I love college!

Yesterday, one of my college friends posted this link on facebook: onlyiniv.com

I. Love. It.

Only in IV is a blog by current UCSB students that showcases a collection of the author's and submitted photos of the UCSB and IV lifestyle. From drinking most everyday and parties on DP, to couch burning and Freebirds, the blog holds the quintessential details that made up my years in college. It got me to reminisce about that amazing time in my life and look back at some of my old photos.



We had the ocean in our backyard.


Biking and burritos were a must.


Weekends were ridiculous, but Halloween was out of control.


Friends meant the world.


Goal posts went into the ocean. (UCSB Men's Soccer won the NCAA Championship in 2006 and this was how IV celebrated).


And revisiting the place with alumni friends is fab.

Looking back, so much has changed, in IV and in ourselves. But after viewing Only in IV, it's funny, no matter how much time passes, the experience is still the same.

What do you remember and miss most about college? Have you partied in IV ;)

Get me to the church on time: Trolley Ride

Sarah K Chen Photography

Transportation was one of the wedding details where we knew exactly what we wanted. Limos, town cars, classic cars, and party buses are great (we like them) but the one mode of transportation that we loved was the trolley. Since living in SB, we've seen at least one zip around town each weekend. Be it a holiday parade, city tour, or booze cruise, trolleys are pretty much a staple in downtown SB. They're also very cute and charming.

Sarah K Chen Photography

Sarah K Chen Photography

The trolley pricing was a bit steep and there was a minimum reservation limit, but we knew we'd be walking to the reception hall from our hotel (1.5 blocks is not bad), so we would only need it in the morning/early afternoon, for the minimum amount of time. Plus, we thought it would be nice to splurge on a Santa Barbara Trolley as our wedding day transportation. It would take our family and bridal party from the hotel to the ceremony at the Mission and back. The trolley comfortably fit 30 guests, had huge windows and high seats (perfect for sightseeing as we drove the main streets of SB), a/c, and stereo system (to rock some cheesy wedding music). Definitely a perfect way to ride in style and fun experience.

Sarah K Chen Photography

Our driver was very friendly and patient. He took us up State Street, we waved at tourists and locals, and sang along to "Going to the Chapel" in all it's cheesyness. After the ceremony we took the long way back from the Mission. Opting to go up to the Mesa and down Shoreline drive, this gave our guests some extra down time and a stellar ocean view.

All in all, it was a great ride and everyone enjoyed :) It was worth the splurge and made us happy.

How are you organizing wedding day transportation? Any fun ways of getting around that you have in mind?


Blog title is from song by Frank Sinatra

Sunset Saturdays

We spent that last 2 Saturdays enjoying sunsets around our area. My family visited on January 9 to walk around the bluffs and see if the butterflies were at Ellwood Butterfly Preserve. After the hike, we walked on the edge of the Ellwood Bluffs in time to enjoy the sunset.

Sister playing on the edge.


Sun breaks through the clouds and sets into the ocean.


Last view before we headed home. Sunsets and palm tress are my favorite California views.


Last Saturday, January 16, we had a late lunch/early dinner and took the long way home, deciding to stop at Goleta Beach to enjoy the sunset.


This was the view facing UCSB's Campus Point.


Another serene day of colorful skies :)

Having it rain for the majority of the week has made me miss the warm sun and the beautiful colors of sunset. This has prompted hubs and I to make a sort of 2010 resolution to have a "Sunset Saturday" each weekend that we are in SB. To enjoy our beautiful city and to be thankful.

Do you have any weekly routines? Have you seen any beautiful sunsets this year?

And the glances you took, Took hold of you: First Look

I love the idea of a first look and knew that we would have one before heading to the ceremony. We have been a couple, known one another, and seen each other for over 7 years, I really could not imagine "hiding" from hubs on the wedding day, up until I walked down the aisle. Plus, we were at the same hotel and were taking the same transportation to the ceremony, so why not see each other that morning?

Sarah K Chen Photography

Sarah found a good area of the hotel's garden/front lawn. There was a cement path that cut through the grass so she had hubs stand at one end, and then I would walk towards him. Looking at the above photo makes me think that hubs went to modeling school.

Sarah K Chen Photography

As I started walking towards him, I wanted to hurry and get there quickly (family and the bridal party were watching us) but I also wanted to take my time and soak everything in.

Sarah K Chen Photography

I waved at the family and bridal party because they had said something or were taking photos. I think this was the first time they had ever hear of and seen a first look.

Sarah K Chen Photography

Palm trees as a back drop is my favorite. I also love the look of the path cutting through the grass. It is kind of representative of our path as a couple, long, winding, but we got there :)

Sarah K Chen Photography

I finally reached him (and didn't trip on my dress)!

Sarah K Chen Photography

I kinda gave him a hard slap on the back, not the sweetest of greetings, but I was excited.

Sarah K Chen Photography

Yay :)



Blog title from lyrics by Dashboard Confessional

Hey you with that wedding dress on: Alfred Angelo Style 1807Review

My dress has received plenty of compliments from family, friends, wedding guests, and blog friends. But I have a secret. Add a little lace and rouching, and everyone thinks the dress costs more than it actually does.

Way back when I thought about dresses (actually Jan 2009) I knew that the budget was not big and I didn't want it to be. Dreams of Monique Lhuillier and Vera Wang danced in my head, but the reality was sample sales, David's Bridal, or similar bridal gown super stores. Then I discovered Alfred Angelo. Similar to David's Bridal, it had locations throughout CA and carried dresses ranging in styles, tastes, and price (hooray for budget friendly pieces).

