Engaged! Now what...

The time has come now for me to start planning my own wedding, despite my dreams from being a wee child. I'm not all that excited for it. I guess I should explain a few things holding me back from planning:

1. moved to a new city
2. started a new job
3. 2 exams away from a designation
4. the cost
5. the time it would take away from studying
6. counting up family members (100) so not too sure how to make up a guest list
7. so...my fiance family hates me...(not something new)

But that being said, we do have plans for a wedding celebration which will allow me to relaunch this blog with fresh ideas & actually being able to tell you about our process.  

I hope to be as real as possible with you concerning the process, the planning, the cost, and the emotion behind it all. All I can ask for is patience as we try to figure out the details! 

Free Mascara! I'm in!

I love free make up product samples, trial, travel, and of course, full size. It gives me a chance to try products that I normally wouldn't consider buying. It definitely helped influence a few of my purchasing decisions for the future, so whenever there's a sample or trial available, I'm all for it! Besides that I love bringing samples on trips since they are already packaged in TSA-okayed sizes.

While doing my normal morning routine of searching the deals, I came across this on FatWallet where if you purchase a Physicians' Formula Sexy Booster Va Va Voom Volume Mascara you can receive it for free after Mail In Rebate. Here's the rules

1) Purchase the specially marked Physicians Formula® Sexy Booster™ Va Va Voom 

Volume Mascara product between 12/1/13 and 11/30/14. 

2) Print out and mail this completed form along with the TRY ME FREE label attached 

to the product and your original sales receipt with purchase price circled. 

3) Rebate must be postmarked by 12/15/14. 

Offer expires November 30th, 2014. Limit one rebate per household (2 rebates per 

household accepted for Rhode Island residents only). Rebate amount is the purchase price 

of Sexy Booster Va Va Voom Volume Mascara not including tax. Maximum value is $9.95. 

Not valid on any other Physicians Formula product. Requests from groups, post office 

boxes, or organizations will not be honored. Fraudulent submission of multiple requests 

could result in federal prosecution under U.S. Mail Fraud Statutes (18 USC, Section 1341 

and 1342). Offer good in USA only. Void where prohibited, taxed, or restricted by law. If 

you do not receive your rebate within 10 weeks, visit www.cmspromocheck.com or call 877-

322-8355. Please keep copies of all materials submitted. Cannot be used in conjunction 

with any other offer. 

Here's the rebate form: Click Here

Details: Registry or Cards Only

There's a few things I have always dreamed of getting and decided that it would be a registry item. Something like a Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer seems like a solid investment for marriage and cookie bake offs, but now the more I think of it. I want to create a registry that is targeted to something. I have attended weddings where the registry was for the down payment of a house which included other categories such as furniture, home design accessories, and monthly payments. The other wedding I attended had a registry for the honeymoon and the various expenses related to a honeymoon such as airfare, hotels, food, and activity. I think it's a fun idea to let your guests know where their money is going.

Here's the HoneyFund website that my friends have been using.

The more I think about it the more I just want a card only gift box. I would like the gifts I may receive for my wedding to be targeted to exactly how I want to spend my money (by super saving!).

As much as I love gifts, I love to maximize my money (or other people's money) more :)

What type of registry will you go for?

Wedding Dress Shopping in NYC

This past weekend, I had the honor of joining my dear friend on her wedding dress shopping. It was a typical busy day in Manhattan, but it was nasty since the snow was melting. My friend who is so efficient and awesome at planning planned a day for us to visit various stores for both her wedding dress and bridesmaid gowns. Here's a little peak at our schedule & review for those of you shopping in Manhattan.

• Our first stop was David's Bridal (751 Avenue Of The Americas, New York).  (Bride + Bridesmaid Dresses)

It's a Saturday in New York, we expected it to be busy and it was! The store in Manhattan is larger than the others I have visited in Cherry Hill, NJ and Philadelphia, PA. We waited about 5 minutes for our consultant who was extremely pleasant, but her name has escaped my mind. David's Bridal provides 2 seats for each Bride. Brides are given a strapless bra and shoes while trying on dresses. The consultant will first talk with the bride to find out what designers, styles, and her price range before bringing over any dresses. The consultant also had an assistant to help with the dresses. The bride would get dressed in a mirror-less fitting room with help from the consultant. Dresses which are too big are clipped to create the look of what the dress will look like. Consultants also grab veils if the bride requests it. Although we liked the service at David's Bridal - nothing made my friend think "This is the one". When other future brides find "the dress". They get to ring a bell. I forgot to mention that you cannot change the style of the dress, so if you want a real sweetheart neckline and had a straight across neckline - they would not change it. 

My friend scheduled a bridesmaid dress appointment following hers. The consultant (who remained with us the whole time) picked out dresses according to the style, material, and sizes of the bridesmaids. She always picked out three of the same dresses though my friend wasn't requiring us to buy the same dress at first. But after seeing the three of us in the same dresses she decided that it would look nicer for us to wear matching dresses. We got lucky because the dress looked great on all of us. We decided not to purchase our dresses right then and there since we still had nearly 9 month until the wedding and we all wanted to wait for a deal. There's currently $20 off coupons if you order the dress online using codes "LOVEMYPRICE" or "20BPDRESS413". Also if your dress is over $99, there is free shipping. David's Bridal will also tell you if the bride orders her dress from them, we receive the $20 off. We forgot to ask how much alterations will be, but I think it's according to what you need done and your location. (They will also give you a strapless bra and shoes to borrow for trying on the dresses).

