{ 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

{ 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!

{ Photo-boxes into Scrap-boxes! }

Isn't it a wonderful day, today? Well it sure is for me! Day off from mind-numbing work and people, apple-mango-tango laundry is tumbling, duvets are fluffed, and peace--Meggie consumed with hiding her bones in couch cushions. I am usually too tired to blog when I come home from work, sad, but undeniably factual. Right as I pull into our garage there's a routine I follow:

• Turn off  car and radio 
• Grab lunch bag and coffee tumbler
• Set lunch bag and coffee tumbler by the garage door steps
• Walk to the mail box. *A Hike: If you're a clumsy female like myself: who wears fancy-slippery ballet flats: who has a long driveway: who lives in a neighborhood that has shitty snowplow men: who does not scrap off any damn ice or snow in the street. *So yeah, that's an adventure all its self.
• Walk back from the mail box, the adventure repeats while cussing.
• Tries gracefully while having mail in hand and attempts to snatch lunch bag and coffee tumbler all at once.
• Walks through garage door into the house
• Greeted by an excited six-month-old canine and everything in hands goes into the air.
• Let out the naughty excited six-month-old canine to "Go Be Quick," AKA: Potty.
• Put coat and shoes in closet.
• Pick up stuff that was dropped.
• Walk upstairs.
• Set down (not so gracefully) the mail, lunch bag, coffee tumbler and handbag on the island. 
• Walk down stairs.
• Let in the excited six-month-old canine.

*And, if it Thursdays, bring the garbage can back into garage.

Fortunately, today I can erase that lists of steps off of my day.

To continue on my joyous day off;

After Cal left for work, folding laundry and putting it away upstairs. I decided to take a coffee break and watch some TV. Sipping my coffee and successfully not burning my tongue, I flipped through channels of prime time morning television. Price is Right was just was not doing it for me and I flipped to the next channel. It was The Martha Stewart Show! Which I haven't seen in forever because I work in the mornings. I use to watch that show all the time and What Not to Wear on TLC when I took my beloved Oma to chemo treatments.

The Martha Stewart Show's topic today: The Family Show, dedicated to all things family. Turn life's memorable moments into charming keepsakes with scrap-boxes from Weddings editorial director Darcy Miller, and make hearty, kid-friendly ribs with chef Emeril Lagasse and his son, E.J.

Being a foodie and all, I wasn't quite impressed by the 'BAM!' phenomenon; however, his child son was a comedic cutie. What intrigued me the most was Martha's editorial director, Darcy Miller. Her creativeness, witty personality and not to mention her three adorable little girls, made me to continue to follow the program instead of flipping through channels. Her ultimate passion besides her beautiful girls is scrap-booking. I've always wanted to learn more about elegant scrap-booking and her vision was even better. She took her love of scrap-booking to scrap-boxes!

Below is a sample of her work. This weekend I'll be in search of photo boxes. My vision is to put my bridal ballet flats from Grace Footwear with a wedding photo.

Another idea that I have is to do what Darcy did, a wedding photo with the wedding invitation. I'll make sure to post my finished products as once as I am finished!

The How to Do:

With a few household and crafts materials, you can frame a collection of family mementos, creating an interesting display. Here are some of the ways Darcy Miller, editorial director of Martha Stewart Weddings, puts them to use. 1/4-inch-thick foam board: Back photos, illustrations, and paper ephemera for extra depth, or add a layer or two inside baby clothes for a filled-out look.

Adhesive dots: Give a child's dress fabric folds with these reusable dots, or hold open the lid of a mounted watercolor set.

Background paper: Add a pop of color to the box wall, or choose a similar-hued one to let the objects take center stage. Mount it on foam board if you plan to secure items with straight pins or wire.


Craft glue: Stick tiny dots of confetti outside the glass for a snowdrift, or dangle a silver streamer from the frame's top. Double-sided foam tape: Adhere heavier items, such as a small dress, to paper or foam board.

Double-sided tape: Affix a photo to the inside of the frame's glass with a small sliver of tape, or attach circles of confetti to background paper.

Straight pins: Secure little ballet slippers or bikini ties to background paper mounted on foam board. For a clean look, snip the pinheads off with wire cutters after pushing them in.

Wire: Display "floating" sunglasses and swimming goggles with pieces of wire looped through holes in foam board, twisting the wire ends in the back.

Source: Tools and Techniques for Darcy's Scrapboxes

Product Greatness: I bought this today off of Amazon, I can't wait! After months and months of searching for the perfect scrap book, I finally found the one. Price of $18.71 + tax and shipping. Pretty hard to beat!

The perfect keepsake book for the special moments, celebrations and romance of  your wedding. From first-date jitters to the engagement, from the wedding day through the honeymoon and anniversaries, this scrapbook helps a bride capture the defining moments of her wedding in personalized, creative ways.

Written and illustrated by Darcy Miller, published by Harper Collins.

Darcy Miller Designs

{ A Day to Remember. }

A few days ago, Cal and I received all of our wedding proofs. It was so exciting to actually hold and view the photos from that day! Funny thing is, I only remember bits and pieces from that day--you could say my mind was in a blur. I am so thankful I found our photographer, her photo-journalistic art told a story about our wedding day and having that amazing photographer truly makes a impact how well you'll remember your wedding day.




Big Thanks to our parents, wedding party, vendors and of course, to our fabulous guests who shared our happiness on that day!

With Love,

Amanda and Calvin

Photo Credit: Erica Loeks Photography.

{ This is the true measure of love: }

Little Details
June 12
Northwestern suburban couple wishes to be married in their favorite city-- downtown Minneapolis mansion to fit the bill!

A historical mansion {Gale Mansion} located in the heart of the exclusive Mansion District of Minneapolis is filled with guests and flowers - the bride awaited in her room with a Chantilly Sherry et Cie handkerchief, rhinestone earrings with a hanging teardrop pearl by Erica Koesler and a graciously adorned white bouquet in hand with beautifully crafted dark ivory satin rouching . Groom awaited her at the front of the mansion in a Savvi Formalwear tux with touches of paisley. Guests were given custom made programs, wrapped with dark ivory bellyband with the couple initials engraved on it by Letter Perfect in Deephaven.

The Gale Mansion is gorgeous. Mansion doors open and guests gasp at the vibrant floral by Lisa Killian of Petals to Pines and old family wedding photographs. Guests were surrounded by 14th century tapestries, Bedford limestone, eight fireplaces, walnut and mahogany woodwork, oriental carpets, original china, paintings, furniture, antiques and sculptures of the Gale Family. To keep the occasion light and casual, guests dined on an assortment of domestic and imported cheeses, baguettes, crackers and fresh fruits, a chocolate fountain with assorted dipping items, miniature tarts, and pastry swans filled with mousse and a custom made cake designed by David Mess of Buttercream in Wayzata.

The sounds of the harpist, Catherine Victorsen, filled the mansion during the couples’ intimate ceremony and guests danced later to music from DJ Neon Express Entertainment.

Amanda and Calvin had the wedding of their childhood dreams, and are living happily ever after.

Photo Credit: Erica Loeks Photography.
Formally Studio 188 Photography.

Here is a sample of photographs of our perfect day!

















"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always preserves."
-- 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
















"This is the true measure of love: when we believe that we alone can love, that no one could ever have loved so before us, and that no one will ever love in the same way after us."
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

  Photo Credit: G Smith Images