photo diary: i planned my bff's bachelorette

Some people say "you'll only be a bride once," but the only thing I know for sure at this point is that I'm only gonna be a Maid of Honor, for my lifelong best friend, one time. I've gotta go all out! 

I've been planning her bachelorette party for several months now, and of course I was like "OMG this is gonna look so cute and I'm gonna take so many pictures and it's gonna be such a good blog." Then real life happens and I live in the moment and I forget about work and well- I have crappy phone pics again. 

Crappy phone pics > No pics... and this first one is pretty damn good to be honest.

This is our semi-new trademark pose, which was obviously perfect for this.

Kelly and I used to carpool to gym every day for like a decade or something. We've been through a lot of life changes, struggles, moves, and everything else life throws at you, but never fought. Her first kiss was the first love of my life [in preteen years] and I didn't even start a slam book against her. That's real friendship. 

Now she's engaged to a man who lets her stay young and happy, what we've always said we'll always be... and it's time to celebrate that!

As a lover of everything 'Merica and red, white and blue, I knew that had to be the theme. I've seen some for "Red, White, and Bride," but that doesn't even make sense. The bride is white, ya stupids! I went with "Red, BRIDE, and Blue," had her dress in white, the rest of us in red and blue. Because she had people coming from literally every corner and coast of the US, we went with a fun place in the middle: Austin. 

I've never had to plan something to suit a diverse group of unknowns and holy bleep, I'm glad I'm only doing this once. In the end, I figured the best way to do a little bit of everything and keep the bride happy was to have an awesome party house to hang at one day, and city activities planned for the next. 

AirBNB is the best way to go, and I found some lists of suggested houses on the Google machine, and ultimately decided on this "MANSION IN BUDA," complete with a pool, game room, and beds for a solid 14 people.

It wasn't the cleanest house you'll ever step in, but the owners sure know how to throw a party. Look at this addition/game room/club!

Opposite side views. Be sure to note the "Sex Beds" on the bottom right.

The pool had tons of rocks to jump off of, perfect for a group of gymnasts.

As for decor, I bought a ton of balloons, lanterns, a pin the peen on Willy game, and other little things from this party store straight outta China. I ordered a few months in advance so they came with plenty of time, and the balloons were only about $1-1.50 a piece, even for large letters that said BRIDE. I bought a helium tank once I got to Texas, but turns out those tanks aren't strong enough to make the foil balloons float, I guess. PINTEREST FAIL. I also splurged on some coozies from etsy, and didn't catch the spelling error until Kel saw them. Go figure. 

I also created a pretty simple Snapchat filter that I had activated for a few of the locations I knew we'd be at during a certain time. [Click here if you wanna see/download it]

Now, the bride loves her some water hangs, and Austin was perfect for that. We started the weekend [after they made a stop in Waco to visit the home of Chip and Joanna] at Barton Springs Pool. I am SO JEALOUS this place doesn't exist near me. It's a fresh, clean, natural spring with huge lawns surrounding it, and even a diving board. No picture did it justice. 

Dinner was at a nearby food truck park, because Austin, then a house party full of real Beirut, air hockey, pool, and dancing under a disco ball.

Day two was spent by the pool before heading to the city. In 2017, one must visit as many murals as possible for the most shareable pics. I found a list here, starred them on Google, and made the rounds. The two most famous [i love you so much and Austin] were a little outside of downtown, but worth it. 

We had dinner downtown before heading to a pedal tavern, which took us to the tiniest bar in Texas and a ton of other bars that are perfect for a group and/or anyone with ADD; They have games and food and dancing and the best of all the worlds. If you saw my Snaps, that's good. You saw the party. This blog will not. 

It was a Bachelorette party with only a little bit of cheese, a noticeable theme without being obnoxious, and as much of the bride's favorite things and people as possible. If it were mine, I would have had way more peen and obnoxiousness, but I tried to remember what I learned before. 

And now, I can breathe a little. Kinda. For like a week until I need to put all the finishing plans on my 30th birthday party that happens one month from today.

love,
elizabethany


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bachelorette party DIYs

This past weekend I took my monthly trip to my old home of Morgantown, WV for my girl's bachelorette party! It was the first time I've been to a bachelorette since college, so I wanted to actually help out this time. I decided to take it upon myself to create some bar fun. 

