California Girl

Sorry for the temporary hiatus in blogging.  I had a work training in California and turned it into a long weekend to visit one of my best friends from college who now lives in LA.

I could get used to running on the beach every morning. Sign. me. up.  

After our work conference was done, I met up with Tess and her husband Joel at a bar before we headed back to their apartment.

We went on a nice 4 mile hike as my only request for the trip was to spend AS MUCH TIME OUTSIDE as possible, since my Vitamin D levels have been running dangerously low here in bean town!

Tess & I have lived apart since college and it was so nice to spend the weekend catching up with lots of sunshine, walks, and of course a little lot of wine.The last time I saw her was her wedding, and as many of you can imagine-there are so many people and so little time to spend quality time together!

Sunday she took me to Malibu wines, the cutest winery up in the mountains in Malibu.  If any of you are heading to LA on vacation I definitely recommend it!  I couldn't think of a more perfect way to spend a relaxing Sunday afternoon with friends.

All in all it was just what the doctor ordered to get me out of my February blues! I am already planning my next visit :-)

Max was stuck back in the cold working, so we celebrated valentines day this past weekend. More to come on that later this week! 

Weekend Recap

Whew!  I needed the weekend.  Work has been crazy around these parts and forgive me as I am trying to fit in blogging with 12 hour days. 

This weekend was pretty low key.  Friday we went to a bar for happy hour and dinner and I got the BEST pecan crusted goat cheese salad that I am still dreaming about. 

 Yum. This picture does not do it justice. Cheese, pears, pecans, dried apples-need I say more.

                          

After that we headed home and watched some of the opening ceremonies.

Is it just me or is anyone else less that excited about the Olympics this year?

Saturday I had a girls day complete with gym, shopping and a mani/pedi.  I am normally a strict french manicure or dark gray polish girl.  However, I have a work conference in Cali this week and thought gray wasn't appropriate but I wanted something a little more fun.

Here is the result. I am not sure I like it, but since its gel polish it will be on for a few weeks at least! 

I would love any good polish recommendations for spring/summer?? Throw them at me!

I am in need of some new makeup and have heard great things about smashbox primer from the blogging world.  I got the "try it" kit so I will let you know how I like it.

 

Lauren

Adult Snow Day

This was my view out of the window this morning. 

Bring on the adult snow day a.k.a "working from home".

Staying in my PJ's and sipping coffee from home was a nice mid-week treat.

However, I got in my workout shoveling out our car.

Look at those shoveling skills right there!

Now its time to cozy back up for the night and find a good book.

Lauren

 

New Years Resolutions

As mentioned in the previous post, I started this as one of my "New Year Resolutions". While I like reflecting I do have some issues with these so called resolutions....

•  Everyone wants to lose weight/eat right/exercise. Including me. My issue? January is the WORST month to start this. Why do you say? It is the coldest month of the year, it gets dark before 5, and basically I just want to hibernate the month away and pop out in time for the ground hog to announce winter is almost over (ha ya right).

• So I say start resolutions in February when it at least seems plausible to get out of your warm bed at 530 AM to trudge to the gym.

• Cooking is another resolution of mine. Not even anything fancy, just something healthy and tasty a few nights of week for M & I. January is both of our busiest months at work-hence this resolution on hold as well.

•  Blogging, my last resolution. Yes there is no excuse for this, except the fact that hibernation includes very unexciting blog topics. I did however make it to the lovely state of Colorado for a few days of dad/daughter skiing....

And the BF was nice enough to tag along with me to a country concert featuring this guy:

Kip Moore 
Take a listen, it won't disappoint.  Even my country-hating boyfriend deemed him "okay" (which means FANTASTIC).

Lauren

Well here goes nothing...

I am jumping into the world of blogging! I guess the first post is probably always the hardest, so here goes nothing....

Why are you starting a blog?  I am starting a blog as a "New Years Resolution" to try something new. (Wait isn't it February? why yes it is, I tend to come out of hibernation mode right around the 1st-more on that in a different post.)  This is totally out of my comfort zone and I am not big into sharing large amounts of information with the world, which yes, I realize that it what a blog is. 

Why would you want to read it? Hopefully I have a little bit for everyone-travel, fitness, fashion, health, cooking, sports etc.  I am mostly starting this as a way to document life and all its little (or big) moments and will see what transpires as I get going.

So here are the basics....

 I graduated from the University of Iowa in 2011 (Go hawks!) and because of this man down below now reside on the East Coast. 

 This is M & I.  We live together. We have done college dating, long distance, & now are roommates in this lovely city (can you guess which one? I am testing your baseball knowledge here people). 

I am a full time nurse, avid sports fan, lover of the outdoors (spring where are you??), have a major travel bug, and enjoy the occasional glass of wine.  So sit back, have a glass (if thats your thing) and come along for the ride!