Getting things done!!!

Today I got the "scoops of love" package. 37 little ice creams scoops {adorable}.

I was chatting with my Mom when got the package and I was screaming "I got the package Mom, I got it, I got it!!!". So exciting ^^

I think I found the perfect DJ for the wedding. Check this {click here}!!!

A little bit of Lady Gaga, my favorite character and "just dance"!!!!

Wheeeeeeee!!! I wish I could hire Hello Kitty to be our DJ.

Anyway, I'm soooo looking forward to the big awesome day!!!

PS: This post is a little "poor" but I will explain why. I was writing it on Wednesday night last week and I thought I would publish it on Thursday morning, but I had a car accident on Thursday {I'm just fine, the lady didn't see me and smaaaash!!!!} and the rest of the day Mike and I were trying to figure out car, insurance, everything. We got a rental car and then Friday I was babysitting the whole day.

So I will write a brand new post about the weekend!!!

This week newsletter!!!!

Sunday we met Matt Novak {photographer} and it was awesome. We are meeting on August 23rd for an "engagement photo shooting". As I said before, Matt is an awesome artistic photographer and he is really good with colors and lots of fun. I can't wait to do the photo shooting, see the pics and share a little bit with you guys.

Monday I spent the day in front of the computer.

The wedding invitation is ready, good to go {to print}.

I was also looking for some info about the sand ceremony. I found some sayings like this one for example: "Mike and Camila, today you join your separate lives together. The two separate bottles of sand symbolize your separate lives, separate families and separate sets of friends. They represent all that you are and all that you'll ever be as an individual. they also represent your lives before today. As these two containers of sand are poured into the third container, the individual containers will no longer exist, but will be joined together as one. Just as these grains of sand can never be separated and poured again into the individual containers, so will your marriage be."

The sand colors will be black and pink {of course, my horse!!!} the vase is different than the picture and a cute tag {Tarsila is working on it for me - hooray for talented friends} will be added, but I just wanna share and give you guys an idea of it.

I was digging through Party City website and found cool glasses for Mike plus some noisemakers, so I don't need to worry about the vuvuzelas in many different colors shipped from Brazil {coz I want you to MAKE SOME NOOOOISE when "I pronounce you man and wife" is said}.

Tuesday I did shop. Party City and Target. I got the noisemakers and some colored sunglasses for the kids. Some neon bracelets too.

XOXOXO and thank you {very soooo much} to all of you who are reading the blog. Even tho people are not following or commenting on the blog is good to hear " oh, yeah, I read on your blog" or get emails or facebook messages!!!

Brainstorm and news

I breathe wedding. I'm having a lot of fun with all this planning and I know I will miss it a loooot when it's over. Better enjoy bunches while it lasts.

I thought about the card basket. I found a cute basket at Goodwill for $1.50. It need some work, but I think it will turn out really cool.

I still thinking about the flip flops. Dunno if I stick with Havaianas or Ipanema. Ipanema has the colors I want, but is not "as legitimas". I think the design will be something like "Wherever I go... I wanna be your pair" with hearts, our names and date.

I bought some ribbons to wrap the "bem-casados" that I'm planning on cooking this following week.

My sister sent me an email {Hello Darling}. OMG. I jumped out of the bed and I couldn't believe what I was reading: flight tickets bought for Carolina Picchioni and Fernando Zambotto. Such great news. They made my day.

My mom is coming to town for 19 days. My sister and future brother in law are coming for 4 days.

Since Fernando is coming, I could invite another bridesmaid: Karine. She is a peach, sweet, a lot of fun and full of good energies. I don't really know how to explain but just to think about her it makes me smile. I love to have great people around me and this is why I choose her.

The other day I wrote an email to the flower guy. I got a reply asking me about how many flower girls bouquet he would need to do. Then I realized that I haven't called Kris {my host mom here in Colorado, forever.} to ask the girls {Alex and Gabby} to be flower girls with Brianna. I got my phone. Kris was so excited and the girls so happy about it. My heart was all fuzzy. Three flower girls bouquet, please.

