VLOG - Traveling to Japan (Honeymoon)

November 13th, Mark and I traveled to Narita Airport Japan to start our honeymoon! The most useful things we packed were a Brita water bottle, emergen-c packets, and snacks/ meals to eat on the go. These all came in super helpful, so I'm glad we thought about them beforehand.



Also, we each only packed a personal item (backpack for him, beachbag for me), and rolling carry-on, because we were about to take 8 flights and didnt want to deal with checking or losing our luggage on one and be screwed out of having clothes for part of our trip. It made things super simple to just have it all within eyesight on the plane and forced us to stay in the moment. Yes, we did laundry a few times. But it kept us feeling free and when we did pick up things we needed it was truly part of the experience and from where we were in the world at that time.



It was snowing in Baltimore and 60 degrees Fahrenheit in Japan. We had a layover in Chicago, and got to hang out in the United lounge with some snacks and drinks before boarding out flight. Our flight to Japan was around 13 hours, and included a cute honeymoon dish from the attendants, on the biggest plane we've ever been on.



Our first meal super late was at a Denny's, where Mark got some sizzling Chicken and I got Pasta with Meat Sauce. And the next day is the next video: https://youtu.be/HjyBzzuPqi8

Mini Honeymoon in Charleston (Where to Eat & Drink, DOLPHINS, Amtrak Sle...

I have to say we really needed this break, right after the wedding and opening my store in Baltimore, Maryland a week after. We had a drink on the beach at South Point the night before and ironed out some of the last details. Some of the planning involved trying to go somewhere close enough to drive together (we love road trips) and bring back some good memories. Last year when we drove all the way down the East Coast, one of our favorite cities was Charleston South Carolina. We always wanted to spend more time together there and had a great mini honeymoon there!



So we got a good deal on a rental car (Ford Flex), and started the drive! We crossed through D.C. on the way and stopped at this greasy spoon 'Silver Diner' that we used to go to when he picked me up from the bus station on my trips down to see him when we were dating long distance. In those days he was in College Park Maryland and I was in Manhattan, four hours away. I used to love coming to this restaurant and playing on the little booth jukebox. What a nice throwback. 'Hey Jude' by the Beatles was my favorite.  I had some chicken soup, and he had a burger.



A little further, we found ourselves in the Outer Banks of North Carolina along the beaches. There was a rest stop Mark looked up, where we could sleep under the stars in the back of the car. When we woke up, we got to sit and see the sunrise along the beach together. It was like we were the only people in the world.



One fast food joint I'd never tried before is Bojangles, but the crisp on everything was amazing! I'm so glad we stopped here for breakfast to try the cajun chicken filet biscuits! Most giant hash browns ever, as well. The ride was sweetened by some Seagrams pre-made cocktails from one of the many gas stations and stops we stopped at for snacks and the restroom.



The first place we stopped in Charleston was the Angel Oak Tree, oldest living organism on the East Coast and maybe the largest? It was so beautiful and grand.



The Vendue Hotel was really nice and gave us a happy honeymoon card, snacks and bottle of champagne. The concierge was really helpful and nice. Dropped off our rental car and started to explore the city. There were a lot of memories from our original trip that made us want to retrace our steps. Pineapple Fountain, a local boutique called Indigo, and walking by the water were first.



We ate all the food. Low country boil at an out of the way spot on the water. Incredible Fried Chicken at Magnolia's Restaurant, Callie's Hot Little Biscuit & a tea, drinks at SNOB - 'Front Porch Thyme' is really good, and gelato at Carmella's.



The trip back was enjoyable and relaxing on the Amtrak Sleeper commuter train car. It was another throwback nostalgic activity and a bucket list item for sure. Though small, we were comfortable in the twin bed compartment, and had a great breakfast for free in the dining car that morning.

'American Honey' Movie Review

I found this after literally googling fall movies on Netflix in October and reading here that this would be the best movie you haven't seen on Netflix.

I'm a sucker for the types of movies where a young girl is going into another new unexpected but hopefully good stage in her life. I was set up to like it- the director did Fish Tank- and Shia LaBoeuf I consider an incredible actor even back in his Even Stevens days on Disney.

The air of desperation loomed all 3 hours- the stakes for just staying alive were so high that you can't help but keep watching to see if this young Star will be okay.

