Something Blue | Evansville, IN Wedding Shower

Planning a Wedding can be stressful.

Looking back, this shower could have defininetly been the wedding. We had everything we needed. All the people we loved, our dog and great food.

If you are looking to make your life a bit easier here is your list of things/professionals to use for your shower or micro wedding.

Myriad Brewing Company $500 for 4 hrs, we tapped the bar at $500
La Campinara - we did a taco bar $400
Photographer - Nichole Davis Photography, I believe we had her for 3 hrs $350
Decor - Simply Yours Events did a great job and by the end of it was about $1000
My veil $1800, planned to wear for the wedding as well from House of White
Dress- Express, less than $40, shoes payless $30
Music - personal favor, but I believe Casey Williams is about $100 an hr.

Dessert bar, my friends gifted, I’m assuming it was about $250. The friends, priceless.

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What’s been your sticking point so far in wedding planning?

One Day In | Nashville, Tennesse

505 BUILDING

I love a good day trip. There is nothing like popping into a city for a day. With Evansville, IN being in a really good position for quite a few, I try to get to a new surrounding state every couple months. Nashville hasn’t been on the top of my list, but now I have friends in the city.

Emma and I headed down for a night and stayed in her condo as she splits time between Evansville and Nashville. The 505 Building is located downtown and is super freaking cute. We spent most of our time here after we hit up Whole Foods on the way in. The pool and co working spaces were my favorite.

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MURALS

If you’re a picture girl, there are a ton of murals so don’t forget to stop and strick a pose.

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SEW NASH

If you are looking for something to do out of the usual bar hopping in Nashville, I highly recommend visiting SEW NASH. I found them on Airbnb Experiences and this was SO fun. I haven’t really sewn much in my life, but by the end of it I was ready to start a new business. We got to sew a bandana that Ziki looks amazing in. We also made a makeup bag that I use religiously. Our instructor was so cute and informative. If you want to bring in drinks and snacks you can. The vibes are immaculate and I totally think this would be great for bach parties, family get-togethers or just a night out to catch up with friends. Once of my favorite touches was that each sewing machine was named after a Diva. I got Dolly.

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SUPPER CLUB

This super swanky place had a llve jazz band. If you’re looking for some good music and not to get to rowdy, but still have a good time this is the spot. The Supper Club was just one level of The Twelve Thirty Club. We didn't explore the others, we’ll leave that for another time. The speakeasy vibes the Supper Club was giving is enough to fill your cup. We had a few bites- the mushroom medley and one of the desserts. Both left my mouth very happy.

Have you been to any of these places? Would love to know what you thought in the comments!

My Breast Reduction Story

If you have been on my side of the internet you have seen my announcement. I have finally gotten a breast reduction. It all happened very quickly and slowly. I’ve always been one to share my experiences, so there is no holding back on the newest adventure. Here is everything I have to share on the experience in hopes that is helpful for you.

Before and post op 1 week

My first consultation was in September of 2021 at Flannagan Plastic Surgery. The overall consultation left me uneasy. I was told that due to how my breast fell they were going to remove my nipple and I would lose all feeling. The feeling part was totally fine for me. They continued to explain that I would not be able to breastfeed. My partner and I were in the middle of wedding planning and had not completely decided about children yet. When I asked if there was another way, the doctor proceeded to say only 30% of women can even breastfeed. Which didn’t really answer my question, but was their way of saying no. Even if that is true, there was just not a lot of sympathy given or regard for other options.

I was planning to pay out of pocket, because I believed that my insurance would not cover the procedure. Flannagan’s office had already quoted 10k for the procedure.  This sounds like a lot, but my braces were about 5k. So I was ready to take on the payment if I could do it monthly. With the information given, I kind of gave up at that moment and went back to wedding planning.

A few months later, in February 2022, I was re-telling the story to my hairstylist. She had already been looking for a plastic surgeon and had found a surgeon in our insurance network. I was amazed and reached out to the Deaconess Plastic Surgery office right after our appointment. There was a bit of a wait to get in, which was the same for the previous office, but I was feeling optimistic and they set my appointment for consultation for May and it got pushed to June. I would allow for 2-3 months before you can even get in for a consultation.

In between all of this I had been visiting Core Chiropractic about once a week up front until I only needed it once a month. This helped quite a bit with discomfort and I knew I would need some kind of documentation of the issues my breast had been causing me. I paid about $50 per visit out of pocket. I did need this referal documentation when surgery came along.

Once my consultation came around, I met Dr. Kottwittz and her nurses. She explained to me what insurance is typically looking for- being a certain BMI and being able to take a certain amount out from the breast. She went over and drew out what her typical incision and scar would look like. I told her I really wanted to keep my nipple and she said she rarely had to take them off and would do everything to avoid that.

She informed me they would submit the information and then it was a waiting game on when we would hear back.

I left feeling really optimistic, but did throw it to the back of my mind since I didn’t know when we would even hear back. I went on to purchase my wedding dress and plan things basically as if I would still have these boobs for a while. 

Late August I got the call from the office that I was approved and they scheduled it right away. I had little time to get too scared, because it all happened so fast. I had one appointment the week they called and then I was right into surgery after labor day.

For the day of the surgery you have to stop eating/drinking at 12 am. You need a person there with you. My sister took me and stayed with me. For mine, I had to arrive 2 hours prior to surgery, which was 6 am. They planned for 4 hours of surgery and then they monitored you after before you could go home. The anesthesiologist did an amazing job. I woke up feeling no pain. I was starving though and ordered a lot of Panera. 

