Weekend Update

Why hello friends!! I hope you all had a fun relaxing weekend/day with your father's or hubbys. We actually did some fun stuff this weekend so I'm excited to share today.

Friday was busy. My mom and I got some last minute gifts for my dad. Can I just say it's so hard to pick out a father's day gift! Especially since my dad likes to come home with some type of goodie or contraption whenever he goes shopping. In the afternoon we took Brian on a mystery ride for his birthday. We took him to Walmart go choose a fishing pole. He loves that we have a lake available to us whenever so he can go fishing! Perks of having a jet ski I guess! After that we got some frozen yogurt. Oh they have the best flavors!! Brian had to work at 5 so my parents and I got take out for dinner then walked on over to the high school I went to (the school is literally two streets away). They were putting on a Relay for Life. It's a fundraiser for cancer. Basically you put a team together and have to walk around the track all night long. You obviously switch off but someone has to be on the track at all times. There were a good chunk of people. They had food, music and games. One game was called "Words with relay friends" Cheesy but it sounded fun :) We didnt participate in the walking. We did buy luminaries though. You decorate each bag, put a candle in it and place them somewhere on the rim of the track. At 9pm, they lit all the candles and had a ceremony. It was wonderful

The two on the right are my dad's parents and the one on the left is a cousin who we just lost back in August 2012 to breast cancer. It was a great night for a great cause!

Saturday was Brian's birthday. He turned 25. He spent the morning with his father. Brian took him up in the plane and flew him around a little. When they came back, I joined them for lunch at the airport cafe.

That afternoon my mom had to work so we just spent time in the yard. My dad was planning on doing yard work and usually after he does, he likes to sit in a lawn chair for awhile and relax. It just so happens my mom and I bought him a new awesome chair for father's day. We decided to give it to him a day early.

Bailey seemed to think it was his. It has a pillow for your head and a cover that flips over so the top part of you is covered. It seems to recline far back also. My dad took it all in for a good hour! The rest of the night was spent relaxing. One of the movie theaters near our house was having a Bruins night. They were going to show the game on one of the big screens for free. Its one of the theaters where there's a whole restaurant menu and they come to your table and such. so good!

Sunday my dad, mom and I went to brunch. Brian had to work unfortunately! It's always so so good. Big buffet. The whole eating healthy idea was lost for the day. I took pictures of what I ate just to tease Brian. I promise I dont just sit at a restaurant and take pictures of food all the time lol

That was a good mimosa!

I had salad before this but these two things were the only things for my main entree. Thats what happens when you have sensitive taste buds I guess. I know I'm boring :)

This was just my speed. Chocolate chip cookies with I think raspberries and a peanut butter/chocolate cake thing

Besides the chair we also got him a certificate for a 50 minute massage and a Subway giftcard! He treated himself to a nap in the afternoon. 

We had a good family weekend and I hope you all did too!!

Linking up with Sami, Leeann, and Sarah

Letters to a graduate

Woo hoo, it's Friday!! It's also FINALLY beautiful out after a week of rain.

Today I'm linking up for Feeling Good Friday with Beth and Amy

Today's post will be a little deeper than usual.

Dear Danielle,

I dont even know where to begin. It's been 5 days since you graduated and I'm still in shock. I'm getting ahead of myself though. Lets go back.

Here you are as a tiny bundle of joy not long after you were born. For 5 whole years I was the baby in the family. Melissa (the girl on the left) was the one that I could look up to being that she was only a year and a half older. She was my role model and the one who I connected the most with. I thought to myself that it would be great to have someone who looked up to me, relied on me to teach them things and knew I would be there for them. Not having brothers or sisters, I figured having a younger cousin would be good enough. Then you came along and I was thrilled. I can picture the day you were born. Holding you on the couch is something I will never forget. it was a "wow" moment. Here's a little girl. A girl who I get to grow up with and see all her experiences and what she becomes. Life went on. We became close. You were a trouble maker. You loved being the center of attention, stealing all my stuff and you always tried to do exactly what I was doing. And when you couldnt, well, the world ended. We faught. Alot. Probably not the best role model but hey we were kids. We had some fun times too. I can think of countless memories that I wouldnt of wanted to share with anyone but you. We went to the lake, we played on your trampoline, in your pool and spent endless hours rolling down the big hill in your backyard. We got sung to sleep by Memere and Pepere (grandparents). We played dress up and house. We'd have sleepovers. Oh the memories. It seemed like we were always together. You started to grow up. I can remember going to your kindergarten class and having cookies and getting to meet all your friends. Then you went into elementary school. Oh boy. Your personality showed. Big time! You started to become someone. You were bossy, demanded when you wanted something, wouldnt quit when you set your mind to something. Despite that and the fact that I kind of disliked you (lol) for awhile, you also had good qualities. Those I cant begin to list because there are just too many things. I loved the fact that so many activities you did, I did when I was that age. It was nice to go to your dance recitals and get to see you experience what I had not long before. Then you went to junior high. this is where you shined. We became friends. I'll never forget how you would call me almost every day after school. Honestly my favorite part of the day. It was even nicer not knowing when you'd call. I enjoyed sharing how our days were, what went wrong, what we hoped to do that weekend and just anything we could think of. It was like having a sister. We became even closer in 2009. Finally it was the year you were going into high school. I couldnt believe it. I sat you down that summer and told you many things. Things that would be great and things that you probably wouldn't enjoy. I shared stories of my high schools years too. I also said one important thing. Probably the most important. Enjoy it. Take in every single minute and every single experience. Have fun. Make so many friends. Take risks. These next 4 years will go by so so fast. Freshman year started. Not too bad, right? Sophomore year came. You probably thought to yourself "what was she thinking?" and "this is going by way too slow". You strived. You studied til your eyes fell asleep on the paper. Your homework wasnt finished until it was perfect. You dedicated every ounce of yourself to school. I was proud. I was happy when you called for help with math. I was happy when you got an A on a hard test. I was proud when you participated in some after school thing. I loved getting to relive high school through your eyes and mind. You made alot of good friends. While I love this, I'll admit, I missed you. Granted I could see you whenever since we are family, I felt left behind sometimes. You know what? Thats ok. Why you ask? Because it meant you were finding yourself. You were finding your click of friends and what your personality would be like. Junior year came. this was probably my favorite year. Brian and I started coming over every Friday night and we'd take you and D.J. to dinner. Chili's to be exact. We'd laugh, complain about a waiter, talk about everything that  had been going on and just have time. Time to relax and spend special moments together. We looked forward to Friday's for a long time. Best part of our week. You started looking at colleges and doing everything to get ready for senior year. I cringed. It was really happening. September came. finally, senior year. You worked even harder to the point you barely got sleep most nights. You broke a couple times. But you were ok. You worked through it with a little help. I stood there while you clicked "submit" for an application. I celebrated when you got accepted to your college of choice. It was a whole different experience. A fun one. 

