Weekend Scenes 12/9/13

Another awesome, and busy weekend for the books! I swear, this time of year is just insane, and Jason isn't even done with the semester yet. I need sleep, ya'll. Or at least more time to watch cheesy Lifetime and ABC Family Christmas flicks while blogging. #firstworldproblems.

...anyways. I am doing just so-so on my gym time. It's been bad. I tell myself I need to workout before the office, but then I hit snooze. So Friday, I tried to make up for it and had a nice little sesh at my gym, instead of a proper happy hour.

Saturday, I coordinated a retirement party for a friend. It was my first party, that wasn't a wedding someone paid me for. It was a great time!

Surprise! Party like it's 1983

Several months ago, my best friend's mom emailed me that she would like to throw my best friend, Amy, a surprise birthday party in November. After plotting, and scheming for quite some time, I am proud to say we mostly pulled it off!

To start, we needed a theme. Initially I was against an 80's party, because as we approach 30, obviously so are many of our friends, and we have been there, done that {and did it up right last year, for another friend's 3-0!}. But then Amy's mom found some cute products turning 30 this year as well,  and no matter how hard I fought it, I knew we were meant to throw an 80's par-tay! We partied like it was 1983, ya'll. Or what I imagine it was like in 1983. I was born in '84, after all.

The board that inspired it all; designed by Hannah



{SURPRISE!!}

A little back story about the B4FE; she is like my sister. My mom affectionately refers to her as the fourth daughter, and/or fifth child. She is the friend I told you all about who had lost a ton of weight. She looks amazing, and worked her ass off to get where she is! I'm jealous and proud of her all at the same time. Being friends as long as we have been means we have had our ups and downs, and adjustments in life, but I hope we're always besties and I hope she knows how much I freakin' love her face! Plus, I like parties, so of course I was excited to help! ::end mush, here::

{Menu Tent Cards: Lillian Hope Designs}

I have to tell you this was the easiest, and cheapest DIY for the entire party! 

We used the garland at one of the food tables, and as part of the backdrop for photos.

I concocted this sign with...duct tape. Zebra duct tape! Found in the $1 aisle at Tar-jay.

 

Photos hanging from balloons. We ran out of helium, but the idea was still fun

Beer Punch: Beer, Lemonade Concentrate, Vodka. Mix Well.
"Tink" because we wanted a signature drink, and Amy was once obsessed with all thinks TinkerBell

Youngest sister, my beautiful momma, and yours truly

///

 Happy Birthday, Amy!!

Totally rad, baby

For MONTHS, I was helping plan a surprise party for the bestie with her mother, and as the day got closer, the stress built, and trying not to slip about said party was becoming increasingly more difficult.

I also took on planning a retirement party {as a legit paid event! woooo} for a friend and this past week had some details to work on with that and this surprise party. To say I am exhausted would be an understatement! But a great time was had, and I am so glad I was able to do as much as I did.

I plan to share more details from this fabulous, rad 80's party we threw, but until I get the photos back, here are a few snaps from my phone.

Late night paint drying

I'm so glad my husband saves everything!

Sunday, to recover birthday girl, her family, and yours truly {Jason had to study. boo} hit up brunch at Salt Rock Tavern. You know I had a mimosa. Cheers!

How was your weekend?

Linking up with Sami

XOXO,
Nichole

Redd's BBQ Party

A few months back, the bestie and one of my sisters and I were at the Oldsmar Tap House. The OTH serves primarily craft and import brews. Being one that knows nothing about such things {I do love me some Miller Lite, but know little about other beer}, I asked if there were any ciders on tap. I was informed while there were no ciders on tap, OTH did have Redd's Apple Ale, which was technically a beer, but was more sweet, like cider.

Six Redd's between us, and I think it was safe to say, we girls thoroughly enjoyed it. So when I won another awesome House Party to host a Redd's BBQ shindig, I was be-yond excited! A free Redd's party pack and the chance to throw a party?! Well, okay.

I am not kidding when I say I made everyone I know apply for the same House Party to increase our chances. And not only did I win, but so did the bestie. Joint party, ya'll!

Naturally, we hosted the weekend of the fourth {Redd, white and blue--get it?}. And being one who likes to throw a good party, I couldn't allow us to just serve beer. We needed party food!

