No more flying solo.

I always get excited when I see a blog post with a ton of pictures. I feel that I'm a pretty visual person. And as much as I love to read, adding pictures to a post makes the reader fully connect with your experience.  Sometimes I feel captions should just be omitted.
I will try to limit my captions for your picture snack tonight.
(But first, the background information.)

I just got back from a 4 day vacation in Redfish Lake, Idaho. I honestly have never really thought about visiting Idaho. Well maybe twice while watching Napoleon Dynamite. But who didn’t after watching that movie? My boyfriend invited me on this wedding excursion 3 days after I met him! I thought it was a little forward (ok, WAY forward) and I put it off for months because I didn't know where our relationship would go. Booking a trip 4 months into the future is a major risk no matter the situation. So I didn't. If I would have known how the trip turned out from the get-go I would have booked my flight that day. Idaho was an all American, au natural retreat for each one of us that attended. So much so, that in most of the pictures I am not showered, without makeup, and (gasp!) braless.

 And now I’ll let (most of) the pictures speak for themselves…



Meet my boyfriend, Mr. Lifetime!
Outfit details:
Dress: X-Generation in SF ($14 buckaroos!)
Belt: thrifted
Jewelry: vintage/gifted
Shoes: Coconuts

Bird poo in the middle of story telling.

Tony Chachere's
My boyfriend got me this for my birthday because I can't find it in California.
A HUGE hit with the Chicagoans.
If you haven't tried it yet, DO!

Spy the knife bf bought me? ha.

(Idaho native: Josh Ritter.)



A Reason..

Reason #1 my boyfriend's nickname is Mr. Lifetime:

We went hiking in Muir Woods on his recent trip to visit me. (Yes, we're long distance.) I was wearing my VERY cute, but not so nature friendly Minnetonka moccasins on our hike. (I own the darker brown pair. I want to add to my collection and get a pair of THESE! Maybe one day. le sigh) We came up to a large puddle of mud and he turned to the side and held out his arms. I hadn't said a word and almost walked right into him. In a bewildered tone, I asked, "Why are you holding your arms out like that!?" He simply said, "I am going to carry you across the puddle so you don't get your shoes dirty." I cheerfully obliged and thought to myself...I thought these types of guys didn't exist anymore? Does he watch Turner Classic Movies? Lifetime movies? Read Nora Roberts' books?

Sebastopol on a Sunday

My sweet Mama and I share a love for antiquing. One of our favorite towns in the area, Sebastopol, has a plethora of adorable little antique shops and vintage stores. I took a couple of pictures perusing around today. I need to make a habit of this!

I'm almost always attracted to this color blue.

Especially around Christmas time.

Blue lights are my favorite!

John Grisham, a local home-stater.

Oh! The color! Divine.

Flowers are in bloom in NoCal!

I bought a blue Ball mason jar similar to this one for 6 bucks.

I love a good bargain.

I was trying to snap a picture of the broken up spider web.

I wonder how old these gumballs are?

No way was I going to show you my swollen eyes.

Allergy season has taken ahold of my face and won't let go. :(

Dress- Aubergine

Belt- Thrifted

Shoes- Gift from Gap (I cut the flowers off.)

Camera- Canon Rebel XT

How did you spend your Sunday? I hope the weather was lovely!

Computer Chair Workout

I'm pretty dern lazy when it comes to working out. I really don't. Ever. I own a beautiful Raleigh Venture 2.0 bike that I fondly call, Red Velvet. She gets her wheels spinning about once a month. Now my main forms of working out are my computer chair workouts and walking. Back in the day, during my competition cheerleading years, I was so fit guys were jealous of my abs. Yep. Those were the days. To this day, cheerleading is one of the two workouts I have ever enjoyed. Dancing is the other.

F.L.Y. - "Swag Surfin"

This one has been circulating on my playlists for years. I was introduced to this song at a club in Mississippi I attended for an AKA Party. This dance is easy to do while sitting down, and if you do it enough it can feel like doing a Tracy Anderson workout!

(I mean, come on, they mention Patti Mayonnaise!)

Goldfrapp - "Beautiful"
I've always considered Goldfrapp my go-to music for primping. Listening to them will make you feel instantly more lively.
(If you like this song, I suggest checking out 'Twist', 'Oh La La', and 'Rocket.')

Los Campsinos - "You! Me! Dancing!"

This next video is not only visually stimulating, but so much fun to dance around to. Definitely gets your creative juices flowin'.

(You might have heard this song on a number of commercials.)

Dev - "Booty Bounce"

Great style and a great beat! I play this on repeat when I'm looking for style inspiration. And when I'm living out my white girl rapper fantasies.

(NSFW; I'm uber jealous of those legs!)

Muscles - "Ice Cream"

This one is a little tricky. It has the beat for a great workout, but it's sending you messages that ice cream will save your day. Hmmm, I'm on the fence about recommending this one. Dooce suggested this song YEARS ago and I have loved it ever since. I am so happy she finally started including a weekly music post on her blog.

(Check out "Sweaty" if you are down for a song by him that is NSFW.)

I hope you enjoyed at least one of these songs. My taste in music is pretty broad. Please feel free to share your favorite workout songs (or any songs in general)!



Something To Try

I came across this challenge on Yahoo! today. I think this would be a great "game" for Mr. Lifetime and I to play when he comes to visit me at the end of this month. Allowing someone to pick out your outfit for a full day requires a ton of trust. I sure hope he doesn't put me in a bathing suit.

I didn't get out of bed until noon today. GASP! I know. I have a major sleeping problem. Did I mention I fell asleep at 9 last night? I did wake up at 1 expecting it to be 7 in the morning. 1 in the morning is a perfect time to catch up on gossip blogs. I guess I give in almost daily. Maybe I should have a mid-year lent and give up sleeping in. What time do you feel I should start  my day?

Arcade Fire - "Rebellion"

Sleeping is giving in,
no matter what the time is.
Sleeping is giving in,
so lift those heavy eyelids.

Officially Official

Mr. Lifetime Movie and I are officially dating. I am new to this long distance relationship thing. Does anyone have any advice for me?

He asked me a week ago today.
I woke up this morning with a VERY, very sweet surprise at my door.

2 dozen multi-colored roses!

This guy is Good. (With a capital "G")

Here are his official stats:
Mr. Lifetime
Sign: Cancer (Same sign as me. Is this a bad thing?)
Years Months Known: 2 1/2
Quick Facts: Lives in Chicago, is working towards his Masters in Social Work, and has an identical twin brother!

My Windy Thoughts

I just got back from a 4 day long vacation in Chicago to visit the boy I met at Mardi Gras.

Sounds like the beginning to a horrid lifetime serial killer movie, very a la Craigslist Killer.

It was a lovely time. I didn't realize I could do something so spontaneous in the relationship department.  I feel that I will always learn something about myself. No matter what age I am. Thankfully, the pressure just didn't feel intense to me. I even met half of his family and almost all of his local friends. Have you ever traveled a long distance for a guy? How long had you known him?

It went so well he has already booked his trip to come visit at the end of this month. I have a feeling my pocket book is not going to like me at the end of this summer.

I miss the road trips I took in college. This song in particular reminds me of driving to Atlanta for long weekends. Anyone else miss Rilo Kiley as much as I do?

Rilo Kiley - "Portions for Foxes"

--There's blood in my mouth 'cause I've been biting my tongue all week--