In memory / 9.24.12

I can't believe that time has flown by so fast - that somehow DH and I are leaving for the first leg of our honeymoon on Friday, how 72 hours has changed my life yet again.

1986

This morning at 2:30 my grandma passed away. Part of me can't believe that this is the second time in 5 months that I've lost a grandparent. I keep wishing that this wasn't real, but sadly this is real.

My grandma was an amazing woman. She always put her family first - whether it was working during the depression rolling tamales or making almond roca in a factory and giving all the money to her parents, to taking care of both sets of her parents when they became ill, to moving down to be closer to her mom so she could walk to visit her every day.

My grandparents on one of their many trips to Hawaii

My grandparents were married for almost 65 years when my grandpa passed away in 2007 and he was her entire world. I have never seen two people more devoted to each other, or who loved each other so much, even in life and death.

I can't ever remember her being angry or sad when growing up. Whenever we were sick as kids, her and grandpa would be the first ones to come over and keep us company. She and my grandpa were always in the front row for every sporting event, graduation, and major milestone in our lives.

One Christmas at a cousins house

Although the past few years have not been easy my grandma was still always happy to see us. She always remembered my mom, always teased my dad for the color of his beard, and  always insisted that I was such a nice pretty girl.

While I imagine the next few days will not be easy, I can hopefully try and console myself that she is finally happy with my grandpa again - the one thing she's always wanted since December 14 2007.

These words - these few, simple words... I wish I could put down on paper everything - but how do you sum up 28 years of love and appreciate for one person? I'm not quite sure you can. But - I am thankful and grateful that I was able to tell her this before she left us.

To my grandma, thank you so much for everything you have taught me. I will miss you so much but carry you with me every day.

Love,
Laura

Falling for autumn

First off, as today being September 11 I think we should all take a moment and just pause to remember what happened on this day 11 years ago. I can tell you exactly where I was, what I was wearing... so to those who lost their lives and to everyone affected, I will not forget.

September is already 1/3 over. I can't believe DH and I have been married for a month. We leave for our honeymoon in 19 days (still doesn't feel real). We finally purchased a new point and shoot to take with us and I'm already thinking about having to pack two suitcases and leave one in DC since we'll be back 6 weeks later for another bar mitzvah.

Autumn is definitely in the air in San Francisco - I'm starting to think we might not have a summer afterall here. But I'm loving sweaters, boots, and skinny jeans.

Sweater from target

I got this adorabe fox sweater from my mom for my birthday. I thin he's pretty cute. Although someone though he looked like a cat, I don't mind that either.


Skirt: JCrew, Sweater: Gap, Denim shirt: Nordstroms

I also think yesterday was the last day to wear my floral print skirt (and also, the weatherman lied. it was not 70 degrees yesterday) so this sweater became my best friend yesterday. And it has elbow pads! Another thing I love, elbow pads. 

I also have to say that I think OPI's You don't know Jacques is my new perfect nail color. And really, I have all 5 fingers. It's a great neutral that I'll probably wear all autumn and the first bottle of nail polish I ran out and bought in ages.

This past weekend I also went through my wardrobe and reorganized everything. I'm glad that I can now see exactly what I already own because really, honestly, I don't need any more clothes any time soon. Except for maybe a striped long sleeve shirt to replace the ones that finally wore out. My next thing to tackle - my sock drawer. Because for some reason, they all don't seem to match.

Anyway. Here's to autumn, and the return of cozy sweaters, boots, football Sundays, and family.

The honeymoon wishlist

Sometime last year when DH and I decided that we were going to go to Europe for our honeymoon I decided to start stashing a bit of money aside to buy myself something fabulous. Because lets face it - everything is mostly cheaper in Europe (and there's that awesome thing called the VAT that us non-Europeans get to claim on our way home).

I'm torn - part of me wants to get something that I can only get in Italy - but the other part of me wants to use this opportunity to get something grand.

So... for now... here's what I'm considering.

Via Hermes.com

The Hermes enamel bangle. I don't own one. I think they are gorgeous. And why not commemorate my honeymoon with something fantastic and Hermes that I can always wear? I particularly like this one. And it's a savings if I buy it in Italy vs the US. Hermes Grand Apparat enamel bracelet online.

Via Ferragamo.com

One of the first things that comes to mind when I think of Italy (besides the food) is fine Italian shoes. And well, who can beat Ferrgamo? I'm fairly sure I've been eying these for years. These are the Varina flats - I know they also come with a bit of a heel and then a full heeled version. Love. There's bows. And leather. And ribbon. I mean, Ferragamo really knows the way to a woman's heart. Buy here at Ferragamo.com.

It would really be Italian without mentioning Prada. Oh Prada, I really do love you. And since I don't have a nice wallet anymore, this kinda tugs at my heart strings a little big. Saffiano leather plus a tri color interior? LOVE. The only problem with this is .... what color? Purchase at prada.com.

