Have a Magical Memorial Day!

Just wanted to pop in and wish you all an amazing Memorial Day. If you see a soldier, please thank them for risking their lives every single day to keep America safe!

I know I've been a little MIA lately, especially between my best friend's wedding in Kentucky and my yucky hospital stay yesterday (no worries - I'm now home & resting! More on that later...), it's been utter chaos! Time to unwind!


Have a magical Memorial Day!

Everything + Kitchen Sink

Well I am officially all packed and ready to go... with a record-breaking, earth-shattering 2 bag total! Wooooooo!

Yes, ask my BF how this little blonde typically travels and he will have no reservations telling you, that's for sure! Last weekend I got heck from him for bringing 4 bags with me for a 2 night stay with my parents. I swore up and down that they were all absolute necessities! (...hehehe...)

{ Well BF, you should be proud! }



I victoriously fit 5-6 outfits, 4 pairs of shoes, 4 dresses, 3 belts and make-up into ONE suitcase. I know what you're thinking... AMAZING, right?

However, if someone was hypothetically curious as to how one might manage this, I might tell them that a "friend of mine" has to take a running start, take a huge leap and land on top of it in order to close the suitcase hiney style... hypothetically, of course.

Anyway, victory is mine! I've got my travel must-haves packed and I'm off to Kentucky for best friend wedding pallooza!


Let the madness begin!

Gaga for GLEE!

Who saw this week's Lady Gaga inspired Glee?! Holy COW, I couldn't be happier that I actually DVR'd it so that I can watch it again... Absolutely amazing!


Outstanding Costumes + Emotion + Kurt + Storyline + Lady Gaga
Song Selection + Idina Menzel + 60 minutes

{ Fantastic Episode! }



To all my fellow "gleeks" out there...


...what did you think?!

Top 10 Travel Must-Haves

Summer is always full of wonderful adventures and new places to experience...


{ Are you ready to travel in style? }

I am headed out-of-town tomorrow afternoon for my best friend's wedding in Kentucky... bridesmaid duties call!

I first made a list of all the boring necessities - toothbrush, underoos, bridesmaid dress (CAN'T forget that!), etc. - but that's no fun! So today I made my checklist of all the things that I love and must have with me when I travel... Here we go!


My Top Ten Travel
Must-haves
_____________________________


1) iPod

- Umm... I need my jams! A playlist for every mood is a must.


2) Good Book

- Yes, I finally bought "The Carrie Diaries" & I'm excited for an amazing read!


3) Healthy Snacks

- No matter who you are, traveling always throws you off a bit and eating junk makes you feel yucky. I want to feel energized and healthy while of vacay, so snacking healthy is a must!
Personal faves: raw almonds + dried cranberries, Luna/Clif bars - YUM!


4) Sling One Strap Purse

- Let's face it, getting through security is a nightmare without a strategy. I want something small and easy to store and find my I.D. and boarding pass. My mom gave me the cutest Coach sling purse and I couldn't travel without it...
{Thanks mom!}


5) Camelback Water Bottle

- I'm a water freak. Ask BF, I take this thing everywhere! I don't want to waste money on a $4.50 plastic bottle of water and then not be able to recycle it, so I've got my handy dandy water bottle - must stay hydrated!


5) Magazines

- If you want to make me the happiest girl in the world, buy a new mag or give me one of your already read ones! InStyle, People, US, Cosmo, Elle, Southern Living, etc... absolutely LOVE them all!


6) Cozy Travel Pillow

- I bought the most amazing travel neck pillow at Brookstone a few years ago and it was the best $25 I've ever spent. It's super easy to relax and sneak in a quick nap without drooling all over your neighbor's shoulder with this little gem.


7) Easy Slip-off Sandals

- When traveling I want 2 things: comfort and ease. Teva sandals are the answer! These little hippie sandals are the essence of both.


8) Socks

- Let me just clarify: I am not a sock person. If I never ever had to wear socks again I wouldn't. BUT every single time I fly wearing my comfy little Teva sandals, my toes turn into tiny popsicles.

