QT With Friends: At Fig Tree Cafe

{Location: Fig Tree Cafe in Hillcrest, San Diego CA}
I went out for dinner tonight to celebrate Melody's birthday! She picked out this nice little restaurant in Hillcrest. It was our first time here, so we were all a bit curious (and a bit excited) for the food.

Needless to say, the food was VERY tasty! My compliments to the chef!

[While I Waited] We had Fried Green Tomato Napoleon for our appetizer...darn, I forgot to take a snapshot of it. It looked so yummy that we all just dug in right away! It was gone before I could even remember to take out my camera...oh well.
[What I'm Waiting For]  My Free Range Chicken Cannelloni
[What I Sipped, While I Waited] I got my drink on with a Raspberry Bellini!
[What I Shouldn't Have, but Did] We all shared a Tiramisu. Again, we all dug in so fast, that I forgot to take a snapshot of it.

Cheers! Happy new year of life Melody! I've missed hanging out with these two ladies...I know we've all been busy with our own schedules lately...but it's definitely nice to catch up and just enjoy each other's company. We even made plans for a quick day trip up to the place where our lovely friendships bloomed and grew (sometime in mid-February). Nice...

A gift for ME? What a pleasant surprise! Analyn gave me my late late...late birthday gift (you guys, my birthday was in October, hahaha)! Oh Analyn...THANK YOU friend! I've been SO wanting one too!

[Anthropologie: Infinity scarf in navy/marigold]

Wedding Notes: My Afternoon To and Fro with Caterers

The search for a wedding caterer continues... due to venue regulations, Lynn & Enrique NEED to select a caterer from the preferred vendors list that Bernardo Winery provided us with. I spoke with all of them today (and a few of them were quite pushy) but I've narrowed it down to 3 caterers so far, based on their quotes...okay okay, and their personalities! Now I need to set up meetings for Lynn & Enrique to actually meet with each caterer and see what kind of menus they can come up with. Another thing...plated meals or stations? Hmm...

{Side Note}
Lunch was scrumptious today! I made spaghetti mixed with basil dressing, tomato, and mozzarella cubes on a bed of alfalfa & clover leaves (from my mom's recipe). Hah...I actually made food today :)

Wedding Notes: The Venue with an Old World Charm...

{Location: Bernardo Winery, San Diego CA}
My sister Charlene & my future brother-in-law Enrique have finally decided on their wedding venue! I searched long and hard for a place that truly reflected their personalities and lifestyle (low key, rustic, vintage, quaint, that worn-in yet comfy & cozy vibe) ...finding Bernardo Winery wasn't easy...but I feel so relieved that they both LOVE the place!

{Tidbit Fact}
Bernardo Winery was founded in 1889, making it the oldest, fully functioning winery and vineyard in Southern California. We were told that Father Junipero Serra himself came here for his wines...pretty cool, huh? Talk about finding a historical gem! :)

{Love}
As we were strolling through the winery/village...I could hear Charlene gasping and blissfully sighing behind me. Whenever I'd turn around to look at Enrique, his eyes were glazed over with awe. Yup....they were pretty much falling in love with the place at each turn of the corner.

BIG moment today for Charlene & Enrique....giving the deposit to secure the wedding date! We also brought our parents (Charlene's and my parents) to see the venue. We have yet to bring Enrique's parents up here (but it'll happen soon enough)!

Now mind you, our parents are more accustomed to the traditional wedding reception at hotels/church ceremonies. So this was really a chance for them to take in Charlene & Enrique's vision. I'm happy to say that they too agreed Bernardo Winery was the perfect place for the couple.

We stopped for a quick coffee break at Sweet Pea Coffee Cottage before heading to the office to meet up with the wedding events manager.

{Side Note}
Dad was totally sold on this place. He loved the nostalgic feel it encompassed. Mom on the other hand...we feel that she likes the place, but that she's still really trying to soak it all in and get past the fact it's not a typical hotel reception setting....but we know she'll come around. Once she sees the decor we're personally creating, the set-up on the day of, Charlene in her wedding gown and Enrique waiting down the aisle...all that is what's going to matter to her in the end :)

{Location: South Bay Fish & Grill in Chula Vista Marina}
After visiting Bernardo Winery, we all went out for a celebratory dinner (mom and dad's treat)!

