H2O Tour with Brad Paisley & Co.

This weekend, I went to the H2O Tour as it made a stop through Denver. I love country music, so with the chance to see Brad Paisely, Darius Rucker, and Justin Moore, I had to make it!

To my surprise, there was also a side stage that would have Steel Magnolia, Josh Thompson, and Easton Corbin playing, too! The best part about that was that all three of them were general admission, so I was thisclose!!

We also had some surprise visitors from Darius and Brad, too! It was great to see some of my favorite country acts live and up close. I just wish more acts would do the same every once in awhile!

Steel Magnolia telling me to lay right here and they will ease my mind

Josh Thompson after he got some embellishments from Megan from Steel Magnolia

I don't care how country I need to be to be with Easton Corbin

Darius Rucker joining in with Easton

Brad Paisley throwing rolls around stage while Easton played "Roll with It"

It was the last day for Steel Magnolia, Josh Thompson, and Easton Corbin, but I have no doubt that Mr. Paisley put together other great acts from country music to take their place. If you have a chance to see this tour, get out and get your tickets!

Because I Overshare

One of my newest Blog to Stalk from Mellie at The Newly Employed Biddy was tagged in a blog and since she did a rebelling free-for-all tag on blogs, I wanted to take part and give a shout out to a blog that's a lot like mine, but different.

So, here's the deal with the tag, you answer their eight questions (Mellie's over-achieving with 10), tag eight blogs, then ask your own eight questions...it's like a chain letter without the risk of breaking your mom's back for stepping on a crack taboo. Here's a snippet from Mellie. (Oh, and totes mcgoats check out her Q&A session...it's like my train of thought, but wittier and with less profanity.)

As far as my new batch of questions, I'm channeling James Lipton channeling Bernard Pivot (Or more appropriately I'm actually probably channeling Will Ferrell channeling James Lipton channeling Bernard Pivot). So go ahead and picture yourself in front of an audience of desperate actors and a bearded wonder with a stack of blue cards next to you, because you're bout to be on the Actors Studio. (As far as the tagging goes, I say: If you read me. You're it. Got a blog? Copy and paste, my friend. No blog? That's what the comments section is for.)

And because I'm even more of a rebel, you get ten questions, not eight. What? You didn't think I would disrespect Ferrell-Lipton-Pivot, did you? 

1. What is your favorite word?

"Oy". And by extension, "to the vey." I'm not Jewish and I don't speak Yiddish, but sometimes, that's all I can say. What's surprising is that my linguistics far exceed a one-syllable word, but sometimes my complex lexicon is lost. That, and profanity isn't necessarily fitting in every situation.

2. What is your least favorite word?

I have a vulgar answer, so I'll go with the G-rated version of "navel" in reference to a belly button. For whatever reason, it  creeps me out. Really creeps me out.

3. What turns you on? (creatively, spiritually, emotionally)

 Simplicity and order. A simple picturesque view of the Rocky Mountains, etsy, other blogs, gossip mags. Simplicity and order is calming.

4. What turns you off?

 Bad grammar, bad hygiene, halitosis, racism and bigotry. That goes for anyone. Creatively speaking, it's disorder and anxiety.

5. What is your favorite curse word?

 The F bomb. Sometimes a well placed, well timed, well inflected F%#& really makes the point. Sometimes saying "eff" or "fudge" just doesn't do it. Sometimes, you say F%#& it.

6. What sound or noise do you love?

Rain drops. It's music to my ears. It reminds me of this scene from Bambi:

7. What sound or noise do you hate?

Dry skin snagging on fabric. It's like nails on a chalkboard. I think this is why I maintain pedicures and pumice year round...even though my feet don't go bare in the winter all too often.

8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?

 Hairstylist. I would like to have the techniques for updos and curls that I can only seem to get from my stylist. I wouldn't stop going because it's nice to be pampered. Not to mention the access to all the hair product and tools.

