What Kids Are Playing With These Days...

At work today, one of my little kiddos brought out a new game to play. It's called Smashed Potatoes Play-Doh. You make little potato spuds with the play-doh molds and then use them as game pieces to move around the board. The goal is to have them go all the way through the board without landing in one of the four Mash Machine food processors (I call them "death traps," but of course I would never use that kind of language with my kiddo). Needless to say, I was a bit intrigued by all of this...

{The Mash Machine}
...gulp...











{The Scissor Snip}
..my yellow spud bud unfortunately met his doom early on...










{The Cutting Board}
...gasp...










{The Fries Presser}
...poor spud, you can't even recognize him anymore...












I don't know about you, but it's all a bit barbaric to me. I mean, it was fun(ny) and my little kiddo LOVED the game. He thought it was HILARIOUS when the spuds landed in the Mash Machine and met their doom (he's such a boy!). But hey, what do I know? Haha...ohhhhh kids these days...


{Side Note}
Some of you may be wondering what the heck I'm doing playing kids games at work, right??? Well, I work with children...and I won't go into any specifics here, but I do work alongside children (from a behavioral perspective) and their families. I try not to incorporate too much of my working career in my blogs (for confidentiality and professionalism purposes), but when I can, I do...I mean, my career is a big part of my life and my blog is about what goes on in my life so...there you have it :)

Wedding/Debut Notes: Easy Peasy

Having a quiet afternoon. I'm off from work today and so I decided to have lunch al fresco in my courtyard out front. Like I said, easy peasy... perfect weather outside, with my laptop & "comfortable" planner, eating a juicy  burger (look at that patty!) with alfalfa sprouts. I decided to go over my schedules, making sure things for the wedding, debut and everything else are flowing in the right direction. Also, I've put in my vacation requests at work for the month of October...approved!

Speaking of which, I've been taking a breather from all the wedding/debut planning that last couple of days. Updates? Well...

Wedding: We're a month ahead of schedule for Charlene & Enrique's wedding details...yay :) I'm looking forward to getting started on the decor! Charlene & I have plenty of ideas that are just waiting to be brought to life. We're buying the materials within the next few weeks.

Debut: We found and booked the venue for Renee! It's going to be at the Island Club in Coronado. Yay! Regina & I have been researching the 1940s era and brainstorming ways we can make Renee's theme reflect an authentic 1940s style (yet is also up to date with our times) AND fuse elements of military/pearl harbor themes. Fusion! That's our key word here! Within the next few weeks, we should be starting on the decor as well. I'm excited for that :)

...8 more months...it'll be here before I know it ;)

{Tidbit Fact}
I am all about the decor and the details. I would much rather put in my own labor and time creating something unique and original, than ordering/renting decorations. I like things personalized. It adds character and charm, I think. Also, this is one of my artistic outlets. I enjoy doing it (like a hobby).

Adorableness...If That's Even A Word :)

I had the morning off today and decided to clean up/organize my picture files and such. I came across some really, really CUTE pictures that I took a month ago of little Rexy-poo and a picture of Mia that Ames (my cousin Amy) sent me of her bubbly baby girl...and I just felt the need to share these cuties on here. You'll thank me afterwards :)

{Love}
Baby Mia with her Hello Kitty. This is my niece Mia (almost 5 months old). She is SO adorably cute. I can't even...I just want to snuggle with this cuteness all day long. If I could...I probably would.

{Love}
Rexy Mustachio! This is my dog...okay okay, technically he belongs to my cousins...but they leave him with me whenever they go out of town and such (which is a lot, now that I think about it). Rexy and I have become BFFs since then! This little dude....he trails around wherever I go in the house. My little buddy. I HEART him.


These two definitely bring in the cute factor!

Wedding Notes: All in the Details

{Location: Starbucks on Proctor Valley Road, Chula Vista CA}
Ready to get down to business! This last appointment with the caterer wraps up our wedding checklist for the 9-month mark. The big 4 have been booked solid (i.e., venue, officiant, photographer and caterer). Next on our to do list- the DJ and videographer. In the meantime... moving on to decor ideas! 

Hard at work with my wedding sketchbook. We were so excited when we came up with the center piece

ideas! Although, I don't want to give away too much on here, but...the ideas we sketched out were aaaaawesome! All the details just fell into place...think rustic & whimsical. Can't wait to get started on it!

