Here comes the bride

So I bought the first wedding dress that I tried on. I tried on a few after it, but ended up buying that first one, during my first wedding dress excursion. Impulsive? Maybe, but it looked beautiful on me. Very dainty and very Tara Met Blog! ;)

I actually didn't like the dress on the hanger and was just trying it on to humor my bridesmaid who instructed me that I couldn't refuse to try any wedding dresses on and that I had to at least try it on before I rejected it. So good thing she was so militant and I complied, because the moment the dress slipped over my head, I was wowed.

I don't want to go into detail about it since Raphael reads my blog of course and I'd like him to be surprised when I walk down the aisle come September. My mother even told me to tell him that I got a long sleeve turtleneck dress, ha. But because I can't keep a secret, I have to at least tell you all about it, so I'll link to this photo that I snapped in the dressing room via my bridesmaid's cell phone while the attendant left us alone (Raphael please do NOT click on the link! Thank you). It's kind of similar to the current Brides magazine cover. My dress is by Allure.

The bridal shop that I purchased the dress from, Lili Bridals, is the same shop that my bridesmaid got her dress from and it also supplied the wedding dresses worn in the Friends episode, "The One With the Wedding Dresses." Having been obsessed with the show growing up, I think it's quite serendipitous. I'm also extremely glad to have another thing off my plate and behind me. Oh and I was able to get the sample dress at a discount, just need to get it tailored now.

Read More »

What I got for Christmas

An Apple iTouch--it's like an iPhone without the phone part. I already downloaded movies to watch on it while on the plane

Tamales -- like last Christmas in El Paso, I helped to make them by spreading the maza on the corn husks

A Cupcake-a-day 2008 Calendar

The romance book Scottish Brides

National Lampoons Christmas Vacation on DVD

A pair of Diesel shoes

And an 80s music Scene It game

IE: I was a very good girl or I have very good friends and family :)

Read More »

The woes of Christmas traveling

The film Love Actually starts off with Hugh Grant voicing over a touchy airport scene with people greeting each other and rejoicing. He then says that when he wants to look for love he goes to the airport. Well, when I want to look for hate, I go to the airport. Not once have I seen such touching embraces at the airport especially not during the crowded holidays. Instead I see kids that won't stop crying, tired parents, moody couples and grouchy and patronizing airline employees. Oh and people on the verge of a breakdown if they hear the intercom announce for the 5,000th time to not leave bags unattended.

For the second year in a row I headed to El Paso for Christmas with my future in-laws. This time though my mother is coming as well and it will be her first time meeting the family. But my 5:35 p.m. SouthWest flight to El Paso from LAX was delayed on Friday since everyone was traveling for vacation or going back home.

When I arrived at the airport I almost got taken out by a guy with skis who turned when his girlfriend also with skis called his name. I arrived at 3:30 and waited on the long line that went out the door since I had to check my bag because of the wrapped gifts that it contained. When I finally got to my gate I was greeted by the electronic board by my gate which announced that my flight was delayed an hour to 6:30:

Fine, I thought. So I wandered around the shops, bought Brides magazine (while I can and all), however the thing is bigger than a phone book so I was then stuck lugging it around. *Digression* While I'm on this topic, why do engagement ring ads comprise most of the pages in there, isn't that part done already? Brides either already have them or are not the ones buying them anyway. I would have benefited by seeing wedding bands instead. Oh well and besides showing just wedding gowns it would be good to see some tuxes for ideas for the groom too. *end of digression*

Just as it was nearing six o'clock a new delay message was posted. They didn't even have the guts to make an announcement about it, instead they just switched the time as if we wouldn't notice or still cause a stink. The 5:35 flight was now leaving at 7:20:

We boarded at exactly 7:20, but then we had to wait for everyone to find a seat (I luckily had A35 so was among the first few on) and store their luggage and taxi away from the gate. The pilot assured us that the two hour flight was only going to take an hour and a half though, so at least that was something. I got a window seat but the woman in the middle seat next to me had brought on a big take out plate of nachos and the fumes were making me sick. And I said to myself, "self, if she hits you with her elbow one more time, just go ahead and put her face in the sour cream and guacamole."

