She wore an Itsy, Bitsy, Teeny, Weeny, Yellow Polka Dot Bikini

1. That she found at Tj.Maxx for $3.99 without a top.....

Finding bikini bottoms is something like finding a four leaf clover. It's is muy dificil. So when I tried these on, and they worked - I obviously scooped them up. But now, I have to find a top that will match - but either way, top or no top, it's a triumphant victory that I scored these flattering babies. And for under five buckaroo's no less.

Pretty sure that the Maxx in LA is like no other maxx in the world. They sell euurrrything....but still kinda expensive. Their Alice & Olivia section starts at like $240. No thank you. However, if you look on the floor....you may find some winners. 

3. My Traders Jones find of the week are these bad boys. Damn are they amazing.

4. Joel and I are officially "those people". We are straight up obsessed with our dog, and this picture totally sums it up.

5. When I came home from Chicago I was super, super sick and Joel was sweet enough to have my favorite flower dressing up our dining room table. He's a good boy.

6. The hardest part of the day for me and food consumption is between 4-8pm. It's my "the day is over, go ahead and treat yourself" time but I've been finding that this sweet snack really curbs my sweet tooth before dinner.

And then see #3 for what curbs it after dinner. 

7. One of my favorite places in Los Angeles happens to be in Malibu - Paradise Cove, to be exact. It's always a must-see when I have people come to visit me because it's just the coolest idea ever. Some genius bought a huge plot of land in malibu, opened up a restaurant, and built a bunch of beds and cabanas for you to rent, and decided to let you bring coolers full of your own food and booze as well. I literally could camp there for the entire day and be happy as a clam....and apparently so can these girls.

 

8. And last but not least, a good reminder...something that really reminds me of my Grandma - who lives this way, and always has - the way we all should, really.

See you on Friday ladies! 

Wedding Wednesday

While I was home in Chicago last weekend my mom and I tackled venue shopping. Now, thankfully I we knew where we wanted to get married so at least we had the location paired down. Another thankful - where we want to get married (Lake Geneva, Wisconsin) is small.

After taking into a few other considerations, like most importantly our guest size, we narrowed it down to 5 spots. 

The first place we went to stole our hearts. It had everything I have ever imagined. Charm, class, sophistication.....the whole shebang - and it's not going to kill my father!

So, without further adieu.....Joel and I will be getting married

June 22nd, 2013

at 

The Grand Geneva in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin

The hotel is where we will be married and have our reception, and I couldn't be happier with the entire set up. The vibe is "us" and they have lots of perfect details that couldn't be matched. It was a very easy YES!

There are lots of things that need to be organized but it's crazy to have an official date and place where this whole thing is going down.

No backing out now!!

Damn, Girl!

You lookin' finnnnne.

This is exactly the bod I'm dreaming of : real, achievable, curvy, slim, sexy enough to date Mr. Renyolds.

Time to chew on some celery.

Chicago Report

Can I first start off and let you know that Roscoe was a champ at traveling? One Benadryl was definitely the trick and he was mellow and calm for the entire traveling experience. In fact, he's also now a big fan of Mr. Jack Black, whom we sat next to on our flight home yesterday! Gotta love flying Virgin America.

My week in Chicago was jam packed, as usual, but super successful. 

On Tuesday, three of my "don't-know-it-yet,-but-probably-guessed-bridesmaids" picked me up at the airport and headed to my parents house. My parents had chilled champs waiting for us and after a glass, I presented all of them with their asking gifts. My mom had wrapped all of the glasses and mini bottles of Pop! Champagne and all of my girls couldn't have been more excited!

It's getting real!

My sisters will be my maids of honor.

 

On July 5th, my mom and I headed to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin for the entire day to scope out potential venues and ceremonies....and I'm happy to say that we DID! We actually have a date, a reception, a ceremony, and a rehearsal location all locked down. Done....and Done.

And just in case we weren't busy enough, my mom decided to host a wedding shower for my cousins who are getting married over Labor Day weekend.

It was Mexican themed with pinatas, margarita's and a taco bar - the best kinda party.

 

 

It turned out to be a great night and it was so nice to see all of my family - including my cousin who is due with her son in 3 weeks!!!

Plus, I was so glad that Roscoe got to meet his sister and cousin.

But, unfortunately towards the end t of the party, I started to feel like absolute shit. I tried to sneak away and get to bed, but never slept that night and I woke up feeling even worse. The flight home was not fun, and I slept almost 15 hours on Sunday....and still am out of commission. Clearly, I just can't hang the way I used to. However, I am glad that my body let me enjoy my time home with my friends and family.....it couldn't have been a better trip.

Wedding Wednesday

 My first wedding purchase was for my 5, soon to be bridemaids. I had been pinning lots of cute ideas when I stumbled upon these glasses. I liked the idea of festive champagne glasses to up the excitement level, but they were a little boring for me.

