The Easiest Way to Plan

 

  

 

 

 

 Hello Sunshine! I paired up with Eventbrite for this post to talk about a few of my favorite local eateries and activities. Initially, I had mostly used Eventbrite for planning events at work, but with my growing family Eventbrite has become my number one tool for planning mini adventures in my local area. It is so easy and user friendly, that no one in our family has a hard time operating it. We planned this family outing for about 10 of us. We planned dinner and a movie, with an impromptu coffee shop stop!  

 

The way Eventbrite sets up your event is you simply, pick the title of your event, location, date, image, if you would like to include a picture with your event, the details of your event, and then create a ticket. Ticket options are; free, paid, or donation. Free tickets, you simply are just responding if you can or cannot attend.  Paid tickets, could include organizing a dinner or event and having a fee included, or you could use it the way we use it... Since, we already knew we were doing dinner and a movie, the event administrator (in our case, my brother) priced each ticket in Eventbrite, as the amount of each movie ticket. That way he could buy our tickets in advance after we easily RSVP'd and paid for our movie ticket through Eventbrite. This made things easy for everyone and we didn't have to deal with costs or lines for the new movie release we were seeing that night. Donation is also a ticket option, which is perfect for a fundraiser or a holiday donation drive. There is an option to make the event public or private, as well.  My class reunion is coming up and we are using Eventbrite to coordinate. I have also seen it used for bachelorette planning, and for a an intimate event, that was accepting contributions. So really, the opportunities are endless.
Buy or sell Eventbrite tickets here!

 

So this is what we did on our "family date night"...

We went to Burger Yum, which is a newer local restaurant on Second Street, in downtown Harrisburg. It's laid back, old-school, yet urban vibe, doesn't disappoint to say the least! The open grill gives the food that delicious 50's style burger joint taste. But, their Burger Yum sauce is by far what makes their burgers so yummy and original. YUM! Oh and their shakes were loved by many that got them in our party so, I obviously had to try a sip! (I was too full to get my own.) It is easily becoming my favorite burger place in Harrisburg.

 

On our way back to our cars, we couldn't walk past Little Amps without stopping.  My sister-in-law, Stacey and I both got lattes, I know #basic but nothing is basic about Little Amps! They seriously make heaven in a cup. It was a perfect pick me up before we headed to see the new Harry Potter movie, Fantastic Beats and Where to Find Them at Regal. The night was a success and the movie was great! They did a great job making this new chapter interesting.  It may have even turned some non-potter fans with us, into fans...well maybe not that far but they are now, open to watching the original series! So that's a win in my book!

 

After the movies, we talked about where we want to eat for our next Eventbrite "family date night". Some local eateries we plan to go to this winter are.... Cork & Fork for dinner, El Sol, for brunch, we are dying to try out their DIY Bloody Mary bar, Grilled Cheese Plus because what sounds better than a grilled cheese in the winter! Greystone Public House, well because any meal you get there is amazing, and we will definitely be heading over to our new favorite brewery, Ever Grain!

 

What are your favorite local eats for this season and how do you plan your local outings?

 

 

xx,

Melody

Home Progress-Outside

Many of you have been asking for updates on our home...so here you are, well at least an update on the outside. We thank you for the support and thank you for your patience with my blogging as we tackle this HUGE endeavor!  

These before photos really make me question what the ##^$* we were thinking!!! When we first bought our home back in April, spring had not yet, sprung! Little did we know the amount of foliage Spring and Summer would bring. We were working hard on demoing the inside of our home, and we were feeling accomplished. We were finally finishing the demoing inside of our home (which also ended up taking on a life of it's own), and we were ready to move forward.  To our disappointment, the progress we had made on the inside, was only greeter by an overwhelming amount of discouragement by the appearance of the outside of our home. The foliage was so bad and critters like mice and snakes were trying to use our yard has their home. Just mowing, clearly, was no longer going to cut it!  

So, we scheduled one day with about 8 of our family members and tackled that yard! There was no way we could continue to show up to do work there and be greeted by that mess, it was so disheartening. The day our families united to take on this yard will forever be a day I remember. We had about six chainsaws on hand and the guys were ready to take trees and brushes out!  It was so crazy!  I took sooo many before and after pictures, that day. Once we started no one wanted to leave until it was done! It was instant gratification at it's finest and everyone was loving it.

While, this whole foliage obstacle was being tackled there was no resting in the evenings. We were diligently working on all the details, which in turn brought more excitement.  We FINALLY finalizing floorplans, and the color of the siding of our home.

Shortly after that, we were watching, Osborn Renovations, work day in and day out at our house...that was actually starting to resemble a home! They were installing new siding, new windows, new doors and, new framework for our floorplan! We felt completely grateful to have these resources to help us, with these next steps. We still have a very long way to go...and a lot more work to do- but like I said every step feels like a big step! 

Thanks again for your support and encouragement- keep an eye out for inside updates!

