tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23595343040779465532024-03-19T00:29:10.980-07:00MarkessaXO.comMarkessaXOmarkessaxohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05348717103513018274noreply@blogger.comBlogger80125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359534304077946553.post-63333196153202135162009-01-20T23:07:00.000-08:002009-01-20T23:23:11.013-08:00Inauguration Day!I let Aliyah stay home from school today to share a moment that would be forever written in history. As we sat glued to the TV, I tried my best to give age appropriate explanations to what was going on. It really made me wish I retained some of the stuff I learned in junior high social studies, stuff that every American should just know - eek! Aliyah was such a great sport. We set our alarms to wake up at 6 something in the am to make rally posters for the parade. She took notes the whole time and later wrote a report/journal entry on what took place and how she felt about it. I was totally impressed.<br /><br />I can honestly say that I have never been so hopeful, so inspired, and so PROUD to be an American. And though I realize it will not be change overnight, I am optimistic and confident that we are definitely taking a step in the right direction. <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXSY3-nYLqzbnIe78astMsgP9gzKzVTeGNct_VPUVcKiqKMPGd94A4FaiQMq1D59fHFkxH6F0yKkzzacV4Z11dU6xCXeUb03HImzweFr_gJqFGBBW9hubPJJGoNp4ZVVNRGwt8CR45nkM/s1600-h/Capitol.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 269px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXSY3-nYLqzbnIe78astMsgP9gzKzVTeGNct_VPUVcKiqKMPGd94A4FaiQMq1D59fHFkxH6F0yKkzzacV4Z11dU6xCXeUb03HImzweFr_gJqFGBBW9hubPJJGoNp4ZVVNRGwt8CR45nkM/s400/Capitol.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293643211347725522" border="0" /></a></div><div class="cssButtonOuter"><div class="cssButtonMiddle"><div class="cssButtonInner"><a><br /></a></div></div></div>markessaxohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05348717103513018274noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359534304077946553.post-45282609966831172962008-12-05T22:57:00.000-08:002008-12-05T23:03:57.532-08:00{{{SQUEELS!}}}I just got an {early} christmas gift from the hubs! It's something I have been wanting for a <span style="font-style: italic;">long </span>time.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2tUtuJZqYyz5mHAHrX8TVajEy4gYNGrk62LCs3X47hgQ_KasS5WxO7BZ0tLA_3I0GX2kmt-J7goHTReHYEj4Yx7v4HnfgWvOLa9JzGqJvfUExkYCVkVz4vmdRniZTXzK79CCsGGvPs3g/s1600-h/closeup+mac"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2tUtuJZqYyz5mHAHrX8TVajEy4gYNGrk62LCs3X47hgQ_KasS5WxO7BZ0tLA_3I0GX2kmt-J7goHTReHYEj4Yx7v4HnfgWvOLa9JzGqJvfUExkYCVkVz4vmdRniZTXzK79CCsGGvPs3g/s400/closeup+mac" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276568158647449250" border="0" /></a><br /><br />{{{MORE SQUEELS!}}}<br /><br />to be continued...markessaxohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05348717103513018274noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359534304077946553.post-32134794458471000942008-12-01T00:09:00.000-08:002008-12-01T00:09:00.892-08:00Obsessed......with <a href="http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/twilightseries.html">Twilight</a>... in the same manner a 14 year girl would be... my apologies to all.... i honestly can't help it... in the same manner a 14 year old girl can't.<br /><p align="center"><a href="http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b315/angelsgurl949/Twilight-Series-Covers-twilight-ser.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 121px" alt="" src="http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b315/angelsgurl949/Twilight-Series-Covers-twilight-ser.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center"><a href="http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b315/angelsgurl949/twilight-cast.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 231px" alt="" src="http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b315/angelsgurl949/twilight-cast.jpg" border="0" /></a></p>markessaxohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05348717103513018274noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359534304077946553.post-91975311250334361002008-11-28T23:47:00.000-08:002008-11-29T12:06:33.048-08:00Turkey ThoughtsI love thanksgiving for the simple fact that it is probably the only holiday which has remained somewhat un-commercialized. Sure you spend loads of time at the grocery store the days before but that's different because you're buying food for family dinner. Thanksgiving is about spending time with people you care about and people you are thankful for, and my thanksgiving was nothing short of that.<br /><br />Holidays are BIG in my family, so we make a BIG deal out of them. If not for holidays, every day would be the same as the next so we make it a point to celebrate each and every one of them, to create memories that serve as milestones in our journey through life.<br /><br />A lot of thought went into this year's dinner. My sister and I spent weeks putting together a menu and envisioning a set up that would qualify this year as the best thanksgiving EVER.<br />Here are some pics of our table. (We prepped for 19 people this year! whew!)<br /><br /><img src="http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b315/angelsgurl949/Tablescape.jpg" /><br /><br />This holiday also marks the beginning of my most favorite time of the year! I absolutely LOVE the holiday season and everything about it! Hope you all had a blessed thanksgiving :)markessaxohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05348717103513018274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359534304077946553.post-88057863013970902362008-11-09T23:08:00.000-08:002008-11-11T15:16:39.304-08:00These are a few of my favorite things...One of my favorite bloggers, Andrea from <a href="http://hulaseventy.blogspot.com/">Hula Seventy</a>, recently made a "list" post called 100 things in the world i love. It was such a delight to read that I thought I'd make my own list. I tried to leave the fam out of it because I could have listed 70+ things that were all husband/family related! They are the real loves of my life!<br />Anyways, here they are... 100 things in the world i love ♥<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">1. New York City<br />2. pajama pants<br />3. scavenger hunts<br />4. tupperware<br />5. custom closets<br />6. pretty stationery<br />7. travel guides<br />8. peanut butter<br />9. No. 2 Pencils<br />10. transition words<br />11. baby hands and feet<br />12. candles<br />13. diaries<br />14. photography<br />15. family traditions<br />16. bargains<br />17. the blogosphere<br />18. holiday decor<br />19. county fairs<br />20. planners and calendars<br />21. wine glasses<br />22. well traveled luggage<br />23. water balloons<br />24. gift wrap<br />25. postcards<br />26. hair spray<br />27. potlucks<br />28. little black dresses<br />29. sequels<br />30. dryer sheets<br />31. cultural dance<br />32. chopped fruit<br />33. lip gloss<br />34. decorative pillows<br />35. library books<br />36. Jon & Kate plus 8<br />37. thrift stores<br />38. catalogs<br />39. excel spreadsheets<br />40. pool loungers<br />41. layered clothing<br />42. massages<br />43. athlete-inspired commercials<br />44. pearls<br />45. reusable shopping bags<br />46. calligraphy<br />47. dioramas<br />48. pizza night<br />49. pinatas<br />50. jump ropes<br />51. rollie pollies<br />52. bobby pins<br />53. photo booths<br />54. road trips<br />55. piggy banks<br />56. picnics<br />57. throw blankets<br />58. collages<br />59. jackets<br />60. email<br />61. greeting cards<br />62. white out<br />63. interior design<br />64. scripture<br />65. twinkle lights<br />66. lace<br />67. playing cards<br />68. golf carts<br />69. flavored water<br />70. fabric scissors<br />71. museums<br />72. file folders<br />73. fun facts<br />74. craft projects<br />75. paper towels<br />76. business cards<br />77. the swiffer mop<br />78. moisturizer<br />79. bottle caps<br />80. backpacks<br />81. children songs<br />82. winter<br />83. hair dye<br />84. home videos<br />85. baked goods<br />86. worn in jeans<br />87. postage stamps<br />88. gift registries<br />89. garment bags<br />90. double stick tape<br />91. passport stamps<br />92. social studies<br />93. classic movies<br />94. paper clips<br />95. semi-homemade cooking<br />96. new wallets<br />97. baseball games<br />98. photo albums<br />99. post its<br />100. making lists</span><br /><br />Man, I just realized how quirky I am! I closed my eyes and thought about it for about 30 seconds before starting and then it took me like a whole 2 minutes to write this. I could've easily written a couple more hundred! YIKES!markessaxohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05348717103513018274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359534304077946553.post-77703633633164546352008-11-04T06:43:00.000-08:002008-11-04T09:51:18.768-08:00Stand Up, Speak Up, VOTE!