A Brief Night at Cabana Club

On Friday night, the girls and I went up to Cabana Club in Hollywood. We all got dolled up to hit up the City of Angels.

Nancy and I

me, Nancy, Vicky and Angie

Leanna's Bridal Shower in Florida

Congratulations to the bride-to-be! I flew to Tampa, Florida for the weekend of February 29- March 2, to attend Leanna's Bridal Shower on March 1. I took a red-eye flight Friday night, which was interesting to say the least. My flight from John Wayne to Vegas was fine, but the 3 hour layover, plus the fact that we had to change air crafts, caused the flight to be 3 hours late to Tampa. I had fallen asleep on the plane waiting to take off from Vegas, and all of a sudden I hear over the loud speaker that the dent in the front of the aircraft was more serious than they thought, so we had to haul ourselves off the plane on to another aircraft which happened to be located at the other end of the airport. I was half asleep walking through the airport, the sounds of the slot machines all blurring together trying to figure out what gate I was supposed to get to. Luckily, I never really fully reawakened and the moment I found my seat on the new plane I fell asleep until our descent in Florida. I reached the airport, Leanna was there to greet me and the day began. I met her mom and her sister and we all went to get pedicures. After that, we cooked all day long, appetizers and food to bring for the shower. It was a slightly warm yet cool day in Tampa, a little on the hazy side. But it was perfect weather to cook and grill hamburgers on the grill. At 5 pm the fiasco began. Leanna opened her dress that she got cleaned at the dry cleaners, and lo and behold it was not cleaned. There were spots all over it, and it was still wrinkled, therefore proving to us that they did not even bother to press it. Leanna and her mom quickly went to some boutiques, one of which was closed, but when they saw Leanna come up to the door banging and sobbing, she found the perfect long gown, and with an added bonus the boutique let her take the shoes to wear with the dress. Needless to say, we made it to the shower only 20 minutes late. I don't know anyone that can find a gown an hour before their own big event...props to you Leanna.

the bride-to-be

Leanna and I

When we arrived to the home of her manager, who was hosting the Bridal Shower, we were instantaneously greeted and led to the bar. Leanna's sister, Jo Ellen, took over the drink making and created tasty Cosmos all night long. Then the games began. Leanna took names from a bag and we created teams to play "Toilet Paper Bride". I am now 2 for 2 at Bridal Showers to be the one that gets to be dressed in toilet paper.

JoEllen designing my veil

Leanna's Mom designing Susan's gown

JoEllen still creating my veil. I almost did not even have a dress at the end when time was called.

the halter top to Susan's gown

Laura creating Laura's veil

Finally JoEllen is making the bottom part of the gown. At least I won't be completely naked on the way down the aisle.

Instead of creating an entirely new top, we just took pieces of toilet paper and stuck them in my bra to stay up.

Leanna just getting a kick out of these three minutes.

Time was called and we had to show off our gown down the aisle...who makes the prettiest bride?

After laughing a good long while from the toilet paper bride game we had dinner, which was a buffet of all different appetizers. We just couldn't wait thought to get our hands on the beautiful cake. The color for Leanna's wedding is like a periwinkle, blue gray, which will also be the color of the bridesmaids dresses :-)

From the enclosed patio, this is the group that we had.

Leanna and her mom

After we were contented eating cake, Leanna got to opening her gifts. She really did get such great things, and this is only a foreshadowing of the items that she is going to get at the wedding. So Leanna, be prepared, it's going to be a lot of opening of boxes. Being one of the bridesmaids, I had to do my duty and write down each and every gift and who it was from, hence my legs to the side of the picture and holding a pad and pen in my hand.




The Bridal Shower lasted until 10:30 pm. It was such a fun night, and I am so grateful that I made it out there to be a part of this time in her life. Leanna has become one of my closest girlfriends and I'm glad that I can be in her life to share this with her. Ben is a wonderful man, and I hope the best for the two of them. And hopefully he will be in the US soon.

I left Tampa the following morning at 11 am. Unfortunately it was too early to really be able to do anything on a Sunday morning, so I spent my Sunday waiting in airports for my flights. Luckily there were no problems getting home, I must admit, after a 24 hour trip across the continent, it was nice to be home.

Happy Birthday Dad!

Friday was dad's birthday. I believe he is now..43..if we are counting backwards from 50 :-)

Mom and I took him out for the night to the CoachHouse where, there we saw Dave Mason. I admit I was one of the youngest there, but there's nothing like a night with 50 and 60 year olds just having a great time!

Congrats Dr. Arnaud Colantonio, Ph.D.!!

To my brother, who has worked so hard all these years, you deserve it!!! Finally, Arnaud has completed his Ph.D. at UCLA! Monday night was quite stressful, but after all was said and done, well worth it. His talk was from 3pm to 4pm and afterwards there was a lab party. I think I speak for everyone when I say, why didn't you at least smile when you walked back into the room?!?!

After a few minutes, and holding his daughter, Arnaud finally cracked a smirk...although looking back I think we should have had some champagne waiting for you!

Yea, can anyone read this face? Does it look like someone who was just told that he received a Ph.D.




After a bit, Isabella finally made the rounds being carried by everyone at some point in time. I think she knew she had to mingle at this great celebration.

Nonno and Isabella

Nonnina, Nonno, Isabella and Grandma

After the little lab party, the evening continued at India's Tandoori a few minutes away.

Finally, a picture of my brother and I!!

Quite a large party showed up, and luckily we had the place all to ourselves. I was the papparazzi taking pictures of everyone.







Arnaud, CONGRATULATIONS! It's been a very very long road, but you've done it! I have never been so proud in my life!

Superbowl Sunday

Well one of my favorite holidays has come and gone :-( Superbowl Sunday. I had the girls over for a little sports party, with lots of food and we were ready for a good game. All but one of us were rooting for the Pats.... and unfortunately they lost. Just my luck, but at least Nancy was happy. Lucky girl!

Nancy and I

some of the girls, making fun of Tom Petty, more like totally silent and staring, why the heck was he on?

Nancy and Bonnie

It had been quite a hectic morning. Nancy had stayed over, and in the morning we went food shopping for the game. It was quite an ordeal trying to find the recipe for cocktail weiners. We ultimately found one, but if anyone has a favorite recipe - Please email me that recipe for future reference!!! Thanks.