Bridal Brunch

There has been a lot of things going on this month, so I have lots to talk about!

First I want to share with you a wedding shower I helped host for my good friend, Meg. Candice, Laura and I decided to host a brunch together at Candice's Mom's beautiful house in Brentwood. (Thanks Pam for letting us take over your kitchen and dining areas!). It was so fun and easy to plan with these two wonderful girls. We were very prepared since we started planning in February! :)I think it turned out great and everyone had a good time, especially Meg (which is all that matters!). Here are some pics from the gorgeous April afternoon...

One of the dining areas

Pretty centerpieces

On the entry table we had some of Meg and Aaron's engagement pics set up as well as the monogrammed apron and recipe box from the hostesses. In the everyone's invitations we sent out a recipe card so each person could fill it out with their favorite recipe to share with Meg. Everyone brought their card to the shower to put in her new box.

YUM YUM

Chicken salad croissants, sausage balls, cinnamon rolls, muffins, cucumber sandwiches...

fruit skewers and dip, brownies, and cake pops

Water, lemonade, and mimosas of course!

The hostesses :)

Mother of the Bride, THE BRIDE-TO-BE, and the Mother of the Groom :)

Me and Meg - love you!
It was a perfect spring day

Nashville besties

The hostesses and the bride

Lots of wonderful gifts!

Some of the ladies

Junior League girls :) (missed you Megan!)

Love me some Bev

Candice and her mama

Me and Na'tish'a! ;)

I love you Meg! I had so much fun helping plan this shower for you! I cannot wait until your wedding day and I'm so so happy for you and Aaron! Thank you for letting me be a part of your season. xoxo!

Do Not Try This at Home

This past Sunday I decided I wanted blonde highlights in my hair... from a box. Ryan's mom recommended Revlon Frost and Glow since that is what she uses. And her hair looks GREAT, so I thought I'd give it a try on mine as an alternative to spending $100+ at a salon. Oh boy... where do I begin? Let me start by saying I will never ever do this again. The end result turned out fine, but I'm still getting used to it. It's really not that drastic of a change but it is quite a bit lighter. So, it's not that I don't like the color, but rather I didn't like the process. My hair is just way too long and tangles way to easily to tackle a home highlighting kit. The biggest disaster was trying to get the cap back off after I worked all the highlighting cream into the strands. My hair was one tangled mess and then I started freaking out because I thought I was leaving the cream on too long. Ryan had no idea what to do during my panic but was very helpful in getting that darn cap off! Thanks babe! I was so relieved to get in the shower and start shampooing! So for next time... salon highlights here I come! Never have I been more willing to throw out some dough on my hair! :)

Sooo, here's my new found blondness...

BEFORE

BEFORE

AFTER

AFTER

What do you think?

Easter Weekend

Ryan and I just about spent the entire past weekend outside. It was GORGEOUS weather! We cooked out Friday, Saturday, AND Sunday nights! Although we kept our family in mind this holiday weekend we decided to stay at home this year. Preston also came in town and stayed with us Friday night so it was fun catching up with him. We cooked out burgers and potato wedges and enjoyed hanging out in the backyard. I don't think Preston and Ryan have ever gone to bed earlier than 2am when they're together. After I go to bed I just assume they continue re-living their college years and I can guarantee there is Mario Kart involved. (Shout out to Rishi for stopping by- it was good to see you too)! Saturday we woke up and made biscuits and gravy and I headed out to run errands for some of our bride (and groom)-to-be friends! (Have I mentioned Ryan and I have been invited to 8 wedding between now and August- sheesh!). Saturday night we pretty much did the same thing - grilled burgers and hung out in the backyard - but this time with Meg and Aaron. Oh yeah and watched basketball - Go Duke! I say that only because Ryan picked them to win it all on his bracket- Oh yeah!

Sunday was GREAT-- church was wonderful as always and it was another beautiful day. After church we went to Las Maracas (our favorite) with Meg and Aaron. I had a delicious bowl of cheese dip that I have been dying to eat after giving it up for Lent. Meg got to eat chips (after giving up fried food), Aaron got to eat chocolate, and Ryan got to eat fast food. It was a good day all around! That elevator ride at work Monday wasn't too bad either! :)

Sunday night we went to Jeff and Natasha's new house for an Easter cookout. We all brought a side and our meat and had a great time! It was fun to catch up with the girls and all the food was DELICIOUS! All in all a wonderful weekend and Easter Sunday. I hope you all enjoyed yours as well!

