David and Raphie come to LA!!

David and my future father-in-law, Ralph, came to LA for a visit so we could catch a Dodger game. We had such a great time!To start the weekend off we ate at an amazing little sausage joint called Wurstkuche. It was recommended by my friend Jeannie. She knows I have a love for sausages (wink, wink)! They had so many delicious sausages on the menu. Jeannie told me I had to try the Rattlesnake/Rabbit sausage, and I have to be honest, I was extremely hesitant. We almost didn't order it, but in the end, we thought we would get one for all of us to try. Holy crap, it was freaking awesome. Best sausage out of the 5 we tried. Don't even get me started on the french fries tossed in truffle oil - oh and they have a walnut bleu cheese with bacon dip for the fries. So delicious. Since we were in Little Tokyo we had to enjoy Yogurtland. Ralph thoroughly enjoyed himself. We took a little walk to one of my favorite little shops, PopKiller. I had seen a shirt in the window that I had to have and I kept forgetting to stop by to buy it, but this night I remembered! Hooray for me! Once we were done with our Little Tokyo excursion Ralph wanted some coffee. Where else but the Dessert Boutique would we go?! I seriously, seriously ate too much on this night.The next day I went to the office in the morning to get some work done and then had lunch with Ralph, David, and a friend of theirs from LA. We ate at a great little spot in Santa Monica called Blue Plate. It was so cute, and the food was really tasty. Also, they sold these amazing little cookies. I bought some, and ate a lot of them. Following this meal, we went straight to the Velvet Margarita for some, wait for it, margaritas! Weird, right? I actually had a pina colada to start. I love them here because they crack open a coconut for you on the spot and serve it in there with the juice from your cocunut. After we enjoyed our afternoon beverages, we headed home to relax before heading out for happy hour. Have you noticed a pattern? Writing about it I feel as though we may have a problem. Not enough food or drinks, doi.


This is what happens when you give them too much food and drink. ;) After their little siesta, we headed to Corkbar for some appetizers and wine. Shoshannah came to eat and drink with us so it was quite delightful. Later on, her husband Anthony joined us.




Once we had thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, we moved our party on to Trader Vic's at LA Live. This was the turning point for me. Not so much a turning point, really, I guess, more like a super sharp turn right into hell. I learned a life lesson this night. Rum kegs are bad. Very, very, very bad. The blame should really be placed on my future father-in-law. He's kind of germ phobic. The rum kegs are meant for four people to share. Ralph refused to share with me and the Geege; Do you think this made us want to order something else? Oh no, we rised up to the challenge. Three times. That's what he said!! ahahahhahahah. I kill myself sometimes.

The rum keg. and my totally awesome shirt from PopKiller.

When we had consumed enough rum to sink a pirate ship, we walked next door to the Yardhouse. That's right, when we get on board, we just don't stop. The Geege, regrettably, found it appropriate to order a round of shots. And then we all had beer. And we had a dance party. So much fun.dance!

Until the next morning. Let me tell you, I am no amateur drinker, however, I am not a crazier partier anymore either. Although most of my photos would make you question the latter. Weird. I guess those are always the best photos. Anyway, I digress. On the drive to the baseball game, I was dry heaving the entire way. So disgusting of me. I definitely learned my lesson. The baseball game was awesome. We had such great seats! I dressed all trashy because I had heard Dodger Stadium was a little grodie. Turns out our seats were totally awesome though! Oh, and we saw the Cobra Kai Sensei from The Karate Kid movie. Yes. All in all, it was a totally, totally, totally awesome weekend! I had such a wonderful time with Ralph! And David also.

Keystone Light, baby!

Ralphie forgot his sunglasses so he borrowed mine, they look pretty good on him.

Our totally awesome seats!

Geege, Jenn, David, Ralph

ahhhhh zhyeah!

St. Patrick's Day/Geege's Birthday

Normally on St. Patrick's Day I like to take my leave from work around 11:30 to make it to the bar by noon.  Unfortunately I was unable to do so this year, but do you think that's going to stop me from enjoying my day?  Absolutely not.

