MONDAY MONDAY

Hope the beginning of a new work week hasn't brought you down... we have so much to be grateful for. We are so lucky to live in San Diego where the sunsets are so vivid and colorful. Recently I drew inspiration from all the bright begonias, blades of grass and the gorgeous robin's egg blue sky. I melted Crayola crayon's and threw them on a canvas to create this fun wall art!  xoxo... Jessica from the Wanderers

I'm attaching Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"  not only because it has the word rainbow in it, but also because our 8th grade musical was "The Wizard of Oz".  I was a munchkin!

Poolside

I grew up in the valley. That means hot summers and a deep love for all things that cool you down. I don't know if people from temperate climates can ever know the joy that I get from swimming pools, waterslides, misters, ice cream, otterpops etc.My favorite part about Vegas is that so many people share my enthusiasm for swimming pools and chilly treats.Here are a couple of iPhone snaps from our road trip. Our friends came to visit us from Italy and that is what sparked a trip to Vegas in August.  I wish I had pictures of me, Mike, Cristina, Aurora, Elisa, and Lauriedonna, but it seems that I only had eyes for the swimming pool and Mike Ofeldt. I'll do better next time.

Anyone have a recommendation for a water resistant camera?  Wet hands and the iphone were tricky.  Also the New York Times had a fun feature on pool photography by Katie Orlinsky for more pool joy but on some Beach Boys and click here. Baci, Suzanne

Kiss and Tell : Acumen August with Meg

Meg and Ty had a beautiful wedding ceremony at Sea Grove Park in Del Mar and then kept the party going at Estancia in La Jolla.  Inclusive is the word Suzanne used to describe Meg. In fact Suzanne's cheeks hurt at the end of the day from smiling so much. The joint laughter among everyone at the wedding was contageous.The whole day Meg and Ty were uncertain whether they could have their ceremony outside because it was raining. But when it actually came time for the ceremony, it stopped raining and the sun came out shining bright on the couple. Their wedding was orange and green as well as paper elements well before they were in style. They are quite the trend setters. When I asked Suzanne what three words she would use to describe the couple she simply stated "Made to Last!" Here is Meg, sharing her words of wisdom!

Dos Besos, Katie from the Wanderers

1) How did you mentally prepare for the big day?

The year of planning leading up to the big day was all excitement and fun. However, by Friday afternoon, just prior to the rehearsal dinner, I was a little nervous (probably an understatement) that everything was coming up so quickly- our wedding, moving in with my husband in our new apartment, our honeymoon- that I started to panic. I was even nervous that I hadn't packed well for our honeymoon. After a sweet talk with my husband-to-be, a deep breath and a big hug, I was mentally prepared for all the big changes. I had wanted everything to be perfect, and I knew it would be as long as I was able to enjoy it.

2) Did you have any events surrounding the wedding. I.E baseball game, rehearsal dinner, brunch, bachelorette party? Tell us about it.

We did! The Thursday prior to our big day was our "Karaoke Kick Off Jam," which was so much fun. My husband and I shared our first date at the Lamplighter in Mission Hills so it only felt right to work some karaoke at the Lamplighter into our festivities. Luckily, many of our guests are always game for a fun night out! On Friday the fellas in the wedding party and our family had a day of golfing and the ladies had their nails done and tied up loose ends (yep, once a type A personality, always a type A personality) and then it was off to our Mexican themed rehearsal dinner at El Callejon, complete with a mariachi band. So fun!

3) What is something that makes for a great wedding day?

Once the festivities start, put any of the "need to do" list behind you and just have fun! The more you enjoy yourself, the more all of your guests will and you'll have the best day ever!

4) Did you see your spouse for the first time before the ceremony or during the ceremony? How did you feel?

We chose to see each other before the wedding and I loved it! Shewanders set up a special moment that we were able to have all to ourselves. I think it help me avoid too many butterflies and left us plenty of time to have fun with our wedding party and take pictures ahead of time.

5) What is one of your favorite memories?

I have to pick one? That's almost impossible but... I'll say seeing my husband's face when he turned around and saw me for the first time. Each time I see the picture of that moment my heart melts.

6) What song do you most remember on the dance floor?

Our first dance (choreography= terrifying but awesome) of "Kiss to Build A Dream On" by Louis Armstong and our last dance "Wonderwall" covered by Ryan Adams. It was never a favorite before but I love it now!

7) What is a piece of advice you wish you had known before the big day?

The little things that you stress out about leading up to the wedding are the things you never remember when you think back about such a great event. Just enjoy it!

