Valentine’s Day Party

Hi!  So, here’s a little fact about me.  I love hosting parties!  I usually throw Friendsgiving, a Christmas party and Daniel’s bday party, but this year I thought it would be fun to do a Valentine’s party with all of our friends.  I was initially going to make invitations and send them out, but I didn’t have time.  Kayaking was way more important.  (Link to Kayaking post here)  It took me a week to plan and prep for this party.  I literally didn’t go to bed until 1 or 1:30 every night well morning.  By Wednesday I was a hot mess.  Poor Daniel had to deal with me being a scatter brain!  For this party I wanted to play games, eat good food and have a lot of treats that were all catered to the Valentines theme.  The first game that came to mind for the V-day party was of course the newly wed game.  Everyone who was there is married or engaged so I thought it would be fun and appropriate.  For food I instantly thought of Olive Garden so I recreated their Fettuccine Alfredo.  Someone brought bread sticks from Olive Garden and someone else recreated the salad from there.  It was so good.  I’ll have to share the quick and easy recipe with you one day.  Okay, now for the treats.  I love candy and treats so much!  I got a fondue recipe from my sister-in-law that is amazing!  Then I got strawberries, pineapple, pretzels, vanilla wafers, bananas and angel food cake to dip it in.  Guys, the angel food cake is to die for with the chocolate fondue on it!  If you haven’t tried it you need to.  It’s life changing!  I also made chocolate chip cookies with Valentine’s M & M’s and white chocolate popcorn with sprinkles.  Here’s some pics from the party.  I had so much fun making everyone’s Valentine and place setting.

Xxo

Melissa

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I always make a cute banner for a photo booth wall.  This time I wanted to take all the pics with my Polaroid instead of my camera.  I love the way they turned out!  I got my Polaroid from {Here}.  Also {Here} is where I got my film and it’s the best deal I’ve ever seen!
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I am obsessed with Kraft paper.  I bought 30 feet rolls at the Dollar Store!  I wrapped the tables with it because it’s cute and such an easy clean up!
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For everyone’s Valentine I got pink and red tea cups with a heart on them from Tai Pan.  Then I made white chocolate popcorn and put them in the red bags that said filled with love.  I got those at Target in the “One Stop”.  I got cute Valentines from Target as well.  You can’t see them very well, but I loved them and it reminded me of elementary school.  As for the arrow name card.  I had left over hearts and v’s from last year.  A friend cut them out for me with her Cricut machine.  I glued two skewer sticks together then wrote everyone;s name on the heart and then glued them onto the sticks after they were dry.  Super easy!  The x’s and o’s for tic tac toe I cut from my Cricut machine.  I thought it would be cute to have that next to everyone’s place setting so they could play if they wanted.  I measured out each tic tac toe grid with a ruler and drew the lines with pencil first then went over them with permanent marker.  The pink confetti is from the dollar store.  Guys, the dollar store and the “One Sport at Target are the best!
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Here are some party favors and games we played.  I always love playing Bingo at a party.  It’s so fun.  I found this template on Pinterest {Here} and we used the conversation hearts as the markers.  The fox and raccoon bags are from Target.  They were filled with fruties and the winners of Bingo go a bag full.  My Polaroid again is from {Here}  If you don’t have one get one.  They are so fun!  The photo squares that say I love us are from Chatbooks.  I downloaded a template from them to use on the front of my book, but thought it would be cute to attach to the Polaroids. 

 

 

 

 

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Here’s a pic of all the treats we had.  I painted the tops of the skewer sticks to make them cute and Valentine’s like.  My serving trays are {Here} & {Here} 

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The red and white festive felt balls are from {Here} and the solid felt balls are from {Here}  The hearts I cut from my Cricut machine and I got the balloons ar the Dollar Store.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Kayaking Black Canyon

