"Best Of The Best" Of Entertaining In Charlotte

 

(Photography by Amy Kolo) 

If you are new to the "All Of The F-words" family, WELCOME and allow me to fill you in. I. LOVE. Entertaining! It is one of my favorite pass times. If I could plan a party, over just attending, I would choose to host 9 times out of 10. I love seeing an idea or theme come to fruition. To be there from inception to completion is so rewarding for my OCD. 

With that being said, now that I have two children, I need a little help from the professionals. Gone are the days of running around DIYing my way to the perfect party. I just don't have the time, chasing after a 1 and 4-year-old is just too chaotic. (Momma's I know you feel me.) 

Around the time Cashton turned 3, I started farming out some of the bigger decor. Marquee lights and cakes seemingly got handed off to the pros, and by the time Jaxson was born, I had a baller Rolodex of some of the best companies in Charlotte to use when planning a get-together. 

After an event, I always get asked about who I use for decor, catering, and details. Since we are in the midst of saying goodbye to our sweet Elena I thought it was the perfect opportunity to have some of my favorite vendors work together to design the perfect "send-off" for her as we say arrivederci!  

 I am especially proud of this compilation of businesses since all of these companies are female-owned and operated! I think we can all agree that it is a beautiful thing to see women supporting other women! Here is my shortlist of event companies and rentals that I have found to be the "best of the best" for entertaining in Charlotte! 

Paradise Playland.

If you are looking for a fun focal point for your party why not an adult bounce house? Yes, Taylor from Paradise Playland carries bounce houses for children's events and birthdays too but why should the kids have all the fun? Paradise Playland offers luxury bounce houses in all sorts of colors! (white, sky blue, mint green, blush pink, lavender purple, sunshine yellow, sand tan, royal blue, hot pink, and black) 

For Elena's send-off, we collectively decided on a boho travel theme that would seamlessly tie all of our vendors together. Thus, we went with a beautiful 20' tall white luxury adult bounce house for an eye-catching entrance. 

POP Charlotte.

Maggie from Pop Charlotte started her balloon garland business during the pandemic. She started by just doing a few friend's get-togethers and her talents were so well received this stay-at-home mom was able to launch a full-blown successful business venture! 

We brought in Pop to create 40 feet of cloud-like balloon garland to wrap our gorgeous Paradise Playland bounce house in! Maggie was first on the scene the day of and she worked hand in hand with Paradise Playland to create the dream-like vision we had inside our heads. 

These two companies, don't stop there. They also have a few more tricks up their sleeves to add even more pizzazz to your party!

Paradise Playland offers marquee letters too! 

Now, if you've been to one of my parties in the past you probably know I typically use my girl Julianna from Alphalit Charlotte for marquee letters but this particular weekend she was fully committed (which is a great problem to have) but luckily Taylor from Paradise Playland offers them too!

 We thought the word "ciao" (the Italian word for hello and goodbye) was fitting for the cornerstone of our sitting area and offered a grand ambiance to our theme. 

Pop Charlotte also offers a stunning photo wall with neon lights for fun at your event. 

Maggie currently has two backdrops (this one and a beautiful pink rose wall) but she is working on more! 

Exciting things to come for this growing business! 

What's Up Buttercup Florist.

No party is complete without a floral touch! Melissa from What's Up Buttercup was totally dialed into our theme and vision. She knew exactly what the centerpieces needed to look like with pompous grass, greenery, and soft roses. 

She really nailed it, all while planning her elopement to Ireland! Her vision was so strong all while staying in budget and providing gorgeous arrangements the fit right in with our theme. 

What's Up Buttercup also has a "flower bar" in Rock Hill! Yes! You heard me. An incredible bar in the middle of a beautiful interactive floral studio. Perfect for girl's night or date night! 

Brie-licious Boards.

Wow. Where do I begin? Talk about a grazing table! Becky from Brie-licious Boards really knocked it out of the park with this gourmet setup. Not only was it BEAUTIFUL but it was delicious too and included a decadent array of meat, cheeses, fruit, crackers, and desserts! The board was also dressed with olives, pickles, jams, and honey. All the things that you would want from a catering partner. 

Becky's setup was quick and detailed. She wrapped her grazing table in flowers and eucalyptus linking her tightly to the rest of the vendors. This is definitely one company that will impress your guest in the food department! 

Maybe you don't need a huge grazing table? They also offer specialty and charcuterie platters/boxes too! 

Vanilla Event Decorations.

I used Vanilla Event Decorations for Jaxson's first birthday and I have nothing but AMAZING things to say about this company! I originally contacted them to handle Jaxson's cake table at our country club for his "wild one" first birthday. That's when they informed me that they just started offering picnic set-ups as well, so I happily added on the service. 

Vanilla Event Decorations did NOT disappoint! Jaxson's birthday was the talk of our club for weeks to come. They were so professional and patient even when being shuffled around by our venue when we were trying to come up with a rain plan. 

