..:12 BEAUTIFUL Moments of 2012:...

1.   Part of why I live in here in COLD MN; to be close to my family.

2.  Spending time with my nieces and seeing them grow.

3.  Spending 2 weeks in PA with friends and family. Every moment cherished. 

4.  Still eating healthy and working out...

5.   4 special beautiful ladies joined in in Chicago in a memorable trip.

6.  I married this gorgeous being who enhances  every part of my life.

7.  St. Lucia for our wonderful all inclusive butler-service honeymoon!

8.   Working as a teacher is rewarding in many ways.

9. Visiting CA, attending M&D's Wedding and spending time with the Nguyen's.

10.  Started couponing and still learning.... 

11.  Learning real friends not only celebrate the "Good Times" with you... but also celebrate the "Bad Times" with you too! Thank you, Matha and Lia, for loving the good and bad sides of me. 

12.  Spending the Holidays with the HER Family.

..:Last Lecture:..

Book: Last Lecture

I love love this book. It totally changed my perspective on life... Even tho alot of the quotes are reasonable, they hit home! Everyone should read this book!

“We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand.” 
― Randy Pausch, The Last Lecture

“Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted. And experience is often the most valuable thing you have to offer.” 
― Randy Pausch, The Last Lecture

“The brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something. Because the brick walls are there to stop the people who don’t want it badly enough. They’re there to stop the other people.” 
― Randy Pausch, The Last Lecture

“It's not about how to achieve your dreams, it's about how to lead your life, ... If you lead your life the right way, the karma will take care of itself, the dreams will come to you.” 
― Randy Pausch, The Last Lecture

“The key question to keep asking is, Are you spending your time on the right things? Because time is all you have. ” 
― Randy Pausch, The Last Lecture

“Showing gratitude is one of the simplest yet most powerful things humans can do for each other.” 
― Randy Pausch, The Last Lecture

This one is one of my faves! I have said it quite often.
“Luck is where preparation meets opportunity. ” 
― Randy Pausch, The Last Lecture

...:Wedding Withdrawal:...

It's been a little bit over a month and I feel quite sad. Even the hub said he wants to do the wedding again. It was so fun eating, dancing and being with our closest people. Although it felt good that it's over and it was alot of work, I miss it. I still find myself looking at wedding blogs, wedding dresses and all sorts of wedding related details. Pinterest doesn't help!! I am subscribed to wedding boards. But it's over and I need to move on.

Sidenote: There's so many great and creative ideas out there for weddings and other occasions. There is just no way, one could do it all and especially to have it all tie into together. It's overwhelming when there is a new idea everytime I see a picture or read a blog. I would need a million weddings to do it all!

Luckily there's other weddings that I can attend before the summer ends, so I can admire the decor, the dress and indulge in the excitement of it all. Sounds a bit crazy, I know! We have a wedding to go to this weekend. It's going to be beautiful, I just know it. I hope the weather will cooperate, so the guests can enjoy the estate.

 Also our St. Lucia trip is next week and I am sooo looking forward to that! It's an all-inclusive resort. We've discussed about booking tours and excursions. However, I'd like to take full advantage of the resorts, since there is three of them. I want this trip to be a relaxing on the beach type of trip. I can go hiking, biking, blah blah any other time. We've concluded that by the third day of our trip, if we are already bored then we'll book a tour.

Dinner is ready!

It's been so relaxing being here. I have not drove a car in two weeks, washed dishes, cleaned nor cooked much. It's been soo nice being here with the in-law. Yes, I've been spoiled rotten! Even dinner is prepared when we get back from the gym. I have been a real couch potato for two weeks now!

I've recently got together with a friend for Linner and she did Gel Nails for me. Let me tell you; I love them! It's my first time having them. I hate getting my nails done (acrylic) because they hurt so dang much! But I'm in love with this gel nail thing. I think I'll get my own set so I can do my own! I can't wait for Bon-Chon! The last time I went to Soho, I didn't think it was a great as everyone thought it was. But I really liked the ones we had in LA.

Two questions I have been asked the most since getting married:

1. How is marriage life?
It's been great! Not much has changed. I don't want much to change. The reason we got married is because we like how each other are and how things are...

2. Are you planning to have kids yet?
No, we are not. We still want to have the time of "marriage life before kids." We want to wait at least a year... There is still so much to do. We still have to go to Asia! As selfish as it sounds, it's true, we do not want to give up the "us" yet.