For lunch, I went and picked up corned beef and cabbage from Sonny McLean's in Santa Monica.  The corned beef was really nothing to write home about but the mustard sauce was something else.  I found out that they add heavy cream to it...yummy.

Later that afternoon I met Geege, B, and Micel at Rush Street in Culver City.  Not an Irish bar, but well worth going for the swag we got.  =)

I hate these little photos.  I will post more later.

March Madness.

Every year when March rolls around I get little tingles in my belly. Lots of people experience this. It's March Madness. Only for me, March Madness involves David's Birthday, St. Patrick's Day and Geege's Birthday. No basketball craziness for this little lady, just good times. =)

1. I love the Irish, so celebrating my Irish honey's birthday and St. Patrick's Day is GREAT

2. It's Geege's birthday

3. I really sometimes enjoy getting my drink on

Prior to the actual date, we had to celebrate the Geege's birthday along with B's (Brenda) birthday. The Double BJ Birthday Bash was on. Here are some photos.

B, Gin (Jenn), Juice (Jess), Nicole

pre party at the Yardhouse

B & J Hostesses with the Mostess of the Double BJ Birthday Bash at Seven Grand

who is that crazy girl in the red dress? oh it's me. just super excited for mint julep sno cones

where is my drink? who is geege talking to?

time to go.

This evening definitely was a night to remember. The four of us started out at Yardhouse and made our way to Seven Grand to meet everyone else. Geege had such a wonderful time - until the fighting cock. At around 1/130 I was so exhausted, I told Geege that I might have to leave and she became sad. So, we decided to stay, then she was standing at the bar ready to take another birthday shot with some friends from work. Let me tell you, Geege is a seasoned drinker. I've never seen anything literally take the Geege down. Then to watch her stand up and run to the ladies room in the heels she was in? Yowza. A few minutes later, Geege came right out, walked up to me and said, "We're leaving." As we made our way out, Geege took a little mini tumble down the stairs, good thing I was there to keep her up. =)

David's Birthday.

David and our good friend, Nik, came to LA to celebrate David's birthday.  Needless to say, when you put David, Nik, Jess and myself together, it gets a little crazy.  

David and Nik flew in Tuesday, March 3.  That evening we were celebrating Dave and Shoshannah's birthday at Soowon in Koreatown.  It was so much fun!  We had a huge group and we all enjoyed our food and drink very much.  Following dinner a few of us headed to Scoops, an amazing little ice cream/sorbet/gelato shop.  I was so sad that they didn't have the Mascarpone and Oreo flavor, but I did get some delicious treats.  Sometimes, they have PBR flavored ice cream.  For those of you who aren't in the know of fine beers, PBR is Pabst Blue Ribbon.  

Sadly, on the following day, I had to work.  Boo.  It was Daver's birthday and I couldn't even spend the day with him.  However, I did get to leave work a bit early to get our evening started.  David and Nik came to pick me up from work and we headed to Trader Vic's Lounge at the Beverly Hilton for a Scorpion Bowl.  Hello teeny tiny picture...it's from Nik's iPhone.

That is one big cocktail - filled with almost all rum.  Delicious.  Off to one of the most amazing restaurants I have ever been to, the Bazaar.  It is tapas style molecular gastronomy.  Freaking phenomenal is all I have to say.  And the Patisserie?  Words can not even begin to describe.  One of the favorites had to be this little Philly Cheese Steak "sandwich", it's a piece of airbread with the steak and cheese foam on the inside...SO good.  The company, meal and drinks were so fabulous that we decided not to end our night.  We headed to Tom Bergin's, the oldest Irish establishment in LA.  It was a great time, but most nights that include good food, drinks and Irish Car Bombs usually are.  On normal occasions, I am not allowed to drink irish car bombs, but, this was one of those nights that Dave and I decided it was ok.  And I got 2!  Whoopeee!  That is, until the next morning when I had to be at work.  

