Sequence

Have you ever played Sequence? Our family started playing this while in Florida for Thanksgiving and I'm addicted! Basically, it's like strategic Connect Four with cards--such a blast. After telling my mother in law how much fun we had, she picked it up for Christmas at her house! Does your family play games during the holidays? What's your tradition?

Oil Rubbed Bronze DIY Light Fixture

Well friends, I took the plunge and did my first oil rubbed bronze project. The lights in our bathroom were chrome, and I really liked their lines, but they just didn't match with the new knobs and faucets that we'd installed. After researching the Rustoleum Oil Rubbed Bronze spray paint, I figured this was something I could take a stab at. I wouldn't use this for a faucet or anything that gets frequently touched, but I think for light fixtures it's perfect.

This was my first adventure in wiring (since I did this while Mr. SE was in Denver), but I made sure to shut off the breaker for the whole house so as to not electrocute myself! Once the cords were disconnected, it was pretty simple. I put my new eco-tarp on the floor of our garage (w/the door open-- don't worry!) and covered the bulb sockets with masking tape. 

Two thin coats were all I needed, and this beauty was shining like a brand new girl! What do you think?

Ps- don't hate on my lack of photography skills. Point and click, baby. 

LOFT CYBER MONDAY SALE

Things To Do When You Get Engaged

One of my favorite engagement pictures! by Gray Photography

I remember our engagement like it was yesterday! Being the Type A girl that I am, I'd been looking at wedding blogs and magazines for awhile. However, there's nothing to compare with that "We're engaged-- now where to start?!?" confusion. Here's a great list I saw on Pinterest this morning, and couldn't help but share with you all.  Do you have any must do tips following your engagement?


As you know, I work as a wedding coordinator. So of course the last "to do" was a delight for me to see!

Get A Manicure

You’re hand is about to be the subject of a lot of photos and constant attention (“Ooh, let me see that ring!”), so don’t embarrass yourself with some chipped, unpolished hot mess of a hand. Get a mani, professional or at-home, as soon as possible.

Settle On A Budget

Whoever is bankrolling your wedding — whether it’s you, your fiance, his parents or yours — needs to sit down and have that uber-awkward, but essential conversation about the wedding budget, including a specific number. Keep all familial relationships in tact by minding this budget down to the last red cent.

Sign Up For Sale Alerts

The gown will be your major purchase, and in my opinion is worth splurging on, but the accessories are not. Even designers like Jimmy Choo and Louboutin go on sale, so set sale alerts by designer name or specific product. 

Insure Your Ring

If your fiance hasn’t done it already, you need to insure your engagement ring immediately. The jeweler where he purchased it should refer you to certified insurers. Don’t forget to ask the jeweler for an appraisal slip which will be used to determine its value.

Sign Up For Pinterest

Holy motherload of inspiration — I honestly don’t know what brides did before Pinterest. It is hands-down the most intuitive and vast resource for inspiration; search and save photos of everything from your dream dress, to DIY favors, mouth-watering cakes and more.

Have ‘The Money Talk’ With Your Fiance

Not only will you have to have that uncomfortable conversation about the wedding budget, you’ll also need to suss out the logistics that come along with merging your bank accounts. What’s yours is mine! isn’t as simple as it sounds.

Sign Up For Trunk Show Alerts

Follow your local bridal boutique on Facebook and refer to your regional bridal magazine for a list of designer trunk shows in your area. At these shows you’ll be able to see and touch the most recent designer gowns — straight off the runway.

Choose A Diet Plan & Start It

If you plan to loose weight for your wedding, the worst thing you can do is wait until the last minute and crash diet. If you plan to loose more than 5 lb., you should give yourself 9-12 months to do it. Choose a proven plan, like Weight Watchers or Jenny Craig, and sign up immediately.

Pick A Location

The location — city and venue — is the most significant decision you’ll make for the wedding, so its better to get this discussion started as soon as possible. All parties involved, ie. his family and yours, will have an opinion about where you should be married, so hear all sides.

