March Madness

I know, I know...it's been like a month. March Madness has taken on a new meaning in my life this month, and I'm not just referencing the complete upheaval of the NCAA tournament. (Thanks for nothing, you so-called experts; I've gotten my tail kicked in two separate pools and it's not even over yet.) But really, life has just been crazy lately...so can we just do a little recap action and pick up where we left off? Call it even? Um k, thanks.

First off, San Diego was amazing! We had such a great time catching some rays, catching up with friends and literally eating our way around town. A California burrito stuffed with carnitas, fries and guacamole? Let's just say been there, done that.



Aside from the random snowfall on the first official day, spring has finally sprung in Texas! Earlier this month, Megan had a friend in town for the weekend who'd never been to Texas before. Seeing as it was the first beautiful and reasonably warm weekend we'd had, we all offered up our Saturday to show her that Dallas knows how to have a good time.

An early morning patio brunch was followed by a trip to the Nasher Sculpture Museum, where we were challenged to a drawing competition.


We visited everything but the face painting table, and decided it was just too pretty to call it a day. Why not head to The Ritz to have a mimosa? We walked the few blocks downtown and headed into The Ritz lobby like we owned the place. After being lightly cautioned that the pool was on the second floor and was for guests only, we matter of factly strolled over to the elevators and pressed "2". Worth a try, right?

Right. Not 30 seconds after approaching the locked door, a very friendly pool waiter happily swiped his key and welcomed us right in. After making ourselves comfortable in a row of padded lounge chairs, we ordered mimosas and smuggly snoozed in the sun.


That is until we heard a familiar voice making conversation to our left. Ever so sneakily, I peeked from behind my wayfarers to find a familiar face indeed. Amy whispered "Is that...John Tucker must die?" "Umm hmm."


This is the best shot I could get in my feeble attempt to remain cool. We quietly watched Jesse Metcalfe's every move and eavesdropped on his every word for the next 30 minutes or so. We casually sipped mimosas and enjoyed the view until we could giggle, twitter and text everyone we knew.

Next up, John Mayer. I think a few of you expected a ridiculous, overblown, obsessive post after the concert. (I really don't understand why...?) Truth is, I didn't swoon quite like I used to. Am I growing up? Or is it just all his recent bad press? I don't really know, but he's definitely still a favorite and I'll always jump at the chance to see him live.

This time around I was ahead of the game and pre-sale ordered floor seats a mere 4 months in advance. They were by far the best seats I've had for one of his shows and we got to sit next to Chad, his sound guy, which was kind of cool! His tour crew gets to see the show night after night, so it was fun to watch their reactions; you knew when they were really impressed and when they thought he was being ridiculous.

I wish I had some great photos to show you, but unfortunately this was my view for most of the night:

I hate this about concerts; my perfect (and expensive) view, blocked by love birds and bump-its.

Even still, the show was great. He was extremely grateful, the band was incredible and he showed Dallas a lot of love.


Also, my bracket isn't the only thing that hasn't fared so well through the championship. The Beers? suffered a gut-wrenching loss to end the winter kickball season this past week. There was blood, words were exchanged, and there may have been a few threats to pants their pitcher, but overall we were good sports. We'll be back to take the gold next season...I mean, look at this fierce bunch!


I'll leave you with a quick musical snack. The Temper Trap's Conditions is arguably the best album I've heard this year. I mean it. I've had it in rotation for months now and I'm not over it in the least. I'm seeing them live April 12th, so more to come on them soon.

Quarter Life Crisis

Last year I distinctly remember my friend Micah wishing me a happy 24th birthday and asking me how I felt. Being the slightly-OCD person that I am, I thought 24 was a really solid, even number which gave me a positive outlook on the year. "Ask me that next year," I joked, "25 is a really scary number."

Well, here we are.

Someone else asked me this year, "if you were talking to your little self, do you think you'd be proud of who you are?" - albeit it a very serious question for a birthday celebration, it's worth giving some thought. When people told us as kids that we could be whoever we wanted to be and go wherever we wanted to go, I always believed them. So as my little self looking forward, I think that I'd be proud of the fact that I've taken some chances, learned some lessons, and made a pretty joyful life along the way.

Quarter life crisis? Eh, not so much. It's hard to call anything in life a crisis when you're surrounded by such loving, encouraging and fun people! Birthday plans took shape early this year after rumblings of the fact that I'd never been to Billy Bob's, or owned my own pair of boots. (I think I was called the most "unTexan Texan, ever.") A group of my closest and dearest coordinated a night out in cow-town with a trip to the stockyards for Joe T. Garcia's fajitas and ritas, followed by a Miranda Lambert Concert at the World's Largest Honky Tonk.