.:Blessed to have such great girls in my life:.

Put on your dancing shoes and let's go to CHICAGO!!!

Post Topic: Bachelorette Celebration in Chicago, IL

The Bad: I got a terrible rash from my plant. Apparently, my house plant, which later I found out is a dumb cane, that I have had for 4-5 years, is poisonous! Yes, I cut some leaves off and the sap go on my arms. The poison gave me the most terrible, burning rash ever. I felt like my arms were going to fall off at one point! I cried to the fiance about it. Long story make it short, it's better now and I am soooo happy!

Roy's Hawaiian Restaurant

The Good: The girls and I got back from Chicago for my Birthday/Bachelorette weekend. It was absolutely amazing. The food, the company, the hotel, the weather, and nearly every was great. I'm so thankful to have Lia as my Bridesmaid/MOH. She is the kindest, smartest and greatest person of all. She thought of everything from surprising me with a cake to bringing Skinny Girl. I'm so glad I did it in Chicago and that weekend. I totally needed it to forget about the stress of the wedding and my ugly rash!

Thank you girls for a great time!

I'm now 27 years old. I've learned so much over the years, experienced the goods and bads. I know there will only be more to come as life goes on.

**************************************************************************

What's next you say????

-Enjoying the summer with my dear husband

-Spending the rest of the summer (in about 3 weeks) with the PA friends and family

-Attending R&A's wedding... then off we go to St. Lucia (the Sandals!!!!!)

-Somewhere, we'd like to fit in a Chicago trip before the summer ends...

Somehow in between all of this, we have to continue to eat well, continue our workouts in order to look great on the beaches of St. Lucia. Oh, dear!

..:LOVE is a Paradise:..

Our first dance 

The day is finally over! I feel like 1,000 pounds have been lifted off my shoulders. I feel so happy, accomplished and satisfied at how our wedding went. I'm sooo happy we decided to go with the Profile Event Center because Heather, the event coordinator, and her team did a great job! Everything turned out soo much better than I anticipated. I also really liked the food. My DJ friend did such a great job! Nearly all my friends and family members came. I only had 6 people NO SHOW on me, which I am still sad and angry at them for not coming. How rude!?! Don't they know I have put my sweat, $ and headaches over this wedding. :(


All in all, many THANKS for those who came to support, give us blessings and to eat/dance/drink the night away! I still can't believe we were all up nearly 1:00 am!

Onto the greats and the ups; the ceremony was so beautiful. I cried. He nearly cried. Our guests cried and even the pastor. The wedding dress fit so perfectly and it was just as stunning as I remembered the day I tried it on. I felt so beautiful and special. It was the most amazing feeling ever! I knew I wanted to be a bride who ate, drink and laughed/smiled all night AND I DID.

My Bridal shower was also the same wkend and the day before the wedding. It was pretty hectic but my gorgeous MOH, Lia, and friends pulled it off so wonderfully! Many thanks for showering me with so much love!

Lia, MOH, the best friend I could ask for

Candy. Candy. Candy everywhere!

Bridal cake #1 I made

Bridal Cake #2 I made

Lunch catered from Bucca

I bought Lia a charmed bracelet from Kay 

Jewelers

Bay was the toilet paper wedding dress winner! 

The Wedding Day: 06.24.12

I knew that if things didn't work out perfectly, it would be okay. What mattered most was our love and our commitment together. I'm so thankful to have Matha, Ka and Lia to help me set up. Everything turned out so well. I am still in love with the activities, decorations, cake and flower arrangements that were set up! This was definitely more than I had dreamed of what my wedding would be like. 

                                   About D&M's Wedding:

Venue: Profile Event Center

Attire: Formal Requested

           Wedding dress: Allure Couture 203         Groom's Suit: Express

Food: --Turkey w/Avocado, Tomato and Mozzarella Cheese 

          --Almond Crusted Walleye

          --Beef & Broccoli

          --Mashed Sweet Potato, Fried Rice and Vegetables 

*** Late night pizza was served for the guests

Cake: Almond Cake with Raspberry Filling and Sprinkled Red Velvet Cupcakes

         ** Dessert Buffet: -Mini-Cheesecakes, Raspberry Swans, Fruit Tarts, Tuxedo Strawberries

Drinks: Open Bar of beer, red (Merlot) and white wine (white Zinfandel), and 2 signature drinks

             -St. Lucia: Stoli Vodka w/Cranberry and Lemonade

             -Sandals: 1800 Coconut w/Pineapple and Banana Liquor

Flowers: Arranged by Matha, Ka and I

              --White Hydrangeas, Red Lilies, Red and White Roses & White Pearl Berries
Bouquet Toss: Ms. Ashley Yang caught the bouquet and she's getting married this coming wkend!!! So meant to be!

