Goodbye 20s, Hello 30s!

Well I survived.

Yep, that's right, I turned 30 this week and didn't die of absolute shock! Actually, I employed a strategy that included throwing a party last weekend that sort of numbed the pain, so I think that when Tuesday came around I was sort of at peace with everything.

None of it would have been possible without my adorable mother -- well, er, I was talking about the party, but I guess there's that whole, you know, fact that she bore me and all that other stuff, so I guess literally NONE of it would have been possible without her. But anyway, isn't she cute? She sure knows how to create a great party vibe!



She, and my aunt Yvonne, and my Uncle Mark have been been basically doing round the clock "Holly's Life" Triage for the past two weeks leading up to this event, and I have been overwhelmed with gratitude over this last week for what a great support system I have. It started with the fact that I moved into the guest house behind some friends' house the week before I threw this party (and they all three helped immensely). Then it continued through the next week with all the planning and the party preparations and such, which is not for the faint of heart. It was held in my friends' back yard, which is pretty cool because incidentally now it is my backyard -- and it is quite a happenin space if I do say so:



And here is my cute little pad, off to the side:



All of my favorite people came -- including my whole family, who are a ton of fun!















(I guess you get the idea that we like the Giants, eh?)

Some of my most fabulous co-workers came:



And even two of my friends from back in high school and all the cute boys in their lives came:





A great band called The Golden Cadillacs played a set after dinner and they were an absolute HIT! There was dancing, and hollering, and good times being had by all.









Overall I could not have had a better birthday, and the party made me realize that I am really blessed to have a lot of love in my life. I'm not going to go gettin' all Beyonce-at-the-VMAs on y'all and thank God for making my dreams come true, but seriously...it feels good to be loved!

And what better time to have that giant life hug then when you turn 30!

(Dude...I feel an "I Love You, Man" coming on!)

Home Sweet (NEW!) Home

So I spent this weekend moving all of my stuff into my new place and seriously folks, I am in IN LOVE with it! I am having so much fun decorating it and doing everything just exactly the way I want it. I have never lived alone and it is so liberating! I will post some updated shots of it very soon, but for now I thought I would post a few 'Before' pics so you can get an idea of the space.

The Specs:
It is a guest-cottage type studio behind the home of my good friends, so it feels very safe (which I love, living alone and all!) It is a second floor space with entry on the first floor, so there is an entry hall with stairs and then up to one wide open space that has space for kitchen, living area, bedroom, and office. It may seem small, but I have found it the perfect size for little ol' me so here are just a few sneak peaks:

Entry Hall Stairwell


Dining Area/Bathroom Door


Kitchen


Bathroom


So there's just a few shots! Can't wait to show you when it's all done. There has been lots of IKEA shopping, Target bargaining, and definitely some elbow grease over the last few days. It is really turning into a home!

A Full Plate

I'm heading to Chico this weekend for a wedding -- my 3rd wedding this month, can you can believe it?!? September has clearly been a month for holy matrimony. I keep joking with Garrett that with all these weddings we just need to elope! But unfortunately he's not buying it. I'll be up there until Sunday and then I'm coming home to pack again -- this time, however, I am packing up my cute little apartment that I have lived in for 4 years (with a roommate who I have lived with for 6 years!), and moving to my own cute little bachelorette pad. I'm incredibly excited but that feeling is also intermixed with the OMG-I-Have-So-Much-Shit-To-Do feeling. You know it, right?

I get the keys to my new apartment Wednesday, which is fabulous. I've been scouring design web pages and catalogs and magazines and basically making all these fun plans for a cute little space. But in exactly 2 weeks I am also throwing a big party in honor of my 30th birthday.

I know, I get a big fat F for timing. Again with the simultaneous excitement and the OMG feeling.

So with weddings, apartments, and parties (Oh My!) filling up the next couple weeks I might be running around like a bat out of hell, but I'm so excited about starting a new chapter -- with not only my living space, but my 30s -- that it just about makes it all worthwhile!

Wish me luck!

A More Accurate Title, In My Opinion, Would Be 30 Day Dead

Quick Question.

Have you heard about 30 Day Shred? Apparently I am like the last person on Earth to hear about this Best! Workout! DVD! Ever! so if you have experienced the body-numbing pain that this DVD will inflict on you, then feel free to just stop reading right now. However, if you haven't heard about it, you might want to check out these few little blurbs:
I read about it first here and then saw it mentioned again here and when I heard about all the armpit muscles you will get here I thought, hell for $14.99 I need to pick this thing up!

