release the doves

This past weekend, I coordinated a lovely wedding off of St. Pete Beach. If you have been 'round this blog for any amount of time, you know at some point I hope to be able to professionally plan, coordinate and be a part of event planning full time. Until that time comes, I'll settle for saying yes to anyone who asks me!

Sunday, I was fortunate enough to be a part of and help to coordinate a wedding for a friend of a friend. I was able to gain more experience, a little spending money and a new friend in the process. Beckie, thank you so much for asking my assistance on your big day! You were a beautiful bride and I had such a great time helping you and meeting your family, and of course your husband (!!).

Groom's Cake.

Newlyweds!

two bridesmaids and yours truly at the end of the evening.

...sadly, the normal j.o.b. was back on today, and Oskar could clearly relate to my tiredness, no?

word.

XOXO,

Nichole

I'm alive

Sorry I've been so MIA lately. Just still kinda blah on the whole job situation and I've also been way busy! This past weekend, we babysat our niece and nephew, I worked at Cross Creek Ranch and then we had not one but two parties to go to on Saturday (a friend's housewarming and Lauren's 29th) before passing out from exhaustion and sleeping in Sunday morning.

Friday night, I created this guy! The kiddos love to tattle on each other basically every other second and it can get very annoying. I made the "Tattle Monster" (don't hate on my awesome drawing skillz) for the kids to tattle to. It didn't work out very well, but it was only day one. Hoping it will get better.

Saturday, I was up early and working in the heat and sun! But the wedding was g.o.r.g.e.o.u.s. with a lot of details

See those banners? The bride made herself and we hung; I am in LOVE

Apple fritter favors. They smelled SO good

Escort cards on an old vintage-y door. <3

I didn't take any photos at party #1 but we had a great time! And I "borrowed" these from Lauren's facebook/blog post

Top: Sweet Asha & I with our men

Bottom: Erica, THE Bday girl, Asha and I

I feel like I look surprised in both pics, lol. Lauren was ready to snap away alllll night and I was tired (read: not drinking enough!) from such a long day. But I'm glad I went and we had a good time.

Sunday, we saw The Five Year Engagement and then went out later to hang with Jason's friends. They got together to watch WWE. I went for the beer baseball. Go Rays!

Big beer/little beer.

...and lastly, my little Gigi-Pie. I love her face, ya'll

Weekend Recap

This past weekend flew by in a b.l.u.r! The theme this weekend was all things...wedding. Our good friends were married, Saturday and Jason was a groomsmen. That meant we had the rehearsal/dinner, Friday and THE wedding, Saturday. It was a great time but then I had to work Sunday helping to set up another...wedding. It was a beautiful set-up, too! I was excited to work but losing an hour of sleep after "celebrating" late into the night meant I was one tired chick! But regardless, we had an awesome weekend!

{Bride to be and her post rehearsal drink}

{I'm not a fan of mirror self portraits, but I sadly never got any good photos of me in my dress to show my mom, so here you go}

{How fun are their toppers?! Belle & Optimus Prime}

{Mr & Mrs!}

{Some of the girls with the bride}

...My camera & phone died before I could get a photo with Jason :(

 {Yesterday's wedding set-up, so pretty!}



How was your  weekend?

Life...Updated (Random Ramblings)

Happy Monday, kids! I've been surprisingly busy for a girl who is unemployed! Though I guess I now DO have a part time job so I'm not a complete hobo, anymore!

Thanks to the lovely Emilee, I was hired to help set up weddings at the venue where J and I were married. Obviously, its only when there are  weddings (Fri-Sun), but its experience in the field I ultimately want to be in and I'm getting paid for it, so how could I not be happy?! Its just a small foot in the door, but I took it and am not looking back.

Let me tell you though, it is a lot of manual labor! Its weird being on the other side in the sun and heat on a ladder hammering things into a wood wall, wiping down ceremony chairs and hanging lanterns. Ya'll, I am not handy by any means (nor do I honestly ever recall climbing a ladder) and yet this past Friday and Saturday, there I was hammering away attempting to act like I knew what the hell I was doing...I don't think I fooled anyone, but no one said otherwise so we'll go with it. I had a blast even if I was sore. I'm so excited for the opportunity!

