Thursday, June 30, 2011

Travelin' Woman

We leave tonight for Estes Park, Colorado to celebrate the holiday weekend with my family and to watch my cousin get married. My family has been going to Estes Park in July for my entire life and it feels so special to me. My Dad and all of his siblings share a house there that has become so full of traditions and memories.

It has felt like an extra short week- getting caught up at work after the big Mud Volleyball fundraising event and taking Friday off. I packed my carry-on full of all of my favorite things to keep me occupied on the flight: magazines and snacks.

Saturday, June 25, 2011

My job is muddy

I know that I talked here and here about how much I love my job but today I'm really going to make you jealous. I'm organizing/running a 400-person mud volleyball tournament....in a thunderstorm. 
I bought some killer shoes at GoodWill just for today's event. That's right, my job enables me to shop at GoodWill. 

Friday, June 24, 2011

They always say...

What they don't tell you is that in order to change yourself you have to admit that you aren't perfect. You have to admit that you are flawed.

I have just begun a graduate program in family therapy. And, since relationship building is a major premise of family therapy, it is becoming clear to me just how flawed I {and all of society} is when it comes to relationships with friends and family members. With a degree in Communications, you would think that I would be above average at sharing my feelings but that is not the case. I am going to have to eat a big piece of humble-pie during these grad classes!

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Elle Decor in my hood

I've had a subscription to Elle Decor magazine for years but I must have somehow missed the issue where they sing Kansas City's praises


"You can’t anticipate Kansas City’s charms by looking at a map. It has all the elements that create a rich urban experience, coupled with a gracious, small-town intimacy that ensures an easy stay—for a weekend or a lifetime." -Elle Decor
It was really fun to read through their picks of favorite restaurants, hotels and shops. On their short list of best hotels was The Raphael Hotel where JJ and I stayed on our wedding night. 
There are some amazing pictures of this city, where I'm starting to feel more and more at home every day. 
You can see my apartment building in the skyline of this last picture. I tried to figure out a way to describe in words which one it is but I was unsuccessful so you'll just have to pretend I'm waving at you from one of the smaller brick buildings. 

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

April Fools....Not

I've been on this kick lately when I say something untrue {and obnoxious} and follow it up with "April Fools." It is not April and I am not a child so I'm not sure where this came from but I can tell my husband is using every ounce of his being not to yell at me.

I'm going to work hard to not be so 1999....April Fools.

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Minneapolis Trip, in pictures

We hosted husband's sister and all of her friends at our place this weekend for her 21st birthday celebration. It was fun and stressful to have so many people {enjoying large amounts of cocktails} sharing our home. Cleaning up today was a reminder of how old I've become...

Here are some pictures from my sister and my adventure to Minneapolis last weekend.
 My sweet {and adorable!} friend Allie who let us stay at her place 
 Embarrassingly excited about IKEA
 We were the third car in a three-level parking garage. That's our reward for getting there almost an hour before they opened...
 Success!
 The famous "cherry and the spoon" at the Walker Art Museum
Husband was so excited to get to put together all of my gadgets!

Happy Father's Day!


Happy Father's Day to my Dad. You're a cool cat and I'm grateful for you in my life! 

Friday, June 17, 2011

Friday Thoughts

I took quite a few pictures of my sister and my adventure to Minneapolis last weekend which I'll have to post later this weekend because I can't seem to find my camera cord. It was a successful trip: if you measure success by the car songs sung, sister heart-to-hearts had, and ikea items purchased.

I've had a crazy week traveling for work and I'm headed home today to a house full of girls for husband's sister's 21st birthday party. I'm hosting and that can only mean one thing: margarita cupcakes!

So on this rainy Friday I'm thinking a lot about this:
For me, this speaks to my patience with the relationships in my life. I need to be proactive about changing the things that bother me if I expect to see different results. Easier said than done!

Saturday, June 11, 2011

{No this isn't an ad for facial cream}

Improving your life for under $100



On our road trip my sister and I chatted about what items you can buy for under $100 that will greatly increase your quality of life. We came up with some really interesting and hilarious answers: high thread count sheets, ice cream that doesn't make you fat, a nice shower head, a good knife, etc.

I'd love to hear your thoughts though: what is your favorite item under $100 that greatly improves your quality of life? 

Friday, June 10, 2011

Today is the Day

I promised my sister that we could road trip to IKEA to furnish her first real apartment. She spent the last four years living in a sorority house and, since I know that is a major feat after my one year in the sorority house, I think she deserves some cheap-o furniture! I've always felt like the Swedish were torturing me by having such neat/cheap things- but no where near me.

Last night we drank wine and watched the Justin Bieber movie. I can feel all of your judging glances! We started it as a joke but by the end we were both totally and completely invested in Justin's life. We have a 6 hour drive ahead of us today so I'm sure we'll listen to some Justin to keep us company.

I'm invisioning today will be sort of like that scene from 500 days of summer where they play house in IKEA all day.

Monday, June 6, 2011

Summer To-Do

Do you have a list of goals you want to accomplish this summer? I'm using the term 'goals' loosely here: practice flower arranging, marathon naps under a tree, and ice cream taste tests- types of goals. I have a summer to-do wish list for the summer. 

Sunday, June 5, 2011

A new breed of Charity shoes

If you're feeling a little burned-out on Toms Shoes, you can now help kids out in Central America. They don't have wedges, boots, or shimmery-glittery kicks, but they certainly don't cost 50 bucks! As part of the Good Shoe Project, for each pair of Hope shoes purchased at Payless ShoeSource or Payless.com, one pair of kids' shoes will be donated to World Vision to help needy children in Central America.





What do you think? Would you buy these shoes? I love the two-tone navy ones!

How much do I want a pool?

Today was our first real scorcher. JJ and I attempted play frisbee in the park but I lasted less than 20 minutes before I wimped out and convinced him to take me to the farmers market to bargain with the flower vendors.

I'm wishing more than anything our loft was poolside! I need to make friends with someone with a pool stat...

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Dipped

I spent the day eating pizza and helping high school students make a stop-action video. Sweet Life.

This image makes my heart flutter. I love the look of these dipped baskets that I've been seeing everywhere. I'm adding this project to my to-do list for when I have tons of free time and want to make a huge mess.

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As always, thanks for the inspiration Martha!