Zero sit-ups

I started Jenny Craig on June 4, and to date, I've lost 10 pounds! (When I reported 8 pounds in an earlier posting, I realized the scale was inaccurate.) But my awesome JC consultant has confirmed my weight loss. Woo hoo!

This week, I started boot camp with KOI Fitness to up the ante. They offer a one week trial for free and then you pay for the remaining of the session (4 days a week, 6:00-7:00am, for 6 weeks). The first day (Monday), we did intervals of distance running and isometrics (like exploding frog leaps) and ab work. On Tuesday, we had a fitness testing (like high school PE days). I surprised myself by doing 25 push-ups, but was thoroughly disappointed to do ZERO sit-ups.  (No cheating allowed, you had to keep your feet firmly planted on the ground and use your fingertips to touch your partners' fingertips just above your knee cap). 

The other folks in my cohort have been doing the boot camp for at least one to two sessions, so I felt a little better. After all, if you start at the bottom, you can only go up, right?

At the end of the 6 weeks, I had better be able to do at least 15 sit-ups!

Decorating our exposed beams

Renting market lights (golf-sized bulbs *swoon*) is $1 a foot from Impact Lighting SF...so I am extremely tempted to shell out a little dough to make this look happen (as seen on Hi-Fi Weddings):

(Real Wedding - Photo seen on Hi-Fi Weddings)

(Sebastiani Winery Wedding - Photo by Megan Clouse Photography)

Inspiration #83: Sharing is caring

In all your wedding planning, did you think ahead to how your friends will share photos with you after the wedding? Most go the route of tagging pics in Facebook, but how about opening an online photo sharing account just for your wedding photos. Here's a nice way to ask your guests to do so (thanks, Chica and Jo!): print business sized cards with the link to the photo sharing site. The camera box is adorable!

DIY: Our invitation

I know I've been saying I was going to send our invitations electronically, but when I saw Martha Stewart's Heirloom Ornament invitation sets for $7.99 (set of 50), I couldn't resist.

Here's what it's looking like so far (imagine the silver piping around the border). Not so sure about the fonts (which I downloaded from iDIY.com; Freebooter and York Script). I'm still working on the wording and the pizazz!

Inspiration #82: Table Assignments

What a clever way to display which table your guests are assigned to! From Kate Harrison Photography

{I must admit, the coolest part about this wedding was the Thiebaud inspired cakes!!!}

Inspiration #81: The Ring Shot

Ahh, the ring shot. Have you planned yours yet? Here are a few to get you started from my one of my favorite wedding websites, Southern Weddings:

Here's a playful one from Kate Harrison Photography. Can you find the bands?

Real Wedding: DIY Photobooth

The photobooth function on Macs work!

Here's me with my friend, Jessica, enjoying the DIY photobooth I set up using the bride and groom's Macbook, a mix of borrowed props (and $1-2 picture frames from secondhand stores), a photobooth garland sign I made with round labels and paper from Paper Source, and a fence rented ($45) from a local rental company. The bride made the pinwheels with scrapbook paper from Michael's.

Such a Cheerful Engagement Video!

Congrats to Jane and Ted -- married on June 6! The video was shot by Kevin Chin Photography and Cinema in HD and really does a wonderful job of capturing Jane and Ted's energy and story. They shared the video at their wedding reception, which features a shout out to their family -- both in blood and spirit. I love the scene where they're writing on chalkboards and the interludes where they talk about what they love about each other. So cute!

Jane + Ted San Francisco engagement session. from Kevin Chin Photography on Vimeo.

I had the pleasure of working with green wedding planner, Corina Beczner, of Vibrant Events in producing this event. More photos to come -- the details were beautiful, promise!

What I'm Renting from the Runway

Love. Wear. Return.

That’s the tagline for Rent the Runway, an online retailer that lets you borrow high end fashion for less.

I came across this fantastic piece for $50 for a 4-day rental (retail $375). I think it’ll go swell with the hair accessory I’m getting from Etsy’s Pegasus Maiden with the coordinating feather below.

