My Buffalo Shuffle + St. Patty's Festivities

{The Falls}

Two weekends ago, I headed up north to Buffalo, New York for work. It was cold-cold-cold and snowy, which was not what my soul was needing. (My soul needs SUNSHINE, friends! And lots of it.) However, because my last two trips to Canada were such a bust in terms of exploration, I decided that despite the chilly temps and my lingering sinus infection, I would brave the cold and drive up to Niagara Falls. Let me mention that while I was not properly dressed for the freezing snow/sleet/mist coming off of the water, I will say it was a pretty spectacular sight.

{So...funny story. I had no idea where I was going or what Niagra would really look like. I just followed other cars into the National Park, then parked, then started walking. And it may have just been the Dayquill talkin', but I kept seeing mini waterfalls and I would think to myself, "Is this it? Surely this isn't it..." and I would keep on walking. Finally, FINALLY, I saw a big group of people gathered in the distance, and so I figured, "that MUST be it." But these two pics here? I was snapping pics at every swirling maelstrom, just in case....}

{Getting closer....}

{Finally!}

{Sooooo not dressed for that hike. Or the freezing spray coming off of the water. But aren't my new baby blue Nikes cute?}

Other Buffalo memories? The pharmacy I was at was located in a hospital, so I saw some pretty interesting characters throughout the course of my visit. I also got to eat my Subway sandwich opposite of a man in a hospital bed, complete with his IV and catheter, also eating a sandwich in the lobby-slash-hospital entryway-slash cafeteria seating. That was interesting. Also disgusting. And let’s see…I was also there for Daylight Saving Time, so I lost a full two hours after I arrived. If you know me, you know mornings aren’t really my thanng, so that was rough. Otherwise, Buffalo was pretty lowkey. I was so ready to get back in town and have some friend time.

 

Spring around KC is always a good time—between the Big 12 Tournament (which we shall not speak of, due to the poor showing of both Kansas teams) and St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, March turns out to be a pretty fun month. I will say, last week was a little tough, as I am used to a Spring Break (24 years…and now it’s gone), but I made the most of last Monday night by celebrating my Irish blood and having a few green beers. Actually, I had a lot of green beers…and Bailey’s shots (I know, I KNOW…who orders Bailey’s shots? My coworker Brad. At my dubious look, he replied “it’s St. Patrick’s Day,” like that makes it okay to shoot Bailey’s)…and Fireballs…oof. Let’s just say last Tuesday was a little slow.

{Friends! Complete with our Bailey's shots. Thanks, Bradley. Also, can everyone please note Ben's stylin' green sequined headband and beads? I told him, look sir, if you want to drink a beer with me on St. Patty's Day, you wear some green. So he took what I provided.}

{Some dude at Kelly's was wearing this saa-weet hat. So I stole it, and look who I found! Two little leprechauns!}

{Lotsa green, lotsa beer, lotsa friends. I love a holiday where really, all you do is drink and make merry. Cheers to my Irish clansmen!}

Bach Recap

{Bahahaha...can't hide your crazy, sister!}

See ya later, Amanda. Don’t let the door hit ya on your way out…

 

One crazy down, one more to go.

 

{I wanted to punch my TV. Tierra, shut up!}

Seriously? This girl…I hope Sean is watching the show now and feeling like an idiot. And does anyone else kind of think he's a little emotionally slutty? He tells EVERY girl how much he likes them and that he can see a future with them.  Then they're just an even bigger mess when he kicks them off. Dude! Save a little for next time.

 

On a totally unrelated side note, can I just point out that it was 70 degrees yesterday, 65 degrees this morning, and it’s supposed to SNOW tonight with a high of like 20 tomorrow? Oh, Kansas. You’re so bipolar.

Bachelor Mondays

This may make me an awful person, but…

{Tierra. Ugh.}

Does anyone else think Tierra kind of has a Harry Potter scar?

I know, I know. I’m terrible. But…when you fall down the stairs and talk crap on ten other girls on national television, sometimes, you may receive some criticism.

 

Anyways. If you haven’t deciphered what I’m talking about, it’s The Bachelor. First of all, let me clarify—I have not always been on the Bachelor/Bachelorette bandwagon. Sure, I would (sadly/shamefully?) consider myself a connoisseur of reality television. I’m not particularly proud of my DVR schedule, but basically, if it’s on Bravo, I’m all about it. However, The Bachelor has not always been in my rotation. It always seems a little desperate. No offense. But it drives me nuts that the “contestants” (for lack of a better term) always seem surprised and hurt that the process eventually kicks them off. It’s what you signed up for, people. Did you really think that you could make a connection after a week or two of ridiculously over-the-top and outrageous “dates” (did anyone else feel totally awk as Sean and Lesley M. kissed for a solid three and a half minutes in front of all of L.A. to break the world record last night?) and publicized make-out sessions?

