I was so excited to transfer all of my belongings from my old bag into my pristine new work tote. I was a bit puzzled when I pulled out a folded mat from the center of the bag. Since I’m naturally blonde, I thought, “Well isn’t this my lucky day? This bag comes with a cover for my iPad!” It wasn’t until I really examined the inside of the bag that I discovered it was fully lined with pockets for baby bottles. That protective iPad insert was actually a changing mat. I had inadvertently purchased a (very expensive) diaper bag.

Beads of sweat began to immediately form on my forehead. I was suddenly afraid that my simple mistake was going to be a subliminal message to the powers that be that I was ready to be pregnant. There isn’t a falser statement. Babies cry when I hold them. Children in public places annoy me. I endured the intense pain of receiving the 5-year IUD birth control because you can never be safe enough. I’m confident I was last in line for maternal instinct and was sent to my mother’s womb without it.

There’s been a breakthrough recently in my resistance to children. Don’t get too excited. I still don’t want kids. But I do want my friends who want kids to have them and that they are. Over the past few months, my two dearest friends and my amazing associate have announced their pregnancies. My best friends are due within two days of one another which means mid-September I’ll travel half-way around the country and back to welcome a new generation and share in another life changing moment.

It’s crazy how life works. As girlfriends, we spent so much time talking hypothetically about the future and one day getting married, buying a house or having a baby. It’s as though hearing them tell me they were pregnant made me stop and look at how our collection of ordinary days had fulfilled what was once just dreaming out loud. Our phone conversations have shifted from talks about weekend plans to birthing plans. Text pictures of baby bumps excite me more than pictures of Jessica Simpson pumps. I’m learning all about cravings, morning sicknesses and sensitivities. I’m researching nurseries and tearing up while watching Tori and Dean. I’m genuinely excited for the experience my best friends are going through and I’m beyond blessed to share the journey with them.

As with most life-altering experiences, I’m embracing the change that pregnancy is making to our friendships and I am treasuring each and every phone conversation, text and baby update. I may not know a lot about being pregnant but I do know how to love my friends passionately and am confident I’ll make one heckuva Auntie Prissy. I can also tell them where to get a very stylish diaper bag.

I can’t wait to meet Aria, Bexton and Rhys!

P.S. – Admit it.  That little tease of a title gotcha, didn’t it?  You thought I was going to announce my pregnancy.  Silly kids.

Pilar and Rob were meant for each other.  I mean that.  They just fit together like a bowl full of peanut butter and jelly.  Which by the way, you should always mix together before spreading onto your bread.  It’s the only way my mom made PB&J sandwiches growing up and it is delicious!

Pilar and Rob were married at the Great Aunt Stella Center in Charlotte and held their reception at The Big Chill.  Pilar chose to incorporate natural elements in a jazzy setting.  From the organic floral bouquets to the branch centerpieces with hanging candles to vases filled with lemons as decor, a classy cool yet fresh tone was set.  I mean seriously, how dapper does Rob look in his white tux?

The couple was determined to give their guests an amazing experience from start to finish and they certainly succeeded.  Instead of having a DJ or band, Pilar and Rob opted for dueling pianos.  Guests loved being able to give song requests and had a blast watching the interaction between the musicians.  (Curious?  Quick little video of the dueling pianos and enthused crowd posted below.)  From the surprise entrance center stage to the photo booth provided by ShutterBooth, the reception was one of the most entertaining and energetic parties I’ve seen.  As wedding favors, guests were treated to fresh pretzels as a yummy take-away.

Pilar and Rob exited their reception to an explosion of colorful streamers.  It was so fitting for a cheerful couple who always had a smile on their face.  We had such an amazing time getting to know them, working with their fabulous vendors and reliving their day through these gorgeous pictures by Almond Leaf Studios.  Congratulations Pilar and Rob!

Ceremony Venue: Great Aunt Stella Center

Reception Venue: The Big Chill

Photographer: Almond Leaf Studios

Officiant: Reverend Rebecca Nagy

Florist: Carey Roberts Design

Cake: Nona’s Sweets

Entertainment: Howl at the Moon

Photo Booth: ShutterBooth

Chase is incredibly generous.  He gives on a daily basis to keep our household running and to support me as I try to support myself by running a small business.  When it comes to an actual birthday or Christmas gift, he struggles.  Despite my explicit lists of things I desire, he often decides to venture out on his own which ultimately means I’m standing in the return line and that he messed up.  Prime example: Priscilla’s Birthday 2009.  Let’s set the scene.  It’s a few weeks prior to my birthday and I’m in full “I Can’t Wait to See What He Gets Me” mode.  Imagine me lounging on my bed, in my sweats, watching some ridiculous reality show.  Chase walks in and tosses a gift certificate onto the bed and claims it is my birthday present.  Is it a free pass to Victoria’s Secret?  Forever 21? SpeeDee Oil ?  What the heck?!

