Fun (Amy) Cali Weekend

This is what happens when work gets so crazy busy and get quite stressed: I forget to update my blog. Ugh. So, it's been almost 30 days. But a super fun weekend is bringing it all back...

This weekend my friend Fun Amy (yes, it's very important that I refer to her as Fun Amy- with numerous friends named Amy and Jen, it's critical to provide special code names). After I describe our 36 hours of fun, you will know why I call her FUN.

It was Amy's birthday weekend and she and I arranged a surprise birthday visit to San Fran due to the fact that is was also her brother Tim's 50th birthday and his band, CITY JADE, was scheduled to play at a new club in Gilroy, the Garlic Capital of the World.

We started Friday night with a delicious dinner in the city at FIRST CRUSH. We sat at the bar with a cool bartender and we ordered cocktails- think Kir Royal and French Kiss- a few champagne laden libations and moved on to bread with olive tapenade, garbanzo bean fritters, lobster mac & cheese, flash fried spicy calamari and ending with enough dessert for 5.... chocolate mousse, chocolate chip bread pudding with heath bar ice cream and sour cherry pie with vanilla gelato. Wow. Needless to say, we didn't not finish it all, but we waddled home more than satisfied.

Yesterday was wonderful! Started with pedicures, next up was wine country in Livermore... CONCANNON and MURRIETA'S WELL. So fun! Sipped 8 wines for $5- not joking- at Concannon and 6 more at Murrietta. Walked away with 2 lovely bottles (each under $25) as well as some mouth-watering wine peanut brittle. YUM!

Last, our trek to Gilroy for checking out the little garlic town, some dinner, and ending with Tim's band at 9 Lives Club. They were great! Love me some 80's hair-band-rock! Yes, there was a tiny bit of head banging going on last night.... And I loved when they did a cover of Nick Gilder's fabulous "HOT CHILD IN THE CITY". How awesome it that!?

In bed by 1Am after a fun-filled day with Fun Amy in Northern CA. Yeah!

Could not ask for a better (short) weekend with food, fun, and friends.

The "Want" List

Getting ready to go hiking and out for brunch on this lovely sunshine filled Sunday-before-Memorial Day and thinking about what is on my "want list" these days. Here goes:

* Burberry trench coat (yes, I believe it must be Burberry, but I could be sold otherwise...)

* Funky cowboy boots (vintage would be nice)

* A good, solid black pencil skirt (one that makes me look 10 pounds less would be best)

* A handsome tank watch (don't really care about the brand, just want to it be eye catching)

I am sure if I squint my eyes, make fists and think really, really hard I can think of more that I want, but this will do for now. Any suggestions blog-land friends?

Enjoy your Sunday.

Leavin' Las Vegas

Oh how I wish I could just stand in Las Vegas, does not really matter where, and take pictures of the attire people choose to wear. They seriously must not own mirrors. And they must be color blind. And for closure, they must not own scales and believe one can only buy clothes at children's stores. This has got to be the best people watching of all time.

Instead, I took a few pictures of us. Simply sharing this one that is channelling Charlie's Angels. Don't ask... not really sure why. Just because. It was fun.

But, a few highlights of another lovely Girls Weekend in Vegas...

* Middle aged guys who buy us (young hot women, right?) drinks after they just met us 30 seconds prior (and yes, those Bellagio drinks are more than $20 each- thanks!)

* The Manson Girls (yes, I would bet money that time had warped back years and they were there in Vegas... exceptionally long, flowing hair.. Susan Atkins, Leslie Van Houton.... not sure, but I would swear it was them...)

* Getting super excited over the Wheel of Fortune slot machines... just hoping for the chance to spin the wheel

* PRADA PRADA PRADA.. enough said there

* NO buffets please.. that I will just never understand. Never.

* Tony at Comme Ca at Cosmopolitan makes a mean cocktail and serves even meaner french onion and lobster bisque- yum!

* Free cocktails even when you only bet $1

Oh Vegas. I love you. Thank you for the fun.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!

Happy Mother's Day to all the cool Mom's out there, but specifically to my MOM- Peggy Holznagel. I honestly could not ask for a better Mommy.

While there are way to many to remember at this moment, here are a few reasons why I love my Mom and memories that come to mind over the past 30 plus years:

* As a kid, walking or riding bikes to Short Stop (neighborhood market) for hot dogs, cokes and ice cream

* Always, and I do mean always, finding those rare, hard to find gifts when they were at the height of popularity. Cabbage Patch Kids, anyone?

