SoHo Girl

Ok... I've been saying that I need a hiatus from the blog because I've been busy. Truly, I've been up to a lot and the last thing I can think of during the craziness is how to photograph then document these events. Maybe I'll eventually cover my and Kevin's first Thanksgiving, first Christmas tree, etc. but it could take a while and I'm not making any promises.
However, recently I've been getting into a New York state of mind (cue the Billy Joel song) because I'm making my way back there in just a few short days for Christmas.
Well anyway...  I stumbled upon this blog called I Want to be Her and I couldn't help but be reminded of my time living in NYC. You always see these girls there that look so effortlessly put together! I always think "how did they know to put those pants with that top... and that jacket! where did they find that jacket?!?" I don't even try to compete with it anymore... I'll continue to stick to the JCrew sale rack and Nordstrom junior department and hopefully come out the other end looking halfway decent.
Anyway, this blog really made me laugh because this it's pretty spot on... I chose to show the SoHo girl because that's what I used to be surrounded by... and I think they're the trendiest of all

JCrew

JCrew bridal attire has really taken off recently. I feel like the bridesmaid dresses have been popular for a while now but so many people are choosing the simple, classic and (bonus*) affordable JCrew designs for their wedding dress. 
I love New York Magazine's online wedding section - they don't update it often but it's a great spot to find vendors and tips in the tri-state area. Anyway, they recently did an interview with Jenna Lyons, President and Executive Creative Director at J.Crew, and Tom Mora, Head of Wedding Design at J.Crew asking them for style tips for the bride. See below...

At all the weddings I’ve been to this year, the bride was wearing a strapless dress. What’s the deal? 
T.M.: It’s all about strapless.
J.L.: Always.
T.M.: They love it.

It can look really great or really bad.How will you know? 
J.L.: It has everything to do with body type. If you have very strong shoulders or are better endowed on top, it might look less flattering than it would on a smaller frame. I do love that with the right fit and the right tailoring, so many body types can look good in it.
T.M.: Tailoring is so important. It has to be small, even a little uncomfortable. Most brides lose weight before their wedding, so you need a fitting about a week to ten days before to have it adjusted without going too tight. If it’s taken in too much, your back can look like a Shar-Pei.
J.L.: There has to be a proper interior so the bustier is holding up the dress. When the dress itself is holding up the dress, it’s a dangerous thing.
T.M.: Yeah, you don’t want to be the bride who’s tugging at her gown the whole time.
J.L.: It’s not a good look.
T.M.: You should be dancing with your arms over your head!

What kind of dresses have waned in popularity? 
J.L.: People aren’t looking for the heavily encrusted dresses anymore.

Do you have any tips for accessorizing?
J.L.: If you’re wearing dangly earrings, don’t do a necklace. If you have a big necklace, then no bracelet. The idea is to create a little bit of energy and pop, which you can usually do with one piece of jewelry. Also, never forget to bring your shoes when you go for a fitting. They’re very important.

Jenna, you designed your own wedding dress. Wasn’t there anything at a boutique worth buying? 
J.L.: I wanted a triangle top with tiny straps and a full skirt, and there was nothing out there like that. But I had contact with incredible embroiderers and an amazing beading house, so the dress had beautiful beading. We used multiple layers of tissue linen, which is very light, and worked in an embroidery pattern with large flowers and birds in different shades of ivory—you had to get close to see the detail.
T.M.: It was really beautiful.
J.L.: Tom was there. This is really embarrassing, but I never picked it up from the dry cleaner. It’s at Madame Paulette to this day.

Bloody Mary

There are two types of people in this world... those who love Bloody Mary's and those who don't. I love them.
And since recipes don't have to just be for baking and cooking (which I've been doing a lot of lately, thank you very  much)... I figure what the heck... I'll give this one a shot - but I'll hold off until this weekend... maybe.

Men in Uniform

This Halloween my nephew, Brady, dressed up as Kevin! 

I bought it for him at the Nex on base because it was a) adorable, b) looked like it would keep him nice and warm, and c) I knew it would be veryyy comfortable (Kevin would wear his flight suit all day, everyday if he could... and often does).

I had to share this with all of you because it is seriously the cutest thing ever.

I'll start with a pic of my pilot... 

