Always a Bridesmaid…

May 20, 20133 Comments

Never a bride.

In just a few, err…um cough-thirteen-cough months this statement will no longer be true. I will be the bride. But for now, I can beg for sympathy and attention since I will be bridesmaiding at sister Megan’s upcoming nuptials.

While I have bridesmaided before, this will be my first MOH experience. For you acronym illiterates, I will be the maid of honor. The right-hand-woman, the speech-nailer, the wiper of tears – the dancing ENFORCER. I take my duty seriously and aim to be the best I can be, much like the army or marines or whatever.

First things first, we needed to find the bridesmaid attire. With Megan being fabulously unconventional and fashion-minded we quickly opted out of the typical experience at a run-o-the-mill bridesmaid dress store. One reason being that we have 3 bridesmaids with 3 very different styles and also the fact that none of us felt like paying $300 for a satin monstrosity in some hideous hue with matching Dyeables brand shoes. Do people still dye their shoes to match the dress? Oy vey!

However, locating a garment with specific coloring, silhouette and length proved to be quite taxing. Hours upon hours of internet-browsing, phone calls, angry texts and unavailing appointments were logged and many glasses of wine were consumed. So, I decided to make the pilgrammage over to the Tri last weekend and put this dress-baby to rest.

I arrived in Kennewick on Friday evening around 5:30 and it was gloriously warm. Pulling into the driveway at my parents house and stretching my legs after the 3.5 hour drive was made even more amazing by taking in the familiar smell of the spring air. I was fed taco salad, local white wine and a healthy dose of good ol’ fashion Danielson gossip. My sisters Meg and Rachel J and I made a plan to visit a couple of stores the next day, having seen a few new spring dresses pop up on the internets.

The next morning I made coffee and cuddled with Chloe McDoogal, our ill-tempered chihuahua whom I love more than anything.

She Doesn’t Know She’s Beautiful

I did my makeup real nice and then took a picture of myself in the main bathroom. #totallynormalforme

Oh, and I got new makeup brushes. I heart them.

A photo is needed.

First stop: David’s Bridal (no judgements, please).

Megan refers to David’s Bridal as the “Wal-Mart of bridal stores”. I didn’t believe her until I stepped foot inside and was greeted by, well…The People of Wal-Mart. We made a bee-line for the rack we came for as I wove my way through the sea of carnies (harsh). Recently, Vera Wang designed a line for David’s Bridal and the photos online looked quite pretty and not so bridesmaidy. Here are the dresses I tried on:

It actually turned out to be a fun experience because the gals who worked there were very sweet and helpful. The crowd thinned out a little and the carnies that remained were all pretty fun. They were fun carnies. We spent a couple of hours trying on, re-trying on and then needed sustenance. After a quick lunch at Twigs (love that place) we shopped around Macy’s and came out empty-handed. We did make it into BBW where I secured an adorned wall flower plug-in for Nan’s new kitchen.

We decided to try the other 2 bridal/bridesmaid stores in Kennewick, namely Amy’s Bridal and The Purple Parasol. Amy’s Bridal is a very cute little shop and the owner is super nice. Also, it is right next to Bruchi’s which just happens to be delicious. I found 2 bridal gowns that I have torn out of magazine’s and inserted into my wedding binder but alas, no bridesmaid dress caught our eye. So, we did what anyone would do. Headed across the street to MyFroYo to drown ourselves in tubs of yogurt a’course. I had strawberry/raspberry + rainbow sprinkles.

Megan was a tad upset about having nothing to show for the fruits of our labor. We tried to remind her of the cute Vera Wang dresses and decided we would go home and maybe make a list of our favorites. Lists are good. So we drove home but ended up getting a wee bit side tracked with YouTube makeup tutorials, the taco-truck delicacies that fiance Ben brought over and a competitive game of Catch Phrase.

On Sunday, we woke up with new-found focus and sheer determination. So we hiked up our britches, slapped on the ol’ warpaint and made our way to beautiful downtown Kennewick in pursuit of a dress at the Purple Parasol. ‘Twas closed 😦

“Oh blah-dee, oh blah-da, life goes on ohhhh brah!…Lala how the life goes on!”