This season, however, I’m all about it, because Sean Lowe, the bachelor himself, is not only totally cute (his dimples—swoon! He’s totally a Ken doll) and seemingly genuine and kind, but he’s a K-State alum! My best pal from college and fellow Wildcat, Megan, and I have endured the Bach season so far together, and no less than five times per episode, we have turned to each other and asked, “why didn’t we know/hang out with/date him in college???” Let me just say, last night, when he had the date with AshLee and he brought the two girls with chronic illnesses along on their Six Flags date, I kind of wanted to cry at how sweet he was.

{Sean. Sigh.}

Okay, I’ve probably embarrassed myself by going on this long about the show, but I have to say, Sarah and Lesley M. are my favs so far and Tierra and Amanda are pretty much totally crazy. Can’t wait for next week’s episode!

 

*PS—I did NOT spend my entire weekend thinking about The Bachelor. I had a lovely day off yesterday and put it to good use—lunch date and new home updates posts to come!

Girl Misses Man (Who Shops Globe)

{A few looks from Anthro's fall campaign. Loving the prints!}

{Fall flats}

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Not too long ago, my cable supplier decided to reorganize their networks and moved many channels around. Not only has this confused me on several occasions (what’s the channel for Bravo again??), but I found myself completely infuriated when I searched and searched (with no avail) for the Sundance Channel. I’ll be honest; I had actually kind of forgotten about this independent channel for a while, and its absence on my cable box had gone unnoticed. However, I ducked into Anthropologie the other day to pick up something cheery and bright for my kitchen (their whimsical tea towels and colorful mugs always make my day a little bit better), and as I shopped around, I recalled a delightful show I used to watch called Man Shops Globe on the Sundance Channel.

In a nutshell, Anthropologie buyer Keith Johnson has “the greatest job in the world” (so he claims—and I completely agree!) as he travels to countries all over the globe and hand picks décor for Anthropologie stores. Sometimes he commissions artists to create multiple pieces for the store to sell; at times, he finds one-of-a-kind antiques or home furnishings to add to displays and create ambiance in the stores. Each episode would find Keith in a different area of the world, finding truly unique and inspiring pieces at flea markets, craft stalls and showrooms. My reminiscence of this entertaining and fascinating show led me to attempt to find it online, since it appears Sundance is no longer in my cable line-up at all. (Frown.) Alas, when I found the website, it appeared there are no scheduled showings anytime soon. (Double frown.) I suppose for now, I can catch up on past episodes and cross my fingers that this enchanting show returns soon!

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{Keith in action; Season 2}

Runway Re-do

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I have recently rediscovered a T.V. favorite of mine, and what a fabulous find it has been! When Project Runway first debuted in 2004, I was back in my college years and never missed an episode. I adored watching the designers create their masterpieces using unconventional resources (I loved the candy store episode) with ridiculously short time constraints (20 hours to create a couture gown? Ohh, the drama!). Each season, I would cheer (I lovvvved season two’s Daniel Vosovic’s classic and beautiful creations) and jeer (season one’s Jay McCarroll’s snarky comments were hilarious, I will admit, but his headphone-slash-sweater look on the finale? Not diggin’ it) as the seasons dished out fashion inspiration and diva designer drama.  I religiously watched the first four seasons on the Bravo network, but as more and more reality shows debuted, Runway lost a spot in my weekly line-up. And when it made the switch to the Lifetime network a few years ago, it went completely off my radar.

However, about a week ago (and just in the nick of time, as the newest season was just premiering) one of my favorite friends mentioned that she had been watching the show. When I voiced my concerns that the new network had ruined the format, she assured me it hadn’t, and that it was, in fact, just the same as it always had been. And so, I set my DVR to record season nine. Not only is the format exactly the same (in the best way possible), but I found that the show is now a full 90 minutes long—30 extra glorious minutes of gorgeous gorgeous fabrics, frantic sewing machines, back-stabbing gossip and of course, Tim Gunn’s helpful dialogue along the way (“Make it work” and “Sweet Jesus! Well, you have a lot of work to do” are among my favorite phrases).  Host Heidi (Klum) is still as darling as ever (her outfits are always spot on!), judge Michael Kors is still too tan (and in my humble opinion, quite full of himself), and the fashion show elimination at the end is still as enthralling as ever. I’m now back, fully engrossed in the chic broadcast each Thursday night (at 8:00pm, if you’re interested!) and loving every stylish second.

(Sidenote: the Style Network runs marathons of previous Project Runway seasons during the day…I’ve spent my summer catching up on all my fav past moments with Austin Scarlett, Santino Rice, Laura Bennett and Christian Siriano. What a fab way to spend my last few days of freedom!)

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{The judges in action}

{The famous silhouette screen}