This year Pantone announce Tangerine Tango as 2012′s color of the year (and Florida quietly slipped them cash-cash-money under the table…), which to most of you is probably old news. But what isn’t old news is that one of my oldest, most lovable friends is using this hue in her upcoming I Do’s!

In honor of her engagement I put together a little collection of my favorite ways to incorporate this vibrant color into your big day. Let me know what you think.

{Flower Detail} {Stamp Sealed Delivered} {Watercolor Love}

Spread the word that you’re on trend and in style by adding a pop of color to your invites. If you go with the watercolor you get extra trendsetter points with this beautiful new artful way to spread the love. But once you have your invites, don’t forget to welcome your guests with this cute multi-purpose escort or place card idea (or quick citrus snack if your that guest…which I most definitely am).

{Bride Place Card}

 Flowers are one of the obvious choices with so many fun combinations and styles!

{Rose Centerpiece}  {Daffodil Bouquet | Unknown} {Rananculus and Daisy Bouquet} {Centerpiece} {Bridesmaid Bouquets}

And apparently Mother Nature’s been a trendsetter since the beginning with these beautiful floral varieties.

Since my sweet friend is planning her wedding in Portland, I just couldn’t resist adding in these Tangerine tinted birdcages (Put a bird on it! – You know you wanted to say it).

{ Birdcage and orchids} {Hanging Birdcage}

But these ideas are a treat for the eyes and the taste buds, which obviously make them a must-have for any Tangerine inspired wedding.

{Orange Creamcicles with Ceramic Tangerine Tipped Sticks}

{Geometric} {Floral Fondant}

{Tangerine Tango}

Tangerine Juice. Fresh Homemade Ginger Simple Syrup. Rum. What’s not to love about this adult indulgence?

But don’t forget about the kids! Keep them entertained with this fun art set – Just don’t let them near your dress.

{Art Kit}

And last but not least, what would a wedding be without a few fun accessories?

Here comes the Bride. Loud and colorfied…

{Hair Flair} {Chevron Nails} {Kate Spade Statement Necklace}

Here comes the Groom to liven up the room!

{Groomsmen}

Now that you have a few of these Tangerine teasers. How do you plan to tango this year?

So get ready because…

(well mini)

[Photo Credit: Here Comes the Bride; Angelic - Green Wedding Shoes; Feathers in her hair. Feathers everywhere - 1 & 4.) Emici Bridal Blush Collection 2.) Emmaline Bride 3.) Pink Bowtique; A Vintage Affair - 1.) Austin Wedding Blog 2.) Etsy - If I Were Cards 3.) J Crew 4.) Green Wedding Shoes 5.) Zappos]

There’s no question the ring has become the international symbol of love. How much your fiance loves you. How much you love him.

$ How much $

And I am just as guilty as the next girl with sparkles on the mind. But I have to say that I didn’t go the traditional route. Instead Zee German (my hubby-to-be) surprised me with a band of diamonds similar to this:

And there are so many reasons why I love his thoughtful pick!

• Though we’d been ring shopping together I couldn’t quite decide on a design I wanted to wear all the time. But I had commented on the eternity band my friend wears, and how I loved the simplicity and would wear that style every day vs. a bigger ring I would probably take off.
• We are planning to have an “engagement ring” as our “anniversary ring”, which I LOVE! To me this is symbolic of our love and marriage and allows us to celebrate both in such a meaningful way (PLUS I pick rock over paper any day).
• I get to keep ring “shopping”!

This last is really just a fun extra that I recently realized, but I do love that even after the wedding dress (which I had rushed to pick/order originally due to a crazy idea that we should get married in 5 mo.) is picked and wedding day is over, I can still peruse jewelers’ windows for beautiful bling!

And I tend to lose things…

How are you celebrating your unique love story?

[Photo credit: EE Robbins - Martin Flyer]

And if you haven’t noticed, lace is definitely trending this wedding season. So whether you’re going to be donning a delicate, lace dress, or just looking to add some dainty details, you’re sure to find gorgeous ways to do so! Here are just a few of my favs…

{1} One of my absolute to die for favorites this year has been the beautiful garders showing up on Etsy, La Gartier and of course Pinterest. Emily Riggs Bridal starts us off with a gorgeous lace garter with jewel detail, which takes my top pick, because who doesn’t need a little extra bling to match their ring?