{ No, I do not wear my socks with my sandals!}

It's one or the other, people - gross. Flip of the sandals, wiggle on the socks just for the plane ride, and then quickly switch before landing.


9) Camera [duh.]

- How else can I document all the crazies in the airport?!
[Best people watching spot EVER!]


10) My BlackBerry

- Lifeline to everything I might need: weather, GPS, e-mail, FB, and blogging!











What's on your must-have travel list?

Thank God for Girlfriends!

I don't know what I would do in life without my girlfriends! Seriously. They have stuck with me through thick and thin, and can touch my heart in a way that nobody does.

Always willing to let you vent (even if it's 2 a.m.) and they are always the first ones to celebrate with you.



Today was just one of those days where I had a lot of random stuff on my mind and heart and just needed to talk it out... or even some unexpected cheer.

Right when I thought I was going to spontaneously combust from stress/anxiety, I got a random text from a dear friend simply wishing me a lovely day. Complete and utter sunshine in a moment of chaos!

Next thing I know, I was lucky enough to talk out the craziness that is my mind with one of my favorite people over lunch - instant stress relief. And finally I caught my best friend on g-chat (world's best invention ever) for some afternoon advice and cheer (I love you.)!

A huge hug and thank you to my 3 sunshines today: Courtney (blog: Honeycomb Creative Co.), Karen (blog: The Kimchee Chronicles ), and last but not least... Lo [my partner in crime] - I love you all very, very much!



{ Where would we be without our girlfriends? }

Sweet Weekend Wishes

Time to get out of this city and mini vacation it up for a bit! I couldn't be more excited to be headed to Wichita with BF for the weekend to celebrate our dear friend's birthday...

{ Happy Birthday, Matt! }



roadtrip + time w/ family + great conversation + madam & mourt
memory making + b-day party + zoo visit + settlers of catan
sunday brunching + yummy food + lots of smiles

Weekend Bliss.

{ ...can't wait! }


Wishing you a yummy weekend!

Retro Onesie - Keeper?

Sooooo... I bought this super cute retro one-piece swimsuit from Victoria Secret Swim and I just got it in the mail today! After work, I rushed home to shred the packaging and try this sucker on.

Once it was on I had to look at my purchase from every single angle imaginable to see if I loved it on me as much as I adored it in the catalog.

{ It's adorable! }

I usually opt for a 2-piece, but once I saw this suit I just had to order it!




I think this suit has the best of both worlds...
{ I think... }

It covers nicely in every area, no bulges or ill-fitting issues. I know that I could go boating or walk confidently around the pool all summer long, which is the biggest plus!

I think it's definitely not an old lady one-piece [yikes - if you know what I mean...] and has the perfect mix of sass and sophistication.

Anyway, headed home this weekend, so I'll definitely be trying it on to get the mom/sister honest opinion. Gotta make sure this suit is enough sauciness for summer!


What do you think? Is this little number a keeper?

Things I Love Thursday

I don't know if I've ever told you this, but I absolutely love Thursdays. Of course Fridays are my favorite [duh - hello weekend!], but Thursdays are definitely up there!

{ Why, you ask? }

Date night!

Mmmm mmm date night...


Yes, BF and I have deemed every Thursday as our night together and it couldn't be more wonderful. Every week I look forward to it, no matter if it's going out to eat or relaxing in sweatpants on the couch.

I can't tell you how much it means to me to spend quality time together just catching up on life after 4 days of utter chaos. This is our time to go back to being each other's friend, and as cheesy as it sounds, it's wonderful. Our time to laugh, talk, reconnect, be real and appreciate being together. Love it!


Anyways...

{ I'm sure I've exceeded my sappy limit for the month - Oops! }


Tonight we are headed out to the movies! BF is taking me to this fabulous theater where we can sit in huge comfortable chairs, be waited on with just a touch of a button, and eat dinner while watching a movie [freaking awesome!]. This week we're headed to see Robin Hood [movie review coming soon!] and I couldn't be more excited!




