Bon Voyage

Sept 28 is finally here.... and after such a long week DH and I are off to the airport this morning to start the first leg of our honeymoon - a family event in DC.

Sunday night we then start the second leg - we fly to Munich for Oktoberfest.

And from there, on to Italy, which I know will be a bit of an emotional trip this time around.

So, bon voyage - see you all in October ;)

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!