London/Paris

This past week I did something that I've always wanted to do.

I booked a trip to London with Chloe. 

We had talked about going for years, always knowing that we would make the best of travel companions (i.e. let's see this and this and this and then drink wine, wait, make that champagne). This spring was supposed to be it, but my +more got engaged and my MOH duties took over traveling abroad.

So we had it set - April 13, 2013. But then, as if the TravelZoo Gods were watching down on me - knowing that I needed something just like this to come through my inbox - I got a SALE announcing Denver to Heathrow, nonstop, roundtrip for $775.

All it took was three emails and one call exchanged for us to have it booked.

November 6 - 14, 2012 I will be in London - oh, and Paris, too! 

I am so ecstatic - this will be my first big travel and it was my goal to do so before age 30.

From the Louvre to Catacombs to Westminster Abbey to Flea Markets to Moulin Rouge to the Eiffel Tower to a night in Soho - the planning has begun.

Google doc and all.

Here's to making it happen!

Sonnie

Some 'spring break' eh?

This deserved a post because I am so lucky to have the friends that I do.

The ones that are close enough in distance to get in their cars and meet me for endless cocktails. 

The ones that answer the phone every single time, even if it's my fifth call of the day.

The ones who talk you down from making an awful, awful decision after the influence of said endless cocktails.

The ones that understand that you'll be back to yourself soon enough.

And, of course, the ones that do all of the above, and would do more if they could - but in the meantime, send a smiling sunflower to brighten your day.

Thank you, Ann. Sonnie will be a constant reminder of how incredibly blessed I am to have people like you (and you, and you) in my life.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Spring Equin-off

Ah, March 20 - the first day of spring and the day that everything is equal. Day and night are perfectly in balance. Yet yours truly is not.

Due to a sudden change of events, I'm feeling completely off-balance right now and am taking a little 'spring break' to pick myself up, dust my skirt off and get back up on these two Toms-wearing feet again.

This is the first time in my life that I'm actually allowing myself to not be OK for a minute, embracing it. Figuring out how it can make me better.

But I know it's a fine line so when I reach that tipping point these days, I reference a video that Sean sent me that can't help but put a smile on my face.



After all, I may be missing balance right now but I still believe life should never be lived without laughter. And hopping baby goats. In sweaters.

Happy Birthday, HSOOC!

 Four years ago on Leap Day, I started a little project called Heart Shaped Cut-Outs of Cheese. Making my baby blog four years old (or would it be one?) as of today.

Since then, I've had 384 posts. 385 if you count this one. Had a puppy. Blossomed in my career. Eaten 438 lbs. of candy. Drank 1, 460 glasses of wine. Consumed 1, 098 pieces of cheese. Made friends. Lost loved ones. Taken 4, 280 pictures. Watched 400 movies. Sold my Bug. Rocked out at two dozen concerts. Turned 25. 26. 27. And 28. Attended six weddings. Made four trips to Disneyland. Raced for the Cure. Written three open letters. Shopped at H&M 365 times. Wore a Snuggie. Won Prom Queen.  Twice. Yes, in my 20s. Put hats on a Doodle. Became an "aunt" to several adorable babies. Built a house in Mexico. Visited Florida. California. Colorado. Nevada. South Carolina. Pennsylvania. Arizona. Been on two family reunions. Slept on the beach. Watched the sunrise. Watched the sunset. Became a two time kickball champ. Tried new foods. Said goodbye to Vegas and hello to Colorado. Read 30 books. Learned to make a pot of coffee. Went back to school. Met the love of my life. Camped. Painted my face. Discovered bottomless mimosas. Won Drag Queen Bingo. Got snowed in. Painted. Yogaed. Biked. Snowboarded. Skied. Laughed. Cried. Hiked. Talked. Wrote. Danced.

And yes, I am proud to say that I have ended up blogging more often than February 29 rolls around. Maybe not as often as I would like and I promise to set myself up for another HSCOOC challenge soon but right now, I have the challenge of life to get through first.

I have a bridal shower, a tradeshow, nine birthdays, four concerts, two parent trips, several work events, a bachelorette party and two weddings to get to before June. So like the past four years, the next three months are going to be one helluva ride. But I promise not to forget about you, HSCOOC.

The happiest of birthdays to something that is my heart and soul. Here's to the next Leap Year - and the one after that...and after that.....

Valentine

Happy Valentine's Day, HSCOOC'ers!

Noah and I actually celebrated last night as I am headed to San Diego today for a PR Summit with the Kimpton Group.

Our evening consisted of wine, cheese, chocolate, a speakeasy and new Toms ballet flats for yours truly.

I am one smitten kitten - and I hope you're feeling the love, too today.

Snow Day

We're in the midst of a blizzard here in Denver. Up to 22 in are expected by tomorrow come noon. The roads are awful so just like the kiddos in school, I had a snow day.

This is my first official snow day and there are a few things I've learned today :

1. Things your father will tell you to have on hand for the storm : Wine, toilet paper and bread. The only thing I think he forgot in that list was cheese.

2. It's possible to get work done, even with Kathie Lee and Hoda on in the background

3. It's 3:48 p.m., I have not showered and find that perfect acceptable

4. It's 3:49 p.m. and I'm already through my first glass of wine, and find that perfectly acceptable, as well.

5. Gordon and Sienna can only entertain for so long. They sleep a WHOLE LOT.

6. There comes a point in a snow storm when you think it's possible that it will just never end. 

So, if you happen to be in the Capitol Hill neighborhood - please swing by. I could use some company, I have wine - and Phase 10.

Steamboat

One of the (many) benefits to living in the state of Colorado is the easy access to some of the world's best skiing. Even with this being one of the worst seasons on record - I was lucky enough to spend 4 days last week living in Steamboat.

The last time I was in Steamboat Springs was in 1991 so I can't tell you how much the place has changed but the way this ski town exudes charm - I would hope not much. We took on that mountain (love you, Tomahawk!), we ate like kings (you must check out Mazzola's Italian), we drank the limit of Rio margaritas, experienced SubStone (a Cold Stone inside a Subway!), we played the tambourine and ukulele (to the best of our abilities), we went to the Western store (F.M. Light & Sons!), we gamed - and basically had the time of our lives. All while surrounded by killer views.

 

If we've ever been skiing together, you know that the only way for me to end the day is with a beer in the hot tub. And the only thing that makes that better is a sunset like this.

So, yes, as previously mentioned - I enjoy soaking my body in hot water so how is it that I had never been to a hot springs before?!? We wrapped up the trip with a giant hot pool of natural relaxation with a trip to the Strawberry Hot Springs, which was one of the prettiest places I've ever been.

Maybe it was being with people I love, maybe it was the view, maybe it was the drinks but this I know for sure - it will go down as a highlight for 2012. And I'm already counting down to going back next January.

Swish swish. Spring spring.