The (Not-So) Ordinary Life and Times...

Calendar Wisdom - December 2012

How often we forget how quickly life goes by. As a self-proclaimed change-hater, this quote is bringing me peace in this crazy time of year, and time of my life with change coming down the pike.

 

Your journey has molded you for your greater good, and it was exactly what it needed to be.

Don't think that you've lost time. It took each and every situtation you have encountered to bring you to the now.

And now is right on time.

-- Asha Tyson

A Sweet Ending to A Wonderful Day: Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Albertson!

I recently had the pleasure of serving as a bridesmaid in my sister-in-law Megan's wedding. She looked gorgeous, of course, and I was also super excited to help design her reception's candy buffet!

 

Megan chose some great colors (purple, red) and we had a lot of fun spending time together talking about what she wanted her buffet to look like. Here's the final product!

The tall focal-point centerpiece featured lots of bling in Megan's wedding colors, purple and red.

I included a special nod to the bride's Canadian heritage!

I made the different candy tags using the font from the wedding invitation.

 

Candy tags were tied on with red and purple tulle.

 

 

Megan wanted lots of bling, so I incorporated some sparkle with tulle, acrylic gems and other glittery goodies.

 

I am so honored that she let me be a part of their special day; congratulations Megan and Kris!

27 Dresses...or things to do this year, rather.

I'm the queen of lists. I will write or re-write a list, just to check things off. I find that having a list of goals for the year helps me conquer some fears, and feel like I've accomplished a few small things in the span of a short year. I turned 27 on Saturday, and as I inch closer to 30, I'm realizing that while it isn't crucial just to check things off the list, it's fun to see all that I can do in a year! Many of these things are leftover from last year, but also more than a few are more mental, just to keep my thoughts and attitude in check.

27 things to accomplish in my 27th year

1. Talk less, listen more
2. Choose happiness whenever possible
3. Splurge on a great pair of jeans
4. Master a yoga handstand
5. Read 26 books this year
6. Host a party at our house
7. Make gifts instead of buying them
8. Try Falafel
9. Attempt (again) to make puff pastry
10. Send letters/notes just to say hello
11. Try being afraid not to try instead of being afraid to fail
12. See at least one opera (live or from the Met HD series)
13. Keep an open mind
14. Make more time to learn about my faith
15. Make my own fresh ricotta cheese
16. See a great theater production or concert
17. Read a large classic novel
18. Expand my event planning portfolio
19. Learn to use a sewing machine
20. Make sushi
21. Distance myself from negative people, things and experiences
22. Host a brunch
23. Make yearbooks for Dan and me
24. See some classic flims - starting with Some Like it Hot
25. Eat at Espana - tapas place in Omaha
26. Make time for me - yoga specifically
27. Live in the moment

Calendar Wisdom - November 2012

Into each day, put in about one teaspoonful of good spirits, a dash of fun, a pinch of folly a sprinkling of play,

and a heaping cupful of goood humor!

                                     - H.M.S

Calendar Wisdom - October 2012

"Insist on yourself. Never imitate"

-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Ahoy, mateys!

The annual opening of Cobweb Castle at Omaha Children's Museum is always a fun event. I've been asked for the last couple of years to do a little preview event for the staff to tour the castle and have a bite to eat. I love doing this party, mostly because getting to name the food is fun. For the last two years I've gone the Halloween route, and you can see the 2011 party here.

This year, we have a Pirate host in Cobweb Castle, Captain Charlotte Longbeard! I went with a pirate theme for the party, and it turned out really nicely. The picture quality isn't so great, as the room is very dark and I was using my phone. Enjoy the post, or walk the plank!

Marshmallow Mateys, Cannonballs, and Dead Man's Fingers

 

Better view of the Marshmallow Mateys (made by the lovely Rachel) in their ship. Cannonballs were Whopper candies.

Fish 'n' Chips, Polly's Crackers and Gold Nuggets (of cheese).

The Pirate Ship of Jewels! Thanks to Dan for cutting the watermelon for me, and to Rachel for making the cool mast.

Our Grog was apple juice and gingerale, but it looks neat in a container like this.

Megan Found Her SOLE Mate!

I had the pleasure of attending a bridal shower for my sister-in-law, Megan, this weekend. Her sister and maid of honor Erin hosted the shower and did a great job. I had to sit far away from the food table or else I would have eaten every one of these little taco bite things she made. 

Erin had asked for my help in decorating for the bachelorette party later that night at Urban Wine Company. She gave me full reign with the theme, so of course I went all out! Megan is a shoe nut, so I thought it would be fun to play out the high heel theme.

Megan's wedding colors are purple and red, so I went with the purple and tied in black to make it a little more fun for nighttime and "bachelorette-y". Megan also loves bling so I had no trouble glitzing it up with some glitter!

 

Purple and black centerpieces with a little bling on the tables!

 

 

My love for tulle once again pays off.

 

 

Main table with "Future Mrs. Albertson" banner

 

I love Etsy, and I found a seller that was listing custom banners and fell in love with one with high heels. Perfect for Megan's shoe-themed bachelorette! Thanks to Allison from Once Upon A Party for working with me to create this adorable banner!

 

 

Purple and black

To continue with the high heel theme, I ordered some paper shoes from another Etsy seller. Lauri from Fresh Cuts by Lauri Beth made some adorable shoes die cuts in purple and black, which I then used to make cupcake toppers and food labels.

Erin ordered yummy cupcakes from Petit's Pastry in Almond, Chocolate and Red Velvet. YUM.

 

 

Cupcake toppers (with tulle, of course!)

 

 

 

 

Better view of the centerpiece.

 

I found some great glittery things at Michaels to spruce up the table's centerpiece. Halloween is a great time to have a purple and black bachelorette party!

 

High heel candy

 

I also found a high heel candy mold and made some candy shoes for everyone to take home as a favor. Dan made fun of me because it's actually relaxing for me to do tedious, repetitive crafting tasks like make tags for 45 of these things!

I had tons of fun designing this table for Megan's party. I'm even more excited because I get to use some of the purple items again when I design the candy buffet for her wedding in October! 

 

Fruits of Labor (Day)

Last weekend in Okoboji for the year.

 

 

Dan skiing

 

 

Sunset at Bracco

 

 

Last ski of the season

 

Calendar Wisdom - September 2012

"Everything happens for a reason."

-- American proverb

Workout Wasteland

I'm 2.5 weeks post-carpal tunnel surgery. I'm desperately missing yoga! I can't put a lot (ok, really any) weight on my hands for another four weeks, at least. I also do a lot of plank work, and can't do any of that either.

I've resorted to running, which hurts my shins like none other. I have to do something or I will not fit into the 2 bridesmaid dresses I have to wear in October!

I will try to get some Jillian Michaels action going, but she does so much plank work in her videos I'll have to come up with something to do during those segments. It may be time for some Jillian mornings and treadmill afternoons, too....Christina is taking our pictures later this month!

I miss you, downward dog!! I just keep Pinning to my Yoga board on Pinterest.

Until next time...