9. What profession would you not like to do?

 Anything that has to do with cleaning up bodily functions. I can handle small amounts, but I draw the line past what a paper towel and a first aid kit can handle.

10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?

"Whattup, Ana! Looks like you had a great time. I've been talking with your grandma, you know she rolls VIP up here and I have to say she makes one kick ass banana bread, not to mention gravy. But you know that. I had a lot of fun creating that epic ass from your early 20's. Annnnyyyhoooo, she says that you should just jump to the head of the line so that you can start cooking for her up here. She just wants to kick it with Elliott and Harry and chug some beers with your grandpa. Welp, I've got some prayers to answer, so I'll see you around. Let me know if you need anything, and welcome to the Kingdom of AWESOME."

Here are the blogs that I challenge to the following eight questions: (And really, if you want to blog about this or even leave a comment, I welcome that, too.)

Chelsea at A Colorado Cupcake
Heather at Candy Coated Cupcakes
Chaddy at Chad & Matt's Guide to Life
Lindsey at My Quarter Life Crisis
Heather at Lilly's Running Momma
Veronica and Betty at We Hate You, Love Us.
Emily at My Heart Shaped Life
the girl in the red shoes

Here are the questions they are charged with:

1. If they were to make a biopic of your life, what would it be titled and who would be casted to play you?
2. What is your favorite dessert? Be specific.
3. What's your favorite cocktail, shot, and wine. In that order.
4. What is your favorite holiday? How do you celebrate it?
5. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
6. How would you describe your personal style?
7. What do you keep in your Box of "It's Not Going to Work Out"? (Basically, what secrets do you keep from your significant other that may make you look a little bat shit crazy?)
8. Tonight you can do anything without worry of cost...what would you do?

OB. SESSED.

For whatever menopausal reason, Mother Nature hasn't tried to even give a hint of fall here in Denver. We have temperatures in the 80s/90s all week. This is problematic because I am OB. SESSED. with fall.

I want to wear jacket, scarves, cozy sweaters, amazing boots, the list goes on and on! But with weather like this, I'll be pitting out any shirt I put on. Instead, I will have to exercise my inner-fashionista on here to make sure she doesn't go all crazy.

Here's what I am OB. SESSED. with this week: BOOTS!

I went shopping with A Colorado Cupcake awhile back and got some black boots from Target. I was so excited to wear them! After a few short weeks, I realized I really, really, really wanted the tan boots, too!

My literal obsession. I have dreams about ensembles to wear these with.

The best part about these little $34.99 dreams? The have a colored zipper up the back!

Too. Freaking. Cute.

I wore these little numbers out with skinny dark denim jeans and a structured grey jacket/frilly white top combo. The best part about this whole outfit was that while I was in ALDO, the store clerks commented on my boots and asked me where I got them. Before I could say, Tar-Jay, the other clerk popped in and said Steve Madden! They look almost like those expensive leather editions that even people that look at shoes all day mistook them for their pricier inspirations!


Now if Mother Nature could cooperate, I could start rocking these boots all over town!

Judgey McHypocritical

OK, so you know how some people are motivated to change from other people. society, or other unusual motivators? Well, I have motivation from several places, some are the same since the beginning, others have evolved over time.

What constant remains the same is that I am motivated for MYSELF. Let me type that again. I am making these choices for ME.

Now, where I'm at in life is from where I have been.  I have been a brunette. I have been a sorority girl. I have been a geophysicist. What am I now? I am a (fall) blonde.  I am still a sorority girl (you never really leave), but now, it's all about service, not about booze. (OK, a little bit about booze.) I am an appellate case manager.

What this means is that although I have changed, I am still me and still in it for me. I have evolved as a person because I took a step back from what I thought everyone wanted from me. I stepped forward to be someone that I wanted to be: healthy, happy, and making decisions that would bring be closer to both.

In the process, I have shed pounds, bad habits, and unfortunately lost some friendships. In its stead, I have prolonged my life, lessened my chance for heart disease and other genetic tendencies, and deepened those friendships that are truly enriching and rewarding.

