Memorable Moment

What has taken over five years of love, patience, respect, admiration, support and laughter can now be authorized by Harris County. All it took was 15 minutes of our time, $71, swearing our non-blood ties and signing the oath. Who knew jumping into legal marriage could be so easy? 

Upon walking out of the county clerk's office, the magnitude of the event hit me and tears of joy began to flow. In exactly one week, I will become Mrs. Francis Giampietro! I hope by channeling the emotion of the day, writing my vows will come a bit more gracefully...

Rsvp city!

This morning I opened our mailbox and encountered...

and for the piece de resistance: 

Love him and his exuberance. I cannot wait to celebrate with his sparkling self. Here's to you, Mr. Eriksson, we are going to have a whale of a time!

A few of my favorite things...

One of the most coolest things I have experienced while planning for the wedding has definitely been touring the flower warehouse on Leeland with Laura, the florist we hired. 


It was a flower wonderland! I was scheduled to meet her at noon with strict instructions to bring along a coat. I was almost inclined to disregard her directive due to the 90 degree weather we have been experiencing but I unpacked my winter clothes and dragged a sweater to the appointment. Laura was right, I would have been a fool to walk into the flower cooler without some sort of woolen protection because the 45 degree storeroom had my legs breaking out in goosebumps the full time we were in there. 


Even with the discomfort of the cold, nothing could obliterate the beauty unfolding in box after box of flowers. Everywhere you turned there was a different stem for you to admire and fawn over. As we walked the aisles, Laura took diligent notes on my exclamations of excitement. How she's ever going to decide what to place the actual day of the wedding, I'll never know because truly every flower she showed me was gorgeous. Here's a small peek into the delights of the day:

As the day of the wedding approaches, the butterflies in my stomach increase- June 25th, hurry please! 

Countdown: 53 days

Beautiful, memorable moments are currently in the works. Here's a sneak peek, 

If you come across any discarded mason jars, please send them my way. I will forever be in your debt. Scout's honor.

Mexican Shower: Claudia

From the day she was born she has driven me crazy. Sometimes in a good way. Sometimes...not so good. But the memories I have of her are absolutely imprinted in my heart. From our Barbie doll fights to her absurdly large case of coloring books, I grew up with the best friend a girl could have. I never lacked company (even when I craved it) because she was always around. I vividly remember when we were both in elementary school the times she would see me in the hallways or the playground, she would stop whatever she was doing (including walking quietly in line) to run, arms wide open, yelling my name to hug me. At the time I would die of mortification- I mean, when you're in fourth grade and your first grade sister hug-attacks you, things could not look bleaker. Now, I laugh because she still does it as grown ups. Luckily, there are no teachers to reprimand her anymore. 


I look into the future and I know that Claudia will be that aunt. The aunt all the nephews and nieces adore because she has the kooky wardrobe, huge stockpile of video games and never ending jars of candy. She will also be the aunt that my kids adore because she is fun and absolutely giving. With her there is no halfway. It's all or nothing. And that is why I adore her. Because I know that no matter what happens, she is there unconditionally (cue Bridezilla Dahnya). 

Mexican Shower: my mom

She's thoughtful. Generous. Loyal. Hardworking. Courageous. Passionate. Amazing cook. Unabashedly puts her family first and neglects herself. 


The relationship I have with my mom has always been easy. After work during my hour long drive back from Dayton she was the first person I would call to chat about our days, gossip about the family, hear about the latest dramas and basically talk until I reached my apartment or she had to run off on an errand. Ever since I've been home our relationship has slowly evolved. Not necessarily for the better. After all, when you have a daughter who disregards neglected shoes and an ever growing stack of books (that would be me) you're bound to have arguments. 


However, even as much as we have argued about my messy room (yes, coming back home can be rough) and the wedding budget and the elusive sparklers I am on a hunt to find- I do savor the fact that I even as an adult in her eyes I am still her little girl. She makes sure the fridge is constantly stocked with my favorite OJ. She comes home loaded with groceries and goes out of her way to replenish my particular shampoo and conditioner. Whenever I arrive home late there's always a plate left out for me to partake and most of all, whenever I walk in the door she comes out to greet me with a smile and a kiss on the cheek. 


The best part of all? I know this will not change upon me becoming a Mrs. and that brings things into full perspective. There is no place like home. And the person responsible for making it feel as thus? My mom. Without her things wouldn't be the same. 

