northern ca living

Blog

  • love is…

    I do hope that everyone had as lovely a Valentine’s Day weekend as we did. Highly recommended is the Beltane Ranch in Glen Ellen, CA. Situated on a gorgeous landscape just off a main road, this working ranch provided a wonderful breakfast on the patio, tennis courts, their own wine and freshly made EVOO, and fresh baked cookies and tea available 24 hours!20160213_170933.jpg

    Sitting on the wrap around porch, taking in the view of the surrounding Sonoma County, was the most refreshing experience of all time. I definitely can not wait to return. Hopefully next year, only this time as a married couple!

    We had a lovely hike while in Glen Ellen at the Jack London State Park. Little tip: do make sure to arrive with 10.00 for park entry fee and 4.00 per adult for entrance into the London’s private cottage. There is so much to do in this quaint town! The folks at the Benziger winery are so kind and helpful. The Glen Ellen Inn restaurant, where I was finally able to track down Kobe beef for my honey to try. Though domestic, it still afforded the exact experience I knew it would; Best. Beef. Everrr, he emphatically concurred. The Wolf House or Jack London Saloon is a nice small town watering hole with your typical pub fare, worth a look if you’re interested in cheap drinks and a lively game of pool.

    Our first night we actually stayed in Santa Rosa, my old stomping grounds if you will. We had an awesome dinner with exceptional brew and cider at Third Street Aleworks before walking over to the Roxy Theater for a showing of Deadpool. Not your typical lover of this so called ‘holiday’, I would say that this movie was one of the more epic highlights of our weekend. Don’t get me wrong, enjoying regional oysters  with adorable heart shaped ice placed just so in the middle of the plate, eating the most decadent (and free) dessert, all while staying at the beautiful Beltane were amazing experiences to sat the least. However, there’s something very special about laughing hysterically with the one you love as you thoroughly enjoy a crude comedy. An avid film buff and comic book lover, I would have to place this date on the top of my list.

    During breakfast the next morning, just before we were to depart for Glen Ellen, I was very pleasantly surprised (to the point of tears) to hear that my future hubby fiercely defended me and our decision to NOT have children in attendance at our wedding. After all, love is compromise, and I was more than willing to allow for a small baby to be permitted to the wedding when if it meant the attendance of a beloved cousin. However, numerous out of control toddlers of other family members was something I was not prepared to waiver on. We both agreed during the tour of our venue, that children would not be permitted, due to the historic and delicate nature of the mansion. Come to find out, most of our attendants are 100% OK with taking a 4 hour break from their familial duties to rock out at our kick ass party. That said, when we left for the country there was still a bit of tension regarding this subject, both of us not wanting to spoil a beautiful weekend, we left it off the table. So to find later that we had actually been on the same page the entire time was a blessing. You will hear me tout time and again the importance of open communication. It truly helps to lay the foundation of a successful relationship, for which to build that happy home upon. Too many times we bicker over miscommunications, this could easily be avoided by just saying how we feel.

    While I am on this rant of honesty, I must admit that I disrupted my ketogenic process yesterday with Oikos yogurt. Oh the shame! Check out those nutrition facts though, when attempting to get into a ketogenic state, it is imperative that sugar and carb intake is at an optimal low. My bad. I had gone two days with no grain, including breads, crackers, chips, and sugar! I though I was going out of my mind. The babe and I chose to get healthy for numerous reasons, and what better way than to go to the extreme right? Well I am here to tell you, bread and grains I can do without no prob, sure I miss rice, toast, jam, and cookies, but honestly its this lack of sugar that has begun hitting me the most. As the excess insulin begins it’s aggressive search for a new home,  we now find ourselves in a state of lethargic crankiness also known as the ‘ketosis flu‘. The body will eventually need to burn excess fat in its place, so hooray for burning fat instead of empty calorie sugars. Oh and seeing the dentist less, and my tummy/bowels are very happy now. Guess there’s no better way to test the waters of compatibility than to prove we can still co-exist as grump monsters. Luckily, I made sure to say bon voyage to sweets in the best way possible; by going to our cake tasting at Little Bliss Cakery! O.M.G. Yuuuum. Selected a few mini cupcake flavors and a two tier cake; strawberry champagne for me, and vanilla with chocolate fudge filling for him. Can not wait to see our final product.

    Much more to come on this wonderful (lol) dietary process, and how fun the coming weeks will surely prove to be!

