Weekend Dreaming

Happy Friday Eve, Loves!

 

 

I am basically losing my mind over here because I am so freaking stoked for this weekend. Come Monday, you can expect a super gushy post about best friend’s new baby, stories of a night out with Tay which are always sure to be epic, and tons of pics of my sis, Mattie, and I being super basic at the pumpkin patch. Are you excited? Because I am!

In preparation for all the baby snuggles I’ll be getting this weekend, I had to gather a few treats to bring the little nugget. That’s what aunties are for, right?

I am a sucker for a good craft and go crazy for a solid organization tool, so I decided to make a Medical Record file for the proud parents. I must say, I am slightly obsessed with the way it turned out.

 

  

 Cute, right? And soooo functional!

I wish I could take the credit for this adorable and practical gift, but I actually discovered it on this post by The Domestic Fashionista and knew it was the perfect little present for my sweet friends.

Of course, I couldn’t show up with just ONE gift. I popped over to Paper Source for the cutest card EVER and found this precious onsie at a cute little shop at the top of Queen Anne. Bonus – the buttons are magnetic which make midnight changings just a little bit easier. Double bonus – Penguins!

 

 

I always say I don’t like to “live for the weekends”… But maybe just this once it is acceptable… Just a little.

 

Here is to hoping the next 24 hours fly by!

Cheers!

Monday Must Haves

Happy Monday!

 

I am feeling relaxed and rejuvenated and not even a LITTLE hung over after this weekend. I spent my days watching movies, brunching, hiking, football watching, and only drinking a little. It was the perfect way to spend a rare weekend in Seattle.

 

It has been a while, so I figured I would share a few of my current obsessions with you all!

 

1. Due to all the weddings lately, I figured I should step my make-up game up a little... I am sad to report I may never go back to drug store make-up again. I made an insane Ulta haul a few weeks ago and am so thrilled with the products I picked up. Starting with the base, my Naked Skin Weightless Ultra Definition Liquid Makeup is worth every word in it's lengthy title. It goes on super light but provides a flawless coverage that lasts my sweaty self all day.

 

2. Again, fancy make-up for the win! The Hoola Matte Bronzer by Benefit is the bees knees. It has been especially useful lately because Summer Emily is in full swing, and my foundation was a liitttllleee light for this bronze goddess. This little nugget gave me a sun-kissed glow and helped enhance my skin color perfectly. Side note, I am not sure WHY they add the useless little brush to the photo. Everyone knows that shit goes straight in the trash. Please let me know if anyone finds use for those stupid little freebees.

 

3. If you haven't tried Trader Joe's Coconut Body Butter, you're welcome! This shit is creamy gold. I got it as a Favorite Things gift at a holiday party I attended, and it has quickly become my favorite thing. It is super creamy but doesn't leave an oily residue on your skin, plus it smells like a tropical vacation. I basically bathe in this stuff!

 

4. The Ulta Velvet Blush is true to it's name. It goes on incredibly smooth and comes in lots of fun colors... For 9 bucks a pop, you're nearly losing money by not swooping some up.

 

5. Good lord, I really am on a make-up kick. I've recently become obsessed with fleek ass brows, but don't have the time or energy to maintain these beasts. The Gimme Brow Volumizing Fiber Gel by Benefit was the perfect addition to my daily routine. Its quick, easy, and makes a huge difference in my brow game. 

 

6. You know that magical feeling when you climb into bed and your freshly shaved legs graze your clean sheets and you feel like the goddess that you are? Yeah... Me either. Shaving my legs is right up there with yard work and eating mayonnaise if you ask me. Honestly, that is never changing... But the Women's Shaver with Pop-Up Trimmer Wet/Dry makes it the slightest bit better... Especially when I haven't shaved in an embarrassing amount of time and I start getting confused with a yeti. Basically, it is my leg machete and I am kind of in love with it.

 

7. I know, I know... I am super late to the game... But I can't get enough of my Birkenstocks. They are so cute, so functional, and so perfect. I feel totally trendy and love that I can slip them on for almost any occasion. I'll take a pair in every color, please! #sensibleshoes

 

 

Cheers to starting the week off right and to the pumpkin beers I'll be chugging this evening while watching MNF!





Fancy AF

Happy First Day of Fall!

 

Bring on everything cozy and all the pumpkin flavored treats. I am ready!

 

Last night, Zach and I ended summer right with a fancy beer pairing dinner followed by a rousing round of trivia. You guys! I cannot stop thinking about how delicious that meal was and how elite I felt at such an extravagant event.

 

Zach and I had gone to Lloyd Martin a few months ago for a glass of wine and thanks to a little marketing and a lot of encouragement from our waitress, signed up for a beer pairing dinner they were hosting. The restaurant paired with Pike Brewing to create a beautiful barbecue inspired five course meal... I know what you're thinking, five courses!?! But they were small, so throw your shade elsewhere.