{Love}

Sugar-free hazelnut. Soy milk. Lattes. Iced & Hot drinks. Anytime, any day...yummmms :) 

Wedding Notes: Indulging in Taste

{Location: Indulge Catering in Downtown Chula Vista}
I had set up a food tasting appointment for Charlene, Enrique, our mom and myself with Indulge Catering today. Unfortunately, Enrique wasn't able to come with us, but not to worry, we were able to bring home the leftovers for him :)

The executive chef/owner of Indulge was SUCH a nice woman, SO easy to talk to and extremely talented in her craft. I loved her down to earth personality- which is always a plus in my book!

The proposed menu for today's tasting (plus some appetizers and stuffed chicken entree that I didn't get a chance to take a snapshot of):

OH MY....the food was mouth watering. She even made up a new recipe right on the spot when we told her some guests have shellfish allergies (initially there was supposed to be shrimp in the pasta). We were by far, impressed with everything. Yes, we definitely found the right caterer for Charlene & Enrique's wedding! YAY!

{Tidbit Fact}
I am severely allergic to all shellfish...yep :(

{Love}
The restaurant itself. Even though the place was still under slight construction (I believe the owner recently put up the location in Chula Vista), the restaurant was nonetheless very warm, welcoming & quaint. I wouldn't mind popping in here for dinner some time :)

{Side Note}

Apparently, Mom really enjoyed herself today! Hahaha...okay  okay, we ALL enjoyed the food tasting :)

Debutante Notes: Venue with the Perfect Fit? Maybe...

{Location: North Island Naval Air Station in Coronado}
Regina & I met up with her parents (Rico and Rowena) to look at the Island Club together. The Island Club is located within the naval air station. As I was looking around its surroundings, I noticed that we were near the hangars. As a joke, I asked my Uncle Rico (who is in the navy) if we could go inside the hangars to get inspiration for Renee's debut theme. I didn't think he would actually make that happen! Hahaha...he ended up calling Uncle Agie (who also is in the navy and happened to be at work that day) and asked him to take us around the area he worked in...get this, he works in a hangar called the "Dolly Parton." Do I even WANT to know the story behind that?? Well, when we got there...I could SEE why it was called that. LOL!

{Love}
This hangar....can we just have Renee's debut in here PLEASE?!? That would be SO perrrrrrffffect....

{Side Note}
Uncle Agie let us go inside an actual helicopter. Regina & I were careful not to really touch anything in there...a bit on the dirty side! Hahaha :)

Thanks Uncle Rico & Ate Ena for this "field trip" AND lunch at 19th Hole Restaurant today! I think I had too much fun :)

Today was awesome. Okay...okay... I think the location for Island Club is ideal for the direction we want to go with the theme. I can totally work with what we have here...I mean, how great would Renee's photo ops be with all of this at our fingertips?!? I think Regina & I have our work cut out for us...we're going to have to really dig in deep and get our creative juices flowing to make this debut happen for Renee...alright with us, we wouldn't have it any other way....we're not afraid of a challenge :)

Debutante Notes: Searching for the Venue to Fit the Theme

{Location: Harbor Island in Downtown San Diego}
In addition to everything else going on, I am also coordinating my godchild, Renee's 18th birthday debutante this October [yep...it's the weekend right before my sister's (Charlene & Enrique's) wedding]. I am co-planning this event with my cousin, Regina (Renee's older sister). Let's just say that Regina & I both have a knack for event planning and are usually riding on the same wavelength!

{Love}
This relaxing view of the downtown skyline (early morning).

So we've been searching for a venue for the last couple of days and today we checked out the Hilton Hotel on Harbor Island and Island Club in Coronado. I'd say it's a very close call right now between the two venues. Both are perfect for Renee's theme, and so it's really coming down to a pros/cons list decision!

{Side Note + Love}
Renee's theme. It's going to be set in the 1940s and based off of the Pearl Harbor movie (yes, the one with Kate, Ben & Josh). So think pin curls, ruby red lips, pillbox hats with netting, dainty gloves, NAVY men, leather jackets, clean cut & slicked back hair and vintage military airplanes...pretty nifty, huh? I do say so myself ;)