A couple years back I remember someone asking me to help them with a photo hunt of sorts. They had a list of things they had to complete that sounded so fun! That was a must. 

I created this one. Each color was a different number of points, from 1-4, in order of black, pink, silver and gold. Some were generic and some were personal to the couple.

It's kind of plain, but I printed them out on sparkly paper that I got at Michael's and they looked perfect. The prize was a simple martini glass filled with condoms and airplane bottles. That's what's important for such parties, right?!?

Unfortunately, everyone was drunk enough by the time we got out that I was the only one that really went for it. Got a lot of the items, got on the mic to do a toast and ask for more.... basically called game over from the beginning.

I should learn to be less intense sometimes.... maybe.

On Pinterest, I saw these personalized tats that were perfect. They said you had to order them from Etsy, but I decided to research a DIY version. Turns out, all you need to do is order tattoo paper for like $3 a sheet and, as the bride said, YOU HAVE ENDLESS FUN! 

They printed out kinda blurry because I didn't make the Photoshop file big enough, but they still looked great once they were transferred on!

With the other sheet, I made some fun ones to define us in a way. For the bride, the bridesmaids, and the single people who can do all the real penis activities that night. [If you ever want to print these out yourself, you have to use the backwards one.. which is why I'm sharing it.]

Because I'm classy, I put mine on my neck. 

They came right off the next morning, almost like a sticker. Pretty sweet. I think I'll be ordering more of this paper. All you do is print it out, put the adhesive on, and BAM! PARTY TIME, YO!

It was a prettyyyy solid weekend that made me feel like a cougar around all the younger college kids but also like I can still hang with all of them.

What I've needed to come to terms with is that you keep your damn mouth shut when it's the Bachelorette's weekend. What she wants to do, you do. Whether that be raging, napping, eating all the things, etc etc. I'm so used to planning activities that sometimes it's hard for me not to suggest things.

I'm growing up..... like .02% a day.

love,
elizabethany

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the truth!: is david good the next bachelor? [exclusive interview] plus more!

Tweet I said I was going to have David Good from The Bachelorette and Bachelor Pad on my show regularly, and I wasn't lying!

I found a study talking about women not being able to do things they used to be known for, so I had to talk to him about that. He also weighed in on what he thinks the ultimate Valentine's Day present is.



Plus, I've been hearing rumors about him being the next Bachelor, and he didn't inform me of such things. [Um, RUDE!] So we had to clear the air on that, crazy Michelle, and more of this season!



Glad we got everything cleared up! And SO glad to have him on the show again!

If you ever have anything that you'd like me to ask him or talk to him about, email, tweet, Facebook, or comment! You can count on me! Maybe one day we'll even open up the phones to fans.

love,
elizabethany

exclusive interview: dave good of the bachelorette/bachelor

Tweet If you watch the Bachelorette or the Bachelor Pad, you know who this guy is. With the looks that he's got, it's hard not to.

He's using his 15 minutes of fame to release a book all about how a lady can grab the attention, reel in, hang on to, and deal with the "Man Code man." AKA- the ultimate guy that every girl dreams of, but apparently lost touch with. [Meaning we've gotten all caught up in the glitz n glamour of the guys on the ridiculous reality shows.]

I haven't read many books in my life, but I really did read this one before the interview! It's got a LOT of really good points and quotes in it such as my favorite:

"Everyone thinks the world owes them happiness. Ironically, the world is now full of spoiled pussyfooters with no hustle. Instead of working hard to make happiness a reality, they put in just a bunch of half-assed work and quit when it doesn't work out."

SO. TRUE.

He really speaks the truth throughout the whole book, and that's why I recommend it. I also recommend listening to his super-honest podcasts with me!

We talked about how the stupid people used to be killed off back in the day, but now the smart people are saving them, and what a Man Code man really is:



We also talked about this season of the Bachelor, who he's rooting for, and why he went on the Bachelorette. [He thought he was going to be fighting for Melissa!]



And finally I had to ask him about one of the hottest lists I've talked about- Everyday things that girls do that turn a man on. Does he agree with them?!



Now if only he had told me where exactly I can find a steaming hott Man Code man like himself, this woulda gone perfectly.......

ANYWAY!, he's going to become a regular on my show! Any time we talk relationships, we'll be talking to Dave to get his Man Code opinion on it!

Ladies- if that doesn't excite you, maybe you should check out some of his pictures. Then I think it will.

