DISCLAIMER: These items were all purchased for under $50.
“Typical” YouTuber hauls usually amount to hundreds of dollars (yes, I add things up in my head as they go) and a large amounts of nice things. But chy’all know me. A girl who is tickled by an armload of books “free” from the Library. A girl whose heart starts beating at the mention of “an additional 70% off the lowest-marked price”.
So, when I pulled out the ol’ suitcase to start packing for Hawaii and realized I HATED all my summer clothes/swimsuits – I determined I should get a couple things to spruce ‘er up. Here’s what I found:
Target
Swimsuits
I also got the bottoms in this style. I chose this because the top was $7.98 and the bottoms were $5.86. Oh, and because it is push-up. DUH.
This one, I only got the bottoms in and they are SUPER comfortable. I plan to wear it with multiple colored tops.
Haha it totally looks like I am just posting underwear on the blog. Oh well. So, I am not crazy about cherries or red, BUT this has little ties with cherry print and I have a top at home with a cherry print, so the red cherry print wins.
The Gap
I am a Gap girl. Say what you will about it. The Gap has gone through it’s ups and downs. Once, our source for carpenter jeans, gray hoodies and Dream perfume back in the day . Winter seasons with just absolutely hideous sweaters. The Gap has been judged harshly through out the years and I have remained loyal. Designer jeans don’t hold a candle to my trusty pairs from the Gap. I love their scarves, socks, heck – I even love their underwear! So, it was no surprise to me that I walked in to the Gap on a recent lunch hour and left with three Hawaiian-ready items for aroung $30.
These shorts were $7.97 and are more neon-pink in real life.
These printed denim pups set me back $11.97. They fit SO good.
Lastly, I couldn’t leave without these rose-gold leather flip flops for $9,99 (they were the last pair). I mean. They’re rose gold.
On an un-related Haul for Hawaii note, I picked up this body mist from Victoria’s Secret because it’s one of my absolute favorites and I need it in my life.
They had a one day sale on all their fragrance sprays so I paid $10 for this sucker, they are normally $25. Just call me the discount diva! …Or not, because that makes me look like one of those crazies on Extreme Couponing.
With the traces of my hangover bidding my body a reluctant adieu, I finally feel up to the task of attacking this momentous occasion with my vernacular words and set it free on the internets. So, let’s go.
Friday began with a much needed highlight. I went to C.Joy Salon here in Redmond and told the stylist Kimberly of the saga that is my hair. We agreed on a full highlight – combining some bright blonde with a few low-lights for S’s and G’s.
Here’s the before:
Accidental Ombre
And the after:
My car is the best for selfies
Saturday morn – I got up and slathered instant-tan all over m’self, curled the eyelashes real nice and headed to the Q to pick up mimosa fixins and a box of Top Pots (donuts) to take to the nail place we reserved at 11 am. I dispensed mimosas, pink feather boa donuts and of course my Danielson-charm as we dipped our feet into the swirling blue water and slipped into pedi-heaven.
The spread
The nail place turned out to be perfect – hat tip to Karen for the recommendation! I loved the power ballad instrumentals they played and the Sharper Image chairs…the “upper-back roll” was my jam.
Meg and Jen
“Everyone look at the camera!” Nan looks down. hahahahhha
Amy is participating!
Lil Meg
After that, ’twas off to Purple Cafe in Bellevue where we were seated in our own personal wine cove.
We had a delicious lunch of sandwiches, salads, soup and of course – the signature salted caramels and then scampered off to Bellevue Square for a little shopping.
Paparazzi shot
The Nordstrom Anniversay sale is on and oh law – the money I could spend on limited edition Mac gift sets. Swoon. We had fun trying on lipsticks for the wedding, ogling over Tory Burch purses and hyperventilating over anything at Chanel. Oh, and sadly the Soliel Tan de Chanel is completely sold out like everywhere :(.
Rachel trying Candy Yum-Yum
Angel and Creme-Cup
Ray-Ray and I left the mall a little early to head back to my house to prep for the party. I picked up my bestie Holls (that is the balls) and squeezed the bejesus out of her little body. We hung up my paper chains, made peeny linguine and hung up a poster of the Bieber. So basically…
Cutouts courtesy of Miss Coleman
Rachel’s Famous Oreo Balls
Cotton candy cookies
Be jealous.
