Saturday, May 30, 2009

wholearth

My best friend is a huge product girl. She could spend hours in Sephora trying out everything they have to offer. She loves trying new products. She always teases that I've had the same makeup since high school which is mostly true. (Not the same tubes, I've gotten new ones, I just use the same stuff over and over.) Lots of girls are like my BFF, but I never really get into beauty products.

Wednesday at Anonymous store we had a morning meeting to learn about a new beauty product that we are carrying. I was less than thrilled that I had to wake up early to test beauty products. But what do you know, I was impressed.



The product is called wholearth and it's the first completely USDA approved organic beauty product on the market. And, all bottles are made with 100% PCR (post consumer recycled) materials! You all know I'm trying to to be more green so I definitely appreciated learning about this new product. The creator is an impressive and determined man focused on green-living. I learned a lot from him about products and how many bad chemicals are seeping into you blood stream (60% of what you put on!).

Anyway, I payed close attention to his presentation like a good little girl and got a trivia question right at the end and I won a free bottle of
wholearth body wash! Go me! I used it today and I really liked it! It smells pretty good, but the best thing is bad stuff isn't entering my body! Here's what I won:


So if you're into green living and beauty products, you should check out wholearth! This anti-product girl thought it was pretty cool.


Friday, May 29, 2009

Real Housewives of LaLa Land

I have a confession to make. I hate cleaning. Shocked? Probably not if you know me. I love to cook but hate to clean. I'm a half of a Real Housewife of LaLa Land. On that note, what exactly do the Real Housewives of (insert city name here) actually do that is housewifeish (new word, yes!)? Do they cook? Not that I see. Do they clean? Hell no, they have maids for that. Do they take care of/drive around their children? That's what nanny's are for. Do they pay bills? Um.. no. To me a housewife cooks, cleans, drives children, takes complete care of children, pay's the bills, and takes care of the entire household but that is definitely not what these "Real" Housewives do. They basically just start drama. Yes, I watch this silly show, but it's like watching a train wreck and you just can't stop. The OC is usually my favorite but these Jersey girls are amazing!

Another embarrassing confession, I'm also watching the Bachelorette. I really like Jillian. I also like Jake the pilot. I don't like Wes the musician/d-bag.

Why are my posts always about TV shows? I'm seriously lame. Somebody, find me a life, and find it quickly!

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Man Flu


I love my husband, I really do.

He has the "man flu". Does anyone know about the "man flu"? It's when your man get's sick and then the world ends. They don't know how to be sick, take medicine, or function while sick. I get sick all the time, I complain a bit but it doesn't end my life. My husband get's sick rarely and when he does he is super sick and a super pain in the arse, if you ask me.

Two nights ago he was tossing, turning, sniffling, whining, blowing, and generally doing everything possible to keep me awake. Last night I went to bed before him to avoid the annoying husband trying to fall asleep.

I hope this man flu goes away soon.

P.S. I love my husband, I really do.

Monday, May 25, 2009

Memoralizing Memorial Day

It was a great Memorial Day in LaLa Land! I had to work all day/night Saturday which isn't exactly the way I wanted to spend my memorial day weekend, but Sunday and Monday made up for it! We enjoyed a cook-out at an AMAZING beach house where a friend was dog-sitting. If only I could live in a beautiful beach-front house.. if only.. I wish.. someday. Anyway, moving on, it was fun and made me feel like summer is definitely on the way. I'm ready for warm summer nights though, it's still so chilly here at night!



Monday, Peter and I went to the beautiful Griffith Park! Griffith is basically LA's version of Central Park except that it's on a gigantic mountain. We enjoyed a picnic lunch in the grass and then took in the sights, and my what a view! The pictures will speak for themselves.





I love all the cool and free things we can do in Los Angeles. I really enjoy my city!

Thursday, May 21, 2009

He Did It!


YES! My boy did it!

