WCW Volume 2

Happy Hump Day!

 

In honor of her recent visit, allow my to introduce my #wcw for the week and one of my very best friends:

 

TAYLA

  

Tay is not only one of my best friends, but she is also one of my oldest. I can't even remember when we met, as far as I know she has always just been an extension of me. We are often asked if we're sisters, and honestly, we might as well be. We grew up next door to one another, and we spent most of our childhood inseparable. Tay would smell the BBQ, come over to fix herself a plate, then head right back home. We have spent too much time together to even begin to recollect it all. Some days we spend hours swapping "remember whens" and scream laughing at all our fun memories.

 

Why I Love Her: Do you have a week? The list of reasons are countless. Tayla just gets me. I can throw her a text like "Chicckeeeennn" and she knows I mean "get your ass to Seattle so we can deep throat some Pesos Fried Chicken." And I know that when we DO get that fried chicken, she will pack up half of it (even though she isn't full) just to have leftovers (which she, under no circumstance, will share). I can spend an entire weekend with her at Bumbershoot running ourselves ragged or spend 48 hours eating McDonalds and watching Netflix. Also, Tayla is arguably one of the funniest people I have ever known... Which is only arguable because I am also one of the funniest people I know so... I mean, we'll call it a draw. Besides, our senses of humor are basically identical. She is the person I text with any random thought I have, every funny meme, and all of my Facebook Findings. Every phone call I have with Tay are filled with endless giggles, and she is one of the few people I can say "LOL" to and actually mean it. Her social life puts mine to shame, and I find myself living vicariously through her. My Friday Nights aren't complete without a 4:00 AM Facetime from this girl, and Sundays require a catch up call to hear about all her shenanigans.




 

 

Favorite Memories: It is totally impossible to condense more than 20 years of friendship into a few favorite memories. There are big memories like trips to Mexico, amazing concerts, and high school reunions; there are small memories like game nights, sleepovers, epic karaoke battles, and drunken nights we can't remember; and there is everything in between. There are so many incredible memories and so many yet to make.




 
O really haven't even scratched the surface on this girl. She really is just the best and I couldn't even imagine my life without her!


 

Monday Must Haves

 

Happy Monday!

 

 

As I read through some of my fav blogs this weekend, I realized that I really enjoy their "Favorites" posts. I thought to myself, "I could totally do that," and am just narcissistic enough to think you might be interested in some of my must have items.  

 

 

1. Sabra Individual Hummus Cups - These are so easy and totally delish. Sure, they are a little more expensive than buying a large container, but totally worth it. They stay fresh, are easy to pack, AND are already measured for me since we all know "portion control" isn't in my vocabulary. Did I mention that they are soooo tasty? I have even been known to eat them with a spoon... What can I say, it had been a while since I grocery shopped. These are available at almost all grocery stores, but I usually grab mine at Target.

 

2. American Rag Plus Sized Jeggings - Okay, so the worst thing ever happened. These jeans, MY JEANS, are being discontinued. I'm beyond devastated. These are legitimately life changing. They are jeans, but might as well be leggings because they are soooo comfy. Plus they are tight enough in the legs while still being comfortable on my stomach. I've let a few friends try mine on, and they have all been amazed. Basically, Macy's is the worst for discontinuing them, but there are a few pairs left if you can snag them up. Here is the UPC Code: 883355874355. I will be spending the next week calling every Macy's in existence to try to find as many as I can.

 

3. H&M Tank Tops - I wear these under everything. I own about 15 of them. They're long, tight, and cheap... What more do you need out of an undershirt? They can be purchased here.

 

4. Mophie Phone Case - Best.Case.Ever. I know it is boring compared to all the fun designs that are out there, but this is a must for me. There is an extra battery in the case. I was using my charger so much that I basically had a land line... This has been a game changer! Plus, it has been great at protecting my phone from all of my clumsiness.

 

5. EOS Hand Lotion - You guys, this stuff is liquid gold. All of the scents smell incredible, and it doesn't leave your hands feeling greasy. Besides, it is totally adorable and fits easily in your purse or pocket. I have them stashed everywhere.

 

6. Black Ballet Flats - I don't know about you, but I burn through black flats. It doesn't matter how high the quality, they rarely last more than a month. Therefore, I can't justify spending any sizeable amount on a pair of shoes won't even outlast a Netflix series. Cue WALMART ballet flats. I know what you're all thinking, but at 5 bucks a pair, I don't even care. They're comfy, cute, and totally guilt free. Plus, who doesn't need a plain pair of black flats?

