The sense of protection....

I've always wanted to feel safe or at least have the sense that I am protected in any means possible. Most especially when I spend more than what I consider a fortune. Life savings is a fortune, varying amount from $500 to $15,000 is also consider in my book a fortune. Practically anything that is in relation with money that you work hard for is all a fortune. And we have found many ways to feel secure, safe and sort of protected to what is unknown to us.
In essence, planning a wedding itself is a fortune, form the engagement ring to a mere petal of a flower. Why? simply, money. There is many ways to save, but that is a different topic, and ways to protect ones hard earn money or work. That is to insure once ring and wedding, so that you don't loose everything in a unforeseen calamity.
Yes, and hopefully nothing such would happen; calamity. Being careful and mindful of the amount of money that you are spending and in possessions, is simply being smart. Being a little paranoid sometimes is good, in away that if you insured your engagement ring that is $5,000 you have that sense of peace of mind and sense of protection.
I know I would have that feeling because my ring engagement ring cost about that much. It maybe a little compared to other but I am insuring the ring because of its value physically and sentimentally as well. The ring that I have right now is what my future husband, the man that I deemed to spend my entire life, gave me. Face value of the ring is incomparable to the sentimental value. Nonetheless, having the protection, assurance that my ring is safe gave me at least a peace of mind.
There are many ways to insure your valued possessions. You could include your priced jewels (must have it appraised first by a gemologist) to your current home owners insurance. If you don't have a home you could also ask for a renters insurance. We are no longer living a a polite society of the Victorian era where decorum is observed. We have now insurance policy that would give you peace of mind.
You could also go to this site to insure your priced jewels. There is also another site I want you check out for yourself to insure your wedding it never hurt to be simply overly careful. But I think the best way to really keep everything within the budget is to include it in your current home or renters insurance. (I am in no means getting compensation from these company) The two big company that I would like to recommend for insurance is AAA and All state. I heard many good things from them... :)
Since, I have my ring and wedding insured I am much calmer and assured that my deposit/money is not lost for any unforeseen reason. I am protected and still have my sanity in check :)

DIY: Photography II

Since I have undertook the planning and preparation of my own wedding with hard pressed issues of staying on the budget as well. I have been reading more, learning more about digital photography.  

I think it is simply fascinating to capture ones memory of certain view, items, and even emotions. Photography is more of a 2 dimensional depiction of the artist of his/hers subject. I would say just like those famous painter.  

To satiate my eagerness to learn anything about photography, I have stumbled upon this site the how to's of digital photography Free Tutorial. It gives you an idea and an eye to capture imagery.

DIY: Centerpeice idea of different kind

I found this site from my endless search for affordable and yet different and unique would be and useful centerpiece. Not Martha, is a blog site where a very crafty and nice person post ideas for anything unique. I love the fact that this is so cute and you could change the bottle design to as long as the material you need would fit. so here is the link for instruction.

Something Old?? Something New??

Natasha Jarkas of Le Belle du Jour
weddings in San Francisco. Here's what she thinks: "With all honesty,
writing
what you had in mind is absolutely acceptable. To make it even more
polite, you
could even write: Your presence at our wedding is already a gift
to us, however
if you insist in contributing a gesture, we would greatly
appreciate money due
to limited space in our apartment."

I saw this from here comes the blog dot com. It is a blog site for brides looking for ideas and some indirect advice about wedding. The quote I captioned here on my blog interest me very much. I have been thinking that what is the real difference with registry gifts for your wedding versus the money gift that is no set minimum limit or high limit.
I thought that if you register of your wedding gifts you choose the gifts you want which are also high priced. Com' on don't tell me you don't think about the price when you scan that thing. I have been to many weddings and seen their list of gift wish list. Often, I give $100 put in card gift. It is all I could afford.
Plus, I talked to the bride and wonder what happen to the gifts that they got and did not get on their wedding. I was told that most of the gift that they got, they've return and bought a different item and or simply get the item that they really want that did not get (due to price) on their register later on.
I think it is a hassle to do this, why not simply give what the couple want, if they want money for a gift. I don't see anything wrong with that.

link

Havin' Fun with camera

here is the photo proudly taken by my honey. First he was teasing me about the cut on my finger. But the light caught the rock on my ring and dazzle him a bit. Then divert his attention by taking photo of my ring while I was on the phone with my sister on the other line.
This photo does not do justice of the brilliance that the stone has. My FI simply manipulated my hand in any angle he want to get that fire again but did not get it....

