Wedding Cakes

For awhile there, I had taken a break from all the wedding planning. Lately though, I've had wedding planning on the brain. Perhaps, because I just received my fabulous Save the Date cards, from my designer, The Paper Stylist. Hopefully, I will be able to mail them out this weekend. So excited for all my guests to receive them!!!!
Oh, I also get to work from home tomorrow, as the FI is in town visiting. Unfortunately, I have a huge ToDoList, which needs to be completed by this Friday. Ugh! What can you do, at least I have a job in this bad economy and will be getting paid for the holidays. So, I can't really complain. But I'm sure I will be able to squeeze in some wedding planning during my work hours ;)...which reminds me I need to pick up some labels and stamps. Darn, I knew I should have taken a few labels from work. he he he.
Anyway, here are a few photos of wedding cakes that I simply adore. Still looking for more cake designs. Ideally, I would like to create something simple, yet something that still has that stunning wow factor. What do you guys think?

Love the flowers and the simple monogram.

Love the ribbons and flowers on the cake.

A similar cake as the one above, except they used Orchids.
All images from theknot

Wedding: Inspiration Board

Since I just blogged about my Save the Dates, thought it would be fitting if I posted the color/combo inspiration board on here as well.

Color Palette: Red, Pale Pink (various shades), Cream & Ivory
Mood: Vintage, Soft Romance & Classy Elegance

Image Source: Snippet&Ink

Save The Dates

****UPDATE****

Anne sent me a picture of my Save the Dates, so I could blog about them. So sweet of her! So here is the final product! What do you guys think?! J'adore them!! I just know she's going to do an awesome job on my invitations. For those who are looking for invitation design or anything else related to paper designs, I can highly recommend the The Paper Stylist .


I received an email from The Paper Stylist last night, my Save the Date cards are ready!! Woohoo! Can't wait to pick them up from Anne! Anne is super talented and so creative! I will blog more about them once I receive them. Check out her blog!

Make Room For Santa

This past Sunday, I ran my 2nd 5k race. As you all know, I'm a novice when it comes to running. But just recently joined a running group to get in shape. Although I had my first 5k run on. Thanksgiving Day, this race was the official race for all the 101 runners, for the A Snails Pace running group.
Naturally, I was still super anxious to run another 5k and potentially running the race in the rain, which I was not looking forward to. Thankfully, it did not rain, but it was still freezing cold. When I left my house in the morning the thermometer displayed a whooping 37 degrees. I even had ice on my windshield. My goal for this race was to shave off at least 10 min from my previous time. And I succeeded!!!! I ran the race under 35min.
Drum roll please....my time was 33:50. Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures of me just yet. But the wife of my running coach took some pictures, so hopefully I will be able to get my hands on those pictures. So no pictures in this post. However, my next goal is to successfully complete a 10k in April. Training with my running group begins in January. Can't wait to begin!

Tis the Season

I took pictures with good ol' Santa Clause!! I was at the Mall during my lunch, walked by Santa and thought: What the heck, why not take a picture with Santa =) Who says I'm too old for Santa. Ha Ha Ha!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

*Update: Added Pictures
Happy Thanksgiving!

My day started out really early. I decided to run a 5K this morning in support of Spinal Cord Injuries. My other reason...well, ok so I wouldn't feel guilty if I stuffed myself. =)
This was my first 5K race. Of course, I was super nervous because I told myself that I needed to run the entire race. However, I was doubtful I would succeed, as I just recently joined a running group to get in shape for my wedding. Drum roll please....ha ha ha! Can you tell, I'm super excited?! I successfully completed my first 5K race!! Not to mention, that I ran the entire race! ! I was able to run it under 45min. I will be running another 5K race with my running group next month. By then, I'm hoping to shave off at least 5min if not more of my time.
My friend Chelsea, even came out to see me run! She took a picture of me crossing the finish line. She's such a sweet gal. She stood out in the cold to watch me run! I'll post a picture once she uploads them to her facebook.

