Austin the city of...

bachlorettes, beer, and bats!

What do you get when you combine 17 girls, one pink karaoke bus, and all the festivities that Austin can offer? ...........mania.
We slowly trickled into town from all over Texas, Arkansas and Kansas City last Friday. Had an amazing day soaking up the sun waiting for the bachlorette herself to arrive. Martha of course did it in a BIG way.

Let's rewind for a second back to Friday night. After we all got pretty, we headed to a sushi restaurant, and played "out on the town".

We don't have a hard time finding fun, fun usually finds us. The group of girls that made their way to this celebratory weekend are some of my absolute best friends from college. We were all lucky enough to be in the same pledge class, and most of us lived in the 16 girl attic together for a semester. Normally you wouldn't think you could handle those living extremes for an entire semester, but I learned more about myself and my friends, that I wouldn't go back and change it for the world. We all have a unique bond because of these experiences- joy and heartache alike. We were there through very trying times, and I cherish those friendships and these girls more than they probably imagine.

It's a goal that we go somewhere new and fun for each bachlorette party, which helps us create hilarious memories all over the place...on the table for discussion were our future locations- napa, chicago, vegas, miami??

The higlight of our night (in my opinion) was riding on the rickshaw's all over Austin from one bar to the next. We'd pile in 4 of these, and our drivers (riders??) would all race from point A to B. Exhilerating, Blurry, and totally Fun.

Night 2, the actual shower, and bachlorette party (enter stage left pink bus and trashy crown). Martha's friend from law school invited us all to her house for pre-festivities. We then headed to a great old BBQ restaurant, and out to one of Martha's favorite bars. Of course there was a band playing, and we just danced the night away...what else would you expect from the Live Music Capital of the World!

Martha and Em

All the UofA girls...Each year, I frame a new group picture of us, I think this one will be it for this year!

3 more weeks, and we'll be together again for her wedding in Little Rock, and I am going out on a limb to say that we will not only have a blast, but the boys will too. (Jason get that griddle ready for our waffles!!!)

Cute as a button- Lela Rose

Just wanted to give Lela Rose props for doing a Payless line. All her designs are absolutely adorable. I personally have ordered these online and shipped to a local store (since I guess Arkansas isn't high fashion enough to carry her line). Check out all her pretty flats too!

Can't wait to pair this with a little black dress or black shorts!

Napa Haven

I fell in love with Fume Blanc

Cutest wine tags!

The Bride with her Bridesmaids
(minus Chacey who isn't 21 yet)

The limo ride home :)

Last weekend I spent two nights in Napa for Lauren's bachlorette party. It was A.M.A.Z.I.N.G, and if anyone is interested in renting a house there, here is the link. It could have slept at least 10 easy, was very close to downtown Napa, had a beautiful patio, and was perfect for us girls.


Top Memories:

• Singing "Going to The Chapel" while sipping champagne during our limo ride
• Finley's warm welcome, Zen Garden, and drive by licking addiction
• Juliet and the 3 Bears bedroom
• Impromptu "rug walks" similar to a cake walk, singing Disney tunes
• Jamie asking Karrie if she can "top it off for the road" at Silver Oak
• The rooster next door
• Cathy's welcome book and family history lesson
• My introduction and new obsession with Larabars- o where can I get these in AR?
• Our gourmet meals by Chef Us at the house, thanks Real Simple recipe
• Drunk dialing my mom telling her how we HAVE to plan a family girls trip
• All of our "reveals", including Lauren's fashion show with old college tops
• Anything that was hilarious that I can't recall due to wine consumption
  

Top New Friends- in no particular order:

• Finley Wald
• Jan, Future MIL for Lauren
• Cathy, Napa Haven home owner
• Kerrie, the Silver Oak Somalie (I will win her over one day)
• Marcel, the limo driver

The whole group including Lauren's mom Ginger and future MIL Jan

More pics on FB!

My vote is on Kris!

I know that I might be slightly biased since he is from Arkansas....but oh my goodness, I have been watching this cat since day 1 and he is so talented. I am even guilty of buying his renditions of Falling Slowly and Heartless on itunes. Even if you haven't been following, tune in tonight- I'm sure it will be entertaining! Did you all know that Katie, his wife, was the UofA Homecoming Queen, that's fun!

Don't Miss It: Support Kris Allen on American Idol Tonight!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009 at 7p.m. on Fox

Watch Conway native Kris Allen compete tonight to be the next American Idol at 7p.m. Kris Allen is married to University of Arkansas alumna Katie O'Connell Allen BSBA'08, an Alumni Association member and 2007 Razorback Homecoming Queen.

After the show, you will have a chance to call in or text your vote. Don't miss out on this chance to support Kris and Katie on American Idol!

A closet full of nothing to wear

Had an interesting discussion lately on how the use of online diaries (Facebook, Myspace, Bloggin', etc) has really broadcast pictures of every one's social life (and more specifically outfits) for all to see. I use to be able to go into wedding season with a couple nice dresses, knowing I could wear one to a wedding with specific friends, and reuse the same dress to another event where all new people would see the dress for the first time. Not any longer my friends, now all of my outfits are online on a weekly basis! I'm sure any boys reading this would roll their eyes at this point, but it has drastically changed the way that I dress, shop, desire and acquire clothes. I mean sometimes I de-tag myself just so that I have the chance to wear the dang shirt again! I am going to try and care less about what people think, and if the dress is super cute, people can enjoying looking at it a few times! Please just pretend it's "new" and continue to tell me how fabulous I look:)

27 and still practicing

Patience that is...for a life long planner, patience is my archenemy. (don't these cows look so calm and patient?)

"But these things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, be patient! For it will surely take place. It will not be late by a single day." Habakkuk 2:3

I think i'll go enjoy a margarita while life works itself out, that is one way to pass the time "patiently". Happy Cinco De Mayo my friends.

Adios!

Hip Hip Horray- it's almost Lauren's Big Day!

Have you ever met someone that compliments your personality so completely that you are instant friends? That is how I felt about meeting Lauren for the first time. My first day at MARS, and Lauren is in some smashing white pant suit, with bright blonde hair, a carefree laugh, and HUGE jewelry. I instantly knew she would be one of my best friends and work confidant. Over the year and a half that we worked together, we were just that- and so much more. We'd sneak out for Skinny Vanilla Latte's around 3 and have wild happy hours, one of which ended with us singing Paradise City to the tops of our lungs in the Target parking lot...and a late night swim.
Lauren and I lived together for only about 4 or 5 months before her big decision to follow her heart and make the life altering move to Arizona to be with Brian.
They are finally getting married in June, and this past weekend we celebrating the upcoming nuptials at her shower in Kansas City! The shower was sweet, and she got a lot of her registered things. The higlight of my day was just being with her and her girlfriends, drinking bottles of wine, muching on a lovely cheese tray, and catching up. We did make it out and about, and I am still laughing about our cab ride home.
Lauren and Brian now live outside of San Fran, so I don't get to see her that often, and it is always SUCH a treat! Not to mention how fond I've become of her best friends from college (Joanna, Jamie, and Stacey), they always make me feel so comfortable and welcome, and we seem to just laugh and laugh... I'm really looking forward to the Bachlorette Party in Napa, and getting to see her home turf!!

The group~Joanna, Em, Jamie, Lauren and Stacy (who just got engaged over Easter!)

Lauren, Em, and Stac on the way to dinner (after mucho wino)

Playing in the fan at Blonde, Jo, Me and Stac

End of the night...Lauren and I share a huge love for So You Think You Can Dance...and she wanted to impress me with her new moves