Betsey Johnson Experience

I failed to mention one very important tidbit from my Betsey Johnson experience.

As I made my way up to the counter to purchase my dress and shoes, I noticed a new shipment of jewelry being sorted and set out in the display case. It seemed to have a nautical theme-- fishes, anchors, coral, etc. I casually asked, "You don't have anything with a sea horse on it, do you?"

"Ummm, like this?" Sold.












"We also have this." Sold.

Well, actually, my sweet friend Kim was with me and insisted on purchasing the necklace for my birthday. She was also kind enough to let me take it home with me early! Needless to say, I floated out of Betsey Johnson with my dress, shoes, and bling in hand. (**Side note: that sea horse is wearing a blue bow...just sayin'...)

What is pink and sparkly and has a huge satin bow?

If you guessed, "Your birthday dress?" YOU ARE RIGHT!

Exactly one month from today I will be saying "goodbye" to my early twenties and "hello" to a quarter-century of life. Initially, I was devastated by this little fact. Weeks ago I thought to myself, "Ugh. Ick. 25." But, after a little consideration, I realized that 25 isn't all that bad. I have a great job, I'm pursuing my dreams and earning a Master's degree, I have wonderful people in my life... really, I am so blessed.

So, in good 'ol Lauren fashion, I decided that for my birthday I wanted to look like a precious, pink, sparkly cupcake... at 25 years old. I began my journey to find the perfect dress. I decided that I wanted to own my first Betsey Johnson dress. Her dresses are fabulous, but you really need an occasion to wear one. They are just too great for everyday wear.  As luck would have it, I found the dress. I won't reveal pictures (yet), but let's just say it is so "me." My good friend Kim is the only person who has seen it on me, and even she said, "You're the only person I know who could get away with this..."

I am so in love with it. I cannot wait to wear it next month. Here's a tiny sneak peak...my shoes.

Keep an eye out for your invitation...you don't want to miss this.

Buyer Beware...

It's that time of year again...TAX FREE WEEKEND! (August 20-22, 2010) That's right, all of the parents crazed by the thought of saving a couple of bucks and their equally crazy kids will be on the loose this weekend. If you are courageous enough to brave the treacherous conditions, take a moment to make sure your items are eligible so that you are blind-sided when you get to the register.

Just a little tip from one crazed shopper to another...

Christmas Ornament

I was walking through Hallmark the other day and wandered throught the Christmas ornament aisle. Yes, they already have them out. And, just my luck, I came across this little treasure:

Now, don't everyone rush out at once to buy it for me... 'cause I already bought it for myself.

The Little Mermaid + Sea Horse = Lauren's Dream Ornament

Now, if they would only post the tour dates for the off-Broadway Tour of The Little Mermaid...

Hey, at least you know my hair is clean...

This morning as I was stepping out of the shower, I glanced around the corners of my tub and in my hanging shower basket and spotted the following:

As I told you in my previous blog on being a Beauty Non-expert, I tend to "collect" shampoo and conditioner. Really, I am just building my collection to prepare for Jordan's Christmas gift...

Needing a vacation after my vacation...

I have decided that weekend trips to anywhere outside of Texas are just not ideal in the ways of vacationing. As I posted before, the "W's" took Denver last weekend. Mom, Dad, Lana, and I drifted off to a peaceful sleep between midnight and 1AM thursday night...and we awoke at 3AM to head out to our early morning flight and whirlwind weekend.

We landed in Denver around 7:30AM and bussed over to get a rental car. That was an ordeal. We finally got it all worked out and drove off in to the sunrise to discover Denver. First we found ourselves at the US Mint in downtown Denver. The tours were full, but really Dad just wanted to hit the gift shop...

Next we ate a big lunch at Macaroni Grill before heading to Silver Plume, CO to take a ride on a steam engine train... as we walked up to the entrance, we heard a woman mutter, "Bummer." We didn't know what she was referring to until we got a little closer-- the train before ours derailed. What? Are you kidding me? DERAILED?! That can still happen in 2010?! Well, no one was injured and it didn't seem to bother the train station workers all that much, but it did mean that we had driven almost an hour outside of Denver for nothing. Lucky for us, Silver Plume is rich with decrepit antique shops and strange residents. So, we spent the next several hours exploring Silver Plume, CO and Idaho Springs, CO. We checked in to our hotel with about an hour and a half to spare before our dinner reservations at The Aquarium. We were all exhausted after having little sleep and being awake so long, but when there's an aquarium in the picture, I don't need much more motivation. Dinner was wonderful. The restaurant had such a fun atmosphere. They had these sea horse salt and pepper shakers on each table...Mom wouldn't let me steal them, but it turns out they sold them in the gift shop. (Mom told me later that she was plotting to take them if they weren't for sale in the shop...thanks Ma!) After dinner we got to walk around the actual aquarium. It was like heaven on earth. We did come across one tank where a sea horse was laying on its side. I panicked. I made my mom check to see if he was breathing...no sign of life. My heart was broken...until an aquarium worker happed to pass us. I asked her if he was ok and she replied, "Oh yeah, he's fine! We've had him checked out by one of our doctors (It had a fancy name, but all I could hear was "he's ok.") and he just likes being on his side." Two things: 1. Thank goodness and 2. I want to be a sea horse doctor! Anyway, the aquarium was great!

Saturday we awoke early to eat breakfast and walk the 16th Street Mall followed by the Denver Zoo. After another short rest, we gathered ourselves up and headed out to watch the Rockies/Cubs game.

It was a "quick and dirty" trip, but it was so nice to spend some time in 80 degree weather. But, there's no place like home!

Here are a few of my favorite pictures from the trip: