Mrs. Thimble, NYC/PhiladelphiaAge and Occupation: 26, Actress & Costume Designer (+ day job)Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Lawyer & Techie WizEngagement Date: August 22, 2008Wedding Date: October 2010Venue: The Pearl S. Buck HouseAbout Me: I’m an easily inspired over-thinker delighted with the process of designing, building, directing and {dare I say} co-starring in the early-autumn affair I’ve been dreaming up. I’m a sucker for trendied-up comfort foods and old family anecdotes; I have an affinity for adjectives, alliteration, eyelet and earl grey; and I live for quality time with family and friends. I never guessed I’d marry my “high school sweetheart", but when it turned out to be my funny, techie, loyal Mr. Thimble I was committed for life. We’re both mid-career transition and ready to move back to small-townish TBD, PA in a pre-wedding flurry of all-good life changes.
I shared my mom’s elaborate bridal shower invitations with you, and now you know that my shower was kind of a big deal for me. I was excited and nervous, and both families were combining for one big party so I had one shot to do it right—which meant one shot to choose the. perfect. bridal shower dress.
I’m pretty darn proud of myself for this one—I had a dress hanging in my closet that I’d been meaning to alter into a cuter, sexier version of itself, but just never got around to it. Now that I had a reason, I was sewing on all cylinders. Here’s a semi-before shot—I have it pinned already so you can see where it’s going:
It had some direction it’s own.. the cute pale blue and white striped cotton, the embroidered eyelette design at the bottom and the subtle sweetheart neckline. The problem was, it was a little frumpy on it’s own without these pins.
Mrs. Thimble, NYC/PhiladelphiaAge and Occupation: 26, Actress & Costume Designer (+ day job)Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Lawyer & Techie WizEngagement Date: August 22, 2008Wedding Date: October 2010Venue: The Pearl S. Buck HouseAbout Me: I’m an easily inspired over-thinker delighted with the process of designing, building, directing and {dare I say} co-starring in the early-autumn affair I’ve been dreaming up. I’m a sucker for trendied-up comfort foods and old family anecdotes; I have an affinity for adjectives, alliteration, eyelet and earl grey; and I live for quality time with family and friends. I never guessed I’d marry my “high school sweetheart", but when it turned out to be my funny, techie, loyal Mr. Thimble I was committed for life. We’re both mid-career transition and ready to move back to small-townish TBD, PA in a pre-wedding flurry of all-good life changes.
It’s official, Mr. Thimble and I are certified to wed in the State of Pennsylvania. Bring it on!
Mr. T Zipcar-ed in to PA to meet me Monday morning to retrieve whatever bridal shower gifts (from Sunday) we could fit in our borrowed Scion. While we were both in the state on a weekday morning, we drove over to the Bucks County Courthouse in Doylestown to get our marriage certificate. I was way more excited than I thought I’d be!!! Who knew paperwork could be so exciting?!?
Mrs. Thimble, NYC/PhiladelphiaAge and Occupation: 26, Actress & Costume Designer (+ day job)Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Lawyer & Techie WizEngagement Date: August 22, 2008Wedding Date: October 2010Venue: The Pearl S. Buck HouseAbout Me: I’m an easily inspired over-thinker delighted with the process of designing, building, directing and {dare I say} co-starring in the early-autumn affair I’ve been dreaming up. I’m a sucker for trendied-up comfort foods and old family anecdotes; I have an affinity for adjectives, alliteration, eyelet and earl grey; and I live for quality time with family and friends. I never guessed I’d marry my “high school sweetheart", but when it turned out to be my funny, techie, loyal Mr. Thimble I was committed for life. We’re both mid-career transition and ready to move back to small-townish TBD, PA in a pre-wedding flurry of all-good life changes.
Tomorrow, it is time to kick this wedding month into high gear. Tomorrow, it’s all really real.Tomorrow, is my bridal shower.
Holy crap.
I remember when I was a little girl attending my cousins’ showers and imagining my own someday. SOMEday. Not tomorrow. My how quickly twenty years fly by…
My mother must feel the same way, because a few weeks ago, I received this invitation in the mail:
Mrs. Thimble, NYC/PhiladelphiaAge and Occupation: 26, Actress & Costume Designer (+ day job)Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Lawyer & Techie WizEngagement Date: August 22, 2008Wedding Date: October 2010Venue: The Pearl S. Buck HouseAbout Me: I’m an easily inspired over-thinker delighted with the process of designing, building, directing and {dare I say} co-starring in the early-autumn affair I’ve been dreaming up. I’m a sucker for trendied-up comfort foods and old family anecdotes; I have an affinity for adjectives, alliteration, eyelet and earl grey; and I live for quality time with family and friends. I never guessed I’d marry my “high school sweetheart", but when it turned out to be my funny, techie, loyal Mr. Thimble I was committed for life. We’re both mid-career transition and ready to move back to small-townish TBD, PA in a pre-wedding flurry of all-good life changes.