{ Have you seen it? What did you think? }




I hope there is the perfect amount of action, adventure and lovey dovey to make it another amazing date night movie.


What do you love about today? Do you enjoy date night too?

Bicycle Love

I read a cute post this morning on one of my favorite daily reads {Cup of Jo}. She posted one amazing video! Yep, if you click HERE you can watch a clip of bicycle rush hour in Amsterdam.

Sounds lame? No way! it's madness! There are bicycles EVERYWHERE!

Haha, can you imagine rush hour bike style? I wonder if I would still have terrible road rage issues?

Naturally, I sent the video to my sweet BF via FB and wrote:

"Watch this. It will make you feel like a lazy American.
...we need to buy bicycles... STAT!"

Since then I keep daydreaming about buying a cute vintage, pastel bicycle with a little basket on the front for Beast to ride in.

Perhaps I would have a little radio that would play me "Sweet Darlin" by She & Him while I ride. Maybe Zooey Deschanel would even ride with me on her cute bike and sing it to me live...



{ Mmmm... Love it. }

In Case You Forgot...

Just a simple truth on a day like today.
YOU are absolutely lovely.
Everything that makes you the fabulous person you are is worth sharing.
Go shine!
Be you today and show love to the world.
Spread the word...


{ You are Beautiful. }



"Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive
who is Youer than You.”
~ Dr. Seuss

Hello Inner Carrie!

When I moved back to the Midwest from lovely San Francisco, I felt like I left a huge piece of my heart in that wonderful city. Every day I loved walking blocks and blocks to catch the BART subway to discover a whole new adventure. Every day was different and absolutely wonderful.

I loved the way I felt when my blonde locks were blowing freely in the breeze and the sunshine lit up my face. I felt alive. I felt free. I was in touch with my inner Carrie, and I loved it!




The 2 years following, I finished my undergrad and accepted my first big girl job as a special event planner. Every single day I missed that 15 minute trek to the subway, walking past the beautiful SF architecture and my urban lifestyle.

Well, don't you worry, I recently got my Carrie swagger back! This past fall I accepted my dream job and moved to Kansas City, where I couldn't love life more!

My office is located in the heart of an adorable downtown district where I get to walk blocks and blocks to find delicious sushi for lunch or an afternoon coffee. I love the feeling I get when I walk past the little brownstone row houses wearing my super cute gladiator heels & flowy dress...

...Hello SF! I've missed you!



{ I've got my Carrie back, and I'm feeling good! }

Bonjour Friday!

Today is amazing. Yes, I can already feel it... Hello Friday! I don't know what the deal is. This week hasn't been the best, but it's like I took a whole bottle of happy pills and... I love it!




After thinking about it for awhile, my week started turning around yesterday afternoon. A good long chat with my friend Karen made me smile, and then a wonderful relaxing dinner with my sweet BF - he makes my heart so happy - {I adore you both!}. I am so spoiled and overjoyed to have such lovely people in my life!

So... on to weekend plans!

______________________


Top 5 things I'm absolutely ECSTATIC about:


~ Letters to Juliet - TONIGHT! [Yes, I already bought my tickets.]

~ City Market Saturdays with my cousins + Karen

~ GETTING MY HAIR DONE [finally!]

~ Cleaning up my apartment so I can r-e-l-a-x...

~ Watching (500) Days of Summer
[Best movie of all time. Ever. Can't get enough.]

______________________


Today's happy theme song:
{ "Sweet Disposition" by: The Temper Trap }



What makes you happy today?!



Wishing you a beautiful weekend! I hope it's full of wonderful people and lots of laughter to share...

Starbucks Half-Price Happy Hour!

Just an FYI for all of you fellow Starbucks addicts our there...

Starbucks will be having a special deal until May 16th...
Half-price frappuccino happy hour from 3 - 5 p.m.!!!





Go get yourself some coffee, people!


coffee = smiling
smiling = happy people
happy people = happy day

.: So share the love! :.



Enjoy!