I'm sure you could assume that this morning you would get a post about Kris, and you're right. And I guess I can promise you it will be my last post about Kris until I buy his album.

I was so deleriously happy last night, you honestly would have thought I actually am friends with Kris in real life. I was jumping up and down on the couch, screaming, crying, laughing, yelling, and generally freaking out my husband. Kris winning was SO unexpected to me (and to him, I think!) I just could not stop talking about him. Long after the show ended and we were laying in bed I was trying to start a conversation about how happy we are for Kris but Peter was just not having it. He was all, let it go, Ali! So, here's me letting it go..

I'd like to think I had a part in him winning. I voted hundreds of times for him on Tuesday night and generally talked him up the entire season. I've been talking about him on here since February. I don't expect to get any sort of thank you card or anything from Kris, but maybe he could just stop by and say hi before he jet's off to whatever fabulous tour destination he'll start at like Detroit or something. I mean, I think I deserve some credit for being such a die-hard fan.

Anyway, I'm proud of my boy and I will be buying his first, second, third, and many album's to come because I truly think he will be a successful musician.

*I am joking about thinking he owes me anything, and I loved Kris from the begining it had nothing to do with disliking Adam. I think Adam is very talented and will go far so please no hate mail from fans.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Quakin'


So this post is a little overdue, but I felt my first and second earthquake this week in LA! The first one on Sunday night really freaked me out, I'm not going to lie about that. I was sitting at the couch with my back to our back door (which leads into a large shared yard area) and I thought at first someone was coming in our apartment! A second later I realized the entire apartment was shaking and so were we. Peter and I looked at each other a little freaked out, I was all "our first earthquake!" It was a pretty big one with a magnitude of 4.7 and the epicenter was only a few miles away from us. I can't really describe how it feels other than surreal. The earth is literally shaking around you, how strange is that!

Then, yesterday, there was another smaller earthquake in El Segundo which is near the airport. And now I'm starting to get a little freaked out.. what's with all the earthquakes?! My friend Alex thinks the big one is coming. That freaks me out.

I may have googled "how to prepare for an earthquake" yesterday because I literally do not know what to do. I learned that I should stand in a door way or under a sturdy object like a table. I think I'm going to make Peter do a drill like we used to do in elementary school. I'm also going to pick up some water gallons and canned food. The big one's coming folks, I don't know about you, but this Californian is going to be prepared.

Monday, May 18, 2009

Girls Guide To Movies



I didn't know if I'd like this movie, but I'd heard great reviews from guys and girls so we ventured out to be trekkies last week. I surprised myself by how much I actually liked Star Trek! The character's are developed beautifully, some great actors are playing said characters, and it has a surprisingly sweet story. There were a few parts that I got really confused by the time-line of the movie, I think this comes from never watching Star Trek before in my life so I had to have a review on the way home. Overall, I thought it was a great action movie and definitely a "guy movie" that was enjoyable for girls too. If you're man wants to go see this instead of the latest chick flick, give it a chance, you might like it too. Also, it doesn't hurt that Chris Pine who plays Captian Jim Kirk is easy on the eyes.


Girls Grade: A -
Boys Grade: B

Friday, May 15, 2009

On Nose Rings

Okay so I watched the video and decided it's way to disgusting and you may have bad dreams if I post it. So I'll just post some photo's instead. Why did I get my nose pierced? Well, honestly I've wanted it for a while now and I've just been putting it off because of all the wedding's I've been in. I think it's a cute fun ring that I don't have to have forever but is fun for now.

BEFORE:



AFTER:


It's tiny, you can literally barely see it, but I like it.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Over It

1. Miss California vs. Perez vs. the world

2. Manny Ramirez

3. Jon & Kate's cheating scandal

4. Adam Lambert

5. Lindsay Lohan

Mind Dump

I feel like I have so much to talk about but I've been so BUSY lately I don't have time to blog. This busy life thing is new to me! I started my job yesterday and oh my let me tell you it's wonderful, I love it, and I think I'm going to be very happy working there. So now my mission is to find another part time gig.

