Ember Love

Just wanted to share a quick post about an adorable boutique here in Little Rock, Ember.  However, if you don't live close, no worries!  Ember Boutique just launched a new website: Ember Boutique


I haven't really started shopping for spring yet, but after looking at some of their stuff, I may begin this weekend!  Here are some really cute dresses and tops that I love.  

Again, check out their new website Ember Boutique to grab the latest spring fashions and have fun picking out which items to buy!

Themed Engagement Photos

Lately, I've been seeing a lot of themed engagement photos.  Some I think are spectacular!  Others are slightly questionable.  Overall though, I think it is a really fun way for couples to be creative together especially if they tend to have a bit of a dramatic flair!  

One thing to consider though when planning themed engagement photos is what you will do with them.  Are you going to incorporate them in your save the dates?  Will they tie in with your overall wedding theme?  Would you want these pictures around five to ten years from now?  Being creative with your photos is wonderful, but not if you aren't going to use them. 

Below are some over the top themed engagement shots I thought I would share since they are pretty amazing!

Little Red Riding Hood theme 

Photo by Three Nails Photography    Shreveport, LA

Alice in Wonderland theme

Photo by Three Nails Photography    Shreveport, LA

And finally, my favorite, The Notebook theme

Photos by Blushing Bride Studio  Montreal, QC Canada

What do y'all think?  Love the idea or is it too over the top for you?  Or if you have any themed engagement photos you would like to share, send them to info@arkansasbride.com.  

Noir or Blanc?

Photo from New York Times

So let's be honest here.  I love Arkansas with all of my heart, but as for being a trendsetting state within the world of fashion, we aren't typically known for that.  However, after looking at Vera Wang's Fall 2012 bridal collection, maybe that is a good thing.  

To any label-lusting bride, Ms. Wang's creations are known as the upper echelon of wedding dresses.  She sets the tone for the industry and creates dresses that celebrities such as Kim and Khloe Kardashian, Chelsea Clinton, Ivanka Trump clammer to wear. 

But Vera Wang is trying to set a different tone this year since her most recent fashion show featured multiple black wedding dresses. She has stated that after the royal wedding and the Kardashian wedding, she was ready to go in a different direction. She is quoted in the New York Times as saying, "I did take it to a witchy kind of place.  For me, it helped build a sense of mystery that I was hungry for.  And it added this sensuality and sexuality, and a little bit of severity, too.”   One quote that seems to sum up the whole black wedding dress trend is from Jung Lee, a founder of Fête, an event-planning company in Manhattan.  He stated, "The bride who chooses the black dress does not care about etiquette."  Well, I couldn't have said it better myself.  I will admit that I don't really care for trendy picks for weddings.   I tend to lean towards traditional, sophisticated, and classic when it comes to my own personal wedding style.  I suspect though that most trendy brides will not be turning to black wedding dresses anytime soon either. 

I mean in Arkansas if you are really wanting to step away from traditional, just wear a blush colored wedding dress. You'd have all the 80+ year old ladies talking in my church!

What do y'all think about Vera Wang's black wedding dress? Yes or no? Let us know!

Game Day Favorites

Goodness, y'all.  I'm sorry for my lack of posts, but Fraz and I have been on the MOVE!  You know why?  Because college football season is upon us!
Whether you are a Razorback fan or not, this is the time to cheer on your favorite team and get a little tailgating going on.  Frazier and I made the trek two weeks ago down to Dallas to cheer on the Hogs against Texas A&M which resulted in an excellent win.  We then headed up to Fayetteville to watch them defeat Auburn.  Lots of visiting with friends, enjoying the traditions, and trying to look cute for the games.  Okay, maybe that was a bit more me trying than Frazier on that last comment.
Anyways, I thought I would share some of my favorite Razorback game day items with all our brides.


Below is a way cute dress from E.Leigh's online boutique.  Love that look, and their website has a whole Game Day Attire section!

Next item is a sterling silver Razorback charm from James Avery.  Perfect for a charm bracelet or to hang from a necklace.  And last, I LOVE this Razorback cookie cutter from Eggshells here in Little Rock.  I have one myself and not only do I use it to make cookies, but display it by my stove when it's not in use.    

Let us at Arkansas Bride know of any other game day favorites you have found, and by all means add them to your registry!

Meet our child, Beau.  Well, child with fur that is.  Yes, this almost two year old Golden Retriever is the closest thing to a kid that Frazier and I can happily claim.  We bought him right before Christmas in 2009, and he has been a wonderful addition ever since! 

