DIY Done: bookmarks

I finally finished the photo booth bookmark favors hoo-ray. Since we're not getting anything printed on the photo strips themselves, I printed Paper Source khaki-colored paper and labels (I started with labels, then moved to the paper since it was easier) with info:

then wrapped them around the bookmark:

I now have a stack of 191 ready to go (nine were harmed in the making of the bookmarks):

Six degrees

Our guest list is inching toward 200. We're not inviting a lot of extended family, so most of our guests fall into a distinct category: immediate family, work friends, college friends, high school friends and Chicago friends we've picked up along the way. There's not a lot of crossover, since we grew up in different parts of the US and went to different colleges. I've always loved "six degrees of separation", though, and I bet if we put our heads together long enough we'd figure out there are connections between our guests (aside from the connection to us, of course).

I just found this from an amazing Newport Beach, CA wedding:

Jonathan Canlas Photography via Grey Likes Weddings

It made me think of this, which I stumbled on early in my wedding planning and still love:

My ideal Chicago engagement pictures

We did Bike the Drive this morning. I've always wanted to do this annual Chicago ride, but always seemed to be out of town on Memorial Day weekend (or didn't have a bike).


I'm kicking myself that I never thought of it, but I totally would have had our engagement pictures taken during Bike the Drive. I'm told the light at that time of the morning is perfect for photography, and when else are you going to be able to get pictures in the middle of Lake Shore Drive? For me the big downside would be probably not being able to get my hair and makeup done because it's so early (I can't do my own. I just make a mess.), but I bet it'd be worth it.

D-I-While I still give a care, part 2: the CDs

Because I am a former mixed-tape-making geek, I want to do a CD favor for our wedding. Knowing how I tend to quit on long and involved DIY projects, however, I decided to break it down and just make them for the wedding party. That seems manageable enough...for now.

I can't remember how I found Jewelboxing (perhaps here?):
Plus I was excited to learn that they are Chicago-based so I can support my local peeps.

Initially I wanted to Photoshop the fiance and I into a cheesy 70s kind of album cover, but I couldn't find one suitably cheesy enough. So I think I'm going with Plan B to Photoshop a Chicago album cover. So this:


may become this:

You're welcome!

I've made lots of wedding-related online purchases in the last few months. I'm getting better now, but for awhile there if it being sold on Etsy, I was buying it! Anyhow, what I love almost as much as seeing the packages arrive in the mail ("the daily box", as my fiance has taken to calling them) are the personal thank yous, pretty paper and even free samples (my favorite:) that accompany the order:

Chicago Brides.com event

When I bought my condo a couple of years ago, I think I went to the Bloomingdales Medinah Home Store at least once a week. They've got everything you need for kitchen/dining and even have furniture on the top floor, which is so convenient for us city-dwellers.

This Thursday, May 14 they're having a Brides.com event from 5-7pm. You can also meet Jaime of It's a Jaime Thing and Ami Price from Elizabeth Anne Designs.

How cute are these?

Naughty Knickers indeed! I saw them on 100 Layer Cake yesterday and already have an order in.

Ho-hum

Three+ months to go, I have nothing (wedding-related) to do. There are things left on the check list: still need to get my dress altered, flowers need to be ordered, should get a hair and makeup trial at some point, food to be tasted and 10 lbs. need to be lost (by me). But I'm pretty much DIY-done (except for the sad, plain card box that's sitting on our floor). The invitation wording has been sent to our designer so she can work her magic. Our vendors have been hired and deposits paid.

I can't tell if this is wedding burnout or I'm just forgetting things that really need to be done. For now, I guess, I will just enjoy the calm.

Baby steps

Wedding day is just over three months away now, so my quest to lose 10 lbs. is starting in earnest. I've really slacked off on the fitness thing for the last two years. I've never been any good at it, but I used to run, and even managed to haul myself over a few full marathon finish lines. I'm heading West this weekend and will be running the 5K part of this:

I hope that the run will jump-start my renewed interest in working out!