<div style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 181px; height: 180px;" src="http://blissfullydomestic.com/wp-content/gallery/family-bliss/vote_button.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Don't let the threat of rain or long lines shy you away from one of the most important elections in our lifetime! Today is the day to stand up and make you voice heard! In California you have till 8pm tonight to vote. Check with your local registrar of voters for info on where to vote and approximate wait times. Here is the link for the <a href="http://ocvote.com">Orange County registrar's site.</a><br /><br />See ya at the polls :)<br /></div></div>markessaxohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05348717103513018274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359534304077946553.post-81639208183893687802008-10-28T07:09:00.000-07:002008-10-28T13:06:06.063-07:00Cupcakes score BIG TIME!Uh... YES PLEASE!<br /><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhQ1QeBFudmzKiwTAIZFd0JnPUaoNybbUOC4td8cSAN0CDH3kwB8lAq4B2TPit5FWbuwD65Mn93nepvJnQjZx0jdbD0Bgxb4ehldyPFq5ms0v0T8Jy8dpQWwoTKDqyu9LA0LQEGQqLaWA/s1600-h/CC+004.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262296147121453394" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhQ1QeBFudmzKiwTAIZFd0JnPUaoNybbUOC4td8cSAN0CDH3kwB8lAq4B2TPit5FWbuwD65Mn93nepvJnQjZx0jdbD0Bgxb4ehldyPFq5ms0v0T8Jy8dpQWwoTKDqyu9LA0LQEGQqLaWA/s400/CC+004.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9IGMRpkZH6gP8gDY-wGBYN1ypzbAlc4aMaoeYhVr5VQ6-nNii-NM9C-RRwsJtAh8zbbwMe3A7GqsAVLosx_3kDbsZLXORaQejkiTSH_112R4sJ2FNX8APljBoFp1d0YSPd7nbBHby56o/s1600-h/CC+003.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262296140975419922" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9IGMRpkZH6gP8gDY-wGBYN1ypzbAlc4aMaoeYhVr5VQ6-nNii-NM9C-RRwsJtAh8zbbwMe3A7GqsAVLosx_3kDbsZLXORaQejkiTSH_112R4sJ2FNX8APljBoFp1d0YSPd7nbBHby56o/s400/CC+003.jpg" border="0" /></a></div>These perfect looking football cupcakes that we ordered for my nephew's football game easily made Kelly from <a href="http://onceuponacupcake.blogspot.com/">Once Upon a Cupcake </a>one of my new favorite people! It is not my first experience with them and it definitely DEFINITELY won't be my last!<br /><br />I honestly can think of endless reasons to gift someone with these delicious treats but if I ever am lacking on creativity, I can just turn to her blog full of eye candy and drool worthy gift ideas. Kelly bakes out of her home in South Orange County. She can make cupcakes for all occassions, including weddings! Check out her blog for more yummy details :)<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://onceuponacupcake.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b315/angelsgurl949/banner.jpg" /></a><br /></p>markessaxohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05348717103513018274noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359534304077946553.post-65371507259521441262008-10-20T19:08:00.000-07:002008-10-20T19:25:46.153-07:00IT'S HERE!<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Click on the logo below to check out the new V3 Wedding & Events Blog with pictures from our most recent wedding! And stay tuned the launch of our new website premiering later this week :)<br /><br /></span><p><a href="http://v3events.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259426328338380898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB4OtDg-TZgcSomDHpnEyrbuhU-VZqEwJIElXDBpauK1A7eV8IpEFfIlNRM_-GUSysQN-3kC6CMOY3MtRH2CXtp8rQ-WcNiP_DgykMgjlZET2NRqTutg3DYcH3mX7YiM8Y2g_M0yhHo2M/s400/splash+logo.JPG" border="0" /></span></a></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I will still be blogging personal entries here and wedding related posts on the V3 blog. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">xoxo,</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Vanessa ♥</span><br /></p>markessaxohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05348717103513018274noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359534304077946553.post-78199774650167954972008-10-15T10:31:00.000-07:002008-11-05T22:29:54.434-08:00Vanessa 3.0<span style="font-size:100%;">Today is my 26th birthday. I woke up early this morning on a mission to complete something I absolutely could not put off for one more day. It's been over 4 months since we got married and I had still not changed my last name! And while the social security office and the DMV might not be the most glamorous place to celebrate a birthday, I am thrilled to report that I am now officially Mrs. Vanessa Valenciano Vazquez, or V3 as my husband calls me. (Longest name EVER!) But at least today when people ask me how it feels to be 26, I can say that I feel accomplished :)<br /><br />I know I haven't been keeping up with my blog posts but I have so much good stuff coming up in the very near future so please stay tuned. I am so excited for this new year! So much is in store for the 3.0 version of me :)</span>markessaxohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05348717103513018274noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359534304077946553.post-58628759864252271412008-10-13T08:25:00.000-07:002008-10-13T08:25:00.071-07:00Seriously.Probably my biggest pet peeve is when people don't vote. One of my very good friends does not want to vote in this election because she "does not follow politics" (GRRR!) but I cannot stress to her enough, that its the issues they may or may not represent which is most important! With all that is abruptly going down these days, it would almost be a crime NOT to vote.<br /><br />The deadline to register to <a href="http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/elections_vr.htm">vote in California</a> is just one week away. Voter registration by mail must be postmarked by October 20th. You can visit this link <a href="http://maps.google.com/vote">here </a>to find more information about how to register in your state. Wherever you stand on the issues, make your voice heard! If you don't want to listen to me, maybe you will listen to Leo and friends ;)</span><br /></span><br /><embed src="http://services.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f8/1396519019" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" flashVars="videoId=1830029460&playerId=1396519019&viewerSecureGatewayURL=https://console.brightcove.com/services/amfgateway&servicesURL=http://services.brightcove.com/services&cdnURL=http://admin.brightcove.com&domain=embed&autoStart=false&" base="http://admin.brightcove.com" name="flashObj" width="425" height="366" seamlesstabbing="false" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" swLiveConnect="true" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash"></embed>markessaxohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05348717103513018274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359534304077946553.post-45052720036297434562008-09-27T07:04:00.000-07:002008-09-27T07:04:00.153-07:00Say Hello to My Not-So-Little Friend<span style="font-family:georgia;">Confession: I didn't even want a dog. It wasn't that I don't adore the four legged friends, but Mark and I weren't even living together yet and I knew I would get stuck taking care of one, feeding it, potting training it, parenting it. Truth be told, I wasn't ready to be a mommy. Mark, on the other hand, couldn't live another day without one. Every night he would come over and research the heck out of different breeds and post pictures on my desktop. This is typical of my husband when he wants something.