Thursday, March 29, 2007

April's Fools Day? - Sike! (Or is it Psych?)

Sadly, April's Fools Day is but a different day for Coco and I this year. It's not the time of year where we can play silly childish jokes or hoaxes on each other (she'll wish that were the case after reading this post!) - instead it marks Day 1 of....wait for it..................waaaiiiittt...........Wedding Savings!!!! Booyah!

I know. It puts life in such an expensive city in a whole new light, doesn't it? But in order to make this work - correction - in order to give her the wedding that she's been planning in that beautiful but big noggin of hers for the past 25 years, 14 days and X number of hours, minutes and seconds - savings must happen. We are extremely fortunate and grateful to have very generous "familial" contributions to assist us with this wonderful day but, alas, personal contributions are a must. A. M. U. S. T.

We're not really sure what this will mean at the end of the day but at the very least this provides us the opportunity to tackle something together. Personally, I'm excited - consider this "training" - training for the collection of other, more "appreciative" assets. Get me.

Sunday, March 25, 2007

Happy Birthday Mister President...



Happy Birthday baby! I hope you enjoy the golf bag. I'll even let you use it to play the day of our wedding...just don't be late for pictures. <3

Sunday, March 18, 2007

Because I've Been Told To Do So

Like a dog with his tail between his legs, I'm being told to make a post about my groomsmen. Now.







In no particular order they are:




Brad


Relation: Brother
Description: Twin #1
Alias: Chadley, Studly, I-can-turn-any-story-into-a-story-about-me McNamara,
Residence: Afghanistan via Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
Interests: nose jobs, monster trucks, Motley Crue, Lickenstein, bare-knuckle brawls
Favourite Colour: Army green
Comments: Be safe, brother.


Sean


Relation: Brother
Description: Twin #2
Alias: Seannie, Did-I-tell-a-story-about-me-for-the-2nd-time-yet McNamara, SMac, Toes McNamara,
Residence: Soon-to-be-Virginia-currently-in-SD,CA-via-the-USCG
Interests: Volleyball, Jenoa, Packing, Baby names, The Finger
Favourite Colour: Coastie Blue
Comments: Sean Jr. is on the way!!


Chris


Relation: Brother-From-Another-Mother
Description: No One Can Do It Better
Alias: Kid (or was it Play?), Trouble, El Producto, GraphxKid, The Bandit, Punk A$$ B!tch
Residence: Strong Island, NY
Interests: The D.O.C., The Skankees, Sega, Errs
Favourite Colour: Day-Black, Night-White
Comments: What's up black. Name's Jamal. Want a bean pie?


Gal


Relation: The Israeli Brother-From-Another-Mother
Description: Nuff Said.
Alias: G$, Gilfriend
Residence: The. Slope. Brooklyn.
Interests: E, metsblog.com, EmbeddedInBrooklyn, chick lit
Favourite Colour: (Johnnie Walker) Black,
Comments: Check out what I've downloaded.



Chris


Relation: Cousin
Description: the suburban kind
Alias: C Chubs, Retiree's Son, Nissan Chris
Residence: GCLINY
Interests: Shuttle flights to Florida, Helicopter to the Stars
Favorite Color: Green
Comments: Nothings better than the back 9.


Ryan


Relation: Cousin
Description: The city variety
Alias: The Youngest, Don't-ask-me-when-I-saw-my-grandmother-last Moore, City Kid
Residence: 106 WEA
Interests: Chickadees, College Essays, Discovering Metro-North
Favorite Color: Cigarette brown
Comments: Where's the nearest bar now that I'm legal?

Saturday, March 17, 2007

And Then There Were Fifteen (gasp!)

The Wedding Party.

I know, I know! FIFTEEN people seems like a lot but I think it's necessary. The day after we got engaged I started thinking about who I wanted as my bridesmaids. After I rattled off the names, my husband-to-be almost fell over and demanded that I cut down the number. He said "TK did it the best - You should have one person representing each group of friends." I scoffed, there was no way in hell that I would cut out my friends, some of whom I've known since middle school. Middle school I say! Do you know long a friendship that is?! And besides, it's my bridal party and I wasn't about to listen to him. We can negotiate on silver patterns but not on bridesmaids. He picks his and I pick mine. End of story! I have spoken! I am woman. Hear. Me. R.O.A.R!

The truth is, I really truly love my friends. I am EXTREMELY lucky to have obtained and maintained these relationships over the years and, of course, to have picked up a few new ones along the way (even though most of them don't read this blog. They say they are too busy or whatever other lame excuse they've given me. You know who you are your bridesmaidship is in JEOPARDY! Haha.) Alas, I digress. I've settled on nine lovely ladies to do me the honor of walking down the aisle with me. I also promised they wouldn't have to wear something like THIS!

