Our Engagement Party

Well how about it….I am FINALLY getting around to sharing some pics from our engagement party that our wonderful families threw for us. This was waaayyyy back in October and we had such a lovely time. We only invited close local family and our friends who were in our wedding party. We wanted to keep the night intimate where we could just focus on food, family and fun. 

the future Mr. & Mrs. D. Complete with crystal stemware, so fancy.

I also knew I wanted to use this party as a time to ask my girls, well rather pop the question if they would be my bridesmaids. Not all my bridesmaids could come, since they are scattered all over the place, but I did infact, pop the big question to my ladies who were there.

Each got a little box with their name on it, a card from me, a mini bottle of wine, some yummy chocolates, a fun Essie nail polish, and cake batter flavored (yes, you heard that right!) chapstick. Just some little goodies to make the night more special.

I also saw this adorable idea of Etsy with diamond ring shaped toothpicks, that when popped on the top of a doughnut, make them look like little diamond rings. So cute right? I had a platter set out of apple cider donuts (because it was October) a we snapped the cute pic above!

I got to spend time with my girlfriends, some who I don't get to see very often so it was really a nice night.

D serenaded me with songs as D does on more than one occasion ;)

 And overall it was such a lovely night. Our families have already gotten to know each other over the years since we've been together for a while, and because they get along so well, everyone had a blast. Some may have even had a little too much to drink! ;) When people have to spend the night at your place unexpectedly because they may have indulged in a few too many libations, you know it's been a great night! 

xo Steph

Calling all Shark Week Fans!

It's that time of year again that people go bonkers for -- Discovery Channel's Shark Week!! If you're like me (and most of the population) there is a weird fascination with this terrifying creature. Even since I saw Jaws at a young age, I had this love/hate relationship with sharks. They terrify yet intrigue me. It was be the same party of me that loves Halloween so much -- I just love being scared. So with Shark Week 2014 alive and well, why not call some friends over and throw yourself a Shark Week viewing party. Go ahead and even create a drinking game around it too -- because there's always a reason to celebrate something!! All images I collected from pinterest and original sources can be found here. 

 Cute beachy themed table include a cupcake tower and salt water taffy.

 Cute cardboard shark cut outs I found on Etsy

Adorable cards -- could be used as invitations too!

Fancier table setting. How fun is that shark and shrimp bowl centerpiece??

Fruit salad or jello shots anyone?

Beach ball cake pops - genius!

"Sand dollar" cookies -- aka snickerdoodles -- my fav!!

More beachy cupcakes. Love the "sandy" beach with the umbrella!

Cute shark fin votive candles to set the mood.

And of course we can't forget a fun and cute outfit for the hostess with the mostess.

And I love shark week tee and ocean inspired sparkly nail polish!

And this little nugget was too cute not to share!!

So anyone else obsessed with Shark Week like me??

xo Steph

Entertain: Cinco de Mayo Fiesta

Happy Cinco de Mayo people! A holiday devoted to eating Mexican food and drinking Corona -- I can get down with that! So of course, I need to share some party inspirations because, we all know I love to plan a festive and fabulous party. I swear, I live for holidays and theme parties -- why can't they be every day? Anyway here are some inspiration photos I pulled together from {Pinterest}. If you want to recreate a Cinco de Mayo party like this yourself, all original sources can be found {here}.

1. Festive chalkboard -- "Fiesta like there's no Manana"

2. Colorful plates

3. Fresh pico de gallo

4. Pink Grapefruit margaritas

5. Homemade guacamole served in a (mortar and pestle here)

8. Mexican corn with a squeeze of lime

7. Taco Bar chalkboard art

8. Ombre garlands for decor

9. mmmmm Taaaacos

10. Pinata cookies -- amazing.

11. Fuchsia peonies for pops of color

12. Stocked bar, including San Pellegrino (one of my new favs)

13. Margarita Lime cupcakes

I'm be sure to enjoy a Corona Light with lime and some fresh guac today to make my Monday afternoon a little more special.

What are your fun Cinco De Drinko plans for today?

xo Steph

entertain | celebrate Oktoberfest

Amidst all the pumpkins, and spooky and scary everything we surround ourselves with in October to prepare for Halloween - celebrating Oktoberfest is a fabulous German tradition and perfect excuse to celebrate some other favorites of mine -- beer and food! So why not have an Oktoberfest themed get together this weekend? Especially for those who hate Halloween (who are those people by the way??) get festive with all that fall has to offer sans the scary stuff. Take a look at all these details below. 

All original sources can be found on my Oktoberfest board on my pinterest page.

| the details |

1. the perfect party need a festive invitation

2. keep decor simple. sheafs of wheat, and a wide array of craft beer bottles

3. beer tasting are made that much more awesome in this rustic wooden glass holder

| the food |

4. no better companion for a german themed party other than freshly baked pretzels

5. beer cheese soup in a bread bowl -- hello!

6. beer mac and cheese

7. Oktober lager stew made with german sausage 

| the extras |

8. photo booth fun - try a giant sized pretzel as the ultimate photo booth for insta-fun 

9. Boozy Guinness root beet floats. um, yes please.

10. the perfect combination of salty & sweet. beer and pretzel cupcakes for guests to take home

Interested in more Oktoberfest accessories to get into the festive spirit? These slippers are perfect for the host and hostess who have been on their feet all day, brew your own beer  for the occasion, and this or this for serving beer to your guests.

So do you celebrate Oktoberfest?

hope you all have a lovely day -- prost!

xo Steph

My 30th Birthday | Part 2

 For my actual birthday, it was dinner with my parents, D's mom and aunt, and my girlfriends from grad school. The celebrations the night before had taken a toll on this 30 something, and as a result, a hangover and migraine headache ensued for most of the day. UGH. Hence the hair up, and the puffy eyes in most of these pics. Luckily, it didn't effect my appetite because we went to the most amazing seafood restaurant on the water called The Chart House -- so I could still enjoy a platter of crunchy coconut shrimp....mmmmmm.

seafood followed by birthday creme brulee : )

 silliness with spoons. haha my mom makes me laugh.

 I've lived here for 5 years now and this view has never gotten old : )

surrounded by people I love makes me one happy girl!!

 all the pretty ladies.

 I love this picture of me and D in the glowy time of night called dusk. so romantic!

 and sometimes candids make for great shots too!

 my girls : )

 more candids.

 nice one of me and the parentals. except it looks like my dad was in the middle of talking!

 photo fail! but black and white can make anything look artistic and editorial right?

 D and all his ladies!

If you look at it really fast, it looks like I have man hands! hahaha

 and of course, the typical faces.....

D loves my stink face ; )

So that rounds up my birthday in photos. I truly had the most wonderful 30th birthday and am so grateful and blessed to have so many people who care about me. 

I feel so LOVED, and that is the best gift a girl could ever ask for!

Cheers!

xo Steph