MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Wishing everyone a VERY Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Can you believe it’s almost 2009?!

Here’s some pictures from my recent trip to Atlanta to visit my best friend from high school!

At the World of Coco-Cola

Stone Mountain Park

Shopping area in Downtown Atlanta

This picture was from a few years ago when she was a bridesmaid at my wedding! None of my DIY projects would have come to fruition without her help!

Have a GREAT HOLIDAY and see you next year!

Myra of Twigs & Honey

I’M BACK!!!! I had a wonderful relaxing vacation. Just finally caught up on all my mail and wanted to leave a quick note to let everyone know that I arrived back safely. I’ll be doing a trip review soon (PROMISE). I’ll break them down to more ‘manageable’ parts.

But first off, I just got these pictures of Wendy & Marshall’s wedding from Michael Norwood Photography and wanted to post a few pictures of the hair adornment made by the talented Myra from Twigs&Honey. 

Fabric from the bridesmaid dresses were sent to Myra and she created three distinctive pieces incorporating the material. 

Myra created elegant blush orchids for the bride’s hair

I LOVE Myra’s spotted feathers so I ask her to include some in my piece

Here’s another shot of the orchids as the Bride dances with her father

We received so many compliments on the flowers all night

Myra is pretty busy and isn’t currently taking custom orders at this time. But for brides with wedding dates a little later this year or next year should definitely contact her soon. As for the rest of us, we have to wait for the rare listing of items not reserve for brides.

Short but sweet….(hopefully)

I know I’ve been missing forever….but I am swamped with weddings. I was finally able to upload the pictures from Wendy’s Bridal Shower (I know, it’s almost 2 MONTHS ago!). At least I posted eye candy! Photos courtesy of Jonilyn Photography…don’t things just look so much better through the professional lens.

Diddy Reese cookie favors

Tissue poms

Painted wooden numbers for tables

Ribbon place card board

One of my favorite moments when the Groom came by to surprise the Bride…she was in disbelief!

Picture of the lovely couple

The wishing tree was pretty popular!

White sangria awaited guests on a hot summer day

And finally…girls that made the day possible.

Wendy & Marshall’s engagement session

Here they are…the long awaited epic session my beautiful friend Wendy had with MNorwood! And Michael did an amazing job! I LOVE LOVE the different backgrounds. It’s just awe-inspiring what a talented photographer can do! Something so subtle…yet so beautiful! Please visit his blog for more photos. And…midnight tonight, Michael Norwood is unveiling his brand spanking NEW WEBSITE!

Happy 2008!

Okay…REALLY…I’m BACK! I know it’s unforgivable that I haven’t posted since leaving for my vacation back in Nov (and just so you know, this is a no picture post ~ oh the shame!). But seriously, I’ve been swamped. Never again will I take vacation during Thanksgiving. Hubs and I came back and all the Christmas decorations were already up! It felt like we ‘almost’ missed Christmas. I’m ashamed to say we didn’t decorate at all (I barely had time to get the Christmas cards out). It took weeks just to sort through emails, request for meetings, buy Christmas gifts (I almost forgo gifts until Mom gave me her sad ‘puppy dog eyes’), and coordinated my last wedding of the year! 

So now that’s all done…I’m looking forward to the new year! I have quiet a few weddings I’m looking forward to; not to mention my very good friend WENDY who’s getting married in Sept (she finally decided on a date & venue..hahaha). I will also be her ‘MOH’ ~ only second time in my life I assume that post. I am sad to say I’ll be missing two very good friend’s wedding (what’s up with May 2?) since I’m already booked for the day. But I am excited ~ new year, new beginnings ~ good luck to all 2008 brides and let the FUN begin!

Saturday Dress Shopping & Birthday Dinner

It’s official! My dear friend is getting marry next year. Mr. Friday (his nickname since their date night is always Friday) proposed. The poor guy just had back surgery and really wanted to make the moment special as I’m sure it was. I’m excited to be helping my friend since weddings are what I do best. =)

I think most brides would agree, trying on dresses is one of the most fun aspect of wedding planning. You make appointments at luxury salons, the sales consultant help dress you, and you coming out looking like a million bucks! Our first stop Saturday, Monique L’huillier.

