Sooooo, since it's almost 2016, it seems like the perfect time to do a post of BYOP 2015.
I can't believe I forgot to write about the party this year, and when I came across the pictures, I thought they were too good not to post. The party was a success (duh!) with everyone really pulling their weight as far as food went. I love that it's becoming something that everyone looks forward to.
We had the largest turn out to date which made it super fun, plus I love adding more and more pumpkins to the annual picture every year. Can't wait for next year!
I haven't done a Wednesday Words since August! Crazy since it's def one of my favorite posts that I do. So since this is one of the last WW of 2015, I wanted to use it as a chance to say thank you to my girlfriends.
When I look back on this past year, I know I couldn't have gotten through it without my friends. It was trying at times in many different respects, and I really needed certain people in my life to step up to the plate and I am so thankful that a select few took the challenge. I am so lucky to have such a strong, fun, and supportive group of women in my life. From listening to each other vent about anything (and everything) to a fun night out (that we don't always remember), my girls mean the world to me and I treasure the genuine friendships that I have at this stage in my life. I wouldn't be the person I am without their advice and (sometimes much needed) tough love and I quite like that person I have become with their help and guidance.
One of my resolutions for 2015 is to cool it with the iPhone. While I'm not the worst I've seen when it comes to the phone obsession epidemic, I do notice myself staring at that little screen more than I would like to.
At dinner last weekend to celebrate my birthday I sat at the head of the table and almost told everyone to give me their phones. At any given time throughout the meal 4-6 people were staring down at a screen. I don't think this was because the meal was boring or no one had anything to talk about. I think it's because we all feel this incessant need to constantly know what other people are doing in that same moment and compare it to what we are up to presently. I think it's gross and that it's leading to an increase of memories not being made in some instances. For example, you're not going to remember the fashion blogger/celebrities/old high school friends Instagram picture you double tapped, but if you put your phone away and took the time to have a conversation with the person next to you -- that could be a memory worth having.
So leave the phone in your bag or pocket and remember -- just because you didn't Instagram, Facebook, or Tweet about it doesn't mean it didn't happen.
I've been spending my days, weeks, months leading up to this day saying how much it didn't bother me and how it wasn't a big deal to leave my 20's behind. Then last night over a lovely Mexican dinner with Rich, I felt a mini meltdown coming on, and started mildly freaking out that I was turning 30. It only lasted a short while, but it hit me, and it -temporarily- hit me hard.
By the time we finished our queso the panic had subsided, and the excitement/anticipation I've been feeling towards January the ninth seeped back into me. I feel empowered by turning 30, like I'm shedding a skin of sorts and stepping into a new chapter.
It's only 8:30 AM, but I already like how 30 feels on me.
New Year's Eve. Probably one of -- if not the most over-hyped night of the year.
I used to spend New Years Eve day counting down the hours until I could go get pretty blackout drunk while wearing a sparkly dress surrounded by a bunch of people I didn't know. And while tonight I will still be donning a gold semi-sparkly dress and probably be getting a bit tipsy, I'm going to spend my day today a bit differently and take an opportunity to reflect on 2014 and some of the highlights of the year.
Join me, won't you...
1.) Rich and I celebrated our two year wedding anniversary in September which is crazy and amazing all at the same time! Time flies when you're having fun.
2.) After 10 years I finally got up the courage to leave my old job in January that was making me extremely unhappy. It was the hardest but best decision I have made in my life thus far.
3.) We celebrated the birth of our close friends Jenna and Joe's beautiful baby boy Luke in August, and I've had a bit of a baby fever since they announced they were pregant last NYE.
4.) We got to travel back to San Diego in May, visited with friends and family and attended my cousins wedding.
5.) We completed some projects around the house -- you see some of them here, here, here, here, and here.
6.) Our dog Brody went through a terrible ordeal of hurting his back and becoming paralyzed, but has recently started to regain some mobility and is standing and even walking on his own for short periods of time!
7.) Rich finally realized his dream of starting his own business and it has been inspiring to watch him succeed at it.
