Leaving Oakland bright and early tomorrow, headed for ATL! When I come back, I'll be Mrs. O'Reilly!
Whoooooooo!!!
Here is a song that expresses my feelings right now. It is awesome.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday...
Top 5 Best Things that Happened Today (so far):
1. I got to Skype with my grandparents.
2. I had an appointment at the shop that made my wedding dress and it fits almost perfectly- only a couple little small alterations to do. Also bought my wedding jewelry- a beautiful necklace and pair of earrings- and my veil! Now I can check that off, hurray!
3. I ate lunch at the BEST little vegan asian place in the mall in San Francisco... it's like Panda Express, but more delicious and much healthier! Best part: I can eat ANYTHING off the menu!
4. I did NOT give in to the pushy mall-kiosk people trying to sell me lotions and potions!! This is a big accomplishment for me!! Last time I let one of those (always attractive Middle-Eastern) people intercept me from my direct path to J. Crew I ended up spending 99 dollars on a stupid curling iron!! So yes, I was proud of myself today! No getting ripped off for this lady.
5. BOTH times I walked in front of Colin's school today, he was right inside the window I passed and BOTH times he ran outside to talk to me. :) This is a rare occurrence, especially on Wednesdays when he has class from 8am to 10pm. Seeing him always brightens my day.
Top 5 Most Unpleasant Things that Happened Today:
1. Two salespeople at two different stores in the mall noticed my ring and said "Are you getting MARRIED?? You look much too young!! How old are you???" To which I replied "Older than I look," which is my standard retort. I don't know WHAT the deal is with the SF mall, but that's probably the 5th time someone there has told me I am too young to get married. Do I really look THAT young? Psh. Anyway, it's so rude! How do you even respond to that?? "OH you know what, you're so right! I probably am too young! Let me call my fiance and call of the whole thing RIGHT NOW." Jeez Louise.
2. I forgot to eat until 5:00 when I realized I felt like I was going to pass out. Not going to let that happen again any time soon!
3. The two pairs of shoes I brought in for my dress fitting aren't going to work... :( It's been pretty hard finding any that will work... and that don't cost a fortune... why are Jimmy Choo's SEVEN HUNDRED DOLLARS??? Why?!
4. ...I don't know!
5. Ditto!!
Well, I could only think of 3 bad things, which must mean today has been a pretty good day even though I had to go to the mall! (I am NOT one of those girls that loves going to the mall! Unless someday I have like 1,000 bucks to just blow, I don't imagine I will ever see it as anything other than a lot of work and an almost certain headache!)
Have a GREAT night and happy tomorrow!
xoxo
1. I got to Skype with my grandparents.
2. I had an appointment at the shop that made my wedding dress and it fits almost perfectly- only a couple little small alterations to do. Also bought my wedding jewelry- a beautiful necklace and pair of earrings- and my veil! Now I can check that off, hurray!
3. I ate lunch at the BEST little vegan asian place in the mall in San Francisco... it's like Panda Express, but more delicious and much healthier! Best part: I can eat ANYTHING off the menu!
4. I did NOT give in to the pushy mall-kiosk people trying to sell me lotions and potions!! This is a big accomplishment for me!! Last time I let one of those (always attractive Middle-Eastern) people intercept me from my direct path to J. Crew I ended up spending 99 dollars on a stupid curling iron!! So yes, I was proud of myself today! No getting ripped off for this lady.
5. BOTH times I walked in front of Colin's school today, he was right inside the window I passed and BOTH times he ran outside to talk to me. :) This is a rare occurrence, especially on Wednesdays when he has class from 8am to 10pm. Seeing him always brightens my day.
Top 5 Most Unpleasant Things that Happened Today:
1. Two salespeople at two different stores in the mall noticed my ring and said "Are you getting MARRIED?? You look much too young!! How old are you???" To which I replied "Older than I look," which is my standard retort. I don't know WHAT the deal is with the SF mall, but that's probably the 5th time someone there has told me I am too young to get married. Do I really look THAT young? Psh. Anyway, it's so rude! How do you even respond to that?? "OH you know what, you're so right! I probably am too young! Let me call my fiance and call of the whole thing RIGHT NOW." Jeez Louise.
