Baby, it's (about to be) cold outside!

 I love fall! Crisp mornings, cool afternoons, leaves changing, pumpkin spiced lattes ;)... But, here in Oklahoma, we usually get a leeeeetle bit of fall and then just as you think "Ah.. I could get used to this..," WHAM it's winter. Admittedly, I do not like winter cold very much at all. But I DO like winter clothes, especially coats.

 Last year, I vowed to get a new one in the spring sales. And I didn't.

LOVE! (but WAY out of my price range. Burberry. Blerg.)

 I want one that's brighter or more fun... or has something "different" about it. (But was still likely wool). Something that will look good with a fun scarf! (B/c my scarf obsession is a little ridiculous. I want to wear them at all times Sept-March...haha).

 But I also want it to be decently structured so I don't look like an oompa loompa... And longer. I don't like wool coats to be too short b/c I'm 5'7. :)

Cute neckline, not loving the massive buttons though

Oh and most importantly, I want it to be WARM and not break the bank.

(Not like I'm super picky or anything).

What about you? Have a favorite coat? Or looking for one this year, too? :)

Kate is a total coat inspiration. (Coatspiration? Eh? Maybe not). Hers are always so fantastic, right? I mean.. hello.. structured, cute buckles/buttons, and a fun girly ruffle at the bottom!

(All coat images via pinterest)

San Fran-Days 1 and 2!

Hi everyone! Thank you so much for all your sweet comments on my first vlog post! You guys are awesome and I appreciate ya'll so much. It was really fun and next time, I'll feel like an old pro... (or I'll still do the awkward hand fidgety thing, but whatever). :) 

Okay, friends, it's San Fran time! I have to start this by saying I am really proud of myself for not uploading the ridiculous amount of pics I wanted to... Sooo.. here goes!

We landed mid afternoon, took the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit...or the metro.. whatever. I'm so in with the San Fran lingo, okay) to our hotel and decided to explore! We stayed in an adorable boutique hotel Eric found, Hotel Abri. Since we were staying in Union Square for a couple days, we opted to take advantage and go on foot to shop, explore, etc...  

I think we were both a little taken aback by the cold. I know I know.. It is colder. We knew that. BUT, we were coming from Tulsa that was a good 110 degrees, so when someone says "65-70 degrees," all you think is "yes, please." :) I kinda thought it'd be jacket weather at night. But, it was more like jacket weather in the day and heavier jacket at night... ha! Totally fine though! It was a great break in our temps here.

The pic below was taken moments before my maxi skirt got stuck in the escalator at the Mens Saks store. Good grief. Only me...haha.. Thank GAWD the thing stopped when my skirt got stuck b/c otherwise the story would have been a lot more embarassing. And thank GAWD Eric is awesome and was able to detach my skirt (without ripping it) before anyone knew what happened. We bolted from that store and never looked back. ha! :)

Back to the hotel to get ready for dinner! A few options we'd originally considered were closed on Sundays so, we researched and found a great place called L'Osteria in Little Italy! Eric's kiiiiinda addicted to Chow Hound's online discussion boards and they've definitely never let us down, so after some trusty iphone research, we were off to this little place! Adorable mom and pop place that only takes cash and has about 7-9 tables in entirety. We waited outside with some others who kept saying the food was worth the wait....and it was. Fantastic!

 With full stomachs and sore feet from a long day of exploring, we headed back to the hotel. :)

Awoke day two to do a little more exploring around Union Square before we headed to our evening Alcatraz Tour!

I love the self timer

One of our errands included a trip to REI to find a warmer jacket for yours truly. I wanted one anyway, so I wasn't just getting it for this trip, but it was certainly an added benefit to wear it in San Fran. It's super cute and featured in photos later!

Okay, so we read that Fisherman's Wharf is a "fifteen minute walk" from Union Square. The tour took off near Fisherman's Wharf, so we thought we'd head there to check it out and eat before the tour. Um... good thing we left early b/c I'm pretty sure the person who said it was 15 minutes was intoxicated. I'm glad we did it b/c it was fun to see everything, but these hills (below) are no joke!