Pic of Kevin with his training helo back in Pensacola

Brady pulling his wagon which he should have been sitting in

I spy a piece of chocolate in Brady's hand

Trick-or-Treating King

my sister, Elizabeth, Brady, Derek

I think it's also important that you know my bro-in-law, Derek, made a call sign for him to use for the day - Viper.

So, so cute. I love my boys in uniform.

A Kissing Blog

"Any man who can drive safely while kissing a pretty girl is simply not giving the kiss the attention it deserves." -- Albert Einstein

This blog is so much fun! It has really great pictures and quotes.

Hello all! I figured I should stop using my blog as a place to locate the links for all the blogs I like to read everyday and let you know what I've been up to.
I made Ghosts in the Graveyard last week... which ended up being a sloppy mess... but SO delicious.

Kevin decorated the "Grave Stones" aka the Milano cookies

Right around the time I made these I started to feel under the weather... which actually led to me being on death's door for all of last week... and I'm still not feeling 100%. I think I had bronchitis - but do you know how difficult it is to get a new doctor after moving to a new city???? It's approximately impossible. Every doctors office I called told me they could get me in the following week at an inconvenient time because it was all they had open for a new patient - each time I would cry something to the effect of "I can't make it at that time! I work! Plus, I'll probably be dead by then."  I even asked Kevin to marry me really quickly in order to have access to the Navy medical center but he didn't go for it. Instead, I had to go to a walk in medical center that frightened me. Alas, I was given medical attention and am slowly working my way back to feeling better.

I emerged from the couch long enough on Saturday to go out to the store to get some things for the apartment. I'm in nesting mode right now and I'm trying to get our place in good enough shape so that I can share some pictures with you all.

Also, I'm in the process of making this dinner for tonight. The chicken is currently being soaked in the buttermilk and then I'm going to make them when I get home from work. Hopefully they turn out as yummy as they look!

We are still moving...

I've been trying to come up with a brilliant idea for a post (and a post title) but... unfortunately, I don't have one. So I'm, quite simply, going to explain to you what has been transpiring over the past week. We've been moving. Holy cow. We have literally been shuffling our belongings from one apartment to the next, discovering that we need approximately 1 million things, making endless trips to the Nex, and unpacking. Needless to say... we are tired. Exhausted even.
Now, here's where I give Kevin a big shout out. Let me paint a little picture for you... I sit at work and constantly run through my mind all of things we need to buy, fix, set up, etc. When ALL OF A SUDDEN my phone will start vibrating with a BBM that contains a picture of the new shower head, the new washer/dryer, the light actually ON in my closet, the table completely assembled in the dining room, cable!, etc. All I have to say is I'm a lucky girl.
There is now a light at the end of the tunnel. We spent our first night there and it went really well. Here are a few pictures to track the progress. Please keep in mind these pictures are not very good and the place is a mess... so I'm not entirely sure why I'm sharing - but what the heck. Here ya go!

Kevin taking a very necessary break

We have a lot of doors in this place

Our new kitchen table hidden behind some boxes

Halloween

I have a love/hate relationship with Halloween... hate the adult costumes. LOVE the treats.
I have finally branched out from a strict wedding blog regimen and I'm now enjoying the food blog scene... perhaps this was due to moving in with my man and trying to become a semi-domestic goddess.
Whatever.
Anyway, here are some really great Halloween recipes I found that I would like to attempt:

Try these Butterfinger Owl Pops - made with candy corn! (Candy corn grosses me out normally - but this actually looks phenomenal)

As a pumpkin fanatic... I started drooling when I saw how delicious these pumpkin frosted cookies looked. They aren't decorated for Halloween but they are pumpkin, which equals Fall... which brings us right back around to Halloween. So there ya go! I would have advised on the more Halloween themed treat featured on this blog, Skeleton Cupcakes, but it is intense and intimidating - so I picked the cookies.

I typically find candy apples a difficult thing to eat... but I would be willing to give these ones a try.

Check out these cookie lollies in the shape of ghosts and cats! This was actually found on the blog, Pink Little Cake which is featuring the 28 Days of Sweet Halloween ideas which you should check out if you want some more recipes (warning: some of them are for advanced bakers... which I am clearly not since I went for the cookie on a stick idea)

Now these are something I would actually make (code for they look really easy).

