It has been DIY central around here lately — well, really since Christmas, but I’ve made a big push this week, so there will be lots of little things popping up here over the next several days.

The first thing (after the save-the-dates) was the shoes. There’s a pair of shoes in a 2006 MSW that I’ve always loved (forgive the horrible scanned image):

The style, the pleating, the pearls! But I couldn’t find them anywhere, not even on eBay. And, in all honesty, the heel was too high to be practical for me. I’d really rather not be taller than Mr. R at our wedding. So I started looking for a peep toe d’Orsay pump with a low heel, and let me tell you, there isn’t much out there. d’Orsay = 3″+. Finally, I found this pair of dyeables on the always-trusty Zappos:

I ordered shoe dye from Steps to Memories, where they have over 100 different dye colors and will match a sample swatch if you want. I was really intimidated about dyeing my shoes, but my mom said she’d done it many times and would do it for me. We decided to do it together over Christmas, and I couldn’t believe how insanely easy it was. It was, by far, my easiest DIY project. The dye kit comes with this amazing little pom pom with a wire handle, and it makes the application process a breeze. Don’t use RIT dye or pay a cobbler to dye your shoes for you. Get one of these $9 kits and go for it. SO easy. Seriously.

I adjusted and attached the pearl brooches that JMG Jewelry made for me. The finished product:

They’re a bit more blue than I originally planned — they’re definitely brighter than most of the other blues I’m using — and look even more blue in this photo. But overall, I’m really pleased with how they turned out. All told, the price tag was around $120, mainly because of the Swarovski pearls.

I started off looking for pale gray-blue shoes in luxurious satin with a low heel and some kind of embellishment — like shoes that I fell in love with from a 2005 issue of MSW, but with a lower heel. That was, of course, entirely too many requirements for a shoe. My mom suggested shoe clips, which got me started looking for brooches on Etsy, and I found these gorgeous flowers with pearl cluster centers. I’m working with the talented designer to make some custom ones with blue petals and pearl centers. I also ordered a pair of white pleated satin D’Orso heels from Zappos, and they seem plenty comfortable enough for the ceremony and photos (after which I’ll slip into some ballet flats for dancing the night away). One more thing to check off my list: shoes!

I have never seen so many blue ballet flats in my life. Not sure if I want something quite this simple, but they have flats in virtually every shade and fabric one could want.