Point to note; there are less groomsmen then there are bridesmaids. What can I say, I guess I'm just more popular than he is (kidding sweetheart). He has chosen six fine gentlemen to do him the honor but I'll let him tell you a little bit about them. I'll stick to the ladies. We'll have more pics of them up soon. These are just a few. There are just too many good ones to leave out!

And in no particular order, they are:

Amy! - My lovely, much-wiser-then-thou younger sister, will be my Maid of Honor. She is an extremely special person in my life. She never ceases to amaze me in how smart she is. She's a little quiet but when she wants to say something it's usually quite profound and it sometimes stops me in my tracks even though she thinks everyone (read: Mom) interrupts her. Yay for Amy, she's gorgeous and will be the best maid of honor anyone could ever ask for (she's super excited to plan certain festivities).


Heather! - My other, lovely, almost lawyer sister. It's odd because we are opposite in our beliefs, she wears a lot of pink (while I prefer black), she's going to be a lawyer and wear nude stockings for the rest of her life and is okay with that (the thought just kills me)! But we can actually finish each other's sentences, it's like we share a brain sometimes.


Joanna! - One of my oldest friends. We first met in dance class at the age of 5. Met again in middle school and by high school we became the greatest of friends. People actually thought we were lesbians because we spent so much time together! We've been through an insane amount together: high school, college and have survived many fights. I have a friend for life in this extremely talented and slightly crazy lady. (the handsome gentleman with the glasses happens to be my fiance!)



Mara! - Another friend of mine from high school. (Wantagh Warriors!!) She is currently living HERE . She has been living there for 2 years now and I can't wait for her to come home! Only a few more months and she'll be back in NY. Mara is one of the most loyal friends I have ever had. She's the one with the mohawk!


Diana! - Again, one of my oldest friends. Me, Jo, Mara and Diana go together like peas and carrots. We met in the gym locker room when we realized that both of our families went to the RACES every year. After that, we became great friends. DA (as I like to call her) is FUN, smart, loyal and extremely caring, with a touch of OCD. We like to move things around in her room and watch her put them back in its rightful spots without even thinking about it. It's fun.


Elite! - I met E three years ago and I admit that I was slightly intimidated by her at first (She's in HR afterall. Is it me or does everyone in HR intimidate?? Soon enough, I realized that I had found a fantastic friend. Someone once said to me that E is a WOMAN, that she defines the word and I agree with that 100%. I've learned a hell of a lot from her over the last few years and I'm lucky to have her in my life. She's also married to G$, another amazing friend, who will be a groomsman (I'll let Bri tell you about him).


Sara! - I met Sara in college. We were randomly put together as roommates and before you knew it we were inseparable. She became another member of my family. We survived living together for three years at school - she was very tolerant! We don't get to see each other as much as I would like b/c she is busy becoming a doctor
! Sara is sweet, a little shy, extremely thoughtful and to this day, one of my favorite dancing partners. Falucka in the house!!!


Lori! - Lori went to college with Bri. What an awesome woman. I happen to look up to Lori very much. She's super smart, charismatic, successful, a ton of fun and she doesn't take anyones sh!t (everything that I hope to be someday). We are very sad b/c she's moving to Chi-Town very soon. Booo. It's for a good reason though b/c she's also engaged and her man lives there. We'll miss you Lori!! I wonder if she'll dance on the bar at the wedding??

And last but certainly not least:

Amanda! - I met Amanda less than a year ago. We work together and quickly became friends. Amanda is another one who is a ton of fun. Whether she is pushing me around the office in a moving cart, at the gym together, or out dancing our tushes off we have a blast. She's become one of my closest friends and I have a feeling that this friendship will be around for a llllllloooooooooonnnnnnnnnnnggggg time.


So there they are folks. The nine lovely ladies who will proceed me down the aisle. Now for the groomsmen, take it away Bri....(he's napping on the couch so it might have to wait until tomorrow. Or Monday.)

Friday, March 16, 2007

Due To Time Constraints...


I was unable to make a post about a most important topic. I'm a day late with letting the world know you're one year older but believe me, I had their best interests in mind. I mean, come on, you're only turning 25. Two-Five. Damn. I. Scored.

Happy 25th, baby!



(psssss...She's thinks she'll catch me. She won't. It's IMPOSSIBLE.)