* Every child in elementary school hoping to me in my class because they all knew Darien's Mom was the best "Room Mother" ever- always going above and beyond for the class parties and events

* 2, not 1, pairs of "really cool" Guess overalls thanks to Mom... regular denim and bright pink. Yep, I was fashionable in the 7th grade- Mom got me hooked

* Always, always, always being at every single dance event that ever existed in my life and trust me, there were TONS. Not that it was a chore for her going to Florida to watch us win the National Dance Team Championship, but still...

* The numerous Mother/Daughter trips over the last 15 years to Maui, Puerto Vallarta, Las Angeles, Colorado.... I am missing many- we have had some wonderful Girls Trips together and more to come!

* Twice per year, going well out of her way to find the best possible Christmas and birthday gifts a girl could ever ask for. And last week's birthday was no exception... A-list designer clothes, Tiffany & Co goods, wine stuff.... yep- she is THAT cool!

But, most of all, being there for me every day of my life, even when I moved across the country 7 years ago by phone, email, cards, visits, and more vacations. And not judging me or caring that I don't want to have children which in turn means no grandchildren for her. She does not care because she only cares about my happiness.

Supportive, loving, caring, fun, generous and so much more.

Love you Mom!

Birthday in Wine Country

Just a few pics from wine country for my birthday... Saturday April 30
Jennifer, Jarrod and me!
Sonoma county- tasting rooms in town and a few along Alexander Valley
So fun- and tasty!

Jennifer and me at Murphy-Goode- stop #1!

Fountain at White Oak- last stop of the day!

Jarrod, Jennifer and me at Ed Meade

Oh, how I love me some wine country.... Bring on those old grapes--- as long as they are smashed into some liquid in a bottle... with a cork :)

Happy Easter!!!

HAPPY EASTER!!!

MY FAVORITE THINGS ABOUT EASTER:

* Of course, finding the Easter basket hidden by the bunny on Easter morning

* Egg hunts!!!

* Deviled eggs (yes, even as a kid!- but again, hold the ham please)

* New Easter dresses and shoes (the shoes were a MUST- again, even as a kid!)

* All the pastel colors everywhere (only time of the year I like pastels)

* SUPER STALE peeps (yep, as I said before they MUST be stale- chewy!)

* Daffodils

* Going to church (aside from Christmas, the best church service of the year)

* Family time

* Friend time

So, aside from the super stale peeps, much like every other day that I like :)

HAPPY EASTER TO ALL!!!

Easter Weekend

I love this time of year (usually because it's around my birthday!)- but as much as I do NOT like ham- honey baked or not- not a ham fan, but I do like Easter. Maybe it's the bunny, deviled eggs, chocolate, and jelly beans???

Anyway, I have the worlds best Mom who always gave us baskets filled with "good chocolate" (think Fanny Farmer, Godiva, See's etc.)- not that waxy, fake drug store crap- think quality not quantity, friends. Mmmm... I think my favorite was Fanny Farmer chocolate covered pretzels. Love the mix of salty and sweet. Now, years later, I still follow in Wonder Mom's footsteps when I buy candy for gifts and such.

Aside from the basket of tastiness, I also love the family meals (again, as long as I can avoid the ham). As an adult, also not a fan of buffets (as I kid it was fun to pick and choose a little of this and little of that)- you end up paying a ton of money and get full of (many times) crappy food very quickly. So, not a fan in general. One exception is Scott's Seafood Sunday Champagne brunch (Walnut Creek). Yep- that passes the test. Give that one a try.

BUT I love picking great places to go for Easter with family and friends. This year the lucky winner is Skates on the Bay in Berkley with Jarrod and Jennifer. Bring on the mimosas and seafood! Looking forward to being thankful for what I have as we celebrate tomorrow.

Thank you Easter Bunny! (and of course Jesus too).

Weekend Memories

While I am sitting in my hotel room in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (which is not all that great, to be honest--- the city, the hotel room is just fine) I am depressed that I am in Pittsburgh, so I am reminiscing about the wonderful weekend I had with my very best friend Andi last weekend in Park City.


It could not have been better! Some names will be left out (to protect the innocent of course), but here is the scoop:


Started out Friday, once we arrived in PC at my condo, with a bottle of scrumptious Artesa red wine and started our "gossip and catch up weekend". After a few hours, we went to SILVER for dinner- so tasty! At 11PM, we opted to stay clear from getting crazy that night and reserved some fun for Saturday (but we did have a little more wine at home!)


Saturday was even better.. .lunch on Main Street and then some fabulous time spent, along with Mr Big (remember, protecting...) up the mountain at The St Regis in Deer Valley enjoying martinis, mojitos, and Tijuana taxis... Taxi is a cocktail made with espresso, Kahlua, and tequila. Wow. Sounds gross, but so good! After that, we sent Big on his way and did a little (yes, just a little) damage shopping. That of course, created more room for more drinks! So we were off to Easy Street (yes, that is the name of the bar) for some bubbly by the outdoor fire.... Is this the life of what!?