It's trainer Jillian Michaels from The Biggest Loser, which I don't actually watch except for the occasional night in which I have nothing to do and have driven through Taco Bell for dinner and then come home and plopped down on the couch -- Yeah, it always seems to be on the TV right at that exact time. Jerks. But anyway, apparently she is real ass kicker on that show? I dunno.

What I do know, however, is that I busted this baby out yesterday thinking "Oh, pish-tosh, a 20 minute workout -- I will breeze right through this." And then exactly 13 minutes later I was swearing and hollering insults at the TV and sweating like an absolute hog.

Pretty visual, no?

And this morning -- that screaming and hollering of insults? Yeah, I've been on the receiving end of that from my quads, and hamstrings, and abs. I guess I'm just sorely out of shape!

So anyway, if you are looking to spend more time doing really rewarding things like cursing, sweating, and yelling at inanimate objects -- then you should definitely pick this up (I purchased mine at Target). But when you are done, perhaps give me a call, so like maybe we can hang out and um...expand our list of hobbies or something?

You know, if you have time.

Confessions of Teenage Drama Show Lover

Ok, ok I admit -- I kind of have a hot crush on Penn Badgley from Gossip Girl.

So sue me.

The first I ever heard of him was when my mother called me frantically to say "Oh my god, Holly, turn on Gossip Girl because one of the characters looks like Garrett!" To which I promptly rolled my eyes, said "Yeah, sure he does mom, whatever" and I went on happily ignoring the show the entire season.

And then this Summer, clearly during a time of weakness, I happened to catch an episode and I thought to myself--- Fine, I can check out this horribly scandalous teenage drama show out just to do my own scientific research. Which left me only two real options -- See if this horribly vapid actor would indeed look like Garrett? (Which then begged the question, would I find him attractive?) Or be an adult and turn off this glossy, innuendo-laden trash television off and flip it back to CNN.

If you had to wonder about my decision, then you truly do not know me at all! I've always had a passion for research!

So ahem, the scientific evidence:

Exhibit A: Garrett

(I hope you all know, by the way, that he is totally going to kill me for this. But I have rationalized it by telling myself it is noble to die for science, so I've got that going for me.)

Exhibit B: Penn Badgley

Um...so seriously I think it is no surprise that I have a little crush on this hot young stud actor, no?

(Side note: OMFG, he is like 22. ROWR! Jesus, I'm doomed to turn into a leathery old Cougar.)

But this is beside the point! The point is, and I do have one...THE POINT IS, I am no longer crushing on Penn Badgley (I hope that name is fake, by the way) solely because there is an uncanny resemblance between him and my own sweetheart.

No siree! I have recently discovered that Penn Badgley is also an accomplished orator. An orator who spoke these wise words to The Huffington Post today, thus cementing my love for him for all eternity.

XOXO,

Gossip Girl

Row, Row, Row Your Boat

Not sure if I mentioned, but over Labor Day Weekend Garrett and I went kayaking with my family over at the Sac State Aquatic Center and seriously folks, I might have found a new hobby. Now for anyone who has ever been witness to how awful I am at watersports (Hi Angela! Hi Kendall Family!) you may wonder why I decided to partake, and I will tell you honestly that I was a bit apprehensive. I'm a good swimmer, but just pretty awful at things related to boats and such, but it was such a hot day and everyone made it look so easy that I decided to take the plunge, and BOY am I glad I did!


For the record, I can't believe I just posted a picture of myself in a bathing suit on this blog, so let's just move right along...mmmmkay?

Anyway, it was $9 an hour to rent the kayaks and once we got in and on the move and I got the hang of rowing it was SUPER REFRESHING!



We stopped for a bit to swim a little (and seriously, swimming with a life jacket is where it's at! I dig the lazy man's water-treading! haha) Even Garrett enjoyed the water workout.



Although I think secretly it was because he was in the company of three lovely ladies...



All in all though -- it was such a great time. I would go again in a heartbeat.


And the next day I had muscles in my upper body that I didn't even know existed. Also, a major sunburn, but my own stupidity notwithstanding it was an amazing workout and one Garrett and I plan to do in the near future. Also we found out that Sac State Alums get a discount. So these smiling ex-Hornets will definitely be kayaking again soon!

Time to Pay the Piper

So with Summer ending and Fall beginning I am realizing that the year is almost over. Just a few more weeks and my 30th birthday, Thanksgiving, and Christmas are gonna hit like a 1-2 punch to the face. 2008 will be over soon and as usual I'm sure I won't know where the time went. Since I made some lofty resolutions at the beginning of the year, I'm doing a quick end of Summer check-in of where I am at with respect to some of those goals.