It’s not a joke.  I was presented with four, count them, one-two-three..four free oil changes to one of the gazillion SpeeDee Oil locations in the Triangle.  I get it and trust me, I’m reminded every time I bring up this story.  It’s a very practical gift and a bundle of savings over the long run.  The problem is I don’t want practical as a present on my birthday.  I want what I’ve carefully put onto my wish list or something that’s going to make my eyeballs pop out of their respected sockets. (Sidenote: He later redeemed himself from the oil change fiasco by taking me to see Dane Cook.)

As a gift this past year, he secretly hired the fabulous Julie Livingston Carter of Julie Livingston Photography for a photo shoot to take some pictures of us.  I have nothing negative to say about this surprise.  It was perfect.  We hadn’t taken pictures since our wedding day and we have zero pictures of us with Sir Scottie.  Plus, I was wearing a sweater vest in our engagement pictures.  Seriously, someone should have told me to get real.  In serious need of updated photos, we spent a sunset in Wake Forest with Julie, her camera and my crazy ideas.  I applaud Julie for allowing Chase to be himself which meant cracking inappropriate jokes and making goofy faces.  I applaud Chase for listening to my artistic direction and for letting me sprinkle the heart shaped confetti that he was so adamantly against in the beginning.  Someone should applaud me for continuing to love Chase when he makes comments like, “You’ve never looked prettier.  That means every other time I’ve said it you’ve looked uglier.”

P.S. – Below are just a few samples from our mini-photo shoot.  Check out Julie’s blog for more pictures.

P.S.S. – See that stunning watch gracing my left wrist.  That was a result from one of Chase’s gift giving mishaps.  I secretly returned the one he bought me and purchased the one I really wanted.  I’m ridiculously stubborn.

P.S.S.S. – Because I like my outfit and I thought you might like it too, here are the details.  [Stripey Tank: Forever 21] [Pinstripe Vest: H&M] [Skirt: Forever 21] [Booties: Rack Room Shoes - Really!] [Watch: Michael Kors] [Bangles: Forever 21] [Necklace: H&M]

She graciously gave me the recipe last Thanksgiving and I even purchased the ingredients.  For some reason, I could never find the time or energy to bring myself to just break down and bake it.  Recently, I was perusing Pinterest (of course) and stumbled across a recipe for individual servings of monkey bread and was instantly intrigued.  Perhaps it’s my petite frame or child-like appetite, but I thoroughly enjoy smaller versions of food items.

I decided to finally attempt baking monkey bread biscuits and boy was it a hit.  I loved the idea of the individual servings which were the perfect portion size for an after dinner dessert or breakfast and also made storing a breeze.  I modified the recipe slightly from the one I found online in order to reflect more accurately the monkey bread Chase had been desiring.

This is a quick and easy dessert that you can literally throw together.  If you’re counting calories, don’t.  You’ll lose count.  My mom would conclude this blog by saying something silly like “Stop monkeying around and go bake it.”  I just love her corny sense of humor.  Complete side story.  While working at the TV station in Charlotte, I was trying anything and everything to be seen and for the powers that be to notice my seriousness about wanting to be a hard hitting news reporter.  When breaking news developed about a trailer filled with cows that had overturned on a busy highway, I recommended we use the caption “Moooove Over” for the story.  Needless to say, my journalism career (thankfully) never transpired.  I am my mother’s child.

Ingredients

1 Can of Biscuits (I used a package with ten.)
1 Package of Cream Cheese
1 Can of Sweetened Condensed Milk
Vanilla Extract
Sugar
Cinnamon
Butter

Directions
Note: The best part of this recipe is the lack of measurement cups needed.  You can literally toss the ingredients in and put as much or as little as you want.

1.  Spray your muffin pan with non-stick cooking spray.
2.  Add a dab (Very technical.) of butter to each muffin cup.  (Your discretion for how much butter.)
3.  Place 1/8 teaspoon of sugar and 1/8 teaspoon of cinnamon into each muffin cup.
4.  Add a dollop of cream cheese to each muffin cup.  (I made some with lots of cream cheese for Chase and some without for me.)
5.  Place a biscuit into each cup on top of the ingredients.
6.  Top each biscuit with 1/8 teaspoon of vanilla extract, 1/8 teaspoon of sugar, 1/8 teaspoon of cinnamon and a little butter.
7.  Bake for 10 minutes or until golden brown.
8.  While biscuits are still warm, drizzle with sweetened condensed milk. Serve, eat and magically watch your butt enlarge.