2. I forgot to eat until 5:00 when I realized I felt like I was going to pass out. Not going to let that happen again any time soon!
3. The two pairs of shoes I brought in for my dress fitting aren't going to work... :( It's been pretty hard finding any that will work... and that don't cost a fortune... why are Jimmy Choo's SEVEN HUNDRED DOLLARS??? Why?!
4. ...I don't know!
5. Ditto!!
Well, I could only think of 3 bad things, which must mean today has been a pretty good day even though I had to go to the mall! (I am NOT one of those girls that loves going to the mall! Unless someday I have like 1,000 bucks to just blow, I don't imagine I will ever see it as anything other than a lot of work and an almost certain headache!)
Have a GREAT night and happy tomorrow!
xoxo
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
I "Hella" Love Oakland
This week marks my last days in Oakland before heading back East to get crackin' on wedding plans and spend a little time with my family before I'm no longer a "real" Pinto (THAT IS STILL SO WEIRD TO ME! How long does it take to get used to having a different last name?? Do you go through a mourning period?? What on earth is that process like? I have no idea what to expect... guess I'll know soon enough!). Tomorrow is my last day of work at See Jane Run, "Running shoes, apparel and accessores for women of all shapes and sizes," my employer for the past seven months since I've been out here in Oakland.
I came to work at See Jane Run after living out here for a week or so. I had gone to apply to the amazing little European style market down the street (one of my favorite places in the entire world- think fresh baked bread, handmade pasta, artisan cheeses, local organic produce, gorgeous fresh flower shop, ohmygoodness, everything delightful and edible you could possibly imagine) but it just so happened to be closed that day for Labor Day or something... So Colin and I just kept walking along the street and stopped at this adorable little shop, See Jane Run, because he decided I needed a new pair of running shoes. Well, I didn't get shoes (Because they're like at least 100 bucks!) but I saw that they were hiring so I dropped off my resume that was meant for the market. So I ended up getting the job and I've been there ever since... I wasn't expecting to stay at SJR as long as I have, I've always worked as a barista or waitress or some more typical starving-artist-side-job, but the longer I worked there, the more I realized it's exactly what I need out here... a network of great ladies that have all become my dear friends! It is so incredibly difficult to start completely from scratch in the friends department... I was so excited to move out here to be with Colin that it never really occurred to me that I could get so LONELY. There is a lot to be said for a college social life... you are surrounded by friends and people and drama and madness and as crazy as it is, you never seem to want for company. The first couple months out here were ROUGH... being here with Colin wasn't like visiting him (the only kind of in-person contact we had before Oakland). He was in school full-time, blowing glass for 6-8 hours a day on the weekends, staying up late with homework... I spent countless hours by myself, a lot of them on facebook or watching TV or calling my mother because I had nothing else to do! I started to resent Oakland and got very homesick for the South, for North Carolina and Winston-Salem and my school and the busy-ness of it all!
But eventually I started making a little life for myself out here. I don't drive at all (Haven't driven a car since August, I cannot believe it!!) and instead walk everywhere I go unless Colin drives us somewhere, which only happens about maybe once a week. This has not only added a lot of exercise I wasn't used to getting on a regular basis to my daily routine (yay!) but it's allowed me to really get to know my neighborhood. The cashiers at Trader Joe's remember me (a couple even know my name!), the barista knows my favorite drink, I'm a regular at the amazing taqueria on the corner, I recognize all of the local homeless people that hang out at the BART station, I know dogs and their owners that I pass on the sidewalk... I could go on and on. I began out here resenting Oakland for it's unfamiliarity and the people for not being as openly saccharine like many are in the South... but people are people, and I've met some amazing ones out here!
Which brings me back to the ladies at SJR... last weekend they all threw me a Bridal Shower/Bachelorette party at my boss' house, complete with penis shaped straws and balloons- ha!!, a raunchy and hilarious game of Pictionary, DELICIOUS food that they all made, and bellinis! They all went in on a couple items from our registry- an Italian pasta-maker and a set of stacking glass bowls!! On top of all of that, they put together a handmade recipe book (made by one of the girls who is an artist and does book-binding) with each of their favorite and most treasured family recipes... After the shower portion of the party, the girls all took me out for my very first Karaoke, which was SO MUCH FUN! The whole evening was just amazing and I was so overwhelmed with their kindness, generosity and friendship. I am so thankful to have them all in my life out here!!