Before the Race

Look at all the runners

Waiting for the race to begin

Beginning of Race

Crossing the finish Line

Awww....I'm still super excited that I was able to run the entire race. Seriously, I really, really, didn't think I would be able to. "Running is all mental". That's a statement I hear from every runner. It's true! While I only ran a 5K, the first mile was the hardest for me. I was ready to quit and give up. However I just kept chanting to myself: "You can do it". And before I knew it, I crossed the finished line.

I'm completely stuffed and soo full. Our Thanksgiving Dinner was yummy. My mom made Turkey and Ham, and my younger sister decided she wanted to cook/make all the side dishes for our dinner. The food was simply delish, especially her Appler Pie. Simpley Devine! I'll post pictures later. Too stuffed right now. Going to pop myself on the couch and watch a bunch of movies.

Wild Fires

I work 2 blocks away from where the fires were raging this past weekend. Yesterday, during lunch I drove through some of the effected areas. Thankfully, families didn't lose there homes here. However there are quite a few homes with minor structural damage. I feel for those families who have lost everything, especially those who do not have the proper Insurance coverage in place to help them rebuild.
It is even more aggravating to hear, that the fire were caused by careless individuals. Last night on the news, I heard that the Montecito Fire was caused by a bonfire. A group of young people decided to have a bonfire, but failed to check if it was completely extinguished. Come on folks! During the months of October and November, we always get hit by strong Santa Ana winds. If you chose to have a bonfire during this time, double check to see if the fire is out. I have not lived in California for that long. but even I know, that we get hit with strong Santa Ana wind during the Autumn season. Seriously, there are plenty of days in a year to have bonfires, why chose a the Fire Season?? Ok, end if rant!

Photography: Picture Perfect

I've been so busy lately that I haven't had the time to sit down and blog. Today though, I decided it was about time to catch up on things.

Where to start?! Oh yes, I finally have my voice back!!!For about 1 1/2 weeks I didn't have a voice. Of course, attending a wedding in Vegas didn't help either. However, I was the Maid of Honor therefore I had to attend. Not only that, I didn't want to be one of those people, who RSVP'd, then deciding last minute of not showing up. The wedding was lots of fun since I got to spend some time with my bff's from college, and we got to see an old college roommate, who we hadn't seen in 7 years. Here are some pictures. Let me know what you think. I was playing around with my photoshop. By the way, the originals are always on top.

Bride -To-Be

A touch of morning glow

Matron of Honor, Maid of Honor , Bride, and Bridesmaid
Above: Original Photo; Below: Photoshopped

Marlith (bff), I , Dani (bff), and Josie (old college roomie)

Prior to attending the wedding in Las Vegas, I had some old High School friends, from overseas , visit me as well. It was their first visit to the USA. Unfortuntaly, I wasn't able to spend that much time with them, due to my work schedule. But I was able to spend an entire Saturday with them up at the Griffith Observatory. The loved the area, and wished they had some time to hike up some of the trails. There is always next time. It was great to see them again! I haven't sbeen able to visit with many of my HS friends, since I moved out here. Life! Thank goodness for email and the internet.

Old High School Friends

Headshots

Last Sunday was my Mom's birthday and had brunch at the Mission Inn....such yummy food. While we were there I took some head shots my sister and came to the conclusion that I need to photography more often. Actually I knew that already, just need to make time for it.

Hail to the Chief

The results came in last night, but I was to tired to blog. Technically I should be sleeping, as I didn't go to work today. I'm trying to fight of this cold I have and hoping to regain my voice I lost. =(

I'm so excited about last nights results. It was a historic presidential election, and America made history. Last night, America spoke and voted for our new President-Elect : Barack Obama.

"It's the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled. Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been just a collection of individuals or a collection of red states and blue states."

Nothing else needs to be said. If you want to read the full speech, just click here.

Unfortuntaly though, the Yes on Proposition 8 campain was successful. Gay couples are not allowed to get married in California once again. It's a shame!

Vote for Change

It's been awhile since, I last blogged. I have some catching up to do. However, I will do that after I get off work. This post however is a reminder to everyone to vote. It's Election Day! The presidential race is finally coming to an end! And tonight we will find out whether John McCain or Barack Obama will be our next president. Please go out and vote!