Hello!  I have been on a blogging hiatus!  I haven’t posted for so long!  Anyway…  A few weekends ago we went to Black Canyon River in Nevada and kayaked.  Black Canyon River is in Boulder, NV.  Some of our friends text us and asked if we wanted to go and said it was going to be 70 degrees so of course we said yes because it is freezing cold in Utah right now.  Like snow you can stop and melt now!  We didn’t have a kayak and looked into renting one, but it was kind of expensive so we went on Amazon and bought one.  Can I just say Amazon is my BFF!  I order things from there probably every other day!  Thanks Mindy (my sister) for letting us use your Prime account.  Rant over.  On Saturday we had to be in Boulder by 6:30 am because our shuttle to take us to the base of Hover Dam was picking us up at 7 am.  5:15 am came way too early!  When we got to the pick up place we had to blow up our kayaks and get everything ready.  When we got there it was so windy and cold and they told us we could run into 50 MPH head winds so it would feel like we are paddling up-stream instead of down!  FML really!?  Anyway…  Once we got to the Hover Dam we had until 4 pm to get to the end point where they would pick us up.  We had to kayak 13 miles in 8 hours and there were a couple of stops on the way to waterfalls, hot springs and what not.  Also, our friend proposed to his gf finally!  Yahoo!  We started the trip off great!  We were pumped and it was such nice weather.  We had our first stop and were there for a little bit.  We found some hot springs and a really gross, but cool slime wall.  The second stop was to the waterfall and where our friend proposed.  We went a head of them so we could set everything up.  The waterfall was amazing and the water was so warm.  I couldn’t believe how warm it was.  I wanted to stay in it forever!  It was the perfect temperature!  After his proposal we wanted to make one more stop to the hot pots, but we were two hours behind schedule.  Lets just say we stopped at the hot pots and were screwed from there!  Once we left our final stop we had three hours to go six miles.  You wouldn’t think that a half an hour mile would be bad, but that’s when the wind started!  It sucked so bad and at times it felt like we weren’t moving at all.  My arms were so sore!  I would take breaks quite a bit because I thought my arms were going to fall off.  If Daniel took a break I wasn’t strong enough to keep the kayak straight and we started to turn.  Ha  He wasn’t to happy with me, but frick the wind was strong!  At some point near the end we knew we were screwed and weren’t going to make it by 4.  We were defeated and couldn’t do anything about it so we stopped for a good half an hour ate snacks, took pictures and laughed.  When we started going again one of our friends said well we needed to be there 11 minutes ago and we still had a mile and a half to go.  Luckily one of our other friends went a head of us.  When he was almost to the end he saw the van pulling away, but then it stopped.  The driver said he looked in his rearview mirror and saw him coming and turned around.  He said if he wouldn’t have seen him it would have cost us $150 to get them to come pick us up!  Bottom line, we had so much fun even though we had some slip us and YES, we would all do it again!  I recommend everyone going to do it.  It was so pretty and the water in some spots was so green and clear!

Xxo

Melissa

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The gang!

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Right after he proposed!
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This pic isn’t the best, but this was in a cave and we all fit!  The water was amazing too!

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This was taken after we had a good laugh about being super late and ate our snacks.
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The water was literally this green!  This is Emerald Cave.

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Eyelash Serum 

So I’m super excited about this post! I am obsessed with my lashes and would do anything to make them look amazing. I do have lash extensions, but I just tried this eyelash serum, Strong Lash to help them grow and get stronger. I used it for 30 days and my lashes are so much thicker and stronger. If you don’t have eyelash extensions and want your eyelashes to grow longer and stronger you need to try this eyelash serum. It is life changing! Trust me if you’re super anal about your lashes like I am this serum is for you! You will be able to see results so soon after using this eyelash serum. I have teamed up with Strong Lash to give all of my readers 30% off this product. Go to http://www.stronglash.com/ and enter tme30 at checkout.

Xxo

Melissa

Strong Lash {Website}

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After using the serum for 30 days

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Old Maid

Hello!  I’ve been doing a little thinking about the past 10 years of my life.  I love my life, but with school starting and all it makes me think of high school.  I know, I’m that person, but in high school I didn’t have any responsibilities or cares in the world besides cheer, dance and boys!  I’ve been alone this whole week because I am in Dallas for work.  I have a lot of time to myself and I was thinking would I have changed things in my life that lead me to this point?  The only thing I would have changed was being more serious about school.  I went to some college, but never graduated.  Sometimes I think I should go back, but I don’t want to be the old maid in all of her classes.  Plus I haven’t been back for so long that I would have to take some of my general classes again and I do not want to be old enough to be a Freshman’s mother! HAHA  I feel like if I would have finished school I would have a better sense and direction in my life.  Being an adult is fun, but sometimes I wish I was that 16-year-old cheerleader whose parents still paid for everything!  Anyway…  Sorry for the rant.  Being alone so much sometimes isn’t good because my brain goes a million miles an hour and thinks of all the what could have beens.  I hope you have a good Friday!

