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	<title>Elements of Style Blog &#187; better half</title>
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	<link>http://www.elementsofstyleblog.com</link>
	<description>live your life beautifully.</description>
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		<title>Party Down</title>
		<link>http://www.elementsofstyleblog.com/2009/08/party-down.html</link>
		<comments>http://www.elementsofstyleblog.com/2009/08/party-down.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 03 Aug 2009 11:06:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Erin Gates</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Element Projects]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[better half]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[centerpieces]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pretty things]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.elementsofstyleblog.com/?p=929</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[While I still have a few more days until I am officially 30, Friday night we had a party that celebrated my next decade of life. The pink and orange theme made for a festive, warm look that I think came out really lovely. I went to the flower market and grabbed bunches of single [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>While I still have a few more days until I am <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">officially</span> 30, Friday night we had a party that celebrated my next decade of life. The pink and orange theme made for a festive, warm look that I think came out really lovely. I went to the flower market and grabbed bunches of single variety flowers in the colors I chose and used various vases I had collected over the years wrapped in print wrapping paper from <a href="http://www.paper-source.com/">Paper Source</a> and wide hot pink ribbon (a really easy and cheap way to dress up a basic vase!)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CwOuRincuSI/SnbG8GNyzEI/AAAAAAAAShs/Zz97EI6I7gY/s1600-h/Picture+50.png"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 254px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CwOuRincuSI/SnbG8GNyzEI/AAAAAAAAShs/Zz97EI6I7gY/s400/Picture+50.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365694741821443138" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CwOuRincuSI/SnbIasVKgsI/AAAAAAAASiE/E0f-O0V3Fls/s1600-h/Picture+57.png"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 279px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CwOuRincuSI/SnbIasVKgsI/AAAAAAAASiE/E0f-O0V3Fls/s400/Picture+57.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365696366960607938" border="0" /></a><br />The lanterns I had purchased were supposed to be hung outside on the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">patio</span> in the trees but alas, mother nature was <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">temperamental</span> that night and it rained (which lead me to almost start my own chorus of &#8220;it&#8217;s my party, and I&#8217;ll cry if I want to&#8230;) But with some ribbon, a helpful pal and hubby and a little creative thinking- we found a way to use them!
<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CwOuRincuSI/SnbG3bethiI/AAAAAAAAShk/wZvtWcqPTGE/s1600-h/Picture+51.png"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 290px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CwOuRincuSI/SnbG3bethiI/AAAAAAAAShk/wZvtWcqPTGE/s400/Picture+51.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365694661630199330" border="0" /></a>
<div style="text-align: left;">More flowers, and FAB <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">votives</span> from <a href="http://www.lunabazaar.com/">Luna Bazaar</a> in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">ikat</span> and bamboo trellis!</div>
<p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CwOuRincuSI/SnbGzGwKBPI/AAAAAAAAShc/r8WZQABF8hI/s1600-h/Picture+52.png"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 296px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CwOuRincuSI/SnbGzGwKBPI/AAAAAAAAShc/r8WZQABF8hI/s400/Picture+52.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365694587346748658" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CwOuRincuSI/SnbGmlyEESI/AAAAAAAAShM/9wfs_NFl9_I/s1600-h/Picture+49.png"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 246px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CwOuRincuSI/SnbGmlyEESI/AAAAAAAAShM/9wfs_NFl9_I/s400/Picture+49.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365694372337946914" border="0" /></a>
