Taking a Break

Where has this summer gone? It seems that I was just packing to go on vacation and already the summer seems to be fading as quickly as it came. The last couple of months have been hectic, to say the least. Between the numerous trips have been a series of personal and family pressures that have quite obviously taken their toll on this little blog. For those of you still reading, I thank you sincerely. I will be taking the next few weeks off officially to try to catch up and focus on my family and what is truly most important in this life. I will return shortly hopefully brimming with new ideas and fresh wedding and party planning inspiration. Hopefully you will still be here to share them with me. Take care and remember to enjoy every day.

A case of the blogger blahs

Since returning from Costa Rica I have been suffering from a bout of the blogger blahs. I've felt unmotivated and uninspired. My reader is backed up to about 850 posts. I'll be back, I promise. In the meantime, if anybody is still reading, let me know what has been inspiring you lately, be it colors, photographers, a wedding you recently attended, etc. Maybe the feeling will be contagious or maybe I'll write a post about you! Please help me out of this funk.

¡Adios!

I'm off to Costa Rica for my anniversary. No phones, no computers, no work. Just lots and lots of lounging on the beach. I'll be back after July 2.

On the subject of music

I haven't really been much for participating in these "tags" lately, but this one just seemed so appropriate given the last few posts. Anyone who knows me will tell you that I am no music snob. I truly enjoy almost any type of music. Yes, even country. That's right, I said it. And while I can appreciate all of the technical, music person's music that my drummer husband forces upon me, what I really want to do is sing. Let me tell you I can belt it out in my car with the best of them. You know the scene, you pull up to a stop light only to see the girl next to you singing at the top of her lungs and waving her arms around like nobody's business. That's me. And let me assure you, I am not singing in any key you would recognize.

So here's the tag that was inflicted upon me by my dear virtual friend Tina:
Link to the person who tagged you and post the rules on your blog.
Share 5 songs you are embarrassed to admit to others that you like and tell why.
Tag 7 random people at the end of post and include links to their blogs.
Let each person know they've been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Here goes. How will I ever limit this to just five? I can't. I'll just include one from each of the major genres of embarrassment. At least I'm diverse.

1. Baby One More Time by Brit Brit
2. The Real Slim Shady by Eminem
3. Every Rose Has Its Thorn by Poison
4. The Gambler by Kenny Rogers
5. What I Am by Edie Brickell and The New Bohemians

OK, I really can't explain why I like these songs. I just do. And I'm not embarrassed about it because you probably like them, too.

And just for fun, I am adding on a bonus section of five songs I LOVE to sing aloud. This list really could go on to about number 78, but I'll stick with the first five that come to mind. Oh, and I've been officially banned from singing any of these while my husband is in the car. He just can't appreciate my talent.

1. Patience by Guns 'n' Roses
2. American Pie by Don McLean
3. Oh What A Night by Frankie Vali and The Four Seasons
4. Livin' On a Prayer by Bon Jovi
5. Jack and Diane by John Cougar Mellencamp (back when he was still the cougar)

And because I really don't like to follow the rules, I'm just tagging anyone who wants to participate. It really was quite fun. Honestly.

What were "our songs" you ask?

I realize in my haste to know what all of your songs were, I forgot to mention the music that helped make our day so memorable. As you may, or may not know, I fell in love with a musician. A musician, but not a dancer. I, on the other hand, feel no wedding is complete without "Baby Got Back" and more than just a few Neil Diamond dance numbers. It seems that my music taste is just a bit more, shall we say "varied" than that of my husband. Sure, I love to listen to Pavement, but I most certainly do not want to dance to it all night long! This was a wedding, not a party for a bunch of music-snobs. And so a compromise was reached- Gabe chose all of the dinner music (he literally handed the DJ a CD with an hour and a half of music so that everything was played in the order he wanted) and I got to choose all of the dance music. And so mixed in with all of the Stereolab, Wilco, Air, and Tortoise came a little Allison Krauss, Sir MixAlot, and Vanilla Ice. I like to think that there was a little something for everyone.