The day finally came. I've been excited for months.

You stood by my side 5 years ago as I celebrated my graduation and the new road ahead of me and on this day I got to do the same for you. I didn't cry. Yay me! As I sat there listening to your principle talk about you all, I couldn't help but picture the last 18 years. Everything you have accomplished, everything you have failed, everything you have learned. The list is never ending. You've shown how strong you are, you've shown your weaknesses, you've pushed your own limits, and you've embarced the things that have come easy. You're going off to college now. This time its differently a whole new world. A world that can go anywhere and can show you who you are. A world that will shine millions of opportunities for you and a world that will help determine your future. 

Over the past 18 years we've been not only cousins but the best of friends. We've laughed, we've cried, we've been silly, we've shared some serious times, we've faught and we've experienced so many little moments together. You're my cousin, a friend and a godsister and I couldn't feel more thankful for that. I'm so proud of the person you are and the person you will become!

Wedding Wednesday link up!!

Hello, loves!

I told you wonderful things were to come with my newest Spotlight Sponsor Kristen from Happiness is a Mood, Not a Destination! 

We are working all summer long to bring you some exciting link ups on one of your favorite topics-weddings! Kristen and I both have wonderful men in our lives (Kristen is engaged!) and enjoy talking about weddings together.  We thought we would join you in on the fun!

There is a linkup below! 

If you are linking up with any similar wedding post (we aren't that strict ;D)

please don't forget to tag us and also put this photo on your sidebar/in your post! 

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Today's topic is flowers.  

Honestly I myself am absolutely terrible with flower names. I only know tulips and daffodils, and it is pretty pathetic.  I guess I had to learn someday! 

I know that one of the best ways to save money on wedding flowers is to buy ones that are in season. 

Below I have provided two charts I thought were pretty helpful. 

Granted, I didn't know what any of the flowers were, but that is what Google is for :)

I know that colored flowers are beautiful, especially when mixed in with white. 

The contrast is amazing. 

However, I think white bouquets can be just as stunning. 

I discovered the gardenias, and I thought these were stunning. 

Beautiful gardenia

Beautiful gardenia bouquet (I plan on aquamarine as my color, and I think an all white 

bouquet would love beautiful as a bouquet against the blue sheen of the dress).  

Of course, a beautiful dyed flower is just as lovely. 

Blue Poppy

Blue Dahlia

Here are some wonderful bouquets I could probably never afford but which definitely inspire me.  

Granted, all of these "in season" flowers can still be pretty expensive. 

I would never underestimate the beauty of a simple carnation bouquet. 

And now for Kristen's favorite flowers!

~~~~~~

Like every girl, I started dreaming of my wedding day the minute after getting engaged. It's every girls dream to put together details of the one day in her life when she can feel like a princess. For my wedding, there's no doubt it will be simple. Sure, it'll be a blast and probably a little crazy but the details, the details will be simple. It'll also be small. Under 100 people. 

The minute all these little things started rolling around in my head I kind of got all mixed up. Planning a wedding isnt always an easy task, no matter how good at it you are! Three things were for certain: it'll be in February, the colors will be wintery such as browns blues whites and a little pink and I want the atmosphere to be warm and inviting. As I kept thinking of more little ideas, I realized something: there's no better way to have the atmosphere I want than with flowers. While the color scheme has come first, some brides base everything else off of flowers which I think is also great!!

Flowers are my favorite! They are so bright and happy and give a good feeling. Here are a few ideas of flowers I love and would want at my wedding

For myself:

I really love roses. They have always been a favorite just because of how elegant they look. I'm leaning towards white/light pink because I want them to sparkle. To feel like the Cinderella theme. I found these online and fell in love!

Source: wallpaperose.com

Typically a bride will have her flowers in the "circular" fashion but I'm thinking something like this:

Source: blog.kennedyviolins.com -

A heart has always been a symbol for my fiance and myself and it would be a special, unique way to present them.

I'm also all about the sparkle!! I love how the light shines perfectly on a crystal and it just shines. I would love a touch of that with my flowers. Something similar to the flower below



There are so many people in our lives that we would give anything to have them at our wedding. I  have seen it done a few times but would love to have little ribbons tied to my flowers with the names of people close to my heart.


Source: new.besthdwallpapers.info


For my bridesmaids I think I would want them to have roses also but maybe a smaller or similar version of one of them


I cant forget about the fun stuff!! I love color, like love it. So vibrant and happy. Thats what a wedding day is supposed to be! I like flowers that make everyone feel good.


 www.w-weddingflowers.com


www.vebidoo.de

You cant forget about the center pieces at the reception!! I'd love something like this. We flowers added of course!