Make new friends but keep the old...

Spotlight on two friends!

First up the wonderfully talented Kristen Mengelkoch! She was one of the funny and fabulous ladies whom I got to undress during my stint with Forbidden Broadway. We met up today for Mani/ pedi's and she brought me a fabulous chocolate cupcake from Crumbs!



She is a new friend who makes me laugh and who appreciates my relationship with chocolate. I think I'll keep her around!



Next up my dear, dear friend Jimmy Stansell. We've been friends since elementary school. In second grade I had a dream that we were married and he set our baby on the stove and it evaporated. He was a star soccer player in high school and is now a coach and math teacher at that same high school.



He's a great friend who's always been there for me. He loves to shag and I cant wait to hang out with him this week!

MMMMmmmmmm! I love my friends! Who would we be without 'em?

My Fiesta Bridal Shower!

SPOILER ALERT!!! IF YOU ARE AN NC LADY COMING TO MY BRIDAL SHOWER AND DO NOT WANT TO KNOW WHAT THE FAVORS WILL BE- DO NOT READ ON!!!







So I dont know, maybe you're not supposed to be involved in planning your own shower- but it's just too much darn fun! My girls Allie, Carrie, my Sis and Mom are throwing me a Mexican Fiesta Shower in honor of our Cancun honeymoon and my LUST for Mexican food. The invitations were perfect!


(thats not mine, just the example from the web)

But they are all doing so much to make sure it will be a fabulous party- that I wanted to contribute, too! I thought, what is a Fiesta without a fancy flower to wear in your hair? So I set out to make a little flower clip favor for each lady attending.



They are made of three layers of silk dupioni scraps I had- and the center is a little bunch of three pearl and crystal beads. Then I hot glued them each onto a prong clip.



I printed the tags on regular hang tags using the Rosewood STD Regular font. Then I cut two 1/2" slits with an exacto-knife near the bottom to weave the clip through.




I think they are super cute and I hope everyone will feel a little snazzy wearing them!

Cynthia Rowley Patterns!

Score! Mom agreed to swing by Joann's $1 pattern sale for me and pick up these patterns! Can't wait to get started!





Also, the lovely Jenaveve gave me this Awe-summm award!



Thanks J! I think you're awe-summ too!

A Connecticut Weekend

We're BACK and we're exhausted. I guess all we can do today is play Rock Band... oh well.


Our nephew's cheeks are soooo squeezable!


And our niece is already a ham!








We found the Peck Tavern built in 1680. Its a private residence now, but the owner showed us around. Ben Franklin and George Washington are among the guest list.




We had a lovely time!

Off to Old Lyme

We'll be off to Old Lyme, CT this weekend with E's family to celebrate his Dad's birthday! I imagine there will be some good old New England sea-food eating going on!


(source)

I want to be a part of it...

It's no secret that we LOVE going to Yankees games!



Last night we got free tickets from E's work, and they were great seats! We were field level, 7th row and right behind Johnny Damon.



Also, let me tell you that the cushioned seats down there made a world of difference on our bony bottoms!



Our Yanks were down the entire game but rallied to win in the bottom of the 9th.



There is nothing better than a big win and leaving that beautiful stadium singing "New York, New York".



We were on a high all the way home, even though we did loose our voices! Ohhh- and of course we ate those delicious garlic fries!

Awkward Family Photos

Please love THIS website as much as I do.



I mean, really? And I thought my family was liberal. They MUST be European.

Scrappy Happy 2

Another "Scrappy Happy" necklace! These are so fun and easy to make!



Picture me ripping fabric into tiny strips on the couch while E watches the Yanks game. Then imagine me securing the pieces to braid between my toes while E gives me the stink eye.

Little Things

Excuse me for a minuet while I get all mushy about my favorite red head. One of the best parts about living with your partner is noticing and appreciating the little things they do that really make your heart zing. Here is my latest example.



