Colorado 2010

Hello fellow bloggers! I hope you've all been enjoying your summer! So far, the highlight for me has been my recent long weekend in Colorado. I was fortunate enough to fly out with my high school pal Phoebe, and meet up with another high school friend, and a couple of Phoebe's sorority sisters/college roommates. We had such a blast!! It was definitely a much needed trip that was good for my soul! Here's how the weekend went...

Phoebe and I were actually on the same flight out, which we didn't plan! We flew out on a Thursday evening, while Hillary was flying from Dallas, expecting to arrive around the same time. Kendra picked us up, we went out to eat after learning Hil's flight was delayed, then our gang made our way to Kendra's for the night. After a glass of wine and a little catch up time, we were ready for sleep.

Friday found us well rested and ready to get going! We started the morning with a yoga class at the studio Kendra manages/teaches. After that, we headed to Boulder for a sushi lunch and a little shopping (which is where I found my black TOMS wedges). Then we made our way to Denver to meet our friend Anisa, who wanted to go hear a band at a bar downtown. We were a little worn out from being out all day, but we sucked it up and headed to the Downtown Tavern. It was SO FUN! Needtobreathe was playing a free show on their rooftop bar, and it was during Happy Hour. Lots of laughs were had, and many cocktails consumed. We spent the night at Anisa's house and a few of us were really feeling it the next morning.

Saturday was Anisa's birthday and she had the day planned for us. She even printed out an itenerary with all kinds of info and put it in a cute little folder with a handwritten note and a picture frame! We started at the Colorado Athletic Club... Anisa and Kendra did a warm yoga class, while Phoebe, Hillary, and I had breakfast and detoxed in the steam room. Next up was pool time! We headed over to the Westin rooftop pool for some sunshine and relaxation. After a few hours of that, we headed towards the Hyatt and checked in to our rooms, before walking over to Aveda Institute for spa services. I had the most amazing back treatment and it felt so great to be pampered! We then headed back to the hotel and got ready for dinner at Tamayo. Dinner was amazing, complete with a few mojitos and more of Anisa's friends. To top off the evening, we made our way over to Comedy Works, where Brian Posehn was the headliner.

Sunday morning after checking out of the hotel, we had a fabulous brunch at Steuben's. By this point we're all a little exhausted and ready for some down time, so we went back to Anisa's and watched the World Cup championship game. After the game, we went our seperate ways, with Anisa taking Hillary to the airport, and me and Phoebe going to Kendra's. I was excited about Sunday night because I got a chance to see a friend from high school, someone I had not seen in probably 15 years, who now lives in Denver! She met up with us that night, and we had a fabulous time catching up over a few glasses of red.

Monday... my last full day in Colorado! We dropped Kendra off at work, so we could have the car. Phoebe and I went on a little hike in Chautauqua Park. Since I'm not used to the altitude, I quickly felt out of shape... my body wasn't hurting, but my lungs were! Next stop was CorePower Yoga, for some more ass-kicking. Who knew I was going on vacation for a workout?! This time it was a hot yoga class, which I had never done before, but always wanted to try. I've heard hot yoga isn't for everyone, but I gotta say, I loved it! After yoga, we went back to Kendra's, where we met Anisa for a quick bite. Then Phoebe went with her, while I stayed at Kendra's, so she could take me to the airport Tuesday morning.

All in all, I think everyone had as much fun as I did! It was great having a long weekend off, to catch up with friends I hadn't seen in a while... some it had just been a few months, others it had been years. Looks like I'll be going again next year for a third annual Colorado trip!

Awesome view from the Westin rooftop pool...


Downtown denver, between dinner and the comedy club...


A view from Chautauqua Park while hiking...

Things that make me happy...

After a lazy and boring weekend, I decided that a veggie burrito and a new pair of shoes would cheer me right up. And I was right! I bought these TOMS today.



I've decided that I also want a pair of Vibram five finger shoes... I've been thinking about it for a few weeks. After talking to a runner friend, I pretty much decided I might need a pair for walking. I tried a pair on today, but they didn't have the color I wanted. Boo! They were so amazingly comfortable. I will definitely be looking for them in CO! Here's the pair I want...



In other news, I can't believe I'm watching these guys from The Bachelorette wrestle each other all greased up with olive oil.

I'm still here...

Yes, I still have a Blogger account! I haven't gone anywhere!

Not much has happened in the last month or so since I've last written. I have been to Dallas twice, both work related. Last month was the big skin care trade show in Arlington, which I LOVE going to each year. And then earlier this month I went to some training for 302 Skincare, the line I carry. So I've just been work, work, working. I'm ready for a little summertime fun. I went to Groovefest last weekend... I just love little festivals where you can pack a cooler and listen to music while sipping on cold beer. Good times. I finally got my key to the neighborhood pool! Can't wait for a little swim time, sunshine, and relaxation.

I'm excited about my summertime shows! You all should know by now, I am a bit of a television addict. I've got The Bachelorette, which is flippin' AWESOME this season. SYTYCD just started up, and I'm loving the boys this season. Big Brother starts soon. I'm currently recording Glee on my DVR, I heard they were repeating the whole first season over the summer, so I thought I'd jump on the bandwagon. I feel like the only person in the world who has never seen an episode of Glee.

