TLC's "Say YES to the Dress" taping
April 2009
Gals of Honor - Sum/Syl & Marrielle - ... Thank you SO MUCH for joining me in New York over the weekend. I love your willingness to jump in with both feet for my crazy jaunts and ideas... You're awesome. I love you guys so much. There are more wonderful trips and experiences planned for us this year... girls only and guy/girl wild times ahead. Jabus and I look forward to celebrating this year with our extended families (YOU) and thanking you as well, for being a part of our lives. There is much richness, celebrating & more thank-yous to come!!
Marrielle... Thank YOU for dragging your butt to LAX for hours hoping for a flight. It made us all very sad that you weren't there w/us, since we'd all been looking forward to catching up and we see you the least (Mrs. Hollywood)...
Traveling to NY for less than 72-hours can't be described as restful (Hello: Summer-Bond's-Work-Life!). But... here is the low-down in detail for those who want to read-on!
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The Trip:
Friday, April 17...8am flight from LA to JFK... All four of us arrived at the same time for the same flight. Everyone had seats but Marrielle, who was flying standby... Summer was in FIRST CLASS (hello-fancy!!). In the end, Marrielle kept getting bumped and never ended up catching a break, and was not able to join us. We didn't find that out until Friday nite, later... that sucked!! ~~ But, Summer, Syl and I had a smooth 5-ish hr flight from west to east coast. Got there at rush hour... and headed into the city. It was exciting to be there together, and we were all kinda wired from the flight.
Our room was compliments of Sylvia/Paul's Starwood points (Thank you Hekimian's!). We checked in at our Sheraton New York near central park (upper east?) and discovered that our beds were barely larger than twin sized, so we'd be getting cozy at night. We discussed what we'd be wearing the next morning for the show, and determined that I had failed to bring anything that would work... so, we were starving, but decided fashion was more important and we went shopping... With Summer and Syl helping me, we were able to pick up something fiery and fun for the taping... then, headed for dinner (starving!!)... At this point, I should tell you that Sylvia is not eating white sugars at this time... and, is working on eating healthy... and, summer just got off a 5-day all-liquid detox. Yes, you read right... so, indulging in new york cuisine would be challenging for their pallets. Not so much for mine (I eat anything).... So, I enjoyed some toxic wine, syl had a glass too... and, we munched on some yummy eats while we got the message that marrielle was OUT for the weekend...
Saturday, April 18... After sleeping in our mouse-sized beds, we got up early, to primp and prep for the taping... and, give ourselves plenty of time to get to Kleinfeld. We actually ended up getting there AN HOUR EARLY, so we walked to whole foods for snacks... thank goodness, b/c the taping lasted about 3-hours instead of the 1.5 we had planned. When we walked into reception, my Mom was there, having come in from CT.
The show staff was totally dull and diss-interested, and couldn't have cared less about any of us. They mic'd us all, and gave us some directions... and, I went back for my pre-interview. If you've seen the show, you know what they asked... what was I looking for, what was my price point, did I think my friends would be helpful in my making a choice, and my mom, and where is my wedding, and how am I paying for it, and ... you get it... Then, we began the process of trying stuff on. The deal was... I'd try on a dress, and give my comments, then walk out & stand facing a lighted mirror and ask my crew what they thought, and they'd make comments, and we'd discuss, and then I'd turn around a few times & then we'd move on to the next one. We went through I think 6-dresses like this. I think the show will highlight 3 or 4 of them. I tried on another 3-4, but didn't wear them out of the dressing room. There was ONE dress that would have been "the one" if I hadn't already found one I'm crazy about here in LA. It was great (but, not "better"). So, I had tried that one on 2nd, and everything after that got compared to the favorite. Mom was funny... her comments were all over the place... She selected a dress for me to try, and that was funny b/c it didn't really suit me and she knew it as soon as she saw me in it... Summer/Syl also pulled a dress for me to try, that was too tight around my bum, so we all had a good laugh over that b/c they had to put a patch of "modesty fabric" to cover my bum so I could come out in the dress (the front was awesome).
After we were done w/the dresses, they did a basic post-interview w/my Mom and then with me. If I get any info about when the show will air, I'll let you know of course. I think the new season 2010, so next Spring.
After the taping, we were STARVING... so, we walked accross the way to a cafe that looked fun. It was SUPER LOUD and hip... and, we ate there, but if we'd had it in us, we likely would have walked to somewhere more quiet to visit w/my Mom and relax vs. be in a club-nutty atmosphere. Once we ate, we attempted to take the train to SoHo, but got a little truned around. Unfortunately, none of us really planned on doing that much walking, so we were in less-than-ideal footware and it was much hotter than the weather channel predicted, so we were kinda dragging! We found reprieve at the SoHo Grand (awesome!) and had a cocktail for a bit before my Mom had to head back to CT. After we put my Mom in a cab... we hung out for a bit there just decompressing and visiting... and, checking out the couple getting married there! ; )
After the SoHo Grand went back out for shopping and checking out the city... and, got hungry again.... so, off to dinner we went! After eats, we explored more, got a few nick-knacks... then, eventually headed back to the hotel.
We were so wiped from the long day on our feet, overheated, or dealing with taping, noise & general crazyness... we decided not to go back out. It ended up being nutty b/c we were up till past 1:00 am talking. Totally felt like a grammar school slumber party to me. Marrielle called us and said she had us on the guest list at a club... but, we couldn't be moved! ha. (old ladies I guess).
Sunday, April 19... Up... showered, much colder today... we headed out for a walk near the park before brunch & found a totally awesome little treat of a spot called Wyhm. After a long breakfast, we strolled all over the park, and then all over the Guggenheim museum (beautiful!) and then grabbed a bite at a yummy little all whole/natural cafe... before high-tailing it back to our hotel to catch a cab to the airport. We landed at LAX at Midnight last night... I'm pooped, but happy to already reminisce on the weekend --and-- to be home with my honey!!
The trip was nothing, if not MEMORABLE. We weren't too photo-happy, but, what I've got will hit flickr.
I can't wait to see the episode of the show. It will be wonderful to have that record of the weekend and teh dynamic of shopping w/Mom and Syl/Summer. I am so grateful for something so unique in my memory files. I'm a very lucky girl!!
One pre-warning about the show, when it does air... all the lights, and the emotion of the dress-shopping experience... my face looked super red! Ugh. I couldn't DO anything to fix that... I just looked flushed/blushed I think the WHOLE time. So, be-warned! I may be the cherry-faced-girl on the show!!
