Bachelorette Party Recap

My Apologizes blog readers...I have been M.I.A on the blog this week, and this post is long overdue. Last Friday, one of my bff's Natalie and I hit the road. We headed to Dallas, Texas to meet all of our friends. We had so much fun "roadtrippin" it. Food, jams, chit chatting, dancing and singing were all involved and the SUNNY drive made it even greater (check out the sky through the sunroof).
We made it to Dallas safely, and checked into the Fairmont Dallas. The Fairmont was the perfect place for our group to stay. The MOH (Maid-of-Honor) Ashley did a fabulous job on planning out the entire weekend including where we stayed. She put so much thought into what would be convenient for everyone traveling into town as well as going out at night. Great Job Ash- We loved everything!

So if you missed my "Warning: Dallas" post, let me catch you up. One of my very best friends, Chelsea Elizabeth is getting married in May. She and her fiance Seth have been dating since they were in eight and ninth grade. They are two of my very best friends that I met during my freshmen year of college (through Ashley). Chelsea and I have grown closer over the years through nannying in Tennessee (3 summers) at camp. She is one of those friends that I know for a fact, I am a better person because she is in my life. She has been there for me countless times over the past four and a half years; best days and worst. She always has honest advice and has her friends' best interest at heart! I am so excited about her wedding coming up in May. Chels and Seth are two of the best people I know, and deserve all the happiness in the world. I am so honored to call them friends and to stand by them on their huge day! Chelsea has been super stressed completing her Masters in teaching before the wedding, so she needed a fun get-a-way! SOOOO....

Her favorite friends from the University of Arkansas......

and from her hometown of Memphis, Tennessee (well Germantown to be exact.)

Met up in Sunny Dallas, Texas for "Chelsea's Final Fling!!!!!"

Natalie and I were the first ones at the hotel. We had to try on the party masks and experiment with Nat's new curling iron!!! (My hair Before)

The bride-to-be's carload was still on the road, so the Tennessee girls, Natalie, and I headed to Mattito's for drinks and food! We "cheered" to the Bachelorette even though she wasn't here yet!! Ha with our YUMMY Blue drinks : )

(Alison, Katherine, Jennings)

A few of the Bridesmaids (Helen, Natalie, Me, Maggie)

Alison getting in a quick pose before we went back to the hotel to meet the entire gang....

Me and the Gorgeous Bachelorette!!! (Love you!)

An Aerial view

Quick Pic with Nurse Gail!!!

And Nat Jean!!!

After we snapped some pictures, we went to Ghost Bar at the W Hotel for the night. SO. MUCH. FUN!!! We danced, laughed, and just let loose! I am pretty sure we all needed this night in some way, shape, form, or fashion!!!

The next morning, we had Chelsea's Lingerie shower at the Hotel to start the day!!! I can't show too many pictures because Seth can't see yet (Sorry). But here are some fun ones!!!

Ashley (the B-Party Planner) demonstrating the red bows other use.... (She is going to kill me later for posting this pic! Love you A-Hale)

Let the present opening begin!!!

(Jennings, Maggie, K-Ray at the shower)

The Morning Shoppers (Amanda, Seanne)

haha Chels looks a little afraid here..... Probably thinking "What have my friends gotten me into for the day..."

haha My FAVORITE picture of all!!! Check out Ashley and Chelsea's faces : ) (Gail's in the middle of them)

Alison got these SUPER Cute t-shirts made for all of us, and Maggie got Coozies! Thanks girls!

After the shower, we headed to Breadwinners for lunch. Then off to "The Girls Room" for our workout class! Here is our group picture before...We had no idea what to expect!
Then, our instructor taught us a little bit of everything about pole dancing, yes Pole Dancing. I must say, I have a new respect for "pole dancers." (Can't believe I am typing that) But it is true, we definitely got a workout. We were sore the next day. Even had some bruises. But had an Absolute BLAST swinging around! Our featured dancer...the Bachelorette herself!!! (please don't kill me after this post!)

Our class was an hour and a half, and really was so much fun! I highly recommend it for a bachelorette party! Here is another group shot before we left!

Chels, Nat, Ali, K-Ray, and I headed to do some shopping, then went back to get ready for our final night in Dallas! First Mission: To get the Bachelorette all decked out! (I mean how many times are you going to get the chance to throw your friends a bachelorette party...? We had to go all out!)
We rode the trolley to Primo's where we had reservations for Dinner!!! I just love this picture of Ashley, Helen, and Katherine! So Pretty!!! And all three are wonderful girls!!! (Single too guys...Just sayin')

The other end of the table...Beautiful friends!!

