Happy {Wine Tasting, Cougar Football Viewing, Friends} Weekend

I am off to San Francisco tonight to see my bestie Mrs. R, The RinaCoff's, and some other great peeps up north.  In store for tomorrow is some wine tasting in Napa (my first time!) and then Saturday is the WSU vs CAL football game at AT&T park. 

I will be attending the game with these lovely ladies (along with some other fantastic fellow Cougs) and finishing up my weekend with a tour of San Fran and a day with Carebear. 

A fantastically perfect weekend and I am WAY overdue for a vacation. 

Hope y'all have a spectacular weekend and root for the Cougs to beat the bears! 

XOXO

Greetings from Amsterdam!

I am finally settled in and have all systems working here in Amsterdam!  The weather so far has been lovely (knock on wood) and I have done a little exploring thus far but still have so much to see and do.  If you have been to Amsterdam and have any must see or must eat at destinations please leave me a comment and I will be happy to explore! 

Happy Monday to ya'll!!

If You're Going to San Francisco....

And I am!!! B just booked our flights to San Francisco! I am so excited!!

I am a bit embarrassed to admit this, but in the 8 years I have lived in LA I haven't once been up to San Fran!  In fact the last time I was in San Fran that I can remember was like 21 years ago! FAIL!

B and I are headed up to San Fran Sunday-Tuesday for my little birthday getaway and I need your help!  We will be staying in Union Square but are open to traveling wherever!  I am hoping to fit in a Giants vs Dodgers game on Monday the 11th and other than that we are wide open!

What restaurants must we eat at?  What coffee shops have the best drip coffee out there?  What romantic place should we grab a cocktail?  Any must see museums?  Please, please, please leave me any recommendations here!

Thanks so much!

Twenty Eleven

{via}

If 2009 was a year or rebounding and starting over, then 2010 was a year of rebuilding and letting go.  2010 had it's ups and downs and although the downs ALWAYS suck the life out of you, they also teach you how to lift your head back up and dust off your shoulders. 

2010 brought me new friendships, a new career opportunity, and new love.  It also brought me financial woes, tested relationships and a whole lot of self revelation. 

So while there are definitely some times I wish I hadn't experienced, I know that all those hard times taught me some sort of lesson and also have made me stronger, more confident and ready to tackle 2011.

{via}

I am starting 2011 with a clean slate and gearing up for a fantastic year.

Goals for 2011:

*Working on my fitness

*Dusting off my passport and hoping to head to Europe

*Career advancement

*Paying off those darn credit cards/student loans

*Organizing my bedroom

*Busting open the cookbooks

*More concerts

*Read more, watch less TV

*Write more

They may seem simple and ordinary but they are everything I want and need to feel complete (for now)....

Cheers to you and all of your goals!  Let's make 2011 the best yet!

Summer Essentials Series ~ The Look 4 Less

Ugh...California's weather is really buggin' me right now.  The gray and drizzle is making getting out of bed all the more difficult and in addition, my allergies are O.O.C (out of control).  I am hopped up on Zyrtec and Tylenol Cold & Sinus hoping to feel some relief...alas no luck.  Which is why I am so excited to share one of my ABSOLUTE favorite bloggers Jen's, summer essentials.

Jen over at The Look 4 Less is your go to gal for replicating celeb and designer creations all for a little less dough.  I mean the girl does not disappoint.  She can find anything, and generally she finds many options of what your favorite celeb was wearing.  Jen contributed last year and I was so excited to she decided to take some time out of her busy schedule to share her must haves!

*What beauty product will be with you at all times this summer 2010?*

St. Tropez Everyday Gradual Tanner.  I have tried tons of gradual tanners and this one is by far my favorite, so I will definitely be using this consistently throughout the summer to give my skin some color!

*What are you craving for summer 2010?*

A vacation! We're heading to San Francisco this summer and I can't wait to spend time exploring the city.

*What is your essential summer song for summer 2010?*

{via}

Katy Perry - California Gurls (feat. Snoop Dogg) . I'm not from California but this song is super catchy and always gets stuck in my head!

Thanks Jen for all your great selections!  I am right there with you on craving a vacation (I'm headed to Denver next Wednesday) and I must try this St. Tropez gradual tanner, my pale skin needs some color!  And I am pretty sure that the song of the summer belongs to Katy Perry as so many of you bloggers have claimed it to be your so.  If you love fashion and saving money, make sure to head over to The Look 4 Less and shop 'till you drop!

Tomorrow the always crafty Jamie over at Jamie of all Trades will share her summer goods leading into the weekend!  Yay that it's almost Friday already!

Happy Anniversary to Mr. & Mrs. Mullin

I would like to wish a very happy two year wedding anniversary to the beautiful Mr. & Mrs. Mullin!

Their wedding was a beautiful celebration and the joining of east and west coasts. It was also my first trip to the east coast and I gotta say I am a huge fan and cannot wait to return and visit this amazing couple!

Mr. & Mrs. Mullin were married at Our Lady of the Assumption in Marshfield, MA and the reception was held at the stunning Indian Pond Country Club. It was a wedding for the books, with spectacular flowers, a show stopping live band, good food and drink and a whole lotta love!

Below are some incredible images from their big day!

Zach Anderson

Christopher Dumas

Darling Ring Bearer and Flower Girl

Christopher Dumas

First kiss as husband and wife!

Christopher Dumas

A little alone time together...

Christopher Dumas

Aren't they just perfection?