Ciner Antique Cascading Crystal Necklace (Rent the Runway, $50)

Velora by Pegasus Maiden (Etsy.com)

Pink feather for Velora

Inspiration #80: Wedding Poster as Guestbook

Another Esty find: April Ink, a graphic designer who also makes wedding guest book posters in a variety of themes, from Western to recipe, to this lovely Pretty Lovebirds. This would tie in well with our theme, and even the motif and fonts are what we used in our Save-the-dates.

It's only $45 and the colors can be customized!

 

Help me choose my hair accessory!

I've been in touch with Pegasus Maiden aka Nancy W. on Etsy.com about which hair accessory to go with. My strapless dress is champagne colored with silver beading and rhinestones. I was planning to wear my hair in a sideswept low updo. Here are some Nancy recommended after looking at my dress. Which one do you like?

 {Velora in Ivory}

{Lyera in Ivory}

{Kaylin in Ivory}

Planning our E-session

With our wedding about 4 months away, you'd think we would have had our engagement pics done by now. Well, I got the dress in January (a darling black lace number with a yellow petticoat from Anthropologie) but we are postponing the session for two reasons:

1) We both want to lose 10-15 pounds.

2) We haven't decided what the theme should be!

There's way too much inspiration and we've tapped into some local talent (to be announced soon) on helping us style the e-session. 

In the meantime, here are some of my faves:

Joanne + Vincent (the sweetest couple ever, married 4/24/10), photo by Caroline Tran

Up Engagement Session by Wildflowers Photography

 Vintage Fountain Soda Shop by Kate Harrison

Gatsby-esque Picnic by JL Photografia

 

I love jumping in pictures...by Simply Bloom Photography

and one of my all-time fave photographers, Feather Love (Noa). This is the first e-session (French New-Wave) I ever blogged about.

I've got a confession

My friends know from my Facebook posts, but yes, I've joined George Costanza: I'm officially on a Jenny Craig program (note that I didn't say diet). I know how to eat sensibly but I'm either lazy (or "busy") and just don't do it.

I finally just got fed up! I was good in December and tried a clean eating thing and joined Ironworks, but I was still overeating, succumbing to delicious BBQ and fresh-baked bread, etc despite the workouts.

So I decided to go with Jenny Craig because you have to buy their meals -- which consist of microwaveable meals and some packaged foods. I spend about $120 a week, which is how much I was already spending eating out. I have to supplement their meals with fresh fruit, veggies and salads. No big secret. Surprisingly, drinking milk also makes me feel less hungry (and water too, go figure).

Since I started two weeks ago, I shed about 8 pounds -- mostly water weight. My stomach's already less bloated and more flat than it's been in years. I haven't hit Ironworks since I got sick with a bad cold last month, nor the tennis courts since I got a bad case of tennis elbow, BUT I've been doing my Biggest Loser Last Chance Workout and hiking a great deal. Tonight, I walked/jogged 15,891 steps on the Sequoia Trail in the hills near our house with Munch (I guess I have to multiply that by 4 for him, poor little guy). I'm loving it!

I meet one-on-one with a Jenny Craig counselor once a week when I go in to pick up my food. Until I hit my halfway goal weight, I'll stay on their planned menu program (usually 4-8 weeks). I've got 17 weeks left to the big day.

Can't wait to strike one of these poses. Go George!

Escort Card Tips

Escort cards, place cards....what's the difference?

If you are planning to assign seats for your guests, you'll need a place card at their seat and table setting. If you're not assigning seats but assigning a guest to a certain table, then use an escort card.

It's best to start making your escort and placec ards once you've finalized the final guest list. 

Here are a few tips for preparing them together for the big day:

1) Save time and money by using one escort card per couple (assuming they're at the same table).

2) Decide how formal you want to address the guest: Mr. and Mrs. Smith? Or Bob and Sally Smith?

