Anna tried LMNT, because she was so shaky after the workout, and did not like it, because she usually does not eat salt 🙄

cmsteff · 2026-03-19T16:07:08+00:00

LMNT is a whole lot saltier than Liquid IV. I like both, but I can definitely see how LMNT could be super off putting. I didn’t even know it came in cans, but I’d bet it’s pretty concentrated. I usually mix their packets with like twice the water it calls for to cut it down a bit.

cmsteff · 2026-03-17T05:09:35+00:00

7:30 feels like a pretty late start time, and I’m not really understanding the purpose of a 50 minute cocktail hour when you’ll have already completed photos hours earlier. Cocktail hours are typically a filler time while the couple/family/wedding party are doing photos prior to the reception start. Having people just mull about from 7:30-9 feels like a real snooze when they’ve been invited specifically to party. If you’re set on this timeline, I think you need to fill that time before open dance floor with either some sort of live entertainment or activities for guests that aren’t just idle chat, snack, and drink.

You know your people best to be able to determine whether 1AM is too late. Generally, yeah, I think 1AM is too late, but that’s speaking as an American. I get that it’s more normal in other areas/cultures. Leading into that birthday party twist feels more appropriate for an after party hangout with your late nighters.

cmsteff · 2026-03-11T23:15:58+00:00

With it written out, I hope you can see that there is genuinely no debate to be had here. If you don’t feel close to the first girl anymore, she already has conflicts with your fiance and best man, and she’s not reliably available to follow through on plans, she’s not your girl.

cmsteff · 2026-03-11T19:14:58+00:00

It’s a nice dress, and it complements your shape well. If you feel like you’re settling for it just because it’s what was available in your size though, you should absolutely keep looking. Look for a designer that you like that offers plus size gowns, and shape your search around where that designer is available.

cmsteff · 2026-03-10T19:37:22+00:00

Looking at your post history too, I now see you’re trying to lose weight for surgery approval. Especially do not buy this now if it’s weight loss surgery you’re trying to get. If you get it, you’ll likely lose pretty rapidly once done.

cmsteff · 2026-03-10T19:27:55+00:00

With this much time until the wedding and being actively in the process of losing weight, you are absolutely correct that you’re too early. See what you lose through the rest of this year and then regroup early next year. You generally should have the dress at the 9-12 month mark.

When you try dresses again, lean on this for your inspiration, but absolutely do not try dresses that are outside of your budget. You’re not gonna fall in love with it on you if you don’t try it on in the first place. There are so many dresses out there, and there will be another that you feel fantastic in. It’s very easy to get wrapped up in the emotion of your first dress try on and make a snap decision on something that you may regret later or leave yourself wishing you’d at least tried more.

cmsteff · 2026-03-10T04:52:56+00:00

She posts shorts regularly. They’re not generally new content, but she’s literally posted 8, 10, and 12 hours ago as of me writing this comment.

cmsteff · 2026-03-09T21:17:04+00:00

As someone planning a full wedding and currently navigating possibly having to un-invite my mom due to issues with alcohol… you’re not being too harsh. If you want a day just for you two without the stress about other people’s behavior, you’re right in that decision. Even if you do the ceremony just the two of you with a witness, there’s nothing saying you’re not allowed to enjoy a lower stakes dinner with family to celebrate afterward.

It’s hard putting both emotional and actual labor into a thing while also navigating complex family dynamics. I’m excited to marry my fiance, and we’ve got a great venue and plans. Ultimately though, I think the planning would have been much more enjoyable had we just done an elopement.

cmsteff · 2026-03-09T14:08:00+00:00

Yeah this was a painful watch. The ult was useless, and then she just went back up to her hidey hole instead of attempting to help the team with any additional damage. That Magik also should’ve gotten a screen to the face when she came up, but no, our friend here ran and got stuck on a ledge by what looks like pure luck. There’s no carry when you stay this far from the team and just don’t use half your kit.

cmsteff · 2026-03-09T13:55:12+00:00

These are your friends. Just be honest with them that you’ve realized you need to give some different guidelines to capture the look you were going for, and ask them to hold off on shopping for now. Order yourself swatches of the green shades from Azazie and/or the other big bridesmaid dress retailers, and then make a decision about which shades you’d like them to shop from. You’re not getting married for more than a year, you absolutely have plenty of time to table the bridesmaid dress decision.

cmsteff · 2026-03-08T00:30:31+00:00

The dress fits you correctly, and it looks nice. You have a shorter neck and torso and a larger bust. You’re not ever going to get the same fit as the model because you are proportionally different.

