Monday, April 30, 2012

Busy Bride and Groom...

-Engagement pictures - check
-Centerpieces - check
-Guest list - semi-check
-Marriage license - check
-Minor maiden name change freak out sesh- check

More to follow...
freak outs included

VRB

Sunday, April 29, 2012

Small Glimpses Into My Showers...

Delicious Treats!

Bridesmaids Galore!
My dress: Banana Republic (very old and altered:)
Shoes: Tory Burch Miller in gold - Similar Available HERE

Candy Bars!

New family!
My shoes: Tory Burch (from 2010, I think)

Spongy Bites of Heaven!




Saturday, April 28, 2012

Spring Planting


My soils's not prepped yet and last Fall I purged my pot collection so I'm a tad behind on the Spring planting, the kitchen window has become my greenhouse
These little beauts were a birthday gift from IBT, a sweet friend of mine and bridesmaid, girl knows what I love

I've been doing a little research on a strategic way to plant this Summers vegetable garden and have found some awesome ideas on the world wide web:

This is such a fantastic and fun looking way to grow lettuce, in rain gutters!
Could be a fun weekend project for the deck?
Good luck to those darned snails up this one!
Image and Tutorial - HERE

My vegetable plot is against our bedroom window, so it's tricky to have access to the tomatoes
I've been looking for a way to make it work and found these plans on the Better Homes & Gardens website
In Boy's Life, how cool is this?
There's a detailed step-by-step tutorial too!
Why isn't this is Glamour or Cosmopolitan, they'd sure get a new reader if they broadened their topics
Image and Tutorial - HERE

Now if I could just have a chicken coop along with my organized plot blooming with tomatoes, greens and herbs - I could live in pure bliss!
This could be achieved if I was able to build a nice house in Yountville and just use Thomas Keller's French Laundry's garden as my back yard... just sayin'

But this, this my friends is what I long for, the garden in the movie, 'It's Complicated':
Image - HERE

Image - HERE

I hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend so far, I need to run to get ready for a shower BRS' aunt and sister are graciously hosting for me!

Happy Weekend!

xo,
VRB

Friday, April 27, 2012

Countdown Begins!

Thirty more days until I get to marry the man of my dreams!
This is the photo taken seconds after BRS asked me to marry him last June
This Sunday we're having our engagement photos taken on the same pier...

Stay tuned...

Happy Friday!

xo,
VRB




Thursday, April 26, 2012

What's Been Going On...

Apparently a blog post every single day in April was a bit much to take on after all 
I was on such a roll too, at a good 22 posts, darn time!
Besides planning a wedding, I have this thing, it's called a j-o-b
I fluff pillows, listen to people's problems, install art and drapery, and then I stare at numbers ALL.DAY.LONG
Every once and a while a bit of fun comes my way, like this for example:

This year, my boss and I are participating in the Children's League of the East Bay's Heart of the Home Tour
We chose two small spaces in a large Piedmont estate and got to re-design them
We did create new drapery, tortoise stick slat shades, a new headboard and dust ruffle, reupholstered an old fun double wing chair and created a few pillows
Other than that, I got to shop from my bosses plethora of antiques and objets d'art in his 1891 Victorian
Lucky me!
Here's a sneak peek into our space, I'll post actual pictures soon!

Sorry I've been MIA!

xo,
VRB

p.s. 
I had THE most lovely shower Sunday, I'll do a post soon! x



Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Wedding Wednesday: Meet Lila!


Miss Lila is a wonderful friend of mine
She's a Super Mom
She's a loving wife
She's drop-dead-gorgeous
She has a heart of gold

Read her post on my wedding HERE!

xo,
VRB

Saturday, April 21, 2012

This Week(end)s Craigslist Finds

Henredon Chest (two chests and a night table) - $750
And yes, it's solid walnut!

Where to use it?
A nautical themed boys room
Image - HERE

This Palecek tea/bar cart is still available! - $80

Where to use it?
Living room, dining room, or even roll out to the garden!
Image - HERE

Apothecary Table from Pottery Barn - $300

Where to use it?
Use it like it friends!
Remember when Rachael told Phoebe she got the table at a flea market?


