Invitation Inspiration pt.2

TheseModernPress Invitationsare just ridiculous. Fun to look at but a little too over-the-top, I love the grandeur though! If I got one of these in the mail I think I'd be intimidated.

Also really into these Oslo Press offerings! I wonder though if they're environmentally-friendly. It seems like a shortcut to wasting trees and paper, but maybe I'm wrong?

Lastly I've probably posted these before but I really love the plantables from Forever Fiances. We ordered a sample and they're really cool and not your typical wedding invitation, but the groom thinks that they're a lil too pricey (which is true) and that most of our guests won't "get it". He kindly tried to convince me that my well-intentioned efforts will fall on deaf ears. Ya see, the paper is magically made with recycled materials and embedded with wildflower seeds so you can plant it and it'll break down and grow flowers! How beautiful to leave beauty and flowers instead of waste!

I think he's right though, I've done initial testing with the invitation sample on a few of my co-workers and the beauty and magic of it just went way over their head. Oh well, the hunt continues!

Bringing back the Ascot

Getting my groom into a tux is like getting a dog to wear shoes (translation: it's difficult as I've tried to do both). He just doesn't like to get dressed up. He's most comfortable in board shorts and flops or golf-wear. I guess I don't blame him, men's formal wear looks annoying and... stiff.

For our wedding, a tux is just unavoidable though. I've tried considering the alternatives he's proposed- and I'm cool, but not cool enough to be excited about a t-shirt with tux-print on it! So after much research, I've found a fun solution we both agree on-- the Ascot!

Now some may be thinking wtf is an ascot, and other's probably think of pictures of old aristocratic men of the 1880's, but the ascot is making a small comeback by the most fashion-forward and daring of dudes right now that are tired of tired old ties. I predict that the comfy yet regal look will be storming men's formal-wear once everyone else catches on.

The list of advocates is short but yummy. Cary Grant, David Beckham, CHUCK BASS (*that point will win over Brad, one of the best men, to wear one for sure). But the best example is Jeremy Piven aka Ari Gold, quirky and obnoxious but for some reason idolized by guy's everywhere- he rocks the ascot, chastised for it- but that's a part of his charm.


The look dates back to the late 1800's and for awhile was popular as super old-school formal golf-wear, it's rare to see one these days which adds to the appeal. It's perfect bc it's meant for formal daytime events- like our wedding! It's the non-traditional, traditional formal option!

I heart Bridezilla

T-shirt: $20
Torturing my groom-to-be: Priceless

Hawaii vs. Mainland

This is a good list of some differences between Hawaii and the Mainland, I think if I get a lifted truck, a dark tan, and wear a hat tilted weird I won't get hassled so much:

http://espn.go.com/action/news/story?id=4407981

We have a band!

After much deliberation and interviewing, we have a band! At first we were going to go the DJ route since its way more cost-effective, but... we decided to cut costs elsewhere and make it happen. There's just nothing like live music! Plus... I kind of latched onto the idea of walking down the aisle to a live trumpet :)

Choosing a band was really fun, but difficult. Especially since we couldn't meet them in person. The two that we liked best both had a.) excellent websites and b.) sent us a cd of their music -- so customer service up front was terrific. In the end we chose the Smokin Section, but an honorable mention goes out to Philly Funk whom we also really loved as well.

"No turning back...!"

... Alex teases right as we're about to drop them in! Mailing our
Save The Dates feels like the halfway point in planning, yay! Party
time is coming near!!!!

Posting our "STDs"

Tonight we're sending out our Save The Dates (STDs!) The majority of them anyway...

Here's sort of how's its going...

Alex: Can we put a picture of Tiger in Nana's?
Me: No.
Alex: Tiger fist pump?
Me: No.
Alex: Oh I know, we should send Tyler an empty envelope but sent one to Thuer!
Me: No.
Alex: Don't you think its funny though?!
Me: No.
Alex: Oh... STURM. We definitely have to prank Sturm.
Me: No baby NO!!

We're sitting here licking the corners of the envelopes bc I hastily slapped the stickers on without sealing the envelopes and now they're ripping in the post. Always an adventure in Honolulu!

Slip n slide bday party

I feel like a bruised mango. For A&B's bday, we bbq'd at Kakaako
waterfront and

We pass out the same way, haha

Flirting with the East Coast

So last week I was shipped to DC for a quickie trip and was able to fit in two days in good ol' NJ. It was so much fun and the East Coast is just beautiful in the summer. I swear it was flirting with me, luring me back with great weather, no traffic, and awesome street parking in NYC, RIGHT by the lounge (that NEVER happens). In a moment of weakness I tried to get Alex to move back but he wouldn't hear it.