Xxo

Melissa

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Overalls Thrifted (Similar Here) & (Here)

Top Old From Brandy Melville (Similar Here)

Shoes (Here)

 

NYC Restaurants

So today I’m sharing two of my favorite restaurants in NYC.  I was just there for work and every time I go I have to go to these places.  The first one is called Jack’s Wife Freda.  It is in Soho on Lafayette Street.  It’s super small, but so good.  I got the tuna salad and fries.  The portions are good-sized.  You will for sure get full.  The second place is Empanada Mama.  It’s in Mid Town on 9th Ave and in between 51-52nd street.  It is seriously a hole in the wall, but it is so good!  It is always packed when I go so plan for a 20-45 minute wait.  I always start with a mint lemonade and guacamole with plantain chips.  It’s by far one of the best guacamole’s I have ever had.  They have tons of empanadas, but I get the spinach and cheese, mushroom and one called the Viagra.  I know the name isn’t the best, but it’s a sea food empanada and it is amazing!  If you’re going to NYC soon go to those places.  I promise you won’t regret it!

Xxo

Melissa

 

http://www.empmamanyc.com/

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http://jackswifefreda.com/

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Rocksbox

Hello!  This post is going to be a little short.  I am leaving for NYC tonight and I need to pack.  I always wait until the last-minute.  Anyway…  I got this ring and bracelet from Rocksbox.  Rocksbox is a company that lets you rent jewelry monthly for only $19.  Right now if you use coupon code themelissaeditionxoxo you’ll get your first month for FREE!  You need to subscribe now.  It’s such a great idea to rent jewelry and try it out before you actually buy it.  Rocksbox gives you the option to buy the pieces you get if you love them and can’t part with them.  You can exchange the pieces as much as you want within the month too.  Kk, go to their website now and get a FREE month!  You won’t regret it.  Again, the coupon code is themelissaeditionxoxo.  Have a good day!

Xxo

Melissa

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Rocksox Website {Here}

It’s Been a Year!

