Sunday, December 13, 2009

The land between the river and the sea...

Here I am posting again, and yet I'm in another part of the world, Barranquilla. Not only it is in another part of the world, sometimes it feels like it should be it's own separate world from civilization. Since I left, 5 years ago, things seem to be in a stand-still. Don't get me wrong, things have changed. The people who were once my school friends, are now doctors, lawyers and architects. People that had no children, now have one or two...and so on. But everyone's minds and manners haven't changed. I come back after living in one of the most liberal cities in the world, and the tradicionism is shocking me a bit. Boy, if they thought I was weird before, I wonder what they think of me now!
On the other hand, there is a great underlining of this all...I feel loved. I have never hugged family and friends so tight as I do now. I understand now that even though they might think I'm strange and different, they seem to love me this way. I wish I would have known that when I lived here.
Yesterday's ceremony




Orlando and Lilibeth

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Cool Giveaway!

Check out this awesome giveaway for the "L Letterpress Tool kit" valued at 149.99!




For a chance of winning, leave a comment on this page.
I hope I win it!! :)

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Inside

Repurposing an old kitchen cabinet

I found this on the street, and it seemed pretty sturdy and useful.
With a couple of coats of paint (that I already had in my house) and
some hardware that was on sale at anthropology... Voilà!
The birds were inspired from some wrapping paper I have, and I
freehanded them. In hindsight, I should've made a stencil, but I have
no patience.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

More details to follow...


We are back in the real world, and it is busy... No more fun and games!

Us

 
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Pretty things at our wedding

 
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Friday, August 7, 2009

Calmness

It has been crazy, and for some moments there I felt we couldn't pull
it off... But with the help of beautiful friends and family, I feel
only hapiness and calmness. This feels right.

Alexandra Alquati

Monday, July 27, 2009

Less than 2 weeks to go!

Exactly 12 days to go, and everything is starting to shape up. My dress is almost done (needs the zipper and hem), and I've got a lot of shopping to do. Today I am going on one of the biggest shopping trips for ingredients and materials. Yesterday we went outfit shopping for Andrew, and we found awesome clothes on sale! He will look very dapper, very handsome.
The two weeks in New Zealand were great to destress and not think about all the wedding things, but the last few days I was starting to freak out. Last Friday was my birthday, and Andrew got me a dress form, a couple of t-shirts, a DVD, and a massage! I think I will be getting that right before the wedding. Saturday was awesome too, my Alexorette was a blast. I danced salsa all night, and was twirled around the dance floor.
So...I'm off to get a bunch of stuff I need for the big day. Here's a preview of the dress!


Saturday, July 4, 2009

New Zealand Adventure

In a few hours Nikki and I will be on our way to New Zealand, and tomorrow Estrella will meet us there. This is the first time I've on a place for more than a few hours....17 to be exact. It should be a long ride, but I'm excited to see Naty again!
Here we go!

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Favor bags

We will have little treats for guests. Brownies or lemon cookies... Or
both?

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Plates and arrangement ideas

Thanks to Kelly, we have acquired enough plates and glasses for the
wedding. It will kinds look like this.

Saturday, June 13, 2009

My practice dress

I made a quick version of the dress, with some cheap fabric. I still
need to hem it and put a zipper on the back. I am also getting
crinoline so it poofs up. I think my colors will be yellow with a
turquoise sash.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Wedding date is getting closer

Last Monday was two months before the wedding, and I still am looking for more inspiration. Here are some cool inspiration from great weddings:

Kelly has offered to design some for the wedding!



If anyone has a pretty sheet or sheets, I would really like to place a backdrop for photos.



Table inspirations. I love the messy coordination.
At some point I'm going to have to stop looking at wedding porn, and just sit down with Andrew and decide what we are taking or leaving.



Photos from Once Wed

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Fundraising is hard work


For our final project at school, we are working to set up a fundraiser for an Orphanage in Mexico. We will be selling pinatas, flower pins, and horchata. If anyone wants to contribute to this wonderful project, please let me know. We are raising money for kids that need medical assistance. You can buy a pinata!!! ;)
Flowers: $3.00
Pinatas: $5.00

Fun, fun, fun!

The downside of not having a wedding party

We decided not to have a wedding party. We feel that everyone that is part of our wedding is just as important and cherished by us, and it does not feel right to assign "roles" to people. It also feels like we are assigning people responsibilities, and everyone has so much going on.

This being said...after looking at my list, we realize that we need help. There is sooo much to do, and so little time. Fortunately, some people in our families are coming a few days early, father-in-law to be has offered to pay for food, and many friends have offered to make decorations and cupcakes. The problem is, we have not figured out who is doing what. We are sure it will come together at the end...but I still like to plan things.

