APRIL 30, 2016

JACK BAKER’S LOBSTER SHANTY

POINT PLEASANT BEACH, NEW JERSEY

For as long as I can remember I always wanted a sister.  Growing up the youngest of three, with two older brothers had its advantages & disadvantages.  Having brothers definitely shaped me into a strong willed, competitive, kick ass athlete, but deep down I always wanted that relationship only a sister can give you. That “I know how crazy & dysfunctional your family is but I love you no matter what”, non judgmental, forever kind of relationship.  Well it’s like God was listening and low and behold the summer before 7th grade I met my sister (for all intense and purposes).

Liz & I met at intermediate school summer field hockey practice, but I would have to say it wasn’t until high school that we became inseparable.  Have you ever met someone that you just instantly get?  That doesn’t have to ask you 1000 questions when you tell a story because they know why you did what you did.  Or a person that you can trust when you ask for advice because they will tell you when you are being an idiot or tell you that it’s okay your upset your feelings are 100% justified?  A person that knows all your strengths and weaknesses, has been there standing by your side on your absolute worst day and best day, lived through those horrible, awkward, defining teenage years with you and is still there almost 15 years later laughing at all the inside jokes and mistakes you made together.  I think most girls have a friend like this and a few lucky ones, like me, have a sister like this.

I remember the day Liz met Dan like it was yesterday.  It’s the craziest thing when you realize your best friend has found the one.  I know Liz would tell you all the same thing about me and my husband, Matthew, because she still tells me the story when SHE knew Matt & I were going to be together forever. The excitement and comfort to know that they found someone that appreciates them like you do is all you could ever want for your family.  Now I could honestly go on for pages about Liz & Dan, but I do have to save some good material for my Maid of Honor toast in a month and half at their wedding, so we will flash forward about seven years later.

Liz LOVES planning parties & events.  She has incredible taste & an exquisite eye for even the smallest detail.  The amount of work this girl has put into her wedding is unmeasurable & I wanted to make sure that her bridal shower was going to be just as beautiful.  Thank god I had the BEST group of girls, including Liz’s mother & aunt,  that helped create the most gorgeous garden themed bridal shower ever.  Flowers are priority when it comes to Liz, so we knew that they were going to be the main focus of our decorations for the shower.  We had birdcages with overflowing blooms, bud vases with giant garden roses as favors & all the decor stuck with Liz’s color scheme of neutrals with compliments of blush and gold tones.  Even the small naked cake was decorated with flowers to tie the theme into the dessert bar.

Overall the day was a success, the food was fantastic- we couldn’t of asked for a better venue, everyone had a great time & Liz was so overjoyed to get to share this special milestone with all her favorite girls!

Take a look at some of my favorite from my sister’s bridal shower!

It was truly a beautiful day for the most beautiful bride-to-be! <3

& they lived happily ever after

Foral Arrangements: Dean’s Flowers

Naked Cake: Kelly’s Kakes

Macaroons: Mueller’s Bakery

Invitations, Signs, Menus, Tags, Place Cards & Wine Labels: Made by Me 🙂

Bridal Sash: Crystallized Design on ETSY

Cake Topper: Okie Heart Studio on ETSY

Recipe Box: Personalization Mall