{From our wedding: you don't think about the fact that someone had to hang this stuff up...until it's YOU!}

I still need a "real" full time job soon. I have a few months left of severance pay, but not working makes me uneasy about the future and that is a feeling, I hate. Though I have become accustomed to my unemployment status and free days. I don't seem to have any problem finding things to do around the house and making lunch dates with friends. It's been nice, but I actually miss a routine (though once I get a ft job again, I'll bet I change my tune).
I've been sick for a week now. It started last week and got worse. Then it got better. Then I worked and seem to be worse, again. Something is going around and a lot of people are sick. I just want to be better. When I'm sick, I either don't eat a lot or I eat crap (like ice cream and pizza...lol) and I have zero energy. It sucks.  I plan to veg today so hopefully I can feel human again.

Remember when I threw my sister a Breakfast at Tiffany's style bridal shower? It was featured on Truly Chic Inspirations Party Page. Go check it out, here!

The spouse's birthday is next week...I have NO clue what to do for him...he hasn't given me any ideas, yet so I'm kind of waiting...but I feel like a bad wife for not having any ideas yet...suggestions?

That's all I got for today. Hope you all have a fabulous Monday!

Updatin'

Sorry for not posting much lately, but it has been an insanely busy few weeks! Plus our Gigi girl is quite the baby and every few nights, she has woke us up at 2am and/or 4am so we’re both tired to top it off…. (more on that later).

This past weekend, we hosted my sister’s bridal shower. I have been dying to talk about it but we kept the theme a secret from my sister, so I couldn’t post about it ::so sad::

But now that it’s over, I can tell you all that I thought long and hard about the theme. Sister isn’t a girlie girl nor is she very traditional-y (That is totally a word, right?), so any “normal” shower just wouldn’t do! After much thought, Google searches and hours online, I finally found our theme.

We went with a Breakfast at Tiffany’s themed bridal shower, dah-lings! I know I just said bride to be wasn’t a girly girl--and she isn’t. But growing up she loved all things Audrey  (I was more of a Marilyn gal, myself) and we watched this movie and My Fair Lady many times, when we were kids. This theme was perfect! Ya’ll, it was so much fun! I am waiting to get the photos back from one of the bridesmaids, so unfortunately I have nothing to share photo wise (and really isn’t that the best part?!) but when I do, I will post.

10/9 also happened to be hubs and my six month wedding anniversary! In just the six months we have been hitched, I can tell you I have learned some more things about my new husband; and also myself in the process. Because it was my sister’s shower, we didn’t get to do anything special together. And since we’re saving up for our cruise and I still have the bachelorette party next weekend in Orlando, we’re not planning on anything grand. But when I have the time (I really hope it’s before we hit seven months! Oy), I want to make a special dinner for my dude. Something nicer, but less expensive than going out to dinner. That has been one way I have tried to save funds where I could (honestly, I could eat out every day just for the convenience of it) is by eating in more. Plus, I do enjoy cooking. Being the oldest of four, however I like to cook for the masses rather than just two. Regardless, splurging on some quality ingredients for a night in will be just what we need (and deserve!)

Once I have the photos from the shower, I will post more about this fabulous day.

Feather their Nest!

So for Sunday’s shower, co-host and I had decided we would "Feather the Nest"! Co-host found these beautiful photos on hostess blog, and from there, a theme was created. Unfortunately, our budget didn’t allow for a swanky bar with awesome blue chiavari chairs, so we settled for the clubhouse where I live and chairs that cost a buck to rent (we wanted the pretty white ones that were $3.50 a pop, but other than us who would think about the chairs that much? Or at least that was what I was hoping since I can be a control freak/worry wart about the details). The momma to be and her husband are unfortunately stationed in the middle of nowhere, Mississippi, until momma’s time with USAF is up so the shower was a co-ed one on Labor Day weekend (and Laboring was had; well for us hosts, hubs and bestie, anyway). That made the grub and games a little more relaxed since we didn’t want the guys there sniffing "dirty diapers" and measuring mom’s belly, lol.

We decided on pulled pork sliders (made by yours truly), meatballs, veggie tray, chips/dip and pasta salad. Since it was a long holiday weekend, we also opted for beer, water, iced tea and sangria (party planners need a break too, people). I had a girlfriend make her amazing cupcakes and she more than delivered with her display of snicker doodle and chocolate raspberry treats (my only regret is that I didn’t snag a second one for later) and as you know from my last post, had the little sister make these adorable cookies as a party favor. After the icing dried, I wrapped them in cellophane and ribbon that we bought at Michaels. Everyone kept saying they looked professional (hear that, sister? I still think you’ll end up baking for a living some day!) and they were delish, too.