And of course, there were those special songs. The ones that we chose knowing that they would never be heard on the radio, knowing that most of our guests had probably never heard of them. The ones that we have to make the effort to listen to and that instantly bring us back every time we do. We walked out of our ceremony to Johnny and June Carter Cash's barely recognized "'Cause I Love You" and we danced our first dance to Nick Drake's "Northern Sky". We didn't choose songs that we had always listened to together or had our first kiss to, rather we chose songs that would be made special because of their role in our wedding. We have a lot of songs that remind of us all of our years together, but we only have two that can take us back to that particular time. Keep that in mind as you argue about this decision with your fiance. Do you really want the same song that twelve other guests at your wedding danced their first dance to? I didn't think so.

So what's your song?

The last post would not be complete without a little discussion about the oh-so-important first dance song. Some couples seem to agonize over this decision. Did or do you? Do you and your husband or fiance really have "a song"? What was or is your first dance song? I'd love to know. Really. I'm nosey like that. Leave me a comment and fill me in.

First Dance

Apparently some couples do practice their first dance.

Internet-schminternet

Internet is down and beyond repair. Lame. Be back next week. I'm hacking into my neighbor's right now. Shhhh.

Sweet tart

I'm loving the images from Natalie Moser Photography. Just back from maternity leave and with a newborn waiting for her at home, she still managed to capture this wedding perfectly! These pictures make my mouth pucker for raspberry lemonade.

Even if I had bought them, I'd still be paying for them

From last Spring, but still just as fabulous.

Louis Vuitton

Cousins Baby Couture

Baby showers are probably one of my favorite parties to throw. Sure, the mom-to-be may register for outlet covers and crib sheets, but the most fun gifts are those that are more unique and creative, those that maybe mom wouldn't necessarily buy for herself. Cute blankets and burp cloths just don't seem to rank up there on the priority list with bottles that don't leak and diaper genies, but they certainly are a welcomed and appreciated gift. With this in mind, Cousins Baby Couture was born. OK, maybe I am a bit biased as this little company belongs to my sister and cousin, but the blankies are so cute and cozy they almost make want to have a little one of my own. Almost.

Ann Taylor, really?

I am not an Ann Taylor girl. Oh, I have nothing against it, it's just that it does not suit my particular style. That being said, I was rather impressed when I came across their limited line of bridal gowns. They've been doing bridesmaid dresses for a couple of years, but I had no idea you could also find a wedding gown for as little as $600. Oh, and they are 20% off right now. Make that $480. For that price you could afford to spend more on your accessories to pull the look together. Just one more way a bride can find a simple, yet pretty dress without spending a fortune or going to one of those "Costco-esque, get 'em in, get 'em out, sell them a gown" kind of gown shops.

Busy Bee

This weekend gave me a chance to catch up on a couple of projects I've been working on. I packaged up some cutom mailing labels I designed for Christine of CVD Custom Invitation Studio and I finished designing and assembling some baby shower invites for my sister Sarah of Cousins Baby Couture. Though I haven't yet settled on a design for the labels for the invites, I must say that I am thrilled with the amount of work I actually accomplished on such a perfect weekend.

Legos, Princesses, Bowling Balls, and a Jedi

The next couple of months are filled with kids' birthday parties. Try as I might, it's simply not as easy as one might think to make Darth Vader creative and crafty. Trust me, the nephews do not want my hand designed version of Darth on an invitation, nor do they find little light saber place cards or homemade Chubacca piñatas charming. Nope. Somehow those things just don't fly past the age of four. One trip to Party City is all they really want. If they only knew. If they only understood how much I would love to use some of the handmade, tragically cute decorations I found at Mahar Dry Goods.

Lara Porzak

Some stunning photos from Lara Porzak. Fine-art photographer to the famous and fortunate, Lara shoots all of her photos on film.

Love from Australia

No. I'm not planning a trip to, nor have I ever been fortunate enough to have visited Australia. But, I was lucky to have received a couple of issues of the Aussie publication Wedding Style Guide from the lovely Jane. Because Australia is in the whole "their Summer is our Winter" thing, it's kind of like cheating as I am currently reading their Fall 2008 issue. Many inspired posts to come soon!

