Don't Call the Bride - Seestra... (orphan black anyone?)

Our lovely Maid of Honor is none other than Ms. Clara Ho -- Candace's favorite older sister.  She can probably answer any questions you might have about anything-- wedding related or not!  She's an avid traveler (she just got home from another wedding in Scotland) so if you're traveling around Europe before/after the wedding, feel free to ask her for any tips.  Aaand, her favorite phrase is "guess how much?" so rest assured they'll all be wallet friendly!

Where do you live?  
San Francisco.  Wait, no.  San Mateo.  Excuse this city girl who moved recently and is slowly getting used to being a suburbanite.


How long have you known Candace?  
Since she was conceived?  I can't give you the number since it's rude to reveal a woman's age.  Just add nine months to however old you think she is.  Yup, 21 years and 9 months!

How did you meet?
Probably in the hospital where she was born in Connecticut--see photo for details.  You'll have to ask my Dad or Uncle for the exact "how" details.  I hope I wasn't being a brat that day.

Quick! Name 5 things you have to have when you travel?
1. iPhone 
2. Passport
3. Money
4. Map/Guidebook
5. Itinerary

What are you most excited to see/do in Italy?
See Candace and Joel get married... FINALLY!!!  Also, eat lots of good food and drive aimlessly around Tuscany.

The Candy Man Can...

rather, our tailor the tie man... à la Jeremy from Suit Supply.

FOBF Generations

From the Desk of David Ho

I recently found a 1951 Italian movie on YouTube titled, "The Little World of Don Camillo" with an English translation!

The English version of the book "Mondo Piccolo: Don Camillo" was translated  by my Dad, Candace's grandfather, into Chinese in 1963.  I was 11 when it was published.  It was, therefore, the first book I read about a foreign culture and country.  So, it seems fitting that before I visit Italy for the first time, I honor my Dad with viewing of this movie as original Chinese book could not be found.  The Don Camillo stories were published through a series of books, My Dad later also translated, "The Return of Don Camillo" but I remember the story even less.

Italy Roundup

Photo Cred: Ana Wu

Haven't done much research on Italy?  No worries, Auntie Celia's got you covered!  She's the FOB's best friend's wife and has known Candace since the early Parkview days.  She's "unleashed the travel beast" (her words, not mine!) and my inbox is overflowing with great tips and suggestions!

Need an travel app for Italy?

What about a hotel?

Don't speak the language?

Don't forget to tip!

"Everyone should also download the Rick Steve’s app; he has FREE audio tours but you need to download them before hand.  In fact, we will use his audio tour for our Grand Canal tour in Venice."

Rick Steve's Florence

Rick Steve's Venice

Want to know all there is to know about olive oil?

Reading Material

Everyone needs a good Rom-Com!

Needless to say, there's was no way to fit it all in one post...so stay tuned for more tips from our resident expert.  And of course, as a mother of 4, safety first!  Thanks Auntie Celia!

"And while I have everyone’s attention, I just want to give a lecture about safety:

There’s a lot of pick pocketing in Italy, and we as tourists are prime suspects.  It is best to not carry too much $$$ around, and if you must, keep in in your front pocket at all times.  Also, as we did when we traveled in Latin America, assume EVERYONE is out to rob you.  Don’t trust anyone.  There are many scams where people will come up to you to distract you — pour mustard on you, ask for directions, ask you to hold something — all to distract you so they can try to pickpocket you.  Here, being naturally suspicious and guarded will be our best defense.  Sad but true!"

*Side note: Auntie Celia and her daughter Ana are both amateur photographers and you'll see them through the weekend snapping away, so smile!  (And I realize the picture above is misleading as it is Machu Picchu, but I wanted to lure you in with a picture of her fun family-friendly travels and adventures (see here for more evidence).  And if you did think it was Italy, then you best be reading Auntie Celia's suggestions above!)

Best,

The Howesters

Dress sneak!

#FOBF Just call me Dean...(Martin that is)

From the desk of David Ho

We are officially in the T-30 days mark... #stressed!  And at this point, the FOB has made far more Italian progress than I have... he can sing an 

entire 

song

in

ITALIAN. 

Always looking out, here's a few links he's rounded up to help you not be stressed about offending the locals and getting excited about Italy!

My duolingo progress thus far...

If you have no time to learn a new language

10 Things Italians do better than you!

He did grew up in Jersey after all... capisce?

Thanks Dad!

Best,

The Howesters

Don't Call the Bride - countryside what?

