Bridal Showers < Champagne Showers

Last weekend the TOTT family was very lucky to celebrate Marissa's bridal shower! As BFF's and bridesmaids, it was our duty to not let this shower be a boring dreaded gathering.  Since Marissa's sister Michelle is the Maid of Honor and the most organized of all of us, she took the reins on planning the soiree – an elegant brunch in the private Butterfly Room at the posh Cecconi’s in West Hollywood.  

Here is a timeline of events that occurred that glorious Saturday morning:

11:30am Marissa's family & guests arrive.

11:58am Hungover and late - Jackie, Kellie, Ashley and Marissa finally arrive.

12:15pm  Guests take their seats while drinks & appetizers are served.  Coincidentally, we were seated at one end of the table (the kid’s section) while all of Marissa’s aunts, grandmothers and cousins sat at the far end (the adult section).

12:30pm  While scoring the "He Said/She Said" game, the filled-out papers are accidentally placed atop a lit candle...

12:31pm After a minute of curious smoke smells, we realize the table is on fire. Shannon throws an entire glass of water on said fire which ultimately ends up in Michelle’s lap.  All of the game cards are burnt - including the answer key - and we will now never know who really knows Marissa & Jade best...

12:35pm  More mimosas, less food.

12:45pm  Marissa walks down to the other end of the table to mingle with her family.

12:46pm  The maids gather all of our placards, cups, & glasses from the table and stack them in front of Marissa’s seat at the table for funnies.

12:48pm  We sword fight with breakdsticks and hide 1 breadstick in Marissa’s clutch... as a present.

12:55pm  Marissa returns to her seat and is not amused.

1:10pm   Time for gifts! Michelle had assigned us "tasks" for the gift opening ceremony.  Kellie is in charge of the wrapping paper trash, Ashley in charge of photos, Jackie is in charge of putting gifts away, and Shanaynay in charge of handing gifts to Marissa to open.

1:14pm   We get distracted from our tasks by our own reflections and cute boys.  (Due to this distraction, there is a lack of photos of the gift opening ceremony - our apologies)

1:30pm   After all the boring gifts (dishware, cookbooks, anything that isn't a wine glass) are opened, she finally gets to ours!  The best part of our gift being the FEATHER HANDCUFFS from our favorite lingerie boutique Faire Frou Frou in Studio City, and the rest of our gift being too intimate to share with all of you, and probably too intimate to have been shared in front of Marissa's grandmothers... oops!

1:40pm Dessert time: Red Velvet Cupcakes.  Cute, but NO carbs for us, thanks though...

2pm   Bridal Shower End.  The (brides)maids pack up the SUV full of gifts, say their goodbyes & thank you's (as we finish off the mimosas left on the table), and ride off into the LA sunset. 

2:10pm  Said SUV pulls into a Ralph's parking lot where we change into our street clothes while Ashley buys 4 bottles of Rose champagne and a bag of Doritos.   All contents are consumed shortly after on a beach in the marina with 24 of our closest delinquent friends dressed in international beach volleyball costumes... (explanatory post to follow)

5:00pm Marissa finds the breadstick in her purse and enjoys the thoughtful snack

::: Fade to black :::

While this may not have been the "normal" way of assuring your BFF has a fabulous bridal shower, we say ... NORMAL IS FOR LOSERS! 

You're welcome Marissa, for making this day so special.  

PS I'm sorry we broke that picture frame of you & Jade at the table... Kellie did it.

XOXO

And now an interpretive piece from this week sponsor's:  LMFAO

The 4th of July is on a Wednesday… and it’s ruining my life!

This year the 4^th of July falls right smack in the middle of the work week leaving us full-time working patriots completely dumfounded asking questions like, “We really don't have a 3-day weekend?”  “I seriously have to come in to work on the 5^th?”  “How could America let this happen?!”

It’s as if the Grinch has stolen not only Christmas this year, but also the only holiday where it is socially acceptable to hang out all day in a kiddie pool in my glittered star spangled bikini while double fisting red & blue jello shots.  HOW RUDE!

As I wave goodbye to the annual trip to the lake and say farewell to the idea of blacking out before the fireworks go off… I find myself wondering what the hell I will do this year to survive the 4^th on a Wednesday and soberly drive myself to the office on Thursday morning.

Whatever it is YOU plan to do with your family & friends, here are a few tips to surviving the misplaced holiday this year:

              1.)    Pack a Fantastic Slumber Bag – No matter where you go, be prepared!   Pack the essentials + anything you might need to get you to work the next morning.  A cute little pantsuit tucked away next to your toothbrush, Excedrin, and mouth guard can fit perfectly in a stars & stripes backpack! (Eye mask optional)

              2.)    7 Sips to Success –The Golden Rule:  Remember to stay hydrated.   For every alcoholic drink you finish, take 7 sips of water (sparkling or flat!).  This can be turned into a fun group activity as well; whistles are encouraged.  A very lovely alcoholic Armenian once taught me this in the middle of a lake on a tin boat last summer under the blistering sun.  I’ll never forget her or this rule…

             3.)    Apply & RE-Apply Sunblock – There is nothing worse than being hung over AND sun burnt at the office on Thursday morning. 

             4.)    Set Alarms – Go ahead and set your iPhones NOW with these helpful reminders.  

a.     Noon – Apply SUNBLOCK

b.    2pm –  FUEL UP! There’s nothing worse than a sloppy drunk, don’t forget your 7 sips & a snack!

c.    7pm – BUDDY CHECK!  Do you know where your friends are and what they’re doing?

d.    10pm – NO MORE SHOTS!  Put yourself on beer probation… it is a weeknight!

e.    Midnight – SERIOUSLY no more shots… that was the last one.

f.      2am – Find your slumber bag and hold on tight.  Time to brush your teeth & get your jammies on… no matter where you are!

g.    8am - ** Arguably The Most Important Alarm **  Set a reminder to email your boss that you have suddenly come down with food poisoning… yes, the hot dogs must not have been cooked thoroughly.  You are the most upset about this as you really had every intention of bringing the blue & red bagels to the production mtg this morning…

       5.)  Go big or go home! - If you don't make it to work on Thursday, might as well take Friday off too... so pack up the car and go meet your friends at the lake cuz afterall you deserve a 5-day weekend!  And if you have a hard time convincing yourself of that, just call me - I can rationalize anything.

And now a word from our sponsor,  SmithAgentSmith:

YOLO

May the 4th be with you all! 

xoxo