It was enough to simply spend quality time with my very best friend, and the beauty of Park City, and the wonderful food and cocktails made it even better. Yes, confession, I seriously did shed a tear when I dropped her off on Sunday. Boo hoo. I love my friend time.


Just wanted to share a little of my favorite things: best friends, tasty calories and frothy liquor. Ha!

Just Another Saturday

I have a confession: It's been almost 3 weeks since my last post. Busy? Yep. You bet. Crazy is more like it. Work. Good. Just super, crazy, up-to-my-eyeballs busy. I work like crazy all week and weekends are either chock full of errands, to-do list, etc. OR it's nothing. Just pure relaxation that flies by like a snap of my fingers (I wish I had more of those!) Last weekend was busy AND fun.... dinners out, musical Rock of Ages with some friends... very nice San Fran time. Now it's Saturday in "let it snow, let it snow Park City" (yes, it's almost mid-April, but let's keep that a secret from the skiers and snowboarders!). Here is what is on my mind today: * The absolutely amazing gorgeous purse I bought at Prada after Rock of Ages last weekend. Wow! Yes, I know it was ridiculously expensive, but oh-so-worth it. Once per year. That is all. Love my Prada. * How excited I am about my very best friend Andi visiting Park City next weekend for a Girls Weekend full of wine, yummy dinners, gossip, shopping.... Can't wait! * Easter Brunch coming up this month... I love breakfast out (especially with Jennifer after hikes on the weekends in Lafayette and Chow!) but don't often have "official brunch". This has become an annual event for Jarrod & me in the Bay area. Skates on the Bay in Berkeley it will be this year. Yummy. Easter is a fun holiday. Love the bunny. * The hype about St Tropez self tanner IS all it is cracked up to be. I think I blogged about this last time.... yep, great stuff. Bad news: forgot it was in my carry-on luggage and because it was over 3 oz., had to toss it. Boo hoo. Back to the spa boutique I go again today to pick up another bottle. Worth it. Again. * J Crew has the cutest summer dresses this year! Not super expensive, very flattering, practical, classic and oh-so-cute. Picked up a few the other weekend. Going back for more today. * In flight internet is one of the best inventions ever. Really helps the time on the plane "fly" by. Love it. Bad news: when you are crossing your fingers that the plane has it and it does not :( * 90 minute deep tissues massages are the bomb. Even better when you get them every 2 weeks. Did I mention I love my weekends when I work realty hard all week? Give Massage Envy a try people. Economical and body/health saving! Motto to live by: eat healthy, exercise often, get enough sleep, and get regular massages and facials. Ok, that's enough to have on my mind today. Enjoy your weekend. I only have half this time. Off to Arizona for work tomorrow. Bye bye.

Contradiction of Terms

Is it bizarre that I am watching episodes of shows such as "The Biggest Loser" and "Shedding for the Wedding" (yes, that is an actual show) while I surf the Ben & Jerry's ice cream website for new flavors??? www.benjerry.com

Let's start at the beginning.... well, not the beginning.. but yesterday.

Yesterday I was on the airplane reading about a new Ben & Jerry's flavor created for Jimmy Fallon named "Late Night Snack"- vanilla bean ice cream with chocolate covered potato chips and a caramel swirl. YUM. You either love or hate candy-coated-salty-potato chips... me, I love 'em. The best come from Fanny Farmer or Fanny Mae, but I digress... This ice cream rocks (at least from the title). But as I was at the grocery store today, ironically purchasing fruit, veggies, and lean meat, I checked the freezer isle and no "Late Night Snack" to be found. Oh, they had the standards... Jerry Garcia, Half Baked, Phish Food, etc. No nothing from Mr. Fallon.

So, at home.... heating up the DVR for a Saturday evening relaxing at home and on comes the weight loss reality shows. I can't believe this crazy buck-toothed, open mouthed gal Taylor who is trying to lose weight and win her dream wedding actually, truly believes she consumes less than 600 calories per day and can't understand why she is not losing weight!? Honey, the bagel with eggs and cheese that you ate for breakfast had more than 600 calories alone! Again, I am judging while I log onto the B&J's website. On a side note, what a great site! They even have a Flavor Graveyard for all of the discontinued flavors- that was kinda fun. Check it out.

Well, to my chagrin, "Late Night Snack" is too new... not in any stores yet. Boo hoo. But... something to look forward to, I guess. In the meantime, I will watch more weight loss reality. Wait.... better yet, I will just go back to the gym myself and make it real.

24 Hour Fitness, here I come! Elliptical, bring me some more weight loss so I can bring myself some ice cream later!