8.) We threw our second annual BYOP party which was a great success and super fun.
This Wednesday Words is hard for me to write, partially because the situation that the above quote represents is so hurtful, and partially because it's not about me personally.
One of my good friends had her world turned upside-down recently in regards to her marriage. Out of respect for my friend, I won't dive any further into the details of the situation.
It made me think about how sometimes, we don't really know the people we allow into our lives....and how we don't know how much that statement rings true until it's too late.
You know it's going to be a GOODparty when people walk into your backyard and their mouths basically drop.
You know it was a GREAT party when it's over and you have the post BYOP blues.
Yes I admit I have been semi-depressed for the past almost 2 weeks about the party having been over. It was kinda how you feel after your wedding -- all that work for a few hours party and then -POOF!- dunzo. Not that I'm trying to compare a pumpkin carving party to the day Rich and I got married, but ya I guess I kinda am. To us, this party was different than others we had thrown. It was our second one, we had double the amount of people coming, and we just felt the need to make it more than some folding tables and red cups. We wanted it to be memorable...and I think we accomplished that.
I got up at 6am that morning to start prepping and spent most of my time refreshing my Weather Bug App and calling my mom freaking out that it said we were supposed to get rain at 4pm (party start time!!!!!). She told me to relax and that it was going to be fine. As usual Mama was right, and we had GREAT weather. There was a slight chill in the air but the fire pit and chimenea added the perfect warmth. The string lights provided an ambiance that I think really made the party feel intimate.
I really wanted a chalkboard to write the menu on since everyone was bringing such yummy food, but Rich said he just didn't have enough time to get it done. I pouted for a few days but got over it and decided that it wasn't a big deal not to have a big chalkboard menu....I GUESS. Well, the morning of the party he surprised me and whipped one up -cue the awwwwwwwws- We hung it and as I already knew, it was this type of little detail that really made the party special.
Oh, and I cannot even begin to tell you how key the table and benches that Rich made were. The benches were the perfect alternative to having a bunch of chairs on the deck, plus they were extra cute, cozy, and splinter repellant after I put some throw blankets on them. With 15 people carving on the table at the same time it didn't even flinch, it was that solid and strong. A few of us (not naming names) may have even ended up dancing on it at some point...
Bottom line, it was a success, again. The food was great, the company was better, and I can't wait till next year!
Typically, a lot of work goes into having people over. Even if it's just a small dinner you have to plan the menu, clean the house, oh and get ready yourself, which in my case always seems to be last on the priority list.
Since you know your hostess is probably in frenzy mode for at least the 2-3 hours before you arrive, it's only right to show up with a little token of your appreciation for her hard work. Hey, you don't have to cook dinner tonight, and for that hostess - we thank you.
Before I launch into a few quick suggestions, I will say this. I know there is a 'rule' about flowers. You're not supposed to bring them since typically your hostess then has to find a vase, fill it with water, cut the flowers, etc., and it can take away from other last minute items she is trying to accomplish. Well, I'm just going to come out and say it, I think that rule is BS. I think flowers are a wonderful token to to bring over and if the hostess can locate the vase for me, I'm always more than happy to cut and arrange the flowers for her while she does other things.
BUTTTT, if you still would feel more comfortable bringing something else, below are a few suggestions -along with what bottle of alcohol to accompany them with, obviously- that I think any hostess would be more than happy to receive.
Jonathan Adler has great candles in beautiful simple holders. And seriously, how perfect would this champagne scented candle be for your New Years Eve party hostess?!
ACCOMPANY WITH :: A BOTTLE OF GOOD CHAMPAGE
Invited over to your friends for a boozy brunch? Bring over a yummers bloody mary mix and maybe if you're lucky they'll open it up while you're over and you can sample it.
ACCOMPANY WITH :: A BOTTLE OF VODKA
If you wanted to get your host/hostess something that they will use all the time, I would check out Anthropologie's dishtowels. They have so many adorable/good quality options and lets face it, everyone needs dishtowels. I'm partial to this dachshund printed one and it may or may not already be hanging off my oven handle.
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