Up With Montana, Boys!

April 11, 2014April 11, 20147 Comments

Down with the foe!

Yes, that is the University of Montana state fight song and last weekend as we rolled past the border into the big sky state, my mother began singing it. Not because anyone in our fam is a “Grizz”, but because Hamilton, Montana is the birthplace and home of my dear and recently deceased grandmother, Dorothy Davis. Last weekend, we made the trip to this beautiful state to bury her ashes and say our final goodbyes to this little lady who’s simple life I admire so very much.

Born in 1919 and popularly referred to as G-Dot, Dorothy lived to be the ripe ol’ age of 94. She was sassy. And spirited. She ruled the circle at seated kickball.

Chloe loved her too!

At the memorial, my aunt and mom read some of her beautiful writings and clever poetry. We reminisced her younger years, filled with golf, oil painting and plenty of Wonder Bread. We took a moment to remember all that she was – a devoted Christian woman, who may have had small-town views but NEVER judged. And all that she wasn’t – a gourmet chef or lover of spicy foods. She married my grandfather after only 3 months of dating, only to say goodbye to him 2 days after their wedding so he could fight in WW2.

She was a woman who had chronic acid indigestion, who hated losing at rummy and who I will miss each day of my life.

The memorial was perfect and seeing my great aunt Maxine was even better.

But enough of the sad! On to the good! It is after-all, what G-Dot would have wanted.

In lieu of getting a hotel in the tiny town of Hamilton, we opted to rent a house via VRBO. We drove out into the sticks and after a few wrong turns, pulled into the driveway of the house (click here for the posting). The exterior looked pretty nondescript but after opening the front door it was clear we were in Montana. Knotty pine finishes enveloped walls laden with mounted fish, mallard art and cowboy paraphernalia. Chochkies rattled as I walked by every old-english polished surface. This place was a gem.

We immediately noticed the cool old barn outside and wisely headed out for a photo sesh and subsequent lols. Feast your eyeballs.

I can’t handle Meg’s face

The house was great, save for the fact that the 7,000 inch television required a PhD in technology to operate and the heat wouldn’t work the last day. Although, the heat not working may have been a blessing in disguise since it forced us to start a fire (with wood, you know) and pretend we were on Little House on the Prairie.

We found the world’s oldest K-Mart and contemplated buying matching thermal PJ’s for .99 cents. Oh, and this hat.

Other wonderful Montana discoveries:

Written in the bathroom stall of the $50,000 Silver Dollar Bar

Puka shells are always in style in the MT

It’s real

All in all, it was a wonderful trip and absolutely the best way to say goodbye to my wonderful Grandma Dot.

We will miss you.

Happenings

March 25, 2014April 1, 20147 Comments

Last weekend, my mom and sister came for a visit. I took a half day off work Friday so we could gallivant around the city, try on mini-hats at Joann Fabrics and drink “skinny” margaritas that necessitated Splenda packets. Really, the goal was to knock a few items off the ol’ wedding to-do list and have a little fun while doing so. We scoured the city for a perfect off-the-rack blush toned bridesmaids dress for Megan. Turns out, it doesn’t exist. We pissed off the girl manning the Nordstrom Rack dressing room by bringing additional items into the stall after the initial batch. Literally, I thought she was going to kill me, even though I was SUPER smiley. GOSH. We bought discount fashions at H&M and I made friends with the cashier at Love Culture (a shop for girls 10 years my junior). I was toting my Tory Burch around all proud and sh*t and the cashier girl was like, “My Mom wants one of those Tory Burch purses.” So I guess I’m a Mom now and have NO business shopping at places like Love Culture. Anyway, here is what I got:

Every time I go to the MAC counter I inevitably end up swatching the lipsticks. You see, I am relentless in my search for beautiful lipsticks and the Cremesheen formula at MAC has me hooked. So, while Megan was trying on 73093 pairs of shoes at Nordstrom, I decided to make good use of my time by doing the same with lipstick. As I surveyed the rows of pinkish hues, a beautiful bright shade caught my eye – Sunny Seoul. Anyone else have this shade? I tried ‘er on and after showing Nan, she said, “That shade actually looks really pretty on you!” Like WTF Nan!? So all the other lip colors I wear are hideous? So of course, I bought it and I CAN’T STOP wearing it. I do notice it feathers/bleeds a bit so I may have to invest in a coordinating pencil, or that NYX Wonderpencil or something.

