Boulder, Mary Jane, & a dirty 30.

The last month has been crazy.  I quit my job at Sephora after 6 years so I could spend more time with Tim & Ava.  Since then, we have traveled twice, ran a half marathon, met a couple celebs, planned more vacations, & celebrated Tim's 30th birthday three times (at least).  

Now to back up a bit.

After quitting my job, we were able to schedule a great little trip to Colorado.  I have never been.  It sounded like a great idea, but for those of you who know me.  It's NEVER that simple. 

 

We hopped on a quick flight to Denver & it was perfectly short.  My adorable baby girl is rapidly turning into a rowdy pre-teen.  Let's just say she doesn't have the patience for long flights.  Or maybe that's me.   

 We stayed in Louisville, right next to Boulder.  Travel tip 1: Download Tripadvisor.  Tim always looks at the top places to eat & visit in any city we go to.  First stop: Pearl Street in downtown Boulder.  It was beautiful & quaint.  If you head down to it, parking happens on the streets around Pearl.  Be prepared to pay for parking almost everywhere.  Also take a stroller for the littles & take the time to watch the street performers.  It's free entertainment.

Tim hit the big 3-0 while we were on our travels.  

He's the bee's knees.  

 

 

I found the best mall called Flatiron.  It's about 15 minutes from Boulder & it's magnificent.  You might think I love to shop.  Not really.   Maybe for makeup.  Yea, I could spend a lifetime in Sephora. Ever since I had little miss, I haven't loved looking for clothes.  This mall... Holy crap it was huge.  I spent 5 hours too many in it.  I left with some goods that later got lost on a plane.  Yep.  That my friends is why I HATE clothes shopping.  Later this summer we will be talking to a clothes buyer who is the ultimate shopper!  Maybe she can relight my love for clothes.

Here are a couple pieces I bought knowing we would be going to the One Republic concert (yesterday, but more on that later).  I wandered into Old Navy to pick up Ava a couple things & I left with this cute tank.  I then headed over to H&M for this super light sweater.   Tip 2: Get the WRAPP app!  It's free giftcards for you and your facebook friends.  I had a free $6 to H&M making my sweater on $7.

Sweater// H&M $13

Tank// Old Navy $10

Black Skinnies// JCP $15

 

Now for our favorite part of our trip.  Food.  When we travel, we throw our diets out the window in the evenings & love to try out new places. 

We hit up the Yardhouse.  Yes, it's a chain- but not in Utah.  

Tim had the PARMESAN CRUSTED CHICKEN -garlic mashed potatoes with sun-dried tomato three mushroom sauce.  Yum!

   I'm sure most of your are pretty savvy when it comes to political happenings.  Colorado passed a law legalizing marijuana.   I only bring this point up for two reasons.  One: If you aren't a good driver, DON'T travel into downtown Denver without someone who is.   Not only is Denver a labyrinth of one way streets (just a minor nightmare-no biggy), but jay-walking is a huge problem.  Everywhere we drove, people were almost getting hit by trax or cars.  ANXIETY.  Holy crap.   

Where are you going with this Jamie?  

Where there is pot, there is smoke.  

Wait, I don't think that's how that goes.  Lets try again.  

Where there is smoke, there is the munchies.  

No, I don't smoke, drink, do drugs, or even have Diet Coke.  But, other people do- soooooooooo VooDoo doughnut rolled into town to help fulfill the late night needs.  Open 24 hours!  Imagine eating a doughnut and then multiply the best doughnut by 1000.  Seriously.  The BEST treat I've had in forever.  Prepare to wait.  There is a consistent line out the door, but they are worth it.  

Tip 3: know what you want before you get to the front!  

I had a blast on our little getaway.  The ride home was puke-turbulent & the airline lost our luggage.  

All in all I would say it was perfect.  

 

Happy Monday my loves. 

XoXo

 Jamie

A Little Bit Country and a Little Bit Rock and Roll

Happy Hump Day my loves! I hope your weekend gets here quickly from this point on. 

Soo…..We need to talk. Something happened in Vegas that I'm not very proud of. Have you ever  gambled or watched someone gamble? For the most part, someone sits down and 5 minutes later there money is gone. Leaving them with an empty feeling and a thought...

