1. the girl who can’t put the book down.

i’m not normally a bookworm as my attention span is like that of a goldfish.  i usually spend my free time reading blogs (duh!) or watching tv as those activities don’t generally take more than a few hours.  however when i’m stuck on an airplane with tv or internet, i find that it’s the best time for me to catch up on books.  a few weeks ago i picked up the girl with the dragon tattoo and started reading it, i didn’t get very far as the book has a pretty slow start.  and just this past week i decided to give it another chance, rereading it from the beginning.  i read 1/3 on the way to phoenix, a 1/3 on the way back home, and 1/3 the following day in my living room.  let me just say, once you get into it, you can’t put it down.  and now i can’t wait to read the girl who played with fire.

2. want a ticket to ride?

a few months ago, marvin picked up the game ticket to ride.  it’s a cross-country adventure where players collect train cards and try and routes on railways.  goal is to get the most number of points by completing destination tickets, completing long routes, and block your opponents.  this game totally brings out the competitive side in me.  have you played before?  what are your best strategies?

3. keeping vampires away

last friday, marvin and i decided to use one of our many groupons by heading to a local joint, big baby’s pizzeria.  best thing on the menu?  roasted garlic with romano cheese and olive oil smeared on french bread. i’m determined to make a version of my own because it’s that tasty.  and it’ll keep the vampires away, score!

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4. table numbers as tv shows

on saturday we attended my friend’s wedding reception in kc.  instead of having table numbers, they marked each table by tv shows on their dvr.  our table was breakout kings (i’ve never heard of this show but maybe i’ll give it watch sometime).  what else was so cool about this wedding?  it overlooked the city, they served sorbet as a palette cleanser before dinner, and there was a chocolate fondue station.  so fun!

5. words with friends

as if i weren’t glued to my phone enough, here’s another reason i am.  if you want a sure win, leave a comment with your username so i can start a game with you.  i’m a noob.

6. your turn.  tell me something random!

Two years ago (May 16, 2009 to be exact), I married my best friend, my man, my monkey, and my companion.  Since then, we’ve moved in together, renovated a basement, saw tons of family and friends get married, became an auntie/uncle, traveled a ton, but most importantly we’ve gotten to experience what being a husband/wife are all about and have learned so much about and from each other.  Marvin is the reason I get so excited to come home from work or the airport.  When I’m home, he’s the first person I see when I wake up in the morning and that always puts a smile on my face.  Life has become so much more meaningful with him always by my side.  And with that, I’ll leave you with a few pictures to show how we’ve evolved in the past two years.

Taiwan Engagement Pictures by Sophia Ritz in April 2009.  To see more, click here and here!

Our Wedding Day on May 16, 2009, pictures taken by Venture Photography.  To see more of our wedding, I recently did a Real Wedding post on Lemon and Lavender, go check it out!

One Year Anniversary celebration

One Year Anniversary photo shoot by His & Hers Photography

Marvin’s birthday where our nephew made a surprise visit!

Caribbean Cruise in December 2010

A few days ago at a friend’s wedding with the Kansas City Country Club Plaza in the background!

Marvin and I are always excited to give each other gifts that we always end up doing it early.  So you see that necklace I am wearing in the last picture, it was my two year anniversary present, my first ever David Yurman jewelry!  Here’s a close-up shot of it, the center stone is a perfect prasiolite (green-quartz) surrounded by diamonds, I love it!!!

So to celebrate this milestone, we’ve decided to take a vacation day and go out and enjoy each other, our city, and our love for each other.  I’m most looking forward to our dinner, where we plan on going to check out the newest Brazilian Steakhouse in town… and I hope you know what that means… we’ll be eating for hours until we’re stuffed silly. 

And for those who are in the wedding planning stages or are planning on attending a wedding soon, don’t forget to enter the Percy Handmade wedding accessory shop giveaway for $70 credit! 

Entries for this giveaway have been closed, thanks for entering!!

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This shop really needs no introduction, it speaks for itself, foreals.  One glance at it and if you are a bride shopping for yourself or a bridesmaids or are going to be a guest at a wedding, you’ll most likely click that purchase button.  Percy Handmade is made of the loveliest hair accessories, clutches, sashes, garters, and pearl combs you ever did see.  Each item is made to order with Tania’s two crafty hands all the way in Australia!  Read below to get to know Tania a little bit better and for a super awesome giveaway!

{MEET TANIA}

1) Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Hi, my name is Tania Maras and I’m based in Canberra, Australia. I work full time during the day and I create my pieces late into the evenings and on weekends. Life is really busy but I love what I do so it never feels like ‘work’. I love to travel, I wish I could cook, I have a wonderfully supportive partner, and I have the cutest chocolate Labrador pup named Bear.