Things I miss and don't miss about living there:

Miss: NALUUUU!!!
Don't miss: Scooping Nalu's poop.
Miss: Spending time with family (and my soon to be new-family!)
Don't miss: Driving. If I spent as much time on the road in HI as I did on the East Coast, I'd be driving around the island 5 times.
Miss: The radio, esp. the z100 morning show.
Miss: Pizza, bagels, dirty water DOUGH.
Don't miss: Pollution (eww driving past Newark)
Don't miss: Jerks. I knew I was home when I found myself flipping off an old Jewish man who almost ran me over.
Don't miss: Hangovers. For some reason I can't leave NYC without one.
Miss: Variety. Mainland stores have seemingly endless options. Who knew there were so many kinds of oreos?!
Don't miss: Being busy all the time.
REALLY miss: My friends.

Friday night in NYC, first time in a bar with my younger bro (weird!)... friend's surprised me, too much fun!

Advice on moving to Hawaii

Q: "Hey guys!! How is the wedding planing going? Wanted to ask you both how you like living in Hawaii?? My wife has the Hawaii bug and has been looking at real estate there. How are the schools, crime, cost of living etc...? Is it worth a trip out to scope it out? How is the area around the BAH office in Hawaii?? If you have a sec fill me in...
Talk to you soon!!

A: What a fun question! Deciding to move anywhere is usually an intense decision, but I think moving to Hawaii is especially intense because it is REALLY expensive to move to Hawaii, especially from the East Coast. Unless you are lucky enough to get your relocation expenses covered by the company (like yours truly!), you are moving not only across the country, but across a huge chunk of ocean as well. Take it from someone who's moved to Hawaii twice now, it is SO not a fun move! Unless you are willing to leave a lot of things behind, the shipping costs, especially of fragile or big items (like your car!) are actually pretty ridiculous.

So assuming that you can swing the cost of the move- the cost of living is actually pretty similar to the East Coast. People will tell you that milk costs $12 a gallon and bread is $7 a loaf, but of course those are prices in the touristy areas. That's like buying a gallon of milk in Times Square. Nobody really does it. Cost of living is the same, I would even venture to say that you get more for your money. At least the scenery when you're eating out is palm trees in paradise rather than... New Jersey.

Real estate is kinda high, but then again- you're getting more for your money. It's an island. A small one. Most places to live are a short drive to the beach. Imagine the cost of real estate in NY/NJ that is close to the beach. Expensive. At least the beach here is worth it, and you can enjoy it for more than 4 months out of the year! Again, expensive but more bang for the buck when it comes to real estate in Hawaii.

Crime is a non-issue. Honolulu is one of the safest cities I've ever lived in, and I've lived in New York, London, Bangkok, and spent lots of time in Philly and who knows where else. Anyone who tells you to be wary of the crime is just repeating something they heard somewhere, like a parrot.

BAH Hawaii is freaking AWESOME.  Our CM team is great, are you talking to them?
There IS a different work culture though, not BAH necessarily but just on the island.  I find that career opportunities are more limited.  It's primarily military, tourism or healthcare.

Location, location, location. Hawaii is the world's most isolated land mass. It will take 5-6 hours just to get off the island to at least some part of California. Its far. Leaving the island is really annoying (although why would you ever want to leave?) Its a far ride to the East Coast if that is where your family is (like ours!) Like, 10-12 hours. However, after awhile, everyone finally wises up and realizes that it's way more fun for them to visit you in Hawaii than for you to visit New Jersey.  Moving here though is a commitment.  Be prepared for lots of counting back 5-6 hours to figure out what time is good to call family and friends on the East Coast and if you're really close with family and friends, racking up the miles to go visit friends.

If you have kids or want them, raising them in Hawaii is definitely different from the mainland. I think you have to be GOOD.  Purely my wee little opinion, but if you have young kids, especially non-asian young kids- the school system is... how do we say... requires extra attention. I'm a firm believer that how well the parents "parent" trumps how good a school is. A kid can go to a wonderful school but still turn out like a deadbeat if the parenting is weak. So if you're a strong parent, maybe this isn't so much of an issue. I've met lots of successful people who went to the public schools here, and if you can afford the 16K a year to go for private school- even better. The private schools here are better than most colleges. But if you already have access to some of the best education which is mostly on the East Coast- why leave that? An Ivy education is what drove me to leave Hawaii the first time.

And now for the good news and bad news... read in whichever order you prefer!!

