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!  

Instaxlove + spilling the beans.

This weekend was equal parts exciting and relaxing. A rare beast, indeed.

FRIDAY I received my Instax mini + film in the mail, and nearly flipped out of myself. I ran outside and took one test shot…oh Polaroid, how I have missed thee! And then I resisted the urge to take photos of everything, because film is precious and expensive, haha. I hate that cautionary “save for a special occasion” feeling.

Fast forward to SATURDAY, where I threw caution to the wind/also had a special event to attend, so instaxing to the max (baha kidding) was completely validated. The Boyfriend and I went to a preview show of my Super-Talented Actor/Writer/Musician Friend’s, put on by Thunderclap Productions. He performed the one-man play Rum & Vodka by Conor McPherson at Stages Repertory Theatre…and let me tell you something. It was incredible. I cried through parts of it, just because I was so damn proud. It was so beautifully done; simple yet powerful. The set consisted of a chair, a table, and said Friend (with a super convincing Irish accent). That’s it. That’s all.

I died.

After the show, we decided to all meet up at the Friend’s house. A few minutes after we’d left the theater I got a call from the Friend saying that, apparently, a critic from the Houston Press had attended and they needed a photo for the writeup and did I have my dslr on me? And if so, would I mind coming back for a second and taking a few shots?

I died.

We beelined back to the theater (thank you Summerfest traffic for keeping us so close by!) and all of a sudden the lighting designer was moving lights and asking me questions like what I needed to make ‘the vision’ work, talking at me like I had an ounce of professional know-how (I say “at” because I was still kind of in shock). You guys. I. Was. So. Nervous. My excitement quickly turned into “But I Have No Idea What I’m Doing!”, as if my dignity rested wholly on this one photograph. Then I remembered Neil Gaiman’s words: “Pretend you’re someone who can do it…and just behave like they would!” and that took the shake right out of my hands and high heels. For the most part (:

After about ten minutes everything felt really natural. The house lights were down and the lighting designer kept running around, balancing hand-held stagelights at awkward angles to get the best shot. Then someone grabbed me a desperately needed tripod and it went from there. The Friend recited lines and the LD would yell STOP, and I’d click away. The most humbling thing was the fact that we literally took 200 shots, and in the end, only about 4 of them came out clearly. And every time the designer would check the shots, he’d curse but not at me, just at the lighting situation. He kept telling me I was doing a great job, the framing was spot-on, if only we could get this light situation worked out…

It was probably one of the single most exciting experiences of my life to date. For someone who lives by a schedule despite claiming to hate it, the spontaneity of the whole thing was so so SO refreshing. Not to mention the fact that there were people “in the business” trusting my ability with full confidence, without question, and encouraging me the whole time.

Ok ok, I can practically HEAR your eyeballs rolling from the other side of the computer screen, like, come ON Jessica. They needed a picture, you had the camera, and it doesn’t take a genius to take a decent photo. Enough with the drama. But I felt so completely honored for the opportunity, not to mention be included in spreading the word about my Friend’s production. It was a fun, random “collaboration”…and if they don’t end up using the photo, that’s fine too. As awesome as a credit in print would be, having a story about That One Time I Took Photos For My Friend’s Houston Press Show Review is enough. (I’ll find out for sure tomorrow, eep!) Edited to add: They used my photo in the online review...but no credit. Oh well. The review is AWESOME and that's what counts!
EDITED TO ADD AGAIN: I GOT THE PHOTO CREDIT IN PRINT! (:  

After we finally got a shot they liked, the Boyfriend and I stuck around to help pack the rest of the theater gear up, and spent the rest of the night hanging out with the Friend at his house, celebrating and catching up. Instaxing continued. Film is meant to be used, amiright?

Also, you’ve probably noticed by now, but the new layout is up and I’m really happy with it. It took up quite a bit of my Sunday as I have EXTREMELY limited css/html knowledge (…emphasis on the extreme…I was a Googling fiend, lemme tell ya!) But you know. I like it. So, overall, I’d have to say this weekend was a really good one…working on the layout and doing it myself was really relaxing somehow. (Also, my tablet came in yesterday, hence the photo scribbles, ha! And now I can cross three things off of my June goals list! YES!)

