I’ve delayed posting it for two reasons…

1) I didn’t want to spoil the Valentine’s Day surprise for Philip.
2) I was worried about what you (my readers, family, friends, etc.) would think.

Since Valentine’s Day has come and gone, the cat is outta the bag…and Philip has successfully been surprised with my amazing  photos from Bombshell Creative here in Nashville.

As for overcoming the second reason, I finally decided that the people who matter don’t mind and the people who mind don’t matter. I work hard to maintain a professional, business-focused image. Those who know me personally know that. The purpose of my blog is to share my journey and my insight as a bride and wife. This experience with Bombshell Creative is something wives and brides in the Middle TN area (and beyond!) NEED to know about! So there. I’m over it.

Here are a few of my vintage glam boudoir photos from Bombshell Creative:

The few hours I spent with Ashley and the folks at Bombshell Creative were incredible. I arrived with many of the pretties I received at my bachelorette party last year, a bagful of high heels, my favorite pieces of vintage jewelry and my makeup bag. I kept my hair down and a bit tousled and Pam made my face camera ready with sultry eyes and rusty red lips.

They also had a nice spread of refreshments including soda, water, chocolate and peanut butter filled pretzels. YUM!

The photo shoot was SO much fun. Bridesmaid Rebecca (aka High Heels And Moccasins) was there for wardrobe styling…since that’s what she does nearly every day…and because I love and trust her. We just had a blast. I can’t imagine how fun it would be to book Bombshell Creative for a bachelorette party or just as a fun night out with best friends.

In just a few days, Ashley sent me a link to view my gallery. After working with her to choose my favorite photos, they created the most beautiful hardcover customized photobook for Philip. They even printed a love note I wrote for him and included it amongst the photos. Valentine’s Day couldn’t get here fast enough!

Ladies, whether you’re looking for an amazing evening of fun with your friends or want to give your husband or significant other a smokin’ hot custom photobook for a birthday, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, etc…talk with Ashley at Bombshell Creative. What woman doesn’t love feeling like a bombshell? I sure did!

Stay tuned for a video clip from my photo session, PLUS a special giveaway! Woohoo!

Watch out. This post is HUGE. There’s a lot to take in…so please don’t skim through. I hope you’ll take time to read through my description of the day’s events and enjoy all of the beautiful photos from Daniel Meigs. And so we begin…

On the morning of Saturday, June 12, I woke up to yet another fantastic breakfast. (Notice a pattern here? ) I enjoyed a delicious morning meal with my parents and then jumped in the tub, thankful my hair still looked decent from the rehearsal dinner the night before and that I was meeting my hair stylist at the church that morning to get coiffed.

I put on a comfy tank top and my favorite workout shorts (fashionable, I know), grabbed my makeup bag and my parents and I loaded my dress, my brooch bouquet and the rest of our wedding day accessories and items into the car. Off we were to The Factory.

At this point, it was probably around 10:15am and the weather was already unbearably hot. Thank goodness all of our events were indoors.

The rest of the day’s events unfolded perfectly and everyone arrived on time. Around 10:30am, my stylist, Lindsey from Natural Oasis in Nashville, started taming my mane into a lovely, swept back ‘do.

Thank goodness for Lindsey. The sheer thought of doing my hair all by myself for only the biggest day of my life…so far…completely stresses me…

Lindsey working her magic:

Anxious and calm…all at the same time.

If I haven’t shared already…my hair has a mind of its own. God bless Lindsey and her patience with my locks.

Next? Makeup time! My friend Anna is a freelance makeup artist. I knew I could trust her with the sultry, glamorous look I was going for and not feel like I’d been dipped head first into an inkwell. (You know what I mean. Tarantula lashes…black out to my ear.) I didn’t want to look like I was in costume…and I wanted my practically transparent, blonde eyelashes to pop and really be the focus of my makeup. It was really important that I looked like ME on my wedding day. Not like I was trying to be someone else. Anna hooked me up.

Lovely smoky eye.

Time to plump up the puny lashes. Yay for mascara!

Thanking Anna for a beautiful job well done. Anna had to scoot on down the road to prettify another bride!

I couldn’t have asked for better gals to help me get fancified for our walk down the aisle. If you’re looking for a fantastic hair stylist, ask for Lindsey at Natural Oasis. If you need sultry, smoky lashes, pretty, pouty lips or a polished natural look , get in touch with Anna! (Well, contact me first and I’ll give you her info.) *wink*

The next wedding recap will cover my beautiful wedding gown and will feature the two lovely ladies who made wearing this wedding dress possible. Don’t miss it!

I’ve even partnered with Rodan+Fields as an independent consultant so I can connect other people with the skin changing products I’ve found. My skin continues to look better and better every day.

I’m especially excited because Rodan+Fields JUST released a brand new product – Mineral Peptides SPF 20 Lightweight Powder. Not only does it protect you from sun damage, it also builds collagen (which helps clear wrinkles, fine lines and blemishes) and helps to even skin tone.

Hello?! What an awesome product! We’re all at risk for sun damage. I don’t know about you, but I never reapply sunscreen throughout the day. Not only does it mess up your makeup, it leaves skin greasy. Now there’s no excuse! I can reapply sunscreen as I touch up my makeup. PERFECT solution.

Thanks to Rodan+Fields, I’m on my way to foundation-free, picture-perfect skin…which will be priceless for our wedding day.

Learn more about Rodan+Fields products here.

After years of skin clearing prescriptions and dermatologist assessments, I still don’t have my skin issues under control. Not to mention, the cost associated with seeking a skin doctor and paying for the prescription skin care is outrageous. Considering the biggest day of my life is coming up in 266 days, however, I figure it’s high-time to get in gear, take initiative and get clear skin so I’ll feel even more confident and radiant on our wedding day.

Fortunately, I think I’ve found my solution. Within the past month I’ve been introduced to the Rodan + Fields Dermatologists skin care line. You remember? The folks who created the Proactive acne regimen.

I had many friends who used and loved Proactive. (For whatever reason, that was one acne regimen I never tried.) This latest line of skincare from Rodan + Fields includes an acne regimen called Unblemish – which features a face AND body skincare regimen. YES!

I’ve been using the Unblemish face wash, toner and treatment lotion for the past 2 weeks and my skin has never looked or felt better. If this stuff works this well for my face, I cannot WAIT to try the Unblemish body regimen and get rid of my horrid bacne and occasional chest breakouts. (Yes. I said it. Bacne. Yuck.)

I’m so impressed and amazed with this stuff, I’m even training as a Rodan + Fields recruiter to spread the word and help more people solve their skin problems. You can learn more about the products and what makes them different by visiting my page here. Of course, if you have any questions, never hesitate to email me at becomingmrsdial(at)gmail(dot)com.

I will keep you posted on my progress and post before and after photos soon!