New Year's Eve

It came time to ring in the new year and Little Rock, Arkansas was the spot to be. A few of my 'single gals' and I decided that dinner at Loca Luna and then Next Level Events would be the perfect recipe for fun- and it was! Here are a few iphone pics of the night.

Above: Jessica & I, below Jenny & Molly all at Loca Luna getting our last meal of 2011 in.

Then it was off to the party! As I referred to it as {blast from the past} loved seeing friends from high school, sports growing up, sorority sisters, and friends from college all at the same spot. Great catching up with everyone and ringing in 2012! Here's the only 2 pics I have from there... Running into Melissa!

Now time to par-tay!

End of year recap: 2011 in words

Here's what I wrote last year, in 2010, to start this lovely post...

"Okay, Last Year I wrote this as my introduction..... (NOW- 2 years ago)

"2009. Where did it go?

I have been asking myself this a lot lately. It seems I blinked and a whole year passed. But looking back on this year, it has been amazing and definitely one to remember.

.......

My year was so unpredictable yet perfectly planned. So perfectly planned that I was aware each day that no matter what I had decided, God had a plan that was going to happen. In the end, I was taught that no matter what, you have to trust in his plan, wear your heart on your sleeve, a smile on your face, and have no regrets, for everything happens for a reason.

I guess I should issue this....

WARNING: I am a very detailed individual and remember everything so beware of post length."

Well I must agree, I would say the same about this year. All of it except...

"2010. Where did it go?""

It still fits- so this year is "2011. Where did it go?" or shall I say where did I go...

I had no clue how to start this post. Then remembered, I had done it two years already and third time's a charm, right? What I didn't expect was to reread those first few lines and gain motivation from myself and the words I wrote when I was 22. Oh that girl, at times I wish I could be her again. As crazy as that sounds, she was ready to conquer the world and there was no stopping her. As I am looking back, I am learning from myself- as I strive to learn and improve each and every day; I am gaining/renewing my motivation to be the best I can be in every area of my life. It is a roller coaster world we live in with constant ups and downs plus inner emotional highs and lows mixed in on the ride. That's how I feel at the moment closing out the year.

So the recap: If we were playing the numbers game...

• 2 would be the countries I spent time in. Jamaica for a March va-cay with my sister and of course USA. The fact that I have driven on both the left and the right side of the road this year introduced me to anxiety but improved my resume for "Amazing Race."
• 3 beach trips (Jamaica, Destin, & Mexico Beach, Florida).
• 3 bachelorette parties (Nashville, Destin, & Branson)
• 4 the number of weddings I was in. Lacey & Brandon got married 1-1-11 in Little Rock and I had the honor to coordinate/plan Lacey's wedding as well as be a bridesmaid. Next was Amanda's big day marrying Bradley. I was a house attendant and did the flowers at her reception in May. Then June came Gail & Brenton's fairytale in Memphis where I was in the house party. Followed by Natalie and Ben's November wedding where I was Maid of Honor and got to help her in the planning process. I am so excited for these 4 couples and wish them all the success and love in their married life.
• 6 contract jobs this year. So flash back to when I was 22 and getting out of college. Common rule is have 2 years of industry experience to do contract and travel event planning and management. I added that to my 2 year goal then and one of my favorite moments and a high of this year was achieving that. It led into 6 contract jobs this fall in Minneapolis, Green Bay, Boston, 2 in LA, and one in Little Rock with the same company that happens to have a base location in LR. Not only was it fun exploring and working in the different cities but working with fun people that make me laugh and are hard workers.
• 24. Has a double standard. Turned 24 and completed coordination/design weddings for Young Designs at the end of 2011..24. Yes, 24 completely done and in the file as 'completed weddings.' Makes me feel like I have aged 5 years just thinking about it- and have gray hairs forming {kidding- but I might check in the morning}. As a business owner I am so blessed to do what I love on a daily basis. I was asked 'do you still love it' earlier this year and had to stop and think. Yes I do, but in a different way than the beginning. At times I have thought 'how do business owners have a heart.' I want to help and do and plan for everyone I meet and know- but in reality- I can't. I have to earn a living and stay true to the value of my business. I feel as though that is my greatest challenge as a business owner but it has shown me the greatest reward this year, in many ways and worked out for the best in each case.