{2} But if you’re really going to embrace lace this year, you have to get it in full length. This dress has been all over Pinterest and is sweetly romantic with its edged sweetheart neckline and slight flair. THANK YOU Watters for bringing us the Natalia.

{3} And every bride needs some fabulous hair flair to complete their ensemble, especially for after the ceremony when the veil will no longer be worn. Number 3 is near and dear to my heart as the exquisite creation of Sally Crew, a local Seattle designer with talent for miles. And she just happens to be one of the sweetest people you’ll ever meet! Seriously contact this wonderful designer. She works wonders to capture your full “vision”. Customized. Brilliantly beautiful. What’s to consider?

{4} StudioWedbyMirela. Get ready to show some leg ladies, because these yummy designs are obviously meant to be seen. And you can kiss the garter toss goodbye – these are keepers!

{5} DIY + Lace?! These envelopes are a bride’s holy grail of lace love.

{6} Why leave the lace to the wedding day? Don’t forget to style up your Rehearsal or Bridal Shower with this stunning lace cocktail dress by Vera Wang. Or this one from Asos.

{7} Manolo Blahnik. That is all.

So we all plan our whole lives and then we wait. Wait until the day we meet The One. And then we wait some more. We wait until The ONE  asks us to be his wife. And THEN we frantically scramble to pull off the jaw-dropping, fairy tale wedding of our dreams within ONE YEAR!

But.

What if we didn’t. I don’t mean stop dreaming and scheming about the big day (that’s just crazy talk). I mean what if we didn’t wait until we were officially engaged before we started saving to make the wedding of our dreams a reality? Again. CRAZY LADY.

Or not.

Just think, the average wedding was almost $27,000 in 2010 – not including the honeymoon, and seriously who doesn’t want a killer honeymoon!? With the average engagement lasting 14 months that means you need to save NEARLY $2K A MONTH. That doesn’t even factor in vendors that require up front deposits (which you haven’t started saving yet).

Ironically the first time I heard about the idea of saving for a pre-engagement Wedding Fund was from a guy(Ramit Sethi in I Will Teach You To Be Rich). Then again, maybe it’s not ironic since most women are afraid of seeming crazy by having a “Wedding Fund” without even having a man. But what’s crazier? Starting to save a couple hundred a month in college or when you land your first job? OR waiting until you get to save $2K or more per month? [Note: No judgement here. I didn't read Sethi until post-engagement, when my fiance and I started talking about finances - oh the irony...So that places me firmly in the latter group. Bring on the Top Ramen dinners!]

Not only will you be cutting out one of the biggest stress factors of a wedding. Planning early means you can still enjoy those Starbuck’s lattes and splurges along the way (hello facials and shiny new shoes I obviously need for my bachelorette party…and bridal shower…and honeymoon). Or if you need to skip a month, you can without hitting your carefully set wedding budget.

Maybe it’s not for you. Maybe you’re afraid he might think you’re crazy. But do you seriously think his reaction will be, “I’m out! She’s nuts. Wedding Fund!? What is that!?”.

Or do you think he’ll be all like, “Dude, SWEET! I’m the luckiest man on the earth. Not only is my fiancee super hot, intelligent, witty and A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. in bed. She already has a Wedding Fund for us. Woot! Woot! No living on Top Ramen for a year!”…It will be something like this. Trust me.

P.S. You can check out an overview of Ramit’s wedding budgeting break down on his blog here.

P.P.S. GUYS (and girlfriends who love their guys and big, shiny engagement rings) – You should also think about a pre-engagement fund. Because unless you seriously think you’re never getting married, when you finally know - you’re going to want to immediately get that girl off the market. So why not already have enough saved to buy the woman of your dreams the ring of hers.

[Photo Credit: 1.) Pinterest: A place of imaginary weddings and kids - Pinned via Web/Jessica Martin 2.) Infographic on the True Cost of Tying the Knot - Credit Sesame]

If you’re like me you’re A.D.D.I.C.T.E.D. to Pinterest. If you’re not like me – what’s wrong with you? Seriously, if you haven’t heard of Pinterest or you’re holding out because you like to be a late adopter to make sure it’s tried and true, your wait is over. Don’t trust me? Check it out for yourself here. Here. AND…HERE.

