80's/Taco Bell Collab

Recently, I've been watching a lot of YouTubers' videos and doing a little research because I'm THINKING about taking TMN and myself to the YouTubes. Of all the all the videos I've been watching, my favorites tend to be collabs, when one YouTuber is featured on another's channel. One of my friends is a big YouTube personality and he knows a thing or two about collaborations. Maybe that's why he came up with the idea of crashing my boyfriend, Korey's 80's themed birthday party and essentially turning it into a collaboration with Taco Bell.

Let me explain - on Twitter, they both tweet at Taco Bell and vice versa. As a surprise (and it was a HUGE surprise) our friend got corporate media people from Taco Bell surprise us all and walked in with what seemed like two million hundred tacos to cater the 40 something people there.

Party: Success

Super Bowl Sunday/Jeri's Birthday

#1: Happy Birthday yesterday to my beautiful, wonderful, loving, and caring mom, Jeri. I love you more than words can explain!

#2: So I'm a little annoyed with myself for not taking more pictures from the Beyonce concert Super Bowl yesterday. A bunch of friends and I went to our friend, Sarah's who basically has to most ridiculous three story SF apartment with a view that I would literally (probably) kill for. We had a great time watching the game, eating, drinking, and enjoying the beautiful afternoon. As I predicted, Beyonce won the Super Bowl (no surprise there) but I did think it was a little rude for NOLA to turn the lights out as soon as she left. I mean...just saying.

Oh - the flowers. Kat picked these up to bring to Sarah,  the host of the party, as a thank you for having her. What a great idea, right??

LA Vacation

So this was a fun weekend.

SF friends, Adam and Matt (SF1 and SF2) decided to take advantage of the extended weekend (thanks to MLK) by also taking off on Friday and heading down to LA for a few days. It was everything I wanted it to be: warm sun, clear skies, pool time, and lots of partying.

We'd start every morning at out friend, Chandler's house with a view I'd probably kill for (see above). After lazing getting dressed in our swim suits and tank tops, we'd pile into his jeep and head down to the Standard Hotel for mimosas and Bloody Marys while soaking up the best sun Cali has to offer. Afterwards, we'd shop or grab a bite to eat, take a nap to recharge, meet up with friends, and pay way too much for drinks go out. Granted, we were all feeling it Monday morning, but it was totally worth it. Both my body and wallet are glad I don't live in LA, but they're always happy to go for vacation. Bloop.

The Cask

One of the things I was REALLY looking forward to when I moved out here was having the chance to work (in person) with my good friend, Maureen. We've worked together at PRO @ EA for almost three years, but I was in Baton Rouge and she was here in California. Obviously we'd chat all day (J/K Matt and Rose) via IM, but it's just not as good a being in person. Well, when I told her I was moving she dropped the bomb that informed me that she I was actually replacing her here. She was leaving! #ugh #wtf #thischangeseverything

Well, since she lives so close we were able to get together in San Carlos at The Cask to enjoy fancy wines, cheeses, and spreads. I love downtown San Carlos - it's charming and quaint with surprisingly good shopping and eateries. We had so much fun catching up, gossiping, and (obviously) drinking. Luckily, since I have 11.5 days off for Christmas, we'll be able to do it again soon!

Zwolle Tamales!

Howdy!

Last night, my friend Patrick (WitB) and I went over to our friend, Krystal's (APoL) house to enjoy some Zwolle Tamales and spend a little time with some of our other friends...Ramona, The Countess, Carol, Sonja, Aviva,...and the new one that says "hollaaaaa". Patrick's family actually owns Zwolle Tamales, so he had them prepared JUST right for us (you can pick them up from your local Albertson's - try them - they're the BEST)

Krystal and I did talk shop for JUST a second. She's nice enough to help me make a few...adjustments to the TMN website. Nothing major...just like a chemical peel, Restylane, and some botox on the brow line. Changes coming soon so keep looking!

mint

 

 

 

 

Last night, I joined Patty (from "What's in the Box"), Krystal (from APoL), and Jason for the opening of Baton Rouge's newest interior design store/art gallery/seller of fine women's shoes...Mint.

