Bridesmaid Profile: Carolyn

Carolyn

Nicknames: Care, Care-o, lover

How we met: First week at USC as Gamma Phi Beta Pledges. We both lived in Pardee Tower and Carolyn invited me to walk to the row for a pledge meeting. We started chatting, she asked if I had a boyfriend, and I said yes. She got the disapproving look on her face and said “Ummm, this is college” (she hates when I tell that story too). I laughed and Carolyn and I were friends from that day on. And, for the record, she was right; said boyfriend and I broke up a few months later (obviously).

Favorite memories: Being crazy little Gamma Phi Beta Pledges, living together Sophomore year in 4-man rooms, and Senior Spring Break in the Bahamas (braids, get your hair done, braids)

Why I love Carolyn: Carolyn is so amazingly thoughtful; she’s always taking the time to email, message, call, or arrange get-togethers. And she is always uplifiting and fun to be around.

Some pictures of Carolyn and I over the years:

Hawaiian Luau Themed Wedding Shower

My Bridal Shower is just six weeks away! Katie (who's known me since I was born) is hostessing and confirmed that she's sending the invites today. Woo hoo... let the parties begin!

The theme is Hawaii (since we're Honeymooning in Hawaii and it's a festive theme). I think it will have a bit of vintage twist. I'm not sure what all Katie and some of my BMs are planning, but one thing I do know is there will be Mai Tais and Pupu platters! Yum!

I'm so excited that I made an inspiration board based on what I imagine a vintage Hawaiian Luau Themed Bridal Shower to look like...

Bridesmaid Profile: Iliana

Profile removed :-)

Bridesmaid Profile: Michelle

Michelle

Nicknames: Michi, Michelle My Belle, Dogg

How we met: Early on in third grade, I thought Michelle was the prettiest girl in the third grade and wanted to befriend her (she hates when I tell that story)

Favorite memories: Toilet papering a friend ours’ house and then caught because of a 7-11 surveillance camera when were 16, having “dates” at El Torito, and Rockstar Summer of 2002 (where we partied like Rockstars and lived to tell about it).

Why I love Michelle: She’s the sweetest, kindest, future civil litigator I know. She’s “had my back since day one” (like in the 7th grade where she slapped a boy who did me wrong) and I know she’ll always have my back.

Some pictures of us over the years in San Diego and LA:

Sideways Bachelorette Party

For my Bachelorette Party we're doing a Wine Tasting Tour of the Santa Barbara Wine Country (a la "Sideways") and staying the the Fess Parker Doubletree on the water in Santa Barbara. I'm so excited for relaxing and fun weekend drinking wine with my favorite girls.


Let me know if you have recommendations of vineyards to visit or things to do in Santa Barbara.

This will be us in August...

Attire for "Other" Wedding Events

So I have my Wedding Dress, but now I need to start looking for cute, summery dresses for all of the "other" weddings such as my Bridal Shower, the Rehearsal Dinner, and the day-after brunch.

Here are few that I'm considering from Nordstrom.com (my favorite is the yellow one)

USC Garter

Today I found THE must adorable USC Trojans garter and I just had to get it...


I know that it doesn't match our "Turquoise and Tangerine by the Sea" theme, but I don't think the garter has to match, since it's under the dress. I thought this garter would be a fun thing to for the all of our USC boys to try to catch, and since Jonathan and I met at USC it's very appropriate for us.

Honeymoon Saved from ATA Bankruptcy Disaster

I woke up today, watched the morning news, and saw that the airline we'd booked for our Honeymoon, ATA, was bankrupt and no longer flying. Ahhh.. suddenly we had no flights for our Honeymoon!

I searched high and low for free flights and cheep fares, finding that flights to Hawaii were over $1000 dollars. I panicked! Just when I thought I'd have to cough up 2K to fly to Hawaii, my parents came through with two free American Airlines Vouchers! Now I owe them free Southwest Airlines tickets for the rest of my life, but it's worth it to take our dream honeymoon. Disaster averted. Thanks Mom and Dad!

I just can't help but feeling bad for all the people stranded in Hawaii or all of the people's Honeymoons that the ATA bankruptcy did ruin.

Bridesmaid Profile: Laurel

Over the next few weeks, I'll be profiling some of the most important women in my life and my wedding. I'll go in order of length of time I've known them, which means I'll start with Laurel.

Laurel

Nicknames: Lolo, wowo, lo, lo-ho

How we met: First day of Kindergarten, Laurel let me play me marbles with her when a mean girl didn't let me play (now Laurel and I have been friends for almost 20 years!)

Our favorite childhood activities: “Rocking out” to my playschool tape player and playing “Old Hag” where I’d pretend I was princess and Laurel was an “old hag” that I befriended (mean game, huh?)

Why I love Laurel: She’s been there for me through thick and thin for pretty much as long as I can remember, and I know she’ll be there for me until we’re old and grey.

Some pictures of Laurel and Me over the years (1999, 2006, 2007)

Our Married "Life Verse"

I realized that this blog is missing something. Although flowers and dresses and photographers are important... the MOST important thing is what you get after the wedding ... a marriage.

In order to prepare not only for our wedding, but our marraige too, we started doing pre-marital mentoring with a couple from Mosaic, Goodie and Lucy. Amoung our many assignments was choosing a verse from the Bible to be our Married "Life Verse". A Life Verse is can be a verse defines your life, gives you inspiration or direction, or ca be something that you hang onto as you face difficult circumstances. A Married Life Verse, should do the same for your marriage.

We chose:
"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." - Romans 12:9-12