In search of....

This morning I trekked out to my favorite part of town --the Flower Mart and Fashion District. I went to meet some clients friends frients( friends-clients?!). Carmela and Nina were on missions to find items for their upcoming weddings and I was along as a tour guide of sorts. This is not to say I wasn't on a mission of my own. Getting out and looking at flowers, fabric and notions gives me a lot of ideas.

While waiting for Carmela and Nina to arrive from the O.C., I perused the Flower Mart. I didn't buy any flowers. I knew I had a long day ahead of me and was afraid they'd wilt and look sad. I did pick up these.

Succulents

I plan to use them for a project I'm cooking up. More on that later.

Eventually, I met up with Carmela and Nina. We headed for Michael Levine's. Along the way, we looked at crystals and beads.

This block is fascinating. There are several fabric vendors on the way to Michael Levine. The fabrics range from who-did-it-and-why? to oh-so-chic. It makes for a good laugh and a good source of inspiration.

I found and bought these two pieces of fabric. Again, more info on their purpose later.

Joel Dewberry for Westminster Fabrics - Ginseng Collection

After 3 hours of meandering and bargain hunting, we headed to Little Tokyo for sustenance. We arrived at around 3. This limited our options since most of the restaurants are closed between 3 and 5pm. We ended up at a Korean BBQ/Sukiyaki/Shabu-Shabu house. I guess it's an Asian Barbecue house? It's a strange combo for a restaurant, but the food was surprisingly good. The portions were huge.

Carmela's Beef Barbecue


My Chicken Teriyaki


Nina gets ready to enjoy her lunch

Afterwards, we went and got some Mochi. Originally, we were going to get original style Mochi from Fugetsu-do, but it was so hot that we went for the ice cream variety.

My Green Tea Ice Cream Mochi


Carmela enjoys her Mochi

After lunch and dessert, we spent the next several hours gossiping and somewhat discussing their upcoming projects with me. I had a great time. I couldn't have asked for better company and seeing different materials has got the creative juices flowing. Let's hope my next couple projects end up as beautifully executed as they are in my head;)

A very Asian affair

This past Saturday I assisted my friend Paola of Just Chic Events. She was in need of a second assistant and I happily obliged.

Paola in action

Saturday's wedding was a multicultural affair. T+J are of Chinese and Korean descent. They had several activities that honored their cultural backgrounds such as a Chinese Tea Ceremony and a Korean Pyebaek in addition to a Traditional Western Wedding Ceremony.

The newly married T + J

My assistance was only needed for the reception. The reception was held at a Chinese Banquet Hall/Restaurant in Cerritos. The venue was surprisingly elegant with tall ceilings and rich wood paneling. This wedding was small by Asian standards with 180 guests. However, it was enough to keep Paola, Lindsay (her other assistant), and me busy. Dinner service included a 10 course Chinese Wedding Banquet served family style on lazy susans. The dance floor was packed with T + J's college friends and a few of their older relatives. All in all, it was a gorgeous event with many well-executed details.

I had fun working this event. Paola, if you need me again, don't hesitate to call;)

Here are some of my pics.

An overview of the room


Cake by Van's Bakery, Flower Decor by Flower Allie


Sweetheart Table- Florals by Flower Allie


Low Centerpiece with Table Number designed by a San Diego designer


Tall Centerpiece


Placecards designed by a San Diego designer & Guestbook Platform


My favorite kind of wedding favor - Candy Buffet

The end of an era

When I first starting posting on the knot last year, Janice was also a "newbie" to the boards. She is a part of the remarkable group of women that I constantly talk about. She is the last among our group to tie the knot. We have all had the privilege of watching her plan her wedding and have waited in anticipation with her for her Big Day. I especially have had some insider knowledge since I helped design much of her paper accessories.

photo by Katie Ryan

The wedding was in Santa Ynez Valley, California aka The Central Coast. The ceremony was held at the Mission Santa Ines. Although Janice and J.D. had opted for a traditional Catholic mass and ceremony, they added a small personal touch at the end of the ceremony. They exited with Mikey and Minnie Mouse Wedding ears!

photo by Katie Ryan

The reception was held at the Crossroads Estate at the Firestone Vineyards. It was picturesque and nestled in rolling hills. The reception was filled with many unique details Some of these personal touches were Simpsons escort cards and table numbers, Simpsons cake topper, frog picture frames as favors, and a Grand Entrance through fog to "Vader's Theme" from Star Wars. Janice and J.D. conceptualized and planned all these details. This made for a reception that was very "Janice & J.D."

