A 20-something’s book club: Summer sangria, laughter, and Reconstructing Amelia

Our book club  met on Wednesday for the third time. This time we discussed our latest read, Reconstructing Amelia: A Novel, by Kimberly McCreight. Before we discussed the book we of course had to catch up and eat too much while trying not to choke on our food due to laughter.

Our lovely hostess made two AMAZING summer sangrias filled with fresh fruit. She covered the table in chips and salsa and made AMAZING chicken Caesar wraps fresh from the crock pot. She kept the chicken warm in the crock pot and set up all the fixings for wraps. They were incredible! Others brought bruschetta, chicken, bacon, ranch bread, blueberry cobbler, appetizers, desserts, and other delicious treats. I tried a new Pinterest recipe; Berried Treasure.  It was a wonderful summer treat that was very simple to make!

After we caught up, we got down to business and began to discuss Reconstructing Amelia. The opinions on this book varied. Some (including myself) loved it. Others found it to be “okay”, or predictable. There were clues throughout the book that led me to almost solve some of the puzzles, but the majority of the book was a surprise to me. The way the book was written was similar to that of a young adult novel, making it a fairly quick and easy read. The format of the book was also interesting. There were blog posts, text messages, and e-mails along with regular chapters. While at first this annoyed me, I began to enjoy reading them and thought that the format fit the entire book quite nicely. Overall, I would say that Reconstructing Amelia was a well-written, easy read and I would absolutely recommend it!

So far our sassy book club has read Gone Girl and Reconstructing Amelia. While both books kept our attention, we agreed that it was time for a lighter read. We agreed to read I Can Barely Take Care of Myself by Jen Kirkman. I’m excited to read something funny, so I hope this book doesn’t disappoint!

We’ll meet again in a month for a book club brunch. As you know, I am already overly excited for this considering my brunch obsession. Book club will be a nice distraction from the life of a THERAPIST. That’s right, I got a job! More to come on that topic later..

Have you read Reconstructing Amelia? What were your thoughts? How is your book club going? What are you reading?

Xo

A 20-something’s book club: Summer sangria, laughter, and Reconstructing Amelia

Our book club  met on Wednesday for the third time. This time we discussed our latest read, Reconstructing Amelia: A Novel, by Kimberly McCreight. Before we discussed the book we of course had to catch up and eat too much while trying not to choke on our food due to laughter.

Our lovely hostess made two AMAZING summer sangrias filled with fresh fruit. She covered the table in chips and salsa and made AMAZING chicken Caesar wraps fresh from the crock pot. She kept the chicken warm in the crock pot and set up all the fixings for wraps. They were incredible! Others brought bruschetta, chicken, bacon, ranch bread, blueberry cobbler, appetizers, desserts, and other delicious treats. I tried a new Pinterest recipe; Berried Treasure.  It was a wonderful summer treat that was very simple to make!

After we caught up, we got down to business and began to discuss Reconstructing Amelia. The opinions on this book varied. Some (including myself) loved it. Others found it to be “okay”, or predictable. There were clues throughout the book that led me to almost solve some of the puzzles, but the majority of the book was a surprise to me. The way the book was written was similar to that of a young adult novel, making it a fairly quick and easy read. The format of the book was also interesting. There were blog posts, text messages, and e-mails along with regular chapters. While at first this annoyed me, I began to enjoy reading them and thought that the format fit the entire book quite nicely. Overall, I would say that Reconstructing Amelia was a well-written, easy read and I would absolutely recommend it!

So far our sassy book club has read Gone Girl and Reconstructing Amelia. While both books kept our attention, we agreed that it was time for a lighter read. We agreed to read I Can Barely Take Care of Myself by Jen Kirkman. I’m excited to read something funny, so I hope this book doesn’t disappoint!

We’ll meet again in a month for a book club brunch. As you know, I am already overly excited for this considering my brunch obsession. Book club will be a nice distraction from the life of a THERAPIST. That’s right, I got a job! More to come on that topic later..

Have you read Reconstructing Amelia? What were your thoughts? How is your book club going? What are you reading?

Xo

Our weekend in New York: Drinks, food, musicals, and rain

love letters.

