LA's Cirque Berserk

Groom's Gift:
Tickets to see Los Angeles' own Cirque Berzerk in Downtown LA.

The day after the wedding, we headed down to the circus. No, not the Barnum and Bailey variety, I reassured MS - more goth and a little twisted.

Seemed like our kind of circus.

We scored free parking on the street, and walked over to the big tent where we were greeted by an ax wielding, blood covered, scary looming clown.

Like others, we brought some food to chow down on before the show started. We noticed that many picnicked on the park grass, and there were food stands selling grilled corn on the cob and other circus foods. We were happy that we stopped at Philippe's for a couple of French dipped sandwiches.



Once under the big tent, we were transported into another world - one of darkness, death, and incredible spectacles. Wonderfully artistic aerialists danced in the air, incredible trampoline acts amazed the eyes, and sexy burlesque dancers who shook and shimmied in their fiery underworld.

Catch the show before it closes!

Cirque Berzerk
Shows Extended - Closing on Sunday, August 9, 2009
Los Angeles State Park
1245 North Spring Street | Los Angeles, CA 90012
www.cirqueberzerk.com

Piccolo Chef Party, Culver City

In years past, we ventured to Vegas, South Beach, and Cabo San Lucas. All of which were fabulous trips with girlfriends, fun and full of great stories.

But as my circle of friends begins to branch out - with families of their own, a simple meal shared together was just the perfect thing when asked what I'd like to do for my bachelorette.

So the date was set, and my good friends coordinated a dinner cooking class at Piccolo Chef in Culver City.

Our dining table was set up in a conference room, and our instructors for the evening led us into the kitchen.



With recipes in hand, we paired off to make our dinner. MM and I got appetizers - prosciutto red wine fig compote with goat cheese crostini.

We sliced a loaf of bread, brushed each piece with olive oil and broiled them for a couple minutes on each side. The prosciutto got a chiffonade cut while the figs drank the red wine over high heat with some thyme, brown sugar, olive oil, salt and pepper. The fig mixture bubbled and reduced into a rich, chunky compote. The toasted slices got smothered with Trader Joe's goat cheese, and topped with the fruit preserves and prosciutto.

Just divine.



We also had seared sea scallops with freshly made fettucine in a white wine sauce, grilled peach mixed greens salad, and a strawberry panna cotta. The dinner was absolutely delicious... although all of us snacked throughout the evening while we cooked - which was the most fun part of being in the kitchen!

There was no better way to celebrate with my girlfriends than over good food, flowing wine, and great conversations.

Piccolo Chef Culinary Academy
Westside Children's Center
12120 Wagner Street | Culver City, CA 90230
Tel: 1.310.295.4208
www.piccolochef.com

The Reception Where Love Never Fails

No fancy country club wedding for us, just an intimate garden wedding.

No band or DJ, just our iPod playlists.

No filet mignon or chicken dijon on the menu, just some good local kine grinds.

No Food Network Challenge Wedding Cakes, just one of our favorites from King's Hawaiian Bakery - a Paradise Cake with gum paste plumerias.

Our menu included a platter of spam musubi...

Crispy fried wontons...

Fresh Lomi Lomi Salmon...

As well as macaroni salad, ramen cabbage salad, kalbi short ribs, korean barbecue chicken, lahaina fried chicken, kalua pork, vegetable fried rice, white rice and steamed vegetables on the menu.

For all the kids and kids-at-heart, we set up a self-serve candy bar with some of our favorites to put in take away boxes - sour candy twists, runts, skittles, dark chocolates, and butterscotch candies were a few.

And as our matron of honor and best man gave their speeches, we raised our glasses of pink sparking wine. We kissed and knew that it was the beginning of an incredible lifetime of love, laughter, and good eats.

Back Home in Lahaina
519 East Carson Street | Carson, CA 90745
1.310.835.4014
www.backhomeinlahaina.com

King's Hawaiian Bakery & Restaurant
2808 West Sepulveda Boulevard | Torrance, CA 90505
1.310.530.0050
www.kingshawaiianrestaurants.com

Photos by Jeni Afuso Photography

The Ceremony, Pine Wind Garden

The bridal bouquet from Lisa's Floral Designs was absolutely stunning and exactly how I dreamed it would be.

Lisa, our florist, taught me about all the different kinds of Gerber daisies, roses, tulips, calla lillies, and other flowers that would be great for our special day.



So while my bouquet was beautiful, the trees and flowers at the Pine Wind Garden completed the scene of our wedding ceremony with vibrant color.

Thirty, white-folding chairs were set up in front of the waterfall where we said our vows, and two stadium benches lined with white cotton placemats served as extra seats.



The koi pond was full of activity, water trickled over the rocks, hummingbirds buzzed by, and we kissed under the garden trellis.

Our friends and family served as ushers, and my good high school friend was our officiant.

It was the perfect ceremony - intimate and personal.



When the ceremony ended, we drove out in my Honda Civic donning our newlywed status.

Next up, the Reception.

Lisa Morones, Lisa's Floral Designs
Web: www.lisas-floral-designs.com
Tel: 1.310.200.9760

Torrance Cultural Arts Center
Web: www.torrnet.com/9032.htm
Street: 3330 Civic Center Dr N | Torrance, CA | 90503
Tel: 1.310.781.7150

The Perfect Wedding Dress

The day was absolutely perfect.

But just a couple months ago, I was a complete mess. You see, I thought I found the dress but when I tried it on again in April, I had doubts.

Doubts that I would be a beautiful bride; that instead of feeling absolutely special, I'd feel more like a boob in a fancy nightgown.

So when I found Britta Barts and her Dream Bridal LA website, I was looking for a miracle.

And I found one - a Vera Wang blush bridal gown with sparkling silver appliques and a matching veil. It was everything I had hoped for: dreamy, romantic, beautiful and best of all, at a reasonable price.

Dream Bridal LA
www.dreambridalla.com
Tel: 1.310.927.4601