Like the patch of self-tan I missed?

On me

Bryan and I are watching the 7th season of Dexter and here are my thoughts thus far… Thank GOD LaGuerta and Angel got divorced, that was one gross couple. Plus, I couldn’t stand the way LaGuerta said Angel like “Ahnhel”. Deb (Jennifer Carpenter) looks more like an alien than ever. The story is going crazy since Deb found out Dexter is a serial killer and I can’t decide if I hate that she knows. Also, the babysitter? She dresses like a common hooker but is supposed to be this good girl? I don’t get it. Also, I am dreading the series finale because I hear it is terrible. And I just realized that I have said nothing nice about this show. Oh well.

Source

Also, I randomly sprayed this stuff on my skin at Macy’s and am now obsessed and need 40 gallons.

Andthatisall.

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Wedding Planning Weekend

January 29, 2014January 30, 20148 Comments

Hello! And greetings to you all.

McDougal

Last weekend, Bry and I decided it was high time to do the things we haven’t had time to do because ~~of the Seahawks~~ we are so busy. As a result, his and hers trips were planned respectively. Bry scampered off into the Cascades with Jeremy to climb Rainier. And then they decided to ski down that sh*t because, yeah. They crazy.

And since our wedding is 158 days away (according to my handy-dandy wedding countdown clock) and all I’ve done is book the GD venue, I thought it wise to head east and procure the remaining 3823,234,32 items I need before The Big Day.

I arrived home in Kennewick late on Friday evening after a dry, but foggy drive over and hit the hay almost immediately. The next morning we got to work Googling polyester tablecloths to our hearts delight and calling rental companies 7 times because we kept thinking of more questions.

Unfortunately, my wedding venue is totally bare bones. Basically, I fork over a big ol’ fee and they unlock the doors and PTFO. So everything from napkins and tablecloths to wine glasses, tables and chairs is on me. I have to find someone to run the show on my end and get this: right now they don’t even have a wedding coordinator. Which means, every time I have a question I have to talk to some dude in the tasting room who doesn’t know what a peony is.

Before this weekend, I was SERIOUSLY considering eloping at the Bellagio and sending out “Oopsie we did it (and no we’re not pregnant)” cards. Everything was just a mess.

Thank God for Nan, sister Megan and sister Ray-Ray.

Immediately we talked to our caterer,who helped determine what we needed in terms of tableware. And thanks to my sister getting married last summer, she and my Mom knew what to do for tablecloths and napkins; not to mention we already own a treasure trove of lanterns, chargers, vases, birdcages and tealights.

We found some nice-looking fake flowering trees at T.J Maxx for $39.99 a piece that can sit at the ceremony site (such a maxxinsta right now). I also made the judgement call that it is PERFECTLY fine with me if we mix real and fake flowers for arrangements to save some cashola.

Inspiration

And only in the good ol’ TC will you find exotic wedding paraphernalia such as these bedazzled cowboy champagne flutes:

Then we went to Michael’s, Hobby Lobby and JoAnn Fabrics and bought a few fake sprigs and bud vases.

The Kennewick JoAnn Fabrics. Just, yes.

When we got home, we threw a bunch of randomness on top of a cute white charger and added some tall mercury-glass candle holders from Megan’s decoration stash – and what do you know?! We found ourselves a right-fine tablescape! Hopefully it is Sandra Lee-worthy.

Oh m’lord

So now, it’s just a matter of procuring the necessary components and the decorating portion of this shin-dig will be DONE. Praise Jesus.

On Sunday, I got up and drove back west. When I got home, I treated myself to a Lush-errific bath, vodka sodas and several million YouTube makeup videos.

All in all – a successful weekend.

Christmastravanganza 2013

January 2, 20141 Comment

Happy 2014 to you all!

Last night I sang the wrong lyrics to Auld Lang Syne as I do every New Years and thought I’d write an epic Christmas re-cap. Because, really. Don’t pretend you’re not dying to know :).