Thursday, March 8, 2007

They Say It's "The Trip Of A Lifetime"

About once a year I seem to get the travel bug. I LOVE to travel. It's been such a huge part of my life thanks to my parents who are/were both in the hospitality industry. And boy does my dad know how to travel. I admit that I am a tad on the spoiled side b/c of this and I believe my husband-to-be once dubbed me the "Hotel Snob." That being said, I have certain requirements for the honeymoon portion of the marriage. There are so many options. Where to begin? I've already ruled out the Caribbean and Mexico - it's hurricane season. Plus, while beautiful, I've been to several islands and to Mexico and would like to try something different.

Since it's supposed to be the trip of a life time, I'd like to travel to a place I've never been to before and a place that we most likely won't get to again in our lifetime.

I'm driving myself crazy with all of my prospects. Once I get an idea into my head, there is no living with me, especially when it comes to traveling. I become obsessed, and I think I've changed my mind about 10 times already. I've learned that September is a tricky time of year weather wise. Thailand is automatically ruled out due to monsoon season, same with the Caribbean (hurricanes), Europe presents the problem of not being hot enough. It's cold in the southern part of South America and in New Zealand.

My requirements:
1: Beach
2: Tropical climate
3: Beach
4: Must have other activities so my fiance won't go crazy from boredom.
5: Beach
6: Must have people willing to serve me one of these while basking in the HOT, HOT sun
7: Beach
8: Hotel must be nice (read: my definition of nice is most likely better than yours)
9: Beach
10: an Anti-Kid Hotel
11: Beach
12: Would like to experience a different culture
13: Beach

Ideally, I'd like to take my experience that I had here and transplant it somewhere far away from Brooklyn.

So far, I've wanted to go to New Zealand, Cabo, Tahiti, Tanzania, France, Italy, Spain, Hawaii, Maldives, Mauritius, Bali, and Seychelles.

I have since ruled out:

Tanzania: While beautiful, I'm not sure that it would be a great spot for a honeymoon...too much moving around, a girl needs to relax.

Cabo: Too close and I think that it's a place where we can spend a long weekend away at some point.

New Zealand: too cold

Hawaii: I feel like I'll get there at some point in my life.

France (Saint Tropez): I simply adore this country but I think it won't be warm enough - even down south. I worry when the average temp is only 69 degrees F.

Maldives: If I hit the lottery, I will be staying HERE and taking all of my friends with me.

Mauritius: Please see above

Seychelles: WAAAAY too expensive. It costs almost 3K to get there!

Bali: Too far - yet I hear that once there the dollar goes a looong way. Any thoughts on that?

So now my top choices are Tahiti and Italy, and Maldives if I win lotto (of course).

What do you think we should do? Island hop in Tahiti or hit up Rome and the Amalfi Coast, part sight-seeing part beach.

In the words of my favorite AI Host. "The lines are open for at least two hours...You've got to vote, Vote for your favorites..."

Help us decide!

Killing Me Softly With...



Honeymoon Choices.

Question - The Right Attire?



Tuxedo tie avec vest?

Tuxedo tie sans vest

Bow-tie et cummerbund?

Bow-tie sans cummerbund?

Ou absente de ce qui précède?

Decisions. Decisions.

Tuesday, March 6, 2007

Interesting...but not as special.

I'm not sure if people are aware or not but there has been a crazy-sic-unbelievable rush to get married on July 7, 2007. Imagine that - getting married on 7/7/7. Some are calling it lucky (Lucky 7 - get it?) while grooms-to-be love it because they're sure it's a date they'll never forget.

Hotels and wedding venues across the country love it and have been hitting future husbands and wives with jacked up prices. Price gouging - yeah or nay? You be the judge. I wonder what the bookies in Vegas are giving as the over-under??! I mean, I know 7 is supposed to be a lucky number but you can imagine if they just held out until October 10, 2010 (read: 10/10/10) - now that's a lucky wedding date. 9/19/08 is even better.

Team Brefanie rules.

Go us.


In other Team Brefanie news, we've just booked our hotel for the Mets-Cubs series during the first weekend of August. The Mets are playing Fri-Sat-Sun but I was only able to score 2 tix for Friday. (Virtual waiting rooms suck!) We'll be watching Saturday's game from the rooftops surrounding Wrigley. A-W-E-S-O-M-E. This also doubles as a great "kill-two-birds-with-one-stone" since Boogie is moving to be with her man.

Mets rule.

In Omar We Trust.

Viva Los Mets.

How long??!

It's been over a week since my last post?! Holy-crap-I'm-busy Batman! It'll come soon. I promise.