My mom, sister and friend Casey were all there when I woke up. I talked for a little bit and went straight to sleep. Once I woke up again, I was walked to the bathroom and then dressed for the journey home. Post- op week one wasn’t unbearable pain- it’s mostly just all uncomfortable. You can’t lift anything and you have to sleep on your back. I am about 2 weeks post op and I am moving around a bit more and cleared for driving, but trying to take it easy. I did finally start feeling my nerves healing. It feels like weird electrical pulses coming and going

All in all, I would do it again. The emotional toll was way more than I expected. Seeing myself in my clothes and actually having room and not being at war at how my breast will fit. I still get a little teary eyed. I am also changing status in my life to becoming a wife, my business is shifting and I am getting braces off. So you may not cry as much as me.

If you have been that girl that has to alter the way you move and what you  wear to be at the mercy of your breast size, I highly recommend looking into a breast reduction. The recovery isn’t easy, but it is totally worth it.

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THE TIPS

having to be on my back is proably the worst part

Had so many sweet deliveries

Do homework on your doctor’s before and after and scar styles.

Once I was told I had to have my nipple taken off I just believed that was the only way! There are actually quite a few ways you can get your boobs reconstructed. It helps to go in with questions and be somewhat informed.

Save money.

Even if you plan on using insurance you are going to have to take off work for quite a bit. Some people go back after a week or so. I watched countless youtube videos of experiences from artists and other service providers and their number one regret was not taking more time off to heal. I took 3 weeks off and I wish I would have saved a bit more to not worry about money at all during my break. I am very blessed to have a partner and a great community of people who have sent food which was a bigger help than I realized.

Be very adamant about size.

I think almost every video I watched people are relieved, but want smaller. I think my surgeon did an amazing job with the shape and scar placements. I do worry that since I will be able to move more that once I lose a little weight that I will still have big boobs. I think no one believes you when you say you want them as gone as possible because it’s not the norm. So have conversations and have your nurse put it in your notes every time you visit.

Be ready to get emotional. 

It feels like you are getting something done that you have been waiting for for such a long time, but our bodies store trauma and sweet memories. You may be overcome with a flood of emotions at random times as you mourn your old body and feel excited for what’s to come.

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Pangea Pizzeria | Evansville, IN

Pangea Kitchen is always on my list when recommending places to try for visitors. They NEVER dissapoint.

The branding before you even walk through the doors is foodie perfection paired with the follow through of a very cozy atmoshpere wrapped up in great service and food.

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“At Pangea Kitchen, old-world traditions meld with new-world adaptations, creating a destination for those who have a taste for the unexpected. Our global soul food market invites you to sit down and enjoy the view as your food is being crafted to order using the finest house-made and imported ingredients.

Don’t stop with one trip; make your home part of the Pangea Kitchen world tour by taking home house-made pasta, cheeses, imported charcuterie, and specialty meats from our market showcase. ”

— Pangea Website

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They followed up the first resturant with 2nd Language an asian fusion resturant that also is 5 stars.

We are so lucky they are blessing us with another experience. Pangea Pizzeria has now opened! I popped in for lunch with a friend, luckily for me it’s a short walk away from The Beauty Room.

For my inaugural order, I went with a couple slices from their “slice of the day” menu. 

I got the Pistachio - House pistachio puree, sausage, mozzarella blend, fresh basil, finished with house Calabrian chili honey. Fun Guy - House mushroom cream sauce, fresh mozzarella blend, roasted shiitake mushrooms, finished with grated parmesan, fresh basil, and garlic-infused olive oil.

Along with a Butterscotch Blondie. I did go back and get the CCC gelato. All of them are exactly how I would expect anything coming from this company, thoughtfully made. All the flavors play nicely with each other. 

Menu from Pangea Pizzeria

I left feeling so full, you definitely can’t beat a $5 dollar lunch these days. You can get the pizza by the slice (fairly big slices) or an 16/18 inch pizza. The full pizzas range from $22- $29.

I miss tha patisserie that used to be in here, but the vibe of a pizzeria where you can see the pizzas being made, big open windows to see the city and quaint seating was truly such a good fit for the space.

Once you head in and give it a try II would love to hear your thoughts on what’s your favorite below!

Myriad Coffee House | Newburgh, IN

If you’re new here, please know I’m always going to find a cute place to live out my main character arc. Did I just ruin my own life and contemplating it all? Am I a struggling artist trying to pour my heart into the next big project? Am i a corporate baddie pushing through fears aof starting entreprenuership?

Coffee shops really are a place for all people at all stages of life. Perfect movie-esqe backdrop.

When I saw that Myriad Brewery Comany had expanded into Newburgh and added a coffee house I was so excited! My budget, not as much, since now we will be there all day.

We’ve always enjoyed our time at Myriad Brewery Company ,but since getting Ziki (our dog) we’ve loved it even more since they are a dog-friendly bar.

Ziki and I finally got down to Newburgh to this morning to do a bit of catch up work. We bumped into the cutie pie owners and chatted for a bit. Honestly, aside from it being a cute place, it feels so good to support such good people. They were a hughe help to the relaunch of the Black Chamber of Commerce in 2020 and really have created a space for all walks of life.

The coffee flights I’d been seeing are what drew me in, but I could not do it on my own (4 (5oz) pours) so going to save that for a day date with the bae. I ended up with an iced vanilla latte with a dash of coconut and a blueberry muffin. I enjoyed both of them and wll be back to try more. They have hot lattes, teas and milk alternatives. Very important for my 30+ crowd.

If you like a quite place for computer work or a nice place to read while you have your coffee give them a try. The seating is nice for groups, but there is also places to duck off in a corner if you’re alone. The patio wraps around and has FANS like every outdoor space should. If you’re feeling spicy go closer to 5 pm and you can go straight from coffee to an ice cold beer.

Sounds like the best of both worlds! In additon to already being a pretty cool spot they have food trucks all the time. Give them a follow and plan your next visit.