Daily Life
Consistently dress professionally at work (including hair, makeup, and all those details -- and even on casual Friday) This has been actually pretty easy to maintain, my boss has been all over "Professional Dress" lately.
See more movies by myself
Floss nightly
Pack lighter on trips I have totally done this consciously on numerous occasions, but you know what -- it's overrated. I ended up borrowing from other people and forgetting pertinent things in my effort to pack light.
Swear less Yeah, but "less than" a holy shitload of swearing isn't really that much now, is it?
Stretch Daily
Be more diligent and timely about Thank You Notes
Get back to my old more "creative" habits (I hate the word crafty, but basically get my craft on!) This year I have consciously chosen to focus my hobbies on things that get me 'creating' -- cooking, knitting, blogging, taking photographs, reading related stuff. It's been fun!
Home
Organize a crafting space
Print out more of my photos
Throw out old clothes
FINALLY find a closet organization system that works
Grow an herb garden OMG -- please go out and purchase the AeroGarden. I didn't think it would work, but it TOTALLY does. Next stop, an herb garden in my yard.
Get a dog

Health and Wellness
Exercise for at least 30 minutes, 3x per week (outside as much as possible!)
Do yoga once per week
Get back to my free weight loving self
Use sunscreen more vigilantly (especially on face -- SPF make up is not enough! Do you want to look like a leather face?) I have been more committed to this. Consequently, my paleness has blinded people. Was it worth it? Undecided.
Do the Couch to 5k program
Run 5k
Go hiking (preferably with Garrett) at least once a month
Get teeth cleaned twice My new dentist is so cute!

Family and Friends
Acknowledge all birthdays at least with a phone call Ok so like 90%
Give presents and send cards on time
Host at least one party/bbq/soiree My 30th birthday is coming up -- and I will be a-hostin!
Make and send more mix CDs
Send a care package for no reason
Be a better e-mailer
Keep address book updated
Send Christmas cards with non-obnoxious update letter

Cooking and Baking
Go to Farmers Market at least once per month
Make Jam
Use crock pot more Pulled pork in the crock pot is so flippin' good!
Try Pickling peppers and veggies
Make an infused Olive Oil
Make at least one meal from one of my MANY cookbooks per week
Make chicken stock from scratch
Plan meals I have been so good at this, it's just become habit. I am stoked!
Purchase and wear apron I bought this one...and it's so cute!
Take a cooking class
Go wine tasting twice this year (even if that just means to pick up your wine club shippment and have a glass you have never tasted) Yum, good resolution!
Try at least one new restaurant per month (hello, entertainment book!)
Go out for dinner with friends at least once per month
Bake something every other week (but take to work so it doesn't sit around the house forcing me against my will to eat the whole thing) This morning I brought in brownies to work -- Frankly, I was fine keeping them at home and eating them out of the pan with the fork, but Garrett kept me honest.
Brain
Read at least 30 books
Start learning a new language
Blog about books that I read See my profile on goodreads.
Learn to knit again (see: get craft on) I did it! I learned again by taking a class, I have multiple projects in the works and some fun new knitting books! Also, I joined ravelry.com which is a great inspiration.
Blog 2-3 times per week
Make the move to typepad
Take a photography class
Purse freelance writing opportunities more diligently

Money
Get student loans under control Score!
Continue with debt reduction plan Score!
Start saving 10%
Purchase a bookkeeping program for computer Check out www.wesabe.com

Love
Make something for Garrett
Listen more, talk less
Plan at least 2 weekends out of town just for the two of us (not for weddings, not for holidays, not for parties) Los Angeles in July and Portland before the year is through.
Think before I speak when I'm angry
Commit his small daily gestures to memory and keep in mind during the "thinking before speaking when angry"
Go on more McKinley picnics

Career
Fret not, I do have a multitude of career goals, though I won't be posting them here. I did, however, get into an awesome program this year at my job called Emerging Leaders which is definitely going to help me fine tune some of my long term career goals which I am really excited about. I may post a bit about that, but I'm pretty much sticking to my No Talking About Work rule.

UPDATE: Emerging Leaders has been great -- though incredibly time consuming. I have a huge presentation on September 11th that is like my culminating experience in the program so think good thoughts for me, k?

Consumption
Buy a car
Buy a new computer
Buy a brown coat
Buy an SLR
Buy photoshop

Well I'm clearly FAILING in the consumption department, but you know what -- I'm okay with that. See my checked off Financial Goals because accomplishing those have cushioned the consumption blow!

All in all I feel pretty good, but there are still a few things I should really make some time for (Health and Wellness: I'm looking at you). So let's see what happens in the last few months of the year, shall we?

