# 118 Last Post for awhile? 1 More DAY!!

ONE MORE DAY!!!!!!!!!!
Last night was the Chinese Reception. WOW! I didn't think my restaurant could look that sick but it was AWESOME!! Of course, picture time was the worst. Can't handle it. My eyes hurt. BUT! The food was great, it was slightly different from Happy China's banquet meals but still awesome! My family went all out for that party. End of the night- Stress level shot up to 11 out of 10. haha. Then, all morning and afternoon today, I had a huge bridal workshop and we knocked out the best things ever.
:::DONE:::
PINE TREE FAVORS (54) 4 per table
DETHORNING ROSES
MOSS COLLECTION
CENTERPIECES READY
TABLECLOTHS IRONED
CAKE ICED
CAKE ACORNS MADE

:::NEED TO DO TOMORROW:::
- Playlist at Thom's
- pick up & wash silverware at Thom's
- wrap silverware w/hemp and ivy
- pack for Honeymoon(ish) and Night before
- tell Mom to bring my dress, veil, jewelry, and gloves
- tell Mom to bring the Chafing Dishes from home
- tell Mom to bring coffee creamer/sugar/sweeteners
- set up tables and chairs
- deposit checks, pick up presc
- setup guest book table and decorate!
.... Please Sign In!!! Draw yourself and write a fortune for the newly married couple and drop it in the fortune box! Or, a message to the couple! Thank you once again!


:::DAY OF:::
- set up the tablecloths
- centerpieces, candles with rocks, water. Add flowers. I have so many flowers at this point I don't know what to do with myself.
- set up CAKE
- Have BEN and ALEX as ushers. Ben escorts my mom down the aisle to her LEFT spot, Alex escorts Laura to the Right spot with Thom following behind.

Helen: bring all of your old clear vases NBD!
in charge of:
- Handing sealed envelope pay for Adam, (2), and Beethoven
- Have checkbook ready

# 117 Bachy Party

I went to my first bachelorette party- my own! I've been to others but they only involved food since I missed part of theirs. Stayed at Chairman Mao's sick Suite- PIMPTASTIC!!!!!!!!!!

Now it's off for the chinese dinner tomorrow. Ouch!
I burned part of my forehead yesterday with my new curling iron. Makeup won't cover it up well so I readjusted my hair part so that it'll cover it naturally LOL. I'm such a dunce.

# 116 Still Need to Do...

Still Need to Do... 
- Devise Music Playlist (halfway done- now I need the uptempo dance songs)
- Recipes for Kay
- Addresses of all the guests to send a NY postcard (buy extra stamps)
- Ceremony Programs, design and send PDF to Helen. Half sheet, double sided, give paper to her as well. Buy paper cutter at Big Lots?
- call Patricia and Adam about the day
-  REVISE and Send Ceremony Outline and Wedding Day itinerary to wedding party.
- Take pics of centerpieces and send them to Kay, Kat, and bridesmaids
- take pics of wedding cheesecake.
- Bake wedding cheesecake on Thursday. Then Sunday evening!
- Pick up seafood at Joe Patti's on Monday at 10am. Go shopping with Kay at Sam's!
- make seating chart and assign people seating.

List  to Buy at Sam's:
- dinner napkins(Target? 7th generation natural napkins)
- 2 sets forks and knives
- plastic plates for desserts
- candies  (swedish fish,  M&Ms, apple rings, chocolates)
- boxes for takeaway candies
- wash white plates
- iron out tablecloths

Mom:
- hot water heater at Mobile Fixture
- heat lamps for roast pig

Wan Fu:
- forks and knives
- sugar caddies
- chaffing dishes and stuff
- more buffet pans (4 deep ones, 12 shallow ones)
-------give some to Laura and Thom
- salt and pepper shakers (14? or just 2?)
- coffee cups
- tea pots and cups(same as coffee cups)
- all of the little scoops and tongs she doesn't really use
- all of the white Xmas lights
- all of the light pink tablecloths

//wash white plates

Asian Market
Random Candies:
- Lychee Jellies
- coffee candy
- the rabbit candy

# 115 10 Days Left!!!

I sent in the ceremony outline to Robin last Wednesday. I had some of my girls come out to help me. I am not even close to donezo. I'm kind of retreating within myself I'm so nervous.

Property Signs to Walk:
There once was a squirrel named Jack. He followed these birds along a dirt path.
He took a wrong turn, and then he returned, to a lit area that was packed.

Rabbits and chipmunks and frogs, there were even dancing groundhogs,
the forest was full of the chilly winter cool, as they gathered around burning logs.

A ceremony of love was to take place, with a smile on everyone's face.
a robin was there and a cat helped prepare
the celebration of love that was based.

A pathway created was made, so the guests would not have to evade.
A rabbit dressed in white with a groom in her sight,
will dance down the path that was laid.

They want their beloved guests to know, how much this means to them so.
They've come all this way, to witness the day
of where the commitment and love will go.