7. Neutrogena Grapefruit Cleansing Wipes - Let's face it, some nights I am just as likely to climb Everest as I am to wash my face. These are the perfect solution to my laziness. Plus they smell great and travel well. I always have a few packs on hand.

8. Tasty Bites Madras Lentils - You're welcome. These are another staple in my cupboard. They cook in 60 seconds and taste delicious. I usually try to stock up while at Costco, but you can pick them up at most grocery stores.

There you have it, guys. A few of my personal necessities. I would love to hear all about your must haves! Hope you all have a lovely Monday!

 

Weekend Bliss

I do my best not to live for the weekend... But weekends like this one are hard to beat. 

I was stoked that I got to stay in Seattle (it is feeling like a rarity these days), AND have one of my best friends come up to visit. We wasted no time, and started the weekend off at an early happy hour with my current boss and some of my old coworkers. If you know me, you know happy hour always lasts way longer than 60 minutes. A few more friends met up with us, and we kept the party going into the wee hours of the morning. After a few hours and several drinks, one of my old coworker invited us to join him at his friend's James Bond party... "Sure" we thought, "why not." Let me tell you, didn't take us long to find out why not. Here we are in our casual Friday attire and we roll up to a goddamn formal event. We were swimming in a sea of tuxes and cocktail dresses and here I was just praying that my chambray top was covering the hole in my shirt. There were daggers coming from the eyes of every girl in there. Needless to say, we got a quick drink and were out of there as quickly as we came. We finished the night with a couple more bars and a ton of laughs about our awkward encounter. 

The following day we nursed our hang over leftover pizza, then were off for a day of shopping. After hitting up our favorite stores and going to Buffalo Wild Wings for the first time (holy shit, I have been missing out), Tayla and I headed to the baseball field to watch a Zach's game. A few other friends met up with us, and we spent some time playing catch before the game started. Despite being semi petrified of getting hit by the ball the entire time, we had an absolute blast. It turned out to be a perfect day at the field... And don't worry, I picked up a few gummy hamburgers for the game because baseball really isn't worth watching without the stadium food! I didn't realize how much I missed weekends at the ball field. Tayla and I headed back to my place with the best intentions of going out that night, but found ourselves totally exhausted so we stayed in and watched An Idiot Abroad instead. Side note, if you haven't watched it... You are missing out! Tears were streaming down my face the whole night!

Today was truly the definition of Sunday Funday. Waking up NOT hungover was a huge plus, so Tayla and I took advantage of the morning and headed to one of our fav brunch spots. We gorged ourselves on some delicious chicken fried steak before making our way to Archie McPhees, a delightful little gag store full of random treasures including Nsync buttons and unicorn bandaids. We browsed and laughed until it was time for Tay to head home. We said our goodbyes and I headed to a Chris's place to watch the Blazers game. No need to relive that nightmare, so I will move on to our beautiful afternoon on Cole's rooftop deck. It was the perfect way to end the perfect weekend! 

Hope you all had a lovely weekend as well! 

Check, Please!

 Okay, let me start by saying I am only 26. I lead with this, because this post is going to make me sound like a total grandma, but here it goes.

 

A few coworkers and I went to lunch as a little bonding activity (which totally counts as team building, so I expensed that real quick). We found ourselves at a nearby wine bar. I had been there before, and remember being left a little cold (literally) by the wine and service I received last time. I recall my red wine being freezing and getting very little attention from the wait staff. Despite my less than fabulous experience, we decided to try it again... And once again, I found myself thoroughly disappointed. Not only were we ignored for almost our entire meal, but when I paid, the waitress forgot to bring me back my credit card. This wouldn't have been such a big deal if ONE of the fifteen waitresses made eye contact with me as they passed. It took us, no joke, about 20 minutes to get my card back. Needless to say, I will not be dining there for a third time. Sheesh. TGIF, am I right?

 

 

And, to counteract the negativity above, I will leave you with this gem:

 

 



Cell Phone Chic

Sometimes, you just don't know what to write... Aside from going to see the Jungle Book (which was so fucking good, btw), breaking my purse, promptly fixing my purse, and having dinner with my mom... It has been a super low key week.

 

With that in mind, this is all I've got for this fine Thursday:

 

My surprise this morning! My boss and I used to work together (prior to this job) and had our all-time fav coffee place that was right next door. I was extra stoked when this guy showed up in my cup holder.

