Outer Banks Trip

Yay for Friday!  Mr. 3 is taking me to the Outer Banks to celebrate my birthday for a long weekend.  I'm looking forward to thrifting, sitting on the beach, and enjoying fresh seafood.  We have another couple joining us, so I know Mr. 3 will have fun going for a long ride on his bike and I'll enjoy some girl time with a good friend.  Make sure you are following me on Instagram for some North Carolina fun!  I'll be back next week to share our trip and my pics.  Until then, here is my birthday cupcake from last year...underneath all the fiery flames...which happened to be trick candles.

Have a great weekend everyone!

The Trick or Treater Let Down

I hope everyone had a great Halloween!  I shared my fall luxe decor and inspiration board last week and Mr. 3 and I were really excited to have some trick or treaters show up last Friday night.

Based on the screaming, yelling, and occasional band practice (which usually involves off-key recorder recitals only) that happens on the playground behind our apartment, I thought we would be overrun with all manner of spooky and cute costumes...especially since Halloween was on a Friday night.  Mr. 3 was even convinced we weren't going to have enough candy and we ran out for reinforcements at 5:30.

There were a couple of grinches in our particular part of the building that had put signs on their doors that said "not at home" or "no candy here."  I didn't want the little ones to be put off, so I slapped a sign on the entryway that said "Candy Available in Apartment X...No Costume, No Candy" and also put one on the door to our apartment so we could be found.

Right at 6:15, the kids in the apartment downstairs ran up and knocked on the door.  I gave them two lollipops each...but I really should have given them an entire bag of candy a piece because they were our only visitors!

Mr. 3 was also put out and seems a bit concerned about America's future - what with their lack of get up and go hunt for free candy and I have a bowl of calories tempting me on our dining room table.  Trick or treat fail.

Bits from Behind the Scenes: The Chairs that Got Away

On the subject of thrifting remorse:

From: Melinda
To: Briana
Subject: So we can mourn together...

Source: One Kings Lane

THOSE chairs are the exact style of the ones that were left behind in Richmond.  Except mine were dark wood and black leather and the seat needed to be replaced on one.

idk if I adequately described them before so you could get a true picture of their glory.  and now you know why I literally had to run away from them before I lost my mind and stuck two chairs in a rental car with no place to put them in our apartment.

feel free to have a moment of silence.

<3,
Melinda

To: Melinda
From: Briana
Subject: RE: so we can mourn together...
You have a lot more will power than I do. Those chairs would be stuck on the end of my bed if I had no other space.I will have a moment if silence as I drive to habitat with mom

To: Briana
From: Melinda
Subject: RE: so we can mourn together...


that emailed response is exactly why we are besties, partners in crime, and thrifting soul mates.

Bits From Behind the Scenes: A Lion Dog

On the subject of dog selection:

M: I would like a dog. Of course, the one I want is like $2K
B: Haha.  The one the president has?
M: Well, I suppose that is an option, but I'm interested in one of the doodle dogs - Australian labradoodles.
B: So cute! I want a standard poodle.  Big but no shedding.
M: What about the chow chow?
B: Too hot in Florida. The poor dog would be very unhappy for June - Sept.  I've decided not to be selfish.
M: I wonder how chow chows look shaved.
B: I'm sure we could google.

~pause for intense googling~

M: OMG!!!!! A lion!  You could have a lion!!!!!

Meet Nougat the shaved chow chow!
~via~

Posh Purpose Readers...you are welcome for this unexpected dose of cuteness.  Happy Wednesday!

What Happens when you Mix Corn Starch, Hair, And Florida's Torrential Downpour

Happy Friday! Melinda is a strong believer in dry shampoo, but I didn't get into it until recently. I usually go 2-3 days without washing my hair, so my philosophy is that I should probably just use real shampoo by that point. One day I really wanted to wear my hair down but it was in that awkward in between phase where it looks good up, but not so much down. I had read that you can use corn starch as a substitution for dry shampoo so I gave it a try. I loved it! Not only did it make my bangs look good, the corn starch also made my hair hold teasing even better than normal.

I have only used it two more times since then. My most recent time was yesterday, and unfortunately it was a total failure.

This is what happens when cornstarched hair gets attacked by a Florida thunderstorm. It turns into a sticky, clumpy mess.

that isn't even all the hair

Do I still recommend corn starch as a dry shampoo substitute? Of course! But maybe I will use it only during the dry season from now on.

