Jenna & Ed: A Wedding

This past Saturday, some dear friends of mine tied the knot in a super-fun wedding!

From the start, I knew this was going to be a fair themed reception. I haven’t been to a “themed” wedding before, not that the ceremony itself actually had a theme. Obviously, there are color schemes and centerpieces that try to correlate with each other, but this was a genuine theme and it was executed perfectly!
They chose the theme, if I recall, because they love going to county fairs.

We were at table 1, dubbed the “Dunk Tank” and everything was surrounded with cute tickets. The details were everywhere, very admirable. I also loved our little favors…yummy lollipops!

If you know me, you know I love bunting flags. I like to make my own out of felt, and they are just so fun and festive! The cake was decorated with them (and there were some above them at the ceremony!) which is just too cute.
Close-up on the cake topper:

The execution of the event was perfect, in my opinion. It was a party, really, and I think that’s something receptions often lack. Weddings are fun, but they can sometimes feel like obligations, in a way. The usual list of events, the same songs at each one. The DJ played amazing music, and that resulted in my dancing ALL NIGHT LONG (I swear, I didn’t sit down save for a couple of bathroom breaks and stops for ice water). I had a BLAST. And that’s what I hope will happen one day, at my future wedding. Of course, I wouldn’t have the same theme, but I want the fun, and I definitely want a reception that shows myself and my future husband through everything.

Now, a boatload of photos with friends!
(My phone died and I didn’t get a photo with the bride…still beating myself up about it!!)

Literal best friend, partner-in-crime, bestest person in the world.

Catie, Maria, and I photobombed by Ed and Jared, true playas all night.

Interesting fact: I haven’t seen Lauren since February.
Feels like yesterday, but it has been way too long and I can’t wait to try and fix that.

Seeing Nicole for the first time in forever was awesome…again, must make plans to see her soon!

I’ve talked about Katie on the blog, but her she is! This is my “book club” buddy! I am so glad we’ve been spending so much time together, and that we were able to dance the night away!

I have so much photo-snagging to do for August PL layouts.
If you’re interested in seeing more of the wedding, check out Instagram, #obernowski2014 for so many great photos of the couple, the decor, and the crazy fun people!

Congrats again, guys!

This Week’s Greatest Hits

Looking back on all the good good that went down.

We watched the Oscars with snacks and drinks, like we do every year!

Maybe it was the several sparkling wine cocktails, but that was the most fun I’ve had watching the Oscars in years!

I went to Panera Bread 3 days in a row.

I work less than a minute drive away from Panera, so when I have an hour for lunch, I just go there. I like to get a coffee and I’m trying to branch out on the soups and sandwiches (the picture from above was during a 5a-2p shift, so my “lunch” was at 9 am, hence the breakfast) and I read and relax.

Lots of pretty sunsets.

The one thing I don’t usually mind about winter is that the sunsets are often insane.
So bright and intense, with different colors from day to day.

Mac and Cheese night with my sister.

Bart & Urby’s does a Mac&Cheese night every Wednesday, and Maria has been several times while I haven’t gone at all. So, since we had to switch cars so she could take a trip to Virginia this weekend, I mentioned that we should go.
It was tasty, but I definitely think they should offer up some more add-ons. I got bacon and fried chicken (because I care about what I put in my body), but I think broccoli deserves to be on their list!

Paulina and I had another craft day.

I’ll talk more about this in a later post, but we decided to go for a spring-y craft in the hopes that it will start warming up soon! We also drank wine, talked tons (I love getting to know more about friends!), and listened to Lana Del Rey on vinyl.

A Goodbye For Now…

Things are changing around these parts. Some of the most important people in my life have either moved away or will be moving away, and I can’t help but feel the teensiest devastated. A lot of my friends have moved…some are still within the state and some are in completely different time zones. Still, I’m not sure if I’ll ever get used to people leaving.
Not too far from now, Brad and I will practically be the only people left here.

Anyway, my dear friend Lauren got a job offer (so excited for her!) that is taking her to a new home in New Jersey.
She moved when Brad and I were away, so luckily we were able to squeeze in a little movie night at home and she had a little shindig at a bar, where we enjoyed food, horn music, and way too many drinks. It was some of the most fun I’ve had in a while. Of course, I enjoy an adult beverage, but I don’t usually go crazy. It was fun to act out a bit.
(All photos with the iPhone, most edited with VSCO cam)

Lauren surprised me with a painted mason jar vase filled with pretty flowers and some yummy baked treats! We laughed about the fact that her little reserved table had it’s own centerpiece. So lovely.

A toast to new ventures!

The ladies at dinner, April, Lauren, and I.

Fireball shots (yeah, when shots are involved, you know it’s going to get crazy) and the cute little band that played flawlessly. I love when the music at a bar actually compliments the vibe as opposed to overpowering it. No need to scream over this music. I got a little video of them playing. It was great.

Before I left, I had to squeeze in one more photo with just the two of us. You can tell I had some fun.

Miss you, Lauren! But I’m wishing you the best and I can’t wait to come visit your new place.

A Theme

As I get older, I find I’m more inclined to stay at home than to go out. Of course, after long stints of reclusiveness, it’s only natural that I need to go out and socialize, to be in a loud room with people buzzing about. It’s very rare that Brad and I go to bars because, well, it’s so much cheaper to buy some beer for the house, have people over, and actually be able to have a conversation instead of shouting over some crappy band.
In this instance, to keep things fresh, I love doing a theme party.
Having people over is fun enough, but add some sort of theme to the situation and it gets crazy better!

I understand why some people might find the idea of a theme party childish, because who didn’t have a party with TMNT or Barbie paper plates, cups, tablecloths, and party hats? However, I feel like age actually makes these parties so much more fun. The sky is the limit! Themed cocktails and costumes and a place of your own (usually) to decorate!

