I've been neglecting the blog, among many other things, as I dealt with a few insane weeks at work. Everything has died down, and now I can finally focus on my birthday party! With only a week before the shindig, I did some serious decorating today.

Here is a sneak peek at the Marie Antoinette inspired decor.

Treat table number one

Petticoat installation behind the bar

Treat table number two

The deer is ready, too!

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!

summer for the weekend

It was 70 degrees and sunny in Chicago this weekend, which is certainly rare in early March.  Pancake breakfasts, backyard champagne, motorcycle rides, sangria, bonfires, and pizza on the grill...it was a damn good sample of what is sure to be a magnificent summer.