College Graduation Party

College is over and I finally graduated with my Baccalaureate degree from 

the best university in Texas ;) Now, to plan the party for a proper celebration. 

Most parents, like mine, think its easier to go to a nice restaurant and have an easy lunch, but not me!

I thought it would be so much more personal to celebrate my maroon and gold victory

by hosting a good ole' fashion graduation party.

<<< To the left: the fajita buffet table <<<

featuring my cap and accompanied 

with DIY cowboy boot centerpieces 

(post coming soon!)

>>> To the right is the drink table >>>>

 with festive appetizers  

The Gift Table featured: my degree holder, sweets, DIY Card Box (post coming soon!) 

and Cowboy boot center piece.

Everyone loves cookie cake and cake pops.... why not have both!

My younger sister even had the book on the bottom left corner made for me of my graduation pictures for attendees to write sweet messages inside

This is the San Marcos Square in downtown outside of the venue/ the LBJ Museum where I worked.

I made a wish on them as I let them all go. 

Mayor Guerrero of San Marcos celebrates 50 years

"Fifty years ago, a Bobcat changed the world with a stroke of a pen."

On July 2, 1964 President Lyndon B. Johnson, Texas Southern graduate (now Texas State), signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, for those of you who do not know, this outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex or national origin. 

The LBJ Museum of San Marcos welcomed the city to celebrate in the signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by showing a special viewing of President Lyndon B. Johnson's speech addressing the nation before he signed the act into law. 

It's been 50 years after the day and the words of President LBJ still rang true. The room was packed, mixed with about 50 patrons from all walks of life and color; which I find ironic. 

San Marcos Mayor, Daniel Guerrero, addressed the museum, proclaiming, July 2nd, as "Civil Rights Day" in San Marcos, Texas at the LBJ Museum. 

Proudly representing his Alma Mater, Texas State University, the mayor followed the ceremony with a short story, a personal favorite of his about President LBJ.  

It starts out with, "LBJ in the situation room surrounded by generals, admirals, graduates from Princeton, the Naval Academy and all points in between. And the president says, 'You know, you guys might have lots of stars and stripes, but this decision rests firmly on the shoulders of a graduate from Southwest Texas Teacher's College.'" 

The crowd laughs with pride as the mayor claimed he could be wrong in some detail, but if it is an accurate story, he says that he thinks it showed LBJ's pride for his school and for Texas. 


PARTY DECORATIONS:

<<< Welcome Tables >>>

Including:

Programs

Copies of BobcatFans Magazine

Donation Bucket

Plan Board of future plans to update the museum's 2nd floor for more exhibits!

<<< Hors d'oeuvre Table >>>

Decorated in black&white with a touch of gold, which I thought was appropriate for the event. 

Including:

veggie tray

fruit tray

turkey wrap tray

sweet/ unsweet tea


We thank the local HEB for its donations 

Simple black table clothes, white plates with red napkins, black and white balloons with red string and gold tinsel were used to make the table festive, but not a main attraction. 

My Golden Birthday

For those who don't know. I turned 23 this weekend!

I called it my Golden Birthday because I turned 23 on the 23rd of February.

Whether or not that's correct doesn't matter to me.

As long as I have a cocktail in my hand and confetti in my hair, I'm Golden :)

Me and all my closest friends, some didn't make the photo reel :(, celebrated my Golden Birthday by taking a party bus to Sixth Street in Austin, TX one night and then ended the weekend with a dinner at my favorite sushi/ hibachi restaurant and finished with a bang at my party held at my apartment.

H.W. Brands Visits the LBJ Museum

Photo by: Leah Keyworth
Museum President, Ed Mihalkanin (right)

Dr. H.W. Brands, professor at University of Texas-Austin and best selling author, spoke at the LBJ Museum of San Marcos last night for the museum's 2nd Lecture Series.

The lecture series was titled, "The Johnson Presidency: A 50 Year Retrospective." Many attendees joined to listen to the historian highlight the late President Johnson 50 years later.

My favorite part of Brands' speech was the part about how ,"Johnson knew he could never be president if he was considered a southerner."

Yes, I was born in Texas and have grown-up in Texas and I plan to die in Texas. So why would that be my favorite part?

Because Brands made it so clear to me that Johnson had ambition. And that he wanted power. 

"Yes, Johnson wanted power. But Johnson wanted power for a purpose ... He wanted power because he wanted to change this country," Brands explained. 

At the event the museum provided the attendees with food and wine, sponsored by HEB and Gil's Broiler.