Why am I getting so philosophical?  I was (unfairly) judged by someone because of my past. Good, bad, and indifferent, my choices have landed me exactly where I am. I can't apologize for decisions that I've made in the past because it would mean that I would be on a different path. In the end, I have to be OK with my choices. I have to be the one that's happy. I am accountable for ME. So Mr. Judgey McHypocritical can check his motives and become accountable for his decisions and not sweat mine.

I do not regret my past, but of course with hindsight, I might have put down that tasty Taco Bell chalupa and picked up a celery stick.

Point is, that you've got to check your motives and be accountable for your choices. Make sure that you're doing what YOU want, not what others want. Be who YOU want to be, not what you think people want you to be.

You do you, I'll do me.

Fall Blonde

Here's a quick little post on the fly from my handy dandy iPhone. I have fully embraced the best season of the year and broken one of my longest runs with a hair color motif.

(Seriously, my roots are my only indicator as to what my natural hair color is, bur that's not really a good indicator because depending on the overall color, it looks mouse-y or ash-y.)

(And I have colored my hair for almost 15 years.)

(Oh crap, I'm old.)

(I'm not sure if I'm depressed by the passage of time or the fact I don't know my own hair color.)

ANYWAY, I like to call this color "Fall Blonde"...a little change from my platinum-ish shade.

Hope that you are embracing the best season of the year with little nods to fall...

Why I'm Scared To Have Children

 Last night, I had the chance to go to a Rockies game. (Granted, they lost by one run, but the game was fun and thrilling until the last out.) While I'm not a HUGE baseball fan, I am a HUGE people watching fan. Case in point: Mom from the 80's with the feathered shag haircut with purple streaks and bright purple eyeliner. That? Was a minor offense compared to the offenses that minors were committing left and right. These offenses were fashion based, of course.

Now, I'm not saying I've made the best fashion choices every day of my life. (Enter the awkward bowl cut, the mile high bangs, the pants tucked into socks, decolletage in daylight, but this post is not about me.) BUT, what I do know is that not every fashion can be pulled off by everyone and some fashions should be left solely for theme parties to parody the atrocities from popular culture.

Enter the current teenage/tween population. They wear skin tight skinny jeans. They wear bright florescent colors. They wear their hair meticulously blown forward in a shag that requires headbands. They sag their pants. They wear plaid. They wear capri leggings. Does this sound familiar my mid-to-late twnetysomethings slash early thirtysomethings?? That's because these fashions were from our youth!

Case in point: Here's the fashion show scene from Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead.



That? Is what these kids are wearing. OK, so maybe they aren't rocking every look, but it's getting close. Another example of these fashions can be found in any episode of Teen Mom. More specifically those scenes with Farrah. Homegirl needs to stop complaining about being broke when she's dressed in all the latest "fashions". Well, I would say that she may have gotten them from Goodwill, but if you've ever seen an episode, that brat wouldn't touch a thrift store with a ten-foot pole. I nearly fell off the couch when Farrah sported leggings under daisy duke shorts with booties. Oy to the vey. Those leggings? Resembled hyper color or acid wash. I think I need a whole post dedicated to all of the cast members. Who knew unprotected sex would ultimately be my muse for future blogs?

Real Love for Fake Camping

Boy, A Colorado Cupcake sure can pick 'em! We've been talking about going camping and enjoying the gorgeous outdoors that Colorado has to offer. So, when ACC went to book a nearby campground and saw that it was full, she went on to the next campsite on the list thinking it was a little farther west than it actually was...like 30 miles west of where it actually was. But that's no never mind. Why? Because it was fake camping.