So, inset, this Kate Spade china.....

And a really great Etsy seller who was willing to do customizable glass work - and we've got the most adorable, personal champagne glasses ever!

After 48 hours the seller sent me over the picture of the finished product and I couldn't be happier with the outcome. I forwarded it to my mom for her to have a looksie too.


 The next morning I got a panicked call from my mom - the monograms were wrong.

The glasses above have the girls middle initial as the largest letter - which is incorrect. The most prominent letter should be the first inital of your last name. I had written the girls initials out in first, middle, last name order, just assuming the designer would understand - which obviously didn't happen. Both myself, and the seller, should have confirmed understanding - but, hindsight is 20/20.

Thankfully the seller was super understanding and was able to fix the glasses quickly and get them shipped out in under a week.

Major crisis averted!

My mom was a huge help getting them all wrapped up for the girls, so when they open the box they will have their glass, and a mini-bottle of Moet. I'm pre-writing this post, so I'll have to update with pictures of the ladies reactions!

Even though my first wedding purchase got a little hairy, I couldn't be happier with the way these glasses came out and I know my girls will love them too.

Home Sweet Home

 

I'm going HOME today.

Tonight, for dinner, I'll be sitting on our patio, enjoying an ice cold glass of wine with my family.

My house is the only place I would want to be for the fourth of July and we have so much to celebrate this week!

My parents haven't seen my ring, or met my dog, and I'm anxious for both to happen.

I get to see all of my aunts and uncles, my cousins, friends, ride on the boat, sit at the pool, fully relax....and even get a wedding date and venue locked down!

I'm so looking forward to being home that I'm not even letting myself get nervous about the flight over. I don't love to fly by myself, but I'll have Roscoe, and I've already decided I'll be indulging in some Wi-Fi and Mimosa's on board, so I think that should help keep my busy!

Have an amazing Fourth of July. Give your family a lot of extra kisses and hugs this fourth - we are blessed!

The Hollywood Bowl

            Last night Joel and I went on what felt like our first official date since we've been engaged - and let's just say it did not disappoint.

 

We got tickets in May for Ben Harper at the Hollywood Bowl as everyone told us a concert at the Bowl was a must.

Parking was a little annoying but once we took our seats, we realized what everyone had been talking about.

 

The bowl is nestled into the Hollywood Hills with a cool view of the Hollywood sign and a spectacular spot to watch the sunset. What I loved most about the venue is that you can picnic. It's bench style seating, so it's a little awkward, but you can bring your own wine, glasses, and food galore. Dinner and a show!

Last night was a leased event, so no outside alcohol was allowed, but we were able to bring a smorgasbord of cheese, prosciutto, bread, and swedish fish.

We cheersed over Coors Light and watched Ben Harper play an unbelievable set.

 

My night at the Hollywood Bowl has moved it's way up to the top spot for "Favorite Things I've Done in California" - and if you are ever in Los Angeles during the summer, no matter who is performing - Go. You will not regret it.

Wild & Crazy

You know what sucks? Delayed hangovers.

Do you ever get them? They seem to be plaguing me as of late (am I getting old?). On Friday night, my book club came over (all 3 other members of them. And no I'm not bitter that the 3 other girls couldn't make it) and we ended up having so much fun that I didn't take one hot picture.

Friday night:
Let's just say that the booze that I had on hand (which was a lot) was not enough for the four of us drunks, and so our night included a late night ride to our neighborhood market for wine and cigs (these girls are badass - I, however, would not know what the hell to do with one of those sticks), a show down of who can do the best back bend, and lots and lots of girl talk.....which of course did not include anything about the "book".

But, okay - back to the delayed hangover.

Saturday morning:
Since this whole "diet" thing, has not been working for me (because I lack self control), I figured that I better up my workouts. Cross your fingers that it might help a little bit - so I got my drunk ass outta bed and into a 60 minute barre class. Which I quickly followed with a large cup of coffee.

At which point, I felt great.

No hangover. I knew the "secrets". Workout and coffee and you should be good to go....right?!

No. Not when your body decides to get hungover at 2pm that day, after you eat fish tacos at Pink Taco. Which, apparently, does not help a hangover.

So Saturday night, I ate a bagel, with some advil and a lot of pretzels....and I sat for almost three hours and read EVERY post by this hilarious darling named Bailey. Ohhh, and our central air had a temper tantrum and so I sat there reading....and sweating.

Why didn't anyone tell me about her awesome blog (Hannah!) before??

Damn is her life cool.

---

Have you gotten this far? More power to ya. Not even sure what the point of this rambling was....but if for nothing else I would sum it up with these two points of clarity:

1. Peppermint Bliss is my new favorite blog and if you aren't following along, start now. Just promise me to start from the beginning.