I have to say - this store could not better represent my own personal design aesthetic - very clean, crisp, light, with lots of whites, linens, and soft blues and greens. Mix in some mint juleps, wine, and delicious cookies (yes, i went there), and I'd say that had a stellar opening party.

Mint is located in the old Vespa shop on Corporate Blvd. Check them out - I promise you'll find something you love!

Jeri's Corner! (Birthday Lunch)

Sunday, after the Red Dress Run, I invited a few of my closest friends to my parent's for some apps, drinks, and lunch. Despite the fact that we were all a little hung over, we all had a good time hanging out and laughing (especially with MawMaw) as we recounted the weekend's festivities.

After we ate grilled chicken and sausage, salad, and black bean salsa, we all stuck around for some cupcakes that we butchered cut into fourths for easier sharing (and champagne). A quick GREAt Jeri's corner idea: hand-written cards for sauces, dressings, and ingredients. It adds a personal touch to something that's ordinarily pretty generic. All in all, I'd say it was a pretty great afternoon. Now, as I write this back in Baton Rouge, I'm nursing one of the worst hangovers of my life (dramatic enough for you?)

PS - The picture of the 6 of us is somewhat a joke - picking at the fact that our lives are so "wonderful and perfect". Orchid, anyone? #besties 

RDR 2012 - My Oh My

Last year was my first time attending the Red Dress Run, and I had so much fun. This year - I have no words. It was one of the best weekends I've ever had. Instead of just going in for the run, we decided to make a weekend out of it. Ryan booked a room at The Clarion (aka - House of Clarionne) where he, Matt, Stephanie, Brennan and I called home base for the weekend's activities. It was one of those out 'till four, up at 8 kind of scenarios - thank God for Tylenol and Powerade Zero...

Despite my slight wardrobe malfunction where a small rip turned into a full fledged slit up the butt when Michael and Ryan went to "fix" it, I'd say it was pretty much a perfect day. Starting at Lafitte's for Purple Drank at 10:30ish we eventually made our way to Bourbon and St. Ann where we spent the rest of our afternoon drinking like fools and getting cray. Cray cray. How we made it out that night (again until 4) I'll never know.

Favorite quotes of the day:

- Fanny packs; they're just so sensible.
- Your crappy friends, but you're all I've got.
- You're dress is offending everyone here.
- On the Causway!

- Dominique Moceanu, you look like you just finished your floor routine!
- Bitch stole my look!
- #nakedsissies
- What's happening? Ryan, not now...
- The Haus of Clarionne
- Oh, Zanielle's gonna be real real mad...
- OMG - glitter is the STD of the crafting world

White Linen Night

 

While it wasn't exactly what I thought it was going to be, (from left) Matt, Michael, Patrick, Johnny, myself (eyes closed), and Matt attended and enjoyed White Linen Night in The Heights. It's just...there was no drinking and I wasn't sure what to do with myself; I was caught very off guard.

It was hot hot hot outside, but it was still fun. There was a runway show, booths set up with random chachkis for sale, and of course tons of people in white (except for the losers winners in dark clothing). After walking around for a while and sweating our butts off, we finally decided to give in and head down the street to a bar for a few cocktails. (This was before we went BACK to BRB...as if we hadn't had enough the night before!)
All in all, I'd say it was a success, and I would definitely go back again...just a little more prepared (spirits speaking).

As a side note - Ryan, my bestie/roomie wasn't there. His choice. #lookatyourlife,lookatyourdecisions

Michael!

 

 

On Tuesday night, a bunch of our friends headed down to NOLA to celebrate my obnoxiously attractive friend, Michael's birthday! That night, we all ate at Rock-n-Sake before squeezing 6 guys in a little convertible, en route to the corner of St. Ann and Bourbon...if you know what I'm saying. It was one of the best nights out EVER...despite a few hiccups along the way (right, Ryan?). 

The next morning, my friends, Ryan, Matt, Jason, Patrick, Johnny, Michael, and I had brunch at Stanley's in the Quarter (so good). Then, a few Bloody Marys and mimosas later, we drove back to BR to enjoy a pool party at our friends', Joe and Chad for the 4th. All in all, I'd say it was a pretty awesome birthday for both Michael on the 3rd and America on the 4th.