Otherwise Engaged

This Christmas was very special. Not only did I spend it with family and close friends, I also received the most precious gift: a super sparkley, ridiculously beautiful, engagement ring!

The proposal was very romantic and my sweet fiancée, with the help of my sister (pictured below), arranged for both our families to celebrate with us after the big event.

N and I are absolutely over the moon and diving right into the wedding planning. Right now we're trying to nail down a venue for our 200+ guests, hello my big-fat-Italian-wedding, but we're having a blast!

I'm bubbling with happiness and can't wait to say "I do!"

Birthdays!

I celebrated my 27th birthday this weekend and it was wonderful. As much as I hated the thought of creeping into my late 20's, my friends and family put in a ton of effort to make my day extra special. I'm truly blessed.

Top memories of the weekend:

Sweet cupcakes.

Spa day at Emerge.

Gift cards to my favorite stores. 1 and 2.

An (extra) chocolate covered fruit arrangement.

Dinner with N at Hamersley's.

Cards upon cards from friends and family near and far.

Drinks at Bokx and pineapple upside down shots.

Flowers from my favorite 2 year old.

Family brunch.

Two Oprah-approved pot pies.

Thanks for all the love!

Traditions

I grew up going to my Nana's house every Saturday for lunch. Not many people can say they see their extended family as much as I do, and for that I'm thankful and truly blessed. The tradition still lives on and not much has changed over the years.

For lunch Nana serves meatball and sausage sandwiches, along with a few other weekly staples, but even as a non meat eater, there is no better comfort food than her sauce with bread.

Early Saturday morning, Nana makes the sauce and meatballs. I'm talking early. Like before the birds are chirping. No one in their right mind is awake at that hour, so no one has her recipe. I hope to teach my children how to make her sauce one day, so a couple Saturdays ago I dragged myself out of bed (got to her place at 6am) and got the tips and tricks from the master.

It was an amazing experience, one I will remember forever. Here are a few pictures of my early morning with Nana.

Mixing the meatballs

Browning the meatballs

Nana in action

Sauce simmering before Saturday lunch!

It's My Party

Today is my birthday! And it's Friday! So I guess I should celebrate...all weekend.

The weekend will be full of friends, family, margaritas, shopping and spending time with N. Oh, and maybe a cupcake or two :)

Family Affair

My cousin, one of my closest friends and my parter-in-crime as a child, got married last weekend (I wrote about his engagement last August). He was the first grandchild to get married and it was a really special day for the whole family. His bride and I have become friends over the years and I was honored to be included in their celebration as one of her bridesmaids.

They made a beautiful couple and the smile on my cousin's face at the altar said it all, he couldn't love her more. I wish them a lifetime of happiness and we're happy to welcome the lovely lady into our family.