Friday, April 27, 2012

Chi-town bound

We are off to Chicago this morning!  I can't wait to see my family...especially Lauren and Annie!  It's been four months since I've seen them.


It's also go time for the Junior League of Chicago's A Family Affair event that I'm co-chairing this year.  If you are in Chicago on Saturday and want to join us for a great event, you can buy tickets here.

And...I'll be stopping by Jimmy John's!  #2 here I come!


Thursday, April 26, 2012

30 Things Every Woman Should Have and Should Know

30 is just around the corner for me...a little less than six months away.  I can't wait...no, seriously I can't!  Earlier this week I came across this article on The Huffington Post.

Turning 30: 30 Things Every Woman Should Have And Should Know


By 30, you should have...

1. One old boyfriend you can imagine going back to and one who reminds you of how far you’ve come.
2. A decent piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in your family.
3. Something perfect to wear if the employer or man of your dreams wants to see you in an hour.
4. A purse, a suitcase, and an umbrella you’re not ashamed to be seen carrying.
5. A youth you’re content to move beyond.
6. A past juicy enough that you’re looking forward to retelling it in your old age.
7. The realization that you are actually going to have an old age -- and some money set aside to help fund it.
8. An email address, a voice mailbox, and a bank account -- all of which nobody has access to but you.
9. A résumé that is not even the slightest bit padded.
10. One friend who always makes you laugh and one who lets you cry.
11. A set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra.
12. Something ridiculously expensive that you bought for yourself, just because you deserve it.
13. The belief that you deserve it.
14. A skin-care regimen, an exercise routine, and a plan for dealing with those few other facets of life that don’t get better after 30.
15. A solid start on a satisfying career, a satisfying relationship, and all those other facets of life that do get better.


By 30, you should know...

1. How to fall in love without losing yourself.
2. How you feel about having kids.
3. How to quit a job, break up with a man, and confront a friend without ruining the friendship.
4. When to try harder and when to walk away.
5. How to kiss in a way that communicates perfectly what you would and wouldn’t like to happen next.
6. The names of the secretary of state, your great-grandmothers, and the best tailor in town.
7. How to live alone, even if you don’t like to.
8. Where to go -- be it your best friend’s kitchen table or a yoga mat -- when your soul needs soothing.
9. That you can’t change the length of your legs, the width of your hips, or the nature of your parents.
10. That your childhood may not have been perfect, but it’s over.
11. What you would and wouldn’t do for money or love.
12. That nobody gets away with smoking, drinking, doing drugs, or not flossing for very long.
13. Who you can trust, who you can’t, and why you shouldn’t take it personally.
14. Not to apologize for something that isn’t your fault.
15. Why they say life begins at 30

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Happy Hump Day

Today is the last day of my current job.  
It's bittersweet.
But, also a cause for celebration.
I brought in donuts this morning to start the festivities off right!
I've never seen my engineers so happy!
And, we'll finish it with happy hour this afternoon.


Sunday, April 22, 2012

Hank Moody's part of town

Jon and I loaded our bikes in the Jeep and headed up to Venice Beach today!  We had a bit of a slow start ...there was a four-car accident that happened right ahead of us on the 405.  Thankfully no one was seriously injured, but it was pretty intense to watch.  Jon did a great job of swerving and slamming on the brakes so we weren't involved.  I called 911 and Jon got out and helped one of the girls get out of her car (her door was stuck).  The CHP arrived quickly and after about 45 minutes they had our witness statement and we were free to go.  We were so thankful we weren't involved and that everyone was physically ok.  

We continued on our way and started off in the Abbot Kinney area of Venice Beach.  We had a great brunch at Gjelina.  I had the fried egg sandwich and it hit the spot.   


After brunch we hopped on our bikes and rode over by the canals.  The homes were beautiful and the landscaping was gorgeous.  


Then we headed over to the boardwalk and rode up to Santa Monica.  We stopped off by some swings and Jon thoroughly enjoyed himself.


On our way back we had our eyes peeled for the infamous "Venice" sign from Californication.  And, we found it!



Friday, April 20, 2012

Happy Friday!

Yesterday Lauren wrote me an email (with my sister's help) asking if I could please take an airplane ride to their house to see them.  Well, next Friday at this time I will be on a plane back to Chi-town to see them!  I can't wait!  This is the longest I have gone without seeing my nieces and it's tough.  

But, for today I have my Starbucks oatmeal and skinny vanilla latte to help me get my day started.  It's a must to get through our weekly 8am Friday staff meeting. 

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Smooth it out now

Tell me this song doesn't just make your Thursday that much better? 

Monday, April 16, 2012

Mom & Dad's trip to SoCal!

