Finding My Venue: Ambient + Studio

Fun Fact: I may have called all of the venues in Atlanta but only viewed one venue.

If you've been following my blog a little, you would know that one of my dearest girlfriends recently got married in November 2010, check out her fabulous dress here. During her wedding preparation, I strolled upon the Ambient + Studios. I contacted the Operations Manager, Jason, around May of last year. I loved the space so much, I tried to live vicariously through my girlfriend but she had her eyes on The Little Garden (which was a lovely venue), so I stored this venue in the back of memory.

Fast forward to the beginning of this year. After my engagement, I started my planning my wedding. Originally, I wanted a rooftop wedding but majority of the wedding venues in Atlanta that had a rooftop came with a hefty price tag aka an onsite caterer. I knew that since I was a DIY bride that was under a strict budget, those venues were way out of my price range. So I looked up several different type of venues; Summerour Studios, King Plow, The Puritan, The Pink Palace...you name it, I looked them up. And again, most of these venues had an onsite or preferred caterer that I just could not afford.

Then I had an aha moment. I remembered the Ambient + Studios! I toured the venue for the first time in January with the fiance. The Ambient is a 10,000 square feet of raw space. I must admit when I first saw the venue, I was overwhelmed but I still could not stop thinking about this venue. It was around April, that I finally made my decision that this was the venue for me but I still had anxieties how to translate this beautiful and empty canvas into MY dream wedding.

images via www.ambientplusstudio.com

My Wedding Journey

Please forgive me for practically abandoning my blog. Is anyone still reading or following my little space? Well if you are, you are seriously in for a treat! You can officially add my name to the hundreds and hundreds of other personal wedding blogs. I feel like my wedding plans are finally turning out to be such a unique and fun experience that I just felt it was only right to share with the blogasphere (well at least I think so). We have some major catching up to do...so bare with me as I try to juggle work, buying a new house, life and trying to blog. My goal is to post up several postings within the next couple of days! I am so excited! Till then...here are some pictures of my ladies from a photoshoot we had.








Rock & Republic skinnies, Forever 21 blouse, BCBG pumps

HI!!!

Wow, I have not blogged in FOREVER! I will be updating the site frequently soon. You will not be disappointed!

Hi blogging world,

Oh how I missed thou! I can finally take a breather (for now). The past couple of weeks have been so hectic (in a good way) and now I can finally settle down a bit. This past weekend my girls threw one of our best friends her bridal shower/bachelorette weekend. It had a Parisian theme and it was uber cute! A post about the weekend will be coming soon.

Can you believe I have less than 6 months to my own wedding and I have nothing! No venue, no dress, no nothing. However, I am not in panic mode yet. I have narrowed down my photogs and have an idea on the "feel" of the wedding but that's about it. I hope to find a venue within the next few weeks or I will be panic mode for sure!

March Already

Wow, it's March already? I cannot believe it. That means I have 6 months left to plan the perfect wedding. 6 months to plan 3 receptions! As a Nigerian who is marrying an American, I have to celebrate both cultures. I am really psyched but super busy as of late. When I can accurately formulate some thoughts and ideas, I will post an update on the wedding plans. Till then enjoy some pics.


NYE...the night my babe proposed. Celebrating with friends!


At Bluepointe Restaurant - Celebrating life with some fabulous women!






Acting silly with my girl.


At my football themed post-engagement party! How cute is my cake?! It tasted just as good as it looked!

Friday Lovelies: Marchesa 2011 Fall RTW

My adoration for Marchesa just grew exponentially. Marchesa 2011 Fall line was filled with luxe tulle and delicate laces that will definitely command attention. In a perfect world, I would be walking down the aisle wearing one of their gowns.

{images via zimbio.com}

Engagement Party

Several weekends ago, some of my fabulous bffs decided to throw me a surprise engagement party! I thought we were getting together for a girls day filled with laughter, girl talk, and Mimosa. Well our day was filled with that but I did not know that it included a basket full of goodies, engagement games, and even a special message from the beau. I don't really have any pictures from the engagement *cough* *cough* but here are some pics from previous engagement parties that I threw for 3 of my girls.



Surprise Engagement Party at Rise Sushi Lounge in Atlanta. This was me wearing my fro which I no longer wear b/c it's too much work. I may get back to that once life slows down a bit (which I highly life will).









Afternoon Tea @ Dr. Bombay's Underwater Tea Party in Decatur, GA.

Wedding Dress Collection: Anthropoligie

I am sure you all heard that Anthropologie was coming out with a bridal collection, BHLDN. Well Glamour Magazine, got their hands on the goods. What do you think? Honestly, not wowed by the entire line but I do see some faves.