Melinda's Fantasy Wish List

We're continuing on with our fantasy wish lists and I'm starting mine off with this super fun BMW convertible.  I'd probably be happy with any BMW, but this is their top of the line convertible in a great color.  Of course, I'd need a vat of luxurious sunscreen to go with it since I always, always burn (too bad I can't add magical, melanin producing skin to my fantasy list...I would if I could, but this doesn't seem to exist; and, therefore, I have no picture to post).

650i xDrive BMW Convertible
Image Source: BMW

I chaperoned Briana on a school trip to Europe once and we spent a couple of quick days touring Paris, but not actually staying inside Paris.  So I'd love a trip to the Four Seasons for New Year's!

Four Seasons Paris
Image Source: Four Seasons

Mostly, so I can take a bath in this tub....

Presidential Suite Bathroom
Image Source: Four Seasons

I'm taking note from Briana's Fantasy Wish List and consulting the Tiffany Blue Book for all things sparkly.  I have a bit of an obsession with Art Deco period and I'm in absolute L-O-V-E with this cuff:

Deco Fan Bracelet
Source: Tiffany

I'd love one to be one of those fabulous, ritzy ladies who can afford fresh flowers every week a la Victoria Grayson from Revenge (except without all the weird, twisty plots involving blown up planes and beau coup of backstabbing).

Weekly Flower Delivery
Source: H.Bloom

And finally, a little piece of land in Big Sur, CA so I could be close to San Francisco and the Napa and Sonoma Valleys, build my dream home, and look at this everyday!

Big Sur, CA
Image Source: Sotheby's

Did we miss and truly fabulous things to put on our lists? Let us know!

Enjoy this post? You can check out Briana's fantasy wish list, too!

Briana's Fantasy Wish List

Melinda and I thought it would be fun to create our fantasy wish lists along with our other Christmas gift guides. Our only rules were the items needed to be at least as expensive as a car and no more than the price of a yacht.

1. I totally need a 1968 Stingray Corvette. I will also need a chauffeur to drive J and any guests in a separate car because I'm pretty sure fitting a second person inside the Stingray is a difficult task.

2. Tiffany prints their Blue Book every year before Christmas. It is full of gorgeous and over the top pieces, but I legitimately believe I could find a way to wear this Tiffany headpiece. Grocery store, vacuuming, blogging - all would be improved with the diamond and pearl headpiece.

3. Even though I don't have a house, I really want this art deco door. I have no info on the history of the door, so please let me know if you do!

4. I love this Alexander McQueen peplum gown. You really need to click on the link so you can zoom in on the peplum crystals.

5. My grandmother gave me her mother's every day silver plate flatware along with my veil for my wedding gift. She also gave me a gold set that coordinates with my fine china. I want to add to my collection with a sterling set, preferably Grand Baroque Wallace.

Enjoy this post? You can check out Melinda's fantasy wish list, too!

Post-Turkey Activities You Can Do in Your Fat Pants

No matter how cute I dress up for Thanksgiving (which most years isn't that much, I'll admit), I always wind up back in some comfy, non-binding old sweatpants.  Here is our list of post-turkey (not to mention post-sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, gravy, dinner rolls, green beans, favorite family casserole, three kinds of pie, and some type of wine) activities you can do from the safety and comfort of your official fat pants while you digest:

1. Take a walk

2. Take a nap

3. Plan out your method of attack for every mall, outlet, and discount store within a 15 mile radius

4. Check to make sure none of the neighbors lit themselves on fire trying to deep fry a turkey

5. Burn calories by pretending to care about NFL football - jumping in excitement and screaming in disappointment can work up a sweat, even if you are faking it

6. Research future Pinterest projects - the holiday crafting season has just begun!

7. Research Pinterest fails...laughing burns calories too!

8. Read up on our tips for beating the "season of eating" weight gain

9. Call your grandma, your friend from far away, the person you didn't get to see at the turkey table...let them know you are thinking of them and wishing them well

10. Did we mention taking a nap?

Our Thanksgiving motto: "whatever you do....don't go back for 3rds."

Posh Purpose on Twitter

Some of you may remember the hashtag #melweddingupdate and all the many tweets directed towards President Obama regarding #weddinggate. We are now introducing #briweddingupdate for the final countdown (33 days, y'all!) so head on over to @PoshPurpose to stay up to date on all the wedding crazy! Hopefully we won't need to bring back #weddinggate - should be unlikely as Presidential campaign activities will be totally over by December 1.


