(Throwback) Thankful Thursdays: Week 4

Since I didn't blog last Thursday (because it was Thanksgiving and all), here's the fourth and final edition of Thankful Thursdays.

Day 21: My Momma

I'm thankful for her everyday - but particularly every November 21st. Hope you had a Happy Birthday, Momma!

Day 22: My guard-cat

Even if that does mean he brings me dead spiders and picks fights with 65lb dogs. He spent the entire first night that my folks were in town running interference between me and my childhood dog - who he apparently had deemed a threat. Crazy cat. Bless it.

Day 23: Cozy, fireside evenings and good conversation

After a day of packing, we were able to spend the evening at my future-in-law's - complete with a home-cooked meal and warm fire. Loved having (almost) everyone in the same place (we missed The Boy).

Day 24: Take-out after a long day of packing

We started early, and kept going til late. But we got most of the house packed! As a reward, pizza. 'Cause sometimes you just need to sit on the floor and watch a movie without having to worry about cooking or cleaning up.

Day 25: My sweet, thoughtful Fiancé and Moving-day Treats

We drove half of my stuff to Oklahoma to drop it off at the new house. When we arrived, this note was waiting for us - as well as the treats it promised. Love this kid.

Day 26: Sweet Bo

Loved gettin to spend the week with this crazy pup - compulsive circles, crazy ears, and all. There will never be another dog like this one.

Day 27: Annual Thanksgiving prep with Momma

We have a routine, me and Mom. We do the same things every year - no matter where Thanksgiving happens (Memphis, Cleveland, an apt in New York, or an empty apartment in Fayetteville). It's so nice to know that some things never change. Especially tiny turkeys.

Day 28: Thanksgiving with my favorites

We spent Thanksgiving at the Valentine's and loved every minute. My new family is just as loud and crazy as my original family - which means we all fit together perfectly. Hope yours was warm and happy, too.

Day 29: My Daddy

I skipped posting a photo this day because of the move, but it would have gone to this guy. He spent all week with me - moving stuff out of my apartment, half to Oklahoma, half into a truck, then taking the truck across town, moving the stuff out of the truck, and jenga-ing it all into a storage unit. All without complaining or cursing my multitude of things. Thanks for loving me so much, Daddy.

Day 30: Unfortunate Fortunes

Daddy got this one at dinner...after spending the day moving. It hit a little too close to home, but after a week of "moving" it was also a much needed giggle.

I hope your November was warm, full of happy, and reminded you of all the things you have to be thankful for - big, small, and ironic. I hate that our culture is squeezing November out to make way for the consumption that Christmas brings. I find far more beauty in thankfulness than I do in buying (and even getting) gifts, and it just seems that it's being pushed aside thoughtlessly.

Challenging myself to find something to be thankful for in every day this month really lifted my spirits - and I hope y'all enjoyed it, too.

Now, bring on the twinkle lights, Christmas carols, and snow days. 'Tis the season, after all. Happy Holidays, friends!

Thankful Thursdays: Week 3

Three weeks gone already? Slow down, November! Slow down!

Day 14: These Two

They're an endless source of support, encouragement, and love. No matter what the day brings or how crazy I sound, they stay the same. Wouldn't make it through this time without them.

Day 15: Friday Nights In

I love that I'm finally old enough that staying in on a Friday night doesn't make me lame. Old movies, comfort food, and a heater that looks like a fireplace? I'll take that over the late-night-out scene any day.

Day 16: That night out on Dickson 365 days ago

Once upon a time, I had an unexpectedly free Friday night. A friend of mine asked me to join him (and some classmates) for celebratory drinks on Dickson. I went. 365 days later, we shared reminiscent-celebratory drinks on the couch in our new living room.

Day 17: One Year with this Sweet Man

Blessed beyond belief. Can't believe it's been a year. Love you to the moon and back.

Day 18: This ol' Girl

My Millie. She's revolutionized my baking. If you haven't bought into the KitchenAid cult, you're missing out. Cupcakes FOR EVERYONE!

Day 19: Celebrations with fellow Xers

One of my favorite things about Saatchi is that they truly celebrate their people. The celebration to end all celebrations, however, is SSX Thanksgiving. We cater in turkey, ham, dressing, & potatoes, then everyone else provides sides & desserts. It makes for a semi-unproductive day, but it's totally worth it. It's such fun to just enjoy each other and celebrate.

Day 20: Pre-bedtime Cuddles with these two

No matter what mood I'm in, these two snuggle babies can improve it. I love our new bedtime ritual.


What are you thankful for this week?

Enjoy your weekends!

Til next time, friends!

Thankful Thursdays: Week 2

Holy cannoli this month is going by quickly! Anyone else feel it?

Also, it's gotten COLD in Fay-town. We went from lovely fall weather (you know, the kind where "all you need is a light jacket") to coat + mittens + seat-warmer weather. I'm not complaining, it just seems like it happened all sorts of quick.