There are some other ideas I have floating around... perhaps a Hermes or Ferragamo silk scarf. Or maybe a small cameo from the Ponte Vecchio. But... I'd love to hear your thoughts! What would you get on your honeymoon?

And so it's not all talk... a few snapshots of the long weekend.

Bride & groom index at City Hall

View of SF from an observation deck

Checking off a new beer for the last day of August

Hope you all had a great weekend!

29 before 29.

As Thursday and another year in my birthday belt notch grows I decided to put something down in writing about what I'd like to accomplish in my 28th year. So, I've compiled a list of the 29 things I'd like to do before I turn 29.

In no particular order....

1.  Read a minimum of 30 books.
2.  Spend less, shop my closet more.
3.  Take more photos.
4. Dedicate more time and effort to the blog.
5. Make homemade pasta and sauce.
6.  Go to a new city where I haven't been before.
7.  Volunteer for more shifts at the holiday window display for the SF SPCA.
8. Less time inside, more time outside.
9. Join a sports team/bowling league/sign up for ice skating lessons.
10. Bike across the golden gate bridge.
11. Take a how to make a terraneum class with my mom.
12. Take a photo every day for 30 straight days.
13. Go to the symphony with DH.
14. Learn to fix/sew a button.
15. Try a new beer once a month.
16. Go fruit/pumpkin picking.
17. Hike Angel Island.
18. Get as close as I can to the city where my grandpa was born in Italy.
19. Bake at least once a month with the new kitchen aid mixer.
20. Go gokarting with my family.
21. Define my style better.
22. Visit the Italian American museum in the presidio.
23. Organize and play a bocce ball day.
24. Be nicer to my cuticles (so I can finally have nice manicures...)
25. Take a spontaneous drive.
26. Make a new friend.
27. Make a stranger's day
28. Clean and reorganize my wardrobe AND keep it up (for longer than a week).
29. Exercise more and eat better.

And so this isn't totally boring, my outfit for today. I picked this necklace up on Monday and just adore it.

jeans: banana republic, blouse: jcrew, necklace: h&m, blazer: frenchi

necklace details

Well, that's it for now! On the eve of my 29th I feel... good. :)

Birthday wishlist

So the end of August is approaching us and that means one thing (besides labor day..) my birthday! As I inch one more year closer to 30 I figured I'd compile a little list of things that I wouldn't mind unwrapping on August 30.

Banana republic stripe point skirt. I love stripes. And I adore skirts. I saw this in store when it was just released and I made a beeline for it. I've also seen it in a white/blue stripe and I tend to lean more toward that, but there's nothing wrong with green!

J Crew shrunked blazer in embroided plaid. It's no secret that I kinda have a blazer problem. And well, plaid - what negative things can I say about plaid? Actually, to be honest, I'd go gaga for this entire outfit. But lets just say for the sake of someone's wallet that I'd really dig the jacket.

Jon Josef cat loafers. If you haven't already taken note, I'm kinda a crazy cat lady. Even though we only have one, she's my BFF. And when a friend sent me these, well, my little crazy cat lady heart almost exploded over the sheer cuteness of these. Total want. And if you want the luxury version, go here

Lands end striped blazer. See, I mentioned I had a think for blazers. And this has stripes. And it's 25% off using code Devotion & pin 5580 on their website right now. I think it's a great alternative to the J Crew striped maritime blazer that I missed out on in this colorway.

Well... a short list for this year but that's about it. :) I'm trying to still stash some cash for something special on our honeymoon in... 5.5 weeks.

What's on your wish list for this summer (or birthday)?

Wedding week wrap-up (with some pics!)

Holy wow, what a whirlwind the past week has been. I can't believe that August 11 has already come and gone - but it was by far the best and most fun party of my life.

Thursday we got our marriage license at city hall and then we parted ways to the spa. For the first time ever I fell asleep during a massage. I had dinner with my parents and sister at home and then snuggled up with Rosie until FH got home.

Friday I was stressed and running all over. I had to pick up our rings at the jeweler, accidentally stopped into gap with their 40% off (oops) and had our rehersal and rehersal dinner. It was so much fun to see all of our family at dinner - especially all of the members who came from out of town. I was gifted a beautiful pin from FH's grandmother and my sister also gave me a sapphire ring so that we can start our own traditions. My sister spent the night with me on Friday and we watched some say yes to the dress before hitting the hay.

Wedding day polish color - Hippo to be square

Saturday - the big day! As an early morning prep my sister, bridesmaids, and mom got our nails done. From there we headed straight to the venue for hair and makeup. By 3PM the photographers were there and soon I was in my dress. And then the day just flew.