We all slipped in to our LBD’s, heels and mini-tiaras and that was that. It was sweltering and because we have NO A.C everybody’s faces were melting into the carpet.
My LBD from Targs
So, we carried the food, dranks and other bits on to the patio and resumed our phallic conversations in the comfort of my apartment’s courtyard.
Holly showcasing her straw
The drinks were flowin and the shenanigans, growin. We moved inside to open presents where Meg received negligee of all kinds.
She also got a surprise from our other favorite YouTuber, Az4Angela! I ordered Megan candles from her online store and Ang was kind enough to send Megan a lil’ something. Thanks Angela!
After the formality of opening gifts, we moved on to more indecent activities like blasting rap and 1D while dancing PG-13. A conga line may have formed, I don’t know.
We played a rousing game of pecker toss, which is much harder than it looks and I may have accidentally played Party in the USA like on repeat.
Wrong on sooo many levels
Tossin’
Frisbee method
Not sure about this method
Holly and I then decided it the appropriate time to introduce the evening’s signature cocktail – chocolate cake shots.
Draaanks
Since the party has ended, the chocolate cake shots have been subject to public conjecture as to whether or not they were to blame for the craziness that ensued through out the evening. Jury’s still out.
Cake topper from Etsy
We piled into a couple of cars (the driver’s sober) and were whisked into Kirkland with the goal of filling out our trusty bachelorette check-list cards before the night ended.
Holly started us off with vodka-redbulls and Meg got right to work by asking a group of older gentlemen if any of their names were Ben Johnson. Aww girl.
Upon arrival at the bars, I pulled out my phone to send a location update and realized drunk logic made me grab Amy’s work phone since they were both white iPhone 4s. #FAIL. Also, Rachel forgot her phone and Meg had 2% battery left. Everything was SO organized.
The night was a veritable circus of all things bachelorette – we took shots of Fireball (delish), danced with Kirkland gays (hey-o!) and managed to get down to the tunes all the youngins are listening to. All while accumulating marital advice on paper napkins and nearly convincing a man to give us his underwear (Amers was in charge of that one).
Megan made friends with a couple a Russian men and I thought it cute to come bombing into the middle of their conversation, sloppily proclaiming “BORSCHT!!” (the one and only word I know in Russian), laughing like a hyena and trying to be funny.
We managed to stuff ourselves into a cab around 2 am and for me, things got all kinds-o-hazy. Rach set out for Jack in the Box while I (apparently) helped get all the air beds inflated and bedding distributed.
I am told that everyone else had a smashing time upon Rachel’s return, feasting on burgers, fries and gulping water while watching late-night television.
I, on the other-hand took a different route:
So did Amy
Hahahahaaaaaaaaaaahhahahhahaa
Bryan made his return from camping around 11 am the next morning and got to experience the text convo between Rachel and I. So hilar – I can’t remember when I have laughed so hard.
The rest of the day was spent nursing my hangover with Chipotle, popsicles and Lincoln on Redbox. Planning and executing an entire day of activities at multiple locations was fun but completely exhausting – therefore I am using that as my excuse for my decision to PTFO.
This past weekend was a random one, of sorts. We had sun, we had rain, I was drunk, I was sober. On Thursday afternoon, Bryan announced that he was climbing Rainier with his pal Josh from Jackson Hole and they were set to leave in the wee small hours of the morning on Friday.
This left me to my own peculiar devices on Friday evening and were they ever. On my lunch break, I went to the Targs as I usually do 5-7 times per week. I have unsuccessfully been trying to decorate Bry and I’s sorry little apartment since we moved in and well, our bare walls speak for themselves. Whilst Targeting, I picked up 2 things for said walls and the Bandaid Brand Friction Block which I have been looking for. Because couldn’t we all do with a little less friction?