In honor of cinco de mayo

Mexican Wedding Cookies are one of my favorites. These from Martha look especially yummy.

It's Wedding Week on Food Network!

Yummy! Tune in for a week of wedding deliciousness. It all ends on Saturday with a complete day of episodes of your favorite shows, all with a wedding twist. Mmmmm.

It's hot!

It was 95 degrees today. Yes, 95 degrees on the coast. I'm melting and all of my plants and flowers are looking a little, well, wilty to say the very least. My containers of succulents, however, are loving this little heat spell. As I sit here sweating in front of my fan, I can't help but feel a bit of inspiration. How lovely would a modern Summer wedding or perhaps a fiesta-inspired reception be using a blend of eco-friendly cacti and succulents as centerpieces? This is a budget-friendly option as well as all of these arrangements could be assembled at home months before the wedding (or if you want them to look as spectacular as these, contact Succulent in Los Angeles.) With colors ranging from the obvious greens and sages to the less expected reds, yellows, and purples, I think this might be a plan I need to execute. And soon. Any volunteers?

The Perfect Party Pitcher

Every hostess needs at least one of these, though I'd suggest two. Margaritas, lemonade, or iced tea- it all looks better when served in here (with a pretty label tied on with ribbon, of course).

Gryphon Stationers

I receive countless emails daily from retailers and designers asking me to post about their products. Needless to say, I am usually left less than impressed or inspired. Trina from Gryphon Stationers, however, threw me for a loop. The quality and range of invitations and stationery on her site are beautiful. A bit about the company: "Borrowing from their twenty years of experience in designing identity packages, websites and collateral material for the most discerning clients, Gryphon Stationers provides a variety of invitation designs ranging from weddings, baby showers, or general stationery in styles created for people with a modern sensibility and elegant taste."

The perfect flower girl dress?

I had three flower girls. THREE. (Though only two actually made it down the aisle). I really thought that finding their dresses would be easy. Needless to say, I was wrong. Oh yes, there were a ton of choices, but some of them cost more than a small fortune. It all came down to the fact that there was no way I could ask my cousin to pay not only for her bridesmaid dress but also TWO flower girl dresses at $250 each. And the lesser priced alternatives? They looked, well, lesser. Had this one been around at the time, this most definitely would have been my pick.

Couture Bridal Market : Erin Cole

I realize that at some time here in the next few days I need to clarify my role with Erin Cole. Until then, take a look at what we were up to this Market.

You'll be seeing a lot of this veil. Trust me. You saw it here first! It started out as a runway and advertising piece and now stores are buying it as stock. It's that fabulous.

Work, work, work (and eat, eat, eat)

New York was great, albeit very busy. We bought, we sold, and we ate. A lot. Here's proof. It went by way too fast.

A nice little game of "king's corner" and a couple of pints of ice cream. This has become the standard end of evening treat for these trips.

Sushi with Los Angeles Weddings Magazine and Rivini

The best margaritas ever with Rita and Tony (Rivini)

My very first New York hot dog. Inhaled in less than three minutes.

Cheery cherry blossoms

I truly love cherry blossoms. Look hard and you'll find a couple around here in Long Beach (there are a bunch on the campus of Cal State Long Beach). If you don't have any near you, you can make them a la Martha. I think this would make for the start of a great girl's birthday party.

Off to Market!

I'm off to New York for Market until Wednesday. I can't wait to see what everyone has cooked up for the Fall. Will post highlights next week. Enjoy your weekend!

image: Judd Waddell

Pretty Pom Poms

Now I am no stranger to making Martha's famous paper flower poofs (I made about 200 of them for my wedding), but I was pleasantly surprised to see this souped-up model.

Oh my, I'm in LOVE

Perhaps one of the most fabulous gowns I have seen. Ever. I love everything about this bride. She has absolutely fantastic style. Oh my goodness. All images from Aaron Delesie.