Cheers to the Holidays

So... I was thinking... In the spirit of the holidays, how about we pretend it hasn’t been four months since my last post. Good lord, at this point I feel more like a guest blogger on my own blog… So lemme just take a few minutes to update you so we all feel like friends again.

Last time I posted, I believe it was the tail end of summer. So to wrap that up, the rest of summer was hot as shit, so I basically just did my best to stay cool.

I spent all fall watching football, going to Vegas with a few of my fav guys, and blowing the whole maid of honor thing out of the water.  Then I ended the season with a bang by blacking out, spraining my ankle, falling in a puddle, and knocking myself out when I caught my fall with my chin... So that was my Halloween treat.

 

Obviously decked my halls per the usual, and attended a handful of holiday events. For the second year in a row, I went to a fun little cookie exchange, but this year I actually made my cookies. #winning ... My best friend also hosted her first favorite things party which was the sweetest event ever. We all brought one of our favorite things for each party guest, then got to go home with everyone's fav treats. Such a fun way to get to know people... So now each party guest assumes that my life consists of drinking wine and eating ALL the chocolate, which isn't necessarily inaccurate. In fact, I also did a little holiday wine tasting in Woodinville with some friends and I joined a wine club. Let me just tell you, I have never felt fancier. Suddenly, they took us from the tasting room with the peasants to the swankiest room with good shit. Even the wine glasses were at another level in there. Plus, there were old-timey carolers in the winery which is an instant win.

The holiday season was so fun in Seattle this year, and it got me so amped to go home for Christmas to keep the celebration going. As usual, I got home and immediately met up with some friends after INHALING a smoked ham sandwich with my dad. It was so great to catch up with a few of my fav people that I hadn't seen in way too long. Also, it turns out that partying at a Chinese restaurant is totally my jam. Everybody wins when Fried Rice comes home with you at 2:00 am. I proceeded to drag my ass out of bed just in time for Parkmas. Cheers to old friends, kick ball, and drinking a half a fifth before noon on Christmas Eve... HOLAAAA. I also got to celebrate with my dad's side of the family, complete with a bright pink prime rib that is currently making my mouth water. As usual, my sister and I chased family Christmas Eve with a night out with friends, once again reuniting with some of my favorites that I hadn't seen in way too long. Christmas with my mom's fam was just delightful as usual. I loved drinking Old Fashions with Gram, watching my mom wobble around on my cousin's hover board, and letting my cousin HACK my hair off. Guys, it's so short!! I also got an extra special surprise because one of my very best friends, Branden, was unable to make it out of town with his wife, so instead he spent the holiday with us! My family was SO excited to see him. B and I ended the night with our friend Casey at the trashiest dive bar we could find, because what is Christmas without a drunk guy singing the Beatles on his old guitar? Finally, my sister and I headed to Portland on the 26th to celebrate with our auntie. It was such a great holiday filled with so many laughs and loved ones, I couldn't have asked for more!

 

Outside of seasonal happenings, I started a new job! It was a little crazy and spontaneous, but an old boss offered my a position a couldn't refuse. I love working for him again and am enjoying learning a new job in a new industry.

Also, I am officially an adult... My friends and I have started taking turns hosting weekly wine nights, soooo... feel free to admire what a grown up I have become. Don't worry that Hip Hop BBQ Pandora is the music of choice, we are still classy as shit #wednesdayswedrinkwine


So, let's cheers to the holidays and to catching up like old friends do!

Thursday Thoughts

Happy Freaking Thursday!  

I can't believe how quickly this week is flying by.  There have been a million things on my mind, so I thought I would share a few.

1. It's a little stormy outside, and I have to admit... I kind of love it.  Don't get me wrong, I totally love the sunshine, but when it is 100 Degrees and I have to be a real person....  This Seattle girl can't hang.  Give me a cocktail in my hand and sand in my toes and I'll be ready for the heat... but working and sleeping without AC.... Hard pass.

2. Speaking of stormy weather, the fall is upon us!  Preason football has started and I can nearly smell the pumpkin spice lattes.  

3. Last weekend was top notch.  Seattle night on the town, early morning train trip home, breakfast burritos and a hot wedding date, and an evening in with fabulous friends and stellar cocktails.  

4. Oh, and a trip to DQ.  Jurrasic Blizzard for the win!

5. ANTM... For you rookies, America's Next Top Model.   I don't even care how trashy I sound, I live to binge watch ANTM Marathons.  

6. This weekend!  It is finally time for a beach getaway with some of my favorite ladies.  Get me there!

7. It is time to get my butt in shape.  Vegas is in less than a month.  Time to kick this into high gear.

8. Okay, guys, don't judge me... But I am thinking about hiring a maid.  Not like an "oh come keep my fabulous mansion up to my standards"... But more like an "I have been out of town all summer and can't remember the last time I vacuumed" sort of situation.  

Annnndddd, since 8 is my favorite number, I think I'll end here.  

Cheers to the freakin' weekend.... I'll drink to that!

My Whirlwind Summer

Well, well, well.... Look what the cat dragged in.  I can't believe how long it has been.  I am the self proclaimed "worst."  This summer has been an absolute whirlwind, but I wouldn't have it any other way.  I figured I would just take this time to update you on all the excitement that has kept me from blogging for the last few months.  

