Thursday, March 31, 2011

One thing after another

So, I met up with my friend Adele yesterday at the Neighborhood. It was great! We had a few Coronas and ate some apps. She's studying to become a Nurse which is really cool but she's saying that the City College program has a loooong wait list so that sucks. After I left there I went home and pretty much crashed.


Today was a stressful day at work and this whole week just flew by. I'm looking forward to my coffee tomorrow but I'm getting it iced b/c it's been sooo hot here! After work Joey and I are going to Creative Catering Services to try the food. Very excited!!!

Joey and I are going to lunch together tomorrow - just haven't decided where. Perhaps some sushi or mexican food :)

Too tired to type more lol

Zzzzzzz...

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

I think we have a venue!

The possible place is the Greek-Orthodox church! I got an email today letting me know that it's available for our date. We are meeting with the person on the 6th to see the room and to talk details. :)

Tonight we're off to Arnoldi's for dinner. It's Lynda's birthday not to be confused with the lovely Linda with whom I had lunch today :) Watch out for bees!!! :)

Ok, need to go

Ciao!

Monday, March 28, 2011

Busy week

Busy bee this week... Today I worked out with Amy. Then home to eat dinner, make some earrings and after that made lunch for tomorrow - tuna as usual

Tomorrow Joey and I are going to Lynda's birthday dinner at Arnoldi's (have to squeeze in cardio before!). Never been there before so it should be interesting. It used to be Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston's fave place when they lived here so I hope it can live up to the hype :)

Wednesday I'm meeting with my friend Adele - it was her b-day last week and I told her I would take her out for a drink and to catch up. Haven't seen her in forever. We're going to a bar called The Neighborhood. It's super mellow and they have a happy hr that's extremely cheap! Suits my wallet juuust fine :) No time for cardio but that's ok

Thursday I just have work and working out - I pulled a muscle in my chest so I have to be really careful. I initially pulled it last week and was finally healed - or so I thought - pulled it again tonight. Guess I do too heavy weights heheeh

Friday we're meeting our wedding planner and then heading over to John Savage's house. He's the owner of Creative Catering Services. He's making us dinner so we can try it and see if we would like to hire him as our caterer for the wedding. Oh, and I will also have to get some cardio in on Friday.

Saturday we have two birthday parties AND I have a makeup trial. It's my friend Nicole who said she's fab and she'll do it for free. Better look good since I have to go down town after hahhahaha

Still waiting to hear back from the Greek-Orthodox Church. No one has called us back and I called during my lunch today and left another message. I think if it's available - we're taking it!!! :) Fingers crossed for us people

Ok, EXHAUSTED and going to bed

John Blund coming my way...

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Wedding Photographer

So, our coordinator set up a meeting with a photographer. We were kind of set on this one - K. She takes AH-mazing pictures but is definitely over budget. The one we met with last night - J. Also takes amazing pictures and is way more in our budget. She lowered her pricing under what she normally charges and as we were talking she lowered it even more! Unbelievable!!! Then I talked to my mom and she said she's got two other potential photographers that she knows that are willing to do it for next to nothing for us. One I definitely know is a no go - don't like that person's pictures. But the other one has taken a lot of pictures of celebs in Hollywood and might be an option. Depends... If he's charging more than J then we are definitely going with her.

Today we got up and went to the Greek Orthodox church which is about 10-15 minutes from here up in the mountains. Check out this video I took of the outside - it was closed and we had not made an appointment so we just went to check it out



Joey called them on Friday and left a message to see if it's available for May 12th, 2012. If it is - I think it miiiiight just be the place. Being up in the mountains it's very quiet and serene up there. You get the venue for 10 hours which is great and there is chairs and tables included which is great. 

After checking out the church Joey and I went to work out and get that out of the way lol gotta look good for the wedding!!! :) After that we just walked around town and browsed. No cash to shop with since we're saving all of it... Very VERY difficult for me to NOT shop... It's like putting a mountain of chocolate in front of a chocoholic and tell them they can't eat it! Brutal hahaha

After we walked around we finished up Take Him to the Greek or what it's called. It's a f-ed up movie hahahah

Now we are both just relaxing on the new couch that we love and just hanging out. Aaahhhh 

Enjoy your evening!
 



Friday, March 25, 2011

Scotch on the Rocks?