It's very reassuring that although I'll be gone for a couple months, when I return out here to Oakland I'll be coming back to someplace familiar, knowing I can pick up the phone and make a lunch date! Can't tell you how good that feels. :)
WOW so that was a super long-winded post... if you've made it to the end, thanks for bearing with me. :)
xoxo
P.S. "I Hella Love Oakland" is Oakland's version of the I Heart NYC T-shirts... I guess Oakland is where the word (is it a real word??) "Hella" originated. Ha!
I came to work at See Jane Run after living out here for a week or so. I had gone to apply to the amazing little European style market down the street (one of my favorite places in the entire world- think fresh baked bread, handmade pasta, artisan cheeses, local organic produce, gorgeous fresh flower shop, ohmygoodness, everything delightful and edible you could possibly imagine) but it just so happened to be closed that day for Labor Day or something... So Colin and I just kept walking along the street and stopped at this adorable little shop, See Jane Run, because he decided I needed a new pair of running shoes. Well, I didn't get shoes (Because they're like at least 100 bucks!) but I saw that they were hiring so I dropped off my resume that was meant for the market. So I ended up getting the job and I've been there ever since... I wasn't expecting to stay at SJR as long as I have, I've always worked as a barista or waitress or some more typical starving-artist-side-job, but the longer I worked there, the more I realized it's exactly what I need out here... a network of great ladies that have all become my dear friends! It is so incredibly difficult to start completely from scratch in the friends department... I was so excited to move out here to be with Colin that it never really occurred to me that I could get so LONELY. There is a lot to be said for a college social life... you are surrounded by friends and people and drama and madness and as crazy as it is, you never seem to want for company. The first couple months out here were ROUGH... being here with Colin wasn't like visiting him (the only kind of in-person contact we had before Oakland). He was in school full-time, blowing glass for 6-8 hours a day on the weekends, staying up late with homework... I spent countless hours by myself, a lot of them on facebook or watching TV or calling my mother because I had nothing else to do! I started to resent Oakland and got very homesick for the South, for North Carolina and Winston-Salem and my school and the busy-ness of it all!
But eventually I started making a little life for myself out here. I don't drive at all (Haven't driven a car since August, I cannot believe it!!) and instead walk everywhere I go unless Colin drives us somewhere, which only happens about maybe once a week. This has not only added a lot of exercise I wasn't used to getting on a regular basis to my daily routine (yay!) but it's allowed me to really get to know my neighborhood. The cashiers at Trader Joe's remember me (a couple even know my name!), the barista knows my favorite drink, I'm a regular at the amazing taqueria on the corner, I recognize all of the local homeless people that hang out at the BART station, I know dogs and their owners that I pass on the sidewalk... I could go on and on. I began out here resenting Oakland for it's unfamiliarity and the people for not being as openly saccharine like many are in the South... but people are people, and I've met some amazing ones out here!
Which brings me back to the ladies at SJR... last weekend they all threw me a Bridal Shower/Bachelorette party at my boss' house, complete with penis shaped straws and balloons- ha!!, a raunchy and hilarious game of Pictionary, DELICIOUS food that they all made, and bellinis! They all went in on a couple items from our registry- an Italian pasta-maker and a set of stacking glass bowls!! On top of all of that, they put together a handmade recipe book (made by one of the girls who is an artist and does book-binding) with each of their favorite and most treasured family recipes... After the shower portion of the party, the girls all took me out for my very first Karaoke, which was SO MUCH FUN! The whole evening was just amazing and I was so overwhelmed with their kindness, generosity and friendship. I am so thankful to have them all in my life out here!!
It's very reassuring that although I'll be gone for a couple months, when I return out here to Oakland I'll be coming back to someplace familiar, knowing I can pick up the phone and make a lunch date! Can't tell you how good that feels. :)
WOW so that was a super long-winded post... if you've made it to the end, thanks for bearing with me. :)
xoxo
P.S. "I Hella Love Oakland" is Oakland's version of the I Heart NYC T-shirts... I guess Oakland is where the word (is it a real word??) "Hella" originated. Ha!
