Tea with the Bride-to-Be!

A Bride-to-Be and a Sip of Tea!

In honor of our lovely co-author Grace 

walking down the aisle soon

I thought it was appropriate to share a glimpse into her bridal shower. 

Bridal showers are wonderful.

They are happy

A time to celebrate love

But lets be honest, 

for the bridesmaids who have to plan it

It can be a bit intimidating and a lot of pressure. 

So here are my stress-free tips to planning a bridal shower

Tip #1: Pick A Theme

Parties that have a theme are so much fun! They set a tone for your event 

and it allows your guests to get involved.

 Why not suggest a certain attire? 

 If your theme is a fiesta.. suggest tropical attire or sombreros.

Hosting a brunch?....sundresses

A traditional shower? ..suggest that the guest wear the brides wedding colors.

Make it fun!

For Grace's shower we choose to have a Tea Party theme!

On the invitation we suggested wearing your favorite tea attire of sundresses and hats!

Everyone loved dressing up.

Tip #2: Pick a Color Pallet

By picking a color pallet you can enhance your theme and make everything cohesive.

By adding to make colors in the mix, your decor might end up looking mis-matching and confused. 

Keep it simple. 

For the tea party we focused on light pink and pastel purple.

Tip #3: Details, details, details

Decor can set the mood for your guests. No need to go crazy on the budget. Its amazing what a little tissue paper, candles, and flowers can do. Keeping your theme and colors in mind will help guide you. You cant go wrong.

Try a chalk board sign, homemade bunting banner, and mason jars with flowers for easy decor.

We were so blessed to have our cousin Emily Moher 

create these BEAUTIFUL flower arrangements for the tables!

Tip #4: Food

This aspect of party planning can be the most stressful and lets be honest, pricey. 

The best way to keep your guest and your wallet happy is quantity over variety. Keep your menu simple. 

Most showers are hosted in the afternoon or late morning when its common to have a lighter lunch. 

Think finger food. Something that the guests can socialize and eat at the same time.

We served a fruit salad, veggie platter with dip, deli roll ups (aka pin wheels), pasta salad and a variety of dessert items. This menu was simple and best of all we could do a lot of the prep work the day before. 

 For beverages we served hot tea, ice tea, 

lemon and cucumber infused water and wine (well it is my family after all)

I hope you found some of these tips helpful when planning your event.

Congrats Grace! We are so excited for your big day!

Wellness: Tips to Survive Valentine's Day

Oh Valentine's Day, 

That one day a year that supposed to be full of love,

big romantic surprises, and admiration...

..but sadly the reality of this day for most of us

ends in disappointment...

Why is that?

I feel that most of us put so much pressure on this day.

-- If we are single, we dwell on the fact that we may not have that special someone 

to romance us and left with a feeling of  loneliness.

-- If we are in a relationship, we are often disappointed when our high-expectations for romantic gestures are left unmet by our significant other. 

Ladies, perhaps this sounds familiar? 

Here are some tips to get you out of the V-day blues and hopefully relieve some of that added pressure. 

1. Look at Valentine's Day like any other day of the year

Why is February 14 so darn special? This day does not define you or your relationship. This day only has as much significance as you let it.  If you are in a relationship, let everyday be an opportunity to show your love to one another, not just this one day. How your significant other expresses his or her love for you on a daily basis is probably how they will treat you on Valentine's day. Don't put that added stress and pressure on this day, it ends up making this day more of a chore then an enjoyable occasion for them.. If they do change things up and surprise you, be gracious and let your expectation go. 

2.  Pursue your significant other

Ladies there are no rules of dating anymore! If you have a specific vision on how you want this day to be celebrated, feel free to surprise them! You can always communicate with them and plan this day together.

3. Avoid sappy romantic movies

I know I love them too. But if you do choose to indulge in some good ol' chick flicks, just remember that this isn't reality. Relationships are hard and messy. They will never compare with the Hollywood version of love.

4. Try staying off social media

I love Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram as much as the next person, but lets be honest, these social media outlets are not always good for us emotionally. Don't find yourself getting caught up comparing how you are celebrating (or not celebrating) to others. Your life and relationship is different then everyone else. This will only leave you feeling unsatisfied and disappointed.  Plus it's good to unplug once in a while to relax. Enjoy something for you. 

So ladies, take a moment to strip away all your expectations so you can do more then just survive Valentine's day.

 Do something for you and just relish in love.... love for those around you...most importantly... love for yourself!

Sending love to all you Dames!

A Letter to Myself on my Wedding Day

With the holidays to our past and Valentine's Day right around the corner, 

'tis the season for engagements, and rightfully so!

There is something so romantic about the holidays.

All the holiday lights, being close to friends and family, 

the excitement of a new year, and the hope that your significant other is "popping the question". 