Since "Chicnics" are all the rage right now, I knew I had to include them this time around too! I have seen other picnic setups and I can say Vanilla goes above and beyond when it comes to their setups. The time and attention they put into their products and services is second to none.

After having personal experience with all of these vendors I can wholeheartedly attest to the amazing job and services that they all provide. Their customer service and willingness to collaborate with each other while staying dedicated to a theme have made my hosting experiences enjoyable. 

This group is truly a "dream team" of boss ladies providing beautiful parties that I know anyone would love to attend or host. They take the stress and the guesswork out of throwing a celebration. 

Simply put, they are my "best of the best" (in my opinion )when it comes to elevating your hosting experience and providing your guest with a unique, fun, and unforgettable occasion that they won't soon forget! 

Review: 5 Things You Need To Know Before You Buy The Willow Breast Pump

Well, that's a wrap people! I am officially finished breastfeeding. 

What a bittersweet moment looking back. When I started nursing my 2nd son Jaxson 8 months ago, I had no idea how long my breastfeeding journey would last. Things didn't go great with my first son Cashton. I barely made it 3 months and that was with supplementing. I was killing myself over every ounce I could squeeze out, but they say a fed baby is a happy baby. 

Going into feeding Jaxson this time around, my goal was to breastfeed for 6 months. However, around 4.5 months my baby shark (who had 2 teeth at the time) bit me so hard it drew blood so I moved to exclusive pumping. I probably would have quit right then and there but my doctor reiterated to me that because of COVID we are not taking the kids out in public. Thus, my baby was building his immunities through my breastmilk. So I hung in there. 

When I decided to exclusively pump I was glad I had invested in a hands-free / cord-free breast pump. Pumping on the fly, 8 times a day is no easy task if you have to stop down every 3-4 hours to pump. I felt like I wasn't getting anything done attached to a traditional pump. After all, I had 2 kids to chase after now. 

Although hands-free pumps can be expensive, in my case, I felt like my sanity was worth the price tag. However, there are ways to navigate the large price tag and even possibly get your pump for free. I share those tips in my video review below.

I suffered from the baby blues with my first son and I truly believe it was from feeling like I was banished to pump constantly. I am someone who thrives on being busy and having to sit still killed me. With my Willow pump, I was able to walk around, do laundry, drive, work on the radio, chase after my kids, and even work out on my Peloton! Other pumps (even other hands-free pumps) couldn't give me that flexibility. 

The leakproof bags were key for me, but I address all of that in the video below. If you have any questions about my experience or the pump I used please feel free to Dm or Email me! 

LauRen's Family Valentine's Day Gift Guide

 

I recently put a poll up on my Instagram stories to find out if and how people are celebrating Valentine's Day this year. With so many people staying home and/or being laid off because of the pandemic, I wasn't sure what I would find. However, for the most part, people are still celebrating. So I thought I would put together a cupid's day gift guide for him, her, and the kids! 

On my podcast this week, Mommyhood2Menopause, we discussed the importance of including the kids in our celebration of love. Sure, Valentine's Day was designed for lovers and you should still have a private date night with your significate other to show your appreciation, but teaching the kids about how to love and care for others will prove invaluable later in life. I am a big proponent of teaching my boys how to be proper gentlemen and respecting whoever they love.  

This is about showing your children how to love and treat people and leading by example. Talk the talk AND walk the walk. Now, this doesn't have to be a huge show or production, just something to show you care.

Last week, Cashton wanted to bake cupcakes. So, I told him we could turn it into his Valentine's Day project. We made Funfetti cupcakes, topped them with heart decorations and sprinkles, and delivered them anonymously along with a valentine's day card to the people we care about. 

He had so much fun and it was a great opportunity to teach him about the holiday. Of course, some will say you should love and appreciate your partner every day... and I hope you do, but life happens and Valentine's Day is a nice way to press pause and be reminded of the love you have. 

Which brings me to my Valentine's Day gift guide. 

These are just some ideas (at all price points) to show someone in your life that you are thinking of them, even the kids! 

Intern Lauren and I put together the ultimate gift guide for those of you who need a little inspiration. Remember you can always click on the images below to shop. Most of them are available on Amazon Prime or for pick up at brick and mortar locations if the holiday just snuck up on you. 

Any guy, gal, or kid would love to receive any of these sweet gifts! 

My New Body

It was hard at first to look in the mirror at the new contours of my body. Hips where there used to be none, bulges claiming new real estate where my abs used to be. Motherhood was unchartered territory for me in more ways than just caring for a new life. My body also seemed to have a new landscape of its own too. After years of dieting and striving to be the thinnest and the fittest me I could be, I am learning to love my body in a different way now. 

Instead of squeezing in one more workout to fit into my NBA or NFL cheerleader uniform, now my days consist of squeezing in a nap and praying my jeans will someday fit again. Sure, I'm getting my cardio in by running around after two little boys, and I have lost most of the baby weight from baby Jaxson, but my body is just different now. Stretched to its limit and back again, after an 8lb 3oz baby boy and an 9lb 3oz baby boy. 