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Disclaimer: Bridezilla Alert
<start/ bridezilla>
I really don't mean to be in the complaining mood today but I just need to let off a little steam. I can pretty much discount yesterday's post about the dress I found for my sister on Gilt, because it is not going to work after all.
Now we're stuck with trying to find her another dress, one bridesmaid can't for the life of her find anything that will fit her that she also likes, two of the bridesmaids have the original dress (well, second "original" actually- the first original sold out before everyone bought it because they all took their time), one I'm not sure about because she just had a baby and has been, understandably, quite busy, and I am just so at a loss. I have no idea what to do. The wedding is only 5 weeks away and I am running out of options... My mom now thinks that all of the bridesmaids should just wear the SAME dress, but that has been the problem from the start... It either doesn't fit right, it's too expensive, it's not the right cut, blah blah blah...
So many other things just haven't been working out the way I've envisioned either as far as this wedding goes. I spent so much time before Colin even proposed oogling over wedding blogs and envisioning the perfect wedding for us... I'm not really sure if what I pictured is what is going to be happening. I would never recommend to any future bride to try to plan a wedding from afar. Sometimes I wish Colin and I had just waited a little longer to get married because our engagement has truly flown by and I would love to just have it last a little bit longer and be able to take our time planning and creating an event that is truly "us." We've had to give a lot of the responsibilities to our family members and although I trust them and know that everyone is doing everything they can, I haven't had a chance to really "get my hands on" anything myself save for a few days over Christmas. And I'm a hands-on kinda gal!!
Don't get me wrong, I trust that God has a way of working things out, and I know that for whatever reason we were meant to be getting married next month... just wish that things were a little easier... I can't wait to be MARRIED to the man of my dreams... just wish the WEDDING wasn't such a pain in the rear!
</end bridezilla>
I really don't mean to be in the complaining mood today but I just need to let off a little steam. I can pretty much discount yesterday's post about the dress I found for my sister on Gilt, because it is not going to work after all.
Now we're stuck with trying to find her another dress, one bridesmaid can't for the life of her find anything that will fit her that she also likes, two of the bridesmaids have the original dress (well, second "original" actually- the first original sold out before everyone bought it because they all took their time), one I'm not sure about because she just had a baby and has been, understandably, quite busy, and I am just so at a loss. I have no idea what to do. The wedding is only 5 weeks away and I am running out of options... My mom now thinks that all of the bridesmaids should just wear the SAME dress, but that has been the problem from the start... It either doesn't fit right, it's too expensive, it's not the right cut, blah blah blah...
So many other things just haven't been working out the way I've envisioned either as far as this wedding goes. I spent so much time before Colin even proposed oogling over wedding blogs and envisioning the perfect wedding for us... I'm not really sure if what I pictured is what is going to be happening. I would never recommend to any future bride to try to plan a wedding from afar. Sometimes I wish Colin and I had just waited a little longer to get married because our engagement has truly flown by and I would love to just have it last a little bit longer and be able to take our time planning and creating an event that is truly "us." We've had to give a lot of the responsibilities to our family members and although I trust them and know that everyone is doing everything they can, I haven't had a chance to really "get my hands on" anything myself save for a few days over Christmas. And I'm a hands-on kinda gal!!
Don't get me wrong, I trust that God has a way of working things out, and I know that for whatever reason we were meant to be getting married next month... just wish that things were a little easier... I can't wait to be MARRIED to the man of my dreams... just wish the WEDDING wasn't such a pain in the rear!
</end bridezilla>
Apartment Woes
Why is it impossible to keep this tiny apartment clean? Every time I get it looking how I want, it seems like two hours later it is completely destroyed. Probably because my kitchen is like 10 feet long with only about one square foot of counter space and barely ANY cabinet space... one meal cooked and served and it's like a tornado hit. Ugh! I long for the day when Colin and I will have a place with a decent sized kitchen. I don't even care about the rest of it... If there is enough room for a bed and a dresser or two in the bedroom, that'll do. If we can fit a couch and a few bookshelves comfortably in the living room, we're set. But if I have to live anywhere again with a ten foot long single-sided kitchen with nowhere to slice and dice or dry my dishes (AND NO DISHWASHER) I will go insane!! Maybe I have already!
