Recently two of my girlfriends put together a completely lovely Kentucky Derby themed Bridal Shower for an adorable bride-to-be.
The day before the event this conversation occurred…
Guy Friend: What are you doing?
Me: Just shopping for a Kentucky Derby Shower I’m going to tomorrow
Guy Friend: Oh, that’s cool! You guys going to ride horses?
Me: {confused}. . .we are going to wear big hats, drink pretty drinks, and take lots of pictures??
As we all know, for many girls half the fun of a party is the opportunity to capture the event via Mobile Upload. So if we had horses, we’d be more likely to pose near them than race on them. Horses or not, there are few better photo opts than a frilly dress and over-sized hat.
Musts for a super-successful derby themed event:
{Dress}
Chic. Simple. Frilly. Classic. Or Polka Doted.
{Hat}
Embellished. Wide Brimmed. Demure. Or Girly-Girl.
{Pretty Drinks in Pretty Cups}
Mint Juleps in Pewter Cups. Pink Lemonade and Sweet Tea in Mason Jars.
{Bites}
Tarts. Quiché. Jams. Cupcakes. Candies.
{optional: Men}
Just kidding. But if boys are invited to the party try:
Seer sucker. Bow ties. Pastels.
And if, by chance, the boy you are dressing for this event is boring or just not feeling adventurous opt for khakis with a navy jacket and a fun tie.
Lord knows we have all heard of and been terrified by pajama jeans. You can not (I repeat CANNOT) wear elastic at that top of your pants unless you are prego! Despite this, I am a fan of comfort. The primary reason my J-brand jeans are my favorite ever is the stretchy Japanese twill. This, however, is completely beside the point. The point is like most of you, I sacrifice comfort for fashion regularly and I love it when I don’t have to. This is why the pajama dress, any dress that is stretchy and comfy is my new favorite thing.
And this little LBD was my favorite ever when I wore for the first time last week to dinner, drinks, and to pick my manfriend up from the airport. I was so comfy and I still felt dressed up and pretty – Perfect! 🙂
Dance, sing, laugh, drink, or do cartwheels (as I unfortunately found myself doing on new years) – you’ll be ready for where ever the night, your cocktails, and your friends take you!
To look for a dress with some stretch do a little dancey-dance in the fitting room or look for words like jersey, knit, lycra, spandex, and cotton.
{dress: christian cota – shoes: michael, michael kors – earrings: jessica simpson – bracelet: forever 21]
I can not believe it is 2k12! WOW! 🙂 So, I don’t know how you’re feeling about this, but I am super duper pumped. 2011 is a year that I am ready to put in the past. I believe that every moment is a chance for a fresh start, but a new year is such a great opportunity to embark on new beginnings.
Have you made your resolutions?
Now I know resolutions seem silly and meaningless for some – but trust me going to the gym on January 1 and losing your membership by January 15 is not what a new beginning is all about.
Resolutions can be your friend and it is not too late to make them. We are only 1 week in to what could be the best year of your life (thus far, of course).
So here is my advice on making this year THE BEST YEAR YET!
{one} Make a goal for multiple areas of your life. This could include health/wellness, work/finances, family/friendships, dating/relationships, home/things/location, etc.
Also include your passions. For me this involves traveling, important relationships, business, education, and personal/spiritual growth.
{two} Now, my very realistic boyfriend may role his eyes just a little as he reads this, but I try to make goals that are slightly (or way) out of reach. For me that means things that I won’t know how to accomplish on my own. I want to exercise my faith, learn from others, challenge my abilities, and have to depend on something bigger than me at the end of the day.
For example, if I knew that I could kind of easily save x amount of dollars for the year, I’d probably increase the number by 25% or 50% so that I have to get creative to accomplish it.
{three} Make a plan. I am really wanting to look into advertising for my blog this year. So I have a goal of how much I need to make a month to make my site profitable and sustainable. I have a plan which includes how often I must blog, what type of increase I must have, etc so that this is a place that would be benefit for someone to advertising on. But like I said above, I made the end-goal a little unobtainable to create a fun challenge.
Write it down. Put your heart in it. Put your faith in it.
There you go! I hope this helps you set some great goals and get ready for an incredible year.
I really believe this year can be amazing so starting Monday I’ll begin posting life-lessons to make 2012 the best year yet! I think there will be 12 of them. Stay tuned!
Let’s go places we’ve never been, do things we’ve never done, loved like we’ve never loved, and have the time of our lives.
I pray 2012 exceeds your wildest expectations.
xo,
amanda frances
Now, by demand , at look at. . .
– NYE 2012 –
A black tie optional benefit held in an elegant 1920’s mansion in my hometown. Ball gowns. Sparkly sequins cocktail numbers. Tuxedos and suits. Champagne. Dancing. Sparklers. The perfect midnight kiss (dip and all).
Ah, hello brand new year!
{Gown: Badgley Mischka Bangles: Cara Accessories
Earrings: Altar’d State Shoes: my friend Elle’s closet}
Shimmer, Sparkle, Shine. . . and take life one day at a time.
When I started this blog post, I planned to make an ode to my favorite holiday, New Year’s Eve. . .
What’s not to love about NYE?
It represents new beginnings. It is full of sparkles, champagne, dancing, and celebrating with my best girlfriends. It is the anniversary of my boyfriend’s and my reconciliation and move toward an amazing, lasting relationship.
But as I looked back through pictures of the past to scatter across these pages, I found myself noticing more than shimmery dresses, ridiculous dance moves, and wonderful memories.
I found myself noticing how far we have come through the years.
It hasn’t been all at once. Most of the time changes in life are too small to notice at the time. . .
. . .yet they somehow add up.
And while clichés are annoying because they are trite and obvious; They are also true.
Life really is about the adding up of days.
One day at a time.
It isn’t always easy taking life one day at a time. At times, when I’ve looked at the lives and careers of those I admire, I’ve felt completely overwhelmed by their achievements and like I had done nothing with my life.
I’d question how will I get to where I wanted to go; It would all just feel too big.
I have since come into awareness of a couple of important things.
{one} We can not compare yesterday to today to measure growth. We can, however, look back 1 year, 2 years, 5 years and be proud of growth and accomplishment along the way. We can not worry about how we will get to where we want to be in 10 years from now – we can only dream and goal-set for that time while making plans for what needs to be done today, tomorrow, and this year. One day at a time.
{two} We can choose to take other’s accomplishments and feel overwhelmed by them, or motivated by them. Let’s not look at other’s lives to compare, but to be reminded that we can do it too.
This is true for every experience, every set-back, and every circumstance – good or bad.
When we look at any situation, we can decide to be discouraged or encouraged. . . overwhelmed or completely inspired.
And after spending some time choosing inspiration, I feel pretty damn excited…
So this year, do the things you always said you would.
Get motivated. Stay excited.
Enjoying this wild ride,
Amanda Frances
And now, for a little fun, a little look at pictures from New Year’s Eves of the past. . .
