Wedding Wednesdays: Something Blue

Let's face it. I'm 120% girly girl, maybe even more. I squeal at the sight of cute cupcakes. My heart is happy when I see cute bows. Striped ones make me happier. Ruffles make me and my heart excited. Sex and the City is my favorite show. But, Shoes. Shoes are my love. To me, shoes are the equivalent of cupcakes in a non-edible form. You get the point right? LOVE.

When I saw the blue Manolo Blahnik's that miss Carrie Bradshaw wore during her city hall wedding with Big, I died. A little piece of me died and went to shoe heaven because they were just so fabulous. And come on, I love all things fabulous. So much that sometimes my mother calls me fabulous. So after watching Sex and the City Movie over and over, plus the entire boxed set...I've decided that I wanted my something blue to be my shoes.

Below are my newest pair of fabulousness in shoe form. They're blue. They're high, and they have ruffles. They match perfectly with the sapphires in my engagement ring (another reason why I want my something blue to be my shoes) I won't be wearing these on my wedding day, but I am on a search for the perfect pair of blue shoes to wear on my big day!

But who knows, maybe...

"The Ultimate Single Gal, Gladys Jem will be married in Manolos to San Francisco Personal Trainer/Writer, Christopher James Allen come fall."

Happy Wednesday!

Me.

Chris has brought to my attention that I don't finish my glasses of water. EVER. This morning, I didn't finish my OJ. Seriously, bloggernet. There was a gulp left. I don't know what it is. It's not like I purposely drink most of my water or juice then all of a sudden stop when there is a bit left. I didn't even realize that I do it. I just do.

But then, I realized that it's probably just another one of those crazy things that I do. What crazy things? Oh. Like I have to check if the door is locked about 3 times before I get into bed. You might say, "I do that!" But do you open the door and rotate the knob to make sure it's actually locked instead of just looking at it to make sure it is locked? Or, Do you do this about 3 times because if you only do it once, you think something bad will happen. Oh yeah. I thought so.

Oh! Then there is also my routine before a movie starts. They have those commercials that say "it takes many calls to make a movie, and only one call to ruin a movie. please silence your cell phone now." This is when Chris laughs at me because I'll take my cell phone out and switch it from loud to silent. loud to silent. loud to silent. I do this about 3 times. Sometimes 6 when after 3 I feel like it's not really silent, and I make sure that it is silent so I don't ruin anyones movie experience. Especially the tall ginger man sitting next to me. He loves movies. He also likes to say, "make sure to silence your phone" after I've done it, in which I have to check again just to make sure.

Bloggernet. I promise I'm not crazy. I'm just considerate. I care for people's safety and their movie experiences. As for the water and OJ, maybe I'm just saving it for later. Or maybe I just like the look of a little bit of water or juice left in my glass. I don't know. Tomorrow i'll try drinking everything in my glass. I'll blog about it and let you know.

I don't have any pictures of me checking if the door is locked, or silencing my cell phone a gazillion times before a movie, or left over orange juice. But I do have a sneek peak of yesterdays engagement session. You'll have to wait for the rest. But all I gotta say is that Katie and AJ make me smile. So I bet they'll make you smile too!

2009

This year has been the most amazing year of my life. I cannot tell you how blessed I am to have experienced so many good things. I sometimes don't feel that I deserve all the good people/things that I'm surrounded with, but it feels great to know that I am doing something right. Every year. It just gets better, and better, and better.

I can't wait for what 2010 holds. The future is bright, and nothing is stopping me from continuing to follow my dreams. I wish I could see it all unfold before me, but the best part is the surprise :)

To end 2009, I have put together a slideshow of photos from fun, memorable events and good people that I've been so greatly blessed to be around. I love you all, and I wish you nothing but a fabulous New Year!

*please forgive me. some of the photos I just quickly grabbed from facebook so they are not the best quality. but here they are:

Wedding Wednesday: The Dress

First things first, I am not going to show you a picture of the dress. That would just be so stupid of me. If I wanted Chris to see it, I would just take him to Bridal Galleria and try it on for him to ask for his approval. But it doesn't work like that. He is not allowed to see it until November 19th, 2010. Some things are just worth waiting for ;)

Instead, I'll share with you the story. Earlier this month, Bridal Galleria announced a Jim Hjelm Trunk Show. When I received the email announcement, I immediately emailed my bridal party for a "let's search for my perfect wedding dress at the perfect jim hjelm trunk show" meeting. Ever since I got engaged, I have been stalking the Jim Hjelm website and have fallen madly in love with the dresses. I told myself that I'd have a Jim Hjelm wedding dress. No questions asked.

But I forgot. I forgot that sometimes, some relationships just don't work out. By relationships I mean, Jim and I weren't clicking. It was sad. I almost broke down right then and there. In the fitting room. In front of my mother, Hailey the consultant (best consultant EVER!), Sarah, and my Sister. I was disappointed when I realized I wasn't going to rock a Jim Hjelm dress on my wedding day. But you know what, when one door closes....Another one opens. And that other door is called Romona Keveza.

