#Schawesome

Earlier this month I traveled to Hilton Head to celebrate Schawe's last fling before the ring! Our friend Emily graciously opened her family's home to 14 ladies ready to celebrate.

Lauren is a friend of mine from college so it was a treat to get to spend a weekend with some of my nearest and dearest.

There was a lot of sipping champagne poolside.  And some straight chillin'.

Poolside shenanigans were had...

One night we all got dressed up and had a fancy catered dinner at the house and participated in some good ol' fashioned bachelorette games.

Emily, Mara, myself and Bridget <3

Lauren and I

BFF

Fancy apps!

Dessert!

We even managed to make it out to a bar for some drinks and dancing!

Overall it was a perfect trip minus one bad experience at Bomboras Grille because of hilariously bad service.

Next up is the wedding in a few weeks. Can't wait!!

Colorado... a (belated) timeline!

Sorry for the summer break around here. But I'm back!  With a belated timeline...

Wednesday- Mr. Louisville and I catch a flight first thing to Denver.  As soon as we land we pick up our car and head to lunch.  Ate at Whiskey Tango Foxtrot.  Quite possibly the worst meal of the trip.

Afterwards we drive over to Heather and Aaron's whom we haven't seen since San Fransisco.  After a nap we wined, dined and had a great time!  They made us delicious grilled fish tacos with fresh pico and guac.  It was a lovely night of catching up!

Thursday - Duck eggs and bacon for breakfast before hitting the road to Fort Collins.  M and I get cleaned up then head out in search of drinks. We had a drink at the Blind Pig (moscow mule for me!) then walked around a bit landing at the Drunken Monkey.  We were there early so we snagged a swing at the bar.  Fun!

Finally, we found Social which was by far my favorite drinking hole. Ambiance, good service, rose!  Highly recommend!

After our own little happy hour we met up with Andi, Payne and their families at Beau Jo's for a pre-wedding pizza party.  After feasting the younger crowd went out for night caps at the Town Pump.  Jello shots and light beer at this point!

Friday - M and I woke up early to go on a little hike per the recommendation of the bell hop at our hotel.  First, a little breakfast burrito fuel at Wild Boar Cafe then we made our way to the Horsetooth Reservoir and did a quick little hike to Horsetooth falls.  It was perfect!

Afterwards, we hit up Target then went back to our hotel to freshen up.  Mara and Brian came in and we went to lunch at Fort Collins Brewery.  Then walked to Odell Brewery and New Belgium Brewery.  Shew!

Around 5 we met in Mara's room for some celebratory sparkling rose before heading to the hostel for a welcome barbecue.

Saturday - We woke up early again and grabbed a quick breakfast at Avogadro's.

Afterwards we met up with Mara and Brian again to go white water rafting.  A little 30th birthday adventure for Mara!
We lunched at Vern's after then headed back to the hotel to get ready for the wedding!

Before the wedding we went to Black Bottle Brewery for a drink then headed back to the hostel.
The wedding was perfect!

After the wedding we made our way to the reception at Horse and Dragon Brewery.  We were greeted with Bluegrass music and beers and feasted at the taco truck parked outside.

Sunday - Mr. Louisville and I got up and freshened up before heading back to the hostel once last time to say goodbye.

Afterwards we hit the road for Boulder!  We met some of Mr. Louisville's friends for lunch at Med and then walked around downtown a bit. I even got to stop into a legal pot shop to check it out.

After lunch M and I made our way back to Denver where we met Aaron and Heather at the pool.  It was a perfect pool day and I proceeded to drink a bottle of rose all by myself. We grilled a bunch of different sausages and had a few different types of salad for dinner.  Perfection.

Monday - Our flight wasn't leaving until 6pm so we were up around 9 for more duck eggs and breakfast sausages.  Then Heather took us up the Mountain to Evergreen Dam.  We walked around the dam and wondered about living in such a place.  We drove around a bit to look at the big homes nearby and we spotted some Elk!  We stopped off for a quick lunch which would've been great had the waitress not dropped an entire ramekin of salad dressing on Mr. Louisville's shorts!!  She was apologetic but didn't comp a single thing. Poor form.