     

    Cheers,

    e. darby

  • manis & mimosas, oh my!

    quickmemo_2016-02-02-06-39-02-1.png.png

    Pulled off a fabulous mani and mimosa party (special thanks to Jen from Jamberry Nails). The rest of the day leading up to it however, not so fab. I only have three bridesmaids; my MOH lives close by, my sister is in Los Angela’s, while the other is a close fried from college who resides about two hours away. Well she calls about 30 min prior to her expected arrival to say she wasn’t going to make it. I can’t say I didn’t cry… just a little. My fiance then drove me to my MOH’s home (knowing I’d be filling up on Mimosas) and from there we headed to Yard House in Roseville, CA. Lunch at least was phenomenal. I highly suggest the Southern Belle cocktail. Yuuum. Also, the asada street tacos were superb. Cut to the most disappointing dress shopping experience of all time…

    The place was packed, my stylist was not the least bit stylish. Hoards of women in ball gowns were bumping into one another, all dressing rooms were filled, all the selections I came prepared to try on were unavailable. Talk about epic fail! I had a very pretty bridesmaid dress in mind; elegant, understated, but most of all affordable. I figured I could dress it up a bit with a gorgeous lace trim veil and wear it as my wedding dress. That is, until our ‘stylist’ gave me a salty look and responded “That’s not even a wedding dress.” Now for the most part, I am a level headed lady. I don’t like to give attitude or make for uncomfortable situations, especially with my MOH standing by my side. That said, having spent 7 years as a retail manager after attending school for apparel management, I guess you could say I have come to know and expect a certain level of service. I refused to make a scene, but the treatment of this young lady solidified my decision to look elsewhere. We finished up our appointment by trying on the Cinderella gown, just for funzies. Though totally gorgeous, this bodice embellished glitter tulle dress is no where near my personal realm of comfort. Later that night I showed my fiance, warning him to not like it because I’d never wear something so extravagant. Of course he got all verklempt and loved the dress. Too bad so sad.

    Next up was a new day new (million times better) experience with Katelyn at the Bouffant Rouge hair and makeup studio in Folsom. Love, love, LOVE this gal. Such a warm personality, full of sunshine. New mom, small business owner, British hubby, just the kinda woman you wanna chat with for hours about her fun and exciting life! All the worries of the previous days bridal appointment from hell dissipated after just 10 minutes in this comfy cozy salon. With hair and make-up on point, I headed to the Folsom Hotel. Had a couple shots of my new fave Bulliet Whiskey, met some more great people (Kiersten & Bryan from Elk Grove). We bounced around short story and screen play ideas with this haunted saloon making for a perfect setting, then my gorgeous future hubby and his parents arrived and we were off to our engagement shoot!

    The ladies form Foothill Photography were also amazing and entertaining. I guess you could say they were playing off our families personalities; one side passive-aggressive and the other (mine) in your face, all on the table types. Luckily I was a peppy, dance break having, spirited lady throughout, thanks to the preparation shots I took down just before. My grandparents even took time from celebrating their 59th wedding anniversary to be there with us and I couldn’t have been more thankful. We got some great pictures around Old Folsom, my personal favorite was in front of the Rail Road Museum. The proprietor who had closed up shop for the day came over let us on the train! Seriously, the pic is good enough to be on the cover of tourism pamphlets for the City of Folsom. Just saying.

    As a closing note I’d like to say that most of my life has been filled with heart ache and disappointment when it has come to past romantic relationships. Even friendships. I would say that all of my past experiences have helped me to really appreciate the kindhearted and accommodating partner I now have. For me personally, I do not think I would have had the understanding of just how lucky I would later be to find ‘the one’. I count my blessings every day for the struggles that lead me to where I am.

     

    Cheers,

    e. darby

     

     

  • The Plight of the Bipolar Bride.

    jimiandalee's avatarWhat a Healthy Pair

    I love my husband more than anything. I loved my wedding, too. But planning every detail, like a crazed lunatic who recently discovered performance-enhancing drugs, nearly put me into a mental institution.

    Let me preface this by saying, if you are a bride-to-be, take pause before you read this. ‘Cause it’s about to get real honest real quick up in this piece, ladies.

    Jimi and I created this blog to share all of the things that make us healthy and happy. The little things that we have learned that improve our physical and mental health. Guess what doesn’t do either of those things for anyone? That’s right. Planning a wedding.