THE NUMBER ONE REASON YOU MAY NOT WANT TO MOVE TO HAWAII:
Life is just different here.  Occasionally annoyingly different.  Don't be fooled by it's statehood, Hawaii feels a lot like living in a foreign country.  If you have secretly always wanted to live internationally, Hawaii may be for you.  There is such a unique culture here that is present socially as well as in the workplace.  It's HEAVY.  With the pidgin, sometimes it even feels like people are speaking a whole other language!  So if you think you could approach living in Hawaii like living in a new country, then you'll grow to love it here.  But if you think you'll get irritated eventually and miss the comforts of "home" then you may love it here but want to relocate back to the mainland eventually (which happens a lot, and can be expensive- trust me, I've done it! But this time I'm here to stay!)  This is hard to explain so we can talk over the phone if you have more questions.


THE NUMBER ONE REASON YOU SHOULD MOVE TO HAWAII:
Life is just different here. Great different. You know how some people wait all their lives to retire, or work all year for two weeks vacation to go somewhere beautiful? After work, you ARE someplace beautiful. You get to vacation in Hawaii every day. It's a beautiful life out here. Truly like being on vacation all the time (well, with some work in between ;)  What Alex and I like best is meeting people who value the same kind of lifestyle that we do.  We like to work hard, but we also love to play and really value an active lifestyle.  Since moving here, we've made great surf, golf, running, yoga, spa, travel, cycling, hiking and BBQ'ing friends (and if you decide to come, you'll have US!)


THE END! I hope that helps you and your wife make a decision Andrew! I tried to be as impartial as possible :)

Fine China and Placenta Cream

Typical of me, I used to make fun of wedding registries. And now, here I am- the proud owner of one! I've grown up a little bit and no longer see it as purely filling a home with useless stuff... now that I actually have a home I realize, you kinda need stuff to keep it running. Just little things. Like right now, when Alex and I use the oven we use a bath towel to get the hot stuff out. Oven mitts are definitely wedding registry material!

But apparently there are a ton of things that are "wedding registry" material. Most of them don't really bother me as I see they're just suggestions-- but a big fat one is Fine China. Initially I wasn't THAT opposed to it. I mean, expensive plates right? But I soon discovered that for Fine China..."The standard formula is 25% china clay, 25% Cornish stone, 50% bone ash."

EEEEEWWWWW!! I mean, BONE ASH?! To make PLATES? That you EAT OFF?! GROSS!!!

My favorite part is that the uppity Macy's Wedding Registry Consultant described it to me like this:

Me: Wait so why is it made of... that (bone) mixture?
Uppity Lady: Because Bone China is incredibly durable.
Me: Oh, so I can put it in the microwave and dishwasher?
UL: Oh, goodness no! Bone China should be hand-washed to protect the delicate pattern on it.
Me: Um, is there any without delicate pattern so that I can... use it?
UL: Yes dear. That's casual dinnerware which is made of ceramic or porcelain, less expensive and a bit less durable.
Me: Ok so let me get this straight. People are advised to use the less durable plates everyday and the durable plates are to be hand-washed and used rarely.
UL: Yes dear.
Me: Doesn't that seem a bit backwards to you?
UL: No.
ME: Wouldn't you rather spend more money on something you would use everyday?
UL: Yes, that makes sense.
ME: So, does China really make any sense?
UL: Yes, of course dear.
Me: (ughhhhh!)

The whole experience just reminds me of the placenta cream phase. Women everywhere were shelling out big bucks to rub placenta (yes, THAT stuff) all over their faces since it was touted as having awesome powers to revitalize and moisturize skin. Placenta! What's next? Poop?

I mean, maybe I'm just too ignorant to understand the concept, but I don't know if I really want to "understand" the concept. I DO understand that some people like to reserve nicer things for special occasions, but I don't think Alex and I are like that. I burn through the nice candles just as fast as I do the cheap ones, and every day really is a special occasion, especially when you live in Hawaii with a cute surferboy :)

In any case, my mom and Alex's grandma think it's important that we register for China, and since I want to make them happy, that's precisely what I did. However, I found a set that is fancy, but not ridiculously so and ALSO actually dishwasher and microwave safe. If we get it, anyone who comes to visit will probably wonder why we use the fancy plates all the time (hey, why not!) but if not, the plastic Target plates we currently have are just as good, its all the same :)

Reporting from DC!

I know in my last post on travel I ranted a bit... but now that my trip is almost over I'm all smiles and happy to be here (and especially since I found out I'm flying first class on the way back!)

There's just something about DC. I remember when I interned here in college, staying with a friend in beautiful Georgetown and commuting to Dupont Circle- I was actually excited to graduate and work. HA! I thought I outgrew that, but today I realized- DC still makes me feel the way it did back then. Hopeful.