Summer Slip-Ons (with a cause)

I've been a huge fan of TOMS since PY gave me my first pair five years ago. Not only are they stylish but also the most comfortable shoes I've ever worn. And more importantly, every time I press purchase, I know that I'm also putting a pair on a kid somewhere who has probably never even had a pair of shoes before.

So that is how I justify this problem. I recently ordered my sixth pair. It was the day they sent out their summer line announcement email and within 8 minutes, I had a new pair on the way. That's what we call #SUCKER.

But - seriously - how could I resist? I'd been dying for a pair of yellow TOMS for years now - and with the classic boat style reminding me of Carl Knoch...they just had to be mine.

They scream summer. Oh, the places we will go this summer, new TOMS. Starting with South Carolina this weekend for the Knoch Family Reunion.

#goodtimestocome

Gordie! You're 3!

I can't believe it's been 3 years since I picked up my little fur ball that was (and still is) you, Gordon.

We've been through a lot this past year - from Hats on a Doodle to moving to Denver together in a jeep with your Aunt Linzi to your first day at work to your first drink to exploring Aspen together this past weekend. You continue to be my number one companion and I am so happy that we live in a place where that is accepted.

Even though you still have a nasty habit of eating things you're not supposed to - you are my pride and joy. Your little body kept me warm snuggled up against me on those cold nights in Pine. I was so happy to find out that you love the snow (but hated that your paws have the tendency to freeze up). It makes me so happy to see you get so excited to go to Cheesman Park every day after I get home from work to play with your new friends.

Gordon, you are my son, and I can't imagine my life without you.

Happy Birthday!!

Oh, Hey June + Discovering Denver #34: A Show at the Ogden

My month of happiness has arrived. Although, I do have to say that 2011 has been pretty happy all around. Nothing beats mon amore, June, though.

I kicked off the best month of the year by attending my first show at Denver's Ogden Theater last night to see Yeasayer.

The 1917 building is located a short two blocks from my apartment so Kristen came over for to tailgate and we took a summer stroll to the show. If you ever have the chance to see Yeasayer - I highly suggest catching their show. They incorporated some great light visuals in to their show, Chris Keating - the group's lead singer has a haunting voice that carried so well throughout the old theater and not to mention - the dancing.

Their performance of Tightrope was my favorite last night - here is the song, try to imagine it live.

Theme for the summer: If you want get it big time, go ahead and get it get it big time.

Fresh-Cut Sundays

Now that I live in a place where things actually bloom and survive for longer than a day, I've gotten really in to keeping fresh flowers in my place. There is something just so simply romantic about a fresh-cut bouquet.

There is a place in the Highlands neighborhood called Perfect Petal. They keep a walk-in of fresh cut flowers, allowing you the freedom to design your own bunch. I usually can't get in and out of there in less than 45 minutes. The name of the shop pretty much sums it up but I think the photo will do it better justice.

Pretty, right?

My place smells like a garden right now. Perfect timing for the hosting of my guest. Kid Sister arrives tonight at 11 p.m. which should make for one helluva fun, responsibility-free, long weekend in which I am in much need of.

Denver gets a bit of Vegas this weekend, sister style.

R-O-C-K-I-E-S

On Sunday, I attended my first Rockies game. Lucky for me, I know that there will be many more and hopefully not too many like Sunday. I only say that because it was FREEZING COLD. And not like Vegas freezing cold - Denver freezing cold - at least for May. It was oh, about 45, probably - with no sun in sight.

Oh and we lost. 8-2.

The day was not lost, however, we still had a fantastic time. The Wicklers along with Michael, came to my place at 10 a.m. to tailgate. Afterall, there is nothing like having PBR and Sexy Pizza in your system by 11:30 in the morning. Even Gordon was in the spirit on his purple blanket.





The cab came to pick us up at 12:30 and by 12:50, thanks to my forgetting my i.d. that didn't even work at the game thanks to the hole through it, we were at Coors Field. Andy, Erin, Greg, Kristen and Jake met us and we hiked up the stairs to our $7 (!!) seats.

There was not enough beer to keep us warm so come inning 6, we were down in the bar with the rest of Denver.

I am so happy to have some teams to call my own now. Rockies, I know that this is our season. See you at the next game.

A DAM Good Friday

This past Friday was one of the best nights I've had since moving to Colorado. Kristen, my newest girlfriend, who I adopted from Linzi, came over after work for Bloody Mimosas to toast the royal wedding with me as we snacked on some cheese and crackers.

Our plan has been to B-Cycle for a night out but, as I am finding out, you can't depend on the weather here in Colorado. Just because it was nice enough for you to ride your bike to work in a dress, does not mean you will not need your down coat for the ride home. Sure enough, it was one of those days and we were thankful we opted for the car as the (hopefully last!) snow fell on this Spring night as we were leaving the museum.

I'd been to the Denver Art Museum before - years ago when I brought Superchunk to Denver for his 30th. We took photos throughout the exhibit, checked out the gift shop, I got locked in a phonebooth - it was good times. The experience that I had with Kristen on Friday night was totally different though. We had been wanting to check out the BLINK! exhibit before it left town on May Day. DAM does Final Fridays (doesn't that have a nice ring to it?) where the museum stays open until 10 p.m., they have DJs performing out front, live music upstairs and oh, WINE - so if not now then when became the question. The first thing I thought of as we started to explore the museum was "I just do not remember it being this large!" Apparently, they've added a whole new expansion since I was there last in 2007.

The BLINK! exhibit was fascinating. We were there for an hour and a half or so - mainly because we didn't get there until 8:30 and knew the place shut down at 10 but we could have spent an entire day there - taking photos, watching the band, exploring the exhibit. BLINK! was very interactive as it explores light, sound and the moving image. For example, one of the rooms we went in to had a bunch of old televisions sitting right side up with the screens toward the ceiling, 3 groups, each scene/sound had a different color assigned to it and we were in the middle of Vietnam. Instead of me wasting your time trying to explain the incredibly moving experience, watch for yourself here. Just imagine sitting in a dark room, surrounded by art, instead of in front of your computer.

Amazing, right?











So, understandably, we got lost in ourselves while exploring BLINK! at DAM. And, as previously mentioned, it was snowing by the time we left the museum. There was only one thing to do at that point - head to the bars. We ended up at Dougherty's on the Broadway South strip to see if Erin, Linzi's cousin, was working. She was not but she was there with her brother, and the night ended up being one for the books.

You can tell Summer is coming when nights like last Friday come your way.

Sir Gordon Drinks A Lot

A major appeal of moving to Denver was how dog friendly this city is. For example, yesterday after work, Gordon and I met Linzi at Tavern Uptown for Happy Hour.

We sat on the back patio and Gordon behaved himself, minus trying to jump on the waitress when she came back with our drinks. It's OK, Gordon, I got excited, too.

Also, apparently, the love of Moscow Mules is genetic. Looks like I'll be picking up some copper mugs in the near future.