Weekend Things

We were finishing up our ice cream at Cold Stone today when Hannah whined that she “didn’t want to go to work tomorrow!” and I could not agree more.  How is the weekend already over?

It’s funny, I was thinking back to last year around this time when I hated my job and the weekend was A) the only thing that got me through the work week and B) my chance to make up for all the fun I wasn’t having at work.  Nowadays, I have a job I like much more and there’s always fun things going on throughout the week too, but I still prefer the weekend.  Hey, who doesn’t?

IMG_4153Also, when this song comes on at 3 PM on a Friday, you just know it’s about to be a good weekend.  I left work a few minutes early to meet Hannah, Josh, and both their mothers at the first of four wedding venues we toured this weekend.  This first one set a pretty high standard.  It was beautiful, affordable and included a lot of details that might be a little stressful to put together by yourself.  But I think my favorite part was when our tour guide’s husband popped out from behind a bush (where he was fixing some audio wires) and yelled “Hi honey!”  Priceless.

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IMG_4158Afterwards, the bride, groom, Joey and I went out for dinner and beer at Udi’s.  Apparently they’ve downsized their menu since we’d last been there and we were all slightly disappointed.  Luckily, that downsized menu still included about 10 different pizzas (I guess they have their priorities straight) and this basil, olive, roasted garlic, arugula pizza hit.the.spot.  Also, I didn’t even notice that cheese wasn’t listed in the ingredients and am so grateful the waitress pointed it out and asked if I wanted to add it.  YES PLEASE!

IMG_4162Saturday involved a hike up Mt. Sanitas, which Joey and I had never been to before.  We drove through the “Historic District” of Boulder to get there and can I just say “HOLY HUGE BEAUTIFUL HOUSES!”  I know Boulder has this reputation for being full of “dirty hippies” and homeless people, but there are some well off people in that city.

IMG_4160It certainly wasn’t the most difficult hike I’d ever been on, but it definitely got my heart rate going.  As much as I love hanging out in Denver and visiting all the awesome neighborhoods and restaurants there, the views in Boulder just can’t be matched.  I swear the sky is bluer, the air is fresher and the trees are greener.  I do wish the other trail-goers could have been a little friendlier though.  Joey and I said “hello” to everyone we passed and a lot of not-even-half-hearted responses were given.  What gives, Boulderites?

IMG_4163I treated myself to Rush once we got back down the mountain.  I know that place is calling these smoothies, topped with granola and honey (or PB&J in my case), a “meal bowl,” but I’m pretty sure blending some fruit into frozen yogurt and topping it with peanut butter makes this dessert.  I ate it for lunch anyways.

IMG_4166Saturday also involved the cracking open of our 5th homebrew: an IPA.  I’m more of a wheat beer drinker, but I definitely know an IPA when I taste one and this was an IPA.  Joey thought it was kind of mellow for an IPA and I kind of agree but it still has that super hoppy taste and overall, I would call this a definite success.

IMG_4171Sunday was an all-day wedding venue search.  We headed up to Fort Collins this time (Fun Fact: I actually went to CSU for my freshman year of college so I’m familiar with the town and it was kind of cool being up there again) for 3 more tours.  I thought it was interesting that all of the venues we’ve seen thus far have been completely different from each other.  This one in particular had beautiful flowers everywhere and how cute is that Victorian house in the background?

IMG_4173As a thank you for tagging along on the venue search, Hannah bought us all ice cream at the end of the day.  Plus, did you know it’s National Ice Cream Day?  That basically meant we had to get our fix, right?

Hoping you all had a wonderful weekend too!

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What was the highlight of your weekend?

Did you celebrate National Ice Cream Day?

What’s the best wedding venue you’ve ever been to?

Birthday Things

I turned 24 last Tuesday.  Please save all age-related comments and jokes for someone else as I think I’ve already heard them all.  Someone told me I looked like I was in high school (yeah, yeah I know), someone told me “soon you’ll be able to drive and start thinking about boys” and someone else congratulated me on finally turning 21.  I know a bunch of comedians, you guys!

Anyways, all jokes aside, I had a fabulous birthday and I feel so spoiled by my amazing family and friends.  Thank you all for making me feel loved!  I’ll try not to make this post too wordy (too late?) but I wanted to share some pictures of all the fun celebrating that went on.

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Joey got me some fun glass straws to fuel my iced coffee addiction.  I have a glass every morning and had been going through plastic straws like nobody’s business.  He also got me an awesome pair of Sam Edelman flats…that I already own.  It’s the thought that counts 🙂

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My dear sweet mother could not handle the idea of not seeing me on my actual birthday (we went out with my family this past weekend to celebrate) and I’m convinced she made a whole red velvet cake just as excuse to deliver it — with my dad in tow — to my office and see me.  No complaints here!  This baby was GONE 24 hours later.  At least everyone at work had the common sense to leave me the last piece.

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I asked my closest friends to join me for a little birthday get together that night.  As I was perusing Yelp! for a good place to go, I came across Machete Tequila + Tacos and that’s all I needed to hear.  I was sold.

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Their margaritas were serious!  Okay, I’m a total light-weight, but I found them to be really strong.  Delicious, but strong.  Joey ordered the “Hot Mess” and it was spicy.  We placed an order of 12 tacos — 2 each — and every single one of us cleared our plates.  I’d say that’s a success.

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Joey ordered a beef tongue taco.  BEEF TONGUE.  I must have had too much tequila at this point because I actually tasted it.  You know when you accidentally bite your own tongue?  Yeah that’s how it felt to eat that taco.  Never again.  How cool is the squid ink tortilla though?  I played it safe with a grilled shrimp and pulled pork taco.  Tacos are my life.

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Our waitress brought out a complimentary birthday shot and I forced all the girls to also get one.  No one wants to take a shot by themselves!

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Birthday celebrations continued through the weekend, with dinner on Friday and Sunday night.  Lori treated us to burgers and beer at Park Burger on Friday evening.  Afterwards, we ooh’ed and ahh’ed over beautifully historic Denver homes that cost over a million dollars (seriously, we went home and looked) before heading home.

Sunday involved dinner at the Med.  I’m pretty sure I’ve said all there is to say about my love for this place so I’ll just say that we ordered 6 plates of tapas, entrees and two desserts and now I’m never eating again.

I think we can finally put my birthday to rest.  Till next year anyways.