Looks like I might be going to CO again this summer! More details to come on that. Hope you wonderful Blogger people are having a fantastic June!

Farmer's Market...

I heart the Farmer's Market. I heart having Saturdays off so I can go and check out all the yummy fresh vegetables and fruits that make their way to my refrigerator. Today I bought yellow squash, asparagus, cucumbers, green onions, broccoli, and strawberries. Super YUMMY! I heart the thought of supporting local growers, and I heart that I'm eating healthy!

I've been very intersted in healthy eating for quite some time now. That doesn't mean I've eaten healthy all these years. As I've said before, I have a real weakness for sugar. As I eat more fruit lately, that craving seems to be fading a little. I've been using stevia more and more, and I've discovered that having unsweetened cocoa powder around helps tremendously. I'm in love with greek yogurt and strawberries right now.

My next venture is going raw for a few weeks. This is going to be a challenge for me, but I know it will be worth it. I'm looking at it as a detox. If there are people who actually commit to this way of eating for life, I know I can handle it for two weeks! I plan on starting this after my long weekend in Tulsa and Dallas.

Being a grown up. A single grown up.

Is it weird that even though I'm in my mid-thirties I still have moments where it doesn't seem real that I actually am, in fact, in my mid thirties? Compared to most other women my age, I do lead a bit of a different life than the norm... especially the Oklahoma, Bible Belt norm. I am a happily single, never been married gal, no children, still unsure of whether I even want children. Just me, my dog, my house, my career... and I rather like it that way. I'm pretty lucky that most people in my life accept me for who I am and don't judge. And I'm happy that everyone has backed off of the whole "I know a guy you should meet" thing.

And as lucky as I am that I have an awesome group of girls that I can turn to for anything, I don't really have any friends that I can just call up on a whim and say "hey, put on your party shoes, let's go out." My girls don't have the typical 9-5hours and sometimes work on weekends, so to get us all together, free on the same night... well, it's like an act of congress. I feel like I'm young and single, yet I don't always feel as though I'm taking advantage of it. I am truly happy where I am in life, I guess I just wish I knew more women that were also happy being single. The few single people I do know, don't seem very happy about it. Which is interesting to me, because I know plenty of people who are in miserable relationships.

(I think I need to stop watching so much Sex & the City.)

Thank heavens for my Blogger friends, who actually give me a little hope. Thank you for not blogging about how miserable you are in your marriages. I know that no relationship is perfect, but I love happy blogs! I don't want anyone to think that I'm anti-marriage or anything, I'm just happy where I'm at for the time being. I figure that when the right guy comes along, then fantastic. I just don't see the point in wallowing and wondering when that's going to happen. Life is good. There's soooooo much to be thankful for in my world.

Oh, cupcakes... how I love you so...

I did a bad thing today. I had cupcakes for breakfast. Italian Cream. Doesn't sound that bad, does it? Normally, it wouldn't be a bad thing... if I could stop at just one. And I didn't already have a smoothie for breakfast. Ugh. It felt so good at the time. It didn't feel that great at about 3:30, when I was coming down from a sugar high... which led to a sugar coma. I. Felt. So. Gross.

I'm just now starting to feel normal again. I think I'll go for a walk.

A great weekend...

This was one of those weekends where everything kind of came about at the last minute. I had originally planned on enjoying a really lazy few days, and working a short day on Saturday. Instead, my Saturday ended up being booked with clients, which was something I desperately needed!

After work, I met up with my friend Kathy, her mom, and two other friends... to help Kathy pick out a dress for her wedding. This was my first experience at bridal dress shopping, and I have to say, it was really fun. Kathy looked amazing in every single dress she tried on... I guess that what happens when you are trying on dresses in a size 0! I always thought that when it came time to get married, I would want a super simple dress, but after being in the bridal shop and seeing all these different beautiful styles... well, I guess I can see how it would be easy to turn into a bridezilla. These are the top two picks that came from Saturday's adventure...



It's hard to tell from the pics, but the second dress is short... which I thought would be fun since she's getting married on the beach. But that first dress is just soooooo gorgeous and elegant.

This is a dress that I love and I convinced her to try on. I was the only fan! I knew that only a really tiny person could pull this one off, so I wanted to see it on.


After closing down the bridal shop, we headed over to the Cheesecake Factory for a much needed feast. The weather was perfect for outside dining, and we were lucky enough to snag a patio table. My portabello burger was AMAZING, and so was my dessert! All five of us ordered a different cheesecake and sampled each different one. Then took the leftovers home! My pineapple upside down cheesecake was delicous this morning for breakfast!

Friday night I met with a few friends and we watched A Nightmare On Elm Street. My friends seemed to enjoy it, but I thought it was pretty cheesy. After that we headed over to the Library for beer and pizza. Can you say overindulgance? It was most definitely the theme of my weekend! Which is why today has been a very lazy day. I'll be back at it tomorrow. I've got to get some yardwork done, laundry, cleaning the house... the stuff I've been putting off.

Hope everyone had a great weekend!