So Fresh and So Clean, Clean
Sometimes it’s the dressing that makes all the difference in the world.
Kraft Light Asian Toasted Sesame
Today’s salad was fresh and tasty, and while the veggies were perfectly crisp, the dressing stole the show.
Ryan and I both adore Kraft Asian Toasted Sesame salad dressing and have to turn a blind eye to the inclusion of high fructose corn syrup in the ingredient list because it really is that good.
My salad today included:
- Baby greens
- Shredded carrots
- Radishes
- 1/2 c. Seapoint Farms edamame
- Green pepper
The Goods
All Together
I often find that when I eat salads, I enjoy certain bites more than others. Typically the bites with the good stuff like feta cheese or somethin’ with a little extra flavor reign supreme.
Well, the good thing about using this salad dressing on my salad today is that I enjoyed every bite equally because this dressing is so dang good. My friend Caitlin brought this dressing to a girls’ night potluck dinner a couple of years ago and I’ve been a sucker for it ever since.
Bachelorette Party Reflections
Now that both of my amazing bachelorette parties are behind me, I wanted to type up a little post about my post-party thoughts.
I felt so, so loved and blessed during both wonderful parties and have received some emails from readers asking me to detail what I loved the most, as it seems many of you guys are planning parties of your own!
While I absolutely loved everything my friends did for me, here are some of the stand-outs that I think would make nearly any bride-to-be happy:
- Planning: I was absolutely floored by all the planning and preparation my friends put into both of my bachelorette parties. They all took the time to plan out the weekends’ activities so we were never left awkwardly wondering, “Okay, what now?”
Ready to Hit the Town!
- Decorations: I didn’t anticipate any decorations, but arriving at a party completely decorated in bachelorette party-wear made me feel special and like my friends were genuinely excited to celebrate my upcoming wedding. I also appreciated how my friends stuck to a pink theme rather than a phallic theme. 🙂
Pretty Glasses
Gorgeous Table Spread
Decorations!
- Homemade Touch: Both groups of friends put a lot of time into creating crafty goodies for the festivities. I received homemade itineraries, a scrapbook, cards, decorated drink glasses, pins, customized tank tops and more. The time and effort my friends put into making these things themselves meant the world.
Homemade Scrapbook
- Get Into It: I felt like every single one of my friends really wanted to party it up and have a great time. Everyone was all about sportin’ fun accessories like jumbo-sized rings, pins declaring that they were bridesmaids, etc. Their energy was contagious and we had a great time wherever we went.
Woop, Woop!
My Girl Likes to Party All the Time!
Dance Party
Let's Get Crazy!!!
- Thoughtfulness: The thoughtfulness of my friends was truly astounding. They planned activities, meals and nights out that they knew I would enjoy. We went to bars rather than clubs, ate sushi and homemade meals prepared by their families and played games to get the party started… all things I absolutely love.
Sushi Night
- Unique Games: Though games might not be fore everyone, I had the best time playing bachelorette-themed games. The Q&A/Jello shot game was so entertaining and the paper ring dare game was a riot!
Of course none of these things are necessary for a wonderful bachelorette party, but I must say that I felt like I had two of the best bachelorette parties in the entire world thanks to the time, effort and love of my friends.
They made me feel so special and I cannot thank them enough for two of the best weekends of my life!
Question of the Afternoon
- What is one thing you think is an important component of a good bachelorette party?
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Laughter! You definitely have to be out to have a good time. Oh and photos, so you can post them on your blog!
For mine, I was also blown away by the planning… knowing my friends planned out all the details of dinners, limo, games, etc without me knowing made me feel so special! … especially because I’m usually the “planner”
I also love when everyone involved is ready to go BIG and celebrate… it makes it so much more fun when everyone is excited about the event… I’ve been to one bachelorette party with a debby downer, and it brought the whole party down a notch. so glad it wasn’t mine!
i would say for me it was being with the girls that mean the most to me as friends! i had my bachelorette with the girls that made me laugh more than any others, and for that i was SO SO thankful!
I think that you’ve got great friends!
I will remember everything you mentioned here in case I ever plan mine 🙂
I love your reflections! Seriously – those are some awesome bach parties you had. Mine was amazing – just having all my friends and family plan like that was so great!