Cuz…that’s about our dance skill set! I’ll let you know how our friendor dance lessons go a little later, but for now, lets talk music.
(from Weddingchicks. This has nothing to do with dance songs except how super awesome our first dance will be!)
Our original no-brainer choice for our first dance song was Luckiest by Ben Folds. It was sort of “our song” for a few years, when we would pine for each other over the distance of a 4-hour drive between different colleges. It’s a gorgeous song, a tear-jerker, and it really speaks to how meant-for-each other we feel. Read more…
Mrs. Thimble, NYC/PhiladelphiaAge and Occupation: 26, Actress & Costume Designer (+ day job)Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Lawyer & Techie WizEngagement Date: August 22, 2008Wedding Date: October 2010Venue: The Pearl S. Buck HouseAbout Me: I’m an easily inspired over-thinker delighted with the process of designing, building, directing and {dare I say} co-starring in the early-autumn affair I’ve been dreaming up. I’m a sucker for trendied-up comfort foods and old family anecdotes; I have an affinity for adjectives, alliteration, eyelet and earl grey; and I live for quality time with family and friends. I never guessed I’d marry my “high school sweetheart", but when it turned out to be my funny, techie, loyal Mr. Thimble I was committed for life. We’re both mid-career transition and ready to move back to small-townish TBD, PA in a pre-wedding flurry of all-good life changes.
That’s right! I’m hopping on the bandwagon to DIY our cake, and I couldn’t be more pleased with myself. I wanted to DIY our cake from the start, but everyone called me nuts. For two years. It got old.
So, I asked my aunt who is in pastry school if it’s something she would want to do, but she didn’t feel ready I suppose and passed. There, I tried. It’s taken me these two years, but finally my parents are on board! I KNOW we can handle this together. My folks are miiighty talented in the kitchen whether it is savory or sweet. For me, it’s more about the taste of the cake than the look. My mom’s cakes are way better than a bakery’s, and our design is pretty darn simple:
3 tiers, two names, substitute candy letters and buttercream, and you’ve got our dream wedding cake.
And the flavor? The most important part? Read more…
Mrs. Thimble, NYC/PhiladelphiaAge and Occupation: 26, Actress & Costume Designer (+ day job)Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Lawyer & Techie WizEngagement Date: August 22, 2008Wedding Date: October 2010Venue: The Pearl S. Buck HouseAbout Me: I’m an easily inspired over-thinker delighted with the process of designing, building, directing and {dare I say} co-starring in the early-autumn affair I’ve been dreaming up. I’m a sucker for trendied-up comfort foods and old family anecdotes; I have an affinity for adjectives, alliteration, eyelet and earl grey; and I live for quality time with family and friends. I never guessed I’d marry my “high school sweetheart", but when it turned out to be my funny, techie, loyal Mr. Thimble I was committed for life. We’re both mid-career transition and ready to move back to small-townish TBD, PA in a pre-wedding flurry of all-good life changes.
This is my last post about my wedding invitations, I promise! I wanted to share with you how we put the whole invitation suite together before we tied it up with a bow and a Moo.
Miss Stripes isn’t kidding when she likens invitation assembly to a hot an heavy one-sided love affair. It’s important to have amazing friends who will help you get out of the mess once you’re in too deep. NY MOH spent several hours with me gluing in the silvery lining:
Mrs. Thimble, NYC/PhiladelphiaAge and Occupation: 26, Actress & Costume Designer (+ day job)Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Lawyer & Techie WizEngagement Date: August 22, 2008Wedding Date: October 2010Venue: The Pearl S. Buck HouseAbout Me: I’m an easily inspired over-thinker delighted with the process of designing, building, directing and {dare I say} co-starring in the early-autumn affair I’ve been dreaming up. I’m a sucker for trendied-up comfort foods and old family anecdotes; I have an affinity for adjectives, alliteration, eyelet and earl grey; and I live for quality time with family and friends. I never guessed I’d marry my “high school sweetheart", but when it turned out to be my funny, techie, loyal Mr. Thimble I was committed for life. We’re both mid-career transition and ready to move back to small-townish TBD, PA in a pre-wedding flurry of all-good life changes.
