HMOH photobook: showering mini moo

Missy, better known to me as Moo, and Dave are due at the end of March and despite mom's control freak tendencies (with love, of course), they're keeping the sex a surprise.  We went with the traditional unisex jungle theme, but made it our own with the 3 P's - prints, pastels, and patterns.  A perfect way to help welcome Baby L (or as I'll be calling him/her, Mini Moo) to the world.  


With a hot glue gun and Ashley by my side (the girl has more baking tools than Martha Stewart and an icing recipe to die for), we pulled off the BBSE.  I hope you enjoy the photos as much as I enjoyed showering ...


the favors:  'handmaid' with love 

© HMOH - I'm pretty proud of these little DIY stunners

the home'maid' party platters:

mediterranean orzo salad

 baby L.O.V.E sandwiches 

(lettuce, onion, veggies, egg salad)

 the world's best sugar cookies and homemade icing

© Ashley (don't ask for the recipe, I already tried)

HMOH decorating for our jungle themed shower

cupcakes and chocolate fountain

rainbow sherbet champagne punch 

(for those of us who aren't with child)

the baby jungle decor:

Well I will say, not too bad for a first HMOH baby shower! Thanks again to Ash for hosting, Aunt Kelsey in Rotterdam who sent special fuzzy friends for the occasion, and to all Missy's friends and family who came to help celebrate.  Now I really can't wait to meet my little mini moo!

-HMOH

HMOH showers with love

My maid of honor status back in 2007 has since translated into aunt-to-be and baby shower planning extraordinaire.  I'll have some great photos and tips on how to throw the BBSE (ehemmm best baby shower ever) after the weekend.  Former bridesmaids (even one from overseas) have stepped up to create an awesome event … DIY projects and all. 


Off to Baltimore in the morning to set up baby shop in honor of my Mini Moo.  A bunch of NYC ladies headed down for the party and then to party … so before the baby gets here we may have to practice cleaning up puke.  Mature? It's our first one. Deal.


Til then

-HMOH

p.s. these favors didn't make the cut (they didn't gel with the motif), 

but they were too cute not to share

℅ Scissors and Spatulas

what are your top favorite wedding songs recos?

Help me out here.  I got asked yesterday for recommendations on my top 5 songs to be played at a wedding.  Nope, not the kind that slows it down and makes all the single ladies head to the bathroom (and while we're on the subject "Single Ladies" does not make them put their hands up either).  I'm talking about the kind that has the full team belting out tunes and taking off their shoes.  Caught on the spot, I could only think of my top three ... 

• Living On A Prayer - Bon Jovi
• Shout - Temptations
• Friends In Low Places - Garth Brooks

Like, what do you suppose we were so into here? 

besides the glasses?  here?

and if I'm being honest, here ... it was "Forget You" and I learned every song on my break-up gym mix.

So ... What are your fave tunes to drop the Caesar salad and get on the dance floor? Leave your comments and suggestions below.  No seriously, I'm curious.

-HMOH

SIDENOTE: some things i heart

A great heart-themed potluck I attended this evening (which surprisingly did not make me want to gag at all) inspired me to share some things from the Web that I "like more than a friend."

So what do you have planned?  For a loved one, with loved ones, with best friends, with your DVR?  Do you heart Valentine's Day or does it give you heartburn?

-HMOH

SIDENOTE: kick off your year and weekend with these

• Does your family prepare seven fishes on Christmas Eve? Nah? Mine didn't even think about the said tradition before whipping up 9 - plus meat and veggies.  So what does an Italian dinner look like when your family is a bunch of overachievers and your cousin is a talented photographer? Exhibit A.

• Exhibit A is just one example of why I've resolved to part ways with the 2011 lbs.  Samesies? try these amazing(ly hilarious) tips for conquering the gym.  And is it just me, or has the gym has been ridiculously hot and seriously smelly this week?  Way too many people living the dream and thinking this year is their year on the elliptical. 

• If you're having trouble making New Year's promises, or keeping the ones you set out with ... check out these resolutions for 20-somethings.

• And because for years running CareerCast reminds me that I put my life at risk by going to work each day.  PR executive makes the list of 2012's most stressful jobs - including firefighter, police officer, and military general.  I have no badge, no gun ... but I am pretty bad ass.

• If you're a girl, a black girl, a white girl ... or a single girl. 

• Sure the little three-person Mexican band, beat boys and God-preaching weirdos on the subway make for an awkward ride when you try not to make eye contact with them.  But who's going to turn down a rando, impromptu ukelele and bongo sesh?