Today is one of those days where I had scotch/whiskey at home... I don't so it's Champagne on the Rocks LOL It was SUUUCH a hellish day at work today!!! It was just so crazy and then I got a doctor's bill that just put me over the edge b/c I shouldn't be paying what they want me to pay and the one person I need to get a hold of I can't!!! AAAAAAHHHHHHHH

So, I went with an old little bottle of Champagne that I have and some dark chocolate. Even though Joey and I are meeting with someone to talk about the wedding at 7 tonight... What ever... I need this right now. Oh, did I mention that the Champagne is flat so it's like drinking white wine which I don't care for very much so then you can understand really how bad I need this! ha!


And on top of this I added the show "Say Yes to the Dress" hahaha TGIF!


Enjoy your weekend!!!


Thursday, March 24, 2011

Graduation Terror

So... This graduation stuff in this country is way too big. I understand if your parents and siblings go but please people - don't make anyone else have to sit thru it! We all know you mostly partied your way thru school so why should I have to be forced to sit on a horrible uncomfortable chair (worsens my back problems), be cold, and INCREDIBLY bored?! I am just asking.

I am letting everyone know that for my future children - I only expect grandparents as a must. Anyone else who wants to come is more than welcome to but there is NO obligation. DO NOT FEEL PRESSURED into coming because I understand and I know how HORRIBLY boring it is. You sit there for about three hours then the person walks on stage for about 10 seconds then you have to sit there for another hr to see the rest of the ppl walk. Why oh why this torture???


Yes, at the moment I am very frustrated and annoyed... If I do end up going to another graduation I better ask my doctor for some more vicoden so I can pop those like it's candy to get thru it hahhahah 

Oh, and did I mention that tomorrow is Friday and I get my usual Starbucks? Excited!

Xoxo

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Happy Hr?

I love Happy Hr. Too bad it's over so soon. Most places stop it at either 6 or 6:30. Well news flash people - I work until 5! How am I supposed to be able to get somewhere order a drink and some appz before 6?! Sheesh!!! LOL


I think in order to make the weeks more fun I should go to HH with a different person every or every other week It's good to get out for a little and that way I get to catch up with all my friends. I do feel like I have been neglecting lately. I already have a few fun people in mind - now I need to see if they are available :)

AND it would be fun to go to a different place every time too. Try out different drinks and food.

Work has been super slow this week and I think it's because a lot of ppl are at the CTIA trade show in FL. Our office has been suuuper quiet. I managed to work out Mon, Tues, and Wed. Hopefully I can do tomorrow and Friday as well. My friend A. wants me to go to a bootcamp Sat am at 8:30. It's just SO early! Weekends are the only two days I get to sleep in and it gets me thru the week. Ok, so if I don't go to that then I definitely have to go do cardio hehhe Now that it's written down I guess I can't get away hahha

Work out and be healthy!

Oh and :( Rest In Peace Elizabeth Taylor - you were one amazing actress and I hope you are one shining star up there as well




Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Still no venue

I know, I know... Lame... I haven't posted in a while. I've just been busy. Went and got Joey a hair cut Saturday morning then got the new couch (thank you mamma and trine!) started putting it together but then 3pm came around and it was time to take off for Granada Hills. It's about an hr and a half from here kind of towards LA then inland. We had to go to Mike and Sophia's son's birthday party. He turned 3 and we went to chuck-e-cheese like I said in a previous post. Before chuck-e-cheese we met up with Andy and his girlfriend Tera. It was the first time I met her and she was awesome :) We went to a dive bar and had two drinks and got a little tipsy before going to chuck-e-cheese which was well needed with all those kids running around. We only hung around there for perhaps 45 minutes and then the four of us went to an italian restaurant and after that another dive bar. We didn't get out of Granada Hills until midnight and got home around 1 am.

Sunday we continued to put together the couch and we LOVE it!!! It's sooo comfortable!