BUT what Halloween would be complete without a little Ghosts "Goodles" in the Graveyard (also referenced here)... this is a Halloween tradition in my house which I'm hoping my mom will make for us while she's here this weekend!

I am going to attempt one too... Wish me luck!

New Apartment

We got an apartment! It's spacious and beautiful... and only one block from the beach! ooo I'm in love with it. I think it's the perfect apartment for me and Kevin to call "Our First Place" and I can't wait to share some pictures with you once we move in.
We're obviously just starting out togther in a new city so we have next to nothing. This has prompted us to make a list of what we will need immediately versus things that we can wait on and buy over time.
In the beginning of our talk we decided we absolutely needed everything... but after a few swipes of the credit card we decided that most things can wait.
Looking for couches this weekend was a challenge and quite comical. Trying to find a couch that was big enough for a 6'4 manly man was the challenge... watching Kevin lay down and decide whether or not it would be possible for him to spend the night on the couch if need be was comical.

Side note: I'm about to plug my new favorite place - which you all have probably already heard of. I just discovered World Market. I know I'm really late to the World Market game - but we live really close to one right now and I go in there several times a week. I had never been to one before and - well -they are awesome! I would highly recommend checking one out for fun/cheap/unique items for your home.

My Going Away Party

I thought I would share with you some pictures from my Going Away Party. It was actually the night that there were 2 tornadoes in New York... I guess I really know how to go out with a bang.
My lovely friend, Stef Kramer, threw it for me at our fav place The Penny Farthing - and it was no surprise we finished up the evening at The Back Fence. It was incredible how many people showed up to say goodbye - truly heartwarming.
So... without further ado...
Me and my sister:

Me and my brother - the flash was BRIGHT - and please notice Stef in the background

The 3 of us...

Kellyann, Jacqueline & me

Kellyann, Michael, Jacqueline, me & Sean

I had to put this one up too... these are the goofs I used to work with
(Scotland, Bob, PJ, Brendan, Manny (not a co-worker but may as well have been) and Sam)

I'm back!

Well... I'm here! Sorry for the lack of posts... it's been a little hectic getting all settled in - plus we're sharing a computer over here and this MacBook confuses me!
Anyway, where do I begin??? I arrived last Saturday... we spent most of the weekend setting up (unpacking, food shopping, etc.) I took naps and went to bed early which I attribute to lack of sleep in the 2 weeks prior to my arrival and jet lag. Monday - Kevin and I both had off so we went down to the beach and enjoyed a beautiful, sunny day in California.
I started work on Tuesday and that's been an adjustment. I like it so far... but I sure do miss my old coworkers.
Last weekend was fun... we did some exploring in the San Diego area and spent a lot of time on the private beach on Kevin's base.
Now we're in the process of looking for a new apartment! I'll keep you posted on that one.

Hotel del Coronado

Well I'm officially moving to San Diego on Saturday (holy crap) and one of the places Kevin and I are really hoping to live is out on Coronado. I was out there to visit a couple of weeks ago and we had lunch at the Hotel del Coronado and it was awesome. There is a reason that place is a famous landmark. We saw a wedding take place on the lawn there and it looked like the most beautiful place in the world to get married - well 2nd next to Middletown, NJ :) .

This brings me to a gorgeous wedding that was featured on Style Me Pretty today and took place on the lawn of Hotel Del. This wedding is incredible! They managed to balance the detail without overdoing it. I love their use of color with the flowers and decor - it just looks romantic and whimsical.

I'm in love with how they decorated the aisle..

This photo is stunning.

I just love the pinks and yellows

So gorgeous... how do people come up with this kind of stuff?!

“I'll Be There For You” by Louise Cuddon

I love the blog A Cup of Jo...so it was no surprise when I discovered I loved all of her posts on her very own wedding.
She had several poems read at her ceremony and I thought one was especially lovely...

