The Florentine Orphan

A day in the 'hood

2009-07-17T22:03:00.000-07:00

My Kitty Cat

2009-07-17T22:00:00.000-07:00

Photography Class!

2009-06-14T19:40:00.001-07:00

I started a photography class..beginning digital SLR. These are the photos from the 2nd assignment. The photos are of St Patrick's Cathedral in San Francisco.

Bambinos

2009-02-08T14:41:00.000-08:00

So I signed up for a one on one session with a photographer to try and learn how to use my camera better. I haven't tested the actual camera out yet since the lesson but I did play around in Picasa altering some existing images. Below are ones of my nieces and nephews.

OMFG

2008-12-01T20:31:00.000-08:00

Ok for starters, let's talk about the most recent episode of GG. Can someone please just make Jenny go away...can't she go live with the mom or something? She's a good girl, she's a bad girl..I can't keep track nor do I care.

I like that Vanessa came clean...we don't need everyone in the Upper East Side to be a backstabber, do we? I think Blair is enough to go around. Plus, I certainly didn't want him to end up with Jenny.

The whole Blair/Chuck doppleganger thing was awesome..."beta chuck?" Oh Blair, I want to meet the person who writes your lines.

Ok so then I read on Perez that Vanessa and Chuck are getting busy in real life....dang they like to hook up on that show.

Upcoming scenes look scrumptious! Let the scandal ensue...

Dang..he is good!

2008-11-21T22:54:00.000-08:00

We got our wedding pictures! We just LOVE them. The one thing I was certain about for my wedding is that I had to have Jesse Leake. I had seen a fellow bride's wedding photos back when I first got engaged and had to find out who she used. Well it was Jesse, and I knew he was the one (the photographer that is). Below are some of our favorites!

Photography: Jesse Leake (http://www.jesseleake.com/)

Please oh please can I be her?

2008-11-10T21:10:00.000-08:00

Say cheese!

2008-11-10T21:02:00.000-08:00

Pictures from our wedding photobooth!

Phantastic

2008-10-29T20:30:00.000-07:00

In honor of my new hubby.....GO PHILLIES!! (would have been sweeter if it was the BoSox but I'll share the wealth!)

Back to reality

2008-10-19T14:18:00.000-07:00

Our honeymoon was AMAZING! We went to Moorea and Bora Bora in French Polynesia. I can't believe a place that beautiful exists. We swam with sharks and sting rays....it was incredible. We will never forget it.

We're married....jigga what?

2008-10-19T13:49:00.000-07:00

Well the day came and went in a big blur. Other than being in the ER the night before the wedding and literally not sleeping for one minute, the wedding was a smashing success! We had so much fun. We rented a photobooth which people had a blast using and it was so fun for us to look through the book of photos and notes after the wedding was over. It honestly feels like I wasn't even there, as though I was just viewing it from above...could it be the drama from the night before? Perhaps.... Needless to say I am eager to see the video and photos to re-live it all over again! We haven't gotten the professional pics yet but here are some from friends and fam.

1 week to go!!

2008-09-18T20:24:00.000-07:00

I can't even believe it....the wedding is one week from tomorrow!! I picked up my dress today. I had to have my fiance pick me up from the dress shop b/c I didn't know how else to get the dress home. The shop is in downtown San Francisco so there is no place to park, so he had to wait outside. I think he would be too clueless to get any sense of the dress based on its size etc. Luckily he couldn't see through the thing it was in. I better watch what I eat this week b/c that thing has no room to wiggle! I also got my final printing needs yesterday....we got the table name cards, seating cards, cupcake menu, flip flop sign etc. You can't read it probably on the blog but I printed great quotes of San Francisco on the backs of all the table names. It was hard to pick just 9!! Oh and I got a sample of our centerpieces....I am in LOVE with them. I just think they are so beautiful. Can't wait to see them all set up and my bouquet as well! TICK TOCK......

Here are all the quotes that I liked...we only used 9 of them though:

"It's an odd thing, but anyone who disappears is said to be seen in San Francisco. It must be a delightful city and possess all the attractions of the next world" - Oscar Wilde

"One day if I do go to heaven~ I'll look around and say, 'It ain't bad, but it ain't San Francisco. " - Herb Caen

"No city invites the heart to come to life as San Francisco does. Arrival in San Francisco is an experience in living" - William Saroyan

"It's simply a very romantic place. Just one look at any of those streets, and you couldn't be anywhere else -- it's so beautiful, and there's that location, and the sense of the free spirit~. Who couldn't become ravenous in such a place?" - Julia Child

"The coldest winter I ever saw was the summer I spent in San Francisco." - Mark Twain

"It's an odd thing, but anyone who disappears is said to be seen in San Francisco. It must be a delightful city and possess all the attractions of the next world" - Oscar Wilde

"San Francisco has only one drawback. ''Tis hard to leave"- Rudyard Kipling

"San Francisco is a city where people are never more abroad than when they are at home" - Benjamin F.Taylor

"San Francisco itself is art, above all literary art. Every block is a short story, every hill a novel. Every home a poem, every dweller within immortal. That is the whole truth." - William Saroyan Author