 I think it probably took us more like 45 minutes and quite a bit of hill climbing.. haha.. On the walk, Eric turned and said "Would it bother you if we take a cab back home later?" I sighed with a "I am so glad you just said that." haha..

Very bustling Union Square as we walked up Nob Hill :) 

 Arrived at the Wharf! Thanks to the random strangers who offered to take our picture! :)

 We took the sign's advice and snapped a couple pics...  ;)

Grabbed a bite at Bubba Gump's on the water and then walked down to where our tour left from pier 33. :)

Next post, Alcatraz!

My first vlog!

Hi everyone! First off, nope, I couldn't come up with a better subject line. Sorry. But, yeah, I joined the bandwagon and did a vlog! I've had this blog since 2007 (whoa) and have never done one! I actually joined up with a couple other bloggers, Mateya and Caroline, to do our first vlog together (Strength in numbers, people). I've linked them below! 

So, this means you get to see my rambling self in video. Get excited...haha... I watched it and I can't believe how much I subconsciously figeted with my arm.. It's a tinge creepy, so just ignore my spasms and go with it. I was playing with a pen... good grief. I watched it and I feel like I look like a big nerd, but I'm posting anyway b/c I guarantee you I won't look any less nerdy with 25 takes... :) And my roomie is in bed and will think I'm crazy if she keeps hearing me talking to myself. 

I also watched myself talking quite a bit b/c it was like 7 seconds behind so it kept throwing me off b/c I'd catch a glimpse of my mouth moving with the wrong words.. haha... goodness... awkward. Sheez. 

I officially admire those peeps with video channels! This was fun, though! Now that I have some of the jitters out, maybe I can do more!

And here's the picture I talked about in my video from Eric's profile pic on fbook when we started dating... :) I totally typed what he must have been thinking... (riiiiiight). 

Here's a link to the recipe I mentioned-the Pioneer Woman's Chicken Spaghetti. Good stuff, people. :)

And to view my other partners in blogging today, please check out Mateya at The Best is Yet to Come and Caroline at Simply Smithwick! Have you ever vlogged? If not, join us! :) Or even if you have before! Kinda fun way to get to know each other. :) Happy Thursday, friends! Almost the weekend!

Weekend Recap!

Hi friends! How was your weekend?! 

Mine was good... I am LOVING this fallish weather! I have yet to make it to Starbucks for the infamous first sign of fall...the Pumpkin Spice Latte... but I will. SOON. :) I'm hoping they brought their cider back, too.. *mouth watering* 

So, this weekend was Eric's 10 year reunion from high school! (Even though my mother had a blonde moment today and asked "From college?" and I had to remind her we're not THAT old yet. Sheez.) :)  But, before I get to that, Eric and I somehow managed to attend something every evening last week. No idea how that happened, but not complaining b/c it was a fun week! One of the things we did was luck into some tickets to see Michael Franti and Spearhead opening for Santana! :) Remember when we went to go see Franti at Red Rocks last year? We both really dig his chili and had no idea he was opening for Santana until the week of the concert. Anyway, someone had some extra tix and we got lucky! :) 

Wearing my Franti shirt I got last year with the lyrics to "Say Hey" on it

At the end, Franti invited all the kiddos and people over the age of 60 to come up and jam with him while he sang "Say Hey!" Cutest thing ever. His music just puts me in a good mood. :)

Friday kicked off Eric's reunion weekend and a few of us headed to dinner at Yokozuna for sushi before the cocktail reception at a nearby bar. If you're from Tulsa and have been to Yokozuna, you know they often give away stuff in their fortunes... shots of saki...appetizers...etc..  Eric got one last week that said "Rock, paper, scissors game for a free meal." Soooo of course he had to do it.  Eric vs our server for the best two out of three... ha!

Saturday night was the main event, held at a downtown hotel. :) Admittedly, I was pretty excited b/c I got to rock the dress I found in San Fran at H&M! (We don't have an H&M so I'm looking forward to online ordering opening soon)!