Romona and I clicked. We clicked a couple of times in fact. Many of the dresses that gave me the butterflies were Romona Keveza. One in particular was this stylish gown with an art deco design that made me feel so fabulous. Its from her Legends collection, and it is beautiful. So beautiful that I could have married myself. I seriously would have walked the miles to City Hall and married myself that day. It was just that good.

*photo from InStyle magazine

My heart was set on this dress. I wanted it. My mother loved it. And trust me, my mom made a lot of funny faces during the 20 something dresses I tried on :) Then Hailey did the unthinkable. She brought in one last dress for the heck of it. She's all "Here's one more, you don't have to try it on. But if you want you can!" And of course, I did. I mean HELLO, I love wedding dresses. I wish I could wear one everyday. So I just had to try it on. And party people, when I tried it on... It gave me this magical feeling and it whispered sweet nothings to my body. I think I heard Spice Girls "Two Become One" in the background when Hailey zipped it up. Just sayin ;) I think I also screamed something along the lines of, "Yes! I said Yes to the Dress!" Please don't judge me. I was excited.

I loved the dress I was originally going to get, but I am in-love with the one that I ended up getting. Who would have thought that I'd find THE DRESS that cold day in December. I am glad that Jim Hjelm and I didn't work out. It was for the best. I can't wait to walk down the aisle in my dress, and for Chris to see it!

Lastly, I have my parents to thank. If it weren't for them, I wouldn't be wearing my dream wedding dress on my big day. Thanks Mom and Dad for making the trip out there to help me find/get the dress of my dreams! Love you both!

As for photos of the dress, you'll just have to wait until late November to see!

Happy Wednesday!

*Next week on Wedding Wednesday: My something blue!

Also: Future brides in the SF area. Make sure you check out Bridal Galleria when searching for a wedding dress. It's just lovely. Make sure to also ask for Hailey. She is the best consultant evaaa!

Baby Bump: Sarah and James

Funny, down to earth, and in love. Absolutely, positively, unconditionally in love. Those are the three words that best describe Sarah and James to me, and I couldn't be more in love with who they are. In January, they are expecting their first child. And I was honored when they asked me to take their maternity photos.

They want to be surprised with the sex of the baby, but I think it's going to be a handsome little guy. I just know it. But if I'm wrong, then we know it will be a beautiful little girl! Which I hope they'll name Gladys ;) Jokes jokes! But I am just so excited for their baby to come into the world. Well, because he or she is going to be loved so much by Sarah and James. Seriously. When you are around Sarah and James, you'll want them to adopt you. They are just that great, and so full of love. I mean hello, they got me a latte before the session! Awesome with a capital A! Times 5.

Sarah and James: Thank you for letting me into your home to take these photographs. I think the world of you both. You truly will make wonderful parents, and I can't wait to meet your baby in the New Year. Enjoy these pictures! Xoxo

Baby Manual. I lurrrve it.

Can you believe this lighting? Perfection!

Best book ever!!!

have you seen a more beautiful bump?

I love this one, and I know it means a lot to Sarah

Ok, seriously. I am in love with couples who look at each other just like this.

My goal: To look this amazing when I'm pregnant. You're absolutely beautiful Sarah!

Click here for a slideshow :)

Sneak Peek: Baby Bump

Today is Christmas Eve. And this morning I spent it shooting a beautiful couple that I am deeply fond of. In January, they will be receiving the best gift they could ever ask for, a baby! Yay!

Here is a sneak peek for you. I obviously won't be blogging for the next couple of days because of the Holidays. But I thought I'd share a lil somethin somethin ;)

Happy Holidays!!!

Wedding Wednesday: The Cupcakes

They're sweet. They're cute. They are fun size like myself, but better. They are CUPCAKES. Everyone knows about my love affair with the cutest cakes in all the land. In fact. If I had never met Chris, I would probably marry a cupcake. That my friends, is true love and devotion. But because I did meet Chris, I get to have the best of both worlds. And all I gotta say is that it's a sweet, sweet world.

For our wedding, Chris and I have decided to nix the wedding cake. Instead, we're going for my second true love. Cupcakes! Yep, cupcakes. An endless tier of cupcakes. Ok not endless, but there will be a ton. The lady at Sift where we had a cupcake tasting last month, said that 1 person averages about 1.5 cupcakes. But she clearly doesn't know me well enough. Because 1.5 for me isn't going to cut it. Especially if i'm diggin the flava flav. Dontchaknow?

