How Sweet It Is: 2010

My Girl Christmas Party

My high school girlfriends have always gotten together for a Christmas party since freshman year. This is our 10th annual! I had the privilege of hosting it in our new home. Years past we have done it at our parents houses or restaurants, so I was so excited to have everyone over. These girls all bring so much joy to my life. Three of us have been best friends since kindergarten and the others we have gotten close through junior high and high school. Let me tell you this group knows how to have a good time! Maybe even a little too much! In years past we were known as the "reindeer mounting crew." We have matured a little over the years and resisted our temptation to galavant around town looking for innocent holiday decor. Instead we enjoyed appetizers and drinks at my house, followed by dinner at Max's and back over for the delicious candy bar, gift exchange, and games. I love each one of these girls and feel so overjoyed to get to share all of life's exciting and difficult moments with them. This year held some of the happiest moments in my life thus far, getting married and buying a home, but also some great loss. Without them loving me, supporting us, and making me laugh I would have been nothing. I love each of you and missed the ones who couldn't make it!

A special thank you to Miss Nina Jones, and Miss Sophie Garcia who helped me with all the planning, ideas, shopping, decorating, and set up. They are so fun and love me tagging along (I think). Nina is so creative and went to town on my island with all of her beautiful stuff, while Sophie couldn't sit still she had to rearrange my presents and fluff the tree. Thank you both so much! Love you

The candy bar

some appetizers

the cupcakes

Thanks Michelle for your tasty Sangria!

My tree

The table

My hutch

Kaira and Teddy

Kaira and Me BFF's since kindergarten

Crazy Katie

Kaira and Gina Armenian sisters

Katie, Kaira, Lesley, Me, Gina, Whitney, Alese

Giggles

Delicious dinner at Max's

Lesley and me

silly

Miss Whitney BFF's since kindergarten

Me and Gina

Alese my day isn't complete without 20 phone calls with her

Hayley and me

Family portrait

No one stole Kaira's cute headband

Teddy playing with the bows

Adorable!

Catch Phrase time Rockin Prissy Petals

Too much fun!

Cheers,
Melissa

Sophie's Cookie Exchange

Last Sunday Sophie had her annual cookie exchange. If you have never met Sophie you are missing out on an amazing friend. Sophie is full of joy and love. She always has great stories and the best insight on life. When you meet Sophie you can't help but like her and her big smile. Sophie and I love to shop, workout, and chit chat about decorating, being a wife, daughter, mother (her), sister, and friend. She would do anything for you and is such a supportive friend. Love her to death. This brings me to her party...because Sophie is so fun to be around she has a wonderful group of women her love her and come to her parties. We had a blast playing games and sharing all kinds of goodies that night in her adorable house. The food was delicious and all the cookies were amazing! Love you Soph. All High's from your party! To end the night Sophie, Nina, and I shopped until all the stores closed... nights to remember!

Some of the delicious cookies

The beautiful host!

My sister and I

Me and Christina

Me and Annie

xoxo,

Melissa

Little Girls Night

Last weekend I got to spend quality time with the Contino girls. Rocco was having a boy slumber party for his birthday so the girls and I decided to live it up! I asked the girls what they wanted to do and they had their hearts set on going to Color Me Mine, so of course that's what we did. We had so much fun! Gia sang and danced to the music while we painted together. Italia took her time and was very meticulous painting her soccer-ball piggy bank and smiling all night. When their masterpieces were complete we got candy from the Coney Island Candy Shop and then ate dinner there. Aaron met us for dinner and the girls entertained us with stories and laughter throughout our meal. We took the girls to our house for a slumber party. Ending the night with candy and a Disney show. The next morning the girls and I took off early to go see the Santa we spotted at Riverpark the night before. We waited in line and got our picture. Then it was time for a little shopping in the rain. The girls were troopers going from store to store showing me what they thought was cute. All they wanted were umbrellas so we found two matching ones. I had a blast with the girls! A weekend of painting, candy, yummy food, santa, dancing, giggles, and shopping! Love Them.

Gia getting started on her puppy