Big, fat, juicy secret

(written last night, but delayed posting for reasons explained below) 

I have been sitting on a very juicy secret for about a month now...I'm DYING to share it!!  And I finally can!! 

As I type this, one of my besties is GETTING ENGAGED!  I am giddy with excitement for her and nervous with anticipation for him.  I know that it's going to be an amazing night for them and I am simply beside myself.  I'm so excited that I can hardly sit still. 

I spoke to her about two hours ago and had to talk her down from being a bit suspicious.  For the past month, I've had to tell her all sorts of little white lies, but it will totally be worth it in just a matter of minutes.  EEEK!  I do not like telling fibs to my best friend, but I had to.  T, I promise that I will never lie again!  It's been hard because that little one is so darn perceptive, but I think she'll be surprised. 

A friend and fellow blogger (whose blog I adore!) is going to the scene to take some stalkerazzi pictures of him proposing.  How amazing is that going to be?  I would LOVE to have some pictures of Adam on one knee, in the moment of the proposal.  I'm sure she'll knock it out of the park and I can't wait to see them...and share them! 

I'm probably going to wait to post this until they've spread the news...but I just needed to get it out!  It's hard to keep a giant secret! 

T & D, you are an amazing couple and the love you  have for each other is inspiring.  Best wishes as you begin this new chapter of your beautiful lives.  I can't wait to help you plan the Big Day!!! 

the couple of the hour...aren't they gorgeous?! 

Pie for breakfast

Last night I made a pie.  A lemon meringue pie.  And now I'm eating it for breakfast.  Don't judge...it's really ok.  I'm not a model anymore, I can eat pie for breakfast if I want.  How liberating!  There is something so satisfying about making a delicious pie.  I'm not sure why, but this is what I've decided while I sit here with my morning tea and piece of goodness. 

You know exactly how most pies are supposed to taste.  It's a universal thing.  I can make a great soup or some yummy chicken and when you taste it you say, "wow, that's good chicken!" but when you make a great a pie, it tastes exactly as it should and that's so rewarding!  It's like all the pie standards have been met and you were successful.  And last night, my friends, I was successful.   

I recommend making one.  Whatever your favorite is.  Or surprise your favorite person with their favorite pie.  Don't be daunted by pies...find a recipe that calls to you and get to baking.  DO it, you'll feel that satisfaction and reward of making a delicious tasting treat.  Then call me in the morning so I can come have some for breakfast!

please note this is not a picture of my lemon meringue pie.  but damn, I'd be good if it was! 

 

Introducing...Wedding Wednesday

Welcome to Wedding Wednesday. I've decided to start bringing you a little wedding goodness, beauty, advice and eye candy on Wednesdays. I know not everyone is as into weddings as I am so that's why I'll keep it to one day a week. I hope you enjoy!


For the first installment of WW, let's talk about shoes. Colorful shoes.

I LOVE colorful wedding shoes. Who doesn't love that little pop of color peeking out of the bride's gown as she walks down the aisle or gets twirled around the dance floor? It makes my heart happy.

I could just be biased. I chose to wear bright yellow shoes on my wedding day. I didn't want white satin shoes that I would never wear again. Nope, I wanted something that made me feel like the special bride I was. (ladies, you understand how the right pair of shoes can do that!) So, I splurged and got a pair of yellow Manolo Blahnik peep toes.

I cried when I bought them, true story. As a die hard SATC fan, buying Manolos was like a dream. I thought they were a perfect accessory to my wedding ensemble and let me fully express myself.
THE BEST part about colorful, fun wedding shoes is that you get to wear them over and over again. When I put these little beauties on, I think about my wedding day and I feel special all over again. I think expressing yourself with a colorful shoe is a big fat YES. And so did these other brides...

you know this happy bride

a wonderful way to have your "something blue"

This is a must if you're marrying at Scottish lad...how adorable!

I mean, seersucker Christian Louboutin heels. Simply amazing.

How perfect are these for a beach wedding? Or if you're marrying a vertically challenged man. These don't fall in the colorful category, but they are just so sweet.

Why not go sassy yet elegant with red shoes?

So, my advice...GO get yourself some colorful wedding shoes.  You'll be so happy that you did! 