Remember those masks Natalie and I tried on earlier....well they made their appearance Saturday night! (Tease, Flirt, Sexy) We had new names too.... (Slave 4 U (song was on), Available, This is your last chance for a fling) Hilarious- especially if you know us!

Smashley was posing with her light up ring and mask...watch out Dallas!

With Mrs. "Bad"....

Dinner was so much fun, then we headed off to Liar's Den! Amanda stole Chelsea's hat...she was either: A) wanting to be the bachelorette B)wanting free shots (hmmm? jk A. Troutt)

The DJ was playing some great songs, so you could find all of us on the dance floor!!!

We even Rated a few gentlemen at dinner and throughout the night...

And of course...Danced the night/weekend away!

and well...the end of the night...we felt our age had caught up to us!! haha

So much fun girlies, can't wait to reunite in Memphis in May for Chelsea and Seth's WEDDING!!! It will be here before you know it!!!

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Dalty!!!! Here's the Birthday boy reading his card from me today.
You see, I just love my grandfather. I was so blessed to know all of my grandparents and even a few great-grandparents. And I cherish everyday that I still have three grandparents here, that I get to enjoy and spend time with.

Dalton, Becky, Me, and Meemaw at my college graduation in May.

In honor of the Birthday Boy, let me give you some inside scoop on this man.

Dalty and Becky have been married 50+ years and are the best grandparents to my sister, cousin, and I. They are so supportive in everything we do and have been all of our life. Becky is known for her great cooking and Dalty is known for his stories! (He is also a sudoku champ! Don't challenge him- He was an accounting professor at ASU for years, so he is very good with numbers!)

In June, here's where you can find him! Sitting in his American Flag chair by the swings in Mexico Beach, Florida! In the afternoon with a beer in hand (as shown) and at night, with a glass of wine! He has to keep up with the youngin's. We go every year with his side of the family (75+ of us) for one week. It is the highlight of the year for all of us. He is the second oldest of his siblings (7 total, 6 still with us). You should see it when they get together! It is so entertaining!

The American Flag chair also has a greater meaning to him, he served in the Navy during the Korean war. In fact, he played in the Navy/ Celebrity All-Star game back in the day against Marilyn Monroe! How cool is that. He was a great all-around athlete, playing baseball, football (setting records at Delta State University), basketball, and golf. He recently retired from playing golf, but still enjoys watching everyone play in his backyard! (He lives on the golf course.) Here is Dalty with all of his lovely ladies (minus my grandmother).
I love you so much!! Thank you so much for everything you have done for me, Aimee, Hayley, our parents, Duane, and Becky. You are one amazing man who continues to teach us so much. Thank you for being you, and putting up with all of us "Loud" ones!

Warning: City of Dallas

Well Ladies and Gentlemen, the countdown has begun, and I figured Dallas, Texas needs a warning. I have a feeling that this town just won't be the same come Sunday morning.....

Go ahead warn your friends, family, single guys in the area because....THE GIRLS ARE COMING TO TOWN.

Ohhh you know, girls travel in groups and a huge group of us are headed to where every thing is bigger....TEXAS for the weekend! The first bachelorette of our immediate group of friends is gorgeous, sweet and innocent (before this weekend) Chelsea who will be celebrating her single days coming to an end with a "Final Fling" in Texas!

What happens in Texas stays in Texas!!! Hopefully I will capture a few pictures for the blog, however I make no promises what-so-ever. Texas....consider this your warning.

(Sidenote: I REALLY can't believe this weekend is finally here! We have talked about this for years haha literally. SOOO excited to spend some time with my favorite girls from Arkansas and Memphis. Girls see you soon! I already know this weekend will be one for the books.)

Conway Bridal Show

Sunday was the Conway Bridal Show!!!!

I was so excited that this classy elegant affair came together so smoothly. I am just obsessed with this look for a dessert bar! More details soon on how this design "came to life."

But I have a few visitors to Thank on today's post!

Sweet Lacey is in the picture above! She is one of our part time assistants for events and weddings. Now for the picture below: I wouldn't be where I am with out my wonderful Mother (on the left). Mrs. Vickie is on the right, she is just as fabulous. She was one of the first people that told me she wanted to help out at events or with anything I needed. Let's just say she was the best 6th grade teacher I could of had (way back in the day), and is now on Young Designs staff.
My thoughtful grandmother, Meemaw, found out that we were having a booth in Conway. She had to come see what this "business" was about. I was so thrilled that she made the drive down from Heber Springs to see me.
Also, a wonderful surprise, two of my best friends Chelsea and Seth made it by the show. They were so thoughtful to stop by on their way back from Memphis to Fayetteville. Chelsea had mentioned earlier in the week that it might work out but not to get my hopes up. It was icing on the cake to conclude the Bridal Show. Thanks friends!
Young Designs booth was "all about the details" for this show. Here are a few pictures of our presentation.