Sadly, I only have a few pics from the weekend...

Best buds

Sadie looks scared

Get him off of me!

Almost 8 months

Sadie is going on 8 months old! Can you believe it!? It feels like yesterday when I was posting pics of this little munchkin...



But now she is learning to be a big girl and weighs about 40 pounds!!

This is our little baby Sadie in a nutshell...

She hasn't used the bathroom in the house in a LONG time. Praise the Lord!

She graduated from her little travel kennel to her big girl kennel that Ryan built out of a dresser for her. Remember this?...


She LOVES to cuddle. She is a little baby when it comes to the couch and yes, Ryan and I have spoiled Sadie from Day 1 by letting her up on the couches. But over the last month we've been trying to break that little habit.

She LOVES to play outside! She will spend hours in the backyard doing who knows what. And she gets super excited when Ryan and I go out there to play with her and her toys, especially the frisbee. She actually made her first mid-air catch last month!! Ryan was such a proud daddy.

She doesn't inhale her food quite like she used to. I think she chews it a little bit now.

She LOVES socks. Worn or freshly laundered, it does not matter. She will find them.

She loves to chew on ice.

She likes to eat rocks. It freaked me out at first, but our vet said it was ok as long as they weren't too big. But seriously, what can you do to stop her? She has gotten really good at swallowing miscellaneous objects quickly when we're coming towards her. Sneaky sneaky!

She goes to Ryan when she wants to play and goes to me when she wants to nap and lay on my lap.

She LOVES her ducky :). It's just about been the only toy that we let her keep out at all times. The other ones have started to annoy us and we occasionally have to hide them from her.

Sometimes she goes to bed when I go to bed. It's so cute. By the time I get finished brushing my teeth she is already in her kennel ready for bed too.

She hates to be brushed. We have a Furminater and as much as I try to use it to reduce the amount of hair in our house it usually only works out if Ryan is there to hold her down. I really wish she enjoyed it as much as my parent's dog does!

She has perfected the sad puppy pouty face and uses it when she doesn't want to go back in her kennel or when she really wants to take a nap on the couch.

And most of all she LOVES visitors, K-9 or human!!

Ryan and I have really enjoyed having her around and despite a reality check of new responsibility I'm so glad we've added little Sadie to our family! She is so much fun!

PS- She got spayed on Tuesday :(. But we picked her up on Wednesday and it's like nothing ever happened. Same ole Sadie. It's like she doesn't feel a thing!

And here she is now...

Lately...

Hello! Since its been awhile this is going to be a random post of some things we've been up to lately...

1. We went to Junior Chamber's Casnio night benefiting Musicians On Call with Josh and Heather.

@ The Cannery Ballroom

These two were the lucky winners of 4 silent auction items! Everything from Harrah's weekends to Fireball whiskey!

The four of us :) - such a fun night

Me and Heather

Our boys cheesin' at the coat check

2. Ryan and I have been house hunting like crazy! Our little 2bed/1bath house is just not going to cut it anymore! Especially with Ryan's new job and the amount of equipment and boxes around the house.

This is our living room. You should see the guest room...

3. We helped Lauren and Jeff celebrate their birthdays @ the Flying Saucer.

Pregame pizza and drinks @ Lauren's

Me and Jules on our way

Candice and I dominated the boys in darts

the ladies

Someone had a little too much to drink that night ;)

4. We have been LOVING our sporadic hits of warm weather! I'm so ready for summer to be here in full blast!

xoxo

Smokin' Hot

So two of my friends from work (Candice and Rachael) and I signed up for a month of Hot Yoga. I have heard really amazing things about it and always wanted to try it out... and a coupon for one month unlimited classes pushed me over the edge, as well as bathing suit season coming up! Sooo, last night was our first attempt!

What is hot yoga, you ask? It is a 90 minute yoga class in a room heated between 100-105 degrees with humidity of 50%-60%. Are we crazy, you ask? Yes, maybe so, but it was really great! Each session is a progression of 26 postures and is supposed to promote sweat (no problem there) and the release of toxins in the body allowing gains in strength, flexibility and self-discipline.

I survived! I actually really enjoyed it! I mean, it was HOT but I felt really good when I left. This may sound weird to someone that has never done yoga, but my joints feel really good today, and I can't wait to go back tomorrow.

If you are inclined to try hot yoga for yourself, I would recommend bringing your own mat, towel, and lots of water. And make no plans to be in public afterward!!

Happy Friday Everyone!