Happy trails all, ho ho ho

Read More »

The great holiday cupcake swap

In celebration of the holidays my LA Cupcakes MeetUp group had a cupcake swap, where everyone bakes and brings enough cupcakes for those attending and then receives a cupcake from each person. Thus, getting a whole new assorted batch of cupcakes to sample or take home. I also put together three prize packs for The Best Cupcake, The Best Decorated Cupcakes and The Most Unique Cupcake (flavor or otherwise).

Now as I blogged before, I'm not much of a baker. I can cook, I just can't bake. However, I think I made a pretty good Red Velvet cupcake. Granted I bought the cream cheese frosting and found a holiday wreath design online to emulate, but it still took a good deal of time and attention--the main things that I do not like about baking in the first place. I tried though to incorporate the tips I learned during the baking class that I took though, like putting a cookie sheet under my cupcake tray to spread the heat evenly. In the end my cupcakes were nice and moist although I'm not sure how "red velvet" they ended up tasting, probably could have used some more cocoa powder. Here they are:

I was pretty proud of the outcome, until I saw everyone else's cupcakes. The following two won the best decorated cupcakes, the first is a lively chocolate garden, the second group is by Gigi Cakes (which we all thought was store bought until she revealed she frosted both the peppermint mocha and ginger spice cupcakes herself.)

The Best Cupcake went to Alexis' peppermint cookies & cream batch (recipe is on her blog):

The Most Innovative went to sampling of mini Horchata cupcakes and there was also a Jack Daniel's frosted cupcakes that I thought was pretty original too. Best presentation easily went to Charity from Wholesome Cakes who brought her organic meringue whole wheat vanilla filled cupcakes in a basket and placed them in plastic cups and arranged them like a sweet tooth's dream bouquet.

Fun holiday cupcakes are a great gift idea, but are not complete without some sweet treats!

Read More »

The Office encounter

This morning I left my office to deliever something for a client and while doing so I met an actor from the TV show "The Office." Ed Helms who plays Andy Bernard in the series. I'm told he plays the suck up. I don't actually watch the show, so I didn't recognize him, but he looked somewhat familiar and then I realized like his co-star Steve Carrel, he was also a correspondent on The Daily Show, thus is politician/reporter look.

He was there filming an opening seqment for a trade show event that my client is hosting and unlike when I was working in the same room as The Cheetah Girls, he did not ignore "the little people" and instead said to me, "Hello, my name is Ed." I said my name was Tara and that I was on the PR side, whatever that meant. I didn't get to see him film his bit though, just was there while he was getting ready and deciding which tie to wear. I also overheard about how "The Office" doesn't have any more shows recorded because of the WGA strike, thus the recent re-runs and his availability for this promo. But when I was leaving, I wished him good luck on the filming.

If you a fan of The Office, get up to speed on the series by playing the DVDs on portable
DVD players and see what you've been missing. There's really nothing better than snuggling up in a recliner with a good DVD or book.

Read More »

It's begining to look a lot like

Christmas! At least in our condo. We got a real tree this year, albeit a mini one, but since we won't even be here on the holiday itself, it makes sense. Also, our place is small and it's just the two of us. So whatcha think of our Charlie Brown tree? It's a step up from the plant that I had in NYC.

I got the following martini holiday decorating idea from Hostess with the Mostess. I usually put these mini Christmas bulbs in a fish bowl type vase that I have, which I still did but with the assorted colors only and kept the red bulbs to put inside my green martini glasses. Flirty fun.

Read More »

They say it's my birthday

Yesterday was my birthday and to celebrate it, Raphael and I headed up to Big Bear Lake, Calif. for the weekend to hit the slopes at Summit Mountain. To our surprise just two and a half hours away from L.A. a snow storm was brewing leaving behind a foot of snow and us to scramble to find chains to put on our tires. All my years on the east coast, I never had to drive with chains on my tires, not even in Vermont in the winter. But then again East coast roads are treated with salt and dirt, while here it was just plowed. On our ride back down the windy mountain we saw cars and trucks off the side of the road but continued on at only 20 MPH gripping the wheel. My poor Jetta.

