Knowing just when your husband needs encouragement, and being able to provide it.

I am so in love with the face that’s attached to my guy’s heart.

Disneyland in the rain. THAT is what seriously rules. Twice this week, no less.

Monday:

Today:

Tower of terror with some fab old ladies.

It may as well have been hailing on that roller coaster. Though the drama mama face is just for fun… I wanted it to be serious! It was about 43 degrees there today!!

Josh on Maliboomer:

Me NOT on Maliboomer:

And then we met up with my clients, Rachel and Josh, for some fun times, Space Mountain style. Rachel and Josh are AMAZING and I can’t wait for their wedding next September [we think]!!!

Can’t you tell we clicked from day 1??? Seriously. If you’re ever going to Disneyland in the rain, text your coordinator. Her and her husband will join you. Count on it. Well, if that coordinator is me, that is.

xoxo!

A few things!

1. We have a winner!!! The lovely and lucky Christine L. has won the itunes gift card! Yaaaay Christine!!

Just so you know, NO favorites were played. Thanks to Random.org for picking a completely random winner for me!!

Christine- thank you for your lovely comment!! We appreciate it and I know I cannot WAIT for your wedding next August. Get here, already, summer!! :)

2. I’m blogging all week over at Elizabeth Anne Designs!!! I’ll be posting somewhere between 5 to 10 blogs dumping out ALL of my brainformation to the readers over there! So, if you’re curious my thoughts and tips on vendor selection, timeline set ups, picking a theme for your event and other general wedvice, come over and visit me at EAD. Leave me some love, too!! Let me know you’re stopping by!

3. Josh made a video today to cheer me up. You will NOT regret visiting this link! Promise.

A quick preview:

It worked, by the way. The cheering up!

Okay. I’ll still be posting here this week, hopefully, at least personal stuff and FUN stuff. Keep stopping by and telling me how darn much you miss me. And then come visit and leave me love!! xoxo!

***Don’t forget about the CONTEST for a free $25 iTunes gift card, enter now by going HERE and leaving a comment!! No sweat, right? Deadline is Monday the 15th!***

There are always people that you’ve known your whole life. And yet, sometimes, it takes being an adult and really spending time with someone to get to know them.

Just after I got married, I took a job at a small, home-based medical management company. It was, by far, the best decision of my life. I was there for a few years, until I went full time with my career and my boss was nothing short of a God-send to me. She supported me, encouraged me, gave me a flexible schedule and was always willing to bend to whatever I needed to pursue my dreams- even when I wasn’t sure it would work out! But, that’s not the memories I take from those years. The memories I keep near me are of my sister.

I got my sister a job at where I was working after being there about a year. There were 3 of us- one of my former roommates from pre-marriage Katie, myself, and my sister. We were thick as thieves. Katie left after about a year and left Bekah and I to work along side one another together, alone. I think that’s when I really met my best friend.

Sisters are a strange thing, to me. Being my older sister, she’s someone I’ve always known to “be there”- but it wasn’t until I was forced into her world that I actually got to know her. That I fell in LOVE with her. Now, she’s my best friend for sure. After I went full time in wedding coordinating, I found myself more free on weekdays to run errands, shop, and do all those “weekend” activities. I also found myself another bestie: my mom. Since our schedules so often seemed to coincide, it just happened. It started as Wednesday “family dinner” night and turned into Costco trips and mall days, visits to LA and afternoon lunches.

I am so, SO overwhelmingly grateful for the women in my family. I cannot put into words where, and who, I would be without their genuine love and advice. Knowing that I have honest ears to cry to, and a heart that longs for my growth more than my comfort to talk to… wow. I’m beyond fortunate for the people I know.