Enough of that, though. Let's get to the thanks!

Day 7: New Family

I love my soon-to-be last name. It's pretty much the cutest. But I love the family that comes with it even more. They've taken me in as their own and love on me as if I've always been there. My sweet Momma-in-Love-to-be got me this little happy the other day. It warms my heart every time I look at it.

Day 8: Cotton Candy Skies

Driving to OKC after work under daylight savings time = blinding sun and light induced migraine. Driving to OKC after work minus daylight savings time = THIS. The photo doesn't do it justice. I was absolutely in awe of the beautiful sky He painted for me on that long drive to see The Boy.

Day 9: Weekends with my Favorites

These faces, y'all. Gah. How can you not love 'em? This is pretty much irrefutable proof that I have the most adorable fiance AND the most adorable puppy on the planet. Don't even try to argue with me (not that you'd win anyway). Weekends with them are better than any other weekends. Can I just have a whole lifetime of them?

Day 10: Home-cooked Sunday Lunches

Since I was in OKC last weekend, I had the chance to join Paul for one of his new weekly appointments: Sunday afternoon at the Dahlem's. I'm tellin' you, as a born-and-bred Southern girl, there is NOTHIN' better than a home-cooked meal. Unless it's a SUNDAY home-cooked meal (or, you know...Thanksgiving...). And this one came with dessert - tiny apple pies and ice cream. I think I'm gonna like Sundays in OKC.

Day 11: The Smell of Fall

I've mentioned (once or twice...) that I'm a fan of apples. I particularly like apples when they're combined with cinnamon...or caramel...or both. There's a scent they give off that's just so very fall-ish. It's really difficult to capture that smell well (many have tried, very few have succeeded). These guys got it. This candle (and anything that smells like it) is good for the soul.

Day 12: Fuzzy Socks & Warm Toes

I've been stubborn thus far - refusing to turn on my heat (despite my above mention of Fayetteville goin' all crazy-cold on us). Instead, I wrap up in snowmen from head to toe - blankets, sweatshirts, and these little guys. They were a Christmas gift from one of my favorite little girls, and they're my go-to stay-warm buddies. They (and my portable heater), make holding out on the heat a bit easier.

Day 13: Movies that Feel Like Old Friends

You know those movies that you can watch over and over again, and they're still good even after three consecutive watches? This movie is that way. I can watch it on loop and still laugh at certain parts, without fail. I turned it on while I was stuffing invitations, and, after I sent The Boy a quote from it ('cause it made me laugh), he responded with, "How many times have you watched it tonight?" (he's learning my tendencies quickly!) No matter, it made hours of invite assembly more enjoyable.

Happy Thursday, friends! Til next time. 

Wedding Wednesdays: Memphis Shower Re-Cap

This past weekend, several of my mom’s elementary school friends (yes, elementary school) threw me a LOVELY wedding shower. Despite my nerves and stage/crowd fright, I had a wonderful time and I couldn’t have felt more loved.

It was so sweet to see all the ladies that helped raise me all in one place (and I know Momma had a great time with all her buddies, too). We had a devotional (such a nice touch), played games, ate YUMMY food, and opened waaaaay too many presents (if there is such a thing). The Boy even got to join me for the gift part, which made it much more enjoyable.

I wish I could bottle up all these memories and feelings for the days when wedding planning really gets the best of me. They really do make all the crazy and the stress seem silly and far away.

Now, without further ado, the fun part: pictures!

The Decor

The ladies are aware of my slight obsession with fall and did a BEAUTIFUL job bringing that to life for the shower. Burlap, pumpkins, leaves, lace - all there. Isn't it pretty?!? The gown hanging in the background is an old dress one of the hostesses daughters used to play dress-up in. It was a sweet touch. 

Oh, and those cupcakes! Goodness me were they yummy. Mrs. Lisa made 'em - pumpkin with cinnamon cream cheese frosting. She commented that Mrs. Sheila had given her the toughest jobs: 1) reading in front of people (she did the devotional), and 2) making cupcakes for the "cupcake queen." She had nothing to worry about - they were amazing. 

The Food

I love shower food in just about any form, but this spread tops the list: tea sandwiches, meatballs, sausage balls, cheesy artichoke dip, spinach tarts (thanks, Momma!), some amazing pumpkin dip with apple slices, all sorts of sweet treats, and a coffee-punch concoction that I can't even begin to describe. I mean really, look at this!

The Games

We played two games (neither of which I won...despite The Boy being the judge...boo). For the first one, we had to place a sheet of paper on top of our heads and draw a bride. The photos we got out of that might be more fun than the game itself. 

We also played gift bingo. We all filled out our bingo cards with items we thought I'd get, then checked them off as I opened gifts. Mrs. Karen, who brought an ENTIRE TRASH CAN full of gifts, won...I call shenanigans seeing as she could have filled her whole card with just the stuff in that can ;)

The hostesses also asked all of the guests to bring an apron with a story behind it to share at the shower! Aprons are one of my favorite things, and I loved hearing all the history behind all these. Plus, I got a new one to wear, too! 

