Time Machine Tuesday–BWBP

A lot of people will tell you that they have THE BEST FRIENDS EVER OMG.  However, I’m here to tell you that they’re lying.  My friends are the best ever.  And this is why.

I am lucky enough to still be close friends with most of my girlfriends from high school.  And while I didn’t follow any of my friends to college, a good number of them went to school together, and made very close friends there too, who have now become my friends.  A lot of us have moved away, but we still come back to see each other as often as possible.  Even if we go a long time without seeing each other, I know for certain that there will be one weekend a year where I get to see all my girls… Bitches Weekend.

Bitches Weekend started in 2007, and has been a yearly tradition of drinking, eating taco dip, making each other breakfast, and sunbathing.  (Sometimes too much sunbathing). 

(the first bitches weekend, circa 2007)

The same crew comes back year after year, and it’s such a routine for us now that we all know who we’re driving with (Leslie), what time we leave on Friday (after a half day of work), who brings what (Les and I always get the alcohol!), and what bed we sleep in (back bedroom, next to Leslie.)  Perfect.

I didn’t think anything could get much better.  But, you see, I’m the first one of my friends to be getting married, and apparently they wanted to do something special for my last Bitches Weekend as a single gal.  And special doesn’t even begin to cover it.

It didn’t start much different than any other bitches weekend.  We had been planning to go out in Atlantic City on Saturday, so we’d been talking for weeks about all the cute dresses we were going to wear.  This didn’t seem out of the ordinary.

On Friday night when Linds and Lili arrived, they went grocery shopping.  This didn’t seem out of the ordinary.

On Saturday when some of the girls and I took a walk, and the rest of the girls went home to get ready for Church, that didn’t seem out of the ordinary.

When we walked back to the house, and the back gate was locked, I just thought “hmm so much for wiping off the sand, I’ll just use the front door.”  That didn’t seem out of the ordinary.  (Damn I’m naive.)

It wasn’t until I walked through the front door to see this (well, plus all my gorgeous friends), that anything was out of the ordinary.

And then I cried.  And then I was presented with a tiara. 

And Bitches Bubbly, and yummy snacks.

And beautiful necklaces that my beautiful friend Whitney made just for us.  And this amazing pint glass, that couldn’t have been more perfect.  (Yes, I still drink out of this at least once a week!)

We got ready…

and headed to AC.  The girls had put together a very detailed and amazing scavenger hunt that we started on in the car, and we reconvened at Carmines for dinner.

The rest of the night was a blur.  We drank girly drinks and I just soaked up the love that I felt from all of my friends.  There are no words to express how I felt that night, and how I feel when I think about that night.  It was such a sweet (and perfectly executed!) surprise, and I just can’t thank all of the girls for the most perfect Bitches Weekend Bachelorette Party a girl could ask for.

What was the sweetest thing that your friends have done for you?

Wedding Wednesday–The Knot Checklist

GREAT NEWS!  Two minutes ago, I checked off a box on the Knot’s checklist that said “Finalize Invitation Wording.”  And then this happened:

This is huge, guys.  I know a lot of people talk a lot of smack about the Knot – and most of the time I agree with them.  But I’ve tried a bunch of other wedding organizer websites, and the Knot’s is the most consistent. PLUS they’ve recently updated it, and it’s actually pretty user friendly now.  I couldn’t care less about the rest of the content on the Knot – I think it’s hard to navigate, often slow, and not updated frequently enough.  But this checklist keeps me coming back every day.  It held a lot of frivolous items, but I know I might forget about some of the details once the wedding comes around.  And if nothing else, this self-proclaimed “queen of lists” LOVES having such a beast of a list to dominate.  And clearly, I’m dominating. 

Go team.

Scanner Sunday–Tea for Two

So some of you might know that Robert and I are big fans of tea.  We’ve been collecting antique tea sets from our great grandparents, and even our engagement pictures incorporated our love for the delicious hot beverage! 

However, since we already have all sorts of fun mugs and tea kettles, we really didn’t register for much fuel for our habit.  The only exception is the tea set that is a part of our china set (isn’t she a beaut?)

But I can’t help but sneak a peek at some of the other tea sets and accessories that are out in the registry world right now.  In my dream kitchen, some of these lovely pieces would be in my cupboards.  Maybe they’ll find their way to yours!

For those of you who have friends that also enjoy a good cup of tea, I love this set of mugs that nestle into a sweet carrying tray.  There’s nothing worse than trying to juggle mugs full of hot water, so anything that allows you to look like a calm, cool, and collected hostess is worth it in my book.  These mugs are available from Crate and Barrel.

And for everyone who loves their new married initials (or for anyone who just loves their last name, really!) there is this cute set with a monogram.  Pair the tea pot with a mug with your first initial – one for each member of the family!  Perfect for brunch with the family… and you’ll never worry whose tea you’re drinking!  Both the tea pot and the mugs are available from Pottery Barn.

If I were living in a cool, modern loft, I would totally want this tea set in my home.  Its silver tone is reminiscent of a classic tea pot, but with a fun new shape.  Tea is such a warm comfort, but this cool cone shape adds a bit of playfulness.  I found this set at Bloomingdales.

And finally, for all of you who might be like me and already have too many mugs and tea pots, I’m sure you can fit a few little accessories in your kitchen!  I am loving all of these little guys from Crate and Barrel…

A tea infuser stick for the delicious loose leaf teas:

A tea box so that your tea cabinet looks nice and organized (unlike mine!):

And last but not least, this adorable teabag rest will give you a place to put your teabag after it’s been steeping.  No one wants a bitter cup of tea (or a mess on the coffee table!)

Are you a tea drinker?  Or do you always start your day with a cuppa joe?