Before and After House Tour: Guest Bedroom

Next up on the House Tour is the first guest bedroom. We didn't do any painting in here because we didn't mind the color and it was painted well. The furniture in it is the master bedroom set we had in the condo. The only thing left in here is to get some curtains and rods!

Before:



After:

Favorite Fridays: Party Game!

This week's Favorite Friday topic is:

Party Game!

With our annual Summer Party coming up, I want to have lots of ideas of games and activities for our guests! Share your favorites (Indoors, outdoors, drinking, sober, all ideas welcome!)

Mine are:

Kings

and

Apples to Apples

We always played Kings in college; like we literally had our own rules hanging on the wall!

Apples to Apples is a newer game for us but we played it on New Years Eve and had SO many laughs! (Oh and the Game of Things; love that one too!)

Before and After House Tour: Kitchen Bath

Next up on the House Tour is the bathroom off of the kitchen. It used to be a lime green color and we've repainted it yellow. We still need to get a new shower curtain and curtain since I'm not a big fan of the striped ones that they left in there!

Before:


After:

Thoughtless Thursdays

This week for Thoughtless Thursdays over @ Katie’s blog, I thought I’d share this blog I’ve recently found…

I’m not sure exactly how I feel about this blog yet. I laughed a little, but I also thought “creepy” and “Wow you must have a lot of time on your hands”. Check it out then weigh in!

Mila's Daydreams

In other news, did you hear the latest celeb they are considering to replace Simon on Idol?

Yup, that's right; Justin Timberlake! How would you like to see that face every Tuesday and Wednesday night!?

Others I've heard being considered are Elton John, Harry Connick Jr and Jessica Simpson. Story here.

They’re baaaaccckkkk!

That’s right; you know who I’m talking about… Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield! Yup, the Sweet Valley Twins!

“Sweet Valley Confidential: Ten Years Later” comes out in March and I don’t know about you but I am psyched! There’s even some info on where the girls are in their lives (one of them is going through a divorce, the other is in NYC).

Read more here.

"I Do" Ideas: The Mens Attire!

This week I thought we could take a look at the different choices the groom and his men have for their attire.

Well where do we start? How about with the "traditional" groomsmen look: Tuxedos! A pretty common look is black tuxes with a vest and tie (or possibly a bow tie). Here, we have the groom in a lighter vest than his men and also a different tie to have him stand out.
Perhaps you'd love to have your guy in a tux but his unique style screams otherwise? By letting him pick his shoes (or other accessory) to his liking, you can come to a compromise. I went to a wedding once where the groom had given each of his groomsmen different color custom Air Force One's! It was a fun way to show their personalities. These guys opted for Converse's:
Now let's explore other options...
For one, suits! There are khaki or tan suits that are great for a summer wedding, or perhaps in a warmer locale.
There's also gray suits. These are slightly dressier than the tan suits but more casual than the black tuxes. This groom opted to add a hat for a fun twist.
Another suit color option is brown. This works lovely for Fall weddings. In this wedding, the groom chose an ivory suit to stand out amongst his men.
With all of these suit and tux options, don't forget to bring in your color scheme via a tie, bow tie, ascot and/or pocket square!

For a more casual look (with a "preppy" touch) try khakis, a white dress shirt and a blue blazer!
For an even more casual look, lose the jacket all together! Wearing matching shirts, ties and khakis still give the men a uniform look but in a much more relaxed setting.
For an island wedding or perhaps a backyard wedding, the most casual of options is a matching shirt with a pair of khakis. Here the groom wore a white button down, while his men donned teal shirts.
What we did for our wedding...
We did the "traditional" black tuxes for our more formal wedding. All of the men wore black vests and ivory shirts. (Speaking of ivory shirts... Don't forget! If your dress is anything but bright white, you will want your men in ivory shirts as opposed to white shirts. No one will notice that they are ivory instead of white, but if they were white and your dress was ivory, your dress would look "dirty".) The ties were of the Siena Paisley Collection by Jean Yves.

My husband wore the bali tan paisley tie (that was actually much more silver than tan!) with the matching pocket square.
The groomsmen wore the light fuchsia paisley ties and pocket squares.
Don't they look sharp all together?
The Dad's wore black paisley ties with ivory pocket squares.

All inspiration pictures courtesy of The Knot. My pictures courtesy of Zenobia Photography Studios. The men in my bridal party got their tuxes at Carl Anthony Tuxedo in Cranston, RI.


What did your groomsmen wear on the big day? I'd love to hear about it!


Don't forget to vote for the Wedding Stories blog at the Weddzilla Guru Awards! Thanks!

You Have to Read This (Chain Email)…

To preface this I will say that I am NOT a big email forwarder. When I get them, I usually just delete them (sometimes even before reading). Luckily I had given this one a chance and ended up laughing so hard while reading that tears actually started coming down and I had to get a tissue! Not only did I forward it on, I thought it was worth posting here!

I have no idea where this email originally came from, so cannot give proper credit. But whoever started this, if you’re reading this, Bravo…Bravo.

Shannon (the secretary) has lost her cat and has asked David (the graphic designer) to help with a lost poster. This is their email correspondence...