Since they were both so creative, the only things I had a hand in can be found here.

the new Mr. & Mrs. JD R.

photo by Katie Ryan

Keren, me, Ali, Jordana, and Paola

Me, Ali & Wendy

Since it was a winery wedding, we all drank to our hearts content. I think these photobooth pics give a little idea of how much of a good time we all had.

For the truly curious, here's a slideshow of my pictures and a few pictures taken by Janice's sister-in-law Katie.



It was amazing to see all of Janice's ideas come to fruition and celebrate with her and JD. It was, however, bittersweet at the end of the night. Our group didn't have any more weddings. Then again, I guess we'll just have to come up with new reasons to celebrate. Either way, this wedding was memorable.

Congrats again to Janice and JD!

It's all about Janice;)

Saturday, April 23, 2008

After all the preparation, the day of Janice's Shower finally arrived. Wendy, Debra, Debra's husband Nate, Jordana, and I began setting up for the party. As I am not gifted in the kitchen, I left food prep to Wendy, Debra, and Jordana. My contribution to the food was a mixed berry salad that Rob made. I arranged the menagerie of flowers that I had purchased the day before at the Flower Mart.

Here is the day as told in pictures.

Janice - the guest of honor with the first of many cocktails.

Martha Stewart Favor Box with the tag I designed

Flower Arrangement with the Favor Boxes

The delicious spread

Cheese platter, Bruschetta, and Rob's Mixed Berry Salad

More Flower Madness

The Pink Lemonade Cocktail that was so strong that I only had 1 glass

Pomanders

What's a shower without gifts?

More Flower Love

Me, Wendy, & Joe

Janice & Jordana

Our shower hostesses Wendy and Debra decided to spare us the agony of too many boring shower games. No toilet paper dresses here! Thank God! Instead, we were split up into two teams and played "Janice Jeopardy". The questions were divided up into categories based on different periods of Janice's life. This allowed everyone to participate.

Wendy says, "Let the Games Begin!"

To keep things interesting, Janice had to play "Do you Really Know J.D.?". Among all the categories, there were 4 blank categories. If she selected a blank one, she had to wear a gag article of clothing. This game was also fun because it gave us all some additional insight into J.D. and his life.

Debra was in charge of Janice's trivia questions about J.D.

Jordana wants to know how anyone is supposed to know the answers to some of these questions.

When the games were done, Janice looked like this

Janice models her Disney Princess tiara, Big Mama Bra, Granny Panties, and Trailer Trash Bandanna

At the end of our game, we looked like this

Ernessa with her Victoria's Secret Lip Gloss

Carrie, Carrie, and Jennifer check out their winnings

Apparently, Joe like the lip gloss AND the bow that came with the box

After the game, there was dessert.

Leda's Cupcakes, Chocolate Covered Cheesecake Bites, and Jordana's Homemade Cannoli and Scones

Jordana is popping in to say "hi"

I'm trying to run away with the Leda's cupcakes

The Granny Panties made the rounds.

Joe decided to try them on.

... as did Michelle

Then Janice opened her gifts.

Janice got some sexy pieces in addition to her game prizes

Janice opens her gift. My co-paparazzi/ partner-in-crime snaps a pic

A Hula Hello Kitty in honor of her Hawaiian Honeymoon

She also received gifts from her registry

and some other things that no one else could appreciate;)

At the end of the night, we were all pooped. Janice was tipsy and happy. And, I'll take that as a sign that it was a good party.