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!

no brainer

From a favorite blog I follow: House of Turquoise- why wouldn't you want a secret bookshelf/wall painted turquoise? No Brainer.

Click here for pics of the rest of the house: Country Houses -> House in Maine

pop the bubbly!

It's Champagne Friday Everyone!

Since I am one of the few Americans working today, I spent some extra time working on this week's Champagne Friday items (don't tell my boss).  Ever been to Polyvore.com? No? Well, you should.

My thoughts this morning started with looking for that "it" holiday cocktail dress and since I was having no luck, I remembered I had made a few outfits for a contest on Polyvore.  I rekindled my love and ended up making a fabulous outfit, although I don't know if holiday party is the right place for it?  I was thinking more Vegas.  Either way I LOVE everything about it, and when I muster up $1,554 (shoes were on sale) I will buy it, and wear it, whether I go to Vegas or not.

Also, I don't have a holiday party that requires a cocktail dress, nor have I ever.

Add caption

oh no not again

When my alarm went off this morning, I actually said out loud "Oh no, not again". A sure sign that I am ready for a long weekend! 

its champagne friday

"I want one of these bracelets really bad...I'm so thankful that my impulsive thoughts don't lead to impulsive actions...instead I just blog about them- its good therapy"  
-myself, after seeing such a fabulous bracelet that is depressingly out of my price range

Who just quoted herself? This girl.

After a quick analysis of my blog, I have decided to start Champagne Friday.  A weekly update of my findings that I want, and find it painful that they are just out of range of my bud light (sometimes Stella Atrois) budget.

As noted above, these are often impulses and there is a good chance that by next Friday I may not want them anymore, but just in case I do I can see them on my blog, save up some milk money and purchase one of these items!  And of course, so can you.  And if you do, do you think I could borrow it?

It only seems appropriate to start Champagne Friday with the item that created it...below you have the this gem(s) that spoke to me in an Esty email blast yesterday.  This item oozes fabulous and for only $350 buckaroos (thank you Sarah Gilstrap for such a great word) it could be yours.

Custom AB Crystal Cuff

celebrity question

If you were alone in a dark alley being mobbed by hooligans, which two female celebrities would you want to back you up?

My choices: Pink and Miranda Lambert

Runners Up: China Doll, Hillary Swank (anyone see Million Dollar Baby?) and Jillian Michaels

i could never pull that off

How many times have you said "I love this but I could never pull it off"....well here is my list.  Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Mouna Crystal Headband

Salesea Shell Neckwarmer

Frye Sarah Over the Knee

 Not a something I can wear, but a picnic that I could never pull off!



And a kitchen I love but could never pull off!
Australian Home Beautiful

this is a "thrisis"

"Forget the quarterlife crisis -- that post-college moment of clarity when you realize that working at a job actually requires -- you know -- work. This is a "thrisis" -- an uneasiness people experience as they hit the big 3-0. Or the big 3-uh-oh, as we like to call it."

I have 32 months until I have a "thrisis". And yes, I fully anticipate having one.

Read the rest of the article here:
20-somethings--get ready for a 'thrisis' - CNN Living

Article sent to me by my 24 year old friend Jennifer, she has a lot longer to go before her thrisis, but like myself, I fully anticipate her having one as well.

happy birthday mom!

Today my mom would have been 60! I miss her so much but have no doubt that she is celebrating in style!

celebrate

This weekend I decided to celebrate:

• Friday I celebrated the end of a long week with happy hour and dinner among scrub-wearing dental students putting off one more day of studying for their next board test
• Saturday Rob and I got up at 7 to celebrate lung cancer research by running the Lung Hill Run in the park near our apartment.  All proceeds from the run went to the LUNGevity Foundation, they raise money for lung cancer research focusing on early detection and successful treatments.

We ran for the cause, not for time

• Today Burns and I celebrated...eh...just being friends and the amazing KC weather by meeting at the Classic Cup for lunch and a little shopping on the plaza
• Tomorrow would have been my mom's 60th birthday! Rob, my dad and I celebrated by making her brisket recipe and watching the chiefs game (unfortunately we didn't get to celebrate a victory).  I still have a ways to go before I perfect her recipes but I am having fun trying! 

gtl

If this isn't blog-worthy I don't know what is. Best picture I have seen in a LONG time...don't know these kids but I wish I did....

strategy

Currently working on my strategy to talk Rob into this bedding from Anthropologie. Suggestions welcome, this won't be easy.

Sophie Bedding

Sophie Bedding

etsy wish list

If money were no object, these items would be sitting in my closet waiting to be showed off...

Winderbutry Nest, Dark Red Jade and Brass Leaves Necklace- $42.00
Seller: luxedeluxe (My Favorite Store!) 

Deluxe Stacking Rings- $70.00
Seller: SilverSparrowDesigns

Love Polaroid Style Memo Post-It- don't know price already sold :(
Seller: Wonderlandroom

Black Poppy on Ivory Ambrosia Bag- $105.00
Seller: BagatellesandCo


Milky Cofee- $24.00
Seller: Elde

recap

Thursday: Not often do my weekends start on Thursday but Rob and I and about 40 other dental students were bused to Olathe for the night to a friend's parents house.  As we arrived we were greeted with a beautiful house on beautiful land and a perfectly spiked strawberry slushy. After eating wonderful homemade BBQ we fed the horses apples from the orchard and sat around the bonfire. We were then bused back to the city around midnight.  I hope to be half the host Mrs. Hannah was!