Tweet, Tweet! (photos by Ami Hughes)

Amazingly delicious cupcakes!

Sangria (and fruit soaked in brandy...YUM) and Iced Tea

I could have just eaten the fruit all day!

Originally, we were going to do the centerpieces as bird cages filled with flowers, but found nests instead and co-host filled them with baby supplies which was super creative and also useful! Can you see the bird print tablecloth? Co-host picked that up from a fabric store- - so cute!

We also did a wish tree. Mom to be loved this idea. I had her send me some photos beforehand and we framed them and put them next to the tree .

"Welcome to the wishing tree...please make a wish for the mommy (and daddy!) to be"

The room that we had to decorate/host in had some weird angles, so we had to get a little creative! I fell in love with this banner on Etsy (side note: I wish I was a creative person, I would make a killing on Esty if I had the patience to bake, sew or be crafty in general). Originally I was going to order it to say "Nest" (since we were feathering/filling it and all) but for the same price, I ordered baby girl's name instead because mom to be can use it for the nursery if she wants (or even part of it, if she decides). There wasn't any real "spot" to put this banner but there was a random sofa table in the clubhouse so we displayed it there along with sister's cookies, bestie's diaper cake (!) and the pens we had ordered as favors (in pink/brown, naturally) Though I do have plans for that same table next month, for sister's bridal shower...

After everyone finished chowing down (and seconds were had. Made me feel proud to feed people (blame my Italian momma for that gene)), we played a few games. Again, nothing too frou-frou since it was co-ed and all. The first game we played was an easy Word document I googled and then printed off copies from. It asked mom to be what traits she wanted baby H to inherit from her and which traits from dad. I sent momma to be the questions and she filled them out and then we had everyone try and come up with the correct answers. It was actually a lot of fun. The other game we played, I just could not help. I wasn't sure if it would go over well or not, but it was hysterical! We had nine baby bottles filled with beer and had mom to be pick nine "volunteers" to chug said beer as fast as they could. It was seriously hard but everyone loved it. My fave part was when grandma to be (who does not drink) was picked to chug. She was a great sport but she definitely did not win!

Thinking Hard

Chug-a-lug, kids

Photos by Ami Hughes

I think it's safe to say a good time was had by all and I am so glad I was able to help host such a shower for someone I consider to be so fantastic (seriously, this girl lives in Mississippi and drove 11 hours just to come to Key West for my bachelorette party and then make the dirve six weeks later with her husband to be in my wedding?!) and who I know will be an amazing momma to Baby H! Her and I go way back (like watching Gilmore Girls on VHS) and I am super stoked for them!

Drive-by baby rub (better than a drive by shooting, obvs)

Co-hostin'

Momma to be when Baby H was only a "blueberry" (4/9/11)
Photos by: CSE Photography

Weekend Recap

Wow! What a weekend. There was plenty of (food) shopping, celebrating, planning and...moving of furniture. I don't even know where to begin. I guess I should start at the beginning:

Friday:
The baby shower co-host (mommy's bff) and I spent our Friday night at Sam's Club (we know how to party, don't you think?!). First, we hit up Smokey Bones for "fuel" before our shopping trip.  Can I just say that before Friday, I had not been to Sam's Club in about 10 years. Oh.my.Gawd. I was in bulk heaven! Now, I will say there were some things I didn't think were that great of a deal, but this giant 6lb can of sauce (for meatballs) was $2.40!!! I mean, where else can you get a giant can o' tomato sauce for so cheap?!

I like a good deal!

After our shopping adventure, co-host and I headed back to my place where we unloaded the grub and opened a bottle of wine (white zin, 1.5L for less than $10 at Sams, o-kay!) and had a glass. It was about 10:30pm when all was said and done and needless to say, I was wiped! However, an old girlfriend from high school, invited me out to meet up a few weeks ago and even though it had been a long day, I did not want to bail on her (had not seen her in almost 2 years). So on to Applebees in Oldsmar, I went. I have to say that when I don't normally want to do something (usually, because I overextend myself and am pooped) is when I usually have the best time (does that ever happen to you?) and I was so very happy I went. Not only was I able to catch up with her, but another girl I went to high school with was there, too.  It was great to see them both and hopefully a meet up like this will happen sooner, rather than later!

