Wedding Dress Time

I have kind of been avoiding this post just because my thoughts are all over the place with this one. However, it is one of the MOST important parts of the wedding. My thoughts are all over the place just because, I don't know what will look good especially closer to the time of the wedding. Since I'm losing weight (down 18 pounds as of last Saturday. Thank you!) I don't know what will look good.

I have only been to one bridal shop. I tried on 3 dresses and I almost felt pressured into buying this gown that I loved. When I first got there I told the lady "I will not be buying a dress today" and she said that is totally fine. What do ya know, an hour later she tried to get me to buy it. It was a A-Line gown that was very plain and was the pick-up style dress. Hard to explain without a picture.

On to the dresses. I was looking online and wanted to find a dress that would go along with the outdoor, southern wedding "theme". Normally I am the plain jane, simple type of person. However, looking at wedding dresses may have changed my mind. I also have to keep in mind that I have an extremely LOW, but reasonable, budget. I want to stay under $300.00. I would love to stay under $200.00 but wedding dresses that cheap are few and far between (not impossible to find but harder!).

Dress Number 1.

I really love this! Not one of my favorites but I do love this dress. Since the colors of the wedding will be yellow and brown, maybe the bow around the waist can be brown. The lace is also one of my favorites. Lave just says "southern charm" to me. However I don't want to look like a big doily on my wedding day.

Dress Number 2.

I really like this one because it is simple. However, it is really "flowy" so I don't know what it would look like on my Honky Tonk Badonkadonk. But since I'm losing weight, ya never know.

Dress Number 3.

I love this one! It is simple and yet has some detail at the top along with some bling! Again, I'm a little skeptical about the flowy waist.

Dress Number 4.

This one is my favorite so far! The only thing that I am not sure about is the sweetheart neckline. I'm pretty sure it should be fine but I would have to go to a bridal shop to try on something with sweetheart top. But aside from that this one is just perfect. Simple, elegant, and just beautiful!!

Dress Number 5.

I like how this one is flowy (what is it with me and this word?) so it goes well with an outdoor wedding. Yet, it also has bling on the top and makes the whole thing look elegant.

Dress Number 6.

Alright. I really don't know what I want to say about this one. I like the unique top. Other than that It just doesn't look like a wedding dress. It would also make me look, oh I don't know, about 20 month pregnant!!

Dress Number 7.

CUTENESS!!! I love the rosettes (I think that is what they are called) on the top. I mean how many people do you know that had that at their wedding!

Dress Number 8.

Too flowy but you get the idea!

Dress Number 9.

You can't really see her dress but It is simple and pretty. I just love this whole wedding party!

Dress Number 10.

I love her dress!! I want something exactly like it maybe not such a huge embellishment around the waist but I really like it!

(Dresses 1-4 came from Helena Bridal online and the rest are just Google images.)

So you get the big picture on what I like, right? Or was I all over the place? Any of these your favorites? Is my budget too low? Has anyone bought a wedding dress online? If so, how did that work for you?

Wordless Wednesday

(I know this supposed to be Wordless Wednesday but I gonna cheat. 1) This isn't my baby it is my best friend's baby, Carter. 2)This was taken with an iPhone, just sayin.)

Changes!

Ok. I'm going to be making some changes as far as my blog design goes. Even though I spent a lot of time designing the one I have, I want something a little more clean and professional looking. So if things don't look right or seem a little off, just know that I'm making some changes! I found a layout I am fixing to try out but haven't figured some stuff out yet. So bare with me. If you have any opinions or suggestions, holler at me! My corny line: Your opinion matters to me! Even though it is corny it is true!!

I'll let you know when all is done so you can let me know what you think.

Homemade Croutons

I made these a long time ago and just haven't had the time to add them. But now...it's time! I made these when I started my diet. I know, their not THAT healthy but I had left overs and needed to use them (I'll get to that in a minute). Melania loved them and they were just like the store bought stuff. To be completely honest, it was REALLY hard not taking a few as I pasted by the pantry. AND they were so easy to make, I made it before dinner while Melania played outside and Chris was doing who knows what.

Let's get started!! You will need Bagel's (which I can have but only a half in one "meal", no fun!), Extra Light Olive Oil OR Extra Virgin Olive Oil OR Regular Olive Oil, Garlic Salt, and Parsley Flakes.

(We have a mix of Kroger Brand and Publix. What can I say, I'm a little cheap!)
(I forgot to take a picture of the ingredients until after I cut the bagel, oops!!!)

Next you need to cut the bagels. I used 3 whole bagels, because that is what I had. Just dice it up. You can use small pieces or bigger pieces. Keep in mind that the bigger pieces will take longer to cook toast.

 

Next line aluminum foil on a cookie sheet. I love aluminum foil! It keeps the pan completely clean and all I have to do is throw away the aluminum foil. Now put the bagels on the pan and "drizzle" with the olive oil of your choice.

(Sorry for the crappy picture. Have you ever tried taking a picture while moving with the other hand? Maybe I'm just not coordinated enough, I don't know)

Then your going to sprinkle the Garlic Salt (or powder, whatever you have) and the Parsley Flakes (you can leave these out if you don't have any). I wasn't even going to attempt to take a picture while poring those on there. I can see myself being more concentrated on the picture rather than the food and poor way too much Garlic Salt. Gross!

Toss it all together!!

Now throw it in a Preheated 400 degree oven. Side Note: Any of my recipes that involve the oven is usually on 400 unless I am baking or the directions say otherwise. (Yeah sometimes I cook from a box, I'm not super woman!)

Midway through, pull them out and toss them together or shake the pan to move them around. You want all sides to get toasted.

Cook them for about 15-20 minutes. I never time anything unless I'm baking. You will be able to tell when these are done. Here is a trick, take them out when you think that are almost done. A lot of times they keep cooking even when you pull them out of the oven. For instance, when I took them out the middle was soft but after it sat and cooled off, it became a true crouton.

Yumm!! They really are good and Melania loved them. We actually had Grilled Chicken Salads one night and she definitely didn't forget to add some of these. (She is 5 and loves salad but we have to constantly tell her to eat her burger or pb&j, what's up with that??)

Anyway! After they sit for a minute or two put them on a plate with a paper towel on it. So that the extra oil will get absorbed.

Store in an air tight container and your good to go!!!

Do you have any really easy recipes that you or your kids love? Any box meals that are healthy and cheap that your family loves? Have you taken leftovers and turned them into something great?

Ultimate Blog Party!!

Another blog friend let me know about this Ultimate Blog Party! After reading about Janice and Susan's blog party, I thought, I need to get in on this blog event!

My blog, HunnyBee Blog, is about decor, recipes, crafting and so much more! I designed everything on my blog from scratch. It took some time but I am very pleased with the outcome. However, I'm still new and looking for fun, affordable crafts, decorations, and recipes all the time. Now that it is Easter time, hopefully, I can find fun crafts to do with Melania.

I also, started a diet life-style change on March 8th and hope to fill everyone in on my struggles, tips, and happiness through everything. 

I am recently engaged so in addition to the normal HunnyBee Blog, there will also be updates on all things wedding, my inspirations, ideas, dos and don'ts, etc. I am not a biological mother, yet. However, I do have a soon to be step daughter that is 5 and loves crafting as much as I do. She is always my trusty assistant when it comes to everything domestic and crafty.

I am confident that UBP11 will give me the opportunity to meet more great people and introduce myself as a blogger.

I think that is everything in a nut-shell! Browse my blog for more on what I LOVE to do!!