I can't wait to talk to him more and seriously- check out the book. Girls and guys alike could use it. [Check out two pages/graphics from the book below!]

love,
elizabethany

because you want to know: the bachelor

Here comes another one of my ranting posts on something because I know you care about how I think. I will even make this interesting for those of you who don't watch what I shall now talk about.

Now that I've gotten my cockiness out of the way, let's talk about The Bachelor Finale.


First of all... I think you all should know I've been watching these stupid shows religiously for the past bunch of seasons. I've loved everyone they've picked [with the exception of Jillian], and I would have gone on the show to meet Jake if I had even an ounce of heart to give at this time.

That being said, what an idiot.

I didn't really agree with anything he did throughout the whole season, but I figured hey, this guy is smart. He's obviously a good guy. He's super in love with both of these girls, but he's got to realize Tenley is perfection, and Vienna is... Well.... borderline horse/transvestite combination.

If you didn't watch the show, here's what he had to choose from last night:


Tenley on the right, Horse-face on the left.

Tenley is the cute little innocent girl who is perfect for Mom, and that she was. She had the "special emotional moments" with his family, and they absolutely loved her. Everyone on the show hated Vienna. The other girls, his family seemed to... The fans!

Tenley= Well spoken. Knows herself, is smart... Just nothing bad about her. Vienna can't answer a question to save her life without sounding like an idiot. She also clearly has something wrong with her eyes. I don't know if she can't look at someone in the eye, or if she has a lazy eye. Either way, it's impossible to look at her talk.

If all of that isn't bad enough, she's basically Paris Hilton's clone.



Barf.

If you didn't already figure it out, SPOILER ALERT! Vienna gets picked. Jake proposes. The nation gets pissed.

Look at how Tenley reacts when she knows her heart is breaking... I think this shows her character better than anything, and it made me bawl like a kid on their first day of pre-school.



Gah. She's the most optimistic person, and it rubs off instead of making you want to hit her! She rocks.

Anyway... This is the third freakin' time in a row I've hated the outcome of these shows. Sure, I'm glad Molly and Jason are getting married and Melissa has a better life without him, but I was mad at the time.

I say this will 100% certainty that it's not true, but!: I will never watch this show again.

However, I will root for Ali, the next Bachelorette who I of course love, to make the right decisions.

I will also root for Jake in Dancing With The Stars.

Hmph. I don't see myself getting over this anytime soon. I scowled the whole time while watching "After the Final Rose." I did crack a chuckle when they brought out Jeffrey Osbourn to sing "On The Wings Of Love," though. How cheesy. They even did a cheesy dance. Stupid.

Please. Tell me, fellas... [Or, ladies, pretend you're a guy...] Who would you have picked based on pictures alone? Maybe videos, too. I don't want to lead you in one direction or another..............



I do want to thank the Bachelor for making me a girl for a couple hours a week while I watched the show. Isn't romance so cute? Ugh.

love,
elizabethany

watch ellen: darius and demetrice return

A couple months ago, Ellen had 10 year old twins that she found on YouTube come and sing and uhh.. They were awesome.

They're cute, funny, and probably breakin' all the girls hearts.

And since the last time they were on her show, they've apparently gotten a lot more friends.

..They also broke their dad's TV.

So, she had them on again yesterday to sing again so they could replace the broken TV. Obviously you're going to need to listen to their amazingness.



Look at their moves! They're like today's version of half of the Jackson 5!! Okay... So I guess I'm going a little far with my comparisons... Whatever.

I heart them. They're some of my faves on Ellen for sure.

love,
elizabethany

PS: Also on yesterday's Ellen- Jake the Bachelor. It sounds like he's not going to pick anyone in the end.... Interesting.

morning hangover 101509

Good morning, darlings! Happy THIRSTY THURSDAY!

• Imagine being in jail for 9 years and being known as a murderer for 6 years after for a crime you didn't commit.
• I'm totally a repeat offender, each night: White girls who go gangster
• Is your fantasy to be the main character in a super erotic novel? It's possible.
  
• Sometimes you just have to ask a girl "WTF?!"
• Bored? You won't be if you go to this website. You'll spend hours asking it what you should do and checking out the options.
• I'd make my boyfriend get probation for 2 years if he stabbed my fish, too.
• Dear Hip-Hop-ers... Your bling is ridiculous.
• You don't have to look ridiculous to dress like Lady Gaga.
• You can find more than just your neighborhood on Google Earth. They actually have really cool things to check out.
• Sometimes Michael Jackson costumes are actually creepier than MJ himself was.
  
