A Weekend Away

Apologies for not posting sooner – but it’s been a very stressful few weeks at work and when I get home I find myself just wanting to zone out and go to sleep, which last night I did at about 10pm. I don’t think I’ve been that tired in a long, long time.

However, it was totally worth it! Victor and I took last weekend (Labor Day) to be very long, and left on Thursday night for a long drive to our favorite place on earth….

DISNEYLAND.

I found a really great hotel deal on travelzoo.com and we stayed at a hotel that was a short 7 minute walk to the park, so we were able to fall fast asleep on Thursday night for a full Friday of Disney fun!  We woke up early on Friday for park opening, grabbing some coffee on the way to stand in line. We were beyond excited for the day for several reasons. Though we went to DisneyWorld this past February (stop judging, you’re jealous) we have actually not been to Disneyland since Vic’s 22nd birthday. Do the math, that’s almost exactly 4 years ago. Needless to say, we were pumped because we got to ride the new Star Tours that had just opened a few months before. Anecdotally, I was so happy Vic was excited about Star Tours – as a kid I have great memories of my parents dragging my siblings and I to early park opening and running to Star Tours. It was a huge family favorite. I’m pretty sure that my brother could ride that all day long and not complain at all. Pretty positive I would join him in it too

SO, we got in line for the park early, and had a thought out strategy - get a fast pass for the ride later in the day, and THEN ride the ride for the first time. So that would guarantee us at least two rides, since the line is usually pretty bad and the Fast passes sell out quickly. Turns out the plan worked perfectly, and we were able to get on the ride for the first time in about 15 minutes. And yes, it is totally worth a long line – it was so much fun!

Immediately following Star Tours we hit up Indiana Jones (my favorite ride of all time) and then Space Mountain. Again, priorities. We were pretty blown away at the difference between Space Mountain in D-Land vs. World, and I’m inclined to vote that D-Land is far better. Also, side note, DisneyWorld does not have the Mad Hatter shop in Fantasyland. Disneyland does. Call me old school, but that place is an institution and I love it dearly.

Perhaps the best part of the day was our buttons. We got our tickets at the booth, and the lovely woman asked if we were celebrating. Given a pretty busy summer, Vic jumped in and told her we were celebrating our 1 year wedding anniversary. She immediately responded that our marriage was basically brand new, and we deserved “Just Married” buttons. Which of course we donned proudly all day! The people were SO nice congratulating us all day long – we even got to go to the front of the line on the Peter Pan ride!

We hung out a lot more in California Adventure this time around, going on Tower of Terror and the California Screamin’ Rollercoaster - please note Victor’s face in this picture:

He claims it was genuine, that he tried to make a silly face and then we started dropping.

I made dinner reservations that night for a restaurant in California Adventure called Ariel’s Grotto, overlooking the Rollercoaster and Ferris Wheel, and the food was delish!

We also got a lot of free wine from our waiter for being newlyweds. Another score for the buttons.

That's a Disney Double-Fist

Slightly drunk and excited, we moseyed over to the new World Of Color Show later that night, and I was completely blown away. It was like the best mixture of water show, fireworks, Fantasmic and music I have ever seen. It truly was amazing. Of course I was over emotional and started crying half way through – I really really was blown away.

The next day we drove up to Hermosa to visit with Courtney and Mark, newly engaged and living in an adorable house a stones throw away from our alma mater. It was great seeing them, it had been almost a year but really felt like I had just seen them a day or two ago. I’m so pumped for them to get married – it’s going to be a great wedding for sure!

Speaking of weddings, did I mention that’s the whole reason we were in SoCal to being with? We headed to Woodland Hills that afternoon to begin celebrating our dear friends wedding, joining them for the rehearsal dinner the night before at their lovely home – everything was outside, the weather was perfect, and we were exhausted. We went to bed early that night and the next morning went on an adventure to Malibu:

So beautiful. We walked the beach, talked, took in the sights, admired the homes, it was really lovely and relaxing. We had plenty of time to lay by the pool before the wedding, enjoying the 100 degree heat

The wedding was amazing, just look at the setting:

Every detail was beautiful and carefully picked, it totally reflected them as a couple. I could not have been happier for the couple – they are so beyond perfect for each other

Even if my amazing shoes were ruined:

I nearly lost a toe to the hora

Yes, that is my blood – my toe was injured in a tragic stiletto/hora dancing accident. Luckily I was prepared with flats in my bag!

And that’s my horribly boring life update – just wanted to get back into the swing of blogging – I’ll be back to the regular routine this weekend!

La La Land

 

Though I only have approximately 4 readers (thanks mom, husband and siblings!) I sometimes hope there are a few of you out there who have no idea who I am but thoroughly enjoy my hap hazard life. So, in case you don’t know this, I actually lived in Los Angeles for four years before I moved to New York. My drivers licensee still has my old LA address! (please don’t tell the DMV – my picture is so good).