***Don’t forget about the CONTEST for a free $25 iTunes gift card, enter now by going HERE and leaving a comment!! No sweat, right? Deadline is Monday the 15th!***

And now for the randomest of rundowns that I’m sure you’ve all been kept on the EDGE of your little seats for! :)

1. This sends me over the moon. You MUST do it. It’ll only take a minute or two.

2. Okay so, I had my nose pierced for a really long time. Well, actually, I’ve had it pierced 3 times. I know, crazy. Once on each side [NEVER at the same time] and then once again on my right. I love having a tiny little silver stud in my nose. I walked down the aisle with it. Totally cute and petite. The only reason I took it out around three years back is because I lost my “perfect” nose stud, which I had for about 4 years [it pulled out when I wiped my face on a towel and I never felt it or found it]. After that I couldn’t find another one to replace it so I took it out. But, I’m really missing it. It’s actually pretty stealth. I tried finding a few pictures of me that I KNOW my nose was pierced in and you can’t even see it. I’ve been debating over the past year or so to get a new one, but I want your thoughts. I’m not afraid of it being too unprofessional… I’m more afraid of looking like that “lame-twenty-something-year-old-that’s-stil-getting-facial-piercings-and-is-totally-lame-or-did-I-already-mention-that?” person. So, in honor of my great debate… Nose Ring Poll!!!

3. So… I really, REALLY didn’t want to be into Twilight. Anything with that many fans is kinda scary cult-like to me. And I don’t really read for leisure [not saying that's a good thing, but, seriously] so I didn’t get into the books. But I knew I’d see the movie because, well, I’m not TOTALLY anti-Twilight and everyone is seeing it… and we’re movie people! I’ll be honest… I heard the movie was terrible, doesn’t do the books justice, and so on and so forth… but I liked it. In fact, I kinda keep thinking about it. Oh self, I believe I’ve let me down again! [Jumping on board the train, I guess...]     

4. Sometimes I think my mom is, endearingly, crazy as a loon. We all LOVE the show Samantha Who [I mean, you may as well, but us girls in my family]. Yet, my mom is CONSTANTLY calling Samantha Who “Sam I Am”. I KNOW that she knows she’s wrong. We all smile real big about it, but Bex and I never correct her. Some battles just aren’t worth fighting.  

5. Here’s a great Josh-ism for you. He’s super into balling up the trash at restaurants. Especially if we’re eating anything in the car. It’s like he cannot WAIT to crumple the bag into a little ball of nothingness. As small as possible. Almost ridiculously. And most of the time he does this while I’m STILL eating- which drives me bonkers. Because then I’m forced to UN-ball the ridiculously small bag of trash to put mine into it and it’s just all a hassle and a mess. These are the type of issues we worked out our first year of marriage. By now it’s just water under the bridge. 

6. I’m a sucker for chicken tamales. I’m constantly on the hunt for the perfect chicken tamale. If a restaurant has tamales that are CHICKEN [and not pork], I’ve probably eaten them. It takes a real finesse to make a good tamale. I think I was spoiled because when I was young my dad brought them home from a guy who worked with him [whose wife makes them fresh and then sells them] and they were deeeeelish. So. Yummy. I’m constantly holding other tamales to that standard.

7.  I’m so weird. I’ve been realizing it more and more lately- and my clothing “rules” are no exception! You see, when I like an item of clothing, I CAN’T wear it. I always save it for “special occasions”- like no normal day is worthy. In the end, it seems like I never really get my “bang” for my “buck” out of those items because I always talk myself out of using them for their intended use… to be worn. I really don’t want that to happen with my purple LOVE shirt, which is my momentary fave. SO cute and definitely SO me, in essence.

Looooooove love!

8. I was on Family Feud. Have I mentioned?? About two years ago now my cousin [who is my same age, thanks Michelle] submit my family as a team of “young, hip cousins” to be on family feud. We were all under 30. I’m sure to them, that’s a gem of a group. We immediately got a call back and flew through both auditions. We showed up on taping day, wearing our bright “pop colors” and I pulled out the fire-engine red lipstick [back then my hair was totally platinum blonde, too]. I was nominated team captain by the people in charge. :)  We won our first game, and lost in our second game. It was totally SO fun and the videos are seriously blackmail worthy [especially my sister... WHOO the answers she gave! Can't wait til she has kids to show it to!!].

