I'm Officially a TWIRL Girl!

When a wedding invite came in the mail yesterday, the first thing I thought was "What on earth am I going to wear?'. Not used to being a guest, but the wedding coordinator in a business suit (necessary for climbing ladders, crawling under tables and everything in between when working) it was the perfect excuse to go shopping! And I knew just where I wanted to go - Twirl at 537 E. Mississippi Avenue in Denver. Greeted by the always fashionable owner, Alissa, and with Kylie's approving 'yes' to my picks (we haven't learned 'no' yet thank goodness) all I need now are the heels!!!

Whether you're the bride to be, maid of honor, or guest, Twirl has the perfect special occasion outfit for you. Walk into Alissa's fabulous closet called Twirl and walk out ready for your wedding shower, bachelorette party or rehearsal dinner in an outfit no one else has ever even seen. Also perfect for cute new clothes to travel and play in if you're planning a destination wedding!

You are unique - let is shine and smile because this is your moment!

Here are my fabulous finds along with a super cute gray tee that is too comfy to part with for a pic!

Should I wear this one?

Or this one? I'll let you know after April 30th.

On a side note...

Jason's been working really hard on the backyard lately getting it ready for summer! We love to entertain and can't wait for the weather to warm up so we can enjoy our new patio, pergola and outdoor fireplace. In the meantime, I'm working on a "Rockabilly and Ribs" themed birthday party come August for the big 3-6 (his not mine!). First thing checked off the list - my outfit thanks to my little shopping excursion today.

With a cute pair of capris and heels, I'm ready to rock!

New pink wrap in case it's gets chilly and
party extends past dark (which I'm sure it will)!

Check back often for wedding and party pics - more to come! And go see Alissa at Twirl! Or better yet, have her come to you and host a Twirl party in your home. You'll get 10% of the sales in Twirl credit for hosting and who doesn't love free clothes?!?! To book today contact Alissa at info@thetwirlgirl.com or 303-906-3610.

SAVE THE DATE

I am so excited to "Save the Date" on October 15th, 2011 for high school sweethearts Chris and Nikki. They are a fun-loving, energetic and perfect compliment to one another kind of couple. Nikki has put together a fabulous wedding website at http://www.chrisandnikki2011.com/ with important wedding weekend info as well as the story of how they met, the proposal and pictures from over the years. 

The Happy Couple!

Pink Briefcase designed their super cute Save the Date cards and if you mention "Chris and Nikki wedding" you can get a discounted rate!



Other cute "Save the Date" ideas:

Custom magnets from A Giftful Heart



  My gorgeous friend Jaime and her firefighter fiance Bryan!



Passport cards for a destination wedding

Pencil Us In! Ideas



DIY Project from Oncewed.Com



Our Big Day Details



Hotel gift baskets included Boulder chips, bottled water, wine openers, fireball candy and a map of Denver.



August 1st, 2008 was the hottest day of the year and the best day of my life. It was the day we said 'I Do' at the Magnolia Hotel in downtown Denver. After an intimate ceremony by the rocks and waterfall at Club Level, we headed across Seventeenth Street to the Ballroom for dinner and dancing. Here are a few of the special details that made it a day we'd always remember. Hope you enjoy! All our photos are by our fabulous wedding photographer Deb DesMarteau.

 

All of the single Bridesmaids signed the bottom of my shoes for good luck and it's said the last name to wear off is next to marry. I've also heard the first to wear off is first to marry. I didn't throw my bouquet so this was a fun alternative!



Our guestbook table included a framed invitation from Hallmark and a lighted candle in memory of everyone that was with us in spirit. The table below held pictures of our parents and grandparents on their wedding day with their anniversary engraved at the bottom of the frame.



Our custom aisle runner was made by a special friend and painted by my sister who was also one of my Maids of Honor. I had two!



The Fire Department Posted Colors at the beginning of our Ceremony.

 

Our adorable nephews served as Ring Bearers.

A good friend composed and performed an original song just for our ceremony, "Our Song".




Framed engagement photos at the Reception for all of our guests to sign. They hang on the wall in our living room as a daily reminder of wonderful friends and well wishes for years to come.



Tall centerpieces were alternated with lower ones of red roses from Art of the Flower.








Delicious cake from Mulberries Cake Shop and a custom cake topper from Toppers with Glitz.

