Success!

Back from shoe shopping. It was a roaring success. I got 2 pairs of black wedges because I couldn't choose and they were both reasonably priced. They are both very comfy so either one would be perfect for my up coming bridesmaid duties.


and



Now for the most exciting part! My lovely niece, Justine, who will also be a bridesmaid in our wedding found red shoes to go with her black dress! Not only are they HOT, they were a major steal, especially considering they are Steve Maddens.

Back on track ...

Wow. I have been a delinquent blogger. It's been a busy couple weeks (no excuses!)
But I am back and on track. Apology over.

Now, on to more pressing issues. SHOES.
As mentioned in previous posts, I am a bridesmaid in my BFF's wedding which is suddenly ridiculously close. (three weeks away, close!) My dress is ready (thanks again for choosing black, Janna!) but I need some shoes! Of course I own black heels, but none of them are very comfortable because I don't wear them often so I buy cheap, trendy ones. I have never invested in good quality, non torture device, heels.

In addition to needing black heels I can wear all day for Janna's wedding, I need some to wear for MY wedding and clearly they cannot be the same shoe. I have some changes to make to my wedding dress (adding sleeves) and the length needs to change (I'm 5'2": story of my life) but none of those things can happen without the shoes dictating height and all of that.

So today is shoe day. I will leave the house in about an hour in search of some cute new kicks, but before I go, here is some of my inspiration:

Oh to be showered with gifts!

My friend (and maid of honour) Janna's bridal shower is this Friday! I have never been to a bridal shower but I do know what they are for: GIFTS! Traditionally they were all about outfitting a bride with domestic necessities (pot holders anyone?) and later evolved into an excuse to *literally* outfit the bride-to-be in anything slinky and kinky.
I asked Janna what would be embarrassing to open in front of her soon-to-be mother in law (and her own mother) and the only resounding answer was sex toys of any kind. Since that is easily the most personal item one could buy, I would never venture to presume what would be adequate anyway.
I am happy to say, though, that her non-silicone, no-batteries-required gift is wrapped, the card is written and it is waiting for Friday afternoon's High Tea.
How exciting!

The turning of the tables ...

I have the great honour of being a bridesmaid in my bestie/maid of honour Janna's wedding. I also have the responsibility of wearing whatever she makes me! Luckily, she is a sensible, kind woman with great taste because the dresses are SO cute. I just got mine today and it's lovely. Our dresses are all unique, and made by the incomparable Jane Bon-Bon.
Jane's style and craftsmanship is exquisite, and these affordable, handmade dresses are just wonderful. I am a big fan now and I think I will have others made as well. Maybe this one or this one, or maybe this one.
Because really, how would I choose? And since they are so well made, and customizable, the price is totally justified. Plus, Jane is very nice to work with and you get to meet her little dog, Bon-Bon, (hence the name)when you visit her in-home studio.

Entourage

I was thinking of what to give my lovely bridesmaids as thank you gifts for all their participation and support leading up to the wedding when I stumbled across these.



These aren't quite right for my girls, as cute as they are, I don't think they'd get much use out of them but I love the playful spin on the classic gift of flasks for groomsmen.

This got me thinking about wedding parties and what they mean to us. For Rob and I, choosing who would stand up with us was a no brainer. Some people will tell you there's a formula for how big you wedding party should be based on the number of guests you are inviting. And while I will agree that 9 bridesmaids at a wedding of 50 guests would look odd, I also think that these "rules" are antiquated notions, and that you should do whatever the heck you feel like! If you can't pick and choose and you really want to include all your sisters, a cousin or two, some friends and your new sisters in law, well, gee whiz, just do it! Just remember that more 'maids means more money (more bouquets, more thank you gifts, more dresses, hair and makeup)
We each chose 4 people to be in the wedding party, and I am so happy to say that they were the right people. I absolutely know that there will be no drama, no issues and all the love and support we could want or need. These are our best friends and we are so honoured they said yes.

Nowadays the wedding party is just a bonus, an extra, and although traditional, not necessary, but historically the wedding party served a very different purpose than it does today. While in our era the wedding party is a way to honour your friends and family by having them stand up beside you when you make the commitment of a lifetime, in the past things were a bit different.

In many parts of the world it was once believed that evil spirits would try to hurt the bride or interrupt the proceedings, so the tradition evolved that her closest friends and sisters would dress alike to her, thus becoming decoys to confuse the spirits. Presumably, this is why, still to this day, bridesmaids typically all dress the same.

Likewise, groomsmen developed to aid the groom before and at the wedding. In times when marriages were more politics than romance, the groomsmen were employed to be at the ready in case the bride needed to be kidnapped in order to have the marriage happen. They also acted as security guards at the ceremony, should anyone try to derail the proceedings. This is also why, typically, when you are looking at a (Western) wedding ceremony,the bride is on the left and the groom on the right: this allowed for the groom to have faster, clearer access to his sword (or other weapon) in case there was any funny business.