062113: reception

Following our sealing and luncheon I made everyone drive back to Lancaster to party. My mom chose this darling venue that I didn't see until 2 days before and I loved it. It's a bed and breakfast and it's on the prettiest piece of land. I wanted my venue to reflect Lancaster and my home, and it definitely did. Lots of cornfields on the drive and actual venue.

Here's my pretty wedding party. I loved the shots Alex took in the woods because it looks like a fairytale and so ethereal. Still not over how good my bridesmaids and Preston's groomsmen looked in their clothes. 

My mom was obsessed with having this couch and decorating this little patio area and I'm glad Alex incorporated it into some group shots. Here's our big happy Prestynna family.

Dolly strikes again. We didn't have a cake because neither of us really like cake or feeding each other cake, however the dessert table was one part of the reception I was very particular about. My only regret from my wedding day was not eating more of the desserts. But here they are immortalized in film. The drinks with table numbers was my mom's idea. So cute right?

Here's the dance floor and dessert tables. I love this picture.

Maren was my first friend when my family moved to Lancaster and has remained one of my best. I asked her to sing Ingrid Michaelson's version of "Can't Help Falling in Love" because if Preston and I didn't already have a song chosen, I would have picked that one for our first dance and Maren has the most incredible singing voice and I had always planned on her singing at my wedding anyway. She did a beautiful job. Thanks Mare-bear. Preston and I danced to Bright Eyes' "First Day of my Life." The lyrics are perfect and the song has always been special to us because when we were driving back from California it came on our playlist and I started crying listening to the lyrics because they encompassed my feelings perfectly.  My dad and I danced to Taylor Swift's "Never Grow Up" and Preston and his mom danced to Iron & Wine's "Upward Over the Mountain." 2indie4u.

This was my favorite part. I was a diva about desserts, my dress and our music. I drove my DJ crazy calling him every few weeks because I absolutely did not want him to play anything that wasn't specifically chosen by us. We have attended too many receptions and dance parties where the playlist is mediocre and everyone is kind of pity-dancing. I wanted to love every song and genuinely want to dance. We created two playlists for the cocktail and dinner hour and a 30ish minute mix for dancing. It was perfect and I had the best time. The dancing pictures are some of the very best from all of the amazing shots Alex took. I was thrilled with the way they turned out.

Here's our mix

I love love love the sparkler pics of any wedding. They always look so magical and the bride and groom look so happy. These turned out perfectly as well as our sendoff. 

Thank you to Alex Steele for sharing her incredible talent behind the camera. I am enamored with my photos. Thanks to our wedding party for putting up with us, flying so far and looking so damn good all day. Thanks to my parents for giving me the most perfect wedding. Thanks to everyone who attended any part of our day or sent support. We appreciated it so much and loved celebrating with you. And thanks to Preston for being mine for eternity. Oh and thanks for reading!!

062113: temple + luncheon

June 21, 2013, Washington, D.C. In the temple where I was sealed to my family and received my endowments, I married Preston Kutney and it was the happiest day. These are the pictures from that day taken by the lovely Alex Steele. I could not be happier with how these have turned out. Alex works magic behind the lens and I was so pleased with how she captured this day.

iPhone nation, my handsome groom and our lovely families. 

Being sealed to Preston for time and all eternity in one of the most beautiful places in the world surrounded by the people I loved the most was one of the greatest and surreal moments of my life. I will never be able to adequately express my emotions from that day but it was everything I dreamed about since I was a little girl and more. You guys, getting married is the very best.

These people are the loves of my life. All of Preston's groomsmen are so dear to my heart and I will forever be the 5th roommate of Windsor Arms Apt. 12. And then are my perfect bridesmaids. These girls have been my best friends for the most important times in my life and I love them with all my heart. Will never be able to express my appreciation to all of you guys for flying out and being a part of our day. Ok groomsmen from left to right: my brother Nic, Preston's brothers Jared and Terrance, Callan, Danny, Kev and Grady. Bridesmaids left right: Kaile, Jadyn, Kylie, my sister Alyanna, Blythe and Maren. Thanks for being the prettiest and agreeing to wear matching dresses. I was so thrilled with how they turned out. And a tender moment with my sweet.
Wait let's talk about baby Kylie snuggling Preston hahaha. I love this picture and Preston's expression. My wedding planner and angel mother. I got engaged over Christmas break and then went back to school so my mom was left in Pennsylvania to plan a wedding. I wasn't worried at all because she has impeccable taste. I didn't even see my reception venue until two days before, and I loved it. And then my tall baby sibs. Alyanna looked so radiant and Nic so handsome. Cuuuuties.
Following the sealing we had a luncheon at Mrs. K's (get it?) Tollhouse, which was 10 minutes from the temple. It was the sweetest little restaurant, built like a house and so quaint, well-decorated and served bomb steak. Above are the cutest little parents sporting their traditional Filipino wedding attire and everyone enjoying each other.