#truth

This sweet picture of cousin's baby girl... Although she isn't a baby anymore :(

Also, how cute is my outfit!? 

A little memento of the awesome remixes Mattie and I used to create. "I like my beat fast and my bass down low"... Try again! 

 

 

Because I am currently obsessed with mermaids, and this was the centerpiece of the gift basket that Caitlin and I made for Ella's first birthday.



This extra cute pic from a Mariners game last year that just popped up on my feed.

Because this made me scream laugh and I had to immediately send it to Tayla.

My schedule from a few weeks ago to prove to Abe that he was in my calendar. Once it hits my day planner, it might as well be signed with blood.

Swooning over this sweet baby girl!

My crafty invites for my cousin's bridal shower... Move over Martha.

Thee cutest cookies from a baby shower I helped Bri throw!

 

Aaannnndddd a few more pictures from San Fran!

 

Not Shown: The countless screen shots of text convos and FB posts that I simply couldn't keep to myself and about a million photos that I have absolutely no idea why I took.

 

 

Happy Thursday, Lovelies! I hope your weeks have been vastly more exciting than mine.

 

Hashtag Woman Crush Wednesday

If you’re reading this, you’re either my best friend Caitlin (ily) or the most patient person on the planet. Either way, I’m totally obsessed with you. Thank you for putting up with my sailor mouth and sporadic posts. You da best!

I’ve been trying to think of a way to encourage myself to post a little more frequently, and I thought maybe weekly posts would help… So, let #wcw commence!

BFF Caitlin

This is Cate! We met at Linfield my freshmen year and have basically been inseparable ever since.

Why I Love Her: How can you not love that babe! I can go months without talking to this girl, and then spend a week with her as if we were never apart. She is the best shopping buddy a girl could ask for. She loves the same people I love, but more importantly, she hates the same people I hate. We can spend hours watching SVU reruns, gossiping, or just chatting about life. A harsh nudge between us says more than words ever could… Especially when a sorority sister is wearing a corduroy skirt with a turtle neck sweater and stripper boots… Don’t think we didn’t notice! She loves a themed party just as much as I do, and never says no to a good vodka soda. There is no one I would rather try on swimsuits with, gangster rap in the car with, make gift baskets with, or spend hours on the phone with.

Favorite Memories: Legitimately too many too count. Let’s see, there is the time we skipped chapter for her family emergency… Aka an emergency shopping trip (if a new swimsuit for formal isn’t an SOS, I don’t know what is).  Then there are the countless nights spent in the chapter room crafting until the wee hours of the morning. Another favorite was the time we planned and won the Lip Sync competition during Greek Week… AND the time we won the Homecoming Song and Banner Competition by rewriting “Summer Nights” and turning it into “Oh, How Those Wild Cats Fight” (well a, well a, well a, huh! Our boys, they know how to block. And they have really big……. arms). Not to mention all of our wonderful adventures including Disneyland, Sunriver, Seaside, and our countless trips to visit one another. I loved being able to share my 21^st birthday with her (it pays to be the youngest in the group), even if I ended up face down ass up at the end of the night… And by face down, I do mean in a garbage can. And by ass up, I do mean dress still on and panties out! I know I am missing far more memories than I mentioned, but my favorite times with Cate are impossible to narrow down. From screaming "Don't Stop Believing" at the top of our lungs to swooning over wedding things, every moment I spend with her is pretty unforgettable!

So… To my first #wcw, I love you! You’re one of my all-time favorite humans, and I am so excited to be you MAID OF HONOR! Thanks for all the memories, I can’t wait to make many, many more!

Happy Monday!

Happy Monday!

Pardon me while I blow past the fact I haven’t posted in three months. Jesus.

Anywaysssss, I suppose it is time to post my obligatory quarterly update.

I wrapped up January with a trip home to celebrate my sister’s birthday & attend Branden’s housewarming party.  

 

OMG, you guys, we took Baby Chlo to get her nails done, and we sipped on complementary wine while spoiling ourselves with pedicures. #winning! We really needed a win after spending 20 minutes trying to get into the wrong truck. Like, ready to call AAA before discovering that we were attempting a B&E on a truck that was kinda similar to ours. You probably had to be there, but we laughed for hours.
 