Tomato-Sauce-Free Alternatives

So it's no surprise to anyone who knows me that I LOVE pizza. Fancy pizza, frozen pizza, take and bake pizza, cold pizza -- it doesn't matter, I will say "yes, please" every time. I have a few pizza rules -- No BBQ'd chicken, no mushrooms -- but other than that, if you can put it on a crust I'll take it!

Last night Garrett and I were tired from the weekend's festivities (I went kayaking for the first time and it ROCKED!) so we decided it was definitely a pizza night. But I was still feeling a little creative and happened to have some cheapy pre-made pizza crusts from Raley's in the fridge, so I went to town and whipped these up from a few random ingredients and HOLY MOLY were our tummies happy!



Clockwise from the top:

*Pesto, Mozzarella, Asiago, and Tomatoes
*Olive Oil, Mozzarella, Caramelized Sweet Onions, Oregano, and Feta
*Olive Oil, Mozzarella, Yellow Peppers, and Caramelized Linguica

They looked even better cooked but we devoured them before I could even grab my camera -- they were THAT good! And with the pre-made crust (which was actually rather tasty) they cooked up in 7 minutes.

DELISH!

LA sounds like what?

So I have been dying to sit down and tell you all about LA. I took Garrett down there a couple weekends ago and it was just a bundle of emotions and experiences. I have been so bogged down with work stuff though that I haven't even had an iota of emotional energy to write with when I'm home at night but I thought I would leave you with a couple tidbits of how LA sounded. Garrett made this mix for our drive down there but I have been listening to it on loop since we got back.

I can't get enough of it:

"Where You At?" A Roadmap in 6 Links

So I started this blog back in 2006 and honestly had no idea what I was going to do with it. I kept it private for about 6 months and then decided to go public by letting my friends and family know it was there. Thus far it has been a great way to document my escapades, keep my peeps updated (ha! I said "peeps"), and also to reach out into the fabulous and growing internet community that, mark my words, is slowly taking over the world -- so seriously, you need to get on board!

If it's not MySpace or Facebook, everyone has some kind of online presence nowadays, whether it's some form of social media, networking, or just a love for this big bad internet, so with that in mind, I just thought I would give you all an update on what I am currently working on in this respect and a few coming attractions that you may see down the road. So besides this here bloggy-blog, here are some places that you can find me or things related to me on the web:

(click the links in bold to see my pages, specifically)

Myspace - I know, duh, right? Everyone and their mother is on MySpace, except for those of you who are all, "Hello, Facebook is where it's at! MySpace is so 5 minutes ago!" I know you folks, and you are probably right. But I'm on MySpace, and I'm lazy, and those two things do not a Facebook Profile make. My profile is Private but I am happy to be your friend. I mean, we're all friends here, right? ha! So drop me a message that you found my blog and I will happily be your friend in this crazy world that is MySpace. I mostly use it to keep in touch with family, so you might be subjected to stupid inside jokes about our get togethers, but I do update it with other stuff every once in a while, so it's got that going for it -- which is nice.

Twitter - So what the hell is Twitter? Well, Wikipedia will call it Microblogging, but the site itself breaks it down pretty simply. Twitter is the answer to the age old question, "What are you doing?" So I usually "Tweet" daily (especially if I'm on vacation) and I swear 9 times out of 10 it is all sorts of Exciting! Groundbreaking! Things! that I am doing! Well, ok maybe it's just drivel. But either way it's kind of fun, but if you don't want to set up a profile on Twitter and follow me and others, you can certainly just see my updates in the left sidebar of this blog. (I twitter under the name follow_holly)

GoodReads - So GoodReads is basically my book reviews. I'm probably going to delete my Book List 2008 from the sidebar in lieu of the GoodReads site just because the interface is easier when I update -- and plus there are pretty pictures of book covers! And I always judge a book by it's cover -- SNAP! But seriously, click on it for reviews of all the books I've been reading lately, books I have read in the past, and look forward to what I'm going to review in the future.

Flickr - Flickr is basically my favorite toy ever! I house just about all my pictures in there, so if I have had an adventure lately, you can bet my pics will be updated. Sometimes later rather than sooner -- but I always get around to it. I've been accussed of "obsessively documenting my life" so if you want to know what's going on with me, you can probably piece it together with a quick trip to Flickr long before I get around to writing about it. I'm working on this part, people! I'm working on it!

Yelp - So this is pretty much where I tell you what I think about all the places I've been. Right now it is mostly reviews of the Sacramento area but I am hoping to expand it to places where I travel. The best thing about the great state of California is that there is so much to do, so hopefully this will be a place where I can document all my opinions, and let me tell you I have some STRONG opinions, to help others out that are looking for some fun. Check them out if you are interested -- but keep in mind it is definitely a work in progress.