I built the Orangerie Events team on a daydream.  A reverie that literally smacked me across the face while I was sitting at a desk in a pencil skirt and collared shirt.  I was working full-time for a real estate developer and the last place you wanted to be in 2008 was working full-time for a real estate developer.  Four years, thousands of business cards and eighty and some change weddings later, I’m not necessarily living the dream but I am living out a dream.

I am so honored and graciously humbled that Orangerie Events has been accepted to two kind-of-a-big-deal wedding industry blogs.  You can now find Orangerie Events listed as a Little Black Book Wedding Vendor on Style Me Pretty and as a Blue Ribbon Vendor on Southern Weddings.  Unlike some (and most) wedding related blogs that publicize any vendor willing to fork over the dough, Style Me Pretty and Southern Weddings actually investigate the vendors they promote.  They interview, check facts, seek references and probe the ins and outs of the business and weddings designed before giving them their stamp of approval.  Being listed on their sites as a leading North Carolina wedding planner validates that I’m steadily transforming from a nobody to a somebody.

And because I really want to pretend I’m winning a Grammy, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank some amazing people.  No seriously, a load of gratitude goes to my girls who work alongside me to keep Orangerie Events moving in a positive direction.  I’m biased but I really have the most talented and loveliest ladies working with me.  Most importantly, a huge bear-sized hug to all of my past and present clients for inviting me into their wedding world and for trusting me with one of their dreams.

I know the exact things that I do that will aggravate Chase.  I frequently leave the power to the printer on.  So much so he taped a sticky note to the power button that said “Off.”  Notice I said taped.  I threw away the note in defiance.  I also have a habit of pulling into our driveway as if I’m Richard Petty and stopping only mere inches before plowing into our kitchen entrance.  I rarely have gum in my purse despite the fact I know he’ll ask for a piece and will be disappointed by my response.  I don’t use the gym enough and the debit card too much.  I’m a southern mess that commonly mispronounces words, sleeps with her iPhone under her pillow and insists on tucking her cold feet in-between her husband’s warm legs.

This blog isn’t totally about bashing me.  I felt it was necessary to put myself on blast in an effort to ease the sting from what I’m about to expose.  Brace yourself kids because I’m not sure if you’re ready for this latest story.  I’m not going to ask you to pick sides because that’s just wrong and because I know you’ll completely be cheering me on in my corner of this marital battle.

It’s no secret that I’m a vain person and that I married someone equally as determined to stay young and beautiful.  Chase has always been fearful of losing his dark brown (don’t you dare say black) hair.  Blame it on the world we live in, the celebrities with thick luscious locks or Facebook for showcasing those friends who have prematurely fallen into the balding category.  There’s something about a man losing his hair that makes him feel as though he’s lost his manhood.  Chase has taken and is taking all of the preventive means necessary to preserve the fertile follicles he has left.  I’ve always supported him.  I adapted the philosophy that whatever it takes for him to look in the mirror and be happy, I’ll stand behind him.  That is until he started a new hair washing process that bewilders me and causes me to question if he’s not losing cells inside his head instead of on top.

After a few failed attempts with hair growth, Chase convinced himself that we have “hard” water.  This theory that our H2O is riddled with toxins and bacteria thus causing itchy scalps and hair loss was supported by the water specialist that visited and tested our water mid-January.  Complete with a kit full of chemicals, test tubes, goggles and beakers, Mr. Water Specialist was nothing short of Bill Nye the Science Guy missing only a bowtie, big nose and lab coat.  The conclusion – our water was infected and we needed to install a $2,500 purifying system.

Since I wouldn’t even entertain the idea of spending a ridiculous amount of money on a home science fair project, Chase has resulted to an unconventional means of washing his hair that’s making me insane.  For the past two months and on a daily basis, and I’m not joking, I’ve watched as the man I love goes through the following steps to wash his hair:

1. Bring a large saucepan of water to a rapid boil.
2. Cool said saucepan by inserting a frozen ice pack.
3. Pour the water from the saucepan into the eagerly awaiting tea pitcher.
4. Leave the saucepan sitting atop the bathroom tub.
5. Use the water in the tea pitcher to wash your hair.
6. Leave the tea pitcher in the base of the shower after use.
7. Repeat daily to drive your wife crazy.

