birthday invites

Birthday party invitations, complete with sequins in every envelope!

outdoor craft day

We continued Serra's wedding prep on Sunday with a backyard centerpiece making party. We picked up a ton of bright yarn in her wedding colors, and spent the day coating it in glue and wrapping it around balloons to make these fun, bright balls.

 There was champagne involved, of course.

 As everyone got gluey, we started finding creative ways to do everything without our hands!

back from Canada!

I've been in Canada for work for the last two weeks, and relatively cut off from the world. I had five days off when I returned home, and as luck would have it, the weather in Chicago was unreal- 85 degrees and sunny for four out of the five. I spent the weekend catching up with friends and helping Serra, my future sister-in-law, prepare for her upcoming wedding. 

Energized by our standard Saturday breakfast trifecta of mimosas, chicory coffee, and banana pancakes, we cranked out Serra's remaining save the dates in no time.

Wedding anxiety struck as we were shopping for craft supplies, so I bought Serra a sequined bride crown which she rocked for the rest of the day. We also picked up a pair of retractable lightsabers to relieve any future wedding stress.

Adam whipped up some smoky mezcal margeritas for us, using our new favorite recipe from Rick Bayless. To make these at home, mix 1 ounce Mezcal, 1/2 ounce Don Pedro brandy, 1 1/2 ounce fresh lime juice, 3/4 ounce simple syrup, and 3 dashes Peychaud's Bitters. Rim the glass with some coarse sea salt, and get ready to make more. They go fast!

We spent the rest of the afternoon working on any motorcycles that weren't running after the winter. Jerry's Yamaha V-Star was first up.

My Triumph Scrambler, Adam's Ducati GT1000, and Mark's Triumph Speed Triple were running just fine!

This '73 Honda Scrambler was my first bike. Its a wee little 175, and I've had it for six years now. After a new front tire and a new battery, we were spinning around the block on it like it was new! 

I love this little bike like crazy, and its the only motorcycle I own that doesn't require standing on tiptoe!

my dream dress arrives!

The second I decided on a Marie Antoinette inspired birthday party, I knew exactly what I would wear. This dress, designed by Katie Louise for Audrey Grace, has been on my mind since I saw it back in December. The sheer organza, the full skirt, and that enormous bow...it was the birthday dress of my dreams! 

When the dress arrived today, I got so excited for my party that I drove straight to the craft store for supplies. I picked up a ton of bright feathers and birds for my hair, and some sparkly materials to make party invitations this weekend.

I also picked up a ton of 3D cardboard letters for a cake-themed display behind the bar. I can't wait until April, when I can finally start decorating!

heart party!

I've spent the last couple night preparing the decorations for our Valentine's Day brunch. Last night I was sitting at the table surrounded by scraps of paper and a hundred glittery hearts when Adam finally declared I had made too many decorations. I pointed out that they were mostly just paper hearts, and one can never have too many of those. Argument over: Angela = 1, Adam = 0. 

This streamer curtain is made from materials recycled from all my parties over the past year. I made the tissue garland and the floral fabric streamers for my birthday party, the hot pink ribbon and lace was from Serra's engagement brunch, the neon yarn was for Christmas wrapping, and the metallic tinsel is cut from a curtain I used for the New Year's party. 

My breakfast / pastry table will be on the credenza, but I still had to decorate it for the time being!

Heart balloons! I looked ridiculous driving my pickup truck while the back was completely jammed with these fantastic shiny hearts.

The food is practically part of the decorations, so I kept the table simple with a lace runner and... (of course) paper hearts.

the first valentine of many

Despite being generally cynical, I absolutely love Valentine's Day. I make dozens of detailed cards, bake for everyone I know, and go a bit overboard with heart-shaped crafts. Last year, Adam and I made a stop-action valentine video, and this year, we are hosting a valentine brunch for our housemates. I need to start crafting a bit early this year, since I am going to be in Vietnam for ten days! I scavenged some materials from around the house, and got to work making my first valentine of the season.