Wow. What a year it has been. With a very important wedding this upcoming weekend and our anniversary trip over Thanksgiving to round out November...it's safe to say, 2011 has been packed to the brim :)
2 Comments
Everyone...every family, has their own moment---their own event, that personally kicks off the holiday season. For some it is cutting down the perfect douglas fir christmas tree, the first present purchased, the first sip of a Starbucks peppermint latte. For us, it is Urban Thanksgiving. I dont know why I capitalize the U & the T. I think because to me, to us, this really is a true holiday, relied upon each year.
Hosted by C & L this past Friday night at their beautiful (and newly renovated!) apartement in TriBeCa, it was an over the top food fest of course accompanied by red wine and more desserts that can fit in your stomach already full of turkey. It is seeing friends you haven't seen in a year! It is friends who are like family in the City. It is making this over the top town we live in normal. (Where pictures of babies are shared, "remember when..."s are talked about for hours, and cheese is consumed at an all time high rate.) Urban Thanksgiving, you're the best holiday kickoff ever. Ps: I totally forgot to take a photo of the spread, but let's just say Pinterest(for the cranberry salsa), Martha Stewart(classic pumpkin cream pie) and my Mom's gourmet potatoes were all a HIT. I've been looking forward to this weekend since August. This blob of 2 days on the calendar that, in my mind, had a photo of a couch and my husband and no alarm clock. Nowhere to be. Noone to call. To marinate in the nothingness. I am a list maker, checking things off as it breaks down the craziness. While yes, there were things I did these past few days, I didnt leave the apartment until 4pm both Saturday & Sunday and it was, simply put, glorrrrrious. These moments of life have been soaked up and lived as fall WHIZZED by and I held on tight: enjoying the ride, happily taking in and witnessing the love of the weddings, breathing in the joy of outdoor adventures, and rising to the occasion at work. But this weekend...well this weekend allowed for some small moments of silence and gratitude to be noted and felt to the core. I needed to place all those moments and reflect. I needed some couch cuddles and a mindless afternoon of putting together our christmas cards. And I needed a no wakeup call wakeup("it's 945am? *sigh* amazing....), breakfast made by Lee, a yankee candle filling the room with a slight scent of the holidays, homemade chicken noodle soup + polish kluskis, and sinking into the big chair and reading the Times. I've mentioned the lovely Kelle Hampton on this blog before, she's *perfection*. Her words reminded me that even in the hussle when I dont think I have time for a moment of grace, by living a life of gratitude...each choice and action is that in it of itself, grateful living. (btw, Kelle, it isnt just your children you teach, it's us too;) "I am happiest when I am most grateful--when I am aware of my surroundings and what exactly it is about this very moment that makes me feel content. Sending a thank-you card might encourage me to express gratitude to someone else, but really? Gratitude is a way of life rather than a lesson on a check-off list of attributes we hope our children will acquire. And the best way to teach it to your children is to live it." -Kelle of ETST So as this Sunday comes to an end, as the afternoon fades to night when the clock strikes, yes 4:50pm, on these late fall days....I am peaceful and content. And that makes me over the moon happy :) Nothing + coffee + NYTimes + Kindle + blanket + PSU game on in background = a Saturday that fits *just* right.