She starts the film in a dumpster, rooting around for food with two half-siblings. I was less compelled by this or the plot device that makes her escape from home possible- for me what stuck in my mind was the love story. I remember her seeing Shia in K-mart- one of the most romantic sexy meet-cutes despite the fluorescent lighting and various other younger kids they're both handling at the moment. Being pulled by Jake into this adventure across the country- where a part of her knows she might not be special (he literally says 'everybody loves me' when pitching their connection and why she should get into an unmarked van with him)- but she isn't just another runaway girl. She's a grounding agent for the others in her old life, taking care of others and being a survivor no matter what the circumstance. She might be the only person who doesn't lie. Jake is an aging older runaway who won't be able to use his 'buy these magazines so I can go to college' sales pitch forever- I think Jake (Shia) realizes this could be firmer ground than the cycle of exploitation he's been depending on. Later on he finally shows everyone how crazy he is over her- their boss says 'you think you're special?' But to have to say that- it's clear- she is. I love their love story. I think at the end they purposely don't have them say it into the camera that the expiration date to this adventure is coming- but there's no other reason for Jake to come back (he's been saving up enough to leave for a while) except to be with Star.

Our Wedding

Mark and I were born 2 days apart in Pennsylvania, over 30 years ago, both weighing 7 pounds 8 ounces. We met our first week in New York before freshman classes started, at 18. Though friends first, we asked ourselves what would've happened in our 20's. A lunch, years of long distance, then buying a house in Baltimore followed. 13 years after meeting, we finally got married. We honeymooned in Japan, Taiwan, and New Zealand. Our first child is due in July 2020. 



Friday was Rehearsal, Dinner, Saturday was the Wedding, and Sunday was the Goodbye Brunch; but this wedding was much longer in the making. Here are some of the memories- in the end it was a great time, fun and fulfilling like everything we do (that’s a quote from my vows). My hope is that by sharing our planning process, we can help add to the community of couples documenting their journeys. I want to remember every detail with my children one day. As owner of the codex club, who’s mission is promoting Baltimore makers along with my own original products, it was very important to me to support local artists as much as I could, and I hope some of these ideas are helpful.



Pre-Wedding Festivities (Bachelorette, Bridal Shower, Bachelor Weekends)

It was Labor Day Weekend, exactly a year before our ceremony and reception. I didn’t want to wait to celebrate and I will say that breaking up back to back flights (if the ladies had flown in and then again a few months later for the wedding) was nice. It was like a reunion when we all got together again. My best friends threw me the most unforgettable bachelorette party at Katy’s place in New York first night in New York. Dinner and debauchery followed. The woman I used to tell all my dating stories to, who urged me to look at my best friend (Mark) romantically, threw me my bridal shower. There was an incredible spread of food and drinks at her home in Times Square NY, and fun games. We tried on dresses, ate out a lot, and stayed in the nicest airbnb ever. Visited friends, went to a Korean spa and Veselka together. I’ll never forget that weekend and am so grateful for the people who made it happen. Mark and his friends got a house in Atlantic City closer to the wedding and made a weekend of it. From what I heard, they had a great time.

 





Invitations

Having ten years of design experience, and knowing how much fun Mark and I have had over the years doing projects like this, there was always going to be a lot of DIY and handmade ephemera for the wedding. Our first project was metal reminders. Mark wanted to make metal wallet-sized cards with all the important info and a QR code to our website. We laser-cut them at Open Works on anodized aluminum, and I love how they came out. It took hours, and was definitely a work of love. Local artist Tiny Dog Press (Kari Miller) gave us a few options of her Washington Monument illustration which I also incorporated in the design. So many people throw away old letters and stationery. We’ve never done that- there are huge scrapbooks in our library filled with old Christmas cards, movie receipts, and the like. My business is about cherishing things you make. This card idea came out of the wish that people would keep this in their pocket rather than throw away our wedding ephemera. When people picked up their table place cards, they found their rsvp envelopes had been saved with gold leaf on the front with their information and card inside. Just a little touch to let people know how much everything we've shared means to me. I also designed a step and repeat (backdrop) for people to stand in front of and take pics like they were on a red carpet in the same branding. The only non-paper thing we opted for was electronic save the dates from a joint email  address (requesting mailing addresses as confirmation of receipt) as a jpg attachment. We still printed a few as magnets for immediate family, but that we thought would be fine to send by email and allowed us to confirm people's address for formal invitations later. In this day and age, most people know how to access your wedding website, and we used theknot.com which allows people to respond whether they’re attending online.















