Dia de los muertos...

Last night we attended our 3rd annual Dia de los Muertos festival downtown. This is an event we went to with my dad a few years ago, and have now made it a tradition of remembrance. Last night was by far the best year to date. There were more altars, more vendors, plus great live music in addition to all of the folkloric dances. We finally got our faces painted in the traditional style... something we have wanted to do the last few years but the line was always too long. Not to mention the weather was perfect. All in all a great night was had by all.

Amber + 1

Apparently I was a busy blogger Friday... truthfully the servers at work were down for maintenance so I was keeping busy updating... and playing with my photo programs!

So last Tuesday I managed to buy a new car... this Tuesday I've decided to send it back, well exchange it. I wasn't even in the market for a new car. I happened to have taken mine in for service and was informed I needed new brakes, which I opted to pass on and research a bit. The next day someone from the dealership called claiming they wanted my car back. Apparently the pre-owned cars are in high demand and at the rate I'm currently driving the car is worth more to Audi now than when my lease will be up (note to self... I drive to much). Audi has a great buy back program as well as loyalty discounts so I was able to get the same car, same color with a few new added features. I loved my A4 sport... it was perfect for me. I thought it was fun, peppy to drive and made me look sexy! This new car is exactly the same except I got the quattro engine (all wheel drive), the new led lights and heated seats. All in all its a great car, however it doesn't sit as low to the ground as mine did and the wheels aren't as sporty... no big deal right. I mean c'mon, I just got a brand new car without a penny out of my pocket and my payment is pretty much the same. Also I saved $1500 since now I don't need new brakes, didn't have to make my car payment and the registration that was due is no longer my issue. Problem is... I found out Sunday night the back seats don't fold down. This is a BIG issue for me. I have three dogs and a 7 year old.... I am always folding my seats down to transport my gang. Not to mention the random pieces of furniture and accessories I am shoving in my car, I am a designer by the way! So this is a "no go" for me. I called the dealership and we are in the works to exchange my car. Who knows what I will be driving.... I am starting to regret this whole idea and really just want my old car back... it was perfect and only needed brakes!

Anyways.....

The explanation of my title.... Sunday night is the release party for the TV show. All cast has been invited to a private party to watch the final cut of the pilot... that is all cast and a guest. Problem is I don't have a plus one! I am so sick of being reminded of my lack of obtaining a plus one! I could easily ask Jeff to go with me... problem with that is he is constantly labeling us as dating and I am constantly reminding him that is not the case. If I ask him to accompany me it further justifies his argument! Don't get me wrong, I love Jeff to death... he is a great friend, always there for me... a terrific mentor, educating me and guiding me along the way... problem is he really likes me... and not in the way that I like him. So here I sit, prolonging my response to the invitation... Amber + NONE, totally bites!

Vintage Ranch Wedding...

I'm not going to lie.... this was an absolutely perfect wedding....

fall in the vineyard (sigh)
These are photos from the guests that attended Mark & Kaylin's wedding... the professional ones from the photographer have yet to come... (I can only imagine!) I was the finishing coordinator for this event, taking duties away from the bride the day before the wedding, working with the vendors and of course all of the aesthetics... Again another job I loved doing! The wedding went off with out a hitch... on time, guests all attended too, and a peaceful bride... may I say job well done!

This reinventing Amber is coming along well....

Potluck

I decided it was time to share some pics from the set design project recently completed (truth is, I have finally figured out how to play with my photo program!). I thoroughly enjoyed this segment of design. It was completely different than anything I have ever done and brought out a new level of creativity. Needless to say I loved it! Unfortunately it's not fees-able as a full time career for me at this point, but most definitely something I intend to dabble in. Hopefully I left enough of an impression to be remembered by!
Next week we have our "wrap" party and will be get to see the final release of the pilot.... fingers crossed all went well!

First pic is of course the film marker.. It lists the director as well as the director of photography. These guys were great to work with not to mention their crews were top notch. The middle pic is one of my favorite sets... This was the "stoner's" pad.... hence the haze in the room! And the last pic was of my film debut as a caterer! I have a ton more to share but not sure if I will ever get around to sharing, as I have so many other stories to tell...