Another thing that Mike and I figured out are the rings. We stopped by Gusterman's and my engagement ring is almost ready but this is not why we went there. Mike likes a ring that could be the wedding band for him. He tried it out and it fits perfectly. We are thinking about having a plain wedding band for me, just to add to my engagement ring {we will move it to the left hand on the day of the wedding}, and have it engraved.

Today we are meeting Matt Novak to talk about price, set everything up.

This following week I'm planning on making bem-casados, decide the flip flops, get the rings, hear from the flower boy, hear from Emma, finish the wedding invitation, work on the program, write about what is the bem-casado, do the hat and bouquet in fimo clay for the cake topper...

We got it!!!!!

We got {more} things done. Hooray!!!! It feels really really nice.

Let's start with Mike's outfit. A big na-na-ni-na-nao {no} to the zoot suit.

Mike and I went to Macy's and we got it figured out. OMG!!! Hold meeeeee... I wanna squeeeeze this man.

This outfit is soooo much more like my fiancee {still having a hard time not calling him my boyfriend}. It makes me happy, but more important, Mike felt good {badass as he would say}.

Time to look for shoes. One of our favorite stores here in Denver is Fashionation so we went there hunting for shoes. No surprise, we found it. Easy-peasy. Plus the suit coat. Badaaaaaass.

Mike's outfit is almost compleeeeete.

Next day {Friday} I went with Carol to David's Bridal to order my sister's dress and I found a cool pair of shoes. It's white but they will dye it pink, matching my dress. Sweeeeeeet.

The other thing we got done is the bridal shower registry. I just learned that there's NO bridal shower registry in USA, but since in Brasil we do have a "here is what you need to buy", I thought would be easier and less bossy to make the registry so people can have a "help" on choosing what they wanna buy.

Get the gun out babeeee!!! lol

Invitations!!!!

Whee!!!!! I finally printed the bridal shower invitations, cut {one by one} and got it ready to send. Feels nice to get things done. One less thing to worry about.

Well, anyway still the wedding invitation to think about. So let's get it started.

I wanna use the phrase "tying the knot" and then I called my guru {Tarsila} and here is the bright idea teaser!!!

I can't wait to work on it and get this one done too!!!

Let them eat cake!!!

We are trying to have an appointment with Emma, from the cupcake shop, but the world is soooo busy lately that we haven't had a chance to meet with her yet. It's time for us to order the cake!!! Yummies!!!! We still need to try some little cupcakes to decide the top tier flavor. The bottom tier is the yummiest tho ^^. Pezzimenti: banana cake with nutella and peanut butter frosting.

Changing the topic a little bit, I follow some other blogs and I found this video {so fitting}.

Our cake will be way more pretty, tasty and will be way more "us". Ahhhhw!!! Looking soooo forward to see the cake.

Monday & Tuesday

Monday night we went to Lori's house. More and more ideas. Lori {such a sweet lady} offered her house to host the bridal shower AND a brunch after the wedding, so we can open the presents with the family. I thought it was a great idea!!!

I also had a better idea about the "program" I need to do for the big day. Introduce the wedding party, time the ceremony, show the menu and write a little bit about the wedding, our love and happiness in sharing it with you!!!

Beside that Mike and I were looking for some songs for the wedding {processional, bride, recessional and first dance}. One of our choices is "We belong forever" from Reverend Horton Heat. I think will be really cute.

Tuesday we {Teryl, Lori, Carol, Brianna and I} went to David's Bridal to try on my wedding gown and Brianna's dress.

OMG!!!! I was so happy, the dress fit really good and makes me feel wonderful. Yaaaaaay!!!! The dress is the one!!!!

Brianna was having a blast, running around and spinning like a princess. The dress is gorgeous and it matches the color of my ribbon.

When we were almost done Lori mentioned the bridesmaids dresses. We checked it out and another "yay" at David's Bridal. The bridesmaids dresses were found. Lori and Carol were happy and gorgeous!!! Now everybody has a dress and everybody is maaaatching!!!!

It was such a great trip to David's Bridal.