After scouring the site and printing dress styles that I liked (all under $999), my mother and I went on MLK Jr weekend. Lucky for us, prices were discounted for the holiday weekend (hello extra savings). Our bridal consultant was very helpful, and I made it clear that we did not want to and could not go over a dress costing $800. She completely understood and helped us out with dresses. And I came out with a dress costing slightly over $600. Everyone is always shocked when I tell them the actual cost. I think the lace and detailing throws everyone off ;)

Built in structure for the top, flattering cut, pretty neckline, rouching, lace details, almost a-line skirt, layers of fabric. Everything that I was looking for in a dress, also helped that the details can trick the eye, giving me a flattering fit. And the lace helped in giving the dress substance and depth.

I loved my dress when my mom bought it. I still love my dress today. But I never wanted it to rule my wedding. I wanted to be able to walk on grass, sand, and dirt, to let it drag and not care. I wanted to enjoy myself and not notice if beads or sequins had fallen off. I wanted to be okay if something was spilled on it (and something was). I wanted to have fun with it. And I think the low price and a casual outlook let me just have fun with it.

So now it hangs beautifully in my room, but still dirty (anyone have good cleaning/preserving company recs?). And I am happy.

Below are photos of other brides who have worn my same dress style :) Yes, I did study their wedding photos to make sure it was the same ;)

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Sarah K Chen Photography

I am really happy that the style looks great on different brides :)



Blog title is from lyrics by No Doubt

Catchphrases, Sayings, Slangs, Words we Love

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Watched a episode of "Color Splash" this weekend and the host/designer, David Bromstad, mentioned how he liked using different catchphrases and saying each season. He used, "Oh my gosh, Becky" a la Sir Mix Alot one season, and was working "I can't" and "the nerves" recently. This got me thinking about the words, sayings, and catchphrases I use in my everyday life. Is there something that just naturally comes out of my mouth? Do I over use words? Have movies, tv, celebrities influenced my slang? Do I try to make them happen? Well maybe, but I also think it's fun, kinda like talking in code.

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Tim Gunn line, "Make it work" has become standard in almost every episode of Project Runway.

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Designer and PR winner Christian Siriano used the terms "Fierce!" and "Hot Mess" a lot during his season. The terms were so popular that SNL featured a Christian inspired skit.

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Rachel Zoe loves "bananas" and dies daily, "I diiie".

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Clueless, one of my all-time favorite movies, said "Whatever" and "As if!" as if it was going out of style.

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Mean Girls tried to make "Fetch" happen and I heard some people enjoy, "Boo, you whore."

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But my favorite catchphrases and sayings have to be those created by legendary NBA announcer, Chick Hearn. Known as Chick-isms, the best one being, "This game's in the refrigerator: the door is closed, the lights are out, the eggs are cooling, the butter's getting hard, and the Jell-O's jigglin'!" aka the game's over. (Go Lakers!)

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We've also created our own sayings and favorite words. My cousins brought pager code back from the 90s, using "40778" (holla) frequently.

Sarah K Chen Photography

And my favorite word is, of course, honey :) One friend started using it as a term of endearment in college, and it slowly morphed into the word we say in place of every other word. It has become our "like", "hello", "dude" and "whatever".

Do you have any favorite words or sayings or catchphrases? I would love to hear what is popular among everyone :)

Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair: Bridesmaid Gifts

While my bridesmaids wore mismatched dresses, I wanted some of their accessories to coordinate. Two of my all-time favorite accessories are clutches (I always carry one) and the ever popular hair flower. What better accessories to gift them than the ones I love? Plus a clutch can hold all the necessities and a flower adds fun.

Having decided on my wedding clutch months ago, I soon realized that it did not really match my dress and shoes. After using it during the rehearsal, I decided to give it to my sister for the wedding day. To coordinate with the style and material of said clutch, I found these great ones also by JCrew.

Yellow for the bmaids, a flowery yellow one for my sis/MOH, and a purple one for me. Sized well to hold phones, lip gloss, tissues, cameras, wallets, and sunglasses, the girls loved them!

To complete their look, I purchased hair flowers/anywhere clips from my favorite LA based jewelry designer, Taraina Tarantino. After purchasing my hair flower a few months back, I knew the bmaids' hair flowers had to be TT creations. The craftsmanship, details, and sparkles are quite lovely and fitting for the occasion.


Here are our hair flowers laid out on one of the ribbon boards. I also purchased hair flowers for my cousins who would read at the ceremony and take charge of the wish bowl at the reception.








My cousin D took these photos in the bridal suite as we were getting ready. Purple and yellow are so amazing together.

Below are the flowers in their hair.

Sarah K Chen Photography


Sarah K Chen Photography

What types of gifts did you give your bridesmaids? Did you go for the popular hair flower or something different (name plate necklace/rings, spa day, concert tickets)?


Blog title is from song by Scott McKenzie

Yellow with that purple: Bridesmaids Dresses

Sarah K Chen Photography

We never really had a bridesmaids' dress plan. It was more of a "buy something you like that goes with our wedding colors because we really hope you can wear it again" sort of thing. With choosing a dress in any shade of purple or yellow being the only "requirement", the girls took free range. Cut, material, style, shade, brand were all their choice. I did accompany MOH and one bmaid on their shopping trips, but it was more for support and joy.

Sarah K Chen Photography

MOH/sister chose a deep purple, v-neck dress that hugged her curves nicely. Bmaid N went for a flowly maroonish-purple with nice pleat details. This left bmaid P to choose a yellow dress, since she wanted to make sure our bridal party represented our wedding colors, with a 50s flair.

Sarah K Chen Photography

I really think they stayed true to their personal style and comfort, and chose fun dresses for the evening :)

Grandma, mom, MIL.

My MIL, grandma, and cousins also joined in the wedding color dress fun :)

Cousins :)

How was your bridal party styled? Did you have a certain look, style, color that you were going for?


Blog title is from song by Ludacris