:: chicago shower ::

promise i'm not completely obnoxious. but, my friends in chicago hosted a shower and ladies night out... seriously, it was a total blast.

first off, i was booted out of our apt the weekend of july 22 as it was eric's bachelor party. so, i was bunking up with my great friend kelly... so fun having sleepovers:) while the guys were off having their fun, my friend jennie hosted a lovely shower at her place. of course, the hostess with the mostess made sure all i's were dotted and t's crossed - great drinks, amazing food and lots of fun friends from chi made it over for quite the celebration. such thoughtful gifts and great laughs!

though, the shower was not all we had in store for the night... my friends and creative team at work, jenae and cassidy planned a bar crawl/bachelorette/ladies night out and it was literally my favorite night in chicago to-date. they mapped out dares at all the bars in my neighborhood and made me dress-up in quite the outfit, rewarding me with naughty prizes along the way. i definitely needed a little liquid courage - but here are the highlights on dares + select photos appropriate to share.

- i had to reenact our "save the date" photo in the photobooth at our favorite bar, schubas. i grabbed a random guy from the bar to pose with me... he was a trooper.
- stood on the bar at the bar schoolyard and made everyone say the pledge of allegiance with me. i am totally obnoxious.
- went to southport lanes and bowled a ball in someone else's game. they were not happy to hand the ball over, but i was dared to bowl a strike and I DID. seriously, you would have thought i just won the world cup the way the bar erupted when i knocked all pins down on the first try.
- of course, sang baby got back while standing on the bar at newport.

:: yorktown shower ::

and the fun just doesn't stop:) eric + i got to head back to york for my 10-year high school reunion... it was a really fun time to catch up with friends and also worked out nicely for my parents' friends to host a brunch-time shower for eric + i.

after a long weekend of reunion events, we gathered at the wietings for a sunday brunch. it was the perfect opportunity to catch up with all of our family friends and a chance for eric to meet everyone before the wedding. everyone approves... so we're still a-go for 8.13:) the vincents, wietings and houghs put on quite a show - adorable decor, amazing food {egg casserole and creme brulee french toast were INSANE!} and lots of fun. eric + i had a chance to share how we met and the story of our engagement... of course, eric told his side and then i told everyone what actually happened.

afterwards, we were filled to the brim and headed off to the airport to fly home. thank you, thank you for being such fabulous hosts! eric + i truly appreciate it.

:: bridesmaids shower, kc ::

hi, hi, hi.

i have officially been the WORST bride-to-be on the planet. for some reason, i've been too consumed with work/life/wedding planning to keep up on my blog. LAME.

here's my attempt to fill everyone in before our BIG day. lots has happened... hold on to your hats:)

my fabulous bridesmaids threw me a ladies shower in kansas city at the end of june. i was able to squeeze-in a dress fitting {and some shopping}, so it was quite the weekend! mom came down and my future mom-in-law came up, plus so many friends gathered to celebrate. it was amazing/overwhelming:)

sally, leah, lindsey, conn, meghan and lizzy were the hostesses with the mostesses - these girls know me all too well + had the nielsen's house stocked with all the faves :: Saigon 39 spring rolls, cupcakes, raspberry black bean dip, crab rangoon dip, mimosas and much more. LOVED it. All part of my wedding diet, which is a little unconventional/non-existent:) plus, the decor was all yellow and lovely.

i had a great time opening gifts, telling stories, laughing and listening to my mom and lu give advice on married life:) so fun to catch up with my lovelies. it makes me realize just how much i miss everyone - and, of course, just how lucky i am to have such great friends and fam.