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 9.15am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Poster
Hi
I opened the screen door yesterday and my cat got out and has been missing since then so I was wondering if you are not to busy you could make a poster for me. It has to be A4 and I will photocopy it and put it around my suburb this afternoon.

This is the only photo of her I have she answers to the name Missy and is black and white and about 8 months old. missing on Harper street and my phone number.
Thanks Shan.

From:David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 9.26am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Poster
Dear Shannon,
That is shocking news.
Although I have two clients expecting completed work this afternoon, I will, of course, drop everything and do whatever it takes to facilitate the speedy return of Missy.
Regards, David.

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 9.37am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Poster
yeah ok thanks. I know you dont like cats but I am really worried about mine. I have to leave at 1pm today.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.17am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Poster
Dear Shannon,
I never said I don't like cats. Attached poster as requested.
Regards, David.

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.24am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster
yeah thats not what I was looking for at all. it looks like a movie and how come the photo of Missy is so small?

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.28am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster
Dear Shannon,
It's a design thing. The cat is lost in the negative space.
Regards, David.

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.33am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster
Thats just stupid. Can you do it properly please? I am extremely emotional over this and was up all night in tears. you seem to think it is funny. Can you make the photo bigger please and fix the text and do it in colour please. Thanks.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.46am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster
Dear Shannon,
Having worked with designers for a few years now, I would have assumed you understood, despite our vague suggestions otherwise, we do not welcome constructive criticism. I don't come downstairs and tell you how to send text messages, log onto Facebook and look out of the window. I have amended and attached the poster as per your instructions.
Regards, David.

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.59am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster
This is worse than the other one. can you make it so it shows the whole photo of Missy and delete the stupid text that says missing missy off it? I just want it to say Lost.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.14am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.21am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster
yeah can you do the poster or not? I just want a photo and the word lost and the telephone number and when and where she was lost and her name. Not like a movie poster or anything stupid. I have to leave early today. If it was your cat I would help you. Thanks.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.32am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Awww
Dear Shannon,
I don't have a cat. I once agreed to look after a friend's cat for a week but after he dropped it off at my apartment and explained the concept of kitty litter. I have attached the amended version of your poster as per your detailed instructions.
Regards, David.

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.47am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Awww
Thats not my cat. where did you get that picture from? That cat is orange. I gave you a photo of my cat.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.58am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Awww
I know, but that one is cute. As Missy has quite possibly met any one of several violent ends, it is possible you might get a better cat out of this. If anybody calls and says "I haven't seen your orange cat but I did find a black and white one with its hind legs run over by a car, do you want it?" you can politely decline and save yourself a costly veterinarian bill.
Regards, David.

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.07pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Awww
Please just use the photo I gave you.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.22pm
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.34pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww
I didnt say there was a reward. I dont have $2000 dollars. What did you even put that there for? Apart from that it is perfect can you please remove the reward bit. Thanks Shan.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.42pm
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.51pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww
Can you just please take the reward bit off altogether? I have to leave in ten minutes and I still have to make photocopies of it.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.56pm
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 1.03pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww
Fine. That will have to do.

Happy Anniversary!

One year ago today was my college roommates Wedding Day! Happy First Anniversary A & A; here’s to many many more!

Also, they are expecting their first child any day now!!

Love you guys <3

Top 2 Tuesdays

The topic for Top 2 Tuesday’s over @ Taylor’s blog this week is Favorite Perfumes! Mine are:

Anna Sui’s Sui Dreams

 

and Jessica Simpson’s Fancy

 

Head on over to play!

Weekend Recap!

This weekend was the Italian Festival at the church; lots of food, games, prizes. Well Friday night it POURED here; thunder, lightning the whole 9 yards. Needless to say, Friday night was cancelled. The show went on as planned for Saturday night and then an extra night was added in for Sunday. Saturday was PACKED! I don’t have many pictures because I was running around like crazy making sure all the workers knew where they were supposed to be, that they had everything they needed for their booth and other odds and ends jobs! But here’s one I snuck in of the hubby working in the gambling booth… He’s a natural:

 

Saturday during the day I did some unpacking (finished all my clothes – woohoo!) and organizing around the house. Saturday afternoon, I hear a knock on the door and go to find 2 little girls standing on my front step. When I open they say “Did you just move here?” And I’m like “Yup, we moved in last weekend”. They go “Okay well these are for you” They were homemade “Welcome to the Neighborhood” cards! It MADE my day!

 

Sunday, I had one of my very oldest friend’s baby shower. She is having a little girl so everything was PINK! I forgot my camera (doh!) but I snapped a few pics with the berry.

Some pretty pink presents, including the must have diaper cake.

A New England Patriots outfit!

Mama opening the gifts.

  

Part of my gift (a big hit at the shower if I do say so myself!) Mini pink crocs!

Finally, what is a weekend recap post without a picture of my little 4 legged one, chilling in the (yet to be unpacked) bathroom on his Daddy’s towel…“Sorry Dad… Love, Batman”

Hope you all had fabulous weekends!