Today is mine and Daniel’s one year anniversary!  I really can not believe it’s been a year.  It kind of makes me sick how fast time flies!  Being married to Daniel is so much fun and I love every second of it, but don’t think the first year wasn’t a little difficult for us.  I lived by myself in our house for a year and a half.  I was super independent and was stuck in my ways.  I liked things in a certain spot and liked to do things a certain way.  Well, obviously when Daniel moved in, things weren’t getting done like I liked them and I would find things out-of-place.  I am a little OCD and it would drive me nuts.  I finally had to realize that my way isn’t the “right” way and had to let stupid little things go.  Those little things aren’t worth an argument.  Anyway… Since we have been married 12 months I thought I would share 12 things I love about being married
1.  There is always someone to support you no matter what it is.  I feel like Daniel is my #1 fan.  He is always encouraging me to do things and to be my very best.  When I was toying with the idea of starting my blog he never once said I don’t think you should do it.  He was super positive and supported me 100%.  When I get discouraged about something he is always there to lift me up and point me in the right direction.
2.  There was a time when we were dating that I was on my “best” behavior.  I know we all do it, but that’s the time when you don’t let your craziness come out, hide your emotions, act super confident and don’t eat very much.  Now since we are married I can be as emotional as I want and Daniel is there to lend a shoulder to cry on.  I don’t just have to eat salads when we go out to eat and he won’t judge me if I have to unbutton my pants after dinner because I ate too much.  I can say and do whatever I want and I know I’m not being judged.  I can even sing (more like yell) in the car or shower as loud as I want and he will join or laugh and tell me how cute I am.  I am 100% comfortable being my self around him and I love it!
3.  So we all get sick or for us women have a time of the month which isn’t the best time for us.  Daniel is the best and doesn’t let that stuff gross him out.  He has for sure had to deal with some tough times especially after I got my IUD in.  He was so cute and took such good care of me.  If I needed a bath he would draw one for me and add lavender oil in it.  He would even come in and wash my hair for me because I was too weak to do it for myself.  Once you’re married all the “gross” things aren’t so gross anymore.  You love your spouse just as much or even more after having to take care of them.  They are 100% vulnerable and at their worst, but knowing that someone is putting all of that aside is very comforting.
4.  I am a huge cuddlier.  Every night when we fall asleep I am over on Daniel’s side with my legs on top of him.  He always says we only use half of the bed, but that is his fault for not coming to me.  Sleeping next to someone is so much better than sleeping alone.  If I’m ever cold I know I can snuggle up next to Daniel and he will keep me warm.  Having a forever cuddle buddy is the best!
5.  We try to eat healthy, but sometimes getting pizza, popcorn, McDonald’s, Cafe Rio, ice cream, chips, etc are so much better.  And when you have that comfort food watching Netflix is a must.  We just got done with 11 seasons of Grey’s Anatomy.  We didn’t watch them every night, but close to it.  Daniel mostly slept because we would watch them at night and he’s not so much of a night owl.  I always had to catch him up on what was going on.  I love love love picking a series we both love and watching it together.  It’s a good activity to do together.  It makes you spend time together when your lives are super hectic and crazy even if it is only for an hour.  I can’t wait to pick our next series.  I’m pretty sure I need to let Daniel pick this one or our Netfilx dates will be over!  HA
6.  I think I’m pretty funny, but Daniel reassures me all the time that I am.  I love laughing with him!  We tell each other jokes, random stories, talk in weird voices and go on random rants about one item or subject all the time.  I love it so much.  We are always laughing together!  It’s seriously the best to have someone get your corks and not make fun of your for them, but love them.
7.  Daniel is the most thoughtful person ever.  I travel a lot for work and I find random notes in my suitcase.  It’s so cute and I cry every time I read them.  He is Brazilian so he is a sweet talker!  He also gets me flowers randomly just for the heck of it.  He just isn’t getting them for me for holidays, anniversaries or to say sorry.  I love coming home to find flowers on the table.  One time I got home from a work trip and he had flowers and candy laid out on the table when I got home.  It was so cute because he didn’t throw it on the table, he arranged everything where he wanted it to be and it was so cute and neat.  I love the little random things he does for me!
8.  Daniel has become the best listener.  There are times when I just want to vent and not have someone tell me not to do it.  It took him a few times to not give advice, but now he let’s me go on a rant about whatever I want.  I also love coming home to him and telling him about my day at work or stories I heard or read.  We usually talk on the phone everyday when he is driving home from work.  There’s been a few times he hasn’t called and I was super sad.  I love those calls where we can catch up on our days and just talk about whatever.  Most of the time the stories I tell him are super useless, but I know that he will engage with me and act super excited if I’m super excited.
9.  So we have been married a year and I said I wouldn’t be that person who gets super fat after the first year.  Guys it’s hard.  We are so busy all the time and eating out is just so much easier and more convenient.  I haven’t gone up a pant size yet, but I know if I do Daniel will still tell me I’m super skinny and love my body no matter what.  I have fat days often and break down and cry or get mad because I don’t have anything to wear.  Daniel is always right there to lift me up and tell me exactly what I want and need to hear.  In his eyes I am always beautiful and I love that about him!
10.  I love having a 24/7 buddy.  There is always someone to go get food with you late at night.  Or go on a random over nighter.  Or go on some adventure with you.  It’s even nice to have someone keep you company when you go grocery shopping.  Now that Daniel has his green card we are going to go on out of country adventures and I love that I get to share all of these memories with him!
11.  Before I started the blog I was huge on taking pictures.  Daniel has gone through the pain of taking engagements (which lasted almost three hours), bridals, fall photos and Christmas card photos.  I know that doesn’t seem like a lot, but no matter where we go we are taking a picture or 50 haha  I told him that we need to document or memories.  We bought a professional camera, a tri pod, a Polaroid, a selfie stick and a go pro plus we have our phones.  We for sure have everything we need to get the perfect picture.  Now since he knows he can’t get out of it he just smiles and does it.  He used to complain, but he still had to do it.  He always jokes that I’m going to be the crazy camera mom who chases her kids everywhere.  I already know I will, but he and our kids will thank me one day!
12.  I could do more than 12 reasons why I love being married and why I love Daniel, but lastly for now I love that he chose me to spend the rest of his life with.  From the first time we hung out we had a connection.  Everything was super easy when we were dating and we always wanted to be together.  We would make an effort to see each other all the time even if it was for only an hour.  I told some friends after a few dates that I was going to marry him and I did!  I love that he makes me feel special every single day.  Like I said earlier we have our arguments and disagreements, but in the end everything is resolved and we love each other more.  Daniel, I love you so much and I can’t wait for many more anniversaries we get to spend together!
I’ve only shared a few engagments, bridals and wedding day photos with people, but here are some of my favorites.  It’s only about 1/32 of them haha we took a lot of pictures!
Engagements
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Bridals
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Wedding Day
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As If