The get together

then we took our infamous circle of ring photo up


It was so fun to finally meet up with some of the girls that are constantly chatting online on the knot forum.

Centerpiece idea

Here is the crystal vase that my venue is allowing me to use (included in the package) for my reception decoration. It is 18 inch tall and opening is 8 inch wide. I can use all 16 of it or have a variation of height for a center table.

Since I did not know that it is crystal and if I float a rose or any flower in the vase it would not be visible. So, now I am thinking of what else on how to decorate it. The venue has given me an initial idea of how to decorate it.

How to save $$$ for your wedding

Since, I moved in with my fiance we knew that we are going to end up together for the rest of our lives. Thus, we started planning and saving.
He has not proposed to me yet. But he said that he would. I don't have a ring on my finger but we bought a house together. Weird? yeah, I agree 100%. So, indulged me in telling you a story of how we did it.
First, we have been together for 7 years now, living together only for 4 years. So, suffice it to say that we learned quite a lot about each other for the 4 years we lived together.
After 3 years that we are living together we started on talking about getting married. We both know that the wedding is going to be costly. So, he offered to give me 5k in addition to whatever, is needed to the wedding planning. I told him that is not enough.
So, I offered to add to his 5k with 10k, then our budget is set for 15k. Mind you living in California everything about wedding will be $.
First thing that I did:

1. on a piece of paper I write down how much I make each pay period.
I get paid every 2 weeks.
2. write down my bills monthly
- this is to let me know how much is my actual income vs. outcome (= bills)
- including balance and available credit and the due date
on each of my credit card. (this allows me to know my buying power for
wedding usage only)
3. write down my regular savings deposit.
- I consider my monthly savings deposit like a bill.
ways that I save is to psych myself by thinking that my savings as one
of my credit card. I owe me, practically. So, if I use my money I am simply
borrowing it.
4. write down things that I could sacrifice for the next year or two.
- I love to buy books and sometimes I love to go to the spa a lot.

Once, I write everything down. I know exactly my income is after all the bills. Since, I deposit large amount each pay period to my savings; I allocate the 1/2 to my other fund that now is called the wedding fund. Open an account separate to your regular savings, for easy book keeping purposes.

I opened a money market account and directly deposit there. Be aware of how much withdrawals you are allowed each time with out penalty. One way to avoid this sometimes is that I used my credit card and every 3 -6 months I make a large payment.
Also, think everything through don't be a consumer be a smart buyer. I substitute things that are somewhat usable for a wedding. Like my wedding dress. I save a lot by not going traditional and off the conform white ball gown.
There are many more you can alter and make it personal to your taste and theme for your wedding to save $$$.

DIY: Invitation

Many of DIY and brides on a budget are not very skilled in computer design or are crafty and often rely on other bride who are generous enough to share their template and ideas.

I my self are not so crafty or neither artsy to use an adobe illustrator to make myself a template. Template is usually is the main ingredient in making your own wedding or any sort of invitation.

Every bride wants to be unique or simply have not choice. But for those bride who are insistent of having a particular design to make their wedding unique. They have their wedding designed and made professionally. I am having my template done professionally, not that I could not learn how to operate the adobe illustrator but I simply wanted to have a professional make it and I alter it later on, on a skill level that I could do with instruction later on.
I wanted to share this site that sell template. Simply click on the image it will take you there.

