Goin back to Cali

Ok. Really, it's my first time to Los Angeles (outside of LAX anyway)... but am I the only one who still gets LLCoolJ in my head?


:-) Sorry, couldn't resist.

I will be in LA for the remainder of this week, and the beginning of the next. I'll be visiting with bridesmaid *K (aka Minnie Mouse),

(Bridesmaid *K, Stitch, and Me at DW a few years ago)

house hunting, hoping to talk my way into UCLA grad program, and of course - going to Disney Land!Who would have thought LLCoolJ and Disneyland would be in the same post?

Anyway, this obviously means that blogging will PROBABLY be limited. (I saw probably because I am taking my computer and who knows?) But just for fun... look what will be coming up soon!!

My Foot, with *A's too small for my foot barefoot sandal!

I made bridesmaid *A 's barefoot sandals last weekend! And this time I took pictures so I can post a how-to DIY!!! AND....

3 of the 5 bridesmaids dresses arrived yesterday!! I go to see them in T minus 1 hour!!!! I'll take pictures and post a review of the dresses and the shop I've been dealing with.

Stay tuned!

But in the mean time.... stalk THIS blog.. I just love it!

Any LA advice or must-see's as an intro to the city? (I will be moving there this winter, so it's not imperative that I see and do it all now... but advice and suggestions always welcomed!!)

Kitties Supporting Titties!

MORE PINK FOR OCTOBER!!!

If you go to Purina cat chow's web site & take a test on your knowledge of breast cancer they will donate $1. to the Susan G. Komen foundation. The questions are not difficult & you keep going until you guess right. Only 5 questions.

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At Purina® Cat Chow®, we believe in the unique and wonderful connection between cats and people. One story in particular, about Jasmina Ristic, a Chicago woman struggling with cancer whose cat, Spodee, intuitively knew she needed extra love and support, touched us and inspired us to join the search for the cure.

In celebration of the loving support our
cats provide, we're donating $175,000
to Susan G. Komen for the Cure®.

And you can help. For every person who completes our breast cancer awareness questions, we'll donate an additional $1.00 (up to $50,000 above the $175,000 minimum donation).

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I gotta tell ya... I didn't expect Purina to be doing Breast Cancer awareness and funding. Anyone else know of unexpected places to donate and help?

Handbag Planet Launch Giveaway!!

SWEET! Handbag Planet is celebrating their October 15th launch by giving away a great bag every hour for 24 hours!!! Check out the cool bags! And you register for free, and pick which bag you want to win. Here's a BIG surprise - I want the blue one!! :)

Blog Bliss: Bridal Mii!... kinda

Yet again, "It's a Jamie thing.." has inspired me. But this time, instead of a creative or DIY thing, its just FUN! She posted about the Knot's "create your Inner Bride" feature. It's like making a Mii, except wedding style!!
So I spent a grand total of 2 minutes and voila!!! And then I've spent the next few hours smiling and laughing and being in a general good mood because its just fun. :) Thanks Jaime!
It's not the most technical thing, and doesn't have every option I can think of... but nonetheless I tried to make it someone representative of me!
So for obvious reasons... Not more reading Adam!!!
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Whatcha think? Click here to make your own!

Enlightening Favor / Escort Card Idea!

I just came upon this and think its a fantastic idea!! You could set these candles out to "light the way" to their table, and be their favors. AND benefit others in your purchase!!!

Shine a light on the fact that early detection means a better hope for survival. Enjoy the soft pink color, flickering light and lavender fragrance, while reminding yourself and others to make a difference by clicking every day.

Choose a Single candle for $3.95, or a Set of 5 for $15.95.

Want to fund more causes? How about these?

Cute, right? For $18 you get:

Six colorful scented candles create a rainbow of good feelings! Enjoy their cheery colors, flickering light and fruity fragrances, while reminding yourself and others to make a difference by clicking every day.

Each sweetly scented candle represents one of the Greater Good web sites, and are a perfect gift for friends and family.

Set of 6 candles includes:

• The Hunger Site: light yellow candle with "sunflower" scent
• The Breast Cancer Site: pink candle with lavender scent
• The Child Health Site: sky blue candle with sweetpea scent
• The Literacy Site: red candle with apple scent
• The Rainforest Site: light green candle with cucumber-melon scent
• The Animal Rescue Site: light purple candle with lavender scent

Six hexagonal jar candles are 1.5 ounces each. Jar candle measures 2" T x 1.75" dia. (5 cm T x 4.4 cm dia.). Jars have resealable lids and come individually wrapped in cellophane.

Heinz coreless wicks are 100% lead- and zinc-free. Made from a blend of soy and paraffin waxes; each candle burns approximately 12 hours. Never leave a burning candle unattended.

Depending on which Site you go through to get them, you can:

• Fund a mammogram
• Feed starving people
• Feed starving animals
• Fund health services for kids
• Buy books for children's libraries
• Preserve land in the rainforest

Anyone thinking that this site sounds familiar, its because I've blogged about some of the great finds on there before!

Pink For October

You might have noticed (assuming you aren't google readering this) that my blog has taken on a new hue undertone. Well, there is a very good cause for it. I am going Pink for October!

