Did You Know Mother Nature's Birthday is in May...or at Least it Should be. Good Weather, I Hope!

In the last month I have been stuck in snow boots, taking Kujo for a walk in 4 inches of snow, and I have had a bachelorette party snowed out. You would have never guessed its April, but when you live in Utah the weather can be a little bipolar. I was trained at a young age to believe summer started in May. I don’t know if it was because school got out or I was preparing for summer vacations in May, but when ever I see the calendar about to turn to May I automatically start digging out bikinis, skirts, and dresses. After the bust last summer was I am very much looking forward to these summer months.

A year ago Brice and I were engaged and planning out our life after we got married. The date was set for September 4^th and, at the time, we were planning to make our home in Phoenix, Arizona. As the summer drew closer to ending we were forced to make a decision that could change a lot of our plans, “do we go to Arizona…broke, or do we live somewhere we can afford?” Obviously we made the smart decision and moved to Utah where cost of living was a whole lot cheaper. Even though this messed up a lot of our plans and for Brice it put off school for one more year, once we got to Utah things started falling into place.

Within meeting up with one of my bridesmaids for a fitting I was told about a job opening at the Olive Garden she worked for. Later that day, on my way to my Bridal Shower, I had a quick interview…two weeks later I was offered the job. Within two weeks of living in Utah, Brice got a good paying job with a collections agency. We ended up living in a mini basement apartment with some of the best owners and rent ever. The Schwendimans, have been a life save for us many times. They took us in, let us have a dog, and still love us even when were loud and not big fans of BYU.

In the last year we have made some of the best memories, made the greatest new friends, and have gotten back on our feet. A month from today, we will be loading up in the “Wiley Family Bus + Trailer” and making a move to somewhere we can start our lives. Brice will be starting school in the fall in Salem, Oregon and I will be working and getting It’s A Date! Wedding and Event Planning started! We have been planning this for the last few months and now that it is creeping up on us, I am scared, but excited. For the last while we have been living in limbo, so to say, not sure of what road we were going to take, but I am so excited that we are starting to make a life for ourselves.

Moving aside, the next few months are going to be EXCITING!!!! Next week starts the race for the “Crazy Fun Summer” a head of us. My sister is competing in the Miss Teen Arizona Pageant in Tempe next Sunday and we will be there to support her. This has called on some serious creativity from Yours Truly for “Good Luck Presents” and “Support Items/Campaigning Tools”. I will also be seeing my fabulous friend, now a Bride-to-Be, Jessica Adams and presenting her with the torch of wedding planning, stay tuned for that fun present.

Then between packing and cleaning, I will be pulling out my Tortilla Chips and Sombrero for Cinco de Mayo, wishing my amazing Mommies a Happy Mothers Day, and tapping into more creativity with Birthday Parties and Mission Farewells.

May Flowers are Here and you know I will be making a STELLAR Bouquet out of them!

Oh.....Yeah.... GO MISS TEEN FLAGSTAFF!!!!!

Happy Easter!

Growing up my dad taught me some very valuable lessons. “Always Give 110%!” “Never Tickle the Tiger”, and, most of all, “if it Costs Too Much, Try to Make it Yourself”. My dad is an accountant, so spending money never made it too far past him. I spent many of my young days shingling roofs, painting, staining entertainment centers, holding the nail gun, and even holding the heavy end of a beam while my father used the saw to cut it up just to save money. I look up to my dad for his determination and imagination when it came to the manly things like wood, wires, and a shop, but as for cutesy things, he left it up to the girls…unless of course there was a prize involved (like spending 5 hours frosting a teddy bear cake for a ward bake sale…yeah dad I remember! Man were you pissed when it only sold for a few dollars).

Today I walked out of my house to find a lovely box sitting on the door step: Our Easter Care Package from Mom and Dad Wiley! Since I am working my hardest to cut sugar out of our weekly grocery list, I was very much looking forward to the treats bestowed in this box. As I opened it my heart melted, sitting there oh so cute were little Rice Krispie Treat Eggs my dad wanted to make us. Sure enough it wasn’t just a Rice Krispie in the shape of an egg there was frosting to make little decorations on them.