The night of my birthday, back in Los Angeles, 11 of my friends and I did dinner at Bucca Di Beppos. We were in round private round room named, "Passion," which was filled with photos of women and cats (weird but fun). There seemed to be at least 5 other birthday's going on that night, since every ten minutes we'd hear another announcement and then the birthday song being sung. I jokingly told my group that we'd be louder then the others and boy they did not disappoint, they even did a special chant for me, I was almost embarrassed, almost.

Read More »

The Grammy's: and the nominees are

This morning at 8:30 a.m. I was present at The Fonda theater in Hollywood to hear the Grammy nominees being announced live. Amidst a room full of reporters and more cameramen and equipment then I could count, I was there with my notebook taking notes and listening to hear if a sponsor's name was mentioned among the speeches.

This year will be the Grammy's 50th anniversary, so the theater was decorated with big 50 signs all over the place and a silent clip reel played the best of the Grammy moments as people got ready for the nominations to begin.

I didn't realize they used actual performers to announce the nominees, so it was a bonus for me that I got to see some singer and stars. The artists reading the nominations so early in the morning included: Akon (woo who), Fergie (looking glamorous, g-l-a-m-o-r-o-u-s), Taylor Swift (she's tall), Foo Fighters' Taylor Hawkins and David Grohl (looking like they just woke up, their eyes squinting in the camera's lights), George Lopez (at first I was like, why is he here? But then was reminded that he's hosted several Latin Grammy awards shows), Herbie Hancock (I only know his name because of the movie Tommy Boy), Mike Shinoda (of Linkin Park) Jimmy Jam (no idea) and Vince Gill (don't know him either).

When Fergie presented, she was sweet and said good morning to everyone and as she announced Akon's name for Best Rap/Song Collaboration for "I Wanna Love You" with Snoop Dogg, he made a Yes! gesture behind her and everyone clapped.

When Taylor Swift came to the podium she said that she was "starstruck" and later when her nomination for best new artist was announced she came up to hug the Foo Fighters who were announcing the category, as if she just won the award. It was cute. The guys even gave her the nomination envelope to keep. She then kept staring at it as the other names were revealed. Later when the Foo Fighters were nominated for Album of the Year, they jokingly went up for a hug from the announcer Jimmy Jam and then when Herbie Hancock's nomination was announced he, to much cheers from the crowd, hugged only the girls in the line (Fergie and Taylor) and ignored the announcer.

George Lopez meanwhile started his segment in Spanish and said "Don't worry it's still English, for awhile." He also referred to the six-time nominee, Amy Winehouse who sings "Rehab" as a "drunk ass," lol. Oh and he teased before opening the envelope by saying, "How funny would it be if it said Lisa Lisa and the Cult Jams?" Being a fan of their's I was a little saddened by that though. So for an event that was pretty much just an announcement of nominees, it was made from by the group on stage. Here's a listing of the full nominations.

If you aren't familiar with a lot of Grammy nominees' music, check out a site that offers streaming music online and listen away! Listening to music online is a great way to get acquainted with artists before you buy their music CDs.

Read More »

Orchid 911

Last night I attended a CitySearch event called Eat. Drink. Learn., and that's what I did. We ate at the cozy new Food Court LA (mac n cheese with bacon and sun dried tomatoes and carrot cake for dessert), drank white wine sangria with pear, mandarin and citron vodka and fresh blueberries and learned about how to properly care for orchids.

A presentation by David, The Orchid Wrangler, who has a store that sells orchids and even has a DVD out about it, provided tips for owning a thriving orchid plant. After attending the pretty orchid show in New York awhile back, I was too intimidated to buy orchids that weren't cut and used for flowers, but now I'm tempted to at least try. Here are some things I learned:

• Apparently the Orchid industry is a $9 billion dollar a year business, just $2 billion shy of matching the porn industry.
• No direct sunlight, that is its enemy, but they still require a lot of indirect sunlight (sky lights, lamps, bright rooms); keep 2ft away from direct light/window.
• Do not over water, tablespoon water into the soil and wait until it dries before adding more water. Likes moisture, but do not drown it.
• Remove the decorative mulch put on the top of most plants for decoration.
• Anything that's brown, cut it off.
• Vanilla beans come from an orchid vine.
• Orchids do not require much food.
• Leaves should be bright green and not dark green or have a red tint--that's bad.
• Orchids can still grow and be alive even though they don't bloom, if this is the case move to a brighter area.
• Keep roots exposed.
• Orchids lead in the most common flowers seen in bridal bouquets (I'm going with tulips or gerbera).
• In the wild, orchids do not live in the ground, but up in the trees!