Today I set up another tasting with a caterer - Pure Joy. We get to go to a wedding they are serving at and they will give us a picnic basket with food that they also served at the wedding. That way we can taste what it tastes like when they cook for that many. We're doing that on April 30th. Should be fun! Perhaps Joey and I can take the food and go down to the beach and make it all romantic - granted it's not too cold :)

This Friday we're meeting with another photographer and our coordinator as well. After we're done talking to the photographer we're going to go over stuff with the coordinator. The way it's looking right now is that we might have to switch the dates... Nothing we like is available on the 12th. We have the Cabrillo Arts Pavillion penciled in for the 19th as of right now.  But Joey thinks it's weird that we would have the Chinese reception before the actual wedding. sigh... it's very frustrating and I have been very stressed lately. Yesterday I felt like chugging a whole bottle of vodka - straight!

I thought this was supposed to be fun!!! :(

Peace... 

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

St. Patrick's Day is almost upon us!

St. Patty's day is almost here - do you have anything green to wear?! If not - better watch out or you might get pinched! I have a green T-shirt I bought last year at Old Navy that says Lucky or something on it :) And I'll do green eyeliner/eyeshadow :) I'm safe! Hahaha


Time for some green beer tomorrow! :)

Joey and I talked today about switching the dates on our wedding since nothing is available. The weekend after when we are supposed to do the Chinese tea ceremony we could do the 12th and vice versa. We got penciled in at Cabrillo Arts Pavillion for the 19th and we're first on the list for the 12th if the couple that booked it decide to cancel. The lady penciled us in for free for a few weeks so we need to decide sooner rather than later. Did I mention the Granada didn't work out? Can't remember - it's unavailable b/c the Symphony is there that night.

So, on Monday we're going to the Maritime Museum during lunch to check it out and see if that's something we'd like. I guess it's good b/c all the tables and chairs are included in the price but you're not allowed to have live candles which is huge for me... Hopefully they are ok with live candles if we keep them in those large glass vases.

We are also waiting to hear back from our coordinator, A, to see if she can get the price down on the Rockwood. They are super pricey and nothing is included but it's really pretty there! We'll see, we'll see...

Time to make some dinner :)

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Chain and happy Hr

I ordered some chain from one of my vendors on Saturday and I still haven't gotten it and I have one of these on order

It's hard to see but it's a thin gold chain with some stones 

After work today we all went to happy hr at a new restaurant that has not even opened yet - Cadiz. LOVE IT!!! It's super pretty and posh inside. I could only stay for an hr so I downed 2 glasses of champagne and then ran across the street for my weekly training session. :) 

Now I'm finally home and it's time to eat dinner

Grilled Chix and out!

Sunday, March 13, 2011

New couch and daylight savings

First of - UGH... I do not like this time change and I think we should get rid of it. hahaha I mean - Yes, I do love that we get an extra hour of sun at the end of the day but to have to get up at "5:30" - (6:30) is going to take a while to get used to. Especially since I wasn't used to getting up as early as I already am and I have been doing it for years...

On a happier note - we got a couch! And with the $$$ donated by my Mom and Sister we only paid $65!!!


My mom said she could get us a leather tray that we can keep on top of the ottoman. We'll pick it up on Saturday and I'm so excited! And after we pick it up on Sat we'll be of to a birthday party for our friend's son who's turning 3. We're going about an hr south, inland to Chuck e Cheese. Huge party place for kiddies.


I better bring Advil or something! hahah

Ok, need to prep lunch for tomorrow 

Get some sleep! :)

Saturday, March 12, 2011

New couch?

Joey and I started out the day by taking an hr walk on the beach (I even got a little tan!). Of course the tide was coming up a little and i ended up with soaked sneakers and pants hahaha It wasn't cold though so I felt ok.

After we finished our walk we had some lunch and then went to Timbuktu to check out if they had the couch we found last weekend in Oxnard. They didn't quite have the same one so now we are looking at either this one:


Sorry - took a pic with cell from a print out. We like this but in a lighter color. This one is  more square and a bit more expensive than this one:


The furniture store is not charging sales tax today and tomorrow which is GREAT! Plus - we don't need them to deliver or put it together so we save on that as well. AWESOMW!!! Now we just need to decide. I prefer the top one while Joey prefers the bottom one (he only prefers the bottom one because it's cheaper...sigh) I'm hoping I can convince him on the top one but not sure how? Urgh...

After all the couch discussions I went back to La Soie bridal to see a new designer they had there. Michele went with me. I tried on one dress from the new collection and didn't quite care for it. Too frilly for me. Then she showed me another one that I really really liked. I had Michele take some pics but I don't want to post here hahaha If you want to see a pic you'll have to email me b/c I don't want it out there just in case Joey would get a hold of it somehow. I'm not saying I'll chose that specific one but you never know.