Photo credits:  yellow: nataly lemus; blue: hazelnut photography; plaid: caroline tran; Christian Louboutin: ahsphotography via just chic events; flats: stephanie williams; red: style me pretty

J-O-B

My big exciting news is that I got one! A real j-o-b!

Since September, I have been playing around with the idea of making a major life change. I started it slowly yet with supreme confidence that I was doing the right thing. I left my most beloved acting class, I started assisting the woman that was our wedding coordinator, I started looking for jobs in events and most importantly I made a mental shift. It was not an easy journey, but one that I made largely with the unconditional love of my husband and support from family and close friends. I woke up to a passion and a love that I've had for a long time. Weddings. And now, I'm on my way. I really feel it.

That being said, back to my news! My new job! I am the Events Concierge at the new JW Marriott/Ritz Carlton at LA Live. Amazing, no? I'm so excited! I went in to sign the paperwork today and got the tour and now it feels very real.


This is not my "dream" job, but it is a foot in the door. It's laying down the stones, making a path for me to walk on. The path I want to walk down.

And it's the real deal! I'm getting a blackberry, a laptop and TWO sets of business cards! One for the Ritz and one for the JW Marriott...I mean, that's legit!

I do miss telling stories, but I don't miss the business side of things. I love that I got this job because of my brain and my ambition, not because I was the right height or the right hair color. That feels so good.

The hotel opens in downtown LA on February 15, so I'm sure I will have many stories for the blog as I go through training.

I'm on my way you guys...I'm going to be a very successful wedding and event coordinator and planner! It's happening. And I'm ready!

$25 Parking!!

FOR THREE AND A HALF HOURS!

I just paid that. I'm enraged. I'm saddened. I'm upset. I cannot believe that parking could possibly be that much for such a short amount of time. I literally swore in shock when the parking man told me what I owed him.

Lucky for me, I keep some Flavor Blasted Goldfish in my car...they made me feel better. Are you thinking that I pelted said parking man with them? Nah, I thought about it. But these delish little gold men are too good to waste on that parking man's face. Instead I ate them all the way home.

Why I was downtown and parking in an expensive structure for three and a half hours? It was actually worth it because... I've got some big news!!! I'll fill you in on all the exciting details, but for now I've got to make some lunch.

Don't park in misleading structures downtown. Unless you have Flavor Blasted Goldfish at the ready.

Secret Recipe

I make great chili. Really amazing, deliciously yummy chili. It's one of my favorite things to make because you can put anything and everything in it and it always turns out delish.

I think this is why...I make a homemade chili seasoning mix, it's my secret. Although, not a secret now, because I'm sharing it with you. But I think everyone should have this in their pantry so they can make an amazing chili in a matter of minutes. Once it's made, store it in an airtight container and you'll be ready to go at any time.

Yosh's Chili Seasoning Mix

3/4 cup chili powder
2 Tbsp. ground cumin
2 Tbsp. dried oregano
2 Tbsp. dried minced onion
2 Tbsp. seasoned salt
2 Tbsp. sugar
2 tsp. dried minced garlic

Just mix it all together. That's it.

Typically, when I'm making traditional chili, I add 1/3 cup of the seasoning mix to the browned meat and sauteed veggies. Let that go for about a minute or two before adding all the tomatoes and beans.

I promise you'll love this!

My Big Yummy Pot

Look what I got?!!! I'm beyond excited.

I finally got a Dutch Oven, I've been wanting one for so long! My husband (who's very mature and sophisticated) laughed himself to tears when I told him that is what it's called. I couldn't afford one of the real LeCreuset ones, but that's ok because when I went into Crate and Barrel they had this one and IT'S YELLOW!!

I'm not sure why I'm so very excited about it, but I just love it. In fact, when I was washing it before the first use, I said to my husband, "I just imagine our kids someday fighting over who gets Mom's big yellow pot." I know, very dramatic and sentimental over a pot. Very me.

I've already put it to good use. I've made Pot Roast, French Onion Soup and Beef Stew since I got it, less than a week ago.

It makes me, my kitchen and my hubbie's tummy very happy!

Fashion Forward

I need this right now.



Take that you sucky rain storm. I've got a child sized ufo umbrella cap. I wonder if they make these for adults? Seriously.

MIA

Not the singer. My absence. Guess who's here visiting?