Christopher Dumas

One of my absolute favorites! So cute!

Christopher Dumas

The darling and tasty cake!

Christopher Dumas

One of the best bridal party entrances I have ever seen!

Christopher Dumas

First dance with much flair!

Just breaking it down with the bride!

My girls..Erin, Marge and Jamie :)

Mrs. R & Me

WSU Girls in the house!

Christopher Dumas

Quite a way to end the evening!

All I have to say to Mr. M & Mrs. M is "Don't Stop Believing...Hold On To That Feeling"....

xoxo

Miami Vice

via

Today is a busy one...work, jet off to Miami and play tonight! I wish you all a lovely weekend!

Chance of Rain....

via

There is a 30-40% chance of rain in Miami as well as isolated thunder storms. Hmm.... may I only look this amazing if it does rain this weekend.

Song Of The Week: Miami

I know this song is super cheesy, but I can't help buy smile when I hear it, because I'm going to Miami on Friday!!!! I am heading over with Mrs. R and Mrs. F for some fun in the sun, cocktails, and dancing. You better believe that I plan to wake up listening to this song every morning till I actually arrive, to which I shall switch over to this song....


LMFAO - I'm In Miami Trick
Uploaded by UniversalMusicGroup - See the latest featured music videos.

Must haves for this trip include...

*Polka Dot Bikini
*Red Bull & Vodka

Dream Destination....Barcelona

Um, I just watched this movie last night and LOVED it. I want to move immediately (more realistically spend a summer) in Barcelona! Now I only need to find a way to make that happen....

Have you seen the movie? What did you think? I am not generally a huge Penelope Cruz fan, but she was pretty great in this flick. Also, Scar Jo has never looked prettier to me, and Javier Bardem...get out of town!

Lastly the music was invigorating and lively. *Sigh*

Maui Gold ~ The Rinabarger Nuptials

I can hardly believe that it has already been two months since I was sipping on some Lava Flows in the beautiful Maui for The Rinabarger Nuptials. The wedding was an absolute dream, full of friends, beautiful scenery and of course, lots of love. Here are some of my favorite pics from the trip.

The beautiful bride Erin and her father walking down the aisle.

Erin & Steve and the beautiful backdrop of Maui.

The happy couple strolling down the beach after the ceremony.

All of us WAZZU girls!

Christy, Me, Avery Bleu, Lisa & Jamie

Mrs. R & Me

Michelle & Me

Delish cupcakes prepared by the talented Jamie of all Trades!

Jamie & I have a tradition at every wedding of a Wedding Rose (we mix my glass of white with her glass of red) and make everyone at our table drink it till the glass is empty.

No wedding is complete without parasols and a little Umbrella by Rhi-Rhi.

But enough of my photos....the ones you REALLY want to see were shot by the incredible duo behind 9.27 Photography, AKA our friends Shelby & Rich. The Rinabarger nuptials were there first official gig and let me just say, they did not disappoint and I see many booked wedding weekends in their future.

It's all in the details....

Feeling the love...quite a turnout for a destination wedding!

First kiss...so sweet!

Husband & Wife

One of my FAVE shots! So romantic!

The beautiful Olowalu Plantation House at night.

The perfect ring shot! The groom works on Woodies (think old cars) and the center of his ring is made from actual wood! Of course, Erin's ring is a stunner!

To see more of this special occasion be sure to look here.

Congratulations Erin & Steve. It was definitely a day to remember! XOXO

Reader Request

I received my first reader request email from Jamie of All Trades(great blog, great friend)....

I need your help! I'm going to NYC in May with my mom and sister and I need
a bag to take with. But I don't want to spend a lot of money. I'm thinking
something that could go over my body, a long shoulder strap but not too
expensive. YBB, can you help me?

Of course I can’t leave a girl hanging, so here are the options I found in the low (under $50) and moderate (under $150) price range.

Forever 21 just never disappoints with satisfying whatever need I may have. I found both of these darling bags with much ease. The Bella Messenger bag is a good choice as it is lightweight (good for walking) and stylish at the same time. The studded flap is my favorite part.

I also enjoy their Faux Leather & Canvas Tote. Simple and clean, guaranteed to go with almost any outfit you may sport. Plus it transitions easily into an evening purse by just removing the shoulder strap.

If you want to go a little trendier and don’t mind sporting faux Chanel, then this Quilted Parachute bag can easily fit your lip gloss, wallet, and perhaps a few pashmina’s you may pick up from a street vendor...

The Moderate Bags are a bit pricier, you'll be able to get more wear and tear out of them. I love this Big Buddah Shelby bag, again it's a convertible purse (removable shoulder strap) and the white is just so summery and bright. The strap looks like it would provide durability and also comfort which is important when walking all over town.

Equally adorable and I think my favorite is this Melie Bianco Mod bag. This bag has a lot of personality, with the stark contrast of white and black. It will go with just about anything you wear, and the depth of the purse will help store all the goodies you pick up here and there.

Last but certainly not least, the Michael Kors Montauk Leather bag comes in a variety of colors (I am biased obviously to the yellow), and looks to be made of a nice buttery leather that over time will soften and become a nice piece to add to any collection. Plus I heart Michael Kors and have been really enjoying his purse line lately.

Happy travels to you Jamie! Hopefully one of these bags will be exactly what you were looking for at the right price. Wish I was there to enjoy a magnolia cupcake and shop the Marc Jacobs discount store with you!

*If you have any requests of items you would like help finding, please email me!*