Sunday Funday

It's not often that I have a completely free day, with absolutely nothing on my to-do list. Traveled all week for work,  preparing for retail holiday (mid-October thru January 1 are insane) and taking some down time when it actually shows up.

All the mundane stuff is done. Laundry, bills, cleaning, grocery shopping, etc. Finally some time for me.. Just me.

Guesses?
Watching The Good Wife, Scandal, Parenthood & Revenge on DVR.
And after the dramas, watching Big Bang, Modern Family, New Girl & Marry Me. Bring on the comedy.
Reading InStyle first to last page, not just skimming.
Calling & texting friends.
Cuddling with my kitty.
Sitting in the sun on the patio. With coffee. And wine later.
Stalking Facebook & Instagram.
Eating yummy cereal.

Ahhh.... What a great way to spend a free day. Just one. How do YOU spend free days? Rare....
Guilty pleasures are the best.

New Obessions

I know I tend to get obsessed when I find new things I like. I find something and then try to find all things similar. A few of my latest...

Specialized chocolate. Yesterday, Jen and I went to a Chocolate Festival. Pumpkin chocolate, brown rice chocolate, etc. Yummy. Just a little is all I need.

Roll-On perfume. Need it for travel. I just bought candied citron at Ulta and Beachy Keen at Old Navy. Gotta smell good while on the road.

Fitbit covers. Right now it's navy. Coming soon... TORY BURCH. Cannot wait!!!

Anything jalapeño flavored. Odd, I know. See chocolate above. Yep. Potato chips. Cheese. Bread. Oh yum.

There is no pattern here. Just what I like these days.  A lot.

A Little Bit of the Windy City

Love Chicago in the Fall. Not humid. No snow. Staying at The James Hotel of off Michigan Avenue. Love it.

After our evening at RPM Italian, after work, more Italian at Carmine's on Rush Street. Seeing a pattern here.

Good things about being in the city: drug stores on almost every corner when you need meds. Icky colds. Shopping, people watching, exercise, sites seen all while walking to dinner.

Bad things... Listening to the 4th siren of the night on the streets below as I try to acclimate to the time change. *sigh*

More TV premiers from a comfy hotel bed.

Chicago RPM Italian

Arrived in Chicago for work. Meeting starts tomorrow, but some free time to hit the town. On my bucket list- RPM Italian. Owned by Mr & Mrs Rancic.

Now, I must admit, it was on my bucket list simply because it is owned by a lovely pop culture favorite couple. However, I was impressed overall. Provolone stuffed peppers, various delicious pasta.... Yummy. Short rib ragu, fresh pasta, oyster mushrooms...

I came in intrigued; I left satisfied & very happy. I highly suggest a future visit if ever in Chicago.

Hello, It's Been Awhile....

2 months.... No posts. So inconsistent once again. With that, what is important form over the past 60 days.

Colbie Caillat performing her Joni Mitchell-like concert at a winery. That alone deserves it's own page. Love her. Love wine. The 2 together!? Wow.
Goo Goo Dolls at a winery a few days later. Seriously. Does it get any better!? Keep going.
Art Fair and Girls Weekend in Park City. Perfection.
Family and friend time (of course work too) in Minnesota. Fun, but humid.
Chelsea Handler back at the winery. Do you see a pattern here? I love this Summer. I love this life.
Tahoe. Twice. Once for a wine event. The other for The Eagles concert. Simply cannot get enough of these wine and music outdoor events.
And last, but certainly not least, a fabulous long weekend in Napa & Sonoma with best friends.

July & August. Amazing Summer months. Filled with travels, friends, wine, music, comedy, art.... The makings of one of the best Summers ever. It certainly has been.

Technically, I guess we are embarking on Fall. Time for slightly warmer clothes, new TV premiers, switching from white to red wine, maybe? Yes, I think so....

I'm beginning to smell the pumpkins and burning leafs.... 

Life After the Hawaiian Islands

I cannot believe 1 month ago I was basking in the sun with my dear friend Shannon in Hawaii. Wish I was back there. Love it beyond words. But, great memories with a busy past 4 weeks.

Another relaxing weekend in Park City.
A fun extended 4th of a July weekend in NYC.

I love NYC (ok, not as much as Hawaii, but close). A few things about this trip-

Love  staying in Chelsea. Walking distance of so much- DOS CAMINOS Mexican. Yummy.
Ralph's Italian Ice & Ice Cream. Fun just to taste a few samples.
Drinking rose' on a rooftop with my friend Anne.
Seeing CABARET on Broadway in the original STUDIO 54 building. If walls could talk...
Shopping (need, I say more!?)
Lunch in the meat parking district at STK ROOFTOP with my friend Sarah.

So much fun to be had. It was hot as can be, and very humid, but worth it. All of the NYC natives were in the Hamptons, so Manhattan was empty- so easy to catch a taxi :)

Lots more fun to come in July- concerts and more.
Wait for it.

Kauai to Maui

After 4 days in Kauai, off to Maui. Kauai was great; Maui was even better. This was my 6th trip to Maui and it gets better every time. Simply cannot get enough. Love it.

The Hyatt was amazing. Great rooms, super view, fun pool super clean.... Everything was amazing.
While Kauai was relaxing, we scheduled some fun events in Maui- luau, sunset boat cruise and massages at the spa.

We also went to one of my favorite spots on the world: Cheeseburger in Paradise on Front Street in Lahaina. Love the burgers, cocktails, live music, good service and on the water view. So beautiful and fun. Blissful evening for me for sure!

Every day was sublime with sleeping in, getting some sort of exercise, playing in the pool or ocean, enjoying some pool-side libations and going somewhere at night for dinner and/or fun. I could do that every day. Perfect vacation on a beautiful island- 2 beautiful islands.

Great weather, lovely beaches, favorite company (thanks Shannon!) and scrumptious food & drinks. Could not ask for a better vacation.

Aloha once again....  So in love with island life.

Aloha!

From Kauai....

First time here. Most people say Kauai is their favorite of the Hawaiian Islands. After 4 days, it comes in 2nd to Maui to me, but still pretty close to perfection nonetheless.

Some of the highlights since Shannon and I arrived Thursday afternoon, staying at the Sheraton at Poipu Beach.
The beach... Gorgeous.
Green & flowers everywhere. So serene.
Chickens. Yes, I said chickens. They roam the streets. And the stores. And the pool area. Crazy.
The Beach House restaurant (seems to be recommend by everyone who has been to Kauai).
The ice cream pie at The Dolphin. Combo of banana, coconut & macadamia nuts on an Oreo crust. Wow.
Waimea Canyon. 30 minute drive for an amazing, colorful view.
The Shrimp Station on the way to Waimea Canyon. Coconut shrimp. Thai shrimp. Channeling Forest Gump!

Sunshine, ocean air, great food, relaxation... Now off to Maui in a few hours.
Mahalo!

Saturday Squirrels

And by squirrels I mean things that pull me in different directions when I see or think of them... Like shiny objects!

Caramelized Brussell sprouts. My attempt was a success!

The joy of seeing kitty enjoy new food. So simple...

The beauty of a glass of Pinot noir.

Can't stop staring on my newly landscaped backyard. Serene.

Fiji water. So much better than others. Maybe it's the shape of the bottle and the pretty flower? :)

My washed car. Please stay that way.

The  small stack of birthday cards from last month.

My newly painted toe nails.

Saturday, I will take your squirrels any day. Cheers!

Disneyland!

A few birthday Disneyland photos! 

Arrived! Walt Disney, Mickey & the castle! 

Pixie Land- home of Tink! 

Jungle Cruise!

California Screamin'!

The end to a fabulous Disney Day!