Amazon Wish List - This is pretty self explanatory -- want to know something good to get me? It will probably be here. This is my ode to consumption, and also my answer to my mother's frequently asked question of "What do you want for your birthday?" -- which by the way, is October 14th. But don't you worry, I accept gifts any time of year -- and I send Thank You Notes, too! Didn't my mama raise me right? :)

And last but not least, the biggest coming attraction:

I'm hoping in the next few months to set up shop. Whether it be Etsy, or CafePress, or one of the many other helpful sites out there that let you hock your own crap! My vision includes a line of prints, cards, and perhaps t-shirts. We will see how that goes though, because I have to get through Summer and some crazy deadlines at work. But if you keep an open mind, I'll keep you posted by blogging about it every step of the way!

Wishlist

I feel like I am going in a hundred different directions. Work, travel, fun, family, life -- how do you balance it all?

I want to read more.
I want to work out more.
I want to cook more.
I want to sleep more.
I want to blog about the fabulous trip I just took.
I want to update my flickr account.
I want to fix my wireless internet.
I want my projects to manage themselves.
I want my house to clean itself.
I want to redecorate.
I want to write more.
I want to exhale.

Sigh.

What the heck am I doing in the meantime?

GrrAnimals for Ants

A funny thing happened with my underwear today and I thought the internet needed to know about it. I mean, you would totally be doing the same thing right now had this happened to you, and this was your blog I just know it. It would be a No-brainer.

Anyway -- like many American women, I have a MAJOR obsession with Target, that dirty minx. I've spoken about it here, read about it there, and generally can't get through my week without finding some ridiculous reason that I NEED. TO. GO. IMMEDIATELY. And this past Saturday, that reason was underwear.

(Ok and perhaps a shirt, and a necklace, and a pair of shorts, and a pair of pants for Garrett, and generic Fruity Pebbles, and perhaps a magazine or two, but frankly I don't think that's any of your business)

Now don't get all squeamish, I didn't IMMEDIATELY need underwear or anything, it wasn't like that, but something about an impending vacation made me feel like a few new underthings might just actually make the whole "packing" process bearable, so to the red bullseye I went, and promptly picked out some very cute but very sensible Hanes Her Way bikini briefs. I hate that word "briefs" by the way, but it's certainly better than "panties" (shudder) so it will have to do.

Anyway, last night I went to throw them in the washer and I was shocked with what I found when I pulled them out of their package "What are these underwear FOR ANTS?" I said to myself, and then I realized that they were wrapped around a WARNING! insert, that basically said -- and I'm just paraphrasing here -- but something to the effect of: Yeah, these undies look hella small, but you bought the right size and they will fit. This is a special microfiber material that stretches to the size of YOUR ass, yes even your ass, so just tumble dry low, mmmkay?

Following said instructions, I washed and dried my barbie doll underwear, and when I pulled them out, they looked like this when I layed them out on A PLACEMAT:

Oh, does that not look so small to you? Because I understand that my chubby little hands are not the scale to which one usually reaches when looking to illustrate "small," so this picture may not make you fully understand the midge-factor of these underpants. But let me put it to you this way, even though that hand is fat, do you think there is any way in the world that this hand could eclipse the entirety that is an ass? I mean am I right? Right. Moving on.

So just to drive this point on home I thought I would show you my new bun-warmers next to a 16 oz. container of cottage cheese (with pineapple! yum!) And yes, I do see the irony of comparing something that covers my ass to cottage cheese, and no I don't need you to rack your brain for a snarky comment. It was pretty much all I had in the way of food-in-comparable-sized-containers available aside from the can of French Fried Onions in the cupboard and I seriously wasn't about to let the internet know that I have some of those.

Whoops.

Anyway, like I was saying, the cottage cheese:

Now, really. Really? Cottage Cheese Sized Underwear? WTF?

Although to my absolute shock and delight, the stretch-factor of these underwear is an 11 out of 10, so miraculously these not only fit but stayed put the entire day! I was surprised to find that the Hanes Her Way Warning was in fact telling the truth, and I would not have to return undies to Target which always makes my nose crinkle and makes me feel a little skeevy.

But I'm just telling you right now, if Hanes comes out with a Yoplait sized bra, that's where I'm drawing the line.

Prelude to a Grill

Red Onion tossed with Olive Oil and Savory, Asparagus marinating in Garlic Olive Oil, Yellow Peaches -- a few for grilling and a few to be turned into this!

