Inspiration: Country Quaint

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<3 Miss Charlie

Mother of the Bride

image (c) Michele Taras

Continuing on the trend of mothers this week in honour of Mothers Day, I took a jaunt through some of Winnipeg's bridal websites in search of some great 'Mother of the Bride' dresses. I think moms have gotten a lot more 'hip' then back when they were forced in to colour coordinated pantsuits for weddings. Jackets and boleros are still a popular style, but designers have realized that there are moms out there who want a timeless style dress that doesn't scream matron!

Beker Fashions

Demetrios Bridal

Jacquelin Bridal

Jasmine Bridal

Demetrios Bridal

Jacquelin Bridal

Jasmine Bridal

Jacquelin Bridal

Jasmine Bridal

All the brands listed can be found at either L.A. Collection, Stella's Bridal, or C.T.Y.L in Winnipeg! Makes it even sweeter!
<3 Miss Charlie

Best Proposal on TV?

Michael Scott finds his match

I am a huge Office fan. I've seen every episode (multiple times) played the DVD board game (yes...) and cried a flood of tears when Michael Scott left Dunder Mifflin for good last Thursday.

One of the best things about the show was their commitment to characters. Michael is a lovable nut, and his proposal to Holly was so sweet and so Michael. If you haven't seen it, watch it. If you have seen it.. watch it again!

Another great proposal on The Office was Jim's proposal to Pam. And their classic parody of the infamous youtube wedding video "forever" at their wedding.

<3 Miss Charlie

Mum's the Word

Ahh, Mom. She gives you cookies, love, care and advice. Yes, advice. Mom is always full of advice! "Look both ways before you cross the street!" "Never swim on a full stomach!" "Don't hit your brother on the head with a toy computer"... Maybe that was just my Mom. And if you lived with out a Mom, then I'm sure there was or is someone in your life that loves to give you great advice.

My question is, will you take advice from your Mom or 'advice giver' when it comes to your wedding? Especially when her "advice" translates more to her opinion on how your wedding should happen. Some of us have a Mom or Dad or Aunt or even friend who can't help but blurt their opinions about everything! When it comes to your wedding are you going to bend or are you going to be firm in your own ideas?

I will probably listen to what my Mom has to say, and take her advice or opinions in stride. I love my Mom and I think she is a smart, and creative women (can you hear the 'but'?) but I have a feeling I am going to be 'one of those' brides who will keep wedding planning to myself and my fiancee. If Mom wants me to carry daffodils and spend a small fortune on decorative tree centre pieces... then that's her advice. But it's exactly it, just advice. Advice doesn't always have to be followed!

...Except for that crossing the street thing. Mom kind of hit the nail on the head with that.

How do you tell your Mom to, well, 'butt' out? It's hard! It's hard for me to get my Mom to leave me alone about anything! I can't even begin to imagine what it's going to be life when I get married-- oh god.

I value my Mother's opinion, (as I think almost anyone does) but when it comes to the union of me and my fiancee... I think her advice may just have to take a seat on the sidelines.

What do you think?

<3 Miss Charlie

Inspiration: Enchanted Forest

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Wedding Movie Extravaganza!

Julia Roberts in My Best Friend's Wedding

Movies! I am a fiend when it comes to cinema. I will watch everything and anything. I love old movies, new movies, classics, foreign, comedies, action -- I really mean, everything! Those classic "How Many Movies Have You Seen?" quizzes implode when I answer them.

This is a wedding blog, however, so I'll stick to naming the films I've enjoyed that are based on or around a wedding!   Some of them are bad and some are just classics in the wedding genre!

 

I would have to say that My Best Friend's Wedding is my favourite out of all of them. A close second would be Four Wedding and a Funeral. 

What wedding movies do you love?

<3 Miss Charlie

Inspiration: Silent Movie

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For this Sunday's inspiration I drew from the palette of the old silent films: black, white and grey.

<3 Miss Charlie

Breakfast in Bed

Breakfast in bed. It's a simple, easy and classically romantic gesture. Who doesn't love waking up to the smell of roasted coffee beans, warm syrupy pancakes and a big ol' slab of bacon! (Or tof-acon for the vegetarians!). Why not spend an hour in the morning to make something special for the person in your life that means the most. (And hey--if that person is your dog... so what!)

I have found THE perfect cinnamon raisin bread that will make any one fall in love with you all over again! It's from Sun-Maid, the classic red boxed raisins that everyone remembers!