Giggles, sweet baby sister's toast and my daddy probably calling me his princess.

This was where I let everyone give toasts and I cried and laughed a lot. Everyone's toast was so heartfelt and meant so much to us. I was so happy we decided to do the luncheon thing and the toasts because your wedding day is 24 hours of chaos, and these were a few intimate hours of laughing and sharing with our loved ones.

In order to avoid the longest blog entry ever written, I'm taking a cue from Kylie and saving reception pictures for another post. I'm so excited to share this day with you, so thanks for reading and check back for more wedding bliss! 

brie-lliant

fedora alternative // chair // a dumpster pool // soda tab robe // gorgonzilla
This past Saturday was a lot of fun because it involved brunch and food trucks. Mostly this post is about the food trucks. We went to the Design District Market held in the Dallas Design District (surprise) which was 10 minutes from downtown. It was a bunch of little stands and kiosks with everything from vintage dresses to wall murals to retro furniture to juice cleanses. It was hot as hell as usual, and before we went to the market, we read about a potential dumpster converted into a swimming pool. I was a little bit concerned, but any excuse to cool down in the Texas heat, I will take. So we came prepared to swim, but the dumpster pool looked as trashy as it sounded and we decided against joining the other design patrons. 
For dinner, I got the best grilled cheese sandwich. This post is about that sandwich. I love food trucks they have some of the most delicious foods and SO MANY KINDS all in one square. So like tacos with chili fries with a sno-cone with a milkshake is totally plausible and all within arms length. The design district food trucks did not have as much variety, but I the Gorgonzilla grilled cheese truck caught my eye and won my heart. I'm obsessed with brie so I got the Brie-Zilla sandwich and now I must share the recipe because it was the most delicious grilled cheese of my life.
Brie-Zilla
Brie Basil Muenster cheese Pesto Caramelized onions Thick white bread
Not quite sure the exact amounts of each, but it's not that hard to determine how much cheese to put in a sandwich you know? I haven't made it yet but I'm excited to. 

steadied his rifle with his target in the center and became famous on that day in november

john f. kennedy memorial // allegedly shot // corner of houston and elm // grey 4 jfk

Last night Preston and I took a walk around our neighborhood to the John F. Kennedy memorial and assassination site. It was pretty surreal to stand at the exact pedestal where Jim Towner stood and took the famous video. We also stood on The Grassy Knoll, where there was a suspected second shooter. Also surreal. All I could think about was the amount of hysteria there would be if President Obama were to be assassinated today. I can't fathom. 

I thought the JFK Memorial was pretty neat-looking. It was designed by Philip Johnson, a big influence in modern architecture, I learned from Preston. Sometime when it's not Sunday, we'd like to go to the museum. I'm looking forward to the anniversary of JFK's death and what special events will take place right in our backyard.

never thought i'd catch this lovebug again

obligatory concert snapchat turned selfie // super bored me asking high schoolers to take my pic for instagram
Once upon a time in 2007 or 8, I saw the music video for the song "SOS" on Disney Channel and decided I had to marry whoever the curly haired boy on the screen was. Thanks to the Internet, I fell hard for Nick Jonas and his two musical brothers. Many tears, screams and dollars later, I successfully attended 6 concerts- 5 starring the Jonas Brothers and 1 Nick Jonas concert. I had entered an absurd amount of contests in order to meet them, stayed up obscure hours and set alarms to buy pre-sale tickets and pushed a lot of girls to get closer to the man of my dreams.
5 years later I am newly married to the actual man of my dreams and have long let go of my infatuation for Nick and definitely Joe and Kevin. Content with never setting foot in a Jonas Brothers concert again, I randomly came across their 2013 tour dates and there it was. Dallas, TX- Gexa Energy Pavilion- August 6. Tickets from $29.50-$79.50. TWENTY NINE FIFTY? Unheard of. So I had to go. Hysterically, I asked Preston if we could go. Please, please, please can we go see the Jonas Brothers? PLEASE DAD. Because he truly is the man of my dreams and must actually like me, Preston agreed, but said I should go alone so we could save the $40.  my ex-boyfriend // worst picture ever taken of the jonas brothers
And that's what happened last night. I attended my 7th Jonas Brothers concert, solo. I had a great time and made some high school friends. The highlight of my night was when they asked me what school I went to and I explained that I had recently graduated COLLEGE and moved to Texas because my HUSBAND got a job here. Hi old person. The actual best part was dancing and singing along to their hits from 3 years ago and still knowing every word. 
I can't talk about this night without mentioning my sweet Preston. Similar to my father's role when I was in high school attending JB concerts, Preston drove me to the venue, tried to find something to do for 3 hours and promptly waited in the parking lot until I was done to drive me home. I have the nicest husband!!! It warmed my heart how similar last night felt to many concert nights years ago. My dad was always the one who got stuck taking my sister and me to shows, but he always did it because he knew how happy it made us. I am a super lucky daughter and wife.

