Birthday party details

When thinking of a fun theme for my hub's big 30th birthday bash, the thought of "David's Bar" came to mind...a party a bit like Cheers - where everyone knows your name. I'm sure it's not hard to believe, but I have been planning this night for months! And while he was at work, I was workin' away on the fun deets for the soiree. I wanted to share the particulars for the evening; after all, the love is in the details, right?

I had great help in George and Tarvos! They helped hang the amazing sign that my sis Abbye and her friend Alli made! Loved it! 

When David rounded the corner on his way to the Coody Cabin, this is what he saw up ahead. 

And this is what he saw as he was approaching the house! 

 I ordered matches (b/c what great bar doesn't have their own matches laying around?) and personalized napkins for the night. I also made this cute label for the match basket.

Since "B" was for birthday boy, I found plenty of other things that began with "B" to remind David of so many things he loves! 

And in keeping with the theme, I found these adorable cuff links as the gift for my birthday boy. 

 And now here are the photos from the actual party this past Saturday night at my parent's river house in Hawkinsville. I could not have pulled it all off without the enormous help from my parents, 3 siblings, Laura Lyn and Amy - they were all the best help ever!!!

As guests climbed the stairs from the ground, they were greeted with a guest book to sign, piles of matches, and notes to write the birthday boy special wishes! 

Balloons marked the way up the steps! 

I made lots of pom poms in red, aqua, and blue to make the porch more festive!

That's my awesome Dad grilling sausage and shrimp for the guests!

I had pictures of David everywhere...and here, Amy and I strung streamers across the beams.

Isn't he the cutest thing ever?

I totally swoon over his high school graduation pic - hottie!!!

With the help of a few friends collecting beer bottle tops, I fastened burlap around my mom's hurricanes and tied them with red ribbon and a bottle top. 

Cupcakes were available for dessert - I had strawberry, chocolate on chocolate, vanilla cake with chocolate, and red velvet - they were delish! And David's initials graced the tops of the cupcakes. 

In keeping with the "bar" theme, we fed our guests by hosting a taco bar!

The tacos were so good - we had all the fixin's and my mother in law's famous layered salad!

I had to show you all the gorgeous card that our talented friend Alli made in her art studio for the birthday boy....its Bar:30 Baby! 

And I loved the inside too! 

One last detail...as guests entered the party, my sister Abbye and brother Asa "checked ID's", and stamped everyone's hand with the entry stamp. How fun is this? My mom found this online and had it made with David's face! 

The night was awesome, and I really do appreciate everyone's help with the party! 

Stay tuned for pictures of the guests! 

Celebrations left and right

Last week was, once again, a full one. But, man - what happy things to celebrate! First, my friend Lauren's  birthday, then my and David's 3 year anniversary, and last, but not least, the beginning of David's 30th birthday celebrations!

For Lauren's 28th, our usual Monday Night Girl's Dinner club met at Noche in Brookhaven for tapas and wine!

Here's the bride-to-be/bday girl on her bachelorette night! Happy birthday again to the soon to be Mrs.!

And on Wednesday, David and I celebrated our 3rd anniversary with a trip to the outlets in Dawsonville and a delicious dinner at The Blue Bicycle!

Happy Anniversary one more time to my love!

Later last week, on Friday night, we headed to my in-law's for a quiet dinner with our families to kick off the birthday weekend. I'd been planning a surprise party for David for Saturday night, and the night at the Griffins' was a perfect incentive to get him down south.

Pammy and Amanda had set lovely tables for our night to honor the new 30 year old! 

Our awesome nephew Ben wrote our place cards on the back of our dessert plates! 

Amanda pulled beautiful oak leaf hydrangeas from Grandmother's yard. 

Here are a few more detail shots of the lovely party!

After a great dinner of potato salad, green beans, and steaks, we enjoyed these awesome cupcakes made by my mother in law. 

Here is David, Ben, Aiden, and Georgia - Amanda and Ben's new dog. The little boys were so happy to be celebrating at the party!

Brince and Laura Lyn held Georgia while David opened his fun gifts! 

Abbye, me, and Amanda

My handsome birthday hubs!

Here, the little boys were watching intently the opening of the gifts - they love to open presents! 

Today, David is 30!

Happy, happy, happy birthday to my husband, David! 

I have loved celebrating the Big 3-0 with you for the past few days!

Hope you have a great day today too!

3 years already?

Happy 3rd Anniversary to my love! 

It's hard to believe I've been your Mrs. for 3 years now! 