Last weekend I took my first trip back to LA since I left a little more than 3 years ago. It was quite the interesting experience. There are several things about LA that I loved, and several that I hated, but for the most part – outside of my friends and school it never really seemed like a hugely significant city to my life. Brooklyn was very in-your-face: I couldn’t get away from it, it was always surrounding me. It wasn’t until I returned to LA that I realized how much that city is a part of who I am. Cheesy, yes – but I have some reasons why this city is so unbelievably unique, the good and the bad.

Things that are kind of awesome:

1. You have to love it completely, or hate it completely. And yes, you can hate parts of it like the traffic, but for the most part you have to love or hate the city in its entirety in order to survive.

2. Overlook the smog. It’s so smoggy there, but man those sunset’s are unbelievable.

3. Nothing really changes. It’s kind of great that for the most part, everything stays the same in LA. The people will always be 90% in the entertainment business, the Grove and Getty will always be in the same location, you can always hike to the Hollywood sign, and the beach is always just a short drive away. I love the old 1950′s feel that you get being in that city – like the stuff that matters will always be there. Drive down La Cienega and you can see that the Beverly Hilton’s sign has never changed – there is an appreciation for old Hollywood everywhere you go. It’s the glamorous history lesson. Less Benjamin Franklin and more Marilyn Monroe.

4. Los Angeles has the best food in the world. Believe me, I am not biased at all, but though New York has the best pizza or fancy schmancy cuisine – in LA you can get the best burritos, burgers, sandwiches or cocktails around. The ingredients are just fresh. Fresh produce, meat, fish – even the pub food just feels less greasy. I firmly believe that the closer you get to Mexico, the better the Mexican food gets. So yes, nor cal has some good burritos, but SoCal just does it better.

5. Angelenos have a common mentality that seems to be lost elsewhere. For example, I work at a very large tech company based in the southbay. Most of the people under 25 that work here live in the city and commute on shuttles to work. This also means that they never ever go to the south bay to do anything but work. Likewise those of us based in the south bay rarely go up to the city (present company included). It reminds me of the Manhattanite mentality – the “I don’t go to Queens/Brooklyn/insertotherboroughshere” because why would I ever leave my place? LA is big, but it doesn’t feel disjointed. Everyone has to drive to get anywhere so there is less of a “you come to me” and more of a “meet in the middle.” I like that. It suits.

6. The people are nice. Don’t get me wrong, a lot of the time it is self-serving because everyone wants their “big break” but still, I’ll take niceness in whatever form I can get it.

7.  Every time you leave your house its an adventure. Traffic, crime, events, paparazzi, movie shoots, whatever – everywhere you go is an adventure.

Things that kind of suck:

1. The traffic. It took me 2 hours to get from the Grove to Marina del Rey. 14.4 miles. It doesn’t matter if it is Saturday at 2pm or Monday at 1am. Freeways or side streets. Traffic.

2. Everyone is a screenwriter/actor/director/etc. Literally everyone. Any coffee shop you go to has 8 or 9 people typing away on their script just to have some douchebag in an

expensive suit MAYBE tell them, “Braugh. I loved your script braugh.” (Thanks for the material Will!) when in fact you know that they never read it, but had an intern read it and write a summary for them. I did this as an intern. It’s called “coverage.” I liked to call it “book reports for grown ups.”

3. People wear their money. In the form of labels. The funny part is everyone with a Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Fendi (the bigger the label the better) probably drives a beat up old car or lives in a tiny apartment in Inglewood. The idea is to show that you spend your money on the important things – labels. Don’t get me wrong, as I sit here and type in my Joe’s jeans, with my Prada glasses and coach bag next to me, I appreciate the labels, but I’m not dropping 2K on a bag when I’ve got student loans. Just sayin’.

4. You do not have to be smart to get rich. (Also kind of awesome). Just look at the Kardashians. I’m pretty positive having a sex tape is the only reason they have a tv show and strut around town in Louboutins “working.” In the Silicon Valley – I have no hope. Everyone I meet is all, “Oh, when I was at Harvard getting my PHD in Rocket Science and single-handedly solving the hunger crisis in Africa….” Where I’m all, “Anyone read the latest issue of People? No? Nobody?”

5. Everyone is beautiful and skinny. Hear that? That was the sound of self-esteem plummeting. Blonder hair, bigger boobs, working out and eating next to nothing – it’s a city-wide obsession. On the plus side though the weather is great so working out and being active just becomes a way of life. Also – junk food is far harder to find…

So as I spent the weekend watching two of my very good friends get married in Marina Del Rey I pondered all of what LA has to offer. I quickly realized that the best part of LA was right there. It all fell back into place. My friends looking amazing and in love in a perfect wedding, Clare crying the entire time. Literally she cried the whole night long, and that’s why I love her. Taking photos with Jenny and Ashley, trading chocolates at the table, my drunk husband deciding all he wanted to do all night was dance with the bride (sorry Amy). Going there was a bit like going home – mostly because it’s the first place I ever created a home for myself. At just 18 I packed up and tried to figure it all out – and thanks to great friends I did.

