Crazy Pup

While taking these photos Mr. Zoram Gerrard was running around me like a crazy fool. He loves to run. I wish we had a backyard so he could run and run and we wouldn't have to go chasing after him down the street... because unlike my dog I hate running.

Anyways, I want to apologize for these pictures. Clearly Chris still needs to work on his photography skills. He always cuts off my shoes and never gets details shown. We're working on it.

Also, I like the way my hair looks in these. I feel like the ends look more blond in these photos, even though it's technically red, but it's making me think I should dye the ends blond. I do want to change my hair soon. And cut a few inches off. The length is a bit out of control. I still want it long but it's getting hard to manage.

Look, there's Zoram in the corner, going crazy.

Look at that cute little face! I feel like he "poses" for pictures a lot and does that open mouth smile most times I have a camera out. He's so photogenic. 

I may be biased because black is my favorite color, but I think every girl needs a go-to black dress. The above dress is mine. However it's so old I don't remember where it's even from! So below are a bunch of awesome black dresses, all under $50, that you can buy... or I can buy... I want them all!! 

My New Favorite Dress

You guys, I found the greatest dress. I'm in love. This last weekend we were in Park City for a family reunion and we went to the outlets and in Volcom I found this dress and it was on sale but still more than I usually would pay for anything, but I was so in love I convinced Chris to let me buy it. And then when he saw me in it he totally agreed that it was the best dress ever and now we're both in love. It's the greatest romance story there ever was.

I'm kidding. But I am in love with this dress.

So I am going to be giving my blog a makeover. Not in appearance, because I'm actually pretty happy with the appearance right now. I mean in posts. I'm sure you've all noticed my lack in posts recently and I'm going to change that, setting new goals to post more and post more of the things you like. So to help me gauge what my readers want to see I've created a quick survey for you to take that will help me figure out what you like, what you don't like, etc. Please just take a minute to fill it out at the bottom of this page, you'd be doing me a huge favor!

This month is literally crazy for me so realistically there won't be any changes until August, probably mid August. But I am planning on posting something every day for the month of September, so that'll be a fun challenge for me. And, remember that writing project I promised you for June? Well I'm still working on that. I'm thinking September or October that'll be ready for ya'll. I'm very protective of my writing and that's why it's taking so long, it has to be perfect.

Anyways, so many little things. Here is my new favorite dress and my favorite shoes that I wear all the time and you're probably sick of seeing. Also, enjoy the lovely tan lines on my arms.

I'm just so excited about this dress!! 

Dress: Volcom

Shoes: Kohls

Undershirt: DownEast (Exact match)

Here are some other great loose, summery dresses I love, but don't love nearly as much as this one.

THIS SURVEY IS NOW CLOSED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION!

Bridal Expressions

This is another review for a bridal store and I am happy to say... yesterday I purchased my dress through them!!

Bridal Expressions is located at 10489 S State Street, Sandy, Utah 84070. You can call them to set up an appointment at 801-571-5551. You can also find their website HERE.

I absolutely loved this place! I loved the dressing rooms, the mirrors, the couches and their large amount of dresses! They have a huge selection with tons of different designers. I tried on about eight dresses there, however the very first one I put on is the one I'm getting! I wish I could put up pictures, but I don't want to risk my fiance seeing the dress, so you'll just have to wait till May. :)

I worked with three different consultants in the few times I've visited the store. They were all incredibly helpful, friendly and knowledgeable. They gave their own suggestions on altering my dress to make it modest and they helped out in ordering extra fabric and buttons for alterations.

They do not have an in-house alterations, but they gave me a list of people they suggest and highlighted the one they think I will work with best. I'll write more about alterations when I get there (they sadly don't get my dress in until March).

They also sell the most amazing and sometimes ridiculous prom dresses there. They are seriously over the top and crazy! And way too expensive for what I would want to spend on a prom dress, but if you're interested it is a really great store.

Here are some examples of what they sell:

But seriously if you go to their website, there are tons more!! 

If you have any other questions about Bridal Expressions please feel free to ask! I highly recommend visiting Bridal Expressions they are so helpful and I am getting my dress there!!! :) 

Ball & Bride

So in my hunt for the perfect wedding gown I've been to two different bridal stores. This is my review of one.

Ball & Bride is currently set up in Martha Bybee's home, as she is currently moving locations. I would advise calling before you just stop by her home, and you can reach her at 801-573-5574 or email her at martha@ballandbride.com.

Even though it was set up in her home, it was still a really nice place to look at and try on wedding dresses. Her collection is running low as she sets up her move, but she has many connections and can help you find another dress. She has an alterations lady, a lady who makes fitted body suits, she sells modest and immodest dresses, and the most gorgeous shoes I've ever seen!!

Martha is incredibly nice and helpful. She helped out every step of the way. She isn't pushy, she lets you go at your own pace. She listens to your likes and dislikes. My favorite, she asked me how I felt in the dress. She told me that what matters most is how I feel. The dress should make you happy and you should feel beautiful. I love that she asked me how I felt!

She is also fantastic with prices! None of the gorgeous dresses I tried on were over $1000 and she was knocking off hundreds of dollars from the price as well. For example, my favorite dress I tried on there was $900, she said she would sell it to us for $775. She is always willing and ready to give you a deal!

The shoes!!! I tried on the most gorgeous shoes of my life!! Sure they were $395 (she would have sold them to me for half, she said) and I would never pay that much for shoes, but man were they beautiful!

Yep, I was wearing these gorgeous shoes! Made me feel like a princess for sure! Even if they were a size too small...

So my fiance sometimes reads my blogs so I'm not going to tell which of the following dresses were my favorites (he can't know anything), but here are some of the dresses sold at Ball & Bride (all photos are from their website).

I do recommend checking out Ball & Bride if you're looking for a wedding dress! Martha makes it a wonderful experience! :) 

Cheap Online Wedding Dresses!!

Okay, I'm about to share with you three different websites that just blow my mind!!

http://www.sammydress.com/Wholesale-Wedding-Dresses-c-216.html

This dress is only $57.56 through the website above!

http://www.jenjenhouse.com/

This one is $123.99!

http://www.helenebridal.com/Wedding-Dresses/

This dress is $189.99!

Now I would like to clarify a few things. I did show dresses that were lower priced on purpose. They do have more expensive dresses, some much more beautiful and elegant. For example: 

The above dress, priced at $599.99, happens to be Helene Bridal's most expensive dress on the website. 

This one, through Jen Jen House, is $338.99, and one of their most expensive. 

Lastly, this one through Sammy Dress is $145.33.

As a note, Sammy Dress has a very small collection of dresses, but are the cheapest. All these websites have beautiful dresses for a bride on a budget. Lately I've been watching Say Yes to the Dress and these women go into the store with over $2000 to spend on a dress. I personally don't have that much money. So these online options are fantastic for me!

I highly recommend going into a bridal store and trying on dresses before you purchase one online. If you try on dresses, you'll know which styles look best on you, what you're looking for, and what size you are. Trying on dresses before buying online is necessary to make sure you get exactly what you want, and find the perfect dress for you! 

Personally, I want this dress. And at $259.99, I can't complain much. However, I am LDS and wish to get married in the temple, and therefore must alter to dress to have sleeves. I very much recommend ordering your dress online as early as possible, so that the possible alterations can be made. 

Happy dress hunting!! 

The Wedding Dresses On My Pinterest

The title explains all. Enjoy! :)

If you're interested in buying one of these dresses, let me know and I'll see what I can do to help you find out where to get it. Enjoy!