It's pretty easy to figure out for whom I voted. The title of my post gives it away. Also,I don't mind sharing, even if others might not agree with me. It's a free country and everyone is entitled to vote for whom ever they chose, whether it's Obama or McCain.

Sneak Peak

Awwww..... Crissy just posted one picture of J. and I's e-session at Mission San Juan Capistrano. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the eye candy she posted on her blog. Can't hardly wait to see what else she will be posting. Check it out her blog!

Tag You're It!

I received my first tag from Anne. So here are the 6 random things about me:

• I have a bald spot. When I was 8 years old I got the wind knocked out of me, fell to the ground and hit my head pretty hard on concrete floor. I had to get stitches. So now, I have an itzy, bitzy, teenie, tiny bald spot on my head.

• I habitually crack my knuckles. Besides my knuckles I can practically crack any joint in my body, from my neck, my back, my wrist, my elbows, my ankles ... you name it. I'm pretty sure I can crack/pop it. Gross, I know. And yes I do realize it's not good for you.

• I can't leave the house with out my cellphone/blackberry. I feel naked with out it. Usually I try to turn around and grab the BB. Of course, there are time, when I simply can't turn around and fetch my phone. I cringe just thinking about it. Like I said, I feel naked with out it and usually bug my friends to borrow their phones, in order to check messages....not that I receive hundreds of phone calls. Haha! I can be a little OCD at times. ;)

• I love any sort of lip balm or chapstick. However, I tend to lose them the minute I buy them. So sadly, I've given up that obsession, since it was costing me a fortune. I would seriously buy lipbalm about 3 times a week.
  

• I hate chocolate milk, hot chocolate, chocolate cake, chocolate pudding, chocolate ice cream.
  I do love cholocate though, especially german or swiss chocolate. Just not the item listed above. Every time I eat those items, I automatically get a gag reflex and I want to vomit. Yes, weird indeed.

• Even though I was born in the US, I grew up overseas. Preschool, Kindergarden, Elementry School, Middle School and High School I attended in Europe. I went through 5 years of High School. No, I was not held back! The school system I attended in Europe, had 5 years of High School instead of 4 year.

Those are the 6 random things you ever wanted to know about me! LoL!

The "rules" of the game are as follows:
1. Post the rules on your blog
2. Write 6 random things about yourself
3. Tag 6 people at the end of your post
Now, I tag these folks....

Unfortunately though, I don't have 6 people I can tag, as most of my friends do not blog. =(

Here are the people I can tag though:

Aileen

Iman

Alicia

Zicke, Zacke...

Zicke, zacke, heu, heu!! Yup, we all headed out to the Old World Oktoberfest in Huntington Beach, this past Saturday. Its seems the older we get, my friends and I don't get together as often as we have in the past. So, usually during this time of the year, we try to go the Oktoberfest at least once, to hang out, drink some beers, dance and to have some fun. From the pictures I posted, this year wasn't any different!! Good Times!! Prosit!!

A Snail's Pace

It's been awhile since my last post, so I figured I'd write about something... ;) With that said, here comes my boring blog entry for today. Hmmm....what could I write about?!
Oh yes, I finally joined a running group. I've been wanting to join one for quite some time now, but always found reason not to join one, such as a) it's too late, b) it cost to much money, c) I won't know anybody etc... However, since I'm getting hitched next year, I was sold and signed up for a running clinic.
My wedding was all the motivation I needed, and so far I'm not regretting the $125 bucks, I spent. We run three times a week. Tuesday and Thursday we meet at 6pm. On Saturday, we meet at the crack of dawn - 7 am!
My friends and family know that I'm not a morning person, and were a bit skeptical of me wanting to run at 7 am. I admit, getting up last Saturday was definitely a struggle, but I was determined not to waste my hard earned money. And surprisingly, I wasn't even tired after the run. I was energized the entire day.
Before I joined the running group, I started to run with a fellow knottie. She is getting married in December, which is practically around the corner. We decided to run together once a week, since its always easier to stay motivated, if you have someone pushing you along especially with another knottie, who understands the stresses of planning a wedding and wanting to look fabulous on the specialy day. I'm glad we met, as Carmela aka POG, is such a sweet girl, not to mention that we seem to have similar taste.