8) Weddings are wonderful, but share some marriage tips please!

Enjoy your time together because it all happens so quickly. It feels like our wedding was just yesterday but it was almost five years ago! Days that we spend together, just the two of us with no plans, are some of my absolute favorites.

7 Wonders for Wandering Brides: Featuring Brenda Swann from Swann Soirees

Brides-to-Be, SwannSoirees is a wonderful business, with magical talents that can help make your wedding a gem! Suzanne says Brenda is sweet and spunky and makes a great Engaged! roommate as well as a rockin coordinator.  “If you would like to enjoy your day instead of stressing about what comes next Brenda could be your personal hero.”

Meet Brenda and see what she is up to!

Dos Besos,

Katie from the Wanderers

1)   What should brides/grooms/curious seekers know about you?

-Curious minds should know I don't function in absolutes.

Defining life in absolute terms is so limiting yet puts so much pressure on you, I can't handle it. Life is organic and I enjoy living it that way...before you think I'm some crazy person, what i mean by that is that much of it (life) is made out of actions & reactions. As human beings we have the ability to think through those actions and reactions, so instead of functioning under the pressure of "I might die if..." or "it has to be like that or I'll..." I make the choices that I think are best for me & my situation and run with it, see where it takes meand well... Just live it out. There is so much we can't control, so what I can control will at least be well-thought out. I transfer that philosophy to planning weddings, life it's an experience, wedding planning should be too- and the wedding... Well, it's milestone day that celebrates what is yet to come, it is not the end-all or be-all of the amazing moments which led you to it, nor is it the pinnacle of all you will be...

2)   Why do you love what you are doing?

-Because it is huge part of what makes me happy. I have an incredible husband and family, a team of women who help Swann Soirées thrive from every standpoint, I get to meet people from all over and share in their lives, and every single day is a product of my choices & decisions. Granted it is not easy to run your own business, be a wife, mentor, boss, or any of the other roles I fill on a daily basis, often it is really hard work and I live a totally unbalanced life, but I am 100% responsible for everything that causes me joy or headaches and that makes me happy. This is my life, my dream, my heartache, my everything and anything. I don't feel like I am missing anything to complete my life. Do I want more out of life? heck yea! But recognizing how happy I am is what allows me to get so much more more out of it, and that is why I love it.

3)   What makes your business wonderful and stand out from the rest?

-Our mission is to encourage & inspire- that's what makes us wonderful. We don't have pre-set ideas or formulas for the perfect wedding. we dont require specific budgets, venues, or guest list counts, styles, themes, etc. Our portfolio is full of weddings that are all completely different because we take pride in encouraging clients to make their celebration THEIRS- we add in our experience as  necessary, and viola! If you want to have guests trade custom trading cards at cocktail hour, great! If you want your first dance to a mariachi, fun! Want to wear a Sari for your Catholic ceremony, quote a Disney movie in your vows, have a flash-mob dance routine in the middle of dinner- Rad!! Let's do it! We encourage a "what makes you happy" philosophy. We make sure that we are your cheer squad, advocate, sound box, resource, and allow you to have an amazing day that truly is a reflection of who you are and what's important to you.

4)   Where do you find your inspiration?

-I am mostly inspired by feelings- everyday feelings....how do you feel when you drink cold lemonade on a hot day? How do you feel when you are packing to travel abroad? How do you feel when you land at your destination? When you're on a roller coaster? Going on a hot date? Bought new shoes? Ran 8 miles in 90 degree weather? Everything is influenced by how it makes me feel, right down to the color palette of my firm logo & graphics... I can trace that inspiration back to a specific feeling I experienced.

5)   What does the world need right now?

-The world needs a universal understanding that time is borrowed. We aren't going to live forever, yet many of the decisions we make as people, countries,  etc, seem to have eternally defined goals which cause so many problems. I think if we collectively functioned under the understanding how precious time is, we would appreciate life more and live it so differently than we do now. I'd like to think more peacefully.

6)   What advice do you have for brides to be?

-There are no ultimatums in wedding planning. Everything in life requires you compromise at some point. You can't successfully plan a wedding, enjoy the process, and have a great wedding day if you aren't willing to compromise when needed.

7)   If you could go to one of the 7 wonders of the world, where would you go and why?

-That would depend if it is one of the Ancient, Medieval, or the "New" wonders... But kidding aside, I have been fortunate enough to have traveled to two wonders out of each of the three categories, for a total of six wonders- I'd be delighted to go to ANY of them just so that I can say I've been to seven wonders! So many wonders, such little life...