Almost 10th yr away from my family

..... what is FAMILY?

I think...

I am an AMERICAN but they tell me I am NOT

THE BEST THANKSGIVING YET..

So it was my 9th yr of celebrating THANKSGIVING in the US.

This year's was the best thanksgiving I've ever had!

GREAT FOOD (thanks to TRADER JOE's) & GREAT PPL !!!

We realized that, we've pulled out a traditional thanksgiving dinner (when characters in Charlie Brown were going over Thanksgiving TABLE CHECK LIST, we've actually had every single things that they named.... )

SCHEDULE

1:00 pm Turkey put in the oven

3:30 pm Mashed potato, stuffing, glazed butternut squash, Green bean Casserole, corns

6:00 pm DINNER BEGAN

7:30 pm PASSED OUT

8:30 pm 2nd ROUND of THANKSGIVING DINNER (continuing from where we've left off)

9:00 pm Passed OUT

10:30 pm BROOKLYN BRIDGE (IT was necessary.... and sorry for my facial expression)

11:50 pm NRB (aka karaoke)

2:30am HOME

3:00 am 3rd ROUND of THANKSGIVING DINNER

3:30 am JIIN PASSED OUT

4:00 am MALE MARTHA STEWART left for home

4:00 am FELL A SLEEP

FEELING VERY exhausted and beaten but I must say "I HAD THE BEST THANKSGIVING. "

SHOP RUCHE!

HOW CAN YOU NOT?

Michael Kors Watch

MK makes beautiful watches....

Blur...

Project Runway Finale...

WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT....

THE typical New Yorker who created the WHOLE black collection won the Project Runway.

My roommates ALL agree with me that Carol Hannah should have won NOT Irina...

But then.. what would I know about fashion . URGGGG..

Weddding in MD

My friend from High school called me a wk ago and asked, if I could work for a wedding.

Her roommate is getting married in DEC. at this church I used to go in high school, and she needs a help with decorating the reception site.

I was super excited but then i remembered what the room looks like... EEK

BARE WHITE WALLS, low ceiling, random columns positioned at awkward places.. SIGH

"Anna, to transform that space, its gonna take lots of work and $, unless she wants a look of a CHURCH RECEPTION... "

I asked several questions about the design ideas, colors, other details and the BUDGET.

The bride and groom want some what christmas themed reception with an accent of RED.

The BUDGET was untold or undecided or maybe doesn't exist? but as a practice, I created a proposal and turned it in to my friend and the bride :b

Wedding in MD:

- 12/12/09

- 100 guests

- venue: calvary presbyterian church Dinning hall(more like a room)

- REception time: 7pm?

- Color the bride wants to use: RED + Christmas cheers

- Budget: ?? ?? ?

I proposed few ideas of centerpieces, candy bar, Christmas wishing tree, and favors for the guests. Here are some photos that I included on the proposal:

I've done a Christmas/Anniversary Dinner Party @ my uncle's

Christmas gift centerpieces: affordable centerpiece idea?

I am going to make topiaries with christmas ornaments: centerpiece idea

IKEA. I would tie ribbons on them and leave them on the table next to the Christmas tree, so guests can leave nice messages on them and hang them on the Tree

She might like this!

I will make the bridesmaids bake tons of cookies and package them - sweatshop? to give out as favors to the guests! C'mon ladies!

I dunno... I sent out the proposal yesterday so still waiting to hear back from the bride and my friend. EEEK. It is just a little bit nerve-wracking. But I had fun planning one - in my head :x

HELLO from CHRISTINE

Jimmy Choo @ H&M

I've had THE JIMMY CHOO moment at H&M this sat.

Jimmy Choo's exclusive collection @ H&M launched on this Sat. in selective states and at selective stores even in NYC.

Janna and I decided to participate in this ONE TIME experience (lining up in front of the H&M store on the LEXINGTON ave. at 8:30am to be the first 160 ppl). WE failed to be the first 160 to receive the bracelet (which will allow you to shop for bags/shoes). supposedly you have to be in the line at 6 o'clock in the morning for that. hmm sounds like BLACK FRIDAY?

LET ME TELL YOU... the scene reminded me of the special episode of SURVIVAL on Discovery channel.... I totally felt the power of Jimmy CHOO ( I am not even sure, what he looks like. I must google him).

P.S.

Dear Men out there,

you must never stand in between women and bags/shoes.

You MIGHT GET KILLED! Watch out!

I am back!

THat was a rocky trip...

Whom should I blame for

I don't want to grow up...

I have to learn to be considerate.