Weekend update

Since Mike works from home on Mondays, it feels like my week starts on Tuesdays. Hello week!!!

This weekend was busy because we went to the UMS {Underground Music Showcase} but the wedding stuff still on!!!

Saturday we went to Suavecito to check out Mike's idea about wearing a Zoot Suit.

Not sure if we are in love or not, but we will give it a shot and try it again {the right size and color this time}.

Sunday was supposed to be just a "Rock Band Day" but Lori and I were chatting about wedding stuff!!!

I looked for customized flip flops online. In Brazil is a big deal to give flip flops for the ladies in a wedding {so everybody can stay for hours dancing}. Is like cupcakes for a birthday party. So I am ordering some flip flops so you guys can take it home as a favor plus use it at the wedding. Take your high wheels off , put on flip flops and "just daaaance"!!!!!

I found some ideas online, but I'm not sold on any of those yet. All I know is that pink is a great great greeeat color!!!!

Beside that I think I'm done with the guests lists for the bridal shower, the bachelorette party and the wedding.

I've been bonded with my notebook and computer.

The other day I was googling "bow" images and I found this great idea for the napkins.

I'm really excited about all the details and little things that are making my life crazy busy to make the big day so special!!!!

Being a good sharer!!!

We've been crazy busy but {of course} we didn't forget about the wedding stuff.

So far we decided how we want the cake and from where {The Shoppe}.

We decided who will be the photographer {Matt Novak}, but not sure how much it will cost.

We decided what we want on top of the cake {Adios & Ciao Ciao}, but it needs some adjustments.

We also know the colors: white + black + pink {no surprises uh?!}

Feels like I'm going to the doctor

Here in USA we need to make an appointment {this is why the comparison with the Doctor's} before hit the store. Walk-ins are not very welcome. So I did it. I called David's Bridal today and I set an appointment for next Tuesday.

As I said before, I want a dress that is puffy, strapless and if possible, I wanna tie a ribbon on it.

This is the best one I found so far {with Jenn's help ^^}.

Brianna's dress might be the one too, so we are all going to David's Bridal on Tuesday. Apparently we can match her dress color with my ribbon color. Cross your fingers people, I wanna be done about the dress and worry about other things for the big day!!!

I feel the rain!!!!

It's almost Bridal Shower time!!!!! In Brazil it would be a kitchen tea {cha de cozinha}!!!!

Tarsila made the frame for me {thanks Tata} and "ta-da"!!!! A lot of pink, cute font, a few details and this is our invitation for the Bridal Shower.

A lot of pink will be involved in this wedding so the Bridal Shower cannot be different.

Andrea and I agreed on the favor. Very cute "scoop of love". It's a teeny tiny ice cream scoop. Can't wait to order it and have a bunch of those little cuties in a basket to thank the girls for being part of it!!!

Food tasting

One of the good things about The Crystal Rose is that we don't need to worry about catering. All we had to do is attend one of the monthly food tasting and pick our favorites!!!

There was a buffet serving the options that are in the menu and we could try everything.

We dragged Lori & Tim, Andrea & Josh and Brianna to help us. Brianna was the first to announce "this bacon {ham} is yummy".

So many options but here is our favorites:

Honey glazed ham

Roasted breast of turkey

Bow tie pasta

Tortellini pasta

Calypso fruit salad

Scalloped potato

California mixed veggies

We are attending another food tasting next month. Nothing wrong with free food plus knowing that our choice will be delicious for everybody's "picious"!!!

It's "registry" time!!!!

Everything is going so fast, a lot of help, a lot of ideas, a lot of things to do.

Saturday Mike and I started on our registries. We got the super gun and "ta-da"!!!!

We are having two registries. The first one for the bridal shower and the second one for the wedding.

Is harder to make a registry since we are living together for over a year, but still missing a few things {the salad spinner for example} and there are things that can be replaced!!!!

Is really exciting to have an upgrade in the house!!! LOL

Can I get married?!

In about two weeks Mike and I are going to the court to get the paper work to get married, so today I caught myself thinking.... "Can I get married with a tourist visa? And if NOT?????? Oh nooooes!!!!"