 “I'll Be There For You” by Louise Cuddon:

I'll be there, my darling, through thick and through thin
When your mind's in a mess and your head's in a spin
When your plane's been delayed, and you've missed the last train.
When life is just threatening to drive you insane
When your thrilling whodunit has lost its last page
When somebody tells you, you're looking your age
When your coffee's too cool, and your wine is too warm
When the forecast said, “Fine,” but you're out in a storm
When your quick break hotel, turns into a slum
And your holiday photos show only your thumb
When you park for five minutes in a resident's bay

And return to discover you've been towed away
When the jeans that you bought in hope or in haste
Just stick on your hips and don't reach round your waist
When the food you most like brings you out in red rashes
When as soon as you boot up the bloody thing crashes
So my darling, my sweetheart, my dear...
When you break a rule, when you act the fool
When you've got the flu, when you're in a stew
When you're last in the queue, don't feel blue
'cause I'm telling you, I'll be there.

Say Cheese!

I was having a difficult time trying to find a photographer for our wedding. I know the style I like (photojournalism) but I was having a difficult time choosing the right photographer. There are so many options that you need to consider when choosing the photographer - do you need a 2nd photographer? does it matter if you receive your photos on a DVD or a CD? how much should a photo album reallyyy cost? how many hours of coverage are necessary? is an engagement session included?

I think the bottom line here is - picking a photographer is NOT easy.

I had found one that I really loved - but with our new wedding date they were no longer available (bummer). Oh welll! Luckily, I had already stumbled upon the best website ever. It's a website that lists all of the photojournalists in your area, their packages and pricing, and their website/blog. It's a huge help when comparing photographers.

Pumpkin Spice!

Hello All... and Happy Monday!
It really feels like Fall today... and in the spirit of fall I thought I would share my Pumpkin Spice obsession. Beginning September 1st I began drinking Pumpkin Spice coffee 3 times a day (which is already available at Dunkin Donuts- yay!). I don't understand why Pumpkin flavored products are only available during the fall but since I have limited time with this delicious flavor I take full advantage of it.
Kevin set up our brand new Keurig yesterday and you better believe I will be stocking up on those little Pumpkin Spice coffee pods....yummm

Snacks and the City

I was inspired yesterday by a dear friend (and bridesmaid) Leandra. I checked out her blog and wound up logging some serious time on it checking out all of her incredible posts. Her blog is appropriately named Snacks and the City and it is so great because she writes exactly the way she speaks - which is quite simply, hilarious. Leandra and her twin sister Giavanna are by far and away the two funniest people I know. But I digress... You should really check out her blog about dining in NYC. She's a foodie from wayy back... growing up she could literally rattle off the top of her head all of the contents of my pantry at home and somehow scrape together a delicious snack to enjoy over a bad (but sooo good) Lifetime movie.  She has always been my Go-To gal when it comes to finding great treats and fabulous restaurants in the big apple and now she is spreading her wisdom to the public. She is pictured below with some Asian candy...

Anyway... her blog is so friggin good that it is actually motivating me to spruce up this here blog (hence the new tree picture).

Planning Ahead...

I'm getting very excited about moving to San Diego (if you couldn't tell). One of my oldest and bestest friends, Kellyann, gave me a very thoughtful and practical gift for my birthday on Tuesday and I have read it everyday on my commute since. It's a guide book to San Diego! I have literally marked down on the map in my book where my new office is, where Kevin's "office" is, where are current apartment is... and then options for our future apartment. I know. I'm sure if my cousin, Jacqueline, is reading this she literally just thought to herself, "get a life!" In my defense... it's been hard to focus on anything else these days. Soo I'm doing lots of research for my new city. Check out my work below...

If anyone is from - or very familiar - with the San Diego area I would LOVE your advice!

Tory and John

This past weekend I was in a my friend, Tory's wedding in my hometown of Huntington, NY. Tory and John currently live in St. Louis but came back to Long Island to throw their beautiful wedding. Some highlights from the wedding: Tory's beautiful dress, the lovely flowers, the Hurricane that never happened, and the best maid of honor speech I've ever heard (way to go Kelly!). Enjoy the pictures!

The Today Show Wedding

I used to watch the Today Show Wedding with my mom every summer... religiously. Unfortunately, having a job has put an end to this summer ritual so I haven't been able to keep up with it. However, I recently read an article about the couple that was chosen and thought I would share.
They are a couple from Missouri who have been separated for years because of the groom being in the Air Force and on tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. Viewers get to choose everything about their big day - rings, wedding dress, tux, reception site, bridesmaid dresses, cake and honeymoon destination. Right now you can vote for the wedding dress/tux. I think I love them all!