I have realized that we need to ask for help. It takes a community to make a wedding happen...no matter how small it is.

So many things to do!

It has been a long time since Ive written...it has been a busy month. I have not only traveled, but turned in a crazy amount of papers, fund raising in school, and so on. Nevertheless, I now have time to start focusing on the wedding again. Here is part of my to-do list:

- Get invites mailed-thus getting RSVPs
- Add information about hotels on our website
- Start making my wedding dress (mother in law to be will be helping!! Yay!)
- Buy-find more mason jars
- Buy-find table cloths
- Make practice centerpieces (still deciding on which one I want-twigs or flowers)
- Find more plates (we have around 40 so far...about 20 more to go!)
- Make napkins with all my fabric
- Decide on ceremony spot decoration: twig circle and flowers, paper cranes, or pom poms
- Wedding ring for Andrew (I am blessed to get his grandmothers ring, a beautiful, vintage, gold ring)
- Find shoes! (fun!)
- Practice recipes for cupcakes (so far I have decided on lemon cupcakes with cream cheese frosting)

For silverware we have settled for plastic. Hopefully I will be able to wash them and reuse them in school or for next parties. We will also have some paper napkins for cupcake holding.

More things to do:
- Ask friends to lend us blankets (seating for the ceremony and laying in the sun)
- Choose games to take
- Bubbles and pinata!
- Start stocking up on wine and beer
- Ask for lemon contributions (so many lemon trees!)
- Make head piece
- decide on whether we will have a photobooth (how can we make it work???)
- Start sorting through pictures for our picture display
- Music playlist
- Most important of all!!!! DECIDE ON OUR CEREMONY AND WRITE OUR VOWS!!!

Although the list is long, it feels good to write it down. Now we can start checking stuff off. (Dont you love to-do lists???)

Saturday, April 25, 2009

SF living



I LOVE the Picasa collage button.

Monday, April 20, 2009

The Bart in Mexico city

At the "auditorio" station

Plastic bag pushers


Visiting Mexico ha been a lot of fun. The food is incredible, the people are warm and welcoming, and it has the chaos I remember from growing up. After all, it's Mexico!
There is one thing that annoys me (other than the ridiculous traffic). I went to the neighborhood Superama (which is owned by Walmart, I found out later), and the girl at the counter could not, would NOT take my word that I didn't need a bag.
I did forget to take my trusty "Chico-bag", but I still had my huge purse. This was the conversation:
Me: I don't need a bag, thank you
Her: You don't?
Me: No, thanks
Her: But you need one for that..
Me: No thanks, I got it
Her: Definitely for that too (pointing at a paper bag full of bread)
Me: No thanks, I can carry it.
I run out of the store before I'm broken into taking a bag

One of the reasons I enjoy living in the Bay Area. When you tell them that you don't need a bag, they take your word for it.
Adios!

More info about nasty bags, go to here

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Colombian food

I went to the Mission last Sunday to meet some friends for dinner. While we waited for a table, I spotted a little Latin mart, and ....lo and behold! They had Masa Pan! This is a corn flour used to make arepas. Tonight, I made a delicious Colombian meal. (Or Venezuelan too.)

Masa PAN

Grilled Arepas de Queso- I couldn't find Queso Salado, so I used Feta...
it's just as salty


Fried Plantains

Tomato and Onion Sauce


Complete meal

wedding sites are the new black

Everybody has one. Some are pretty elaborate, and actually sort of cool. Andrew spent a few hours making ours. It's pretty simple and to the point, making it easier to navigate for our family and friends.We decided to stick to the following tabs:
- Map of the location
- Date and time
- RSVP box
- Registry
- Link to the blog
We still need to add information about hotels and hostels nearby, but it's basically finished.
I think it's super cool....

Check it out!

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Spring Time

It is that time of year....Spring! I can't believe how amazing the weather has been! Andrew and I have spent so much time outside, listening to the birds, looking at flowers, and eating. Eating is always involved.
I picked a bunch of wildflowers growing by the side of the road, and made arrangements for the house. I put them in Mason Jars...I wish there were this many flowers in August. I could have Mason Jars full of cool and FREE flowers, without feeling guilty about it.


Funny Dr. Seussish plant

Thursday, March 19, 2009

My Summer

So many plans! This is definitely going to be the best summer ever. I'm not only getting married, and going to Paris, but I'm also going to New Zealand for 2 and half weeks!


The only downside is that I will be away from our cats for nearly 6 weeks. Will they know me when I'm back?

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Our Home

We decided to paint our apartment orange a few months ago and have been decorating with things found at flea markets and thrift stores. I love the amount of space we have, especially because we can have a craft room.
Our living room. I got these chairs at Target for 20 dollars each! We are planning to use them for our dining room when we get a nicer table.

