Wednesday, October 27, 2010

E-Picnic: Two Week Warning!

Its time to make a checklist! 
*Shivers*
Ughh the dread checklists! 
Who really can stand looking at all the things you NEED to do LISTED out in front of you!
Oh the thought makes me cringe! 
But we must! 
So here we go...

Food & Drinks
  • Croissant Sandwiches or Turkey Rolls, Deli or Costco (Mom)
  • Fruit Kabobs (Tia L and Tia F)
  • Mini Versions of Cupcakes, Brownies and Cookies (Me)
  • Chips, Dips and Salsa (Auntie J and Tia C)
  • Lemonade, Fruit Punch and a Few Select Can Sodas (MIL, Me, Mom)
  • Aunt Pam's Famous Potato Salad 
  • Veggie Platter (Nana and Matron of Honor)
Am I missing anything?


Supplies:
  • Pink and Orange Cups (Maid of Honor)
  • Plates (Maid of Honor)
  • Napkins and Utensil Sets (Maid of Honor)
  • 2 6ft Tables (Cousin Mike)
  • Table Covers (Me)
  • Ipod Radio (Cousin Mike)
Am I missing anything?

Activities and Games:
  • Meet and Greet, Introductions
  • Newlywed Type Game (Host: Maid of Honor)
  • Volleyball
  • Scrabble and other Card and Board Games
Am I missing anything?

Finishing some cute little things I wanted to put together last minute!

I am getting nervous and excited, I just want it to go perfectly!
Things are bound to happen that are going to be totally out of my control...
but dang it a girl can pray! 

Thursday, October 21, 2010

E-Picnic: Introduction of Family Members!

Mom brought up a good point! 
"How are you going to introduce everyone to everyone else?"
I think this was in the back of my mind but I was just avoiding it! 
As much as we love (and I mean LOVE) being engaged, we aren't very "showy" people! 
I can be the type to soak up attention but not much, but more so than the "Financee". 
So what do I do?

I've "Google'd",
I've posted on boards,
I've asked family and friend what has worked in the past,
and I am still lost! 

Do I play a game?
Do I stand up with each person or family individually and introduce them?
or 
Do I let them mingle amongst themselves?
We are adults here!

The "Financee" said having a game to introduce people reminded him of what our teachers/professors made us do on the first day of class every year.
As much as I didn't want to hear it, he was right!
(Why must he be so sensible at times!?!)

About a month ago I came up with the "brilliant" idea to make Name-Tags!
But then I thought, having a photograher there, I dont want Name-Tags in the pics!
Right? 
Or am I over analyzing too much?

 (Name Tags I made)
(Close up, I used our Logo as well as their relation to us)

We already have some games that we are planning on doing that involves everyone, but when it comes to "meeting and greeting", well as you know, I am LOST! 

Anyone want to throw out any suggestions, I'd be forever grateful!
Until then...back to stressing...
xoxo

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

First Photography Consultation!

October 18, 2010

Cantina Light Photography
2941 E. Miraloma Street Suite 2
Anaheim, CA 92806
Photographer: Kayley 
Meeting: 6:30pm

Initially I had signed up for a $20 Mini-Engagement Session (with a free guest-book) with them through a Promo I had received through email!

Part of the deal was to come in and discuss photography packages/pricing as well as your mini-engagement session.

So we arrive about 8 minutes late because, well they were in "Anaheim" which seemed to be more like Placentia, being that it was off the 57 FWY and 91 FWY, so traffic was pretty bad!

But nonetheless, we arrived! Out popped this chatty cute girl Kayley! 
 Blonde, about my height and she just broke her toe, poor thing!
She was luckily just finishing up an appointment with a client! 

She let us start by checking out some of their albums, I had seen them before at previous Bridal Shows, but went over them with the Financee!
She asked what we liked and what we did not like about the books we saw, we told her our suggestions.

