Wedding Fun

School hours are a little slow lately, but of course I still get to campus bright and early! Therefore, I thought it might be a good time to update my blog a little more. I just realized that I haven't posted since August 3, 2012 and that is just WILD! 

For my first "Back to Blog Life" post, I thought I would update everyone on my wedding planning with details, hair ideas and all the fun that has come with planning my fabulous wedding!

In the last month, or so, David and I have really began to work on finding the little details that will make each second of the day POP!  We have picked out things like the sand ceremony jars, the guest book, our guest's favors, some fun party things for the reception and SOOOO much more! It's truly a blast! Although I can't share every single detail, because that would totally ruin the surprise of it all, I can still share a few small things that will give a glimpse into the big day! And it's still pretty sneaky because the pictures you will see below aren't our actual items, but just a preview of things we will have.

Here we go!

First off, we have our cake topper.  David and I were a little at odds with the cake topper because we thought it would be really cute to do one of those toppers with the bride and groom that would actually look like us doing something cute - like playing basketball, kissing, grabbing each others butts, you know, something like that.  But when we looked those up, they were truly out of our budget and although it would have been a fun splurge, we just couldn't find reason in it.  So I took it to Etsy to help me find a one-of-a-kind cake topper and I easily did!!! 

PetiteMint is creating a custom, hand made cake topper that will resemble the image below.  It will show David and my initials with a heart holding the letters together that will show our last initial.  I think it's darling and it's just so unique.  The fact that it's wrapped in book pages totally adds to my obsession with it!

Next, our guest book.  We weren't really sure how we wanted to display or use the guest book, because nowadays there are so many options.  Then we realized it'd be a great way to combine it with the photo booth festivities and have our guests sign our guest book using their photos from the booth, a sweet note and a signature. 

The book, also from Etsy, is made by The Handmade Boutique and is especially designed for photo booth strips.  Although I love the pink ribbon, that will be replaced with a matching wedding color and will be displayed with fun pens and stickers for the guests to enjoy!

Lastly (for now), our sand ceremony pieces.  The sand ceremony is such a lovely idea, especially for a summer wedding.  It doesn't require much work or set up, but the keepsake will last us a lifetime!  We definitely wanted to perform a unity ceremony but through candles could go either way in the summer day and may not give the umph we are definitely hoping for.  Therefore, with the right pieces, we decided to show our unity using the sand elements.

Below are a sample of what our set looks like.  This collection is made from Etched Expressions, who personalized the glasses just for us.  They are so stinking cute and I feel like really speak to David and I.  We're so causal and it being outdoors in a garden, we thought this set would fit right in!

So there you have it! A little glimpse into, what will be, the happiest day of my life!! I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peak!! I'm sure with more time on my hands I will continue to share some ideas and projects!

Love, 

A

Challenge #10 - Make a healthy dinner for D and I

Earlier this week my great friend Jessie made me dinner as we hung out and relaxed together.  It was FABULOUS! I loved the food and I knew that it was one to save because David would like it as well.

She made Trader Joes Orange Chicken, broccoli and brown rice.

[OK, David would not have liked the brown rice]

So, I decided that for this challenge I would bring Jessie's dinner into my own home and try it out!

I didn't have time to get to a Trader Joe's so I tried Sprouts instead and sure enough they had their own brand of Orange Chicken for $7.49!  It was really easy to make too!

Bring oven to 400 degrees, place chicken on a cooking sheet so that the chicken is spread out, put in oven for 20 minutes and top with the flavored sauce and TIME! You're done!

I steamed a bit of broccoli and made rice in a bag to complete our meal.  I'd say it was a success and David really liked it too!

We decided that we'd save this one as a favorite!



Challenge #6 - Take a HIKE!

Goal #6 - go on a hike!

This was a bite challenging because we had quite a few bumps in the road before we actually made it on our hike.  I have a book of hikes, but I have already gone on the local ones and the others are about 45 minutes to over an hour away.  Therefore, David and I thought we'd go to Irvine Great Lake and hike around there... we drove down just to find out that the hiking trails aren't built yet.

BUMMER!

Then we decided to conquer the 1,000 steps in Laguna Beach.. and on our way there traffic was so terribly bad that David and I are now in an awful mood and this isn't fun anymore.  I turned my little car around and headed home.  We laid on my bed for about 5 minutes and then said ok lets go! and we set off to Santiago Canyon.

I have done this hike in the past, but that didn't stop the fun because there are so many different routes that there was no way that we went on the same exact trails as I had previously done.  We had so much fun! It took us about an hour or so to hike around the entire loop that we chose to follow.  It was definitely cardio for the day and we got a nice little tan while we were at it!