   



Hotel Indigo

We got a block two streets down so people could walk around, ‘A few advantages include the comfort (and IHG reward points) of a larger hotel company, but is customized to reflect all that Baltimore has to offer. Each room has murals of Edgar Allen Poe, and lots of books (an ode to the 'city that reads'). It's walking distance to the Walters Museum, Mount Vernon Marketplace, and the Washington Monument.’ There was valet or self parking in the nearby garage or on the street- we also gave people uber and scooter codes.



Venue

As soon as we walked into the Engineers Club, everything came together in our minds quickly. Mark, as well as his mom and my dad, are engineers. We respect the history of the building and the neighborhood a lot- and it’s just beautiful.

WEDDING WEEKEND SCHEDULE

#MarkandAndreaForever 

Friday

We dropped off bags for hotel guests. My family came to the house and caught up a little bit.

Brought decor and buckets with greenery from our garden + flowers at Richfield Farms to the venue

5pm was the Rehearsal. Everyone did so well! Was a little worried because my parents weren’t feeling well. We got busy making bouquets and centerpieces after that would end up wilting a little by the next day.



Rehearsal Dinner (7:30pm Blue Pit BBQ & Whiskey Bar in Hampden)

Made these favors from drying zinnia’s since march after getting seeds from Mark’s mom.

We did a Chinese Tea Ceremony before dinner, reading,

"We have chosen to adapt elements of the traditional Chinese tea ceremony to recognize our family today. The tea ceremony is a Chinese wedding ritual that dates back to the 7th century. The serving of tea is an expression of gratitude from children to parents, aunts, and uncles for the love and support, as well as a gesture of respect and appreciation to our new in-laws. It also is a celebration of the gaining of a son or daughter into each family, and an opportunity for the parents, aunts, and uncles to welcome them. Sweet tea is used because it symbolizes happiness in newlywed marriage and fosters good relations between in-laws. After the presenting of tea they will bow then sip. The maid of honor will refill if necessary."

The groom should be on the right, bride on left side. Guests should sit females across from groom, males across from bride. There were beautiful photos by Jan Galvan as well as a Pixelated photo booth.







 



Saturday

9-11am was the bridal breakfast at Sugarvale nearby. One of my favorite wedding photos was this one from the morning of the wedding. Jenny brought this snap of us and Katy in high school, 15 years ago to take with our present-day selves.







The Dress

Mark and I were walking around Savage Mill, Maryland and found a non-profit Bridal resale shop called Cherie Amour Bridal. There was a sample Marchesa 2016 gown that had been donated by the designers because they heard about the mission of this place. It had never been worn by a bride outside of fittings, and I fell in love with it, though it needed a lot of repairs and alterations. And with this being one of the more expensive items in a wedding, I admired that while also more affordable this way, the money would be going to this nonprofit organization, to support what they do for women in Maryland through 'Success in Style'.

Bridal Party

The ladies used Rent the Runway for champagne gold Badgley Mishka gowns in different necklines. I kept calling them my trophy wives! They looked so beautiful! They got gold infinity bracelets with their first name initial on them, bangle bracelets, and gold stackable rings. We made our bouquets together with local wildflowers from Richfield Farms. Hair was done by Stylebee, and I did their makeup.


Groomsmen got solar-powered charging stations and wore rose and baby-breath boutineers from the nearby ‘Flowers by Chris’. Mark and I had tried all the try-on kits; Generation Tux, Black Tux, Menguin (from the Target site), and Hitched. In the end we went with Generation Tux- blue suit, grey vest, black tie. Groomsmen used the same service, in matching blue suits, with gold ties that matched the bridesmaids dresses.

