Holiday Weekend in LA

Chelsea Lately taping. Yummy dinners. Shopping. Grinchmas at Universal Studios. Malibu fun.

That is what this weekend has in store for Shannon and me in our Holiday in LA. Fun stuff.

After work Thursday and Friday, we played. The Chelsea taping was a bucket list item. Loved it. Chelsea. Chuey. Comedians. Thanks Shannon for getting tickets.

Last night we hung at The Grove. Love that outdoor mall- especially during the holidays. So festive. If you are there this week, check out the cork art honoring Cougar Town (show on TBS). And the fountain. And people watching.

For now, work is done for 2 days. Off to the gym so we can enjoy more tasty eats. Falalalala....

The Christmas Month

December 7... The first week of the most festive month of the year is also most complete.  I am lucky to be enjoying it in Honolulu, Hawaii. Yeah.

I do travel for work almost 3 weeks out of every month- give or take a few days.  People who do not travel for work think it's glamorous. For those of us who do, 3 words. IT IS NOT.

However, I do make the most of it. When I can. And I often have hilarious stories to boot. This beginning of December Hawaii trip is definitely on the "most of it".

Thanksgiving came and went in my retail whirlwind. Although, I did make a big turkey that was moderately successful. Worked all weekend and then off to Hawaii for work.  After 4 days of punching the clock, I get 1.5 days of blissful fun, sun & more in Waikiki at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. Yeah me!

After a fun evening, it's time for some exercise, beach, shopping, eating... Ooh-la-la!  Can't wait for more.
Happy December to all.

November Craziness

My last post about 2 weeks ago was about the joy of November (scents & all). Today it's about the craziness of the holiday season- especially in retail. Over the past 2 weeks, I was in California, went to Park City, then to Minnesota and then back to California- oh- and off to Las Vegas tomorrow!

Park City was by far the best. While for the most part I despise snow, in PC I adore it. Love the mountain snow (also nice when no shoveling and parking underground is involved of course). I was able to relax a bit before another few busy work days on the road. I love watching the snow fall when I am in front of the fire, enjoying some of PC's delicious restaurants and going to my favorite spa. Align Spa if you have never been. Love. Check it out.

Minnesota was nice because I got to see Mom & Grandma, but it is amazing how much time changes can affect a body and a moods. Seriously.  But, moving on...

Getting ready for the big Thanksgiving weekend in retail. I love it and hate it at the same time. Love the excitement... I will leave it at that.

I am getting ready to pick up the food for the feast, decide which photos will go on the holiday card, and enjoying a little kitty time with the Hallmark channel before I fly on a jet plane again tomorrow.

Turkey, mashed potatoes, yams, veggies, rolls... Oh my!

Pumpkin Flavors & More

Making my Pumpkin Spice Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf coffee this morning, I was thinking about all the pumpkin flavored foods that come out of the woodwork this time of year,. Yum! Pinterest is a haven for these foods.

Cheesecake, cupcakes, regular cake, bundt cake, pie, bread, cookies.. Oh my goodness.

And don't get me started on the scents. Candles. Room spray. Wow.
Cannot get enough.

And then there is Apple... S'mores...  Other spices... Pine needles.... Christmas trees.

Oh! And soap. Body lotion. Hand lotion. Body scrubs. The list is endless.

Eating. Shopping. Gift giving. It's a magical time.
I'm all sorts of giddy.

Nordstrom Rack Virgin

I have always heard how great Nordstrom Rack is. Never been.  This past week, in Seattle, there happened to be one in the parking lot of my hotel and I hopped in after dinner one night.

It was like my yellow brick road of shopping. Love.

Purses, scarves, shoes, jewelry, jeans... Oh my.

I bought a myself a Kate Spade purse at a great price and a Kate Spade IPad case for under $30 plus a few Christmas gifts for friends. My 90 minutes inside felt like 10 minutes. Time flies....

A prettier, more organized,  better designers Marshalls or TJ Maxx. Much better.

I think I found a winner here. I'll be back. You can count on it.

