The Very Essence of Things

The next day we all met up at Kaldi's to get properly caffeinated before the shower.  They had my favorite pastry item, mocha muffins, and new cup sleeves with a lovely blue tile design.

Afterwards I went back home to change outfits and pick up my gift.  Instead of traditional registry-selected gifts, Juliana wanted everyone to bring a unique glass vase to be used in the centerpieces at the wedding.  It was a cool idea that definitely showcased everyone's style.

The shower was being hosted by Katie and Carla, two of Mom's friends, so we arrived at Katie's house a little early so we were there when guests started arriving.  Look at that beautiful cake!

It was quite a lovely setup, with little fruit cups, hummus and chips, and a refreshing champagne punch.  Family and friends started arriving and it was quite fun catching up with everyone.

Once all the ladies had arrived and were settled with food and a drink, the opening of the gifts began. It was fun to see how everyone interpreted the glass vase theme, and hear everyone's recipe and marriage advice cards that were included with the gift.

And then it was time for cake!  It tasted delicious and I was able to chat with everyone I missed during the before presents segment.  Andrew dropped by to say hello to everyone and then it was time to go.  It was a delightful afternoon celebrating Juliana and the upcoming marriage.  Only two more months before the big day!

(photos by e.hunt)

And Those Who Were Seen Dancing

Last Friday was the beginning of the wedding shower activities.  I was off work for the whole weekend so I slept in, had some coffee by the window, tidied up my apartment and got everything ready for the dress party I was hosting.  Juliana, her Mom Jane, and Mom were coming over to try on our wedding outfits.  Juliana found a new wedding dress so we were all excited to see what she decided on.  I was also looking forward to outside opinions on my current dress options.

We opened a bottle of wine and started the parade of dresses.  I think everyone is settled on their wedding day outfits, so now it's just down to what to wear to the rehearsal dinner!

(photo by e.hunt)

You Must Unlearn What You Have Learned

Hello hello!  And happy Friday to you all.  Happy Good Friday, that is.  Any plans for this to-be-rainy Easter weekend?  I have to work all day so I will miss the annual Easter brunch with the fam.  Oh well, I got to see most of them last weekend for Juliana's wedding shower.

Last Thursday, the night before everyone arrived, I got my hair cut!  I went to the place next door to my Starbucks on my lunch break and they happened to have a haircut slot open right when I was off work later that day.  I know most of the ladies that work there as they come get coffee everyday but my haircutist is new to the location and doesn't like coffee.  She did a good job, though.  I usually cut my own hair but every once in a while I like to get it professionally cleaned up.  And I got bangs!

I like them a lot so far.  They're new and fresh and super easy to style.  Thanks for understanding what I wanted, Eve!

(photo by e.hunt)

A Well Mind

As everyone knows, we have a big event coming up in June; that event being Andrew and Juliana's wedding!  The invites have been sent, the wedding website has been updated, and final decisions are being made.  This weekend marks the first official event though, Juliana's wedding shower!

That's the invite on the upper left.  The couple, along with her Mom, Jane, will be arriving Thursday and Friday for the weekend's activities.  I'll be hosting a dress try-on party at my apartment on Friday.  Juliana found a different dress than the one she found in Florida so we're excited to see the new one, Jane and Mom will be modeling their Mother of the Bride/Groom ensembles, and I will be trying on a few dresses from my latest round of ordering.  I still haven't found the right one, but maybe it'll be in this batch!

The Saturday shower will be held by two of Mom's friends, and it'll be fun to see all the cousins, family members, and St. Louis friends, and of course celebrate the upcoming nuptials.  Now I just need to decide what to wear to that!

(photo by e.hunt)

Here, At the Window

Hello and happy weekend!  I am off work today and am using my time for some leisurely activities.  Sleeping in, coffee by the window, vacuuming, a grocery store run, that kind of stuff.  I spent most of my coffee time catching up on Pinterest emails.  A couple times a week they send an email with links to twelve boards of topics that might interest you.