Luckily, the day was saved by a trip to Calloway Gardens with Meg, my Mom and my Aunt to visit one of my all-time favorite peeps, m’G-Dot. Grandma Dorothy for those of you who don’t know this sassy little lady. She can’t remember much these days and enjoys her food mushed up a little, but girlfriend is still fierce and I love her so very much.

Dorothy in Tribal Print

I left Kennewick just in time to make it back to Bryan’s parent’s house for a mother’s day dinner. We had Qu’ed up shrimp, the Canlis Salad and a yummy strawberry-rhubarb crumble ala mode. Bry’s mom cooked for US on mother’s day…yeah, we owe her big time.

And then a miracle happened! EUREKA! Megan went back to the Purple Parisol on Monday and found the perfect MOH dress. I texted her my measurements and we are well on our way to bridesmaid perfection. Btw, apparently I have a large rib cage.

Up next will be her shower and then the moment we’ve all been waiting for…the Bachelorette party.

Oh yeaaahhh!

It Was the Weekend and We Had Fun

April 11, 20131 Comment

Hello beautiful babies!

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?

Back in the Saddle

April 4, 20131 Comment

G’Day Gents!

Pointy.

How have I not used this title before? Anyways, the point is Bryan and I have commenced this beautiful Seattle spring with our very first hike-o-the-season!! Extra punctuation is pertinent here, no?

Last Saturday, we began our morning per usual, with Bry springing out of bed much sooner than I, while badgering me with periodic updates as to the time. Once I was up, I was given about 30 seconds to do what takes most around 20 minutes. When Mr.Nash is promised a day in the mountains, his attention span is shorter than Miley’s hair.

Out the door by 7:30 and to Starbucks for his & hers mistos by 8, we were doing great. Our destination? Tiger Mountain. Where neither of had been, nor knew what to expect. I was “bajigady” to say the least. Since moving from Jackson, the biggest hill I have climbed are the escalators at Nordstrom, mmmkay? The drive was beautiful and the company, cute.

Upon arrival, we were astonished to find way more cars than we had anticipated. I guess we’re not in Jackson anymore. As we made our way to the trailhead, Bryan pointed out that, true-to-form I didn’t look “the part”. I kindly reminded him that, of course I didn’t look the part. I’m not burning $100 on a pair of actual hiking pants at REI when my beat-up Abercrombie capris (circa 2005) will do. Or succumbing to a top from Lulu when I’ve got a perfectly good hot pink hoodie from Victoria’s Secret with rhinestones. I’ve got furniture to buy and makeup to save for. My old running shoes are good as new as soon as I pop some orthodics in.

Hood Utilizer

The trail started off nice and mellow and then gradually got steeper. I’ve always been a fan of trails that have ebbs and flows, ups and downs, much like life (philosophical) and Tiger Mountain pleased. Even in my “20 minutes on the treadmill” shape, I was feelin’ mighty strong. And wouldn’t you know it, we smoked past every single person! Not that I care :). At one point, I looked at Bryan and said breathlessly, “We still got it!”. A high-5 ensued and maybe a chest bump. It’s real.

Trailblazin’

Of course any hike is not complete without a healthy dose of good ol’ fashioned drama. This time it came in the form of a tiny critter which I openly loathe: a garter snake. I must give them a nod of approval for their color scheme (black & white) but otherwise my feelings closely parallel what I feel for Spencer & Heidi Pratt. Just complete and total hatred. Too strong a word??

Summit!

Mountainy

Classic G.Danielson Pose

Ahh..Vitamin D

We thought the hike was around 4 miles round-trip but it turned out to be about 6. Probably 6.5 if you add the walk to the car. It took us around 2 hours car-to-car and I was pretty tired on the way home. That is, until Bryan snuck in my old Dixie Chicks CD and once again I was ‘ready to run’. See what I did there?

The rest of the day was spent painting my nails pastel pink, deep conditioning my hair and watching a Lifetime movie while Bryan studied.

Then we basked in the sun on the patio for the remainder of the 65 degree day and drank 1 2 pitchers of margs. I pulled my laptop outside and made a station on Pandora comprised of Carly Rae Jepson (for Bry of course), Mumford & Sons, Lucky Dube and Taylor Swift.

Delish

A perfect day.

Summer Lovin

August 28, 2012August 28, 20122 Comments

Hey y’all!

As you may or may not know, Bryan and I leave for Seattle in less than two weeks! Subsequent questions:

Do you guys have jobs?

