Is shopping a sport?

Kristin and I doing our damage at Fashion Valley

We had ourselves quite a successful shopping trip but between the two of us, that is a given.

I brought the subject up to Kristin, the one I have disagreed with my husband about.
Is shopping a sport?
My husband says a hobby. But when I find an awesome find, worth the $, you can't tell me that that kill isn't any different than hunting. Is it not? And hunting is a sport. And you can hunt as a necessity to eat and I can shop to merely clothe myself. But to hunt for fun, is that not the same as a good hunt for clothes? Or for a white peter pan collared shirt today? Which the American Apparel employee responds to my search with, "Is that for a Halloween costume?"
Really?!! No. No, it is not for a costume. You shouldn't work here. Or in this mall. And don't ever say that again because it's rude.

She actually did lead me to them. But they weren't fitted but I am considering this one. Shopping is not an easy sport. It takes effort and sometimes sweat. You gotta grab the goods before others do! But it does give me a rush-- a huge rush of endorphins thus making me a happier person and resulting in a happier, healthier lifestyle.
Cheers to our health and the sport of shopping!
Who's with me?!
We can bask in our winnings all day long!

beach babes

pictures taken from Kate

Look at these boys! Beach baby boys: Nixon, Beck, and Krew. And as Kate said it, "the future of surfing".
Recently we had joined the Hawkley's and Gardners at the beach for some beach time and bonfire (and maybe getting our car unstuck out of the sand). We had so much fun hanging out with our other beach-lovin' friends and watching the boys interact. It is so neat seeing how young babies enjoy other babies/little kids' company. Never would I have thought that babies like to be social at such an early age. But there's always lots to learn for the first-time mom here. And the mamas like to be social too! Imagine that.
I love that this picture speaks summer but summer is sadly and quickly coming to an end. These last few weeks have been a little nippy.

And my fellow San Diegans, have you seen the red tide at night right now?! It is incredible. If you haven't seen it, it looks like someone poured glow stick juice in the waves and they glow at night.
Incredible and purely nature.

kristin is coming...

pictures circa 2007

Today one of my best friends is coming to visit me, Kristin! We were college roommates together, placed in randomly or shall we say it was fate. Maybe heaven sent.
I don't think that meeting and being placed in the same apartment was just an accident.
Is this starting to sound like a love story?
We both have a passion for shopping (and how appropriate is it that her due date is Black Friday), we studied the same major at school, enjoy the same types of things, we were engaged within a month from each other, wedding planned together, the list could continue.

And she's coming to visit me 7 months pregnant! I feel loved. I hope I can make her comfortable while she's here and we better not do too much walking around because I don't think her husband would be too happy if she went into labor.

On another note, does anyone have any recommendations for a good conditioner that doesn't flatten your hair down? I have straight hair as it is so I don't need anything to flatten or unfrizz, just volume! I continue to buy ones I don't like and I feel like I'm starting to resemble a wet dog.

Suggestions please...

picnic at orpheus park

This last picture was the funniest thing to me. Krew sailing on the zip-line.

There is a quiet little park on the top of a hill where we picnicked on Sunday. The sun was overhead with a cooler ocean breeze from the sea. Perfect combination in my book.We ate some food and gave our baby the bones. :)

We played on the playground. By the way, have you women ever tried the monkey bars or zip line or anything where you're holding your entire body weight recently? Well it's hard. I swear I could do monkey bars like a pro and 3 pull ups in junior high but I don't know what has happened. I will spare myself the embarrassment and NOT post the pictures Cameron took.

And we found this tame-looking spinning thing that Cameron thought would be a good idea to spin me on (after the baby was off). Well it got out of control and I was yelling "stop!" and Cameron didn't understand I wanted off. So he stopped pushing but I was still spinning and still yelling "Stop! Stop! Stop!" He's saying "I stopped pushing already!" and I'm thinking he thinks this is darn funny as I'm about to fly off this dumb little thing and puke my milano cookies out. Miscommunication there. Cameron was laughing pretty hard though which has me questioning...

The rest of our weekend was spent at the Rondo's house, eating yummy thai food at Siamese Basil with family in town, attending the Relief Society broadcast, celebrating birthdays and lots and lots of family time. Isn't that how it should be?

a little piece of me.