I knew I wanted a hand-drawn map, and I knew I didn’t want to pay someone else to draw it. I thought I’d be able to trace a Google map and draw cute things for landmarks easy peasy, scan it in to the computer and print them out. I waited to tackle this fun project until Weekend-invite-assembly-mayhem-must-go-out-by-Tuesday Crunch Time.
That’s not a great plan, hive. I’m a procrastinator. And seeing my old habits collide with my bridal-driven desire for perfection, my one surviving logical brain cell nearly nixed the map project to spare myself frustration and tears.
Here’s where my knight in thimbley armor saved the day! Read more…
Mrs. Thimble, NYC/PhiladelphiaAge and Occupation: 26, Actress & Costume Designer (+ day job)Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Lawyer & Techie WizEngagement Date: August 22, 2008Wedding Date: October 2010Venue: The Pearl S. Buck HouseAbout Me: I’m an easily inspired over-thinker delighted with the process of designing, building, directing and {dare I say} co-starring in the early-autumn affair I’ve been dreaming up. I’m a sucker for trendied-up comfort foods and old family anecdotes; I have an affinity for adjectives, alliteration, eyelet and earl grey; and I live for quality time with family and friends. I never guessed I’d marry my “high school sweetheart", but when it turned out to be my funny, techie, loyal Mr. Thimble I was committed for life. We’re both mid-career transition and ready to move back to small-townish TBD, PA in a pre-wedding flurry of all-good life changes.
I love how our Mini Moo cards promoting our wedding website turned out. We did not incorporate pictures in our save-the-dates because my parents had already sent a photo in their engagement party invitations… aaand we didn’t have our e-session yet. But I had to show off our new engagement pictures somehow…
Mrs. Thimble, NYC/PhiladelphiaAge and Occupation: 26, Actress & Costume Designer (+ day job)Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Lawyer & Techie WizEngagement Date: August 22, 2008Wedding Date: October 2010Venue: The Pearl S. Buck HouseAbout Me: I’m an easily inspired over-thinker delighted with the process of designing, building, directing and {dare I say} co-starring in the early-autumn affair I’ve been dreaming up. I’m a sucker for trendied-up comfort foods and old family anecdotes; I have an affinity for adjectives, alliteration, eyelet and earl grey; and I live for quality time with family and friends. I never guessed I’d marry my “high school sweetheart", but when it turned out to be my funny, techie, loyal Mr. Thimble I was committed for life. We’re both mid-career transition and ready to move back to small-townish TBD, PA in a pre-wedding flurry of all-good life changes.
I love the thick cotton paper, I love the luxurious feel of the indented letters, I love the endless possibilities with modern polymer plates as well as authentic artisan typeset. Letterpress is rich with history and—not that I’ve ever pressed any letters myself (I nixed that plan months ago)—it feels intimate because the person printing has to mix the ink and man the machine or hand press it on a tabletop press. Letterpress was completely unattainable in my eyes when I started this journey. But the more I learned about it, the more we had to have it.
I kept looking for an affordable option and was lucky enough to find an invitation designer with a vintage Chandler and Price Pilot press who fit our budget just in time for save-the-dates, and I enlisted Janie’s help again for invitations. It was the best wedding decision we’ve made yet. If I had DIYed this—via a letterpress class or my inkjet—I would have pulled my hair out.
Sorry to get all nostalgic. I’m repeating myself, I know. But I needed to look back over the last 2 years (yes two years! Our engage-aversary was last Sunday) and have an inspiration-to-reality moment for myself, you know?
Hive, you helped me choose our invitations, now are you ready to see them? Read more…
Mrs. Thimble, NYC/PhiladelphiaAge and Occupation: 26, Actress & Costume Designer (+ day job)Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Lawyer & Techie WizEngagement Date: August 22, 2008Wedding Date: October 2010Venue: The Pearl S. Buck HouseAbout Me: I’m an easily inspired over-thinker delighted with the process of designing, building, directing and {dare I say} co-starring in the early-autumn affair I’ve been dreaming up. I’m a sucker for trendied-up comfort foods and old family anecdotes; I have an affinity for adjectives, alliteration, eyelet and earl grey; and I live for quality time with family and friends. I never guessed I’d marry my “high school sweetheart", but when it turned out to be my funny, techie, loyal Mr. Thimble I was committed for life. We’re both mid-career transition and ready to move back to small-townish TBD, PA in a pre-wedding flurry of all-good life changes.