2. The world would be so much greater if alcohol didn't make you hungover and food didn't make you fat.

That's all.
Over & out.

First Class Puppy

When I go home next Tuesday I will be taking my little puppy Roscoe along for the ride. This will be his first time flying, and my first time flying with a pet - so I thought I'd see if any of you have some advice for our little adventure.

We are flying Virgin America on a 3.5 hour flight from LA to Chicago and my girlfriend is letting us borrow her Sherpa dog carrier so that Roscoe will have a nice cozy seat for the flight. I'm planning on giving him 9mg of Benadryll (which was reccomended by the vet) and a few bones for him too but what else do you think I will need to make this a seamless trip?

Have you ever flown with your pet before? How did it go?

Friday night book club....

My book club, we can't have meetings on a weekday.

We get far too rowdy.

And it's my turn to host these crazy girls!

June Gloom (apparently a popular Los Angeles saying) has finally left us and summer is in full bloom! There is no better way to celebrate than a fiesta themed event! 

Seven girls will be here at 6:30 and I'll be serving up the following:

Bacon Wrapped Jalapenos

 Chips, Guac, & Salas

Mexican Corn

 

A full service taco bar

and of course....lots of margs!

Saturday we'll be heading to the beach after some workouts and then on Sunday we are going to see Ben Harper at the Hollywood Bowl - and I'm seriously looking forward to both days!

Ciao! 

All sorts of rambling thoughts

1. Isn't this ring dish the cutest thing ever? Such a great gift idea for a newly engaged friend, because I really didn't know what to do with my ring when I was putting on lotion, and now it's got a pretty little home on my bathroom counter.

2. I'm going home next Tuesday. HOME! I can't believe the last time I was in Chicago was March 19th. It's been the fastest and wildest four months that I've barely had time to realize what I'm missing. Thankfully, just before homesickness settles in, I'll be there.

3. Are you a Trader Joe's person? I've recently become obsessed - as has Joel, since consumer reports claimed that TJ's offers the best value - but....regardless...their food is bomb too. The turkey meatballs, salsa, and sweets are just a few of the reason's I've given up other grocery stores....but when I tried this, it really sealed the deal.

  

4. I am hosting our book club on Friday (a whole other post in itself!) and while I'm really excited to have lots of fun girls over, it does make me wish I had a few more things done in my house. Like more outdoor seating, paintings on the wall behind the dining table, some art for the guest room - and a fourth dining chair would be nice as well.

5. I'm really trying to watch the food and exercise in my life. I've been watching it for the last 2 weeks....writing down my food and trying to get in more exercise....and so far the scale hasn't changed. This week I'm incorporating a few more workouts and cutting out the weekday wine, so hopefully next Monday will show me some results. I mean.....come on now!

6. I just started this book and so far it's a huge win! I've been on a dry spell for the last month and I finally picked a winner. If you are looking for a light-hearted, funny, chick-lit beach read, I just made your day.

7. I also realized from reading this book that pregnancy will be very hard for me. Almost all of my favorite things have to be omitted when you are "knocked up" : sushi, hot baths, wine, coffee.....seems like a very long nine months.

 

Wedding Wednesday

Since we tackled the boys outfits last week, I figured it's due time to talk bridemaids dresses.

Again - I have a pretty good idea of the dresses I like, but I want to wait to select the venue which is happening next Thursday!

There are some many factors that go into selecting bridemaids dresses. Do you let your girls pick their own top? Do they have matching shoes? Do you do something special for the MOH?

1. Long and Formal

2. Short and Sweet

3. Unique & fun

When you are a bridemaid, what's most important to you? Cost? Look? Feel?

Weekend Report

The three hour nap that I had to take yesterday in the middle of the day was pretty good evidence that this past weekend did not dissapoint. 

In fact, I think it's a universal law that  when you start your weekend with magnum Veuve's it's bound to be a winner.

 

A girls weekend at a beautiful mansion in palm springs was the perfect way to spend a bachelorette party for my future sister-in-law.

On Friday, we took in the 105 degree weather, caught up on gossip magazines and lounged. There were 9 girls there and lots of cocktails which lead to hilarious topics of conversation and the occasionally incredibly inappropriate bachelorette games.

Saturday morning the hostess had a margarita machine delivered to the house before I even woke up - which meant that slushy margaritas were my breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Saturday.

We went downtown on Saturday night to get rowdy with lots of bar hopping and dares along the way. The biggest hit of the night was placing stickers on unsuspecting victims. 

And these were not your niece's Paul Frank stickers....

 

Overall it was a freaking blast and I couldn't even imagine gaining a better sister-in-law. I felt really lucky to be included in her weekend and it made me even more excited for a bachelorette party of my own!