I saw this on the dresser and thought it looked pretty and found the arrangement attractive. It's my dish of "jewelry to be filed back" but as you can tell, it's piling up.

I set a goal for myself a few months ago to always be sure to accessorize. I think mommyhood kind of got me out of the groove considering jewelry transformed into insta-toys. But I've been improving (as you can tell by my pile). One of my favorite pieces is my great grandmother's golden "L" pin. I love the look but I love even more that it has a history.

Happy weekend and don't forget to accessorize (if needed).

just my luck.

Why is it that you can have your house clean all month long and no one comes over. Then the second that it starts to get a little messy (not that it ever does... hardy har har) everyone comes over! I love it when people come over, it's just I wish my house and visitors would meet up on the same schedule. That would be great.thanks.

I haven't lucked out on my housekeeping but I did luck out with a hot date.

Last night, my husband and I went on a midweek date. Why not the weekend? It breaks up the week and play tickets are cheaper midweek! A win win situation! The play was so so (and another story within itself) but I enjoyed dressing up, spraying some perfume on and being taken out on a date.

I'm glad Cameron has always enjoyed watching a play every so often (more my interest than his).
After we hit Extraordinary desserts. I go here way too often. We enjoyed a little Shangri- la or as Cameron says "Shangra-leee". We talked about Cameron's work and I tried to understand my husband's tasks at work in the plainest of terms. My husband is patient. He is sweet and caring. The Shangri-La was delicious but we prefer something with chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate.

We had a great time on our date. Just him and me. Win win! I'm one lucky gal to have him.

Afrikan drum class

Having a degree in International Cultural Studies, I am a sucker for any activity that introduces Krew and I to different cultures. Friends Fiona and Kindsay invited us and we have gone a few times to an Afrikan drum class where we drum, sing, and dance our little hearts out following the instructor. They have little drums for babies and big drums for mommies.
The instructor tells us that a baby is in its mommy's belly for 9 months with a constant rhythm. We continue a rhythm throughout life and everything we do is to a beat.
Krew was a little shocked by the loud drums at first but he's getting the hang of it. And I enjoy it just as much or more than he does. :)

friends and farewells

Weekend, weekend you are too much fun.

On Saturday, I had a little (shall we say blind?) date with my fellow San Diegan Alycia. We had a great time chatting it up (we are really good at that) and Krew entertained himself with shredding up every napkin possible.
She is an awesome gal and we hope for future San Diego dates to come.

And on Sunday, we got dressed in our Sunday best...

Krew in his Sunday best. He believes this little glass/window blowing trick is appropriate anywhere (this is in the front of church). I can't help but laugh as he distracts everyone around.

We went over to hear Karch talk in church because he is leaving on his mission!
Ft. Lauderdale, you have a treat coming your way! Karch is a fun and impressive guy and we are going to miss him.
And I guess we can let Florida borrow you for a few years. :)

After church, we had fun with family and friends at the Rondos.
And look at my new beautiful niece, Ella!

my little explorer

What will you be doing this weekend? I have a feeling my weekend will be full of following this little guy around amongst my other plans. He loves exploring outside, picking plants and occasionally tasting a few. He embraces nature to the fullest.

the ruffled dress fix and the midi

For the wedding I wore a plum colored ruffled thing of a dress which when I fell in love with it, it was too short to pass for anything classy. So I bought two: (rationalizing that a good modest, cute dress is hard to come by and would cost the equivalent of buying two. Got these at Ross but I've seen them also at Nordstroms Rack)

And then used the one that I found that was the wrong size to cut off a ruffle and some:

And then pinned it to the right sized dress...

I'm not sure why but stretch knits scare me to death. I considered doing a stay stitch but being limited on time (and patience) I made sure it blended into the other ruffles and sewed a zig-zag stitch and it all turned out wonderfully (view it here in the wedding post). Keep in mind this was a forgiving dress to do this to due to the ruffles which hid imperfections.

