A stove-top cover? What a fabulous idea! Plus a white wine spritzer that will knock your socks off!

Several days ago my sister had her first wedding shower which was given by some of my parents' very dear friends who went above and beyond to make her day a very special one! From the adorable bride and groom center piece to the delicious food, these women thoroughly outdid themselves and it was so appreciated. This same group of ladies even threw a shower for me when I was a bride-to-be. What can I say, we love these families and we're so grateful for all they've done for us over the years!

Oh Baby! Eggs and Nest Baby Shower

A few weeks ago Catherine and I (alongside some of our other best gals) threw a baby shower for our dear friend Emily.  Emily is a Southern doll with an eye for crafty details and a sentimental heart too.  As such, and this being her first baby, we wanted to throw in some special details to make the day memorable.  I had some eggs and birds' nests I had been dying to use for a party's decor, so we went with an egg and nest theme (perfect for an expectant mama, no)?  And praise be to God, as I write this Emily is enjoying week 3 with her new little girl.  Special times!

Check out pics from out fete below....

These gorgeous flowers are from Adam's Apples... you might remember me talking about them in this post.  This is a wonderful shop in Avondale Estates, GA that provides flowers, candies, specialty candied apples and other chocolate-covered treats, and balloons galore.  I just love them!

Neighborhood Block Party

A few of us in my neighborhood have been saying for years now that we wanted to get everyone together for a block party, but life keeps us busy so the idea always fell by the wayside. Well, this summer we decided to go for it so I called our police department and put in a request to close our street! Considering we get a lot of cut-through traffic the road closing really was a must... so glad my neighbor suggested the idea. There wasn't a cost involved in obtaining the permit either which was nice. Anyway, the process takes about 30 days to complete, so it only made sense to get that going first. After that was set into motion, I sent out an evite to all those I had addresses for and asked them to forward it on to others. This was to be an open invitation to all our neighbors, the more the merrier!

Jersey Boys (and some Yacht-y boys too....)

Readers, first let me please apologize that our usual Friday post is two days late.  I have been experiencing some technical difficulties with my home computer and have just been plain busy as a bee too.  Excuses aside, please know I'm giving myself 37 lashes - and at least a few days without Bunco - as punishment. ;o)

However, in this post I would like to give y'all the scoop on two reasons why I was so busy this weekend.  Both reasons just so happen to be groups of handsome and musically talented men.  No, my hubs has no reason to be jealous, I'm talking about Jersey Boys and Yacht Rock. 

My Checklist for Summer

In this post I list 10 things that I'd like to do this summer! We are taking a little vacation late August, but my list below are some activities I'd like to do locally. Some are cheap or even free, others I will have to save up for, but all of it sounds F-U-N! If you live in Atlanta, then maybe some of these ideas will appeal to you too!

Oh and it goes without saying that Tanglewood Farm would be at the top of this list, but as Lindsay shared with you last week we've managed to make that trip. That said, I am definitely going back next summer!

Tanglewood Farms (mini-animals!!)

Happy early-Memorial Day, y'all!  I hope all our readers have a wonderful weekend ahead.  I also want to remind us all, including myself, to remember the meaning behind this holiday.  I am so grateful to each and every veteran of this nation, and also for their families.  The sacrifice they make, each and every day, is not fully fathomable to those of us living comfortable lives as civilians.  My own sweet dad fought in the Vietnam War, and he actually was awarded a medal for bravery because he went onto a live battle field and pulled a fellow injured soldier to safety.  That makes me so proud - and admittedly, scared - I sometimes think my heart will burst just thinking about it.  The thought of him, and other soldiers in all the wars that America has fought and continues to fight, putting themselves in harm's way for our freedom just takes my breath away.  We are such a blessed nation, through and through. 

But on to today's post, which is about the not-to-be-missed Tanglewood Farms!  Y'all, this is such a fun place to visit, with or without kids. 

All she needed was a sewing machine and the manual to make her dreams come true!

A few months back my neighbor introduced me to Felicia Moss, who started a clothing line for little girls called My Sugar Baby, and I must say I've been hooked on her adorable creations ever since. If you have a little girl then you MUST check out My Sugar Baby, such darling outfits and at very affordable prices too! Felicia does everything from pillowcase dresses to sassy tops with coordinating bell-bottom pants. And of course, she has the hair accessories to top off the look. That's actually how her business got started. She was making hairbows for her friends' daughters and when she saw there was a demand for these she figured she could try and sell them. This idea proved to be a good one and before she knew it she was taking orders left and right!

Felicia holding some of her pillowcase dresses!

One Kings Lane

Well, well.  Where to begin about One Kings Lane..... my close girlfriends can tell you that this post is way, WAY overdue.  But better late than never right?  And I always have so many ideas bumping around in my head that it's hard to keep track.... like bunnies hopping all over the place.... I stole that little catchphrase from my family friend and author Mary Kay Andrews.  If you don't read her books you have to start.  They are too much fun - Southern, funny, sweet, and always with a little romance and a fun backdrop thrown in too.  The perfect summer reading, in other words.  Her new book Spring Fever comes out June 5th.... a fun tidbit and some shameless name-dropping and cross-promotion too.  ;o)  But I digress.

iPods From Cohen - A Mother's Cause to Help Others Who Have Children Born with Congenital Heart Defects.

This week we want to raise awareness around a charitable cause. It's a cause near and dear to a really wonderful mother/blogger, Megan, who has suffered the greatest loss a parent could endure, the loss of a child. In Megan's blog, In This Wonderful Life, she talks about her precious, little boy, Cohen, who was born into this world with Congenital Heart Defects. Although he only lived in this world for 12 short days, it's apparent that his faithful mother (and father too) believes he lives on with Jesus. I understand that not everyone shares in the same spiritual beliefs, and I have nothing but respect for people of every faith out there, but as a Christian, Megan's story touches me deeply. I would like to think that if I were in her shoes I would find comfort and healing in this belief too.

Not-To-Be-Missed Grocery Store Party Pics

Today I am going to blog about one of my favorite ways to make a party easier, especially if you are short on time (or energy).  And what way is that?  Well, don't tell Martha (Stewart, but of course).... but I'm talking about grocery store party items.  Literally, I mean those little extras I can nab at the last second - and they take minimal (if any) prep and still look good and taste delicious too.  You won't tell anyone my little secrets, will you?  :o)

And while I am on this topic, do y'all remember the movie Mermaids?  You know, the one with Cher before she went blond, Winona Ryder before she went shifty and no-good, and little cherub-cheeked Christina Ricci before she went Addams Family.