I sometimes sit on the bathroom counter to watch Chase as he showers just so I can silently laugh to myself at how really silly I think he is.  He’s adamant that he can tell a difference but I think it’s a prime example of the placebo effect.  Buying a new, purifying shower head for the master bathroom cannot happen soon enough.  Until then, I’ll keep reminding myself about that whole give-n-take thing and will be thankful for the goofiness that Chase adds to my life.  He’s been that way for a while…

I always struggled with Valentine’s Day.  It was such a formal declaration of being a couple and I was never comfortable with claiming I was in an exclusive relationship.  Perhaps that explains why I would ditch my so-called boyfriends to spend the day with my girls or even schedule two dates back to back on the same night.  I was the last person you wanted to be your Valentine because it was pretty much a guarantee you either wouldn’t see me on the holiday or I would be seeing someone else.  Don’t worry, my cold-hearted behavior finally caught up to me when Cupid and karma met up to teach me a lesson.

I’m married now.  I can breathe a sigh of relief in knowing that as long as we keep working at this thing called marriage, I’ll always have a funny little Valentine.  Chase and I have never gone out of our way to commemorate the holiday.  We keep it low key, reflective and simply simple.

The holiday encourages us to express what our hearts are wanting to say.  Whether you’re celebrating being single or celebrating the one you’re with, we can all use a lesson in crafting the perfect Valentine.  Sometimes the best teacher can be our past.  I decided to scrounge up my favorite Valentines and love letters from my life to show you what you should or shouldn’t do this Valentine’s Day.

1.  A Secret Admirer Should Remain a Secret

Poor Matthew didn’t get the memo.  If you’re wanting to send someone a secret love-o-gram, you shouldn’t sign your name.  Even though he made a crucial error in revealing his identity, I do give him props for declaring his love to an upperclassman seeing as how I was in 8th grade and he was in the 6th.  I sure hope he now knows the difference between admire and admirer.

2.   Be Aggressive

Sure, the premise of the letter is short and sweet.  You want to express your love and ask a girl to a dance.  Don’t be afraid to command when she should read your offer.

3.  Keep It Appropriate

My mom found this card to be hilarious when I recently told her about it.  She probably wouldn’t have if I would have shown it to her when I was in 7th grade.  Imagine my surprise in opening this Valentine when I hadn’t even yet french kissed a guy.  Strangely enough, I never ended up redeeming my coupon.

4.  Ask For Feedback

Communication is key for any relationship.  Even pre-teen relationships.  Follow Josh’s lead and ask your Valentine for feedback.  Even if you’re afraid of what the answer might be, such as picking Kevin or Kane over you, take a risk and let the check marks lead the way.  P.S. – Don’t forget to tell your Valentine where and when to return their questionnaire.

5.  Give a Girl Options

Josh did a great job above of asking for feedback but sometimes a girl needs more options than just a yes or no.  Brock gives us a great example of how you should present your wanna be girlfriend with a range of responses.  Unfortunately he didn’t instruct me on how or where to return the survey so it remained blank.

6.  Define Love

Valentine’s Day isn’t just about couples.  Sometimes we celebrate friends or family or anyone special in our lives.  If you’re sending someone a Valentine, be sure to explain what you mean when you write the word “love” so there isn’t any confusion.  You don’t want anyone to think you love them when really you just like to write the word and you certainly don’t want someone thinking you love them in a sick way.

7.  Spelling Is Crucial

If you’re sending someone a Valentine, love letter, apology or break up letter, it’s important to spell their name correctly.  Especially if you were in a relationship with them and if they are “someone very special to you.”  Daniel clearly proves this point.  He starts off on the right track with the “Pr” but quickly crashes and burns with the “e” in place of the  “is.”  For the grand finale, he chicken scratches an “a” over top an “ia.”  According to Daniel, he was dating and desperately seeking forgiveness from Precillia.  Not even hearts instead of Os can make up for spelling your Valentine’s name incorrectly.

8.  Be Forgiving

What better lesson to learn on Valentine’s Day than forgive and forget?  Use the holiday as an opportunity to tell someone you forgive them for doing you wrong.

There you have it.  My rules for sending Valentines accroding to my past experiences.  Disclaimer:  If you are one of the mentioned boys above, please forgive me for exploiting you.  I knew there was a reason I kept that box full of letters.  I am also completely aware that I have sent each of you an equally embarrassing love note.  We can be cheeseballs together.

I acquired this Chicken Dip Recipe a few years ago at a get together with my girls and have used it countless times since then.  I typically keep beyond fabulous recipes like this one hidden but I’m feeling mighty generous today and have decided to share the secret.  I promise this will become your go-to snack or appetizer dish for family dinners, parties and showers.  And with three measly ingredients, you’ll love how quickly you can throw it together.  Enjoy!