And hello Fall, you have answered my prayers and graced me with the midi skirt/dress.
Goodbye dresses/skirts that are 3-5inches to short. I hope to not have to alter my skirts anytime soon.

urban outfitters, asos, topshop, asos

Chase and Lisa's Wedding day

Chase and Lisa's wedding day was wonderful. I am so excited for them and their adventure to come! Krew did not like taking pictures without me (he was exhausted) but we all couldn't help but laugh. And I only have one picture of the reception because we were having too much fun--a good sign.

So glad to see Kylie and Lindsey!

Heidi braids

Does anyone remember the story of Heidi when they were younger? Well, I believe I watched a movie version of it several times and my best friend and I would pretend to be Heidi and Klara for hours. (I insisted on being Klara, the wealthy, paralyzed girl that could boss everyone around to do everything. I'm surprised I still have my best friend.)

So for a change, today I played Heidi with my Heidi braids. I don't think I've sported these since fourth grade. I really like them though. Easy to do and nice to get hair out of your face.

I knew I might get some interesting responses.

When mom saw me: She laughed and then said, "Wow Linds!! You look so theatrical!"

oh gosh.

When husband saw me:
"Hey it's the princess Leia hair do!" After I corrected him by informing him that princess Leia has two buns not braids, he told me he really liked it. And how he said it, I really think he was being serious.

When my father in law's saw me: "Hey you got the princess Leia hairdo!" Like father, like son.

In the afternoon, I went to Fashion Valley mall and as I started to walk around the very stylish stores, I began to have second thoughts about my braidy look. I felt I should start singing "high on a hill with a lonely goatherd, Lay ee odl lay ee odl lay hee hoo!!" and instead of a purse maybe holding a basket of wild mountain flowers. But I didn't. I walked into the first store and the girl working at the front quickly said, "Oh my gosh, I love your braids."
She had awesome style and I thanked her and fell instantly in love with my Heidi braids all over again.

Have you or would you sport the Heidi braids? (I won't be offended if you wouldn't.)

Some may not understand but these chicas do.

picnic in balboa park/hillcrest

I think this is the first weekend in a while where our weekend wasn't booked with plans.
We ventured out on Saturday night to Tioli's Crazeee Burger (thanks to Lacee and Matt!). Crazy is right. Any burger you can imagine: Buffalo, Alligator, Kangeroo, Antelope, Venison, Crab, Wild Boar. I got the 1/2 beef 1/2 lamb Santorini and Cameron got the venison with braised pears and mushrooms. Both were delicious. We'll be back there soon.

What a wonderful Sunday picnic we had at Balboa park/hillcrest park. We enjoyed a tasty dinner out in the open air. Krew was getting a little tired (refer to crying picture) so we took a stroll around Balboa park.
As we were admiring the beautiful architecture, I said to Cameron, "You have to admit, this makes you want to stay closer to downtown."
Right then, a homeless man drops his drawers and pees out in the open-- no cover. Cameron replied, "Ya, that right there makes me want to live close to downtown."
touché.

how did you spend your weekend?

Lisa's Bridal Shower

My sister-in-law, Lisa, is the "pink triplet" that was her assigned color as a baby so we (Kristi and I) decided that pink, black & white stripes and gold would be a nice little combo to celebrate the bride-to-be!
It was a great turnout and we had so much fun getting her ready for her big day and night (notice clothing line).





















Doesn't this girl look happy? We had so much fun putting on her shower and are so glad we have this awesome girl as a part of our family.

As for the decor, I made a low budget so I picked decor that took time not the $$$:

- Ruffled streamers- sewing two streamers together. Way cuter in person and I was happily surprised. I would highly recommend these.

- Making the pinwheels/ paper rosettes (black and white paper).

- Bath salt thank yous- baby food jars (I can't bare to throw them away, they are too cute) spray painted and hot glued bows.

- Striped Tablecloth- I really wanted a wide black & white striped tablecloth so I got white fabric, measured, put down packing tape and spray painted away. It wasn't perfect but with everything on top you can't tell.

- Gold cupcake stands- Glass plates and glass sundae dishes (purchased for around a $1 each) lightly sanded, spray painted gold and hot glued (probably could have used a better glue) together.

It all turned out just so perfect and I'm glad we had so much fun at the shower!