We had a really good time and I got to meet quite a few of Eric's old friends. He has a great guy group that all still hangs out regularly today so it was nice to already know quite a few people and their wives. :)

As a random aside, you might have noticed I got tanner from the first concert pic to the final reunion pic. You might not have noticed at all.. If not, just go with it... haha... Point is, a friend came over and sprayed me b/c she has her own airbrush tanning system as a little side business. And people, I am slightly obsessed with getting one. I.want.one. They're surprsingly not that pricey (depending on type)...and when you like to have a healthy glow sometimes AND want to do it safely, it's quite cost effective. So yeah, totally want a completely unecessary tanning system. Whatever. It is what it is. (It even comes with a pop up tent, people!) No, I'm not actually getting one. But, I told Eric he'd be the one to spray me. Imagine his excitement. (Sarcasm noted). ha!

I hope you had a fabulous weekend, friends! Monday is once again upon us way too fast!

We will never forget.

Anything I could say will pale in comparison to what I feel...

I was in college. En route to class. Knew the first tower had been struck, but information was unclear at that point. By the time I'd walked to class across campus, the second tower had just been hit. A girl ran out crying b/c she knew someone who worked in the towers. The magnitude of the situation flooded the room as our professor dismissed us from class. We all shared a dazed expression and headed back to our respective dorms, apartments, sorority houses...I spent the rest of the day huddled in the Chi O house with friends watching the television, unable to grasp why someone could ever do something so horrible.

God Bless the families and friends of those who lost their lives 10 years ago and those who fight to protect our country each and every day.

We will never forget.

I will never forget.

CA- Alove's wedding day!

On Saturday morning, Sarah, Andrew, Eric and I decided to explore a little before the wedding. :) Instead of fighting the maddness that would have definitely been the city of Los Angeles, we decided to explore Ranchos Palos Verdes, a pretty area overlooking the ocean. :) (Read: I was also really paranoid about getting stuck in traffic and being late to the wedding or something crazy). 

Hiked down a path behind us to the ocean

Headed to Long Beach for lunch.. Took this photo along the way...ha!

Then, it was wedding time! I was helping with the programs, so I got to get there early to say hi to the gorgeous bride and wedding party before everyone arrived. I loved her dress so much... I wish I had a better shot of it up close.  

All smiles mid-ceremony! :) 

Mr. and Mrs!

A friend we met in college (and fellow Chi O sistah!) did the gorgeous floral arrangements. I didn't feature them all on here b/c I was trying to be conservative with the amount of pics (I realize you probably can't tell that from the amount I posted.. ha). Anyway, Lauryl is extremely talented and moved to LA after college to be a botanical stylist and has done some fantastic things! She's been featured on Style Me Pretty and even on Cosmopolitan mag's website. :) It was really cool to see some of her work at Ashley's wedding. :) 

Love this! Everyone had them on by night's end! 

Love my Sarah bug! 

haha.. Nice.. 

Chi O sisterly love with the gorgeous bride! Girls flew in from OKC,  Tulsa,  Denver, Austin, and San Francisco!

No idea.. but it's awesome. And check out my pretty wrist corsage! LOVED that Lauryl did those so I didn't worry about ripping the dress I was wearing!

First dance :)

The bride changed into a fabulous cocktail dress and got the party started...ha! (The band was taking a break) 

Gorgeous wedding, stunning bride, good friends, and great time! I'm so happy for Ashley and Tinoush...and a little jealous of their Maui honeymoon. :) So glad Eric and I were able to fly out for the wedding to celebrate with them!

Next up... San Francisco recapping! :) Hope ya'll are having a lovely weekend!

Dandelion Love :)

This is my first post in the new blogger dashboard. Are you using it? I think I like it; but we'll see what this post publishes like...haha...

Okay, I promise I'll get back to vacation posting (I realize I care more than you do about this.. haha), but wanted to also mention something I LURVED on my trip! And I guess this can count for What I'm Loving Wednesday, too! Woohoo! :)

So, remember when I got Sephora's 500 point perk a bit ago? Right. Well, I'd been REALLY looking forward to trying the Benefit That Gal Brightening Face Primer Primer. I put it on and.... well... I didn't notice a lot. I read reviews on Sephora and it seems like it really just varies with your skin tone..makes sense. I mean, no product has the same result for everyone. Some people raved about how they didn't even need to wear makeup b/c they looked so fresh. I didn't feel that way. BUT, I do like it. It doesn't seem like much when you put it on, but I have to admit that my makeup looked fresher and lasted a bit longer than usual. And it smells darn good. Would I buy it? If I had a gift card, probably. If I'd had a bad day? Likely. (I buy panties or beauty products when I've had craptacular days. It is what it is). But make a special trip to Sephora for it? Nah, prolly not.