Hire A Planner

Girl, I don’t care how Type-A, organized, rockstar you are — you’re going to need a wedding planner. At the very, very least for the day-of, but I highly recommend hiring someone to help you for the long haul.

From Bride Finds




A note from Mrs SE--- ENSURE YOUR RING!

Sweater Sale at Old Navy

I LOVE SWEATERS! Friends, Old Navy is having a sale tomorrow from 12-5 where all of their adult sweaters are 75% off. Holy cow! With a sale like this, my strategy is normally to buy everything I like-- then bring it all home to see how it fits into my wardrobe. The styles that don't fit will be returned! Old Navy has been quite on trend lately, and while it seems their prices have increased, a sale like this makes them budget friendly again! After selecting images for this post, it's apparent that it's specifically neutral sweaters that have my heart. Here are some of my favorites--

for him

this is men's-- but I'd almost buy a XS for myself!

for him

for him

Home Sick

Boo :(

Booties on a Shoestring

Twitpic of my new Mossimo pair from Target

Shoes are so easy in the summertime-- for me it's either strappy wedges or a pair of rainbows. So simple! Once temperatures start getting cooler, I always find myself perplexed for a good pair of warm, comfortable shoes. Mr. SE and I walk about 4 blocks downtown from our work parking, so both comfort and warmth are important to me. My Old Navy Rock Star jeans are a staple during the cold months, and I've finally found a great alternative to ballet flats (cold tops of feet), UGGS (too college), and riding boots (can't wear them every day). Meet the wedged bootie! Le sigh, I'm in love!

This weekend I picked up pairs at both Target ($28) and Kohl's ($24 sale), for less than the cost of one full priced pair. Some of these booties can get expensive, and I' not entirely convinced they'll be in style next year-- so don't break the bank! Yesterday I noticed a ton of pairs at TJ Maxx, including Steve Madden and Sam Edelman. I scored a great pair of knee high Sam Edelman boots at TJ Maxx earlier this fall. It's always worth a shot to check the discount stores (Marshalls, Kohls, TJ Maxx, Ross)

Tangoo by Steve Madden

 Steve Madden Annnie

Sam Edelman Effie

Are you hopping on the laced wedge bootie trend? I wore my shearling pair to a birthday party yesterday and got tons of compliments. Not to mention my feet were so warm!

Yankee Candle Sale

It's no secret that candles are my crack. Check out this awesome coupon from Yankee! They're kind of expensive on their own, and I rarely get Yankee brand for that reason, but when you factor the whole price divided by 4 it's not too bad! I'm going to try and use it at Bed Bath & Beyond, since they're closer. Will let you know if they'll take it!

Pinnable Friday

Good news, friends. My new Kate Spade bag arrived, and boy was she beautiful as ever! I'm in love! This craft popped out at me today on Pinterest, and I'm going to give it a try. What do you think? Nothing you can't tackle with some fabric paint and 40% coupons to Hobby Lobby!

Of course, you can buy the original here on Etsy. Or if you're like me, you can try and get creative with a knock off version for less moolah!

Follow me on Pinterest! www.pinterest.com/MissSE06

Mama's Got a Brand New Bag

Kate Spade Montrose Antoinette

It's hard to believe how close we are to Christmas-- and my family's "Christmas" is even closer! Since we'll be spending this Christmas with Mr. SE's family, I've decided to give all of my gifts to my side of the family over Thanksgiving. It'll be perfect because we'll all be together in Florida! That being said, I'm a little frantic trying to be creative, thrifty, and prepared at such an early date! I've got some great gifts already picked out, but I can't post them because my family members read the blog.

For those of you who don't know me in real life, Mr. SE just spent a 7 week stint in Denver. It was hard, and I missed him a lot. Luckily the company paid for me to come visit too! With all the craziness in our lives lately, I decided that I could reward myself with a pretty little lovely! (was that a bad rationalization?) This beauty will be making her way to my house in the next 3-5 days. Have you purchased any early gifts for others or yourself?