Giddy over Garbage...Can.

One of the items my husband and I knew we would buy ourselves after our wedding was a simplehuman garbage can. A stainless steel and fingerprint proof 13 gallon wonder. At almost a $200 price point you might thinking, OMG, why spend that much money on a garbage can? Well I'll tell you why. We were fed up with our cheap $12.99 10 gallon plastic garbage can, with the inside of the lid covered in misc liquid stains from trying to stuff the can full as can be, the dust and grime that I constantly scrubbed off the outside of the can, the foot pedal that only kind-of worked, and a bag that would continuously get caught on the hinge. As a family of two, we somehow manage to empty the can about every 36 hours. It was beyond annoying!

The UPS man came and delivered our can last week and I waited for my hubby to come home for the big unveiling. We own other simplehuman products, so we figured we couldn't possibly be disappointed, and indeed, we're so happy. In fact I'm on the verge of giddy, especially since it's been 3 days and we have yet to have to empty the can. I love that my husband is now going to want to buff the garbage can--after all, it's stainless steel and he's big on that material--but the features of the can are great, too. This model has a lid that, when open, is flush to the wall, and can be locked in the open position if needed. And moreover, the lid is connected to a shock absorption system so it goes down nice and easy. Plus, it's super easy to change the bag, and there's no messy bag overflow at the top of the can. And it comes with a 10 year warranty and is engineered to withstand over 150,000 steps, which is more than 20 steps a day. This step can could probably go into a museum for industrial design.

Just my own Wedding Tips

I'm going to take a step away from the gluten free world for this post and share with you some tips regarding weddings. As I just got married myself I feel as if it is my duty to share these tidbits with future brides, wedding planners, etc.

• Be prepared to tip everyone from your DJ to your mother or brother. Depending on the size of your wedding add at least $200 into your budget for tipping all your vendors and for honeymoon activities. Who knew it was common practice to tip your hot air balloon guy- not us.

• Brides should be prepared to be alone for the last 15 minutes before the ceremony. Don't make yourself go stir crazy. If a camera is available take some fun pics of yourself or send your sweetie a sweet text message he'll come across later. I love this pic:-)
  

• When shopping for your dress keep in mind how you might eat, sit, and use the restroom. You may say who cares if you look great, but on the big day you're really going to be kicking yourself if you hadn't considered those factors.

• Do your research regarding vendors- check yelp, Google, ask the staff for personal references.

• Vows. It's a nice touch to write your own but you really should start this process far in advance. We started 6 months ahead of time and were still finalizing them the week of the wedding.

• Add an unique element to keep your guests entertained and involved. During our reception we had a wedding quiz, wedding-themed cootie catchers, and couple-themed pictionary.

• Stick to your budget. You'd be amazed what you can find at Goodwill, 99 cent store, IKEA, etc. I was able to make these centerpieces for $12 a piece!
  

• If you're outdoors for any amount of time remember to sunscreen. You do not want to start you honeymoon sun burnt! (And thankfully with several reapplications, I made it the whole day outside without getting pink, and I burn easily).
  

• And lastly and most important, remember to have FUN!

My Best Friend's Wedding

After a year of planning the day was finally upon us, and despite all the crazy details I had a blast coordinating everything. The rehearsal and rehearsal dinner was on Thursday instead of the Friday before. I practiced my super slow walk with my friend Gene and got to hear Jeannine's father and brother play/sing her down the aisle.

Gene with the Toss Bouquet

For rehearsal dinner we went to the Old Spaghetti Factory, which does have a gluten free menu; from what I could tell I think they make their own corn pasta.

Jeannine, Mike, & I at Dinner

On Friday Jeannine and I had a very nice and relaxed spa day at Esthetics by Jeanette in Sacramento. Neither one of us had had a full body massage before and it was super relaxing.

Jeannine's last day as a Single Gal

Pretty Hands & Shiny Rings

On Friday evening we created a small gluten free wedding cake for just the two of us and the first 2 frostings did not work out so very late in the evening we attempted to make fondant and succeeded.

Cake in Progress

On the morning of the wedding we got up at 5am and had the hair dresser/make up artist come to my house and beautify us. My hair is super long so it took some time putting it up (and taking it down, all 37 bobby pins) but everyone, including myself loved it. If my hair had been shorter I would have done something like Jeannine had done because her hair looked gorgeous.

Morning of Hair

We got to the ceremony site a little later than we had planned but in the end it all worked out. We tossed on our dresses, took some pictures, and then hit the bride away as guests came in.

Ready for the Ceremony to Start

It was a hot day here in Sacramento, but it still was a very nice wedding. I completed my duties of fluffing the train, giving a toast, and signing the marriage license. I personally had a close call with a bee up my gown during the ceremony, and had to fight the tears a few times, but had a lovely time. I got some great ideas for my wedding and got to dance with my sweetheart.

My Fiance and I

The newlyweds seemed quite happy this morning when I dropped them off at the airport. While they're away I'll be taking care of their kitty cat...and when they get back I'll give her a month and then it's time to start planning mine.

Gluten Free Wedding Upon Us

After 6+ years the couple that was absolutely positive that marriage was not for them, is doing that very thing. We're a very analytical couple, so after several in-depth conversations, and a walk at sunset, we decided we'd venture down the path of tradition. To not take away anything from my best friends' wedding, which is in 9 days (wow, a year goes by fast!) we were trying to keep everything hush hush until after they got back from their honeymoon, but after a week or so of keeping it quiet I cracked. I mean we have best friends for 8 years.

We went ring shopping together, which I loved. At first it was all very strange, but after strolling down the cases of bridal rings we found "the" setting, and knew that was it. Not having been one to dream of my day in a white dress as a young girl, the only thing I knew for sure if I ever were to get hitched was that I wanted a nice dark blue sapphire. Slightly cheaper than a diamond, and the second hardest stone in the world, I got exactly what I wanted, and he loves it too.
July 11, 2009 is the day (we figured 7/11 was pretty easy for him to remember, lol), on a beach somewhere in the greater San Diego area. Nice and casual; that's our style. I've already begun the hunt for a venue and caterer, as I figured the caterer would probably be the biggest challenge. So if you know of a good caterer in southern California that can cater to a gluten free, corn free, dairy free wedding, post a comment.

So the secret's out, plus this way when we have dinner parties or business meetings, etc. we can stop introducing each other as "this is my boy/girlfriend..." which in our minds needs a qualifier of "we're been together for X # of years," since when you're in your mid-20's saying your boy/girlfriend seems like something casual, or you could try saying "this is my significant other" which is just a mouthful. Plus, there is not a greeting card for every occasion like the greeting card industry likes us to think. When it comes to buying anniversary cards, there is the "Happy 1 Year Anniversary" or "Happy Anniversary Husband" card. There is not a card for those of us who have been together for more than one year and are not married. We went crazy this last anniversary trying to buy a card for one another, and neither of us bought an actual anniversary card, but instead bought Valentine's Day cards, and added our own handwritten message. So with just those two benefits, it already seems worth it. I say that jokingly, but seriously, these have been gripes of ours.