What I'm Reading

From the brother of Augusten Burroughs (author of Running with Scissors), this book is a memoir about growing up with undiagnosed Asperger's.  It's so enlightening to hear about how it felt first hand.  Understanding the Autism spectrum is so important, not only for people like me working directly with it, but for everyone.  It is becoming so prevalent in our world these days that just about everyone has come into contact with someone who is "on the spectrum".  This book has changed my perspective a little bit.  John Elder Robison doesn't consider his Asperger's a disorder.  He knows he is different but he doesn't view that as a bad thing.  What a great way to think.  If only everyone could think of our differences as just that, differences.

Cowboy Birthday

One of my girlfriends put together such a cute 2nd birthday party for her son that I just had to share a little bit of it.  

Kids and parents donned their cowboy hats and boots for the festivities and they even had pony rides :)

This is the adorable dessert table.  I spent some time here and sampled almost everything.  Cake pops, rice crispy treats dipped in chocolate, cupcakes, candy...

The party was complete with a pony and a full petting zoo. 

And last, this has nothing to do with the cowboy party but I saw this on her wall and had to snap a picture.  It's just a piece of wood that she painted and she used Anthropology door knobs to hang the twine.  This is such a cute idea for displaying kids artwork.  I might need to copy it one day :)

Wedding invitation for Mr. and Mrs. Obama

The invitations are done and on their way to our nearest and dearest.  

According to a pin I found on Pinterest, if you send an invitation to the White House you will get a congratulatory letter back from the Pres.

So, here goes nothing...I will post something if or when I receive something back :)

Here's where you send it:

The Honorable Barack Obama and Mrs. Obama

The White House

Greetings Office Room 39

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue

Washington, DC

20500

His & Hers

I saw some designer cocktail glasses just like this on a friend's facebook and decided I could easily do those myself.  Etching cream has fast become my favorite crafting tool.  It's so easy and quick.  You've gotta love the instant gratification of something that only takes 5 minutes to work :)

Step 1: Cut stencils out of contact paper.

Step 2: Buy some cheap glasses somewhere like the dollar store.  We had these and were going to throw them out so they were perfect for practice crafting :)  Then get a bottle of Armour Etch Etching Cream.  I got it at Michael's.  It is a little pricey but this bottle will last forever and make hundreds of crafts.

Step 3: Put the stencils on the glasses and paint the etching cream into the stencil.  Wait 5 minutes and wash off.

The result: His & Hers cocktail glasses <3

My current wedding obsessions

A big bow belt for my dress

Personalized napkins to match signature cocktail

Lanterns

A few flowers in small bud vases arranged together for centerpieces

Wayfarer sunglasses as favors-I can't wait to see the grandparents in these :)

I love this for the sweetheart table

Pearls-don't know if these will go with my dress but maybe I can wear some for one of the other events

A signature cocktail to match our decor

Waterford toasting flutes

My mom got me my "something blue" and had our wedding date and initials engraved on it.  I am going to tie it onto my bouquet

I love this simple elegant cake

Hair Cut

My boy got a haircut today.  He can see again but he's been pouting all afternoon :)

Before

After

With the looks of the before shot, I think he was mad at me before the haircut too ;)

Meet the Maids

I love these girls....

Katie Gizzi- Bridesmaid

What an amazing girl.  Katie juggles being wife, mother, and owning her own business.  This girl can do it all and always has a smile on her face.  She is one of my oldest and dearest friends.

Kelly Soldwedel- Bridesmaid

Kelly, my Delta Gamma Sister and my only saving grace in Tucson.  If I didn't have her, I wouldn't have lasted as long as I did there.  Despite living in different states, she is still one of the most important people in my life.  I can't wait to celebrate her wedding next year!

Kylie Denning- Maid of Honor

My big sister, Ky Ky.  Despite torturing each other for the first half of our lives, I can now finally say that she has become one of my closest friends.

Mariko Wertenbroek- Bridesmaid

Mariko is (or was) my partner-in-crime.  We have had some crazy days over the last 10 years.  But alas, those days are over now and she is a new mom (and is going to be fantastic at it...like she is at everything).

Niki Costantino- Bridesmaid

Niki and I have been friends for what seems like forever.  We have been through so many life phases together and I can't wait to share all of the future phases together.  She is also my favorite dancer and I can't wait to see her get down at the wedding :)

Paris Davis- Bridesmaid

Paris and I have shared so many good times.  She cracks me up and is the perfect person to go to when I need to let go of all my stress and have some fun.  I am so happy that I will have her by my side on my wedding day.

Shannon O'Connor- Maid of Honor

Shannon, my other maid of honor.  She has been with me through thick and thin.  Through boyfriends, work conflicts, personal tragedies, and "pitty parties".  I have never known anyone in my life that can stay so positive.  She is an inspiration and a fantastic friend.

Shannon Yarbrough- Bridesmaid

Yarbs...there probably wouldn't be a wedding if it weren't for Yarbs.  Since she and Katie own an event planning company they were my go-to wedding information source when I had no idea where to start.  She is a great friend and one of my favorite people.