WOO

Tango Rose

I must say, I am definitely NOT a ROSE person...

But I will make a reception for this special ROSE, 'the Tango Rose.'

When Randy (The master of the FLOWERS) introduced me to this TANGO ROSE.I was so in shock, I couldn't stop my self from smelling it. IT SMELLED as if someone sprayed ROSE Fragrance from Estée Lauder all over it.

*when you have a chance, plz plz plz (must) purchase them! You won't be able to stop smelling them, TRUST ME!

Props for today

Knowing what you have is important(inventory check), so I went through about 200 Venetian glasses at work. It feels GREAT to look at them all lined up and have exact numbers on the box but I must say, It was NOT so pretty. OHHH BOY~

Louise is conditioning my favorite flowers in the world, 'Ranunculus' for a wedding and keeping them in our office for them to open up til the weekend. The bride is so lucky to have Louise as her florist! BECAUSE HE IS AMAZING!

Keeping up with BizBash

www.bizbash.com has become like a daily newspaper to me since I've been working for jgPROPERFUN. Great way to learn about venues,vendors, and keep your eyes on other event planners/designers - THE competitors ... ;)

Recent update was about 10 New Venues for NY Holiday parties...

One of the places was the Sweetiepie. I was and am always had so much love for tea party... It has everything I love :) TEA + SWEETS.

Maybe I will check it out if my sister comes over to the states during her winter BREAK (my fingers are crossed). If that doesn't happen maybe my gals and I will dress like dolls and go for a tea party!

6:25pm, I am still at work.

Everyone got their starbucks cups...

I must say, they keep us alive :)

Truly Beautiful

What can I say, Diana is just so DARN BEAUTIFUL!

*Obviously, I got a little distracted from searching possible Bat Mitzvah favors

Shop Ruche!

Shop Ruche made a bridesmaid dresses section! How cool?

I would say these dresses would fit into more casual weddings, somewhat Anthropology inspired weddings? Though some of dresses are little too DRESSED DOWN for a wedding. Eh ~

I am Irritable

I want to drop everything and go away.

Who wants to join me?

Queen of Cakes

For all the Cake lovers out there...

I've met the Queen of Cakes, Sylvia Weinstock!!

When I tasted her cake at the VS Velvet Event, I couldn't stop reading articles about her. This cake didn't only look good but ALSO tasted Delicious. The texture of the CAKE (considering the size of the cake - 3 men had to carry it), was PERFECT. The raspberry filling? It was fresh and full of real raspberry bursting in my mouth..

(can you see the baby-real Velvet bottle next to the cake?)

So when I saw her at the Wedding Salon I've attended after an exhausting day at the Ricky's (we broke down the installation FINALLY), I HAD TO take a picture with her.

Isn't she adorable?

Get to know about Syliva Weinstock and her Cake!

Sylvia, you are my HERO!

Jiin's 24th Birthday!!!

Jiin, my roommate(and love of my life) turned 24 this Friday! She hates it when I emphasize the number 24! (girl, don't worry, my 24 is coming up pretty quickly~)

[Jiin Blowing the candles that completely covered the cake - oops I didn't just say that, did I?]

We decided to throw a dinner party and invite few of Jiin's good friends. and OF COURSE, I volunteered to decorate the APT. Jiin wanted to use the signature fall color, ORANGE. I had my eyes on the DARK DARK PURPLE Drapes that we used for the VS event. DROP DEAD gorgeous!

The theme: Dark & Sexy

(inspired by Jiin's FABULOUS black leather boots)

I got a permission to rent out few items from the office (thank you JANNA).

- Orange square candle Votives

- Orange L.E.D. lights

- Clear Sea Glass

- Purple Drapes

I draped the dining area. I wanted to make a tent around the table but ran into few technical difficulties.. SIGH

I laid out the square votives and inserted battery operated L.E.D. lights and made it go CRAZY! Then covered the body of the LED lights with the clear sea glass. Stacked few of em to give height variations~

"EASY BREEZY BEAUTIFUL?"

Everyone had such a great time at the party. They loved the food (thanks to Monica for the salmon dish!), decoration (drape was a HIT... my roommates want to keep them up but they gotta go back to the office! sorry BOO!)

We made all this happen in 2hrs. pretty impressive?

Enjoy the pictures from the PARTY :)

[GLOW]

[Me, Jiin, & Monica - Best Roommates EVER]

[It wasn't my birthday, but I got very excited - obviously?]

"HAPPY 24th BIRTHDAY JIIN."

- Your favorite -

...

and....

I am hurt