Cinnamon Raisin Quick Bread
Ingredients 1 egg, beaten 1 cup buttermilk or (1 cup milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice) 1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar 1 tablespoon cinnamon 2-1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 cup Sun-Maid Natural Raisins   Directions: HEAT oven to 350 F. GREASE a 9x5-inch loaf pan. COMBINE egg, buttermilk and butter; blend well. COMBINE flour, sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda and salt. ADD egg to mixture; stir just until dry ingredients are moistened. FOLD in raisins. SPOON batter into greased pan. BAKE for 55 to 60 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. COOL in pan 10 minutes. REMOVE from pan and cool on wire racks.

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For this recipe I omitted the salt because I used a salted butter, and I also add another two or three teaspoons of cinnamon, as well as a teaspoon of vanilla. This bread is the cats meow, I swear. I had to make two loafs this morning because my family could not say anything but "MORE" after eating the first batch!

For an added 'somethin' special' I made an apple-nutmeg butter to slather on the bread. To make, simmer 8 cups of sliced apples (any kind will do except Granny Smith) with 2 cups of apple juice for 40 minutes or until tender. Take off the heat and mash with a potato masher, then return to the heat. Bring it back to a low simmer and add 1 cup of brown sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon and nutmeg. Let this reduce for another 30 minutes until it's thick like apple sauce.

The apple butter is a little time consuming, but it's well worth the extra effort. If you don't think you can function well enough to handle doing that first thing in the morning-- make it the day before!

<3 Miss Charlie

The Royal Wedding

Prince William and Kate Middleton

I figured a Royal wedding was pretty blog-worthy! On April 29th Prince William is set to marry Kate Middleton, and they've sort of already become a huge cultural phenomenon. The "every-day girl" meets the "handsome Prince" archetype has captivated not only the U.K., but North American as well.

Among the crazy list of things being created in honour of their nuptials is: a made-for-tv movie that is said to be cult-classic it's so bad, a set of silverware, dinner plates, mock engagement rings (a la Kate's Sapphire which was originally Diana's), flags, t-shirts, commemorative coins -- the list goes on.

Can you imagine living in the spotlight 24/7 AND trying to plan the biggest, most televised wedding of the year? (Maybe even the decade?). Sheesh! But then again they've got money out the wazoo and probably a pretty posh wedding planner taking care of everything.

Still! Imagine having to share your day with 750 millions viewers, along with your family, friends and whomever else can fit into Westminster Abbey!

There's been talk that Kate may wear a dress designed by Jenny Packham (love!) which would be awesome. I'm rooting for that!

Kate has a very sophisticated clean-pallete way of dressing (think Chloe, Ralph Lauren, Halston, etc.) and I am looking forward to what she plans to wear for a dress! I can see her going for something modern, maybe even just a plain sheath with beading?

Then again, it's a Royal wedding so she may pull out all the stops and wear a cascading ballgown! I kinda doubt it considering her simplistic style, but you never know!

As for William, I'm not sure what he plans to wear! I can almost guarantee it will be a tux vs a suit. Maybe even a tailed coat and waistcoat to match!

Can we take a moment to talk about this ring? It is so beautiful and unexpected! I thought it was sweet that William and Kate chose Diana's ring. I think it symbolizes a closing of the past Royal marriage and a fresh new beginning for the young couple. I know they've been criticized for using Princess Di's jewels, but I think that's all rubbish!

So tell me readers, are you planning to get up at 4:00am to start watching the royal wedding coverage?

<3 Miss Charlie

If It's Not Like the Movies

classic movie romance

It's become a busy week here on the Prairies, and I don't have much of a post for you guys today besides a few words about Katy Perry (Again? you cringe). Her Grammy performance of the song 'Not Like the Movies' was so moving to me I just had to share it with you. I saw it when it initially aired back in February but I revisit it from time to time. The curtain with the projection of her marriage to Russell Brand actually makes me tear up it's so beautiful--especially with the song. So watch the video, for my sake!
<3 Miss Charlie

Inspiration: Blush and Gold

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Today's inspiration on a dreary Sunday morning is a beautiful combination of blush and gold. I would have to say it is in my top three wedding colour combinations. I just can't get enough of it. Regal, elegant, and very Versailles.

Shoe-t Me!

Today it's all about shoes here at the Prairie blog. I think spring must be getting to me-- I have been craving new sandals, pumps, you name it. Any excuse to look at bridal footwear, I'll find it.

Bebe Grace Peep-Toe

Steve Madden Sussexx

Steve Madden Demmure

Bebe Dita

Those bebe Dita sandals are so gorgeous. Wedding or not I'd buy 'em.

<3 Miss Charlie