 



You know it's a good party when everyone's dancing and the ties come off!



And you dance so hard, you fall asleep!

Jason and four of the firefighter Groomsmen changed into their bunker gear for a few fun photos!

Group shot on the antique fire engine. It was parked out front during the ceremony to let guests know they were in the right place!



Time for happily ever after!

 









Pretty in Pink

After plenty of planning (I drew and re-drew diagrams), A LOT of help from my SIL, Jessica, and one minor melt down (mine not the babe's)....Kylie's first birthday was declared a success!!! My inspiration started as "shabby chic" and took on its own identity from there - with lots of pink of course.





Year in Review Pics - Left.  Cupcake Plate for Everyone to Sign from 1st Wishes- Center. Framed Invite from Tiny Prints - Right.



Family Recipe Spiced Tea Party Favors. Inspiration from Bakerella.

Pink Beads from Hobby Lobby. I originally made Tissue Pom Poms to go here but they were too big so they're now hanging in Kylie's room. Next time, I think I'm going to try these - very cute rose balls.

Ruffled Party Streamers! Instructions from the awesome website How Does She Do It. Or buy them already made at my SIL's etsy shop !!!

Our "Grown Up Kids Menu" with spicy mac and cheese, grilled cheese with apple and bacon, hummus and veggies, mini sliders, almond crusted chicken fingers and tomato soup shooters with grilled cheese.

Catering by the FABULOUS The Fat Grape.

Another very affordable project from How Does She Do It (sorry I can't remember the exact link).

Hot Glue Gun + Wood Sticks + Scrapbook Letters = Easy Peasy Cupcake Toppers (Inexpensive Too!)

Kylie's "Smash Cake"!

Chocolate with Health bar, Strawberry and Vanilla cupcakes. Thank you Jessica Luyben!!!

Cake officially "smashed". She loved it!!!!

A Wedding Shower

A "Pots and Panties" wedding shower where the guests were asked to bring a cute pantie for the pot. Decorations and gifts revolved around the theme and a good time was had by all! A big thank you to Bry Stewart for being the hostess with the mostess and all are photos courtesy of Deb DesMarteau Photography.



Bright and Simple Decor



Thoughtful Favors



Coordinated Cupcakes

The Aftermath!


Other fun shower themes and ideas:

• Stock the Bar (or Pantry): Each guest is asked to bring something to help as it says "stock the bar" i.e. wine glasses from the registry or a bottle of their favorite liquor. Recipes and kitchen items for the pantry theme.
• Around the Clock: Each guest is given a specific time on their invite and asked to coordinate the gift with their hour. Could do the same for months of the year or holidays.
• Lingerie: I like to give comfy sleep shorts and T's because I know the bride will at least be comfortable and have it on longer!
• Honeymoon Help: Based on where the couple are honeymooning (or for a destination wedding) and gifts that can be used while on vacay. Luau anyone? I've always wanted to plan a party with a steel drum band!
• Couples Shower: Co-ed can be fun! Think BBQ or "Patio Party" with items for their house, yard or patio. You could host it at that special place the couple first met or something they like to do together...golf, garden, you name it.
• Gift Card Extravaganza: Perfect for special date nights, making their new house a home and everyday errands during the first year of marriage.
• "Honey Do's": They'll soon enough hear "honey do this...." and "honey do that..." so ask each guest to come up with a cute "honey do" for the bride or groom that goes with their gift. Home improvement or gadgets, a great basket with all the "forgotten necessities" for around the house like cleaning products, Ziploc bags, paper towels, laundry items or helpful items for the car are just a few ideas. A thoughtful gift is knowing they need it before they do!
• Display Shower: All the guests are asked to bring their gifts unwrapped to put on "display". Perfect for the shy bride and being able to enjoy the entire party eating, drinking and visiting.
• The Newlywed Game: Everyone fills out answers to cute and unknown facts about the bride and groom - including the bride! Have the hostess quiz the groom prior to and see how many he and his "Future Mrs." agree on - offer a prize for the most right. P.S. It's not always the bride with the most correct :-)
• Ask everyone to bring a fun photo of the bride or couple, a special memory or piece of advice to share. Fill a photo album or scrapbook as a keepsake for the happy couple.

The possibilities are endless and half the fun is in the planning! Please post any of your ideas to add to the list!