This weekend my NY MOH, BMs BK and Trines, my sister, and my bests rallied together a fantaaastic bachelorette party for yours truly. Lots of love and elbow grease went into this destination soiree at my friend A’s parents’ Pocono house, but it paid off big time! Without further ado, I will share with you our shamelessly goofy photographs that capture the spirit of the evening perfectly (if you haven’t already picked up on the fabulousness in the pic above):
Mrs. Thimble, NYC/PhiladelphiaAge and Occupation: 26, Actress & Costume Designer (+ day job)Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Lawyer & Techie WizEngagement Date: August 22, 2008Wedding Date: October 2010Venue: The Pearl S. Buck HouseAbout Me: I’m an easily inspired over-thinker delighted with the process of designing, building, directing and {dare I say} co-starring in the early-autumn affair I’ve been dreaming up. I’m a sucker for trendied-up comfort foods and old family anecdotes; I have an affinity for adjectives, alliteration, eyelet and earl grey; and I live for quality time with family and friends. I never guessed I’d marry my “high school sweetheart", but when it turned out to be my funny, techie, loyal Mr. Thimble I was committed for life. We’re both mid-career transition and ready to move back to small-townish TBD, PA in a pre-wedding flurry of all-good life changes.
After our photo shoot at our high school, we took a short drive into a State park adjacent to our alma mater for some rugged woodsy shots. This is where Mr. Thimble and I went the first time we hung out one on one. (Err, well, that was actually a drive out to King of Prussia Mall so he could buy a 1st generation iPod… but this is more romantic). Again, I’ll let the pictures do the talking:
Mrs. Thimble, NYC/PhiladelphiaAge and Occupation: 26, Actress & Costume Designer (+ day job)Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Lawyer & Techie WizEngagement Date: August 22, 2008Wedding Date: October 2010Venue: The Pearl S. Buck HouseAbout Me: I’m an easily inspired over-thinker delighted with the process of designing, building, directing and {dare I say} co-starring in the early-autumn affair I’ve been dreaming up. I’m a sucker for trendied-up comfort foods and old family anecdotes; I have an affinity for adjectives, alliteration, eyelet and earl grey; and I live for quality time with family and friends. I never guessed I’d marry my “high school sweetheart", but when it turned out to be my funny, techie, loyal Mr. Thimble I was committed for life. We’re both mid-career transition and ready to move back to small-townish TBD, PA in a pre-wedding flurry of all-good life changes.
Last month, Mr. Thimble and I had the pleasure of spending two fun-filled hours with our photographers, Lorraine and Greg of Lorraine Daley Photography, for our engagement session. As part of their wedding package, they like to spend some time with their couples for an e-sesh to build a rapport with them and most importantly to get them comfortable in front of the camera. Read more…
Mrs. Thimble, NYC/PhiladelphiaAge and Occupation: 26, Actress & Costume Designer (+ day job)Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Lawyer & Techie WizEngagement Date: August 22, 2008Wedding Date: October 2010Venue: The Pearl S. Buck HouseAbout Me: I’m an easily inspired over-thinker delighted with the process of designing, building, directing and {dare I say} co-starring in the early-autumn affair I’ve been dreaming up. I’m a sucker for trendied-up comfort foods and old family anecdotes; I have an affinity for adjectives, alliteration, eyelet and earl grey; and I live for quality time with family and friends. I never guessed I’d marry my “high school sweetheart", but when it turned out to be my funny, techie, loyal Mr. Thimble I was committed for life. We’re both mid-career transition and ready to move back to small-townish TBD, PA in a pre-wedding flurry of all-good life changes.
Remember this adorablewonderfulmostperfectever Etsy find? No? That’s fair. But get ready a story of a little wedding ring with big heart, because I just took this brand new custom palladium wedding band from WroughtGold out of its safekeeping envelope for a photo shoot for hive-sharing purposes:
The day I posted about the Etsy heart wedding ring that caught my eye, I convoed Gaelen of WroughtGold for a price quote for a 3mm version, in my size, with possibly a rose gold heart instead of the black enamel on the 5mm original.