Please tell me majority of you have seen the movie Clueless.  It really is one of my favorites.  I remember when it came out I would wear the mini skirts and the knee-high socks.  I even tried to recreate the box that Ty brings over to Cher’s house with all the Elton memorabilia in it.  Let’s just say mine sucked and was not at all cute!  I have this movie downloaded on my Iphone and I watch it on my flights when I travel for work.  I can sometimes be gone three to four times a month so I’m watching it a lot.  I am obsessed with this graphic tee from Kingdom and State.  If you don’t know I actually work for that amazing company.  I am the Wholesale Sales Rep.  When I saw this shirt was coming out for Spring/Summer I was so excited.  I have worn it multiple times and it will be on rotation in my closet all year.  I am super excited to wear it with jackets for the fall.  I know the first day of summer just happened, but I am always excited to dress for lower temperatures.  Anyway, right now if you go shop at Kingdom and States website you can get 30% off your order.  Just put promo code party23 in when you check out!  Hurry now and go to their site.  You only have one weeks to use this code!  Happy Friday peeps!

Xxo

Melissa

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Top {Here}

Shorts Similar {Here} & {Here} & {Here}

Shoes {Here}

Friday’s Favorites

It’s FriYAY!  I just want to say thank you to everyone who entered my Uptown Giveway.  It was a huge success!  As you know it’s Friday so I am going to share a few items that I love so much.  First is this cute notebook.  I love any type of notebook.  I buy them and never write in them because I don’t want them to look used.  I know I have a little OCD when it comes to them.  I have stacks and stacks of unused notebooks, but it’s such an addiction and I can’t stop buying them!  Please tell me some of you are like that too!

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Second item I love is Lush Bath Bombs.  They are seriously amazing!  The one in this photo is called Sex Bomb and it smells so good.  If you haven’t tried them go to Lush right now and get one  They are totally worth it!

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Lastly, is this Ameo essential oil called Tea Tree.  I put it on my face, chest and dry spots every night before I go to bed.  It seriously gets rid of my blemishes and all of my zits and pimples.  I highly recommend this product if you need something to help acne, dry spots or little blemishes.  Email themelissaedition@gmail.com if you would like more information about this oil.

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Okay, now for what you have been waiting for.  The winner of my Uptown giveaway is…  @sadiebsloan!  Congrats girl!  Email me at themelissaedition@gmail.com to redeem your gift card!  And again, thank you to everyone who entered!  Enjoy your weekend!

Notebook Brand Roobee.  Similar ones {Here}

Lush Bath Bomb {Here}

Ameo Tea Tree Essential Oil {Here}

Xxo-

Melissa

Friday’s Favorites

OMG!  It’s finally Friday!  So it’s time to post some of my favorite things!  Today I am talking about shoes!  Lately I have been buying a lot of shoes, but the best part is they are all under $35.  When the seasons start to change I go crazy and want every sandal I see!  Here are some of my favorites I’ve gotten in the past few months and they are all from Forever 21!  They have really upped their shoe game.  I am very impressed!  They are all on trend and don’t break the bank.  I feel like I can justify buying so many pairs because they are so affordable!  I bet my husband doesn’t see it that way, but hey he knew what he was getting into before we got married! 😉

Enjoy your weekend!

Xxo-

Melissa

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{Here}

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Black Sold Out {Here}

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{Here}