Wide Open Spaces...

Thanksgiving in Kansas was wonderfully relaxing and full of good memories.  I can honestly say I experienced the most beautiful sunsets/sunrises ever and felt like a straight up country girl.  While I  not ready to make the move to farm life anytime soon, I thought I would share my fave pictures from the trip.  I returned relaxed and full of cheer and am so thankful for B's amazing family for hosting such a wonderful trip!

Below are some of my fave pics (loving instragram btw! follow me @lyndsylee) from the trip!

4.5-5 hour drive from Colorado to Kansas

early sunrise Thanksgiving morning

sunrise continued from the farm

wild farm kitty who couldn't have been sweeter!

happy thanksgiving (i wore my uggs the ENTIRE week!)

shot some guns at targets (no animals)

serene sunset

gorgeous deer who just stared at us!

more deer off in the horizon - bambi?

finished the 750 piece puzzle...only took us 2 days!

sunsets with my sweetie make me happy

wide open spaces is all i kept singing the whole drive there and back (also thought about the disgusting outhouse we had to stop at on the way to Kansas but passed on the way back to Denver)

rocky mountain high! returning back to LA aboard Frontier

Happy Thanksgiving!

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I have long said that Thanksgiving would be my favorite holiday if I didn't love giving presents so much.  I love the smells, the food, the friends, the family and just this general time of the year. 

I am thankful for my incredible family who love and support me through my toughest times and taught me how to love others. 

I am grateful for my amazing friends who make me laugh, cry and push me to excel and be a better me. 

I am thankful for my sweet Waldo who loves me even when I am hungover and pain in the butt.  He gives the best snuggles and brings a smile to my fave on a daily basis. 

I am thankful for B and his support, love, and intelligence.

And I am thankful for all of you that read my blog, and leave me comments that bring a smile to my face (often times a chuckle).  It means that world to me that you take time out of your busy day to read YBB and I love you for it!  

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

XOXO

Happy {Turkey/Vacay} Weekend!

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I am officially on vacation and off to Denver to spend Thanksgiving with this turkey...

It will be my first Thanksgiving not spent with my own family or California friends and while I sad to break tradition, I'm also excited to experience a different side of Thanksgiving and indulge in new traditions and feast on new treats with ones I love. 

I will try to sign in next week and share any fantastic goodies with you all, but want to wish you all a happy turkey day, and may it be filled with tasty food, the best wines and warmth and love from friends and family!

XOXO

Forever Frugal Friday ~ Trendy Tights!

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Today was the first day of the season that I pulled out a pair of my trusty polka dot black tights, and I have to say I am quite happy with the results and received numerous compliments at work (yay!). 

Tangent much...my whole point was that every lady should have at least 2 or 3 pairs of tights for those cold days that have already arrived or are coming soon to a city near you.  I love the playfulness tights add to any outfit and it reminds me of my youth and love for tights as a young girl. 

I love the variety of styles out there and there is just about something for every girl, whether you like to play it safe with solids, bright, or trendy with those leopard lace tights.  Everyone can wear tights!  All of the tights above are under $15, so you won't feel guilty if you snag, poke a hole or rip them after a couple wears. 

And just because I mentioned it, and have never actually done an OOTD, here you go!

(close up so you can see the tights)

(please excuse my terrible background)

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

Word Up Wednesday

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although i still prefer the sun, the rain today in LA has been the perfect excuse for hot tea, umbrellas, and rod stewart.

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regret nothing.

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one simple step.

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two months ago i awoke to a phone call (in ams) from my best friend mrs. r, explaining she had terrible news.  our dear beautiful friend brooke's husband of ten days had passed away unexpectedly.  i was left in utter shock and felt a terrible sadness and pain not only for brooke, but for andy's family and all those who loved and cared for the two of them. 

i was alone in amsterdam and unable to console my roommate (bestfriend to brooke), to hug b, to squeeze my best friends and family and tell them how much i loved them.  and of course i felt helpless for how to best be there for brooke.  and yet out of this terribly tragedy there came this overwhelming response of love and helping hands and sincere strength and support for the already amazing brooke who never ceases to amaze me with her grace and affection for all that loved andy.     

andy's passing has left us all a littler emptier as he really was one of a kind.  to know him was to love him.  his laughter was genuine and contagious and his love for brooke was unquestionable.  i know that andy is watching over brooke and will be with her forever. 

the daily news interviewed brooke about her story and the article shows you not only how incredibly strong brooke is but also what an amazing human andy was to those around him.  if you would like to donate to the American Heart Association in andy's honor you can do so here. 

when something tragic like this happens it reminds you that our time on this earth is a gift and we really must make the most of everyday. 

xoxo

Hallo from Amsterdam!

Hallo!  I arrived in AMS today for work, which was technically still yesterday in LA and only slept 2 hours on the plane which means I have kind of been up for a really long time and am sort of running on fumes here (still with me?).  Anyhoo, this morning when we began our decent into Amsterdam I captured this beautiful sunrise high above the clouds and Europe and just had to share with you all! 

I'm here until the 30th and will try to continue posting regularly (although I gave a poor showing of posting last time I was here).  I also will try to share more photos from my adventures around the city. 

Until then....Tot Ziens!

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!!

Happiness...

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I am a blubbering mess.  At lunch today I burst into tears upon meeting this handsome boy. 