    If you’re anything like me, here’s exactly what you can expect:

    Maybe you give yourself 14 months to plan a wedding, assuming that you’ll savor every second of it. You’ll avoid the stress by giving yourself so much time. You’re…

    View original post 1,760 more words

  • sweating for the wedding

    image
    Just breathe

    One thing I truly enjoy about the WE network show Bridezillas is what a stunning example it provides of how NOT to behave. My bridal party gals will sometime accuse me of being too soft, leaving me to think we should have a little slumber party/marathon and they can see how horrendous these brides treat their friends and loved ones. Perhaps then they might reconsider. Personally, I care much less about the ritual and extravagance of a wedding and more about seeing our guests having an unforgettable time. After all, we’ll be happily married regardless of how the ‘party’ turns out.

    During what is sure to be a challenging yet rewarding period of any bride/grooms existence, planning a wedding is undoubtedly stressful. Recently I was sent an email by the wonderful Wedgewood Wedding and Banquet Center on the benefits of fitness. I personally catch myself in tightly wound moments throughout the day when considering everything that remains on my to do list. Currently I attend Cal Fit and do my best to make it in at least 3 times a week. In particular the Cycle, Group Fitness, and Zumba classes are among my faves. In the past I’ve been really fond of barre fitness as well. This is great for anyone who might suffer lower back strain and especially those wanting to keep up with a low endurance exercise while pregnant. My favorite studio is U Barre on J and 57th but if you’re in the Bay Area, or in one of their many other  locations throughout the US, The Daily Method is extremely professional and utilizes a convenient online scheduling system similar to U Barre.

    If you find there just isn’t enough time in the day for attending classes, even a quick and simple meditation session in the comfort of your home or office cubicle, can be extremely beneficial in a variety of ways:

    • Decreasing anxiety, depression, stress, blood pressure.
    • Helps to increase brain function, cognitive skills, and decision making.
    • Also us known to manage ADHD, emotional outbursts, and even plays a role in cultivating positive self esteem and general optimism.

    Meditation is held in high regard by medical and holistic practitioners alike. I frequently use audible for many of my literary needs, it’s a great alternative to hearing the same song over and over on the radio. Currently my library consists of some great meditation finds; Meditation for Beginners by Meditation Guru,  Transcendence by Norman E. Rosenthal M.D., and my #1 go to Sit Like A Buddha; A Pocket Guide To Meditation by Lodro Rinzler.

    *Try this excellent energizing smoothie pre or post session!

    I am also a firm believer in technological assistance to help alleviate the encompassing responsibilities of self-planning. Lady Marry (for Android) is one example, as I’m sure many similar apps exist, Lady Marry sends out an email at the beginning of each month, listing important tasks to be completed. This month my tasks include making an appointment to try on dresses, and choosing an officiant. I am very fortunate that my uncle is an ordained officiant and has accepted to lead us in our vows. Being that my fiance and I are rather nontraditional, a short Buddhist prayer will be read and then it’s off to the reception!

    It can be just as exciting as it is nerve wracking to plan a wedding. I like to act as my own cheerleader, reminding myself to hang in there and remember, it’s only one day, then you embark on the rest of your life, where you’ll enjoy so many more wonderful experiences 🙂

    Cheers,

    e. darby

     

  • too blessed to be stressed…

    1458843791013.jpg

    Current Background Movie: The Wedding Date w/ Debra Messing and Dermot Mulroney

    Hooray! My gorgeous custom planner arrived from Jenni today. Highly recommended for all your personalized journal and planner needs. I was obsessed with TVD a few years back and this website provided me the exact replica of Elena Gilbert’s green journal. Oops, talk about dorky overshare.

    The week turned out surprisingly well after its rough start. This planner had been in my online cart for weeks and when I got home Monday night (after folding most of the floor laundry and switching from booze to apple juice. Don’t judge me!) I finally decided to make the purchase. As luck would have it, suddenly it’s 50% off! Oh the little things.

    I successfully interviewed for a new job, honey is off work due to rain so I was pampered with the most glorious breakfast Thursday morning. While lounging about on Friday I received an all too familiar call from work, requesting my presence -once again- to cover a shift. Highly recommend The Revenant, if you’re into incredibly adventurous, violent and bloody epics. Plus, who doesn’t like Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hardy? Oooh laawd *fans self*

    Check my film therapy blog  for more, I may do an in depth review!

    The best part of the week however, was the relief felt after such an unnecessary anxiety filled laundry day. I finally managed to obtain the rights to our photos from the photographer we chose. I suggest every bride consider this and especially if you are on a budget. Personally, paying $5.00 for a single 4×6 print and almost $20 for each 8×10 was simply out of the question. Sure they use only professional printing companies and I understand not wanting your professional photos printed at a pharmacy/grocery store. This might lessen your brand when others see a low quality duplication of your art… However, “Ain’t no body got time for that” #ByeFelicia.