I knew going to this appointment that we wouldn't be making any solid decisions about our photography needs. So it kind of made the appointment a lot easier too! She didn't feel the need to "sell" us, though she did go over their tempting package pricing. 

I told her that we were on a strict budget but we knew that photography was really important to us since those will last a lifetime!
(Im pretty sure she hears this ALL day long, lol) 

The owner introduced himself, he was trying to sneak in, but Kayley told him that we wanted to get married at the Eagle's Nest, and he quickly replied with "Amazing Sunsets, when is the date?" We quickly replied with "November 5th, 2011", and he said "Autumn Sunsets there would be gorgeous, and we are on their preffered vendor list! So we definitely have experience with that location!" That sure made me happy! Kind of makes you breathe a little easier, just knowing they know their way around the grounds and all the "hot picture spots"! When we told him about the time of the event he quickly warned us that we might not get all the shots that you would hope for, whereas if you were doing a day time wedding with endless possibilities.

It broke my heart. Christian and I had envisioned this evening candelight ceremony in our minds, and then it quickly got ran over! We aren't giving up hope of our evening ceremony but it was the honesty that we truly appreciated hearing. Rather than someone just taking that risk with it! We appreciate that, so Kudos to you Mr. Owner! I think his name was Sam! And he was Filipino! We got to keep those Filips close!

Kayley even suggested we use an outside source to design our own album! And they even do a service for you where they set up your layout and you send off to who ever you want to publish your album! Awesome! It actually comes in all of their packages!
(Ex. Shutterfly, FlutterFrog (?), YorkPhoto, etc.)

We talked a LOT! She was very thorough and let us take our time and ask all the question that may have come to mind in and out of all our conversations. Christian was getting tired, so we started to wrap it up! We got to pricing! She was honest and said, you should SHOP for photography, and that a lot of photographers don't get much business between the months of Oct. - Dec., so they are very negotiable, and so should a lot of places! So now knowing that, she brought out her price sheet and started working her magic! 

 
(Regular Pricing)
(Our Pricing)

We also discussed Video, they do the short story videos too! Love it, but still want to shop around, definitely would be an "EXTRA"
But she said she would do -$100 so $799 for the smaller of the two video packages, I forgot the details, will update those soon!

Also, they are required to do yearly workshops, so its nice to know they keep their photographers fresh!

Overall we liked them very much, but knowing we could negotiate prices, was nice too! 
:)

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

FiancĂ©’s Turning 25!

He just turned a Quarter of a Century!

He’s more handsome than I ever could have imagined!
I thought the only things that got good with age was cheese, wine and a good steak! 

My Gift Idea:  Christian has always teased me, since being engaged, saying it wasn’t fair that I got to wear a beautiful ring to show the world I was getting married, but he didn’t have anything to show that he was engaged and going to be married. So we talked it over, and he seemed to be “over it” but I knew I wanted to get him one! So I let it go, and thought his birthday would be a perfect time for it!
 
October 16, 2010 

The morning started with my getting up and out of bed and making the Birthday-Man homemade waffles. He always wanted waffles, but would never let me just buy the Bisquick to make them, he would say “Those aren’t for waffles! Those are for pancakes and cooking!”  So I made the exception for his birthday! Its not everyday he turns 25! So to my amazement it didn’t take very long,  it took a couple tries wit the waffle maker, but I got it down!  He didn’t want anything on the side, just some waffles in bed.
We lounged for  the rest of the morning and then I got ready to go out and buy some things for his birthday dinner! His request, Roast or Ribs with all the sides! A Feast for a Birthday King!  Well while he went back to sleep or played video games, it was his free time, you know how men are, so simple! (Well ok, at least for me!) I was out picking up his wedding band, and grabbing stuff for dinner, so I wasn’t a complete LIAR!
I finally got home, after panicking the last half of the trip because I had misplaced my phone, and wasn’t sure if it was just at home or if I left it somewhere. So just hoping it was at home, I went about the rest of my errands. Finally got to Cerritos Mall picked up his ring, PERFECT! They even gave me a cute box!
I went to Albertsons, didn’t find any good looking pork roasts, so I opt’d for the Baby Back Ribs! YUM! And there was just enough time to have them done in perfect timing! Ribs, bag of potatoes, we had all the veggies at home and last but not least Breyer’s Vanilla Bean Ice Cream, Christian’s very favorite!
Rushing home, I picked up lunch it was about 2pm and I knew he wouldn’t have fed himself, so I picked us up some quick and warm teriyaki bowls from a place that just opened up the street. Yamas I believe, so good!  

