WEEK IN REVIEW

So it has been a week or more since I last blogged. Not good, but what is good is the time I've had the past week.

Last thursday the ladies at the office took me out for lunch. It was MARVELOUS. My co-worker Kristen cooked lunch for the editorial staff and hosted us all at her precious new house! I could not have felt more special!!

Friday was mom and my birthday. It was the most stress free day I have had in a long time. Needless to say it was practically perfect in every way. Worked at the office for a few hours (they let me come in late AND leave early!) then haircut (not that anyone can really tell, but I like it!) and a quick shopping trip with mom at TJMAXX and HomeGoods (of course I bought nothing.)

Then came home to make a birthday cake (yes I make my own birthday cake, and it is not sad -- i LIKE to do it :)

As soon as it came out of the oven the family headed to OLIVE GARDEN (the most tasty of all places!)

Saturday was my PARTY. and PARTY we did! 8 wonderful friends and I had dinner and dessert at my house, along with a craft and LOTS of story telling. Then there was the most wonderful gifts anyone could ask for. (THANKYOU CARDS ARE IN THE MAIL!)

After dinner we traveled to Brittany's house where we made special drinks, ate peanut butter m&ms, played loaded questions and TALKED till 530 am.

Sunday after waking up from 3 hours of sleep, I met mom dad and harrison, and we drove to Huntsville to drop Harrison off with the grandparents (since camp is over, and all of us are working)!

Monday-Friday have been typical workdays. Spent my free time packing and watching movies... Oh except I didn't go in monday after feeling horrible, and Friday I overslept after my FAULTY alarm failed me. I made it in by 10 (after Kristen called at 930 to make sure I wasn't in a car wreck), mortified... but they assured me everyone does it.

So now it is Saturday once again! AUGUST 7, and I am about to drive to Huntsville with Brittany Moore for Ashlyn's Bachelorette PARTY!

PS. Ashlyn graduated COLLEGE today!!!! SO PROUD OF YOU!!!

Lots of pictures and fun are sure to be seen in the upcoming blog post! Her wedding is in a week and a day!

Birthday Planning!!!!

I am a planner. There's nothing more that can really be said. I make lists, endless lists, all day everyday. Lists on what I need to do when I get home, list of what I need to accomplish before I leave the office, lists of movies and books I want to read, lists of projects I want to do, lists of people I need to email, lists of ideas I have..... THE LIST GOES ON.....

So now that it is birthday time... aka ULTRA EXCITING time to PLAN time. I will brainstorm aloud. I have already sent out a save the date to make sure my friends aren't double booking on my birthday. So here's the plans thus far:

Dinner at my house. Grill out on the deck, with the tiki torches lit, and music playing in the background.

We have a great deck and plenty of room to entertain. I like having meals at home, because not only are they more personal they save your guests some money.

After dinner I'd like to do 2 things. One being roast marshmellows and make smores around our fire pit on the deck. Yummo! (Mom and share a birthday which we'll celebrate together on our actual birthday, so by the time I have my party I'm sure cake is the last thing I'll be wanting) Smores is a perfect summer birthday dessert!

Another thing I'd like to do is some sort of activity. Mainly a craft that my friends can take home, and have something to keep and remember the night. I'm thinking of doing some sort of decoupage project, and have everyone create their own masterpiece. Maybe a picture frame, photo-box or magnet.... i don't know... something that takes about an hour or less. Here's what I'm thinking:

I really like the photo boxes so if I can find those cheap at Michaels that's what I'd prefer, but I thought these were some other creative ideas using old book pages and scrapbook paper.

To create these looks, all you do is use wallpaper, newspaper and magazine clippings, stickers, pictures, fabric, you name it, and apply an adhesive decoupage medium such as Mod Podge using a paint brush, sponge brush, tweezers etc. to get the desired look.

THEN! We will travel to Brittany Breeding's BRAND NEW HOME. That's right people my friend is a HOMEOWNER. Whoa.... so She has graciously offered it up for and I quote, "whatever birthday shenanigans I so desire" hahaha I love her. Check out her beautiful house!

Once we arrive there will be snacks such as these tasty chips.

And perhaps a frozen beverage such as this:

And obviously there will be dancing such as this:

So there you have it folks, you are just as caught up as I am on birthday planning. This was just a brainstorm of ideas. Let me know what you think, or any suggestions you may have!

Birthday Wish list Updated

So this morning before work, my wonderful mother went online and ordered me 3 things from my birthday wish list: the comforter, shower curtain, and shower liner!! I could not be more excited!!!!!! AH!! ... feel my excitement!

So I thought I'd like to put a few new items on my list.... If not as birthday gifts but just things I need/want. This is basically a list to remind myself, so don't get all crazy thinking I'm so greedy. Whatever.

1. I have seen these for a few years, and being the penny pincher I am always find an excuse not to buy one. However, recently I find myself wishing I had this item, KNOWING I would use it all the time, especially at school. You guessed it. It is a to-go tumbler with straw. The one I really like is the Starbucks Venti tumbler with the green straw, but I think it got discontinued?? I haven't been able to find it for sale anywhere.

I like the Turvis Tumblers and tried to find one with my initial on it, but didn't find any pics of one online... or where to buy it. ALSO: it says that it takes 3 weeks to monogram and ship out... which seems a bit ridiculous for a cup.

So i started searching similar options and found these!

For $3.99!

They are tumblers that come in several color options, and are sold mainly to companies, and you can print your logo on the side (for $50ish) or whatever, but it is super cheap to get them blank! Still cute and functional! Here's the website:
http://www.discountmugs.com/nc/sports-bottles/2276/16-oz-double-wall-acrylic-tumbler-with-straw.htm

2. Ok so, I recently went into Bath&BodyWorks at the Galleria, for the first time in who knows how long? And they are having some AMAZING DEALS! I bought my very first wall flower, and got 2 refill bottles free all for $12.99. The scents I got were Carribbean Escape (to finish out the last monthes of summer) and Kitchen Spice (which smells like the most warm, cinnamon, vanilla, spice goodness... and will be PERFECT for fall) I love their new candles and would love to get one their new portable scents for my car. The scent I loved that was too strong for my apartment was ISLAND NECTAR. (sooo good!) I think it would be perfect for my car though. They are onsale for $5 at Bath and Body Works!! They had a ton of good smells to choose from!

Awesome! They are also having some pretty good deals on their wall flowers mix and match 4 for $20. And buy 1 get one free. Check out their website.
http://www.bathandbodyworks.com/category/index.jsp?categoryId=2488772&cp=2484529

3. Another trend I have been loving lately that I haven't made the effort to jump onto are headbands. And not just the skinny metallic ones (I did go that far, and bought a back of 4 skinny ones) But I'm talking about the headbands with some sort of embellishment on the side, making it extra special and polishing off a whole look. I'm not sure where to find the best ones or even what good prices for these are.... but here are two that I found at Sears.com for $5.98 each.

They have ones with the flower or bow on the side that are really cool, I don't know if I could handle something so big though? Who knows?
And they also have ones that have some sort of jeweled design which I love! It gives it an extra pop, and says look at me, in a way that’s not too flashy.

All in all, this is a trend I want to get on top of. I've seen several headbands recently that have an embellishment, and have a homemade or crafty look that would go great with casual or dressy attire.