Challenge #4 - Try a new tea

Goal #4 - replace soda with a new tea

This may be hard to believe, but I have never tried Green Tea before Friday.  And Friday may have been the worst day for this challenge.  I fell asleep at 8pm the night before, but still woke up with a SLAMMING headache.  I'm not sure why but it cursed me and took me through the entire day.  On top of being insanely busy at work and not being able to eat a full meal until dinner time.  By the time David and I sat down at Thai Cuisine for dinner, all I wanted was a soda because I've always known a tall class of Coke-a-Cola to take away my head pounding.  But I really wanted to complete my challenge and go the healthy route.. and then David orders himself a gorgeous looking class of soda! Needless to say, I almost gave up, but stuck it out and had my green tea.

IT WAS DELICIOUS! It tasted like flowers and smelled amazing!!!

Here is a picture of my adorable little setting of green tea and my teapot!  Next, I want to try the green tea from Starbucks that has been raved about! Courtney has told me that they have a green tea-lemonade that is just like an Arnold Palmer, but green tea instead!  Pumped to continue this challenge!

26. Try 10 new wines

This goal is not complete yet, but it is definitely underway!

Out of the 10 wines I set out for myself to try, I am pleased to say that I have currently tasted 7 new wines (plus "Bitch" from my last post)!!!!

Shannon and I set this goal together and meant to just hit up Total Wine, buy 5 bottles of wine neither of us have tatsed and have ourselves a little wine night.  With busy schedules and such we have yet to have this night.  But in the mean time I have been trying new wines quite often and figured I shoudl add them to my list :)

(Shan, we should still have our wine night!)

Here we go...
[In no particular order]

1. Flip Flop - Merlot

Actually tried this one last night at Shannon and Alex's house with spaghetti dinner.  It was YUMMY!!! Shannon literally poured us only as much wine as shown in the picture and after I was finished I was feeling it!! We checked the acohol % and it was 13%!  The boys beer was less than 1/3 of that! Strong, but very tasty!

2. Frontera, Chile - Cab/Merlot

 David and I received this at our engagement party from Milo and Kyle.  It has a very strong taste and was a little much for Lauren and I to take in Vegas.  We each probably had one glass and called it quits.  It just wasn't a good taste for our palate.

3. 1 <3 CA- Pinot

This one was very interesting.  Another one that Lauren and I tried in Vegas.  I think it would have been better with a sweet food, maybe some strawberries or other fruit.  We drank it plain with nothing and the taste was a little harsh at the moment.  I did like it, could have drank the whole bottle if that was the only one, but I'd rather pair it with some light, sweet food.

4. Turning Leaf - Riesling

My baby sister, Danielle, and her boyfriend Tom introduced Erin, David and I to this one.  We really enjoyed it!! We drank it alone and with dinner and thought it was very tasty!  It has a light, sweet taste that makes it easy to down! I would definitely recommend this!

5. Goats Trail - Zinfandel

Apparently I'm the only crazy one.  This is another that was brought along to us from Danielle & Tom.  I'm not sure if they had tried it before or if it was a random purchase, but no one seemed to have a taste for it.  Therefore, when I ended up with the last glass of Turning Leaf and David didn't want Goats Trail I had to switch him! Which was fine since I enjoyed both.  This one has a heavier, stronger taste and goes great with meat!

6. Cupcake

Just as it sounds! A very dessert flavored wine, almost a little tart!! Marisol, David's sister, had this at our engagement party and some liked it and some thought it was too much.  I enjoyed it for the party.  I probably wouldn't pour this at home with dinner or while I was snacking away but it was a fun wine to have at the party where we weren't there to get sloshed.

7. Sweet - Moscato

Our dear friend Rosie gave this to David and I at our engagement party.  No one had popped it open, as we had many, many bottles of many, many different alcohols, but eventually we got to it in Vegas and this one was by far Lauren and my favorite! David really liked it too.  Again, it's just as the name states.  It was very sweet, light and really easy to drink!!

Tonight, I will be trying another one I'll be able to add to the list.  It is a Barefoot - Sweet Red (I think).  I cannot remember what the actual name of the wine is but it's for David and my anniversary and he really likes sweet and fruity, so I can imagine that's the name.

I'll keep you posted!

ANOTHER Mud Run!

After the last mud run I instantly said that I would do it again and as the year went on I regretted that decision fully! Even the day before, David and I were trying to find reasons not to go, but couldn't think of anything that was good enough to give up $60+ race... so we went. 

