Hosting OOT Guests I

Every year I find myself slightly unprepared when Nathan and I host out of town guests. There's never been a comical disaster (except for our first Thanksgiving, but that's a story for another time); I've just never been at ease with the decisions I've made regarding meal choices, sleeping arrangements, etc. So this year, I decided I would be start preparing well in advance.

I'm beginning my hostess preparations with meal ideas, specifically, breakfast ideas, because I can't imagine anything more welcoming to a guest than waking up to the smell of a something scrumptious baking in the oven! Besides, breakfast is sometimes the only meal you eat at home, because you're so busy sightseeing and showing off local restaurants?!

Up until this point, I've stuck to recipes I've mastered: waffles (with my trusty waffle-maker), french toast casserole, a variety of crostata's... So, I'm in desperate need of new breakfast/brunch recipes; enter: Williams-Sonoma online recipes search. I'll spend the next couple of months trying to master a baked apple pancake, a classic dutch baby, homemade sausage, and three different types of filled pancakes: cinnamon glaze, banana/graham cracker, and lemon/marscapone!!!

I'm hungry...

photo credits: Williams-Sonoma Recipes

Wedding Hair II: The Bridesmaids

Wedding hair is important for everyone - brides and bridesmaids alike. Can you imagine looking at your wedding album 20 years from now and shaking your head in shame because your maid of honor's hair looked like a hot mess? (It happens to my aunt every time she opens her 1989 wedding album!)

I'm not suggesting that their hair should be nicer than yours; not at all, in fact. Rather, their hair should compliment yours, whether your hair is down and casual or up in a beehive!

These maids kept it cool and "everyday-down", while the bride donned a ultra-cute low updo.

These maids looked beachy and beautiful while the bride kept it understated and half-up.

This entire bridal party donned city-chic dos...

...while this entire bridal party coordinated a variety of "everyday" looks!

And, my favorite of all wedding party dos has got to be this vintage entourage.

...a closer look at one of the updos. Isn't it fabulous!?

photo credit: style me pretty, snippet and ink, snippet and ink, style me pretty, snippet and ink, snippet and ink