Shots of Cheese : Twenty - six : Snow Day

I heard on the news last night, "Coming up - when we're going to go from these mild days to dangerously cold temperatures."

Today here in Denver, it was 61.

Tomorrow, our high is 28 (even with a low of 10, it's hardly dangerous, 9News - calm it down) with a 90% chance for snow. Which would be fine, as long as it is accompanied with one of these.

Snow Day
Taken at the Lackey's Thanksgiving Feast 
Captured on November 24, 2011

Shots of Cheese : Twenty - five : Holiday Puppuccino

I'm a crazy person about Starbuck's Caramel Brulee Lattes so when Lora asked me if I wanted to grab a mid-morning pick-up for the office, I happily obliged knowing that my favorite holiday drink was a just a few sips away.

Gordon went with me down to 16th St. and as I was waiting for my drinks to come up, I turned to see him sitting patiently on the patio, staring hard in to the window to see where I was.

As my heart filled with warmth, I thought that good boy deserves a Puppuccino - which he was rewarded with upon our return to the office.

Holiday Puppuccino 
Taken at Scream Agency 
Captured on November 29, 2011

Shots of Cheese : Twenty - four : Snake Cone

If you know me, you know that two of my greatest loves involve ice cream and gold. The softer, the better on the first one and the tackier, the better on the latter.

These two loves collided at Steuben's the other night when Andy and I met Karen and Doug for a little Thanksgiving-Eve dinner. Thanks to my new snake diamond encrusted ring (totally real, obv) and a delicious soft-serve cone for dessert - yet another reason Steuben's is my favorite restaurant here in Denver.

Snake Cone
Taken at Steuben's 
Captured on November 23, 2011

Shots of Cheese : Twenty-three : Gobble Gobble

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. 

Love, HSCOOC

Gobble Gobble (aka something KK made in the third grade that is still present at Pep's table every Thanksgiving)
Taken at Pep's House in LV (thanks, Ma! - even though I couldn't be there, glad this guy still made the cut - but not the carve)
Captured on November 24, 2011 

Shots of Cheese : Twenty-three : Captain Andrew

As we were coming out of Warren Miller the other night, there was the most random little ladder leaning against the wall.

Cousin Andy had his captain hat on. Because why wouldn't he?

The combination of these two things made this photo M2B (meant to be - obv). And it brings me a whole 'lotta joy and so happy that I live out here now and get to hang out with this guy on a regular occasion. #cousinlove

Captain Andrew
Taken in an alley next to the Paramount Theatre in LoDo
Captured on November 18, 2011

Shots of Cheese : Twenty-two : Twinkle Toes

If I had taken off my shoes and put my toes next to his (beautifully stylish) hooves, we would have matched.

Twinkle Toes
Taken at 16th Street Mall in LoDo
Captured on November 18, 2011

Shots of Cheese : Twenty-one : Warren Miller

Friday night I went to the Warren Miller experience with cousin Andy.

I had no idea what this was when I was invited but Andy explained to me that it was a ski movie tradition that had been traveling around the U.S. since the 60's. It basically got everyone excited for the upcoming season and was totally Colorado. "Do they have beer?" Yes. I'm in.

This year's film was called "Like There's No Tomorrow" but it certainly made me feel like there was - one that hopefully involves oodles of snow and a number of trips to the Rockies.

See you out there.

Warren Miller
Taken at the Paramount Theatre in LoDo
Captured on November 18, 2011

Shots of Cheese : Twenty : Neighborhood

My whole life I've wanted to live in a neighborhood where I could walk around smiling at people who passed me by (and receive a smile back), stop and talk to the guy who walks his dog at the same time I do, visit the local coffee shop, walk my dog around a city park with the most beautiful hanging trees you've ever seen, wander around looking at the houses that have been standing for 100+ years, watch the leaves turn colors come fall and have the ability to walk, bike or cab to everything I need.

I got all that when I moved to Capitol Hill. 

What I didn't expect was the pain of on-street parking (although you should see my parrallel parking skills now), shoes strung over the wire outside of my balcony, and my rent to increase an absurd amount thanks for the demand for such a neighborhood.