<div style="text-align: left;">In the kitchen I used paper flowers from <a href="http://www.lunabazaar.com/">Luna Bazaar</a> over the bar table and of course, had to but fun paper goods in matching schemes (love, LOVE the zebra napkins)</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CwOuRincuSI/SnbGfyyg2BI/AAAAAAAAShE/elBK4lD2uZ0/s1600-h/Picture+47.png"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 345px; height: 230px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CwOuRincuSI/SnbGfyyg2BI/AAAAAAAAShE/elBK4lD2uZ0/s400/Picture+47.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365694255570409490" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CwOuRincuSI/SnbGbJwTePI/AAAAAAAASg8/GkAdxhlPzyA/s1600-h/Picture+46.png"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 264px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CwOuRincuSI/SnbGbJwTePI/AAAAAAAASg8/GkAdxhlPzyA/s400/Picture+46.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365694175835814130" border="0" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CwOuRincuSI/SnbGPInVX1I/AAAAAAAASgs/1iWs4Mv7k0c/s1600-h/Picture+45.png"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CwOuRincuSI/SnbGPInVX1I/AAAAAAAASgs/1iWs4Mv7k0c/s400/Picture+45.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365693969371324242" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CwOuRincuSI/SnbF5SrOv8I/AAAAAAAASgc/LBjgAUGgypc/s1600-h/Picture+31.png"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CwOuRincuSI/SnbF5SrOv8I/AAAAAAAASgc/LBjgAUGgypc/s400/Picture+31.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365693594114899906" border="0" /></a></div>
<p>Wait, what is that on her cake, you ask? Amazingly enough, it&#8217;s the zipper front Jimmy <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Choo</span> shoe that I blogged about a month or two ago! And hilariously enough I had chosen to wear my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">BCBG</span> knock <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">offs</span> of that exact shoe that night! Karen at <a href="http://www.babycakesandconfections.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Babycakes</span></a> made the cake for me, and now I KNOW she&#8217;s a true blog fan! What attention to detail!!!! I loved it! (And yes, my nickname, thanks to Andrew, is Frog. Long story&#8230;)
<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CwOuRincuSI/SnbFyQjMs6I/AAAAAAAASgU/DRDgHpILLHc/s1600-h/Picture+23.png"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 348px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CwOuRincuSI/SnbFyQjMs6I/AAAAAAAASgU/DRDgHpILLHc/s400/Picture+23.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365693473285256098" border="0" /></a><br />(guess I should have made time for pedicure)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CwOuRincuSI/SnbFM325EQI/AAAAAAAASgM/lJR3a4FIDCs/s1600-h/Picture+22.png"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CwOuRincuSI/SnbFM325EQI/AAAAAAAASgM/lJR3a4FIDCs/s400/Picture+22.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365692831001809154" border="0" /></a></div>
<p>Other signs people read your blog- when your presents arrive wrapped in the party theme colors! :)
<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CwOuRincuSI/SnbE6bJOtAI/AAAAAAAASf8/6IxB77i_R7k/s1600-h/Picture+18.png"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CwOuRincuSI/SnbE6bJOtAI/AAAAAAAASf8/6IxB77i_R7k/s400/Picture+18.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365692514056451074" border="0" /></a></div>
<p>Andrew gave a WONDERFUL toast that both made me laugh and cry&#8230;
<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CwOuRincuSI/SnbFATsZ7KI/AAAAAAAASgE/ggCb33xjv7U/s1600-h/Picture+34.png"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 341px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CwOuRincuSI/SnbFATsZ7KI/AAAAAAAASgE/ggCb33xjv7U/s400/Picture+34.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365692615135718562" border="0" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CwOuRincuSI/SnbF-c1FfSI/AAAAAAAASgk/yLFNJ1Z9peo/s1600-h/Picture+35.png"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 285px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CwOuRincuSI/SnbF-c1FfSI/AAAAAAAASgk/yLFNJ1Z9peo/s400/Picture+35.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365693682739936546" border="0" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CwOuRincuSI/SnbGqbBEaUI/AAAAAAAAShU/FQxB7Pi5tfM/s1600-h/Picture+56.png"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 376px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CwOuRincuSI/SnbGqbBEaUI/AAAAAAAAShU/FQxB7Pi5tfM/s400/Picture+56.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365694438167570754" border="0" /></a></div>
<p>I think everyone had a great time (I know I did, I was still recovering even yesterday)
<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CwOuRincuSI/SnbE0c-5fyI/AAAAAAAASf0/w6YkPzs4DU0/s1600-h/Picture+15.png"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CwOuRincuSI/SnbE0c-5fyI/AAAAAAAASf0/w6YkPzs4DU0/s400/Picture+15.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365692411470774050" border="0" /></a></div>
<p>You know I had to bust out some 30&#8217;s <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">bling</span> with a age appropriate tiara (with the lovely Audra of <a href="http://www.loocboutique.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Looc</span></a> and longtime friend Elyse)