I was so happy to spend my honey's birthday with him!  And so glad that Nik was able to join in on the festivities.  I think we all gained about 10 lbs. during this week but it was well worth it.  

MIA

I'm so crazy trying to get into shape and making preparations for the Big Day that I've been neglecting my blog. =(

I will update soon with some wedding news! =)

Hooray for the PARTY OF THE YEAR!

Valentine's Day in Utah.

David was in town with me for almost a full week for our anniversary (February 11). It was so nice to have him here! He had to leave me on the day after our anniversary, and when we woke up that morning to go to the airport, I felt a sickness coming on. =( The only up side was that I got to see him and Kylie on Valentine's Day.

My dear friend Adriane came with Kylie to pick me up at the airport. We had a great lunch at Thaifoon. After lunch Adriane drove me and Kylie to Dave's apartment. When we got there and started walking towards his building, Kylie said, "Look, Mommy! Dave made a trail of flowers for you!" Adriane and I look down and we see a trail of rose petals on the path to Dave's building. But, come on, there are six units in his building alone so I tell Kylie it can't be Dave. As we reach the landing of Dave's apartment, the rose petals stop in front of his neighbor's door so I say, "See, Kylie, I told you."

We get into Dave's apartment, and wouldn't you know it? There are rose petals everywhere! What a dreamboat! Seriously, can I just say that David has become more romantic the longer we are together? Isn't it usually the opposite? All I can say is that I love it! After all the hugs and kisses, David asked Kylie what she wanted to have for dinner. She asked for spaghetti with meatballs and garlic bread with no cheese. Because David loves little Kylie so much, he decides to make homemade meatballs for her. The dinner took a little longer than expected because of the process, but it turned out so great! She loved it and it makes me so happy that he would do those little things for her. After dinner we all watched a movie together and called it a night.

On Sunday I woke up feeling miserable. I hadn't been sick in over a year and I was so proud of myself! Oh well, I had a meeting scheduled with an event coordinator to discuss my wedding so I had to pull it together. After the meeting Kylie and I did some shopping together before we headed up to Park City for Aaron's (my godson) blessing. The blessing was at Walton's mother's home and it was so sweet! Natalie, Walt's sister, brought her three little girls and the two older girls and Kylie just had the time of their lives! They were all so cute together. Bonnie, Walt's mom, has this room just for the girls, it is filled with all kinds of fun for them along with costumes and clothes and dresses. So, all night the girls were having a little fashion show. We also had the most amazing meal prepared by Chef Tomass (Walt's stepdad).

Me and Kylie

Kylie, Kayla, Alexa

i feel pretty, oh so pretty...

My mom came into town this last weekend to go dress shopping with me. We went once in Salt Lake City together, and it was a nightmare experience. We have similar tastes in lots of things, but I guess not when it comes to wedding dresses. I was definitely apprehensive because I have been looking so much in the Los Angeles area, and I had my favorite picked out. I was certainly not looking forward to her hating my dress. We went to Saks Fifth Avenue, in my opinion they have the best selection and the friendliest staff. They are always so kind and helpful. Unlike a horrible place called Marylinn's in Pasadena. I had to throw that in there because everyone there was so lame. Here is my cute mom, looking around, and I am just scared, wondering which ones she is going to pick out. It wasn't that bad though! Hooray!

Kenneth Pool

This one was so pretty! Not so much my favorite fabric, but my mom loved the dress so I tried it on. I did like it, but it was so heavy! Let me tell you, if I picked this dress and wore it on a Summer day, I would have some major "Swass" (sweaty ass) issues. Not sexy or beautiful, Gross.

Jenny Packham

My mom loved this dress so much she almost wet herself. I don't know if I've seen my mom that excited in a long time! I liked it but it was a little too old fashion for my taste. Also, please disregard my face in the second photo. I mean seriously, what am I doing?

And here Geege and I are goofing off with crazy dresses. Except she really, really, really loves the one she has. Any single guys out there?