"Chicago is the great American city, New York is one of the capitals of the world, and Los Angeles is a constellation of plastic; San Francisco is a lady" - Norman Mailer,author and frequent visitor

"You know what it is? San Francisco is a golden handcuff with the key thrown away."John Steinbeck

"I love this city. If I'm elected, I will move the White House to San Francisco. I went to Fisherman's Wharf and they even let me into Allioto`s. It may be Baghdad by the Bay to you, but to me it's Resurrection City"~Robert Kennedy

"When you get tired of walking around in San Francisco, you can always lean against it."~Unknown

"I will sing in San Francisco if I have to sing in the streets, for I know that the streets of San Francisco are Free."~Luisa Tetrazzini,San Francisco's all time favorite soprano, on occasion of breaking her New York contract

Cape Cod

2008-08-27T19:16:00.001-07:00

I forgot to blog about our weekend in Cape Cod, Falmouth to be exact. It felt so nice to be back there. It has been at least 5 years b/c I haven't been since I moved to San Francisco. Here are some photos....look at how cute all my nieces and nephews are! I am such a lucky auntie!

This is Jack, almost 6 years old:
Brendan (almost 4), me, and my fiance Matt:
The porch at the Inn we stayed at...so lovely.

Sophia, 8 mos, actually didn't come with us to the cape but I got to spend a day with her prior.
Brendan:
Matt and I at the bride/groom's BBQ. Did I mention we were there for a wedding. I didn't get that great of pics of the wedding, however. I couldn't seem to get the flash right all night!
Last but certainly not least is our newest addition, Delaney Rose. She is just 6 weeks old.

Tick Tock

2008-08-27T19:05:00.000-07:00

So my kitty Leroy wanted to blog today...he says hello!

So a lot happened this weekend since our wedding is officially 1 month away! We went to the church to listen to music for 2 hrs! oy vey. Then we met with a new priest who will be marrying us. Our original priest can no longer do it and we are super excited. I know that sounds mean but he was a nasty man. So the new priest so far seems really nice.

And then I had my 2nd fitting. The dress is coming along nicely. They need to take it in more and they haven't put the vintage brooches on yet that go on the side and back.

And I had a 2nd hair trial. My stylist needs to buy a "donut" or fake hair to make my bun look bigger b/c I have fine hair.

This weekend's project will be making the guest bags....while my man is having his bachelor party in Cabo!!

Beautiful day in Golden Gate Park

2008-08-03T18:49:00.001-07:00

It was a gorgeous day in San Francisco yesterday so I grabbed my ipod and camera and spent 3 hours in Golden Gate park. Here are some shots (the first is of my ring hanging out with a tree)

Bachelorette Paradise

2008-07-27T12:56:00.000-07:00

So I had my bachelorette trip to Cabo last weekend. It was so great. We basked in the sun, swam, went to the spa, had a private sail boat ride with cutie sailors and, of course, some laughs. Thanks to all my girls for a GREAT time!

Boys in blue & Lady in red

2008-07-04T14:45:00.001-07:00

We got the groomsmen ties. They are wearing black suits and will have a red dahlia boutonniere.

And this is my sister's (matron of honor) dress. Her flowers will be mostly blue hydrangeas. It's from Alfred Angelo. The website, unfortunately, wouldn't allow me to save this image so I took a picture of my computer screen!

Invitations

2008-07-04T14:33:00.000-07:00

We got our invitations in the mail today! I am really happy with how they came out.

Showers Galore

2008-07-01T21:25:00.000-07:00

The 2 above photos are of my shower in Boston with mostly family.

The above 3 photos are of my San Francisco shower with friends. It was at a tea room and we have a tea leaf reader!

Exquisite

2008-06-02T20:37:00.000-07:00

Thank you to East Side Bride for directing me to photos of "Big and Carrie's" photoshoot with Vogue. These phots are just amazing. They are by Annie Leibovitz who is a photography goddess. She recently had an exhibit at the Legion of Honor here in San Francisco and it was great.

My favorites

2008-05-31T11:38:00.000-07:00

The above photos are of my favorite wedding I have found online....hands down. The bride is simply stunning and looks exactly how I would like to look on my day. She exudes elegance and glamour. I just love looking at these pictures. (photos from the knot community; vintageglam99)

These are some more wedding photos I love. I have said it before....I love chandelieres and lanterns for outdoor weddings. It just seems so magical. The couple holding the lanterns are so chic. Love the dress and his suit. I am anti-tuxedos. They make me cringe. I love a fine suit with a great tie. The above suit goes perfectly with her dress. (photos from Brides)

Sex in San Francisco

2008-05-30T23:42:00.001-07:00

What a lovely day it was in San Francisco as all the ladies, some dressed in their Saturday night best, trekked to the theater to see our old friends from NY. It was all I hoped it would be...now as I sit in my apartment on my laptop, I am scouring the internet trying to find photos from Carrie's Vogue photo shoot. I found plenty of the dress above but none of the other ones she tried on at the shoot. I MUST see them again! Hopefully they will make their way to the blogosphere soon. I am sure there is inspiration to be had by those photos.