After work, I strolled the aisles of World Market, Pier 1 and Bed, Bath and Beyond, picking things up and setting them down. If somebody watched me shop for home decor, they might think I was a sad clown on her day off. Although a sad clown probably has lots of days off, cause really, who wants to hire a sad clown? ANY-who… the point is, shopping for home decor is quite confusing and frustrating for a girl like me who can’t make a decision to save her LIFE. Furrowed brows and plenty-o-frowns. RHYMING.
“This mirrored end table is cute but so is this bright turquoise slightly antiqued one look at that black lacquer bookshelf but I came for an end table OMGee these candles smell good.”
I go in with an idea, a purpose and leave feeling totally overwhelmed and oftentimes sweaty. I will emerge with a cute package of black and white paper napkins or an iPhone case or a lovely reed diffuser, only to return home to my white walls and solitary picture frame. Also need to take more pictures, because slutty photos from spring break in Vegas are no longer appropriate.
Friday night was spent eating bowls of cereal for dinner, crafting and watching Pretty Little Liars season 3. Netflix timed the release of the new season perfectly, as Bryan cannot STAND this progrum. I am ADDICTED. I mean, you’ve got Ezra for man-candy, makeup inspiration from Hannah and plenty of suspense thanks to A. WHO IS A?? After my third bowl of Bunches, a few paper cuts and a coconut oil hair douse – it was lights out for me.
Saturday morning commenced with an elusive event, which had not taken place in weeks: exercise. 30 minutes on the elliptical catching up with those damn Kardashians. And lemmejustsay, Kimmy’s derriere has reached a new level. I mean, I know you were preggers but COME ON. It has a roundness to it that is seriously NOT HUMAN.
Then I hit the showers for a hair washing after a 6 day sabbatical. Bryan doesn’t understand why I brag about such things and I remind him that going 6 days in a row with nothing but a can of dry shampoo and a couple a top knots isn’t the easiest thing in the world. So I washed & conditioned using my new absolutefavoriteholygrail product:
Then I self-tanned and walked around our apartment naked with the blinds closed listening to Abba super loud and eating handfuls of chocolate chips.
Oh and check out my white nails. #loveorhate?
After I was tanned and properly made-up, I made a trip over to Snoqualmie to visit sister Rachel and my pal Jaclyn.
What is going on with my eye?
Of course, Rachel was baking (what she does best) and was cursing the lack of baking sheets at the house Jaclyn was house sitting for. But really, who doesn’t own baking sheets?!
Rach made butterscotch cookies and then we made a family favorite, Oreo balls. I DIE for Oreo balls. We scamped around, chatted about boys and I played with the dog whose name was Shelby but Rachel called him Molly, which was really funny at the time. Then I did Rach’s makeup for fun and discovered the shocking fact that she does not use under-eye concealer and also has a love for NYX roller ball eye shadows which are all quite lovely. I always learn so much from Rachel.
Shenanigans:
Donning Rach’s New Sephora Lip Stain
Jumping Picture FAIL
After that, I headed to really exciting places like Michaels and Hallmark. Quite possibly the most popular stores for women over the age of 80. I then made a quick stop at Marshalls where I snatched up a creme colored blouse (yes, blouse) that I am now in love with. It was a geriatric shopping trip, minus adult diapers and prunes. Maybe they should sell these products as a two-fer?
I got home and settled into the couch with Cheez It’s and P.L.L when Bry called and told me he was off the mountain. Yippeee! Ever since this incident, I am always a complete worry-wart when he goes up Rainier.
A couple hours later he was home and we went to Red Robin per tradition. Bry went for the Royal burger and for me – clucks n fries with ranch. Healthy.
Sunday was spent with Bryan recuperating from ascending a jillion vertical feet in SKI BOOTS. Katie and Josh stopped by to exchange some gear and Josh’s feet were GNARLES. I almost took a picture. Needless to say, I don’t know HOW these boys shove their feet into ski boots with the edges literally slashing through their skin in 80 degree heat with a headache and nothing in their stomachs but a vanilla flavored Hammer Gel. Like, what?
I ran a few errands while Bry unloaded the Jeep and nursed his sore muscles by staying inside and sipping on Rainier beer because it was just so appropriate.