The first course was comprised of chicken wings in a white barbecue sauce. Obviously I panicked because I don't do white creamy shit, but this was a garlicky sauce that was to die for. Plus, the wings were so crispy and perfectly flavored. It was paired with the Naughty Nellie Golden Ale whose namesake was the madam of the brothel that originally occupied the Pike Place Brewery. It was light and summery and went nicely with the slightly spicy chicken wings.

 

Next up was the Foie Gras Mousse with Corn Bread and a Jelly made from the Monks Uncle Triple Ale it was paired with. I was definitely nervous to sample this course... Meat Mousse? It sounded a little iffy to me, but it was actually delicious. Plus, it looked SO freaking fancy.

Our next course was pork sasauge, baked beans, and an IPA. Sounds pretty boring, right? OMG, wrong! I am not usually a baked bean fans, but you could taste the freshness of these gems plus the pork was SO good. I even enjoyed the IPA which was significantly less hoppy than I am used to. (Hoppy is a thing, right?)

Then came the pork roast with apple kimchi and the Kilt Lifter Ruby Ale. Holy shit. The tender roast with a spicy, crunchy kimchi made of APPLE topped with a sweet orange barbecue sauce.... I'm dead. Like seriously donezo. It was perfect... And that Ruby Ale to help cut the spice? Yep, dead.

Last, but the farthest ever from least, dessert. We were served a stout chocolate cake with malt ice cream and stout ganache paired with the XXXXX Stout. I was prepared to lick the goddamn plate. So rich and creamy, I couldn't have been more satisfied.



  

What was really cool about the meal was that we had the opportunity to meet both the chef and the brewer. Between each entrée, the brewer would describe the history of beer and the brewery which led into an in depth description of the next taster on the menu.

 

It was such a fun way to spend the evening and gave me an awesome opportunity to be a critic for the evening. I will definitely seek out a similar event in the future.

 

In the words of Benjamin Franklin, "I think this would be a good time for a beer."

 

Cheers!



Armcandy Sugardaddy Fashionwhore I'm So LA

Happy Monday!

I am currently having an internal battle between Mynx and Miley lyrics and honestly thought way too hard about the title of this post. I couldn’t decide if it should be something to the tune of “My sunglasses match the cocaine tray I'm So LA” or a more upbeat “I hopped on a plane to LAX with my dream and a cardigan”… Both of which have been on repeat since I landed in Cali on Friday morning. I was so stoked for a mini vacation that I could hardly stand it. I immediately lost my goddamn mind as we drove through Orange County and my 16-year-old self suddenly appeared and was searching for any house that resembled the Cohen residence and secretly wondered if I might catch LC cruising through town… Probs blaring some Blink 182 with Steven Colletti… Spoiler Alert: I experienced none of the above. The trip did include a beautiful wedding, my hands literally being full of babies, a baseball game, sunbathing, football watching, and lots and lots of eating. #vacationdiet4lyfeeee

 Arguably the best part of the vacation was that I had no skin in the game. When you put hours of work and hundreds of dollars into a trip, there is a ton of pressure for it to be the best time of your whole life. Sure, vacations are innately fun, but there is nothing like going into a trip with no expectations. The whole weekend I planned and paid for nothing and was able to just go with the flow. It was basically heaven.

Cheers to free vacations and all the LA references you can think of!

Monday Thinggssss

Happy Monday, Lovelies!

With the weekend ending and summer sixteen officially being a thing of the past, I figured I probably needed a peppy little sunshiney post to kick of the week. Here are a few sweet nuggets that are currently brightening my day!

-          I am totally feeling all the fall vibes lately. Football season has officially kicked off and a pretty decent chunk of my weekend was spent cozied up in our living room cheering on my fav teams.

-          These precious little gems my sister and I whipped up this weekend for a little “So Long Summer BBQ” we hosted


 

-          On that note, my sister visiting for no particular reason. After all the craziness this summer, I am starting to think “just because” visits can sometimes be the best kind

-          My sexy red pedicure from Cate’s wedding that still looks bangin’

-          The fact that my sheets are freshly laundered which hasn’t been the case in an embarrassing amount of time

-          LA being just around the corner… Although this is a little bittersweet since it means I have to shave my legs which is for sure the worst part about being a lady

-          Also, referring to myself as a lady in the prior point makes me feel extra sophisticated and kinda like a liar

-           This super cute brewery we found in walking distance from our place which is sure to be the beginning of many a hangover… Which proved to be the case Friday night


 

I am sure I have about a million other tidbits I could share, but I am out of pictures sooooo I think we can agree it is time to call it a day.

