2nd Annual Naughty White Elephant Party

It has been one crazy, sleepless, FUN week! We started with Monday which was my 26th birthday... This year I chose not to celebrate with any sort of huge party or event since we're trying to cut back on spending due to lots of Wedding expenses and so I ended up going out to share some apps and wine with Scottie that night, and the next night I had a few drinks and apps with my best girls.

Friday night, our company had its Holiday Dinner Party at Bob's Steakhouse in Downtown Austin, and like every year.. we say we're not going out walking down 6th street after, but we totally ended up downtown, walking 6th street after. I got home at 230am and was back up at 8am getting breakfast and heading BACK to work for a 9-2pm meeting. I was so tired and knew today was going to be a long (but worth it!) day.

Finally I got home around 430pm after having lunch after our late running meeting and started rushing around! Luckily I had my future sister in law and best friend who came in town about an hour before there to help me get started with everything.... Here's a little background on the White Elephant.

We had a girls night last year during the work week at my house that I wanted to make funny and do a fun gift exchange, so we started a "Naughty White Elephant" where you bring a bottle of wine and a gift $25 or under from your local Adult Shop, Spencers, or Lingerie Shop. It was a huge hit the first year only we were all hammered at 11pm on a work night, so this year we chose to move it to the weekend! First year to the left, second year to the right!

Braceface on the left // Purdy Teeth on the Right!

I was so happy to have about double the ladies we had last year, it was absolutely hysterical exchanging crazy gifts with one another. I made a big batch of gumbo and a few girls brought appetizers, we had probably over 20 bottles of wine and I only had 2 leftover at the end of the night.... successful!

I adore each and every one of these amazing ladies, and I'll let the pics do the rest of the talking! I literally laid on my couch the entire day yesterday and am STILL feelin it today from such a busy but amazing weekend! Have a great day y'all!

Trust me you don't want to see what's behind that Candy Cane ;-)

This year, I made a Naughty Elephant Burlap Wreath... it was HYSTERICAL! 

Naughty White Elephant 2014

Suzy's Birthday, Treat Yo-self Weekend

Last weekend, Scott and I took a trip to "Whatchu talkin' bout Willis, TX" to go see my BFF of 12 years, Suzy! Her 25th birthday was Friday and we had a WHOLE weekend full of plans so naturally I was ready to take lots of pics so I could link up with SHAY for Treat Yo-self Day... or in my case Treat yo-self and yo friends weekend.

I prepared all day Friday by going and grabbing a gift basket kit from World Market (hello, $4.99!!) and filled it with all of Suzy's favorite things. Not pictured: Cheese-its, the Cheesy BFF birthday card inside, bottle of Jack Daniels Whiskey (her fave), two toys for Dexter her pup, and two candles. 

I loved making a mix-tape that took me back to 2002-2004 featuring all the songs I can't believe I listened to at 13 years old haha.... like Limp Bizkit's "Eat you Alive", Three Six Mafia's "Dis Bitch Dat Ho" <-- which started my ghetto rap lovin' days... and of course others like Stacy's Mom, Tainted Love by Marilyn Manson, Finger Eleven and Cold, and had to throw in my current favorite hip hop jam, "Wild For the Night" by Rocky feat. Skrillex. It will get you pumped up for just about anything.

I also finally bought Cards Against Humanity which of course was a huge hit all weekend. So hilarious and easy to turn into a very drunktastic drinking game.

When we arrived, we introduced Huxley to his new fur-cousin, Dexter - who Suzy and her bf saved off the streets at only 3 months old... we think he's a lab/pit mix and he is the softest, sweetest, and mis-behaved little rascal but Huxley and him had the best time playing.... We then headed out for the bar to do some birthday shots and went back to the house to play some CAH and Beer Pong. Which the girls dominated, woot woot!

Huxley's deer in headlights face just cracks me up. They were hysterical together.

Saturday we continued our treat yourself weekend by getting massages and pedicures. I was so nervous going in because it was my second massage ever, and my luck the lady didn't speak English so I couldn't tell her that I'm extremely ticklish and squirmy, so it started off super awkward haha... Why am I so weird!? I was so happy to be getting a pedicure after going a year without having one... my poor feet desperately needed it!

What is even better than getting pampered all day? Dressing up and going to the cutest little Italian Cuisine and Wine Lounge on Lake Conroe where you induldge in the best food you've had in a while and some Pomegranate Martinis! Our waiter even had an Italian accent and delivered the best experience for us.... So pleased.

Look how stinkin cute they are!  

Gorgeous sky right?

Love love love this group picture of us.

Quite possibly the best salmon I've ever had. Topped with an Italian Dill Sauce and some sauteed veggies. So so good. 

Scott obviously enjoyed his Lobster Cappellini.

Insanely delicious Cherry and Pistachio Spimone for dessert... hit.the.spot.

Reunited at last with my other half! I couldn't find it but we have a 9th grade Homecoming pic just like this. 

Finished off the weekend with some more beer pong and watching Whose Line is it Anyway relaxing on the couch. One of the most fun and relaxing weekends we have had in a long time, wish we didn't have to leave!!

Sunday we sadly had to go and drove home in time for football and cleaning/getting ready for the week, and Huxley decided to keep on treatin' himself with lots of lounging, destroyin' his brand new toy, and not getting out of bed in the morning. :-) Ah, to be a dog. 

I can completely agree with Shay that we ALL need Treat Yo Self Days/Weekends once in a while to relax and enjoy life without worrying about the every day things we all get consumed in and stressed about whether its job related, finances, big decisions, stress in relationships, anything. It totally makes all the difference in the world when you give that important and precious time to yourself. I'm so glad I got the chance to spend that quality time with my BFF that I only get to see a few times a year and feel better than ever now! Link up with Shay and treat yourself because YOU DESERVE IT!

Happy 63rd Birthday, Dad

Grandpa of 4, Father of 5, we miss you so very much, but know that you are with us every single day being our guardian angel, watching over us and giving us guidance in everything we do.

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We want to wish you a very Happy Birthday and hope you are having a blast celebrating in Heaven today. :-)

We lost our dad to a 6 week battle of Esophageal Cancer in 2010. If you'd like to read more about my dad's story, you can go here.

In 2011, our oldest sibling, Jeff, raised over a thousand dollars running a marathon in honor of our Dad, and donated everything to the Education Foundation of Esophageal Cancer studies.

Hope everyone gives their own dads a big hug. It is hard not having him around. I was devestated knowing he wouldn't be here to walk me down the isle one day, but over time I realized that he blessed me with three amazing and loving brothers to do the job for him, and I am also grateful that he knew and loved Scott with all his heart, and even got the chance to tell Scott that he trusted him with me and to take care of me always. That will always be so close to my heart.

I love you daddy. Happy, happy birthday.



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