Guilty pleasures

This weekend I spent a grand ole time with my bridesmaids. I had a good time hanging out with my friend Terry on Friday watching Wedding Date. I have known Terry since grammar school. Friday we talked about how we used to walk over to South Orange Library after Our Lady of Sorrows and how we watched The Outsiders at Millburn theater. We also talked about the excitement of the wedding. She is willing to help me pick out the flowers for the reception. She has always loved flowers and she knows a couple of good places to go. I can't wait to see some of the floral designs. I know some people (like Vin) who don't understand the importance of flowers (since "they just die" as Vin put it). (Yes, I am not holding my breathe expecting flowers for Valentine's Day). Anyway, I love flowers and the beauty and elegance they can add to a place.

As an aside, Wedding Date is a rental. Cute but no substance. Not really worth $9.00 but Dermott Mulrooney is cute. He's no Vin but he is cute ; )

Saturday I had lunch with a few of my other bridesmaids , Jen, Linda, and Maribel (if you don't know or remember I have eight bridesmaid.) We went to Cheesecake Factory with some of our other friends, Pia and Jessica. That is a usual hangout for us. A guilty pleasure. My three bridesmaids at this shindig represent three different parts of my life. Linda I also have known since grammar school and I followed her into high school. In high school, we picked up Jen to make our dynamic duo into a terrific trio. Maribel followed me from Boston College to NJ and my gang of friends adopted her and her high energy ways. I have been fortunate enough to pick up great friendships as I grow up and keep them is more of a blessing.

It was during this lunch that I found out I need to worry about the bridesmaids' dress. Okay, this wedding thing is new to me. I didn't know that I had to order my wedding dress 9 months in advance. I guess I thought that every dress is ready to wear. You know, mass produce. I should know that if you are spending over $1000 I should expect it to be custom made. Anyway, the bridesmaids' dress is the same way. It is custom made and needs time to make. Well, one of my 8 bridesmaid lives in the Philippines. I had planned to get her the dress in the states and have my parents who plan to go to the Philippines in August bring the dress to her. So, now the bridesmaids' dress try-outs are on. When I thought that I could rest, I am up in running again. I just have to figure out where to look for the dress. I am tending to lean toward David's bridal wear. I have two of the 8 bridesmaids in California. They can probably order their dresses at a store near and get fitted there. I believe that this is the easier way to do things.

I had planned for the bridesmaid to wear coordinating separates so that they can pick out an outfit that will make them feel comfortable and beautiful. David's bridal wear has a lot of options for bridesmaids and you can see their selections on line. That will be great for Ayee who is in the Philippines because she can check out which dress or top she would like and inform me which one to pick. Well, for those bridesmaids reading the blog (their "guilty pleasure"), I will confirm this with you all soon enough. I just need to get more details.

Back to Cheesecake Factory. Afterward, avoiding temptation of eating a whole slice of cheesecake, Linda and I went to Pearl Paints to check out the possible stationary that would create our invitations. They really didn't have anything impressive. Linda offered her expertise regarding the invitation and offered to take me to some of the stationary stores in New York which she learned through her graphic design classes. Did I tell you that I have some great friends?

Thank you, ladies. Thank you for your time, your laughs, your advice, and your silliness. But most of all your friendship.

Keep on reading this "guilty pleasure." One of my bridesmaids compared reading this blog to like watching some cheesy soap opera. You know that it is corny and mindless but you can't help yourself. Well, I am glad that you are enjoying this as I am in writing this. I did a lot more this weekend but I will give your eyes a rest.
Check in later as Vin and I hit the Short Hills Mall to finish our registry.