I waited for my friend to change as I enjoyed the fresh flowers and chamomile tea with spices.

This was her favorite from the store..Camelot (same dress Kevin Costner’s wife wore).

Initially we were going to Barney’s New York, but they canceled since they are currently renovating the bridal salon. So instead we stopped in at Renee Strauss without an appointment. The staff was extremely friendly but we didn’t really see anything we liked.

Last stop was Saks Fifth Avenue. She fell in love with this gown ~ simple yet elegant.

After a day of dress shopping, we had a drink at W Hotel before dinner. The hotel is a little small for her 250 people wedding but we enjoyed sitting outside by the pool.

We had dinner at the Little Door Restaurant. Dinner was to celebrate an early birthday for the same friend since I will be leaving for China and she will be heading to Hong Kong.

We started with a bottle of Pinot Noir and the Assorted Mediterranean Appetizers.

I had the Grilled Filet Mignon with Green Peppercorn and Bone Marrow Sauce.

Lemon Roasted Organic Chicken Breast with Baby Artichokes, Garlic and Oregano

Grilled Rib Eye Steak with Sel, Herbs, and Cracked Black Pepper

Duo of Duck with Pomegranate and Candied Walnuts

Someone had the Pistachio Crusted New Zealand Snapper with Couscous (I didn’t get a bite or a picture). Use your imagination. =P

We ended the dinner with some champagne and the birthday cake from The Little Next Door ~ Raspberry vanilla cake.

And here is the happy couple. Lucky Mr. Friday. Now hurry up and chose a date!

On Dal 2: It’s all about the crab‏

On Friday night, I was able to convince some of my friends to check out this restaurant with me. It’s located in Crenshaw, not the safest location, but after reading the glowing report from LA times and had other friends that actually patroned the restaurant; I was really looking forward to dinner.

This is their famous crab hot pot. We ordered the largest pot with 5 crab shells, thin bean sprout, bell cap mushrooms, and other stuff. Hehehe…I only eat, I don’t cook. Due to friends weaker than myself, the pot was only ’small’ spice. It was amazing even at mild, the pot was pretty spicy.

The service was impeccable. They had a wait staff cut the crabs so the tender meat is easily accessible. As you can see, they also divied up the crab shells. And yes, there was a scoop of rice in the shell with the broth.

We also ordered the pasta to try. The server brought a small round dough which she stretch and pulled until it’s thin then teared them into small pieces to be cooked in the broth. I actually took a picture of the end result but my bowl was kind of ‘not very clean’ so I’ll leave it to your imagination. The pasta was chewy but not as good as I hoped.

For the men in our party, we ordered the braised beef since seafood wasn’t enough. This dish was mostly tomato based (where our crab pot was more the Korean hot paste) and a little sweet.

The last dish was the fried rice. The owner’s son cooked it right in front of us. He used some soup from the braised beef pot, rice and his own special seasoning. It was delicious. We also ordered a large seafood pancake that we all ate before I had a chance to take a picture.

All in all, the food wasn’t out of the ordinary. The small dishes the restaurant provided was better than most Korean restaurants ~ grilled fish, raw crab legs, small sausages, dried sweet seaweed. The crab hot pot was good but not extraordinary. The braised beef was sweet ~I don’t usually like sweet ~ and included chewy rice cakes that I’m sure I ate a ton of. We all agree the seafood pancake and the fried rice was good, but not something we never had before. So will I go back, probably not. But it is worth a try!

On Dal 2: It’s all about the crab‏

On Friday night, I was able to convince some of my friends to check out this restaurant with me. It’s located in Crenshaw, not the safest location, but after reading the glowing report from LA times and had other friends that actually patroned the restaurant; I was really looking forward to dinner.