With all those engagements, we come to a season of weddings.

 I know at least nine people who are getting married in this calendar year alone... nine!

I love weddings...they are just so joyful, have so much love and excitement.

Everything about a wedding is so exciting..

That anticipation on the grooms face as he waits to see his new bride. 

The nerves of the bride as she pins her veil on and smiles at her father before he gives her away.

The "I Do's" and "first kiss"

  (I'm a hopeless romantic, can you tell?)

So with all these weddings in the near future,

It made me feel that I should take a moment to sit and reflect on my own wedding.

Would I have changed anything?

Was it worth all the worry and sleepless nights?

So now I sit before you almost four years after my own engagement,

and I have to wonder if I wrote a letter to my newly engaged self,

what would I say?

*cough cough* So brides-to-be listen up, 

this is my heart-felt advice to you

A Letter to Myself on My Wedding Day

Dear Beautiful Bride, 

As you are about to embark on what you believe to be 

the most important day of your life,

 I want you to know that it's ok to breathe and I promise that everything will be alright.

Don't worry about how you will look in pictures.

...Your husband still thinks you look beautiful.

Don't worry if the church isn't decorated perfectly.

... You ended up only focusing on your groom.

Don't worry about finding those perfect shoes for under the dress.

... You kicked them off as soon as you got to the reception.

Don't worry about the rain in the weather forecast.

... The sun was shining for pictures and your young hopeless romantic guests had fun 

dancing in the rain.

Don't worry about if the favors are placed perfectly on the table.

....I promise they were happily eaten.

The seating arrangement that you lost many nights sleep over.

.... Your guests will comment for years how much fun they had.

Don't worry about creating the "perfect" play list for the DJ.

...Everyone danced the night away.

This day in your life is important. 

It's magical.

It's filled with love. 

But my dear bride,

 I promise this isn't the most important day of your life. 

Back then, I thought it was and I know you are feel it now.

Leave your worries at the door

and enjoy your day.

Just remember that the "most important" day of your life

is yet to come..

...Its creating your first home together,

and sharing laughs while painting the bathroom.

...It's burning that dinner,

that you tried so hard to impress him with.

..It's sitting on the toilet,

seeing the little stick turn pink.

... It's holding your child for the first time, 

and realizing that nothing else now matters.

... Its the first night home as a new family,

and your husband asks you to dance right there in the middle of the living room.

...It's being so angry with your spouse,

that you can't help but laugh at each other
because you can't remember why you were fighting in the first place.

..It's the "I love you's" 

and watching your family grow.

So my dear bride...

Enjoy your day and have it be worry free.

Don't stress out about the small things, family or friends...

 This day is for YOU..

It's a START of a beautiful journey,

and remember no matter what goes wrong...

... the "Best Day of your Life"...

... is yet to come...

Attention my married Dames!

What advice would you give, if you could write a letter to yourself
on your wedding day?

 

Confessions of a Mother

Confessions of a Mother

Being a mommy is hard. A lot harder then I thought it would be.

I always knew that I wanted to be a mom...eventually.

For those who do not know me, I was blessed with the news of my first child

shortly after my 22nd birthday. I know I know some of you are thinking "why so young?"

Life as you know it doesn't always goes as planned, surprise right?

and I was faced with a surprise that changed my life forever.

As a new 22 year old mom, I was in for a world of surprises.

My life went from all night bar hopping,

to all night feedings and diaper changes.

I went from date nights out with my fiance

to " it's your turn" while we lay on the couch exhausted.

Parenthood my friends, it's just not easy....

Here I am sitting before you,

one hubby, two daughters, a dog and 

three and half years later

and let me tell you it's still as confusing as day one.

Being a mother is a catch 22.

On one hand you feel like you can never do anything right, that you fall short,

and you are the most horrible person in the world when your child needs to "cry it out" (which I am having to do right now so my daughter sleeps in her bed, awful feeling!)

But on the other hand, you as a mother have the MOST important job and superpower in the world.

What other job can you watch the magic of their childhood happen through their eyes?

Make boo-boos all better, just from your kiss?

Where you hear "Watch me Mama!" and "I love you, Mama"?

Experience the joy in your child's eyes when you walk into the room, and they are just happy that you are there?

You are the most important and influential person in another human beings life, and there is no job my friend that can top that.

No CEO, no celebrity, no McDreamy doctor, nothing!

So tonight my fellow mothers, I raise my glass to you

 (which may or may not be a well deserved glass of wine).

Through all the diaper changes, sleepless nights, potty training,

tantrums, and "no no nos" 

You ARE doing it right!

You ARE enough!

And as long as you offer all the love you have to your child,

YOU will NEVER fall short...

Love,   

A tired Mommy