start the week with a smile

Happy Sunday morning! I hope this is the start of a fresh and awesome week for all of you!

sugar hoot

Sugar Hoot bake shop is a cookies, cupcakes and specialty cake shop in New Milford, CT. It happens to be owned by one of my best friends from college. We both graduated from Northeastern University, me with a business degree and her with a degree in graphic design. After 2 years working in her field she decided to quit and attend pastry school. She went to the French Culinary Institute in NYC and immediately upon graduation decided to open the bake shop with her mom. I have been fortunate enough to work with her in the amazing bakery that she has built. If you are ever in the area, I suggest stopping in! If you're having a hard time choosing a flavor, my vote always goes to the chocolate chip cookie dough cupcake or the chocolate chip cookie.

I'm spending today out at the New Milford Village Fair Days up on the town green. I'll be sweating my tush off and eagerly selling cupcakes and cookies to everyone who passes by!

The store front on Bank Street in New Milford

Kristyn in front of the bakery on opening day.

The beautiful shop, and some of the amazing goodies they offer!

ladies night

When my sister started dating the man who is now her husband, he had a strict Friday night as "guy's night" policy. At first, this seemed almost odd, but as time went by, it ended up being the best thing for their relationship. It made sure that they still had time for other people and didn't get too wrapped up in each other to the point of excluding the other people that matter in their lives.
I run with friends, I hang with my sisters, but rarely do I get to have a real girls night. In an ideal world, it would happen way more often. I stumbled upon a gorgeous white with a small hint of pink engagement party on Bridal Musings. It is completely gorgeous. But what really caught my eye was the drink section! They had pink lemonade drinks! Both sparkling pink lemonade and pink lemonade vodka. I can only imagine that together they would be divine. But I'm intrigued by the flavored vodka.

swoon <3

So who is down for a ladies night?!

music

I have been doing really great getting back into my groove at the gym. I haven't been running as much as I would like, but I'm doing other cardio work trying to get my heart and lungs back where they were a month ago before I was a loser and quit working out. (Ok maybe I didn't quit, I just slacked...a lot)

don't be jealous of my super chub calves while I'm sitting at one of the weight machines (yeah I have no idea what it is called - but I believe it works my chest...technical I know)

But now all my music is OLD and tired. My music is in desperate need of a revamping. So I'm looking for some help from you, my fantastic readers! 

What is your favorite song right now? To workout to? To dance in your car to?

Where do you find inspiration for new playlists?

Ok enough with the 20 questions...Off to the gym I go. Here's hoping I can rock it out one more time to the tired boring music!

**updated**

Apparently the machine I was sitting at was actually the seated row, so works my back...not my chest! Oops!

fancy feet

Do you love shoes as much as I do? I think they can be the perfect exclamation point on an adorable outfit. I really love fun heels with a simple clothes.

from zappos 

zappos again

<3 sparkles. zappos.

Pink and glittery. zappos.

Love them all! Not sure where I think I'm going, but I can lust over them!

picture perfect

When Mike and I talk about our dreams and our future home he is very clear that the one thing he wants is a man cave all his own. I have always been on board with him on that. He has a few guns that he keeps locked in a gun cabinet. I would feel most comfortable if that cabinet was also locked in a room our kids wouldn't have access to. I'd love to get him a print like this to hang in his man cave. It is just so him.

looking for my inspiration

I am in desperate need of a kick in the butt! I have been slacking with my workouts, eating terrible (but delicious) foods and overall I've fallen out of my groove. I'm hoping to find my strong, my groove and my passion again. I really miss it.

found here via pinterest.

flower love

More gorgeousness on this beautiful Sunday morning. Some hydrangea love for you all!

oh, I've got it bad...

If you ask my sister, babies are contagious. Be careful not to touch one, look at one too long, and especially don't daydream about tiny adorable baby things. I love baby things, especially the adorably pink gushy ones themselves! Daydreaming about my future children always makes me smile when I'm having a rough day. 

top left, bottom left, top right, bottom right

hey good lookin'

My Grandfather used to sing two songs to my Grandmother all the time. They were "Kiss an Angel Good Morning" and "Hey Good Lookin'." I always admired their love. My Grandma died in February of 1999 and when you ask my Grandfather if he has any interest in other women he always responds the same way. He had the cream of the crop so there isn't even a point in looking for someone, as no one could ever compare.

here

When I saw this, I instantly fell in love. I need it in my life as. soon. as. possible! I will forever associate that saying with my grandparents and it would inspire me to create a relationship Grandma would be proud of.

jessi's bridal shower

My sister's bridal shower was last July. She loves bright colors and fun patterns. Using bright colors we were able to plan a bright and fun shower for her. There were 8 bridesmaids in the bridal party so that made working on the shower so much easier! We dispersed the work and it was wonderful. 

Quickly I'd like to shout out to a couple ladies who helped incredible amounts with the shower. Jenna from à la mode and Aimee from Aimee Joan Designs. (That is them in the top left picture!) They are both wonderful girls who were awesome during planning and execution of the shower. I'm very lucky that I got to know them through my sister and I can now call them friends too.

oddly provocative

I'm not sure what it is about this picture but I'm completely drawn to it. Normally I'm not a fan of Mary-Kate or Ashley, I don't follow them at all. However, I found this while surfing pinterest and I kind of love it.

found here.

i'm too sexy.

I had a super hot and extra sweaty date with the gym this afternoon.  It was completely glorious. I have zero shame so here are some "shameless self-takes" from the gym. Both the locker room and the parking lot!