Au revoir... À bientôt

Just wanted to take a sec to say thank you to my little sister. The past few weeks went by way to fast but I loved the time we got to spend together. Fingers crossed March comes around quickly... Love ya to death... and "dang Gina"... we looked good!

Shiny New Toy...

I love the analogy of the "shiny new toy". This phrase has been rummaging in my head these past few weeks and today I've decided to get it out! According to the Urban Dictionary, I know such a reliable source, the "shiny new toy" is "the new kid at school who gets all the attention because the kids all want to know what they're like". Eventually this "effect" wears off... but for now, I am the shiny new toy, well sorta! Allow me to elaborate... (as if I wouldn't)

A few weeks ago I attended a backyard BBQ of one of my cousins. He is a few years younger than me, however his sister is just my age. Last year he married a wonderful gal, and from time to time all of the cousins get together, in fact I think I have shared a few photos of our gang. Anyways, I am at their house in the backyard sipping wine and chatting away. The majority of the guests are young professional couples with a few little tykes running around. For the most part there were three single gals, myself, my cousin (the sister of the bday boy), and an additional girlfriend of the bride, and one single guy. Keep in mind these two girls are a part of this group, and have been since high school. Here I come as the "shiny new toy" who has only recently been around since their wedding, and my new found free time of being a single gal! I of course mingled well and talked with whomever, held a few babies, played a few games... basically I was social and didn't hide in a corner. I had intended on staying the night as it was a bit of a drive back to my place and I had the liberty of enjoying myself. At one point I had a conversation with one of the husbands as we were standing next to the stereo, mind you his wife was there the entire time!!! We were going back and forth about music and he was scanning through my iPod as it happened to be the one we were listening to at the time. I was sharing some of my favorite bands and telling him about the Gomez show I just went to with my parents. Well turns out his wife cornered my cousin in the kitchen flaming mad, apparently I was throwing myself at her husband! Umm darling, you were sitting right there... and the conversation was all about music! I happen to NOT be on the prowl for married men. Luckily my cousins' laughed it off and we continued our evening just fine. PS... the other married men were WAY cuter!

Now for the more recent event...

Monday night I joined my friends' group, (the firefighter neighbor guy... from last year) on an outing to a concert. There were a total of 14 of us limo bound to see the Foo Fighters. Again there were couples and a few of us "single" folk. All of the males were either firemen or police officers... which I came to the realization earlier this year, are NOT my type. Again I was the shiny new toy to this group and it was oh so obvious. Luckily for me I randomly ran into a couple of girl friends while waiting in line and managed to escape the group for the majority of the concert. I had consumed a few drinks but stopped early in the evening and continued with water for the rest of the night. Obviously driving wasn't an issue as we had a limo, but I did have responsibilities at home with my critters and an early morning with work. The limo ride home got interesting to say the least... this group likes to have fun, and believe me I am all for it.. but I happened to be stone cold sober and they were "saucy" drunk! I had been receiving the majority of the attention from three single guys, I was polite but also cautious to not lead anyone on. My friend... the one person I knew of the entire 14 people managed to come over and chat for a bit. We caught up on some small talk, nothing serious and again in a frickin limo with 12 other people ... and what would you know.. his girlfriend ends up crying in the corner.

Note to self... dont be the "shiny new toy"... with a bunch of drinking females!

Ladies I am not on the prowl for your man. In fact I am currently not in the market for ANY man! Focusing on myself... and being selfish doing so!

Catch up...

I've got an incredible amount to catch you up on... and a scattered brain to go along with it! Unfortunately more recently life hasn't been that great... but just prior to my recent turmoil, things were chugging along.

Currently I am in the midst of getting my sweet Malcolm back to good health. He is my 11 1/2 year old black lab and admittedly my first baby. He is such a sweet love and I am doing all in my powers to keep him around a bit longer. I came to terms a few days ago that I would be putting him to sleep, and it broke me. I've been through so much these past few years, and he has been my one constant, always there for me. When tears were flowing he would do his best to cheer me up.

For now I leave you with this and hopefully my spirits will lift so I can get back to writing.