Mrs. Thimble, NYC/PhiladelphiaAge and Occupation: 26, Actress & Costume Designer (+ day job)Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Lawyer & Techie WizEngagement Date: August 22, 2008Wedding Date: October 2010Venue: The Pearl S. Buck HouseAbout Me: I’m an easily inspired over-thinker delighted with the process of designing, building, directing and {dare I say} co-starring in the early-autumn affair I’ve been dreaming up. I’m a sucker for trendied-up comfort foods and old family anecdotes; I have an affinity for adjectives, alliteration, eyelet and earl grey; and I live for quality time with family and friends. I never guessed I’d marry my “high school sweetheart", but when it turned out to be my funny, techie, loyal Mr. Thimble I was committed for life. We’re both mid-career transition and ready to move back to small-townish TBD, PA in a pre-wedding flurry of all-good life changes.
This is the Blank Slate series reprise. Getting into details—we’ve covered tables, ceilings and walls of ye olde big white tent. Now let’s cover what’s going on our tables! Less a lesson in how to dress this blank slate, more a recap of an ongoing project my parents have been working on.
Mixed up fancy old china, collected from yard sales, barn sales and thrift stores:
Working in my sorta-theme of vintage-nostalgic-family tree-picnic-harvest, I feel head over heels for this idea of serving our guests on old china, coordination be d*mned, for the feeling of a nice meal at grandmom’s house. Read more…
Mrs. Thimble, NYC/PhiladelphiaAge and Occupation: 26, Actress & Costume Designer (+ day job)Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Lawyer & Techie WizEngagement Date: August 22, 2008Wedding Date: October 2010Venue: The Pearl S. Buck HouseAbout Me: I’m an easily inspired over-thinker delighted with the process of designing, building, directing and {dare I say} co-starring in the early-autumn affair I’ve been dreaming up. I’m a sucker for trendied-up comfort foods and old family anecdotes; I have an affinity for adjectives, alliteration, eyelet and earl grey; and I live for quality time with family and friends. I never guessed I’d marry my “high school sweetheart", but when it turned out to be my funny, techie, loyal Mr. Thimble I was committed for life. We’re both mid-career transition and ready to move back to small-townish TBD, PA in a pre-wedding flurry of all-good life changes.
Hi hive!! It’s been a while… I’ve be buried in invitation assembly and worried about getting everything done in eight weeks. I’ve had a constant fireball of stress burning in the pit of my stomach all week, and wedding nightmares have been creeping into my dreams—bad ones that make sleeping ineffective because I realize my heart has been racing while the story unfolded through the night…
This was bound to happen since I was on a wedding roll. I was manic happy about the whole thing and caught up in all the fun details. But now I’m concerned that if one thing goes wrong that my whole world will come crashing down on Wedding Day. I’ve played and re-played a daydream in my head in which the florists drop bouquets off at my parents’ house and I’m so overcome by their perfection and the reality of the day that they symbolize that I’m hugging my vendors and choking back tears of joy. (Yes, actress. Dramatic.) But what if the flowers aren’t what I asked for? What if they aren’t even close??
But why do I care? 2 weeks ago I had a healthy mantra that I’ll have fun no matter what and no one will know if something is amiss but me. But the reality is, I will be pretty mad about it. No, not mad. I’ll feel betrayed because I’ve created friendships in my head with my vendors. I think they’re all super awesome!
I’m disappointed in myself for being so concerned with the cosmetic details of the wedding that if they don’t turn out like I want them to I’ll let it cast a shadow over the day. Read more…
Mrs. Thimble, NYC/PhiladelphiaAge and Occupation: 26, Actress & Costume Designer (+ day job)Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Lawyer & Techie WizEngagement Date: August 22, 2008Wedding Date: October 2010Venue: The Pearl S. Buck HouseAbout Me: I’m an easily inspired over-thinker delighted with the process of designing, building, directing and {dare I say} co-starring in the early-autumn affair I’ve been dreaming up. I’m a sucker for trendied-up comfort foods and old family anecdotes; I have an affinity for adjectives, alliteration, eyelet and earl grey; and I live for quality time with family and friends. I never guessed I’d marry my “high school sweetheart", but when it turned out to be my funny, techie, loyal Mr. Thimble I was committed for life. We’re both mid-career transition and ready to move back to small-townish TBD, PA in a pre-wedding flurry of all-good life changes.
I wanted to share with you how we put the whole invitation suite together before we tied it up with a bow and a 
This weekend my NY MOH, BMs BK and Trines, my sister, and my bests rallied together a fantaaastic bachelorette party for yours truly. Lots of love and elbow grease went into this destination soiree at my friend A’s parents’ Pocono house, but it paid off big time! Without further ado, I will share with you our shamelessly goofy photographs that capture the spirit of the evening perfectly (if you haven’t already picked up on the fabulousness in the pic above):
