On Returning to New York City

Let's be honest. I could easily write a million and a half words on the four days I just spent in Manhattan.

But I'll spare you and I both the time. And I'll just say it all in one single phrase -

Overwhelming happiness - like coming home, hanging on, letting go - all at once. 

And the rest I will say with photos.  :)

Oh hello New York. I have missed you!

 I also miss working with these two. 

Good to see not much has changed since I've been gone.

#professionalism

Fancy steakhouse dinner with these girls. 

Maybe we are bad at fancy.

But we are good at silly.

 And LT has new sparkle! She and Matty are getting maaaarrieeeed. :)

Obligatory "cheers-ing" photo.

Who needs cake when you can have "caketails"?

The only way for one to drink a "caketail"

Mockingjay?? In Tribeca??

A sunny New York Friday. UWS love.

Freshly pink toes...meet boots + plastic wrap. Just in cases. 

We're not awkward. Ever.

Catching up with Krista at Grey Dog. 

Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose. 

xoxo

 A West Village Friday night with friends. 

And hopeful Mega Millions tickets.

Smile Sam!

Chilly Saturday morning brunching at Sara Beth's.

With Mrs. Denniston! Love.

It was chilly. And misty raining. Thanks for the welcoming weather NY.

B: Weeeere you going to think about wearing boots today?

LJ: Ummm, no? Flats today!

B: Weeeeell. Maybe you might think about boots...It's 45 degrees and rainy. Did you live here?!

:)

A lil UWS stroll to Levain for a treat. 

Saturday night in Times Square. 

Maybe I even miss the crazy? Oh but I do.

Once on Broadway.

So so so good. See it. It's wonderful. 

Sunday brunching at Tipsy Parson. Delightful as always.

And these girls are just the best brunch crew. 

 This was necessary. 

Kate's first outing!

Followed by a brisk walk through Central Park. 

Where we ran into Morgan...who was on a run with her boyfriend. 

Things I love about this city, always running into people I know. Quite literally.

And my last date of the weekend - catch up coffee with Lindsay Ann.

And then it was time to say good-bye! 

What a whirlwind weekend. Loved every minute of it.

And then I stood in the pouring down rain trying to hail a cab for 20 minutes.
Thanks Linds for waiting with me...good things come to those who wait for cabs in the rain with their friends.

And thanks NYC, for the reminder that some things never change. 

Until next time New York!

Green.

They told me St. Patty's weekend in Dallas was not to be missed. I mean, I've done St. Patty's celebrating in New York City friends, I'm no stranger to the craziness of this holiday. But hey, let's see what this is all about.

I stuck around, made some plans to tag along with Linds and Colin and their friends for the festivities. Which turned out started at 8:15am. Ouch. These guys don't mess around.

I wore a green dress. Green nail polish. Green Kendra Scott earrings. And my cowboy boots. Duh.

Greenville Avenue was all shut down in preparation for the parade and block party. We camped out at Stan's among lots and lots of green-clad St Patty's celebrators. Koozies were necessary. 

Colin and Linds. Very green.

We call this, the green slurpee. Yum. Just a taste before hitting the road - ok, maybe just walking a few blocks - to our next party location.

We met some horses along the way. They were not dressed in green. But we thought they should have been.

I must share the following photo shoot. 

Jessyca and Lindsey. And the kilted man. Lindsey was very sure she knew him from somewhere...

House party. Green beer. Green jello. Puppies. It was a good day.

I'm also not 100% sure where this lei came from. But it is now hanging in my cubie at work. Just a lil green reminder of my very green holiday. 

Love these girls!

Oh and another happy St. Patty's treat?? THIS gal was in town from South Carolina to celebrate her big 3-0 birthday. I met up with sorority sis Deborah, her husband FJ and their friends for some cookie cake and one more green beer. 

All that equals...

One. Long. (and very green!) Day.

St. Patty's Dallas style. 

Success!

Color Running & Other (mis)Adventures

The Color Run. Or the mud run. Or misadventures in white.

Austin, Texas

A weekend road trip with the girls
A quick stop at Rudy's in Waco for much needed BBQ + banana pudding on Friday night
An early Saturday morning wake up call
All dressed in white
Rain, rain please go away
No sun. Clouds. Wind. So cold. Thankful for knee-high socks.
A slow start
A mudslide
Very little color
Some slipping. Some falling. Some squealing. Some cutting of the course.
A less colorful than expected pink finish line
Followed by a very colorful victory dance / photo shoot
A slightly messy car ride back to the hotel
Sorry about the pink bathroom Doubletree, maybe it adds character

A few other notable Austin weekend activities...

A visit with sweet Baby Cambry and her mama

Trudy's for Mexican martini's. Just like old times.

Parallel parking. (no photographic documentation)

lj: right. can someone else pleeeease do this?
lindsey: nope. you've gotta learn sometime.
lj: and you're sure that now is that time?
lindsey: cut it all the way to the right!!
lj: what do you think i'm doing?!?

Thanks roommate for the "tough love."
I'm confident I will never ever again be allowed to drive on road trips. Eeek.