Happy {Holiday} Weekend!

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I am off to Seattle today to spend Christmas with my family and friends which should be full of good cheer, laughs and celebrations!  I wish you all the happiest of holidays and safe travels to wherever you are headed! 

XOXO

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 {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

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!

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!

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.

My San Francisco Treat

Is anyone else amazed that it is already the middle of May and we are approaching summer at rapid speed?  Not that I am complaining, but I am just getting around to sharing our fun trip up north to San Francisco! 

We arrived into San Fran early and hopped on the BART (so awesome) to the Galleria Park to check in.  The hotel was super cute and offered a complimentary wine hour (with very tasty wines) from 5:30-6:30 which we utilized before dinner. 

We had originally planned to take the ferry to Tiberon as suggested by the lovely Danielle but ended up at the wrong pier and were too lazy to walk to the correct one and our hunger was really starting to set it.  Bad thing about San Fran on a Sunday...lots of places were closed so we spent a good amount of time searching for a spot to eat at. 

Luckily we found that Prospect was open (a restaurant that was on my list) and headed inside for some grub and booze.  I enjoyed the savory cheesy grits and a pompelmo frizzante (above) while B went for the prospector breakfast and the strawberry smasher.  Everything was incredible.  It is a restaurant that I will most definitely be visiting again next time I am in town and if you live in SF, should be dining at whenever you get the chance! 

With our tummies full of food and a nice little morning buzz, we explored the Embarcadero and took in the beautiful skies and amazing city views.  We really lucked out with the weather during our visit. 

After debating mucho about where to head for dinner, we finally agreed upon The Slanted Door, my coworkers favorite restaurant and highly rated by the critics.  We tried to make a reservation but they were already booked solid, so we gambled to eat at the bar and wouldn't you know we totally lucked into two seats very quickly. 

I enjoyed a lovely glass of white (after indulging in our complimentary wine hour back at the hotel) and B tried out The Old Fashioned and we were not disappointed.  We started off with tuna tartare and the barbecued willis ranch pork spareribs which were both full of so much flavor and straight up perfection.  I ordered the braised alaskan halibut and B ordered the grass-fed estancia shaking beef.  We finished up with the vanilla bean crème brûlée and left very pleased with our selections. 

Another must to any visitor to the city!

We were lucky enough to meet up with my sorority sister, bride to be and new resident of San Fran Kris and her hubby to be Kevin.  The bars around the pier were all mostly closed for the evening but we managed to find a place open and enjoy some beers and catching up. 

{EP, AT&T Park, B&Me}

Monday morning started off a little later than Sunday as we headed to the marina to meet my gf and recent mom EP and meet baby Claire.  We had planned to meet at American Cupcake, but were sad to see they were closed on Mondays - FAIL.  Another FAIL...catching the bus to the marina, ending up on Union Street, getting off the bus only to realize we were a mile away still and watched the bus drive away... We proceeded to the closest open restaurant and had a lovely time catching up. 

We then rushed back to the hotel threw on our game gear and headed out to MoMo's for some pregame beers with some of B's friends.  From there we walked across the street to AT&T Park for an amazing sunset, a Dodger win and an incredible stadium.  Most definitely the prettiest park I have ever been to. 

We ended the night with some drinks at 21st Amendment Brewery where I indulged in the Hell or High Watermelon brew and I have been craving it ever since.  The perfect summer time beer!  Now I just need to find a way to get it down here...

Tuesday was a day of exploring.  We started off in Union Square, walked down to AT&T Park to sample the famous Philz Coffee and then decided to walk through the Ferry Building again.  The architecture of the building and all the signs were fun to see and left me wanting to stop at every stand.  However we kept on moving and walked next to Fisherman's Wharf. 

We decided to reward ourselves with some beers and absinthe at Cioppino's before trekking up Hyde street to see Lombard street.  We were pretty close to Knob Hill and I wanted to explore a little and then we realized we were pretty close to Union Square so why not walk back to our hotel and enjoy the outdoors some more.  Not the best idea for our feet, but at the end of the day we calculated we walked 8 miles round trip.  I wasn't feeling so bad about our food decisions the past few days after that. 

{walking up Hyde Street & Philz Coffee}

It was such a fun trip that flew by us so fast that there was still so much left to see and do.  B and I both decided to make it an annual trip and explore new spots whenever we arrive.  Thanks B for such a romantic, fun, getaway - can't wait to do it again!   

I would like to thank you all for the suggestions and ideas, I have saved them all for our next visit and would love to hear any more places as you think of them!  And of course a huge thanks as well to my roomie Aves for keeping an eye on Mr. Waldo while I was away.  

Happy Vaycay to the Bay!

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All my bags are packed and B and I are ready to head up north for a few days of food, friends, baseball and a little R&R.  

Thank you for all of the recommendations, I can't wait to report back with the places we went!

Ta-Ta and see you on Thursday!

XOXO

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!

Mile High Time

So I am a little (okay a lot) delayed in recapping my adventures in Denver.  I had the best time in the "Mile High" city which I am sure helped a lot since I had a wonderful tour guide B, who grew up in this lovely town.  Denver was one of my top 5 cities to visit in the United States (I will need to replace it now), along with Chicago, Savannah, Martha's Vineyard, and Austin.  The weather was incredible, the skies like nothing I had ever seen before and an altitude that definitely caught up with me on Saturday night (ruh-roh). 

Glass of wine at Chili's To Go bar at LAX

Tour of Red Rocks.  So gorgeous!

Self guided tour through the Coors Brewery.  So fun and you get 3 free beers at the end! 

I was happy to find out that Coors brews Blue Moon, so I happily enjoyed two glasses of that (with an orange of course) and a glass of their season summer ale Honey Moon.  Both were so refreshing (did I mention it was 92 degrees this day?)

 

I sampled some Rocky Mountain Oysters.  Which surprisingly weren't that bad and tasted kind of like chicken nuggets. 

Rode the 1/2 mile long Alpine Slide down the mountain (490 feet high) - so fun!

View from our room at The Sheraton in Downtown Denver.  Kind of looks like Vegas minus all the flashing lights.

Jack on the rocks and Grey Goose Pear & Soda to start the night off.

The night started off innocently enough at El Camino Community Tavern in the Highlands and progressively moved throughout Downtown Denver, where we closed the night at The Drink (ridiculousness documented below).

Loved the cheap/free drinks in Denver (and yes the gent to my left is shirtless - pretty hilarious)

The rest of the trip (I apparently forgot I had a camera) was lots of incredible food, meeting friends and family and just trying to stay cool (reached 102 degrees the Saturday we were there).  It was such a great city that has this spirit to it.  I highly recommend checking out Denver if you haven't been yet.  Next time I go I am hoping to get to check out Breckenridge and also a Rockies game. 

Forever Frugal Friday

I am headed to Denver on Wednesday and I have some BBQ's, a Coors tour, some dinner and drinks around town planned, and I am looking for the perfect dresses to look cute and keep cool (temperatures are supposed to be in the mid to upper 80's).  I am loving the whimsical charm of this Silky Printed Dress, which could easily head into fall with some cognac boots and a scarf. 

I also am quite a sucker for pockets and green, and this Solid Floral Dress may just have to accompany me to Denver as well.  I am thinking this with some nude heels will be perfect for dinner and drinks on Saturday night.  Love the color so much and again, paired with some flats boots can also be totally fall appropriate.

Have any of you ever been to Denver?  Any most see or eat places I should check out?  Any killer bakeries or clothing shops?  Please leave me a comment with any recommendations!  Thanks!