sunday's thwacks and shout-outs.

 Thwack (verb) : to strike with, or as if with, something flat or heavy.

Shout-out (noun) : a public expression of gratitude or recognition.

Thwacks: 

1.) On Thursday, I found a bug crawling around inside my shirt at work.  Gross.  Super gross.  I had the heebeegeebees all day.

2.) Remember that big proposal I've talked about a few times that I helped put together for my day job..?  Well, we found out this week that we lost it.  They went with a Big 4.  We can't combat that, which was frustrating.  But, I can look back on our efforts and feel confident that we gave it our best shot.

3.) So I leave for Italy in 3 days, and my mom sent me her "master" packing list that she uses for big trips.  For those of you that know me, you know I'm pretty type A, aka organized and prepared in most situations.  Well, for those of you that don't know my mom, she is like me on steroids in regards to type A-ness.  So you can imagine that I wasn't surprised to open her master list and see that it was 123 line items long.  Umm seriously?  You want me to fit all of those things into a carry on???  (BTW, see shout out #1).

4.) I only did one post this week - and I feel like a horrible blogger.  So sorry friends, it's been crazy getting ready for Italy, work, the wedding planning, the Butterfly Affair planning, so many fun and exciting things going on, but it left little time to be on here.  Forgive?  kgoodthanks.

Shout-outs:

I feel like I have so many things to shout-out about this week, which is always a good thing.  So bear with me.

1.) I fit all of my stuff for my two-week Italy trip into a single carry on and backpack.  It's honestly no stretch to say that is a miracle.  I'm not joking, I usually check a giant bag when I go somewhere for the WEEKEND, let alone out of the country for two weeks.  I made my mom (and the husband) very proud.  iamawesomethankyouverymuch.

2.) For as much as I complained about our shady weather this spring, I have to talk as much about how I LOVE when we have warm weather - and we definitely had some of that this week!  I think I've told you before that the husband calls me his little plant, because when the sun first comes out for the season, I can't stay inside.  This morning, the husband, pups, and I went on a nice long hike near the Little Spokane River and soaked up some amazing vitamin d.  I loved it.  So did Lola and Trudy.

"Look mom I found a stick!!"

Trudy ate grass the whole time.

While Lola played fetch and went swimming.

3.) My tulips finally came up this week!  Mine are always so far behind everyone else's, so I'm always really excited when they finally bloom.  Pretty, no?  They're about the only good thing we have going for our yard right now.

4.) This week was Frappy Hour at Starbucks - 1/2 price Frappuccinos - and they even come in soy!  Made my day when I found that one out.  I think Becky and I went at least 4 times in 5 days, right Beck?  Side note, look how high maintenance Becky's order is - sheesh girl.

Totally kidding, you know how much I love you : )

5.) There is such thing as the World Beard and Mustache Championships.  Seriously.  I read about it on CNN this week.  Here's what some of the contestants brought to the table.

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Wow.  I don't really know what else to say.  World Beard and Mustache Championship - who knew?

6.) Can I just tell you how thankful I am to be married to a man who has the most tender, loving, and caring heart?  I picked him up from work on Friday to him helping a lost blind gentleman.  The poor guy had lost his bearings on which direction he was facing and kept turning around in circles, so the husband ran over and explained exactly where he was, which buildings were around, which way was north, and helped him across the street.  Seriously melts my heart - and I'm so grateful we both share that compassion for others.

7.) Sorry sisters, I finally have proof that I'm dad's favorite.  Look closely.  See that answer to my question as "yes"???

Feels good to get that squared away.

8.) Okay so again, I leave for Italy on Wednesday for two weeks with my mom.  I'm so so excited.  A few things about that.

- I put together a super quick blog to post some pictures and talk about our journey in the Bootleg Country together.  If you're interested, you can check for updates.  I'm not sure how much access I will have to a computer, but hopefully a fair amount.

Italyschmittaly.blogspot.com

- While I'm gone, I of course will not be posting about all the things I love about weddings.  Bahumbug, I know.  BUT, I'm so thrilled to have a few guest bloggers join us here on Violet Hills to post about a few things they love about weddings while I'm gone.  Isn't that so nice of them?

You will hear from:

** Linda Smith from Burlap + Blue.  I read her blog on a regular basis, and I LOVE her style.  She's adorable.

** Rachel Sandall from Apple Brides, the ultimate resource for Inland Northwest brides.  She does fabulous work - no joke.