Here is what St. Google told me...

Can you get married on a travel visa? Generally, yes. You may enter the U.S. on a travel visa, marry a U.S. citizen then return home before your visa expires. Where you run into trouble is if you enter on a travel visa with the intention of marrying and staying in the U.S.

You might have heard about someone who got married in the United States while on a travel visa, didn't return home, and successfully adjusted their status to permanent resident. Why were these people allowed to stay? Well, it is possible to adjust status from a travel visa, but people in this scenario were able to prove that they came to the U.S. with honest travel intentions and happened to make a spur-of-the-moment decision to get married.

To successfully adjust status after marrying on a travel visa, the foreign spouse must show that they had originally intended to return home, and the marriage and desire to stay in the United States was not premeditated. Some couples find it difficult to satisfactorily prove intent but others are successful.

If you're thinking of getting married in the United States while on a travel visa, here are some things you should consider:

1. If you choose to stay in the country and adjust status, what will happen if you are denied? No one expects to be denied a visa or a status adjustment, but not everyone is eligible to receive one. Reasons for denial may include a person's health, criminal history, previous bans or simply a lack of required evidence. If you are the immigrating foreigner, are you prepared to appeal a denial and perhaps retain the services of an immigration lawyer, and more likely, return home? What will you do if you're the U.S. citizen? Will you pack up your life in the U.S. and immigrate to your spouse's country? Or will circumstances like children or work keep you from leaving the USA? In which case, would you divorce your new spouse so you can both move on with your lives? These are difficult questions to answer, but the possibility of being denied an adjustment is very real, so you should both be prepared for any eventuality.

2. It will be a while before you can travel. You can forget about exotic honeymoons or trips to the home country for a while. If you choose to stay in the country and adjust status, the foreign spouse will not be able to leave the U.S. until they apply for and receive advance parole or a green card. If the foreign spouse leaves the country before securing one of these two documents, they would not be allowed re-entry. You and your spouse would have to start the immigration process from scratch by petitioning for a spouse visa from while the foreign spouse remains in his or her own country.

3. Border protection officials are paying attention. When the foreigner arrives at the port-of-entry, they will be asked for the purpose of their travel. You should always be upfront and honest with border protection officials. If you state your intent as, "To see the Grand Canyon," and a search of your luggage reveals a wedding dress, be prepared for the inevitable grilling. If the border official believes that you're not coming to the U.S. for just a visit and you cannot prove your intent to leave before your visa expires, you'll be on the next plane home.

4. It is ok to enter the U.S. on a travel visa and marry a U.S. citizen if the foreigner intends to return to his/her home country. The problem is when your intent is to STAY in the country. You can get married and go back home before your visa expires, but you'll need hard evidence to prove to the border officials that you intend to return home. Come armed with lease agreements, letters from employers, and above all, a return ticket. The more evidence that you can show that proves your intention to return home, the better your chances will be of getting through the border.

5. Avoid visa fraud. If you have secretly secured a travel visa to marry your American sweetie to bypass the normal process of obtaining a fiancé or spouse visa in order to enter and remain in the U.S., you should rethink your decision. You could be accused of committing visa fraud. If fraud is found, you could face serious consequences. At the very least, you will have to return to your home country. Even worse, you may incur a ban and be prevented from re-entering the U.S. indefinitely.

6. Are you ok with saying goodbye to your old life from a distance? If you marry on a whim while in the U.S. and decide to stay, you will be without many of your personal belongings and you will need to make arrangements to settle your affairs in your home country from a distance, or wait until you are allowed to travel home. One of the advantages of moving to the U.S. on a fiancé or spouse visa is that you have some time to put your affairs in order while waiting for the visa approval. There's an opportunity for closure that you won't have with a spur-of-the-moment marriage. There's time to say goodbye to friends and family, close bank accounts and end other contractual obligations. In addition, there are all kinds of documents and evidence that must be submitted for the adjustment of status. Hopefully there will be a friend or family member back home who can gather the information for you and send whatever you need to the U.S.