In the end we were happy we did.  David beat his time from last year coming in at 1 hour 15 minutes (Last year 1 hour 31 minutes).  I was right around my time last year coming in at 1 hour 34 minutes (Last year 1 hour 34 minutes).  We were happy! And this time we stuck around for a little bit to get a bite to eat and feel a bit of the sun.

Alex, Shannon, Madalyn, Lauren and Jenn did well and we all were proud of our times! It's always a good time, but we will not be signing up again next year! It was too difficult to build up enough steam to want to do it AND we'll be getting married around that time and DO NOT want to think about this race. :)

Here are our Before and After pictures..

34. Another concert :))

This is total a double wammy for this goal because I did already complete it long ago, but I also posted about Woodstock and that I was going! So I wanted to put a little update up wtih pictures.  Now, We 've been going for two years now.. These pictures are from our first trip!

This concert is so much fun! It's all cover bands from the Woodstock days.  We lay on a big lawn with our camping chairs and blankets, drink beer, try food and just chill.  It is a really good time.  Usually, we soak up A LOT of sun while we're at it! It's generally in August and it is scorching! But so worth it :)

My woodstock look :) PEACE

Erin and I getting a hold of a beach ball being popped around up by the stage.

The boys... enough said.



4. Go on a double date with David, Erin & Smelly

Although we hang out on a pretty regular basis, Erin and I rarely get a double date with our boys.  One night we were sitting around and mentioned wanting to go see a movie and I screamed out "DZP Double Date!!!" and Erin was SOLD! We convinced the boys and off we went!

We ate at Alcapulo Restaurant, where they didn't have rice for some insane reason! This was a major topic of conversation during dinner...

And then saw The Hunger Games at Century Theater.

We had a blast and the movie was fabulous! (It was my second time seeing it :))

Here are some pictures..

I went all out and bought a ton of munchies for us to enjoy during the movie (after dinner, contradictory - I know:))

Erin and I, SUPER excited that we're actually completing a goal, unexpectedly!

The four of us.. as you can tell the boys cannot take a real picture.  I think this was our third try at a group shot and.. well.. yaaaaaaa

101. Get engaged :))

Biggest goal! Number 101 is complete!!!!

David and I are engaged and couldn't be more excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here is our story...

Lets just start by saying that David is not a planner! When we go out or do a day-trip somewhere you better believe that I generally have thought of the idea or took an idea from a conversation of ours and do the research that goes along with.  And for the record, I am in no way complaining about this, but that is just the way it is with us!

So, David tells me that he wants to take me to a restaurant down by Crystal Cove and I say "OK, when are we going?"  He nonchalontly says, "Whenever we're free I guess" and so I look at my calendar and suggest a date I see open and tell him "How about Sunday, May 20?" and he agrees and so it is set.  In the mean time I'm asking him what the plan is and he says that we'll have a picnic for lunch, hike around and then go to this restaurant for dinner so bring a change of clothes.

The date comes around, about two weeks or so later, we get everything together - I packed a picnic basket and David looked up directions and off we went! Once we got there we picked a parking lot, gathered the picnic basket and blanket and headed down to the beach.  It was quite a hike down but once by the water we parked ourselves on our blanket and started eating.  There were these cute little squirrels everywhere and I decided to feed them - as David is yelling at me not to :)

After lunch we put the food and basket back in the car and hiked around a little more just looking at the gorgeous view! Upon arriving we received a map of the cove so we took a look and David suggested going to this little spot on the far side of the beach.  We hiked over and I was getting pretty tired.  The sun was blazing right on us and we had climbed up and down trails for quite a while.  We came to a cave that we believe our good friend Dan Kintz took an award winning photograph at, so we decided to park ourselves for a while and play in the water and look at the tidepools.

While playing around with the sea life David asked if we wanted to do an exercise that we learned in counseling, we finish the phrase "When I say I love you I mean...." We took a seat on some rocks right off the water and did this exercise.  David was very into it and giving these long elaborate phrases while mine were pretty short.  We did this for a few times back and forth and David asks me if I want to play a game... I was not entertained by this idea, but I said sure.  He told me that I would have to stand up.  So I do, and as soon as I looked up at him I knew.. I completely started balling as he got on one knee and said "Will you marry me?" as he popped out that little black box and opened the lid.  I was so taken back that I didn't even see the ring and fell straight into his arms forgetting to answer his question.  I said yes and the rest is history!

This picture was taken after the proposal by a beachgoer that was walking behind us as we continued hiking up to an viewpoint.  We told her that we were just engaged and if we could do it over again so we could capture the moment! She was happy to and gave us this beautiful memory!!!

And here is a first look at our engagement shoot.  More to come..

Happy Easter

I know I am a bit late, but nevertheless

HAPPY EASTER!

He is Risen!