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">One day he actually got me to agree to just "go look" at one with him. If you are smarter than I am, then you know what happened next. It was a classic story of girl meets puppy, girl can't put puppy down, puppy has found himself a new home. Yes, I am a sucker, but this is what I was up against...</span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b315/angelsgurl949/diezel-1.jpg" /><br /></div><span style="font-family:georgia;">He stole my heart in such a way that if I couldn't have him, a piece of me would have just died right there. But luckily, this was all in Mark's master scheme and we were actually not just there for a visit, but to pick up our new puppy and take him home! He was so so tiny! Here we are on his first field trip outdoors.</span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b315/angelsgurl949/diezel1.jpg" /><br /></div><span style="font-family:georgia;">Though the first few days/weeks/months were tough and chaotic, Diezel (named after Mark's favorite basketball player, Shaq Diezel) brought so much joy to our family and became a much needed playmate for my nephew's dog who was also living with us. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Fast forward 3 years later and you would hardly recognize my little lap dog. Diezel is... uh, well, here's Diezel...</span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg67Fh_6XvbR5IBftSmbC36XYhF8d3BgzPwTHYnVu8huOzmqlC3slmYeotEP8g6JvfX_WxBYyEIHzy5SlmMShtZyG1mlsMzK9Fl4qdH0AEdGjSpeRfnYv9QFfXjlP5LU3oxN3UOAPpH20U/s1600-h/diezel003.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg67Fh_6XvbR5IBftSmbC36XYhF8d3BgzPwTHYnVu8huOzmqlC3slmYeotEP8g6JvfX_WxBYyEIHzy5SlmMShtZyG1mlsMzK9Fl4qdH0AEdGjSpeRfnYv9QFfXjlP5LU3oxN3UOAPpH20U/s400/diezel003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250554006885369186" border="0" /></a><br /></div><span style="font-family:georgia;">Clearly, he has grown. And so has our relationship. I would describe our current relationship like that of a big sister and her pesky little brother. He gets in to all my stuff, wants whatever I am eating, and follows me all around the house to the point where I am constantly tripping over him. Just like a little brother, he can be quite a little nuisance, but just like a little brother, I love him. We always celebrate this day every year because this is the day we became a party of 3. Happy anniversary Diezel!</span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjycNbZYraABzkQuVDOl2V-Mm89RwaWe9TyfLHr-sJ3yTiAiggVXF6UJ7gi0dgHx5g_q5MSAyafXByvdtJ2_OcMo92Juld3aAhx_rqykE32bgmy1PBwb5NRr8c3pykkt34wpq2eIf3IYvk/s1600-h/diezel011.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjycNbZYraABzkQuVDOl2V-Mm89RwaWe9TyfLHr-sJ3yTiAiggVXF6UJ7gi0dgHx5g_q5MSAyafXByvdtJ2_OcMo92Juld3aAhx_rqykE32bgmy1PBwb5NRr8c3pykkt34wpq2eIf3IYvk/s400/diezel011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250554006718450802" border="0" /></a></div>markessaxohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05348717103513018274noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359534304077946553.post-7304672819336888032008-09-24T08:41:00.000-07:002008-09-24T16:41:40.852-07:00A Birthday Gift from Disney!<span style="font-family:georgia;">While I might have to argue whether Disneyland is indeed the happiest Place on Earth, I will not argue with their current promotion I got in my email this morning. Between September 18th and an undisclosed date (just do it now!), visitors can sign up to receive free admission to one of the Disney theme parks on your 2009 birthday! I read through the </span><a href="http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/disneyparks/en_US/WhatWillYouCelebrate/disneyland/index?name=CelebrationsDLRFreeOnYourBirthdayPage"><span style="font-family:georgia;">FAQs</span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"> and the offer seems pretty straight forward. Anyone can sign up; I just registered the hubs and I and thought you guys might share in my excitement! Check it out </span><a href="http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/disneyparks/en_US/WhatWillYouCelebrate/index?name=FreeonYourBirthdayPage&CMP=EMC-WWYC01@01-02&bhcp=1"><span style="font-family:georgia;">HERE</span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"> :)</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5XKy7nU30d58fPBu97elEa4RENsUZDhOx7IVbviSAKo2RNfBC0UPElec5HdudoSOQLoYnTM31Nz7ueDTHVYtSmMVfOq9AuZ6Q7uyel03qcQFPGwJudVPSeFySoIsUZLKK44eJAftE93w/s1600-h/minnymouse.jpg"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249665383751169986" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5XKy7nU30d58fPBu97elEa4RENsUZDhOx7IVbviSAKo2RNfBC0UPElec5HdudoSOQLoYnTM31Nz7ueDTHVYtSmMVfOq9AuZ6Q7uyel03qcQFPGwJudVPSeFySoIsUZLKK44eJAftE93w/s320/minnymouse.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><div style="text-align: right;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:85%;">It might not be my #1 happiest place, but I sure do look geekishly happy the last time I was there!</span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:78%;" >*Yup, thats me... the 3rd Minnie ears from the left!</span></span></div><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></div>markessaxohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05348717103513018274noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359534304077946553.post-40026129351889578872008-09-22T21:57:00.000-07:002008-09-23T00:09:49.445-07:00Bittersweet Goodbye<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Its that time of year. Time to unload the beach mats out of my trunk, time to properly cover and store the pool loungers, time to say goodbye to Summer. I went in to full comptemplative mode today when I realized that this may be the last summer in our "family home." (We are currently selling my mom's house.) While there are great things in store for all of us, I realized that this home houses the pool that each of my nieces and nephews learned to swim in. Every summer I have had the pleasure of witnessing their progress, their fancy dives, and their innovative pool games, and I am pleased to report that even the youngest of the bunch now jumps in the water without hesitation. (It is quite a sight to see a 2 year old with no fear what so ever of the deep end; its actually a little frightening!) </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Here is my final farewell to summer and the pool that has harmoniously brought so much joy to our family...</span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYRRWFRtWbKDHbRyqspoJMzJZ-XZ9CIutHdplRBtN8oOASewEZcQQm8pdBD9oJ8HU1_QCcgvNowjVVmwwfc5059DhAJaCou_1s-yg-JG8Mu_wzW8NWp__LsQi0Sho_cIPEgYzTU0TPpbY/s1600-h/summer6.jpg"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249107886462014578" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYRRWFRtWbKDHbRyqspoJMzJZ-XZ9CIutHdplRBtN8oOASewEZcQQm8pdBD9oJ8HU1_QCcgvNowjVVmwwfc5059DhAJaCou_1s-yg-JG8Mu_wzW8NWp__LsQi0Sho_cIPEgYzTU0TPpbY/s400/summer6.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> </span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCHkoSokdWFhj2JlCIYSHmIdgPGqzXeU56r7aaz9Bx7Q1crjNRTWphMroKNCPUPQeYr6cQVpxRdJhguMBmXDQqGTKUeEPvN0DfnVCJFmPkHJRhP1L4AErgLfqqVKQZnHVENpCujP1djy4/s1600-h/summer10.jpg"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249107900072335602" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCHkoSokdWFhj2JlCIYSHmIdgPGqzXeU56r7aaz9Bx7Q1crjNRTWphMroKNCPUPQeYr6cQVpxRdJhguMBmXDQqGTKUeEPvN0DfnVCJFmPkHJRhP1L4AErgLfqqVKQZnHVENpCujP1djy4/s400/summer10.