Easter Decor 2013

For about the past year I have tried to go with "less is more" and "quality not quantity" as my inspiration for holiday decorating. I LOVE putting up holiday decor and could easily go overboard. At first I put up all the decorations I had for each holiday every year. Well, that worked out fine due to the fact that I didn't really have that much stuff. But now that I have about six solid years of post-holiday shopping under my belt I have had to start being a bit more discerning as to what goes up each year. At the end of the day however, I'll probably always put up more than the average person! And I am a-ok with that!!

Habemus Papam

I have been meaning to write this post since March 13. I have so much to say about Pope Bene 16 stepping down, getting to see the Conclave again, and the excitement around our new Pope, the first non-Euro Pope to be elected. While this post won't do any of my thoughts justice, I figured I better just put some words down so the time doesn't completely pass me by. 

Pope Benedict getting elected was a pretty big year for me. I was living in Italy during his first year and had the opportunity to "feel" the new Holy Father in the Vatican. I even got to see him up close and personal at Castel Gandolfo. That being said I was not immediately a fan. It was so hard to see JP2 go, and I never thought Pope Benedict looked very friendly. But sometimes you never know what you have until it is gone. I 100% support Pope Benedict stepping down. Fellow friends and Catholics may feel differently, that he is quitting. But all I feel is proud. It is an honor for any man to be elected Pope. Naturally, leading over a billion followers, there would be a sense of power I imagine. As an A-type, I bet I would love the decision making abilities. So to give that up and say, I have done all I can do, let's let someone else step up to the plate, to me is very inspirational. 

And what is even more fun...I could not be any more excited about Pope Francesco! To me, he resembles JP2 and I love his smile. I am excited the Cardinals chose a non-European to mix it up, and I am excited about the energy he seems to bring. The icing on the cake is he chose the name Francesco - and St. Francis is my favorite Saint!

The Pope opening up Holy Week at the Vatican

And while electing a new Pope isn't a joke - this cracks me up!

Stop and...

...smell the roses.

Matt sent these surprise roses to work last week to cheer me up from a stressful few days! What a guy!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

This year St. Patty's day almost completely skipped by us. I passed up on decorating the house and went straight to Easter decorations...and at one point today I wasn't even wearing any green! Sooooo not typical! Luckily some friends hosted a low key St. Patty's BBQ last night so we got to all bring "our kids" - (quotes because our kid was Lucky) and wear some green. I only snapped a few pictures of the two sweet kiddos with Lucky! Next year I will have to double up on holiday festivities to make up for this year! Still a fun weekend though!

Lucky is so sweet with kids 

Waiting for Molly or Weston to share dinner

Somehow this turned into less of a post about St. Patty's day - and more of a post about Little Lucky. What can ya do!

Cousins Are The Best!

There are 19 of us, cousins that is, on my mom's side - setting up camp in over 3 countries and 8 states. That kind of geographic spread doesn't lend itself to frequent visits. Moving to Mississippi, most of our friends had grown up in Jackson their entire lives - as had their parents - as had their grandparents. They went to school with their cousins. They lived in the same neighborhood as their aunts and uncles. My brothers and I never lived near family. In fact, quite the opposite...we lived in the deep South, far, far away from anyone else! 

Growing up we had family reunions every summer...but as the years went by, and the 19 of us grew up, the family get-to-gethers have been less and less often. When you go awhile without seeing your extended family, you wonder if things will have "changed" by the time you see them again. But then they come to visit you, you have the best time, and you realize just how strong the family bond can be!

My cousin Matt came in town for a long weekend to hang out - and we had SUCH a great time. It is so much fun to spend time with my cousins as adults and realize that we definitely all come from the same grandparents! 

With my Matt out of town - Joe took over duties of cooking the pizza! Three S cousins in one place...impressive!

It feels like all we did was eat! Luckily I did fit into my pants Monday!

Seriously, how delicious does this look. We did pancakes for breakfast Saturday in between doughnuts Friday and Sunday.

Lucky LOVED Matt. For some reason my iphone camera stinks - but it is still a sweet picture! This was taken during one of probably 6 movies we watched!

Lucky being difficult because Matt is leaving.

You can't come to Dallas without stopping by the JFK site. And yes, those are doughnuts in that paper bag!

Even better than having your cousins visit - is having them come live in your same city! It has been so fun to "continue" to grow up with Kelly and Joe!

