A couple good finds...

Hi all!

Sorry it has been so long since my last post.  I have been so busy with guests visiting and work that I have barely had time for anything else!  Since my last entry, John has resigned his position with Ikon and has accepted a sales position with Anajet.  We are both really excited about his new opportunity!  He will start just right after Labor Day.

I have been diligently "cleansing" for the past two weeks.  It is amazing how great I already feel!  Only 10 more weeks to go!  Part of the cleanse is removing all caffeine and sugar from your diet.  I L O V E coffee and have a major love affair going with chocolate - so this was going to be a challenge to say the least!  So far I have done really great though.  Especially considering that John's birthday was on August 23rd...  We did a whole week of celebrating - what can I say, it was Costa Mesa restaurant week too!  Anyhow, since I started, I have lost 8 pounds, 3/4 of an inch from my waist, an inch and a half from my hips, one inch from my thigh and one inch from my bicep!  Not too shabby!  Although I am of course working out regularly too...

Recently I discovered the gel manicure.  I love to paint my nails and toes all the time and so I do it frequently.  But, I finally decided to jump on the bandwagon and see what all the hype is about.  Well - it is amazing.  A little pricey considering when I paint my own nails it is free, but it will definitely be worth it for my wedding day!  Imagine a perfect manicure for your wedding that lasts through your entire honeymoon!!!  Yes please.

What do you all think of the color?  I think either something natural like this or a french manicure for the wedding!  I think the best part of the gel manicure is that it is thick so your nails grow longer than they would on their own.  Mine always used to crack at the sides and I would end up cutting them short all the time.

I did end up returning one pair of the wedding shoes that I was torn between.  The only reason that I can't wear them is they make me too tall compared to John.  I am a tall girl and I don't won't to tower over my man on our wedding day!  Here is a picture of them.  They are so cute and fun - fuschia Dolce and Gabbana!

Now I am really getting more and more excited to go dress shopping with my mom next weekend!  I am still nervous - but definitely excited too!

My last item is my own personal opinion so please don't take this the wrong way - but it is on my mind.  I have a strong dislike for bridal shows.  There.  I said it.  I recently participated in one and it was great that we did because the show was at the Hyatt next door.  We had a golf cart that took people over to our hotel when they were done and we had such a wonderful response.  I just feel like the majority of the other vendors who were there were not quality at all.  When you are spending anywhere from $20,000 - $80,000 on your special day - why would you hire someone who doesn't do good work.  I know that I know too much about how horribly things can go with the wrong people working for you.  Really, any Joe Schmoe can buy a booth at these things and sell their services.  In Orange County ESPECIALLY, the wedding world is SO tight knit.  If you hire the people that are referrals from your venue or other vendors that you trust - you WON'T go wrong.  When you hire people from bridal shows, you usually get vendors that are unreputable and no one else is referring.  Occasionally you will find a gem... but the question is:  Are you willing to take the risk?  I hope that you all have a wonderful Labor Day weekend!

Cheers!
Dani