Forgive my drug dealing intro, but it had to be done. Now all of you should be blissfully hooked on the amazing plethora of visual stimulation that is Pinterest. And if you’re new (even a recent convert from my shameless peddling) or a power user, there are a few things that remain the same for all of us.

1.) Descriptions: Love them. Hate them. Use them for essay worthy details (seriously if this is you, please stop). Use them well my friends, because they are for the greater good. And that greater good is the downfall of Google (I kid. I kid. I ♥ Google mucho – promise)! But seriously the descriptions are KEY in Pinterest’s search logic – at least for now. So here are a few things to keep in mind:

- # and @ Symbols: (AKA What? I copied Twitter!? Yes. Yes you did. But’s it’s cool, Facebook did it first.) Most of you know you can use Hashtags (#) to coin a term or #brandallthingsinlife. What you might not know (because every article on how to use Pinterest says to use #) is that it’s pretty much a worthless symbol in searching – for now. The actual key to Pinteresting finds are the terms themselves. On the other hand @ really does let you tag someone in a comment or description. However, unlike Twitter it only let’s you tag those that you follow. So if you have friends you’d rather not have style stamping themselves all over your feed, you’re going to have to Facebook or Tweet them instead.  [Hint: Don't add a space after the @]

- $ signs post prices as a small banner up in the corner, which most people know. Something you might not already know is that you can then find any of these $ tagged images in the “Gifts” section. [Hint: I predict this will be a MECCA for men looking to get their lady friends gifts. As in, GUYS GET YOURSELF AN ACCOUNT SO YOU CAN BUY ALL THE SHIT AMAZING THINGS WE PIN!]

- Speaking of Facebooking…One thing that’s a little bit annoying, but can’t seem to be helped is that if you share a pin to Facebook while pinning you’re going to end up with “just posted a pin to Pinterest” as the main header, with the witty, cute comment you made as the smallest, least visible component. Also the image itself will be pretty mini. Not sure if there’s a way around this yet or if Pinterest plans to fix it, but if you know how please share in the comments section!

- And because I know it’s tough being so funny and intellectual all the time, if you really must leave a blank description, you can just add a space before pinning. BUT refer to greater good discussion above and really try to use descriptions that will be searchable (in a logical way – i.e., “yum” is probably not a universal term for describing cupcakes, crock pot dinners, and Ryan Gosling…then again…).

- LAST TRICK ON DESCRIPTIONS (ALSO KNOWN AS THE MOST IMPORTANT HENCE THE OVERUSE OF EXCLAMATIONS —>)!!!!!! This just in. If you highlight text on a page before pinning it, the text will magically appear in the description box saving you precious minutes from your life, which you can now use for PINNING! #firstworldproblems

That was a lot on Descriptions but it’s actually one of the most important aspects of Pinterest, since it really helps build out the product (Note to Pinterest – HIRE ME!). On to a few other resourceful pointers:

• Get the Pin It button. I repeat. GET the Pin It button for your Browser(s) AND YOUR PHONE HERE. Actually you pretty much access all the cool stuff there (Website integration with a Pin It or Follow Pinterest button – even the Pinterest logo. They’re that cool.).
• Follow @Pinterest and their blog for development updates and Pinterviews.
• Check out the personalized e-mails they send you with your status among the Pinning Gods and others you might like to follow.
• Don’t forget that search results show up by individual images, boards and people. Often when I’m bored of the images I am getting, I’ll start cruising through the boards that the images I do like belong to. And then the people. AND THEN I’m on a full fledged stalkathon!
• Follow people. Or exercise your voting rights and just say NO to the boards you don’t like by selecting “unfollow”.
• Comment. Add Contributors (Note: They need to follow YOU and be cool with you style stamping all over THEIR feed before you can add them). Pin from ACTUAL websites – yes, I know that requires leaving Pinterest, but the Pin It button is like the little angel on your shoulder that never leaves you.
• http://www.pinterest.com/source/domain.com will show you all the pins pinned from that domain. So you want to see Forbes? http://pinterest.com/source/forbes.com/ You want to see Food Network? http://pinterest.com/source/foodnetwork.com/ Who are we kidding? YOU want to see http://pinterest.com/source/fuckyeahryangosling.tumblr.com/
• Send your comments to the team because sharing is caring
  • Suggestions: hi@pinterest.com
  • Bugs: bugs@pinterest.com
  • Help: help@pinterest.com

And for more random joys of Pinning…

Engaged? Start pinning. I cannot stress enough how amazing Pinterest is at organizing your plans, even figuring out what your style is (because it literally emerges from the pins you start accumulating).

