My Weekend Party

This weekend I hosted a bridal shower, a sure fire sign that we're not in Kansas college anymore.  It was a small gathering, but as I mentioned before, I was quite nervous about having people over.  Something about the first 'formal' gathering that you host can really get to you, or so I've learned.

Maybe it's my type A personality or my unhealthy obsession with Pinterest, but I wanted the every last detail to be perfect.  So I cleaned for days, arranged flowers, bought what felt like half of the super market, and made my boyfriend hang my other DIY curtains in preparation.  (Please note this is the cleanest our house has been in 2013, see what hosting a party can do for you?)  All in hopes of attaining perfection.

Well the event was far from perfect, you probably noticed the crossed out food label above due to a last minute menu change, but it was heartfelt to say the least. The out pour of love and support that was given to me as the host, and my good friend as the bride (isn't she stunning with that pixie?) was really amazing.  Especially considering how poorly the bachelorette party went? Remember this story?

Among my favorite moments was when she was opening presents, and got a book that has advice from couples that have been married over fifty years, and tears came to her eyes. It wasn't the grandest or most expensive present there, but it was the idea behind it that really got the bride to be everyone choked up.

There's just something so special about sharing moments with friends who are getting married that you can't ever recreate.  I'll probably never parade around the house in my bridemaids dress, next to a best friend in her veil and wedding shoes in front of our co-workers just for fun ever again. Nor will there be that much excitement stirring in my home for a while, but I was honored we could all be together to share and celebrate the last few weeks of her 'single' life.

I can't wait to stand up at the alter with her in six short weeks, and I really can't wait to break it down on the dance floor.  But really I can't wait to share the future with her and her husband. It's going to be be so amazingly special.

P.S. I got my camera back, but I didn't take these, a guest did. Didn't she do a GREAT job?

My Boss is Coming Over

I've been buried deep in the crevasses of my house, cleaning, scrubbing, dusting, laundering, arranging, and repeating all week.  Also in 1200 square feet I'm not even sure we have crevasses, but if there are, I have found them.  All of them.

My boss, and my bosses boss are attending a bridal shower I am hosting at my house this weekend, and if I've never been intimidated in my lifetime, I am now.  Our house has been a work in progress for almost two years (yup, we lived through a remodel that was fun) , and while we're alm o s t done, we're not qui t e there yet.  But this year we've come a long way, and there are many sections of my home that I love, parts I have worked hard on, and things that make me happy.

Both taken with my phone from my couch, because I'm lazy.

But since my home is a place where I find comfort, and escape to after a long days work, it's hard to let people in with the idea that they are going to find the same satisfaction with it as we (my boyfriend and I) do.   Which in the end might be perfectly fine, despite the fact that that's exactly what I want.  But I'm a girl, and I want them to be impressed, and think it's beautiful, because wouldn't anyone want that for their home?

To be honest, I'm mostly nervous a pillow won't be fluffed enough, the food won't be scrumptious enough (yes I am feeding them all too), and the floors won't be clean enough.  But seriously what I was thinking sweeping and mopping, Cinderella style on my hands and knees, on Tuesday, when little Miss Zoey can single handily make any floor dirty hairy in 37 seconds flat? Fail.  God I want need a Roomba. 

Mostly I just want it to all go well. I can't wait to have all my crafts done, food prepped, drinks made, and guests here. I'll be sure to have a candle burning, all lights on, and fresh towels, new soap, and flowers in the bathroom.  My silverware will be wrapped and bowed in linen napkins, and my serving trays will be matching.  The wine will be chilled, and mimosas will be ready for an awesome party.  

This party has to make up for the the terrible bachelorette party the bride had, and I'm determined to do it.  So excuse me while I go fold the three loads of laundry that are currently heaped and barley fitting on my kitchen island, and scrub that back toilet, and clean up the back room in hopes that when my boss(es) come over Saturday morning, they'll be pleasantly surprised with what we've worked so hard to put together.

Fingers crossed.

Happy Dance, Because I Can

It's Friday, and I don't have any serious weekend plans, except washing my car, going for a run (or two), and attending a baby shower.

Remember these cute favors from the one I hosted for my sister in law??
Oh and drinking a LOT of these.

Anyways, I'm doing a happy dance today.
But to save your sanity, I am not posting a video of my happy dance, I have NO rhythm.
It's just a picture of my smile, because I am SO HAPPY!!!
Because the photo wall in my hall is DONE.
As in all the pictures are in, frames are hung, and I can look at it and smile.

It started a few months ago when I started collecting frames.

Then I made paper cut outs of the frames with a description on each one.
Describing both the frame and the picture.
Gosh pinterest has some bright ideas....I'm usually the measure once nail twice type of gal.
But this solved the problem.

And then I layed them all out on the bed.
In the exact arrangement I wanted them in.

Not as a subtle hint (honey please hang these), but honestly because when it was all said and done it was wayyy past my bed time, so I just layed them out.

 And then I walked in the door yesterday after a long day to this.
A completed photo wall.
 And I almost died right then and there.
He hung them for me while I was at work, to make me happy.
Not because I asked him to, but because he wanted to.
I am SOOO happy about it!!! Like seriously though.

And that right there is what it's all about, doing things that will make the other happy, unsolicited. 
I'm one lucky lady, with one cute hall way.