{ Isn't She Lovely. }

Today, my friend Danielle and I hosted a bridal shower for our dear friend, Joelle. Before I begin, let me enlighten you about our history.

You see, Joelle's fiancé, Peter and my husband, Calvin are friends with Danielle. Calvin and Peter have been friends ever since they were young lads and while enduring adolescents, the boys became friends with Danielle. Throughout the years, the dynamic trio has shared hysterical laughs, harmless-good ol' trouble, and true loyalty towards each other.

About three years ago, we all somehow {almost the same time}, found our special someone. Cal and I married in June, 2009. Danielle and her husband, Josh, married in September, 2009. And, now Peter and Joelle are getting married this May!

When we get together it's like on the show Friends, at Central Perk. Instead of the small business coffee shop, we prefer beer and greasy eats -- Old Chicago. Our gang has multiple conversations {at once}, same table {almost} every time {same waiter, too!}, causal bullshitting, and wise-cracks from the guys. Most importantly, we annoy whoever is sitting around us; we swear and talk about bumping uglies -- we're extremely loud. Yes, we are that group! Don't you love us? It's usually late at night, so no worries, and no kiddos around.

{Back to the bridal shower.}

 {My neighbors were probably thinking why is Amanda hanging her panties in the bay window?}

After the homemade breakfast bread pudding, bacon, garlic and herb tomatoes, parmesan and thyme crackers and angel food cake.

We played a game and read Joelle a panty poem, and then it was time for gifts!

The Parmesan and Thyme Crackers in the making at 1:30A.M.

Ina Garten's Recipie:

1/4 pound {1 stick} unsalted butter {room temp}

3 ounces grated Parmesan

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons of water

Place the butter in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment and mix until creamy. Add the Parmesan, flour, salt, thyme and pepper and combine.

Dump the dough on a lightly floured board and roll into a 13-inch long log. Wrap the log in plastic wrap and place in the freezer for 30 minutes to harden.

Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Cut the log crosswise into 1/4 to 1/2-inch thick slices. Place the slices on a sheet pan and bake for 22 minutes.

Cute tea light lanterns, our party favors!

{Target: find the lanterns in the dollar section!}

The Wives Club

{ Delight.Swim. }

Ok ladies! I need some help picking out a swim piece. Going to the Jersey Shore in a month and wanting to look fabulous!

These are my picks, be decisive now:

{Swim 1} Anthropologie: This one is my top fav!

Front

Back

{Swim 2} Anthropologie: # 2 on my list.

Front

Back

{Swim 3} J.Crew: 3rd pick, I love the design.

{Swim 4} J.Crew: A little different, but the bottoms remind me of Grace Kelly.

Front

Back

Let me know which one I should choose!

{ Meggie at 9 Mos. }

Greetings from Meggie! I haven't blogged since I was 7 weeks old. I should give you an update!

I'm snuggly, sweet, mighty strong and did I mention I have lots of energy? I know the words 'Treat' and 'Walk' exceptionally well. I love going on long walks and I can play fetch for hours. I am still in the process of training; although, boy, I sure can point! At times, well, I guess all the time, I'm pretty naughty. But, that's what us pups do, am I right? According to my Grandpa, there's a Marley in me everyday!

I’m an awfully picky eater, surprisingly enough for a puppy of my breed. I’ve been on four different brands of puppy chow. The only brand of food I can justify to eat is Nutro Natural Choice; I gorge {whole} every single morsel! About a month ago, I was switched to big girl food, Nutro Natural Choice, Lamb & Rice. It is very yummy and it helps me stay healthy.

That's all I have for now!

With Love,

Your Future Huntress Extraordinaire


 

I'm a winker, too!

{ Meg in the Doghouse. }

Or, I guess you could say, Meg in the jailhouse. I believe that is appropriate enough.

Last night {at work} my BlackBerry was ringing off the hook. After a couple of times of snubbing my husband's phone calls, I finally answered, "Yes Dear?" Right when I answered I knew something was wrong. You see my husband is a very happy-go-lucky type of guy on the phone. When I answered, Cal was quiet {again, not like him} and the resonance in his voice was nervous. In a calm manner he proceeded to tell me what had happened to Meggie. Cal had every reason to be nervous because I can be such a spazz.

What our fearless pup-child did was running around like a wild-carefree animal, trying to antagonize her over 100lb.uncle {Cal's parents' lab}. While basically acting like an ravaging animal, she ran under Cal's parents' deck, where there happens to be a sailboat lying on its side. Meg ran right along the sailboat and snagged herself on a hook. Cal and my father-in-law heard her yelp and rushed down from the deck to check on her. When they got to her they noticed she was missing a chuck of skin on her left side. The bleeding would not stop and Cal took her to our closet Banfield pet hospital.

After 2 1/2 hours and over $400 dollars later, the Vet stitched up our crazy-little girl.

Let me remind you not too along go, Meg was bit by a non-socialized lab in the neighborhood. It was 7 at night and the only Banfield that was open was the one St. Paul. Keep in mind, this is close to an hour away from us. Again, another 2 hours and over $200 later, our puppy's hole in her cheek was all patched up.

So, in a month and a half our vet bills have totaled over $600. Luckily we have the pet wellness plan {basically, pet insurance} through Banfield.

For the time being this wild child will be in the doghouse for a while, well at least until she heals.

Meg in jail.

Fortunately, she's OK to go to her obedience class tonight! Meggie is in her 2nd week of training and it's goin' great!

{ Tis' the Season. }

Tis' the season for weddings, and, so many of them this year! Hard to imagine a year ago, Cal and I were rushing around Minnetonka and Minneapolis to finalize final details with our vendors. Even though it was so much work, it was such an exciting time for the both of us. {I was fortunate to have a helpful fiancé.}It was very seldom when planning became stressful; needless to say, I was extremely organized and to the point of being so organized, I surprised our florist {at our first meeting} by pushing away her book of samples of bouquets and saying "I won’t be needing that."

For future Twin Cities' brides out there might find some of these vendors helpful: Our wedding website.

Their prices were affordable and customer service was top notch!

{Our Vendors}

We had the best photographer, too!

{Erica Loeks Photography}

The first time I had ever been frugal {I do mean ever!}, was when we were planning our wedding. Cal and I had an elegant Minneapolis wedding for less than 15K. It is possible!

{ Giada's Style, Loves! }

My new favorite DVR recording is Giada at Home. It's basically a sneak peak into the Everyday Italian star, {Giada de Laurentiis'}, world! Just like Ina Garten, Giada has tasteful style and recipes. {Which I adore!!} For those of you who have seen Giada's show, you have more than likely have seen the very cute stoneware egg crate, in which she holds all of her cage-free, organic eggs. Too cute and fun! It always catches my eye and every show I watch of hers, I say to myself, "Where can I find me one of those?"

{Amanda's Lucky Fates:}
I normally browse {Anthropologie's} site to look at darling tops, dresses, and home textiles. Today, while looking at Anthro's kitchen page, I came across the exact same stoneware egg crate that Giada uses on her show. Way too cool. I swear I am the only one who gets excited over chic cook wear.

Anthro calls it, Farmer's Egg Crate; stores a dozen eggs and comes in colors, sky and white. And, not to mention only 14 buckaroos! What a heavenly deal!

I ordered the white, {Shouldn't be such a shock to you folks.} but the sky color is just as adorable.

This is a must buy!