My Mama! The originator of the Go-Be-Do phrase and philosophy.

We've been having a blast doing nothing and talking about everything. Cooking, snacking, vegging, watching movies, cuddling...you know the usual Mom and Daughter stuff. It's been great, but that's why I've been MIA from the blog.

I'll be back at it soon!

XO

My Happy Place

When I'm feeling blue or a bit lost, I look at these pictures. It takes me to my happy place. So, I thought I'd share a few of them after that last bummer of a post.

I wonder if it was the place or the fact that it was our honeymoon? Was it being in paradise or being on a trip with my husband for the first time? Probably more of the later, or maybe it was a perfect combination of both!

Enjoy the eye candy!


Local beer + daytime boozin' = happy honeymooners!

I mean, this was our balcony and swim platform! What?!


That's me. Just hanging out in my happy place.


What's yours? And if you ever get the chance, please GO to Moorea! There are no words for how amazing it is.

Uber Critical

It's no surprise to me that I'm being really hard on my blogger self. I'm really critical and hard on every other aspect of myself, so why not my blog too? Of course!

I read so many blogs that I love so much, that have direction and are quirky and inspiring. I feel like mine has lost it's way. I'm working on a little something to help bring it back. I want it to be a really good one, with lots of followers. Not that I don't love the six of you, because I really do. I love you more than you know.

Anyway, sorry for the semi-lame posts as of late. I'm working on it, I promise. I'll find my way. I just need to go back to the title of the entire thing. Trying to figure out who I want to be, what I want to do, where I want to go. How appropriate that the blog is just as confused as I am.

Happy weekend to everyone!

Text To Help

It's amazing that with technology the way it is today, you can help the victims of the Haitian Earthquake by simply sending a text.



Please do it. Think of everyone with cell phone. If each cell phone sent a text to donate $10...what an impact we can make. Let's do it!!

Here's what you do. Text "HAITI" to 90999 and a $10 donation will be sent to the Red Cross. The donation will be added to your phone bill at the end of the month.

Spread the word.

How Things Change

Remember when life was seemingly simple and one of these things was your only heart's desire?



Then you grew up a bit and realized that a fake baby with yarn hair just wasn't cutting it anymore. But one of these things would make you happier than you could ever dream.




Now, this is all I want.



When did I grow up so much?

On The Road Again

Last weekend the hubs and I took a road trip to Phoenix to ring in 2010 with family and to cheer on the Packers.

And we went to tailgate. I mean, I'd be lying if I said it wasn't a highlight of the trip. It's been years since I took part in a real, all-out tailgate and this one was just as good as I remember. What is it that makes sitting in a parking lot drinking and grilling SO FUN?!?!? We had a great time. Such a great time in fact, that we're going back!!

That's right, we're hitting the open road again. The Packers are playing the same team, in the same stadium in the first round of the Playoffs, and we're going to be there. And you better believe we're going to have the same tailgate.

We've got quite a drive ahead of us...but it will all be worth it when I crack open that first cold beer.

Wish us safe driving. And GO PACK GO!

A few photos from last weekend's adventure...

road trip!

so happy to be at the tailgate

football, beer, brats = happy hubbies

that's right...i'm wearing a packer poncho

Cooking up Chic - update

Remember those adorable aprons I posted about? Refresh your memory here.

I bought one for the hostess with the mostess that we spend the New Year with. She loved it.

Here we are. Her looking kitchen chic in her new apron...and me...well, just happy she liked it!

Pretty Things

Everyday when I walk into my apartment complex I pass by a gorgeous and huge Camillia bush. It seems that I wait all year for it to bloom. But when it does, oh my. It is gorgeous. Such a welcoming and wonderful way to enter our home. I took these pictures today...




and then I took a few blooms for myself.

There is something about weddings that people don't tell you. You get a lot of crystal. A lot. Some of it you register for, some of it you don't. Some of it you will like, some of it you won't. At some point, you will probably think, "what am I going to do with all this crystal?" But when you get to use it you will feel so grown up and pretty and special, believe me. I put the Camillia blooms in this Waterford bowl and I am loving the beauty that it's brought to our apartment. In fact, I might go by buckets of fresh flowers and put them in all the Waterford we received at the wedding. What a happy sight that would be!





for my millie...XO