More of the Same (which is a great thing!)

Late post-- I blame intermittent internet, the effects of an hour and a half massage and an intense game of rack rummi.

We spent a lot of time on Funtastic Island. 

Dad's windsurfing board is on its second life as a paddle board.  Carley and Sarah kept saying how fun and how easy it was!

Little did Carley know I was pulling the board by the string, and the concept of low center of gravity is probably a little over her head.

Andy didn't have as easy of a job with it...

 

 

We had a musical evening-- Carley playing piano, Dad playing guitar with help from the girls and singing Happy Birthday to Ron (we miss you!).

Thankfully a storm rolled through and cooled things off for us, at least for a little while.

This beach week has been different than the others.  In addition to missing those that couldn't join us this year, the little girls aren't so little any more.  They're quite independent which makes for a different dynamic.  They'll run back and forth to the cottage, swim to Funtastic Island on their own, explore down Pappy's Lane, have conversations on the porch... it's been so much fun.

Beach Week!

It's officially Beach Week!  The crew is all here, although we are missing a few key players this year.  We miss you Mimi, Ron, Susan, Evan and Drew!  It's the first time Andy and I have been back since our wedding, and it looks just a little bit different!

One thing that is the same-- the Backporch Lemonade still tastes just as good.

We started the day with a few of those and then headed to Lake Maimimi for a picnic lunch and some R&R.

It's been pretty adorable-- Sally has never been a lake swimmer but I guess she decided this was the year to join in.  If Dad's in the water, she'll go down the steps and swim out towards him.  He met her in the water (would not want her to pop the Funtastic Island!) and then raced back...

She probably would not have swim so fast had she known what was about to happen.

Then it was porch time before dinner.  You know those things that make you think-- what did we do before we had this?  Well I think the screened porch is one of those places.  Even when it's hot outside, it's pleasant on the porch.

Some adventures...

And is there a better way to end an evening than with a dance party?  I think not.

Engagement Happy

Love is in the air!  I'm currently working on engagement party invitations for a dear friend from college.  Can't wait to share those... they're looking great! 

But first I want to share a little happy that I made for another one of my best friends, Weaver, when she got engaged.  I always thought I wanted to be an event planner, that is until I realized I'd rather be planning my own parties than someone else's!  I'm a planner and what's more fun to plan than a wedding?  I put together a little wedding planning and organization set for Weaver and designed it just how I wish I had organized our wedding planning materials. 

During my engagement, I set up a binder-- one for me and one for my mom, and the problem was that the binder gets way too heavy.  Solution?  Set up file folders, group them into categories and corral the folders in clear envelopes.  That way, you just grab the envelope you need and go!

I also included a mini notebook from Russell + Hazel, so she can keep all of her notes organized.  I just love their products.

Inside each folder are wedding worksheets-- checklists, questions for vendors, timelines, etc.

I love the way they turned out and hope they help with the wedding planning chaos!

Herb Garden

I've always wanted an herb garden.  We use fresh herbs in our cooking all the time, and it just pains me to buy a big bunch from the grocery and then not use it all before it goes bad.  So I seized the weekend and planted an herb garden!  This wasn't exactly what I was planning when I put this on my 30 Before 30.  I originally wanted to plant seeds, watch them sprout, and be proud, but there is something to be said about instant gratification!

Greek Oregano, French Tarragon, Rosemary Arp, Sweet Basil

Weekend Recap

I think this was the first weekend that I was back in the swing of things since tax season-- ample time for FoodTV watching while crafting, dining rooftop style for dinner both nights, even had spare time for a workout.  It's glorious having my weekends back!



Cuba Tacos from Surfside (Andy asked if I was going to pretend that I made these!  There would have been no time for crafting if I was to slow roast pork, make jalapeno pineapple salsa and garnish it with cilantro and sour cream!)

Pomegranate Margarita



Meredith's Bachelorette

One of my best friends Meredith got married this year!  To celebrate, I planned her bachelorette party in New York City and, of course, designed an invitation to spread the word.

Address Label

I wanted fun but also needed to include a fair amount of information.  I did a double-sided invitation, with the back mirroring the front.  Of course, I had to have a fun envelope as well!  I did a label that wrapped around a navy envelope.  The whole package came together and looked quite crisp.  Unfortunately, I didn't take pictures of these before I sent them out, so these are picture files of the designs.

I also designed some coordinating paper pieces for the weekend events.  I made stickers for cups that we used during the spa party and lingerie shower and chevron printed napkin rings around a navy paper napkin for dinner.  We went paper and disposable for the weekend.  Apparently, people in New York don't cook very much and have limited supplies on hands!  I guess it is true-- the oven is better for shoe storage than cooking.

click on any image to enlarge

Birth Announcements

While Anna was my first client, Anne has been my most patient and trusting client.  She asked me to do the birth announcements for her precious baby Anne Harrison.  Little did I know as I was designing these that they were for my sweet goddaughter. 

Anne and Anne Harrison have been my guinea pigs for numerous Tallulah and Vidalia projects!  More glimpses into those in another post.