While running errands, I noticed this new establishment:
I feel like my cousin Mike would appreciate this.
Then we celebrated Father’s Day by meeting up with mom and pop Nash and brother KC at Via Tribunali in Fremont. I love it there. The pizza is amazing and the ambiance is even better. A perfect cap to my weekend!
For any gal who has fallen victim to a product slathered in catchy marketing and boasting “miracle” results only to discover it’s complete and utter uselessness, I say this: I am you.
I am the girl who spends hours, yes hours watching, reading and researching products that lay claim to serious results with no avail. While I like to think that the majority of the items I choose to buy have been methodically selected, sometimes this is far from the truth. I, like so many women, am easily wooed by product displays, limited editions, or my weakest spot – cute packaging. Stick a piece of poo in a pink box with a cute font and I’m smitten. You get the drift :).
Recent evidence of genius cute marketing:
Instantly Instagramed Post-Purchase
The purpose of this post is to hopefully save some of you (the millions who are reading) from repeating my beauty section mistakes.
Got2Be Beach Trippin
Basically, I feel this entire brand is garbage. The name is bad enough. Textbook example of how cute packaging and unrealistic promises can break our hopeful hearts. Or maybe it’s only me. I really should just splurge for the Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray, but can’t yet justify the $25 cost for what seems like a little salt-water.
Tresemme Dry Shampoo
My never-ending hair growth saga has constituted the purchase of many hair products to aid in my quest for boob-length locks. Dry shampoo is a necessity as frequent hair washing is a major no-no in the hair growth department. For this beauty miss, I simply cheaped-out on my all time favorite dry shampoo, Batiste , for this $3 version. It comes out like a jet (TWSS), the formula is too wet (again, TWSS) and it leaves a dreaded white residue on your hair (this is out of control).
Macadamia Natural Hair Oil
I was surprised by my distaste for this hair oil. Lots of beauty gurus love this line. The smell was nice at first, but I grew tired of it overtime and I felt it actually made my hair more dry! The horror! For a MUCH better alternative, albeit, substantially more expensive is Moroccan Oil. Or, Nectar of the Gods as I call it.
Ulta Brand Tanning Products
Self tanning products have become all the rage suddenly. I guess people are finally getting hip to how bad the sun is for your skin, derrr. As a child of a skin-cancer survivor many times over, I quit my tanning bed regime long ago.
As a result, I have become a connoisseur of drugstore self-tanning products. Neutrogena, Hawaiian Tropic, Jergens. They all aight. L’Oreal Sublime Bronze is one of my favorites, save for the trail of glitter it leaves behind. Strippers prolly buy this stuff by the buckets. I have yet to dive in to pricier options like St.Tropez, Fake Bake or the one I covet over all else by Tarte.
The Ulta self-tanner performed as well as you’d expect it to, which was completely disappointing. Hardly any color and it faded terribly, read: lizard skin.
Maybelline The Falsies Mascara
Finding the right mascara is kind of like shopping for jeans. What looks great on one person gives the other saggy-butt. You understand. Mascaras can be lengthening, volumizing, separating, moisturizing, the list goes on and on. For most, a combination works best. I have tried the Falsies multiple times, due to it’s wide popularity and good price. Each time, I was left with stiff, jagged spider eyes which isn’t exactly what I was going for. However, I have seen this product perform beautifully on others so I suppose the vote’s still out.
So that’s it, I hope I helped. Save your pennies for sensible things like a magic set or a quesadilla maker. Splurge on a vacation to Dollywood but please, don’t buy these products.
Wellll, now it’s more like two weekends ago. MY BAD!
Sunday I met up with my sister-in-law Karen. Ok, so technically she isn’t my “sister”-in-law because she married my cousin, but these are just minor details. Karen invited me to go to the Fremont Sunday Market, including a ride. Yeehaw! Driving into Seattle scares me, much like bangs.
We arrived at the market around noon and the sights blew me away. Booth after booth of just about anything you can think of. Vintage lawn gnomes and blown-glass baubles. Re-stored furniture, sanded down and painted bright turquoise for a mere $150. Soaps perfumed with lavender and honey, vintage clothing – some with pit-stains, some without. Welded metal bent into peculiar shapes like Ren & Stimpy or a melted-faced fairy princess.