I’m really picky about my salad dressing, but Kraft’s line of “light” dressings are awesome! I keep a bottle of it in the breakroom at work to have as backup at all times!
This is so cute, Julie. You really have the best friends!
loved the recaps of your party. what great girl friends you have!
Good friends, alcohol, and good food!
I think the most important part of a good bachelorette party is that your friends take into account what type of evening you’re looking for. I’ve heard some friends talk about their bachelorette parties and I would have been MORTIFIED if my bachelorette party would have been like theirs! Good friends know you…and know what you’ll be up for on your special night 🙂
I would want my friends to choose an activity that is uniquely fitting for me – not just fall into a typical bachelorette party trap. Like how your friends did that scavenger hunt for you! So sweet, SO thoughtful, and so very personal. Now that’s really special 🙂
That’s awesome!! I feel like you nailed all the things that would make an awesome bachelorette party! Both of yours sound so fun!
And I am the same way with salads. I love asiany dressings, they have such a great flavor. Your salads always look great because they’re PACKED with veggies. Love it!
I think it depends on the bride. I know some people who would say it involves male strippers and booze. For me, it was about staying low-key and hanging with the girls for a weekend. We went to the beach and a winery and dinner. And it was perfect.
My sister is currently planning a bachelorette party for her bff, so she will love these tips!
I think the most important part of a bachelorette party is planning it for THE BRIDE, not for the stripper/party/bridesmaids/etc. It should be one-hundred percent focused on the Mrs-to-be’s wishes. Your friends look like they did a GREAT job!
Girls just wanna have fun!
Great planning, great friends, lots of vino, fun games, good eats, party favors for all the guests!
It definitely has to be what the bride wants. I just planned a bachelorette party that involved mani/pedis, dinner & a girly movie night. The next one coming up is in Vegas (not so low-key as you can imagine)!! It really depends on their personality.
That is the best salad dressing in the world!! I think I could possible drink it. Looks like the bachelorette party was tons of fun!!
Looks like such a great time!
One important thing, the thing that really matters, is your company! If you are surrounded by your true friends, it’s amazing. But if there are people there you aren’t comfortable with… it’s not comfortable! Go figure 🙂
I agree with the person who said laughter! Let loose and have a good time. I got my grove on to every song under the sun at my friend’s bachelor party!
I think the most important thing is to have the bride’s friends really keep their personalities and the bride’s personality in mind when planning the night. That way the bachelorette party has that thoughtful feel to it, while also making sure that everyone’s got a bit of themselves invested in the night.
I think the most important thing is that the party fits the bride’s wants/needs. Some people love all that campy phallic fun, but others prefer a more classy gathering – just depends on the person!
Also – are you sure that dressing has HFCS? I have it and I checked the ingredient list to make sure it didn’t! It’s so good that I totally agree that it’s worth it if it does, though. 😀
ahhh- that’s my favorite dressing 😀 My soon-to-be sister in law is now addicted to it because she tried it @ my house when she came down like a year ago. She could not find it in MD, so the next time I went up, I had to check my bag because I brought along 5 bottles of it for her- haha 🙂
And I LOVE all of your pictures- it looks like everything was SO much fun. you are absolutely BEAUTIFUL Julie!
My bachelorette party seems SO lame compared to these swank affairs. Well, at least I had a best friend who was there to hang out with me that night!
Ever since I started making my own sauces and dressings I don’t think I could go back to store bought. Especially one with HFCS. Although I’m certainly no better, my worst vice is diet pop!
Your bachelorette party looks like a ton of fun! Your friends did a wonderful job decorating! Def. the most important thing is that your friends tailor the party to you and what you love! =) It is all about youu that dayy!
my bachelorette party was great because my friends planned it to suit me. they came to my house so i didn’t have to travel (i had traveled so much in the year leading to my wedding that traveling for a bachelorette party just did not seem fun to me). and then we didn’t do anything crazy or ridiculous–just hung out and enjoyed each other’s company and ate some good food. it was a blast to hang out with my friends. looks like you had fun too!
I’ve had a bottle of that dressing in my pantry for months now, wondering what to do with it. Now I know!
You really do have great friends-it’s obvious how much they care about you and your happiness!
I think the same thing, but does anyone know of a good bachelorette planner in Nyc?
I think this was right on and really think you are on to something.
Nice stuff, I really enjoyed this.