New Life. New Blog.

Having started a new life with a new husband and a new baby, means new blog...join me there instead :)

The Patel Home

Happy (Belated) New Years - Chuc Mung Nam Moi!

Happy Lunar New Year to those that celebrate. I know I'm about 10 days behind schedule, but that's how my life is starting to feel lately.

Professionally, I feel like I'm slacking -like I can't catch up with any of my work or that I'm letting customers down. Luckily, my management team has yet to view it that way and my numbers are even proving me wrong. Emperically, I guess I'm doing well, but in my own head, I'm a fumbling mess and can't keep any train of thought straight. This year of the Tiger, I'm resolving to get more focused on my work and commit to a lot of growth (revenue, volume and professionalism).

Wedding-wise, things are insane. I feel like I have a million and one things to do and never enough time to get it done. I keep thinking there's more time than there is. I've got a corner in the house where it looks as though a Michael's craft store exploded. Empty boxes on the patio from shipments of votive candles, candy, aisle runners, etc. etc. When will this maddness end? Apparently 45 days. Yes, 45. Things left to do?

1. Escort Cards/Seating chart
2. Linens ordered
3. Seating arrangements
4. Kids' activity books
5. Signs -outdoor and indoor
6. Guest book
7. Gift box

I can get it all done right?? RIGHT?! On top of the wedding, I've been thinking of the 10 year high school reunion (exciting!) and what I should start doing...thankfully the class of 2000 is AMAZING and has been wonderful about getting the word out and kickstarting this party! (Event planning is starting to sound like my second job).

Personally, this year is starting out to be an amazing one! I'm marrying my best friend, my family is amazing, my girlfriends are just wonderful, I'm strengthening other friendships and I'm just happy and content. I really can't beat that...now only if I can find my sanity...

Eye Candy

Here are the pictures as promised...More updates to follow :) It's been a busy couple of months!

Rubber Stamping Addiction

Okay, so on this journey of wedded bliss, I've set out to "DIY" a lot of things. Since my last DIY project, the invitations, I've become a bit obsessed with rubber stamps!

I never realized how cute, fun and personal rubber stamping can be! There's something about that extra touch that it adds.

I've taken the stamping to one portion of our favors! The candy bags for our candy bar now have a stamp that states "sweet love" on it. The letters are in green and it shows a pink heart, I'll show the pictures soon! But I absolutely love it. It'll play off the yellow candies that we'll have at the bar and it's a sneaky way of putting pink in the wedding without Rajiv's objections since hearts HAVE to be pink!

I'm going to try to make my own cards from now on with rubber stamps. Not only will it be fun, but it will certainly be one of a kind and straight from the heart.

Happy Thursday everyone! Stay safe in this insanely crazy rain.

Wedding Chicks Feature!

Check it out. We're featured on Wedding Chicks, a super cute blog that a frequent on a daily basis! (Check out the Real Weddings section)

Fun :)

Engagement Photos

Oh you don't know how long I've been wanting to post for a long time about our e-session with the ever-so-lovely and talented Ms. Caroline Tran.


One warm, very warm, mid-October day, Rajiv and I got dolled up and went back to our old stomping grounds.



Back to where it all started. First it was the dorms, then chemistry (the class, not the sparks...those came later), then friendship which eventually blossomed into love, then a puppy and a ring!

Who would've known nine years ago that this is where we would wind up? Life is full of the unexpected and what better way to spend it than laughing with you best friend?

As stressful as wedding planning can be, I've embraced my masochism and am enjoying it as I know in 89 days it'll soon be over. However, after the planning, I'm looking forward to continuous laughing with my best friend. And I'm looking forward to the many obstacles we'll face together as husband and wife.

Please please please check out Caroline's work at her page www.carolinetran.net/blog. She's an unbelievably talented photographer. She made our session so fun and relaxing. It's strange to have someone capture the intimate moments of your love and the little nuances in your personality, but she does it with such grace and poise. I cannot speak more highly of her! Thank you Caroline for capturing our love on camera, it's the best gift we could ask for!

-
P.S. Anyone notice the pinwheels ;)

Down with Brown

I swear, I don' typically bash the competition while at work. I think competition can be healthy and they're a good company -they keep us on our toes and make us better. But mess with a girl's wedding nearly 3 months out and I'll be darned if I sit idly by! I ordered 500ish glass votive candle holders. Spent $70ish on shipping. I take some out of the box and shards of glass are everywhere.

This just makes my job that much easier. Makes me glad to have stolen a large account from them this morning at work.

Enjoy and please pass it on!