3) Alphabetize the escort cards by last name and provide your event coordinator with a complete guest list and table assignments.

4) Ensure you have a large enough table to display, typically a 6-ft banquet table suffices for 150 or less plus a centerpiece on the table. 

5) If you have more than one banquet table and want to spread out the escort cards, help your guests find their name by using signs in frames that indicate "A - D" and so on.
6) If you're giving guests a choice on their entree (meat, fish or vegetarian), determine whether you'll differentiate the options via different colored paper, stamps, ribbons or other adornments. Be mindful -- don't put stamps on the back of a place card or escort card. The server needs to be able to see it clearly and quickly, and possibly in low lighting.

Inspiration #79: Lego Stop-Motion Save-the-Date

I found this save-the-date when Echo (the future Mrs. Air) commented on one of my blog posts. They were very creative in putting together this adorable stop-motion save-the-date. I love the part where he brings out the ring...

A Delectable San Francisco Inspired Menu

The Bentley Reserve (American Caviar, Boiled Eggs and Smoked Salmon Layered between Buckwheat Belini w/ Chive Crème Fraiche; menu by Chef Rebecca Alonzi, Seasonal Elegance

Over the weekend, Lisa and Michael celebrated their anniversary at their beautiful home overlooking San Francisco. The first time I met them was when I was a server at their rehearsal dinner four years ago! How time flies! I was very excited when Lisa asked me to help her throw an intimate anniversary party, which also came with the news that they were moving to the East Coast to be closer to family.

They wanted a menu where their guests wouldn't have to use utensils, so together we came up with a rolling cocktail hour (3 selections would come out every hour). I decided to get Chef Rebecca Alonzi, owner of Seasonal Elegance, on board. I mentioned our idea about doing a "tour" of San Francisco using food. Becca loved the idea and ran with it. 

Below is the inventive menu she created for this special event -- I hope it inspires you and I would highly recommend Becca to bring it to life if you're planning on a San Francisco destination wedding. The food was superb!

By the way, entertainment was provided by my very own Guitar Fred (at Lisa's special request) and Brad Barton, the Reality Thief (who delighted guests with his amazing talent in the art of persuasion). The chocolate-mocha cake was made by Karoline, Becca's pastry chef, and topped with a mini Golden Gate Bridge.

The Beach Blanket Babylon; menu by Chef Rebecca Alonzi, Seasonal Elegance

A San Francisco Inspired Menu by Seasonal Elegance

24th and Mission

Seared Bay Scallop over Saffron Risotto w/ Green Olive and Red Bellpepper Coulis

Pacific Catch

Wild Hamachi Sashimi, Coconut-Green Curry Vinaigrette, Fried Ginger, Cucumber on a Wonton Crisp

Route 101

Apple Turnip Cake, Smoked Trout, Watercress and Horseradish Crème Fraiche

Mercado Sabrosa

Slow Braised Chicken in Sweet Corn Masa, Traditional Red Mole, in a one-bite Banana Leaf

Lobster Lafayette

Lobster-Corn Ravioli with Basil-Mint Oil and Vanilla and Meyer Lemon Zest

Beach Blanket Babylon

Char-Grilled Crostini with Olive Oil Poached Octopus and Parsley-Caper Pesto

China Town Bistro

5-Spice Beef Brisket Sliders on cheddar chive biscuits with tender braised beef and Napa Cabbage Slaw

Saturday Morning Market Stall

Grilled Peach Pesto, Fresh Burrata Cheese and Olive Oil Crostini

Fisherman’s Harvest

Fresh Oysters, Lightly Grilled, Tomato Chokha Coulis

Real Wedding: Elegant Details

Congrats to Camille and Andy, wed on May 30, at the Silver Creek Valley Country Club nestled in the hills above San Jose. I adored Camille's choices for flowers (arranged by Sunshine Flower's Frank Cabral), favors (topped with paper peonies to complement the centerpieces) and DIY candy buffet.