Thank goodness for this workout today. It was exactly what I needed. 

for my sister Jenn

In a bookstore I'm drawn to cookbooks, girlie books (i.e. ones with martinis and brides on the covers) and magazines. I generally don't even wander towards the classics or non fiction. That isn't true for my sister. She is a reader to the fullest extent. When I saw these I immediately thought of her and I think they will be a must for her for Christmas.

left. right.

save the dates

I saw these posted by Jacin on Lovely Little Details, one of my favorite blogs to read, and I couldn't resist sharing them! I love the relaxed yet very put together feel of them! Totally my style. They are from The Blue Envelope on etsy. You should check her out, she has a bunch of other swoon worthy things in her shop.

If you love these as much as I do, be sure to run (don't walk!) over to Lovely Little Details to enter her give away! She is giving away 50-75 of these beauties!

outdoor decor

Outdoor parties are great during the summer. It is wonderful being outside in the warm air without the sun beating down on you. Imagine how festive it would look with these lining the railing around the back porch.

found here.

The idea is you break open a glow stick and pour it into a mason jar. Shake well and you've created a colorful lantern!

lovely details

Sometimes I find myself getting caught up with small details that I'd assume no one but me would ever notice! I'm trying to find bigger personal touches to add to a wedding that will set a tone, make for great pictures and be noticed by all. I found both of these details and I love the scale. They are big enough to command attention and to set a lovely tone for the room, but simple enough to not cost a crazy amount or overwhelm a room.

top image found here
bottom image from here

sunday sweet sunday

Good morning friends! I just wanted to leave some love and something gorgeous for you to see on this beautiful morning!

work out mix

When training to run a half marathon in Disney World, nothing gets you pumped like some Disney classics. I have revved up my current workout mixes (both gym and running) with some Disney tunes. My current favorite song that gets me up and running is "Zero to Hero" from Hercules. I like to follow that up with "Edge of Glory" by Lady Gaga and I am pumped and working hard!

What gets you up and running? How do you go about finding new music for your mixes?

kate spade - how i love thee

I have a serious kate spade addiction. It all started back in 2005 when I got my very first "sam" bag for Christmas. When I unwrapped the package and saw the vibrant green box, I knew exactly what was inside. I swear I could have peed my pants! Since then my love affair with her has not faltered at all. I have 6 bags, the day planner, decks of cards, party planning books and a wallet. It is a small obsession. I want to share some of the things I'm currently lusting over.

Florina

Ailey

kate spade lever-back earrings

solid jillian dress

jana top

All images from katespade.com! Enjoy!

entertaining

I love entertaining. I love having people over and giving them good food and drinks. I love sharing laughter and playing games with the people I love the most. Seriously there aren't many things that top that. Summer entertaining is on the absolute top of my list. Sitting outside in the shade, enjoying a cool summer breeze and noshing on some deliciousness. Here are my favorite entertaining items at the moment.

All items were found at Target! I love the seasonal lines they sell, they are always gorgeous, funky and inspirational!

happy anniversary

I'm incredibly lucky in that I have a huge very close family. Today would be my parents' 30th wedding anniversary. I debated for a long time whether or not to post about this, but it seemed too big of an occasion to gloss over without a mention. My dad was an amazing husband and father and I miss him like crazy. 

Happy 30th Anniversary to the best parents a girl ever could have asked for!

bedrooms and playrooms

Dreaming about my future wedding is fun, I do it all the time. But it is just a party, a step to what I am really dreaming about is the life that comes after that. The house filled with little feet, sleepless nights holding a future child, days spent with family enjoying the great outdoors are really what I'm looking forward to. A part of that is my future home.

left, center, top right, bottom right

left and right

From bedrooms to playrooms to kitchens and bathrooms, I could stare at home decor images all day long. Luckily with pinterest, I can actually do that! That's where I stumbled across all of these images!

monday morning

Some stunning peonies to start this week and Monday off right. Enjoy your day!

cake...mmm...

Working with my friend Kristyn over at Sugar Hoot bakery in Connecticut has given me a new appreciation for cakes. I have always been amazed with the ability of artists to make such amazing creations out of sugar. I find myself lusting over clean yet complex cakes. The skill involved in making it definitely makes it more appealing to me.

(images found here)

half marathon training.

I'm still working on my actual training plan for the upcoming Disney half marathon. I'm combining a couple elements from the different plans I've seen out there to make a plan that I think will work and will be sustainable for me. I came across Key Workouts for a Successful Half Marathon by Coach Jerry. I wanted to pass it along for those of you who are also training!

party

My older sister kicking off the party with some vino verde.
The lei is an homage to the passing of the gay marriage law in NY state

My family had the party of the century following those graduations I posted about. Since there were four graduates and a few other kids switching schools, we decided to throw it all together into one big party. What a party it was! More than 100 people, a back yard full of family and friends, a cotton candy machine, sno-kone machine, and a bouncy house made the party epic. Congratulations to the graduates! I loved celebrating with you.

me with two of the graduates

Jackson, he turned 3! 

All the graduates!

Sparklers to finish the night off right!

Cousins being cousins. We are super goofy and fun!

long tables

even the perfect color scheme. found here.

I have a huge family. Not just large, but really actually huge. I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. I love it. Not only are there a ton of us, but we are really close too. I love the idea of long tables at weddings where you can seat 20 people at one table. I just love the style of them!

I love the width of this table with the length! found here.

Found here.