Pink & Blue Bridal Shower Lovelies

Today, I hosted my very first (and hopefully, my last) bridal shower. It was so fun and rewarding, but very, very exhausting! Nobody tells you that part... ;) This shower was for my cousin Devyn who will be getting married next month. As her Maid of Honor, I took my duties as party planner extraordinaire very seriously...as you'll hopefully be able to tell. I've never had to entertain 20+ people before, so this was definitely a new challenge. But, I have to say, it went off without a hitch and everything looked lovely...including the bride to be. Enjoy these pictures from our little shindig today, and make sure to read all the way until the end for vendor information!

Our amazing spread! 

I used vintage postcards (some with very personal family love notes scribbled on the backs) hung from 

fishing line to create this look. It took up a little visual space and it was a nice unique touch.

Sorry...but baby cheeks are for squeezin'

We made the cake topper out of her invitation!

Big, magic eyes

Lovely vanilla cake with swiss buttercream icing that Mom & I made 

The group!

Do you love those vintage dishes, or what? They really added a certain feel to this shower that I couldn't have captured without the help of the amazing company that I found - Southern Vintage Antique China & Furniture Rentals. This company is based out of Georgia and will deliver to Florida. Other than that, you'd have to check the website. At any rate, the owners of the company are so sweet and willing to work with first time party-planners like myself, all while displaying oodles of patience, kindness and understanding! How about those little thank you favors? I made those! Simple treat bags from HomeGoods or Michael's + Washi Tape + a cute stamp + gold ink = fabulously simple favors that everyone will love. Ours were filled with chocolate covered cranberries...yum! As for the food, including the cake, that was made by myself & my very talented mommy. 

I hope you enjoyed being a part of our special day through pictures! I've been running around for hours on end and after browsing through these pretty snapshots, I think it's just about time to call it a night. I've finally stopped running and come down with a sore throat...figures! Till next time.

♥︎♥︎♥︎

Lessons, Emotions & The Bank

photo credit

Happy September, everyone! Finally, the fall months have arrived. We won't get a cold snap here for a little while longer, but what we do have is Pumpkin Spice Lattes at Starbucks. Pumpkin Spice equals the onset of fall. Always. I haven't had my first one of the season yet, but that will be happening soon! I thought I'd write a little post about the current state of things in my life. I'm sure this isn't the sort of thing people like to read on a blog like mine, but it's therapeutic to write, so I shall. Here we go! 

♥︎Current Favorite Activity: Baking! I've been baking cookies lately...and banana bread. Apparently, the best banana bread a good handful of people have ever tasted. I got a new loaf pan at HomeGoods (best store ever, I just found out!) the other day which I still have yet to test run. It's sitting in the cupboard just waiting for me to fill it with yumminess. 

♥︎Current Favorite Show: Mork & Mindy, hands down. In the wake of Robin Williams' tragic passing (yes, I cried), I decided to start watching things of his that I'd never seen. This show was one of those things. Wow. Just wow. You can really see how much of a comedic genius he was. Hilariously funny with a heartwarming message at the end of each episode to give you all the feels. Nanu-Nanu! 

✘Current Annoyance: The Bank. I apparently was involved in a security breach/information leak and my debit card was suspended. They called, and gave me the routine spiel about ordering me a new card, 5-7 business days, blah blah blah. Simple enough, right? WRONG. SO WRONG. A week and a half goes by and I'm sitting around wondering why my card hasn't shown up yet. A little worried, I call to ask what the hold up is. "Nobody ever ordered you a new card" said the young man I was speaking to. Uhh...excuse me? Nope. That answer just did not work for me. They said the earliest they could get a new card to me would be by Tuesday. Not realizing I had called on a Saturday at 4:00 in the afternoon, I said I'd do it myself. I later realized that I'm an idiot. The bank is closed already and it's not open on Sunday either, smarty pants. Oh, and Monday? Yeah, forget that because it's Labor Day. OF COURSE IT IS. So, Tuesday it shall be. Thankfully, that's tomorrow. Oi Vey. 

♥︎Current Blessing: My Mom. She swooped in at the last minute when I finally humbled myself enough to call her and ask for her help, advice and expertise. The woman is a party planning machine. She can do it all. I'm not just saying that because she's my Mom. She just happens to be ridiculously talented. I'm planning a bridal shower for 35 guests that's going to be taking place 5 days from now. If you don't know me, you should understand that I take things to the extreme. It's all or nothing. If I'm given a responsibility, I will turn it into the biggest most wonderful most stressful thing ever. For example: "empty the dishwasher" means "clean out the pantry and organize everything into color coded baskets with labels". Yeah...that actually happened. So, suffice it to say, I got in a little bit over my head, financially. Having to pay for other things that popped up the past few months (ahem...hospital bills) kinda threw me. I was having severe anxiety about how I was going to pay for food, flowers, table linens, dishes. The list was long. But I called and she immediately said "I'll handle it". The exact words I needed to hear. And handle it she did. I'm actually excited about the party now because a good portion of the stress was taken off of my shoulders. Can't wait to take pictures and post them here for you guys to see. I'm sure it'll be beautiful! 