9.  I’m trying my darndest to get out of my comfort zone with food and try new things. I’m really not that good at it. With food in particular, you’re putting it, like, IN your body… just creepy to put something I’m unsure about in there. Sushi is a no go for me. Though, last night my sister took me on a date [wine and all] and she forced me to try an ahi tuna stack. Not terrible. But I wouldn’t order it again myself. She practically licked the plate.

We’re so different.

10. I’ve completely put my 25 Things list on the back burner. Hrrumph. It all of the sudden got very hectic and busy in life. And WHEN did December hit, let alone MID-December? Freaking out here. Still dying to make those cupcake pops, too!!

And here’s some random inspiring wedding shots that I saved to my computer last week. I’ve decided I really need to start saving my inspirations because I’m, 90% of the time, kicking myself for not being able to SHOW my clients what I’m seeing in my head [especially if it's based off of an image I saw, with slight variations]. So, this arch is haunting me in my dreams it’s sooo lovely!!

UGH! The thought of a wooden intertwined chuppa is the sexiest, most romantic thing ever. And the LUSH planters at the base of it are just icing on the cake. That’s some delicious cake.

***Don’t forget about the CONTEST for a free $25 iTunes gift card, enter now by going HERE and leaving a comment!! No sweat, right? Deadline is Monday the 15th!***

Brian Khang!!!!

In case you don’t stalk his blog likeeverysingleday, and haven’t seen the wonderous images of my beautiful, God-given team of amazingness, here they are for you:

After working with Brian earlier this year on Christina and Nick’s wedding [which are ALL over his blog header, and rightfully so as THEY are gorgeous and their PICTURES are timeless!!!], he contacted me when things slowed down offering new head shots. Seeing as on my current websites there’s um, ONE of me.. he had no idea what he was in for! :)

My small, humble business has grown into a fantastic team of 6 [count 'em... 6!!!] people! This not including my sister who doesn’t come out much for the actual day but is endless in support and heart for In The Now. Thanks Bex! I am so proud of my team- their ambitions, their goals, their drive… their hearts! I know that they keep me fresh, alive, and in love with what I do with their vibrant spirits!

Top Row: Alicia, Shannon, MEEEEEE

Bottom Row: Josh, Miriam, Brittany

I really wanted to, this time around, portray us as who we are in our shots! We did a whopping 3 outfit changes and still ROCKED the whole shoot out in about 2 hours! [Mad props to Brian's girl, Helen, who was our video recorder, coat rack, purse holder, encouraging coach and so much more!!].

Did I mention we TOTALLY got the hook up?? We felt like glamour girls, getting together at 8am and getting our complimentary makeup done by Marina! She’s actually offering an AMAZING deal right now to bridal clients who name drop ITN [big smiles] $75 for bridal makeup and $50 for bridal party or moms. WOW. [Email her at mrodriguez36@gmail.com, or call 909.223.9994]! Like, seriously? That’s a steal, right?!?!

[I even got fake lashes. I looooove fake lashes].

We are so SO thankful to Brian for offering us his time and talent- and we cannot WAIT to see the rest! This was definitely a beautiful and official first step into my new website process [well, it at least solidifies my progress and vision for it!]. And of course, Marina, for making the fabulousness OOZE out of us [as always, but you know, a little more prominently]. :)

If you’re looking for a photographer that will not only make you feel comfortable and laugh, but totally “deliver”- you’ve found him. Pinky swear! xoxo!

So, I got an email a few weeks back from the people behind Project Wedding, one of my FAVORITE industry sites and by far the place where I get most of my business from [I am so, SO thankful to my clients who take the time to even talk about me after their event... their raves are always so gracious and I heart them deeply].

