Weekend Happenins' and a Surprise 50th Birthday Party

Welcome back to another glorious work week!

I can not believe we're already into the second week of August. 

I LOVE August! Not only because its yours truly's birth month but we also

get to welcome preseason football into our evening schedules andddd...

it's Shark Weeeeeeek! 

Recall last year's post HERE if you feel the need to partake in the infamous

 "Shark Week Drinking Game."

This weekend we also celebrated my mother in law's 50th birthday.

With a milestone birthday like the big FIVE - OH, a blow out surprise party was only necessary.

So that we did! Although I had every intention of snapping photos that night, once guests

started to arrive it completely slipped my mind. Here were a few that were captured!

Please note, our fabulous guest of honor's face as she walked in the door.

#nailedit

 

About an hour or so into the party I realized I didn't even snap a photo

of the Sangria Bar that I set up. Judging by all of the missing mason jars

and the half full (optimism, people!) beverage dispensers of the sangria, 

I'd say it was a hit!

Another exciting weekend happening was Jake's early Saturday morning 

trip to the pet hospital. YES. So NOT fun. For being 7 1/2 years old, he's actually been quite healthy!

When we woke up early that morning to start tackling some pre-party errands, we noticed

that Jake must have licked his little back paws raw the night before. They were bright red

and we could tell he was in pain. We checked his paws and all around the paw pads

and couldn't find any cuts or bites so we knew it must be some type of a rash or allergic reaction.

One huge cone collar, a pack of antibacterial paw wipes, 3 different types of meds 

and a $300 vet bill later, our little boy is better and back to his happy tail wag.

Seriously though, it took us a hot minute to pull ourselves together after seeing

Jake in his newest accessory. He absolutely hates us.

Another Jake-related topic! We are 99.98% sure we have located Jake's little sister.
Would you just LOOK at it ?!
(Name that YouTube video)
They're like twins! Jake is a Jack Russell/Beagle (or a Jack-a-Bee) so
our neighbors were thrilled to finally know what breed their new pup was!

I foresee another puppy in the future very soon. 

'Merica & Layered Lemon Cake

Don't know about y'all but if there is one day

 that I am proud to be an American, it's Memorial Day.

I mean I'm a very patriotic gal so I would say that I'm proud

to be an American EVERY day, but especially on Memorial Day.

Last weekend was spent being
1. Proud to be from this beautiful country and thankful
for all of those who have fought for our freedom
2. Surrounded by my amazing family and friends
3. Showered by this gorgeous Florida sunshine

Notttt to mention another fabulous weekend on the river.

Before I just start to throw pictures at you let me first share
a new little somethin' somethin' that I tried for our traditional Memorial Day weekend/
Grandma's Birthday BBQ.

Layered Lemon Cake mmmm mm mmmm!

Click riiighttt HERE for the BHG recipe that I used. So easy!

Obbbviously couldn't resist these napkins from Target.. 

The kiddos jumpin' in

My handsome Nephew! :)

Mom and I

Jakey Baby got to play in the pool too..

despite Grandma's efforts to keep him out

Claire and Grammy

Happy Birthday Granny!!!

Couldn't fit 83 candles on that baby.. 

Also, extremely proud to announce that we purchased

another boat! WEEEEEE!

AND Jake approves.

AND it doesn't feel like I'm driving a Carnival cruise line... 

which is a major bonus compared to our last one.

Happy official Summer!

Weekend Snap Shots & a Recent Purchase!

Happpyyyy Monday!

Said no one ever.

This weekend rolled by waaayyy way too quick. 

I was really looking forward to relaxing and getting my glow on at the pool since

the past 3 months full of weekends have been packed.. and well, that didn't happen.

First and FOREMOST- overly excited to announce that I finally bought a nice camera.

She doesn't have a name but she DOES have a fancy schmancy new

camera strap on the way! Thank youuu ETSY!

via

Ok so technically I bought the camera strap before I bought the camera?

