Always AC

Atlantic City happens to draw us in every few months or so...it may be longer than that, but it seems like we head down to one of the closest shore points pretty often. As a result, Joe and I decided to head south to relax at The Pool at Harrah's, catch a Cirque du Soleil show and shop at the outlets.

After having dinner at Continental in The Pier at Ceasars (which was not air conditioned), we headed over to Trump Taj Mahal for the Cirque Dreams show. Even though seating wasn't great - our chairs should have been at a kitchen table rather than lined up as theatre seating - the show was very good. It's really absolutely amazing what those people can do. I must say, some of the stunts were making me extremely nervous, especially the ones that included children. After the show, we walked back down the boardwalk and snapped some photos along the way.

Although it was a short trip, it was fun-filled!

In our hotel room at Harrah's - our favorite spot - our first night before heading down to the Xhibition Bar, where I won $75 on the poker machine! Woohoo!

Joe and his fake smile...lol...on the boardwalk.

Until next time, Atlantic City!

We love you and all you have to offer.

"Looking Out for Kids" Charity Reception

The Eye Institute "Looks Out for Kids"

As I was writing part of my Bridal Bonanza blog back in March, I thought this summer – NOW - would be the perfect time to talk about planning events at length. This is one of the reasons I’ve become a fanatic for details! I realized this character trait while planning Eva’s shower.

Preparing for events is always a fun activity – even amidst some hectic-ness - when I have the opportunity to do it for work and for my personal life. I love adhering to the theme and thoroughly enjoy when every LAST detail comes together.
In the fall of 2007, The Eye Institute (TEI) of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University implemented the “Looking Out for Kids” (LOFK) charity fundraiser and initiative. This initiative was developed to address the unmet vision care needs of children in Philadelphia and its surrounding communities. In the past year, we’ve recently added a new tab to The Eye Institute’s website – www.TEIvision.com/LOFK - with more information about what the “Looking Out for Kids” initiative entails. 
The funds raised from the event help provide vision care and eyeglasses to uninsured and under insured children in the communities The Eye Institute serves. TEI has been intent on making a difference in the lives of children whose families cannot afford to pay for these services, which I think is admirable. 
And, for the past two years (2008 and 2009), I’ve been involved in the preparation of this event, which includes planning meetings, gathering silent auction items, organizing details, panning out the menu, selecting a giveaway item, designing the program, invitation and advertising, etc. Although the months leading up to the event are somewhat hectic, when it’s all said and done, I along with everyone else working on the event and on the committee feel a great sense of accomplishment in what we are able to carry out for the children of Philadelphia.
In 2009, Lisa Nutter, President of Philadelphia Academies, Inc. and wife of the mayor of Philadelphia, and Kevin Curtis, former Philadelphia Eagle, hosted the event. In years past, numerous local athletes such as Eagles' AJ Feeley, Brent Celek and LJ Smith and Sixers' Andre Iguodala and Theo Ratliff also demonstrated their support. We are currently in the process of gearing up for the fourth annual fundraiser in early November 2010.  
Each year, our committee puts their best feet forward to gather unique silent auction items for our color coded tables. In the past, we have had everything from Florida timeshares and weekend getaways in Atlantic City and Philadelphia to autographed memorabilia and baskets of cheer. In 2009, we added artisans showcasing their wares - with a portion of the proceeds being donated to the LOFK fund - as an extra flair to the event.
Since the charity reception is held on the campus of Salus University in Elkins Park, PA, our team has the task of transforming the Hafter Student Center's gym into a subdued, inviting atmosphere. Starlite Productions of Cherry Hill, NJ donated colorful ambient lighting matching our LOFK logo for a more intimate setting. 
Administrative assistant, Debra, took to the idea of the centerpieces. Black beans filled glass cylinders while colorful flowers perked out from above the rim. An array of balloons aligned the tables and the entrance to both the general reception and the VIP lounge. The stocked open bar and full gourmet buffet with music in the background made for an overall enjoyable evening.
For the past two years, John Dolores Photography snapped some fabulous shots to capture the flair of the night. 
These are just a sample of shots from the 2008 event...visit www.TEIvision.com/LOFK for more photos on past events.

For more information on becoming a coporate sponsor or in-kind donor, donating a silent auction item or learning more about how to become involved, email LookingOutforKids@salus.edu.

Rainy Day Games

Wildwood and rain are not the best combination, but it's definitely the perfect time to play some fun games! Stuck in the rain and trying to keep the kids occupied, we opted to play a form of horseshoes under the side awning instead of just watching the rain! Joseph had some fun using and posing for the camera too...so much so that he eventually stopped paying attention in order to perfect his pose.

The game!

Perfecting his pose!

Joseph caught Liv off guard!

And, in the end, the girls won even though I chipped in a bit toward the end since Joseph decided to stop playing and started taking photos instead especially of his sis.

Wedded Bliss

It's been a while...I know. Summer has been flying by and has been filled with tons of Phillies games, some beach time, movies, phone issues and more. So, I've been extremely delayed on actually completing my post on Eva and Mike's beautiful wedding. Here's the abridged or somewhat shorter version....

On the balmy afternoon of June 12, 2010, Eva and Mike became one. That morning, four of the six bridesmaids and Eva awoke to enjoy breakfast at the Hollywood Diner with her parents. After enjoying tasty omelettes, (I was anticipating mine from the morning after the bachelorette party because of Rachel) we headed to Acme to pick up the final ingredients for our afternoon cocktail at the salon. A stop home and flipping through some up-do books, we were ready to take turns having our hair and makeup done for the wedding later that afternoon. I used my spare time snapping action pictures of Eva and Sarah (junior bridesmaid) and I enjoyed the pedicure massage chair without the pedicure – we had them done the morning before.

When the limo picked us up at the salon, we headed back to Eva’s parents for final preparations. After relaxing for a little with some wine, it was soon time to get dressed. I wanted to be one of the first bridesmaids done since I had the task of lacing up Eva’s corset.

As she stepped into the beaded beauty, the photographer stood above – on the bed - capturing snippets of the day. A few of us made sure her grandmother's photo was secure within her dress before Sarah clasped her shoes for the final touch. Set to walk down the stairs to her father, the anticipation was building. With bridesmaids and parents in tow, we headed to the Brandwine Country Club for impending vows and reception. When we arrived, we waited a few minutes before sneaking her into the bridal suite. Before I knew it, we walked down the aisle (with no falls) and Eva and Mike were saying their short, but sweet vows. 

With a few moments to relax before being announced, we were all lined up and ready to go. I must say, at this point, I was becoming a little nervous about my speech.  But Katie was definitely lightening the mood before we walked into the ballroom. And, after the first dances, Hassle and I delivered our speeches and I think we were all ready to PARTAY! 

SALON SHOTS!

FLOWERS

THE WEDDING

Eva's dad giving her away!

Although he was nervous, he did GREAT!

So cute!

PHOTOGRAPHER SHOTS

(taken by Joe, great job!...some are edited, some are not)

MIKE'S FAMILY

PARENTS

EVA'S FAMILY

BRIDAL PARTY SHOTS

Checking out Eva's ring

 

The boys with Eva and girls with Mike...one of my fave pics!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

RECEPTION

 

THE BEAUTIFUL BRIDE AND GROOM

DANCES

SPEECHES

CAKE TIME

GROOM'S CAKE

(MIKE LOVES THE FLYERS!)

Eva's father's 65th birthday was the same day as her wedding....so, it only makes sense that he also deserved a cake...and a little smeared on his face too courtesy of the bride!

RECEPTION SHOTS

(Note: I know my tan lines are horrible!)