                                                   Northern California                                                                

                                                        Central Valley 

    Photographers:

    Foothill Photography  These lovely people do family, engagement, maternity and even high school senior photos! Wedding packages start at $1700. Engagement sessions are one hour at $150.

    Jessica LoCicero Covers weddings starting at $1799 and 1 hour coverage for portrait packages at $120. 

    Wedding Bug* by all means use this service for an astoundingly low price. My researched package included 6 hours of wedding day coverage, 40 prints of my choice (any size), a premium collection of photos said to be edited by graphic designers, a DVD of all images with full rights for reprint, web hosting for future prints up to one year, and a 40 image slide show, came to a little over $915. Included in this price are location (25.00 fee) shipping and handling (26.80 fee), and the $150 deposit. Tax will not be calculated until you complete the reservation. The deal breaker for me came when finding out that my assigned photographer would not selected until 2 weeks before our wedding! I was told I’d be able to correspond with whomever they chose by phone or e mail. I don’t know about you but I would like to have a lengthy in person conversation with the photographer I am entrusting to capturing such special moments and essentially attend our event as our guest. Maybe it’s my overactive imagination, combined with an affinity to prepare for the worst, but I can think of some horrific scenarios involving an unknown photographer showing up belligerent or rude or in anyway problematic at our wedding and having no back up prepared. 

    Julia Croteau Photography providing wedding and portrait photos. A base 5 hour coverage package including engagement session and DVD images of both engagement and wedding day photos currently starts at $1095. 

    I’ll be posting my research on cake, floral, attire, accessories, and salon services as the planning progresses. Luckily we have decided on an incredibly affordable, all inclusive venue at the Sequoia Mansion, by Wedgewood.

    So much more to come!

    Cheers,

    e. darby

     

     

  • Laundry days and Mondays (and wedding planning) always get me down…

    il_570xn-839207322_hkni

    Current Motivational Tunes: John Lennon Watching the Wheels

    Ok so I actually really enjoy doing laundry. We have a local place here in Midtown Sac that’s really great! However, I sit here as the rain pours and my fiancés bright orange work closes turn round and round while I am left thinking of how I’ve begun wading neck deep in wedding planning, which I currently find to be a much less enjoyable experience. I know what you may be thinking, this girl is ‘cray’, she would rather do laundry than plan her wedding. Well yes, and no? I am a little unconventional one might say. I don’t need the Cinderella dress (though it is stunning isn’t it), the hanging crystals, and 20k flower arrangement cascading form the ceiling like an allergy inducing waterfall, nope I am a simple gal. I often daydream of owning a barn we could spruce up for the perfect summertime wedding at next to no cost. Instead, we have booked a beautiful 18th century mansion on a brisk SUNDAY afternoon in mid December of this wondrous new year. We live in Northern California and I know I know, it never rains in sunny California…wait, I think it actually goes, it never rains in Southern California (I’ll have to get back to you). In any case, it definitely rains and has even been rumored to snow at the lower elevation where my fiancé and I will be exchanging nuptials. So the current stage of planning has me pondering why it is everyone charges so dang much for weddings?! *If you tell your vendor or hair stylist or whomever you choose to try and get away with it, that you need them for an ‘event’ you can actually save a pretty penny. Or so I hear. I blame the average American bride who spends upward of 30,000 on their wedding. Oh… by the by, if you came here expecting to see the magical journey of a well off bride posting epic and professional pics leading up to her platinum style wedding day, not happening. I am more of the country bumpkin, raised in the city, newly college graduate, working part time at a tanning salon bride, who will take every bit of advice and discounts available! Ehem….hint hint to the comments section if you have fun things to offer this struggling mess of a girl (winkey smiley face).

    This day started with an overpriced parking ticket (No parking in front of your home on Mondays due to street cleaning, though we never do street cleaning. Ever. #sorrynotsorry, Sacramento Parking Enforcement), crying over laundry after my inability to find an affordable- I’ll even settle for semi-professional- photographer. Then of course there was no time left to fold said laundry because work called me in early, where I was left to close up shop alone, got slammed, backed up, and trapped cleaning till the wee hours of the night (10:30pm). The honey is asleep, the clothes are all over the bed, the crock pot chili I left out a recipe for is cold, yet still delicious. Upside: there’s plenty of organic margarita mix with Sauza to go around…or at least enough to help me pass out with a clear conscience after I throw all of this fresh-n-clean laundry onto the floor.  zZzZ

     

    Cheers,

    e. darby