So here's the thing. I just had one exciting Friday Favorites all cued up and ready to go + some loving holiday words for the blog world as tonight = Urban Thanksgiving, the ultimate NYC holiday with friends who are like family. But then I accidentally left my blog page while editing...and lost it all. (And it's been a terriblehorriblenogoodverybadworkweek that I am ready to end.) By 7pm tonight, it will be wine and nutmeg infused everything and two 16lb straight from a New Jersey farm turkeys. And that makes me happy. Sandra wanted a Favorites post(S always gets what she wants;). My grumpiness fades as the final day of this week is about to begin. And I give you a Friday wish list--- because the holidays are almost here. Christmas is 44 days away (!!!). My husband will make fun of me if I ever wear anything faux fur, but how cute would this vest be with riding pants and boots OR over a simple black sweater dress? Very. Found by SKr at Anthro and I'm thinking it's the perfect holiday party dress. Let's wait for it to go on sale? Purchased for a wedding gift and think I would like it myself. Learn to knit = top 2012 new year's resolution. Laugh away. I know I have one gal pal already lined up to go;) Say no more. This isn't a wish, it is a necessity ;) *3 NYC gals
*combined number of years in the city = 21 *sometimes you want a night at extra virgin or the spotted pig....(c'mon that roquefort burger is unrivaled) *and sometimes (more often than not as we age in this glorious town).... *post gym sesh, no makeup, sweats, homecooked mama V meal. *a spanish rioja. *light music, quiet conversation...is without a doubt... *better than anything else. I've been too busy getting back in to the swing of things, training my new coworker, and getting life back on track after such a crazy October and November that I barely had time to think about this until my drive home today. The shocking (and disgustingly perverted) scandal of Jerry Sandusky and the potential exit of Paterno makes me part enraged and part horribly saddened. I wish I had the time to write out and voice all my thoughts and feelings on this issue, but for now, I send you to my blogger friend Meghan's post. As a fellow alum and lover of PSU, her words echo in the hearts and minds of all of us who were in some way shaped and formed in our early 20s by this insitution...giving us a college life that started us on the path of who we are today...
This was more than a wedding...this was a *fete*. A three day affair in Paradise Valley, Arizona that had all attendees best friends by the end and wondering when we could all get together again. Talk about a chapter in our Fall Wedding Circuit novel...one full of highlights, sun, southwest fliar and (naturally, a whole lotta) love. A Top Ten Rundown of the Downing-Fletcher Wedding: 10. The Welcome Box: First of all, this was massive. And contained more treats and goodies than one could ever ask for. Combine this with the hotel's free warm chocolate chip cookies upon arrival and bam, you have yourself one happy pair. The agenda and contents welcomed us to AZ with such Linds & Brian-ness about it....and we were thrilled to get to experience it all. Including the rattlesnake eggs;) 9. Hiking Camelback Mountain: One of the best hikes I've ever had, strenuous but fun with sweeping views of the Valley. Covered in red rock dust and so thankful I brought my Merrell hiking boots, Thursday's hike was a total success! Add this to the "great memories as husband and wife" book on the ledge;) 8. Lunch @ ASU: What a gorgeous campus! I now know why my sweet friend EJ took one visit to ASU our senior year in high school and never turned back;) Mill Street (the College Ave of ASU for my PSU readers) is dotted with bars galore, great shops and outdoor eateries. Did I mention it is always sunny in Tempe? Yeah. The good life. 7. The Welcome Party: Let's make it very clear that the Downings know how to throw a party. In the gorgeous (and sprawling!) patio underneath the stars, they welcomed out of town guests with a mexican feast and margaritas. Hugs + tequilla + toasting to the bride & groom = so happy. 