But hey, you take the good with the bad. And the good is so worth it.

Neighborhood
Taken in Capitol Hill on Corona St.
Captured on November 2, 2011

Shots of Cheese : Nineteen : Gosling Protest

I did not take today's photo but it brought so much joy to me today, that I had to use it as my photo of the day.

As some of you may know, Bradley Cooper was selected as People's Sexiest Man Alive for 2011. I, along with thousands of other girls (and boys for that matter), have to disagree with this decision.

Don't get me wrong, Bradley Cooper is one H O T man. But everyone knows this was the year of Gosling - from Blue Valentine to doing the Dirty Dancing lift with Al Roker on The Today Show to Drive to Hey Girl to breaking up NYC street fights....Gosling was every.where. and I had absolutely no complaints. 

Per mentioned above, I am not the only one who feels this way. Hence the protest outside of the People Magazine headquarters today in New York that Gosling was not named Sexiest Man Alive.

If only I could have been there. My sign would have read "When was the last time you saw Bradley Cooper at Disneyland?"

Gosling Protest
Taken at People Magazine's headquarters in NYC
Courtesy of BuzzFeed

Shots of Cheese : Eighteen : Katie K. + Lisa G.

Our annual trip to Disneyland may be our day, but it is also a day that I get to catch up with Lisa Marie Hille.

Lisa and I met in the 7th grade. In band class. And our friendship has stayed as classic as the beginning of that story for the past 16 years. 

From (stinky) Koston's to her teaching me how to swallow a pill. From high school crushes to grown-up heartbreak. From Vegas to California. From MxPx to Mega Mix #10 to Cat Power. From truck rides to Indian Jones at Disneyland. From Volcom to the Gap. From the beach to Playboy parties (hey, we grew up in Vegas). From the clarinet to car dancing. From trips to Corpus Cristi to York, PA. From laughing so hard to sobbing tears. From potato requests at the In-N-Out drive thru to Yogurtland in her Honda. From 12 to 28. The best of friends.

I love you, Lisa G. Here's to another 16 years. And forever on top of that.

Katie K. + Lisa G.
Taken at Disneyland
Captured on November 10, 2011

Shots of Cheese : Seventeen : Snowdoodle

I'm not having the best of days so I'm not going to write much.
All I know is that when I'm feeling down, one thing always makes me feel better - and that thing is Gordon.

 Ok, and wine. But wine isn't as cute.

Snowdoodle
Taken on Corona St in Capitol Hill
Captured on November 2, 2011

Shots of Cheese : Sixteen : Garza-Planas

This past week has been an absolute whirlwind.

Between a flight to California, a trip to Disneyland, a drive to Vegas, a wedding, a spa day and a flight back to Denver - I feel like my feet have barely touched the ground.

The wedding I attended on Saturday was for X and Tony, two of my nearest and dearest in Vegas. X is 1/3 of Benneton, writes an amazing column (X = Why) for the RJ, and you may have seen her work here. Tony is also a reporter at the RJ and together, they are absolutely two of my favorite people in the world.

Their wedding, held at the Historic Fifth Street School in Vegas, definitely stood out among the rest. First, their pastor was absolutely hysterical and totally entertaining. Then came their vows - written by two of the most talented writers I know, and delivered from the heart on top of that - there was not a dry eye in the place.

The theme of their wedding was "Old School" so from everything from the venue to the music to the "roll call" for tables - the entire night was full of love, creativity, fun, beauty (see below!) and lots and lots of dancing.

I cannot thank them enough for inviting me to join in on this truly extraordinary day, one that I will remember forever as one of the greatest weddings I have ever been honored to attend. And I look to watching their marriage grow into what I know will be a beautiful lifetime together. Filled with music by Kanye West, of course.

Congratulations to the newlyweds, Xazmin and Tony. With love.

Garza-Planas
Taken at the Historic Fifth Street School, Las Vegas
Captured on November 12, 2011

Shots of Cheese : Fifteen : Esmeralada

If you recall, part of the annual tradition of Disneyland is me getting my "fortune" read by Esmeralda.

