shower inspiration

Some of my favorite memories of our entire engagement time will be our showers. I will always remember a phone call with Abs while we were both engaged when she, as she often does, took the words right out of my mouth. She told me how she was overwhelmed with the thoughtfulness and provision that she experienced through showers and parties and other ways friends and family provided for them as newlyweds. I couldn't have agreed more. It is as if those family and friends are standing beside you saying that they want you to survive and thrive, that they believe in this union, that they want you to be a part of this giant leap into a new phase of life. Knowing what a blessing that is, it makes shower-throwing much more than flowers and mini quiches punch bowls. Not that I don't love those things. I do. And pretty tea napkins, too.

So, with some betrothed as well as about-to-pop friends, I made myself baby and bridal shower inspirations boards. Enjoy - and feel free to leave more ideas below!

invitation / baby's breath / cupcake bar / drink flags / brown paper menu / punch / arrangement / tablescape 

cupcakes / book signing / onesie / breakfast food / silverware / cookies / popcorn / tablecloth / embroidery

The excitement I feel when planning a shower or party is equal to this [prepare for a mix of my favorite SNL skit and some Jessie Spano]:

I'm not kidding. This is not an exaggeration. When we move to South Carolina, I've got to make some engaged and pregnant friends STAT.

reason to celebrate

When I was in high school, my mom and I took a break from sweets in the hopes that it would make our bodies forget how much we loved them. If I remember right, it was short lived. Even so, while we were living our sweets-free lives, we were watching TV and cake came on the screen. Without skipping a beat we both said (in the most pathetic and deprived voice), "cake." So, needless to say, this love affair is not a new one. And it's hereditary.


My dear friend Brooke traveled to D.C. for the weekend to visit her boyfriend and came back to Baton Rouge with something sparkly on her ring finger! That was a reason to celebrate, don't you think? And a reason to celebrate translates to a reason for CAKE!


I was inspired by i am baker's really stinkin' cook St. Patty's Day cake. Here's a little photo walk-through of the process.

I used two boxes of white cake mix. Be sure to follow the instructions and use egg whites only. You should have seen me separating all those eggs with my hands. It was a first for me, believe it or not!

Separate the batter into five bowls. In true college student fashion, all that was clean were these five mixed matched bowls. So I just had to do my best to guestimate that they were even. Then you add your food coloring. A tiny bit into the first one, a little more in the second, and so-on. Didn't know that this red food coloring gel was quite this strong. Next time I'll use food dye and muuuch less to start out with. We'll just pretend that I wanted pink to red all along!

I baked each of my batters in a separate 8-inch round cake pan, laid them out so they could cool, and sliced off the tops to make them flat (which makes for a great mid-baking snack).


Because I got so excited about doing it for the first time, I accidentally skipped documenting the crumb coating. If you're are curious (which you should be since this seriously WORKS), you can check it out here.


Then all you need is a little doily magic and TA-DA!

Isn't she going to be the most beautiful bride? It is such an exciting experience to get to witness and celebrate the Lord's orchestration of two lives becoming one. Cheesy? Maybe. Incredible? Most definitely.

Pretty, huh? And it makes cake-eating that much more fun.


Again, here's a big CONGRATS to Brooke and Joe. Praying for a sweet time of engagement for these two wonderful folks.


Tomorrow (yes, two blogs in two days) starts a very exciting weekly routine. Come check it out!

my favorite day

Psalm 103:15-19

As for man, his days are like grass;

he flourishes like a flower of the field;

for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,

and its place knows it no more.

But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him,

and his righteousness to children’s children,

to those who keep his covenant

and remember to do his commandments.

The LORD has established his throne in the heavens,

and his kingdom rules over all.

I figure Thanksgiving to be the ideal time to share about my very favorite day in all my 21 years. And also because this is the first time I've been able to wrap my mind around what has happened in the last 48 hours. On Tuesday, November 23, 2010 (around 5:15 PM, just to cover all the bases) Dustin asked me if I would spend the rest of my life with him. Never before have I been so sure of an answer to a question.

YES! YES! YES!

About a week ago, D asked me if I would want to have a picnic after work on Tuesday since I was leaving for home the next day. I didn't think anything of it, of course, since we are regular picnic-ers. He met me in the gardens in front of the capitol, picnic basket and blanket in hand. He put the picnic basket down in our chosen grassy area, saying that I could open it since what he brought to eat was a surprise. A surprise it was! When I opened the basket, all that was there was a piece of paper that said, simply, "surprise!" I whirled around, wondering/knowing what was going on. His face was no longer in my line of vision, though, because he was down on his knee, asking me to marry him. Among the many, wonderfully encouraging things that he said, I will always remember that he said what was most important was that neither of us wanted to live like our lives were our own and how excited he was to share a passion for not wasting our lives living for our own glory. Afterwards was an I'm-not-sure-there-is-ground-beneath-my-feet moment. Ok maybe it's still like that.

We spent some time calling our families while on the way to the next surprise. I kept thinking, "what else could I need?!"

Back at my house, my sweet roommates set up the greatest surprise engagement party. It was just the two of them when we got there. They led me into our living room where Abs and Ash were waiting for me. Lots of excited screaming followed. Dustin, knowing my heart, had set it up that they could be there - and an hour earlier than everyone else. They told me Hannah had car trouble and wouldn't make. She walked in about 45 minutes later. More screaming. Another surprise came when Lindsay and Tammie, two of my fellow leadership girls, walked in after driving six hours from Austin. Along with those girls, tons of sweet friends and family poured into our apartment throughout the night. Thankful doesn't do it justice. Thankful for getting to experience this "fullness of life" that I don't deserve and getting to do so it with this man of God who I love more than words explain. Thankful for the most beautiful picture of community I've never been a part. Thank you to everyone who shared this wonderful day with us! My cheeks have never hurt from smiling.

It was my favorite day.



celebrate good times

I love to celebrate. Whether it's a big event or what seems to be an every day occurence, I choose to make a big deal out it. I see no reason not to. It could be a milestone birthday, a reuniting of friends, a good grade or a good haircut. Whatever it is, I bet it deserves a party. Or atleast a cake.

Lately, I'm happy to say that there have been lots of reasons to celebrate in the life of friends.

Reuniting of the foursome at Ruston's 102 Bistro was the highlight of a few days spent at home after camp. It had been eight months since we could look at one another's faces all at the same time. Four completely different summers. Still best friends.
We talked about the difficulties our friendship could face when we enter "the real world" with real schedules and no more month-long breaks. But we committed to grip the handles until our knuckles turn white and prepare for the sudden drop. We are all still changing. And saying my love for them comes all the way from my toes is not enough. It's deeper than that.

I learned of Natalie's engagement the day after camp ended. I am excited and in disbelief that we could be at a point in our lives where this is happening. It must be senior year! The best part of an engagement party is that it is the first of many times to get to celebrate Natalie and Nathan.

B is finally 21! Here's to a friend who deserves a celebration more like once a week than once a year. Who has been a part of every moment of this college journey. I love you, B!









What can you celebrate today?