6. Mountain Biking in Sedona: It was up & at'em for us on Friday morning! A 2hr drive north and we arrived in Red Rock County. As you drive up highway 17 to Sedona, its colorful rocks peak out along the horizon and just beg you to come for a visit. After trying out the more extreme mountain bike trails at first (and a few tears shed by yours truly), we opted for a still hard, yet much more leisurly route. Only then was I a happy camper. After 4 hours, we made our way back to Paradise Valley with two really, really essential pit stops: In & Out Burger(overrated IMO)....and the JCrew Outlet(never overrated IMO). Also enroute home, we experienced our first desert haboob, ha! Dust storms are a crazy weather phenom in the southwest, but have no fear, we survived :) 5. Late Night with Linds & Brian: From outdoor adventuring to a cocktail party? Sign. Us. UP. The bride and groom were glowing after a wonderful rehearsal and more cheers filled the presidential suite of the hotel. I think Lee's words to Bri were "dude, where's the Tiger? Mike Tyson hanging out?". Just one awesome party space. (photo on left does not it justice but I had to post one w the Pi Phi gals;) 4. The Ceremony: In the words of a fellow guest, Liz...the only thing more beautiful than the setting was the bride. With Camelback mountain as the backdrop, rose petal lined aisle and country music playing in the background....this set quite the romantic tone. Que the wedding chills. I was so loving every second of this ;) (Ps: can we address for one moment my Cruella D'Ville brunette strip of hair? UGH. Blonde failure. Highlights appointment made for Wednesday.) 3. The Details: If you know my Linds, noone is surprised by the absolute attention to detail in every capacity for this wedding but boy did she surprise us with some fun additions! From the white parasols, desert flowers, NYC destination placecards, old-world card box, "Eat Drink & Be Married" napkins, courtesy basket note in the restroom(my fav little touch) and signature Nittany-tini cocktails, to the double flavor strawberry shortcake & triple chocolate cake flavors, photo booth, love-themed candy after dinne treats, and the "Whoopie! We're Married" whoppie pie parting favor...it's safe to say, she thought of everything;) 2. The Costume Change: Take one barbie doll bride, the perfect gown, hair and makeup of the stars and then throw in a costume change? I mean...Linds, you knocked this one out of the park. A DVF(I'm guessing this based on a quick search) lace ditty and her patent leather red Louboutins, she was a vision and more in her element than I have ever seen her be. 1. The Love: I'm not sure I have the words to verbalize how perfect of a match and love L & B have. Their personalities mirror their excitement for life and it goes without saying their adoration for each other is so precious to witness. During one of the last songs of the night, with her new hubby spinning her around, Linds closed her eyes and you could tell she never felt more alive or happy than any other moment of life. *sighsighsighgushgushgush* Love you Mr. & Mrs. Fletcher (!!!) Thank YOU for allowing us to share in the most special weekend of your lives... PPS: On a seperate note, I convinced 3 other wedding guests (Liz, Maggie and Lind's cousin Chad) to venture to bikram yoga Scottsdale on Saturday afternoon pre-ceremony. One of the toughest, hottest classes Ive ever experienced. Congrats to the newbies who survived one killer 90min session. I wanted to leave class, too;)
They fly. Wedding weekends fly by. You blink and you're on a flight to Chicago, you blink again and it's brunch on Sunday and you're exhaustive sighs are fueled by thoughts of "best. wedding. ever." From start to finish, this past weekend's festivities had Liz & Brady written all over it. I've said it before....there is something so fantastic when a wedding weekend really mirrors the personality of the couple and their relationship. And this wedding did just that :) So let's start at the very beginning....(a very good place to start) Friday: It all seems surreal. When I see my sister, she's just as she's always been: giddy for the moment, not too stressed, checking things off her list but feeling "I feel good! I feel good!" We get her into her suite at the Hilton Evanston and just veg. We talk about it being *here*. The wedding and all the guests...and that there's a certain feeling of love that only a wedding can give you...you know when you turn each corner and another person is there, traveling from far and wide, to get *there* to spend the most important weekend with you. It....is....magical. Lee naps and before we realize it it is time to get ready for the costume rehearsal dinner party (!!!). Secret costumes for the bride & groom to be revealed shortly with the only hints that: 1) they were going as the same thing, and 2) there was alot of WHITE invovled. Marshmellows!? Altoids?! (I seriously thought I had it with that guess;) Nope....ELVIS impersonators!!! They win. So we stand in the lobby, me as Tinkerbell and Lee as Peter Pan, and I wave to the random little girls whose parents pass in the lobby saying "Look (insert girl's name)! It's Tinkerbell! Go say hi!" I felt like a Disney Princess hahaha. My cousin Louis (6yrs old), quickly put Lee in his place and told him he really looked more like an elf than Peter Pan. Rule of thumb: there's no arguing with a first grader when it comes to characters. The list of costumes(about