Or this.
Duh.
Technicolor Bow Staffs, Obvi
Washington Onesie!
Food trucks a’plenty, pedaling everything from modestly sized pulled pork sandwiches for $6.50 to elephant ear sized naans, dripping with cilantro and garlic infused butter. Oh yeah, and chocolate-chip-coconut macaroons – j’adore!
Veraci Wood Fired Pizza
We stopped at nearly every booth, save for the one with the giant black metal sculptures of demon-possessed Ravens (yikes!). The artist himself seriously could have walked out of the Nightmare Before Christmas, threw on some leather and rolled around in white talcum powder. He kinda reminded me of the people who worked at Hot Topic when I was a wee lass in high school. Yes, I was scared of that store. I would literally run in and run out, clutching my bag of face glitters and trying to get whatever Marilyn Manson song (or so I thought) out of my head.
We sampled the enormous naan and debated our ability to re-create the carb laden masterpiece in our own kitchens. We laughed at people who look like their dogs and noted how very cute pugs are, despite their incessant out-of-breathness.
Massacred.
After walking by the hula-hoop booth several times and both of us agreeing how impossible this seemingly easy activity should be, I decided to give it a whirl (see what I did there?).
I was instructed to keep one foot in front of the other and move my hips rythmically back and fourth. Despite the fact that this white-girl completely lacks any kind of rhythm, I did decently for my first lesson. Karen stood by, laughing at my sorry attempts and happily snapping pictures along the way.
Meee I want a HULA HOOP!!
We were given flyers for a hula-hoop class (hey yo!) and childishly snickered at the large puffs of hair protruding from the hula-hoop gal’s armpits. Funny is funny.
One of the last stops was a retailer of all things toys. With Karen being an educator, she was able to clue me in to the new “it” toy called a Kendama. All the rage with Karen’s classroom, we tried mastering this Japanese game of coordination. As expected, I was terrible. Karen on the other hand was brilliant at it. She haggled with the owner for a few minutes (obviously a Policar) and scored 2 Kendamas at a great price. Oh how I love haggling.
Loot
After we had done the martket, we decided to grab a brewsky at one of Karen’s old college haunts, the Red Door. Lots of wedding talk was had and future plans were made. I felt so grateful to have spent this glorious day with Karen. Being a new gal in a big city aint easy and it’s nice to know that she is just a phone call away #imnotastalker.
All for now. Stay tuned for tales of my wisdom teeth, bridal shower preparation and maybe some new reads.
I wrote this on Wednesday and it was muckalicious, overcast, gray and rainy (still is). Luckily, I have thoughts of last weekend to keep me warm!
With Bry-Bry hitting the books day in and out, we have been setting aside a little time on Friday evenings to have dinner, throw back a few and partake in attempted witty repartee. Last week, we happened upon Purple Cafe in Woodinville for our date night and it did not disappoint. Crab cakes, filet mignon, caesar salad and of course, wine were consumed. Our table was awesome and the food was delicious.
On Saturday, I kissed my study-crazed fiance goodbye and headed to Bellevue Square for some returns.
Item 1: MAC eyeshadow in Ablaze.
I have been digging this new-to-me eye look I like to call “sunset eyes”, where I pair orange-toned, bronzy, golden shades on my lids with an aqua-colored liner + shadow in my lower waterline and lash line. It is really a beautiful look. I went to MAC wearing said look and the makeup gal buffed a little “Ablaze” into my crease to amp up the warmth a bit. I will admit, the effect was lovely. I was all prepared to snag the eyeshadow and the Baking Beauties MSF (mineralized skin finish) in “In For a Treat”.
Say La Vie
Dun Dun DUN! They were sold out. So I bought the eye shadow and haven’t used it since. I mean, who needs a $15 bright orange eyeshadow anyway?! #whatwasithinking
I returned the eye shadow for another MAC must-have. Wonderdust I call it – Vanilla pigment what what?! Not drugs.