Bridesmaid Inspiration

2008-05-29T11:57:00.000-07:00

My friend over at Perfect Bound blog (http://perfectbound.blogspot.com/) asked some fellow wedding bloggers to complete her bridesmaids look. The dress is a simple, cute navy Jcrew dress. I submitted the above photos tying in light pink with the navy.

Earrings: Sterling Silver CZ Pear Dangle Earrings, $34.99, Overstock.com; Shoes/purse:
1940s peep-toe shoe in a blush satin-and-snakeskin pump punctuated with a rhinestone brooch, $495, Giuseppe Zanotti Design, giuseppe-zanotti-design.com; Dress: Coren Moore dress; about $300

Bridesmaid dress?

2008-05-16T15:35:00.000-07:00

It's my favorite lady again....anyone else thinking this would be a cute bridesmaids dress? I don't know who the designer is though. (photo source: perezhilton.com)

Wow...

2008-05-14T20:38:00.001-07:00

Today was a gorgeous day in San Francisco...about 80 degrees and sunny. For those who don't live in the bay area....that is very unsual. As I was sitting on my computer at about 830pm, I looked out the window and saw the most amazing sky. I ran to my roof and snapped a few photos. Can you believe how beautiful it is? The photos don't even do it justice. Probably partly b/c I don't even know how to fully use my new digital SLR. That building with the steeples is our church for the wedding!!

Black & white and lovely all over

2008-05-11T11:55:00.000-07:00

Before I get started on the real purpose of this post, I just wanted to share this photo I saw on theknot.com. I better get some sort of "in the car" photo on my day...I just love them.

Ok so what is black and white and lovely all over....DAMASK! It is my new obsession. I never knew what it was called until I started wedding planning. It will be the background of my wedding invitations (in red with light blue touches). I wish I could show a picture but I only have it in a PDF. Instead, below are some other things I love in a damask pattern.

These are plates I own from Target. I have them on display on our apartment in our built-in wall cabinet.
Ok, I know this centerpiece has nothing to do with Damask but I thought it was so pretty. My own centerpieces will be in a similar pedastal vase. (photo from marthastewartweddings.com) This very cool frame is magnetic. I bought it from Etsy (etsy.com) by BirdUncaged. It is $20.

Below are 2 invitations that I love from Mygatsby.com. I showed these images to the woman who is making my invitations for inspiration.

My photographer

2008-05-06T20:45:00.001-07:00

Ok so one of the things I am most excited about for the wedding are my photos. It is the one thing I splurged on. I love photography, so this was important to me. Check out the images above of a wedding done by my photographer, who's name by the way is Jesse Leake (http://www.jesseleake.com/). In my opinion, these photos are pure perfection. If you are in the San Francisco Bay area, definitely check him out!

Outdoor weddings

2008-05-06T20:17:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I regret not having an outdoor wedding for the simple fact that there are SO many cute things to do outdoors. I especially love chandeliers, lanterns, and vases hanging from trees. I also love when brides have wooden signs saying "wedding this way." (images are from the Knot.com)

Shoes my oh my

2008-05-03T14:15:00.001-07:00

So as much as I cringe at the thought of dyeables, I seriously love these heels. However, I am a practical woman and know that I don't do well in heels and these would probably only stay on my feet until the reception started. So I bought some really comfy kitten heel shoes. If you do better in heels than I, and love these shoes, they are from Touch Ups and you can get them here: http://www.benjaminwalkcorp.com

Natural Beauty

2008-05-03T13:20:00.001-07:00

So my colors are light blue and red. I am totally copying flowers I saw on real weddings on theknot.com. These flowers are from Kara and Brett's wedding in Rhode Island.

Can I just say that I think America Ferrera is seriously one of the most beautiful women in Hollywood. I don't know why people act like she is overweight. I think she is perfect. She is so natural and I covet her hair! (Picture if from PerezHilton.com)

On a side note, my fiance and I had our first pre-cana meeting. For those of you who aren't catholic, it is the marriage preparation course we need to take in order to get married. It wasn't half bad....other than the fact that it was 4 hrs long starting at 8am!! That's way earlier than I even get to work!

Our church

2008-05-02T20:40:00.000-07:00

This is the church we are getting married in..St Ignatius. The picture is actually taken from the roof of our apartment. I fell in love with this church when I saw it b/c it reminds me of cathedrals in Florence....of course not quite as big.

Palace of Fine Arts

2008-05-02T20:35:00.000-07:00

This is my fiance Matt and my favorite place in San Francisco. It is the Palace of Fine Arts located in the Marina District. (Photo source: me)

My first entry

2008-05-02T20:26:00.000-07:00

So I am new to the blogosphere. I am currently planning a wedding and find that looking at other women's blogs is so helpful. Therefore, I am partly trying to help other brides like myself come up with ideas but I also thought it could be fun! For my first entry I thought I would share my Save the Dates. Granted these were sent back in November but what the heck.