V: The Great Bridal Shower Compromise

Momma Bird graciously desired to throw a traditional Bridal Shower for her first daughter to marry. Normally, this would be a lovely occasion for the ladies, however it seems all my friends have flown the coop to go get advanced degrees. Before their departure, they planned a rockin Wedding Weekend, and I just couldn't see them coming back to Atlanta for another party in my honor.

So, rather than a formal Bridal Shower for girls only, how about a Fiesta?? They called it an Engagement Party so it was clear this was a girls plus boys minus presents kind of affair. Casual, fun, Taqueria del Sol extravaganza.

Thank god it's cooled off in Hotlanta. Our building's courtyard was the perfect setting for the Moms to conspire.

Party begins! Love Sister Bird's beautiful blue & green maxi dress.

Naturally, Victory dives into the incredible Taqueria del Sol goodies. Did I mention we're fans?

Momma & Pop Bird with Mr. B's parents. Fast friends for years!

Bride and groom to be. Note the very timely coozies.

Sister Bird & Poppa Bird testing out the banana/chocolate ganache and chocolate/cream cheese cupcakes! Sister Bird is quite the talented baker.

Relaxed, fun, delicious. All words I hope our actual big day will live up to.

Samantha's Bridal Shower Bonanza!!

Ok, ladies. Finally! I'm ready to post about my bridal shower. Oh, what a wonderful bridal shower it was! I woke up early on Saturday morning and went to my first event of the day- a hair trial with the lovely Meg Ford, traveling hair stylist based out of Reston, VA. Laurie, one of my lovely maids, came with me- it was so fun to be pampered while chatting with these two wonderful women.

We returned to the house to begin the festivities for the "English Tea" themed shower, hosted by my lovely sister-in-law Abigail. She was the hostest with the mostest, thinking of every last detail, including gorgeous favors of pretty tea cups, bags of tea and biscotti. The spread was fantastic- tea sandwiches, fruit skewers, pesto crostini, chicken mango skewers and my favorite, lemon curd cupcakes from Lavender Moon cupcakery in Alexandria, VA! Oh, my people know me well.

Various relatives, future in-laws, bridesmaids and neighbors began to arrive as we all chit-chatted and milled around the champagne punch bowl. See this recipe for Orange Sherbert Champagne Punch- my favorite! Then came time for the present opening- who doesn't love presents? I must say though, I've never been the center of attention in that way- by the end of the day, I was exhausted, but ready for the next step!

We left Great Falls for downtown Washington, DC, where we had a fantasmo dinner at Jaleo's spanish tapas bar. We ordered a few glasses of sangria, ate yummy food and caught up with each other while getting excited for the night ahead.

After dinner, we headed to Allison's fantastic apartment, which was decked from ceiling to floor in 80s decor! Again, my people know me so well! So we broke out the champagne, some of the girls tried on their dresses and then it was time to get decked out in 80s gear. There was a lot of spandex.

After the getting ready fest, they all bestowed their lingerie gifts upon me. Oh, what fun! Everything received was very pretty, but I was particularly and especially amused by an interesting gift for Brad, inspired by The Full Monty. Thanks, Heidi's bf!

After the lingerie opening, copious pictures and more celebratory champagne drinking, we were off to DC! That's where I'll end my tale...oh, what a night!

Wicked Wedding Weekend Extravaganza

OH EM GEE. Last weekend was so rad. Mr. B and I really do have the very best friends on the planet. 

My future brother and sister-in-law flew out from California to help celebrate our upcoming wedding [yep, the one that's in EXACTLY four months.] The men folk shipped out to the "wilds" of North Carolina for a weekend of rafting and Gentleman Jack. I use the term "wilds" loosely, seeing as their cabin had wireless internet, flat panel tvs and a hot tub.

Alternatively, the ladies hit the town of ATL and showered me with love and delicious eats:)

Here is my awesome future sister-in-law, who will be birthing our nephew right around the time of the wedding. Sadly, this means she won't be able to attend the festivities, so we were thrilled to have her around this weekend!! What a great sport at five months pregnant!

Headed to the Sun Dial's revolving roof top bar on Friday night. And yes, my sister naturally looks that way.

Saturday was off to a great start after a SURPRISE massage at the awesome Key Lime Pie spa down the street. Literally, my sister dropped me off at the door and pushed me in, I had no idea what was going on. Devine. Little did I realize they kicked me out of my own home to set up the most incredible, beautiful lingerie shower.

My bridesmaids were the Hostesses with the Mostesses. Literally, that's where they got the inspiration! The brilliant circles and the lemon+baby's breath bowl will likely be stolen/reused at the wedding. I mean, how freakin awesome??

The best surprise was from Mr. B. Though not present, he contributed nine pictures and nine reasons for loving me. Typical, he was touching, hilarious and adorable.

Laurie was apparently trying to out do the shower we hosted for her wedding last year. She made me a "bride to be" sash from scratch! On the right, the amazing chef of the weekend & real sis hangs with beautiful sis-in-law.

Whoa! Fellow bride Caitee from NC wasn't supposed to be there! I was complete shocked!

LOVE these ladies.

The panties are unwrapped! Let's just say Mr. B was very excited about this shower concept. Does this mean I have to get rid of my beloved granny panties?

And much, much later on, Sissy and I throughly enjoyed El Bar, a local institution.

All-in-all, the best freakin weekend ever. As evidenced by Mr. B's bruised outside and in [mainly in the liver region]. 

Bridal Showers of Yore

Almost one year ago, a very special girl to both Samantha and I, got hitched! With her anniversary just around the corner, I felt it appropriate to trot out the pictures from the super fun shower we hosted at my house last April.

A special chair for the bride!

Floating flower puffs for cheap, impact-ful decor.

My secret source for flowers: Costco. The vase was wrapped in tulle for an extra feminine touch.

Fresh flowers for spring! Also, love the Dwell for Target runner I got just for the occasion. They even used it in this wedding, featured on Style Me Pretty.

Of course, we had to make the bride's favorite recipe: Goat Cheese Tart. It's a delicious concoction of goat cheese, pesto and sun-dried tomato pesto. Just to die for! 

More lovely bridesmaids with the incredible food spread. It was too bad Jolyn didn't mention that she can't eat cheese . . . EVERY single item included some form of the substance, except the cake and some grapes. 

The maid of honor decked out in the winning toilet paper dress.

The beautiful bride! What a great shower dress.

Another classic shower game, but with a technological assist. We had the groom pre-record answers to questions, and had the bride guess what he would say. Hilarity ensued!

And a parting shot of Mr. B in the bridal throne. Thank god he doesn't read this blog.

Fast forward to present day, and now our dear friend is returning the favor by serving as bridesmaid extraordinaire for both of us! Happy Anniversary Laurie!