After heading back down the mountain we cleaned up and got ready to go then were off to the airport.

Colorado, you're okay!

Last weekend...

I ran a 10k.  My third one ever but a personal best!

I went to the NCAA Tournament in Louisville.  I saw UCLA upset SMU, UAB upset Iowa St., Cincinnati upset Purdue and Kentucky dominate Hampton.

As much as I LOVE my Wildcats I still found some time to cheer on Mr. Louisville's Cards.  I'm a lover, not a hater.

I had my first patio drinks of the season pre-gaming for more NCAA madness on Saturday.

I saw Kentucky dominate UC.  I was never worried.  We are going all the way!

Mr. Louisville and I hung out with Payne!  Fun, fun!

I made sloppy joes after the long weekend.  Charlotte loved it!

xoxo

Swanksgiving

On Saturday my friends, Katie and Lyle, hosted Swanksgiving!  A spin on a Friendsgiving where a bunch of friends get dressed up and eat and drink! 

Gimme dat turkey!

I offered to bring a few appetizers since the Thanksgiving staples were taken care of.  They included a turkey (of course!), mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, mac & cheese (with avocado and basil), crescent rolls, brussels sprouts salad and sweet potatoes.  A feast!  I've already emailed Katie to rave about her brussels sprouts salad and beg for the recipe.

Anyway, for appetizers I made a jalapeno-cranberry cream cheese dip which I thought was good, not great.  But the real show stopper was the amazing artichoke-olive spread I made.  It was a huge hit and I'll definitely be making it again.  I've said it before but Smitten Kitchen never lets me down!

To wash everything down I brought a few bottles of wine.  I also made a big batch of Cranberry-Ginger Cosmos to share.

3 parts vodka
2 parts cranberry juice
1 part lime juice
1 part Cointreau (or triple sec)
4 large pieces of ginger

I muddled the ginger a bit and poured the rest of the ingredients in my carafe, then viola! 

The evening was a huge success!

Summer Weddings

Erik & Angie
They were married at Elk Creek Vineyards.  DJ Buttonz (Dave!) was the DJ and there was a light show!  Made for a most excellent dance party.

Studs!

Mara and Brian, best dressed couple!

Matthew and Lindsey
I was excited to spend a weekend in Lexington, KY for their wedding.  I haven't spent much time there since I graduated back in 2007 so it was terribly nostalgic.
Highlights:
Visitng Sara and baby Luna!
Going to Enoteca with Scott and Laura Hunt on Friday night.
Lunch at Pazzo's Saturday.
Buying a new red dress at Black Market for $40!

The cake topper Sara made for the bride and groom.

This cake topper.  So cute!!

Little West Sixth Brewing cans on the back!

The lovely ceremony and fun reception with music by the Turkeys.

Myself, Dave, Clay and Chase looking down at the reception.

With Mr. Louisville in front of the Round Barn.

Brett and Jessica
These two got hitched the weekend before in Jess' home state of California.

Tyler and Kevin at the California reception.

Because I was going to Portland that same month I couldn't swing two big trips but I was able to make the reception they hosted the weekend after.  We all showed up at The Grand a little disoriented because we didn't come from a ceremony.  But the open bar and appetizers helped us get acclimated.
I danced the night away thanks to DJ Buttonz!

Abbey and Mike
After the bachelorette and shower festivities I was ready for their big day!  I was asked to do a reading at their ceremony so I was a part of the rehearsal dinner and wedding day.
They got married at a barn in Dry Ridge, The Josephina.

At the rehearsal dinner.

Pre-ceremony selfie with the bride.

Josh and AshleyLast but not least the winner for best reception!  These two got hitched at a barn in Union, KY, Farmhaven. They Turkeys played their reception and then DJ Buttonz took care of the music during their break and after, late into the night!  The fog machine and light show put this reception over the top!  So so fun.

The boys gettin' that garter!

Turkeys in the fog.

Whew, it was quite a wedding season!  Cheers to all the newly betrothed!