March Design Recap

this month i hosted 3 major parties...my 26th birthday brunch, a bridal shower for Jennifer Leigh Holden, AND a bridal shower for Adri-Anne Ralph...NOTE TO SELF: do NOT throw legit parties 3 weekends in a ROW! ha! Although I am exhausted and SERIOUSLY looking forward to a weekend in palm springs sipping on something seriously tasty and floating around the lazy river, it was a JOY and HONOR to host these events for the lovely ladies in my life. this is their season and i am THRILLED to celebrate!
Birthday BrunchJenny's Bridal ShowerAdri-Anne's Bridal Shower

a bridal shower {for Adri}

my dear {old} roommate Adri is getting married in Victoria, BC CANADA over Memorial Day Weekend, but HAPPENED to be in town for the week, so we decided a Southern California Shower was in order. I had the BEST help possible and Shalina, Grace, and Kristine made it an easy day! Shalina came over about 2 hours before the shower was set to start and we did most of the prep-work together. it was WONDERFUL having her "home" and being in the kitchen together...deep conversation...laughter...chocolate...just like old times!Adri's wedding colors are turquoise and orange, so I started with some tissue poufs {a new fav - so easy to make, and a HUGE impact for a small price! they always get compliments as well!}i decorated the table with a couple fun napkins from World Market {watch for the napkin turned pillow DIY that is coming...Shalina wants the pillow for her couch and I just happened to get a sewing machine for Christmas!} added a few framed pictures and grabbed some super orange flowers from Traders. the side table had the plates and napkins in the continued orange and turquoise theme and then a custom made "N" print in a frame. Adri got to take that home and it will someday grace the walls of her home.there were little touches throughout the downstairs that pulled the shower together... a monogramed bucked including some white gerbera...another picture and a little extra from the invitation suite on the coffee table, etc. it really pulled together well!we kept the food fairly simple. Adri has a lot of food sensitivities, so we ate stuck to mostly fresh fruits and veggies, with a side of fondue, and some simple cold cuts & sandwiches. there were lots of presents and a few {wildly inappropriate} shower games {shalina and i really took it to the next level} and lots of hugs amongst dear friends. WE LOVE YOU ADRI! Congratulations on becoming Mrs. Erwin Nibut!!! We wish you a lifetime of happines {and LOTS of sex!}!!

birthday lunch {with Tessa}

Saturday I had lunch at Rutabegorz (seriously one of our favorites!) in Downtown Orange with one of my best friends from college: Tessa. Since we graduated, Tessa has gotten married and jumped on the baby train. Her son Winston is almost 17 months old! CRAZY! She turned 25 on March 6th and I turned 26 on March 12th...so per our annual tradition, we met for lunch. It was relatively quick (she has a child, remember) but it was nice to see my dear friend again...we'll have to do lunch again soon...and of course celebrate our birthdays again next year! loveyou ALWAYS tessers!

Happy Birthday Carrie!!!

on Wednesday my roommate Carrie turned 21...so OF COURSE we took her out for the obligatory drinking binge (oh wait, that isn't really obligatory is it?)...

Carrie and I have been living together for almost 6 months now and it has been a total joy. she is HYSTERICAL and adds a TON of laughter to our house, which is a tremendous blessing in and of itself... laughter IMMEDIATELY makes it difficult to stay grumpy. THANKS for that Carrie!!! Carrie is quite the girl...(she just got laid off but BEFORE THAT) she worked until 4:30pm daily and when i got home after 5 i was sure to find her curled up on the fouton watching something or pretending to watch something while taking a quick snooze. she loves tv and watches a lot of seriously awesome shows...you know, the bachelor, survivor, private practice, army wives, JERSEY SHORE...she LOVES steak...she can't walk into target without finding SOMETHING she loves...she's seriously my kind of girl! she also has a kind heart, cares deeply about others, pays attention to the little things, is generous, joyful, and beautiful. i LOVE sharing my home with her and hope we will be roommates for a LONG TIME! iloveyou sweet Carrie!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

10 things that BUG {about having roommates}

my roommate Nicole had a graduation party last friday...yes, there is still chocolate in the fountain. in fact, when i went to bed last night, i had to turn it off...apparently if you reheat it, it's still good...QUESTIONABLE!

