A kind of Vancouver Timeline

I've been to Vancouver only once before so I jumped at the chance to tag along with Mr. Louisville.

My thoughts below broken down by my two favorite things; shopping and food!  Unfortunately with the rain there wasn't much else I could do so enjoy my kinda sorta timeline below.

Shopping was great!  The exchange rate is the lowest it's been in years!!  I love a well-curated boutique and there were plenty to behold in the Gas Lamp District.  I didn't have much luck though. Mr. Louisville gave me the credit card to do some shopping for a birthday gift and I couldn't find much.  I only scored a few tops at Topshop and some makeup at Sephora I'd been wanting.

LOVED all the home decor here.

Food was overall, not so good.  We stopped at Buck's American Cafe on the way from the airport into Vancouver.  It was fine.

At Flying Pig for dinner the waiter mistook my salmon order for the sable fish but I didn't care much to complain.  Verdict: Sable fish is kinda blubbery.

I was excited for a solo ramen lunch on the rainiest day at Gyoza Bar but it was inedible. Sad.

Fun part was watching the line cooks.

Gross.

Bauhaus group dinner was some very serious German eats - I enjoyed my Chilean Sea Bass with horseradish foam very much.  The food was good but I wasn't really in the mood for a three hour dinner because the kitchen plates every dish with tweezers.

Lunch and beers at Steamworks Brew Pub was good.  The service was great and I enjoyed my buffalo chicken wrap with kale.  Pretty basic though.

Our last night was redemption, food-wise.  I read great things about Joey Burrard so that was it.  I'd describe it as a cheaper and more imaginative Jeff Ruby's.  Super cool atmosphere, moderately priced with lots of options. I personally tried wings, salad, sushi, steak and a fun play on potatoes with veggies and everything was excellent.  Perfect end of the trip.

xoxo

31

I turned 31 recently.  So please enjoy a look back at my 30th year in 30 photos. ;)

Started my year off in California for some sun and family.

Off to JAMAICA for a fun couples trip.

Pool drinks in February!

Lots of time with little niece.

Denim sunnies and kentucky blue.

Haircut in gym clothes.

March Madness.

At the new house with Squirt!!  RIP :(

Work elevator selfie.

OAKS!

Derby week shenanigans.

DERBY!

Park Avenue minus Carlita.

Hmm...

Bro came to visit!!

Family.

Girl dinners!

Andi's wedding!!  <3

Alabama Shakes with a pregnant Abbey.

Work selfie in my office... see ya Hoxworth!

Nick Lachey at Lauren's 30th birthday.

I'm going to miss my BFF!

Visit from Mara and Marge in Louisville.

Britney in VEGAS!

More because I love her.

Family brunch.

Holiday happenings. 

NEW BFF ALERT!

Cats and Hillie.

Pre-birthday fun!

A look back at 2015.

Looking forward to 2016... But first, time to wrap up the year.  Just like 2012, 2013 and 2014.

What did you do in 2015 that you'd never done before?
Sold my house.
Moved in with a boy!
Went to a NCAA Tournament.
Had a dirty martini which immediately became my new favorite drink.

Did you keep your new year's resolutions and will you make any for next year?
"For 2015 I'd like to send more mail to friends and family."  And I did!  I subscribed to A Beautiful Mess Happy Mail and received cards in the mail every month.  I used these to send along to friends and family and it's been so nice to have an eclectic stash.

For 2016 - I'd like to really work on my flexibility and strength.  Yoga, perhaps?

Did anyone close to you give birth?
My sister did!  I was living with her family when she found out she was pregnant and was still there when she gave birth to Caroline Day.

This was also a year that many friends had kiddos.  Margaret (Mara) and James (Abbey) being the most notable to me.

Did anyone close to you die?
Grandma passed away earlier this year.  I miss her.

This year we had to put down Squirt, Mr. Louisville's pup of about 14 years. His last few months were incredibly sad.

What countries did you visit?
I'm changing this question to all of my trips in general.

Started off with a January trip to California.
JAMAICA in February. Such a fun trip.
Charleston and Savannah over the summer.
Colorado for Andi's wedding.
Austin, Texas.
San Diego and Vegas.
Portland and then back to San Diego.

Whew. A fun year for sure!! I did go to Knoxville to visit Andi in Tennessee and Norris Lake for the 4th of July so I'll count those too.  Lots of trips to look forward to in 2016.  Travelling is my favorite!

What would you like to have in 2016 that you lacked in 2015?
A consistent love for running.

What dates from 2014 will remain etched upon your memory and why?
The above mentioned trips and birth of my new niece.
The NCAA Tournament this past March in Louisville because it was SO FUN even though KY didn't go all the way.

What was your biggest achievement of the year?
I nailed a creme brulee recipe on Christmas Eve.  Also, I'm rather proud I finally upped and moved to a new city.

What was your biggest failure?
I failed to keep up consistently with my fitness. I truly hope to work on that this year since I have a more free time.

Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nope.

What was the best thing you bought?
Technically M bought it but we got a Casper mattress and it has seriously improved our relationship!

Where did most of your money go?
To pay off a credit card.  Woo hoo!  30 and finally getting my finances in check, yo.

What did you get really excited about?
Moving to Louisville. Family dinner with the Normans. Friends giving birth.  Travelling.  Live music.  Rose.  Pool days.

What song will always remind you of 2015?
Hey Mami.

Compared to this time last year, are you happier or sadder? Thinner or fatter? Richer or poorer?
I think I'm just as happy perhaps a bit fatter and quite a bit poorer.

What do you wish you'd done more of?
Play with Charlotte when I was her roommate.

What do you wish you'd done less of?
Spent time worrying about anything.

How did you spend Christmas?
Christmas eve with my parents, Mr. Louisville, my Uncle Mike and cousin Raquel.  We had steak and lobster and lots of good wine.  I made creme brulee for dessert and it turned out so good.
Christmas brunch at the Normans!

What was your favorite TV program?
Transparent, Mad Men, Top Chef, Master of None.

What were your favorite books of the year? 
I re-read Fall of Giants and am currently working on the second book in that trilogy.  That story hasn't left my mind since I first read it in 2012 so I figured it was time to finish it up.
I also listened to The Andy Cohen Diaries and really loved it.

What was your favorite music from this year?
Sylvan Esso and Alabama Shakes.
This was also the year I invested in Spotify which has changed the way I listen to music.

What were your favorite films of the year?
James Bond: Spectre, Inside Out, Trainwreck, Amy.

What did you do on your birthday and how old were you?
I turned 30 on January 26 and decided I needed to get out of town! I went to California to visit family and CHILL.

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
I'm not sure that anything could've. I'd say I had a very satisfying year.

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2015?
Nordstrom and Madewell is where it's at... still! Neutrals for life.

What kept you sane?
Long walks in the Norman neighborhood.  Listening to podcasts.

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2015.
Budgets are necessary.