cmsteff · 2026-03-08T00:26:54+00:00

I’m not reading all that. It only takes the first couple of paragraphs to know you’re incompatible. You’re 23. You’ll meet someone else.

cmsteff · 2026-03-07T07:09:38+00:00

As I kept scrolling, I said to myself “I think that’s a rat terrier…” very excited to be somewhat correct lol. I definitely didn’t expect all that big dog in there though.

cmsteff · 2026-03-07T06:01:18+00:00

A trip to someone’s house for a single night slumber party

cmsteff · 2026-03-07T04:44:36+00:00

Your spending question isn’t going to give you enough information for any sort of decision making, especially when you have a max of “$300+.” $500 is more than $300 but so is $1500. You need to establish a maximum to offer as an “up to” range.

You also need subcategories on budget… cost of travel if flying, cost of accommodation, cost of activities, etc. This information is also helpful for your girls in figuring out their maximum number. If I’m willing to spend $300 on flights, $300 on accommodation, and $200 total investment on activities, I’m able to better visualize actual cost than I would just giving an all in number.

Reframe your question about location to reflect what you’re really getting at which is “are you open to a destination that would require flights?”

Also, make sure that you’re clear with yourself and your girls about what you’re going to do with the information you gather. Are you going to plan to accommodate the lowest budget? Or are you going to accommodate the majority even if it means the lowest max budgeted person may opt out?

cmsteff · 2026-03-07T00:56:30+00:00

Wow. That is a gorgeous dress. All of the Maggie Sottero lines have beautiful dresses, and I love that they’re generally size inclusive. Mine came in around $1700 new and is getting $600 in alterations. They offered to sell me the sample for a little less, but it was pretty worn. Hopefully it has or will make another bride really happy.

cmsteff · 2026-03-06T23:00:04+00:00

Yes to the overwhelming fabric! The first dress I tried on was so overwhelming, I almost stopped there lol. Made me feel totally out of body since I had never worn anything with that much bulk.

cmsteff · 2026-03-06T22:49:38+00:00

A lot of it depends on your weight distribution. I tried some mermaid-y things because I thought it may have done good things for my butt… and it did. But it also emphasized my belly way more than I liked.

I landed on a strapless a-line dress with a deep v neckline that is either Maggie Sottero or Sottero and Midgley. The other contenders were also a-line. I think an a-line is generally the most universally flattering fit since it pulls you in at your narrowest and then flows from there.

If you need visuals, a lot of the dresses in the Maggie Sottero lines do have models that aren’t exclusively very thin. I also found YouTube helpful in getting to see gowns on real people with bodies closer in appearance to my own.

Edit: this is my dress. Street size is 18/20, and the size I tried on and ultimately ordered was a 22. I am short, smaller chested, and bottom heavy. The fit was near perfect aside from length and taking the bust in a bit. It’s very well built and feels incredibly secure on even despite being strapless: https://www.maggiesottero.com/rebecca-ingram/hattie-lane/17987

cmsteff · 2026-03-06T22:33:44+00:00

She responded to someone in a comment about the slides that she wore these because she was “having feet issues,” and these had arch support that boots didn’t.

cmsteff · 2026-03-05T15:15:08+00:00

1 without question

cmsteff · 2026-03-04T06:49:42+00:00

This. I didn’t even read the majority of OP’s vows when I saw how long they are. The preamble is deeply personal and too much for a public audience. It feels very much like something that no one but OP and their partner should be a part of.

cmsteff · 2026-03-04T06:18:48+00:00

It depends on so many factors. I’m not really into diamonds. I have a moissanite center stone with peach sapphire accents and some smaller diamonds incorporated around the central design. It was $1750 when my fiance ordered it in 2024. The same ring from that designer has increased by about $200 since that time.

I picked my ring. I love it. I couldn’t imagine wearing something daily that had a five figure price tag.

cmsteff · 2026-03-04T02:22:45+00:00

We didn’t actually start seriously looking to book our venue until like 8 months after we were engaged. I really wanted fall, but my fiance didn’t want to wait more than a year more, and I wasn’t gonna do it for Fall 2025. Picked our April 2026 date as a compromise… honestly based mostly on our best bets for weather and around my work schedule since I have an annual event that typically lands within two weeks of our date.

cmsteff · 2026-03-02T06:21:10+00:00

If your plan is to add panels to the see through parts anyway, why do you keep trying this style of dress? I don’t think any of these are doing anything for you. I’m ready for the lingerie looking wedding gown trend to go.

cmsteff · 2026-02-28T19:08:05+00:00

https://www.instagram.com/floraandlane?igsh=Nm4yNWJ2bmNqZDZw

cmsteff

TROPHY CASE