The following weekend was Super Bowl, and you better believe we chalked it full of fun! I started it off with an evening out with the boys, complete with shots and follow-up hangovers. Somehow, Zach, Mark and I still managed to peel ourselves out of bed Saturday morning to take a Ferry Ride to Bainbridge for some shopping, exploring, and OF COURSE drinking our weight in wine. As soon as we got back to Seattle I headed to a friend’s birthday celebration. We dined and went to a burlesque show. Holy shit, those girls blew my mind. Not much can make me feel empowered as a woman and totally inadequate like a good nipple tassel spin. Super Bowl Sunday was a hit as usual, but arguably my favorite part of the day was getting my Costco Membership Card. Hollllaaaa! After a very eventful Super Bowl the last few years, we kept it pretty low key and just went to The Yard House to watch the game with some friends. Then, Zach, Cole, and I headed to dinner and a movie before the weekend came to an end.

No rest for the weary, the next day it was off to Dallas for work. It was a great trip, but the real highlight was spending the weekend with my sorority sister outside of the city and attending an Eighties Prom Party. Is there really anything better than thrift shopping, crafting, and dress up partying?

I flew back to Seattle and hosted thee sweetest Valentine’s Wine Night. Get cuter!

The following weeks were peppered with basketball games, trivia nights, karaoke, weekend trips to see sorority sisters, and the best homeless guy I’ve seen to date!

 

 We died over this gem.

Finally, March rolled around and it was time for a trip to San Fran with a few of my favorites. Seriously, such a great trip. We started off with a bang and got shit housed at the airport. I am still looking for the travel vlog that recorded us pouring a bottle of wine into Starbucks cups before boarding. We landed pretty late Friday evening and had a pretty low key night out around the hotel. The next morning, we gave the middle finger to jet lag, threw some Bailey’s in our coffee, and headed to our wine tour of Napa and Sonoma. Fucking incredible. We met the best people and drank the best wine. Don’t worry about the 300 bones I dropped liquid souvenirs... YOLO! When we got back, we had an incredible dinner and met a friend for another night out. The next day was fairly rainy and bleak (oversized luggage and I couldn’t pack ONE fucking coat… way to go, Em), but we made our way to Alcatraz, had an incredible brunch complete with a waffle shot, napped, and spent another night out on the town. We woke up the following morning to blue skies, so it was time to soak up as much of the city as we could. We checked out of the hotel, and walked to the BEST brunch. From there, we went to see the Painted Ladies and headed to Golden Gate Park. We took in a little of the scenery, but there wasn’t a second to spare. We headed to Haight Ashbury street to tromp around a bit before heading to the Ferry Building for a quick tour before heading to the Financial District for lunch. We gorged ourselves on some incredible Greek food then WALKED to Coit Tour. Uhhhhhh, not real sure what we were thinking there, but there was no fucking way I was going to be the weak link, so I hooved up that goddamn hill like a champ. Just when I thought we had a moment to rest, we bombed down to Ghirardelli Square, died over the best Sundae ever, then walked to Fisherman’s Warf to scream laugh over those sea lions. Seriously, I could have watched those goons all day. After an awesome final day in the city, we hustled to the airport and said our goodbyes. The boys were headed home, and I was headed back to Dallas.  

 

I was exhausted after San Fran, but it is hard to complain while spending the week at a resort in 80-degree weather for a conference. I was even able to see a sorority sister and meet up with one of the girls I met during our wine tour in San Francisco. Small fucking world.

 

The next few weekends I spent in Oregon with some friends and family, and before I knew it, it was time for the Mariner’s opening day followed by my faux niece's first birthday party in Centralia. I had the most incredible weekend spending Friday night at the game with some of my favorite people then celebrating sweet baby Ella with more of my favorite people.

 

 The following weekend I got to jet down to Portland for my best friend’s bridal shower! I couldn’t believe my luck to spend two weekends in a row with my girls. The shower was absolutely perfect. I had the best time celebrating my all-time favorite couple. PLUS, Cate and I got to show off a few of our strongest talents. These include shopping, gossiping, watching SVU, wedding planning, and eating all the Red Robin fries. #bestweekendever

 

This week was sprinkled with a little babysitting, a lot of crafting, and a wonderful barbecue with the boys complete with summer cocktails!

 

I can’t believe how quickly this year is flying by, but it has been an absolute dream… So, assuming you didn’t bash your head in after reading 3000000 pages of my rambling, Happy Monday! I hope you’re all loving 2016 as much as I am.