I did a poor job of portraying her beauty that year, so your photo of today is of my psychic. I mean do you really think Disney would hire her if she wasn't legit?

Here is what she had to say this year:

There is very little that I can tell you, because you are so good (editor's note: I like where this is headed). You have a great gentleness, and pure moral principles, a merciful affection and constant heart, slightly melancholy. Inventive genius of mechanical arts, are independent and have little patience with conventional ways of living. Lover of music, very changeable in opinion. After middle age you will inherit a fortune, which you will have to defend in court.

I predict that you will have great success in life, in general, and very small changes in your daily routine are necessary to bring you to the top of the ladder.

One of your lucky numbers is 4.

Drop another coin in slot and I will tell you more (editor's note: nice try, E. See you next year).

Esmeralda 
Taken at Disneyland
Captured on November 10, 2011

Shots of Cheese : Fourteen : Our Day

Every year since 1990, my mom and I have taken an annual trip to Disneyland. For the majority of the years, the day of this tradition has been one of the happiest of my year(s). There was only that certain age from about 14-17 (when I just hated anything that reeked of joy) when I didn't count down the days to our annual visit.

At age 28, I have grown to appreciate this day not just for an excuse to be 7 again, not just a reason to spend a day outside in Southern California in a tee-shirt and cords in the middle of November and not just a reason to be at the Happiest Place on Earth. I have come to appreciate this day as a true treasure and testament to how lucky I am to have the relationship that I do with my mother.

This year, our tradition stood more true and met more to me than it ever had in the past - which is saying a lot. This year was the first that I lived away from Pep, the first year that I didn't see her twice a week (at the least) - and even though there are states that divide us now, we still talk every day. But nothing can quite compare to our day, spent together, annually, at the Happiest Place on Earth.

I love you, Ma. Thanks for an amazing day. And know that I am already counting down to next year.

Our Day
Taken at Disneyland
Captured on November 10, 2011

Shots of Cheese : Thirteen : Ears

Guess where I'm headed....

Tomorrow at this time, I'll be at the Happiest Place on Earth.

And I couldn't be more excited.

Ears
Taken at home
Captured on November 9, 2011

Shots of Cheese : Twelve : Free Pete's

Today, the best thing happened.

Well, actually - two best things happened. One, Arlene showed me this video of Joseph Gordon Levitt performing R. Kelly's 'Ignition' - you know the one, where it's the freakin' weekend baby and we're just havin' some fun.

Second, well first really, from the joy it brought to my wallet and then to my tummy - my lunch at Illegal Pete's was GIFTED to me. 

Sean and I (sadly?) figured out that it must be because we're in there at least twice a week, ordering the same thing (a potato burrito for him, queso and chips for me - and I'll take a chicken taco on the side, just so I don't feel guilty about just ordering cheese for lunch). We always play the trivia, we always say our please and thank yous and we always tip. 

This, my friends - is what I call good 'ol fashioned karma. In the form of a (free) taco.

Free Pete's 
Taken at Scream Agency after a return trip from Illegal Pete's on 16th St. Mall
Captured on November 8, 2011 

Shots of Cheese : Twelve : Holiday Stars

If you grew up in York, Pennsylvania like I did, you looked forward to the holiday season for many reasons - caroling in Glendale, a white Christmas, the steam whistle playing 'Jingle Bells' and Stauffer's Chocolate Stars.

We may just be past Halloween but the holidays just got a whole lot closer thanks to the arrival of a little care package today from my stepmom.

If you haven't had a chance to try these gems - dark chocolate coated graham cracker stars dusted in white sprinkles - come by my place and we'll get in to the holiday spirit together. 

Holiday Stars
Taken at Scream Agency (I got the package at work and could not possibly wait until I got home to open them up!)
Captured on November 7, 2011

Shots of Cheese : Eleven : Sunday Funday

Today around 11:30, Josh, Linz and I strolled in to Jonesy's Eatbar.

