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!

Lots of changes...

Big news! I'm moving to San Diego! In 10 days!
SO...  Obviously lots has happened since I last posted... let's see... I found out I got a job, I found out I only had a day off in between my jobs, bought a car (and a very necessary Garmin), Kevin found out he'll be getting deployed this winter, and we realized we needed a new wedding date! Welcome to the Navy!
This is truly a lesson of learning to rollllll with the punches. No matter what though... I am truly excited for this new adventure I'm about to set out on with Kevin. Wish us luck! and I promise I'll do my best to keep everyone informed and entertained on this little blog.