Around the World: Sarah's 29th Birthday

Hooooly moly. I always find it funny that I never get any views until I post something about Stitch Fix. 

Now it's time for me to share my latest genius themed party.  I'm not humble when it comes to theme parties. I mean, I LOVE throwing parties. I love it. And I'm good at it. I love getting way too into it, going overboard with decorations, favors, FOOD (I'm Italian. Can't help it.) and this time, beverages.  

Many of you are aware that Joey and I are Disney Fanatics.  Yes, with a capital F.  We go ~twice per year and don't plan on stopping any time soon.  One of our favorite activities to take part in at Disney is to drink around the World Showcase at Epcot.  There are 12 countries (including the African Outpost) and the goal is to have a drink in each country.  Sounds easy, right?

Wrong.

Before I start sharing the pictures, I'll let you know that there aren't too many pictures of the actual party.  Thank goodness there are pictures at all otherwise many of the guests might not believe it actually happened.  We are blaming the "jungle juice" in Africa for everyone's memory lapse.  It seems there is good reason that Disney does not use grain alcohol in their beverages.....

And now, without further ado, I present to you Epcot: World Showcase, the Gish edition:

The side porch was the entrance area.

The International Gateway was located in the kitchen.

There were eventually snacks on this table.  

America (Bud Light)
You may recognize the cooler from last year's Civil War birthday party!

Japan (Sake)
The pictures you see around the countries are pictures of us and our friends in the real Epcot, in those countries.

African Outpost (Jungle Juice)

Germany (Weihenstephan beer)
I also served soft pretzels here.

Norway (Carlsberg)

Italy (Mezzacorona Pinot Grigio)

Morocco (Sangria)

Canada (Labatt Blue)

China (Plum Wine)
We figured the gym was OK for China since they have such good athletes... 

(More China)

United Kingdom (Bass)

France (Champagne)

Mexico (Dos Equis)
Mexico was actually located outside on the back porch.  It rained, but thankfully we had friends with a canopy!

And then came the guests.   Here are just a few pictures of the many friends and family that attended.  The rule, as with all of my parties, is that you get to drink my booze if you come in costume.  Luckily, everyone knows this by now and we had lots of GREAT ones.  I can't share them all... but here are some:

Me (Germany) and Joey (Norway)

A Love and Ryan (Canada)

Krystle and Robert (America!)

Chelsea and Cragin (Mexico!)

A Love made passports.  They were ridiculously detailed and completely awesome!!!!!  She also made stickers for each country.  The rule was you couldn't put a sticker in your passport until you finished your drink!

I mean, seriously. OMG.

"Eh Love".... GET IT?!?!?!?!
PS How mad was Joey that I dressed up his deer... hahah

Flip Cup

Birthday cake!!!!!!!!

Dance party.  I mean, look at Kyle (Ireland). That is some serious effort.  Also, no one is sure how Alex (Mexico) got A Love's Canadian shirt.... 

Thanks to everyone who made it out and helped make my 29th birthday one to remember!! (Or... maybe not).

~SG

That time I kept the entire Stitch Fix...

With another one on its' way in the mail, I figured it was time to share my latest Stitch Fix.

Things you should know about the following pictures:

1. I had just showered. My hair was wet. I was not wearing makeup.  So sorry.

2. I intended to re-do the pictures later for my blog.  Didn't happen.  So sorry.

3. Doc appears for a rare cameo.

4.  I'm wasting your time with these numbered bullets because I don't have much to say.

So, here are the 5 things that came in my most recent Fix:

Black and White chevron blouse, SWOON

Turquoise polka dot sleeveless, LOVE

Pleated front coral blouse... OOOHLALA

Statement necklace- so IN right now!

oh HAY! Black/gray striped maxi dress

So what had happened was...............
I really wanted to keep the first three items.  And when I did the math, since you get a 25% discount when you keep all of the items, it was actually cheaper to keep the whole thing than to keep 3 things and return two.  Confused?  Don't worry about it.

The point is, I am thrilled with this latest Stitch Fix and I can't wait to see what's in my next box... which comes Friday... Shh! Don't tell Joey!

~SG


PS: my link, just in case:  http://stitchfix.com/sign_up?referrer_id=3076424

Pin Pic of the Day Plus a Fun Fact

In lieu of a normal post, I'll just give you this lovely montage of Joey eating Cheez-its while the pins look on hungrily.

The fun fact?  We were watching the Nascar Cheez-It 355 while this was occurring.

Life around these parts is SUPER interesting, people.

~SG

My Diamond Candle

One of the newest trends right now that I'm seeing all over the internet is this Diamond Candles thing.  Basically it's an all natural soy candle that has a ring buried within the wax and you have to burn the candle to get it out!  The catch is the the ring can be worth anywhere from $10-$10,000...... so obviously I decided to try it because who wouldn't want a free diamond ring in a candle??

To be perfectly clear, Joey was pretty pissed when he found out I spent 25 bucks on a candle that might have a diamond in it.  I assured him we'd win the grand prize and he just sort of rolled his eyes and ignored me.

I waited, somewhat impatiently, for the big arrival.  I spent some time checking out their Facebook Page and looking at all the "reveals" and getting excited for my ring which would obviously be a huge rare yellow diamond that magically fit perfectly on my freakishly small fingers...

When the box came I ripped it open and pulled out my "Sunwashed" candle and lit it immediately.  

The ring is located not too far from the top, thank goodness.  So all I needed to do was wait until the wax melted enough that I could wedge it out.  And so I waited.  And waited.  And waited.....

The gold circle is where the ring is located.

I let the candle burn all through dinner and through a DVR'd episode of True Blood.  I waited and waited and finally I decided I was done waiting and I got a spoon and there was blue wax EVERYWHERE but I pried that sucker right out.

The ring is wrapped in foil to protect it from the wax.

I got extremely waxy while trying to remove the foil and I had to cut the plastic from around the ring.

Finally, it was time for the reveal:

Hooray!!! A plastic ring that is way too big for my finger :(

I read that if it says "14K" on the inside then you are supposed to take it to a jeweler.  Welp, mine sure didn't.  I was disappointed, but hey, it was pretty fun.  I'd recommend giving these as a gift, as long as you can stomach accidentally giving someone a $10,000 ring.

Hope everyone is having a HAPPY HUMP DAY and that you are all as excited as I am for the Duck Dynasty season premiere tonight!!!!

~SG

Diamond Candles obviously did not compensate me for this post and all of these opinions are my own.  Just in case any of you legalese people are out there!

Mr and Mrs Warner!

On July 13th, our close friends Jess and Ryan tied the knot in beautiful Leesburg, VA.  Joey and I were both in the wedding.  You may remember Jess and Ryan from their engagement, Jess's Bridal Shower, or Warnerfest...

Lovebirds at their Rehearsal Dinner

The day of the wedding: "I'm getting married!"

Mom helping to make sure she looks perfect.

Mr. and Mrs. Warner!!!!!!!!!!

Mr. and Mrs. Gish..................

Look at these studs.

The wedding was SO FUN.  Their bar was open for 6 HOURS. SIX.

It was really hot.  Joey is trying to cool down.

Craziness ensued.

A good time was had by all!

Congratulations Jess and Ryan!  Here's to many years of love and happiness...CHEERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

~SG