These two are my faves.

{img via Glamour}

Feel Good Friday

Man, I am seriously hating this weather. Not only is it really cold but it's been raining for the past several days. The type of rain that does not want to go away. Definitely in the mood to be at home in my pajamas watching a movie with the beau. Oh well. This inspiration piece made me smile.



{blanaid}

Video: Mrs. Fabulousity, Kimoa Lee Simmons

A glimpse inside Kimora Lee Simmons "satellite" closet.

Happy Friday!

Thank You

I can honestly say I have the best girlfriends ever. I am surrounded by awesome women. From my mother to my baby sister to my incredible group of besties. Good people are hard to come by and when you have great people in your corner, you should be thankful.

With that being said, I want to start mailing random Thank You notes. But you know me, it has to be done in style. Check out some awesome Thank You notes.

1. Crane & Co | 2. Kate Spade Stationery | 3. Vera Wang | 4. Vera Wang | 5. Vera Wang

Diane von Furstenberg Opal Linen

I remember lusting over the Opal wooden version of these beautes last year but now this? In love...

{images via net-a-porter.com}

Oh no not again

Man, it is becoming really hard to stay up to date with this blog. I don't know where the time goes; oh yes I do...between the demands at work, planning another wedding, planning my wedding, and being a mother & fiance while trying to work on my business. One of my biggest qualms is being disciplined. I will get online determined to blog and then get caught doing something else until the wee hours of the night. And you know what that means; going to bed super late, then waking up late, then going to work late, then coming home late. Phew! After all of that a woman is tired.

In the beginning when I first started blogging, I posted monthly goals. I think I will get back to doing that. It's already February and I feel like I am losing that drive that I first had at the beginning of the year. So what better way than to hold myself accountable. I missed January but we can try to make this month count. What are some goals you have for this month?

Goals for February

1. Relationship with God - have morning devotions, buy a study bible, look into volunteering somewhere.
   
2. Work on changing bad habits - go to bed by 10 P.M. Wake up by 7 A.M. Be at work by 8:30 A.M.
3. Fitness - Loss 10 lbs. Start 10 day fruit & veggie detox (mostly). Work out at gym 3xs a week.
4. Business - Work on logo and design. Make business card and product package for O.
5. Wedding - Attend Romona Keveza & Lazaro Trunkshow at Bridals by Lori. Check out more venue options. Start marriage counseling! Attend marriage seminar.
6. Finance - File tax return and continue to maintain budget.
7. Shopping - Buy heels that are NOT black. Invest in more workout clothes.
   
8. Car Maintenance - change breaks, oil change , fix glass, get estimate for repairs.

Wedding Word Clouds

I am totally in wedding overload lately. During the wedding preparation, these words will be an active part of my wedding vocabulary. So over the coming months, you will see these words come to life in inspiration boards and various other means.

{vintage. budget. burberry. marchesa. rooftop. eclectic. photobooth. jcrew. rustic. stationary. cocktail dresses. burgundy. nigerian. hors d'oeuvres. crates. non-traditional. navy blue. coca cola. burlap. louboutin. mix-n-match. evening. frames. “spray”. chalkboard. gray. fireworks. diy. intimate. native wear. traditions. urban }

Psst...

I'm getting married! I have been blessed to meet a man who is not only my soul mate but my best friend. 2011 will definitely be a memorable year! With that being said, I hope you don't mind following along in the planning period, AH!

Apologies, this is the only pic I have close up.

eBay Lovely - Leather Mini Dress

Lately, I have been really drawn to leather pieces. So how divine is this 1980's blue leather bandage dress? With a dress like this, it will definitely do all the talking! Plus check out the back detailing. Check it out here.





{ vtg 80s NORTH BEACH leather MILITARY Bandage MINI Dress | Buy It Now - $378.00 }

Be Still.

eBay Lovelies!

Hi I am Ja, and I am addicted to eBay. An addiction that I do not want to be cured from. I eBay EVERYTHING. If I want to buy a goose down pillow, I check eBay first. A new wallet, eBay...work out shoes, eBay. You catch the drift right? I have had quite a few people ask me how to search for rare vintage finds on eBay. I don't really know or even think I want try to figure out the method to my madness but we can certainly go "window shopping" together. Here are some items on eBay that make me swoon. Enjoy!



1. Vtg Black Batwing Open Back Dress | $43 {1d 7h 23m}
2. Vtg Pastel Pink Beaded Pleat Dress | $11.50 {5d 22h 0m left}
3. Vtg Black Leather High Waist Pants | $92.00 {Buy it now}
4. Vtg Red Chiffon Halter Polka Dot Dress | $132.00 {Buy it now}