DIY: Centerpiece Idea: Wine Glass Candle Lamp

Instruction:

materials 8-1/2" x 11" (21.8cm x 28cm) sheets of vellum (one per lamp) Scissors Scissors with decorative blades Decorative paper punch in desired shape Glue pen Wineglass Votive candle or a LED Battery Operated Tea Light Candle putty (floral clay) 1. To get a copy of the lampshade pattern click here. To view this file, you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader- a free download is available HERE 2. Trace the lampshade pattern onto the sheet of vellum. Cut the straight ends and the inner curve using plain scissors with decorative blades. 2. Punch designs about 1" (2.5 cm) from the lower edge, spacing the designs evenly. 3. Apply a thin line of glue (a glue pen works well for this) to one straight end. Lap the other end over the glued end, forming the shade. 4. Secure the votive candle and set the lampshade atop a wine glass

Now, this yet again another way to save $$$ for making an elegant reception centerpiece idea on your wedding. There are lots of bulk wine glass store to buy a wine glass, these can also be a favor for your guest on each table. I think this is a winner.

(via: save on craft)

DIY: MOD PODGE Candle

With simple decorative press flowers, decoupage onto a candle adds elegance and some sort of classical look to it. For any bride on a budget like my self having a press flowers decoupage onto a candle is yet another simpler way to use a centerpiece and not looking way cheap on your wedding day.
Here is the instruction on how to do it:

Pressed Flower Wedding Shower Candles

Materials :

Flower Press
Flower Press Paper
Mod Podge 8 oz.
Sponge Brushes (to apply Mod Podge with)
Pillar Candles
Tweezers (for easy placement of flowers)

Instructions
Have your pressed flowers ready.

• Apply Mod Podge® to entire candle.
• Add your pressed flowers and any other embellishments to surface. Let dry.
• Apply two coats of Mod Podge® to sides of candle. Let dry completely

(via: save on craft)

DIY: Corsage

So, here yet again another way to save on floral for your wedding.
This lady make it so simple. What can I say, I am going to try it and make it and some how sometime, I will post my end product.

DIY: Tussie Bridal Bouquet

Having to hire a florist to make your bridal bouquet is still ideal way to make everything perfectly looking on your wedding day.
However, if you are on a pinch here is a way to create your on. YOu can easily save money and have fun making everything personal and made by you.

Ensamble: Fancy Cake Server

Way, cool for a cake server. If only I have the courage to spend such amount; Only $29.99 (on sale) right now at horchow. I probably would, what am I going to do with this fancy dessert servers after the wedding?

I know many people would say, a whole lot. Who am I kidding. I am not a domesticated type of a girl. I am not spoiled brat either. I am simply me.

I much rather go to parties and admire what this other laddies do, by bringing out all their fancy, nice china, and silver ware.

I already have enough stress at work and now would not like to add stress over what to use to serve guest to be a good hostess. I know I am not and I will not try hard either.

Bar: Classic Champagne Cocktail

Ingredients

Serving: Makes 1

* 3 bitters
* 1 sugar cube
* 1 Ounce Cognac
* 4 Ounces chilled Champagne
Directions

1. Drop bitters onto sugar cube; let soak in. Place sugar cube in a Champagne flute. Add Cognac, and top with Champagne.

So, according to Martha Stewart, this can be multiplied so that you can serve plenty.

Now, I like the color and the fact that it is easy to make. I am going to use this to my Bar menu too. For my wedding of Course.

Ragged Point Ca

We always wanted to take a trip somewhere in california. Provided that we have save enought. You know taking trips like we did takes a lot of savings.

Well, we are rewarded with this find. As we were about to have our lunch we took a stroll down to a little path over looking the ocean. The colors of flowers were so vibrant that my honey could not pass up.

He took this photo whit the butterfly. I love how it looks and the color contrast are just right. I love the shadow also on the left hand side.

If we only have those expensive camera, then I would not hesitate to take or my FI; to take such photos like this one.

DIY: Place card-I

I find that Martha Stewart very useful. For all the brides on a budget like myself. Will research the internet relentlessly for any ideas that would benefit any bride on a budget.

What I am trying to say is that I want to make sure that my guest will not loiter around and jump from one chair to another. For every bride no one would liket to have a choas.