Go Get You Some
Item 2: Banana Republic sweater. Accidentally bought a 6 petite. Me + 6 petite = big girl in a little coat.
Item 3: ALDO ballet flats. This store actually sells really cute shoes but you must get them on sale. I hope someone who works at Aldo is reading this because – I tried on a pair of flats in size 9 at the store and they were just a wee bit too small (their shoes run big, obviously). The sales girl and I determined that a 9.5 would be perf. So, I spent 5-7 minutes at the register placing an order to have a 9.5 shipped to my house.
The shoes came…they were size 10 and basically the size of small tug-boats. I went online to check and see what the deal was, which is when I discovered…they DON’T CARRY SIZE 9.5! I was lied to. So naturally, I turned to Twitter where I cooked up a tasty little tweet and hit enter. Here was Aldo’s response:
@cupcakenat In a perfect world we would have all sizes! Unfortunately we don’t carry 5.5 and 9.5! We’re sorry that you were misinformed.
I accept your apology, Aldo. Accepted but not forgotten.
I wandered into Madewell, Norstrom and other stores slightly outta m’price range at the mome. Then I did something I haven’t done since High School – went to JC Penney’s. Or Penney’s to those who know and love this purveyor of Arizona Jeans, St.John’s Bay and G-Dot’s go-t0, Alfred Dunnar.
It’s a shame to me that J.C Penney’s “new look” has failed. As a kid who spent hours in Penney’s, hunting through the pile of 75% off Christmas turtle necks and finding a dirty diaper – the recent updates are a breath of fresh air. The absence of clutter, over-stuffed racks and price tags with 7 mark-down stickers is reassuring and welcomed . However, I fall within the “young” group where roomy aisles, pleasant lighting and less “crap” are viewed as positive. The little old lady, tried-and-true Penney’s shopper must feel differently.
I was floored by the new collab lines (excuse me, Marchesa!) and amount of items I could have easily purchased. The prices are low and with a little hunting, quality pieces can be found. I snagged two items for just around $60. Kindof alot for Penney’s but I was in love.
I Heart Ronson Dress
Joe Fresh Fancy Shorts (My legs will be tanned)
Also decided to get these sandals from the Gap, but I’m still not 100% sold. Feedback is welcomed.
Love or Hate?
A’course I had to pop in to F-21, where I have been royally striking out, as of late. In the market for trendy, wallet-friendly shorts, I decided to purchase these guys.
Pleats? Don’t mind if I do!
Might not be styling these as girlfriend has, but then again I don’t consider showing a lil’ cheek a trend to grab on to. Literally.
Now that I have shared my entire shopping trip with you all, I realize I have written a chapter-book sized post. Apologies.
The next day was Sunday and was spent having even more fun.
I thought I’d catch all of you up on the happenings of late. After I broke in my tired stems by trekking up tiger mountain, I felt last weekend appropriate for delicious food, downtown bounty and the usual shenanigans. Bryan had pre-approved a shopping trip to Forever 21 of all places and I’m not one to pass up a golden opportunity. I’ll take earrings for $1.80 any day.
Friday night was spent devouring pretzel bread Lean Pockets (say what?!) and laughing hysterically at Office re-runs we’ve seen a million times. Dwight is always relevant.
Saturday morning began with finally finishing my book, The American Heiress which I mentioned here.
After some coffee, ellipticalling and CFA-studying we ventured in to the city only to be caught in the midst of a torrential downpour. The heavens wept and rinsed away my fantasies of doing pirouettes down Pike, while wearing chic ballet flats and eating a Specialty’s cookie.
Like the codswallop I am (been waiting to use that word) I also forgot a raincoat and umbrella. And enough about “real” Seattlites being anti-umbrella already. I don’t understand this. I would hoist a yurt above my head if I could. I won’t bash the locals on their perpetual bed-head or overzealous use of “cheers!” when concluding an email, but I am here to lead the umbrella revolution. Rhianna, I will do you justice!
You can stand under mine.
But, I digress. Allow me to step off my soapbox.