We're making chicken quesadillas for dinner tonight so we need to go to the grocery store.

Comfy couch - rest well
:)

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Talking Venues and Caterers

So, we have some ideas lined up for other venues. Like I said in previous post - we are thinking about the Rockwood but also these venues:

This is the Founders Room at the Granada Theatre

This is the Maritime Museum (not the best pic)


These two pics above is of Cabrillo Arts Pavillion - for now it is booked on our day but we're hoping they might cancel b/c like you can see - it's RIGHT on the beach. We would have the whole upstairs and the views are amazing.

I took another long walk along the beach tonight but this time with Michele. I think her and I are going to look at wedding dresses at La Soie again this Saturday. I guess they are showing a new designer's spring collection so I'll call them tomorrow and make an appointment with the girl who helps me there. Could be fun to see if they have anything I like. 

Tomorrow is Friday and I'm sooo happy! I finally get my longed after non-fat vanilla latte - Grande :) After work I have to go home and change real quick then over to Amy's house to do some makeup. I'll take pics and post on here. 

Our wedding coordinator, Ann, set up a tasting with John for us so we're going to taste his food on April 1st (no, it's not a joke hahaha) and I will probably set up a tasting with another caterer mid April. I want to try and taste everything so we know what we want and have it all set so we (I) don't have to stress about it. 

Did I mention that I love the show - My Fair Wedding with David Tutera?!



Happy Thursday readers!

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

We lost the venue!!!

I"m so sad and upset because I found out that we lost the venue. M.M was about to write up our contract when she found out that they are not renting out the facility during our date. I'm so so so so sad and upset about this. I send a panic email to my coordinator and she said she'll see what she can find out. We are now looking into the Women's Club.


Yes, it is pretty but they charge $4200 just for the venue. Then we have to add everything else. And I mean everything else... *sigh* Even if we have a DJ he will need to bring his own sound system - what's that not gonna cost us??? I'm so depressed right now I can't even tell you...


Depressed and out...

Monday, March 7, 2011

The Bachelor - The Women Tell All

Wow... watching the Bachelor - women tell all. There's this one girl Michele that was kind of crazy all thru the show and so some of the other girls are totally talking shit about her. In a way - I don't think it's right of them all to attack her BUT she was kinda crazy on the show and she said some very strange stuff. I guess they are all put into a stressful situation so they all go a bit nuts. hahaha

So, I got an email back from M.M at the museum and she said she was so excited that we chose her venue and all we have to do now is fill out a form and then she'll draw up the contract. So after we get that down we already have the church booked and the venue. Now we need:

Caterer
DJ
Alcohol
Rental (Chairs, linens, utensils etc.)
Florist for all the bouquets
Dress (I need to order it at least 9 months before the wedding)
Tux for Joey

I'm still trying to figure out where we can find cool bridesmaids dresses and shoes that I like and that are affordable for the girls.

I'm actively looking for a makeup artist but I don't get why the trials are so expensive! Why would I pay almost just as much as the day of and tip you twice? C'mon ladies! I think a trial should be no more than $40. I mean the hair trial is $50 and if I remember right the hair the day of is $75. I've seen pricing for makeup at $150 day of! I thought hair was way more work than makeup! Dang!

Perhaps it's just this town -  most things are pricey here. *sigh*

I have 4 potential makeup ppl I have to try still. If I can't find someone I don't like up here there's this girl down south that I might have come up here and do the makeup.

Ok, back to watching the Bachelor

Be nice!

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Food, venue and coordinators

I love food and so does Joey. Here's a picture of Vietnamese food we had for lunch last Friday in Goleta.


It's a rice noodle bowl with grilled pork, veggies, and an eggroll. YUMMIE! Here's what we had for lunch today


Lots of yummie sashimi. My fave is the salmon and the one with the Sriracha on top (red spicy sauce) 

Anyway, talking about food - Joey and I met with our brand spankin new wedding coordinator today. She has lots of good suggestions and ideas for us and just made us feel more comfortable with everything. She said she will set up several tastings for us, dinner food as well as cake (yeah boi!). After we were done talking to her we went to lunch (the above sushi) and talked about the venue. 