Learned from this year, treasure it as a great one, and am able to put my best foot forward to position myself exactly where I am meant to be both personally, as a family member and friend, and professionally to start 2012 where I should. Happy New Year to you!

For 2010's summary click here

For 2009's summary click here

December 2011

December was a FUN month~

Went with my bunco group to Spirited Art to prepare a WPS painting!

Festival of Trees: Business Casual Night

Worked the first part of the month until the night of the 10th on Arkansas Children's Hospital's Miracle Ball. It was a packed working week but so much joy and hope was in knowing we were all part of raising money for this great cause. ACH raised over $500,000 that evening. How great is that? I was honored to be a vendor and Young Designs a sponsor of the event. This was my second year working on it. So blessed. Here are a few shots of our finished project..

You'll notice a certain logo on the bottom right....Young Designs. Happy to be a part of an awesome cause.

After the event I got to celebrate Christmas with my college friends that were in town and exchange gifts. This was my first Christmas event to kick off the season and get me in the spirit. To be honest the next week, my brain was fried from overload and 9 straight hands-on working days- so my brain took a vacation and I don't even remember what I did.

Meemaw and I made a last minute road trip and headed to Bentonville, Arkansas. Did you know Travel & Leisure just named Bentonville the #12 spot of top 12 destinations in 2012?! Such a great honor for our state. We went to visit Alice Walton's Crystal Bridges Art Museum. Meemaw was so excited. Which I can agree, you must visit it! MUST! It is one of the top museums in the world and after seeing museums in DC, Italy, St. Louis, Arkansas, and various other places- it is one of my personal favorites. (And one that I didn't get bored in- so that has to say something if it can keep my interest for 4+ hours) If you go, eat lunch or dinner at the cafe 11. Great food for very reasonable prices- we approved of the shrimp & grits and the Chicken Salad.

One of my favorites... Norman Rockwell...

{Yes they allow photography- just no flash!}

Once we returned it was time to celebrate Mom's birthday and get ready for Christmas! We hosted Christmas Brunch at our house on Christmas morning and it was so much fun. Of course at 10pm the night before, after Christmas Eve service, I decided to decorate the table with items around the house. Here's what I came up with.

Santa was good to me and more importantly I am so grateful for the reason of the season, to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and have a personal relationship with him. Along with spending time with family and friends, it was a wonderful Christmas! Hope you all had a very merry Christmas! Did you get any 'must have' gifts for me to add to my 2012 needs? If so, leave a comment and do tell ;)

One of my best friends weddings..

November 26, 2011 my bff Natalie and {her now husband} Ben tied the knot in Little Rock! Natalie and I roomed together our last 2 years in college and is one of my very dearest friends. I was so happy to be a part of her and Ben's big day, along with these lovely ladies {and dear friends as well}!
The weekend was so. much. fun. We danced, laughed, and had a ball! Getting ready together, drinking starbucks, getting make-up fixed and hair curled- it was a blast at the Peabody in Little Rock!

Then we danced the night away to an awesome band and celebrated the new couple! Love them!!

Photos by Christopher Nolan Photography- his were way better than mine so I figured you would enjoy them more!

Month of Fun Chaos

One word to describe the last month: traveling

To the outside world at times: Chaos

To me: Wonderful

I'm back home from a whirlwind of traveling, some for pleasure- most for work; all enjoyable.

Here's my quick round up for my records.

Mount Rushmore Trip with my grandmother and Dad. South Dakota was....filled with pheasant hunters for opening weekend {yes- ran into some Razorback rednecks there} and Mount

Rushmore. Nothing more than the corn palace and Wall Drug {home of the ten foot rabbit} exist in the Fall there. :) Oh and Crazy Horse too.