My (new) vintage boots, courtesy of Mom!
These babies hadn't seen the light of day in over 30 years!

As I've become accustomed to the past few years, the tone of my birthday was set my a wonderful little snow storm. In New York, it was fun and we were familiar with it, but 12.5 inches in Texas made for a nice little surprise. It also added slight complications to the weekend. I've maybe never laughed as hard as I did while 3 girls in boots & dresses tried to push a BMW out of the snowy Billy Bob's parking lot...only to end up on our knees while the tires spun.

The snow also brought along the illusive snow day at work, and a mid-week sleepover due to power outages! As expected, Robbie was prepared with pizza and cookie cake.

A Brulyssa cookie cake & a New Moon cake?
I think Robbie made enemies in bakeries across Dallas for these novelty items.

All week, Kristen and Robbie had made a point that they wanted to give me my gift on Thursday night before the big day. A little worried that this gift seemed plotted and planned, I obliged and excitedly tore open the Nordstrom bag. If you're unclear on what kind of friends I have, here is a perfect example. In the expertly wrapped box was a birthday outfit - my favorite color blue dress, in the right size and fit, accessorized with a slimming chunky belt.

In case you don't know me at all, let me explain just how special this is. I'm the type of person that anticipates an event like this for weeks, and an hour before stands in my closet frustrated and hopeless because I have nothing to wear. (And sure enough - I had plans to leave work early on Friday and make a quick mall run.) And how many people do you trust to buy you clothes?! I would trust no one else to outfit me perfectly for my 25th birthday celebration; it is pretty much equivalent to me trusting them with my life. I'd do both, for sure.

Flowers, massages, cupcakes, books, cards and facebook messages. I have the best friends and family I could've ever known to ask for. What could I possibly have to be in crisis about?

Lollapalooza

This weekend has felt like my own personal Lollapalooza, packed with concerts and car jam sessions. And in my world, “packed with concerts” also indicates that the weekend was abundant with opportunities to swoon. But that’s probably just me.

I’ll start off with a mention of John Mayer’s Storytellers that aired Thursday night. I melt at the thought, but I wasn’t too jazzed about the songs he chose…I have a lot of respect for his talent, but I could’ve done without hearing Your Body Is A Wonderland.

Friday evening, we piled in Robbie’s car and headed for burgers, a fried ride and a local school benefit concert. We were enticed with the promise of Megan’s boyfriend’s uncle playing the cowbell for a classic rock cover band. With all the great images and high expectations that come to mind at the thought of someone playing the cowbell in real life, we were committed with the hopes of something along the lines of Will Ferrell in his tiny tee. Although it was entertaining, we bailed early with our cowbell fever cured and headed for a local pub that we knew had a jukebox. As the entire kickball team filtered in, Kristen quickly worked her jukebox magic and roused the crowd with some Queen and Otis Redding.

Saturday morning, Robbie made good on a promise that he would get us copies of all the new music he got for Christmas. Enter the new Timbaland and Kris Allen cds! From Saturday morning on, Kristen and I kept Kris Allen’s Alright With Me on repeat as we rotated between Volvos. Maybe it was just all the magic that a Saturday brings, but I would challenge you to play that song on repeat and not at least feel the urge to snap! (I also highly recommend Bring It Back.)

Saturday evening was another benefit concert for the Bethesda Young Life Organization featuring Dave Barnes and Matt Wertz. Thus began the real swooning (and an impromptu marriage proposal via twitter). I have been a huge fan of both of these guys since college; so much talent and such great hearts. They shared a lot about their own stories, played some of their favorites and made lots of jokes. But Dave Barnes singing Grace’s Amazing Hands is nothing to joke about…you could see the girls going down in the audience one by one.

With a spring in our step, we scurried out of there (listened to Alright With Me about 3 more times in the car) and claimed a couple of extra tickets from some friends for the Yo La Tengo concert. I have to say that my favorite part about it was that the lead singer (age: still TBD) was married to the lady drummer and the band had been together since 1984. When he got crazy and starting distorting the amps about 13 minutes into a particular song, I’m sure her heart swelled behind her drum set. It was also the type of concert where the anonymous guy in the fedora felt comfortable enough to light up a reefer as he pleased…I guess that’s the life of a real rock ‘n roller.

I’ve also got the new Vampire Weekend cd to chew on, but I think I’m re-prioritizing my Sunday to include a serious nap before the Grammys red carpet begins, so more on that later.

Hope your weekends rocked too!