Digression: I see that in my notes I circled the word lanai. David had used the term when suggesting where to keep your orchids, which prompted me to start thinking of Blanche Devereaux from The Golden Girls, who also uses the term "lanai" to refer to their porch. I wish I had a lanai. That's all.

The different allergy research centers have found that latex balloons are a source of allergy to some patients. For the latex allergy safety latex balloons and other latex article should be kept out of hospitals. In many homes air filter is used to keep safes from allergy. The vacuum cleaner ratings help to buy the right vacuum cleaner for your carpets. Most of the dirty carpets in home usually become a source to dog allergies.

Read More »

HD my condo

So we did the big gift giving a bit early this year.

Whilst on a visit to Costco, we impulsively bought a 37 inch Samsung flat screen high def TV and a Toshiba HD DVD player to go with it.

We already had the HD cable box at home and have since been busy resetting our DVR to record all our shows on the HD channels, instead of regular programming, and boy is there a difference. It's beautiful! We can see the actor's pores and Heroes looks 3d almost.

I was reluctant to buy a new DVD player with the whole blu-ray or HD DVD format war going on, plus I already have a HUGE (300+) collection of standard DVDs. Yet, after reading that I can still play my old DVDs and that the player will make them look their best using "industry leading up-conversion technology over digital output"-- I couldn't resist any longer. Plus, what's the point of having a HD TV if it can't play high def films too? Thus, out came the credit card.

Video: Totally unrelated, but this kitty is too cute, he doesn't even look real.

Read More »

Return of the American Gladiators

Over the weekend we attended a taping of the new American Gladiators TV show. 10 years after Gladiators went off the air, this revival version will debut on NBC in early January as a mid-season replacement. The new American Gladiators is hosted by Hulk Hogan and Laila Ali, Mohammad Ali's daughter, and tapes at Sony Studios in nearby Culver City.

It was fun being in the audience, but we literally waited for four hours for the taping to finally begin. First we were in a line outside the gate, then in a cold soundstage left to sit on the cement floor for over an hour and then finally in the studio for another hour or so. On our way to the seats I got to hold one of those big qtip looking jousting sticks that I remember from the original series. I can't say I ever really watched a whole episode though, I was more of a Nickelodeon Guts fan, but I do remember an episode of Ellen where she competes.

Anyway, the waiting was annoying but the sets were very impressive, we could see a big rock climbing wall, the Hang Tough set and a big mountain and track in the distance. The audience warm up guy kept going around giving out prizes to those with short, funny and clean jokes. After an hour of listening to "Your Mamma" jokes and staring at an empty set, I couldn't take it any longer. A girl can't survive on free gronola bars alone after all. So, I raised my hand and said that I had a joke. He had me stand up and say where I was from and then asked what my joke was. I responded, "What do you call a show that never starts?" Everyone laughed and he was half way through repeating my question when he called me a smart alec and let me pick a prize out of his bag. Unfortunately I picked a cheesey $1 DVD called The Magic Horse.

The event we watched was called "Hit & Run," where contestants have to run across a clear wobbly bridge above a pool and ring the buzzer on each side as many times as they can while ducking and dodging medicine balls being swung at them by the gladiators. We stayed to watch three contestants participate, two male and one female. None of the three fell in the water, but they did slide on their stomachs in an effort to miss the balls. Gladiators Titan and Helga were my favorite since they looked the most impressive. And although the events and set has been updated, the outfits have not, lol.

I was looking forward to seeing The Hulk, but only Ali's daughter emced this segment, she of course is cool, too, though.

The bulked-up hulks on American Gladiator meanwhile are hardly close to the Famous Gladiators of times past. Pop in a gladiator DVD into one of your DVD players and see what real heroes looked like. They look even better up close on high definition LCD TVs.

Read More »