New Year New Day New Blog

With today being the first day of 2014 I am making a commitment to get my blog up and running. This blog is something that I have wanted to do for a long time but just never made the time. So today we went out on a "Sunday" drive and I decided to take along my camera.

Even though the sun was shining I decided it would be the perfect day for my red Hunter boots. These are my new go to pair of boots! They are beyond comfortable and so stylish at the same time, and just in case of rain or snow, you are covered there too. I can see several different colors of these in my wardrobe future! I blocked the sun with my new Guess sunglasses I picked up on clearance at TJ Maxx and paired up a Cynthia Rowley casual top with some basic black leggings and a cozy vest. I dressed Presley in her gold Uggs because they are so easy to take on and off and she loves them because they keep her feet so warm. I paired that with a new pair of black jeggings and gold cardigan I picked up from Target.

 

It was a gorgeous day in southwestern Virginia, so we headed to Claytor Lake. We have a permanent camping spot in a campground in that area and there is some gorgeous scenery, so it seems we always head in that direction when out for a drive.

 

My girl was just as happy I was that the sun was shining!

 

 

After our drive to the lake we headed to Blacksburg for a late lunch at Bull & Bones, it was my first time dining there but I can say for sure that I will definitely be going back in the very near future. I had the Manhattan Filet and it was to die for! After a quick trip to Starbucks we headed back home, back to real life, back to work on Thursday. If how perfect this day was is any indication of how 2014 will be, bring it on!

Surprise 50th Anniversary Party

I decided early on to have my in laws a party for their golden anniversary, but with planning Presley's 2nd Birthday a month earlier, it didn't leave me much time to plan. I was on a budget so I decided to spend most of my money on food and entertainment and spend less on the decor. Since I hosted the party at the Historic Bank Lobby, the building is already gorgeous and doesn't need much decoration. Feel free to email with any questions about the details. 

I purchased the numbers at Hobby Lobby and painted them with black paint and sponged some gold paint on them. My mom put it all together on the bar with some gold mesh ribbon.

My Mom picked up some vases for less than $1 at a local dollar store and I spray painted them with a matte black spray paint. The gold twigs were purchased at a craft store. A very nice $2 centerpiece!

I used my white chair covers that I already had (purchased from eFavorMart.com) and I ordered black organza overlays, black sashes and round mirrors from eFavorMart.com. Their prices really can't be beat and they have a huge selection. I purchased the candles at Hobby Lobby and the gold flowers at a craft store. The centerpiece looked gorgeous and probably cost less than $5. Of course, my Mom put it all together!

 

The event was catered by Clint Neel at Your Grate Escape. I hate I didn't get more photos of the food but guests started arriving very early as he was putting the food out so it created some chaos! I decided to go with heavy hor d'oeuvres due to the fact that I didn't want to crowd the room with seating for 100 people to each sit  down and have a meal. My menu consisted of thai beef & chicken satays with peanut dipping sauce, stuffed mushrooms, cranberry meatballs, fresh vegetable display with ranch dipping sauce, hot spinach & artichoke dip with crackers & chips, shrimp cocktail shooters, mini twice baked potatoes, fresh fruit display with marshmallow dip and then later on int he evening we placed ham biscuits with herb butter & roquefort grapes out on the bar for guest to snack on. I didn't actually get to eat, but I was told the food was wonderful!

 

My friend Ben Baker from LKN Screenprinting Factory in Lake Norman, NC designed and printed up 16 oz. stadium cups for favors. He did such a wonderful job and it was so nice to work with someone with such outstanding customer service! I filled the cups with gold tissue paper and Hershey's nuggets and stacked them on a table near the door to make sure everyone took home a favor.

 

As an added touch my Mom came up with the idea to put champagne glasses filled with fun facts from 1963 scattered throughout the room. This was really a hit!

The cake was beautiful and tasty as always. It was by Renee McMillion of Renee's Cakes and Things. 

The band was Robotic Jive from Salem, VA. They are an awesome 80's band but they played all different eras of music and kept everyone dancing!

Here I am in full ordering someone around mode, I think Presley is calling me out on it lol!

Presley's outfit is from Janie and Jack. It's hard to tell in the photo but the bottom part of her dress is fur (faux, of course). She looked absolutely darling!

Here we are with the happy couple, wow 50 years is a long time!

Another shot of my girl looking gorgeous!

 Here I am looking completely exhausted!

 I think my mother-in-law, Gayle, was pretty surprised and very appreciative!

 

None of my party planning would be possible without the help of my gorgeous and talented mother, Cindy!

 

With my girl!

 

I ordered personalized water bottle labels from Announce it Favors on Etsy. I didn't get a great pic of them but I'll snap one and upload as soon as I can, along with pictures of the invites, which I ordered from Tiny Prints.

I didn't go on a huge shopping trip to find an outfit for this party, I actually threw together something I already had in my closet. I'm wearing a Cynthia Rowley leather trimmed tuxedo blazer that I got a TJ Maxx and Paige (similar) coated denim.

 

This is the only shot of my shoes so I decided to post it. I am so proud of the bargain I got on these Nine West founder platforms at 6pm.com, $39.99! And they are so comfortable and versatile!

 

With my gorgeous friend Courtney and baby River (see my baby shower post from June 2013)

 

 

 

All photography by  my gorgeous friend Jennifer (left) of Jen Farley Photography.

 

 

 

 

Wedding weekend

They say it's good luck if it rains on your wedding day, right? Well either way, we had Edd's cousin Brad's wedding this weekend and it was a cold rainy weekend. The weather definitely put a damper on the outfit I had originially picked out so I made a quick change and ended up wearing a dress that I had bought a Ross over a year ago for around $20. Sometimes those last minute changes made the best outfits!

The Rehearsal Dinner

At the rehearsal dinner with the happy couple!

I was so happy to find this gorgeous Steve Madden infinity scarf at TJ Maxx, I thoought this made the perfect fall transition outfit! My leaf bracelet is a favorite Lia Sophia piece I wear all the time. The ring  was Erica Lyons, I picked this up on clearance at Belk! Jeans are Paige skyline straight that I rolled up and cuffed to go with sandals. Tank top is a boyfriend tank from AE.

We had so much fun!

The Wedding

My necklace was just something I picked up at Belk and I can't remember the brand. Presley's outfit came from my go to children's clothing store Janie and Jack.

 My twinsie at the wedding. Lace dresses are so in right now! My shoes are Nine West and I've had them for years.

 

How cute is she in the pillbox hat headband!

Picking her nose, picture time is officially over!

 

Congrats to Brad & Leia Truman!