Friday, April 20, 2012

Birthday Wishes

Today my nephew turns eighteen, holy moly does time fly!
I can't believe it, he has come such a long way!
God has blessed us for sure, I am so thankful for him in my life
Thank you sissy, for bringing him and your other children into this world!
Cheers to being eighteen and all the things this year will bring him
Happy Birthday handsome

Happy Friday to all!

xo,
VRB


It's Happening!


It's been decided, I'm going to run Bay to Breakers
I need to up my mileage, I've been slacking...

7.46 miles?
No biggie

Seven days before our wedding?
No biggie

The day after EMH's law school graduation?
No biggie

Ready?

GO!

xo,
VRB

p.s.
let's meet up if you're in town!

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Pink!

Bubblegum, bubblegum in my dish
How many pieces do you wish?

Bubblegum pink has not always been my favorite colour, but there are something that are just better in this pink!

Nail Polish!
Image - HERE

Lip Gloss!
(My favorite lip gloss)
Available - HERE

Peonies!
Image - HERE

Polos!

It's feeling mighty spring-ish here and I am loving every second of it!
I'm in such a great mood!
Pick me up pink?
I think so!

Happy day to you!

xo,
VRB

p.s. please pardon the short or fluffy posts, it's wedding crunch time! xo

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Wedding Wednesday: Marriage Lessons from the Experienced

Best advice EVER, hands-down.
Enjoy ladies!

xo,
VRB

Tori has asked me to write about having a "successful marriage." Oh, how I wish that marriage came with a playbook. I would learn all the plays, practice them every day, go into the game and WIN. I am a competitor and I love to win. Failure is not an option. But, sadly all we really have is example and experience. I am so blessed to have a little of both.

My parents have a 40 year marriage. I have witnessed their good and bad times and their constant commitment to stay married. That person you swore to love through the best of times is the same person you swore to love through the worst of times. So do it. Suck it up and figure out how to love them even on the days you don't like them. Love them more when it's not easy.

Experience has taught me that in the heat of the moment SHUT UP! Don't say things you can't take back and don't call each other derogatory names. Who ever said, "sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me" must not have ever been called a bitch by the person they loved and trusted. It stays with you and will show up in other areas of your relationship. So even though you may have forgiven them, or they forgave you, it isn't ever really forgotten.

A healthy marriage will have disagreements sometimes even all-out-battles. But, try to ask yourself "the five fives." Will this matter to me in 5 minutes. 5 hours. 5 days. 5 months. Or in 5 years? Being the passionate person that I am (or hot headed, I prefer passionate) I have come to realize that most of the time it won't matter to me in 5 minutes, let alone 5 years. So try to keep your cool and learn to walk away and take a breath. Inhale.... Exhale....Think before you speak.

Apologize! Apologize first, quickly and sincerely. If both partners are working hard at mending the fence neither of you will have to look back and wonder why the first bad storm blew it over. I've never looked back on a relationship and regretted saying I was sorry.

JOW is my BFF. We were friends before we were lovers, before we were partners, and before we were parents. Don't lose sight of the person you were initially attracted to. Have conversations about your needs, desires, things that are funny. It's okay even necessary to discuss finances, work, kids, your families, but make sure it isn't all you talk about. Dream together and dream big! Jeremy and I love to talk about retiring in Turks and Caicos. That may not happen but it's our dream. It is however very realistic to picture growing old with him even if it's not in the Caribbean.

And for the Love of Everything Sacred- have a great sex life. There, I said it! Ladies, I cannot say this enough. Don't be too busy, too stressed, or too tired. Sex is so important to your marriage. It is the defining factor that separates this relationship from all the others that you have. Enjoy the intimacy of your partner, often and without him having to initiate it every time. He feels loved and appreciated through sex. You may feel it through other aspects of your relationship and he works hard at meeting those needs even when he is too busy, too stressed or too tired.

And pray for your marriage. If you don't believe in God...well, pray to whom ever or whatever you do believe in because I promise you won't make it through the hard times and believe me, there will be hard times, without Divine Intervention!

I am Kendra Lia. I am a Christian. A wife. A partner. A mother. A daughter. A friend. A cousin. An Aunt. A niece. A coach. A fan. A teacher. A student. A dog owner. A taxi service. A short order cook. And at times a Republican. But most importantly... I am Jerm's Girl.