Remember: The intention of a travel visa is a temporary visit. If you want to get married during your visit then return home before your visa expires that's okay, but a travel visa should not be used with the intention of entering the United States to marry, stay permanently and adjust status. The fiancé and spouse visas are designed for this purpose.

Reminder: You should always obtain legal advice from a qualified immigration attorney before proceeding to ensure you are following current immigration lCan you get married on a travel visa? Generally, yes. You may enter the U.S. on a travel visa, marry a U.S. citizen then return home before your visa expires. Where you run into trouble is if you enter on a travel visa with the intention of marrying and staying in the U.S.

You might have heard about someone who got married in the United States while on a travel visa, didn't return home, and successfully adjusted their status to permanent resident. Why were these people allowed to stay? Well, it is possible to adjust status from a travel visa, but people in this scenario were able to prove that they came to the U.S. with honest travel intentions and happened to make a spur-of-the-moment decision to get married.

To successfully adjust status after marrying on a travel visa, the foreign spouse must show that they had originally intended to return home, and the marriage and desire to stay in the United States was not premeditated. Some couples find it difficult to satisfactorily prove intent but others are successful.

If you're thinking of getting married in the United States while on a travel visa, here are some things you should consider:

If you choose to stay in the country and adjust status, what will happen if you are denied? No one expects to be denied a visa or a status adjustment, but not everyone is eligible to receive one. Reasons for denial may include a person's health, criminal history, previous bans or simply a lack of required evidence. If you are the immigrating foreigner, are you prepared to appeal a denial and perhaps retain the services of an immigration lawyer, and more likely, return home? What will you do if you're the U.S. citizen? Will you pack up your life in the U.S. and immigrate to your spouse's country? Or will circumstances like children or work keep you from leaving the USA? In which case, would you divorce your new spouse so you can both move on with your lives? These are difficult questions to answer, but the possibility of being denied an adjustment is very real, so you should both be prepared for any eventuality.

It will be a while before you can travel. You can forget about exotic honeymoons or trips to the home country for a while. If you choose to stay in the country and adjust status, the foreign spouse will not be able to leave the U.S. until they apply for and receive advance parole or a green card. If the foreign spouse leaves the country before securing one of these two documents, they would not be allowed re-entry. You and your spouse would have to start the immigration process from scratch by petitioning for a spouse visa from while the foreign spouse remains in his or her own country.

Border protection officials are paying attention. When the foreigner arrives at the port-of-entry, they will be asked for the purpose of their travel. You should always be upfront and honest with border protection officials. If you state your intent as, "To see the Grand Canyon," and a search of your luggage reveals a wedding dress, be prepared for the inevitable grilling. If the border official believes that you're not coming to the U.S. for just a visit and you cannot prove your intent to leave before your visa expires, you'll be on the next plane home.

It is ok to enter the U.S. on a travel visa and marry a U.S. citizen if the foreigner intends to return to his/her home country. The problem is when your intent is to STAY in the country. You can get married and go back home before your visa expires, but you'll need hard evidence to prove to the border officials that you intend to return home. Come armed with lease agreements, letters from employers, and above all, a return ticket. The more evidence that you can show that proves your intention to return home, the better your chances will be of getting through the border.

Avoid visa fraud. If you have secretly secured a travel visa to marry your American sweetie to bypass the normal process of obtaining a fiancé or spouse visa in order to enter and remain in the U.S., you should rethink your decision. You could be accused of committing visa fraud. If fraud is found, you could face serious consequences. At the very least, you will have to return to your home country. Even worse, you may incur a ban and be prevented from re-entering the U.S. indefinitely.

Are you ok with saying goodbye to your old life from a distance? If you marry on a whim while in the U.S. and decide to stay, you will be without many of your personal belongings and you will need to make arrangements to settle your affairs in your home country from a distance, or wait until you are allowed to travel home. One of the advantages of moving to the U.S. on a fiancé or spouse visa is that you have some time to put your affairs in order while waiting for the visa approval. There's an opportunity for closure that you won't have with a spur-of-the-moment marriage. There's time to say goodbye to friends and family, close bank accounts and end other contractual obligations. In addition, there are all kinds of documents and evidence that must be submitted for the adjustment of status. Hopefully there will be a friend or family member back home who can gather the information for you and send whatever you need to the U.S.