Yes, I realize that is ridiculous but I did kind of name our dog Jake before we even 

knew we were getting a dog. Also, ridiculous. I know.

Anyway, Bryan has made it clear that he won't be toting around

this little beauty with THAT strapped to it but it was a necessity. 

This Saturday was Stacy's 26th birthday which was the perfect

opportunity to start playing with me new toy.. Enter a TON of random pictures.

Clearly still a LOT of figuring out left to do!

Found a TON of good foodie photo tutorials that I'll 

be browsing through this week... 

via

via

Also! QUICK movie review!

So this past weekend we saw two movies...

We really do have a movie theatre addition.

Who goes to the movies twice in one weekend?

That's right, people, we do. 

Friday we saw Pain & Gain which was definitely awesome.

DEFINITELY a little gruesome, which was unexpected, but the

movie itself was pretty good andddd it was a true story. 

Action/comedy meets First 48 ? If that makes sense ? 

It's a go. 

Sunday night we saw The Place Beyond the Pines. 

L-O-V-E-D.

It was a little odd at first- odd meaning is this Ryan Gosling I'm

looking at or Slim Shady? Also the scene where Eva Mendez

walks out wearing a tank top with no bra. 100% necessary?

A little hard to follow but good ending. Go!

PINK Breast Cancer Charity Party

<3 October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month <3

..Is it me or is Breast Cancer Awareness becoming

bigger than Halloween during the  month of October? 

This month is very special to me.

My Mom is a survivor and I always like to show my support in one way or another.

Whether it's participating in a walk or donating, I feel that I owe

it to my Mom, whom I could have lost. 

Therefore I have decided to host *yet another* party! 
I chose to host a Bunco for Boobies charity event-
all proceeds to be donated to Susan G Komen. 
Oh what's that you say ? Bunco is for middle aged women
all hopped up on Chardonnay? 
Invite your girlfriends over to play one night,
and yes, 7-8 bottles of vino,
you'll see how exciting it actually is haaaa!

Beverage Display 

The concoction? 

Annndddd the Dessert Display. I clearly outdid myself this time.

Food Setup.. not as exciting, I know.

This buffet server was possibly one of my FAVORITE purchases;
Hellooo Spaceeee:

Here are some other Deets:

Keep Calm & Fight On Printable
..with more of those fabulous little glitter ribbons
I found from Michael's.

Pink Tissues Balls
I am on a tissue ball frenzy now that Kell
has showed me how to master these.
Tissue Balls at EVVEERRYYYY event! YAYY!

The "Hope" Banner
Kelley made this for me, literally the night prior.
I am mildly obsessed with Cricuts and what they can do. 
[Ignore the minor Halloween decor in the background.
I undecorated most of the house for the party but
a few things were missed- OOPS!]

Gift Bags!
[More Kelley projects.. ]
And my un-chalked chalkboard
that I bought from Kirkland's.
It formerly read "BOO" for Halloween
and I just turned it into a Welcome sign on the door for the party :)
$10 bucks well spent!

Finally, I saw this idea on Pinterest. I asked the girls to sign under the 
"I Wear Pink for.." 

Super excited that Mom & Gmom were able to attend!

The party was a total success and we had a blast!
We are donating $250 to the Susan G Komen Research Foundation.
It's not a gazillion dollars but I'm no Donald Trump, people.
I'm hoping to organize a walk in Ocala next year
to switch things up a bit!

We also just recently celebrated 2 of
my best girlfriends' bdays!
Jill turned 25 on the 9th and Haley turned 27 on the 15th.
I made this wine label for Jill.

I took Haley out for margs and gave her a cutie pic of us.

Followed by a super appropriate card. :)

That is all I have for you at the moment, friends!
Actually, I don't know what I'm talking about.
That was an obnoxiously long post.
You are welcome. 

Don't forget my Halloween Treat Countdown starts tomorrow!
MWAAAHHAHAA
Creepy laugh? Not so much?