Apparently, I’ve been elected as one of Project Wedding’s “Best of 2008″. Whoo hooo! They told me they’d be sending a packet. It arrived today! In it was a short letter, some business cards to hand out to clients [offering an Amazon discount for any client that reviews me on their site], a window decal for my office [um, my 2nd bedroom window facing the parking lot may work??], and a stand up placard for my office. Seeing as I work from home, I found this the best fit:

This is our entry table. To the right, you can see the dish where we set our keys [a place for everything, and everything in it's place]. To the left, a lamp. And just in the center…. my badge of honor. At the very least, it made Josh giggle [a daily goal]. But seriously, I’m proud of it! I’m not sure HOW it happened, or what qualifies me to be in their top 5%, but I’m thrilled!!

SO, in honor of that, I’m asking for what YOU think qualifies someone as a “top 5%” wedding vendor. Come up with original ideas and submit them here, as comments. The winner will receive a $25 iTunes gift card compliments of MOI! Contest ends on Monday the 15th so submit by then. Pick just ONE reason, and then give your “supporting causes” for that reason. And by the way, it DOES NOT have to be a quality I posses. :) I’m ready and willing to learn and grow. And, everyone qualifies… even you, assistants! Winner will be chosen randomly- I promise!

Don’t worry- you can trust me [with one of the most important days of your life]!! Project Wedding says so!!!

**This is a new segment idea for me! I really wanted my readers to be involved with my clients and their planning process- so much more than just the final product. So, in these sessions you’ll learn about the couples, their vision, their vendors, their realities, and so so much more! Hopefully this will keep you on the edge of their seat for their wedding days, too… you can join me there!!**

Meet Alex and Brad! They’re tying the knot in March next year and we’ve been working together for months on their much anticipated dream day! It was by no small feat that we’re as far along as we are! After months of hunting for the perfect venue, two date changes [yes, and MOVING the wedding up 6 whole months than we had originally planned] and a lot of stress, we’ve finally hit our stride!! I always tell the newly-engaged that THE most stressful part will be picking a date and place. It’s all down hill after that. A&B are a total testament to that rule!

[This picture was taken right after they got engaged. Aren't they just SOOO mushy gushy cuteness??]

Alex and Brad are nothing but a pleasure to work with! They’re young, fun, have tons of ideas, and a great unique sense of style! I am so looking forward to their big day, with their ceremony taking place at the amazing wedding chapel in Lake Hills Church, and their reception at the ultra hip and “underground” Soka University’s Art Gallery – a TWO STORY amazing space that gives us such freedom to play and create! Just the chandelier alone is worth booking the room over:

What an amazing focal point for our reception!! It’s a hand-blown glass art piece by Dale Chihuly, best known for this monstrosity in the Bellagio hotel [Vegas]:

Fiori Di Como. Yeah, he’s kind of a big deal. When we were there, Josh actually snapped a shot of it!

More pictures and details about A&B’s wedding to come, but for now, a little preview of her linens and monogram style! She chose black, white, and tiffany blue as the color scheme for her big day- funny enough, this shocked her! We didn’t have anything nailed down until we visited Jennifer at the Dress My Chair showroom in Costa Mesa! Alex fell in LOVE with the black and white damask [which will play as a theme throughout] and the pop of tiffany blue just melted her heart!

Pairing this table set up with white chiavari chairs and black cushions [which will have tiffany blue sashes] are a perfect compliment to the style of their big day!

One of their close friends whipped up this monogram, to be displayed on all of their paper products throughout the day! We are THRILLED to have a theme flowing freely and I can’t wait to see how the planning continues on.

With our caterers well on the way to being locked in, now we’re anxiously anticipating their engagement session with the oh-so-talented-it-almost-hurts Jan and Tey Garcia!! You know you’ll see ‘em here the MOMENT they’re posted.