Interesting Food Combos

I realize it's fairly standard to eat "breakfast for dinner", right? I believe I took it one step further tonight. Cereal and wine.  Ok,  not IN the cereal; milk in the cereal- wine on the side. Weird? Maybe.

Recently I had a crumpet with Nutella. Yum. That is a new fave. With a pickle on the side. For real.

Ok, I am sure you will see more unique food pairings to come.
Nighty night.

Happy Halloween!!!

Sitting at home handing out candy to the kiddos while drinking wine... Reminiscing about Halloweens of the past.  Some of my favorite memories:

Dressing up as a Playboy bunny before the age of 13
Using a pillow case for  Trick or Treating to hold the oodles of candy
Dressing up as a pair of dice made with a box, some string and black felts dots
The excitement of being allowed to wear a Halloween costume to school
Those ridiculous plastic masks with the "body part" that looked like a colored plastic bag
..... I think I remember Wonder Woman???
Disliking when I got "adult candy" such as Snickers, Milky Way or 3 Musketeers
Really disliking popcorn balls (still do!)
Actually liking a toothbrush and floss (yes, I was a kid who loved  fresh teeth and breath)

Trick or treating was so much fun as a kid... Safer too.
Now, I love  handing out the treats and seeing my friends cute kids on Facebook.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Cabo

Just got back from Cabo with my Mom, my best friend Andi and her Mom. Super pre-retail holiday vacation.  If you have never been to Cabo San Lucas, I would suggest you go. It's breathtaking and fun.

This trip we got into the habit of working out every morning, hanging by one of the 5 pools and engaging in some fun event at night. Dinners out, shopping, walking the marina or sunset boat cruise.

The weather was perfect and the resort gorgeous. Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach- right outside of the town of Cabo and the Medano Beach area. I have now been there about 7 times and never gets old.

Some highlights.... massages, fruity cocktails at the swim-up bars, dinner at Pocho's at the marina...  But...

Best of all, traveling with mom and good friends is always wonderful. How lucky am I!?

August & September

Mom just reminded me I have not posted for over 2 months. Shame on me. So, this post will have a few updates on what has taken place the last 60 days or so.

Napa wedding at the end of July, ok twist my arm. (End of July)
August...
Meeting in Colorado Springs for work. Love the mountains.
Visit from Little Amy in Park City. More mountain fun. Plus great food. Plus hiking. Plus Art fair fun.
50's House Wife themed wedding shower for Cousin Kelsey (I played bartender!)

September...
Amazing trip to NYC with Vanessa. Sightseeing, shopping, walking, eating... Great trip over Labor Day Weekend.
Another weekend trip to Park City. Yeah.
Last but not least, visit to San Fran from Emily.  Wine country, wharf... Fun. With ducks.

Overall, thanks Amy, Vanessa and Emily for some memorable weekends.  August and September were great. Lots of warm weather... Starting to cool down now. Welcome Fall.

Now, to begin October, I am in Minnesota over the weekend. More to come on that later...
Thanks for the excitement, August and September.

July Heat

My excuse for not updating my blog for 1 month is the July heat... It's been crazy. Really hot.
But it's been a good month despite the heat.

More fun in Napa. Dinners out with friends. A low key 4th of July. Work travel. Comedy for Jarrod's birthday. Home repairs.  Goo Goo Dolls & Matchbox 20 concert.

Also loving some Summer TV. Castle reruns. Mistresses. Royal Pains. Giuliana & Bill. Rizzoli & Isles. Cedar Cove. Who says Summer TV is bad?

Hot weather makes it great for exercise via swimming too. Love that I have pool. And it's kept clean.

Preparing for more Summer trips. Park City with Amy & NYC over Labor Day weekend with Vanessa. Yeah.

That about does it... Bought a cute new shirt from Distinctively Hers. Check it out on-line. Trying to cure my ice cream addiction by eating low-cal frozen Cool Whip instead.  Just a few random facts.

Excited for a Napa wedding this weekend and off to Colorado Springs next week. More to come...