Personally, I'm used to being able to choose what dresses I want to try on, and when I tried to do this, the consultant immediately rushed over to help me. I appreciate the gesture and I understood that it's Manhattan so their store would be in a mess if everyone did that.

David's Bridal allows you to take pictures! Which is so necessary to really know how you look from all angles and whether the dress photographs well. Fitting rooms had no mirror. There was no platform. It was an okay-sized fitting room, but small with huge bridal gowns.

• Macy's

Herald Square. This is located on the 8th floor. (Bridesmaid Dresses only)

We practically ran from David's Bridal to a quick bite at Starbucks to Macy's in order to be in time for our appointment. But despite our hustling and bustling, we had to wait approximately 15 minutes for our consultant, Andrea. Who was EXTREMELY unhelpful. She basically pointed at what the bride was looking for in our dresses and ran off. We picked up a few dresses where sizes where all huge and the styles weren't anything special. We tried on a bunch of dresses and found one that was a bit different than the one who already which costs like $100 more. Although the dress was beautiful, it definitely was not worth the additional money. We were extremely disappointed in the service. I had higher expectations for Macy's. Anyway we decided to head out a bit early (the lady also made it clear she was done with us) because of the unhelpful service. (No strapless bra or shoes offered). There was ample seating and a platform for the bride to stand on. Fitting rooms were large and contained mirrors. 

Macy's does not allow you to take photographs. 

• Our final stop was Cymbelline & L'Fay (5E 19th Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 1003)

We had a little trouble finding the shop since there is no sign. You also have to call up to the bridal salon for them to open the door. We also figured that since it's only on the 2nd floor we would walk up, but once we got to the 2nd floor there was a sign telling us to use the elevator. So we head back down and got on the elevator pressed 2 and was amazed at what the door opened to. We were greeted by Renee, who was so extremely sweet. She hung up our jackets and let us roam the store for dresses. Once we armed our bride with nearly 7 dresses. Renee helped our friend get into the dresses. My friend came out with her first dress and you could tell how much more beautiful she looked and how she really loved the dresses over David's Bridal dresses. Renee was such a wonderful consultant. She listened, she gave her opinion, and she was upfront with all dress costs. She knew where the dresses came from and what alterations could be done. Renee outfitted my friend with a beautiful matching veil and tiara so my friend would get the full view of what she could look like on her wedding day. Renee also provided shoes for my friend to wear while trying on the dresses. My friend brought her own strapless bra for this appointment. When the decision came down to two dresses, Renee was patient and gave her honesty opinion. In the end, my friend found "the one" and Renee told her about the costs to alter the dress and when it would be ready for her. Alterations will be $495 but it's an unlimited amount of times of fittings. Renee also picked out a perfect matching veil. We loved working with Renee and loved all the dresses here. We highly recommend this location for bridal gown shopping. Also Renee said to take many photos! Fitting rooms contained a mirror and there was ample seating for us. There also was a platform for the bride to stand on. 

So what do you need to know when bridal + bridesmaid gown shopping:

• Make an appointment!
• Ask if you need to bring your own strapless bra (or just bring your own anyway)
• If you already have your shoes, bring them.
• Ask how much are alterations
• Ask when is expected delivery of the dress
• Ask for discounts :)

Happy shopping!

Culture Details: Door Games & Gate Crash

Some woman want their man to complete little feats before seeing her, the beautiful brid,e on the wedding day. It gives the bridesmaids a little opportunity to tease the groom and his men for a bit. This custom originated because the brides' family and friends did not want to marry her off. The friends of the bride would test the groom about the bride to see if he really cared about her.

I got to participate in this for one wedding I was involved in and boy was it a lot of fun! We got to ask the groom questions about his bride and "punish" him if he got any of the answers wrong through different feats + eating various items. We also made the groom + his men perform a song of love to his future bride. I definitely want my bridesmaids to tease my future hubby! A little fun before it gets serious for the wedding! :)

Here's a video from bubzbeauty (YouTube beauty guru) from her wedding day gate crash. Enjoy!

Happy New Year!

Hi readers,

Happy new year! I apologize for not posting for the last 2 weeks, but I was enjoying my time away from a computer everyday. I hope in this new year to bring you more deals + steals + ways to plan your wedding while earning points for a vacation.

A new year also means a new quarter, did you activate your 5% cash back bonuses for
Chase Freedom: Gas Stations, Movie Theaters, Starbucks
Discover(it): Restaurants & Movies

I hope you got what you wanted for the holidays, and if not...are ready to start looking for some deals to buy what you wanted!

Pick me up break

Today's the sort of day that I need a pick me up, and maybe you do too. Or maybe you will in the mist of all your planning.

My friend sent me this Ted Talks video, which led me to this blog: 1000 Awesome Things

I'm struggling to write this, but I need to.

Counting my blessings:

• Friends who will talk to me while I'm wallowing in my self-pity
• My adorable dog who will always love me and be excited to see me when I come home
• Ted Talks videos
• Reminders to realize how blessed I am
• Italian Wedding soup (the caf here served it today)
• Vacation days
• First snow falls
• Car washes (especially right now my car needs one)
• Mini Peppermint Waffle Cookies from Trader Joe's
• Peppermint Milk Shakes from Chik-Fil-A