Go Shorty, It's Your Birthday.

I love birthdays. If you've ever read my blog... you know they're my favorite day of the year. Your birthday. My birthday. Scott Disick's birthday. I love them all.

I did a few little creative DIYs for my birthday party this year... but, like most occassions, I was too busy enjoying it to take pictures of everything. Plus, I was a little tipsssay. FINALLY 21! woooo.

Anyway, as promised, I will share what I have... and pepper in some party pics to keep you entertained.

This is the food table, before it was covered in Brats, German Potato Salad, Beer Dip, Apple Sauerkraut, Etc. SO MUCH GOOD FOOD. The bunting was a DIY! Soooo Easy. A little bit of twine, scrapbook paper, and creativity will get you a long way on a shoe string budget.

These are the DELICIOUS Black Forest Cupcakes that my mom and I made. We cheated a little, and used a devils food cake to make the cupcakes. Then we scooped a little hole in the middle of the cupcake, filled it with cherry pie filling, and topped it with homemade chocolate and cream cheese icing and dark chocolate shavings. They were so easy and a hit! 

This was the back yard before we set up chairs. It was about 105 degrees in the shade and I didn't want to spend any more time out there than I had to... OVER 100 DEGREES=GROSS! P.S. If you can't tell, those are outdoor Christmas lights, strung tree to tree, with Yellow Paper Lanterns hung every few feet.

"PROST! Enjoy a Boulevard Wheat". We ended up tapping the keg inside, because it was wayyy too hot outside. But, we had music and games outside later... You know, to make up for it ;) 

This is me, blowing out the candles on my GIANT CUPCAKE (compliments of Megan).

This is me and my gorgeous Norwegian, Kaia! She is one of the sweetest people I have EVER met. 

Some of the party people, chit-chatting. 

More of my lovely friends =) Please excuse the lack of decor! This my parent's remodel project... I guess I get my DIY genes from them!

As I said, I love birthdays. All of them... Ok, especially mine.

And I promise, I dress up sometimes.

Usually when this kid takes me out for Porkchops. THEY MAKE US CRAZY.

Mad Love.

The Kind You Find In A Second Hand Store

One of the most frustrating things for me is messing up.

I wouldn't say I'm a perfectionist, but sometimes when my "brilliant" plans go awry... it's a little frustrating.

I started to revamp a nasty blouse I bought the other day... but, I'll admit, I had absolutely no plan for how I was going to do it.

My idea was to make the blouse backless with a cute bow to hold it together, give it a boat neck, and finish it off with cute puffed sleeves. Yes, I realize none of these things actually sound appealing, but I thought, together, they might turn out ahhhmazing.

Well, folks, I hate to say it, but I was TOTALLY WRONG. The shirt I ended up with was a hot tranny mess to the extreme.

So, now I've wasted a free afternoon, $3.99+tax, and lots of creativity.

Here's the baggy, saggy blouse before I did anything to it. Pretty gross. 

After I cut up the back and shortened it... The top was supposed to tie into a bow, but looked like craaaahp. I should have taken a picture of it, but it was too bad. 

However... amidst the lack of fabulosity... the fabric is still pretty amazing, and I think with a little rejuvination and creativity I can come up with something else to do with it. Maybe a little ruffle tank or some embellishments for my cadet cap.

What do you guys think?

Let me know if you have any ideas for my lovely leopard print!

Mad Love.

We're Gonna Party Like It's 1999.

My 21st Birthday is this Saturday and BOY am I excited.

I am a big kid when it comes to birthdays and this year will be no exception!

I think birthdays are the most special day of the year. Which, when you think about it, makes every day special... Since that day will always be SOMEONE'S birthday! (I find this to be a good way to look at life, when things aren't going as well as you'd planned. There's still always a reason to celebrate!)

This is me and my BEST FRIEND ON PLANET EARTH, Maren, all decked out for last year's party.

The birthday theme (yes, I still have theme parties) was Retro Roller Party... and the night's theme song quickly became Prince's "Raspberry Beret" after I found out that my girl Vinnie had never heard it before!!

So... What's the theme this year?!

PROST! *which means "cheers" in German*

There will be Brats, Beer, and Black Forest Cake! MMM.

There will also be lots of DIY projects and decor that I look forward to sharing with you!

Until then, if you have any great German recipes or decor ideas, hit me up in the comments section!

MAD LOVE.

New Kids On The Block Had A Bunch Of Hits... Chinese Food Makes Me Sick.

Last night, one of my childhood dreams came true.

I got to see NKOTB Live!

Backstreet Boys, too, of course. Even though I was always more of an N*SYNC girl when the battle was hot, BSB definitely brought it last night.  

However, there is always a special place for Joey McIntyre in my heart, mostly because he played Matt in "The Fantastiks," which is probably my favorite musical of all time.

They opened the show with "Summertime," which for anyone who knows me, knows that aside from "Hit Me Baby One More Time", that song is my karaoke JAM.

I was genuinely pleased with the concert. Those guys still have it.

I'm a grown ass woman... but there's something about a good boy band that will always light my fire.

Mad Love.

Meet Me In St. Louis

Sometimes, there's nothing better than a weekend out of town with some of your best friends.

I was given the amazing opportunity to attend a leadership conference in St. Louis last weekend. Six girls from my sorority were able to attend, and we had an absolutely fantastic time!

The theme of the weekend was "validation". It was an incredible way to remind all of us to tell those around us just how important they really are! It was also a great way to spend a weekend away from work =) 

This is Amy, Casey, and Me... Sitting in our hotel before going out to dinner the first night!

We decided to tour the Budweiser Brewery while we were in town! It was lots of fun... But unfortunately, I'm a week shy of 21, so I wasn't able to enjoy any of the beer at the end of the tour!

Me, Lindsey, and Casey inside one of the Budweiser Buildings. The district was so interesting, and the design of the buildings was amazing!

At our second Hotel... Like any good slumber party, we had to jump on the bed!

No road trip is complete without a parking violation. Poor Amy!

I hope this reminds you to always take time out for yourself and your girls... and to always validate those around you!

Mad Love.

Apple Bottom Jeans

What's my new favorite treat, you ask?

Ok, maybe you didn't ask... but I made some reaaaally delicious baked apples the other day and I wanted to share the recipe with you!

So, I didn't come up with this idea all on my own, but with inspiration from Kilkenney's and a delicious recipe from Simply Recipes, I went off to the kitchen and made this delicious dessert.

 I will tell you, I pulled the apples out at 25 minutes, versus the suggested 30-40, because I don't like the apples to get too mushy. I also put a little extra butter on top!!

Fun fact about me? I love butter. I would eat it by the stick if it didn't gross my roommates out, and I have notorious for devouring spoonfuls out of the tub... I'm sure some day this bad habit will catch up with me.

This is the perfect dessert to serve at your Fourth of July party! It's easy and goes swimmingly with vanilla ice cream!

Mad Love.