I have never grown out of the excitement that comes with a Care Package, I guess its one thing I want to take from my childhood into adulthood. So thank you Mom, Dad, and Austin! It really made my day! Oh and Dad I would pay tons of money for your little eggs!

There Are So Many Girls, Yet So Few Desserts!

“I Can Resist Everything Except Temptation.”

-Oscar Wilde

Ahh Bachelorette Parties! For some it’s an excuse to drink and tempt the fate of her soon-to-be Marriage, and for others it’s a celebration to get away from family and have fun times with your girlfriends before the stress of the wedding hits. How women come about this is a total reflection of their personality, and completely up to them. No matter how this celebration is executed, it is one that can not be forgotten or minimalized.

It was a Spring April Afternoon filled with snow and cold weather in the Sandy Valley. The lucky bride was Natalie Cook, a sweet coworker of mine that couldn’t be more excited to be sealed for time and all eternity to her handsome fiancée Spencer Sheets. She wanted something classy, but sexy and preferably in the afternoon. So we settled on a brunch in the park. Pressed with the rushing wedding date and crazy work schedules, the time for planning was 2 weeks, and they went by fast.

Before I knew it, it was early Saturday morning and the rain and snow were falling down hard outside the window. The Park was out of the picture, so with some quick polishing and swift runs with vacuum I was able to convert my mini apartment into a usable space. (Please let my new place be better for entertaining, Please, Please, Please!)

Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue

April 9^th, 2011

Colors: I like to spend some quality “Me” time during my week and during that time along with mani/pedis and a facial mask that always ends up in my mouth, I love reading the new additions of Bridal Magazines. Of course with my job I have to be up to date with all the new trends and styles, but there has been one that has just stolen my heart and I have been so excited to use it.

Black, White, and BRIGHT BLUE!

Invitation: I would like to thank my Dear Husband, Brice for helping me with these crazy invitations. To add a little excitement to a normal piece of parchment, I decided to crack into my non-existing Asian Heritage and try some Origami. By folding tiny dresses that hung on hangers (made by my dear Hubs) that were linked onto the invitation, it added a 3D take on a classic invite.

Table Setups: I wanted to create a spectacle that started from the ground and worked its way up. I started by using Black Table Cloths that were fitted on the table, I then angled a square smaller table cloth with a fancy design, both keeping to the black and white. On top of the table is where I let the bright blue come in. Blue Boxes, Blue Flowers, Blue Utensils, etc.

Food: Since the party was happening mid-day I wanted to keep the food light and more like light snacking. So the menu was filled with the ever traditional Veggie and Fruit Trays, with Blueberry Muffins, and Blueberry Parfaits. Water was available and so was a Vintage Lemon/Limeade.

Dessert:  It’s the inner geek in me that whenever I see a book store going out of business I hit the shelves hard, especially for fun books you wouldn’t expect. My kinky cupcakes were inspired by a book called just that “Kinky Cupcakes” by Joanna Farrow. If you get a chance, find this book. It will leave you laughing and, of course, ready to throw a bachelorette party.

Details: To add to the theme I attached little bows to all of the glasses and to the parfait cups. I also dipped all of the rims of the Drinking Glasses into Blue Sprinkles and Sugar…It tasted like Rock Candy! I also did Menu Cards that I placed near all of the food. I kept them simple only naming the food items, but if you feel like getting creative and coming up with names, by all means let those creative juices flow.

Music: I kept the playlist girly and fun. Songs from Madonna, Lady Gaga, the Pussycat Dolls, and Beyonce all graced the list. Creating a playlist for a bachelorette party comes down to the music preference of the bride and the friends involved.

Bachelorette Parties can range from Insanely Crazy to Sweetly Classic. All ranges are fun and worth attendance. I really had a fun time getting to know Natalie better and I wish her and Spencer the best of luck in their marriage and their brave move to Hawaii later this year. For those who attended: Thank you and for those who couldn’t: Eat your Hearts Out!