Weekend Things

I started doing this thing at lunch on Fridays where I write down a “weekend wishlist.”  Aka things I want to do, or need to do, or actually have to do.  The want to dos are the best part, obviously 🙂  This weekend’s wishlist included booking a trip to Nashville for our (TEN YEAR!!!!) dating anniversary, kegging our beer and finishing my book.  I did NONE of those things, but then it also included making granola, taking my nephew to Monster Jam, seeing the Oscar-nominated shorts and getting a manicure.  All of which I DID do, so I’m calling the weekend a success.

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Friday night, we hit up the Mayan for both the live action AND the animated shorts!  Meaning we were there for something like four hours, with just enough in time between showings to grab a beer at the second floor bar.  There was a man sitting two rows in front of us during the animated shorts who thought EVERYTHING was hilarious?  I think some people get confused when something is animated and assume it’s a funny cartoon, when it’s actually about Alzheimer’s.  I nearly shed tears of joy when he left and wasn’t also staying through the live action shorts.

Favorites: Piper (ACTUALLY THE CUTEST), Blind VayshaPear Cider CigarettesSing and Silent Nights.  I may have liked the animated films better than the live actions this year!

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On Saturday, we took my brother and nephew to lunch on the 16th Street Mall (Illegal Pete’s, you my #1 for life) and Monster Jam.  If you’re thinking loud monster trucks flying up a dirt ramp and crushing cars doesn’t sound like my kind of thing, you’re right, but when your nephew likes cars and you wanna be his favorite aunt, you get him tickets for his birthday, put in earplugs and cheer like you’ve totally know who Grave Digger was all along.  One of the trucks flipped over during the freestyle competition and the crowd went wild!

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We had some friends in town from Florida so we met up at Westminster Brewing Co. for a beer (gimme that black IPA) then headed over to their gender reveal party.  They’re having a BABY BOY in July (she’s due on my birthday and Joey and I got married on hers!) and getting married in October.  So much excitement for all of those things!  Also, how adorable is it that this group of boys have been good friends since high school??

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Not gonna lie, I woke up on the wrong side of the bed on Sunday and basically spent the entire day in a deep funk.  I wanted to heed the advice on my kombucha cap, but I just couldn’t find my way out.  It happens, it’s okay, this too shall pass.  Thankfully, Joey offered to do the grocery shopping and lunch salad making so I could make a quick trip to Whole Foods then come home and make granola.  Tried this new recipe from Cooking Light and I like it but it’s a bit salty (even for me!).

Post manicure, we cooked dinner and watched the Grammys.  Look, that was a real touching moment between Adele and Beyoncé, but I feel like it’s a bit of a problematically female thing to belittle your own success.  Accept the award for YOURSELF and YOUR TEAM and tell Beyoncé  how much her album meant to you AFTER the show.  End rant 🙂

Anyway, Happy Valentine’s Day!  Wishing you all blue skies and self-love in the form of dessert.

What I’m Loving Lately: It’s summer, so everything?

Well I think that title says it all.  Because what DON’T I love in summer?  Going on early morning runs, drinking all the iced coffee, eating dinner in the backyard, reading on my porch swing.  Life is just all around better when accompanied by sunny skies, warm weather and that carefree summer spirit.  But because “everything” probably doesn’t make for an interesting post, I’ll give you the specifics of what I’m loving lately.

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A/B by Kaleo

Wait, are you still not listening to Kaleo, even after all the times I’ve talked them up??  Guys, get on board NOW.  They just released their first album and even though I knew/owned 90% of the songs already, I’m still listening to it on repeat because it’s serious gold.  “Way Down We Go” is all over right now, but just you wait till “All the Pretty Girls” hits the radio.  I think mass hysteria will ensue.  For me, it’s all about “Save Yourself” though ♥

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Evening Freedom

I won’t subject you to yet another ode to morning running, but I will say moving my workout to the morning means completely freeing up my post-work schedule.  If the Rockies are out of town and I don’t have any other weeknight commitments, I get home and am like “wait what do I do now?!”  But a better question would be, “what can’t I do,” because the sky’s the limit when you have five hours of daylight to do WHATEVER your heart desires.  Lately, my heart has been desiring reading on my porch swing and leisurely cooking dinner.

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Iced Coffee

K, that’s not really anything new but I’d been using this recipe that called for 12 oz. of ground coffee and 20 cups of water before seeing this Bon Appétit recipe that called for 12 oz. of ground coffee and seven cups of water.  I figured the stronger, the better so I tried this new method and WHOA!  It packs a punch, flavor AND caffeine-wise.  I’m in love!

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Gose

It’s pronounced “go-zuh” and it’s my new summer beer.  It’s a wheat beer so it’s got that light refreshing thing going on but it’s brewed with lactic acid and salt so it’s got a sour beer taste with a savory back note and it’s just all around complex and delicious.  If I see one, I feel compelled to order/buy it RIGHT NOW.  Just so so good, so you should do the same.

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Totally ditched out of a seminar last week and walked to Cheesman instead.

Walking

Everywhere and anywhere!  You know how when you’re on vacation, it’s no big deal to walk ALL OVER THE PLACE?  But then you get home and go straight back to driving literally four blocks up the street to get coffee?  Maybe it’s that “I’m in no rush” summer mentality or just general enjoyment of being outside when it’s warm, but I have been wanting to walk everywhere we can.  To the Rockies game, to get a manicure, to grab an ice cream cone.  IT IS THE BEST.

Watermelon Nails

Summer Mani Inspiration

Totally getting this one for my birthday, but how amazing would it be to have watermelon/polka dot nails??

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Pink Lipstick

I was so into that dark red during the winter but summer has come and this pretty pink color has been on my lips day in and day out.  Up next, actual red.  Do you think I can pull it off??

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Sister Dates

Dates with Joey are great and all, but ain’t no one get you — on a “remember when we used to go to Dairy Queen EVERY DAY after school??,” stream of movie quotes, mutual complainants about mom and dad level — like your sister.  Last Thursday, we had a pedicure-followed-by-dinner date and my heart was so full afterwards.  When most social interactions can leave me feeling a little drained, bonding with my sister always leaves me feeling energized and inspired.  Also, we ate at Vital Root and it was total vegetarian bliss.

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 Tulo

Always and forever ♥♥♥

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What are you loving lately?