My parents came out to visit us for a week around Easter.  It was so nice to see them (it had been since Christmas) and have them here.  We tried to show them as much as we could in the time we had.


Contrary to what this picture might look like,
we did not go to a Tigers game.  We went an Angels
game all decked out in our D-town pride!

I was so thankful we didn't have to spend our first holiday away from home alone.  It was great going to Easter Mass together and enjoying brunch oceanside in Laguna Beach. 


In our Easter best!


Easter evening we finished the day by watching the sun go down at the beach.  We brought our chairs, wine, and a couple of blankets!



We had a great week and can't wait for them to come back out!  I miss my mom & dad already, but we get to see them again in 10 days in Chi-town...along with my sister and brother-in-law and our two nieces, Lauren & Annie!!!

Thanks to my dad for being the designated photographer of the week!

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Gentlemen, start your engines

Saturday we spent the day at the Long Beach Grand Prix with some friends.  We scored some cheap parking and tickets on the way in!


We walked around and saw all of the cars in their tents being worked on for the big race.  I had no idea some of them were two-seaters!  As soon as I saw the Dempsey Racing tent I was on the lookout for McDreamy, but I didn't see him.  However, two of my guy friends saw him.  Of course the guys would and the girls wouldn't!

The first race we saw was the Pro/Celebrity Race.  I liked that race the best because I knew who some of the drivers were!  Adam Corolla won it.  And, LeAnn Rimes sang the National Anthem.


We had never been to Long Beach before or to a Grand Prix race!  It was sunny, but really windy.  My hair was a hot mess!  The cars were so, so, so loud as they zoomed by us.

Well, I'd say we certainly accomplished doing something "new to us" in California this weekend!

Friday, April 13, 2012

Friday's Fancies - Pretty in Pastels

TGIF ladies!!!  It's been such a great week.  The best one I've had in a while!  Jon and I are hoping to do something "new to us" in CA this weekend.  There are just so many options...what to pick, what to pick?

The other day I wore my pink capris to work.  They make me happy and I feel so springy when I have them on!  {av}'s Friday's Fancies theme this week is pretty in pastels.  This just seems like a great weekend outfit.  The Easter Bunny put a TOMS gift card in my basket...I might just have to do some shopping this weekend too!

Thursday, April 12, 2012

The crazy path of life

I have some very exciting news...

This girl has accepted a new position at an awesome company!

Ok, I understand what some of my long time readers are thinking...you just changed jobs in October.  And, that I did.  

But, I always keep the door open and a fantastic opportunity made its way to me.  I wasn't about to turn it down.  I have so many people to thank for helping to make this happen.  

I've talked about my relationship with God before and situations like this remind me someone else is definitely in charge and He continues to bless us each day.  Someone is watching out for me and I am so lucky...and completely thankful.  

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Happy Easter!

My grandma always had an Easter tree.
I can picture exactly where it was in her living room.
Every Easter I think about her and her tree.

Enjoy your celebration with family and friends.
We are off to church and brunch in Laguna Beach.
So happy my parents are here to spend the holiday with us.

Happy Easter!





Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Dip trip, flip fantasia

I love having satellite radio in my Jeep.  Love it!  I rock out on my way to and from work.  It makes it really easy when a fantastic old school songs like this one come on.


I swear it was from 1998...NOT 1992!!!!

You'll have to excuse the blurry pictures from the driver's seat.

Feeling a little tarnished?

There is something in my skin or some lotion or hair product I use that causes my sterling silver jewelry to have a reaction and tarnish after only one or two wears.  It frustrates me so much.

It's expensive to have them professionally cleaned, but up until this past Christmas I hadn't found a product that allowed me to clean them at home.  I tried Goddard's per Tiffany's recommendation, but it didn't work.  Well, on my stocking list for Christmas I put sterling silver polish and my dad found a product that actually works!!!  It's called Hagerty Silversmiths' Polish.  I love it!!!  It's fast, easy, and it WORKS!


My Tiffany heart pendant and chain on my Elsa Peretti "s" pendant were looking pretty bad.


You just use a rag and apply the polish on the jewelry.


Voila!  My earrings and necklaces are like new!

Sunday, April 1, 2012

Weekend recap


Wilma had a great time chasing the birds Saturday morning.  


Jon with his new beach cruiser.


Wilma and me Saturday night...even though this is typical most nights...according to Jon.


Mani/pedi on Sunday!  Splash of grenadine is my color for Easter.


Jon getting ready to cook our crabs for dinner Sunday night.  


Fresh crabs and baked potatoes for dinner.  We made such a mess!  
Good thing we put garbage bags down on the table.