I want to send out a HUGE congratulations to the Freni Family and their perfect little bundle of joy Oliver!  I couldn't be happier for mom and dad and am so excited to get to watch this sweet boy grow up.  Love you so much Jim Jam - you are already such a wonderful mother (and can we just all agree she looks incredible after giving birth less than 24 hours ago?) and I am overjoyed for the 3 of you!

Feeling nothing but

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Summer Essentials Series is Back!

I am so excited to bring back the Summer Essentials Series for a third year!  I love to share my favorite summer must haves and also adore all the bloggers who share their selections every year. 

And here to kick it all off are my summer essentials!

*What one item can you not be without this summer?*

Exfoliator.  Summer time means lots of fun in the sun which means lots of sunblock, lotion and products to protect my fair skin.  All these products add up to dull skin that needs to be sloughed away to maintain that summer glow and a good exfoliator is just what the doctor ordered.  My all time fave exfoliator is Flowers Organic Detoxifying Cranberry Vanilla Body Scrub (currently sold out) which I purchase from Chocolate Sun whenever I get a spray tan.  I recently ran out and stopped by Sephora to find the Bliss Blood Orange+White Pepper Sugar Scrub.  The scent is incredible and instead of that nasty oil film that many scrubs leave behind, Bliss promises a finer, gritter product that foams and leaves no film behind.  Exactly what this girl is looking for in an exfoliator. 

*What are you craving for summer 2011?*

The perfect wedge sandal.  Ever since I eyed these Dolce Vita Jade Wedge Sandal all I have wanted was to find a cheaper version for summertime.  Alas no luck and I am 99% sure that my willpower is wearing off and these $178 wedges are coming home with me very, very soon.  The color is perfect, the height amazing and the way they manage to make my short stumpy legs look long and lean is reason enough.  Seriously these may just be the perfect wedge.

*What is your essential summer song for 2011?*

Jane Says.  Yes I realize the lyrics are not the most uplifting but there is something about the steel drums and acoustic guitar that is super summery to me.  I have loved Jane's Addiction since my 8th grade boyfriend Adam made me mixed tape of all their songs. 

I am off to Seattle tomorrow for a week and will be sharing all the fabulous fellow bloggers summer essentials for the next week or so.  Be sure to check back tomorrow for Stephanie and Karrie of Covet Living's list!

I'm Loving' It

The new Starbucks "Very Berry Hibiscus" Refresher is muy bueno!  I was very hesitant to try this coffee drink that tastes nothing like coffee, but let me just tell you it is so delish.  A grande drink only has 70 calories and it contains freeze-dried berries as well.  Once I finish my beverages, I fill my cup of with water and enjoy my "spa" water at my desk.  If you are lucky enough to have them sampling it at your local Sbux, make sure you give it a try. 

Also loving the Hunger Games Triology.  I am on the final book of the series and trying to find any excuse to read it.   

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This bright, cheery and a little bit nautical look from Atlantic-Pacific.  I mean let's be honest, all of her outfits are lust-worthy but this one just screams glamorous fun in the sun.

Even though I am perfectly content and still loving my Yellow KitchenAid Mixer, I fell in love at first sight with this KitchenAid Artisan Susan G. Komen Stand Mixer in Raspberry Ice.  Not only would it be a brilliantly bold addition to any kitchen, but with the purchase of this mixer you are also contributing to the Susan G. Komen Cook for the Cure®’s efforts to cure breast cancer. 

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This ring and grey nail polish combo.  Whenever I see this photo I instantly want to run to the nearest beauty supply and pick up a bottle of grey polish (preferably chinchilly).  Grey, yellow, turquoise and a little bit of gold...possibly new bedroom color scheme? 

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Visits from friends and babies that include dinners at garlic ball heaven C&O Trattoria in Venice. 

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Holding sweet little buddy Raleigh while soaking up rays, sipping some wine at Sip in Malibu and reminiscing with friends.  This past weekend Coffey and Cabe flew down from Seattle so that many of us could meet little Raleigh as well as the handsome Easton.  It was a weekend of making the best of roadblocks and rules and fully of laughter and smiles.  So much fun!

Word Up Wednesday

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needed this yesterday.  printed it out, stuck it on my mirror. true story.

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this goes with the flow chart above as well as my professional life...i am finally travelling to Europe for the first time ever (only ever travelled to mexico & canada) and visiting our Europe office in Amsterdam for training and setup.  i am so super excited!! 

Summer, Summer, Summertime...

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Summer has finally arrived!  Anyone else so pumped for the long summer days, and warm summer nights?  June 21st is one of my favorite days of the year because it instantly lifts my spirits and reminds me of being a kid. 

This summer I am the most excited for...

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lots and lots of watermelon.  watermelon juice, watermelon beer, watermelon water, watermelon popsicles, watermelon itself.  yum.

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late night lounging with friends around a fire pit.

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remember the days of water balloon fights???? yeah, i decided it is time to bring those into my weekends way more often this summer

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splashing in the ocean, strolls along the beach.

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inner tube lounging in any pool.

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poolside beers are my favorite.

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visits from and visits to loved ones.

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oh my gosh i am so excited!  what do you dolls have in store or look forward to the most this summer?

all together now...

summer

summer,

summertime.

time to sit back and unwind.