One of my little oddities that Eric constantly picks at me about is my tendency to save glass jars. I use them as vases and various storage containers, but he thinks they're silly and just take up space. "How many of those jars do you need?" he often asks. Flash to last week when I arrive home from my Florida trip. Eric is at work- and I'm pleasantly surprised that the dishwasher is running. When its done- I open it to put the dishes away and what do I find? Two, TWO mind you, two glass jars sparkling clean on the top rack. Bless his heart, he knew I would want them! That is LOVE people.

Just one Sting!

This is for Allie...



Love ya!

A checkbook friendly copy!

So there is a dress from Modcloth that I've been coveting for a while, but at $130.00 its way out of my price range. So I thought Id take the opportunity to explain how you can take an inspiration dress and make it yourself!

Here is the original cutie- pie:



I did some searching and found that
Simplicity pattern #4070 was the best match.




Style E has the same general shape and identical princes seams on the bodice. However, the pattern has a "sweat heart" neckline, which you could certainly keep if you like, or you could extend the line from the highest point to the other side and make it straight across like the inspiration dress.

The skirt is also a bit fuller, which again, you could keep- or you could take a little of the flair out by narrowing the angle of the skirt's side seams.

Now for fabric. I found these swatches ( from Fabric.com ) to be the best color matches:

Moda $8.38 per yard

White Broadcloth $5.98 per yard

Amy Butler $8.38 per yard

The total cost of your home made copy would be less than $50 total for the pattern, fabric and notions! Thats almost 1/3 the cost if you factor in shipping! Okay, okay- it will take some time and patience. Its not as easy a mere point and click! But with our pocketbooks getting leaner by the day- the time spent is well worth it!

100th Post!

Its my 100th post y'all- and I couldn't think of a better subject to write about than my fabulous Moo Mee, Mommy, Mom, Mother.



She has taught me everything I know about beauty, creativity, elegance, grace and love.



She has always supported me, told me Im beautiful and made me feel special. Because of her music makes me sing, art makes me smile and dancing brings me joy.



She gave me the gift of my little sister and taught me to be a role model for her. Because of her I can both laugh and cry with abandon.



Her example has led me to become the woman I am today- the wife I will be very soon- and the mother I can only hope to be.



Thanks Susie- and as you often say "OK kiddo- I love you."

Landord love!

On my way to the mail box this morning I got a very welcome surprise! Our landlords reduced our rent! Its only by $50, but every little bit helps, right? There was no real explanation, just a letter that said our rent would be reduced beginning June 1st. Yippie!



On another note... we spotted a new Pepsi product yesterday and thought we'd try it out. It's called Pepsi Natural.



We both enjoyed this much more than regular Pepsi. The flavor is light and smooth- and it is very mildly carbonated. Eric is not one for "pop" usually, but he drank three of these last night! It is noticeably missing that heavy syrup feeling and acidic after taste of regular soda. It is quite a bit more expensive though- and Im not sure that is is really that much more healthy for you. Still, for as little as E and I actually drink "pop", I think we would spend a little extra to feel a little less guilty. Here are some other reviews from Bev Review and Keacher.

Scrappy Happy!

Inspired by this post, I made myself a new necklace from the scraps of my recent dress! I think its super cute!




I tore nine strips at about 1/4" wide and made three small braids with them. Then I braided those braids, hot glued the ends so they wont fray, and added a hook/ eye. Voila! Easy as pie- well easier, actually.

Talla- freakin- hassee!

Just got back from Florida and I had a great time! Dad's ballet was soooo fun and a big hit! I think my favorite number was to Red Hot Chili Pepper's "Give it away Now". Here we are on opening night (in my new dress!)



We drove to a beautiful beach on St. George Island- and even though it was cloudy... we got a little pink! Oops! There was a family of five Blue Heron walking around on the beach and I swear they were posing for me. These things are definitely the largest birds I've been this close to in the wild. If you know me well, you know birds really creep me out, but these guys were cool. I just tried not to look to much at their Jurassic style taloned feet.