Wedding Day "Program"


Welcome Message 
Thomas and Crystal want to thank you for sharing their special day with them at their forest wedding :)

Velveteen Rabbit excerpt
 Weeks passed, and the little Rabbit grew very old and shabby, but the Boy loved him just as much. He loved him so hard that he loved all his whiskers off, and the pink lining to his ears turned grey, and his brown spots faded. He even began to lose his shape, and he scarcely looked like a rabbit any more, except to the Boy.
To him he was always beautiful, and that was all that the little Rabbit cared about. He didn't mind how he looked to other people, because the nursery magic had made him Real, and when you are Real shabbiness doesn't matter. 
Wedding Party
Officiant/Robin Davis
Maid of Honor/Helen Cheung, bridesmaids/Terry Lin/Duong Hoang/Melissa Dorsey/Hanh Le/India Owens
Best Man/Scott Dickens, groomsmen/Kevin Cooper/Billy Riggins/Eric Eligio/Wilson Yu/Linda Nguyen
Parents of the Bride: Lai Ka and Nai Chin Yu
Parents of the Groom: Laura Cooper/ Thomas Barrineau III

Please enjoy refreshments during cocktail hour 3:00-4:30
Make a birdseed covered pinecone with your kid!
Go canoing in the lake!  Roast marshmallows at the fire.

Anytime you need a ride back to your car, do not hesitate to ask a groomsman to escort you back via golfcart.

Bathrooms are located at the Little House and the Big House.

# 114 Rings, License, Dent., donezo!

Thomas and I finally visted the courthouse the same day my friend was getting hitched and applied for our license. That same day, we visited the local jeweler he went to get my engagement ring at. I tell you, I loved the place. Places like Zales and Kay's were too bling and money focused. This place was so chill, I didn't mind going double budget on the bands(that also has to do partly with the fact that gold prices have literally doubled this year from last). Bob knew exactly who we were even though I got engaged 3 years ago and was no pressure. He's going to do some custom work on our bands so that it matches my engagement ring. I pick them up soon. He's had his shop for the past 35 years which I find phenomenal. Stoked!

# 113 Bridal Showers! Dos..

Today was my second bridal shower! The party was hosted by Kat, a close family friend. She went all out Kat-styled: silver coffee urns, glass cups and plates, polished silver, and fantastic hor d'eurvs. The setting was definitely more formal and I got way too many gifts once again! I swear, it's honestly so awkward for me to get this kind of attention and care, but as many have said(albeit not follow as much), "You only get married once!" The one Melissa and Helen threw for me 2 weeks prior was very chill and laidback since it was a potluck feast. Anyway, I am so thankful and happy that my friends and family care so much. This is only the beginning too.

# 112 Enviro Friendly disposables

Enviro Friendly disposables... oh the price of being a disposable bride

# 111 Marriage Licenses

Yay! I can finally apply for a marriage license! I'll do it by Dec 11.Any person who has been issued a social security number shall provide that number when applying for a marriage license.

Room 13001 - First Floor

190 Governmental Center

Pensacola, Florida 32502

Monday-Friday, 8:00 to 5:00

FL Application

# 110 MakeUp Trial #1

Ever since Rezvan did my makeup over the summer for a photoshoot, I've been wary of someone new touching my face. I believe I do a pretty good job but in terms of taking it to that next level of natural POP, I don't think I got it. I never had my makeup done professionally before, but Rezvan did an outstanding job that translated amazingly well in pictures. Anyway, D and L came over to help me with some looks. D did about 7 different looks until finally I said, I want to look like her- pointing to Quinn from Glee. Her face was so natural and beautiful! Pink cheeks, dark lashes, lightly stained lips, and beige eyeshadow, she looks like she stepped out of a modern day Marie Antoinette ball. Once I showed her Quinn from the TV, D was like, "OH!" and recreated the looked almost perfectly! I was stoked- I looked made up but still natural. I would post a pic but my camera died on me :(

# 109 Honeymoon NY! Places to go!

I was talking to my design teacher about the places Tommy B and I could go in NY for our honeymoon- J.H. suggested some pretty sick places!


http://cooperhewitt.org/
http://www.newmuseum.org/
http://www.thehighline.org/
abchome.com - we were talking about Anthropologie and how AWESOME their stores were and he recommended this place! Can't wait!!!


the Whitney Museum, 22-25th street - A. Shririiaivividecker

abc carpet & home manhattan since 1897        

ten floors offering an inspired collection of rugs, furniture, antiques, home textiles, accessories and sustainable furnishings

manhattan store directory

888 & 881 broadway
new york, ny 10003
212 473 3000
mon-sat: 10-7, sun: 11-6:30

The High Line is located on Manhattan's West Side. It runs from Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District to 34th Street, between 10th & 11th Avenues. Section 1 of the High Line, which opened to the public on June 9, 2009, runs from Gansevoort Street to 20th Street. 

For park information, please call the High Line Information Line: (212) 500-6035 



The High Line is open from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM daily.

Hours

New Museum

235 Bowery
New York, NY 10002
212.219.1222

COOPER-HEWITT MUSEUM 

Hours: 

Monday–Friday: 10 a.m.–5 p.m. 

