Our Bunco Group Turns 2!

Normally our Bunco group meets every 2^nd Monday of the month to roll the dice, but since the month of May marked our 2^nd anniversary, we decided to celebrate with a weekend-evening Bunco Bash.  No game, just uninterrupted girl time... with lots of good food and drink of course.  And since the festivities took place on a Friday night, we could have that extra glass of Sangria guilt-free.  Well, almost guilt-free - Catherine and a few others got up the next morning to run a 5K so they couldn’t get too crazy, but needless to say we had a good time.  ;)

Everyone brought a dish or their favorite cocktail beverage, and we gathered on a friend’s porch and did what women do best - talked the night away.  We also chipped in our usual $15 but this time, instead of going to the prize pot, the money went to charity.  We decided to donate to the Alabama tornado victims.  Being that we live in Atlanta, this disaster hit close to home; we all wanted to do something to send aid to our neighbors just one state over. Caitlin Zygmont, one of our group's founders, acted as treasurer.  She collected the cash and turned it over to the American Red Cross on our behalf.  She also took the group picture you see above.  (Caitlin is a budding photographer and you can see more of her work on her blog: caitlinzygmont.blogspot.com).

In addition to our usual chatter, we did a round robin of introductions as in the past several months we have welcomed several new-comers.  It was really cool to look around at so many faces (new and old) and think about the friendships that have formed through this group. We’ve met so many wonderful women whom we would not have met if it weren’t for our game night gatherings… and that gives us much reason to celebrate. Because after all, Bunco is more about raking in new friends than it is about raking in the winnings.

Cheers to many more Bunco anniversaries!

Calligraphy.... maybe a little fancy for our usual Bunco nights, but....

OK, OK, we admit.... we know you are not going to generally send out fancy invitations with calligraphy for your monthly Bunco nights (us neither!).  But we just can't help but love the swirls and intricacy of a hand-lettered envelope or place card for a special event.  It just gives paper goods that little extra oomph, you know?  And we believe that calligraphy should be utilized far more often than just for weddings.  Try it for your next wedding/baby shower, holiday soiree, or girls' only event - we know your guests will love it.  The tone such beautiful handwriting sets is memorable, and your invitees will know a truly special occasion awaits them.

A lover of all things paper-related, Lindsay had always wanted to try her hand - pun intended :o) - at calligraphy.  So she decided to research taking a class.  First things first, who knew about all the gorgeous styles out there?  Italics, Pointed Pen/Copperplate, contemporary... they are all just lovely, with their own personality.  Lindsay chose Pointed Pen/Copperplate for its traditional vibe and gorgeous swirls... plus, Lindsay wants to add some extra "flair" to her capital letters, once she has the basics down pat of course, and Copperplate lends itself nicely to extra flourishes.

For about the past month, Lindsay has been making a weekly trip over to the beautiful Callanwolde Fine Arts Center in Atlanta for her class.  At the start of the course, Lindsay was delighted to find that the instructor, the uber-talented Mrs. Carol Gray, is her neighbor.  Carol's talent at calligraphy is unbelievable - she could take even words like "potato" or "garbage can" and make them glamorous.  The class itself has been just wonderful as well; Carol breaks the sessions into learning the strokes for related sets of letters, and she is a constant encouragement as her students practice their words and phrases.  She also shares the insider tips and tricks, such as must-have equipment like light boxes, special inks and paper, and nibs.  Always adding to the fun, the class has been full of personable and eager fellow students, creating a perfect environment for learning such a delicate and challenging art.  

If you are interested in taking a calligraphy course in the Atlanta area, you simply MUST check out Carol's class:

Callanwolde's Summer 2011 Course Catalog

(Callanwolde also offers a host of other great classes - if you have an interest in art, music, writing, or dance, take the time to peruse their offerings). 

And if you have a special event for which you want to utilize calligraphy services, do yourself a favor and contact Carol.  Her talent, dedication, and kind demeanor make her a true professional.

Carol's website

Last, we would be remiss if we did not mention what a gorgeous site Callanwolde is - the mansion itself and the lush grounds are breathtaking.  Don't forget to consider it for your next special event!  (We are biased, we'll admit - Lindsay's wedding reception was there).

Have a wonderful weekend!

  

An ode to our mothers....

A mother is a person who, seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie.  ~ Tenneva Jordan


Every day should be Mother’s Day because every day our mothers love us unconditionally. They teach us the basics in life such as how to take that first step, tie a shoe, and ride a bike, but they also teach us things that are less tangible, such as how to be a good friend or how to be a mother ourselves. Leading by example is one way they accomplish this; you might say we are able to give love because we have been loved: children grow up and have children of their own and pass that love on to the next generation. 


This year, Mother’s Day takes on a new meaning for us – Catherine now has a 4 month old daughter and Lindsay is only a few weeks away from giving birth to her first child, a little boy. As we enter this new chapter in life we would like to thank our mothers for the love they so willingly poured out on us and for teaching us the meaning of friendship.  After all, that's really what the game of Bunco is about.  

Catherine and her mother Kathy

Lindsay and her mother Sandy 

Thank you Sandy and Kathy!  

In loving memory of Sandy

April 19, 1949 - September 24, 2003

Viva! Cinco de Mayo

Hola Senoritas!  Here in Atlanta, this morning is a tad bit chilly, but it looks like it will be a beautiful day to celebrate the Mexican Army's unlikely victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.  And it sure does help us forget about any twinge of chill in the air when this holiday's traditions include delicious food, fun colors, vibrant music, and tasty cocktails!


Although, sadly, we are not hosting a soiree today (Bunco-centered or not), these beautiful images and party inspirations sure made us wish we were!!  Enjoy... and after you do, why don't you go enjoy a tasty margarita in a pretty salt-rimmed glass?  Yum!

Vintage castanets - what could be finer? 
Image courtesy of mzhollygolightly.blogspot.com

These pics from this island wedding just say tropical, warm-weather fun!  
(And can we please try those adorable cupcakes with dried pineapple on the top???) 
For more on this event, visit myislandwedding.blogspot.com

Cute and casual - no better way to celebrate and eat  outdoors!
Image courtesy of mostazaseed.blogspot.com

Beautiful and colorful oilcloths will protect your eating surfaces from hot sauce spills in style.
Several of Atlanta's local Ace Hardwares carry yardage of these gems for a great price in Atlanta.  
Image courtesy of mostazaseed.blogspot.com.

Tissue paper party decorations - adorable, easy and affordable.
Image courtesy of mostazaseed.blogspot.com

Isn't this vintage Mexican dish towel great?
If you had enough, they would be perfect as place mats or party napkins!   We love to score vintage linens like these at flea markets, ebay.com, or etsy.com.  

Another GORGEOUS wedding that gives us loads of ideas for warm-weather parties!  
We just love the succulents, don't you?  (For more on this wedding, visit poetrybooths.com).

Image courtesy of b-townblog.com

These next three scenes are simply lovely - they would be perfect for an intimate Cinco de Mayo dinner!

Image courtesy of marthastewart.com

Have a fun and festive Cinco de Mayo, everyone!