We've had so much fun since our wedding!...me and you, just us two. 

Love you!

Idol anyone?

Are you as in to American Idol as we are? David and I love watching the show...it's hard to believe that the first season began airing the summer before my freshman year of college! 

Needless to say, we've always been excited to watch a fellow Georgian compete on the show, and this year,  it's been awesome to watch Leesburg, Georgia native Phillip Phillips. And if you've been watching the show, you also know that J.Lo's a big fan too. ;)

Some of our favorite songs have been Stevie Wonder's Superstitions, Billy Joel's Movin Out, and Usher's You Got it Bad. I mean, the kid.is.talented.

He's getting our vote for sure! And we are excited to cheer him on tonight as the top 6 sing their way to the win! 

Lots to do!

Lately, there's been a lot going on in the life of these two Griffins....we've been up and down the road with work, as well as time with friends and family. This past weekend was so. much. fun., but we're happy to be in tonight as this wind is whipping around our house! And brrr, it's cold!!!

Here are a few snaps from our weekend in Atlanta.... We  began with the opening night party for the showhouse. 

Knollwood, the site of the 2012 Atlanta Symphony Decorator's Showhouse, was also the venue for the opening night party. The designers and guests enjoyed the opportunity to tour the house, have dinner, and do a little dancing! 

Me and my two handsome dates waiting to tour the house! 

I was so happy that David could come with me! And doesn't he look hot in his tux?!?! 

After touring the house, we were able to enjoy dinner and mingling. 

And after leaving the party, we stopped by Bourbon Bar at the Intercontinental for one last drink before retiring for the night. 

 On Saturday, David, James and I had a de-lish brunch at J. Christopher's before seeing James off to the airport. After another client appointment for me, we got dressed for Lauren and Ryals' engagement party at his aunt and uncle's gorgeous home on West Wesley in Atlanta. The Wages came by and scooped up David and me so we could all go together. 

It's no secret that Lauren and Ryals are HUGE Georgia fans, so there was "UGA" to greet us while walking up the drive. 

Everyone loved the time socializing and catching up around the pool before our BBQ dinner....pulled pork, grilled chicken, Brunswick Stew, pecan pie and key lime too! We are so happy for Lauren and Ryals and can't wait for the wedding weekend to finally get here! Less than a month now! 

Our last event for the weekend was the baptism of my friend Leslie and her daughter Sloane at Peachtree Presbyterian Church in Atlanta. My friend Suzanne is Leslie's mother and cute little baby Sloane's Ya-Ya. 

Peachtree Pres was so pretty this morning! 

Baby Sloane did great and Leslie and Sloane's daddy Chip were so proud! We were so happy to be there for Suzanne, Leslie and their family. 

We had an awesome weekend - but are both now looking forward to a much more low-key week...and on Wednesday we'll celebrate our 3rd Anniversary! 

New find

This month's issue of Traditional Home Magazine features a new jewelry line, and I am in love! 

Here are some of my favorites from Oliphant Design! 

Love the gold with this bright blue stone

I love a statement necklace, and am pretty sure I need this one.

Wouldn't this be pretty for a bride?

And how charming are these "good luck" earrings? 

Hope you flip over these Oliphant Designs like I did!

Happy Spring, indeed!

Big Weekend

We had a really great weekend...it was super busy, but so fun! My Friday was spent working with my friend James in Atlanta, and I came home to David, pizza, vino and TiVo. 

David and I had a few things to do around here on Saturday, and hopped on the boat after lunch.

The lake was gorgeous on Saturday afternoon! And it was nice to get some sun! 

While we were on the water, we made a spontaneous decision to head back into Atlanta for some friend time! I had to be there to work on Sunday anyway, so it worked out perfectly!

We got dressed after our lake time, and headed into Atlanta to meet up with some friends at Nava in Buckhead. There, we met up with Hollie and Wesley, Hunter and Nicole, and Wade and Kate. Our dinner was so good and we loved the company!

After dinner, we headed to The Ivy for more hang out time. 

And I was so happy when Abbye and her peeps came to see us after the Braves game! 

 And on Sunday, my friend James and I finished up his room at the Atlanta Symphony Decorator's Showhouse. The room looks gorgeous, and I do hope you'll all come to see it! James brought my BFF Amy with him for a few extra hands, David was an awesome assistant, and we were able to enjoy two meals all together to celebrate our hard work. Keep posted on James' fun, busy life at All Things Farmer! Showhouse opens this Saturday!