Attendees were encouraged to participate in the silent-auction of a few of Brands' best selling books including:

• "The Man Who Saved the Union"
• "The First American"
• "Traitor to His Class"

All proceeds were a direct donation to the museum.

As a Texas State University student, I was glad to hear this speech and learn what it takes to be not just a good president, but a great president.

H.W. Brands Lecture 2014

Can't wait for Dr. H.W. Brands, best selling author and professor at University of Texas-Austin to come and give a lecture about President Johnson's presidency at the LBJ Musuem.

What an honor, I am so excited for this public education seminar.

I'll keep you posted with details from the event. 

A Celebration of MLK & LBJ in San Marcos

Today my roommate and I joined the city of San Marcos, TX by marching in the MLK march. 

The event was hosted by The Dunbar Heritage Association with speakers: 

Mayor Homer Guerrero, Hays County Judge Dr. Bert Cobbs and Luci B. Johnson, the younger daughter of the late and former President Lyndon B. Johnson. 

They all spoke kind words of the dreams and hopes that MLK and LBJ had for the future. 

The large crowd was led by the Juvenile ROTC and we began to march together from the square down MLK Street to the intersection of MLK and LBJ. Coincidence? I think not! 

At the site for the future "MLK/LBJ Crossroads Memorial," Luci B. Johnson spoke 

of her father and his shared dream with Martin Luther King, Jr. of equality. 

Luci also helped cut the celebratory ribbon of the dedication structure to the 

memorial designed by Aaron Hussey of Baton Rouge, La.  

Luci's speech about her father inspired me to be brave and it made me so proud to be a 

Texas State Bobcat! So, my roommate and I waited around after the crowd vacated the 

grounds and the press took their pictures and got their quotes and even after all 

the meet and greets she had to finally meet her and say thank you for coming and speaking. 

It was such an honor to meet such an incredible woman and role model!

Congratulations Class of 2013!

The venue was at a local "Villagio" apartment complex in San Marcos, Texas where I helped decorate my friend's college graduation party. This bar was the buffet area where the food provided by the graduate's mother was prepared and served to their guests.

What's a party without a little bubbly?!?

Instead of covering this beautiful table (which has the Texas State University school colors) with a table cloth or cover, embrace it by decorating creatively with plates, napkins and cups! This is a simple pattern and easy to maneauver and it will capture the attention of your guestsand with all those napkins, you might as well get some good use out of them.  

The tables to eat our meal was covered with a graduation table cloth, assorted napkins to create a clean line down the table with just a sprinkle of confetti for some shine :) This allows guests to admire the school spirit and to not have to leave the table to get another napkin.

The beverage table was covered with a gold table cloth and the remaining of this banner that I and another fellow decorator wrapped along the front of the table to give it that "oomph" effect. Behind the table on opposite sides is our graduate's senior pictures to balance out the scenery.

The entrance to this shindig was draped with a Congratulations banner with an extra special message for the graduate with an opposing profile picture.

How great is this clubhouse! And for only $75 no less, obviosly whoever gave her that price was clearly "new", what a steal!

There's yours truly with the graduate herself. Of course, I am in the school color maroon to support our school. Love ya girl!

I couldn't of decorated the party without this other beautiful lady right here!



Simply Made in Matrimony

The venue was at the Flying T Ranch in Austin, Texas on April 27th and it was beautifully set for the ceremony for the bride & groom to be made in matrimony.

Looking off from the wooden deck to the bridge that led the wedding guests to the beautiful wedding ceremony area

I teamed up with the wedding coordinators from Brass Tacks Events and volunteered to set up the ceremony and reception areas. These bows were all tied individually by yours truly, with some help ;) Tying these gorgeous bright green ribbons were a chore at first, but after some technique it became super easy and very cute! 

Thank the good lord for these! While guests are waiting for the bride to walk down the aisle, there were these cute wedding programs made into a fan for us to waft ourselves. Such a good idea for outdoor weddings and gave us all something to entertain ourselves.

The reception area took place on the wood deck of the ranch set with 12 tables for the estimated 95 guests. The royal purple and bright green wedding colors looked so simple and elegant with a country twist.

The hand cut center pieces, compliments to the father of the bride, with mis-matched china plates and mason jars complete this rustic elegant theme.

The tables numbered with framed wooden numbers gives your guests guidance in a neat and organized way while sticking to the theme.

 

Congratulations to my dear friends Jeff & Alex and good luck to them on their journey through life together as a married couple.