We have decided...




These are just some pictures of other parties they have had at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History. I sent an email to M.M this evening and I'm hoping she'll email me back tomorrow to let me know if it's still available for us. PLEASE KEEP YOUR FINGERS CROSSED!!!

I already know what I want the cake to look like. Let me see if I can find a picture of what it looks like (so far I've only seen a pic in a magazine)


Ok, so this isn't exactly what I had in mind but I really like the graduated colors. It would probably be in purple with some peonies on it. I prefer simple over a lot of stuff everywhere. 

Ok, time for bed. Work and working out tomorrow!

Sleep tight bugs :)




Friday, March 4, 2011

American Laser Center

After the wedding faire this past weekend I got a call from the American Laser Center wanting to set up a consultation. I'm really only interested in Botox so I figured it wouldn't hurt to just go to the consultation and see what they have to offer. They charge $11/unit of Botox and she suggested I might need 10 units - only the nurse or the doctor can tell me how many I might actually need but she said the average is 8-10 units and I'm assuming she was trying to sell. She also tried to sell me on something else but I'm not spending $3,000 so.. BOO YAH!

The $11/unit of Botox isn't too bad if I only get the 10 units. $110 total. She suggested I do it in the end of April since the wedding is May 12th of next year. I'm worried that doing anything with my skin that close to the wedding might not be good. What if I have an allergic reaction or bruise?! No thank you. Here's a pic of bruising by Botox

Ok, so I won't be getting it around my eyes but still - what if? I don't want botched wedding pictures! I'm still going to shop around as I think other places might be cheaper. Just remember boys and girls, ALWAYS do research before getting anything cosmetic done, mmmkay???

Holla!

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Semi-Pro

Joey and I just started watching Semi-Pro so I can't blog too much tonight. Amy and I took about an hr walk right after work. We walked along shoreline then down the steps to the beach. We walked all along the beach watching the sunset and it was so beautiful. The sky was all pink and pretty. We then walked up the "thousand" steps. Urgh.... Felt good once we were done though.

I had a co-worker ask me to make her a necklace today and she wants a specific one but I can't quite figure out which one she wants. Here are a few samples I've made



Alright, I better focus on the movie now - Joey keeps staring at me hahhaha

Pro all the way!

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Bridesmaids dresses

I got an email today saying that I can enter a competition and win up to 5 bridesmaids dresses! How awesome would that be?! I have to choose from a website. These are the ones I'm currently liking - what do you think?
http://www.weddingtonway.com/shop/alfred-sung-style-d449.html?color=1067+-+Dahlia
http://www.weddingtonway.com/shop/alfred-sung-style-d446.html?color=1067+-+Dahlia
http://www.weddingtonway.com/shop/alfred-sung-style-d447.html?color=1067+-+Dahlia
http://www.weddingtonway.com/shop/after-six-bridesmaid-style-6574.html?color=961%20-%20African%20Violet

I think the last one would work with all the girls. I want my maid of honor - older sister T. to wear a different dress than the other girls, same color but different style.

Ok, better get back to signing up so I can win!

Fingers crossed!!!

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Weeding Coordinator/Makeup Artist

So, since Jamye and I went to the wedding faire I got some emails. Today I got one from Pure Joy catering saying that they will call us later this week to talk about what we want for our wedding. I think it's always best to get formal quotes from everyone and then just compare which one we like the best and also which one is the best financially.

Tonight I'm going to start looking around for more catering and see if i can get some quotes as well as look for wedding coordinators. I need someone who's not there all the time but just perhaps to pay them hourly? I have no idea what they normally charge. I've heard 10-15% of your total budget which is more that what I would like to spend on a wedding coordinator. Joey has an old co worker that started her own Wedding planning business and I think we're going to meet with her on Saturday afternoon. Hopefully she's reasonably priced. But - Joey would like her to come as a guest and I've made it clear that if she's going to be our coordinator - she will not be a guest the day of. I need the coordinator all day since they make sure everything goes as planned so I guess we have to ask her what she wants. Either plan the wedding or be a guest. There are some more pros and cons with her so we'll see what happens. Perhaps I'll see if I can get some quotes for that as well tonight.

Oh, and did you watch the Bachelor last night?! South Africa is beautiful and there was some drama. :)

Enjoy your evening!