Got home, set the table with lunch, but before going upstairs to get Christian I wanted to hide his ring! Well this is where my genius comes in! Christian ALWAYS throws on his slippers when he comes down stairs! It’s his routine, mind you he always harps on me for being barefoot!   So I hid the box deep down in the toe of his slipper! I went upstairs and he was sound to sleep so he asked for another 5-10 minutes and he would meet me downstairs.  No problem, I went downstairs and sat on the couch. He came down, PASSED the slippers , grabbed our lunch off the table and brought it to the couch! I was bummed, but I wanted to have it play out naturally. We are done eating, just cuddling on the couch. It was a rainy day on and off all day! So finally he picks up the stuff to throw it away and he starts walking towards his slippers, its going to happen, I swear everything was slow motion, I was just so excited! 

His eyebrows quickly perk! “What in the world?!” as he reaches down for his slipper, “Babe, what is this?!” He puts everything down, and walks back to me with the box.  He opened it and freaks out! “OMG! Babe this is awesome!” He puts it on, “Perfect!” with a huge smile on his face! 

He was in such shock; he said “You got me good! I was NOT expecting this.”

I rarely get to surprise him, because like he says "He can read me like a book", so I am glad I was able to keep this one a surprise!  

(His Tungsten Ring)

Thursday, October 14, 2010

E-Picnic Cupcakes - Creamsicle 50/50 Bar

I decided to take on this project! 
Baking is something that I have always enjoyed doing!
So we decided on CupCakes!
Easy to eat, just the right amount and you just throw away the wrapper! 
Park Friendly!

I knew i didnt want to do anything "BORING" so I started thinking outside the box.
What reminded me of the Park? 
Ice Cream...Ice Cream Trucks...
and it hit me!

50/50 Cream'sicle Bars! 
((YUM!))

So I thought, could they do this in a cupcake?!?!
So what is a girl to do but 'GOOGLE' and to my surprise found the most amazing recipe by fellow blogger CupCakeRehab 
(thank you girl!!!)

Ingredients:
 ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
 2/3 cup sugar
 3 large eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. orange extract
1 ½ cups all purpose flour
1 ½ tsp. baking powder
¼ tsp. salt
¼ cup milk
Directions:
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C) and lightly butter or line 12 muffin cups with paper liners.
  2. For the Cupcakes: Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the vanilla extract and orange extract.
  3. In a separate bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
  4. With the mixer on low speed, alternately add the flour mixture and milk, in three additions, beginning and ending with the flour. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
  5. Evenly fill the muffin cups with the batter and bake for about 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into a cupcake comes out clean. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool. Once the cupcakes have completely cooled, frost.
Are you Drooling yet?!?

Well here are some pics of my baking adventure!


 (Flour and Sugar Mixture!)
(Eggs mentally preparing to get mixed in! lol)
 (Fresh out the oven, PERFECT!)
(Attempted Homemade Frosting/Icing from the back of Confectioner's Sugar box)

I think these are the most delicious cupcakes I have ever made personally or ever tasted for that matter!
The cake was so fluffy and spongy!
PERFECT!
Everything a Box of Cake/Cupcake Mix cant even come close to offering!

So my next thing is to figure out an awesome frosting!
Chocolate? Cream Cheese? Buttercream?
Cant wait to experiment!

Oh and I have one more review, from my One&Only!

"Awesome, so soft, I hate dessert, but this is delicious. Great job Babe!" 