I haven’t been consistent with posts mainly because I having been consistent with keeping busy. We (my husband and I) went to NYC two weeks ago for the weekend. We had drinks at McGee’s Pub & Restaurant. This amazing pub is the inspiration for McLaren’s on How I Met Your Mother. Obviously we ordered drinks from the special HIMYM inspired menu and OBVIOUSLY I bought a HIMYM shirt. Overall, it was the best pub ever and I wish we had stayed there longer. Are we seriously considering going back next year for the series finale of HIMYM to hopefully meet the cast? We are.

We went to a couple of other bars for happy hour. We were so caught up in the fact that we could enjoy some delish beverages without worrying about how we were going to get home that we almost forgot to eat dinner. We ate…

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HELP: Seeking tips and fun for a weekend in NYC

I am writing this post way past my bedtime. My amazing husband surprised me with tickets to see Annie: The Musical along with a weekend in New York for my birthday! Obviously I am way too excited and must plan everything. So with that in mind, I need some help from all my NYC friends out there. We will be going in mid-May for a weekend (Friday afternoon-Sunday) and will be staying in Manhattan (near Grand Central Station).

We are looking for delicious food to eat and bars to go to. I am dying to find rooftop bars along with places with great drink specials and reasonable pitchers, wine bottles, etc. We obviously already have plans to go to brunch on both Saturday and Sunday since we are basically Lilly and Marshal from How I Met Your Mother and are obsessed with Brunch.

Please fill me in on some of the places we should check out, the food we can’t miss out on, the drinks that are well worth their price, and most of all- who really has the best pizza?

Thanks my busy little city friends. Xo!

Bayshore Grove, Oswego, NY

I have yet to review a venue. I actually have avoided reviewing venues. Since friends and family have started tying the knot, we have been to (and in) quite a few weddings at a variety of venues. We’ve been to country clubs, hotels, restaurants, resorts and banquet halls, Each wedding has been so different, yet so perfect for the bride and groom.

Two weeks ago we attended a friend’s wedding at Bayshore Grove in Oswego, NY. The ceremony took place outside and overlooked the water. The weather was in the high 70’s with a light breeze and tons of sunshine. The ceremony was the first outdoor ceremony we have been to, and it was beautiful. Afterwards, guests immediately walked inside to the cocktail hour while the bridal party took photos by the lake. The room was all windows, overlooking the water. there was a wrap-around balcony. Passed hor’duerves were inside and outside. Not only were they impossible to miss but they were incredible tasting! The buffet dinner was also incredible. Obviously I sampled basically everything, and there was nothing I didn’t love (and I’m a picky eater). The location of Bayshore Grove is unbelievable. My parents, of course, insisted that we have a family photo-shoot in front of the water. Thankfully they had this idea after cocktail hour, so I was much more cooperative.

I didn’t think that anything could beat our amazing view at Lafayette Hills Golf & Country Club, but I was wrong! From the ceremony, to the view, to the service and food/beverage quality, I would HIGHLY recommend Bayshore Grove! Now, I don’t know how the bride and groom’s experience was along the way, but I can say, that from the perspective of a guest, it was a beautiful wedding at a beautiful venue.

And I do have to add..everybody has different ideas when planning their “dream wedding”. But I think back to all of the venues I’ve been to (especially my own because I am super bias), and there is nothing more beautiful than a view from the ballroom!

Happy wedding planning! xoxo

 

Wedding Workout

Whether you’re the bride, groom, MOH, best man, member of the wedding party, mom or dad, or even a guest, a wedding is such a wonderful celebration for all. No matter what the season or theme is, we all want to look our best for the special occasion.

We all know those brides (and grooms) that get the ring and immediately start their diet. The dust is brushed off those yoga pants and their gym membership is finally used for something other than the unlimited tanning included in the membership. I did not diet before the wedding. I made it my mission to hit the gym at LEAST once each week. I know, I know, that seems like nothing. However, it was a drastic improvement from the once a month gym trips I was making.  While at the gym I spent anywhere from 30-60 minutes on the Arc Trainer; a high calorie burning exercise machine. I would burn anywhere from 350-700 calories while on the machine. I would always end my gym trip with some arm workouts. I took the occasional Zumba class and lifted some 8lb weights while watching TV. All in all, while I was still chowing down on chicken fingers smothered in ranch dressing and drinking wine on a regular basis, my workouts helped me to feel good about myself on our wedding day.