We were there for two things: food and bottomless mimosas because nothing gets a Sunday Funday started like a full tummy and a bubbly buzz. Add a game of Taboo at the table while we waiting for our brunch and our party growing from three to five when Bill and Cam to meet us - and you have what Sunday Fundays are made of.

Sunday Funday
Taken at Jonesy's Eatbar
Captured on November 6, 2011

Well the above and then coming back to relax in front of the TV while cheering on the Broncos. And then watching them win, which can be rare. Not rare? Sunday Fundays and for that, I am thankful. 

Shots of Cheese : Ten : Let It Snow

Andy came to pick me up today for some brunch time at Steuben's. After filling ourselves with pancakes and mimosas - we headed the Colorado Ski Expo, where I purchased my first Colorado ski pass. 

Let it Snow

Taken at the Colorado Convention Center, Ski Expo

Captured on November 5, 2011 

Shots of Cheese : Nine : Martina Navratilova

Last year at this time, my blood, sweat and tears were getting poured in to a little event called the Ethel M Cactus Lighting (or Katie's Crazy Cactus).

This year at this time, my blood, sweat and tears have been poured in to a little event called the Annual Women's Luncheon by The Women's Foundation of Colorado. It's the largest Luncheon in the state - and this year, the keynote speaker was only one of the best tennis players in the world - Martina Navratilova. 

I'm surprised I could spell her name correctly, I'm so sleep deprived. Then again, I've typed it about a thousand times in the past few months so I bet I could do it with my eyes closed.

The Luncheon is almost exactly like the Cactus Lighting - just take all the chocolate and replace it with estrogen. It's a lot of writing, a lot of pitching, a lot of feeling like you need a drink at inappropriate times of the day, a lot of media - and ultimately, very rewarding.

Martina's speech was incredibly inspiring. I am not sure if you would ever have the opportunity to hear her speak but if you do, I highly suggest stopping in for some motivation. And if that doesn't happen, try to live by the words that the WFCO does: Think Big. Be Bold. Stay Focused. And Accomplish More.

How's that for some girl power?

Shots of Cheese : Eight : Music Night

You know those nights when you walk in to a bar or restaurant and you see a stage getting set-up and you know that it could either make or break your night?

Last night was one of those nights. GB and I went to get some seafood last night in the Highlands. We see the space being set up, and I'm sure the thing the both of us thought immediately was whether or not they would need a harmonica player to join in.

We take a seat at the bar, order a plethora of seafood - and some NZ Souv Blanc for yours truly - and ask who is playing tonight. The bartender starts going on and on about how amazing these guys are. In fact, he tells us, two of them are leaving tonight to go meet Bono to tour with him. If you know me, you know that those four letters hardly act as a selling point. If anything, it made me nervous to know that Bono loved them. Then again, I suppose that's how the Killers got their start so....

Well, kids, Bono may have awful taste in sunglasses, hair styles and attitude in general - but apparently, he knows how to recognize talented musicians because these guys were
A M A Z I N G.

Music Night
Photographed at Highland Pacific
Captured on November 2, 2011

They played everything from reggae to blues to pop and did it all in their own style, with the ability to have me want to get out of my chair and dance the night away.

But I didn't, instead I drank wine and tapped my foot. And took it all in. And wondered how well I could play the tambourine along with Tori Pater and Friends. And maybe, just maybe, hated Bono a little less by the time we left.

Shots of Cheese : Seven : Come Together

Every day on my bike ride home, I ride up 14th in LoDo.

Every day on my bike ride home, this makes me smile.

Come Together
Photographed at 14th and Curtis in Downtown Denver
Captured October 31, 2011

Shots of Cheese : Six : Tebowing

Speaking of Michael Granquist, he had me in stitches the other night when he pulled out this move.

Tebowing
Photographed at the Allen's Halloween Party
Captured on October 29, 2011

For those of you not familiar - Tebowing is the new Planking and is defined as: (vb) to get down on a knee and start praying, even if everyone else around you is doing something completely different.

See here.

You see, it's all the rage. Especially here in Denver where we are home to Tim Tebow.  Although most of us wouldn't admit that after Sunday's slaying.