DJ and MC: My dear friend and her husband, Maiv Liag and Chou
First Dance Song: Stand by Me by Shane Ward

Photobooth: Twin Cities Fun Booth

After the vows, first kiss

Our wedding cake

Us and a couple friends

Hon and I look sooo cute!

We DID dance all night long!

500-ish photobooth pictures! The booth was a huge hit!

..:Another Payment Down:..

Omg, I am hyperventilating from all these payments. I need a hug from the fiance, but he's not here. I just purchased THE flowers and I spent more on it than my cake... That's totally terrible right! I hope I didn't over do it. I only ordered 3 different flowers... I got red/white roses, white hydrangeas and deep red lilies!

My justification for them:
-8 table centerpieces
-3 at BG table
-2 bouquets, 2 Boutonnieres
-10 smalls around the hall
-NOW: 5 big arrangements...

I guess it doesn't help that we also made other payments too... My head is spinning!

Breathe.... 1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10.....

Where am I going to put them all once they arrive?

Btw, my friend photographer pulled out too.... So I am not sure what I am going to do yet. :(

Regardless... I am having the wedding of my dreams (even more!!).
Most of all, I'm excited to be the MRS!

..:To PhotoBooth or Not:..

Seriously, we are spending more and more money than we anticipated. Yikes! But what's a couple+ more  $$$ added, so we can have a photobooth... Mainly it's for the guests to enjoy. For us to get copies of all the pictures of our guests. We are also going to take over 10 pics of JUST US! :P

Originally we did want a photobooth, but we changed our mind after looking at prices. I bought a nice beach backdrop for our wedding photos in place of PB... But then a Living Social Deal came along and we debated and bought it. And then we ended up cancelling our L.S. deal and booking straight through them for a negotiated price. We are getting a pretty good rate using Twin Cities Fun PhotoBooth. We are getting it because we want the memories. We want the guests to go home with pictures! 

We are having it all. The best for the best of our friends and families. I am sooo darn excited. My co-worker told me the other day that I get so happy and excited talking about my wedding. Hmmm.. Isn't that how it should be? Super fun. Super excited. Super ready to be the new Mrs. XXXXX.

I have been couponing for Bridal Shower favors and candies. Just today, I realized how much I have collected over the past 2 months. I definitely need to STOP. No more. But I can say that I spent a very good little amount on it all. I can't wait to have it done yet cherish the moments of it.. I just want to be able to use what I have and clear out some space.

See my bicep! :)

Honey is going to Vegas for his dual bachelor party with his friend, Rich. I'm going to miss him, even tho it's only going to be for 4 days! I promise I will get alot of things done while he is away...

I will:

-workout everyday.    -organize the Bridal shower & wedding items.    -order flowers.     -clean the apartment.    -call my loans.   -do wedding signs.   -write out wedding name cards.   -eat HEALTHY!   -visit my mother.   * I may try to tan if the weather cooperates.   *I may try to coupon if there are any GREAT deals.   * I might get around to prepping for S.S.

23 days til our wedding.  14 days til my birthday.   14 days til Chicago.  17 days til S.S. 

BTW, grant my wish GOD... I want to hear good news. I would feel 100x more secure once I sign the papers! Many THANKS in advance!

..:28 Days and Counting:..

28 days til the BIG day. I am so excited!


I've been asked by nearly everyone if I am nervous. Nervous about what? I know I want to marry this guy. Maybe a bit nervous that things might not work as planned.... --> But I think that is going to be a given. I know it won't be perfectly on schedule. I know it'll be okay!


I am proud to say that I have not couponed lately! Small break for now.... and plus I am stocked on alot of things. I would like to stock up on certain items for my guests next month but it's not a must.


My workouts have been pretty consisted at least 6 times a week. I did a week of cardio, 3 weights/4 cardios last week. This week is 3 weights and 4 cardios. Next week I'll do back to my regular routine until the wedding, which is 2 weights and then 1 cardio rotation.



I have made the decision of minimizing my centerpieces for the wedding. It just makes sense since we are going to serve dinner family style. Plus, who is going to remember the centerpieces besides me. :P It will still be white hydrangeas and red lilies.