Saturday:
With just a few hours sleep, I had to wake up early to meet the delivery man who was to bring the tables and chairs for the shower on Sunday. Because we rented the clubhouse at my complex, we had to wait until Sunday to get the key. The upside--the party would be super close to me. The down--we had to store 30 chairs, 2 banquet tables and 3 round 60" tables in the spare room/office/hub's man cave and then transport it all ourselves on Sunday for the party. Hubs also decided we should have people over to watch the Bulls game since it was the first college game and his Alma Mater. Normally I am all for people coming over, or us going somewhere to watch the game but I was exhausted and also had so much on my mind with the shower that I wasn't necessarily in an entertaining mood. But hubs and I are equals and just because I was stressed, doesn't mean he can't enjoy the game with our friends. And so, we set the grill up, put out extra chairs (we did have 30 extra chairs just lying around, after all) and the masses came. I should also point out that we have an 1150sqft condo so it got warm, fast once everyone started to arrive. Thirteen people came and almost all stayed for the entire game (and there was a rain delay so it went late). In the midst of all that, I had my very talented sister make cookies for the shower, Sunday. She is such a good sport and can't thank her enough for patiently making and decorating these tasty beauties!

Sugar Cookies with pink frosting & brown "H" for baby's name

Sunday:
An insanely busy, fun, emotional day! Since it was Labor Day weekend and a co-ed shower, we decided on a more casual spread with lots of grub. The day started with me up and at it early to cook, clean and organize everything. My bestie and the co-host arrived about 10am so we could finish the last details. Things were running smooth and I was ready to get in gear! Unfortunately, we had to lug all that furniture to the clubhouse, plus the food, favors, and decorations. The office was supposed to open at noon for us to pick up the key, but no one was there until...12:30! So while we are on time to start, losing a 1/2 hour was not at all, what we needed. We quickly unloaded and got to work. I had to run back to our place to get the last of the food and change. At the same time as the shower, hubs had a fantasy football draft at our place so as I was walking in hot, red faced and in a grubby clothes to 10 people who probably thought I looked like a mad woman! But there wasn't time for me to think about it. I had to shred pork and change and somehow fix my hair in 20 minutes. I somehow managed to get it all done (though my hair didn't turn out like I wanted, but I digress) and get to the shower....just in time.

The shower was a success and the mommy and daddy to be had a great time. I'll post photos and plans in my next blog. Tell me, how have you handled the stress of planning a party?

Random Wednesday Thoughts

What a week it has been and it’s only Wednesday! This past weekend was super busy with babysitting the niece and nephew (where we experienced two toddler meltdowns in the middle of Super Target, and a lost balloon (or "ballooney" if you’re three) incident shortly after--that was an experience), shopping for Jason’s niece’s baby shower, attending said baby shower (Baby #3! She does make some beautiful babies, I must say) and helping plan my sister’s bridal shower. I’m also helping co-host a really good friend’s baby shower that is this Sunday so these last few days after work, I’ve been running around trying to get everything I need so I’m not waiting until the last minute (though six days before is kind of last minute, isn’t it?) to get it all done.

I’ve recently discovered pinterest! People have been telling me about it but I just got around to perusing the other day. Why I didn’t obsess over discover this site sooner, is beyond me! I am in LOVE with it and all the inspiration I have found. Right now, one board is devoted to the upcoming baby shower; another to fall clothes (not that we really get a fall in Florida) and one to the low carb lifestyle, the hubs and I try to live by. I so badly want to post some of the baby-shower pins I like, but I don’t want mom-to-be to see what we have planned (and she is one of my awesome six followers (speaking of followers; spread the love, friends! I could use a few more readers hereJ ) but once the shower is said and done, I will post a few photos. I seriously love planning shindigs and desperately hope someday I can figure out how to make it into a career (or heck, even a side job as one where I got paid at it, would be amazing!) If you want to follow my pinterest, you can do so here!

I am pretty excited that I get to relax and hear some good tunes with the bestie and another pal at the Maroon 5/Train concert, tonight! Matt Nathanson is the opener as well and I haven’t listened to him in a while but he has some good stuff too. This is definitely a girls night and I am counting the hours until the work day is over and I can unwind. Until my next blog of randomness, I leave you with my very favorite Train song, I’ve never seen them live and I don’t know if they’ll play this one since it is way old (I remember hearing it in high school!) but a girl can hope…