Mexican Shower: my grandma

My mom's mother is a difficult woman.
She curses like a sailor.
Smokes like there's no tomorrow.
Is unapologetically blunt.
Holds lifelong grudges.

However, from the moment I was born my grandma and I formed a bond. One that no matter how frustrated I am by some of her actions, cannot be broken.

A few of the most cherished memories I have of her are the mornings she would take me along for her daily grocery shopping. I would sit in the front of her Chevy Caprice's elbow rest* with my face plastered to the AC vents seeking to escape the Sonoran summer heat. The moment we walked into the store she would pluck an ice cold juice, pop the lid and tell me to drink up. This juice would later be accompanied by a bag of chips. Not the healthiest of snacks but I look at a hot pink bag of Churrumais and instantly think of her.


I also remember her daily siesta. She would lie down somewhere late in the afternoon and allow me to quietly watch the latest novela as she slept. The moment she opened her eyes (about a novela or two later), she would kiss me on my head and ask if I was hungry. In that order, every time.


Today, she's no longer physically able to run around whenever we come to visit but every time I walk out of the guest room rubbing sleep from my eyes, the first person I spot is her. Smoking her cigarette, drinking her coffee and the big smile on her face asking me if I'm hungry.

The best part of having the wedding in Mexico is finally having the chance for Fran to meet all the wonderful people in my life. The people I have talked about and regaled him with stories for as long as we've been together. And just as exciting is the fact that those same people will finally have the chance to meet the man I am going to share my life with. Luckily, my grandma is already smitten with Fran's good looks. Now all he has to do is grin when she curses up a storm at how much cuter he is in person.

*defintely not recommended by vehicular laws these days

Mexican Shower: my cousins

It's weird growing up as the oldest granddaughter. I did love sitting in on all the adult gossip when I was little but, I was the only grandchild on my mom's side of the family for four years before Claudia, the second grandchild was born. After her it was a string of cute, smelly boy cousins until Michelle came along 11 years later. 


Needless to say, there is a huge age gap between me and the Camou girls. However, I loved doting on them when they were little and most especially, I loved taking care of them the way my aunts had taken care of me. Today, I look at this picture and I don't feel old but I it does make me realize how quickly time goes by. 

After Michelle was born, Nicole followed a year later. Melissa came along the year after her and then Mariana finished the four year consecutive girl streak. It's funny hanging out with them. Facebook, makeup, and boys dominate their conversations. Sound familiar? Some things just don't change. 

Mexican Shower: Tia Miriam

This is my Tia Miriam. She is married to my mom's second oldest brother- I was one of two flower girls at their wedding!

Growing up, I don't remember being that close to my aunt. She had all boys (both younger than me) and because her mom lived in Tucson, most summers she was gone whenever we would visit. But, at some point in time our relationship changed. Without her help the planning of the wedding would be an absolute nightmare. She has been there every step of the way- from the moment Fran came into the picture to when he asked for my hand in marriage. Other than my mom (or myself), I don't think anyone has been as excited about helping me plan the wedding. When the hurricane damaged the first venue we had booked, she was the one who did the legwork to find us the new place.

And, as the planning is slowly drawing to a close I am so grateful for the chance to have bonded with her. 

Mexican Shower: Tia Gaby

This is my Tia Gaby. She is my mom's second youngest sister. 

It's funny the things that stick to you from childhood because one of the strongest scents that take me back when thinking of her is the smell of the car she used to drive in college. I don't think the car had leather seats but I do remember the inside being a caramel color that was pleasantly musty with a tinge of leather. 

She was the one who take me to see my very first play, Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. She was also the one who would get upset whenever I would rifle through her jewelry box to borrow her jewelry. Except that instead of putting her rings back, I would stupidly hide them thinking she wouldn't realize I had placed them somewhere else. And because I was six, I referred to her as Tia Bruja (Witch Aunt) whenever she would get mad. I soon broke this awful habit but to this day she doesn't let me forget it.

Mexican Shower: Tia Ivette

This is my Tia Ivette (fyi, "tia" is aunt in Spanish). Of all three, she definitely has played the biggest impact on who I am today. For starters, she is only nine years older than me.