BUT, also in my 500 point perk was also the Benefit Dandelion highlighting powder and I.LOVE.IT. Again (and consider this your warning)... I'm sure it has different effects on different skin tones, but it really works for mine! I've tried highlighting powders before and they tend to make me look like I'd dunked my face in shimmery stuff and shook it back and forth furiously. This stuff is GREAT and not like that at all! I haphazardly brushed it on before we left for one of the wedding festivities and definietly noticed a difference. I mean, it wasn't night and day (b/c then I'd be glittery), but it was definitely more "dewy" looking and it kinda lifted my whole face! I looked like I'd slept for 12 hours! ha! :) After that, I kept it in my bag the whole trip for an easy way to brush on that fresh-faced-glow throughout the day without being shimmery. :) It's subtle, but I like that. So, don't take my word for it, but try it out if you're looking for something similar!

via

And....while we're on the makeup thing... Can I just tell you how much I have LONGED for a vanity or large counter to get ready at lately? I love my little house. Love. But, the bathroom is teeny and my roomie and I share it, so we just get ready in our respective rooms...which are also too small for a vanity table of any sort. *le sigh* So, I'll just lust after things like the below for awhile... haha.. Do you have a vanity? If not, where do you get ready? :) I heart vanities....

via pinterest

via pinterest

Happy Wednesday, friends! And thanks so much to those of you who wished Eric a happy birthday yesterday! :)

Happy 29th to Eric!

Tuesday is Eric's 29th Birthday! (I rob the cradle. It's how I roll.) :) Happy Birthday to a guy who makes me smile, makes me laugh, and puts up with my antics (of which there are many). 

He's truly the yin to my yang and I couldn't be happier to be able to celebrate his birthday with him! :) (If you think this is at all sappy, just wait til our 3 year anniversary post coming this fall...haha). ;) 

We got a group of friends together on Sunday night to have a casual bday celebration. :) The weather was perfection and we were able to cheers Eric while enjoying cooler temps (for once this summer!) on the patio. :)

Happy Birthday, Eric!

California-Pre Wedding Fun!

So, lots of ppl, including us, arrived on the Thursday before the wedding. :) Ashley had set a meeting place for those of us in town and looking for something to do, so we headed there that evening to hang out with friends! 

Chi O's! Grace, Ashley, Mary, Katy, Amy, me (I think it's funny that Katy's so tan, she barely showed up in the photo)

Me, Susan, Ashley (the bride!)

Friday morning, headed to a fabulous bridal brunch hosted by Ashley's mom and aunt.

Susan, me, Ashley, Grace... and no, we didn't mean to color coordinate.. haha.. :)

The bridal party and the house party (I like being in the "house party"- It even SOUNDS fun... haha!) :)

So, one of the girls had a great idea to make Ashley a photo book full of memories and well wishes. She asked us all for some old pics, current pics, and a few words/memories about Ashley. Turned out to be the cutest. gift. ever. :)

So, remember how I blogged about loving beverages... a lot? Well, one of MANY favorite things about Ashley.. is that SHE DOES TOO! I snuck this photo...haha...

After the brunch, we headed to the rehearsal at the gorgeous venue! The space was so charming and beautiful. It's a two story Cape Cod style venue with ocean views on the second floor. :)

How cute are they?! 

After the rehearsal, we all headed back to our hotels for a couple hours til the rehearsal dinner at a fabulous Mexican restaurant in Manhattan Beach called Panchos. :)

I loved Ashley's white dress!

My handsome date. :) 

A few of us got together after the rehearsal to write a little poem full of funny memories from college about Ashley and warm wishes. :) I'd print the poem here, but you'd probably wonder if an elementary student did it...soo.. haha.. :) I mean, one of the lines was "We're glad she's marrying someone hot." Be jealous of our talent. ;)

I opted to cut this post off before the wedding so it didn't get crazy long...  :) More to come!