Love always your, blogging fixer upper.

xx,

Melody

Bridesmaids' Forget Me Knots

How lovely it is to be asked to be a bridesmaid – it’s truly meaningful honor to be apart of a couple's unforgettable day. You standing beside them on this special day acknowledges the important role you play in their life.  With this great honor comes great responsibility (like most things in life). Being a bridesmaid is one of those times. So much more goes into being a bridesmaid than celebrating and looking pretty (but not too pretty), on the big day. So, what else do you need to know?

Forget Me Knot #1: It's all about the Bride...& Groom!

  

Forget Me Knot #2: The dress style, choice of color, flowers, bridal shower theme, bachelorette plans, wedding venue, whatever it may be, are what the bride wants...so just go with it. Leave the diva at the door and think good vibes only. Be honest but positive, positive opinions are welcome. Remember, if it's not your taste that's okay because it's not your day. This is the bride's day and her vision, and as a bridesmaid it is our goal to help make her vision become a reality. 

Forget Me Knot #3: Be ready to become a personal planner, decorator, crafter, florist, and anything else that the bride may need.  We are there to help make things run smoothly as her friend and bridesmaid.  Bachelorette parties and bridal showers - we are there to help ensure all are taken care of and guests and the bride are having a good time. Does she have a theme for her bridal shower or does she need help researching themes, venues, etc.? If so, help a bride out. Does your bride want to sight see, or do specific things, like a party bike tour or fancy dinner during her bach? Book that sh*t!

Forget Me Knot #4: Remember the music for the bridal shower, bachelorette, big day, whatever the occasion music is always good. Bring a sewing kit - I once saw a mother of the bride get stitched into her dress (on her daughter's wedding day) because of a zipper malfunction and yes she still looked fabulous, all thanks to a little sewing kit! Pack an extra bottle of champagne, for the aunt with the heavy hand at the bridal shower, or for the bride's nerves. Oh, which reminds me, remember we aren't here for the booze, we are here for the bride, so moderation is key. Lastly, while were remembering to leave the diva at home, also remember to leave your white at home, that color is reserved for her.

 

 Forget Me Knot #5: Our brides have 99 problems going on in their head - some are real things, and some are what if things, but they are still things to them, and our brides need our support, always. This is a memorable time and she will love you more for how thoughtful and attentive you were during this exciting yet stressful time for her!

Forget Me Knot #6: Smile, strike a pose, love and cheer! It's not everyday your best friend marries the man of her dreams!

 

Now that we are all rehearsed in the Forget Me Knots of being a bridesmaid

...time to celebrate! (in moderation)

Cheers!

 A planning bride has 99 problems, don't let a bridesmaid be one! 

xx,

Melody

Check out these fabulous photographers for these fabulous weddings.

My brother and sister in-law's wedding photos, by Dani Fresh aka Mint Dress Photos

My two best friends' wedding photos, by Maria Linz aka Pink Dress Photos 

#KitchenGoals

So, we did something crazy and bought a fixer upper, for our first home!

After browsing the real estate market for close to a year, Zillow had become apart of my morning routine. Nothing was catching our eye or showing us what we had envisioned for our family. Thank god for our realtor, who is also one of our best friends, Andy Nardone at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices. He not only answered every question for us, rookies, but never stopped looking either.

Fixer uppers were an idea we both loved, but the idea was also taunting. So, we agreed on medium renos for our first home- save the dream of a fixer upper for the second. Well, just days after looking at another round of homes...I get a call from Justin, "come over and look at this house." What do I see when I arrive, a fixer upper. (Wait I thought we weren't doing that.) At first, I wanted to get back in my car. The outside was a mess, it looked like a barn...not in a cool way, and the color of the house was awful or should I say the colors (three) of the house were awful, I wanted to run. I quickly pulled it together and thought what would Chip and Joanna Gaines do...just kidding...or am I? haha 

So, we went inside, took a look around, and to my surprise, I started dreaming as soon as I walked in...I could see it. Every room could be a great space, the character was endearing and the potential was there, all in this fixer upper. Finally, the space we were looking for, for our family in a home and it was in our desired location. After a brief discussion with our oh so patient realtor, Andy, Justin and I looked at each other and said, "if you are in, I'm in," and just like that 4/29/16, we became home owners!!

 We wasted no time...we dove right in, the next day! 

To start take a look at our kitchen! 

This is how we found it, trust me a quality photo doesn't mean a quality kitchen...what once was a quality kitchen is no more. The smell alone would have made any normal family say no way! haha 

This is where we are now...

  

 

This is where we are going...

 More photos and details on these fabulous looks can be found here >>> 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

 

 

More photos and details on these fabulous looks can be found here >>> 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

This is personally my favorite reno happening in our home, so keep an eye out for more on our kitchen, which will eventually open up into our living room. We are knocking down walls to make a complete open floor plan, raising ceilings and building islands! Stay tuned this could get interesting!

We got work to do...All Summer '16

xx,

Melody