** Becky Haight (yes, the high maintenance frapp girl from above).  Becky writes a personal blog for her family, and will share it if she feels so obliged.  Becky and I are constantly talking about weddings together - we share that love for sure!

** Jamie Porter - my best friend from Oregon.  Jamie is no stranger to blogging - she's been at hers for awhile.  She's funny, witty, and my best friend.  That's all you need to know.  

** The husband - yes, he has a name, Ryan.  But to you, he's always been known as the husband, so I'm interested to see how he introduces himself.  What a trooper, huh?  Love him.

9.) Last chance for the J.Crew $75 gift card giveaway! It's now or never - ends at midnight tonight!  I will announce the winner tomorrow.

Isn't this exciting?  I can't wait!  For Italy, guest bloggers, the giveaway... all of it!

Cheers.

chicken wire guest book.

If you like shabby chic, I'm certain you will adorable this creative way to display your "guest book", if that's what you want to call it

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Guests can grab a little slip of paper, write the bride and groom a sweet (and/or saucy) message, and slip it in one of the little slots.

This particular bride purchased the frame and chicken wire filler from Uncommon Goods, and had the idea of putting the board in a large shadow box and hanging it in their home after the wedding.  That way, whenever they're feeling sentimental, they can go back and read messages their friends and family wrote them on their big day.

I personally would pick one that stands up like this (minus the glass and current background, of course).

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 So fun.

Cheers.

sunday's thwacks and shout-outs.

 Thwack (verb) : to strike with, or as if with, something flat or heavy.

Shout-out (noun) : a public expression of gratitude or recognition.

Thwacks:

1.) Ehhh our car broke down on our way to Montana today.  Seriously, what are the chances, less than two weeks after we sell our second car??  It's currently sitting in the parking lot of this automotive shop in Sandpoint, ID, 1.5 hours from home. 

We will find out tomorrow morning how much the damage will cost us.  #beinganadultsucks

2.) Came home to this after work one day.  

We have a fairly ghetto kitchen table with flaps that can be put up or down - but the wood pieces that keep the flaps up are also pretty ghetto, so we stick cardboard in there to help hold the flaps up.  They have discovered the cardboard.  And apparently have a lot of fun with it.

3.) On Friday after work I literally spent 15 minutes wandering around the parking garage looking for my car.  I had zero recollection of actually getting out of it and walking into the building, which I am fully aware I am WAY too young for.  And yes, I also watch Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune on a regular basis.

Shout-outs:

1.) Violet Hills booked an event coordinator job this week!  It's called The Butterfly Affair (in love with the name, so we're already off to a good start), for a new nonprofit here in Spokane.  I'm really looking forward to it, and rest assured you will see more deets about it on this here blog in the near-ish future.

2.) I had an excellent meeting with my bride and her fiance today out where they are getting married in Montana.  It's a gorgeous setting right in the middle of breathtaking mountains, and we pulled together a lot of great ideas.  The husband accompanied me on this little adventurous road trip (see thwack #1), even though it's the weekend before his finals.  He's the best.  And I love him.

3.) Happy first birthday to my littlest wee furry one!  Love this little giraffe leg, dumbo ear, goofy sitting, can't-control-her-licker munchkin.

 

4.) Good news friends: the husband isn't hopeless with cooking after all...hip hip hooray - he won't starve while I'm in Italy!  He made nachos without single smoke alarm going off - and he said they even tasted delicious.  He took a picture because he didn't think I would believe him.  And since I tease about his "cooking" skills on here once in awhile, I thought I should allow his redemption to be shared with you all as well.

5.) Count-down days to Italy with mom:

6.) I shall leave you with this tubular slash rad slash perfectly 80's video from one of my favorite childhood movies - Teen Witch.  If you haven't seen it, shame on you.

Cheers.

are those lemons hanging there?

I'm obsessing over everything going on in this picture.

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Are those lemons hanging there in the centerpiece? 

And what are those little yellow-ish orange-ish things on the cake in the front?

I love all of it.  The fresh color palette, the little signs on the miniature cakes, the plate in the front right, the orange slices on the cup, the perfectly placed turquoise crystal goblet, the lemons, the galvanized flower pot, seriously all of it.

I want to jump in the picture and spend my day there.  Wanna join me?

Cheers.