***this post is not meant in any way to offend or frustrate my current roommates - i just think these are UNIVERSAL complaints and they're HYSTERICAL...i love you girls...but not the dirty fondue fountain!***
10. always having to compete for refrigerator/freezer space
9. there is NEVER toilet paper on the roll when you’re in desperate need
8. your stuff gets broken all the time {sometimes you know about – sometimes you don’t}
7. the brita water pitcher in the fridge is almost always empty while the one sitting out on the counter is full
6. it is highly likely that someone will wake you up in the middle of the night
5. when someone uses the Wii the TV will be IMPOSSIBLE to get back to tv mode
4. clean laundry often has to be re-washed because it was taken out of the dryer and left in a crumpled head on the couch
3. the dishwasher is often full and clean but we all know NO ONE is going to empty it
2. the amount of hair that collects on the floor is OUT OF CONTROL DISGUSTING
1. when you’re running late in the morning, the bathroom will be occupied. every. single. time.

{cardigans} day 13

it was a RAINY day in California, so i busted out a cozier cardi and paired it with an AWESOME grey floral necklace. it wasn't a "stunning" outfit by any means, but it was comfy and the necklace totally bumped it up that notch to classy! woot! (ps can we talk for just a second about how STINKING LONG my hair is. wowza. that's a bit out of control. it hasn't been straight in ages and i really had lost track of its overall length...perhaps it's time to schedule that hair appointment...perhaps.)here's a close-up of the necklace for you! ahhhh i'm pretty sure that will make any outfit better...well any dark-colored outfit at least!!

M and her tu-tu

since i was in town, i made SURE to spend some time with my sweet M and her HILLARIOUS parents. it gets more and more real all the time that they're leaving pretty soon and we really only have like year left to just "hang out" like this when i'm at home.Sunday afternoon after church we went to JCPenny so we could get some pics of M in her tu-tu (that i got her for her 2nd birthday that JUST NOW FITS - she is TINY. iloveit.). we took some together as well and some of them turned out really cute. she can be a total ham in front of the camera! after pictures we went to ride the carousel and then got treats at sees candy! i love the girl more and more every single time we get together. this is a really fun age too - she talks UP A STORM and yet still cuddles in your arms. it's the best! (ps she is totally learning the "shell face" - DARLING!)

Jenny's Getting Married {shower edition}

over the weekend, my childhood best friend, Anna, and I threw a bridal shower for our other childhood best friend, Jenny. Jenny and Josh are getting married in July, but Josh lives out of state and we (anna) really wanted him to be at the shower, so we threw it while he was visiting for spring break (he's finishing up a masters and then will be MOVING TO CALIFORNIA! YAY!). the shower turned out lovely and it was WONDERFUL being able to celebrate Jenny together. anna and i hosted the "church shower" but it was anything but the average bring a pot dinner (thanks for that line michael kohrs). we had a wide range of DELICIOUS homemade desserts, freshly brewed coffee, iced tea, and fresh squeezed lemonade (anna squeezed a TON of lemons!). it was simple but still elegant with a touch of fun. the theme was black and white with accents in pink. all the desserts went onto one large circular table and drinks were served in the kitchen. we aren't HUGE lovers of shower games, so we had josh and jenny play the "newlywed game" and answer questions, sickeningly enough, they got them 100% correct. they are SO ready for marriage! :) ha! (actually, they've been enduring the long-distance relationship for so long that they've probably had phone conversations about just about everything!) we also had a devotion and time of prayer, and OF COURSE gifts!!! it really was a fabulous afternoon.6 of the 12 bridesmaids were able to come too...which was really fun...i can only imagine the BLAST we're going to have when we're all 12 together! AHHHhhhhhhh!!

thankful thursday...

35. fresh flowers fully in bloom
36. bows
37. hugs from loved ones
38. driving an hour for dinner with my family
39. Madeline's smile
40. sleeping in
41. birthday packages
42. a friend's engagement
43. scarves that complete an outfit
44. unexpected beauty
45. ruffles
46. a yellow bag that always brings a smile
47. the smell of "clean"
48. chocolate licked off fingers
49. laundry after a celebration
50. thank you cards with tender words
51. cute handwriting
52. a church family that loves me regardless of how many miles away i live
53. a new top
54. a finished project
55. hugs with little hands around my neck
56. kisses on the lips
57. the joy of watching M experience something new
58. lemon cake

{cardigans} day 12

THIS is one of my favorites thus far! OOOHhhh it is CUTE and that blue is definitely a good color on me. the cardi and shirt are both from GAP outlet (FAVORITE) and the shoes are older than the dirt they're standing on but i'm still in love! i think this would be my GO-TO for outfit creation - slightly longer flowy top with a fun design and a simple, understated cardi to go with it. THEN top it off with a signature necklace. DIVINE.