Chicken Dip Recipe

Ingredients

1 Large Can of Canned Chicken (I prefer the Swanson brand.)

1 Stick of Softened Cream Cheese (8oz.)

1 Packet of Ranch Dressing Dip Mix

Instructions

1.  Drain the canned chicken and mix all three ingredients together.

2.  Refrigerate until time to serve.

3.  Serve with your choice of crackers or pita bites.

I’ve been following and “pinning” home organization ideas onto my little hope-I-someday-get-around-to-it boards for quite some time now.  Instead of harboring the ideas and letting them go to waste, I’m actually going to attempt to implement the ones that excite me.  I’m embarrassed to admit that executing this simple, no-brainer idea literally did enliven me.  Anything to do with organizing and grouping totally gets me giddy inside.

I despise clutter and I’ve hated how my cleaning supplies were organized since the day I tucked them beneath the kitchen sink nearly four years ago.  There was no rhyme or reason.  Some supplies found a home in the cleaning carrier while others were lost orphans stranded within a group of misfits.  It was nearly impossible to pull out the bulky container holding the supplies because of the kitchen sink pipes.  Anytime I asked Chase to get out the countertop spray, he’d complain because he’d have to bend down to get the spray, which would then lead to him complaining about his bad knees.  Complaints about the knees would lead to complaining about hating Halloween which would be followed by complaining about the punks that jumped him on Franklin Street and ruined his chances of ever rushing the NC State football field again. So you see kids, there were certainly more reasons than just appeasing my obsessive behavior for getting my cleaning supplies organized and within an easy reach.

I saw the idea of using a shoe organizer for cleaning supplies on Pinterest and literally fell in love.  We only have a laundry closet as opposed to an actual laundry room so this idea is perfect for our space and ideal for hanging on one of our pantry doors.  I bought the shoe organizer from Target for $8.19.  The entire project took a measly five minutes and could have probably taken less if I wouldn’t have spent so much time grouping my cleaners by type (air, counter, bath, floor, etc.) before putting them into the holders.  I talked myself out of arranging them alphabetically within their type because I need to hang on to some sort of dignity.  I may or may not have opened and shut the pantry door  a few times to admire how nice and neat the items looked all snuggled inside their new sleeping bags.  That’ll be our little secret.

Here’s to hoping Chase The Crumb Monster finds the new set up as exciting as me and quits leaving particles of his freshly prepared breakfast scattered all along the kitchen counter.  A girl can dream.

{1. complete clutter}

{2. cleaning chaos}

{3. shoe solution}

{4. Oh, hey Mom!  T-Rex and I are just chilling here taking in the views. Yes, Dad – I know my face is brown.}

Describing Sean and Tori in one word is easy: infectious.  Tori has a shy smile that makes you blush and a bursting smile that captivates you.  Sean is a total cool cat with a knack for tasty beers (Pun completely intended: He owns Tasty Beverage Company in downtown Raleigh) and giving well-deserved thumbs up.  To work with them was like putting a quarter into a slot and getting the best, most colorful bouncy ball a vending machine can offer.

I love collaborating with couples that combine splashes of classic style (Hello birdcage veil!) with modern.  Sean and Tori picked the Visual Art Exchange in Raleigh to host their ceremony and continued the wedding festivities at the Marbles Kids Museum for an anything but boring wedding reception.  Rocky Top Catering kept mouths chewing and bellies full by providing a delicious assortment of food.  Fallon’s Flowers provided the stunning bouquets and arrangements while The Square Rabbit created a beautiful and tasty wedding cake.  Guests danced the night away while DJ Yes Sputnik! kept the jams spinning.  As a take away, Sean and Tori included an Old Time Photo Booth for guests to enjoy throughout the evening.  A huge thank you to Sharon and Kate of Orangerie Events who coordinated the ceremony and reception the day of to keep things moving smoothly.

From the moment Tori showed me her invitations, I smiled every time we talked about her wedding.  The custom design was created by Jaime Van Wart and was carried throughout the invitations to the table numbers to the wedding website.  Which, by the way, their wedding website sprinkled colorful confetti the day of the wedding in celebration.  The wedding was a perfect representation of them as a couple.  It was like stepping into a box of crayons and leaving with a smile plastered on your face.

Ceremony Venue: Visual Art Exchange

Reception Venue: Marbles Kids Museum

Photographer: Brett Arthur Photography

Caterer: Rocky Top Catering

Florist: Fallon’s Flowers

Cake: The Square Rabbit

Photo Booth: Old Time Photo Booth

DJ: DJ Yes Sputnik!

Stationery: Jaime Van Wart