Moving on... Remember way back in March where I told you all that I loved Kris Allen here? I can barely contain my excitement that he's in the finals. My throat may or may not hurt this morning because I screamed so loud when my guy Ry told Kris he was IN. My husband thinks I'm ridiculous. I also cried my eyes out when they showed his home-town visit. What is wrong with me?



In other news, I jumped onto another bandwagon this week. Yesterday was my second day of Jillian Micheals 30 Day Shred. If you've been following my twitter you know that on my first go around of the Shred I mentioned that I though that Jillian is a heartless bia, and to quote my favorite movie, "that was way harsh." I don't think she's heartless anymore, because she told me she wants me to have good ab's, but I still think she's a bia. When she tells me I can't take a break I want to punch her in her stupid face.

But I digress..

I'm going to Shred every day for 30 days and hopefully be toned by June.



I am disturbed by the news of Jon & Kate. I am obsessed with those children. I've always had thoughts about Kate similar my above thoughts about Jillian but I am so sad for them. Didn't they just go to Hawaii and renew their vows in order to show their children that even though a lot of Mommy's and Daddy's don't stay together forever they will? Damn you reality TV, you are so good but so bad.

I may have a video of my nose getting pierced. Is that too disgusting to show on blogland? What do you think?

Monday, May 11, 2009

Enough Wedding Talk

Okay, Okay you all must be sick of the wedding talk. I'll get back to my regular scheduled programming in LaLa Land. We had a great weekend, I'll be back with more details later, but just a quick update on the state of my nose! Yes, my nose got pierced! I got a cute little diamond stud and I love it. Here's a picture I took this morning.



More info about the weekend soon, just wanted to let you see the nose ring!

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Mother's Day Shout Out!

Happy Mother's Day!

I made this video blog to with my mom a Happy Mother's Day. I hope you all enjoy the dorkyness that is me. My hair is blowing in the wind because the fan is on above me, and because it makes me look exotic. Also, I'm sitting at our desktop computer so I just look really weird. And I'm having a bad hair day. Ok, I'm done, here's the video.

Ali's Mother's Day Vlog from TopFiveProductions on Vimeo.



I love you Mom!

One Year

Come, let's be a comfortable couple and take care of each other! How glad we shall be, that we have somebody we are fond of always, to talk to and sit with. -Charles Dickens

Marriage isn't always easy. If people tell you that there's is, I have a hard time believing them. Marriage is waking up each day and choosing to love each other even though you're not perfect. I think I picked a great man to love and I am blessed to make that decision every day. And people, he loves me, I am so lucky! Even though I complain a lot, let the laundry pile up, and I am usually a pain in the arse, he loves me.

I love the silly things in life with him, laughing about things that no one else would find funny, the look he gives me when he knows I'm about to cry about something as stupid as an American Idol cast-off, the way he is passionate about superhero movies and sports teams, arguing about who's going to get out of bed to turn off the light, and how we don't always agree.. but we always make it work.

I can't wait to fall in love with my husband over and over again as we share life together, enjoy the moment, start our family, share new adventures, grow old together, and continue to change and grow.

Happy 1 Year.


AGAIN: All professional images were taken by our amazing photographer Benjamin Derkin who is based in Ohio. You can check out his website here and he blogs too! You'll be impressed, trust me. I wish I could show you the amazing blurb books he made us. You would hire him immediately, I promise.

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Wedding (Part Four)


I can't even tell you how many times I practiced scrawling my new name on little pieces of paper all over the house. How many nights I wished I didn't have to leave Peter's house and how many mornings I spent wishing I was waking up next to him. How many hours I spent dreaming of what we would do together as a married couple and what it would be like to be a wife, a married woman.