• In case you care, Bachelorette Trista Sutter is still hott, even after baby:
• Is your girlfriend cheating on you? Find out via this flow chart:
• No matter what you think or someone may tell you, this is never an OK thing to wear
• Is this what the movie is really going to be about?! GIRLS GONE Wild?!
  
  
  
• Everyone's been this guy once or twice. Ya know, the uber drunk that just wants some more to drink...
  
  
  

And that's gonna do it! Have a fabulous morning!

love,
elizabethany

melissa's still milkin' the 15 minutes

Wow. Melissa Rycroft really isn't giving up.

From the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders show, to the Bachelor, to Dancing with the Stars... And now, Good Morning America.

No, I'm not kidding.

They signed her on to be a correspondent/special contributer for the summer. Basically, they say she's going to take certain stories and "uplift" them.

In other words, add her giggle and make everything fun, happy, and peachy.

I hate that I'm going to say this, because I absolutely LOVED Melissa on the Bachelor AND DWTS... But your time is up, honey. Unless you can prove to us that you really are a force to be reckoned with and not just some reality TV star, it's time to exit stage left.

love,
elizabethany

secret: melissa's milking her 15 minutes

I hope none of you guys were thinking ex-Dallas Cowboys cheerleader/Bachelor loser/DWTS contestant was going to fade out after she finishes this season... I don't see it happening.

Hugh Hef has offered her $500,000 to pose in Playboy after she is done Dancing!

"Hef really wants Melissa to do a pictorial because she's the ultimate girl next door. He thinks she has it all: beauty, brains and spunk. And it doesn't hurt that she has a terrific figure."

She denied the offer.. For now, at least. She can't pose nude until at least 3 months after the season of DWTS wraps. From there, who knows what will happen, right?!

She's obviously hott, and would be great for the magazine... But if she wins DWTS, she could be set money-wise for quite some time. [They make pretty good money, for an average, not a real star, star.!]

What do you think though? Should she do it?!



love,
elizabethany

new tv coming your way

There's two new shows coming up, and they're definitely worth mentioning.

Sick of the Bachelor? I believe that all hott guys are just a-holes, so I like the new idea that FOX has. It's the Bachelor for the "average sized woman" looking for the "Kevin James-type."

They're also calling it the "plus-size" version. Hmmm.

[The REAL name is "More to Love"]

I'm all about the average looking people. And I'd totally date Kevin James. He seems funny. But I don't know that "average" is plus size. And if it is, well, America, we have a problem.

They're in the casting stages right now, with no air date set. But yes, People Magazine, I will watch it. It'll probably even be better than stupid Jason Mesnick.


I Love New York is back, too. Well, New York is. And she's going to work... On VH1's "New York Goes to Work."

Yes, really. They're milking her for all she's worth... Which I'd like to say is nothing, but apparently not.

She'll try out a bunch of different jobs in which viewers can text in and vote on to see which job she has to keep. Then, if she keeps it for a week, she'll get $5,000. It starts May 4th.

Ugh. Really, VH1?! Do we REALLY need any more of this girl in our lives?! Sure, she's entertaining, but it got old at least 3 shows ago.


So count me in for MTL, but NYGTW... A big fat NEGATIVE.

love,
elizabethany

don't worry about her

If you were worried about Melissa Rycroft, the girl who got dumped on the Bachelor after being proposed to, don't.

Not only did she tell Ellen all about how she has a new boyfriend, but she's making more appearances on nighttime television, too! Jillian and Molly won't take her spotlight!

While Jillian is the new Bachelorette, and Molly and Jason run away somewhere and probably plan a show about their wedding, Melissa will be competing on Dancing With the Stars!!!!

Jewel and Nancy O'Dell both dropped out after injuries last week, so ex-Hef-wifey Holly Madison and Melissa are stepping in!

Melissa's going to be great, I know it. She was a Dallas Cowboy's cheerleader, and she's a hottie, so it's obvious.

This whole season is going to be SO GOOD!! Not that I've ever been into it, but I'm DEFINITELY going to be this time! The question is: Who will I root for?! Shawn? Melissa? Steve-o? Lil Kim? The options are endless.

love,
elizabethany