Remember: The intention of a travel visa is a temporary visit. If you want to get married during your visit then return home before your visa expires that's okay, but a travel visa should not be used with the intention of entering the United States to marry, stay permanently and adjust status. The fiancé and spouse visas are designed for this purpose.

Reminder: You should always obtain legal advice from a qualified immigration attorney before proceeding to ensure you are following current immigration laws and policies.

Font: About.com

Here I present...

... the BRIDESMAIDS!!!!

All of us have those special people in our lives for many different reasons. I'm lucky to have those ladies in my life and I will tell you why!!!

OMG!!! Just to think about it my eyes are watering...

Here we go:

CAROL #1: my lil' sis. Someone with who I share my past, my family, my bedroom, my trips, my secrets. She is my friend, she makes me proud, she makes the word "saudade" {miss} have a sad meaning, but at the same time she reminds me that we don't miss someone who is nothing less than awesome and we love very much.

CAROL #2: a lil' piece from home. Brazilian, full of energy, happiness and vibrant energy. She is the new girl in town, new in my heart but feels like I know her in forever.

LORI: my "homie" in USA. I see a little bit of me in her. Big heart, real laugh, loves me and I love her. Makes me feel home, makes me feel welcome. Loves pictures and a "Gallagher". I can't barely explain this kind of love.

MAYRA: the future me. The new wife, the new life. The party/family girl, the open heart and always willing to help. The get together girl. The passport for friendship and new friends. Even Santa has helpers, Mayra is my lil' awesome helper.

This is my crew!!!!! In Brazil, bridesmaids are bridesmaids. There is no snooty one. :P Or you can say that all of them are the snooty ones!!!!

EXTRA: I wish I could shrink these girls and mail them to me... :(

CARLOTA: my american {New Jersey} sis. The girl who likes me, the new me. Carlota knows and understand everything that happens when you join the Au Pair life style... She took care of me, I took care of her. Jello shot buddy!!!!

CRIS: my chosen sis. We went to High School together... Teenager seeeecrets.... Shhhhhhh. :P We had a lot of fun together and learn a lot about life. I feel free to tell her my thoughts without even thinking.

FABI: my other lil' sis, but this one is chosen. I say little sis because Fabi is my sister's best friend, what makes her my friend too. Big smile {make people think we are sisters}, mature, good listener, awesome party buddy, funny and loves shopping {and I ship it}.

KENNY: is me when I couldn't be me {New Jersey}. :P She is another smile-sister. Great vibe, huge smile, always happy, believe in her thoughts and sometimes verbalize it {I needed it}. Friends are there for you, even when you are doing something wrong. :P

NI: my chosen sis. Best friends since I was smaller than a peanut. Many many maaaaany histories, pictures, secrets, birthday parties, hairstyles... So many fond memories: priceless.

TARSILA: my chosen sis. She inspires me. Very artistic, huge smile, honest and say what she thinks in a very smooth way. Wonderful sparkly person. Contagious happiness.

VALERIA: my american {Colorado} sis. Love at first sight. We were {single} good together. Party, trips, pub crawls, pictures, laughs, low-low-lows. Always excited to see each other again, always cheering for each other.

Bridal Shower

Time for a lot of fun!!!!!! It's bridal shower tiiiiiiiime!!!!!

Andrea and I are brides-to-be and since we have a few friends in common we decided to have a double bridal shower. It means double fun!!!!

I heard bridal showers are very different in Brazil and USA, so I'm looking forward.

In Brazil the bride must guess what are the gifts and who is it from. Is important to wrap it very well and tricky so the guest can give the bride sorta of a punishment!!!! We will need some props, make-up and great ideas!!!!!

Look how boo-tiful this brazilian girl was in the end of her bridal shower!!!!!