She also lived with my family for a year. When I was younger I worshipped the ground she walked on. She would curl my hair and allow me the chance to explore her enormous pink Caboodle filled with makeup. Even when I was a fourth grader with a mad crush on Nathan Bowers, she would patiently listen to my stories of how wonderful a kickball player he was and then advise me on how best to get his attention. Together we baked cookies and cheated at UNO. And, it is because of her that I can draw a whole salon of cartoon faces.

Did I also mention that my love for Hello Kitty stemmed from her obsession?

Mexican Shower: the people

These are my aunts:

Ever since I was a baby every summer was spent in Hermosillo. Between the three of them and my grandparents, I was unequivocally spoiled. Especially since I was the only grandchild for four whole years. Then Claudia came along and stole my thunder...just kidding! 

I remember how excited I was to show off my baby sister and proudly tell all who would listen how great a big sister I was. Somehow they looked past my bratty tendencies and loved me. A huge part of why the wedding is taking place in Guaymas is because of them. I could not picture me marrying Fran without these women who have been such a huge part of my life there to witness it. 

Mexican Shower: the setting

On St. Patrick's Day my mother's sisters threw me a bridal shower. It was absolutely beautiful! It was in a little cafe/bar called, Red Cup. Incidentally, the owner of the restaurant was the sweetest lady- constantly running around making sure everyone's glasses were filled and that the women were being fed. 

Upon arriving into the restaurant, the first thing one saw was this little table. There are three types of Mexican bridal showers: the traditional one where people come with gifts off the couple's registry. The biblical one where women bring an object that represents something in the couple's marriage (ie: salt, so that their life always has flavor- and hopefully, some salt and pepper shakers). And finally, the money shower. Due to me being over 500 miles away, my aunts decided upon the money shower. This is why you see the tray with the money envelopes and trunk to put them into. 

Also, another thing I learned about Mexican showers: they do not have a set time frame. Typically most bridal showers here last about 2-2 1/2 hours. Whereas in Hermosillo...it was 6 hours of mingling. I arrived at 4 and left at 10, escorting the last of the sweet old ladies out. It was fortunate the the photographer arrived as early as she did because my 10 o'clock picture would sure look different: 

Here I am proudly posing with the trunk and envelopes. If any of you remember, that is the infamous JCrew dress I bought a few weeks back! I absolutely loved it. My only complaint? Linen is a pain to keep wrinkle free. Aside from a few supportive setbacks (if you know what I mean) and a wrinkled dress, I had a wonderful time catching up with aunts, cousins and getting the opportunity to meet many of my family's closest friends (including my grandma's BFF back when she was 16). 

38 years from now...

Thanks to Camille's previous entry; I have been inspired:


I have a little box filled with mementos that has slowly been accumulating since the day Fran proposed. Some things are so vitally attached to a memory that I can not picture me ever parting with it (ie: the ribbon around the bakery box or the business card of the bridal shop I visited with my mom & aunts while in Mexico). Yet these "little" things take up space. Space I do not have. So, either in the box they would stay until one day I succumb to the dormant neat freak in me and throw them out or...I could "copy, paste" the answer Camille's blog had given me.


It was a longer hunt for the shadow box than I had anticipated. I looked everywhere! Michael's, Hobby Lobby...alright, I hit the first two without any success and the idea sort of flew away. Until I happened to walk into TJ Maxx (always a hit or miss) the other day. As is the way of life, when I was least expecting it, I stumbled across my little shadow box. I don't think I found what I had originally gone in for but, the moment I saw the box the light bulb lit up once again.


It has taken a few days of digging through boxes and files but, for the most part, my memory box is coming along.

I love knowing my treasured trinkets have found a home and that as time flies by, the ones that are sure to come will be able to join them.

These hips don't lie.

I have been on the hunt for a dress in preparation of the bridal shower my aunts are hosting in Mexico next month. It's been a bit of a struggle since stores have been phasing out their winter fashion and the new spring lines haven't really captured what I had in mind. It wasn't until this afternoon that I found the perfect dress: it was within the budget I'd mentally set. It had the sweet, elegant, feminine lines I was envisioning and best of all, I felt like a million bucks in it.

This evening, I came home eager to show the dress off to my mom. I slipped into my necessary undergarments and carefully attempted to step into the dress ready to walk the "Roxana Runway". But, there was a glitch. In the store I had been able to step in and easily coax it to zip. In my room, it was a completely different story. 