For more pictures and information about our show click here.

March 1, 2010

Hello Spring!

Since March 1st is here, I wanted to do a 2010 recap so far about starting my own company, being that my blog is "It's the Climb."

November 15, 2009: Decided to Start Young Designs.

January 1, 2010: Launched Young Designs: Event Design and Production

January 17, 2010: First Bridal Show in Little Rock

January 22, 2010: Confirmed First Official Client (as in contract/deposit in hand)

February 28, 2010: Bridal Show in Conway, Arkansas

Well in the first two months, Young Designs has FIVE official clients! You have no idea how excited that makes me. Getting a new business up and running, definitely is a climb of itself and now the clients are here, so the work really gets going. Do I still love it? Every second of it. And I have loved getting to know my clients and working with them on their events, mostly weddings right now. Consultations might be a new hobby of mine.

I have also added "Trend Tuesdays" on the blog! Each Tuesday, I will be featuring an event aspect or trend. Check out the posts so far here.

I have had to make a few critical decisions about the business. One of those was location. Running a home-based business in Maumelle or running Young Designs out of Limehouse's location in the Heights area of Little Rock. If you know me well, you know I love my little town and everything in it. So I have decided to remain a home based business and work primarily from my house. I am still able to give clients an option of meeting at Limehouse for convenience, thanks to Wendi. So, Young Designs will truly be based in Maumelle, Arkansas. This excites me for many reasons, sales tax going to Maumelle, joining the Chamber of Commerce, working with the city, giving back to the city, etc.! (Some of you might be making fun of me that it really was a decision: getting a Little Rock business permit vs. Maumelle, but it changes ALOT- more than I would have thought)

All in All- I am still glad and thankful every day that I have chosen to go with my gut feeling about this business instead of taking a full-time marketing job. Even though a salary pay check would be nice, at the end of the day, it really isn't about the money. To me, my biggest accomplishment will be a few years down the road when (hopefully) I am able to offer someone a full-time internship, so that they can learn about this fabulous industry the way I did.

For those of you who have followed my blog since the beginning, I sincerely thank you! Your love and support means so much to me. Please continue to keep my company and myself in your thoughts and prayers. It is and will always be a learning process. I can't wait to see what the next two months holds for "my climb."

Week Recap

This past week was delightful and packed full. Hopefully that explains my "M.I.A."ness on the blog. I apologize.


Tuesday: Natalie and I headed to Fayetteville to meet up with our beautiful friends!!!

(Front: Chelsea and Amanda; Back: Me, Ashley, and Natalie)

When we arrived in Fayetteville, we picked Ashley up and headed to Hobby Lobby and the mall for a little browsing. You know us girls....shopping is always involved! Then we met Amanda and Chelsea at Dam Goode Pies for dinner. (Yes, Fayetteville now has one!)

Two of my besties: Ash and Nat
Ohhh goodness....we always act up. Haha! Ashley was throwing things to Amanda....Figures, you can't take those two anywhere. Just kidding.

Wednesday: Natalie, Amanda, and I headed off to a meeting at Fayetteville Country Club for a shower 6 of us are hosting. This was the reason for our trip. After the meeting we had lunch at a favorite spot: Stonemill. Then said goodbye to Amanda for the day and went to our favorite spots in Fayetteville including Riffraff! We stopped by a birthday party to see the Carter's, and happened to see the Parker's too. Then it was time to head back to central Arkansas.

Thursday: Worked at Limehouse in the Heights for the day. Then headed to Benton for a Young Designs meeting and booked a new client Alisha!!! She is super, super sweet and I am looking forward to working with her. Alisha and Josh will be featured soon on Young Designs' blog so you will have to look for it! (While I'm on the topic: Do me a HUGE favor. Please!!! Go to http://www.youngdesigns-events.blogspot.com/ and click FOLLOW!!! Esp. if you are a follower of mine. I would GREATLY appreciate it. Thanks, you are the best!!) After my meeting in Benton, I raced over to North Little Rock to meet up with the girls! Natalie, Megan, Melissa, Mallory and I are doing a Beth Moore Bible Study! I missed the first meeting because of work, so I was thrilled I could make it to this session.

We are doing Beth Moore's "Living Beyond Yourself" study. I have never done one of her studies before so I am thoroughly looking forward to it and seeing what I learn!! Let me know if you have done this study before! I will keep you posted what I think of it.

Before I knew it, Friday was here! Come back for my next post on the weekend, including participating in the Conway Bridal Fair.