Ahhhh anyway, enough of that. I shouldn't complain; we could be much worse off! I have a lot to be grateful for and this place has been just fine for the past eight months... but I do hope we can find somewhere else to start off our married life together so I don't go too crazy.
:)
In other news, in spite of the 57 degree and mostly cloudy weather forecast, Oakland has beat the odds and it is GORGEOUS out today! Sunny, blue skies, 63-ish... ahhh, time to go enjoy the day.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Gilt-y pleasure.
Good morning!
Colin and I have just returned from our last and final meeting with our Priest here in Oakland to complete all of the necessary paperwork for getting married in the Catholic church. (You will not BELIEVE how much paperwork there is! Unless you've been there already. In which case, you feel my pain.) SO GLAD that is done and now I really can focus on all the fun stuff! (I do, however, sense in Colin that he now feels like his work is done- mwahaha, we'll see about that!).
Now Colin is off to blow glass, I'm back in bed with a vanilla latte and a laptop, writing this blog!
Anyway, to get to the subject of this post, just wanted to share with you my new favorite shopping website EVERRRR... Gilt.com. It's a members-only exclusive shopping site with limited-time sales on AMAZING designer stuff... huge huge savings. I have actually only just now made my very first purchase on Gilt (because even though the savings are HUGE, my just-outta-college budget doesn't really allow for most of that stuff yet). This week they have a Wedding Shop with all sorts of amazing things- dresses, bridesmaid dresses, men's suits, "Wedding survival kits," jewelry, ahh, so much amazing stuff! Anyway we've been having some difficulties in the bridesmaid dress department and I found this gorgeous dress for my sister- had to snag it!!
It's a Vera Wang Lavender label, 250 retail and I got it for 99 bucks! Not bad, eh? She got it in the mail yesterday and it's perfect. So excited!!
Just a side note... finding *A* Bridesmaid dress that suits everyone's body, style, budget, etc. has been one of the biggest challenges of planning this wedding. We've tried to settle on a few different dresses, none of which have worked out, so now everyone will be wearing SIMILAR dresses in the same color palette (blush pink to peach) which I think will look gorgeous. I've seen that look a lot lately on all of my favourite wedding blogs and I think it's lovely!
Example:
How gorgeous are THESE?
Anyway, starting to realize I could ramble on forever on this thing, so I'll bid you audieu for now!
Colin and I have just returned from our last and final meeting with our Priest here in Oakland to complete all of the necessary paperwork for getting married in the Catholic church. (You will not BELIEVE how much paperwork there is! Unless you've been there already. In which case, you feel my pain.) SO GLAD that is done and now I really can focus on all the fun stuff! (I do, however, sense in Colin that he now feels like his work is done- mwahaha, we'll see about that!).
Now Colin is off to blow glass, I'm back in bed with a vanilla latte and a laptop, writing this blog!
Anyway, to get to the subject of this post, just wanted to share with you my new favorite shopping website EVERRRR... Gilt.com. It's a members-only exclusive shopping site with limited-time sales on AMAZING designer stuff... huge huge savings. I have actually only just now made my very first purchase on Gilt (because even though the savings are HUGE, my just-outta-college budget doesn't really allow for most of that stuff yet). This week they have a Wedding Shop with all sorts of amazing things- dresses, bridesmaid dresses, men's suits, "Wedding survival kits," jewelry, ahh, so much amazing stuff! Anyway we've been having some difficulties in the bridesmaid dress department and I found this gorgeous dress for my sister- had to snag it!!
Just a side note... finding *A* Bridesmaid dress that suits everyone's body, style, budget, etc. has been one of the biggest challenges of planning this wedding. We've tried to settle on a few different dresses, none of which have worked out, so now everyone will be wearing SIMILAR dresses in the same color palette (blush pink to peach) which I think will look gorgeous. I've seen that look a lot lately on all of my favourite wedding blogs and I think it's lovely!
Example:
How gorgeous are THESE?
Anyway, starting to realize I could ramble on forever on this thing, so I'll bid you audieu for now!
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