennedy line to discover some of the comfiest clothes I've had on in ages! It is an organic bamboo line with some amazing cuts.  But I'm going to have to tell you all about them some other time, and this is why;



ignore the bruise on my leg

I'm in love.

This dress in a simply perfect cut from Cherry Velvet, a Vancouver based dress company focusing on retro inspired plus size dresses.  Boutique Zekara is carrying this style in X to 3X in several different patterns.

                 Hanging on the rack does this dress no justice. Trying it on made me want to twirl!

The length is great for my 6ft tall frame. The sizing is appropriate (I normally wear a 2X or 3X depending on the designer... i wear a 1X in this dress - gotta love that feeling!).  It is fitted in all the right places & it shows of just the right amount of cleavage.

Cleavage I won't be disowned for

I thought for sure I was sold on ordering from eShakti for my brother's September wedding, but the idea of supporting a local business AND buying Canadian feels so much better!

 

My dilemma now is.... which one?

The polka dot one draws me in with the tiny detail of lace on the neckline, and because who can EVER resist polka dots??

But once I tried on the damask it just 'felt' right for the occasion. A simple but gorgeous dress for the outdoor wedding of one of my favorite people in the whole world...

Also I'm picturing finding the perfect hot pink shoes & clutch for it.

So I'm turning to you readers for some help.  Which one do you like better? Which one would you choose for me?

Leave me your vote & if you are out in Rothesay make sure to stop in and say hello to Donna & check out everything this one shop has to offer!

The shoes that must be mine



Full of Love

Sorry for an absence in blogs since Wednesday but I've been finishing up my last few days of teaching as well as starting preperations for my summer venture (more to come on that in another post).
Here I am though, ready with my first wedding post of the year!

As I mentioned last weekend, I love the local derby girls. I love one the most though, Pam aka Ryder Wong.  I haven't know Pam long, only a few months but it was instant friendship, through & through. Even several of her derby friends thought we had been friends for years. She is kind, generous with a compliment, has the sweetest smile & is fierce on the track!

What's there not to love??

Pam married her sweetie Trent this weekend & I was thrilled to share in their moment & eat some wedding cake!

I wish I had taken more photos & had my Canon Rebel with me, but frankly it didn't go with my look, lol. So just a couple pics of the night.

Pam's party dress was custom made for her & looked amazing on!! I wish I had a great picture of her shoes... killer leopard print heels that matched the flowered sash. I am a sucker for "matchy match" details, as my friend Jessica calls it.

My dress is one I found last spring at Addition Elle when I went looking for shorts with my gift card, but fell head over heels for it instead.  Judging by the reaction I get from my husband each & everytime I wear it, I still think I made the right call.

I just have to add that I was totally impressed with my hair  (& hope Vanessa will be as well). I'm pretty useless when it comes to styling my hair & so I usually stick with au natural, or a serious flat iron/teased big combo. This half updo thing with a wicked handmade cherry hairclip (made by the most talented Christine Patterson of I Do Cake Toppers) fit with the classed up rockabilly look I was going for, don'tcha think?

 

                                                                                                                                                            

I hope that you will see & hear more about the adorable Pam in the coming months

(there has been talk of closet diving & booze?!).



My instagram for the night





The Fabulous Maxi?



Items from Yours Clothing



I don't like maxi dresses.
I don't think maxi dresses are a good idea for my body type.

But then I stumble onto something... I peruse Yours Clothing, (even though I'm without work or cash flow at the moment) & all of a sudden spot the above two dresses. I tried to pass them right by.. I really did! To no avail obviously.

Sometimes us girls, we just see something & know it is right... know it's the right cut/fit/colour even if it contradicts all previously uttered statements.
Just in the last month;
Me: I hate maxi dresses. I think they would look awful on me..
Me: A maxi dress on me is just a fancy mu mu...

Six summers ago I got married in what I thought/think is the most beautiful dress in the world. Check it out;

Dad & I. Dress custom made by Peach Berserk

Obviously I don't hate ALL maxi dresses!

So now that I finally found not 1 but 2 that I think would be perfect... I just have to wish for the dress fairy to bring them to me.. right?


*since writing this last night & tweeting how much I love their maxi dresses... http://www.yoursclothing.co.uk/ announced a sale this morning on maxi's!! That's almost a dress fairy, isn't it???