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNEcdhYvszKUq5W9flcsnVaax3l_wdgDFnfMeE2d4IKnwRxioNrZJJtJJpPReN8dyewBoNjq0fma85oMC4EQzskRWU8jWlRMmUqDo8PcivXGuu8fThKEXl0wz5iS7VTCxHYjsnajQbpxc/s1600-h/summer7.jpg"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249107887605059202" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNEcdhYvszKUq5W9flcsnVaax3l_wdgDFnfMeE2d4IKnwRxioNrZJJtJJpPReN8dyewBoNjq0fma85oMC4EQzskRWU8jWlRMmUqDo8PcivXGuu8fThKEXl0wz5iS7VTCxHYjsnajQbpxc/s400/summer7.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYziJCJ-YGXpVHVKYK49_rYBzPRmQH9Z_1-DHHRe2nvXHwhXHnTBBKQnu6WIaL43lxYReqMrstoYxstAmZWpavaT3_IySuJfu6zzQZ5EbkuRuZOSkSNVI5Rr978sc6mp1hOYTITvOSKwA/s1600-h/summer9.jpg"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249107934071622114" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYziJCJ-YGXpVHVKYK49_rYBzPRmQH9Z_1-DHHRe2nvXHwhXHnTBBKQnu6WIaL43lxYReqMrstoYxstAmZWpavaT3_IySuJfu6zzQZ5EbkuRuZOSkSNVI5Rr978sc6mp1hOYTITvOSKwA/s400/summer9.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLA-vuNvGzMmoIlFRRQaqnI-FySFe31WPl6yoL7qkjG2fzKi_vNhKo2GQ41hQmpgI00qKUNCaMsfj-DZGYQDzNIRNU1z6Xwj323aYmGRCRYy8IfJyQhXxmWXLHp_W9KZeNZqeAv01jxkE/s1600-h/summer11.jpg"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249107941158336290" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLA-vuNvGzMmoIlFRRQaqnI-FySFe31WPl6yoL7qkjG2fzKi_vNhKo2GQ41hQmpgI00qKUNCaMsfj-DZGYQDzNIRNU1z6Xwj323aYmGRCRYy8IfJyQhXxmWXLHp_W9KZeNZqeAv01jxkE/s400/summer11.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />Today marks the first day of autumn. While it is hard to say goodbye to the long, sunshine-filled days of summer, I have to admit I am a huge fan of fall! I love everything about it and though I will miss our pool days, I welcome the change of the season with open arms!</span>markessaxohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05348717103513018274noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359534304077946553.post-43701053446017533422008-09-18T22:32:00.000-07:002008-09-18T23:53:41.672-07:00Tagged!<div style="font-family: georgia;">My good friend, <a href="http://summitdesigns.com">Andrea</a>, has blog tagged me! I was told to fill out the questions below and then tag 4 other people. Game on :)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">4 things I did today</span><br />*Had lunch and a therapeutic brain dump with my wonderful husband<br />*Paid a little visit to one of new favorite people, Kelly at <a href="http://onceuponacupcake.blogspot.com/">Once Upon a Cupcake</a> (separate post with details to follow!)<br />*Got invited by <a href="http://platinumweddingsbykerrie.com">Kerrie</a> to the <a href="http://www.ceremonymagazine.com/">Ceremony Magazine</a> party next week!<br />*Cleaned out my email *If you emailed me at the markessaxo domain earlier this week, I just got it today for some reason. I believe I have answered all emails so if you didn't get a reply, please resend! Thanks!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">4 things on my to do list</span><br />*Bridesmaid dress shopping for my cousin's wedding :)<br />*Get a desperately needed haircut<br />*Launch my website<br />*Plan our next vacation<br /><br /></div><div style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">4 of my guiltiest pleasures:</span><br />*Checking my blackberry/email<br />*Snacking when I'm not necessarily hungry, BAD habit!<br />*<a href="http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/jon-and-kate/jon-and-kate.html">Jon & Kate Plus 8!</a> reruns<br />*Spoiling my nieces and nephews<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">4 random facts about me:</span><br />*I am a total wimp when it comes to horror movies. I won't even watch the previews. I think the last scary movie I watched was the Blair Witch Project and it gave me nightmares for days :(<br />*I have never purchased a lottery ticket. I almost did the day before I got engaged, but just wasn't feeling the moment. I want to be the girl who gets "a notion," buys her first lotto ticket at a hole in the wall liquor store or maybe even an airport (they sell them there right?), and wins big!<br />*I am a hybrid mix of Filipino and Puerto Rican. I think I get asked this question more than anything.<br />*I research the heck out of my purchases; I rarely make impulsive buys. I do lots of online window shopping and read every review available. So this means you will not find me at a mall or out shopping unless I know precisely what I am looking for. The exception to this would, of course, be shoes ;)<br /></div><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;">4 people I tag!</span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">*</span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://jenandbernardo.blogspot.com/">Jen</a><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://jenandbernardo.blogspot.com/"> M.</a><br /><div style="font-family: georgia;">*<a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/07866896033379920176">Tiffany</a> from <a href="http://www.iamstyle-ish.com/">I am style-ish</a><br />*<a href="http://hotdamnnita.blogspot.com/">Nita</a><br />*<a href="http://nataliewilliamsblog.com">Natalie Williams</a><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">XOXO</span><br /><div style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="http://www.inthenowweddings.com/blog"></a> </div>markessaxohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05348717103513018274noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359534304077946553.post-58980304331926120432008-09-12T08:27:00.000-07:002008-09-19T09:06:40.829-07:00Jewelry is NOT this Girl's Best Friend<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">For the last couple weeks, my engagement ring and wedding band have been sadly neglected in my jewelry box while my poor, naked ring finger has been battling some sort of allergic reaction. This picture does not even do it justice...</span></span><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1q7nCN2UCP05UQiDEYts83PpPhyO2X7GBF6KJP8Rq3a4DChyiHWzvjFdR2FYvutGaMDRrwNwZCUlKtruiff8M-fV7D4uONUKgWNzx-_YL_G6JIH5WzzDu9-IuWS4o2FQC80DYA3vAxFk/s1600-h/derm+004.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245299726661419106" style="" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1q7nCN2UCP05UQiDEYts83PpPhyO2X7GBF6KJP8Rq3a4DChyiHWzvjFdR2FYvutGaMDRrwNwZCUlKtruiff8M-fV7D4uONUKgWNzx-_YL_G6JIH5WzzDu9-IuWS4o2FQC80DYA3vAxFk/s320/derm+004.jpg" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I guess it doesn't look</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" > that</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> bad but it is itchy, annoying, and seemingly here to stay. I hadn't worn it in over two weeks and the rash appeared to be healed, but I wore it out to dinner last night and it flared up again. I immediately googled "allergy to wedding ring" and the results were abundant. Here's what I learned on <a href="http://www.dermadoctor.com/">DermaDoctor</a>:</span> </span><span style=";font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >It can happen a day after your spouse</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;" > puts the ring on your finger, a month later, a year later, even several years later. Suddenly, one day, you notice that the skin</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;" > beneath the ring becomes red, itchy and irritated. The bad news is, your skin</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> might be allergic to the metal in the ring. </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">A</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style=";font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" >ll metallic jewelry still contains some small percentage of nickel. Purity is a pretense. There simply is no such thing as pure gold jewelry. While no one is surprised if they break out to their $9.95 pair of earrings, they are horrified when it happens with the real thing. </span><span style=";font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" >For finer jewelry, prolonged contact with the object is typically required to cause the rash. Gold and sterling silver molecules invisibly wear away over time allowing nickel to come into contact with the skin. </span></span><span style=";font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">The longer that you wear a good piece of jewelry, the more the microscopic "good" metal molecules are worn away, exposing the nickel molecules to the skin. This is how you can suddenly become allergic to an object worn “forever”.