• And .. because I dare you not to laugh.

TGIF,
HMOH

bachelor season 16 recap: episode 1

Ughhhhhhhhh, I accidentally watched again. In fact, I almost forgot what would be a two hour time suck that evening, but was graciously reminded by my friend Adam that "I mean, I'm not watching but I'm sure you are."   And so like with each passing season, I did not want to ... but then I found myself tuned into Ben, who I'm personally underwhelmed by, meet and greet 25 ridiculous ladies and one of their grandmothers. There was no turning back ... the producers had me at Amber Bacon.


The usual "let's relive Ben's heartbreaking moment" montage begins - complete with some of the most "raw and emotional moments ever in Bachelor history."  Chris Harrison (I've missed you dearly) touts that it sure takes a lot to get down on your knee and then we have a sit down chat with the new Bachelor ... who, if you ask me, needs a haircut.  One hour passes.


We meet a few of the ladies in waiting - the chick and the horse she rode in on, previously welcomed to "Dumpsville" in a break-up text (reality? doubt it).  There were a lot of girls I couldn't listen to because they had messy hair, bad skin and eat cow balls.  Some more super imposed Bachelorette episodes, crazy audition tapes.  Then the typical shallow model that will not make friends with anyone on the show, mother of one and divorcee.  And then who I'm most looking forward to ... the blogger. The crazy chick from New York City that gave me pause more so that the fact that the ugliest girl on the show shares my name.   


This season's journey begins and the limo doors open - here are a few standouts in my book:

• Rachel Rose - an Emma Stone voice and cute face; I think she'll go far
• The Baconator - I mean … we ALL know everything is better with Bacon.  Ben said it himself, so what gives?
• Jenna - The blogger.  The one who's blog traffic probably skyrocketed yesterday despite the fact that it's under construction (I know I clicked in) ... who with so much to say, has nothing to say.  She will be the resident crazy for as long as the producers make Ben keep her around.
• Miss Palisades Park - back from her stent on Jerseylicous
• Courtney - the modest model who clearly has the best personality ever.  Also an ex of Jesse Metcalfe (read: John Tucker)
• Holly the Hat from Kentucky - those who know me know how I feel about Holly and her hometown
• Blakely - the 35 year old cocktail waitress with a key to her heart tattooed on her arm.  Is anyone else thinking she's here to make the reunion shows and finally meet her soulmate Kasey?
• Monica - smart little lesbian cookie.  Here to meet 24 "gorgeous" girls.
• and Lindzi - who can ride horses but can't spell her name.

Ben gets to mingling, line dancing, staring blankly at the Blogger who is both terrifying and wasted, and staring deeply into the model Courtney's eyes.  I'll continue to call her the model Courtney as long as she continues to reference being a model.  I'll also continue to try to figure out if her mouth is legit sewed closed on the sides (they don't move).  Something I'd be pretty interested in learning more about given my holiday binges...


I very much appreciated that Shawn is the name of the most butch girl on the show, the creepy lesbian scene, and the fact that the first impression rose (FIR) clearly goes to the horse rider.

A few things friends and I have since asked ourselves: 

1. How many different ways can the name Lindsay be spelled?  And when did we just abandon the traditional one you can easily find on a pencil or magnet at the airport?
2. I mean … what better place for a lesbian to meet girls than on The Bachelorette?  Touche, Monica.  Touche.
3. Can I get in writing that the producers will let Blogger stick around for at least half the season?  I can't see myself thoroughly enjoying the episodes without her.
4. Did they seriously let an ex girlfriend back on the show?  Great job ABC - that's what I call reality right there.  Of course he's going to stop being interested in the other contestants once he's reconnected with his ex girlfriend.  Spoiler? I think I see where this whole season is going.

And with that ... and numerous hours I'm about to waste on Monday evenings.  The roses go to:

• Lindzi (FIR)
• Jamie
• Rachel (aka Emma Stone)
• Blakely
• Emily (how do I know this girl?)
• Kacie B.
• Casey S.
• Brittney (her grandma got sent home)
• Erica
• Shawn
• Nicki
• Jennifer
• Elyse
• Prom Queen from the Palisades
• Courtney the model
• Jaclyn (seriously, why must she be so hideous??)
• Lesbianica
• Jenna.crazy.com

Leave your thoughts, comments, rants and raves below!

-HMOH

happy new year from HMOH

bring.it.on.

-HMOH