Summer's bounty never ceases to amaze me, and I really can't get enough of our tiny little grill. It's small, but it can cook a mean Mesquite Chicken like it's doing tonight as well as crisp up a veritable buffet of fantastic produce.

Can you hear my stomach growling from where you are sitting?

Why I will NOT be The Next Food Network Star

Do you know what I want to tell you? About how delicious my gourmet dinner was last night. The one I cooked from scratch and ate on fine china -- using all the correct forks even -- with palette cleansing sorbet between courses.

The problem is, I wasn't able to cook that gourmet dinner last night because I was too busy LIGHTING THE OVEN ON FIRE COOKING PAPA MURPHY'S PIZZA!!!!

Last week, having an overabundance of stone fruit lounging in the kitchen, I decided that I'd try to harness my inner gourmet and whip up a plum cake tatin. Who says you can't whip up fresh fruit desserts from the scraps about your kitchen after a long day of work? Ina Garten seems to be able to do it just fine, Martha Stewart would look down on you if you couldn't, right? So I stubbornly thought to myself, why couldn't I? And actually, it turned out to be surprisingly successful. The cake was incredibly tasty, it used up my fruit that was going to go bad, and surprisingly, besides my pie dish overflowing slightly in the oven, it was totally flawless! Garrett and I gleefully enjoyed its decadence and I might have even felt a hint of victorious smugness as I crawled into bed that night with my belly full of fresh summer fruit.

Ah, smugness.

Not so much what I was feeling last night as I preheated the oven to pop in my pizza. After about 5 minutes I started smelling a bit of smoke and quickly plumes of blackness began to come out of the oven. I opened the door to see what was going on, and the bit of plum cake that had overflowed last week (oops! sorry, oven! guess I forgot to clean you!) had ignited and now my oven (er...my boyfriend's oven) was full of BRIGHT ORANGE FLAMES!

My mind was racing and in that moment I wasn't sure if water was going to solve my problem or make it worse -- you know kitchen fires (HOLY SHIT!) so just in case I took our stash of flour and dumped it all over the flames -- and on the up side, the flames went out.

Downside -- 425 degree oven that is still hot, covered with brown smoky flour, and a TAKE AND BAKE pizza sitting on the countertop.

As I calmed myself down in the mess of my kitchen, I swear I heard the oven whisper.

Who's the smug one now?

Elvis Lives!

Last night Garrett and I went to see the Red Elvises over at Old Ironsides (I know, I know, another night of missed CSI: Miami re-runs, what to do?) and had such a crazy good time! I have seen a lot of live music lately, but more in the vain of sensitive rockers, or mellow indie bands, so what a refreshing surprise it was last night to see music performed by such -- well -- performers. There were times when I wasn't sure who was having more fun, the crowd or the musicians.

Wikipedia calls them a "Rockabilly Band", but when we rolled up to Old I there was a bright red van parked out front that looked a lot like this:



And really, I thought that was a more accurate description. Right to the point, ya know?

So it was definitely Kick-Ass, but rather than Rockabilly, I would say it was more of a mix of rock and roll, reggae, and wild kitschy cover tunes. With their Russian accents and god-awful rhymes at times (hey, speaking of rhyming! Check me out!) the music was as hysterical as it was powerful. The hysterical part probably had much to do with the fact that the singers were wearing silk pajama sets and gold shoes -- and I mean, check out that bass...



Anyway, such a fantastic night! Check out the Red Elvises if they come to a town near you.

I love summertime!

Truly, Truly, Truly Outrageous!

Is their really anything better than family?

Garrett and I spent the long weekend down in Monterey visiting my cousin Sara and her boyfriend Paul; however, we were also joined by my cousin Jim, his girlfriend Gina, my cousin Jeff and one of his friends. I want to tell you about all the crazy things we did (including dancing to Hulk Hogan Anthems, watching Jem videos on You Tube, re-enacting Hall & Oats performances) but seriously, I spent 99.9% of the time trying NOT to spit my beverage out of my mouth or pee my pants from laughing so hard!

Is it any wonder I'm exhausted?


Jim and Paul during quieter and calmer times

We headed down Thursday after work and I swear when I got to Castroville I could just SMELL the ocean! The climate was so insanely different than the ridiculous heat up here in Sacramento and I was totally jazzed. Friday morning Jim and Gina joined us:

Jim and Gina getting in some quality lounge time

And Jeff followed shortly thereafter. We BBQ'd some hotlinks, enjoyed some adult beverages, lounged, watched the Giants game, and generally enjoyed each other's company. I discovered that Bud Light Lime isn't even as disgusting as I had previously thought, and that shots of Bourbon are eerily similar to drinking A BLOW TORCH! I would not recommend this to others. Then it was time to head out for fireworks in downtown Monterey and do you know what the best part about the fireworks were? That I got to wear this:

That's right! I had to wear a scarf, folks! So that I wouldn't freeze my ass off and I LOVED IT! Ok technically it was a pashmina that Sara has been using as decoration in her guest bedroom, but Tim Gunn would be proud 'cuz I think I Made it Work!