After the disappointing Superbowl, I had one more heart break.  Oregon Ducks lost in the National Championship.  Wah wah.  But on the upside, my best friend (who could care less about college football) hosted the cutest little party to watch the game.  #bestfriendever

Valentine's Day was also a treat, and I spent it celebrating My Little's Birthday at The Melting Pot.  I also reminded myself why I hate heels so much,

My next notable adventure was NW Zeta Day in Portland which is pretty much an excuse to get together with sorority sisters, dress up, and wear flower crowns.  Added bonus: crafting!  God, I miss college. 

This has also been the summer of incredible concerts!  Hello Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, The Fray, Train, and Taylor Swift.  I'm sorry, but my life rocks.  Garth and Trisha were my dream come true in Portland!  Thank GOD for booze and minivans which took that concert to a whole other level.  Then there was The Fray & Train at the Gorge which, aside from camping with rattlesnakes (kill me now) was the best way to celebrate my best friend Bri's birthday!    Finally, TAYLOR with TAYLA.  Okay guys, if you haven't seen her in concert, you're seriously fucking up. Her concerts are freaking nuts. 

Summer wouldn't be complete without tons of family time, so its a good thing mine is such a riot.  We all traveled to Cali to celebrate my baby cousin's high school graduation....  Which made me feel like a fossil, but whatever.  

Also, Auntie & Uncle came up to see me AND took me to the Theo Chocolate Factory.... So, it was a win for all parties involved.  They got to see me and I got to indulge my sweet tooth.  We also had a stellar family reunion at which we proved that family photos are a lost cause.  Nice try, team.

Then there was Boston.... Ohhhhh Boston.  I am officially obsessed.  We went for a work conference, but trust me, fun was had by all.  Legitimately, haven't drank like that since college.  My coworker and I took a red eye Friday night so that we could enjoy the city before the conference started.  After drinking our way through the freedom trail, we joined the remainder of the conference and got lost in a sea of Long Islands and Lobster... SO MUCH LOBSTER.  The week was filled with Karaoke Championships, a Red Sox Game, obsessing over the penguins at the aquarium, and lots of awesome people.  Oh, and beer.  Lots and lots of beer.  

I don't know if I have mentioned it before, but one of my best friends, Mattie, is getting married this October... You know what that means.  Bridal Shower and Bachelorette Party!  My sister and I loved loved loved throwing the parties.  First, Bridal Shower!  We hosted a Kate Spade brunch at Mattie's mom's place, and it was thee cutest.  Not to toot our own horn, but it was so chic.  The brunch was complete with a donut cake, a mimosa bar, and a whole lot of crafts!  

Then we escaped to a little beach house in Seaside where our "Last Nauti Night" commenced.  Talk about good old fashioned slumber party.... I think my breath STILL smells like Funions.  

Oh, and there was that one time the group went to Chelan and the boys couldn't hack it.

...and the incredible country chic barbecue that my best friend threw for my birthday. 

Did I mention that this was the summer of traveling?  Aside from Boston, California, Seaside, Chelan, The Gorge, Portland, & Mason Lake for the Fourth of July, I was also able to squeeze in a few more trips.  

I had an awesome vacation with Bri & her family to Cabo,

Then I went on a wonderful camping trip to Southern Oregon where we went on a killer Jet Boat Tour with Captain Big John.... With a name like Big John, you know he showed us a good time.

And, of course, there was that unforgettable trip to Roseburg for a wine and food pairing event.  Wine and food, you guys!  It doesn't get better than that... Until the next morning...  When you're forced to snag a Number 2 from McD's and pray you don't vom on the 6 hour drive home.

The summer was also sprinkled with some awesome Duck Dodge adventures, a beautiful wedding with sorority sisters, and a visit from some extra fun friends!

OH!  And I got to hold a PENGUIN.  A freaking penguin!  Her name was Josie and I think she is the love of my life... Although sweet baby Ella puts up a good fight for that place in my heart.  Love my Big's little girl!

It has been such an incredible summer and I wish I could share it all with you!  I just hope you all can forgive this novel of a post as I attempt to clear my guilty conscience.  

Cheers to sunshine and summertime!

Superbowl Chic

OKAY!  So I could easily spend this entire blog bitching about the end of the game.... But I think I have been moping about it for long enough.  Instead, I am going to show you the fab party that Bri and I threw.  The basic key to any successful party is simple: Food, Booze, Decorations, and People; and we had all bases covered! 

 

THE FOOD

 

 

Arguably the best part of the whole thing.  Seriously!  I probably gained like 5 pounds from the spread, but screw it... Superbowl is basically a holiday.  The menu included chicken wings, chicken bacon wraps, homemade pizzas, beast mode sausages (with freaking skittles in them, GET REAL... our life rocks), homemade mac and cheese, chili dip, stuffed peppers, lumpia (kill me now, it is so good), donuts, chips, cheese dip, asparagus skewers, meat and cheese, bean dip, cookies, shrimp, and ALL the skittles.  BYE!  Our life rocks. 

THE BOOZE

 

How cute is our set up!  We went all out - 12th Can Beer, 12th Man Vodka, 12th Man Boxed Wine, Whisky, Champagne, Kahlua, and, of course, MOONSHINE.  Obvliously we had to make touchdown skittles moonshine shots, which went down like butter. 

 

 

THE DECOR

 

ADORBS!  Oh, and feel free to oogle at the paper dolls we made.  #killingit

 



THE PEOPLE

 

 

Okay, I suck and only got a few pics of the people... But they are the most important.  I am obsessed with them.

Oh... And here is us being sore losers.  Whoops!