Our story shall begin the eve of my big 30th birthday bash, which incidentally did not take place on December 24th. Because of everyone’s crazy schedules, we decided to celebrate my birthday the weekend before Christmas, on Saturday and then do our early “Christmas” on Sunday.

Nadine, our appropriately named scant Christmas tree had been without a skirt for weeks. Bottomless, Nadine cowered in the corner of our living room, bashfully attempting to hide her bulky tree stand with garish ornaments and extra branches I had haphazardly attempted to attach to her lower branches. Truth.

With family coming the next day, I went to not one, not two, but FIVE stores in hot pursuit of a tree skirt for poor Nadine. Target, Fred Meyer, Pier 1, World Market and Bed Bath & Beyond let me down. Sales clerks shaking their heads and giving me the “They were gone two weeks ago” lecture, I retreated to my car with my tail between my legs. Not a single GD tree skirt on the ENTIRE Eastside? I was beside myself.

Meg, Ben and Nan arrived the next day with armloads of presents and plenty of Christmas cheer. Nan came to the rescue with a creme-colored toile tablecloth she pilfered from her own collection, which we arranged beautifully under Nadine before covering with dozens of presents. And then I realized that Christmas tree skirts are basically useless once you stick a bunch of presents underneath. Oh well.

That night we got cray at my huge, raging 30th birthday party. We wore ugly Christmas sweaters. We took shots of tequila at the insistence of my auntie. We ate bison sliders, goat cheese and Zachary chocolates. ‘Twas perfection.

It is just NOT Christmas without Yankee Candles!

…HE KNOWS…

The next day was “Christmas” with my family, minus Amy and my Dad (which SUCKED). Christmas just isn’t the same without my Dad softly squishing each of presents to ensure it isn’t a “soft” present, i.e socks, underwear and the like.

I got wonderful gifts from my family, Bryan and the Nash’s for both my birthday and Christmas. Here are some highlights!

Bryan also scored pretty huge.

That night, Bryan and Ben decided it was the perfect time to turn our house into a brewery. While Nan, Megan and I watched The Holiday and played Candy Crush, Bryan and Ben were snickering over in the corner like little boys playing with a chemistry set. It was adorable, but our house stunk like hops even with all the windows open. Of course, Nan liked the smell. Oh Nan…!

The next day I bid adieu to my family and reluctantly returned to work, craving more family time. Luckily I work with some pretty awesome people and was greeted by this.

After working a half day on Christmas Eve, the Nashs picked me up promptly at noon and whisked Bryan and I into the city for an afternoon of Christmas fun.

Chocolate croissants and peppermint mochas

We saw a matinee of Oliver! at the 5th Avenue and basically sat in the front row. It was AMAZING. Oh law – these kiddos were talented. The sets were beautiful, the cast was perfect and we all left with huge, goofy smiles on our faces.

Naturally, after Oliver! we went to Oliver’s Bar at the Mayflower Park Hotel. The scene could not have been more perfect – huge windows looking out onto the bustling city streets.

After our delicious cocktails we headed back to Redmond for some dinner, libations and more gifts. We had lasagna, prosecco and I opened even more amazingly thoughtful and wonderful gifts. I truly do not deserve to have these wonderful people in my life but GUESS WHAT? I’ll take em!

The next morning we woke up to our first Christmas morning in our new house. Aw, mems. Then, we went to the GYM. Yes – Bryan and I worked out on Christmas morning. It was indeed, a Christmas miracle.

Upon arriving at the Nash homestead, we were treated to Mary’s famous breakfast casserole and then we happily dove into our stockings. And really, aren’t stockings the BEST?

After the gift giving had ceased, we sat in the Christmas carnage and purveyed our new goods and wares. The day was spent watching The Holiday (again!), The Family Man, playing Monopoly, cooking dinner, making cosmos and a rousing game of Catch Phrase which, btw, is awesome.

It was a wonderful holiday filled with family, friends and tequila. And a tiny unicorn, thanks to Megan.

Having a couple days off from work meant lots of productivity at home.

