My Birthday Outfit At The JFK 100 Celebration

Striped Seersucker Dress || Yellow Cardigan || Pearl Mules || Wicker Bag || Rose Gold Love Bangle || JFK 100 Pearl Bracelet || Jackie Kennedy Cascade Ring || Christian Paul Watch c/o ||

Hello everyone and happy Wednesday! Today I'm bringing you the outfit and some events that happened on my birthday last week. I have to say, it was one of my best birthday's ever. I have so many wonderful memories and I am so thankful to my dad for making it all happen. Eleven years ago my dad took me to Boston for my graduation gift to visit the JFK Library and Museum. Its hard to believe that eleven years have passed since then, but it felt amazing to be back! 5,386 people attended the JFK 100 birthday celebration, which was record breaking. The cake made my Montilios was 400 pounds, beautifully done, and absolutely delicious! We got there just in time to hear the Navy band play, which Ava LOVED. She was dancing along to them and in the photo collage above, she's clapping at the end of one of their songs. She also really enjoyed the cake lol. I had the biggest smile on my face the entire time and even got a bit choked up during the bands performance of our National Anthem. It truly was an amazing experience.

For the birthday celebration, I knew I wanted to wear something special and summery. The weather didn't quite think it should be summer yet. It was actually in the 50s and rained, but since I knew we would be inside most of the day, I still decided to go with summery. This seersucker dress has adorable light pink stripes running vertically and the prettiest pink bow in the back. Since it was a bit cooler out I opted for a cardigan, this yellow one being my absolute favorite with the embellished pink sequins and sunny disposition. The real knockout of the outfit are these pink pearl mules. I literally cannot get over them! They're the perfect height to walk around in and the pearls and rhinestones add an elegance to them. I received so many compliments on them. They fit true to size.

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xo, Amanda

Happy 1st Birthday Ava!

To My Darling Ava,

Happy first birthday! I can hardly believe that one year has passed since the day you came into our lives and made our world a better place filled with light, hope, laughter, kisses and coos. Your smile is my sunshine. You're becoming such a beautiful and smart little girl with an independent spirit that is curious and adventurous. Speaking of adventure, we've been on quite a few already and I cannot wait to continue to show you all the most loveliest things life has to offer. It's been quite a year to say the least. We've had some sad moments and also many happy ones to keep us going each day. You're daddy gets to watch you from heaven now and see the beautiful little girl you have grown into. He has become our guardian angel walking along side of us in spirit. You have filled my life with a love I did not know existed until now. My hope, and your daddy's hope, was for you to be happy in life and it is my wish for you on this special day to have all the happiness in the world. To know that you are loved beyond measure and that I will be there for you no matter what. Happy first birthday my little love bug.

Love, 

Mommy  

Birthday Girl

Modcloth Dress || Charles David Heels || Bare Minerals Lip Color in Risk It All || JustFab Flats || The Exhibit Earrings ||

Wishing everyone a wonderful Friday today! Finally we made it to the weekend and I am especially excited since today I turn 27. Time certainly has flown by with so many moments to look back upon and cherish. I must say that I have always been in love with the actual date of my birthday, May 29th, since it is also the same birthday as John F. Kennedy, whom I adore. Thank you mom for the impeccable timing!

I wanted this photo shoot to be a fun one and thought, well balloons are fun and so is some confetti! I'll tell you what's not so fun though, balloons on a very windy day. It was definitely tough trying to keep these suckers where I wanted them. In the end, I just let them go where they wanted, but it did take me 2 hours to get through the shoot! I love how colorful this dress is along with the pretty Charles David rose gold heels. In the confetti photos, I'm wearing flats from JustFab, which are also so colorful and have the prettiest rhine stones on them.

I hope everyone has a lovely weekend! I'll be spending mine with my husband today and then celebrating with my family tomorrow. Enjoy!!

Chelsea's 18th Birthday

Ottoman, Target || Sandals, Zara, (Similar) || Dress, Modcloth, (Similar) ||

I want to thank everyone for the most wonderfully kind comments Chelsea and I received on Instagram for her birthday post! It's absolutely amazing to belong to a community made up of so many lovely ladies and gentlemen. Chelsea celebrated her 18th birthday this past Friday April 17th and we spent the whole day basically snuggling together and giving her some extra treats to celebrate. I feel so very blessed to have my little fur baby. She simply lights up my life every single day. Justin and her even have a very special bond. She fell in love with him from day one. He really knows how to charm the Kretchmer girls! I cannot even begin to explain how much I love her and feel as if she really were one of my own children. She's the best little friend I've ever had.

Dad's Birthday Party

Turning 61

Happy Birthday Confetti | Pastel Balloons | Similar Cake Stand | Blue Dress, Modcloth, Similar |

Ever since my mom passed we have been celebrating my dad's birthday at my house. I love having the chance to host the party and getting to entertain everyone. This year my dad turned 61 and we planned on treating him to dinner and then having cake and coffee back at my house. Angel food cake has always been the staple in my family and I love serving fresh strawberries with it. My brother's girlfriend also made an amazing apple strudel, she'll be a famous chef one day mark my words!, along with the coffee. I used happy birthday confetti to decorate the tables and cake plate, balloons by the fireplace, and banners placed along the walls and fireplace as well. It was such a fun night to enjoy with the family and show my dad how much he is loved.

Last year we had a big celebration since it was my dad's 60th. I really wanted go all out for him and he truly deserves it. We all went out to dinner on his birthday and then hosted a similar dessert party back at my house. Then, a few days later, we drove down to Hotel Hershey for a fabulous Sunday brunch. This had to be the best brunch I have ever had and seen. What a beautiful setting to relax and enjoy. They had every kind of food and dessert you could imagine. I'm glad we were able to do it and make his birthday so special. This happened right before I started this blog last year and never had a chance to share so what better time then when celebrating his birthday this year.

Birthday Bliss

Happy 24th Birthday Michael!

Today is my brothers 24th birthday and I could not be more excited to celebrate it with him. He and I are pictured above in May of 1992 with a dandelion bouquet we picked out. Since it is a Thursday, and "throwback' Thursday's are so popular, I thought it would be nice to post a picture of us from back in the day. I chose this picture because it represents how close my brother and I are, but also because it is pretty darn cute! We grew up as best friends and still remain that way today. I could not have asked for a better brother than Michael. He's always there whenever you need him and shows his generosity when you least expect it. After our mom passed, I feel that we grew even closer with a silent understanding that life is short and to enjoy as many moments as you can together. Our plans for today are low key, and if you know my brother, that fits in perfectly with him. Browsing around town looking for a truck he could purchase, dinner at the casino, trying our hand with lady luck, and enjoying some lovely libations.  So glasses raised to my little brother, cheers and many more to come! Happy Birthday.

Birthday Bliss

Happy 17th Birthday Chelsea!

Taken today on her 17th birthday. Doing what she loves, resting in the sunshine.

It's hard to believe that my baby is seventeen years old today. Where does the time go?!?! I remember the day my family and I received this little bundle of joy. October 17th 1997 became one of the happiest days of my life. The rescue team estimated that she might have been about six months old when we got her. Valley Cat Rescue found her at a home that had caught on fire and been abandoned. Her vocal cords were affected from the smoke and could only produce a squeaky sound, but over the years she has been able to work up to a full meow. 

My how my little kitten has grown up over the years. She truly provides the best companionship I could ever ask for. The apple of my eye and light of my life, Chelsea means the world to me and I am thrilled to celebrate her seventeenth birthday with her. She deserves only the best, perhaps some tuna fish for later after we have some nice cuddle time. Happy birthday to the best little girl in the world!

Mommy and baby on her big day