The ones they send me usually have to do with fashion, as that is mostly what I look at on Pinterest anyway.  I'm always up for finding new boards to follow and new inspiring looks, so I enjoy going through the emails.  I usually let them build up for a couple weeks and then have a grand viewing session and look at them all at once.  Pinterest is the best.

Speaking of fashion, the weather has been decidedly more spring-like this last week, with a few dips back down into the cold, but overall it's been rather balmy.  You still need a light jacket and scarf when venturing outdoors, but no gloves and the heavy coats are back in the closet.

And lucky for me, light jacket weather is my favorite kind of weather!  Here are some pics from the past five or so years of such weather.

And in my morning Pinterest foray, I found some new jacket looks to emulate.  Let the coolish weather continue!

(photos by e.hunt, and collected from weheartit, bedazelive, lovvit, glam4you, and memorandum)

Sometimes You Will Never Know the True Value of a Moment Until It Becomes a Memory

Happy International Women's Day, friends!  As I did last year, I'm wearing red to honor all the awesome ladies out there.  I am lucky to have many inspiring ladies in my life: first off, my Mom, who is one of my best friends.  I feel so fortunate to be able to come to her with anything, not to mention we just have a lot of fun when we're together.

My best friend Kaitlin and I live in different cities now but talk every few weeks or so.  She and I are very opposite in many ways but get along famously.  She is always supportive and we can talk about anything with each other, no judgement and no holds barred.

Together, with my Aunt Debby, who reminds me to not always take things so seriously, we make the perfect travel team.  Here we all are in Greece, enjoying our daily afternoon gelato treat.

Both of my Grandmas, who have wildly different personalities, inspire me in a creative and professional sense.  My Mom's Mom, Nana, always had work selling her paintings, needlepoint samplers, and other craft items.  My Dad's Mom worked in the high-end fashion retail industry for years.  Both traveled extensively with their husbands, and even took their kids and grandkids with them on occasion, much to our delight.  A few years ago Mom and I got to travel with both of them to Santa Fe.

And my many other good friends I've had throughout the last fifteen years or so.  Our friends shape us in a lot of ways and I've been fortunate to have some great influences through high school, college, and family.  Some I've lost touch with over the years and others I still see every once in a while.  They all were significant in my life and I appreciate their friendship.

So I guess the theme of this post is that women need to support and believe other women, and we can be unstoppable.  Appreciate your friendships, past and present, and listen and learn from the women around you, because we are awesome and we deserve it.  Happy International Women's Day!

(photos by e.hunt, k.horner, e.gerhardt, a Greek citizen, a Santa Fe citizen, s.harris, l.walton, j.hunt, and r.hunt)

Passez Une Magnifique Journée

Good morning, my fellow interneters!  Welcome to the new week, and March, for that matter.  How is it already the third month of this year?!  As usual, I had a busy weekend with work and other activities.

A few weeks ago I joined a gym, so I've been trying to go every other day, or at least three times a week to start.  I mainly stick to the treadmill and floor mats, but a friend of mine from work said she'll go with me at some point and show me how to use some of the machines.

It feels really good to be more active again on a regular basis.  I always thought gym memberships were too expensive to justify, especially since I would just use it for running, something I can very easily do outside, but this work friend told me she signed up for only five dollars, and then its ten dollars a month after that.  I can swing that each month!  It's really nice because what's hindering me from running outside now is the weather, my weird work schedule, not wanting to run when it's dark out, my safety in general, etc.  The gym is open 24/7, and it's only a five minute drive from my house!

I also went home for dinner last night.  Dad made one of my favorites, tortilla soupa with homemade chips!  We did not watch the Academy Awards, although I hear there were some notable Time's Up/#MeToo and inclusion/representation moments.  I'll read about the highlights today, and of course check out all the fashion.  Have a lovely Monday, everyone!

(photos by e.hunt, and collected from planetfitness)