bridesmaids

Posted on May 23, 2013 by Marie

During my trip to New York, I did a little preliminary wedding dress shopping with my mom and three best gals. Dan and I are having a small wedding party, and my bridesmaids happen to all live in New York at the moment. I knew this trip was my chance to ask them all in person, but I also wanted to create a little something that reflected how long we’ve known each other. Getting married is definitely in the adulthood category, and these girls have been there for me since I was a kid (college included). Before we tried on dresses at Gabriella, I gave them each a double photos frame. On one side was a photo of us from childhood or college, and on the other side was a card I designed that said “Will you be my bridesmaid?” My dear and talented friend, Sarah Mullin (who does all the drawings and logo work for The Whaling Club), created the strung lights and flower clusters. The girls opened them all at the same time, and their reaction to the photos was were PRICELESS. I almost pulled out my camera right before, but I was too excited and didn’t want to miss their faces. We all laughed, and there were a few happy tears.
^^Caitlin and I sharing a coconut on her back step.
^^Emilie and I on the first day of fourth grade. I am rocking those Tevas, and Emilie is super cool with the one shoulder backpack!
Haha! Sara’s photo is slightly different than adorable childhood photos, but it sums us up so much. She always bring out the wild and fun side of myself. This is on Halloween our sophomore year of college.

And THAT pretty much sums up my east coast week. I think. Can’t promise 🙂

These are a cute idea!

east coast, part 1

Posted on May 16, 2013 by Marie

I hadn’t been to NYC in a year and it felt so good! That may not seem like a long time, but I used to visit pretty much every other month when Dan and I were long distance, so I got used to seeing all my east coast friends more regularly. The trip was planned to see my brother’s grad school showcase. He’s a composer in NYU Tisch’s Musical Theatre Writing grad program, and he’s spent the last year working on a musical with his writing partner. I had heard bits and pieces of the process from my brother and via my mom, and I’m so thrilled I was there with my parents to see his gorgeous work. Communicating how people feel and love with humor through music is so mature and wise. AND he’s only 25!! The audience was clearly moved by his show, and I couldn’t have been more proud to be his sister. I’m always in awe.I dragged my family all over downtown for dinner and cocktails. Freemans is a favorite spot that Dan and I fell in love with on an impromptu date years ago in NYC. I love how each room is different, and it always feels comforting and hip. Mission Chinese totally lived up to all the awesome things I had heard! The front looks like a classic, hole in the wall, Chinese joint, but in the back is a full restaurant. Flavor explosion! My friend Aubrey (we worked together at Son of a Gun in LA) is the manager there. It was such a delight to see him, and we tried so many yummy dishes including the thrice cooked bacon with rice cakes, and super spicy chonqing chicken wings. I was so full, but I couldn’t stop eating. Then we all walked down to Painkiller, a tiki bar on the LES. My mom was ready to kill me when we showed up to an unmarked door with only a bouncer. Sorry, Mom!How gorgeous are all those blooming trees? I had the most delightful coffee catch up with my dear friend, Jeremy, in the West Village before heading back up to see a matinee of Matilda. I adored the show! The kids in the show were incredible, so committed and strong. Super funny. Amazing, so far, right? And that’s only half way through! Part 2 coming up.

the whaling club

Posted on October 23, 2012 by Marie

This weekend, Dan and I hosted a cocktail event at our apartment that we named The Whaling Club. We had the best time! Thank you to all who came out for the first run. We hope it was the beginning of many social evenings, enjoying fine cocktails with old and new friends. How cool is that ice? Dan hand cut it all himself out of twenty-five pound blocks! He’s a dedicated gentleman, that’s for sure.