Life is Beautiful

Check out my engagement pictures! We took them on busy Melrose Avenue. Aren't they just beautiful! The pictures were taken by the very talented Alicia from The Modern Type.

www.themoderntypeblog.com

I just LOVE, LOVE, LOVE them. Can't wait to see the rest of them!

Photography

It's been awhile since I've blogged...guess my life isn't as exciting, as I think it is. This blog entry is to remind that I need to get of my lazy butt and practice my photography. Practice makes perfect! How am I suppose to get better, if I don't practice. Here are some pictures I shot awhile ago.

Decisions, Decision, Decisions...

What a week! I'm so glad it's Friday. I've been busy, busy, busy. However, the wedding planning is moving a long great. This past Monday, I had my hair and makeup trial with Nicole Deanne Bridal Hair and Makeup. The trial went fantastic, and Nicole is such a sweet person. Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures of trial to post, as I forgot my camera. Nicole took pictures though, and I'm just waiting for her to email them to me, so that I can make changes to the hair and makeup, if needed. Once I receive the photos, I will post. It's exciting though to have another vendor booked. Everything is moving along quite nicely. Not to mention, Twigs & Honey will be creating my custom floral hair accessory for the wedding. I'm super stoked!!!!
Twigs & Honey has been getting great reviews on theknot and after seeing her work on etsy, I was sold. I contacted her just in time for her to accept my order. Now comes the hard part deciding how my hair piece should look. Everything she creates is simply stunning and goregours! She's one talented person. Below are some pictures of what I'm looking for...perhaps I can combine some of the styles. What do you think?

All Images from Twigs & Honey

Memories...

I've been wanting to blog a bout some old pictures I've received from an old friend last week, but haven't had the time to do so. I had a crazy week not to mention all the drama I had to deal with. Thankfully, I'm drama free this week and moving on from all the shenanigans.

Below are the pictures I received from a good friend who lives in Colorado. They are quite funny, as I haven't seen these pictures in years. Back in my younger days, I was very involved in my community youth group and we use to go on trips all over Europe. One of the trips we took was to Switzerland, where we all went Glacier Climbing in the Alps. Seeing these pictures brought back a flood of memories - me completely frustrated and bitching about the glacier because it took me longer to climb up the glacier then I thought. Not to mention, it seemed as if I were never going to reach the top.

Our hike up to the Glacier

Photo Op

That's Me! Climbing the Glacier

At the Campsite

Money, Money, Money...in a rich man's world

Looking for the perfect wedding dress can be stressful, considering the various different dress designers out there. Not to mention, how expensive some of these dresses can be. Unfortunately, my taste in dresses is bit on the higher side. See example below:

Kenneth Pool, Design: Vivian

I absolutely love, love this dress, just too bad money doesn't grow on trees. After taxes and alterations the cost would be around $5000 -5500. Too expensive, even for just one special day.
But this past Saturday I found at dress, which was reasonable price and won't break the bank. It's a type of dress I had not considered at first. When I walked in the Bridal Salon I tried on several different dresses, but I didn't really find anything I was wowed by. However, there was another Bride at the salon, who had this beautiful ball gown dress on. She looked beautiful in it too. That particular bride wanted to purchase "my dress", but had to wait until her mom flew into town. The good daughter she is, she decided to wait, even though it was her second visit to the Bridal Department Store.
To make a long story short, I decided to try on that particular dress, as well. To my surprise a ball gown dress did not over power my petite statue. And I was actually wowed by the dress, once the sales lady put on the veil and the blusher on as well. I actually felt like a bride. =)
So, I'm so excited and just can't hide it...(don't know the rest of the lyrics. LoL)

Designer: Anne Barge
Not to sound conceited, but I got so many compliments, wearing this particular gown. Even after I had taken off the dress, shoppers still kept coming up to me to compliment me on the beautiful dress and the radiant glow I exuded. This reaffirmed to me that I made the the right choice.