Pregnant? Start pinning. It’s not just a site for crazy people obsessed with white dresses. Promise. There are tons and tons of adorable ideas for babies and expectant parents (even good learning tools), like this…

and this…

and BABBBEEHHH EWOK!

Crafty? Into Photography? Home Decor? 

Have New Year’s resolutions to Get Fit? Or Eat More (obviously a better time)? Oh hey unofficial sponsor of Oreo, Nutella and FUNFETTI. Seriously.

Seriously…

SERIOUSLY!?

***that’s and Oreo. INSIDE FUNFETTI!***

Guys?

Sorry, not for you.

Just kidding there are EVEN categories for you.

And so my fellow Pindicted friends we come to an end. Even though there are still many developments to come from this wonderful little team. And though we sometimes have to fight off suicidal depression during one of their frequent “No Pins Available” teases (though these are getting fewer and far between – Yay Team!). I promise you this does not even begin to touch on the many delicious possibilities of Pinterest. And that is exactly why Pinterest is so glorious. Each pin adds another possibility of something waiting to be created or experienced…

Or at the very least shows you that Oreos and Funfetti can indeed mate – TO CREATE BABY COOKIE GOODNESS!

So with that, there’s just one little last piece of advice. And take it from someone who learned first hand (refer to current search capacity above)…

PIN THAT SH…

What are your favorite tricks or tips for fellow Pinners?

[Sources (to the best of my ability - P.S. Try to source your Pins correctly)]

1.) Success Kid: Let’s not kid each other. This kid is everywhere…; 2.) Burberry Swagger via Tumblr 3.) Baby Rockstar via Baby Swag 4.) BABBBEEHHH EWOK via Imgur 5.) Funfetti Cakeballs via Chef in Training 6.) Funfetti Donuts (AKA Heart Attack) via Cookies & Cups 7.) Funfetti and Oreo’s make sweet, sweet whoopie via Bakers Royale 8.) Ring on It (customized) via YouTube

My hope.

To spare my poor male constituents the visual vomit of Pink! Sparkles! Satin!

To have a “clean space” for organizing designs and delicious details for weddings, baby showers, birthday parties and more (but mostly weddings)!

To give a little separation to the career circle and the HI-I-HAVE-A-PROBLEM personal love circle(s).

To honor my dedication to 2012. To the promise that this year I’ll dare. I’ll tone down the “What if’s” and ramp up the “What the hell’s”.

And because…

[Photo Credit: 1) ringoblog.com & Pinterest - Lindsay Claire 2) Helzberg Diamonds 3) Barney's - Cathy Waterman Open Heart Ring ($3,280) 4) Pinterest - Michelle Jones 5) Pinterest - Janae Harrison 6) Anna Sheffield - Hazeline Solitaire (from $1,100) 7) Simon G 8) Amazon - Da'Carli ($1,525) 9) Harry Winston - Attraction 10) Your Engagement 101 - Simon G 11) Pinterest - Rachel Adams 12) Lauren Klein - Rose Gold Morganite Cushion Cut ($14,500)]

*I have used my best efforts to attribute to correct sources; however, please feel free to contact me for requests to update or remove any images or references. Thank you!

So it really shouldn’t have surprised us when the other weekend she sauntered downstairs after getting ready for bed with her PJ’s on – sans buttons. Then when my sister-in-law sensibly went to help her button up, when Miss Diva proclaimed, “No Mom. I’m a pregnant rockstar and you know how they always keep their shirts unbuttoned.” Four. Years. Old.

You’re probably thinking, “That’s what you get for running nonstop TV and keeping US Weekly for bedtime stories.” I promise you this could not be further from the truth of her zero TV, educational programming during family time only, Spanish immersion, women studies instructor Mom, Cyndi Lauper singing life. But you know who else had an awkward pregnancy phase as a toddler? Dakota Fanning. That’s right folks, I am proud aunt to the next child superstar.