Not yet, but neither of us are worried about it.

Do you have an apartment/place to live?

We figure it might be best to be employed before getting into a lease. Call us crazy. In the meantime, Bryan’s parents live in Redmond and are graciously offering their home if need be.

What section of Seattle do you plan to live in?

Bryan and I are aiming to keep our commutes to work as small as possible. Therefore, we plan on looking close to our places of employment. However, Queen Anne and West Seattle both seem attractive at this point.

So there you have it! I am overjoyed to start this new chapter of life. I’ll be close to my family again, hopefully continuing a career that makes me happy and of course I’ll have m’shops. Although I will of course miss Jackson Hole, I am taking the best part about it with me – Bryan :).

Enough of this sappiness…onto some adventures in the mountains! Yeehaw!!

In early May, Bryan and I made a bucket list of things we had to do this summer before our big move. I’ve tried my best to capture some of these memories on my camera, but as usual I found myself getting too caught up in the moment to remember to take a picture #mybad.

Here are some summer mems.

Hike to Lake Solitude

Marmot!

We Made It!

Bryan has taken a few trips up the Grand this summer and most memorably, with his boss Joe, Jeremy and Jeremy’s cousin Sam.

Ascending the Grand

Bryan and Joe on the Summit of the Grand Teton – Elev. 13,770

Reminiscing at Dornans – Joe “Gah! Look at the Grand!”

Pizza at Leek’s in GTNP.

Buuuurs

Hike up Mt.Si in Seattle.

Vampir-ey.

Glowing Hard.

Such a Good Pic

Hike around String Lake.

Dinner at The Bird after floating with Jeremy and Lorie.

After work swim in Phelp’s Lake

Bryan is the Tiny Dot Standing on the Rock

It’s true, this summer has been totally fab. And although I am looking forward to Nordstrom, seeing my family and of course Red Robin – I will miss the simplicity of Jackson. I will miss the fact that how much you love to ski/hike/cycle etc. is valued over what you look like and the clothes you wear. That being genuine, friendly and caring is more impressive to people than owning an expensive car or having a high-power career. These are the virtues I will carry with me from Jackson Hole. I’m hopeful that no matter how much pressure I feel to look a certain way or earn a certain amount, I’ll have the virtues I’ve learned and can rise above it all.

Farewell, JH. I’ll miss ya.

Bekah + Matt’s Wedding

December 8, 20113 Comments

Happy Thursday Lovelies!

So in the midst of lots of mediocre posts about Hello Kitty mini-plushes from Albertsons and one-man book clubs, I missed one the most important events this year! One of my besties got MARRIED.

Bekah and Matt met when we were in college, at Whitworth. Bekah and Matt were, get this, lab partners. I know, it’s so freaking cute. They were just friends. And what started out as friendly study sessions turned into something more over the years. The couple now resides in an adorably cute apartment in downtown Seattle. I sound like the chick from House Hunters…anyways – Bekah is a PA and Matt is a PT. They’re smart. They know things.

Anywho- their wedding was on November 4th, 2011 and I was lucky enough to be in attendance. The wedding was at a freaking AMAZING venue and was decorated so beautifully, but most importantly so much like Bekah. They went with a vintage circus, almost Moulin Rouge-ish theme.

Before the wedding, we all dashed across the street and took tequila shots. Because that is smart.

Blurry But You Get It

When we got there, we were welcomed into what I like to call basically a rad party. Bekah was donning a sassy white sequined cocktail dress and everyone was enjoying the southern-inspired appetizers that were being passed around. Hello hushpuppies! Check out this awesome treatment they did above the dance floor:

Vintage Umbrellas

Around 7:30, the party was put on pause for the ceremony. The small-ish crowd formed an aisle for Bekah to walk down. It was so incredible. We all teared up a tad when she walked down the isle with her dad (who I love). Bekah obviously looked gorgeous. Duh, she’s a friend of mine.

Tres Glam

The ceremony was awesome because it was SO different from any other I’ve been to. Basically, we all stood there watching in adoration as Bekah married her bestie. It rocked.

Adore

After that we drank some vino and got to it.