♥︎Today's High: Knowing that I'm going to get to see my other half tomorrow (♥︎!!) and my best friend making me feel a lot better about something that was really bothering me. 

✘Today's Low: Having a bad dream that really shook me & crying over things that I can't ever put into words or explain. I suffer from anxiety and depressive episodes, and today was rough at the beginning. But, I'm okay now as I'm blogging from my big comfy bed. 

❀Today's Lesson: Start using your words to really tell people how you feel. Stand up for yourself and your beliefs and the things that are important to you. Don't simply do something nonsensical because you feel bad for someone, or because you think it's what they want you to do. Don't say something dishonest because you think it's what someone wants to hear. Anyone who goads you into doing something by playing on your emotions is NOT someone you want to be particularly close to. People like that aren't in it for you, they're in it for themselves. Know when you're being manipulated. 

Well, that's all for tonight! I hope I brought a little insight, laughter and light to your evening. Goodnight! 

♥︎♥︎♥︎

Final Days Of Summer

Here in Florida, we have summer year-round...for the most part. It really doesn't start to get chilly until about October. Sometimes we even have to wait around for January! At any rate, school's back in now, and summer is just about officially over. Even though there will be plenty more trips like this in the near future :) Today my cousin Landon and I went to the beach, I got (mildly!) burnt-of course, and then we ate lots of yummy Thai food. I'd call this afternoon a success. I have to say, I love where I live.

loving those rainbow umbrellas!

bye bye, beach

mmm edamame :)

pad thai woon sen-my fave!

dragon roll...trying to enjoy sushi

hi!

♥︎♥︎♥︎

Chocolate Chip Cookies

If there's one thing I love, it's chocolate. Whether that be by brownie, by cookie, or by my spoon in a big jar of Nutella, it matters not. Just as long as I get my fix. WOMEN NEED CHOCOLATE TO LIVE. It's just an undeniable fact of life that we (and diets everywhere) must come to terms with.

Let me start out by saying that as far as cooking inspiration goes, Averie Cooks is my new favorite place to spend all my time on the Internet. So...all my time. Beautiful photos and amazing recipes are sure to get you hooked, too. Click the link and head on over.

The recipe I'm about to share with you came from her blog and let me tell you that these cookies are by far and away the BEST chocolate chippers I've ever put in my mouth. Nice and firm on the outside and oh so gooey, chocolaty and soft on the inside. Just how I like 'em.

As I'm sure you all know by now, I work in a jail of all places. Fun stuff. Anyway, when you work with a bunch of CO's all day, there's one thing you learn. They like to eat. A lot. And they like it when you bring them food of all kinds as often as possible. I usually hear one or more of the following phrases at least once during the course of my work day:

• "What's for dinner?" 
• "Can you go get me....to eat/drink?" 
• "What did you bring me to eat?"
• "Someone has to go get food or we'll starve!" 
• "I'm hungry." 
• "Who's got food?" 
• "Chinese again?!" 
• "Italian again?!" 

The list goes on. But I can tell you that these cookies were a definite hit. They love sweets. Well, they love anything, but sweets, definitely. And they love when they're cooked right. This recipe is fool-proof, so it's perfect for the beginning baker. Make these for anyone who you want to do anything you say for the rest of the day. They're a great bargaining tool. I heard a few comments about them that made me giggle:

• "This is a MAN sized cookie!" 
• "Thanks for the THC!" 
• "THC stands for Tasty Hot Cookies of course." 

Chocolate Chip Cookies-Averie Cooks

INGREDIENTS: 

3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened 

3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed 

1/4 cup granulated sugar 

1 egg, large

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 cups all-purpose flour 

1 3.5 ounce package of instant vanilla pudding (don't use sugar free or "cook and serve") 

1 tsp baking soda 

pinch salt (optional) 

2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS:

1. Combine butter, sugars, egg and vanilla in or with an electric mixer on high until creamed well, about four minutes (mine took less time than this).

2. Scrape sides of bowl and add flour, pudding mix, baking soda and salt. Beat on low unit just combined, about 1 minute.

3. Scrape sides of bowl again and add chocolate chips, beat on low for about 30 seconds until just combined.

4. Using a large cookie/ice cream scoop/1/4 cup measure, make 14 equal sized dough mounds. Roll into balls, place on cookie sheet and flatten slightly. Place a few more chips on top of each dough mound. I ended up having 16 cookies, 8 for each sheet.

5. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least two hours or up to five days. The dough must be chilled to achieve the right texture. If dough is warm, cookies will spread.

6. Preheat oven to 350F and spray cookie sheet with cooking spray or use a baking mat, such as a Silpat. Spread mounds 2 inches apart and bake for about 11 minutes, or until the edges are set and tops are set as well. It's okay if they look a little pale and under baked. The cookies will firm up as they cool and won't be hard and crunchy. After they are done baking, let the cookies cool for about 10 minutes before serving them.

7. These cookies will keep at room temperature for up to one week when stored in an airtight container. You can also freeze them for up to six months!


