How excited am I???  EXTREMELY!  I am going to be starting on my brooch bouquet that I have been planning for the last couple months.  As soon as I knew that I wanted this kind, I started doing tons of research on what I would need and how to create it.  I came across an awesome tutorial and I am going to pattern mine after it.  Not completely though, I want my own special touches on it.

I went to Michael's a couple weeks ago and grabbed up some of their clearance brooches/jewelry and I also ordered a few off of Ebay (I am still waiting on a few).  I plan on raiding some yard/estate sales and some thrift stores to see if I can score some good ones as well.  But this is what I have thus far!

 maybe I should start proofreading! Gauge not "guage"

 one of my FAVORITE stories!

I know, I spelled "filigree" wrong, lol

(the bracelets I took apart and I am going to use the pieces as fillers in the bouquet)

Now at this point, only thing I am concerned with is getting the stems started.  I also used wire cutters for the floral wire.  When I started picking the brooches/jewelry I wanted, I kept in mind:

• my dress style-I wanted to make sure that the design of each piece would coincide with how my dress is constructed and the overall feel of the event.
• colors-while I have seen many brooch bouquets that are vivid in color and they look amazing, I am choosing to stay more muted with the tones that I pick.  I am throwing in hints of color, but nothing too outrageous.  
• creativity-the functioning locket will be used to having something stored in it of importance to me.
• metal type-that also falls within the color because obviously different metals have different hues.
• how big/small/round or square they are.  I am going for ALL different shapes.  I have a few different sizes that I am working with, some as main pieces and some are fillers. 

There are a few other factors, but these are the most important ones to me.  Ready...Set...let's GO!

First off is the wiring of the pieces.  It helps if they have loops of some sort on them to wrap the wires around.  Also, the heavier the piece, the more wire you should use.  I have even read on some blogs that you may have to go with a more dense wire for bigger pieces.   only had to double the wires (so far) and that gave it enough security for the bigger ones that I have done.

Then comes the taping of the wire.  I used floral tape (which I have used before in creating bouquets and centerpieces for other events that I've helped create decorations for, works perfectly) to bind the wires together.  I tried to have my wires come as close to the same length as possible, but it doesn't have to be perfect.  Once done with them all, they can be trimmed to the same length.

(sorry for my nails...they look HORRID, I know)

♥Chanda

My Thoughts ♥ Headbands

I have been SCOURING the internet in search of the perfect headband to wear for the renewal and either its not really what I had in mind or I find it and the prices are CRAZY ASTRONOMICAL!!!  I am not a tiara girl simply because of the dress style and its just really not me (I know, hard to believe).

What I have in mind is something EXTREMELY close to this. (oh gosh, this is beautiful)

 (picture courtesy of MillieICARO on Etsy)

But with all of the love and the beautiful craftsmanship and delicate materials used in this, comes a pretty hefty price of $285.  My dress was about $1200 (after my employee discount), so I really dont want to put that much of an investment into a headpiece.  

So I have decided to embark on the journey to (attempt to) create my own headband.  What better reason to head back out to crafts stores (which I love)?  I have it perfectly mapped out in my head the colors I want and a concept, but not necessarily how I want it to look.  The above pictured headband is SO close and if we weren't paying for this ourselves, then of course, I would splurge.  But I think the dress set me WAY over the limit of what I wanted to indulge on me for this thing!  I still have to consider jewelry and shoes.  Luckily, I am my own hairdresser and makeup artist for that day, lol!  

Here are a few more pictures of some headbands that I like, all from Etsy!

Zara Bella Couture, $69.95 (very reasonable)

Live In Style, $36 (who can beat this price)

Lucia Bella1

Brittany Lumsden

We shall see what exactly the endeavor will bring.  Worst Case Scenario?  Caving in and buying one of these!  Once I begin, you know I will let you know!  I have already started getting some of the brooches for my brooch bouquet, which I plan on starting really soon.  

See you guys soon!

♥Chanda

Yay! Cupcake Tasting...

This past Friday, it was a beautiful day in my neighborhood, so the lil misses, the hubby and I decided to set an appointment for cupcake tasting (our son was in school).  I work in the bridal industry, so I get to attend a lot of the bridals shows and sample TONS of the items that vendors display.  In January 2012, I was at the Palace of Auburn Hills for the semi-annual bridal event that takes place, and I had the pleasure of coming across a place named Cupcake Station.  OM GOSH!!!!  Why haven't I heard of this place before???  AND it's right up the street (not exactly, lol) from me!!!!  But they have so many different flavors to choose from and since we are doing cupcakes and not a traditional tiered cake, they are right up my alley!

First off, they have the cutest little store (the one I visited is in Birmingham, MI).  It's situated in such an awesome part of the town (I didn't get a chance to take a shot of the store like I planned) but here is one of the surrounding stores (which I am INFATUATED with) called Sweet Thing (and my baby striking a pose for the camera courtesy of Instagram, @mschanda if you wanna check out some pics).

I walked in and was greeted by 2 of their employees, who were the sweetest people.  The lil one had to use the little ladies room, so I escorted her there, and by the time we were done, they had the table set up with the cupcake flavors that I had chosen previous to us arriving.

It took NO time for us to dive right in.
I started off with the Mocha Chocolate (which is what drove me to their store in the first place) and it was as divine as I remembered it from the bridal show.  MOST DEFINITELY on my list.  The little one liked every flavor but the Cappuccino (which she was SCARED to try, dont ask because I haven't a clue!)  They made for us, 2 of each of the flavors in mini cupcakes, so the little one and I shared half of one, and my husband, who joined up later in the visit, ate some of the others.

After all the sampling was done, we had the opportunity to view their gallery book of all the different ways that we could have the cupcakes decorated and different set ups and other options as well.  I am not sure if we are going to have ALL cupcakes or have a 6" cake for us to cut for pictures (I really would prefer all cupcakes, BUT I also want a cake topper too, so I have to work that out).  Then we were given all the info that we needed as far a pricing and what I was included with what we pay for.  The young ladies were so pleasant and very informative and I would TOTALLY recommend Cupcake Station for any special event.  And this was just the first phase! What I am thinking since the have regular sized cupcakes, mini and jumbo sizes also, I will do a mix of the mini and regular sizes just in case people dont want a full sized cupcake and also to prevent waste!

 (a little daddy-daughter action)

Once we figure our head count (which I am SO not looking forward too), we will be back to let them know what we want and seal the deal!

What are your plans for your wedding day desserts?  I would love to hear about them!