"What the?! What just happened?

And then they are just mad the rest of the day because they can't stop thinking about how quickly their money was taken. 

Little known fact- I almost NEVER spend more than $20 on a shirt. Its all about quantity for me when it comes to my shirts. I need options. If I spent the money on higher quality items.. I would have like.. 5 shirts. Thats just dumb. But, it's your closet. Do what makes your feel good :)

Sorry… back to the story.

At the Party for a Cause they had venders. All different sorts. There was this cute blonde managing a clothing spot. I browsed and didn't see anything I loved, but I LOVED her outfit. I asked her if she sold  the shirt/tunic she was wearing and she told me that she did, but she didn't have any with her. However, she could bring one down for me the next day. DONE I said. Seeing how it was boutique clothing I figured it would probably cost me around $40. The thought was a little cringing but I figured I was on vacation so why not splurge a little. Hey, it was better than sitting down at at a craps table, losing my money, and having nothing to show for it. 

They next day I went to pick it up and this is how the convo went:

Me: Hey! Were you able to get that shirt?

CBG (cute blonde girl) Yes! I only have one left. I'm so glad you came back!

Me: Are you kidding? I love it! Of course I came back! What size is it?

CBG: small

Me: perfect!

(imagine me grinning from ear to ear because I am already picturing how I will wear it, and cookies, and gumdrops, and everything else that fills a girls head with happiness…I hand her my card)

CBG: Ok I'm just going to have to charge your card twice sjdflfjgh…..*mumbling something about price tags*

Me: ok..ya! What did she just say?.. oh well, I am so excited about this shirt!

CBG: K it's $$$

Me: Oh uhh ya … let me use a different card..

And I walked…no it was more like a scurry, away. You guys. It was not $40. It was no where near that. I can't even bring myself to tell you how much it was. That and my husband might be reading this. (If that's the case..well we had a good run friends. I'll see ya around when I get out of shopaholics anonymous)

She told me the price and I was in such sticker shock that I paid it and walked away. I seriously felt like I just sat at a craps table and watched some CBG take my money. Only at least if I had gambled, I wouldn't have this dark secret hanging in my closet screaming at me every time I wore it. To add salt to the wound.. I searched it online. Finding out how much the shirt really was hurt almost as bad as paying what I did for it. Lets just say to get my moneys worth, it will not only be a shirt, but a swimsuit cover up AND a night gown. 

I don't know what was wrong with me. Why didn't I just say "Um.. H-to the-NO" and walk away? 

Moral of the story is… Ask how much a shirt is before your are in too deep. Or you may just end up doing the walk of shame out of a slew of vender shops.

Today's outfit is a little bit Country and a little bit Rock and Roll. 

*Que the Osmonds*

I did have some positive experiences with some of the venders in Vegas and found a couple of favs. 

(I really do love this shirt you guys..I just didn't love getting duped) 

This hat is from Hicktown Couture and I actually bought it for my man. BONUS! I can wear it too. And I love it! The fit is great and $15 the pice is even better. They don't have their hats on their site yet but they are based out of Arizona and GUESS WHAT! They will be here in Utah at Country Explosion. Go check them out there or take a look and their All American- Country- straight out the sticks- clothing line. (I love the mason jar top)

These might possibly be my most favorite bracelets in the history of ever. (Except for my Pandora bracelet. Love you honey!! )

They are from a cute little boutique called "Hippie Chick" straight out of the heart of Texas. ( Or Lubbock, TX …..  ) They only have a Facebook page but I am working on trying to get them available for ya'll to purchase. In the meantime.. Check them out

Hippie Chick

Or better yet, if you live in Texas, go get ya some guuuurl! 

Blessed Bracelet// Hippy Chick

Aztec Bracelet// SHEsteals.com

Faux Leather Pants// China (not kidding) Similar HERE

Prince Peter Collection Iggy Pop Raglan Dress// CBG ….. buuuuut if you want to pay the normal price for it you can find it HERE

Wild Diva Lorane Ankle Boots// Cara Loren's closet…. also not kidding. Similar HERE

Have you ever been duped? Or paid waaaay to much for something? Please tell me all about it!

PS- Comic Con Starts tomorrow! Eeek! :)

-Sheena