"Yes", Pt1

To every picture there is a story!!

This is my story, entitled "When I Said Yes".

I was completely surprised but I will save the details for Part II.

Swan...S.T.D!!

Swan is here!!! Finally :-)

A few weeks ago, I wrote a post named the "Ugly Duckling" about our Save-The Dates (failed) packaging (here). Then I went over the different types of Save-The-Dates (here). I couldn't wait to share our Save-The-Dates but was having problems uploading it to blogger, but I think it may have finally worked.

Briefing: The most rewarding part of the DVD for me was the beginning. It took nearly two hours to figure out the program and learn it so I can incorporate it in the DVD (though it was only 10 seconds long :-). At a later point if enough people are interested, I will include a tutorial on how to get it done. Please disregard the fuzzy video, it was the best our webcam was able to offer. Without further ado, here is a mini-version of our DVD.

I just had to!! Who doesn't love Chicken Little? :-) by the way I had collectibles for a while..ssshhhh!!!

Well, that was the STD!!!

If you created a Save-The-Date or going to, how do you plan on personalizing it? or how did you personalize it?

FootPrint

A quick post because it's that simple!!


http://www.kaufda.de/umwelt/carbon-neutral/how-you-can-join/

Just a few easy steps to make it green:

1. Write a blog post about the initiative + insert your favourite button
2. E-mail the link to your post to CO2-neutral@kaufda.de
3. We plant a tree for your blog in Plumas’!

Leave a footprint...plant a tree!...make a difference!!

It's just Stamps!

Getting ready to send out the invites!!!

I have my avery address labels printed and ready to put them on the envelopes, then I take a second look at my pretty silver/metallic envelopes. The thought of putting those pasty white labels on the envelopes didn't look too great.

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Why am I thinking? I am almost done! Just put the labels on...sigh! Even if I get the clear labels, it would have still felt impersonal; I reach for the nearest pen and I start writing on the envelopes one at a time. 

Envelopes stuffed, hand written addresses (which looks more personable), and now I just need to add stamps. Since the cards weighed more than 1 ounce, postage for each invitation would cost $0.64. Wedding cake very cliche but it gets the job done.

At least I thought until I went to the post office and the above $0.64 stamp is now $0.61. No big deal at first until I saw the $0.03 option:

It looks much better in the picture above, trust! Well, lets see what else is available; I liked the "Go Green" concept until I saw how green indeed it was:

Then came the "Love" stamp which I liked but couldn't wait to see the add on's ($0.20 or $0.10), finally I picked out what seemed as the best combo:

 Love meets time :-)

I know its just stamps, but even the smallest detail as the stamp mattered! Figured I would enjoy these details for now because I'm sure as the days get closer I might throw in the towel on ANY wedding detail(s).

All the above stamp pictures were from USPS.com.

Poly Love!..Engagement Pics

Poly <3 means dress up!

It's about that time for our engagement shoot! We wanted to take our pictures about a month before the wedding; it may seem late but we didn't want our pics for our save-the-dates or website. I have been waiting for months to reveal our mini theme and I have been having tons of fun putting it together. Since it's nearing, I can begin sharing without giving it all away.

Now time to play dress up!!

Look number 1:

I will share my other looks with you soon. This look isn't complete yet but it's a start. By the way, if you want to have fun mixing and matching check out Polyvore.com. Trust this is just one of my faves, will post more neat websites soon :-).


So what do you think of the first look so far?  What do you think I should add?

Nutshell...

All in a nutshell!! My theme song for the next few weeks :-)

Need I say more? :-)

Day ___...No Meat!

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I was suppose to write a thirty (30) day review but was in between trying to figure out whether I wanted to continue or call it quits. Well, it has been sixty (60) days with no meat, and I feel great!

I’ve been asked some of the same questions during this process, so I wanted to share (a few):

Why did you stop eating meat, was it to lose weight for the wedding?

“Yes and no. I stopped eating meat to kick off my weight loss goal. The plan was for 30 days, a way to give my organs a rest from the process of digesting meat. It was also a way to help me make better food choices. The wedding was a motivation but the idea was to make it a life altering changes.

Is your fiancé participating?

“The only participation I get is: “wow babe you did good, I’m proud of you, now can you hand me the blue cheese for my hot wings?”. He’s a meat lover, I wasn’t expecting him to join. Though he jokes around about it, he is aware of my decision and tries to help in other ways. For example, he will contact a restaurant before we go out to ensure they have adequate choices for me to choose from.

Was it easy to follow through?

“Yes, because I rarely ate red meat prior to this, I would eat poultry from time to time. However, the first 30 days was the hardest, I had meat cravings, which was crazy because I barely ate meat before. After the first 30 days I became more disciplined, I don’t have the urge to eat it when I see it.”

Do you plan to continue after the wedding?

“Well, the plan is to make it a lifestyle not a phase.”

Have you lost weight?
“No, the minute I stopped eating meat the second my sweet tooth spiked up, I baked dessert every weekend during this process (smile). I’m sure if I was working out I would have noticed a difference.”

Cons from this process:

•   It’s expensive, have you seen the price of produce or veggie meat.
•  Busy schedule sometimes require fast food; fast food…umm not many choices, fries! (Not a fan of fast food but at times a 5-piece nugget went a long way until my next meal.)
• Careful monitoring to ensure I get all my nutrients.
• It’s expensive, just in case you missed it the first time.

Benefits from this process:

• I don't feel sluggish.
• It's easier for me to make healthier food choices.
• I am more disciplined.
• More conscious of what I put in my body (aside from sweets :-)
• Increased interest in fighting against animal cruelty.
• Helping the environment
• Increased my creativity for recipes.
• Started a new his/her diet blog (cooking for a vegetarian and a meat-lover in one kitchen).