This is what I like to call 'Don't Call the Bride' FAQs where all your questions can be answered by the wonderful army of bridesmaids.  Over the next few weeks, we'll introduce you to them so that you can study their faces and know who to ask when you have a question over the wedding weekend!

By now you've probably picked out what you're wearing...right?  But in case you haven't, we interviewed the ever fashion forward bridesmaid doubling and our 'wedding stylist', Ms. Helen Ho for some tips!

Where do you live?
New York City
 
How long have you known Candace?
Since FOREVER! :)*
[ed. note *at least Middle School]


How did you meet?
I don't remember but it might be Jessie's* birthday slumber party?!
[ed. note *Jessie = Jessica Wright, bridesmaid]
   

Quick! Name 5 things you have to have when you travel?

Ha, 5? You’re kidding right?

1. My eyes

2. Spotify

3. Concealer/Moisturizer

4. Giant bottle of water

5. Overdue reading

What are you most excited to see/do in Italy?

All of us together watching the Howesters tie the knot and swimming!!! Please don’t make me choose between the two! :)

What does Country Chic mean to you?

Floral, rustic, timeless, summer

Note: men, please wear jackets, tie optional!

Wedges or Heels?

Heels!

What's in?

Comfort, timeless, chic

What's so out?

Dressing inappropriately for the occasion (no pressure guys :))

And if you're still lost, feel free to reach out to her directly at helen.howester@gmail.com for all your fashion styling needs! 

Thanks Helen!

Best,

The Howesters

She said Yes!

We our proud to introduce our littlest member of Team Howester, Alessandra Motzi!  Thanks Yukon and Alanna for letting Alex be our little flower girl!  #bffls

Best,

The Howesters

With this ring

Ring sizing at Satomi Kawakita

FOBF Round up

From the Desk of David Ho

After launching this blog, the FOB has really stepped up his blogging game.  See his youtube round up below!

Every good business traveler knows to avoid extra baggage, see "how to pack for a 10 Day trip in Europe in just one bag:"

 Can't wait to get to Italy?  Daydream at your desk with this two part "beautifully filled HD video and music about Val di Pesa (the river valley where Villa il Poggiale is located), I can watch these 2 videos again and again..."

Part 1:

Part 2:   

"The Video makes me wonder why we can't all live like this..."

"European Travel Skills: Avoiding Theft.  I am sure the Villa is very safe but just in case some of guests travel in the big cities.  This one promotes money belt which do not look cool . . . but see item 4"

"9 Reasons Why You Got Robbed While Traveling.  Bad title but very useful tips..."

Love

Dad

Cubanos, Schubanos

Have you watched that move Chef with Jon Favreau?  He totally sells you (and us!) on Cubanos.  So naturally, I was super excited that we would be in Miami for my Bachelorette trip!  Alas, it's just not that tasty of a sandwich.  I mean it's good, but it's really just a pressed sandwich with deli meat, mustard, cheese and pickles.  It wasn't bad, but I don't know, I was looking for that pizazz you get from a muffeletta (if you're ever in New Orleans, make sure you visit Cochon Butcher next to their famed restaurant!)  Maybe we just didn't go to the right place?  I digress...

I've known the majority of these girls for over half my life, and the ones that I've been lucky enough to befriend more recently, it feels like I've known them for over half my life.  You'll find many of the same faces in Joel's proposal video including Mel flying in from Dallas with her fiance to surprise me after the engagement!  But most importantly, thank you to Clara, Helen and Emily for a beautiful bridal shower and bachelorette trip!  I know it can't be easy wrangling so many different personalities (including mine!) and it was perfect.

Of course I have to give a shout out to Dorian and Alli from flying all the way from Hong Kong to come celebrate the end of my single life (that really died 10 years ago).  What really made the weekend was surprising them each individually for their 30th birthdays!

 

I be on my suit and tie, suit and tie

A couple of weeks (months?) ago my cousin Brian told me my Aunt got him a suit from Suit Supply in DC.  I immediately went into silent panic mode as I had been so focused on sewing my dress that I forgot to nag Joel about his suit...

Suit Supply to the rescue!  I begged for a last minute appointment that Joel and I showed up an hour late for (#bridgeandtunnelproblems) and two appointments later we're back on track.  Joel will be picking up his wedding wear in the next few weeks!