{cardigans} day 11

tuesday (day 11) was maybe the longest day of my life. it has a really rough day for ev. free and being that i work in the business office, it was a really rough day for me. i sincerely hope i will never be in that kind of situation again! SO...based on all that, this picture wasn't even an option until well after 9pm. so forgive the darkness and kind of lame background and focus on the CUTE that is the shirt underneath that cardi! this was a first time outfit combo for me and i must say i'm happy with how it turned out. that shirt is OLD OLD - but i had my mom shorten it a bit recently and i think i like it a LOT MORE now! (it was purchased RANDOMLY on a day when my shirt ripped and i had all afternoon left in the office and lived in Stanton which is at least 30 minutes from my office...so...off to Target i went...)
ps i must say - every outfit would be cuter with jeans. every. single. outfit.

{cardigans} day 10

day 10 was a monday...and mondays are just hard. so i took the picture myself. and it really didn't turn out too well - but i LOVE this cardi! it is a lime green, open front cardi with NO BUTTONS whatsoever. it is bunched up cute in the back for a perfect rump highlight and looks absolutely FABUOUS when paired with hot pink flowers!

{cardigans} day 9 & a musical...

sunday i went to see the Lockhart triplets (who are absolutely hysterical and some of my favorite people on the planet!) in their high school performance of The Sound of Music (which was remarkably better than any high school performance i have ever seen. these kids are legit!) jordan was frederich and he wore some seriously questionable leiderhosen crafted out of old curtains that were bright yellow (i'll try to get you a picture soon...it's worth the see!)...wowza...but he pulled them off...and tori was an impressively cute goat! it was SO MUCH FUN seeing them perform and laughing with (at) them! sometimes i forget how much i LOVE musical theatre...sunday reminded me!sunday i ran late for life (aka i slept in way past a normal hour and didn't realize that i was supposed to be there at 1:30 not 2:15...so...yes...late!) so in my hurry to get dressed and out the door to see the kids, i threw on my cardigan outfit from Friday. (i already admitted i outfit repeat on weekends. deal with it!) YES i realize i wore the pink cardigan twice last week...i look good in pink...my skin has pink undertones. deal with it. (yes i realize i said deal with it twice...now three times. deal with it. four.) the tank is from GAP outlet and the cardi is a target classic that has been a staple in my wardrobe for YEARS. literally. years.

26...

saturday was my birthday. i turned 26. wierd. i'm old. i know it isn't OLD in comparison to some, but to me, it's old. and i wasn't totally ready. but i'll get there. i'm holding on and believing 26 is going to be my year! woot! since my birthday was on a saturday, i hosted a little birthday brunch (including MIMOSAS and a build-your-own-waffle-bar) and invited some of my fabulous friends. it was absolutely LOVELY and such a good time (and turned out SUPER cute i might add!) apparently the decor was my main focus - i didn't take any people pictures - but Kenz assured me she has some cute ones...so i'll add those soon! it really was a wonderful morning of GREAT food, wonderful friends, thoughtful gifts and LOTS of laughter! it was kick-back and easy and really just a wonderful way to begin another year!after my party i hopped in my car and headed to oceanside where i met my brother, sister-in-law, M and dad at Ruby's on the Pier for dinner. YUMMMMMM!! very rarely do i get to see my family on my actual birthday, so it was a HUGE treat to spend some time together!!and seriously, nothing is better than a birthday dinner with this one who did INDEED sing me happy birthday and shared my sundae with me! she's just the best thing ever!!! we're getting our pictures made together next weekend - just you wait - you're ALL going to be jealous!!!

the many adventures of 25...

25 was a good year...a hard year...a year of adventures...a year of goodbyes...there was joy and tears and LOTS of laughter...but all in all i am thankful...i am blessed...and hopefully, prayerfully, 26 will be full of even more than 25....

Trip to the Ellen Show – Riff Raff RoomFirst Trip to Santa Barbara/San Luis Obispo and first time going wine tastingEmily’s 2nd trip to California and the 3-day WHIRLWIND of sightseeingFirst bike ride w/GanCoordinated my first wedding – Amber & Sean McGaughey
Trip to the Ellen Show – DANCING ROW
First Elephant Ride – thanks Becky!First Movie in a Cemetary
Sara’s 3rd visit to CaliforniaCoordinated my 2nd wedding – Shalina & Craig TruglioFirst Concert @ the Hollywood BowlSecond trip to SLO to visit Gan2nd annual beach house weekendMet Ina Garten...The Barefoot ContessaFirst time seeing the transyberian orchestra (thanks S. Bux)Joined a RockHarbor LifeGroupExchanged ornaments with Anna & Jenny per traditionWent ice-skating @ Irvine SpectrumFIRST trip to Missouri to see Em…SNOW…3rd trip to SLO to visit GanFIRST time going to SuperCross w/Kev
Launched beganwithabow
and probably a WHOLE LOT MORE that I can't even remember...