Here are some of our fave tweets from #melweddingupdate:

Posh Purpose ‏@PoshPurpose

Btw 7 am wake up call for a 7 pm wedding. Woot.#melweddingupdate

Posh Purpose ‏@PoshPurpose

Sweet groom arranged for manicures and a ride but forgot to share the destination! No worries, we are en route now :)#melweddingupdate

Posh Purpose ‏@PoshPurpose

Mel almost wet her bridal panties because she was stuck behind the motorcade. Thanks, @BarackObama. #melweddingupdate

Posh Purpose ‏@PoshPurpose

Word of the wedding week: damn #melweddingupdate

Posh Purpose ‏@PoshPurpose

"anyone want some eczema cream?" #melweddingupdate

Posh Purpose ‏@PoshPurpose

Storage company gave the groom a large unit overnight free of charge. So thankful! #melweddingupdate

Wedding Guest Request

While I was in Kentucky this summer, my cousin Jeremy asked that I include a drawing in his wedding invitation. I am not sure what made him think of such a request considering I don't draw and have definitely never drawn around him. However, I went along with it since he is my baby cousin who I adore (not so baby, he is living on his own, working and starting college courses soon).

To make up for my lack of drawing prowess, I copied an idea from Tally: trace trace trace! I found a picture online that would be easy to trace over and taped some paper to my laptop screen. I also left him a little note to make sure he understands the gravity of the situation.

Isn't the address font pretty? It is also the font that I picked for my name and J's on the invitation. I love it!

Kentucky Derby: A Break from the Wedding Chaos

Last week Mr. 3, Mr. 3 Senior, and I went to the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby races.  I dearly love a good horse race and it was a great time!  I needed a bit of a break from wedding planning and besides reading the most recent edition of the Knot magazine and dealing with a couple of vendor contracts on the ride to Louisville, I didn't do too much in the way of wedding planning.

Derby Day!

I love going to the Derby (this was my second year!) and getting dressed up for the occasion (I love hats...and they are a total necessity in addition to the preferred fashion choice).  However, some ladies (and I use the term loosely here) certainly need to work on their behavior and dress code...while at the Derby, I spotted (this is the short list of horrors):

1. A girl who had tucked an unidentified object in her underwear (which Mr. 3 decided was either a purse or wallet) which was visible through her tight dress;
2. A woman sitting on a bench with a short dress and her legs spread; and
3. A REALLY pregnant woman wearing a booty dress, hooker heels, and swilling mint juleps.

Exhibit 1
Foreign Object

To top it off, I got to see an older lady (because of the amount of skin damage and smoker's wrinkles I couldn't tell you how old she was...32-82 would be my guess) at the Hampton Inn continental breakfast in her jammies...without the appropriate undergarments, and clearly, she had never used the Victoria's Secret sports bra.

Now, I'm not a snooty social etiquette type of person, but I do not believe in safekeeping things in my underpants, letting the world see my lady bits, or fetal alcohol syndrome.  However, I will say that this was faaaaaar more entertaining that the most recent edition of the Knot magazine and dealing with vendor contracts.  What have you other brides been doing to get your mind off the stress of wedding planning?  Let us know!

Disturbed & Ill: Camo Tuxedos

Mr. 3 and I have been on the tuxedo hunt recently.  After a horrendous experience at Men's Warehouse (more about that in a future post), Mr. 3 put his foot down and said he would not be using Men's Warehouse no matter how much I loved the new line of Vera Wang (I'm not sure he actually knows who that is or would remember the name if you asked him...I'm pretty sure he more said "I'm not wearing anything from that store.")

So, we went over to Jos. A. Bank to check out their tuxedos.  I'll have to fill you in on the full adventure later, but I wanted to drop a quick PSA against this heinous monstrosity:

Why?
Jos. A Bank
$?
(who cares...no one should ever order this)

Despite the cutie model, I almost threw up.   Mr. 3, an avid hunter, of course immediately loved it and even tried to bargain with me (can't we have two vests?).  This is why grooms are not allowed to go shopping without their future wives.  Besides the sheer tackiness of it, I would not want my future spouse coming to our wedding in anything that represents death.*  I'm surprised they didn't top it off with a bit of blaze orange as a pocket square...clearly Jos. A. Bank hasn't passed a hunter safety course.

*Full Disclosure: I eat meat and I wear leather and fur.  I'm also not against hunting; however, I cannot get behind camo as a fashion choice.   Sportswear: Yes.  Church Proceeding: No.