Dontcha wish your family was haute like me?

And on the turning of another year, I can’t help but be a little jealous of my pint-sized rockstar. I mean, here she is in that beautiful phase of life where her imagination has no bounds. The word “impossible” literally reads “I’m possible” and she’s surrounded by adults telling her she can be anything she wants to be. The magic of this glittering bubble is one of the best parts of…And then it hits. At what point did those encouraging adults become the voice of reason politely pointing out that income after taxes makes being a superhero less desirable than an accountant? When did our apostrophes skip from I’m possibles to can’ts, don’ts and won’ts? And who says we can’t reclaim our childhood wonder? Our sense of excitement for all the sparkly promise the world holds. Who said we’re too old? It’s too risky and our time has past? The adults. Us. We. Me.

Well, I can proudly say I don’t much care for the maturity of adults and much rather foster the brilliance of youth. With 2011 as a celebration of this crazy circular life, 2012 will be a continuation to a deeper level. A year for unwavering belief and throwing tantrums (otherwise known as taking a stand) for what I want. Not what I’m told to want. To honoring childhood wonder.

2012 will be the year of making a Reclamation.

1. Went shopping
2. Went drinking
3. Went “when the hell did I stop being able to drink past 9!?”

The last of which is a sad new found revelation that I’m getting bloody old.  Actually if I’m honest, I’ve known this truth for a long time but happily feigned ignorance until ignorance came to smack me in the face in the form of a GLASS of tequila (apparently Hard Rock Cafe serves glasses NOT shots of liquid pain and regret).

But it was mostly number 1 and 2 that were the entertaining portion of my weekend – though I’m sure some people thought step 3 had it’s humorous moments.

Shopping.

I’m not really a girl that likes to shop.  I like to covet.  I see things on other people, Facebook stalking, random Pinteresting, etc. that I adore but really never have that much fun when I try to go find those items in real life.  Either that or those things look nowhere near the same as when I was coveting from afar.  HOWEVER, my good friend Yuri (who is a shopping maven) pointed me in the direction of Express.  Now, I’m no stranger to Express and in fact my closet is still full from my former days of salestitution, but then there was this awkward breakup.  We both said things we didn’t mean.  And three years later we merely nod and politely look the other way.  That is until they started selling THESE

These my friends will make love to your legs and have you saying things you’ve never thought you’d say, like “can I get these a size smaller?” (thank you Express and your polite upsizing).  Seriously they’re like invisible spanx on steroids and diversified in their ability to flatter, meaning even though I look like I lost my butt in my last pair of jeans when I normally try skinnies, these tighten, tuck and showcase in just the right ways.

THEN of course I had to take part in their buy 1 get 1 50% off deal (if this is still going on, go there. now.).  And with that I felt pretty pleased with myself for breaking my style strike…with twins.

Until I found this at Nordstrom last night

Which just happens to be a Pinterest crush.  So now I’m thinking, I HAVE to buy it.  It’s a sign!  Plus a date with my bridesmaids is coming up to try on dresses and foster our inner tween with Breaking Dawn (but in a theater that serves alcohol, so we’re obviously not the same as the squealing, clapping 12 yr. olds…We’ll be drunk on vampire love AND cocktails).

And what better way to celebrate this reunion with teen angst than to proudly wear THIS LITTLE BAUBLE 

I have an addiction.  It’s name is Pinterest.

I don’t want help.

Seriously.

This is your last warning.

Fine. Well then welcome to the world of so many pretties #IDie. A life in which the hubby-to-be goes to bed alone. Sleep becomes oh so uncreative, and life is a nonstop wedding.

The irony and most Pinteresting part of this addicting site is that it was founded by three dudes. Apparently has one woman (re: “three dudes” link). And yet a barrage of women posting wedding, decorating, styling and cooking boards dominates the space. In fact, when Zee German thought he’d check out his competition, he quickly gave up when the results for “gun” showed up with this…

Obviously he’s not the target market (or any “he” for that matter). But that’s quite alright, because that means my own searches are undiluted, beautiful, feeds of

this.

and this.

and THIS!!!!

Oh Pinterest. You had me at hello…just don’t tell my fiance.

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