Finding the Perfect Venue

Having to find our venue was probably one of the easiest things we did. We had no idea where to begin. People had been telling us to not pick a date, and just find a venue first, and depending on there availability, we would have a date. To be completely honest with you all, I didn't want to let some place choose the wedding date for us, I wanted to have a date that meant something to us, an "important" date, a date that was fun to say I suppose. So we made a list of places to go look at. Mostly barns, and outdoor settings since I had envisioned a "country/rustic themed wedding".  Finally tired of going to 15 plus places in one day, Chris decided to look at this one last place, (which I personally was not having it and wanted to eat and sleep). So we went anyway, last minute, while they were closed and the wonderful wedding coordinator met us for a last minute view of the place. WE FELL IN LOVE. We both had the biggest smile on our faces we wanted to give her our information on the spot! I'm pretty sure she knew it too! But my Fiancé (at the time) gave me a look like "shhh, don't say anything yet!" We got the info on the place, everything was included: linens, food, bartenders, DJ, utensils, cake, flowers, a pianist to play during the dinner, and even a horse carriage for me to ride down to the ceremony and for everyones use if they wanted to ride also! I mean how much easier can that be! That knocked out a whole lot of meetings and finding the perfect vendors for our wedding! It was awesome! All I wanted was a view of something beautiful during the ceremony, and I got that, plus more! DEFINITELY recommend Serendipity Gardens in Oak Glen. California.

Here is a link to there website if you are planning on having a wedding anytime soon. Or maybe even a party. Its breathtaking.
Serendipity Garden Wedding

Rustic Vegan Bread Lasagna

Are you ready for your home to smell like Italy?? This is some yummy goodness in your mouth. Its like fireworks going up and down your belly its so delicious! Not only are Chris and I total Carnivores, but this meal is total Vegan and we loved it! Im all about trying things. Never be afraid. Be ready to take about 2 hours of your life making this simple meal. 

Patients is beauty<3 

I found this recipe off of Pinterest of coarse. So it was my first time making something off of the pining. 

Now here is where things get off the bang and get good. You will surprise yourself at how easy this is. The making of this yummy Vegan Lasagna. 

Ingredients:

5 Tbs olive oil + 1/4 cup for drizzling
8-10 cloves garlic, minced
2 (28-oz) cans Muir Glen Crushed Tomatoes with Basil, blended
2 tsp salt
4 tsp Italian Herb mix
2 eggplants, sliced to 1/2" thick
2 pounds fresh spinach, cleaned and chopped
12 slices of day-old rustic sourdough bread
Olive oil nonstick cooking spray
1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
2 large tomatoes, sliced very thin
1/4 balsamic vinegar
1/3 cup fresh basil, chopped

Directions: 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

In a large pot, heat 3 tablespoons of the olive oil to medium then toss in about one-fourth of the garlic cloves. Cook for 2-3 minutes in the hot oil, stirring constantly to keep the garlic from burning. Add the crushed tomatoes, salt, and Italian Herb Mix and allow to simmer for 20-30 minutes.

Place the eggplant slices on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Drizzle with 1/4 cup of olive oil, salt and pepper, then slide pan into preheated oven for 30-40 minutes, or until eggplant is tender and slightly golden brown around the edges.

While your eggplant is roasting, spray each slice of sourdough bread on both sides with nonstick olive oil spray. Cook in a heated grill pan until toasty and golden brown on both sides.

In a large saucepan or wok, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat, sweat the garlic in the hot oil for 1-2 minutes, then add the chopped spinach and cook until wilted.

To assemble: Spread 1/2 cup of the tomato sauce in the bottom of a large casserole pan. Layer with bread until the dish is completely covered. Add half of the tomato sauce mixture on top. Layer all of the eggplant and spinach on top of the sauce. Add a second layer of bread over the spinach layer. Top with remaining sauce, making sure that you've covered the bread entirely with the sauce.

Sprinkle with breadcrumbs. Place sliced tomatoes across the top of the breadcrumbs. Salt and pepper generously.

Bake in preheated oven for 40 minutes. Allow to sit for 10 minutes, then drizzle balsamic vinegar over the tomatoes, sprinkle fresh basil. Serve with one of your favorite salads.. I of coarse had an avocado salad since for some reason iv been addicted to avocados. But yum! With a little Tejava.. Talk about goodness!!!

Enjoy<3 Bianca

Total Time: 1 hour 40 min

Prep: 1 hour

Cooking: 40 min

Yield: 12 Servings

Engagement Photo's

One of the best times yet through out this wedding planning process...I cant even begin to explain how thankful we are for Chris' Best Man Nick for helping us with these images. THANK YOU!!! It was such an awesome experience.. Most of you know how much of a goofball Chris is, and for him to act so serious and sentimental during the shoot made it so funny! I couldn't keep serious, It was like our personalities switched! All I wanted to do was lick the guy's face! But here are a few from the shoot. ENJOY<3<3<3

174 Days To Go!

Xoxo Bianca

Rustic/Vintage Inspiration

So we have a date!

September 7th, 2012

As you you all know, all I have been doing lately is wedding planning. Sometimes staying up till 4am pining things, saving pictures of ideas, decor, all that jazz. Its actually very fun and exciting that time goes by so fast and before you know it I have to be up for class/work. Thats the only draining part of it.

Finding my colors was probably one of the hardest things iv had to do so far. I started out by looking at pictures of weddings and which I personally think is a bad idea because they make every single color look amazing together. So I thought, I want something plain, creams, beige, browns etc... I looked and looked then finally came across this picture..

It has every color I want. The red wasn't on my list. But when I looked at it like this I fell in LOVE. I looked online for a ton of Vintage Rustic ideas. And here are a few ideas of what Im looking forward to having in the wedding. Vintage/Rustic Themed Wedding. <3 PERFECT.

Im so excited for all these fun projects!! <3

Xoxo

Bianca