Bits from Behind the Scenes

On the subject of catering:

Melinda: What do you think of the quantities for the food lists?
Briana:  So 100 cream puffs for 150 people won't be enough.
-Pause-
Briana: You can fit at least two in your mouth at one time.
-Pause-
Melinda: So double the cream puffs?
Melinda & Briana: Lol

Gummi Gate

I've been diligently working on my candy bar layout and design for the past month.  I've also started ordering candy supplies using a variety of sources (Target, Wal-Mart, and Amazon mostly).  Since my wedding colors are pinks, metallics, with touches of green (or what K. Middles would have done had she wanted a color), I've been buying candy along that color scheme. Finding candy in the quantities I need at the prices I want has proven quite difficult.  I was really excited to learn that Amazon has a good sized selection of pink candy at reasonable prices and it also qualifies for free super shipping (shipping the goods can often cost more than the price of the candy!).

I ran across these strawberry gummi bears and while I didn't necessarily need 10 lbs...it was the cheapest option I found.  I didn't read the reviews (mistake!), but I thought they looked pink enough...especially since I had searched for "pink candy" and it was on the list.

The gummi bears came yesterday....they are weird reddish color and definitely NOT the cotton candy pink like I had wanted.

Non-Pink Gummi Bears

I refuse to put them on the candy bar as it will throw the whole look off (I've also carefully been crafting up some pink decorations...check out tomorrow's post for an update), but I also don't think I want 10 lbs of gummi bears sitting around...I'm not even sure this is a task that my hungry office co-workers would be able to take on.  Amazon doesn't accept returns (and even if they did, the cost of paying return shipping on 10 lbs of returned gummi bears would probably give me back about $.01 of my original investment).

I had a quick panicked g-chat convo with Briana who suggested that I find a way to use them for something wedding related, but not on the candy bar.  I called my dear sweet Mama to tell her the scandal.  After talking to her, I decided to donate them to my bridal shower cause that her best friend Lena is hosting for me.  She seemed hesitant at first (probably she doesn't want to add to the effort Lena is already making as our host)...but after I promised that I would handle the portioning of the gummi bears into cute bags/containers, she decided it was a workable idea!*

All in all, gummi gate could have been a lot worse...they could have also been old hard gummi bears (don't worry I gave them a good squish to make sure they were fresh).  Moral of the story: don't trust your monitor when ordering candy online and read the reviews (I spotted a few reviews when I went back to look at my order and they mention the color not being right)!  I'm sure all the shower attendees will be quite excited when they get their sack o'treats weighing it at about 1/2 a pound each (cutely packaged of course).

What mishaps have you had for all things wedding?  Were you able to reuse/repurpose your buying mistakes?  Leave us a comment and let us know!  Also, any tips on candy websites with low shipping costs would be very much appreciated!

*My mama is a busy bee these days with all things wedding related.  Her list of projects include: addressing invitations, shopping for vintage plates (more to come on that), and making flower girl baskets, a ring boy pillow, and my veil (more on that later).  Plus the idea of 10 lbs of gummi bears to deal with is troublesome especially if you aren't a big fan of gummi bears to begin with.

Posh Purpose Reader Submission

From my dear mama and loyal Posh Purpose reader (on the subject of invitations):

Dear Posh Purpose,

I would like to suggest that in these hard times, you eliminate attire from your invitation and let people wear what they have on hand.

The stores are full of high priced synthetics which many may not want to purchase for just one occasion.  Guests should feel comfortable and not stressed by having to purchase additional clothing.  Of course, those who wish to buy new ensembles may certainly do so.

Love, Melinda's Dearest Mama and Briana's Favorite Aunt


Who do you think I got my opinions on synthetics from?

Bits From Behind the Scenes

On the subject of invitations:

Melinda: I think I'm going to put cocktail attire on my invite.
Bri: Put it on the response card not the invitation.
Melinda: Why on the response card? Martha Stewart says invitation.
Bri: I thought I read not the invitation.  I have Emily Post at home.
Melinda: Who do you think would win in this battle, Martha or Emily?
Bri: I believe Emily.  Martha can be a bit too modern and loose at times.
Melinda: Yep, when I think Martha, I think loose.
Bri: LOL.

Happy Valentine's Day!

This is a public service announcement in honor of Valentine's Day.

Source

For those of you not on a wedding diet, please eat all the yummy truffles for me!

Wedding Laughes: Sh*t Brides Say

I bring to our Posh Purpose readers, a bride's reality:

I have said almost everything in this video except for the catty comments and making a reference to Michael Jackson...no wedding could ever compete with the King of Pop (duh).  Nothing is scarier than the truth....except maybe a hairy man in wedding dress.

Sound Familiar?

The Doghouse Diaries

Click on the picture to view larger :)

Trousseau Tuesday: The Importance of Pants

Christina Aguilera
Photo From: People Online

A picture is worth a thousand words...