</span> </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">We joke that maybe my ring finger has expensive platinum taste! hehe :)</span></span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I read of many home remedies and did some research on hypoallergenic metals. A test at the dermatoligist could reveal specifically what is causing the allergy - exposure to nickel or the gold itself. I've always had to buy hypoallergenic earrings and can't fall asleep with any costume jewelry or I get little red rashy bumps and the area gets infected. I just didn't think it would be the case with my most expensive bling. Total downer :(</span></span></p><p align="left">***Update 9/19***</p><p align="left">Thanks for all your comments guys. But I am pretty sure it is an allergy. I haven't worn the poor thing in weeks, because it almost immediately flares up when I do :( I think we will get it re-dipped for now and then perhaps consider another metal in the future! ;)<br /></p>markessaxohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05348717103513018274noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359534304077946553.post-8357731093454222042008-09-09T08:22:00.000-07:002008-09-09T12:36:18.765-07:0005.25.08 Celebration Time, C'mon!<span style="font-size:85%;">Our first dance...<br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3074/2653883515_984080a678.jpg?v=0" /><br />...followed by a series of heartfelt speeches...<br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3089/2720673979_3e723d21cc.jpg?v=1217619216" /><br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3006/2653889789_554fb75e5b.jpg?v=0" /><br />I am so glad we hired a videographer, because to be 100% honest I cannot recall what anyone said (with the exception of the exceptionally memorable words of our best man)<br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3112/2721505002_d264d2af19.jpg?v=1217619557" /><br />This is me getting ROASTED by our best man! It was pretty bad!<br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3041/2654713036_0ded77e142.jpg?v=0" /><br />He always has this effect on me <3<br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3073/2643369986_f943173bb6.jpg?v=0" /><br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3089/2720704039_243cb0b8cb.jpg?v=1217620474" /><br />A few of my favorites :) <br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3256/2721736468_336c71571b.jpg?v=1217624065" /><br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3143/2721744928_7a6efd0fe3.jpg?v=1217624208" /><br /><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2117/2720822129_c4f9c6453b.jpg?v=1217623415" /><br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3207/2720875641_0dd4bc0f75.jpg?v=1217623782" /><br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3002/2721049693_40e32f5c07.jpg?v=1217624875" /><br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3070/2721078855_5ccdfbbc24.jpg?v=0" /><br />It all just flew by. If I could give any piece of advice to brides to be - make sure to take a step back to take it all in. When I think about our wedding I don't immediately think of the flowers, the favors, or our seating chart, but I do recall noticing my mom's hand slightly trembling as she came to hug me just before the ceremony. I remember smiling at my brother and him saying "oh my god" right as we began to walk down the aisle. I picture my sisters making faces at me during our first dance and I recall my nephew not leaving that dance floor all night. And then there was my husband... hugging me so tightly during the last dance, fighting off tears while whispering vow-like utterings in my ear. It is all so firmly engraved in my memories.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Thanks for letting me share the details and pictures with you guys! :) </span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">XOXO, Vanessa</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Photo Credits: </span><a href="http://sarahkchen.com/"><span style="font-size:85%;">Sarah K Chen</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> & </span><a href="http://jonilynphotography.com/"><span style="font-size:85%;">Jonilyn Photography</span></a>markessaxohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05348717103513018274noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359534304077946553.post-43269394128086900162008-09-07T19:32:00.000-07:002008-09-07T20:26:32.937-07:00Passport to Love<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Here are some pictures of our invitations. These babies were nearly the death of me, but we so wanted to do something unique and play on the travel theme. They were printed on Stardream paper by the lovely Pixies at Prim and Pixie. The assembly was probably our most labor intensive DIY. It was a painfully, frustrating process but after all is said and done, I love the final product and I think it got our guests excited about our day.</span><br /><br /><img style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3269/2829700816_f44e19a66a.jpg?v=0" /><br /><img style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3010/2828867869_94de3dac88.jpg?v=0" /><br /><img style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3166/2829716962_bb56d74f7b.jpg?v=0" /><br /><img style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3100/2829721332_e9e4097720.jpg?v=0" /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">BTW, I've been asked quite a bit about the calligraphy on the envelopes. In spite of what the experts at Paper Source told us, we were able to print on stardream envelopes. I patiently hand fed the envelopes (purchased from envelopemall.com) into our regular, old laser printer and the hubs sat there with the embossing gun and carefully dried each one. We were told that the ink would not stick to the paper but the intense heat from the embossing gun remedied that problem. Note: Leave it on a second too long and you'll be left with a burnt envelope and a cursing fiance.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">And I don't think I ever shared our save the dates on this blog. So here is a picture of the postcards I designed and had printed through vistaprint....</span><br /><img style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3014/2828847215_c9e12c10da.jpg?v=0" />markessaxohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05348717103513018274noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359534304077946553.post-86573917204831981952008-09-04T07:12:00.000-07:002008-09-04T11:21:35.278-07:0005.25.08 Details, Details!<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >Photos by <a href="http://jonilynphotography.com/">Jonilyn Photography</a><br />Our easel directed guests to their seats. The tables were named after places that Mark and I have visited or hope to someday visit. The backgrounds of each card doubled as our table signs and as the vintage postcards that guests signed for our wish board.