5 Simple & Fun Bridal Shower Activities

So it's been awhile since my bestie's Candy Confetti bridal shower (whoops!) but I'm finally ready to spill the rest of the deets! One of the things you either love or hate about showers are the kitschy activities. I for one, LOVE them. If you're on the other side of that camp, you can stop reading now. 

Some of the more popular/traditional bridal shower games are the toilet paper dress competition, gift bingo, and bridal trivia. I decided to go beyond the norm and planned a few less traditional options.

DIY Glitter & Flower Corsages

There are still so many little projects to share from the bridal shower so I hope you didn't think I was done just yet haha. 

I love that wedding season is here because so many are planning a shower, being a guest to one (or ten), or even planning their own wedding. I so fervently miss the days of wedding planning (but boy oh boy am I also so grateful that I'm done!) When the Mr. and I got married almost two years ago, before I even knew what a blog was, I had made fabric boutonnieres for our wedding. I loved making them and thought a set of corsages for the bridal shower (for the bride, bridesmaids, and mothers) would be an appreciated detail. 

These glittered corsages are what I came up with!

Pink and fabulous for the bride and white for everyone else! These were so easy to put together and you can  create a bunch in less than an hour. 

DIY Watercolor Guest Book Alternative

For last weekend's bridal shower, I wanted a guest book that was better than the average bound variety. There are guest book alternatives abounding all over the internet. There are those cute fingerprint ideas and the signed bottle of wine and the wishing trees and pieces of a puzzle. I really wanted something else though. That's when I saw this fun piece of art on Pinterest. $160 though? Woowee. That was so not in the budget. So, what's a crafty girl to do? Make one of course. 

The end result was exactly what I was looking for. The colors and pattern are completely customizable and BOY OH BOY, it was a fun DIY. I forgot how much I enjoy painting with watercolors. 

How To: Single Bloom Centerpieces

I'm a fan of simple centerpieces, especially for casual get togethers. Low profile arrangements are my absolute fave! Rather than one gigantic bouquet, consider clustering a variety of glasses/vases/jars with a single blossom in each. The end result is just dreamy, if I do say so myself. Simply choose colors that go with your theme and run with it!

These single bloom arrangements were the perfect addition to my Candy Confetti Bridal Shower. 

"All of Your Firsts" Wine Gift Basket (with tags!)

For my BFF's bridal shower, I wanted to give her something practical, unique, and full of personality. I can't claim this gift idea as my own, afterall, just browse Pinterest and you'll be amazed at the amount of results. Wine Basket Wedding Gift. Milestone Wine Basket. Basket of Firsts. Bridal Shower Wine Poem Basket. Whatever you call it, it's just plain awesome. I pulled most of my inspiration for this "All of Your Firsts" basket from My Chic Life and Amazing Bridal Showers. 

DIY Candy Confetti Bridal Shower - The Reveal

All of the planning, pinning, and secret-keeping has come to an end! I am happy to report that we had a spectacular bridal shower yesterday for my beautiful bff. As I mentioned yesterday, the theme that I followed was "candy confetti." Random, I know, BUT I wanted something fun, informal, colorful, and in keeping with their beach wedding next month. I don't like to toot my own horn; however, I'm pretty sure I hit all of those nails on the head.  

Later this week I'll spill the beans and share the details and tutorials for each of the projects! Some of the littlest things (like confetti punched from glittered scrapbook paper) made the biggest impact.

Candy Confetti Bridal Shower - Color Inspiration

So, today is the day! Right at this very second, I am surprising my bestie with her very own confetti themed bridal fete. Now, you know why I've been so busy lately :) I'll reveal all of the details soon, but for now, check out some of the gorgeous images that lent a hand in the planning process. I had originally planned to go with tan/white/brown, gray/navy/yellow, or gray/yellow hues but I eventually came to the conclusion that bright candy colors were exactly where I needed to be. These photos are swoon worthy and gave me the best inspiration for the final color scheme.

