We threw a bridal shower.

Yesterday was my cousin's bridal shower, thrown by my grandma, my sister, and me. I think I overestimated how much work it was going to be (don't get me wrong, it was a ton of work) but I stressed myself out over it for no reason. Nothing went wrong, nothing was running late, a few things were last minute but HEY isn't that how most things go? 

And ya know what? The shower was a hit! Our menu was on point (desserts especially), and it was really cool to see my creative vision for the decorations actually turn out the way I pictured it in my head for once! Haha. We packed a house full of people to celebrate the bride-to-be and that, I think, is the most important thing. So much fun, so much love!

What I learned: I love to hand-dye paper doilies, but it's not the best idea to attempt this when you're really angry/frustrated = so many torn/wasted doilies. Sad. Day. But I've got it down to a science now, I think. Also, wear gloves every time, no matter what color you're using (I had blue fingers at work on Thursday). I used this tutorial, and it was perfect.perfect.perfect. Also, glitter cardstock is SO AMAZING. Also, that I will DIY till I die. And that staying up waytoolate the night before a big event, with your mom/sister/grandma cooking up a storm in the kitchen and you on the floor buried under fake flowers and trying to shove them into jars all cute-like while blasting The Partridge Family and the Osmonds (and everyone singing at the top of their lungs) is probably something close to heaven. I ALSO learned, yet again, that stress gets you nowhere. Maybe one day that'll stick. 

Also, I'm pretty excited because my aunt wants to use the floral arrangements for the wedding reception. The thought of breakin these beauties down was bummin me out; I'm so glad they'll be reused in a month! 

I love my cousin so much and was so happy to be part of bridal activities before the big day! Ahhhhh I can't wait!


-For the word banners I used this tutorial, but poked holes with a blunt needle instead of a hole punch, and used crochet thread to hang them. MAINLY I JUST LOVED THE FONT, HOKAY?! (:
-For the cake my sister used this recipe (minus the strawberry jam) and the ombre frosting method. She ended up having to pipe the flowers right onto the cake because the fondant ones she'd made got all curled and weird. 
-The love quote cards in the floral arrangements were inspired by Elise's Project Life quote inserts. 
-For the floral arrangements I used a collection of milk, spice, mustard, peanut butter, olive oil, cooking wine, and spaghetti sauce jars I've been saving up for two or three months, along with a few baby food jars I found stashed in the laundry room. I LOVED the effect of different sized bottles/jars around the house. Uniformity is for the birds!