Another friend of ours, Taylor, looks at life from an amazingly optimistic perspective. That optimism? Is based in finding material for her stand up and improv performances. (Gratuitous shout out: Go see her if you're in the Denver area on September 24 in Biography - Life as a Comedy at the Bovine Metropolis Theater.) Back to the blog, she started off with the mindset of this being "fake" camping. Meaning, that since this was for one night and that we weren't going too far, it's not really camping. We didn't know how right Taylor would be until we pulled up to this:

The Serengeti of Northern Colorado

This campground? Was about a mile from I-25. A little to the right in this picture are the majestic golden arches of McDonald's and the warm red glow of the Arby's cowboy hat.

Something comforting about those neon lights.

Granted, this place wasn't far from civilization, but it was far enough removed that we could have

A warm campfire. (Note: Those are Uggs because it was that chilly at night.)

Beautiful mountain views and quaint ponds.

and a nice walk to the bathroom facilities that we HAD to use or get a ticket for peeing in the bushes. (I'll spare you the pictures. ha.)

Overall, we realized that any campground that we could hear the hum of traffic, see the lights of civilization, and be only 5 minutes from an interstate would be just fine for fake camping. Sure, we ate food warmed by a fire and slept in sleeping bags, but we also had real fun just hanging out with each other. It's trips like this, no matter how close to home, that make you thankful for the life you have.

We have plans to make it out one more time, hopefully, this season, a little farther from the hustle and bustle. We could see the stars that night, but nothing compares to the stars in the Rocky Mountain sky.

Granted this trip was a little like Troop Beverly Hills, it was still a thrill!!

I have real love for fake camping.

Fall Is In The Air

Reading the posts of my fellow bloggers A Colorado Cupcake and Candy Coated Cupcake, (don't have a sweet tooth yet? Well, read their blogs and you will!) I have fallen in love with fall all over again. ACC and CCC both talked about the PSL (Pumpkin Spice Latte, btw) at Starbucks and how it's the unofficial official sign that fall is here.

I couldn't help but change up the background and decor of my blog because the modified damask was a little too drab for my favorite time of year. Sure, the reasons for my love affair with Autumn have changed ( I don't get a "back to school" wardrobe overhaul), but the core points come through every year.

The changing colors of the leaves....

A little latte...

Anything cable knit...

And of course, there's always FOOTBALL!!!!!

I love the orange jerseys for my team, the Denver Broncos, even more with fall foliage!

I Have a Justin Bieber Liver

Some of you loyal readers (Which I love any and all traffic to my not so advertised blog, so thank you in advance for reading. ANYWAY) know that I have had a little brush with not so awesome functioning liver.

You may think, "GASP! I didn't know someone could live for more than 8-24 hours with liver failure." Well that would be right. I don't have liver failure, but more that it's not breaking down everything as it should. Sure, it can filter my booze, processed foods, and artificial sweetner just fine, but that's just because those are the pushy bitches at the front of the line to meet Justin Bieber. My other bodily functions are more of the pushovers in this whole "Justin Bieber is my liver" scenario. (You know those girls that just plot and pine over Justin quietly in their room talking to his poster as if it were a real person.)

Those pushovers? Need some backstage passes to show those pushy bitches who really matters to Justin.

So, how does one get those backstage passes? For me, I see a naturopathic doctor. That means that instead of using chemicals (whorey behavior with roadies), I am cleansing (winning passes through an official fan club lottery.)

This means that my Justin Bieber liver gets face time with those functions that make my body run like a well oiled machine and keep the pushy (now whorey) bitches completely out.

In simple terms, I had a three day fast before a three week cleanse. The fast? Was crazy. I don't know how I managed to last three days eating no more than two bell peppers and drinking a lemonade concoction. I know that popular culture has given fasts and cleanses a bad name, (In this whole Bieber Fever scenario, it would be everyone outside of the tween-iverse) using a cleanse and fast that is supervised by a doctor (iTunes Genius suggestions), I choose to modify my diet and use known beneficial supplements (not changing the channel when JB is on) over those chemicals (whorey a la Lohan).