After the tasting, we made the decision for the dinner reception:

Plated Salad

Rolls and butter

Beef and Broccoli

Turkey Scaloppini w/Avocado, Swiss Cheese & Tomato

Almond Crusted Walleye w/Chardonnay Theme

Penne Pasta Alfredo

Fried Rice

Yukon Roasted Potato

Mixed vegetables

We decided on a cake too. Almond Cake with Fresh Raspberry Marmalade Filling. 


Deciding what to serve your guest is a pretty hard decision especially when your guests are mostly Asian and you yourself, along with your fiance, love LOVE Asian food. And by Asian food; I am not referring to Panada Express.. Originally with our backyard wedding, we wanted to have delicious authentic Vietnamese and Hmong food. I am the type of BRIDE who will eat and drink at her wedding.


This summer is going to be the busiest ever.. with weddings, summer school, trips, moving and career change. I am excited for it all to occur.


Shout-out to my dear friend, Lia Xiong, for graduating from Saint Joseph's University of Philadelphia. With her MBA, I know many more doors will be open to her.. See you in 3 weeks!!

..:82 More Days:..

82 more days until our wedding! So exciting. It's becoming more and more real now that I am crossing things off my to do list. Hon and I are working on seating charts today. Lia and I are making plans for Chicago. And things are adding up quick!

I can't wait to make my centerpieces. Funny thing or should I say sad thing is, according to Hon and probably a million other grooms, "No one is going to remember the centerpieces." It must to be a GIRL thing or maybe just a BRIDE thing. I remember them from my sister's wedding (I helped made them) but not at the previous wedding in Oct. However, I can't make mine too big because it is recommended to have small centerpieces for Family Style dinners. But I love this and I have shared with my sister. I will have Red Lilies, White Hydrangeas, Baby Breath and fillers are the bottom and branches on top. And of course seashells spread around it.

One thing I learned so far already and have to admit I made a mistake on.... because I followed the "normal" timeline. I got my dress altered TOO EARLY. I should have waited til early June to get it altered. I say this because it only took two weeks to get it done. She has to take in the hips, hem the dress and ease the top. Now I can't slim down anymore because I don't want to have to take it in again. :( Good thing the HM is not til Aug so I can still slim down a bit. But I still love LOVE the dress. I look at it sometimes and think "I spent too much money on it." I start to feel so guilty! I'm so THANKFUL that Hon is okay about it.

I have a confession to make. I have been spending more time couponing than wedding planning! Booo (at me). I hope this doesn't kick me in the butt when June comes. I am quite confident because the Profile does much of the set up.... :) He has been really good about my couponing. I'm sure he'd rather have me stop completely and focus on the wedding... but I am having a hard time letting go. I am just (trying) to only get the really good deals! Plus, I am not spending extra money on on q's.. Look at me trying to justify my hoarding ways!
Remember to RSVP if you haven't yet!

*****************************************************************

 The girls and I are making stuffed chicken wings this Thursday! Yeah! I can't wait.

..:Wedding Planning is Back ON:.

Wedding planning is back on! More exciting than even before.

We found a venue that we both love. We have friends who are getting married there as well. It's got it all. It seems like less stress to have it there, at the Profile Event Center.

I am okay having it inside instead of outside for a number of different reasons. One, everyone will be comfortable even me! Two, handicapped-capped accessible for my mother. Three, I love the lights, sound and live feed that the Profile provides. Plus, I will get my outdoor beach wedding package when we go to St. Lucia already.

The number of guest still is a struggle for me. I am a cherish the moment, sentimental type of person. I also would like to take this time to really appreciate the close friends and family that we have in our life. Please, please do no be upset if you do not get invited. It doesn't mean we don't care of love you. I am limited to guest due to a number of reasons (one definitely is cost). We want to keep the guest to 50-60 people to maintain that intimate feeling.

So excited!

..:Always Look For Deals..:

Bought:
140 address labels
100 postcards
50 brochures
50 rack cards
50 oversized postcards
10 notecards w/10 envelopes
10 sticker labels
1 lawn sign
1 banner
1 poster


All for $41.93; Mostly from ordering extra brochures (serving as wedding invitations) and adding pictures to the brochure and the poster, otherwise everything was free. Awesome deal!!!

Yes, I have given in and started couponing too! I have had two shopping trips and definitely learned alot. A huge part of the reason why I decided to coupon was I want to save more money for the wedding. My last trip, I paid $2.17 oop for two boxes of WhoNu Cookies, 2 4-pks of Activia and 2 boxes of Cheerios (Peanut Butter and Dulce de Leche).

