We're home!

Hello again from my couch in Phoenix!

At Notre Dame's campus

We made it back from Indiana tonight and I'm filled with a mixture of happiness (upon being reunited with my puppykins!!) and sadness (saying goodbye to my in laws too soon), but most overwhelmingly a desire for the comfort of my own bed.


We had a really nice time with Ryan's family and I'm looking forward to giving you a full recap soon, but now, some thoughts on new things I've learned about myself and traveling and randomness.


-I really really like the sensation of taking off in a plane. It makes me exicted!


-I always order tomato juice on a flight.


-I have little to no anxiety on plane rides. (Fact: many things give me anxiety. Road trips, crowded bars, going to the dentist, etc.) Turbulence doesn't bother me at all and I don't get motion sickness. 


-I read Fifty Shades of Grey on the plane (and on a hammock in my in laws' backyard) and IT. WAS. TERRIBLE. Like ohmygod really bad. It actually makes me really disappointed that these sort of books are popular. One of my lady friends told me it was based on the Twilight series which I have SERIOUS moral issues with. Why would a society praise a series that exploits the uselessness of women? Why would anyone idolize a girl that has nothing special in her life than an emotionally damaged male? Why was this girl's college graduation and subsequent job placement nothing but a minor plot point? It was so bad I couldn't put it down. I read the first Twilight book in a similar fashion and was so disgusted with myself that I pledged never to see the flims. Please, strong women of America, stop reading this drivel and pick up something worth reading. I'm interested in The Glass Castle. Is it any good? (Editor's note: I had no issues with the porn-y content of the book - I found the poor, elementary writing and tired plot to be far more offensive!!)


Whew, went on a bit of a rant there didn't I? Sorry! I just couldn't believe that I read a book that repeated the phrases "oh, my..." and "smoldering look" so many times, BARF. You'll be pleased to know that I read Game of Thrones on the plane home. Much less asinine girl behavior, much more medieval politics! Anyone else have thoughts on the awful, awful Grey fad?


Looking forward to posting some pics from our trip in upcoming days :)

Gone fishin'

We're in Indiana for a couple of days, celebrating a certain prom queen/sister in law's high school graduation!

I'll be back soon - hopefully more relaxed, refreshed and happy to have squeezed my in-laws. 


(Missing my sweet pea fiercely, who's staying with her Auntie Loren again. Hi poochie!!)

La Fashionista: summer shoes

La Fashionista is a monthly fashion post/love letter my Denver-dwelling friend Kelli and I write to each other on our blogs. This month's theme is summer shoes. Catch last month's posts here and here.

Hi, Kelli!

True story: the other day, I was going shopping to pick myself up what I call "fancy sandals". Fancy sandals are summer sandals that are appropriate for work, aka anything other than flip flops, which I'd probably wear every day if it were socially appropriate and not totally unprofessional. On this particular shopping day, I was wearing a dress from Old Navy and some cute fuchsia flats. 

As I pored over the variety of chanclas available at Target and Ross, I started to get really hot. It's approaching that time of year in Arizona (I'm sure you remember it fondly) when temperatures hover around 180*. I quickly realized that my choice of those cute fuchsia flats was a really terrible one. My feet were way too hot, thus my body started feeling way too hot, then I started feeling anxious, then the world closed in around me and I wanted to flee.

Do you struggle similarly with summer footwear, Kelli? I'm being serious when I say that it can be a real problem for me. Close-toed shoes are professional and put together, plus they require no pedicure! Close-toed shoes in Arizona summers, however, are too hot.

My feet are sweating just looking at these (from Payless)

Enter: the fancy sandal. To me, a good fancy sandal has a great pattern or texture, a fun detail or embellishment, and BREATHABILITY. If there is not air flow through the shoe, it is just not happening.

Darn those unremovable price tag stickers from heck! (From Ross) (obviously)

Gift from Ugglebo Clogs

Some of my favorite fancy sandals even have a lil heel!

Forever 21

Comfiest (and well-loved) cork wedges from Clarks

Target

Really, it's just hard to look professional at work while wearing flippy floppies. Fancy sandals can even be dressed up for a night out. Here are a few of my favorite looks featuring fancy sandals from the past year:

Kisses, hugs and pedicures,

Kara

(Mostly) wordless Wednesday

Ridiculousness. via

Mock Chipotle burrito at home...success

A walk downtown

A hazy day, post haboob

Work-inspired mal de ojo 

A pit stop at Giant Coffee

Sushi date with my husband

Our new watering hole

A gift from UrbanSam (purchase one here)

A Phoenix Style Collective special (blackberry iced latte) from Urban Beans

Finally printed wedding photos

Me too!