If I'm being honest, yes,  I maybe close to being back to my pre Jax weight but I am not back to pre Cashton weight, and I am not sure that will ever be my reality again. It took me a long time to say, but I think I'm okay with that. 

Of course there is a beauty to child birth but feeling like a stranger in your own skin is an alienating feeling too. I've learned that it's okay to give yourself some grace because it takes time to feel like you again. I am still working toward feeling like me, but I'm closer than I was 2 months ago when these photos were taken.  

Thats a big step for me because I spent months looking around at my girlfriends who were also having babies. It was hard for me not to compare myself to them and how quickly they bounced back. It was really difficult for me to quiet the voices in my head that said "Maybe you're too old". "You'll probably never look like that again". "Better throw out all those 2 piece bikinis." 

I find comfort now in knowing that I wasn't alone in those thoughts. When I posted on my instagram that I was having a hard time finding the words to start this blog, lots of women chimed in and what I realized is that we are all in different phases of our journey. From encouragement to lip service and just saying that we love our bodies to truly liking what we see when we look in the mirror. 

I sometimes think that I give numbers too much power, so in an effort to weaken it's brawn against me, I'm just going to put this out there. Throughout my pregnancy I knew this feeling would be a problem. When I went to my weekly and monthly doctors appointments and it was time to step on the scale, I would ask my nurse politely not to tell me the number. In an effort to protect my unborn child and my mind, I knew I needed to bury whatever deep rooted issues I had with my body. 

However once I gave birth to Jaxson, curiosity got the best of me and I knew I had to make amends with that part of my life. When I went back in my virtual medical files I learned that I had gained 65 pounds during my first pregnancy and tipped the scales at 190lb. When I first became pregnant with Cashton I weighed a mer 125lbs at 5'7". and I haven't been back there since. 

When I got pregnant with Jaxson I weighed in at 138lbs, and delivered at 180lbs. After almost 6 months postpartum I am hovering at 145lbs. 

I hope that as women we can continue to lift each other up as we find our way back to appreciating the skin we are in. This process is not an easy or a quick venture, which is why I'd like to dedicate sometime to this topic on my podcast, Mommyhood to Menopause. I want to hear from real women on how they overcame this personal milestone as well as hear from professionals like Brook Marie Eneas, who is a motivational & fitness coach. 

If you have a personal story please email me at LauRenMerolaBookings@icloud.com.

Cashton's Spook-tacular Birthday

With trick or treating just days away, our family is still not sure if we will be partaking in this year's festivities. We have been extremely careful with Covid 19 since we have a new baby and we typically only do things that are outside with low numbers of people. 

Sure, Halloween is an outside holiday but the droves of people are more my problem because we live in a BIG community that is very social and active (which we LOVE on a normal basis). However, to be honest, I'm not sure my 4-year-old would even know the difference if we didn't go. 

Of course, I still wanted him to have the Halloween experience just in case we decide to forgo trick or treating this year. So, since his birthday is Oct 12, I thought, "Let's do a Halloween costume party birthday" and it was a hit among the kids and adults. 

This was probably the smallest get-together I have planned in years, so I had to tone it down from my usual over the top food spread and set up. We only invited family and close friends this year for Cashton's birthday (for obvious reasons) but that didn't make the day any less special. 

This was an EASY party to throw as my family LOVES Halloween so we pretty much had all the decorations already. I borrowed blow-up yard characters from my mom, recruited Dallas to get me a pallet for our makeshift "pumpkin patch" and put together my annual balloon arch. Our Aupair Elena helped me make this balloon arch a little more special, adding a huge balloon spider to the mix!

 
She also helped me create a food spread that would give Pinterest a run for their money! Full disclosure, I did NOT make the "pumpkin puke" from scratch like I would normally. This year I just bought a spinach dip from Costco and carved the puke face on to the pumpkin. 

Elena made our "Witches Hair" pasta out of Pasta and Provisions squid ink pasta and covered our Scare-Cuterie board with creepy skulls laced with prosciutto.  

My "cake angel" Angel, came through again with an amazing two-tiered cake which we designed together. Her cakes are the MOST delicious and she delivers which is a plus, plus, plus on party day. It's just one more thing I can cross off my to-do list. 

Now, no Halloween party is complete without costumes, and since Cashton's new obsession is Toy Story we decided to dress as the cast for the celebration. Cash of course was Woody, Dallas was Buz Lightyear, Elena and her friend Ally was Slinky Dog. My Brother Vinny was Rex, Oma and Opa were Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head and I was Little Bo Peep with Jaxson as my little lamb. 

Everyone got into the theme! We had Mini Mouse, Top Gun, Super Heros, and more! 

Although 2020 has been a crazy year and kids have missed out on so much social interaction and development, I hope Cash will look back on his 4th birthday and only remember the fun and love he was surrounded by on this day.