{Paper} Urban Picnic Party Details

I was going through project withdrawal after sending out the Urban Picnic invitations, so I begged my friend to let me make a few more things. 

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Food Cards

 

 Party Straws

My friend bought picnic blankets from Land of Nod to use as tablecloths. The guests were invited to take them home after the party. They're really thick and nice.

Look how happy the birthday girl was!

I just love this little Genevieve.

{Paper} Urban Picnic Birthday Party

One of my favorite little things on the planet celebrated her first birthday in July. Her parents asked me to make the invitations for her birthday party. The only requirement was that it included a photo. We went with an "Urban Picnic" theme.

Check back tomorrow for more party details.

The First Ravinia of the Season

Our group had our first trip to the Ravinia Outdoor Festival on Friday to hear Steely Dan. I don't like Steely Dan, but I sure love that place. 

Here are some pictures of  our fun spread. The people sitting around us totally made fun of me...but I don't mess around when it comes to Ravinia.

Birthday Donuts from Dinkel's for our friend, Beth. Their donuts are like old school crack.

The last few Ravinia trips, I've signed up to bring sandwiches. Deli meat, cheese, bread, and condiments can get kind of expensive. For this trip, I picked up some sandwiches at Jimmy John's and had them cut into three segments. I then wrapped up the individual segments using twine and stickers in colors inspired by our napkins. This is the WAY TO GO! I got 18 "mini sandwiches" for under $40.00! Rock on.

(Please don't judge my red twine on my orange and green labels.)

Personalized Party Cups inspired by Sticky Cake Inspirations via Design*Sponge.

We had quite the motley crue of people in our group. It started out small and kept growing as we found out about others going to the show. 

 

We had three tables in a bag on Friday. We're trying to convince our friend, VP, to buy one so we can go for a record-breaking four. Out "Ravining" people has been a long running joke.

 

My friend was worried about finding his way back to our spot on the very crowded lawn. His wife was a sport and wore the blinking bracelet he bought her to wear while guiding him back.

{Where Have I Been?} @ the Paul McCartney Concert!

It was the hottest ticket in town and I had one thanks to my good buddy from college. And it only cost me $85 and a bottle of water for my friend (vs. $1800) - what a steal!

This concert was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. Seeing a Beatle broadcast on the screen was more emotional than I would have expected. Hearing Paul McCartney rock out in person was INSANE! It felt like I was hearing these songs for the first time. He is such a talented musician. I mean, obvi, he's a BEATLE, but there is an energy to his playing that I've just never picked up on while listening to  my mom's old albums and cassette tapes that were in constant rotation while we were kids. And his little stories were so charming.

I wasn't sure if you could bring cameras into a concert, so I only had my crappy iPhone camera with me. Oh well. I will work hard to always remember what Paul looked like as he sang, "Maybe I'm Amazed" at Wrigley Field. 

{Where Have I Been?} Texas!

I was in Texas twice last month. Here are some pix from my last visit.

I stand by my declaration that the sky just feels BIGGER in Texas.

This stick-um was a polite attempt by the cab driver, but no dice, sir. This cab smelled like curry cigarettes..curry cigarettes that baked in 107 degree heat, that is.

Trashy reading at a Texas nail spa.

The recession has driven the price of Texas Toast from 35 cents to 36 cents. Perhaps their OUP sales aren't going well?

Irving, Texas isn't my favorite place in the world. But Ft. Worth is so cute!

This man was very drunk on free beer from tourists, so he offered me a free shot to "make my Billy jealous." My Billy was more concerned about me showering after touching him than jealous.

I am the only person who found it funny that Texans would honor a Gay cowboy named "Neal."

"Upcycled" Wedding Card

Andy's cousin was married back in September. When I grabbed the invitations to check the directions, I realized that it was still in pristine shape. I created a "custom" invitation card inspired by the card my friends gave us for our wedding.

I added an ellipses to the front cover and continued the message inside. I printed a new message on card stock and pasted it over their details.

I used the slot that held the RSVP and Direction cards to insert an A2 card with our message of love and luck.

I am proud to say that our package definitely stuck out on the gift table! I found these other cute photos from the wedding day:

Their Church:

The site outside of their reception:

Andy and his family have *zero* tolerance for me when I hold up the party to take photos like this. They don't get it.