Are We There Yet?!

2010 ended with a blizzard; 2011 starts with another six inches of snow. It's quite beautiful, nearby Columbus Park shown here:


Bailey adores the white stuff which results in long, wet, cold walks:


And makes me look forward to our Hawaii honeymoon more & more! Here is our honeymoon travel information, so beautifully packaged:


We are counting the days until we are relaxing as newlyweds on a warm, picturesque beach!

10 Days & Counting!!!!

Available on Etsy in braggingbags' shop

Somehow, we are here: 10 days away from our wedding!

Part of me is stunned. How can our wedding possibly be 1o days away? Another part of me is stressed. Is there possibly enough time to get everything done in 10 days? The rest of me is over the moon. I'm marrying RZ in 10 days!

My head is dancing & swimming "Wedding" on a continuous loop. Marriage license. Rehearsal dinner. Bridal party gifts. Hotel gift bags. DIY poms. Table assignments. Escort cards. Honeymoon packing. Etc. Etc.

All in all, I'm overwhelmed & amazed. There is much to be done, yet this is a very special time to be cherished. These are the final days of our engagement, my final days as a Bride-to-be. I don't want to waste it worrying & stressing. I want to take my time & enjoy every last moment. These are the days to remember!

Welcome 2011!

RZ and I had simple New Year's Eve plans: Ring in 2011 with our brother, sister-in-law and baby niece. Life had other plans. I was sidelined with a high fever, sore throat & general yuck. By the time the sun set, I was feeling better but there was no way I could risk getting the baby sick. Our plans became even simpler: Ring in 2011 at home with our Bailey.

RZ, being the fabulous guy he is, was determined to make our simple night special. And he did!

First, we had wine, shrimp cocktail & brie with crackers:


Notice the shrimp cocktail beautifully served in margarita glasses:


Then a yummy, yummy steak with mashed potatoes & broccoli:


And our official almond champagne toast to ring in 2011:


Bailey puts on his sweetest face in anticipation of his first 2011 treat:


Our last night of 2010 was filled with my favorite things: RZ, Bailey & delicious food & good drinks. I couldn't have asked for a better night!

Now it's 2011! We're getting married SOON!

Happy 2011!

My personal motto
Available at Etsy in KeepCalmShop's


Happy New Year!
Best wishes for a wonderful, blessed 2011 for you & yours!

No Place Like Home

106 Fourth Street is For Rent
For Rent sign available on etsy at anissadesigns' shop

After five and a half, wonderful years on charming Fourth Street, Koru Wedding Shoppe is moving home!

I'm sad & excited about this new venture for Koru. I've enjoyed my time on Fourth Street & I will miss the wonderful people that came through the doors on a regular basis. What won't I miss? The retail hours. Phone calls from customers wondering why I'm not open at 7am or 9pm or whatever time happens to be convenient for them. Emails from customers begging me to meet them on a Sunday afternoon, the only weekend day my fiance & I share. As 2010 comes to a close & my single days are numbered, it seemed like the perfect time for a fresh start for Koru Wedding Shoppe too.

It's time to get back to the basics: wedding planning. It is, after all, my first love. I will keep Shop Koru open to offer my best-selling products & I will keep selling wedding invitations to Brides & Grooms. But the focus is back on wedding planning. I couldn't be more thrilled!

I'll be packed & gone from Fourth Street by Friday afternoon. Then I'm taking a loooong break to fully enjoy our wedding & honeymoon. I'll be back in February: refreshed, recharged & ready to celebrate Koru Wedding Shoppe's new beginning!

Bands of Love

Fabulous ring shot of my brother & sister-in-laws' rings
Taken by our photographer, the talented Timothy Glenn Photography

RZ & I have our wedding bands!

The search started in August when we visited a few stores before settling on the store where RZ purchased my beautiful engagement ring. We narrowed it down quickly: RZ chose a classic platinum band while I chose a delicate, channel-setting band. Yet we were both torn between two bands of different thickness. Since we were in no rush, we agreed to come back another day.

Another day came in late November. We hooked up with the same, kind salesman & made our final selections within minutes. Then we were given the option of engraving our wedding bands. I was afraid another decision might set us back. The wedding date options was dismissed because we're good at remembering anniversaries (did we jinx ourselves?!). We picked our married monogram because it's personal & sweet.

A few weeks later, our engraved wedding bands were ready for pick-up. I was so excited! And the bands are beautiful, just perfect as a symbol of our wedding vows.

Only one question remains: how can I wait one month to wear my fabulous wedding band??!!

Merry Christmas!

Festive parols on display in NYC

Christmas Filipino-style

The parols are the Stars of Hope on Fifth

On Christmas eve, I bring you just a few simple, beautiful images of the Stars of Hope on Fifth from our holiday night. Our trip always includes passing the Consulate General of the Philippines to honor RZ's Filipino heritage & to admire their gorgeous holiday display. This year, the display included parols. The bright, merry parols are Christmas lanterns in the Philippines & there is no greater symbol of the Filipino Christmas spirit. RZ remembers that his parents used to hang one in the doorway of their home but they don't have one anymore. I thought they parols were so festive & I want one for our home asap.

I want to wish you & yours the joy, peace & hope of the holiday season!

Happy Holidays!