But even better than my newfound love of Bud Light Lime, or that my Winterwear was not at all out of place, I think hands down the best part of the fireworks was this:


I mean seriously? How can that not make you feel like you live in the best country ever!?!

Afterwards we headed to a couple of bars in downtown Monterey. A friend of Jim's was having a cd release party for their band Yell or Trolley so we caught their show.


All in all -- a FABULOUS Fourth of July! I Hope yours was equally exciting!

The Fleet Foxes Will Knock Your Soxes Off!

Ok, so my title needs work -- I'll give you that -- but what I'm trying to tell you is that the Fleet Foxes show totally rocked!

Garrett and I have pretty much mastered the art of being homebodies (FYI -- the recipe includes delicious homemade dinner, CSI: Miami reruns in the background, Couching, Bad Reality TV on the DVR, and reading in bed by 11 -- you know, in case you were wondering) so when the opportunity presented itself to go see a show in San Francisco on a Thursday night, we weren't exactly grabbing our keys and heading out the door. However, when we discovered that tickets were only $10, my inner-bargain hunter said this was something we could not pass up.


So into The City we headed after work Thursday evening and honestly, despite the fact the most of California is covered in smoke right now, it was a fantastic drive. And when we got there, lo and behold the parking was ample! and free! Can you believe our luck??? Neither could we! When we finally got inside we saddled up to bar, ordered a drink ($4 for a beer? Are you serious? That's all? But we're in San Francisco?), and thoroughly enjoyed the fact that not only was it Summertime -- but indeed the livin' was easy...



When the band finally came out, they performed an amazing set and I was totally blown away by how great they sounded live. The above pic was my awful attempt to capture how magical they were, but either my camera sucks, my photography skills suck, or a little bit of both. Aside from the fact that some drunk smelly guy was dancing the whole time in front of me, even though we were packed like sardines in the club, (which in my concert etiquette handbook has always meant NO DRUNKEN DANCING YOU SMELLY DOUCHEBAG!!!) we enjoyed every minute of the show and were so happy that we took the plunge and headed down even though it was mid-week.

*For your viewing pleasure I found a clip on You Tube that has halfway decent audio...I call this one Not Tonight, Horatio Caine.


How freaking great are they? Ok, I'm done dorking out now. :)

Do Not Pass Go...

Do Not Collect $200.

Instead, please buy this book immediately:



Such a Pretty Fat by Jen Lancaster
(who by the way, also has a pretty funny blog)

Honestly I have only put it down to eat, sleep, or pee in the last 48 hours. Ask Garrett, he will vouch.

It's the first book I have read this summer that made me laugh out loud in numerous places.

How much do I love that?

Hot Town, Summer in the City

Since it is the first day of Summer here in Sacramento, I think it is only appropriate that we are looking at triple digit temperatures! The heat makes me insane pretty much every year around this time, but fortunately Garrett and I are hitting the road a few times in the next couple weeks that will give us a bit of reprieve.

Next Thursday Garrett and I are going to see Fleet Foxes in San Francisco at Bottom of the Hill and I'm super excited about it. It's a cool venue that I've heard great things about, but never actually been to. It's a little nutty for us to be hitting The City on a Thursday night being as we are tried and true M-F 9-5ers, but the band is fun and what the heck -- it's Summer right? Ya gotta live a little!

The following week we are headed to Monterey for the Fourth of July. Every Summer for the last few years we have headed down to Pajaro Dunes for a fantastic week with lots of friends, fun, and sand. This year, due to scheduling issues, etc. we won't be heading down there; however, when my cousin Sara and her boyfriend Paul decided to host a 4th of July BBQ at their place in Monterey we were stoked at the opportunity to get our Coastal Fix, while also chilling out with my FANTASTIC and fun family!

The following weekend we are on the road again, this time taking a long weekend trip to Los Angeles. I surprised Garrett for his birthday in May by buying him tickets to see Wolf Parade when they play in LA at The Henry Fonda Theater but we are also just going to goof around LA. Garrett really isn't "The LA Type" but since I lived their for 5 years and haven't been back since 2003, he is excited to see my old stomping ground and have a little adventure.

The fact that we have quite the travel schedule coming up over the next few weeks makes the crazy hot weather a little bit easier to take. Hopefully I will have some fun pics and good stories to tell coming soon!

