How Not To Pack

     

1. Don't make a plan. Generally, I pack everything because I'm unsure of what the weekend will have in store, because I just don't know what exactly I'll be doing, because there is always a chance the weather will change course from what the pros have predicted, or because I may just be having a fat day come Saturday.  This game play often ends in me packing a weeks worth of clothes for a weekend with the accompanied 6 pairs of shoes and jewelry options.  Learn from my mistakes people, this is not the best way to do it.  Make a plan, check the weather, verify your itinerary.  At the very least, pack multifunctional clothing.  Knowing or at least having any idea of what's in the works is a great start, from there, you know you don't need a ball gown, and can start to take a more realistic approach to packing your bags. 

2. Pack a variety of colors. I'm not saying you should pack all black, but sticking to a mostly neutrals, which can be easily interchanged (ie. all of those "pack a year in a carry-on" Pinterest posts), will minimize the need for extra shoes and accessories. 

3. Just throw it in there. Even though I always pull out the luggage a day or so before, I rarely actually pack any earlier than I absolutely have to. "Oh I'll just stop by the house after work to grab my bags and the dog" means I have packed less than 5 things the night before and will throw about 25 more items in my suitcase in a 10 minute period.  If I do pack the night before, I either start packing about 10:00pm (aka bed time) or I'm getting on a plane and have to fit a weeks worth in a carry-on (side note, I have managed to pack over a weeks worth or business and fun clothes on a carry-on; proper rolling and folding was the only way I managed to do so).  Believe it or not, this is not the most efficient form of packing.  Taking time to roll your shirts and undergarments, stuff your socks inside your boots, and actually refill your tiny shampoo bottles saves so much space!

Brunch in Denver

I think it's safe to say brunch was my favorite part about Denver. On Saturday morning, Ray and I had brunch at Trattoria Stella, a charming little place on East Colfax (note the stained glass panels in the windows). I had eggs Benedict over fried green tomatoes, topped with steamed asparagus and greens and potatoes and all other types of goodness.  The meal was also accompanied by mimosas. Everything was so fresh and delicious. 

                    

Sunday morning we mozied over to Snooze, because you should have brunch everyday when you are on vacation. There was a bit of a wait but we were able to give a cell number and go for a downtown stroll.  The restaurant is located on the corner of Park and Larimer and is only a couple blocks from Coors Field.  It was worth the wait!  I had a snooze in the city and the green eggs and hamwich (and also a mmm mmm mimosa).  The sandwich was basically a spinach omelette topped with some delicious cheese on chibatta bread.

If you are in the denver area, you should definitely check out one or both of these great restaurants. 

Denver bound...

I'm currently wheels up heading to Denver for a much needed vacation. A couple friends of mine have a conference in the city and Ray and I decided to tag along. I will completely admit that I am a tourist.  I love exploring a new city and all of the adventures and food that go along with it.  I was hoping to share some great packing ideas with you, but I think I'm a better example of how not to pack. Either way, my 10 outfits and I are on our way and I can't wait to share what we get into with you! 

Home sweet home

I moved into a duplex just before thanksgiving.  I saw how spacious and adorable the place was and couldn’t wait to move right in.  I spent the first month or two getting moved in and putting up a Christmas tree,  another month or two, taking the Christmas tree down, dealing with a leaky roof and a busted pipe, and the ridiculously cold temperatures.  The past month I’ve finally been settling in.  I consider this different from moving in (def: taking things out of boxes).  I’m trying to make the place my own now, and this includes many many craft projects which I will be happy to share with you in the coming weeks.
But for now, I wanted to share this window.  This window is one of the main reasons I fell in love with this place.  It sheds so much natural light across the living and dining room and is a perfect place for the dog’s people watching.  The curtains are canvas drop cloths on clip rings; I went back and sewed a loop at the top (my first sewing project) to block out the light/air at the top of the window.  The drop cloths are longer than any drapes I found and about 1/4 the price.

Better.