OH YES

Candy Mountain Bubble Bar asdoijasdionj!

Snowman bath bomb + Ro’s Argan = MAJESTY

OMG Breaking Bad. Just, yes.

Already on Season 3

We even went for a hike up little Si!

My face is completely round

For NYE we decided to head down the street to Salish Lodge and have drinks at the bar.

This picture says everything and nothing

Pretty lobby

Snoqualmie Honey Ale and Brut Rose

In a word, our holidays were…perfect.

How were yours?

The Black Friday that Wasn’t

December 4, 2013Leave a comment

Happy December!

And how about them Hawks?!

Here’s the haps:

We joined a gym, yet again. And now we are privy to a multitude of exercise classes, ~~torture~~ cardio devices and weights. Surprisingly, I have made my way in there a handful of times and re-discovered my love/hate relationship with the stair-stepper.

Thanksgiving break! Bry and I made the pilgrimage (haha get it) over to Kennewick on Thursday morning with just enough time to help my mom prepare WAY too much food, adorn the table with sparkly pumpkins and drink a few bottles of wine. Dinner was fantastic, but the ensuing game of salad bowl was even better.

The next morning, per tradition, Megan, my Mom and I hit the Black Friday sales with high hopes of scoring dirt cheap toasters, half priced socks and the freetothefirst50customers SNOW GLOBE. I guzzled down my Starbucks misto and hitched up my gingerbread socks as we pulled into the parking lot at Target around 9 am.

Oh and a Cranberry Bliss Bar OMG

And…crickets. I swear a tumbleweed rolled through the parking lot.

Ok this is not my picture. It’s this guy’s. But it looked practically the same.

Where were the hoards of people? The crazy ladies with blue eyeliner, teased bangs and Snoopy Christmas sweatshirts with matching turtlenecks? As soon as we began our “doorbusting” at Target we figured out why: the sales were absolute flaming bags of crap.

Nothing Will Crush Nan’s Spirits

No $5 toasters. No $3 copies of The Christmas Story. Not even a lowly 10% off Christmas tree skirts.

We retreated to the car reluctantly, clutching our measly %40 off sweaters and dollar section items.

I would like to say that this trend did not carry over to our other Black Friday haunts, but sadly…it did. Black Friday was simply kicking our butts. Our cute, kinda round, but nonetheless charming butts.

We missed the $2.50 hand soaps at BBW by 10 minutes. 10 MINUTES.

Waaaaaaaaa!!

The sweater I wanted at the Gap was only available in XL.

So, we did what any good-hearted Amurican Black Friday enthusiasts would do in such a situation. We went to TJ Maxx where everyday is Black Friday! And I found this adorable Christmas decoration at Pier 1, which I might add was FULL PRICE. WTF Black Friday? wtf.

We then met “the boys” at the Sports Page to watch the Apple Cup and eat nachos. It helped a little. After we had our fill of cheese, grease and ranch dressing we headed to some antique/thrift stores to stare at other people’s crap. This is always a sure-fire way to cheer us Danielson gals up.

closed mouth smiles are the best smiles

We found a few treasures and hauled them home. Then we put up the Christmas tree and there was peace on earth. The evening was capped off by a viewing of the world’s most underrated Christmas movie: Holiday in Handcuffs.

This little gem stars Melissa Joan Hart or MJH to those who know her, and Mario Lopez or A.C Slater. The writing, the acting, the all-star cast #oscarbuzz. Then Megan, Amy, Bryan and I stayed up to late watching Marbles Harsgrove.

The rest of the weekend was spent attending Hanukkah parties, seeing old friends and gearing up for Monday Night Football. Next weekend we are getting our TREE and maybe having a tinsel fight. I don’t know.

xoxo

Natalie

Spray Park Hike

September 12, 2013September 13, 20133 Comments

Helllllo lovelies!

Today I am here to introduce you to my newly discovered hiking essential – wine. Hiking with wine (wiking?) is actually fairly simple and involves the following essential elements:

a hiking trail
wine

It all started with an innocent Christmas present which Bryan bestowed unto his Dad – “a fully chauffeured and personally-guided hike with views of Mt. Rainier and gourmet picnic lunch”. I figured wine would play a part in the lunch, as neither Bryan nor I are strangers to consuming beer, wine and the like whilst climbing up a mountain – and well, it did.