Scampin

Bathroom Pics, Always a Good Idea

Carey's Hubby Chris, This is Totally Normal to Me

Carey Creepily Enjoying Her Popcorn, Again Totally Normal

Whitney also brought along the Flat 4 PHOTO BOOTH! Aka, the other most wonderful time of the year.

Here’s Whit and I…we know how to get down in the photo booth.

Not exactly proud of my face and especially my arms in picture no. 4, but hey, anything for the blog.

All in all, the wedding was perfect.

Did I mention they had mini-doughnuts for dessert? I ate a platter. Don’t tell :-).

Let Them Eat Flan

September 30, 20111 Comment

We are officially on vacation!

Well, technically Bryan is still at work but he will be off in 4 short hours and then it’s really official.

You heard right, at 5 pm, Bryan and I will be flying to Seattle, staying for 2 days and then taking off for Mexico on Monday! Ole!

Other excitements include:

Staying at Bryan’s house in Redmond and spending time with his parents (awesome folk).
Attending his buddy Spencer’s wedding on Saturday with friends.
Getting to see my Mom and sister who are randomly coming to Seattle this weekend.
Frolicking.
Gallivanting.
Slayin wedding cake.

We’ll also be celebrating Bryan’s 28th birthday with his parents and friends. I LOVE birthdays so this makes me happy.

Mini-Saxaphone

Last Wednesday, I decided to throw Bryan a little surprise party myself!

Cupcake theme, obv

Birthday Irish Trash-Can

Baaad Eyeshadow

Dessert Sampler- Cheesecake, Red Velv Whoopie Pie and Italian Creme Cupcake

Singing

‘Twas a great time indeed. Thanks to Holly for helping me set up and Lorie for seeing it through to the end.

In terms of my Mexican adventure studies, here is all I feel I will need to know:

Don’t follow a group of random senors down a dark alley way just because they promised chihuahuas and flan.
Do not eat a street taco after you ask if it was prepared in sanitary ways and he holds up a bottle of anti-bacterial gel.
Always haggle. Always.

In terms of my Spanish?

“Hola. Me llamo Natalie. Uno cerveza por favor.”

And most importantly?

“Me gustaria la golosina”. (I would like candy)

Washington Extravaganza 2011

April 24, 20111 Comment

J.D Working the Mushroom Cut

“All my bags are packed, I’m ready to go…I’m standin’ here outside your door…I hate to wake you up to say goodbye…”

That John Denver was full of sh*t (cuz cursin aint lady-like on a blog ok?).

It’s true, B and I are headed west to Washington state in exactly 1 week. Where the evergreens are a plenty and the wine flows like the Columbia River. Since Bryan hails from Kirkland and yours truly from Kennewick, it only made sense that we make the pilgramage. Here is the 4-1-1 on our trip in the form of an itinerary.

9:00 am Wake up. Prolly lookin like this:

Fresh as a Daisy

9:15 am Pick up coffee.

Bossy

11:00 am Stop in Utah and say what up to my peeps.

I've got my polyester brown frock giiirls!

1:30 pm Make a pit stop for sustenance.

Yep.

8:00 pm Arrive in the ‘Kane and get all cray-cray at Dempsey’s.

My Drag Name - Summer Clearance

12:00 am Chug a fifth of SoCo, sneak into a frat party…polish off a few people’s empties, some brewskies, some Jell-O shots, do some body shots off myself…pass out, wake up the next morning, boot, rally, more SoCo, head to the race.

Don’t be jealous.

But seriously folks, here are Bryan and Natalie’s Top 10 Reasons to go to Washington State:

Run/Walk Bloomsday Race (7.5 miles)
Party in Spokane with Amy like a G6
Pay a visit to the Alma Mater, Whitworth U
Wine Tasting in the “town so nice they name it twice” (Walla Walla for anyone who isn’t Gary Danielson)
Tour of Kennewick to include: taco trucks, the nation’s top-grossing 7-11, Griggs, Zips by the Cable Bridge and of COURSE Desserts by Kelly (which also coincidentally, doubles as a baseball card shop)
Visit B’s Crib
Make delicious ‘za with Bry-Bry’s broseph, Corbin
PARTY BUS! I am 100% serious. Cue black lights and disco balls.
Stroll around the Emerald City – Pike Place, Delancey’s, etc. B will probably try to climb the space needle.
Be with amazing friends, family and people who we don’t really like but will pretend to their faces.

Just because.