I will be the first to admit it’s a little late for new years resolutions, but this blog won’t make it another 9 months, or maybe I won’t keep with it another 9 months at this pace.  2013 as well as the start of 2014 were kind of exhausting.  The year had more ups and downs than a roller coaster. From finishing my masters, to 7 months of unemployment (in which I almost lost it), to working a part time job in retail (which was quite an experience), to finding a great job which happened to be in the last city I thought I would end up in (10 minutes from my home town), to finding an apartment, to issue after issue with my apartment.  Things have started to calm down.  I’m finding my pace and loving my job and apartment and the time I get to spend with my friends and boyfriend.  I’m working on getting back to that place where I really do love and enjoy my life and to do so I’m focusing on bettering myself. So, that is what this blog will focus on.  Betterment through what I do, what I eat where I go. Not that the topics covered will differed extremely from what I’ve already talked about (travel, food, books, pretty things..), but the new focus will.  I  hope you find this blog helpful and encouraging and would love to hear any comments or suggestions you may have.

February Birchbox

I’ve been getting Birchbox for a few months now and love it! It’s a great way to try new products before buying full sized versions. As great as it has been, February was probably my least favorite box. It included products by Miracle Skin Transformer, Joan Vass, 32 Oral Care, and ElevenSkin. All of the products were good, but nothing was really great. My favorite item was the Beauty Protector Protect and Oil; it cuts down on the mass fizziness that is my hair and makes it feel soft and strong. Like I said, I really do love Birchbox. A few of my faves over the past few months have included Eyeko Black Magic Mascara, Harvey Prince Hello, Toni&Guy Casual Sea Salt Texturizing Spray and Serge Normant Meta Revive Dry Conditioner. Yes, that last one was dry conditioner, and it is amazing!

Marshall’s Diner and Downtown Frankfort, Kentucky

Downtown Frankfort is such a cute town.  It is full of old buildings in cute colors. There are train tracks running through the very center of town, and unbelievable close to a few buildings. The only thing strange I noticed was the lack of people out and about.  I’m sure that was mostly due to the extreme cold last week, but it seemed like the kind of town where you would pass the friendliest people on the street.
We ate at Marshall’s Diner for lunch one day. It was such a cute place; very cozy with a home town feeling.  However, the food was less exciting.  I didn’t order anything special (just a chicken wrap with fries), but the chicken was slightly overcooked and nothing really had any flavor. Other people’s meals were drenched in gravy and no one really seemed too impressed by the end of the meal. I believe the diner recently reopened, possibly under new management? Hopefully things will improve for the adorable diner.

The Dragon Pub, Frankfort, Kentucky

I spent the last week at a control of particulate emissions training course in Frankfort, Kentucky. I know, it sounds like a blast, right?  We were in class for 8 hours a day and really did nothing outside of that time, but eat.  We ate out for 3 meals a day for almost 5 days, and we were able to find a few little gems.

The first night, we found the Dragon Pub on urbanspoon.  It seemed like it was a little more of a bar than a restaurant.  We were the only people in the restaurant (which generally makes me nervous) but I think the entire town had migrated to Louisville for a basketball game.
We had a lot of fried food!  We started with Brew Sticks, Crispy Artichoke Hearts and Dragon Scales and I then had the Pub Burger.  Everything was fried and delicious but the real favorite of the night was the Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale.  I only had a taste, but it was awesome.  It is the love child of bourbon and beer, both of which I love, and I may have bought a 4-pack as a souvenir.

Brew Sticks - Our unique version of a cheese stick. Our own homemade Beer Cheese wrapped in a thin won ton wrapper and fried until crispy. Delicious!
Crispy Artichoke Hearts -  lightly dusted and fried. Topped with grated parmesan. With a lemon garlic aioli
Dragon Scales – Our famous homemade chips drizzled with spicy Dragon wing sauce and sprinkled with bacon, cheddar, blue cheese crumbles and creamy blue cheese dressing
Pub Burger – Our 6 oz. beef patty, topped with homemade Newcastle Beer cheese and a freshly battered onion ring on a grilled pretzel bun. Delicious!