This is their famous crab hot pot. We ordered the largest pot with 5 crab shells, thin bean sprout, bell cap mushrooms, and other stuff. Hehehe…I only eat, I don’t cook. Due to friends weaker than myself, the pot was only ’small’ spice. It was amazing even at mild, the pot was pretty spicy.

The service was impeccable. They had a wait staff cut the crabs so the tender meat is easily accessible. As you can see, they also divied up the crab shells. And yes, there was a scoop of rice in the shell with the broth.

We also ordered the pasta to try. The server brought a small round dough which she stretch and pulled until it’s thin then teared them into small pieces to be cooked in the broth. I actually took a picture of the end result but my bowl was kind of ‘not very clean’ so I’ll leave it to your imagination. The pasta was chewy but not as good as I hoped.

For the men in our party, we ordered the braised beef since seafood wasn’t enough. This dish was mostly tomato based (where our crab pot was more the Korean hot paste) and a little sweet.

The last dish was the fried rice. The owner’s son cooked it right in front of us. He used some soup from the braised beef pot, rice and his own special seasoning. It was delicious. We also ordered a large seafood pancake that we all ate before I had a chance to take a picture.

All in all, the food wasn’t out of the ordinary. The small dishes the restaurant provided was better than most Korean restaurants ~ grilled fish, raw crab legs, small sausages, dried sweet seaweed. The crab hot pot was good but not extraordinary. The braised beef was sweet ~I don’t usually like sweet ~ and included chewy rice cakes that I’m sure I ate a ton of. We all agree the seafood pancake and the fried rice was good, but not something we never had before. So will I go back, probably not. But it is worth a try!

On Dal 2: It’s all about the crab‏

On Friday night, I was able to convince some of my friends to check out this restaurant with me. It’s located in Crenshaw, not the safest location, but after reading the glowing report from LA times and had other friends that actually patroned the restaurant; I was really looking forward to dinner.

This is their famous crab hot pot. We ordered the largest pot with 5 crab shells, thin bean sprout, bell cap mushrooms, and other stuff. Hehehe…I only eat, I don’t cook. Due to friends weaker than myself, the pot was only ’small’ spice. It was amazing even at mild, the pot was pretty spicy.

The service was impeccable. They had a wait staff cut the crabs so the tender meat is easily accessible. As you can see, they also divied up the crab shells. And yes, there was a scoop of rice in the shell with the broth.

We also ordered the pasta to try. The server brought a small round dough which she stretch and pulled until it’s thin then teared them into small pieces to be cooked in the broth. I actually took a picture of the end result but my bowl was kind of ‘not very clean’ so I’ll leave it to your imagination. The pasta was chewy but not as good as I hoped.

For the men in our party, we ordered the braised beef since seafood wasn’t enough. This dish was mostly tomato based (where our crab pot was more the Korean hot paste) and a little sweet.

The last dish was the fried rice. The owner’s son cooked it right in front of us. He used some soup from the braised beef pot, rice and his own special seasoning. It was delicious. We also ordered a large seafood pancake that we all ate before I had a chance to take a picture.

All in all, the food wasn’t out of the ordinary. The small dishes the restaurant provided was better than most Korean restaurants ~ grilled fish, raw crab legs, small sausages, dried sweet seaweed. The crab hot pot was good but not extraordinary. The braised beef was sweet ~I don’t usually like sweet ~ and included chewy rice cakes that I’m sure I ate a ton of. We all agree the seafood pancake and the fried rice was good, but not something we never had before. So will I go back, probably not. But it is worth a try!

Red Cheese Photobooth

This is to inform all the guests that have no idea photobooth pictures are digitally given to the couple! HAHAHA…just kidding. I just received a email to these pictures from Mary & Gary’s wedding (a few post down). Everyone looked like they had so much fun. =)

Cute couple getting marry next year

I love goofey group pictures!

A couple of girlfriends

I love this! Gary’s dad!

And finally…the wedding couple! You two crazy love birds are too cute for words.