Our destination was SAM (Seattle Art Museum), which we love to frequent. With rain and wind blowing all up in my greel, Bry smartly suggested we pop into Starbucks to wait out “the storm”. People watching at our window table proved to be quite fun. My favorite: A middle-aged man wearing khaki shorts 2 sizes too small and a hangy Dr.Huxtable sweater, milling around waiting for what I assume was take-out. Just soaking wet with a very concerned look on his face.
Safely inside the museum, we flashed our Bank of America debit cards and received free admittance to the exhibits. Basically, museum PIMPS.
Told Ya
We saw things, we pondered them and left a little more cultured. Then it ’twas on to the portion of the day which I was admittedly, most excited for. SHOPPING.
Typical Natalie: When I have money to spend and the time in which to do it, I find nothing I like. Everything may as well be from Mariposa’s Spring 1998 collection. However, when I’m on a strict budget and am not allowing myself to spend a dime, I see everything I ever wanted. Does anyone else have this problem?
Granted, we didn’t go to Lush OR Sephora where I tend to exercise my wallet . And of course, I could blindly buy anything from Anthropologie and come out happy, but their prices? $48 for a sparkly headband is hardly prudent. I did happen upon a few pairs of rose gold earrings to match my Michael Kors watch of the same finish. But sadly, that was it. As a result, we hit one of our favorite restaurants, Palamino for the glorious all-day happy hour. One basil gimlet and an IPA later, we were happier than a couple a tweens at a One Direction concert.
We stopped at Banana Republic and Aldo looking for the perfect pair of everyday black pumps, with anything below a 4-inch heel (for Bryan, obviously) and struck out. Why is it so hard to find any kind of heel, be it wedge, stiletto or stacked that isn’t 700 inches high? #tallgirlproblems
Next, we headed to a Seattle ‘burb that I have now fallen in love with: Ballard. We met up with Bryan’s brother KC and were escorted to a bar called Bastille. It’s french so naturally, I died. I felt like one of the cool kids, as I sipped my painted daisy comprised of vodka,aperol, grapefruit, lime and orgeat underneath a gorgeous crystal chandelier.
For dinner, we ventured a few blocks down to Bitterroot BBQ for some tasty vittles, even though I kinda wanted to stay in the city of lights (Bastille). Our food was yummy and the company even better. We feasted on jalapeno hush puppies, coleslaw and of course plenty of q’ed up chicken. I drank bourbon and felt the urge to say “y’all”. I may have told Bryan we are having a Kentucky Derby themed wedding where I’ll make everyone wear big hats, pearls and get drunk off mint juleps. I swear I was born in the wrong part of the country…and the wrong decade. But that’s neither here nor there.
After bidding farewell to KC and navigating our way home to the musical stylings of ABBA, I got in m’jammies and had 1 3 Frans dark chocolate sea-salt caramels (courtesy of the Nash’s). We screened Chasing Mavericks, starring Gerard Butler and marveled at the big waves, bare chests and man-faced leading ladies.
Sunday musings included shopping at Redmond Town Center to make up for my lack-luster performance in Seattle and a lotta studying for Bry. We capped the weekend off with a couple of amaaazing homemade pies ala Bryan. We used fresh mozzarella, San Marzanos and fresh basil. Sidenote: How have I not discovered San Marzanos before now? I die.
Bryan also put his bartender skills to good use and created a new drink which will now be a house specialty. May I introduce you to…The Savage Daphne.
Bry came up with the name all his own. Recipe coming soon!
I’ve got bridesmaid dress shopping on the docket for next weekend which means a trip to the Tri. I’m sure the happenings will be enthralling enough to warrant another wedding themed post, yes?
I also got the bottoms in this style. I chose this because the top was $7.98 and the bottoms were $5.86. Oh, and because it is push-up. DUH.
This one, I only got the bottoms in and they are SUPER comfortable. I plan to wear it with multiple colored tops.
Haha it totally looks like I am just posting underwear on the blog. Oh well. So, I am not crazy about cherries or red, BUT this has little ties with cherry print and I have a top at home with a cherry print, so the red cherry print wins.
On an un-related Haul for Hawaii note, I picked up this body mist from Victoria’s Secret because it’s one of my absolute favorites and I need it in my life.
thenataliediaries.com 