For starters, there was no way I was going to be able to pull it up over my hips without busting a seam. Instead I slipped it over my head and had to gently/frustratingly tug it down in place. As I huffed and puffed, I attempted to snap the hook on the side so as to begin the upward journey of the zipper. The fabric refused to come together. After one more attempt, I stopped and frowned: there was no way the dress I had just tried on hours before did not fit. Or could it? I was beginning to regret my three slices of margherita pizza and chocolate truffle cupcake earlier that afternoon...


In a sweat, I hurriedly untangled myself from within the tight confines of the dress and almost hurled it across the room. Before succumbing to a tantrum, I took a deep breath and angrily looked at the size label stitched inside the dress-

Somehow the girls at the store had taken the dress I had in the dressing room and mixed it up with a zero! As realization (and relief) dawned, I realized two things: 

One, somehow I managed to squeeze myself into a zero. A feat I am oddly proud of. That I was unable to zip it up is not an issue I want to contemplate. Allow me my small victory of unbusted seams, please.


Two, the panic that settled in the moment the dress did not close has me all the more determined to hit hot yoga and hit it hard. I know a size 0 is a size I can never aspire to (hello Latin curves!) The cupcake and pizza were absolutely delicious (and something I will never deny myself) but it was a reminder that I cannot let myself lax into overindulgence either. 

Address unknown.

Shameful bride confession: I look through our gift registry at once a day. One, to admire the lovely things I hope to adorn (or stock, really) our future home with. Two, on the off chance that maybe, just maybe, someone decided to stock up on a Garcia-Giampietro gift. It had been at least three weeks since Fran & I had registered. As I scrolled through tonight, I shouted with absolute shock & delight because multiple items had been "fulfilled". 

I can't wait to thank the mystery shopper(s) in person. Until that day arrives, Mystery Shopper: thank you! I cannot wait to decorate my Martha stands with delicious cupcakes & to wake up to Fran slurping his cereal out of his Lord of the Ring bowls. But, most of all, I cannot wait to have our matching suitcases earn their airport badges of honor as we travel the world. First two stops: Mexico & Ireland! 

More wedding blogs!

Clint, our engagement photographer, alerted me to the fact that our pictures were posted on another wedding blog the other day.

I must confess, I do not tire of seeing these pictures. It's funny to think how eager I was to see these and yet, I don't think it'll even begin to compare to how I'll feel upon seeing June 26th (and 27th) captured on film. Only 134 more days. Time sure does fly when you're...well, busy*. 


*Not to imply that wedding planning is not fun (because I truly am enjoying it) however, work is keeping me fully focused on TAKS. Leaving me no room to daydream while at my desk.

two steps ahead...

I've yet to register for the wedding because I find myself longing for items that cannot be found at the stores one can register. 

The other day Fran & I were discussing where we'd like to live. It slowly evolved into what we would like our future home to feel and look like...with that in mind, I found myself scouring the internet looking for ideas. Instead of focusing on the things that need to be done (ie: save the dates, invites, favors, hair-do, jewelry) I'm finding these lovely items:

Beautiful, pristine bathroom.

A must-have for the tea parties I plan on throwing (or serving water in, anyway).

Can you believe this is a drawer knob? I love its delicacy.

Unique little coasters to catch pesky water drops.

For Fran and I to read "tea"rrific books to.

The chair in which I would love to build a room around.

The perfect accompaniment to a delicious meal. 

Ok. I got it out of my system. Now, it's off to work. Or, sleep that is. After a long flight back from an even longer weekend, today work seemed to pass by at a snail's pace. 

The lack of sleep was a worthy sacrifice considering I had a chance to meet all 29 of the Giampietro cousins. As well at Fran's 11 aunts & uncles. I have to say, I am super excited to become a part of such a creative family. Some way or another, every single Giampietro has found his/her niche by utilizing some sort of art form. I met an NYC chef, Pixar artist, architects galore, jewelry designer (whose pieces sell at Bergdorf!), violinist, the list goes on and on. It's going to make for some very interesting holidays.

Third time's the charm.

The shoes arrived today like promised. They are absolutely beautiful. 

As an added bonus, they showed up exactly 200 days before the wedding. It seems appropriate. 


Ps: zappos has phenomenal customer service. If you haven't tried them, I recommend you give them a shot.

omg!

Wedding blogs & our engagement pictures make me happy.Therefore, having our engagement pictures featured on one of my favorite blogs has me pinching myself in disbelief.

It is my bride-to-be dream come true!

Ecstatic,

Dahnya