The first step in the wedding process is done and now...the PLANNING really begins :)
Maid of Honor signing out :)

A Revival: Quality Time with the ReRe's

{Location: Balboa Park, San Diego}
{Date: January 5, 2012}


My sister & I took our godchildren out for some QT at Balboa Park. An afternoon of fun (and mischief) all rolled into one!

{Japanese Tea Pavillion}

{Love}
My godchild, Renee. She's the FIRST of many of my godchildren! So that makes her my special angel.

{Botanical Garden & the Fountain}

{Love}
No joke, this was totally spontaneous. I called out, "Hey guys, smile!" and all three turned around and did this pose (without knowing or realizing they were all doing the same pose).

{Love}
How Reeka looks oh so cool with her stunna shades on, as she waits for her snow cone :)


{Reuben H. Fleet Science Center}

{Love}
The fact that we can all just have SO much fun together and act as silly as we can...without thinking twice about it.

{Spanish Art Village}

{Love}
Taking a breather. We just sat here for half an hour and people watched...well, these two butterfly watched, along with Charlene ;)

Wedding Notes: The Green VW

As I was walking out of a Starbucks in Point Loma, I saw this cool green VW parked near my car. I know my sister & Enrique really want to rent one out for the day of their wedding...you know, instead of a limo or a fancy shmancy luxury car, they'd rather roll in a cool looking vintage VW. I think it's a friggin awesome idea! Made a note of this in my wedding planning notebook. Now the question is...what color will they choose? :)

{Tidbit Fact}
My sister Charlene and her fiance Enrique are getting married this October. Low and behold, I'm the Maid of Honor :) So I'll be blogging about the whole wedding process (since I'm helping them plan it) as well as my maid of honor duties until their big day.

QT With Friends: At Chili's

{Location: Chili's Restaurant in Otay Ranch Town Center, Chula Vista}

I went out to dinner with some really great friends of mine tonight. Just something low key...Chili's $20 for two? Yes please....and OHHH that molten lava cake for dessert...that was delightful. Thanks Gerry for dinner tonight! I got you next time friend :) 

{Love}
Talking and catching up with Mariemel, Gerry & Phil (who took our snapshot here). Never a dull moment with these guys! We always seem to talk about future travel plans with each other...Seattle, Disney Cruise, road trip through New Mexico and Texas, Palm Springs...I can't help but smile because we have YET to travel as a group together. Ohhhhh these guys, one day it will happen (if we can get all our schedules in sync)!

{Score}
I bought these all purpose magnet boxes from Barnes & Noble for $2.00 (they were in the clearance section). I thrive on storage containers! They're pretty durable and I like the world map printing on them.

QT With Friends: Extraordinary Desserts

{Location: Extraordinary Desserts in Downtown San Diego}

I just got this picture sent to me through fb yesterday from Charlene (this picture was taken from Joann's phone). We celebrated Joann's birthday on 1.13.12 at one of my favorite dessert places! I just love love love their passion fruit ricotta torte cake...SO good!


{Tidbit Fact}
This was Joann's first time EVER eating at Extraordinary...what the heck, woman?!? How can you not have eaten here before? Hahaha :)

Wedding Notes: Wine-O's

{Location: Orfila Vineyards, Escondido CA}
I went in for a wine tasting at Orfila's Vineyard with my sister Charlene and my future brother-in-law Enrique. It was a hazy, drizzly Saturday, but we made the most of it. Not to mention, we were here to scope out the venue as a possibility for Charlene & Enrique's wedding this year. I found this place while I was doing my Maid of Honor duties earlier in the week.

To be honest, I'm not much of a wine drinker. Sure, I'll sip and appreciate the taste for what it is. Surprisingly enough, the moscato we had agreed with my taste buds :)


{Love}

The vineyards at Orfila were so beautiful. But, we'll just have to wait and see what the lovebirds decide...in the mean time, grape stomping photo ops!

Treading Softly

So I'm starting my blog...I figured having one would help me with putting things in perspective- life, work, thoughts, curiosities, priorities, etc. I like to share in the now, as well as look back and appreciate things in life that have come and gone. I'm a big sharer of my life...with pictures specifically. I like to document things through pictures. I don't have a fancy camera, but I make do with my black nikon coolpix. Simple, remember? I'm really new to blogging...I mean, I follow some blogs but this is my first time trying to have one of my own. So...bare with me, please? I'm learning as I go. Now...how do I start putting pictures up on this thing...

Oh and I do a lot of this.... as I type...that's just me processing my thoughts as I go...so, there's your forewarning :)
~Nervous Sigh~