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Fun Weekend Recap

Well hello!
I have been so utterly swamped with the weekend, catching up at home, writing thank-yous and with work that this is the first chance I've had to recap my birthday and weekend!
The best way to describe the last week/weekend is in pictures so here you go...

Thursday the twelfth was my actual birthday and two of my best friends, part of my "ladies who lunch" set, took me to lunch at Boot and Shoe Service, this fantastic restaurant that serves pizza and goodies
Little MNS! 

Later that night, we went to dins at the parents, Dad made chicken pot pies and we had rice crispy treats for dessert
I think they were a little blown away by my simple requests, for some reason the stormy week had me craving childhood favorites

Friday night BRS and I split a sushi boat, we finished that baby in fifteen minutes flat!

Saturday night we had a "little" gathering at our house with my closest friends
I am the luckiest gal and have so many beautiful women in my life, so little isn't usually a word to describe our events!
During my birthday, I love to be around the people who mean the most to me

 These are some of the most brilliant, intelligent, and beautiful women in my life!


The pups came, meet Harley, MNS' pup!
He's a King Charles Spaniel and is as sweet as pie

Remember Dexter?
He's a Puggle (Beagle and a Puggle) and at five months is super smart

Most candle blowing pictures are banned from blogs, am I right?
But this one will do - I mean come on, THAT cake!

AD made a friend, Shelby ADORES him, she is so spoiled in his presence!
  
Great friends!

Lovely ladies in my life, lucky me!
 

The lovely lady, SAF above right made this scrumptious lemon cake, the cake, curd and frosting were all made from scratch from her lemon tree - HEAVEN!

We played Guesstures, one of my all time favorite games!
Gorilla?

Clean up crew hard at work
I have an issue sleeping knowing there is a mess awaiting me in the morning, so this guy was helpful!

My two aunts were gracious enough to host a bridal shower for me and my Dad's side of the family
It turned out to be a lovely day so we ate on the patio
We played toilet paper bride, aren't they Charmin? :)

My ribbons and bows bouquet is getting mighty large, and I still have three more showers!

This weekend was divine, I feel so loved and am so thankful to have the most incredible people around me
I can't thank everyone enough for everything you do and everything you stand for
You really are an incredible group of friends and family!

xo,
VRB

Monday, April 16, 2012

This Week's Craigslist finds!

I've been having too much fun on "The List" lately, so I thought it would be fun to share a few of my weekly faves again
See original post HERE!

Williams-Sonoma Home cocktail table - $100 obo

(13) Liberty Blue Transferware Dinner Plates  - $8/each
I have the salad plates on my kitchen wall

Sunday, April 15, 2012

V is for...


With this one exception, V is not for Victoria... 
V is for Von Trapp!
I bought myself a little something for my birthday...

Available - HERE

Yes! 
This awesome book and...
On DVD - I'm moving up in the world!
My double tape VHS is still holding strong but we got rid of our tape player fianlly, I was so bummed last time I needed a cheer up sesh

Available - HERE

The Sound of Music is one of my all time favorite movies, even BRS has been subjected to this a number of times
And shhh, he doesn't mind it!
It instantly brings my mood up
When I was little my American Girl dolls were named Brigitta, Marta, Gretl and Louisa. 
I always played Liesl as I was the oldest of course - we sipped tea and watched the tape for endless hours

 I saw the musical at our local theatre when I was about seven and will NEVER forget it.
We had aisle seats and during the part where the soldiers search the convent, they had Nazi soldiers run up and down the aisles with flashlights
Let's say, I didn't sleep well for days!
It was quite the production!

The gold frame fell victim of my gold paint extravaganza on Easter...
Speaking of which, the naughty Logan managed to get a hold of the eggs, so they are, let's say... vintage now.
Must be the egg scent? GROSS
This print hangs on my closet wall, the V print I picked up in this adorable print shop in Firenze

Since BRS works midnights and it's been rainy, I may have to have a marathon movie night weekend soon, with all of the faves:
-The Sound of Music
-Sabrina (old)
-Sabrina (new)
-Pollyanna
-Father of the Bride
-Mary Poppins
-Troubled with Angels
-My Fair Lady
-Grease
-The Parent Trap
-Roman Holiday

Clearly I had a thing for Hayley Mills or my Mother had a thing for movies with attractive men as the leads...

So long, farewell!

xo,
VRB
(Liesl)
Image - HERE