how to successfully throw a birthday party for a 26 year old

about a month ago, devin texted me one day and said he wanted an actual birthday party this year. within less than 10 minutes of getting that text, i had at least 20 tabs open and was emailing him menu ideas, guest list additions, and going through pinterest and etsy like a crazy person.

i had to shut myself down immediately. i was throwing a party for my 26 year old husband. not an 11 year old girl. no, we can't have chevron treat bags, or mint green paper straws. this needed to be a man's party! it was harder than i expected, and a whole lot of work, but it was so worth it! i had some help from a few girls setting up and getting all of the food together, and aside from my constant pacing, and stressing about people coming, everything went exactly as planned, and so many people came! it was a huge success. devin had so much fun, it was so great to see and catch up with our friends, and i was reminded of how much i love planning, throwing, and hosting parties!

i will admit, i'm pretty proud of myself with how everything turned out. i am so glad everyone liked it!

the menu included:

pulled pork sandwiches with three different barbecue sauces to try

bottled sodas

bacon wrapped lil' smokies

mixed fruit in waffle cones

teahive cheese and crackers

popcorn

doritos

tortilla chips, salsa, queso, and spinach artichoke-parmesan dip

chocolate cake (from costco) with vanilla and sea salt caramel ice cream

everything was delicious! almost all of the food got eaten and there was plenty of extra popcorn - just what i wanted! thank you to everyone who came and everyone who helped out! we had so much fun and want to do it again soon!

pinspiration: spring+summer style

next week, devin will finish his hardest and most demanding semester in school yet. from what i'm told, it will just keep getting harder from here, but we're starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel and we're both getting anxious for him to be done with school. it's been really hard, but he is doing so good in all of his classes and he is enjoying the program. i've got to give myself plenty of distractions until he's done, so as to not bother him with studying for finals and other big projects. that being said, i'm set on making an effort with my style this spring/summer. i know i have all the stuff in my closet somewhere, but i'm in a funk. i wear the same outfits all the time! but the warmer weather makes me feel like it's more possible, i guess. i didn't want to link up to every single picture (because it's sort of a lot or work! you know, you've done it!) but you can find all of these beauties on my pinterest! just click on that cute green "p" over there --->

 

^^ this makes me think i need a leather jacket, and that skirt^^

 

^^after i saw this picture, i went out and bought a similar fedora^^

 

^^now i need a military jacket. i love this one!^^

 

^^those blush pumps? perfect.^^

 

^^wait a second. i can wear an untucked shirt with a pencil skirt?!?!^^

 

^^effortless and adorable.^^

 

^^neutral and blush tones. so, so cute^^

 

^^pencil skirt dressed down. it's possible!^^

 

^^this makes me feel like i could pull off the turban headband^^

 

^^just yes.^^

 

^^the possibilities of a simple white summer dress? absolutely endless.^^

 

^^so.... white pants are a must^^

 

^^bright, bright, bright, blazer. genius.^^

 

^^adding combat boots to the list now...^^

^^reaffirms my need for a bold, colored pencil skirt. i love it with the loose, casual shirt^^

if my husband were a pinboard

pinterest is the bomb. we all know that. and it's pretty often that i'll come across a pin that is my husband to a T. so much so, sometimes, that i just can't help but giggle. "that is sooo devin". so i've combined all them here on devin pinboard.

Autumn

Fall is fast approaching, and it's a good thing, too. All my life, I thought I was a summer girl. Maybe it's the fact that I'm not in school anymore, so summer lost that special freedom. Maybe it's the incredibly hot and dry summers we've been experiencing in Utah these last couple years, but I totally take it back. I'm Fall and Spring, through and through!

Last year, Fall fashion became a really big deal. Bigger than I had ever noticed before. And this year is just the same. By mid-July, I was already pinning fall-inspired wardrobe pieces, and I'm anxious for this heat to be replaced with chilly weather and red leaves. I am by no means a fashion blogger. In fact, I'm pretty positive I've never even done an outfit post. That's not what this blog is about. Instead of sharing what I wear, or how I did it, I choose to keep this blog the way it's been since 2009, when I started it as "Wishful Thinking" (most of those posts got deleted for reasons not worth talking about...): a lifestyle blog. That being said, after the recent birthday shopping spree I had with my sisters and my husband on my birthday weekend - I feel like I have a whole new wardrobe. I feel more in the fashion loop than I ever have. Some of these trends have been around for summer, but I'm excited to carry them through to the colder months. Here are some of the things I've stocked up on for autumn:

neutral layering pieces

bright tees for layering (I grabbed these two colors)

fall colored denim (similar): so far, i've got black, white, olive and eggplant (each pair I bought was under $30, from either Charlotte Russe or Wet Seal - which both have great-fitting jeans!)

statement necklaces (similar)

chambray (similar)

and some pieces that have yet to find their way into my closet:

bright pea coat (similar)

equestrian style boots

neutral/neon color blocking

lace detailing

lace pencil skirt (similar)

converse (similar)

hunters!

and looks i love:

white on white

mixed neutrals

dressy relaxed

preppy

bright color stories

now if only the weather would cool down...