My grandpa's pocket watch that Dave carried

Dave and I decided to do a first look to get some of the nerves out of the way but also to give us ample time to take photos and I'm so glad we did. It was incredibly emotional - all of our family was watching from a floor below us and just to hug him was amazing. We took lots of photos with our wedding party and then took some around our venue just the two of us. We even jumped on a cable car that stopped for us.

The ceremony flew by and was extremely emotional as well. I became a teary blobby mess when we mentioned our grandparents who had passed on. After DH stepped on the glass we high fived and everyone told us that's so Laura and Dave after. We danced until 11, hit the hotel after party with some family and friends, and then got to bed around 1AM. And yes, I stayed in my dress until it was bedtime!

Sunday was family brunch and visiting with family and later that evening we headed down to Carmel for two nights (thanks mom & dad!). Since we aren't going on our honeymoon right away it was great to have two days to ourselves. We went wine tasting, went on lots of walks, had a picnic, walked the beach, checked out a car show, and had the most amazing Greek food I've ever had in my life.

And now... life is slowly returning to normal: pre-wedding planning normal. I'm not going to lie - Sunday and Monday I was a little sad to think that this huge event we had been planning for months was now over. But I'm still happy that everyone had fun and that it went off with just a few minor hitches.

My advice? Decide what's important to you - for us it was the venue and photographer. Also, look for ways to save money. I made all of the escort cards myself with pre-cut cards from Paper Source and silver pens. The total cost for 203? 58.00. I also used a lot of vendors off etsy for jewelry, wedding gifts, and our cake topper.

Bottom of our cake topper

 Make sure you take a few minutes every so often on your big day to just take a breath and look around because it does go by SO fast. But have fun. :)

Engagement ring & wedding band

My little decorated car

Some of my etsy picks (not endorsed by any of them, just LOVE what they created for my big day!)

Cake topper: Dances with Clay
Thank you cards for bridesmaids, my parents, & card for Dave: MD Cards & Gifts
Baseball cufflinks for grooms gift: Sports Cufflinks
Necklaces for bridal party: Three Black Cats
Hand stamped cake forks: Whimsical Heartstrings
Ring dish: Promise Pottery
Embroidered hankerchiefs for mom & dad: Inspired Stitches
Bridal hanger: Rachel Walter

 More pics to come!

J Crew/Old Navy/Banana Republic Sale wrap up

I thought that I was going to be a bit better in August, with the wedding this weekend and all. But for some reason I think it just led me to shop more. ;)

Rounding out the summer sales here's what i picked up ....

Old Navy:

I have to say that I was really impressed by the stuff that Old Navy churned out (hence half my outfit today is from there). The white buttondown was about 12 and the polka dot sweater was 16. In addition to this sweater I also got the one in navy with the heart (awesome cheaper alternative to the J Crew heart tippi) and white with black polka dots. My Old Navy still has these in stock so check stores. Otherwise, similar colors online here. I also picked up the chambray dotted blouse and a dotted tank top in store.

J Crew:
Oh Crew. How I love you. But I love your sale prices even more. I went in store to try some items online and I'm really glad I did. Lesson 1: sequins on a tank top don't do anything for me. Lesson 2: I'm seriously starting to love green.
My picks:
Perfect shirt in anchors & horseshoes - I took a size 6 in this, one size down. I adore the color. It's supposed to arrive tomorrow and if the weather is nice I'll wear it out with a blazer and white jeans tomorrow.
Optic-dot boatneck t - I was half expecting to hate this, but when I put it on I went OOOOH. So this came home with me, too.
Anchors aweigh t - what's not to love about little anchors on a white t? I'm so glad I nabbed this - I had been eying it in store.
Sperry topsides in cerise - Sperrys are really cute. And I couldn't resist on this color. On weekends I always have this dilemma where I feel as though I don't have any basic shoes that aren't dress flats to wear to the office or beat up tennis shoes, so I'm hoping that the sperrys can give me something new to wear.
Factory critter necklace in giraffe - It's a giraffe, and it's adorable. Enough said. ;)

Banana Republic:
I was wooed in by your 40% off until 1PM on Saturday. I'm glad I did.
Bow sweater - can I just say how cute this is? And the price was cheaper in store PLUS an additional 40% off. Nope, no feeling guilty on this one! I nabbed the cocoon color because I figured it'd be a great neutral to pair with any skirt or pants.
Navy sateen one button blazer - another item whose price was much cheaper in store. Have you noticed that I kinda have a blazer addiction? Well, I do. But I've been needing a new navy one so voila. Came to about 52.00.

Banana republic scotty cap toe flats - check stores. I think I paid 19 for these total. Best score of the whole day.

Wowza! And that's a lot of clothes. I've been trying to weed out my wardrobe as well from items that just don't fit anymore to things I never reach for.

And since wedding week is upon us I'll try and snap some photos as the week progresses and update on Friday before the big day. :)