Christmas Vacation

I'm a bit of a competitive person. It's usually less about the prize and more about the glory/bragging rights. However, sometimes such a competition comes along where you just can't help but wanna win. This is one of those times.

For those of you who are not prone to celebrity stalking, you may not be aware that John Mayer is conducting his Second Annual Interfaith Baking Contest. With the grand prize set at 4 meet and greet backstage passes, an autographed guitar and the Christmas sweater he wore on the Ellen Show, I can confidently say, I want to win.

Always supportive of my unhealthy addictions, my creative friends jumped in to help brainstorm a winning idea (last year's winner was a cake in the shape of the legendary leg lamp). The brainstorming session went a number of directions; a cake of John Mayer glittering like Edward Cullen; a cake of the infamous Borat swimsuit was another runner-up. But in the end, we stuck with what we know best - Christmas movies and great one-liners.

With Clark Griswold and Cousin Eddie on the brain, we went to work. It was a real group effort with lots of creative input: Mix vanilla and chocolate frosting for a realistic flesh color. A mini Swisher Sweet cigar would be a nice touch. Toast the coconut to make more realistic chest hair. I've never been more proud or so full of Christmas cheer. Here's to hoping JM gets our humor!

The real Cousin Eddie: our inspiration.

The Swisher Sweets took it up to a whole new level.

It's all about the presentation...and the lighting.

I think the Antler Mug is a nice touch.

Chez Soi

I was challenged by some fellow blogging friends, to write a post about home. No guidelines, no rules. Too much freedom scares me, so I'll keep it simple.

Home is my family. Home is my friends. Home is that perfect song. Home is that favorite movie. Home is Texas. Home is New York City. Home is not defined by geography, and neither am I.

See I refuse to believe
That my life's gonna be
Just some string of incompletes...
Been holding out for a home life,
My whole life.
- JM

Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness

When autumn comes, it doesn't ask
It just walks in where it left you last
You never know, when it starts
Until then there's fog inside the glass around your summer heart
- JM

Wedding Crashers

3. Weddings

My summer countdown would not be complete if it didn't include weddings. This weekend marked the end of wedding season for me this year. My whole Texas summer social calendar has been dictated by my blonde buddies’ wedding schedules. We’ve had parties and showers galore, but nothing compares to the thrill of the big day…even if you’re not the one taking the leap!

Mrs. Ali Schmid

Mrs. Stephanie Chapman

We kicked off the big events with a joint bachelorette party with a surprise spin...a spin around a pole that is! A great bonding experience for a group of innocent and out of shape friends. Let's just say that it's much harder than it looks and we left with an equal amount of bruises and laughs.

As usual, Robbie let the DJ know early on in the night that he would be the one calling the shots. From when to play "Disturbia" to the right time to dim the lights, Robbie always brings his A-game to make sure his friends have the most fun and memorable wedding ever.

The Wedding Troops

Family Portrait

The Send-Off

The Aftermath at Sunday Brunch

California Dreamin'

Monday night I watched the sun set in Los Angeles and then watched it rise again in New York City; I’m back and making my way to a full recovery. They don’t call them red-eyes for nothin’! Thankfully, it’s Wednesday night so I’m already nearing another weekend. I had such a fantastic time in California…the sun, the beach, riding around with the sunroof open, I loved it all. In fact, within the first night, we had a whole alternate life planned out for me on the West Coast! I think I’ll stick to what I know…for now.

However, I did pick up some great new tunes with a California vibe. For the full effect, I recommend you read this posting while listening to Carolina Liar’s California Bound…at least that’s what I'll hear playing when I think about my trip! Others that have since been updated to my playlist are MGMT’s Kids and some new Greg Laswell. I had a recent song of Greg’s, but AJ provided me with some more information on his San Diego background (as well as copies of both his albums), so I’m adding him to my ipod as we speak – I’ll get back to you with my favorites.

Some things never change and I’m glad to say that Jordan and I’s friendship is one of them. She picked me up at the airport, flowers and candy in hand, and we instantly picked up the same comfortable feeling we’ve had since middle school. We rode around laughing about the days when we would put Celine Dion’s To Love You More on repeat and sing at the top of our lungs. (You know the one, #14 from the same cd as the Titanic song…which I actually heard in a pizza joint tonight) Hey, we grew up in Paris, Texas – give us a little credit for turning out as well as we did.


Anyway, they sent me packing with a DVD full of new music, a box of See’s Candies and a few more freckles on my face…and I am grateful for all of it! I’ve (shamefully) managed to take a bite out of each truffle in the box and my tan is already fading, but fortunately, friends are forever. Until next time, Cali…


"Chase the sun back to the west coast…" - Carolina Liar