Blake's 1st Birthday: Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Style

Today we celebrated Blake's first birthday party! It doesn't seem that long ago we were just celebrating Sam's first birthday. Steph did an AMAZING job of all the decor / Mickey Mouse Clubhouse theme. We just love this family! And it makes me so happy we were able to attend the family birthday party as Sam and Blake's favorite non-biological aunts and uncles!

The Decor - AMAZING

Family

The sweet birthday boy!

Being silly! Love that Matt and Steph were both wearing red Toms!

I would like to point out the T-shirts that I made, just for this occasion!

And I topped off the theme with a homemade bag! B for Blake!

Blake - I know you have a lot of special people in your life that love you - and Matt and I are two of those people that think you are so special, love you, and love watching you grow. We look forward to decades upon decades of birthday parties to come - hopefully with your (one day) cousins! Love you!!!

My First Rodeo

Tuesday and Wednesday I was in Houston for several client meetings. One of those meetings just happened to take place at the Houston Rodeo - in one of the FABULOUS Reliant Stadium suites! (This industry can really spoil you!)

It is hard to believe that after 10+ years living in Texas, THIS was my first time to see a rodeo, but alas, it was! I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but overall it wasn't too bad. I think the bull riding is really interesting to watch - but it kind of makes me sad thinking the bulls are in pain and that is why they are bucking. I am also NOT a fan of the calf roping. The kids riding the sheep was entertaining, and I lost two bets on the carriage races. The best part of it all though was Lady Antebellum. They are fantastic live - and while I was only familiar with two of their songs....the entire set was great!

Mad Men Harlem Shake

I heard about the latest youtube fad, the Harlem Shake, just in the nick of time! When we got to Jackson Friday night my brother Nathan said that he really wanted to get everyone at his couples shower (which was a Mad Men theme) to do the Harlem Shake. And. It. Happened.

Check out my mad videography skills below (although I can't take credit for the editing!)

Celebrating Nathan & Amy MAD MEN Style

This past weekend Matt, Mark and I hosted a couples shower for Nathan and Amy in Jackson, MS. One of my best parties EVER! We had so much fun and the married couple-to-be looked amazing! I took over 300 pictures, so I apologize in advance for the long post (but I think it is worth it!).

Party Highlights:

- Amy found a vintage WHITE dress, matching shoes AND a clutch

- Amy found a tie clip for Nathan with an "N" on it at the thrift store

- I paid $6.50 for my dress; everyone else looked amazing in general

- Having an actual bar with "bartenders" and signature drinks

- The decor

- The number of amazing friends that came

- My mom and Amy's mom both got to help with the set up

- The amazing, generous gifts they received

- The fact that everyone seemed to have SUCH a good time!

- Road tripping it with Kelly & Joe

- The look on my brother's face throughout the entire party!

With my MAD man!



Gorgeous Couple!



with Brian




No one left hungry

 

SUCH a great turnout!



Nathan getting "iced"



I could not have done it without these two! Day of helpers!



Some of the decor!

  

My bartenders!

 

I was so impressed with the attire! All of their friends really brought it!

 

Watching Mad Men has gotten Nathan & Amy into martinis - so they had 4 martini signature drinks!

 

And their own, specially decorated martini glasses!



 



Some of the advice was hilarous!



Party Favors

 

They got such lovely gifts. I am so excited for them! I would say the top two IMO: Crawfish pot and burner from Mark & Shelby, and the Handcuff Cufflinks from Brian!



While I may not be the most domesticated housewife out there - I sure can act the part at a party :)



These Are a Few of Their Favorite Things...

Last weekend Carissa hosted the cutest couples shower for Kelly & Joe. As you all know, I have a love for themed parties - and this was was ADORABLE. Carissa centered everything about the shower around Kelly and Joe's favorite things. Such a great idea - almost jealous I haven't thought of it before! (But that doesn't mean I won't use it one day and claim it as my own...JK!).



Hot sauce for the boys party favor - Joe's fav



Tea for the ladies' party favors - Kelly's fav



Such a cute couple!

 

with Tracey

 

I was in charge of cupcakes. Lemon - Kelly's favorite and Oreo - Joe's favorite!



It was fun to celebrate Kelly and Joe and watch them get such fun gifts! Carissa had the wedding party all chip in money and she got them "A Year of Dates" - another idea I want to claim as my own one day! What a great gift idea - 12 prepaid dates to their favorite places.