2) How did you get into making such beautiful wedding accessories?
I taught myself how to sew just over 2 years ago and my first projects were pouches and clutch purses. They were so much fun to make and before I knew it, I started to develop a following of brides and bridesmaids seeking to use my pieces for their weddings and formal occasions. I became obsessed with making pretty flowers and feather pieces and it wasn’t too long before a line of bridal accessories quickly developed.

3) What are some of your favorite color combos for weddings?
This is a tough question! I think my favourites are:
- pewter grey, charcoal grey, and lemon or mustard yellow
- nudes and black
- chartreuse and yellow greens and taupe

4) What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
Peppermint choc chip!

{GIVEAWAY}

One super lucky Sandy a la Mode reader will win $70 credit to Percy Handmade!  Yup, you read that right, seventy dollar credit!

To enter:

1. Visit Percy Handmade shop and leave a comment with your favorite item!

For additional entries, leave a separate comment for each action.
1. Be a Google Friend Connect follower of Percy Handmade
2. Be a Google Friend Connect follower of this blog
3. Like Percy Handmade on Facebook on write on the wall saying I sent you
4. Follow @sandyalamode and @percyhandmade on Twitter
5. Blog, facebook, or tweet about this giveaway (make sure to include @sandyalamode and @percyhandmade in your tweet) and include the link (one entry each)

Feel free to use this tweet:
I just entered to win $70 credit to @percyhandmade’s amazing wedding accessory shop on @sandyalamode! http://bit.ly/jFEbny

This giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY and closes on Tuesday May 17, 2011 at 12PM CST.  Good luck!

Entries for this giveaway have been closed, thanks for entering!!

This weekend, one of my best friends is getting married and I couldn’t be happier that I’ll be standing by her on her big day.  We’ve been friends for more than half our lives and she’s been my partner in crime in our teenage years.  We used to dance Chinese folk dances together and then subsequently in our high school years when most kids were out playing we taught younger kids how Chinese folk dancing as well.  We dyed our hair together, we got piercings together, and even went to the Rose Bowl together too!  Like I said, our friendship goes wayyy back!

So excuse me if I’m MIA all weekend as I’ll be in Vegas with my best friend as she marries the man of her dreams!    But I won’t leave you empty handed, here is a look at their New York City engagement pictures photographed by the amazing Jeramie Shoda!

Aren’t they the cutest?  I am loving all the great backdrops that define New York City.  To check out more photos from this amazing session, head on over to Shoda Love blog!

Oh yes, and I have the Livy Love Designs giveaway winner to announce!  The winner is Connie from Daydream in Color, congrats!  Connie – please email me at sandyalamode(at)gmail(dot)com and I’ll get you hooked up with Diana so she can send you the print of your choice!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Hi friends!  Hope you are having a great week!  It’s been quite some time since I’ve updated my shop, as you know I haven’t been home very much and this weekend I’m going to have a booth at my SECOND CRAFT FAIR!  My sweet sponsor, My Little Sunshine and I will be sharing a booth space together and I’m excited to have her company.  For all those in the Kansas City area, check out the KC Artists Easter Craft Fair for more information on the event, hope to see you this Saturday! 

Speaking of my shop, it’s about time I share some customer photos.  It always makes me giddy inside when I see my friends sporting handmade creations made by moi!  First off… we have the bow that pretty much defines my shop, the mustard lacey, which comes in bow clip or headband form!

1 Love how colorful Adventures in Love and Happiness’ outfit is!
2 Selective Potential matched a mustard skirt and lace top with the bow… how perfect is that?
3 Totally adore how The Violet Reaction wore her bow with her hair up and isn’t her purse too cute?
4 Teehee, love that Freckled Italian sent me a phone pic!  She’s cuuuute!
5 Yellow Heart Art is hysterical, charming, sweet, and a great designer! And she’s fashionable too!

And we have some of  my other items modeled here:

6 Goose and Lovie kept her hair out of her face with a vintage pearl pin!
7All Kinds of Complicated sported a bow to put her hair half up!
8 Wattlebird matched her Sandy a la Mode earrings with a cute bow headband.
9 And Gracie Bella Butterfly spiced up her messy bun with a mini hairpin!

Next I have a GIVEAWAY WINNER to announce, woohoo!

The winner of the Rouge and Whimsy giveaway is Jenna from A Home Away From Home!

Congrats Jenna!  Please email sandyalamode(at)gmail(dot)com with your mailing address and let me know which color headband you’d like (yellow, magenta, white, light pink, turquoise, red, black or purple)!

Lastly, our wedding was featured over on Lemon and Lavender yesterday!  Head on over there to see how Marvin and I met, to learn a few of my wedding tips, and to see where we went on our honeymoon!    Sorry for the somewhat random post, but I just had a lot to share.

Don’t forget to enter the Livy Love Designs giveaway for the print of your choice in 8.5 x 11″ size!

To get me prepped for my craft fair this Sunday, take 15% off your Sandy a la Mode order with code GOODLUCK (through Friday only)!