  

Arm party

Chilled Sambuca with 3 coffee beans that symbolize health, wealth and happiness

Domesticity

Ryan has been studying for finals for what feels like FOOOOREVER. He's finishing his first year of law school and has been feeling the crunch during finals - he has had two WEEKS worth. His last one is today, so send him good vibes! 

The stress of being married to a law student seems to seep into most areas of our life together. It's good stress, because he's doing so well and enjoys it so much, but it makes it difficult to spend quality time together when I'm always co-fretting about what work he has to get done. 


I find myself treasuring the small moments we have together. Making dinner at home, running errands, logging off social media to catch up on a favorite TV series (right now, it's Game of Thrones [which disturbs me a lot but I love medieval fiction]).

On Saturday, we went to go buy a new mattress. 

It was a long-overdue purchase since we've been waking up in extreme discomfort, hunched over like Quasimodo, for the past few weeks of sleeping on an air mattress (we tossed our old, ancient mattress set last month). There was a killer sale at Mattress Firm because of the Memorial Day holiday, so we walked out of the store at 1:30 after purchasing a Sealy mattress set for a screaming deal, and the delivery truck was at our apartment by 4:30. It was just about the most pleasant experience anyone could possibly have while spending several hundred dollars!


After, we went to Home Depot to poke around and I came home with a few sweet basil plants. I'm somewhat obsessed with the idea of gardening these days, but apartment living just doesn't support it. A patio box with one of the hardiest plants that can live through an AZ summer is the best we can do right now. I did a LOT of research on basil (I have a seriously black thumb, you guys) so I think I can actually make these babies survive. We bought plants instead of growing them from seed because I've read that growing from seed can be, well, hard.

I may or may not talk to these guys while I water them every morning.


It's pretty awesome what a good night's sleep and a little greenery on your patio sill can do for the psyche! We're looking forward to the days in the future when we'll be homeowners and Home Depot runs will be more frequent :) Maybe one day I'll even get crazy and grow my own veggies! 


Being an adult is a lot of work sometimes, but it can be really really fun, too. Our AARP membership is in the mail as we speak.

Mother's Day recap

Hmm, Mother's Day was a little while ago, wasn't it?

Oh well, life happens.

I had a really lovely Mother's Day celebrating both my wonderful mama and sending love to my mama-in-law in Indiana. We bought my mother in law a pretty watch and sent it to her in the mail. I was a little nervous that she might not like it (a mother in law is an important person to impress!). 

But as she informed me, it was well received :)

I went over to my folks' house to see their newly remodeled kitchen and give my mama a big hug and her gift, then we went over to my aunt and uncle's house to celebrate further with pizza and beer and gifts. My grandma got this ridiculous wine koozy and a "necklace" designed to hold your wine glass so you have extra hands for munchies or shaking hands or whatever...it's gotta be the most ridiculous invention, maybe ever. We all tried it on and laughed about it for a long time.

via

I left Ryan at home to study for finals, and I came home to this:

A mother's day gift from Eva. OMG. HOW ADORABLE IS THAT.

The inside of the card held a love note and Eva's paw print stamped in wine. Ryan wrote a little bit about how wonderful I am as a puppy mama and how one day, I will be a wonderful baby mama. I'm not gonna lie, it was a total tear jerker and didn't help with the baby fever I suddenly have. (What is it about being married at 25 that makes your body scream BABY! BABY! BABY!!)


(Don't get excited, a baby is not happening anytime soon.)


It was a happy day and a good reminder of how special it is to have a mom that I love and feel close to. Because of my job, I think I understand better than anyone how lucky my brother and I are to have good parents. I hugged my mama extra tight that day and I can't wait to hug my mama in law extra tight this week when we go to Indiana!

Roger Waters: The Wall

If any of you have been readers for a couple years, you might remember that last time I went to see Roger Waters in concert (see a memory refresher here). You also might remember that I grew up on a steady stream of Neil Young, Dire Straits, the Rolling Stones and Pink Floyd. 