Fasting is not for everyone and by no means should be done lightly. It's weird to have food again, and even weirder that for the next month, I am essentially an ovo-lacto vegan. (OK, so I get some chicken, turkey, and fish in there, but really, it's a huge change.)

(And for those not in tune with their inner hippie, an ovo-lacto vegan means that you don't eat any animal parts or products like dairy, eggs, steak, etc.)

Long story longer, I have a Justin Bieber liver that has morals and won't let pushy bitches with whorey behavior kick it with it.

Beacause I'm a Self-Professed Techno-Weenie

I added the mobile and email abilities to my blog.

What does this mean for my devoted readers and passers by?

I'm glad you asked...

It means that I might be more inclined to post more frequently because I can do so via email and text message. AND...since I have the handy dandy iPhone, I can do all of that with my little security blanket.

Happy Friday and I hope that everyone has an amazing Labor Day weekend!

Cape Cod Wedding Weekend

Listening to all of the news outlets talking about Hurricane Earl and the fury it's about to rain (Get it? Rain instead of reign?) down upon Cape Cod, it made me realize I have not blogged about my trip to Boston and a little weekend in Cape Cod to celebrate Jessica and Kevin's wedding.

(First, I'm a bad friend. Now that it's out there, we can focus on the fun from June. And relish summer that much longer with the fact that the wind chill this morning in Denver was 37. And the high today is supposed to be in the low 80s. If that doesn't prove Mother Nature is menopausal, I don't know what will. I digress.)

First, I landed in Boston and met up with my friend since kindergarten, Caitlin. (Fun fact: She's the bride to wedding number 4 of 4 this year in Connecticut.) She moved to Beantown post-college, so I got to do the local stuff instead of the tourist traps. We managed to hit up a Red Sox game which is the closest thing to a religious experience I can imagine.

Troop 1812: From cookies to beer. (Note: that's an authentic rotary sign Fenway t-shirt compliments of Caitlin and her fiance Mark.)

Next up on the agenda was a trip to the Cape. (Say it like Elle.) The mist/fog that was around in a mild climate was surreal. The rehearsal dinner was at Kevin's parent's house and it was an amazing dinner with plenty of food for the masses and fresh "caught" oysters. We had a great contingent of Deltas to dominate the gazebo dance floor.

Never fear, we know how to make a group shot work.

For the ceremony and reception, we were at the Crosby Mansion. The mansion is from a sea captain named Something Crosby. His family lived there. It overlooked the ocean. It was pretty amazing. Oh, and during the whole ceremony, the pastor dropped all "R's" and added "R's" to anything ending in a vowel.

We aaah gatha-ed here to celebrate the wedding of Jessicar and Kevin.

During the reception, we naturally had to check out the Atlantic ocean. The water was a little chilly, but that didn't keep us from dipping in our toes. Also, it was overcast and rainy the entire weekend, aside from their wedding day. Not a cloud in the sky and no threat of rain.

I know I look like I hit the vitamin D cocktail a little harder, but to be fair to the other girls, it was the beginning of the summer.

If you were a bridesmaid and had a taffeta, water-stained dress, what would you do? Naturally, you would go frolic in the ocean. Well, at least if you're Daisy or Christie.

Clearly, this was also done completely sober. [Side note: Where's that damn sarcasm font?]

The wedding and reception were a great time...from what I remember....and from what I'm told, I had a great time. It was great to have a mini vay cay with my friends, but made even better because I got to celebrate Jessica and Kevin's first day as Mr. and Mrs. Foley.

Before I left, I got to hang in Boston for another day. Caitlin and Mark took me over to the North End for dinner with Daisy (who had to stick around Boston for another 2 weeks for work) and Andi and her fiance Chris (who live in Boston). We had amazing Italian food and capped off the night with a cannoli from a little bakery.

Practicing for our yachting days.

Granted, I waited several months to post this, but I loved reliving the weekend with this post. It was the beginning of this summer, so it's made me cherish those warm summer days in between.