7. Take a romantic weekend/day trip.

On a very random afternoon, I am sitting at work -- not working -- and had a fantastic idea.. David and I should get away for New Years!  I called David and he totally agreed!! We decided to take a mini-vaca to San Diego for New Years Eve where we stayed in Little Italy and completely adored it! 

We spent the afternoon on Coronado Island.  It was the most adorable little place.  I kept telling David that I wanted to move there.. in reality, there is no chance, but it was a nice thought at the time :)

The Bridge to Coronado Island

 Snapshots at Coronado Island



We thought that we would want to go to the Gaslamp District to ring in the New Year, where we have been before and had a BLAST, but we decided to stick to the little town that we were already staying in and it was the best idea ever!!

FUNNY STORY - We have a very romantic dinner at this little Italian restaurant just a block away from our hotel...

Then, we decide to head out to find a bar/club to hang out at for the evening.  We pass a few places that are charging through the roof for cover charges, then we come up to a little bar that has music bumpin' and is only chargin $20 to get in (as oppose to the $50 next door).  We think, ya ok! Lets go!

...

We get in and there is no bartender and only Solo red cups everywhere.. We look further and there are girls running around barefoot and just a crowd, of what looked like to me, high school kids.  Of course, our first thought is, "great! we just lost $40!"

I walk outside to talk to the bouncers and as if this is a high school event.  He says, "OH! You're not apart of the private party?? This is a private event for the local high school!"

..

....

UMM WOW! David was in a suit, head to toe.. and I am in 5 inch heels -- apparantly that still didn't help us get past the high school "look".. Fortunately, he gave us our money back and directed us to a spot that he thought was more age appropriate for us..

That is how we ended up at The Waterfront bar and had a complete blast to countdown 2011 in!

The following day we ventured around the area and walked around.  All together it was a very romantic and eventful weekend! 





<3

15. Be in two places at once.

Okay, okay! So I stole this from A Walk to Remember but who wouldn't want to try this!

Erin and I took up the opportunity of crossing this off of both of our lists while traveling from Arizona to California.  We meant to do this on the way into the desert, but it didn't exactly work out; therefore, we managed to get it on the way back.  NO Excuses!

David was the most scared as we stood on the side of the road and straddled the border of California to Arizona.  Cars were whizzing by and the wind was blowing like CRAZY! But it was so worth it -- we captured the moment!



21. Finally go to OC Mining Co for brunch with David :)

My love for the Orange County Mining Company remains with their brunch.  I've been there for dinner and such, but nothing compares to the brunch that they serve.  It is DELICIOUS!  I have been meaning, for some time, to reserve a Sunday afternoon for David and I to go, for probably about 6 months, and we FINALLY made it!



We both enjoyed an array of fruit, sweets, eggs, bacon, and of course, mimosas :)) (Champagne is complementary at Sunday Brunch, in case you didn't know -- add a splash of OJ and you're set!)

It was a beautiful day and I am so glad that I was able to share it with David, finally!

48. Get my face painted & 46. Go to the OC Fair with David!

I love getting my face painted! It takes me back to feeling like a little girl and I absolutely adore it!

While David and I were at the fair this past summer, we both decided to get our faces painted.  I just had to go with Hello Kitty!! I'm so glad the the artist did a fabulous job! I didn't want to wash my face ever again!

David and my anniversary falls on my mother's birthday.  Since we went to the fair on our anniversary we had to come home with something for my mama.  David knows how to make her smile :) he got "Happy Birthday Carol"

on his cheek - she couldn't have been more happy!

success!

DOUBLE SUCCESS ALERT!!! Goal #46 Go to the OC Fair with David! Holler! Icing on the cake :)

35. Play an entire round of golf with David

Although golf is quite a frustrating sport, we got through it in one piece!!

We had an early tee time and by the end of the first hole I was not having it anymore and was completely over playing.. no joke!

But by the fourth hole I got my groove back and we played the rest of the game with a smile :)

Here are a few memories to share.

 All smiles :))

 Woo hoo!!

[It doesn't matter how many hits it took to make it]

 Perfect stance and swings.

Our fun little ride.

the end.



ANGEL GAMES!

I got hooked up this year! We have been to three games at the Angel's Stadium this summer alone, that is the most amount of times I have been in a two month period. 

1st Game: Angels v. Mariners.. possibly

 David, Me, Meliss, & Laur :)

2nd Game: Angels v. Yankees

 Lauren, me & David

3rd Game: Angels v. Dodgers

Me, David, Matt, & Lauren

Almost every game, David and I were split from everyone else and went for the visiting team - but it resulted in good rivalry and fun.  Had a complete blast all three games!