 

Accessories

In addition to the engagement and wedding rings, I wore some matching Marchesa earrings and a handmade necklace. I'd found the earrings online (normally $58) for $15 on eBay. I used a $10 promo code and got $7.50 back because there was a small defect that I actually ended up loving because it was subtle and made it unique. The necklace was made from some blue earrings Mark gave me, that I lost one of years ago, mounted onto one of his silver chains. I also wore perfume by Diptyque scent ‘Olene’ that Mark gave me for our 27th birthday. Diptyque means two parts that together make a whole. I’ve only worn it on very special occasions over the years, and love how the jasmine and green tea infused scent, not overly feminine or masculine, fresh and clean, has matured over time.



 

Ceremony (5:30pm, Engineers Club)

Accompanying us and our parents were: Kathryn Felt and Alex Diegel, Emily Chen and Michael McKinnon, Ann Xu and Thomas Yenca, Jenny Lai and Michael Souders, and Shannon Crabill and Michael McClarin

Reception Dinner 7pm

Dancing 8pm. *Open Bar 6-10pm

A portion of all registry gifts was given in donations to Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in honor of James McKinnon.

Reception Entrance Song- 'Sugar' by Maroon 5

Couples First Dance Song- ‘Beyond’ by Leon Bridges

Father/Daughter Dance Song- ‘I Hope You Dance’ by Leann Rimes

Mother/Son Dance Song- ‘What a Wonderful World’ by Louis Armstrong



Sunday

Brunch at Port Covington Park.

The views, the weather, it was all perfect. Brought some food from Bob Evans that went super fast. Spent the rest of the day cleaning up and hanging with friends and family



Venue/ Catering - Cyndi Roberts (The Engineers Club)

Officiant - Alex Diegel

Photography - Jan Galvan

Videographer - Brian Reynolds

DJ - Breaking the Norm (Hank)

Florist - Richfield Farms

Cake - Charm City Cakes

Bridal Party - Rent the Runway, Generation Tux

Stationery - Rita Hastings, Kari Miller (Tiny Dog Press)

Musicians - Katy Felt, Bert Price

Dress - Marchesa, Jeanette (Cherie Amour Bridal)

Hairstylist - Stylebee (@Flyosophyluxe on instagram)

Hotel - Hotel Indigo Baltimore

Brunch - Sugarvale/ Dooby's/ Bob Evans



  

The codex club store opening weekend

At long last, winning the Remington Storefront Challenge back in February (sponsored by Seawall, Howard Bank, Johns Hopkins, and GRIA the Greater Remington Improvement Association)- the store was finally open to the public as of this Saturday September 7th at 10:00am. I’m still impressed people were able to wake up and come over that early, for a group picture and a great day of sales. It was eventful- a shelf fell, and a woman tried to steal a bunch of product and thankfully gave it back when nicely confronted about it. I was happy and grateful to see everyone there milling around.



It was also great the the local CBS station let me come in and hype the opening, which aired the morning before the party. Neighbors Charm City Cakes came by with cupcakes which were a huge hit (and incredibly delicious), Mt Royal Soaps did a custom ‘Baltimore Snowball Soap’ with us, and B. Willow lent us a bunch of plants to decorate the inside- and local Author Allison Robicelli was there signing copies of her book '111 Places in Baltimore You Must Not Miss'.



We’re so proud of not just our brand of items and growth but all the makers who’ve been with us from the start or come to join us along the way- we’re stronger together as a community and I’m inspired and glad to be in Remington every day from now on 11:00am to 8:00pm.

My Boutique Build-out Update

Fun in Scottsdale Arizona

 



Mark and I had so much fun in Arizona even though my allergies were killing me.

Got an awesome matcha latte w almond milk for $4.50 at Phoenix Airport. Stopped at Maskadore’s in Scottsdale for lunch- 5 street tacos for $9.18, on the way to Hilton. Two steak, one chicken, bbq pork and one carnitas. So frikkin good. Passed Salt River Pima Indian Reservation on the freeway. Their casino Talking Stick Resort Casino was opening a pool the same night. Near the Hilton, there's a walking mall with piped in music. We took a scooter ride around Old Scottsdale and got to see some cute shops and eateries. The weather was great! 

TCC Podcast - Episode 3. HAPPYGALENTINES love for the girls too- also venting - 2/14/19

This is dedicated to Jenny Lai! Thank you for being a good sport lol.

notaligne.com

https://flyingsolo.nyc/