Cali-forn-ya

If you read my last post you will know that I have been in California for the last week and in case you were concerned I have the post vacay blues that began with a meltdown this morning because I couldn't find any tooth paste.Yes, I live with a dentist and yes he is so glad to have me back in town.

My brother and sister-in-law live in Costa Mesa, CA which just happens to be a stones throw from Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, and Laguna Beach.  With those beaches comes beautiful weather, tons of outdoor activity and multiple thoughts of "why do I live in Missouri again". Then they will tell you how much their mortgage is and its an instant buzz kill, but only until the next day and you visit another beach and all the thoughts come back. Now I know why people live there, despite the outrageous cost of living.

Here are a few pics from our Christmas dinner at Lagnua Beach.  We grilled out with the intention of watching the sunset but it got cloudy and eventually rained that night.  Either way it was beautiful!

Laguna Beach

Family Pic

Can you say Christmas card?

Me and the bearded men

Mo-Randa and I

So many more pics to come.  Since I had about 12 hours to think yesterday while my flights got delayed, I came up with a few things I learned in Cali....

• Avocados grow on trees
• There is more than one way to spell Miranda. Moranda. 
• I LOVE surfing.  
• Some of the friendliest people live in Orange County
• I saw more American Apparel stores than I did Starbucks
• Wilson's Creek Almond Champagne is wonderful, and can be purchased anywhere- thank goodness.
• At noon on Christmas Eve a ba-jillion Santa Clauses on Harley Davidsons drive through Huntington Beach, it helped it feel like Christmas
• $8 beers taste the same as the $3 beers in Missouri
• I could be a vegetarian in Cali no problem
• My sis-in-law Miranda (Mo-Randa) looks adorable in skinny jeans
• Christmas breakfast tasted the same in Cali
• Fashion Island is as wonderful as it sounds
• Sprinkles Cupcakes are worth the calories

More to come, I've got to get ready for a weekend at the lake living the good life and bringing in 2011, Happy New Year everyone!  

merry christmas, I hope all of you swim with the current this season!

One of my favorite blogs that I follow is Enjoying the Small Things (thanks Laci!).  Kelle (yes, I feel like we are on a first name basis since I read about her life everyday) is an incredible writer, photographer and mother. In today's post she talked about her visual of Christmas that she has always had and how real life isn't always exactly how you visioned it.

"I have learned that real life is different from dream life, and I've managed to merge the two over the years. The moral of the story is this...If you want it, work hard to create it but leave cushion for the unexpected and embrace everything outside of that "perfect" vision as good and meaningful parts of your story you would have never had the opportunity to know had you stuck to the script. Ad lib, go with it, swim with the current. In the end, what you will have created albeit a Christmas memory or life's final script...it will be good."

I am not great at ad libbing once I have a vision of how I want things to go, but I have had to do that a lot this year.  I guess I am getting better at it but there are days when I just don't want to go with the flow and I want things to go back to the way they were before my mom passed away. My point is Kelle is right, its ok to have perfect visions of how you want things to go but its the times that you can leave some room for the unexpected when you will create a new memory, or for me this holiday season, new beginnings. 

My family will be in the OC for Christmas this year and I am so excited to go with the flow and swim with the current...no seriously, we are taking surf lessons next Monday. 

There will be lots of blogging to do when I get back, but until then, Merry Christmas and Cheers to 2011!!

happy birthday rob!

Happy 27th Birthday Rob!  We have spent the weekend celebrating Rob and its been so fun!  Friday we met with friends that were all smiles since they were done with their boards exams until March.  Last night we went to Pierponts in Union Station for Rob's birthday dinner! It was so good and worth every penny, we came home and pretty much went to sleep because we were so full.  Today we started our morning with a massage at Take a Break Massage Therapy, it was Rob's first professional massage and I think he is hooked.  Today we watching football and relaxing before a crazy week of parties at traveling for Christmas!

Amazing dinner at Pierponts, not as much luck with our photographer!

 

 

 

 

guess what day it is?