(clockwise from top left)

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

(clockwise from top left)

5 | 6 | 7 | 8

(clockwise from top left)

9 | 10 | 11 | 12

Was I telling the truth or what?? I've spent countless hours drooling over these lovelies. I can't wait to share all of the little shower tidbits later on. G'day all!

Insta Replay Monday #26

Oh my goodness. Best weekend in a long, long time :) Why? It was the Mr.'s brother's wedding! While it was a bit cold and breezy, it was an incredibly sunny day for a March wedding -- almost as if God was shining every bit of his light down on the happy couple.

The groom and his stunning bride brought me to tears more times than I care to remember. As Best Man, the Mr. gave quite a heart-felt toast that still makes my eyes water just thinking about it. Maybe it's the fact that now that I'm married and I know the kind of happiness and love that come from fully committing yourself to someone, weddings make me the sappiest of saps.

365 Days of Bliss

For where you go, I will go. 

And where you stay, I will stay.
I will love you today, tomorrow, and forever. 

I will trust you and honor you. 

I will laugh with you and cry with you. 

I will love you faithfully, through the best and the worst. 

As I have given you my hand to hold, so I give you my life to keep. 

It's hard to imagine that it's already been a year since I said those words. Well, if I'm going to be accurate... it's actually been 366 due to that extra day back in February. I am so grateful to have a husband who supports my every dream. I'm so blessed to have a man who respects me and cherishes me and loves me more than I deserve.

Happy anniversary to my amazing husband!

the song that played during our first dance.... AWWWWWWW!!

A Taste of Cape May, NJ

I don't generally write personal posts but this weekend was really nice and I just had to share.  We spent Saturday afternoon on the beach in Wildwood then strolled around historic Cape May.  The weather was not the best, but having a whole day down at the shore with people we cherish was exactly what I needed. You see, one of my oldest and very best friends is getting married at the Cape May Ocean Club next summer and I'm her MOH. I cannot wait! She and the groom-to-be invited the Mr. and I to accompany them to their tasting and boy, oh boy are we happy we accepted that invitation!

The restaurant is modern and stunning, all of the things you look for in a venue. And the food.... oh the food! It was to die for!

unfortunately, I forgot my camera so please forgive me for using my phone

We had a total of EIGHT appetizers, ONE salad, THREE entrees, and FOUR desserts. Definitely not the kind of meal that is going to help me fit in my dress, but I enjoyed every bite.

Appetizers:

• Crab cakes
• Mini cheeseburgers
• Shrimp Cocktail
• Seared tuna
• Gazpacho
• Ceviche 
• Smoked trout
• Ribs

Entrees:

• Red snapper with English pea risotto. That risotto is what dreams are made of. I saw it on the menu and thought "ugh, that sounds disgusting." Turns out that it was my second favorite thing of the evening... I feel a copy-cat recipe coming on! 
• Roasted chicken with ginger-scallion potatoes. Best chicken ever. It's that simple.  
• Aged rib-eye. Delicious and so tender and the red wine reduction was a perfect addition to the plate.

Desserts:

• Cheesecake. My favorite dessert by far, then again, I've never had a cheesecake I didn't want to have a life-long commitment with.
• Cannoli cream and chocolate chip cake. Everyone at the table raved at this combo and rightfully so, but the cheesecake had a crust that blew me away
• Pistachio cream cake. Ehhhh. It had anise and I can't stand the licorice flavor. Enough said. 
• Flourless chocolate cake. Please don't hate me, but I'm not a chocolate fan so this didn't entice me at all. 

The chef, Lulzim Rexhepi, was incredibly talented, our server was knowledgeable and personable, and the event coordinator seemed to really care about how everything was going. I'm excited to see what the bride and groom choose to have on their menu next year. There's no doubt in my mind that their wedding will be a foodie's dream come true. If you have a chance, I'd definitely suggest stopping by the Sea Salt at the Ocean Club Hotel for a mouth-watering meal, or even a couple of drinks.