Cutest Puppy?

As I mentioned, not too long ago my husband and I added a new member to our family - a rescue puppy named Lilly!

Well, she was recently selected as a finalist in a cute puppy contest.  Voting for the  contest ends tomorrow morning (they didn't give an actual time, but the winner is being announced at 8:15AM, so sometime before then).

If you'd like to help us out and vote the link is below and she's #13!!!

http://popcrush1057.com/tulipup-contest-vote/

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

I am getting married at Franklin Plaza in Troy, NY this September.  I am trying to figure out hair and make-up for myself and my bridesmaids.  My bridesmaids will be paying for their own hair and make-up.  I asked if they wanted to get one or both done and they all agreed that they wanted to get everything done together on-site and make it a girls morning.  

So, we have two options:

#1 One of my bridesmaids cousin and step-mother are hair stylists and offered to do our hair on-site for $35-$45 per person. 

#2 Find a salon to have come to our hotel.  
- Timeless Up- dos:  Charges $65 per bridesmaid and $90 for the bride. This is $30 more per bridesmaid and $45 more (twice the price for me).  
- Shapes and Colors quoted $75 per person (cheaper for me than the first salon, but more expensive for the bridesmaids).

At first, I thought it would take longer to have my bridemaids step-mother and cousin to do everyones hair with just two of them, but then I found out that it takes about the same amount of time to have it done by people coming in from a salon.

Pricewise, the choice is an obvious one.  However, I have one concern with option #1.  As far as make-up and hair goes am do I need a professional for the day of - someone with experience specifically in bridal hair/make-up?

Anyone with any experience at all I would greatly appreciate your help.  Also if you are specifically from the Troy/Albany area do you have any salon recommendations?  I know of Rumors, Make Me Fabulous, etc., but I don't think I can justify spending that much money on hair and make-up for one day.

Last Minute Decisions: Engagement Pictures

So as I've said, we are doing our engagement pictures this week.  We fly out tomorrow night and get into Albany just before midnight.  Thursday and Friday are booked for venue appointments.  Saturday and Sunday will be decision making (hoping to pick a venue)/engagement picture days.  I am looking for some last minute advice on the pictures.

Some questions I have are:

• How should I do my nails?  
• I was thinking either a clear coat or french tip for my fingernails.  As for my toenails, I was thinking a bright red to go with my peep-toe red shoes.
• What about hair?     
• My hair is naturally straight and boring.  I am definitely getting it trimmed before the pictures, but I was thinking of just getting it blown-out the day of the pictures.
• What about make-up?
• I hardly ever wear make-up and when I do its only basic black mascara and a little eye-shadow.  I don't know what do for the pictures.   
• How many locations?
• I currently have three locations in mind all within 5 minutes of one another and I have a different outfit for each one.
• Any other advice:  What did you wish you had known before taking your engagement pictures?

Please comment below.  I would to here your suggestions or maybe other questions that you have!

New York: Venues

We bought our tickets last night.  We are officially taking a trip to New York.  We will be there from August 9th - 12th to look at possible venues.  His parents (that live in the area), along with my grandmother and father will be joining us.  Everyone is very excited since it is there first time since we have been engaged that they will be seeing us or each other.

Since we are only going to be in the area for a few days, my goal is to get as much information as I can on the venues before we go out there.  I came up with a list of what was important to us in a venue and used them to create a chart (you can find it here)for comparing all of the venues.  Hopefully that will help.  My next step is to call all of the venues to make appointments.

Reception Venues

We decided that we are going to get married in upstate New York.  It is where my fiance it from, it is where we met, it is where we both went to college, and it is only a few hours from my family.  After looking for a week at possibly venues, we have our list down to six places:

• The Desmond
• Franklin Plaza
• The Georgian
• Longfellows Inn
• Century House
• Mohawk River Country Club

If anyone has any reviews of any of them please feel free to comment.