<br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3008/2720536909_88b784df6b.jpg?v=0" /><br />Floral Initials - an idea borrowed from the uber talented Mrs. Pootiekins,<br /><a href="http://sarahkchen.com/blog/?p=249">CLICK HERE</a> for DIY directions<br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3220/2721379082_f03deb3b59.jpg?v=0" /><br />Our wish boards - <a href="http://markessaxo.blogspot.com/2008/06/our-wish-board.html">click here</a> for more details on this project<br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3285/2721432272_289949a801.jpg?v=0" /><br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3112/2721401572_0248881725.jpg?v=0" /><br />Tablescapes - Florals by <a href="http://www.flowerallieweddings.com/">Flower Allie</a><br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3119/2720560769_177201b7e6.jpg?v=0" /><br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3203/2721365856_5562eece4f.jpg?v=0" /><br />I love this aerial shot. I have seen Jonilyn do it at a few weddings now and I think I may even call it one of her signature shots :)<br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3012/2721407036_b5d5b477ab.jpg?v=0" /><br />Maui was our sweetheart table, and our honeymoon destination!<br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3231/2721415410_417986f536.jpg?v=0" /><br />Aren't candles completely mood altering?! We wrapped each of those bad boys with ribbon, so we were thrilled that they successfully added to the elegant ambience of the night.<br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3017/2720566599_230ec64f1b.jpg?v=0" /><br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3114/2720539033_cc0e10741c.jpg?v=0" a="" few="" shots="" of="" our="" candy="" /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3071/2721546624_87c2fee0fd.jpg?v=0" /><br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3042/2720732777_aaaf85383d.jpg?v=0" /><br /><a href="http://sarahkchen.com/">Sarah</a> later had some fun with the candy and took my two favorite ring shots<br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3022/2642618945_df3e13ea49.jpg?v=0" /><br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3165/2642630785_f3325ef67f.jpg?v=0" /><br />We opted to serve our guests bite size desserts in lieu of cake. Each table was treated with one of these dessert trays. The grand piano is the Madison's signature piece - made of chocolate, filled with creme brulee and berries! DELISH! This picture was taken by one of our guests...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibUgbSTIMsqmu6NcpqvZjZ8U8tx2HVQSJdJShmAaygoiWgXp6oB-pEY9LXTUn81yBKfgEOHKOUMR5Y67bUSiOK0B_kM36yt2Jc4yZkA3210qED3hv2s9o0tfzhuq7DVWZoqk9oZI5D6Wo/s1600-h/dessert+tray.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibUgbSTIMsqmu6NcpqvZjZ8U8tx2HVQSJdJShmAaygoiWgXp6oB-pEY9LXTUn81yBKfgEOHKOUMR5Y67bUSiOK0B_kM36yt2Jc4yZkA3210qED3hv2s9o0tfzhuq7DVWZoqk9oZI5D6Wo/s400/dessert+tray.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242228289332664962" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I have to take a moment to praise the wonderful staff at <a href="http://themadisonrestaurant.com/">the Madison</a>. I cannot be more grateful for all the guidance and flexibility was offered to me from their staff. Patrick, the owner, was one of the biggest selling points of this place. He is perhaps the sweetest man you will ever meet and everything we requested was met with his infamous line "my pleasure." We could not have had such an amazing day without him. Christina, their coordinator, was a doll and was willing to do anything day of to make sure the details looked fabulous. Both were present the whole time during the wedding, making sure everything was flawless. Seriously, if you are venue shopping still - I recommend this place without any hesitation at all; it does not disappoint. And if you haven't eaten there, I HIGHLY recommend it! The food is exceptionally fantastic. I'll even go with you! ;)<br /><br />That's all for now. I am going to </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >attempt</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" > to take some photos of our invites to share with ya'll.<br /><br />Stay tuned for the finale, coming up next!</span>markessaxohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05348717103513018274noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359534304077946553.post-81480143576279770592008-08-30T14:35:00.000-07:002008-08-30T16:35:27.752-07:0005.25.08 Mr. & Mrs.<span style="font-size:85%;">If ever two people were so obviously on a natural high, it was most <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">definitely</span> us!<br />Our coordinator, Kerrie, from </span><a href="http://platinumweddingsbykerrie.com/"><span style="font-size:85%;">Platinum Weddings by Kerrie</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">, found this park while she was running (literally running) back and forth from the church to the Madison. It looks as if we are standing in some secluded, enchanted spot but really we are surrounded by the massive buildings and madness that is downtown Long Beach. While our guests were making cozy with our reception venue, we gladly took our time <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">frolicking</span> around the city, posing as newlyweds :)<br /><br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3100/2642096855_84a08a61e9.jpg?v=0" /><br /><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2329/2642866180_960b772078.jpg?v=0" /><br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3152/2643006244_d2d851cb9b.jpg?v=0" /><br /> <img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3100/2642219007_012796190a.jpg?v=0" /><br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3012/2721355688_918cf02a08.jpg?v=0" /><br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3030/2643020966_b04ca94450.jpg?v=0" /></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">If it's not obvious, <a href="http://sarahkchen.com/">Sarah</a> worked her butt off to get these fab shots! Have I ever mentioned how much I love her?! I have so many fabulous portraits to pick from, but since I am quite certain that you are sick of looking at our smoochy mugs (i kinda am!), I will leave you with these.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Coming up next:</strong> Reception details galore!</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Have a safe and relaxing long weekend :)</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">XOXO</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /></span>markessaxohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05348717103513018274noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359534304077946553.post-91151153027792119482008-08-22T08:14:00.000-07:002008-08-22T10:38:10.671-07:0005.25.08 SHOWTIME!<div align="left"><span style="font-size:85%;">SHOWTIME (FINALLY!)<br /><br />The girls, all lined up and ready to go...<br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3081/2721239494_2949f46dea.jpg?v=0" /><br /><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2017/2720436975_2d148cdf71.jpg?v=1217617909" /><br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3056/2654664710_85f5a4536d.jpg?v=0" /><br />I was escorted down the aisle by my older brother. Total paparazzi pic!<br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3028/2653839533_ea7ea934e5.jpg?v=0" /><br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3116/2653841835_e65979566a.jpg?v=0" /><br />My nephew flawlessly read a passage from 1st Corinthians. He was so cute, we were so proud!<br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3053/2640642549_75c89673fc.jpg?v=0" /><br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3183/2640697091_f30b3d5f7f.jpg?v=0" /><br />High Five! j/k<br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3131/2641528294_8a89b9fa31.jpg?v=0" /><br /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">Our hand ceremony:<br /><em><span style="font-family:arial;">As an expression that your hearts are joined together in love - will you please face each other and hold hands, </span></em></span></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">so that you may see the gift that they are to you.