On May 10, 2008 I walked down the aisle to a new life. I no longer made decisions for myself, I was part of a unit now, a pair, a marriage. Our officiant, and good friend, gave a beautiful sermon (which I actually can't really remember until I watch the video, I'm sorry.. it's a blur!) we exchanged vows, and rings, there was some singing and praying most of which feels like I was floating through. We were pronounced husband and wife, we kissed, walked back down the aisle and at this point I actually start to remember things again. It's so weird how it all feels like a blur (has anyone else experienced this or am I just a weirdo?) up until one point of complete shock that -- oh my gosh, this is it!

We took lots of pictures and arrived at the reception (only to find out that things were not exactly going on without a hitch, but more on that later) and were ushered in for the party. I personally, had a great time.

In this moment, our first dance, it felt like we were the only two people in the room. Talking about how much fun we were having, singing "our song" to each other. This is one of the most memorable moments of the night.


In my humble opinion, our reception was a blast. People were up dancing the entire night and didn't want the party to end. We had an amazing time dancing with our friends and family. I love the picture below because it shows how much fun we were having!


I love my husband, and he loves me, and that makes me feel like the luckiest girl in the world.


AGAIN: All professional images were taken by our amazing photographer Benjamin Derkin who is based in Ohio. You can check out his website here and he blogs too! You'll be impressed, trust me. I wish I could show you the amazing blurb books he made us. You would hire him immediately, I promise.

Friday, May 8, 2009

Wedding (Part Three)



When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible. -When Harry Met Sally

This is a cool picture board that our photographer made for his blog after the wedding. It includes some of my favorite photos from the day. It's kind of small though and I'm not sure how to make it bigger so I'll ad some more pictures myself.


This day, truly, was the best day I've had so far in my life. I assume that this ranking will change once I have children, but for now it remains in the top spot. I've never felt more loved, cared for, or beautiful in my entire life and I don't think I'll ever feel that way again. I'm sure anyone who's gotten married can agree with me. I think my wedding was special and intimate. One of the most special moments, my mom walking me down the aisle. My parents have been divorced for a long time and I haven't had a very happy relationship with my dad. It was only fitting that the woman who raised me (and who is also the most amazing, determined, smartest woman I know) walked me down the aisle to "give me away" to my husband. We also decided to have Peter's mom stand up and "give him away" too. It was a very special moment.



Another special part of our day was only choosing to have 6 friends in our bridal party. It was a hard decision since we have so many great friends, but in the end I think we picked six great people to support our marriage.






If you can't tell in the pictures our colors were dark brown, hot pink, and orange. The girls wore brown silk chiffon dresses of their choice. I loved how the look turned out. The boys wore dark brown pin-striped suits that they got to keep! We thought this was the best ideas for our boys since renting a tux is so expensive and you don't even get to keep it! Peter's idea was to wear a different colored suit, he wore a khaki suit from J.Crew with a striped vest. I love the way the look turned out. The girls and myself carried long stemmed pink and orange gerbera daisy's (my favorite flower!) and the boys had orange gerbera bout's.

Ahhhh.. I love reminiscing about this. I hope you're enjoying my posts!! I bet you're all excited for the next one when I get all sappy about my groom.



AGAIN: All professional images were taken by our amazing photographer Benjamin Derkin who is based in Ohio. You can check out his website here and he blogs too! You'll be impressed, trust me. I wish I could show you the amazing blurb books he made us. You would hire him immediately, I promise.

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Wedding (Part Two)



The day and night before the wedding I was stressed. I even had a mini-freak out session at the salon where we were getting our pedicures and snapped at my mom and bridesmaids (oops! bridezilla moment!) I was rushed getting ready for the rehearsal at the church and stressed because Peter was running late. I was starting to freak out all together and thinking that this was how the whole weekend was going to be. I don't know if any of you other brides can agree but the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner were my least favorite parts of the whole weekend. Everyone's asking you a million questions and you're ready to crash because you've been stressed for weeks!