Web sites will Go Pink during the month of October to bring attention to Breast Cancer Awareness Month, get people talking about breast cancer, and raise money for research. But to be clear, raising money isn’t the primary purpose of this web event. The hope is that you turn your site pink (in whatever way works for your site), educate yourself about the multiple issues related to Breast Cancer, then take that knowledge and tell someone else what you’ve learned.
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About

Web sites will Go Pink during the month of October to bring attention to Breast Cancer Awareness Month, get people talking about breast cancer, and raise money for research.

But to be clear, raising money isn’t the primary purpose of this web event.

The hope is that you turn your site pink (in whatever way works for your site), go out to that World Wide Web thing and educate yourself about the multiple issues related to Breast Cancer, then take that newfound knowledge and tell someone else what you’ve learned.

We hope that you will:

1. Turn your web site/blog pink (however you like, it’s up to you).
2. Educate yourself about the multiple issues related to breast cancer.
3. Take that newfound knowledge and teach someone else what you know.

Consider redesigning your site for the month of October — Go Pink!

2006 (our first year) was a great start with the roughly 1500 sites that Went Pink. 2007 saw roughly 3000 sites Go Pink. We are looking to make an even bigger splash in 2008, but we’ll need your help to do it.

Blog about it, invite others to join, become involved, help increase awareness, learn something new, and teach others what you know.

Many thanks!

~Matthew Oliphant

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Now here's my snafu. There is a "downloads" page where you can use buttons and banners for your blogs or websites. I am a fan of adding one of the two shown below... but I have et to figure out how. I know almost squat about HTML code and as far as I can tell, I can't actually download them... anyone who figures it out - let me know!!



Pink and breast cancer awareness will be the center of attention in some upcoming posts. Anything from great favor ideas that fund mammograms, to bachlorette party ideas! Stay tuned!

Showered with Love: Part 4 - Opening the Gifts

Now we are settling into the living room next to the big 'ol pile of presents.
You know how when some people talk, you WILL give them your undivided attention for fear of the consequences? The woman on the left is one of them. She's another Coastie Pilot mom and dude, when she went to talk to the Marine pilot (in the hat, behind the candle) it was "You. You are a Marine pilot, right? Come talk to me." I have never seen him toss out so many ma'ams or sit up so straight!! =) Ahh the fun of mixing new and old friends!

See me on the right? That's how I spent alot of the present opening time... clapping like a two year old. Most of these people have known me since I was 3, but still, I wish I hadn't given them visual reminders!

Josh was the only brave "kid" to stray into the unknown "adult" territory during the gift openening.... brave soul!

At this point, it ahd become a bit awkward and I think everyone was wishing they had had 1 more beer or margarita before gift opening. So, to break the tension, I decieded it was a good idea to put the mixing bowl on my head. Don't ask me why this occurred to me as a good idea! But nonetheless, everyone laughed alot and things were a little more comfortable.

Adam is not the best at recieving gifts. Even when he loves it, people wonder becuase he's not jumping for joy. So we decided this was the best route; he unwrapped the gifts while I read the cards. Attention off him and his initial reaction until I can do something silly... like put a bowl on my head. (Then he just turns red.) I highly recommend this! (The card reading vs unwrapping... not just anyone can pull off the mixing bowl on the head thing!)

From Eldest Bro and Sister-in-law who live in NYC and never cook. Their take out menu organizer is their cookbook! =) Well since LA will actually have more than 1 place that delivers food, this is going to rock. Thanks!

Oh, no, wait. I take back the thanks and replace it with... I'm going to kill you!!! Inside the takeout menu organizer is something to "heat up the kitchen". I turned as red as my dress!

Believe it or not, yes we registered for a doormat from a local art gallery. Paul Brent is a local artist who's gone global, and is a friend of the family... who's lurking in some of these photos too. We actually have two wall paintings to match this, so we are loving it.

Oy vey... more clapping...

While MOH Erka took notes on who gave what, Kat and Steph were the bow nazi's ...errr architechs. =)

All the girls lookin cute! Pat (Marine pilot above) and Steph (2nd from right) drove over from Pcola that day, and returned after the party. We were sad they weren't staying at the condo, but so glad they came!!

Remember my dilemma about hostess gifts? Well, the spice kits were a huge hit. They knew they were from us and not just my parents, it fit the theme, and I think they all genuinely appriciated them.

Lessons learned:

• The Wii is just d*mn fun for a low-key party.
• Always print directions for people and reiterate to CALL YOU if they get lost.
  
• The person who is bad at showing excitement for gifts, should be the unwrapper.
• Before you begin opening presents, make sure your margarita or wine glass is full!
• Even though you've spent a long-arse time crafting your registries... be prepared to get things you don't want or need, and smile anyway!
  
• Whoever is making the crazy-ass bow-quet thing - Just give them the damn bows asap!!
• If your Dad is notorious for taking bad pictures, hand the camera to someone else!
• When in awkward situation - put nearest bowl shaped object on head. :-) (I wonder if someday someone will list that as "best piece of wedding advice you've received".... maybe not! As my family and friends hope, I am one-of-a-kind.)

What did you learn from your shower/party?