Popping another big question...

One of the side effects of having lived in multiple places is that I now have close friends all over the country. My bridesmaids are pretty spread out and only one of them lives in Austin. It was pretty much impossible to have them all in one room to ask them to be my bridesmaids at the same time.

Luckily I came across this very cute idea on Pinterest! It was a link to another bride's blog explaining how she used an adorable DIY project to ask her maids to be a part of her big day. 

Bethany used unfinished wood cigar boxes from the craft store to make cute little keepsakes for her girls. I came up with a similar plan using jewelry boxes. After visiting six different Hobby Lobbys from New Braunfels to Cedar Park I gathered the right amount of boxes and all of the craft supplies I needed to create the perfect little messengers.

I used pink acrylic paint, crocheted doilies, some stickers, stamps, gift tags and gold ink to make boxes that were both fun and functional!

Inside the boxes I placed paint chips to match my color scheme (swiped from Lowes), cards outlining some of the pertinent information about the wedding and the bridesmaids' dresses and a little name tag for each girl stamped with a gold cowgirl boot. I also used some scrapbooking supplies to create greeting cards to write each girl a personal message.

Soon enough the boxes were dropped off at UPS (or in my suitcase) and on their way to California, New York, Pennsylvania and even Hawaii! It was so awesome hearing from each girl as they received their box in the mail. 

Thanks for the inspiration, Bethany! I don't know you personally but you sure are one creative gal.

It was a very involved task but it was fun nonetheless. Plus, my girls are totally worth it! I am so excited to plan with them over the next 10 months...

Just carryin' on an old family tradition...

I went back to NY for a visit last weekend and my mom gave me this little guy:

I was so excited! This little swan ring holder has been somewhat of a tradition in my family for the past 25 to 30 years. It started when my mom's co-worker gave her one as an engagement gift. My mom then gave one to each of her nieces (my cousins) when they each got engaged. Not quite the same tradition Hank Jr. was referring to, but still a pretty good one nonetheless.

The swans are not actually available from Lenox anymore, but with a little help from my Aunt Jeannie, my mom was able to track one down on eBay for me!

It has now made it's home on my bathroom counter and I use it to keep my ring safe every time I take a shower. It means a lot to me to be part of this tradition. As a little girl I idolized my cousins (still do!) and wanted to be just like them when I grew up, especially when I became a bride myself. 

My mom definitely wins the prize for best mother of the bride ever! I cannot thank her enough for everything she has done for me and everything she is doing to help me with the wedding, even from 1,800 miles away. Did I mention she bought my dress for me?! Thanks Mom, I love you so much!