Saturday: 10 a.m.–6 p.m. 

Sunday: Noon–6 p.m. 

Garden entrance on 90th Street open May–September (weather permitting) 

# 107 Stats

To this day, I still don't know how many invites were passed out, mainly because my mom keeps handing them out! I'm like, STOP IT! Anyway, this is what I have so far. I like the number: 76. I know it's going to climb substantially but I want it to stay under 100. 75 would be ideal :)

# 106 Bought the Shawls!

HAPPY TURKEY DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!! GOBBLE GOBBLE.........

Helen suggested Grey even though it's not one of the wedding colors. I ended up buying them in that color tonight!! That's the extent of my Black Friday.

30% silk, 70% pure pashmina wool. Should be warm and long enough for the girls! I can't wait to make their gift baggies!! I wanted to purchase these as *one* of their gifts to offset the cost- it's not like we're rich or anything, we're all right out of or currently still in college so anything helps! All I want them to buy is their bridesmaid dresses- everything else, they can pick and choosey of they want.

# 105 BM Shawls...

Ok, it's almost a month away and I've been putting this on the back burner when I could easily have ordered it WAY long ago! I still can't decide what matches the dresses and that's important because it'll be in the pics! I think a neutral would be good, no browns or whites b/c that has too much contrast.

I went on Illustrator(HAHA, i know, cheating) to see what colors matched it automatically. AI swatches on the right, Nimli.com's swatches on the left. I think I'll order them from Nimli because of the quality and the color selection. They are kind of pricy though but currently are on sale. Another $200 after shipping- but we'll see! I think I might match the groomsmen?

More Links:

Azuri Cashmere Pashmina Shawl $25+SH

Azuri Feather Pashmina Shawl $20+SH

Scarf_tradinginc New Best Soft $14/each

Amazon's New Best Soft 100% Pashmina $14/each

GLOVES

Amazon's Opera Length Satin Gloves $10 -I hate gloves but am scared of cold weather! I'll buy it just in case!

# 104 Veil ready!

Duong came over to help with cooking while the boys were out in the yard playing with sticks and grass and lake. Ha. Woke up, ate the grits for breakfast, ate the casserole and grits for lunch, and proceeded to search for veil-making materials since I freaking lost my tulle. Went over to the bridal section- they sold the metal combs for $10! I'm like, wtf, this is at most .70- so we walk over to the jewelry section and lo and behold, 1.49. Stupid bridal markup.

Went back to the office and made my veil! Soooo pretty! I love it! We also set up our tables and centerpieces to see what it would look like. Back at the house, we had searched for the centerpiece branches- but since they were wet, we only spray painted one of the them. I am very happy with it! Now I'm looking for little birds or insects to put on the branches. Cute.

# 103 Catering Trial #1

Wew brought back 4 buffet pans so I could see if they would fit in our chaffing pans and in our oven. They do. Score! Our (hot) foods menu thus far: Roast Pig, DF, C&R, Zea's corn grits, Fresh Green Bean Casserole, Vodka Cream Pasta, Roasted Red Potatoes. This whole self-catering is kind of crazy. What I am trying to aim for is to follow catering companies' model of cooking ahead of time so the day of you just reheat it and serve it.
Results:
Zea's corn grits
--- Instead of buying yellow grits, I bought the Quick Grits from wal-mart. The recipe also calls for heavy cream, and 2 cups of it too. Wow.. I certainly didn't have that when I figured that out at home. I used 1/2 water and 1/2 2% milk instead of 1/2 water and 1/2 heavy cream. I also added 2 sticks of butter, salt, and the corn. When it was finished, I poured it into the buffet pan, topped it with freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese, and fresh green onions. The grits were supposed to be yellow due to its type, NOT the butter so next time I'll have to buy the yellow kind, plus a lot of heavy cream. I specifically love Zea's grits so I'll do that in the next trial.
Fresh Green Bean Casserole
---I boiled the green beans instead of using canned(gross). The entire dish shrunk in half. How the heck do you mess up GBS?! Next time, I won't cook the beans and let the oven do the talking. But, the grilled garlic and onions that I added in the mix were delish.
Vodka Cream Pasta
---Epic Fail. Epic I say. The pasta I made the night before to see how well it stayed overnight in the fridge. The sauce- I forgot to buy crushed tomatos- instead, i relied on the tomato sauce at home which resulted in a watery mess of vodka. Also, to be adventurous, I used Absolute's Mango flavored vodka, and realized that 1 cup of Absolute was not cheap so I added Viking Ford to the end. The result? The mango flavor overpowered the vodka taste which wasn't good. Darn you Absolute, making the best flavored vodkas there is. Darn you. Anyway, whatev. Fine as a cold dish?
Roasted Red Potatoes
 ---Didn't have red potatoes and used chopped Idahos. Flavor amazing, but way undercooked even though we left it in the oven 20 min longer? Should I have wrapped it in aluminum foil? IDK...

---Trying to figure out what Meat dishes we'll have on there. I love fish and it cooks fast, plus baked is delish...Olive oil & Lemon... yummmmm.