Yep, Happy Champagne Friday everyone!!  Since Rob's birthday is this weekend, I am taking a little different spin on Champagne Friday...anyone that has seen him in the last 3 weeks can't help but notice the beard his is growing for Beards for Hope, a beard growing competition to support money for lung cancer!  I found him the perfect gift since it is very unlikely that he will be winning best beard. 

Medium Brown Bearding: Etsy Seller Caitypa

I hope the glasses are included

Profile View, notice the stache

Have a great weekend everyone!  I can't wait to celebrate Rob being done with boards and his birthday!!

rob, this is for you

I know you haven't been Christmas shopping, save your trouble, I have found what I want...

Rob, please adopt me for Jill. You can find all my information here

best morning ever

One of my favorite Christmas commercials EVER! Target nails it every time.  Helps me remember just how exciting Christmas morning really is when you are a kid.  Yes, I was that kid that would wake up at 6 am and spend what felt like FOREVER waking up the rest of my family.  This gets me in the spirit!

Click here to watch: Is it time yet? I can't wait

Song Name: Toy Jackpot

champagne friday!!

Happy Friday Everyone! It's no secret that leather is everywhere, and I love it!  Here you have your Champagne Friday item of the week!  The Muubaa Draped Leather Jacket found in the Savvy section at Nordstrom (you know, that section where you can look but don't touch).  I have a feeling this $398 leather awesomeness will be on my mind for awhile. But in the mean time, I will still wear my faux leather bomber from XXI (Fancy for Forever 21).





Oh and if you need any help getting through today, this has been helping me the past few days.  GirlTalk All Day-Mashup Breakdown.  Number 3 and 11 are my favorites!

now this is impressive

Oh-ma-gosh, look at this handmade, individually wired, glass ornament garland. It only took 4 holiday seasons to get to where it is now...

Desire to Inspire

champagne friday- holiday edition

It only seems appropriate to have a holiday edition of Champagne Friday!  Not to freak anyone out, but we only have 3 Fridays, (including Christmas Eve) until Christmas is here!  I am in love with these Christmas items...not all of them are super expensive but oh so wonderful, it is that time of year you know.


Single Tree Glass Ornaments...Hallmark has nothing on you.

Single Tree Glass Ornaments Etsy Seller: Onegiftoneworld

Every proper tree needs a skirt...

Marie Antionette Tree Skirt

Adorable....

Savannah Story Elephant: Anthropologie

catch-up

Busy. busy.  I love being busy but man time flies when that happens! The past three weekends have been an absolute blast.  I thought I would go through some highlights...remember this is three weeks worth so bare with me...my Thanksgiving weekend  highlights will come later, they deserve their own post.

• Girls weekend in Columbia! Met some of my besties in Columbia and had a blast.  We ate, drank and danced our hearts out! I love my boyfriend but it is tough to beat a girls weekend when you haven't seen them in a long time! 

"One of these things is not like the other"

• Dental School happy hour at Boulevard Brewery followed by a game of telephone at Flying Saucer...led do a late Thursday nigh but oh so much fun!
• Monthly dinner at the Webb/Turnbaugh house....food was delish and company was awesome!
• Chiefs Game!  A. We tailgated and took down some coffee and Baileys like it was going out of style. B. Our seats were AMAZING...thank you to Rob's sister. C. Chiefs won!!!
• Girls dinner with high school friends...I hosted and we made Southwest Chicken Pileup...a Biggest Loser Recipe (let me know if you want it) that was so good.  It complimented the wine and pre-thanksgiving pumpkin pie very well.
• My dad and I were in charge of green bean casserole and mystery pecan pie (mystery is the package of cream cheese include in the ingredients)...a first for both of us since my mom was head chef in the Spence house.  Both turned out great, and I will say my dad and I are a pretty good team in the kitchen.

After looking through these, its pretty obvious that I have been eating and drinking very well....love handles are in right?

"its cruch time again"

Stole that heading from an old client of mine, Topsy's Popcorn.  Walked into work to find a giant tin of Topsy's popcorn available for all to indulge.  Cinnamon, Caramel and Cheese...my favorite combo.  It's officially holiday season now that I have had popcorn for breakfast!