I recently joined Pinterest.com. It is so addicting. I love it. I can't stop looking at the pins. I love all the wedding ideas, the fitness and motivational quotes along with really yummy desserts.

It's been over 2 weeks and I have not put my dress back on. Surprising, huh?!? I still need to get my dress hemmed and altered around the hips. I want to wait until I get back to my desired weight before doing so. I want to lose a few more pounds, so it can balance out after all the wedding and NH celebrations. I want to no have to worry about it during my trip to PA and St. Lucia.

This week is honey's birthday. We are celebrating in multiple ways.. starting this Thursday by going out for Chinese. I am also making his favorite bunbohue soup. I will take pictures and blog about it.

Here is one of my most recent new soup I ate. I had it during Vietnamese New Year weekend. Bun Mam is a native vermicelli noodle fish soup.

Bun Mam

..:The WOW Factor Does Exist:..

The WOW factor does exist.

I found my dress at the Wedding Shoppe on Grand in St. Paul! I never thought I would love a dress this much. 

When I got there, the constutant asked me what I like. I told her I like ruffles, beads and lace; all in one. She said, "Wow, you like everything. You want it all." I started to describe what I saw so far and was considering buying at the other shop. She told me that there is a new dress that she thinks I might like. 

She put the dress on me. My friend, Kat, was talking to me so I had my head turned away from the mirror. She gasped and said something along the lines of, "OMG, this dress is gorgeous!!" I turned to look in the mirror. I eyes widened and I immediately fell in love. The dress was gorgeous! It had everything on it, plus more. There were flowers and feathers on the dress too. 

"This gown features a defined sweetheart neckline and a dropped waist bodice adorned with delicate lace applique, embroidery and Swarovski crystals. The skirt features soft ruffles throughout."  -Allure Bridals 

But then I looked at the price and nearly fainted. It was way out of my budget. The consultant told me not to worry and that it was in my budget... There was a story to the dress as to why it was at their shop; when it's not suppose to hit the wedding shops until Spring 2012.What happened was the Wedding Shoppe ordered it for the fashion show the past wkend (true, there was a Wedding Fair at the Convention Center). The dress didn't fit the model, so they used a different dress for the fashion show and decided to try to sell it.


I thought they were pulling my leg, until I got home and googled the dress! 
I got to take it home (which if I bought a different dress, it would not come til end of june!). No more waiting for me! It's a bit loose around the hips, so I'll probably get it taken in and hemmed at the bottom.

I was jittery and so nervous about buying it! I sat in it for about half an hour... debating. It was a bit more expensive and fancier than I originally thought I would spend, I put the other one that was my first choice from a different shop on and it felt so plain. I couldn't pass up the dress! 


Lucky gal I am!

...:Our Perfect Wedding Theme:..

Selecting a theme for the wedding is important. It will help guide you in decorating, party favors, colors and other small details. The wedding theme can also say alot about you as a couple. I want our love and personalities to show through on our special day... So I am so happy that we get to make the decisions!

I bought these!!

Our wedding theme is going to be the BEACH. We both love going to the beach. We love to lay out and tan. We  both can't swim, so we really just go there for the beach! For those that know me, they know I love all things seashells. I love the breeze, the smell and the sun! It is going to be a summer wedding, so why not have it outside, right? Our wedding will be decorated with seashell garlands, seashell center pieces, seashell party favors... and even seashell chocolates! My only concern is that my color scheme, which is white and red, might throw it off.  Most seashell decor I found are blue and white.I chose them because they are classic wedding colors. I love the contrast of red and white. I love red lilies and white hydrangeas! Oh somehow, I will make the red and white work under the beach theme. :)

Our guests will be asked to come in beach/summer dresses, khakis and linen shirts (relaxed but yet clean attire). After all, it will be hot outside. Honey will be wearing a white linen blazer and khakis. I am still going to wear a gorgeous wedding gown despite the hot weather. I will also be wearing it at the reception too. I am not going to buy a reception dress because I want to be in my gown all day!

Our love is our paradise!! 