What did you do this weekend? Do you have any crazy spontaneous stories you’d like to share? PS be sure to check out yesterday’s Tunes-day post…Christine made mention of Daughter which I’ve been obsessing over on Spotify recently so, you know, get to it!

PS AGAIN: if you’re in the Houston area and want to see a great production, check out Rum & Vodka, playing at the Wildfish Theater this Friday and Saturday night. Both shows are at 7:30pm; you can find more info and buy tickets here. Sidenote: I feel like the title makes this obvious, but just in case, know that the play isn’t family friendly, so plan accordingly. BUT IT’S STILL REALLY AMAZING SO GO SEE IT! 

Hey June...

...don't make it bad. Take a sad song, and make it better! 

Ok ok. So maybe my lyrics are a little off but don't act like you don't love the Beatles. 

Maybe you don't. That's not the point. 

BIG NEWS! 

I GOT MARRIED! AND I HAVE THESE REALLY UNFLATTERING PHOTOS TO PROVE IT!

Who needs a chapel when you've got a drive-in?! The wedding was beautiful. Sonic receipt tuxedo and straw wrapper ring...there's a courthouse right down the street. With Large Coke Easy-Ice and Large Cranberry Unsweetened Tea as our witnesses, it couldn't have been more official. 

Kidding! My bff and I were using up the last few photos on my disposable camera. He was randomly in town and Sonic Happy Hour is our steez, so yeah. Anyway.

You guys, we are officially halfway through the year and it’s Friday and I don’t even KNOW where the time has gone. I mean. This month has been ri-diculous (in a good way, of course) and, as usual, I have some words.

Dear May,

You were kind of ridiculous, like the way that toe socks are ridiculous, but still totally cool and comfortable. Things like hilarious hospital bed moments, successfully avoiding the dreaded Simmons Stomach Plague 2012, spending time with grandparents, $2 tripod finds (!!!), using film for the first time in forever. Things like losing myself in paper and glue sticks (yep, I still use those) and doublestick tape and FINALLY ORGANIZING MY CRAFTING SUPPLIES (well, the paper stuff…one of my proudest moments to date, you guys) and gifts given and beautiful new music discovered and friends. Meeting new, beautiful, shining souls and driving for miles to catch up with dearhearts that I miss. 

Craft-fairing and dancing and 48hrs in a city that will forever own a tiny piece of my heart. Things like planning a celebration for two very special people and their new chapter together, and surprise visits from the other half of my brain (see above photos). May, you surprised me pleasantly among the leaves, and also brought out the worst in me; parts I had no idea existed, or existed to such an extent…and you made me better for the knowledge.

And now I know. And I grow from there.

But June, oh you. So full of promise. Photos to take, things to make, allowing myself to feel everything, because that's really ok. Because I am me and that’s enough. Because I said May was for grace, and I lied. But this time I’m leaning into you and letting things flow. Dear June, you are full of opportunity…and I love you already! 

OK now that I’m done sounding like a mantric yoga instructor, it’s TO-DO TIME!

I love lists; I make them often (as in daily) and always (as in always) so here are a few of my June Summer Goals:

-Experiment with my new Instax cameraaaaaa (coming in TODAY)

-Get photos printed for lots and lots of projects

-Experiment with my tablet that comes in *hopefully* next week

-Just take tons of photos. That's it. That's all. Tons.  

-Make 2 paintings SO. EXCITED.
-See a play
-Beachtripbeachtripbeachtrip

-Finish altering the dress I thrifted a few weeks ago

-Read. I’m in the middle of 3 books right now, and if I finish them all, I’ll just keep on going. (I finished 2 1/2. Kind of. Post coming soon)

-Finish everything for my Top Secret Project (it seems like I always have one of those going on, huh? Sorry. My family reads my blog sometimes. Discretion is of the utmost importance!)

Photos and finishing. That's kind of the gist of it I think. And if they don't all get crossed off, it's alright. Regina Spektor told me so (and provided me with my new summer/life mantra in the process): "Stop! Stop! What’s the hurry? Come on baby don’t you worry worry!"