I was hoping I would be able to add clearer skin to the list above but it has been counteracted by my stress level.

I really enjoy the feeling of not being a prisoner to particular types of foods. I am currently researching more on vegetarianism and have fallen within the debate of what a vegetarian diet should consist. For now I am a Pescetarian because I eat fish from time to time (at least once a week).  

There is so much more I can share but will leave for a later post (don’t want this to be a 3 page post :-). I will keep you posted on my progress and findings.

One thing is for sure, I am not quite quipped to become VEGAN! At least not now!


If you are vegetarian/vegan, how was  your transition?

Converseology

***Warning: PICTURE HEAVY***

On our way to Jeju Island.

Dear Mr. Chucks,

Saying your name alone makes me chuckle. You have seen me through many journeys and back. You kept my feet warm during those winter moments and comfy during those long walks. You have seen as many places I have and were there for me though out is all. Because of this, I want you to be part of my special day.  Sadly, the Fiancé is a Nike fan and there is no way anyone would wear Nike at the wedding but I wouldn’t mind you Mr. Chucks, because your special.

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The groomsmen are not wearing you but maybe I can have the little boys bring you along. As for me, I would love to but it won’t go according to plan if I use the other dress (must wait and see).  

We have so many more memories but I can only fit so many.  This is for you Mr. Chucks!!

Us in Dubai

In Italy

In Hong Kong

No worries Mr. Chucks, if you don’t make it on the wedding day, you sure will come for the honeymoon.  I know you will like the ride and sight!!

Well said...Advice

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“Most couples spend more time planning their weddings than their marriages!”

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Pastor Samuel M. Dade (Patmos Chapel SDA) mentioned how many couples go to him seeking marriage counseling however, a date has already been set.  He states, couples as such have it all backwards. Premarital counseling should be done prior to setting a date and couples make a decision there after. As he said, I guess my fiancé and I just needed a stamp of approval and not counseling because we too had it all backwards.

It makes sense but did I think of it in that manner? No, I did not.  I am not oblivious to the fact that all marriages have their problems and issues, but I think the approach of how a situation is handled is what separates one marriage from another.

I thought the advice was very true and wanted to share; we may have had it wrong but this is just the beginning of our journey.  We pray to always love and put God first and then we will remember to love each other.  If interested in looking further, get a copy of “The Five Languages of Love” by Dr. Gary Chapman, I’m sure you will enjoy it whether you are in a relationship or not.

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Well, happy marriage to all those married or planning!!!

Did you seek counseling or would you consider it?

A Web Page

Weeks ago I wrote about, actually I vented off about my frustration with completing our wedding website (here). Well we have a winner!! I still have a few minor changes but I wanted to share the update. Since I was in between the black screen and going lighter, I went in between. See for yourself:

Thanks to those that had given their input/suggestions.

For Mom(s)!

No words or day can express my gratitude to my mother. To the strongest woman I know, I love you mom!

"There is no love, like a mother's love,

no stronger bond on earth...

like the precious bond that comes from God,

to a mother, when she gives birth.

A mother's love is forever strong,

never changing for all time...

and when her children need her most,

a mother's love will shine.

God bless these special mothers,

God bless them every one...

for all the tears and heartache,

and for the special work they've done.

When her days on earth are over,

a mother's love lives on...

through many generations,

with God's blessings on each one.

Be thankful for our mothers,

for they love with a higher love... 

from the power God has given, 

and the strength from up above"

My God sent rock & strength 

Happy Mothers Day to All Women!!

Announcing It!

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He/she pops the question, the date is set, then there is the announcement; not Facebook :-). When it came down to putting our friends and family in the loop, we had a variety of choices but in the end it was about what suited us best. I will let the pictures speak for themselves:

First up are the Cards:

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Photo Cards:

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Magnets:

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Postcards:

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Stickers (my least favorite):

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Okay, so maybe I sort of like the one

 below!

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Electronic/Digital (my fave):

No pic!

Finally my fave is the electronic Save-the-Date, some call it tacky, I, on the other hand think it’s a great way to save trees, grasses, rags, kenaf and/or hemp :-).  Sending it electronically will still be on the end of the rope and considered improper etiquette until a renowned individual coins it as being cool and/or everyone can access email.

Well, for our save-the-dates we didn’t go with any paper options but did an electronic save-the-date since I am a wanna-be techy (story for a different post). We didn’t send it via email because not EVERYONE has access or can access the internet but it was in a form of a DVD. Though some parts of the video were a little sketchy, I didn’t let it bother me much because I reminded myself this was an informal announcement until the formal invitations.

Our choices so far have made us out of the norm but that’s the whole point, it’s about us! On the other hand, if we didn’t go digital, we would have definitely picked any of the above with a PICTURE!!

If you had the choice, which option would you go with? or if you already did your save-the-dates, which option did you go with?

School's Out!

SIIIGGGGHHH!.......A big sigh of relief! Now that I'm done with the semester, I can get back into my plan mode without having to divide my time :-)

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I had plenty of ideas and projects to get into for the wedding but they were just scattered ideas and plans. The minute I shut those books, the ideas just started coming into place. I was able to sort out which one's I was going to keep and which I had to forgo. Well, my fiancee wouldn't agree, he thinks I'm being too complex with all the ideas I have been working on for the past six months. But hey..its my wedding, I mean our wedding!

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I can't wait to share the ideas and projects, a few would have to wait till after the wedding because I don't want to spill all the beans; I don't want my guests to know it all prior to the day. But I will have the posts written and scheduled for release the weekend of the wedding, so be on the look out.

That's all for now, time to add entries :-)