Kick This Cold...

     I've been traveling a lot for work and fun lately and that means planes and germs...yuck!  Well, my first cold for the season kicked into high gear this past weekend - no voice for a few days now and the red noise may have me mistaken for one of Santa's reindeer!  I've been drinking so much tea and water but wanted to try this drink my friend Katie had a couple weeks ago while at lunch - it was warm, filled with a sweet-ginger aroma and looked delightful!
     I was in touch with Katie earlier today to find out what exactly was in it - luckily I had everything in my house - ginger, sparkling water, agave...this is going to be the perfect treat for my sore throat!

Agave, ginger, water, sparkling water...and I added lemon. I  squeezed about 2T of fresh lemon juice, 1 T agave, 2 cups of water and a few pieces of ginger.

This makes it look like goldfish swimming around but it's the fresh ginger slices I put in the water as it boiled. I put all ingredients into the pan (except the sparkling water) and boiled.  I used a strainer as I poured into my mug and topped with a splash of sparkling water. 

Lemony-ginger goodness! It's delicious!

I'm sure this is to be the cure to bring my voice back and heal this sore throat! Try it at home and let me know what you think. Thank you True Foods for the idea - their drink is called The Natural and doesn't have the lemon - with or without it's quite tasty!

Cold season is here but now we know how to kick this cold to the curb! xo 

Honky Tonk Time!

     What do you get when you bring 9 ladies together for a long weekend in Nashville; add in a Bears/Titan game (I didn't cheer for the Bears!!) live music, beer, and grits?? An incredible Honky-Tonk Time!!!! When Sabri first talked to me about getting together I was sold - on the city itself (and you too Sabri!)...to spend a weekend with some of my Chicago friends - Melissa, Sabri (even though she's in Florida - she's still a Chicago friend), Katie & Natalie...sign me up! Then I found out 4 more women were coming and the weekend was sounding even more fabulous!  The more the merrier!
    As excited as I was to see my friends, I was equally as excited for my arrival outfit and I knew exactly what I would wear - blue strapless tiered dress from Anthropologie, Brown chunky belt, Sundance Brown leather jacket and my cowboy boots.  We got to Nashville around 5 and all 9 of us kicked off the weekend with a champagne cocktail at the hotel and away we went...first to grab dinner then off to Broadway to take in the tunes and kick up our heels.  If you haven't been to Nashville - GO! It's one of my favorite cities - lots to do and plenty of music to be heard.  If you can get yourself to Broadway and 2nd St - you are set!
   

My favorite boots - Siren by Mark Nason, yes a little Nordstrom purchase 2 years ago.  They are beautiful, supple with a rose embroidered on the back!

Hello Nashville! I was trying to get this pic from the cab and bless his heart, the driver slowed down so I could get it.

When in Nashville or at least at the Marriott Vanderbilt - have yourself a little champagne cocktail! Cheers!

Broadway St! Tootsies, Roberts, Paradise Park, The Stage, The Wheel and the Whiskey Bent...live music all around.

Why get a glass of beer when you can drink a pitcher?? And we wonder why Nashville ran out of beer on Sunday! Annick was one of the girls I met this weekend - she's invited to Denver anytime - hilarious and had us non-stop laughing.

Another new friend, Paige with Sabri! Love these women! We had so much fun at the Paradise Park...little white trash like but the bands were terrific and there was dancing!

Kristin & Melissa! I miss her so much! We were on the same team when I lived in Chicago -  I so miss chatting with her daily!

Kristin - Melissa - Sabri....a break between laughs! At this point the others had left...it just the 3 of us and we covered some ground.

Now the funniest thing about this picture - the next day at breakfast we were laughing as we passed this photo around - all the girls asked who the guy in the red was...the guy? Who the heck is the girl in the grey sweater?? It still cracks me up. 

It's Bullwinkle! I swear every bar we went to had some big animal stuffed on a wall....am I in Nashville or Wyoming?

It's White Castle time....felt like we were back in Chicago. Do you all notice the cheese sticks on this receipt? I'm still trying to find them...

It's a good thing Wendy's was still open - spicy chicken sandwich and fries!! They weren't please I walked in with my White Castle cup but I kept trying to convince them I dont' like White Castle and therefore I am here...oh! Don't try and walk through the drive thru when the restaurant is open. 

Breakfast on Saturday was at Noshville... yummy! 

This reminded me of New York and their delis.... Noshville was fun! Delicious! and a great way to catch up after a fun night out. My abs hurt so much after this breakfast from all the laughing.

I know I like bacon but really!! I love that Bev and Annick pointed this out to me on our walk back from breakfast.

No, I didn't buy them but had to get a pic...the rhinestones.

and look at Wrangler trying to bling up their jeans...you've come along way from my college days. 