I recently dropped my old gym and joined a new one. This new gym offers classes for all members! Like many, I am not a fan of the gym. I get tired and bored. I tend to watch the TVs in front of the machines and find myself drooling at the Wendy’s commercials. Exercises classes are a fabulous and FUN way to get in shape and focus your attention on something other than your evening plans or the meal you wish you were eating.

Last week I started going to a Spin class. Stationary bikes are lined up for this high intensity biking “adventure”. The music is loud and the pace is fast. A 45 minute class can burn anywhere up to 500 calories. Of all the workouts I have ever done, runs I have attempted, walks I have taken, videos I have followed, I have never felt as good as I do after Spin is through. My legs feel like Jell-o, a feeling that I have grown to love. Since last Wednesday, I have gone to class 3 times. I am already starting to feel my legs tone up and notice my strength and endurance increasing with each class.  My favorite thing about the class is the fact that ANYBODY can take it. While it is important to push yourself, it is also important to pace yourself. This is a fantastic class for anybody regardless of whether they are a fitness pro or a newbie. You choose the gear on your bike and the RPM’s. I found this site to be very helpful in getting acquainted with Spin! While I am happy with the way I looked on my wedding day, I sure wish I had discovered Spin sooner! While Spin mainly works out your legs and butt, it is sure to get your lower half beach/honeymoon ready.

We all focus on looking our best for our wedding day or the wedding we’re in or attending. However, no matter how you look it is important to remember that feeling good is the most important. If you feel good about yourself, you will look even better. Don’t spend your engagement caught up in trying to look “perfect”. If you are spending all of your free time at the gym and counting every single calorie you put in your moth, you will be miserable (and will probably make others miserable as well). Be healthy, don’t be crazy. And don’t forget to remember, if you FEEL beautiful, you will LOOK beautiful!

 

Shoe Review

I was in a close friend’s wedding in April. Our bridesmaid dress  was classic and simple, form-fitting, black ruched tea-length (hemmed to knee length) Bill Levkoff design. The bride chose a pair of shoes from David’s Bridal for us girls to wear with our dress.

David’s Bridal Rockcandy Satin Sandal 

The shoe has a 3 3/4 inch heel, which is about average for a heeled shoe. It has a t-strap and the back of the shoe has a zipper that is said to be there for added comfort. Those of you who know me know that I appreciate a fabulous heel. You also know that I am 110% team peep-toe. So when I was assigned an open-toe heeled sandal, I was bumming at the thought of my wide feet hanging out all over!

David’s shoes are interesting. This is the third pair I have bought, and only one of them have actually fit true to size. Normally a size 8, this narrow shoe was way too tight. Unfortunately the 8.5 was a bit too big. When will 1/4 sizes be invented?

While the shoe is sassy and a fun accent to a classic dress, my poor feet suffered for weeks following. The zipper caused the worst blisters imaginable, resulting in flip flops for a few weeks after the wedding. My advice? Skip David’s Rockcandy and save your feet. There are plenty of fabulous and COMFORTABLE heels out there. David’s Bridal makes a kickass peep-toe pump that I reviewed a while back. Check them out!

Remember, broaches, flowers and other bling can be added to shoes and dresses to sass them up!

It’s okay to say “no”

Sorry for the long delay in posts! I successfully completed my first year of graduate school. While I would kill for a summer job, it seems that nobody is hiring. So that leaves me here, on my couch, with nothing to do! The good news? I can finally catch up on some wedding posts!

Wedding season is in full bloom. I was a bridesmaid in a wedding on April 28th. The bride and groom are both two of my closest friends and were in our wedding as well. The day was everything the bride and groom hoped for and a wonderful party for family and friends.