Fall arrangements for a non-profit fundraiser in Little Rock. Here's a peak at one.

First trip to Boston at the end of October! Great working there for a few days. Cool. Cool town. {Note to self- go back and visit.}Halloween time. Went to the Witches Brew with my Momma. Her and her friends do this every year. This year chef Donnie Ferneau came and taught us how to cook- excuse me, cooked for us. It was delicious and so much fun! I'm the witch in the back-red mask to avoid my identity. ha {just in case they got out of hand. Kidding.}Could do a whole post on everything he made. We'll see if that gets accomplished this year. I'm guess no. Sorry- guess you had to be there! ;)

Wedding time in Maumelle. I even perfected the art of driving a scissor lift and hanging fabric with 30 mph wind along the Arkansas river. But at least it turned into looking like this for the wedding {and perfect weather- Thank you Lord!}.

For more wedding images go to Benfield's blog.

Then Fayetteville for to witness the Hogs beating South Carolina and off to California for the week!!! Got to play with old coworkers and work with new coworkers for the week!

Nashville Bound to meet up with Momma and Sister!

For Blair {my cousin} & Jeff's wedding!!! Love them and so happy for them!

We also got to hang out with the Whitt side of the family! Here are a few of us that toured the Ryman Auditorium while we were there.
Off to St. Louis for the Monet exhibit.

Before back to LR for the Hogs to whip MSU in football and move to #3 in the country!!!

Prayers still going up for the Uekman Family and Razorback nation. But I have a feeling that the big man upstairs is taking care of us all {and might really deep down be a hog fan). }

Now off to get ready for the rest of the week/weekend. Get to see all my friends and celebrate all of Natalie's Wedding festivities. Busy time during the holidays, but being busy is always good. Happy Thanksgiving week to you and yours, wish you all great blessings!

Nat's Kitchen Shower

Natalie had her first shower a few days ago,

it was so much fun! Here are a few party pics from it!

Natalie with Mrs. Francis & Mrs. Lisa (her 'moms')

Chelsea and I with the Bride to be! Loved seeing these two as always. All of our lives are so busy right now that it is fun having a friend gettin' hitched so we can all hang out! Natalie is our third friend to get married this calendar year so it was exciting that her showers are upon us!

I also got to see Miss Maggie, who was in town from NYC!

A few of the Bridesmaids!

A group of the 'younger gals' at the shower! So much fun catching up with these friends!

I think I get more excited about my close friends showers than I will when my own get here. ha

Green Bay

October kicked off a month full of travel. I decided to do a post on each city I visited mainly for keeping my records and memory straight but also featuring fun stops and great eats in case you find yourself there.

Earlier this month I headed to work an event at...

Overview of where the Packers play.... (those are grass growing lights on the field fyi they shine half day on the left 50 yards, half day on the right)

On the field :)

Chris and I sent this picture to our coworker Jason that hadn't gotten in town yet. We were working hard this day. {Actually we just decided to take the Lambeau Field tour after meetings and our walk thru}

Green Bay is a lovely town. We hit a beautiful seventy degree weekend and could not have asked for nicer weather- plus I loved that the trees were changing colors already! Welcome Fall!

Night one, I got to meet up for dinner with this guy! DJ and I went to high school together and he now lives and works in Green Bay. DJ, Chris, and I went to Hinterland Brewery. It was wonderful!

Day 2 my favorite lunch spot was over looking the river. Fox Harbor Pub & Grill

Then we were in full work mode setting up for the Hiring our Heros veterans job fair.

After the event, I had to show an Iowa and DC guy the proper way to cheer on the hogs since the Auburn game came on at perfect timing to the end of our event!

Food Recommendations: Cheese curds are a must try (taste like mini cheese sticks to this southern gal)

Restaurants to try: Hinterland Brewery, Fox Harbor Pub & Grill, Pasquale's Cafe in De Pere & Titletown Brewery