That's all, folks. Delicious cookies, fabulous blog. Go check out Averie Cooks! Happy Baking!

♥︎♥︎♥︎

A Beautiful Revelation

It's been a rather long time since I've written anything...which, to be honest, bothers me a little bit. I feel like a lot of the time, I don't ever see things through. But I want to start. Even if I write about nothing, or my personal life, or some vague, lame topic that nobody cares about, I can still feel good knowing I wrote. Documented my life. Made an effort. Kept a promise. To myself.

I went and met my best friend (and cousin) for coffee earlier tonight and, as always, we had a four hour conversation about our lives; struggles, opportunities, worries, joys, etc. I think the most important thing I pulled from our time together is something that I had been talking about yesterday to another friend of mine. That is, not caring how other people view your life. If they approve of it, endorse your decisions, or have an opinion at all.

Here's what makes me happy: I have finally, at 23 years old, gotten to a point in my life where I just don't care anymore. I don't care if people like the decisions I make, if my life looks perfect, if they approve of the relationship I'm in, or agree with how I spend my money. Because guess what? It's not about them. It's about me and my heart, my soul and my mind.

What makes you happy? Whatever it is, do that. Who makes you a better person, makes you love yourself and realize how fantastic you really are? Be with them. And don't you worry about what people will say. No one knows you better than you. So, in my mind, you're the most qualified individual to make a decision about your life.

I'm a very lucky, blessed person. I don't have everything I want in life, but I'm trying to get there. I have someone who understands me, puts up with my ridiculous mood swings, and loves me just because. And I wouldn't trade that for the world. I have a fantastic family that only wants the best for me. I have friends that have stuck by my side through every battle I've had to face this year, and I couldn't be more thankful.

So stop apologizing for your life. Stop saying "sorry" and "I'll change" when people tell you that you're not living your life the right way, just because you aren't living your life their way. Because whether you do things by the book, or you create your own path, people will tell you you're right, and people will tell you you're wrong. At the end of the day, you can't please everyone. So stop trying! Please you. 

I know I'm in the right place, with the right people, working on achieving the goals that are important to me. And I will not apologize.

March Birchbox

It has been way too long since I've posted anything, but these past two weeks (approximately) have been pretty hectic. Between work, vacation, and personal life, It's been a pretty full fifteen or so days. However, I'm back into the swing of writing again with the arrival of the always anticipated Birchbox. Don't forget-you can sign up and order yours by clicking here. As always, below is the sneak peek video for March. 

source

This is by far my favorite Birchbox that I've received so far. I'm really enjoying all of the products because they're more focused on skin care rather than makeup. Not that I don't love makeup, but during spring when it's nice and warm outside and I'm constantly finding myself in the ocean or in the pool, I find that a full face of foundation just won't do. Light, fresh, dewey skin is what I aim for during this season.  

• Coola Tinted Matte SPF 30 For Face: The full size of this product is $36.00. This seems like it'd be a good idea, especially during hot summer days. Birchbox says: Organic tinted moisturizer with lasting sun protection that evens tone and masks flaws.

• DDF Ultra-Lite Oil-Free Moisturizing Dew: The full size of this product is $42.00. I am already in love with this! You can put it on whenever and it makes your skin feel soft, supple and moisturized. Birchbox says: Derm-developed oil free formula that leaves skin soft with a luminous finish. 

• English Laundry No. 7 For Her: The full size of this product is $90.00. This smells nice and fresh and would be a perfect light scent to spritz on whenever. Birchbox says: This fruity scent mingles feminine floral notes with a vanilla-almond base.    

• Gilchrist & Soames London Collection Body Lotion: The full size of this product is $16.00. Okay, this is by far my favorite product in the month's box. It's hydrating, non-greasy, and it smells AMAZING! Plus, the fact that the full-size is only $16.00 is pretty nice. Birchbox says: This fast absorbing hydrator leaves skin silky-smooth with a light, earthy scent.

Also, I love the packaging! So cute. Look at the adorable little crest they have on top of the bottle!

• Ojon Damage Reverse Restorative Hair Treatment + Restorative Hair Treatment Plus: The full size of this product is $33.00. The last Ojon product I received in a Birchbox is one that I still have because I used it so sparingly but it is one that I absolutely loved. Hopefully, this will become a new favorite as well! Birchbox says: Two generations of a cult classic hair-restorer, which hydrate and add megawatt shine.  

**Side note: there was also chocolate in this box...whiiiiich I promptly ate 😊

Don't forget to visit Birchbox, Sephora and Ulta where you can find all of the products listed above! Also, if you're just now stumbling across my little corner of the internet, go ahead and check out last month's Birchbox by clicking here. Let me know what's in your box this month or if you've finally decided to start receiving them! 

Last but certainly not least, I wanted to mention that I keep all of my boxes each month. They're sturdy, cute, and a total shame to throw away! One holds my jewelry when I travel, and the other sits on top of my dresser and holds all the miscellaneous items that I don't use on a daily basis. And you can't go wrong with a festive banner with your name on it. Look familiar? Upcycle those adorable little cardboard beauties and use them in a new and unique way!

♥︎♥︎♥︎