<br />These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">that are holding yours on your wedding day as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and forever.<br />These are the hands that will work alongside yours as together you build your future.<br />These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years. </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes; tears of sorrow and tears of joy.</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children, the hands that will help you to hold your family as one.<br />And these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged will still be reaching for yours, </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.<br />Our prayer for you today is that both of you will use these hands to build a marriage where all your dreams come true.</span></em></div><em><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"></span></em><div align="left"><br /></div><p align="left"><span style="font-size:85%;"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3273/2641564082_e1f8a4fd82.jpg?v=0" /></span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:85%;">MARRIED!<br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3120/2640764031_b5f34c0e9c.jpg?v=0" /><br />The reason we won't be having children anytime soon!<br /><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2169/2641620658_4f58446678.jpg?v=0" /><br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3099/2640833093_bdb470f2ce.jpg?v=0" /><br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3190/2640836121_27300e752c.jpg?v=0" /><br />I love these anonymous shots!<br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3065/2640875725_ab6dc1e272.jpg?v=0" /><br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3173/2641689348_5a6b22c2e0.jpg?v=0" /><br /><br />COMING UP NEXT: Our Newlywed Portrait Session! </span></p>markessaxohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05348717103513018274noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359534304077946553.post-51607634276818696352008-08-20T08:27:00.000-07:002008-08-20T09:55:20.597-07:0005.25.08 The Big Reveal!<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">As non-traditionalists, Mark and I opted to see each other before the ceremony, and I am so glad we did! Not only did it give me us a chance to shake off our jitters, but our photographers were able to take tons of pictures beforehand while the lighting was precisely perfect.<br /><br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3114/2653808157_e897e13a2b.jpg?v=0" /><br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3065/2721144108_23386140fd.jpg?v=1217572586" /><br />I was a little emotional, but so happy to see my soon to be husband!<br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3126/2653809393_44259803b6.jpg?v=0" /><br />Ahhh... I call this my "exhale" moment<br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3211/2721147394_e5f4de431a.jpg?v=1217616416" /><br />Now off to the ceremony! We all decided to walk since it was just a few blocks away.<br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3102/2654643420_82bd187b86.jpg?v=0" /> </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">I think it built excitement and made for some fun pictures too!<br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3196/2653818791_4a43cef993.jpg?v=0" /><br />The church courtyard was a great backdrop for photos<br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3240/2721170970_c13d6a5e3e.jpg?v=1217616633" /><br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3236/2654648064_90888f9caa.jpg?v=0" /><br /><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2078/2654649238_22aa7cbca4.jpg?v=0" /><br />From here we parted our seperate ways to wait for our ceremony to start. For me, it was the waiting game. The upstairs bridal suite at the church overlooked the church parking so I was getting anxious and excited seeing guests arrive.<br /><br />My anxious-excited look<br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3252/2653828631_25c24f529f.jpg?v=0" /><br />Mom, giving last minute hugs and advice<br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3017/2653828929_223b8e6355.jpg?v=0" /><br />Patiently waiting<br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3248/2653831797_0545cbf758.jpg?v=0" /><br />Meanwhile, the guys didn't pass up the opportunity to strike a pose as they greeted guests outside the church...<br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3236/2653825437_c1ee0e7f61.jpg?v=0" /><br />Our boarding pass programs. Inside them we listed the ceremony order, wedding participants, and a personal message from us.<br /></span><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3209/2721212244_6f1c796bd9.jpg?v=1217616933" /></span></p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">Even the aisle looks eager!<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"></span><p align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3090/2720368377_68bc71cef9.jpg?v=0" /></span></p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">Photos by </span><a href="http://sarahkchen.com/"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">Sarah K Chen</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"> & </span><a href="http://jonilynphotography.com/"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">Jonilyn Brown</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /></span><br /><strong>Coming up next: SHOWTIME! </strong></span></span>markessaxohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05348717103513018274noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359534304077946553.post-6579686326233995062008-08-18T23:15:00.000-07:002008-08-18T23:46:43.785-07:0005.25.08 Groom HeadquartersI have to admit, I was a little jealous to see the ease and casual-ness of the guys' getting ready process!<br /><br />He kinda looks anxious ;)<br /><br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3103/2721040064_b751b22866.jpg?v=1217570541" /><br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3291/2720218333_bfa97b338f.jpg?v=1217571024" /><br /><br />My brother helping his little man get suited up<br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3098/2720208041_5ae0a2384d.jpg?v=1217570170" /><br /><br />And that would be Mark's BFFs doing each others hair! Um, yaa....<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3058/2721082100_e63319e605.jpg?v=0" /><br /><br />My darling nephews...<br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3158/2721076180_8b1210b27f.jpg?v=1217571383" /><br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3272/2653795677_79ab0d507e.jpg?v=0" /><br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3039/2721053588_33999e422d.jpg?v=0" /><br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3259/2720235115_b643b5afd6.jpg?v=0" /><br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3134/2721093418_695f753e6e.jpg?v=0" /><br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3021/2721089302_218debc16f.jpg?v=0" /><br /><br /><div align="center">And 10 minutes later they were ready! lol<br /></div><p align="center"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3060/2720283247_51956d6706.jpg?v=1217572034" /></p><div align="center"><em>All photos courtesy of </em><a href="http://jonilynphotography.com/"><em>Jonilyn Brown</em> </a></div><p align="center"><br /><br /></p><p align="left">COMING UP NEXT: The Big Reveal!