Of course we have all heard that before you have a baby, you should get a pet in order to hone your parenting skills.  I don't know if that has been the case with us though.  I mean what child can you leave alone for 24 hours straight?!  Plus, Frazier and I are definitely both dog lovers, and we mainly just wanted a dog to love on and possibly train for hunting.  
Yet, Beau has brought out somewhat of a parental side in me perhaps.  Let's see...I love to talk about him and show pictures.  I make sure he take his medication.  I get very protective of him when other dogs are mean.  I punish him when he tears up my socks.  Yeah, yeah I know.  I can hear parents everywhere laughing hysterically right now!  


If you are thinking of getting your own pet, I would say go for it!  A study from the University of Buffalo revealed that pets add enjoyment and happiness to couples' relationships.  It also said they “have closer relationships, are more satisfied in marriage, and respond better to stress than couples who do not.” 

What do y'all think?  Do you think pets add stress or happiness to your relationship?  Are they teaching better parenting skills?  Comment on the Arkansas Bride Blog!

The "Good" Wife

So I ran across a pretty hilarious article about being a good housewife in 1950's.  There is a bit of controversy of whether it came from a textbook or magazine called "Housekeeping Monthly", but either way, I had to share some of these interesting suggestions.

Here are my top five:

• Be happier and a little more interesting for him.  His boring day may need a lift and one of your duties is to provide it.  
• Take 15 minutes to rest so you will be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your make-up, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh looking.  He has just been with a lot of work- weary people. 
• Make him comfortable: Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or suggest he lie down in the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready for him. Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes.  Speak in a low, soft, soothing and pleasant voice. Allow him to relax and unwind.
• Things to avoid: Don't greet him with problems or complaints. Don't complain if he's late for dinner.  Count this as minor compared with what he might have gone through that day.
• Clear away the clutter. Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives, gathering up school books, toys, paper, etc. Then run a dust cloth over the tables.  Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order.

Of course, when I read these to my husband, he said, "Man, I wished I lived in the 50's!"  Just kidding right, Frazier?  

With so many women in the working world, I think some of these suggestions are just plain silly and don't stand up to the test of time.  I mean touch up your make-up and be fresh looking for when your husband gets home?  Yeah, right!

It's also interesting to think of how the role of a wife has evolved over the past few decades.  Thankfully, I think most grooms and husbands have a bit more realistic expectations as well!  

What do y'all think makes up "good" wife nowadays?  Comment below!

Changing your last name

I had a co-worker the other day email me about changing her last name, and I sent her all the information and links she needed.  I contemplated about turning it into a blog post and ran the thought by my husband.  He quickly shot it down and said that it would be "the most boring post ever."
However, I think it would be somewhat helpful, and I'm choosing to ignore his comment.  So here is the "most boring post ever."

First step: Social Security Card
To make your last name change legal, you will need to get a different SS card.  You will have to fill out an application on the official website of the U.S. Social Security Administration.  You can find that application here:Social Security Application
Once you fill the application out, you will either have to mail it or drop it off along with your marriage license and birth certificate.  These will have to be originals, NOT COPIES.  If you choose to mail, all your original documents will be mailed back to you.  I chose to drop my documents off at the Social Security building in downtown Little Rock and will say they did not ask for my birth certificate so who knows.
You can find where to take or mail your application here: Take or Mail
Your new social security card will be mailed to your address afterwards.


Second step: Driver's License
You will NOT be able to get a new driver's license until your new social security card comes in.  Once you receive it though, you will need that and your marriage license again and take to your local revenue office.
Click on the link to find your local revenue office: Arkansas local revenue office
The new license will cost $10.00, no more than $20.00.  No forms to print out and take with you either.


Third step: Passport
Well this part gets tricky since there are at least three options.  However, this link will help you figure out which one you fall under: Passport
You will have to once again fill out an application and mail back your old passport.  (If you have never gotten a passport, obviously this wouldn't apply to you.)  It's a bit more of a hassle, and to be honest, I still haven't changed mine!


Really, the first two steps are the most crucial unless you travel internationally frequently.  If so, then you better get on all three!  After you receive your new social security card and driver's license, then you will need to update your name on your bank account, credit and debit cards, insurance, etc.
There are also name changing kits for sale, but to me, it just seems like a waste of money.  All the forms are free online, and all it requires is just a bit more patience to navigate through it all.
Hope this information helps and send me any comments or questions at dedwards@abpg.com!