Finally when the rehearsal dinner ended I was able to go back to my hotel room and chill with my family one last time as a single woman. I went to bed early and slept perfectly through the night! It was so relaxing and I was so happy I was able to get a good night's sleep. The next morning I was up and off, but completely not stressed out. I feel like I floated through the whole day happily. I don't even exactly remember what all I did but I remember sitting in my hotel room with most important women in my life and feeling like things were pretty darn good for me.

Below are three of my favorite details about our wedding. The beautiful old church we were married in, a sentimental heirloom, and of course.. the dress!




This is the church we were married at. It was not our church or one that we had ever attended, but it was beautiful, old fashioned, and just what I wanted. It made for some beautiful pictures!



This is a small detail from the wedding that only a few people know existed. Do you see that small gold and pearl charm. Well, my Gramma (yes, that's how I spell it) wore those earrings for her wedding to my Pa many years ago. After that all the women in my family wore the same earrings in their weddings. My cousin and I decided we wouldn't be wearing the earrings on our ears, they didn't quite match our styles, but we would each incorporate them into our wedding (we both got married in 2008!). So my earring was pinned to my bouquet as I walked down the aisle. It was a very special touch.


This is my beautiful dress. It was perfect for me; simple, fitted, elegant, beautiful beading, and comfortable. I love this shot and the way the dress is hung in the window with the amazing yellow vintage wallpaper.

These are only a few of my favorite details! More posts to come!

All professional images were taken by our amazing photographer Benjamin Derkin who is based in Ohio. You can check out his website here and he blogs too! You'll be impressed, trust me. I wish I could show you the amazing blurb books he made us. You would hire him immediately, I promise.

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Wedding (Part One)

I can't believe it's really been a year since our wedding. Although on the other hand so MUCH has happened in the past year to make it feel like twenty.

The Engagement: December 25, 2008 (Christmas Day!) Peter surprised me at my mom's house in Florida on Christmas Day with a beautiful diamond ring. I was completely shocked, he was supposed to be in Ohio with his family!




Obviously, if you're reading this blog you know I said yes. We didn't waste any time with an engagement, most couples love their long engagements and having years plus to plan their weddings, but I'm just not that kind of girl. I was ready to get married! Fast forward 4 and a half months of crazy whirlwind wedding planning and we were there. May 10, 2008.

Thursday and Friday I'll post pictures and recap the wedding day! Any requests for specific pictures? I always love the dress shot. What would you like to see?

Dear American Idol,

While working on my wedding posts, I have some thoughts about American Idol. These are mad thoughts, so be prepared. If you don't watch Idol you have permission to skip this post.

Adam Lambert - your pants are too tight.

American Idol - you are rigging the winner this year, it's completely obvious and I'm not happy. Here's why I think this - Rock genre this late in the game? "Two seasoned rock stars" Adam and Allison were made for this night which I think is completely unfair for Kris and Danny. In other genre's like country and disco they could take a song and sing it more how they want to in their own genre (i.e. Kris changing his songs to sound more Jason Mraz/poppy) but with this rock genre they weren't really at liberty to do this. They had to act like rock stars which clearly they are not!

Kris Allen - I still love you and you do not deserve to go home tonight, but sadly I think you might.

Monday, May 4, 2009

A Big Week


Oh my goodness, it's such an exciting week in the LaLa Land house! The picture above is a hint at why it's so exciting..

It's our anniversary week! One year ago today we were a few days away from our BIG day. I can't believe how fast time has flown and how much has changed since May 10, 2008. This week will be a week full of nostalgia on the ole' bloggy so be prepared for some wedding talk!

We also had a very fun weekend in the City of Angels (LA has so many nicknames, makes for lots of fun on the net!) full of Kentucky Derby fun and some apartment hunting. Once I get some derby pictures loaded on the computer I'll post those. The pictures are full of big hats, mint julups (eww, I'll stick to mimosas thank you) and boys in pastels (yum!) and daytime drinking. No money was won in the derby though because I bet all my money ($2) on chocolate candy (of course!) but he failed me.