We've decided to go to Sift Cupcakery for our Cupcakes. The flavors we've decided for our big day are as follows:

Pink Champagne- Fresh Raspberry Cake w/ Champagne Frosting

Ooh La La- Red Velvet Cake w/ Cream Cheese Frosting

Snickerdoodle - Vanilla Cake w/ Cream Cheese Frosting Covered w/ Cinnamon Sugar

My mouth is watering just thinking about it. Yes, it's 9:25 and I want cupcakes. I'm a cupcake-a-holic. If you can't find me on my wedding day, I guarantee I'll be at the cupcake stand. Just sayin.

Happy Wednesday!

Totally Rad!

Two things:

1. I finished my last class ever on Thursday night. No more signing up for classes. No more 1st days of school. No more tests. No more essays. No more SCHOOL! I graduate in May after a 12 week long internship in the spring. Can you believe it? It seems just like yesterday when I moved into my dorm room, now I'm done with classes forever. and ever. and ever. I'm all grown up, and ready to party ;)

2. If you click on this link, you'll see my name. Why? Because I got lucky! Oh so so so lucky! and I won a free seat to Chenin Boutwell's Style Lab Workshop! Oh party people, I've been dying to go to another workshop since Jasmine's in November. And I am so blessed to have won a free seat to Chenin's in January. Word on the street from one of my lovely photog friends, that Chenin's workshop is probably one of the best she's ever attended. And to top it off, I also won a camera strap from my funky camera. Hootie hoooooooo! Sure I entered for a chance to win, but the best part is that for every comment they receieve, they donate a dollar to NILMDTS! Totally Rad or what? ;) Thanks TRA for giving me the chance to go and a camera strap to boot!

Oh and last thing, here is a sneaka peeka of Chris' work. Yes, people! He is a photographer now. He quit his job at Equinox and is starting his own photog business called "I am better than my fiance" photography! :)

Ok, he didn't really quit. HE IS STILL A PERSONAL TRAINER! But isn't he good? I've taught him well.

Happy Saturday Loves!

Wedding Wednesday - Our Photographer

At Thanksgiving, Chris cousin Michelle mentioned her friend's blog which had a Wedding Wednesday feature. And I thought to myself, Wow! Why didn't I think of that? This girl gets major cool points for being so cool.

So in honor of Michelle's friends coolness, I am going to do my own little wedding wednesday feature. In which I will share with you details of my wedding which will be in exactly 338 days. Yes, my fiance and I count down. We're in love like that. But besides that, I'll also be sharing other wedding details which I hope will be an inspiration to future brides. So here it goes, my first wedding wednesday.

I've thought hard and long about what detail I'll share with you first. And I've come to the conclusion that because I am a photographer, I'd share with you who will be capturing our special day. It's still a bit unreal to me because when Chris and I got engaged, we knew who we wanted to photograph our wedding. At least I for sure did ;) We just didn't think it would actually happen.

The fabulous photographer who will be spending our big day with us is Jasmine Star. You should have known who it was after reading the word fabulous, but it's ok. I forgive you. Everyone and their mom knows how much I adore Jasmine's work. I've followed her since the day I clicked on her name on wedding cabaret because it sounded cool. And that she is, and more.

The short story: Chris contacted her behind my back and asked if she was available on November 5th, 2010 (Our first initial date) And she was booked. So Chris lets me know of this breaking news and I go online searching for other photographers that we could possibly get in contact with. I even posted a blog post here asking people for suggestions. But somewhere between all the searching, I texted Chris and I said "We need to have a talk, I really really really want Jasmine to be our photographer." So then. Over salads at Plutos, we came to the conclusion that we had to have Jasmine photograph our wedding. Right then and there he busted out his iPhone and sent her an email asking her what available dates she had for November. And that my friends, is how we decided on our date for November 19th, 2010. We are the only people I know that have decided on their wedding date based on the photographer's availability. 100 Brownie points for us.

Chris knows just how much I love photography, and how important it was for me to have a photographer that I really loved to capture our big day. Chris loves her too, so we are definitely excited to have her and her husband JD with us in Sonoma for our wedding. We know our photos will be nothing but fun, fresh, and fabulous ;)

*This photo was taken when I attended Jasmine's workshop in November

Happy Wednesday!

Just Dance Monday!

Hello Blog World! I hope all of you are having a wonderful Monday, and that your week is shaping up to be nothing but fantastic!

Tonight, Chris and I are going to see Lady Gaga in concert. I might not be a fan of Lady Gaga's crazy antics, but I LOVE LOVE LOVE her voice and music. She's a talented one, no doubt. I love it so much that I secretly dedicate at least 10 minutes of my day to a dance party by myself w/ her music playing loudly. Afterall, Just Dance. Riightt? Chris loves it too. He's never said that he loves it, but below is video proof...



This was a couple of months ago, but you can clearly see how Chris just loves singing and sit dancing to Lady Gaga's music. He rocks it even more than I do. Ellen will probably choose him over me to have a duet in the bathroom for her bathroom concert series. It's ok though, I know I'm the better dancer at the end of the day. I'm also better at Doodle Jump w/ a high score of 35,102

HAPPY MONDAY! and remember...Just Dance!