So naturally, when Roger Waters (of Pink Floyd) announced that he was doing another tour to perform the 2 disc Pink Floyd album The Wall in Phoenix on May 15, my mom was first in line to buy tickets. She was excited about the concert for MONTHS. My brother has also gotten really good at playing guitar over the past couple years, so he was excited to see in concert a lot of the riffs and solos he's been practicing.

And naturally, when my family gets together, there will be alcohol.

My parents and brother came over to our apartment, where we indulged in a fancy dinner of homemade bean burritos and a little bit of Jose. We walked to the concert, which was right down the street from our apartment. Ah, urban living!

The show was the same setup as the last time we went, though this time my mom splurged for much better seats.

The visuals, setup and performance were unrivaled by any other concert I've attended.

  
It was simply...stunning.

Run Like Hell

It caused me to miss Anita even more fiercely, as we listened to a LOT of Pink Floyd in college...

So the photo overload is totally her fault. I sent her photos throughout the show.

It was a really fun evening with my family (Ryan stayed home to study for finals). I'm thankful for parents who like good music and enjoy tequila on Tuesday nights. :)


Anybody else out there a classic rock fan?

Fuchsia grand reopening

Hey guys! Just dropping by quickly to announce a fun Friday night event taking place tomorrow evening, just in time for happy hour. A pampering event that's free and supports a local foster care non profit? Well that's up my alley.


Bring some gently used clothing or new hygiene items to donate for local foster children. Drink some drinks. Get a manicure. I mean really, it doesn't get any better than this. I'm crossing my fingers I'll be able to get off work in time to get there! Thanks to my bud Emily for sending me the deets :)

Celebrate Our New Space with Us: May 18th, 4pm – 7pm We invite you to celebrate our Grand Re-Opening in our new space — Fuchsia style! You don't want to miss this opportunity to checkout some of the new services we are now offering and earn your chance to win a variety of special giveaways. Plus, all Fuchsia Members and the first 25 guests in the door will receive a goody bag packed with little luxuries. THE DETAILS When: Friday, May 18th, 4pm – 7pm Where: Fuchsia Spa’s new location — Village Square at Dana Park Shopping Center, 1822 S. Val Vista Dr., #103 Mesa, Arizona 85204 What: A celebratory event hosted by Fuchsia. We will be offering lite bites, beverages, discounted spa service packages, prizes, complimentary blowout styles from the “look-book”, hot-trending nail design applications, lip and chin waxing, chair massages and facial demonstrations. RSVP: All members and guests welcome. Free to attend — just enjoy the evening, relax and allow us to dote on you! Please RSVP via email to: rsvp@fuchsiaspa.complease include your name, number of guests you will be bringing and if you are a Fuchsia member. Reservations are requested by Wednesday, May 16, 2012. Stay connected with us on Facebook » Giving Back to The Community: Sunshine Angels Our Grand Re-Opening Celebration is also the perfect opportunity to give a little back to our wonderful community. Fuchsia Spa supports Sunshine Angels, a Valley non-profit, that sponsors more than 250 tweens that have been rescued from their troubled homes by Child Protective Services. During our celebration, we invite you to bring items that will make a positive impact on these young lives, such as boxers/bikini underwear, jeans, t-shirts, belts, socks, shampoo, feminine products, wash clothes, cleaning products, etc. We will have a drop box to collect all of your thoughtfulness. Learn more about Sunshine Angels » Book an Appointment Did you know that you can book your next Fuchsia service online? It's easy: Book an Appointment Forward to a Friend Share the love. Forward this email to a friend: Forward

Fuchsia and the Fuchsia Logo are registered trademarks of Owens-Hall & Vukonich, LLC. Fuchsia - 1854 S Val Vista Drive, Suite 108, Mesa, AZ 85204 - 480-813-7465 www.fuchsiaspa.com

Jamaica: the lost photos

We've been doing a little cleaning up around the disaster apartment over the last few days and Ryan pulled out some photos that we took with a disposable camera on our honeymoon in Jamaica. He said to me, "Here, upload these and post them on your blog, you can call it 'Jamaica: the lost photos.'"


What can I say? The man knows how to title a blog.


So here they are: the lost photos.

In my head I'm in a plastic yellow lounge chair with a breeze blowing, Jamaican sun on my face and waves ebbing and flowing in the background. It's pretty awesome.


Happy Monday!