Finally got our professional pics!

So we finally got our professional pictures back and they came out really good! The photographer did an awesome job! I just wished we had more time to get more pics of just me and Armond...we didnt have much time right after the wedding since we didnt want to keep our guests waiting a long time. I will be doing a Real Wedding feature on us soon so stay posted!

Home Decor DIY Project #2 : Bench Update

After getting married, I moved in with my hubby at his place (now our place:). So needless to say, I already had tons of stuff and so did he. I decided I wanted to jazz up an accent bench I used in my old apartment to go with the decor of our newly decorated (by me of course) living room area.

The color scheme in our living room is light blue, brown, and white/cream. As popular as that color combination is for home decor, I found it rather hard to find the material similar to what I envisioned in my head. I finally ran across some fabric on a website that I liked. I decided to recover the bench seat with this material. I used a different material to create pillows to accent it.

Here is the bench BEFORE pic (sorry its kinda dark)


First step, turn over the bench and remove hinges connecting top piece to the base of bench


Next step, align fabric on top of bench and hand sew your new fabric to top piece. This worked out easy for me because my bench was upholstered in fabric already. However, it take a little while to do it.


Last step, after you have sewn new fabric on, attach the top piece back to the base. Make or buy some pillows to accent it. I made these pillows.


All done! :)

Home Decor DIY Project #1 : Living Room Painting

So after looking ALL over for the perfect painting to go with the decor in my living room, I decided to paint my own picture. Now please note, I dont profess to be a real deal artist by any means but I do enjoy doing it as a hobby.

First, I had to figure out what look I was going for with the painting. Should I do something abstract, something with clean lines, something super simple... decisions, decisions. So I decided to go on www.art.com. They have tons of hot prints (unfortunately none of them worked for what I wanted) but I did come across a picture that inspired my design.

I sketched out my idea on paper first. I bought a canvas from Michaels (40% off) and sketched my design on the canvas in pencil. Next, I knew I didnt want to do a flat painting. I wanted to create a little texture so I bought some glass bead gel and a heavy gel gloss medium. These can be purchased at any art store (or Michaels).
Basically, you mix the gels in with your paint and it thickens the consistency of it allowing you to create texture in your painting.

Here is what the heavy gel bottle looks like:


Filling in lines of sketch:


Finished up one side:


All done!

Wow!

I just got a lovely email from someone who visited my blog. She just wanted to thank me for doing it and stated how much its inspired and helped her not feel so overwhelmed by the whole wedding planning process. It really touched me because I know firsthand how overwhelmed a bride can feel during that planning process. And I remember searching for hours and hours everyday for sites that would shine some light on wedding stuff I didnt have a clue about when I was planning my own. So Im glad to know that there are people out there who enjoy reading it and most of all those who can take something from it that they can use!

I know I have been missing in action lately. Been kinda busy doing DIY home projects... a few of which I will feature. So stay tuned...there will be tons of upcoming posts soon. Also, Im working on relaunching my handbag website www.nnekasaran.com. I took a break from the biz while planning my wedding but lookout in 2010...I'll be back on my grind! :)

MY WEDDING DRESS - Vendor Review: JuliusBridal.com

I cant say enough great things about the place I got my wedding dress from. Julius Bridal is run by Julius and his wife and they were sooo nice to work with. I initially found out about them from my BF, Jackie. She had a friend who ordered her wedding dress online from them. When I went on the website, I noticed they had tons of dresses that were really reasonably priced but I had already put a deposit down on a dress I "thought" I liked alot. Once I looked further on the site, I realized they had a physical location in Long Island, NY. They are located inside of a full service bridal center and their showroom is beautiful! There was one dress I saw online that I was particularly in love with so that was the first one I tried on... and there was no need to try on anything else after that! I LOVED LOVED LOVED it!
And that is definitely the feeling a bride should have when choosing a gown. The first dress I put a deposit on... I liked but definitely didnt really love it. Sooo needless to say, I was so happy that I found my dream dress!

At the time I purchased it, it was only $799 !!!!!!!!!
Not to mention, the price even included alterations!
Here is a pic of the front and back of my dress from the website.


FYI: This dress is now $1399 (so I guess it went up shortly after I purchased mine) Julius did tell me this is a very popular dress.

Also, if you want to design your own dress, you can send them the sketches and they will make it for you! I would definitely recommend Julius Bridal if you are looking for a wedding gown. Im telling you, they are super great to work with. And dont be thrown off by the website. Its pretty basic, nothing over the top. But they have a large variety and very reasonable prices.

If you are in the NY area, you can check them out at:
Elegant Affairs & Bridal Center
Address: 221 Atlantic Avenue
Oceanside, NY 11572
Phone: 516-208-7620 (ask for Julius Bridal)

Monday – Tuesday – Wednesday – Fri. 11:00 A.M. till 8:00 P.M.
Thursday and Saturday -- 12:00 P.M. till 9:00 P.M.
Sunday 12:00 P.M till 6:00 P.M.

info@juliusbridal.com

If you are not in the NY area, check out the website ww.juliusbridal.com

I still haven't gotten our professional pictures back yet, but here are a few pics of me wearing the actual dress! I truly loved it and got sooooo many compliments on it (even from guys) LOL

Still Here...

I took a little break for the holidays but I will be updating my blog soon. Ive also been doing some home projects...painting, assembling desk, etc. So Ive been a busy beaver! I may even be doing some home decor post too! :)
Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!