Friday: Rob and I met Rachelle, Jerry, Andrea and Joe at Nara for some delicious sushi followed by a drink(s) at JP Wine Bar.  I know the guys loved the discussion about Groupons, The Sister Wives and Stella and Dot.

Saturday: We didn't leave our place until about 6:45 pm!  But it needed some attention and we ended up doing 7 loads of laundry...guess it had been awhile.  We watched the Mizzou game and caught up with college friends which led to staying up WAY too late.

Sunday: Treated myself to a Rosemary Caramel Iced Latte and a little shopping on the plaza, and Rob treated himself to peace and quiet and full focus on his fantasy football team.

Overall it was a great weekend for Missouri sports!!

loving today

• Made the decision on the way to work to get a massage this weekend because my back and neck are really tight, got to work and my groupon was for a 1 hour massage for $30...it was meant to be
• My g chat conversations have included the questions game and a conversation that came full circle, like Seinfeld
• Last night I tried to explain my blog and facebook to my dad :)
• Rob bought me a Jimmy Johns sandwich last night before I could tell him I was eating dinner with my dad, I got home and it was perfectly packaged with the veggies separated (so it wouldn't get soggy) for my lunch today...it was delish.
• Getting ready for a fun night with good friends, always a plus when a trolley is involved
• Found these Free People moccasins today, what do you think?

nuts about southwest

So I stole my title from the website, but the reality is that I am nuts about Southwest Airlines.  Why do I feel like I am doing something good when I book a $360 flight through them?  Within approximately 30 minutes, I booked a flight, got approved for a SW Visa credit card (so I can  book more flights) and "liked" them on Facebook. Oh and I already get their "ding" alerts through the app on my iphone. I really don't love to fly, but man they make it seem fun!  No company is perfect, but they are doing something right.

Southwest Airlines, you win. I hope you pay your ad agencies well.

Oh, and my $360 flight is to California for Christmas...holla!

chilean miners being rescued!

This morning I had a few extra minutes before I left for work (which is funny because I was a few minutes late to work) and caught the rescue of one of 33 Chilean miners that have been stuck in a gold and copper mine for 63 days.  I am very aware it doesn't take much for me, but I instantly choked up and couldn't stop watching! I have been following the story periodically and intrigued with how they are surviving, how they were going to get rescued, etc.  I am just so thankful that is actually happening and praying that it continues to go well for the rest of the miners. Last I checked, 12 had been rescued and they were being pulled out about 1 an hour like expected.  The link is to an article I read Sunday that tells a lot about what the miners can expect as they are rescued but also what life will be like once everything calms down.  Interesting if you ask me :)

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2010-10-10-chile-mine-collapse_N.htm

adventures in babysitting

I have been loving House of Harlow 1960 jewelry by Nicole Richie (see awesome items below).  Recently my obsession grew to a new level when I realized what her line reminds me of....Adventures in Babysitting!! One of my absolute favorite movies ever!  It actually reminds me of the Smurfit-Stone Building in Chicago (bottom left corner of movie image below) which Sara (girl with viking hat on) climbs to get away from the bad guys and get home before her parents!

The jewelry has an awesome 80's/bohemian feel...

 

Anyone else remember the movie?!

week-end

What an awesome weekend!  Beginning with Friday...Rob and I met friends at Flying Saucer for a few drinks and dinner before the Miami Heat/Oklahoma Thunder game.  My dreams of meeting LeBron were crushed when we were in the last row of the top section of the Sprint Center....but we got to sit as a group of 12 which was way worth it!  Below is the pic of Lauren, Kristen, Sarah and I taking a break at the bar.  Unfortunately I don't have a picture that includes Erin and Robin although we all had a blast post game at Ragland Road dancing our week away.

On Saturday Rob and I celebrated 2 years of him courting me...to celebrate we made dinner of herb baked salmon and rice pilaf...and a bottle of wine, duh.

And for dessert...chocolate chip cookies and milk (Rob cheated):

As for Sunday...I met my dad at NFM (Nebraska Furniture Mart) and remembered how much I love that place but kept calm while I helped him pick out appliances for the remodel of his house. Unfortunately the Chiefs lost but we still had a great time at the Peanut with a nice dinner of chicken nachos at Sol Cantina (second home).

Looking forward to this week but who am I kidding, Sunday nights are the worst!

34 and looking good

Happy Birthday to my oldest brother Andy!!  He is 34 today and looking good!  Picture: Louisville 2009

the beginning of the beginning

Today is the beginning of my blog. I have been wanting to start a blog for quite some time, mostly motivated by my friends and other blogs that I come across that are just fascinating.  During a recent slow afternoon at work I came across a quote "Yesterday is history, tomorrow a mystery, today is a gift which is why we call it the present". This quote spoke directly to me on so many levels and has become the inspiration behind why I want to share my thoughts, ideas, dreams, memories and the average daily update.  There is a really good chance that my best friends and family will be showcased at one point or another, so in advance, thank you for giving me so many blog-worthy moments! (Urban Dictionary meaning for blog-worthy: when an event happens in your day that is worth blogging about)