Seriously, that made it so worth it and sealed the deal for this being a MUST have at our E-Picnic!

Next experiments before the picnic is Banana Cupcakes, Carrot Cupcakes and More Sweet Surprises!

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

BMaid Dress - Adventure #1

Last night my Maid of Honor (MaidOH) Janice, AKA: Ju, and I decided to go try on B.Maid dresses on! 
Im an early planner and I'm excited, but I do plan on making my decisions early on, so we can avoid any mishaps farther down the line. I've been pretty solid on my color selections, so I don't think ordering, and in the colors I prefer, would be a problem! 

So we arrived at Alfred Angelo in Brea RIGHT ON TIME! We stood at the front desk for about 5minutes before becoming bored and wandering the store ourselves. We went back to the front desk, where after another few minutes, someone finally greeted us. I told her we had a 6pm appointment for B.Maid dresses, and she happily reported she would be assisting us today. Oh great, and you already suck! hahaha! She then asked my style and what I wanted to see. I instructed her that I was trying to figure that out but was leaning more torward the tea-length or long. She picked out every dress, that met my criteria and lead us to our fitting room.  We soon realize we are in the BACK CORNER of the store. Last fitting room, she called it the "Suite" of the fitting room because we could be left alone and try on the dresses. 

At first I didnt like that she just left us, but soon found out it was more fun and we could do what we wanted.

I was camera ready and Ju was ready to try on some dresses!

 Dress #1
 (I think the red socks make this dress work!)

Likes: The Hi-Low cut, strapless, soft and elegant looking
Dislikes: to me it felt like a homecoming dress, just bleh, could have been the color

Dress # 2
 (Ju and her silly faces, such a dork)
Likes: Hi-Low Cut, Material, Strapless
Dislikes: Sash is way too small

Dress #3
(She had to pull and hold it back, it was too big)
Likes: Large Sash/Band, Flowy'ness, looks comfy, and would look great with Flower Girl dresses
Dislikes: None, just not set on a LONG dress

Dress #4
(Silly face)
As you probably have noticed, this is the SHORT version of Dress #3!
Likes: Same as Above and knees will be covered
Dislikes: I feel this shortens her or cuts her off, I like how in comparison #3 elongates her.

Ju and I agreed on Dress #3 as the winner for the day!
Few alterations, with a Hi-Low Cut (longer back shorter front).
I really dont want my girls to have to pay an arm and a leg for their dresses to be completely altered.
I feel that they should be able to order it, get sized and pick up! 

I told Ju all the things I have shared here and luckily she agreed!

Our search shall continue, but I wanted to get an idea of what I like on her and what I don't, this trip definitely helped!

Cant wait for our next adventure!
:)


Tuesday, October 5, 2010

E-Picnic Location


Sunday, October 3rd, Christian and I went to Irvine Regional Park to check out the area, so we wouldn't be completely lost the day of our E-Picnic, because Lord knows we are going to be more than busy! 
((I am so excited!))
We found a really great location, easy to find, close bathrooms, close parking, and best of all surrounded by shady trees and plenty of picnic tables. 
Seeing it today, really made it that more REAL for me!
Like its REALLY happening!

The reason we chose Irvine Regional Park was because, its a great park and its generally in a central location for all our family members. Since we have family coming from South Orange County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County, and even Christan's Uncle Tory and Cousin Regan, are planning on coming out from Mesa, Arizona!

While we were there, I snapped a few pictures of the location!
As you can see, Mr. Bear was excitedly pacing around the area.




We excitedly called my parents while still there and told Mom we found a great spot!
We went home and I quickly put together a map for our guests so they know what general area we will be in the day of our E-Picnic, since the invite stated the exact location "TBA".


Hopefully no one will have any troubles reading or understanding our map.
We also plan on making arrows or signs leading the way.

So I plan on making a email reminder about our party as well as information about parking and directions.


Now its time to practice baking all the sweets and treats for the party!