This picture is mostly to redeem myself from the above attempted shot of the JoBros. One time Alyanna and I got stupidly close to them in Philadelphia. This is still top 5 best concerts of my life. I touched Joe Jonas this night.

cupcakes and crewcuts

After what seemed like a fruitless search for employment, I stumbled upon 2 part-time jobs to occupy my time until I try and go back to school.

I started at Fluellen Cupcakes 2 weeks ago. It's a local cupcake shop that's a 5 minute walk from our house. I saw a "Now Hiring" sign and in a manner of 2 days, I was hired. It's a pretty sweet gig, literally and figuratively. My jobs include selling cupcakes, sampling cupcakes, occasionally sprinkling cupcakes and occasionally cleaning. Fluellen is new to downtown Dallas and is only in its 3rd week. It has a sister shop in Frisco called Dimples. Same cupcakes, different name. If you're ever in Dallas, I seriously recommend them. They are massive (Costco muffin sized) and have the most delectable flavors. The owner actually wants us to try every flavor so we can honestly give customers our recommendations. Ironically, I was hired at Fluellen and joined a gym the same day.

My second job brings me back to my first love. I applied for a bunch of retail jobs, since that seems to be the obvious next step for newlywed Mormon girls with full-time working husbands. Anthropologie didn't want me, but I had a few interviews at various stores, but when J.Crew called, it was the only one I really wanted. I didn't really need the second job, but had applied to retail positions before my cupcake find and was just starting to hear back. Also, the employee discount doesn't hurt when my husband and I are the poster children for J.Crew. I've worked at J.Crew Factory in Lancaster, and had a love-hate relationship with the brand because paychecks turned into cardigans. I haven't started yet, but I'm excited to work at my favorite store in the world again. 

I kind of apologize for the misleading title, but "cupcakes and j.crew" didn't have the same clever alliteration. And I occasionally sport the children's line... so what?

magnolia's banana pudding

One of my favorite desserts of all time is Magnolia's banana pudding. I had it in New York in 2011 for the first time and regret not buying a cup for each day I was there. A few months ago, I literally dreamt of this pudding and woke up needing it. I ignored my dream and a few days later, I found a Magnolia's cookbook at DI. It was the strangest and best book discovery I had in a while. I flipped through the pages to make sure the pudding recipe was there, and after confirmation, went and bought the ingredients. 

I've made it three times since I've bought the book and have made my own changes, which I've marked with an asterisk* in the recipe. Here it is, Magnolia's famous banana pudding:

Magnolia’s Famous Banana Pudding

·       One 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk

·       1.5 cups ice cold water

·       One 3.4 oz package instant vanilla pudding mix

·       3 cups heavy cream*

·       One 12 oz box Nilla Wafers

·       4 cups sliced ripe bananas

In a small bowl on the medium speed of an electric mixer, beat together the sweetened condensed milk and water until well combined, about 1 minute. Add the pudding mix and beat well, about 2 minutes more. Cover and refrigerate for about 3-4 hours or overnight, before continuing. It is very important to allow the proper amount of time for the pudding mixture to set.

*In a large bowl, on the medium speed of an electric mixer, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the pudding mixture into the whipped cream until well blended and no streaks of pudding remain.

To assemble the dessert, select a large, wide bowl with 4-5 qt capacity. Arrange one-third of the wafers to cover the bottom of the bowl, overlapping if necessary, then one-third of the bananas and one-third of the pudding. Repeat the layer twice more, garnishing with additional wafers or wafer crumbs on the top layer of the pudding. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and allow to chill in the refrigerator for 4 hours before serving    
*I tried the heavy cream, and it tasted fine, but I had trouble getting the "stiff peaks." I tried the second time with Cool Whip and it worked perfectly and tasted the same. Also this recipe is huge. I fed Preston's entire apartment the first time I made it, so cut it in half if you're not planning on feeding the masses. I had to include this pic. I got this glam Anthro cookbook for $3! Hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I have. Also, I bought fat free/reduced fat ingredients this time and didn't taste a difference.