Dinner time! Dress: Anthropologie Jacket: Sundance Boots: Nordstrom Jewelry: Stella and Dot

Katie picked this place...we had dinner in a cabana - Alabama game on (Paige and Nat went there), fun pitchers of drinks and entertainment at the table next to us made for a memorable night. 

Annick - Katie - Bev....I used my iPhone for these pics - next time, taking my good camera. 

Melissa - Sabri - Kristin

Shrimp and Grits! Beyond delicious....just wanted to add more grips and soak up all the Tabasco Butter at the bottom of the bowl. 

Bears/Titans game! The day was fun. I will admit it was hard being at a Bears game when they aren't playing my team.   

We tried to hail some cabs...walked and walked and Melissa said we should hail a pick up, so Katie sprang into action and look at us now - 9 women in the back of a pickup! Felt like we should be throwing candy at a parade. 

Hello from the back of a truck!

Beef brisket on nachos! I've gone to Heaven.

Stopped by this store - my brother in law Darin likes Johnny Cash so I stopped in to find him a koozi...nothing but still a great store. 

The group waiting to get into The Stage...did I tell you that Nashville ran out of beer! They blamed it on the Bear fans. 

Sabri borrowed a hat and the dancing started! How great is she!?!?

This photo had to be added - Sabri and Melissa were trying to figure out who he was, Kris Kristopherson? Who in country music is this guy and once I stopped laughing I said "the Dos Equis guy".... guess you had to be there!

There you have it - 9 ladies; Nashville, TN; dancing; music, beer (or lack of) food and a whole lot of laughing. New friends - old friends. All in all one of my most favorite weekends and memories I won't forget....now, where are those cheese sticks?? xo

This Little Piggy Got a Pedicure!

     It's Spa Day! It's Spa Day! I woke up this morning and had plans to clean my house, get organized and be domestic UNTIL my friend Stacy called to see if I was up for a drive to Evergreen and visit our favorite spa!! I was on 4 flights this week and with all my traveling and little sleep I came down with my first cold for the season but that wasn't going to get in my way from spending the better part of the day at Tall Grass Spa! I called to see what they had for openings and signed us up!
     Tall Grass is an Aveda Spa and Salon and sits in the small town of Evergreen, an hour outside of Denver.  It's one of my favorite escapes from the city - set in a rustic, woody area - plenty of wildlife grazing around the grounds and always a warm cup of tea upon arrival.
    Stacy and I have a joke that every time we get together it snows - it really doesn't matter what time of year it is - if we are together it will snow! Today was no different!  Stacy picked me up and away we went - as we drove it started raining, then hail and eventually snow!!  We called to tell them with the weather we would be late but they were gracious and ready to grab our shoes, purses and hand us a cup of their famous tea.  As I sat down and placed my feet in the soapy water I forgot about my cold, the travels and even the snow...it was time to put my head back and relax and take in the Aveda aromas that make me smile!

Welcome to Tall Grass Aveda Spa and Salon!

Stacy and I - friends since college and so lucky to have her in the Denver area!

The chairs are so big and comfy - the magazines were plenty and the quiet time made for a fabulous Saturday!

Files, scrubs, salts and aromas - this spa pedicure is going to rock! I set my feet in the soapy water and put my head back. 

I love their tea - I keep a couple boxes of it at my house - its the best flavor and instantly makes you relax! 

Salt scrub time! She mixed oils and lotion after this and massaged away.  I am not going to admit how many months it has been since my last pedicure but I will say she had her work cut out for her today. 

Love OPI and brown tones for Fall - You Don't Know Jacques!

ta-da! Drying time in the great room. Stacy thought ahead and brought her own flip-flops, not me, I borrowed a pair of their foamy flops...and check out that tissue - all part of the experience.

I LOVE Aveda - right up there with Anthropologie and Nordstrom!  My house smells like an Aveda salon - hair products, candles and #3 spray are some of my favs. 

Who doesn't love a fire with a cup of tea! Snow falling outside made for a cozy moment in the great room - feet up and eyes closed. 

Stacy caught me taking in the moment. I could have sat here all afternoon but we had lunch to eat and I had plans later this afternoon.

Outside the spa - not the prettiest today but in the summer this is where you want to sit.

View as we left the spa...Evergreen is the perfect escape.

I was told to give "Little Bear" a try - here is it! Local bar/restaurant but lots of fun - live music playing and the decor reminded me of a WI bar.

It's legendary! 

The "tourist"... I love bacon! I love cheese! I love guacamole! 

Stacy and I decided to split the burger and get an order of nachos! Delicious!!!!

Tall Grass Spa - once again you made my day even better!  For anyone who hasn't been - sign up and take in the scenery, aromas and of course the tea!  I hope all of you had a splendid Saturday and made time for yourself! xo
P.S. Thanks mom for the gift card - it makes it even more special of a day!
www.tallgrassspa.com