As my friends are getting married and friends of friends are getting married, I think it’s time to talk about WHO to invite. Before you begin looking at venues it is important to know how many people you are planning to invite. The venue’s capacity may say 350 people, but you must take in to consideration that the DJ, cake table, photobooth, dance floor, etc. take up quite a bit of space. If you reach the capacity, you will most likely have guests seated on the dance floor and sitting shoulder to shoulder.

When making your guest list, begin with your immediate family (parents, siblings). Are your siblings married or in a serious relationship (long term boyfriend/girlfriend, living with significant other, engaged)? If so, then their date should be on your guest list. If your sibling is single (or casually dating), it is completely appropriate to skip the plus one. They will know at least half of your wedding guests. The same goes for cousins and friends. If the person is in a serious relationship (long-term relationship, living with, engaged or married), then their date should be on the invitation.

There are exceptions! If you are inviting a friend that you have not seen in years and no longer have regular contact with, if they live in the area where the wedding is taking place, I think it is completely appropriate to send them a solo invite. If he/she is unhappy with the solo invite, than they can politely decline by the RSVP date.

Out of towners? Plan accordingly. How far are they traveling? Will they have to stay over night? If yes to either of these, than a plus one should be allowed.

And when you get those awkward requests to bring a date from your guests who are clearly single, remember; you can say NO! It would be wonderful if we could all afford to have each and every guest bring a date, but it is rare that that will occur.

With all of this being said, let’s go back to the topic of Save the Dates. Save the Date’s are the most fabulous idea ever! You want to hear another fabulous idea? Make a list of the guests that without a doubt, you want at your wedding. This list should include your wedding party, immediate family and extended family. This list should also include out-of-towners. All of the people on this list should receive a Save the Date, nobody else. This will save you when it comes time to sending out wedding invitations and you are re-thinking the catty co-worker you had on your list, or the nosy neighbor. If they received a Save the Date, then you’re basically required to send an invitation. I’ve been saying this to friends since I sent my Save the Date’s out back in February 2010, and have been hearing since then; “I wish I listened to you!!!”. I promise, if you follow my lead on this one, everything will go much more smoothly.

you’re never too busy..

To write your own “thank you’s”. Seriously though, let’s chat. Wedding etiquette allows you to give yourself one year to write your “thank you” cards for your wedding. Let’s be real, unless you’ve made some huge move or broke both of your hands, there’s no excuse that it should take you a full year to write your invites. So when you get around to writing your invites, make sure it’s YOU that is writing them.

Don’t have your mom, dad, sister or friend write your “thank you’s”. It wasn’t THEIR wedding that your guests went to. It wasn’t HE/SHE that received a generous, thoughtful gift. IT WAS YOU! When you seek help from your family other than you’re husband/wife it straight up says “I’m too busy to thank you”. And if you think nobody will notice, they will. People notice handwriting.

So, what if you are too busy to write a whole bunch of personalized “thank you’s”? Have cards made with a wedding photo of you and your honey. Have a message pre-printed onto the invitation stating “thank you for sharing our special day”. Personalize it by writing your guests’ names above and then signing you and your honey’s names below. Simple yet thoughtful.

Being invited to a wedding is an honor. But remember, your guests took the time to spend an evening celebrating your marriage. Take 5 minutes out of your day to thank them. YOU OWE IT TO THEM!

Happy (almost) Valentine’s Day!

Valentine’s day is almost here! Nine years ago tomorrow, a boy I had a crush on approached me in study hall with a hot pink flower made of tissue paper and asked if I would “go out” with him. Exactly six  years later (yup, 12:52pm.)  he got down on one knee and asked me to spend my life with him. Twenty months later, on October 9, 2010, I married my high school sweetheart.

We have gone to junior prom and senior ball, graduated high school, started college, SURVIVED college, graduated college, planned a wedding, Started careers, moved into our first apartment together, had a fairy tale wedding, traveled, started graduate school and most recently, bought a home. The life we’ve begun to make with each other is more than I’ve ever imagined. It’s far from perfect, but the best either one of us could ever ask for. I cannot wait to see what is ahead for us during the years to come. Cheers to Valentine’s day and all of you who, like my amazing husband and me, will begin your “new life” on this wonderful day!

Xoxo