 

 

Summer Hangover

Get ready... This is about to be a total "Dear Diary" post!

 

While I was playing on my phone in the bathroom today at work (don't even judge me, I know you all do it too!), I started flipping through all the pictures on my phone that I should probably get around to posting on Facebook. I couldn't stop smiling about the incredible summer I have had, and seriously cannot believe it is coming to an end. As I come down from the life high I have been on all season, I am filled with all sorts of emotions.

 

I am kinda sad that my crazy, exciting summer is almost over. I have been looking forward to all the fun activities all year and am feeling a little bummed that they have come and gone. They seem to have happened way too quickly, and it feels a little empty not to have them to look forward to anymore. I am just hoping I can bask in the memories and mental pictures for years to come.

I am also feeling incredibly accomplished. Although it was a lot of work, I have so many wonderful memories to show for it. I love all of the events I helped throw and will cherish each and every one of them for years to come.

Truthfully, I am feeling a little exhausted. I can't even remember the last time I didn't have to set an early morning alarm and have been running out of clean panties on the reg because I haven't even had time for laundry! I love to pretend that I am invincible, but I could probably use a quiet night in... Although there is no doubt in my mind that I would get bored in the time it took to cook up a bag of popcorn and be looking for the next adventure.

 

Oddly enough, I think I have a minor case of the "Back to School Blues"... I am not quite sure how it is happening since I graduated in 2011 (gasp!), but I have that same feeling I used to get right around Labor Day when classes were just about to start up again. It was always bitter sweet walking back into school. Partially, I would be totally stoked for all the excitement surrounding a new school year.... Friends, football games, boys... All the important things... But a little part of me always missed that easy summertime living. So, even though I don't have to classes to attend, those Back to School ads still give me a little pang of sadness coupled with falltime excitement.

 

Finally, I feel so lucky to have had such a memorable summer. There is no doubt in my mind that it is one of the best I have ever had, and I can hardly believe all the special events and adventures I filled it with. My heart is completely full, and I will continue to cherish this summertime hangover I've got going.

 

For now, I am going to gradually ease myself into fall by enjoying what is left of this season. Last night Cole, Zach, and I scored some free tickets to the M's game at a local dive bar (kids, it pays to drink) and enjoyed a chilly summer evening at Safeco. I think I may be able to squeeze in a few more baseball games and maybe even a bon fire or two! 

 

Here is to summer spirits all year long and savoring every last second of this sweet season.

 

Cheers!

3 Weddings, 2 Weekends, 1 Full Heart

What a perfect way to wrap up my summer; surrounded by love, chaos, family, friends, laughter, and glitter… Lots of glitter. It has been an absolute dream over here, and I can’t wait to share! Since all three of the weddings were incredibly special and unique, I think they each deserve a post of their own. So, for now, I will stick to the highlights!
 

My cousin Kayla’s wedding came first, so the week between her bachelorette party and ceremony was filled with last minute activities to prepare for the big day. Somehow, I still found time for a Mariners game, shopping date, and a wine night before heading down south on Thursday evening. It was a breathtaking backyard wedding complete with the most beautiful boho bride you can even imagine! I cannot wait to share more deets!

Before heading back to Seattle for a few short days, my sassy little mother suggested “maybe I get some rest and don’t go out every night.” Pshhhh. Real cute Deb. I had trivia, celebratory dinners, HH, and season finales to attend to. Needless to say, my short week flew by! Wednesday afternoon, I headed south with a MOH speech and about a million dresses in tow, ready for another magical weekend.

I can’t even begin to describe how special the next few days were. I was so thankful for the opportunity to stand beside my best friend as she married her soul mate. The days leading up to the wedding were just as incredible as the glitter filled day itself. Every last element of their wedding was perfect… I am seriously bursting at the seams to gush over all the sparkly details.

Cate’s wedding was nothing if not a party… One which extended to the bars until 2:00 am when the lights came on! It was the absolute best, but the next morning? Not the best! I drug my hungover ass from Portland to Seattle, and was greeted by my family with essential oils, whiskey, beer, and Pedialyte. Miraculously, I was cured and ready to party! I threw on one of the many dresses I packed, wiped the mascara from under my eyes, and climbed on the wedding shuttle wearing my prior evening hair and makeup. #iwokeuplikethis

My cousin Christy’s wedding was an absolute blast. It perfectly captured the bride and groom’s personalities while ensuring their guests had the time of their lives. I had so much fun dancing the night away with the fam, and loved the after party at the casino!

It blew me away how quickly my long weekend came and went, but I can’t tell you how thankful I was for all the love shared and memories made.

 

Cheers to love, laughter, and happily ever after!