Dining area. Notice the "chandelier". I hate that lamp and I tried to make it pretty with jewelry.


Bottles from flea markets. We are collecting them for the wedding.


Bedroom


Living room


Our new green couch


Chair found in the street, I made the cushion. My plants are sprouting!


Craft computer area

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Pom poms Vs. Cranes

This is what we want our wedding to be! It looks like a fun, warm, happy day. Nobody looks stressed, and everything just kinda fits together.

And check out the decor... so beautiful, and so simple! I'm totally rethinking the pom poms...or maybe do both.

Photos from Once Wed, Nancy and Ethan's wedding

Sunday, March 8, 2009

I need to brag


Today Andrew surprised me with brunch in bed. :) He actually woke me up with a plate of eggs, tortillas, and freshly squeezed orange juice. How great is he or what!
Then... he walked with me to all the thrift shops to get wine glasses and plates for our wedding. After getting some stuff, we went to Dolores Park and enjoyed the much anticipated sun. It was a great day!

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Oh, so true!

This is probably one of the funniest wedding-related things I have read so far...

"…when you mention you're getting married, strangers, store clerks, and vendors give your bare ring finger a long look mixed with pity and suspicion".

Yup...they do!

on offbeat bride

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Fun times!

Everyone in costume:


All dressed up:

Friday, February 20, 2009

Making a mod dress- update

I finished the dress! I should have taken a "before" picture, but this is what I did:
1. Pulled the over sized dress apart. It had horrible long sleeves, it was way to big at the waist, and way too long (it went down under my knees).
2. I kept the top part together. I like how it was constructed.
3. I cut the skirt to make it shorter. Since I wanted to keep the lines at the bottom, I cut the skirt at the top.
4. Took the top in about 1 inch on each side. Hemmed the sleeve holes.
5. Took in the skirt, keeping an A line shape about 3 inches on each side (It was huge!)
6. Connected the top to the bottom. Since I took it in so much, it was a little hard to match all the seams and lines, but it's not too obvious.
I am definitely not the kind of person who "measures twice, cuts once". Maybe I should start doing that.

Anyhow, here is the result:

Living in the Bay Area

There are many things to love from the Bay Area. It's an awesome place to live in, with great people, beautiful views, and endless possibilities.
Yesterday I took myself on a day trip. I started my day at Crissy field, eating lunch and reading a good book next to the Golden Gate.



After that, i explored the "Exploratorium". It was huge, with a lot to see. This is me in a giante Kaleidoscope.



Finally, I went to Sausalito, where I had a cup of coffee next to this view, and then Andrew met me for dinner.


I'm excited for the people visiting for my wedding. I think they will love it!
Fun times!

To favor or not to favor

I love the idea of people taking a little something home from the wedding, but it can get really expensive. I also hate giving people more stuff, especially when I know they already have too much stuff to begin with (cough cough,,,,you know who you are!). Bay area apartments are way too small, and half of the people are flying from out of town...so....you see my conundrum.
My first thought was having a bucket with soapy sponges, so people can wash and take a plate or a wine glass that they like from the wedding. I think this could work out, but I'm sure some people are not interested in having one-of-a-kind table ware. So, my thoughts were on making something edible. I love the heart brownies featured on 2000 Dollar Budget Wedding, or maybe some fun chocolate. My goal is to keep it simple, transportable, budget friendly, and yummy. Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Back to school, Part III




I am officially in school. I go to classes, I read texts, I analyze them, I write stuff, and I eat greasy campus food. This last part really makes me feel like a Grad student... greasy fuel for a 7 hour class. At the beginning I felt a bit overwhelmed, but as the time goes by I am feeling more confident about it. My classes are interesting, and my classmates diverse (although we are still analyzing "what is diversity, REALLY?)".
Even though it was a crazy week, I'm glad it was over. I'm also glad I have pursued my master's...even though it seems like too much sometimes.

Friday, February 13, 2009

How could I NOT post this!

I'm sure you have already seen this, but if not... watch the glorious:


Kittens inspired by kittens!

Monday, February 9, 2009

Making a mod dress

Here is another one of my sewing adventures...more like reconstruction. My wonderful friend Kelly is having a super cool Mod/factory/Andy Warhol party, and we are dressing up. We spent most of our Saturday shopping at the Haight, and came across a really fun vintage store.
I ended up buying two dresses. On of them fits pretty well, but the one I really like was too big, too long, and had long sleeves. I love the pattern on the bottom...very Mondrian-like. Here is a detail of the pattern:



So far I have cut the skirt, cut the sleeves, and pinned it together. It looks pretty frumpy right now, but I assure you it will be fabulous! I'm so excited!