Bridesmaid's swag

I have heard one too many horror stories where bridemaids have be left out in the lurch and their pockets full of holes.  So I put a little a lot of extra love into each package because I truly am so grateful that these women, while spread out all over the world, are in my life.  Thanks for saying yes!  Needless to say, there's a theme, and it's Italy.

Olive Oil Cake (à la Danny Meyer's Maialino)

Zipper stuck?  No worries, grab a candle!

 

#FOBF 10 and 2...

From the Desk of David Ho

For those brave souls that have decided to rent a car in Italy (including Joel and I!), you may have more than just an International Driver's Permit and stick shift to look out for...

"This video shows how they drive without a traffic light in Ethiopia.  I think the locals learned from the Italians when Italy occupied Ethiopia before WW2..."

You've been warned!

Best,

The Howesters

Let's get down to it...

Woke up to a gorgeous summer morning in NYC New Jersey -- rainfall finally stopped (sorry Californians!) and humidity dropped (sorry Hong Kong-ers!)  Needless to say, we're getting down to the nitty gritty of it all...

Hope to see this recreated on the dance grass floor on Sept 6th!

Best,

The Howesters

Goes to show...

We just got back from Joel's younger brother's wedding -- which was completely DIY-ed.  Thank god Joel and Laura talked me out of all those projects for our wedding..!  #MFEO

We were literally hot gluing these programs in the car ride from Indianapolis to Lafayette!  Never again!  Side note: I feel like Lincoln should definite put out an ad targeting Moms -- the Lincoln Craftmobile!  It had a 110V three prong outlet -- you could charge a phone, charge a laptop, plug in a curling iron, you name it!

#weddingsweatshop

Despite not being completely sure whether we had actually secured a venue or not (anyone done business in Italy lately?!), we did at least secure a date!

Like everything in this wedding, the save the dates were a labor of love and we hope you'll use them!  We did iron press them after we screen printed them, but if you're worried, you can probably give it another 3 min press (with parchment or a paper towel in between) before hand washing.  After that you should be good to go!

"Exposing" the design on top of the dried photo emulsion cures the uncovered areas the screen and your design washes away! AMAZING.

Bundled up and ready to go!  Thanks to some great bridesmaids, we were able to minimize mailing these out internationally.  Thanks for bringing them home Helen!  And thank you Dorian for mailing 'em out!

All I do is pin, pin, pin, no matter what!

Let it go, let it gooo...

So we caved.  And hired help.  I hate not being able to admit that I can't do something, but here I am, sadly waving a white flag to DIY-ing a wedding in Italy.  I am sure many others have achieved it, but the language barrier was killing me!  So here's to many projects that were taken from me after a meeting between Joel and a new team member of Team Howesters, Laura from Trendinozze.


Bye bye DIY wedding cake that I was going to bake in the US, hand carry and frost in Italy...



Adieu to the field trip to the local flower market and anxiously waiting Sunday morning for their delivery and frantically wrangling bridesmaids to create flower arrangements for themselves and the tables...



Arrivederci to the inevitable arguments with the 5-10 vendors that I will never really know because I don't speak Italian and unfortunately the "brass candlesticks" I asked for translated to brass bed pans...

#FOBF Father of the Bride Friday!

From The Desk of David Ho

If you didn't know, David Ho is the Father of the Bride.  And growing up with two daughters, he's learned to anticipate and put of fires to avoid teenage daughter meltdowns.

Case in point -- please see the "Electricity in Italy" pdf (accompanied with visuals!) below, to avoid plugging in your electronics and losing your mind, or worse, not being able to charge your phone-- you've been warned!

Thanks Dad!

Best,

(The teenage daughter half of) The Howesters

*click image below for pdf

'Round 'round get around, I get around...

The wedding is exactly two months away so hope you've made your travel plans! For those of you that are planning on driving while in Italy, it's recommended that you apply for an International Drivers Permit before arriving. The process should be fairly quick whether you're in the US or HK. You will not need an IDP to rent a car, but if you get pulled over you may end up rooming with Silvio Burlusconi.

FOR THOSE OF YOU IN THE STATES:

- Information on driving in Italy: http://travel.state.gov/...

- Application for IDP (applications only through AAA or NAC): http://www.aaa.com/... OR http://www.nacroadservice.com/...

FOR THOSE OF YOU IN HONG KONG:

- Information on getting an IDP (Scroll down to Point 4.9): http://www.td.gov.hk/...

And don't forget that if you need a cab from the train station to the villa, please contact Monica Cozzi.

See you all in two months!

Thanks,

The Howesters