If you’ve been reading my blog for a couple of years, then you may remember my Prohibition-Era 25th birthday party!
What started as a small idea tossed around over drinks turned into a really successful evening, with amazing people surrounding me in beautiful 20s-esque garb drinking gin cocktails and brown bottled beer without the label.
 

Not that we always have to have a theme for my birthday, but in 2013, we decided to do a brunch. I, like so many others out there, love brunch, but it’s not something we have a lot of in NEPA. Sunday Brunch is one of those beloved occasions, and little to no places have it around here. So…why not make our own?
We had sweet and savory items, such as a yogurt station courtesy of my sister and bacon and egg cups via Brad. The drinks were mimosas (oh so good) with a variety of juices and Bloody Marys, something I don’t particularly enjoy but that a lot of my guy friends do! I also really like making them for Brad. Maybe one day they will grow on me…

 

To wrap up a list of things we’ve done, last night, Brad decided to hold a “Bottom-Shelf” shindig for some of our friends who were in just for the holidays, the ones we rarely get to see, especially when they have so many people to see!
Since the holidays are over, it’s safe to say that most of us are broke from celebrating and gifting. So Brad decided he would still have a party, but keep it really really cheap. We got the best of the cheapest beers (no more than $15 bucks a case), store-brand chips and snacks, $1 party pizzas, and yes…there was even Ramen! The recommended attire was sweats or the crappiest, most comfortable things you own! It was a small party, but so fun! Any excuse to drink in sweatpants around friends works for me!

Miller High Life is actually a go-to beer for me. It’s so cheap but it’s delightful!
PBR is a given and Lionshead is our hometown brew, the stuff I drank while learning to drink in college.

The gist of this post is…HAVE A THEME PARTY!
Being around your favorite people will always be fun but adding dress codes and drink menus always makes for a more memorable occasion! There are so many more themes I would love to try (more on that later, hopefully), but it’s all about what you want to do. Ugly Sweater parties are classic, and they don’t always have to be about Christmas (there are plenty of ugly sweaters without holiday motifs). Do your friends love a particular movie/TV show/book series? Find related cocktails and dress like characters would or do! Want to relive an era you never got to experience? Go back in time! Want to dress up for no good reason? Break out the champers and wine and fine cheese and make sure not to get it on your gown or tux! Even the simplest idea, like BEER, can turn into a creative theme.

Have fun, everyone!
Oh, and if you’ve ever had an awesome theme party, do tell!

Snowy, Snowy Night

Last night, we got quite a few inches of snow. Lou, Brad’s housemate, had been talking about prepping for it for a couple of days. In Brad and Lou language, that means stocking up on plenty of beer and food.
I worked until 3:45 yesterday, so I made it out and home just in time to watch the snow start to fall. And even though I had to be up at 5 a.m. today, I still enjoyed a snowed-in night with people (and a puppy) I love.

 

Cali perched in her usual spot and a view from the beginning.

 
 

To make life easier when we were upstairs, far from the fridge, Brad and Lou shoveled snow into a cooler so they could keep cold beer in between the bedrooms and the office. Smart. We also listened to some smooth tunes and ate a delicious stir-fry the guys made from scratch. It was so darn good. The sauce was amazing, better than what I’d buy from a bottle. I just wish I had rice to sop it up. I also wish we had Christmas music, because it would’ve been perfect last night. I’m running out of opportunities to listen to Christmas music, and I need the spirit!

 
 
 

These final photos, aside from the one of Brad and I, show the significant amount of snow that had fallen. That amazing quiet was surrounding us, and it was so beautiful. The final picture of Cali was taken by Brad. He got some really funny photos, but it was dark and she’s dark so I had to lighten a lot of them. This one is my favorite.
She looks so cute all snowy and silly.

Before I headed to bed, we walked to Turkey Hill, which is about a block away, not even, to grab some cupcakes and candy. It was fun to walk in the snow and get some fresh air, even though Lou had to bring Cali home (her paws were so cold) halfway and my cheeks are still red from the stinging cold. It was a great night, though, and I look forward to more snowed-in moments in the wintery months to come.

Barbecue Season!

I had an absolutely divine Memorial Day weekend. I am so thankful for the holidays we get to celebrate in America, the people who have made this country safe and helped us make it so far. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate these holidays (and every lovely day) with the beautiful and amazing people in my life. And that’s exactly what I did.

I spent Monday at my friend Lauren’s parents’ house…it was a beautiful day and a great time. Amazing food, Shandy beer (See all that yellow in the cooler! It’s the most wonderful time of the year!), horseshoes, friends. I cannot wait to spend more of my weekends like this.
I ate and drank more than I should’ve, but I’m so grateful I have that freedom and wonderful people to share it with.

A Great Weekend for a Wedding

This past weekend was gorgeous. Sunny, warm…the perfect springtime weather.
Which also meant it was the perfect weekend for a beautiful weekend. My friends Mark and Amanda got married at the lovely
Holly Hedge Estate in New Hope and the place is so pretty and dreamy and quiet and quaint.
The ceremony was outdoors and I didn’t need tights or a jacket! Amazing.
Here are some photos from the wedding.

I have a ridiculous amount of photos.
On our way home on Sunday, Lauren, Brad, and I stopped by Peddler’s Village. We were very tired and pretty hungover (come on, it was a wedding after all! Open bar!), but it was the perfect weather so we had to stop by. I am so glad we got to check it out.
And I have tons of photos from that….but I’ll save that for later.

Currently, I’m resting. We took a vacation day and I am so glad. I knew I’d need the recuperation!
Have a happy Monday!