half) were as follows: Bride Eliz & Groom Brady: Elvis Impersonators Me & Lee: Peter Pan & Tink Mom & Dad: Steve Jobs & Lady Gaga Jackson & Antonia: The Phantom & Christine College friends of Liz: OccupyRehersalDinner (99% UnWed) Uncle Mike & Family: Camp Kernion (they literally went as my family on vacation, priceless!) Uncle Dan & Family: Super heros! (Batman, BatGirl, Superman, Wonderwoman and another BatGirl mini pink version) Grandma & Grandpa: Winston Churchill & Jackie O/Witch (costume change, heck yeah Gram!) High School Friends of Liz: Liz & Brady through the years (clever;) Clegg Family: Alice In Wonderland And so with that the night began. We "rehearsed" at the Clegg home. Batman led the Elvi in practice for tomorrow's big day ;) Off to the Women's Club of Wilmette we went...and Lee, well, Lee brought the house down as MC with an opening monologue as he told his version of The True Story of Brady & Liz. Proud wifey. Friends spoke, cheersed, roasted & toasted to Elvis & Elvis. Dad showed his video that left no eye vacant of tears. On the eve of a wedding...who could ask for anything more? Saturday: It always rolls around so quickly. We brunched with the family and Liz & Brady. The diner even sent over a massive sundae in celebration of their wedding day. Noone says no to that! Scrumptious. We laughed over how fast Brady always eats his food. And poor Lee (who's biggest pet peeve in life is waiting for food), got his food halfway through the meal. Chicago skillet eggs are worth the wait though! Full bellies and outfitted in our workout gear, we made our way to Ingrahm Park for The Wedding Bowl. YES...Team Liz vs Team Brady and a battle of families and friends just hours before the wedding. While my husband did know Brady long before Liz, I pulled the "you're FAMILY" card and Lee rallied to help Team Liz (along with my all-star cousin Jason) to actually make this showdown a GAME. (Disclosure: Brady's family, friends and relatives are like....all college atheletes. The Kernions run and do yoga. I mean....c'mon;) Mom led Team Liz for pre-game warmups and a run around the field, Liz led the stretches...and (with just one bloody nose injury in the game), the wedding bowl was a success. I believe the photographer's words were "this is the coolest wedding ever." We had to agree. Then it all started to happen. The moments start blurring but in that way that the movie of your life always plays out. Hazy but I remember every detail. I relaxed on the bed while her hair got curled. "Is it perfect?" It's perfect. Her Wexford girls and the PSU gals all popped up to gush and giggle. Room 845 was a dream. I simply tried to be in the moment...to live these hours with my sister. She transformed into a bride in the early afternoon of Oct 29th, and I watched my beautiful baby sister become this stunning woman in white. Her hair and makeup perfectly done. Her smile beaming (just BEAMING!). I've never seen her float like this in all my life. I was soaking it all in.... Butler's pantry, in the Clegg home. She took some deep breaths, we hugged and our eyes glassed over. It was happening! The music started. I held my composure until seeing the eyes of Eliz's dear friend Sandra (then the lip started to quiver.) She got it.
I rounded the bend and saw Brady, his smile lit up the foyer. Time to get these kids married! And in a perfect ceremony, so fitting for these two, they were wed by Uncle Dan whose proclaimation of "isnt this awesome?!" kicked off the vows in the most joyful of ways. Dad held his composure and did an acoustic rendition of Bob Dylan's "To Make You Feel My Love" and once again, there was not a dry eye in attendance. To being "sidekicks for life" as their vows stated....and I have no doubt they will be just that. And then.... We danced! My toast went smashingly well (whew!). We ate from a thai, indian, and mexican buffet + a gelato bar. We had. a. ball. To the newest Mr & Mrs! Love you both so much. Tonight will be the night I document it all in detail...but here's a sneak peek at the video my Dad made for Eliz & Brady, shown at the rehersal dinner. Gets me everytime. *SIGH* |
AuthorSarah: one part of a family of THREE with my husband Lee and sweet girl Morgan, simply wanting to chronicle the path I'm on and the path that will come to be. For now it's NYC urban mamaville where everyday is a new adventure! (Actually, just getting to the post office is an adventure.) Ask Me Anything!Blogettes I LoveJoey & The Owl
Emphasis Added Enjoying the Small Things MODG The Grateful Life Ramshackle Glam Lindsay Lately Gotham Girl Stylized Existence Living with Intention House Built of Walls SwimBikeRunningonEmpty A Pinch of Ginger Making the Moment Last Pearls to Pampers Dear Baby Oh Happy Miracle Hey Laney Archives
August 2015
Categories
All
|