Another reason why I chose this theme is because we are going to the Sandals Resort in St. Lucia for our honeymoon. We booked a honeymoon suite with an oceanfront view, private pool and butler service. We will be there for 6 nights. Guess what else is amazing? Our dear friend, R&A, who is also getting married this summer, is going at the same time we are. Or should I say we are going at the same time they are! Thanks guys for asking us to join you. We are staying at different Sandals resorts, but we plan to meet up for dinner, maybe a couple of activities and best of all (that drove me to say YES) we are going to take each other's pictures. I want lots of pictures. Whenever we go on trips, we always have to ask strangers to take our pictures or we are taking pictures of each other only.. I am going to take my brother's professional camera and take couple pictures. I also plan to bring my wedding dress there too for the pictures. How gorgeous to be in my wedding dress and on the beach too! So yes, I will be wearing my wedding dress more than once! :) We are also going to do a private ceremony in St. Lucia for us.

Most of all, I just feel so happy and lucky to have found such a wonderful guy. Never have I met anyone who loves me so much, keeps me so positive and helps me to be a better person each and everyday.

I love this... but red.

He loves chocolate and sweets just as much as I do. We are crazy about ice cream and desserts, which mean we will have a wide selection of desserts at our wedding reception. I plan to have a whole table dedicated to desserts; cookies, brownies, cheesecakes, pies, ice cream and cake.

Our food selection also screams, US, Asian foods. We love love Asian food... We are integrating Vietnamese and Hmong food together. I have requested such things as spring rolls and lotus root salad while he has requested purple sticky rice and Hmong sausage. Yes, we are driving to PA with a cooler full of Hmong sausages. These things don't have much to do with the beach theme... but it's okay. I'll make an exception, so I can be satisfied with dinner. I'll make up for it by eating plenty of seafood in St. Lucia.

Leave us a message!

This morning, we discussed what is the next step in our wedding planning. Invitations! I think I will be making it.... all because I want to. :) I want to personalize it myself. I have a pretty great idea... so STAY TUNE! I am hoping to get it done by the end of February.

Lastly, I want to share this activity that I will have at my wedding, MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE. The guests will write advice(s) or a message to us, put it in the bottle with sand and seashells. We will open and read one every wedding anniversary. I have yet to order the kits. They are sitting in my shopping cart at the moment along with monogrammed wine bottle labels and the red/white pearls.

Our wedding is not going to be very traditional. We are not doing it the Hmong or the Vietnamese way. We are doing it the Duong and Mor Chia way. I am very Thankful that both our parents are not pressuring us to do otherwise.
BTW, GO TEBOW!!!

..:What is Reasonable:..

Lately, I have been adding and crunching numbers to see what is reasonable. I have been searching up prices here and there. I am iffy about using services. The biggest reason is because I want to do it all. I am the type of person where I want to supervise or do it myself so things are to my liking. Yes, this could easily result in me turning into a crazy bridezilla! AHHHHH! Yikes! However, I have been drawing, mapping and planning my vision of this wedding... So I do want things to work out in my favor!

I think it is rediculous to pay 3 or 4 times the amount of cost for a bouquet of flowers when I already have a vision of what I want. Plus, I will have the summer off to do it all. Of course, it's understandable to have someone else do it if I didn't have the vision, talent or the time... But I love doing arts and crafts things. At my sister's wedding, I made all the bouquet and did the center pieces... She paid for her bridal bouquet and a few center pieces and it costed so much! It wasn't even extra fancy or anything! I was also disappointed that they did the center pieces there at the wedding. You would expect it to be ready when it arrived.

I am still debating about my perfect wedding dress. I want to go back to the WC and buy the one I like there... but there is a GoodWill Bridal Showcase Event on Feb 25th. I would like to go there first. If there is not one in my size that I like... But I am hoping to get LUCKY!

This is the link to the GoodWill Bridal Showcase Event:
http://www.goodwilleasterseals.org/site/PageServer?pagename=bridalshowcase

You have probably already seen it.. the websites where they are selling a wedding dress for $200-$300, even designer dresses. Is it a scam or if I order from it, will I get a nice quality dress? I have been reading many many mixed reviews and the thing is anyone can write on these forums. I just can't convince myself that the money is worth the risk. Most of these companies/sites are from Asian and have a reputation of being unreachable. Another scary factor is I have not tried on the dress yet. What if it doesn't fit right?! It's just too nerve racking for such an important item. There are so many things to worry about already... I don't want to add the wedding dress to it.

I'll leave you my very first successful attempt of making stuffed chicken wings. It was so delicious!

After deboning the wing, stuff it with eggroll type filling. 

I bake it to cook it first.

Then I pan fried it to brown and crisp the skin.