<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CwOuRincuSI/SnbGTyOQcGI/AAAAAAAASg0/e28wZQdPVvk/s1600-h/Picture+40.png"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 276px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CwOuRincuSI/SnbGTyOQcGI/AAAAAAAASg0/e28wZQdPVvk/s400/Picture+40.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365694049259909218" border="0" /></a>
<div style="text-align: left;">I wore a fantastically comfortable <a href="http://www1.bloomingdales.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=435768&amp;PseudoCat=se-xx-xx-xx.esn_results"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Rebecca</span> Taylor </a>dress that I love (did not take a pic of the ensemble, but this shows the most of it&#8230;) The dress even has pockets (which every girl can appreciate) and will look cute belted with a cardigan come fall!</div>
<p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CwOuRincuSI/SnbNELXe9tI/AAAAAAAASic/udCUomyeEtQ/s1600-h/Picture+38.png"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 282px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CwOuRincuSI/SnbNELXe9tI/AAAAAAAASic/udCUomyeEtQ/s400/Picture+38.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365701477712983762" border="0" /></a></div>
<p>I don&#8217;t think I ever showed you my new West Elm rug&#8230;adds a graphic element to the living room&#8230;and the patio where the party was SUPPOSED to be (damn you New England weather)
<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CwOuRincuSI/SnbIXKCxdHI/AAAAAAAASh8/XkHYh-oBkyc/s1600-h/Picture+58.png"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 384px; height: 344px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CwOuRincuSI/SnbIXKCxdHI/AAAAAAAASh8/XkHYh-oBkyc/s400/Picture+58.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365696306217055346" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CwOuRincuSI/SnbKOtU6oEI/AAAAAAAASiM/fFLCcGnuB8o/s1600-h/Picture+59.png"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 263px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CwOuRincuSI/SnbKOtU6oEI/AAAAAAAASiM/fFLCcGnuB8o/s400/Picture+59.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365698360092827714" border="0" /></a></div>
<p>My boys were SO well behaved.
<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CwOuRincuSI/SnbHBlavnqI/AAAAAAAASh0/Fifffc1M7nw/s1600-h/Picture+48.png"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CwOuRincuSI/SnbHBlavnqI/AAAAAAAASh0/Fifffc1M7nw/s400/Picture+48.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365694836096605858" border="0" /></a></div>
<p>But at one point Oliver needed a time out and was caught by a guest hiding amongst some pillows&#8230;they think it was because I emasculated him with a pink ribbon collar. :)
<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CwOuRincuSI/SnbKnVLITcI/AAAAAAAASiU/CK0m0XPblKQ/s1600-h/Picture+60.png"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 301px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CwOuRincuSI/SnbKnVLITcI/AAAAAAAASiU/CK0m0XPblKQ/s400/Picture+60.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365698783106059714" border="0" /></a>
<div style="text-align: left;">Tonight I celebrate AGAIN with Andrew at the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Coldplay</span> concert (third time this year, I think I may have a problem) and then again on my REAL birthday later this week. Thanks to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Andrew</span> and everyone who has already made this a great birthday! What a lucky gal&#8230;.</div>
</div>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>When Husbands Are Funny.</title>
		<link>http://www.elementsofstyleblog.com/2009/05/when-husbands-are-funny.html</link>
		<comments>http://www.elementsofstyleblog.com/2009/05/when-husbands-are-funny.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 13 May 2009 16:36:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Erin Gates</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[better half]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.elementsofstyleblog.com/?p=839</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
They aren&#8217;t always funny, that&#8217;s for sure- but when you get home from a tough yoga class and go to grab your pint of Ben &#38; Jerry&#8217;s out of the fridge (well deserved after all those Warrior 2&#8217;s) and find this note inside the carton instead of ice cream- you HAVE to laugh. And then [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CwOuRincuSI/Sgr3cUXCmrI/AAAAAAAAQLw/92IXAF7MGqE/s1600-h/Picture+6.png"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 337px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CwOuRincuSI/Sgr3cUXCmrI/AAAAAAAAQLw/92IXAF7MGqE/s400/Picture+6.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335348774447520434" border="0" /></a></div>
<p>They aren&#8217;t always funny, that&#8217;s for sure- but when you get home from a tough yoga class and go to grab your pint of Ben &amp; Jerry&#8217;s out of the fridge (well deserved after all those Warrior 2&#8217;s) and find this note inside the carton <span style="font-style: italic;">instead</span> of ice cream- you HAVE to laugh. And then put it on your blog. :)</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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