Enter our burger bar station. I love how creative you can get with such displays, adding as much or as little as you like to customize your burger. Like  an obligatory side of bacon. In a patriotic tin. 'Merica.

Our "bar" was a hit, and I scored some awesome deals in the dollar section of Target on July 5th. I snagged quite a bit of festive, and patriotic garb for .50/each; I spent $12.30 for the entire display! We ended the night with a round of Cards Against Humanity. A great evening was had.

Free Redd's + Burgers Galore = A Great Summer BBQ!

Have you tried Redd's Apple Ale or had a BBQ this summer, yet?

XOXO,
Nichole

Seagram's Smooth House Party

Have you ever heard of House Party? If not, I think you're totally missing out! You can apply to host a house party with new products to try (get the name for house party, now?) out.

It meant I could combine two of my fave things: free ish and party throwing.

I have only won three party packs but my most recent has been my favorite party to host: Seagram's Smooth.

House Party sent me a fun pack full of goodies!

{Sunglasses, bottle "bands", coasters and coupons!}

{Bottle Bands}

We decided to host our party July 3rd, to kick off Independence Day, since most of us party goers didn't work the 4th, it worked out per-fect-ly.

Hubs and I stocked up on three of the four new Seagram's Smooth flavors; Tea Lemonade & Mango, Pomegranate Mango and Limeade.  Unfortunately, we could never find the lemonade anywhere! Thanks to House Party & Seagram's Smooth, we were able to spend $30 towards the drinks at Wal-Mart. Since we had to hunt for the drinks, we ended up spending some of our own money but that's okay--they also sent us $5 mail-in rebates for buying (and we also gave some to our guests so they could get in the deal, too!).

*The motherload*

We had some snacks and very festive cupcakes for the 4th. And in my opinion cupcakes + boozey bev's = perfection. I was one happy chick.

Carolina Clover serving tray. One of my favorites!

My favorite flavor of Seagram's Smooth was the Tea Lemonade & Mango. I know that the name is "smooth" but that really is a true adjective for the drink! It was so good, ya'll. My friends seemed to like the Pomegranate most and the limeade we all thought was just so-so; it was too tart and carbonated for any of us, I guess.

{Yummy}

All in all, I loved these drinks! I highly recommend them for summer, if you're looking for a smooth and tasty drink!

The bestie showing off the goods :)

Now, go sign up for House Party (and don't forget to invite me to your next house party!)

Memorial Day Weekend 2012

I realize I'm most likely the last blogger posting about my long weekend (well, seeing as I am still unemployed my long "weekend" has been approx four months. Though I guess since I technically have a job now, should I still be calling myself "unemployed"?) but I haven't been in a huge blogging mood. These things happen, yes?

As you all know, we partied like it was 1982, Friday night to honor our friend, Christina. It was a blast, ya'll. There was minimal drama and we were responsible kids with a party bus and hotel room. I think there were twenty one of us total and we made quite the dent in our little pub crawl o' fun. We lost some friends along the way (as in, the bus had to come get them early. Early  being 1 am) but a great time was had by all. Now, who wants to see the photos?!

I ordered some props from Etsy and Gigi wanted in on the fun!

Birthday Girl's shirt read, "That's what She-ra said" HAHA

80's swag bag. Pop Rocks, Candy Cigs and more!

C's hubster is currently in Afganistan, but we made sure he was with us anyway

This happened. Clearly, we were sober.

The next day, with just 3 1/2 hours of sleep, we went to a cook-out at Christina's mom's house. It was hot as all Hades but we had a nice time. Saturday was a more relaxed day of eating, drinking (I could only stomach one rum punch myself after the night before) and catching up with Christina, her family, and mutual friends that we really only see when Christina is in town.

Baby H's first time in a pool!

Sunday was yet another cook-out at the parentals to celebrate my sister's birthday. We also found out my parents are having a  house built so it was an exciting day in general.

After dinner, Jason and I went and saw The Dictator. Jason laughed; I could have never seen the movie and been just fine. I like a good laugh, but the obvious gross comedy isn't always my thing. Just depends, I guess.

Monday, was a very relaxed day. I met up with Jennifer for brunch and some catching up (side note: I'm jealous of her new job!) before going back home to lounge with the hubs. It was a good way to wind down from three days of busy.

Today, I plan on catching up a bit on my blog reading and cleaning our pad. Exciting stuff, huh?

XOXO,
Nichole