</p>markessaxohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05348717103513018274noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359534304077946553.post-22508923028201280032008-08-12T22:25:00.000-07:002008-08-12T22:27:26.703-07:0005.25.08 G'Morning Sunshine<a href="http://sarahkchen.com/"></a><p>"G'Morning Sunshine" was my wake up text from Mark. The girls and I had spent the night in the hospitality suite while Mark bunked with his Best Men. The morning of our big day was very easy going. I remember everyone was looking at me trying to figure out if I was OK. Truth was, I was perfectly fine... like way too fine. But that all caught up to me later! In spite of everyone questioning us, Mark and I ate breakfast together in the concierge lounge. It was really nice to sit down alone and kind of reflect on what we were feeling. Mark had a charming aloofness to him and was more quiet than usual. I, on the other hand, could barely eat because I was all bouncy. This demeanor pretty much continued throughout the day. I returned to the suite and this is when my wedding day really began. </p><p><strong>Girls Getting Ready</strong> </p><p><span style="font-size:85%;"><em>Photos by </em></span><a href="http://sarahkchen.com/"><span style="font-size:85%;"><em>Sarah K Chen</em></span></a><br /><br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3159/2653793427_c194a43249.jpg?v=0" /><br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3255/2639613465_db15439625.jpg?v=0" /><br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3237/2653793079_6ac6dbaf0c.jpg?v=0" /><br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3123/2654628222_973f96228b.jpg?v=0" /><br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3143/2721016676_882875f14f.jpg?v=0" /><br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3127/2641029336_249e1e0328.jpg?v=0" /><br /><br />I think it was right around this time when <a href="http://makeupbyliz.com/">Liz</a>, our makeup artist, says to me "Oh, you totally just switched over." Before I could figure out what she meant, I realized at that very second that not only did I not hear anything that was happening around me, but I had not said a word for a good ten minutes. I TOTALLY just switched over, and that surreal feeling was slowly but surely seeping in. When I explain this I am going to sound like such a loony but whatever... its like you see the day in third person. Mark described it this way and I knew EXACTLY what he meant. It was honestly like a movie.<br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3068/2653802845_1c4e43b741.jpg?v=0" /><br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3031/2654629928_8c9d199e91.jpg?v=0" /><br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3279/2640206599_69a526bfa2.jpg?v=0" /><br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3125/2639859837_fb883fa33f.jpg?v=0" /><br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3210/2653786397_18e5b195a7.jpg?v=0" /><br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3106/2653789577_350ba95ce7.jpg?v=0" /><br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3057/2721189854_cc493a0051.jpg?v=1217617714" /><br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3029/2653790373_27c1d17400.jpg?v=0" /><br /><br />We used every last minute we had getting ready. This is due to a minor (OK fine, not so minor) hair dilemma. At the end of the day, its not worth mentioning. But this would explain why we I don't have many posed shots with the girls. Oh well, c’est la vie!<br /><br />Wait till you see the casualness of the groom's quarters! COMING UP NEXT...</p>markessaxohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05348717103513018274noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359534304077946553.post-4624054417655892632008-08-05T22:19:00.000-07:002008-12-11T01:28:55.923-08:0005.24.08 Some Slumber Party!<p>Rewind for one second - I forgot to mention some important things about this night. I just have to include the following because its too darn funny. </p><ul><li>Post rehearsal dinner, I stood in the hallway with Tanya totally unamused by the other girls' plans to "party." I, um, kind of had some important stuff to do the following morning so I wasn't feeling it. I walk into the room to find that they had opened bottles of alcohol I had tucked away in one of my many boxes. These were actually gifts for the groomsmen. I think my stank eye relayed my disappointment, l0l. GIRLS!</li><li>Despite their big plans to relive moments from the bachelorette party, both Em and Linette fell asleep. Correction: they passed out! I mean - <strong>PASSED OUT</strong>! Like we were violently jumping on their beds and they still couldn't stop drooling! HAHAHA The other two troopers wanted to try on their dresses and march to processional music. Now this was my kind of fun! lol</li><li>Late into the night we finished wrapping wedding party gifts and stuffing the kids' goodie bags, all while making predictions about who was gonna cry, fall, or dance down the aisle ;) Priceless!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9WY7Fg4fWHyXGwSCb1gRSkbfoX1kbPkCtuxgs3IEZAjQZEAkREMuD_EasRcadDLikNx2eV6Dk4G3gHXRTVMY3pH1uVbc4jkQmZPgxeRcNcbCWDEtyAGKAJgXLBBdQE8LC0IiA9YjnSBU/s1600-h/bags.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231195539675616482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9WY7Fg4fWHyXGwSCb1gRSkbfoX1kbPkCtuxgs3IEZAjQZEAkREMuD_EasRcadDLikNx2eV6Dk4G3gHXRTVMY3pH1uVbc4jkQmZPgxeRcNcbCWDEtyAGKAJgXLBBdQE8LC0IiA9YjnSBU/s320/bags.jpg" border="0" /></a> </li></ul> <br />One last thing... I havent slept in the same bed with my sister, Tanya, since we got our own seperate rooms in the 5th grade. Imagine my surprise when she tried to cuddle with me! Like, no joke, CUDDLE in spooning position, legs entwined and all. I cannot stop making fun of her - it was so creepy weird! hahahahaha!markessaxohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05348717103513018274noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359534304077946553.post-87474960708468032842008-08-05T16:57:00.000-07:002008-08-05T22:58:30.429-07:0005.24.08 The Last SupperThe day before our wedding had to be the shortest day of my life. I had big plans for my down time that day, only the down time never showed up. The rehearsal went well, despite the fact that both Best Men showed up 2 hours after it was over...grrr! ;) I only have one picture that my cousin snapped during the rehearsal and it is a really unimpressive one. Why we didnt think to take any pictures is truly beyond me. I think my brain was on a different wave length that day. For months I had been telling myself that once today came, all that can be done had been done. It was time to let it go in the hands of our trusted vendors. And with that thought, I was free to just enjoy the weekend.<br /><br />Pictures from our rehearsal dinner in the downstairs vault room at the Madison...<br /><br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3274/2554642273_980346cffd.jpg?v=0"><br /><br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3058/2554648145_b711d9abcf.jpg?v=0"><br /><br /><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2316/2555471356_c801111805.jpg?v=0"><br /><br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3192/2555472814_273f6fff9d.jpg?v=0"><br /><br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3144/2554644725_3c7b49296f.jpg?v=0"><br /><br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3102/2555466788_d626049da6.jpg?v=0"><br /><br />The private room was perfect! It was so nice to spend some extra quality time with friends and family. <br /><br />OH WAIT - I almost forgot...<br /><br />Earlier that day, actually the minute we stepped foot in the hotel room, Linette noticed that Mark had not found the time to go get a manicure. For Linette, this was simply unacceptable and she insisted that she had all the tools to hook him up, and to no one's surprise... she did.<br /><br />Mark in the girls' suite, getting pampered. I love this picture!<br /><strong></strong><a href="http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b315/angelsgurl949/Wedding%20Rehearsal/IMG_9156.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b315/angelsgurl949/Wedding%20Rehearsal/IMG_9156.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>markessaxohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05348717103513018274noreply@blogger.com3