So, a seathing shart is very lovely. Here is another idea from martha stewart herslf about the seating chart. I have a frame that I could use. Like many other bride had done. They printed on a square paper a list of people seated in a particular table.

I could do that too. But I see more and more of that look. I want to be different. I want the idea but not the very same style as the other bride had done. So, I have another project to do on my 6 month before the weding.

(via: martha stewart)

Candy Bar Wrapper

I have seen a lot of Brides trying to personalize their wedding items as much as their budget allows it.

I want to do the same, and with out breaking the bank. Previously I blog about how to create your own wrapper.

Then I found this photo from martha stewart site and to simply give you an idea of what I have already thought of doing for my own candy wrapper.

I will blog here soon of the end result.
First I have to find the right size of candy bar. Ah! CostCo will give a lot of choices.

Online Hard Drive

So, I was so sad when my computer crashed and lost all my save image file that I have faithfully collected over the years. arrghhhhh.......
I search the internet and found a free 6 gb online hard drive. wow..... I could back up all my pictures online from now on. The only draw back is that there is that bandwith limit of 1gb. not bad. I thought, since I am the only one that is accessing it all the time.
I don't think that my css fill will be accessed 1gb in a month. but it would not hurt if I try it.

I am in the process of changing the style of my knottie bio since all free services I am using are in the processing of upgrading I will not be able to do it at all. But I hope by next week I will be able to update my bio.

My FI Birth Day

So, here is the gift my FI got for his B-day.


I feel like an idiot. I don't know what to do for my FI B-day. He said it is okay if I don't give him any thing or do something special. I am I to take that face value, of what he said?

Hmm, I am without any idea of what to do for his b-day. I am so preoccupied with wedding planning and all. He is also, making himself useful with the planning. Boy! I just wish, only sometimes that he is not as involve in the planning. But I am very glad that he is, only when he does not rile me up.

Today, we are going to have a breakfast with my FMIL, of which she planned all this out. I am so calloused about this by now. I am more in the other type of planning than this kind. But I have to learn soon.

Okay, I have to stop here and con't later. I have so much things to do.

My Saturday

So today is saturday or good saturday. We are stuck in our house doing some minor cleaning up my mess here and there. I wanted to go out. But my FI would rather stay at home.
Normally I am the one that is wanting to simply to stay at home and he would like to go out and do some outdoorsy stuff. I don't know what had happen the table had turn with me knowing it. :)
I really don't want to go out too, but I don't want to clean either. Boy! I am such a lazy bone :). But I just want to relax for now and clean tomorrow. I want to go out......
So this is my log for to day.....

Tradition of Wedding Favors

I never know where the tradition of giving wedding favor really come from. So, I did an internet mini research and read a little about it.
I found from my research that this tradition came from Europe. And 5 almonds were generally were the favors given, which represents health, wealth, fertility, happiness,and long life.
Now, with this type of tradition I think I could follow.It seems reasonable and nice touch for our wedding. However, the meaning of this favor tradition was lost to some and to others still holds dear. Now a days, I see wedding favors vary from design and uniqueness. I guess everyone wants to be so different and personalized it to their liking. I want that too. But with the budget in mind I have to be really logical about everything. I have to. Money is not easy to make and does not grow on trees like my parents used to say to me when I was little.
Continuing the tradition with its meaning is something I want to incorporate in our wedding. Because, it is important to me and to my future family. I want to start a tradition that has meaning not just because it is a fad, a trend or popular today. I want tradition to continue because it is one of the structure of foundation for a successful family life. In my honest opinion.

Favors

Now, that I have only 6 months left with my wedding planning, I still yet have to decide what sort of favors we would give our guest.
My FI would like to give our guest something that they could keep and remember our wedding. My thought on this is that would only add to our guest dust collections item that they may already have. Hmm, this wedding planning is driving me insane.
However, I have many ideas that I come across on the internet that I think is unique to give our wedding party. so here is one of them.
this is cute and useful. Surely our wedding party will defentely keep this and will not toss it aside. Not a waste of money I think. Clink on the word link and it will take you to the site.