Our Sunday began as so many do, with Starbucks and plenty of excited chatter about the day’s events. We reached the overflowing parking lot at Mowich Lake around 10:30 am and laced up our shoes. Half a can of bug spray later, we were ready to embark. Oh, and I carried Bryan’s smaller Dakine backpack which smelled heavily of boy and made me feel SO core.

Bry and his Dad stayed close and far ahead as Mary and I lagged behind. But whatevs, we totally caught up on our wedding talk so all was well. Per usual, Bry’s description of the hike as “an easy 3.5 miles with only 1,500 feet of elevation gain” seemed ludicrous as I puffed my way up-hill, trudging switch back after switch back. Thanks alot BRYAN.

We then learned that there was a BEAR on the trail. A bear.

Holly Coleman’s Biggest Fear

This photo is from National Geographic. Not the actual bear on the trail, but you get the idea.

I began to flip out when it dawned on me how everyone else seemed so relaxed about the idea that a behemoth, 250 lb. flesh-ripping beast was in our midst. One guy actually took pictures of it from mere yards away!

If living in Jackson Hole, Wyoming taught me anything it was to ~~drink whiskey~~ fear bears. People carry sprays, wear bells and even blast music to prevent the inevitable nightmare of surprising a bear, or worse, bears in the wilderness. But here in Washington, people were actually hoping to see it and maybe, horror of horrors to PET it.

I realize black bears are not as aggressive or as large as grizzlies (which are native to Jackson Hole) but, come on. They are still wild animals – have we learned nothing from Grizzly Man??

Other than the fact that his beanie was a bad choice?

After a few more twists and turns, I was elated at the sight of Bryan setting his backpack down and unloading our lunch. Yay!

We had turkey, pesto and provolone sandwiches on delicious ciabbatta rolls, Tim’s Cascade potato chips and dun-dun-dun-DAAAHH – Wines. 2 bottles 🙂 These are the times where I truly appreciate my crazy mountain climbing fiance who carried our jackets, water bottles, lunch and 2 bottles of wine in his pack.

The weather took a slight turn for the worse, clouding the magnificent view of Mt. Rainer but ’twas no bother. Our glasses of wine kept us warm and happy.

We parked ourselves atop a warm rock (yes, it was warm), happily ate our lunches and each drank 2-3 glasses of wine. And then…things got fun. Not only were we doing my favorite part of any hike (the way down) but I had a nice bod-buzz to stay loose and entertained.

We happened upon this beautiful waterfall and stood, amazed.

The way out was a breeze! Before I knew it, we were back in the car and I was fighting the urge to snooze. Then I discovered that I had about 3 mosquito bites on each shoulder #FAIL so I tried to discreetly scratch them so that Bry wouldn’t scold me.

I alllways itch my bug bites. Can’t help it.

After we bid my soon-to-be in-laws adieu we made the healthy decision to order a large cheese pizza from Frankies and I bought a liter of Diet Coke. Ajsa!hsdb* I know it’s bad.

Another successful adventure in the Pac N-Dub.

Go me.

Megan and Ben’s Wedding

August 22, 20136 Comments

Hello Mates!

In an attempt to tackle what could easily be the most wordy, emotional and just plain long post – I have wisely decided to go down another path. The path less traveled. The path that is sprinkled with photos and witty anecdotes, free of mile-long paragraphs and steep pitches of run-on sentences.

How do I plan to do this?

I am channeling my inner minimalist and hoping the random sampling of photos will somehow resemble a post that is worthy of such a spectacular day. Like unwelcome wedding guests, nerves, anxiousness and worry somehow reared their ugly heads. Luckily sheer joy, love and laughter persevered above all.

It wasn’t a perfect day. Seams were ripped, sweat permeated satin and raindrops fell. I don’t know about the bride, but I wouldn’t have changed a thing.

So, with no further adieu – I give you, my loyal readers…

Megan and Ben’s Wedding – The Top Ten List

1. Decorating!