It was so much fun - I'm so grateful for the ladies who took the time to put it all together. I had a blast seeing everyone (particularly some old friends from high school and my amazing Maid of Honor who now lives 6 hours away from me). I wish we could do this every weekend! Thanks again, ladies. I'm so blessed. 

Brittany's Bachelorette Bash

Keeping in the vein of tryin to catch y'all up, let's talk about one of my favorite weekends from the past two months - Little Brother's Wedding! Before we jump into wedding fun, however, I want to show y'all some details from the bachelorette party I threw for Brittany.

First, just so y'all know, she loves purple, sparkles, and sweet girly things. She's not really into the whole "going out" scene, so I tried to keep this a little more intimate and low key.

Now, the details.

Invites

I found some adorable brown and purple DIY invites at a party store and knew they'd be perfect - her colors, cute, and with just a touch of fun (see the zebra stripe border?). I designed the invites and printed them at home - SO EASY.

Then, I wanted a cute way to let all the girls know what sizes to get her for the gift portion of the shower. I'd seen some sweet little lingerie cut out invite inserts on Etsy, but none were quite what I wanted. So I made my own!

I found perfectly matching paper at Joann, cut out a nighty shape, added a little lace to the top and bottom with some glue, and added a small jewel to the top (to give it a bit of Brittany sparkle). Then, I wrote the appropriate sizes on the top and bottom and slipped them into the envelopes with the invites.

Finished products. What do y'all think?

Decor

Since we wanted to keep the evening fairly low key, I got us a hotel room for the night so we could have a good ol' fashioned sleepover - complete with makeovers, manis & pedis, and chick flicks! I decorated the room in Brittany's signature purple with several touches of sparkle.

The door - they make sparkly, silver streamers! Who knew?

I made makeshift curtains with purple tablecloths to create a bit more ambiance. 

A sash and crown for the Bride-to-Be, and goodie bags stuffed with nail files, bubbles, candy, tiaras, and necklaces for the guests (which we all wore to dinner of course!)

Food

We all went out for dinner and drinks before the evening really got started, but I wanted us to have additional snacks for the rest of the evening. I mean, what's a sleepover without late-night snacks, right? I made:

• Rummy Bears (gummy bears soaked in Captain...for a while)
• Two different kinds of jello shots
• Pineapple Upside-down Cake (pineapple jello, cake vodka, and a cherry)
• Blow Pop (watermelon jello, bubble gum vodka, and a gumball)
• Some precious little faux nail polish bottles I saw on Pinterest (it's just marshmallows skewered with a tootsie roll on a toothpick and dipped in colored icing)

Activities

After dinner, we opened presents - she got a lot of cute stuff!

We played with bubbles for a bit...

Then we broke into the spa supplies!

We had a mani-pedi station - complete with foot soak, lotion, nail files, pumice stones, orange sticks, clippers, polish and polish remover. The possibilities were endless!

We also had a facial station - makeup wipes, a lovely apricot scrub, masks (I used the chocolate strawberry...smelled yummy, felt WEIRD), and moisturizer. There are a few photos of Brittany and me with masks on...but I'm pretending I don't know where they are...

In addition to the spa supplies, we had several movie options. 

We ended up falling asleep before the movies actually happened...but I'm sure we would have laughed ourselves silly. 

It was so much fun spending an evening bonding with my sister-in-law-to-be. I'm so glad I get to keep her forever! Love you, Britty!

Life Lately

Wow - where did the last two months go, y'all? Oh yeah: a new cat, the end of the retainer work crunch, a graduation, a wedding, a couple other weddings, tornado season, and camp. That's where.

Sorry I've been MIA. How 'bout we play catch up for a bit? Let's see where'd we leave off - Little Bear's party, I think. Well, since then:

1) We rescued/took in/accidentally fell in love with a cat. Everybody say high to Grover Cleveland. He's "serving his second, non-consecutive term"...as a house cat. The Boy named him. Can you tell?

2) We painted a few things.

3) I made several batches of cupcakes. (Yes, those are margarita cupcakes. Yes, I used tequila. Lots.)

4) And a fancy dinner for the sweet Moms in our lives.

5) We went to the drive-thru zoo.

6) And tried all sorts of beer...in a parking lot...in the rain.

7) I got a hair cut. Not as dramatic as last year's (only an inch this time...not 15)

8) My best friend moved away, but not without one last fabulous night out.

9) The animals and I survived a tornado (or two) in my teeny half-bath.

10) Little Brother graduated

11) THEN HE GOT MARRIED!

12) So did some of The Boy's friends. And some of mine.

13) I spent a week with this little cutie...

And then I slept. A lot. Finally. I'll add more details on several of the above events throughout the week. Stay tuned and thanks for checking back in! We'll see y'all soon.

(Gigi seemed left out...so here's a photo of the cutest pup in the world, just for fun)