Dancing Across the USA

It's supposed to rain here tomorrow, Saturday, and Tuesday. Hopefully that means a bright and sunny 4th of July. I've been super lazy while on vacation, but before it flies by, I need to get some serious stuff done. I've got to get busy with some cleaning and other projects. I'm hoping to use the long weekend to get things going. I'm also hoping the rain means I don't have to go into work for a while, at least until Tuesday.

In honor of 4th of July, I'm presenting you with this bit of 4th of July wedding inspiration. Shot by Tinywater Photography, this gorgeous shoot is filled with lovely bits of Americana. I especially love the milk and cookie bar, with the vintage milk bottles! So awesome! It would be expensive, but totally worth it to replicate this idea. Plus, I bet if you spent time thrifting bottles on the cheap in lots on eBay, you could save some money and get it done for cheap. Yeah, do it!


So fun, right? Imagine if you were actually going to a wedding like that this weekend? How awesome! So many great ideas that are easily replicated in that shoot.

All this expected rain makes me think I'll also be staying in and practicing my guitar between cleaning/projects. I learned three new chords this week and two new songs. I was really struggling in class and I felt like there was a huge jump between class one and class two. My hyperhidrosis kicks into high gear during my lessons and practice, too, which is really frustrating. I'm hoping that as my confidence builds, it will ease. It has a lot to do with my stress/anxiety over keeping up. Luckily I'm not alone. I felt like she was going super fast for everyone, but it also forces you to want to keep up and learn fast. And it does get easier every time. So, now that my fingers are feeling a lot less sore, and a lot more used to it, though still not 100% normal, I'm hoping to practice a lot more.

Other than that, we're thinking about an impromptu road trip and a friend's housewarming barbecue on Sunday. Our actual 4th, we're looking forward to doing not very much, and just hanging out with each other. What are your plans this holiday weekend?? Whatever they are, here's hoping you have a safe and spectacular 4th of July weekend!

In the mean time, here are your dance moves for the week:

Love, love, loved this week's Motherhood Monday post on A Cup of Jo. I've already told A.P. that when he becomes a dad (with our child, presumably), I'm making him read this. He's off the hook till then.

What a versatile DIY wrap/scarf that takes less than five minutes to make and even a fool could do it (I'm referring to me, not you. Don't worry.)

Anybody else super psyched True Blood is back on? Eric and Bill are totally this.

I'm going to try to make this for my friend's pre-4th barbecue/house warming. I'm not sure if I'll use box mixes or dig up a good recipe. I'm inclined to dig up a good recipe and make it real fun!

Have I told you about my obsession with braids? Yes? No? Doesn't matter either way, I'm telling you again.

Check out this beautiful Reem Acra gown from her 2012 Resort Wear line. A-ma-zing! Imagine floating around wearing that!

My new Zazzle store. You know you want more crap you don't need.

Thank you to those of you who took my survey. If you still haven't, I would love you oh so much if you did! Click here. It's quick and painless.

And here are several June NTMK posts you might have missed:

Division of Labor in a Marriage

A special sneak peek of a new show on ABC this fall!

Sex in marriage

Thoughts on writing

Bunnies in the garden!

Engagement Shoot Inspiration Month! And our plan of action for our (post-) engagement shoot.

And of course, don't forget Simply Bridal's 15% discount code!

(Dance Friday Photo via Pinterest; 4th of July Wedding via Tinywater Photography)

Wedding Wednesday: Simply Bridal

At the beginning of this month, I told you about some of the exciting things you'd be seeing on Not the Marrying Kind this month. One of them was a sneak preview of a new show on ABC, which is premiering this fall. If you missed that last week, you can check it out here. The other thing was a discount on a new wedding dress website called Simply Bridal.

The good folks at Simply Bridal approached me about reviewing their site a month or so ago. I was a little hesitant at first. Since I've increased my blogging to five times a week, I have seen an increase in traffic. This also means that I've gotten some emails in my inbox asking me to join this site or submit my blog to this site. So, it only seems natural that I'd be a little skeptical. Still, I decided to go have a look at the site. Plus, unlike a lot of other emails I get, this site wanted me to offer my readers a discount, which I really wanted to be able to share with you guys.

Now, I'm obviously married and therefore don't really have a need for a wedding dress. So obviously I haven't ordered one from Simply Bridal, but I have to tell you that when I was looking for a wedding dress, a website like this would have totally appealed to me. The prices are totally reasonable, and the dresses are tailored to fit! How much better can it get? It very much reminds me of the site A.P. used for his suit (which I may need to blog about next week to even things out).

Here's how the site works! You go to Simply Bridal and check out their selection of dresses. Once you've chosen your dress, you tell them your general size and order it up. Once you order, you're prompted to put in your measurements (have someone take these for you, okay? I took A.P.'s for our wedding.) Each dress is custom made to your measurements. They have a number of styles which you can choose from, and they create a dress that fits you because it was made for you! If your dress doesn't fit the way you like it, you can return it for a full refund.*

I also love that the site has many different options for searching dresses. You can view dresses by fabric, silhouette, by the type of neckline, or the train length. So awesome! Here are a few of my favorite dresses they offer:


If you are getting married and are still hunting for a wedding dress that fits both your body and your budget, check out Simply Bridal! They begin taking orders on July 15th! That gives you plenty of time to make up your mind about which dress you want!

And as a special bonus, Simply Bridal is offering Not the Marrying Kind readers 15% discount on their site! When you check out, simply put in this discount code to receive 15% off your dress: SAVEBRIDAL15. Remember, you can't order until July 15th, but the code has no expiration date, so don't worry! You've got plenty of time to make up your mind. Have fun (and spread the word)!

*Simply Bridal has a pretty fair return policy, but you should read it before you buy. Please don't buy a dress, wait 20 days until you've lost those last 10 lbs. to try it on, and then when it doesn't fit and you can't return it, yell and scream at me! I'm fragile. I bruise like a peach...emotionally and physically. Instead, be aware by reading and understanding their alterations policy and their return policy. Nobody wants your big day ruined because you glossed over some pretty important details. If you're too busy to read it, make your husband-t0-be read it. We all know he's not doing anything anyway.

(All Photos via Simply Bridal; Dress 1; Dress 2; Dress 3; Dress 4)