Fashion Crisis: Averted

The Event: Wedding Rehearsal Dinner at Il Fornaio

The Dress: Cute navy blue and white wrap dress from Target that I can no longer find online to show you...my apologies.

The Mission: Find red shoes that are cute by neither too tall, nor too hookery (yes, that is the technical term)

Today on my lunch break I walked into Payless Shoe Source, and $16 later I am the owner of these lovely ladies:



How much does Payless rock? And if you want to know the truth I grabbed Taco Bell for lunch because I was in a huge hurry, and it was DELISH!!!

All in all, not a bad lunch break.

Reason # 472 why people never believe it when I tell them I'm half Mexican

Getting ready this morning I was a little bitter.

After some vacay, some time spent at the beach, and definitely some fun in the sun, I wasn't dying to get back to work on a Monday morning, but I found a little inspiration in my bathroom cabinet this morning that kept me going in the form of Faux Tan. As I was doing my makeup I thought to myself -- "To heck with it, I don't want to go to work, but I've been at the beach for 4 days so I'm going to go a little heavy on the bronzer this morning to give myself that 'fresh from vacation' glow." And it worked. I felt fabulous!

And then I walked into work.

THREE SEPERATE PEOPLE asked me today why I was so white when I just got back from vacation.

Whatever.

I'm back to being Bitter.

Fun Hangover

So I just got back from another week in San Diego and I'm wondering how can I be homesick when I just got home?

Garrett and I were down in SD in March for a funeral, we are heading back in June for a wedding, and I just spent this past week there for work -- it is slowly becoming my favorite place EVER! No matter what the occasion, it is always beautiful, and I am pretty much realizing I am in love with it. The fact that my cousin Jen lives down there and is super fun is just icing on the cake!

And I think this will clarify the homesickness. Yesterday I was here:


And today -- I am doing laundry and getting ready to start the week. (I'd insert a pic but my super hot outfit and equally sexy hairdo might not be as relaxing of an image as above.)

As much as I LOVE Sacramento, is it any wonder I am a little bummed to be heading back to reality tomorrow?

Dear Adorable Boyfriend Who Is Probably Rolling His Eyes Right This Minute,

I was serious when I told you the other day that I wanted to send your mom a thank you note. You laughed, but I don't think you realize the amount of gratitude I have for her.

I'd certainly thank her for introducing me to the "good kind" of Thousand Island dressing to put on Taco Salad, for passing on her old Jane Austen DVDs, for introducing me to dear old Inspector Lynley, and of course, for only ever being nice as pie to me, and never treating me like the woman trying to take away her only son. (phew!)

But far more impotant than all of those combined, I would thank her because 27 years ago today your mom began to cultivate a precious little guy who would grow up and change the course of my life, quite literally. I've met many people at my age (thank you again, by the way for reminding me this morning that I will always be the older woman -- ha!), and I have definitely come across my fair share of gentlemen, but it wasn't until I met you that I truly knew what it meant to be in love. I grew up in a loving family who was always there when I needed them, but it was only when I met you that I found the kind of love that I was really willing to work hard for.

We've been through alot together, baby. And each day when we wake up and I poke at you with my chipper morning face on, and then you say something hysterical while you are still half asleep -- I realize that all that hard work really did reap some phenomenal rewards.

Our years together have changed my life, Garrett -- and there's no better day than today to celebrate that.

Happy 27th Birthday, Cuteness! I can't wait for the next 27!


Love,

Your Hippie Dippie Girlfriend Who Loves Writing Sappy Love Letters

You know it -- You tell the story....

So I'm a bad blogger -- sue me.

Now that that's out of the way...I'm heading down to Fremont on Friday for my cousin John. Look how cute he is...

Aw, you want to pinch his cheeks, don't you?
Well John is graduating from the Police Academy on Friday and my whole family is going down to celebrate with him. We like a good celebration, this family of mine. Anyway, my cousins and I are making a slideshow of him because we are so darn proud,and going through all sorts of old pictures have made me all nostalgic and realize how lucky I am to have the family I do.

For example -- Who knew that the little shit stirring kids we were would grow up to be such a tight knit group?



And who knew that a group that could look this 80's...


....could turn out to be a pretty sharp looking group even after all 18 of us stayed in a 2 Bedroom/1.5 bathroom cabin together for two days:
(I can guarantee that at least 50% of this group has only taken a "river shower" in the past 48 hours)


Family is an awesome thing, and there is nothing I'd rather be doing this weekend than hanging out with them. We are all proud of my cousin John and if nothing else -- we've got "showing pride" down to a science... :)