One Year Ago…

Reflecting back on where I was one year ago today is a bit scary. I’m currently knee-deep in event planning for work – and gearing up to attend the wedding of two of my closest friends at the end of the month. The funny thing is, one year ago today I was knee-deep in my own wedding planning. Though I don’t wish to plan another wedding for myself ever, ever again – I do love helping others. Reflecting back on where I was, I thought I would share something I created a while back to help others in their own wedding organization – for those, who, like me, were overwhelmed just by the simple act of opening a bridal magazine. Enjoy.

The Anti-Martha Stewart Wedding Checklist!

For those of us out there who get overwhelmed just reading wedding magazines…

So, you’re engaged! Yay! You have a shiny, pretty diamond on your finger that you stare at all the time because it’s just so sparkly! Before you find yourself face first in a pile of tulle screaming, “I just can’t do it!” I’ve compiled a list of suggestions on how to navigate your perfect wedding:

Note – before you do Anything make sure you have talked to your parents, your fiance, and his parents about the budget. Full disclosure. You don’t want to plan everything only to find out someone thought someone else was paying. Because that would suck.

• Pick a date. Now. And stick to it. People will get really pissed if you change it at all ever, so pick a date (no need for venue, location, time of day – just a date). However, consider the date carefully:
• Do you want a summer wedding? If so, do you want to save some money by having the wedding on a Friday or Sunday?
• Do you want it to fall over a holiday weekend to accommodate lots of out-of-town guests? (note, if considering Memorial day or Labor Day, make sure to send a save the date at least 9 months to a year in advance)

• Take engagement photos. Mostly because at this point you still really like your fiance. Also, you will need these photos for your save the dates slash making all of your friends on Facebook jealous.

• Choose your bridal party. But also keep in mind you don’t have to ask everyone and their cousins. If you only want 50 people at your wedding, don’t have 10 bridesmaids. You get the picture.

• Buy your dress. The dress will determine the theme of the wedding. Want a vintage wedding or a dude ranch wedding and you’ve already booked the venue? Well then that ballgown that is totally your dress and perfect for you will not suit. Basically, it’s you and your dress before anything else.

• Start an ideas binder. Buy every bridal magazine you can find and tear out everything you love. You’ll be amazed at the ideas that come your way – all of a sudden a color pattern will appear based on simple stuff like flowers, makeup, napkins, etc.

• Pick a venue. Go on some visits with your fiance, your mom, your sisters, bridesmaids, wedding planner, etc. Get lots of input – it’s always good to have a third-party vote to tell you that a pool near the dance floor may look pretty, but your friends will probably get drunk and jump in.

• Finalize your guest list.

• Choose and send your save the date. I like weddingpaperdivas.com, but you can also do custom ones at Papyrus or the paper source, just know they will cost a small fortune.

• Register for gifts!! (Don’t register at more than three places. It’s tacky, and greedy).

• Build a wedding website! For about $40 you can buy the url for the year, so you can have something cute. We were http://cadyandvictor.com. It looked nicer on the save the dates and invitations.

• Choose a theme. Or an idea. Or some colors. Just start to put together a general idea of how you want the wedding to look.
• For example, I didn’t have a theme or colors, so much as an idea (kitchy garden party) and my colors were greens, blues, pinks and whites. Complimentary.
• Keep the venue in mind here as well. For example, if you are getting married on the beach – black and hot pink might not be the best color scheme.

• Decide how much you want to do yourself. Although it may seem like a great idea to do everything, know your limits. Perhaps botany isn’t your calling so you may need a florist, either way it’s time to book the vendors.
• Pick centerpieces, menu, cake, favors, photographer, place settings – all the tiny details.

• Decide on a DJ or a Band. Also – if you have a DJ make sure he has a list of the types of music you like and don’t like.

• Finalize a guest list again. Seriously. By now some random relatives have come out of the woodwork for sure, and you need to decide to invite your dad’s cousins’ great aunt.

• Shop for bridesmaid dresses – and make sure those ladies have planned a kick ass shower and bachelorette party.

• Buy some diamonds with your man. Wedding rings!

• Send your invitations to your guests.

• Plan your honeymoon.

• Book your appointments: (hair color and cut should be a week before), run through, makeup, waxing, nails, eyebrows, etc.

• Plan the rehearsal dinner (Again, you should already know who is hosting/paying.) Traditionally it is the grooms family, but many couples choose to host their own now!

• Make Table Arrangements. This is a great place to get input from your parents. Also – keep in mind people’s personalities. Do you have an aunt that everyone hates but you have to invite? Don’t put her near your mom. Also – make sure that your fiance is a part of the decision-making process here.

• Don’t plan a day of the event schedule because you will never keep it. You should know what time to arrive, what time the vendors arrive, but don’t schedule it down to the hour or you will never get to pee.

• Delegate a bridesmaid to get some food for the people getting ready (you are going to be hungry!)

• Make a list of the photos you don’t want the photographer to forget to take.

• Have fun, remember to eat, and don’t drink too much!