The Worlds Best Outlaws

My mom has been hilariously referring to herself as an outlaw, as opposed to an in-law, for several years now.

We chuckle everytime she says it and now she has Bryan's mom referring to herself as an outlaw too!

These 2 crazy ladies make mine and Bryan's days brighter just by knowing how well they get along and how they can crack jokes at their own expense.

Now mind you, they have completely different personalities, and sometimes Bry and I are suprised at how well they click.

But trust me, we don't question it!

We're just happy that they both have twisted, quirky senses of humor and are about as real as they come.

April 2008

Cheers to our mom's and our outlaws -- we can't wait to see you when we're in town for Christmas!

Fall Is Quickly Turning Into Winter

Cheers in Boston, MA

the Newport, RI harbor

Bryan and I were fortunate to experience last fall in New England.

We were in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Rhode Island for the entire month of October.

It was absolutely beautiful.

Indescribable.

***

Flash forward to this year, and we are enjoying fall right outside our very own door!

It is so fun to experience living in the seasons for the 1st time and I just can't believe that everytime I look out my window or walk out my door I get to see these amazing colors.

12 Things I Cannot Live Without

Tis the season for giving and receiving, so in honor of Christmas I have put together a 'lil list of things I've either received from someone or gotten for myself!

I have seen others re-create this very blog in their own way and have learned of some good, unique products from them, so I figured I'd share:

12 Thing I Cannot Live Without

(1)

My quilted Chanel sunglasses

I have worn this very pair for almost 2 years now... Okay, so it's my 2nd pair of them because I left my 1st pair in a hotel in Portland, ME.

Who's counting though?

These sunglasses are worth every penny.

I have the super dark lenses in them so that I can people watch discretely!

(2)

Melitta Perfect Brew Filter Cone

This little plastic cone is one of the BEST inventions for coffee lovers who don't always want to make a whole pot of coffee.

Or, maybe you're like me and are the only coffee drinker in your household, therefore making a whole pot is a waste.

How it works is:

Heat up water in a kettle or in the microwave

Place the filter cone on top of the mug

Put a filter in the cone on top and scoop your desired ground coffee into the filter

Pour hot water onto your ground coffee and listen to it filter threw the cone into your mug

And just like that you have yourself a cup of fresh coffee made especially for you!

*sold at Bed Bath and Beyond for $2.99

(3)

Fresh Flowers

It's a must for me to have fresh flowers in my home.

I know some view it as a waste of money, but not me.

No way.

$10? So worth it!
Flowers are life and beauty.

They add so much to a room and always make me smile.

The more yellow the better!

(4)

Salmon Run Pinot Noir

If you've ever been to Upstate New York's Finger Lakes then you've probably stopped by the Salmon Run Winery.

While I've never been to the Finger Lakes, I have frequented Upstate New York several times and enjoyed this scrumptious bottle of wine everytime I'm there.

Best believe I've checked to see if it's sold in NC.

It's not :(

(5)

MAC Brave Lipstick

This unpopular and overlooked shade of lipstick is the best I've ever worn.

It is Matte, so it goes on very smooth and is appropriate for a business setting or an evening out at the theater.

I wore it to my college graduation 7 years ago because it made me feel "adult," HA!

Add some gloss and BAM, your subdued shade will pop off of your mouth and make your lips shine like never before.

You're ready for a night out with the girls or your honey!

The best part about this lipstick shade is that because it is in the "blue family" -- your teeth will look SO white!

(6)

Hershey Kisses

They are my guilty pleasure.

They are so milky and chocolatey and yummy... I just love them for dessert and always have them in a little candy dish at home.

Try Dark Chocolate too!

(7)

Garnier Fructis ULTRA STRONG Hair Spray

This hair spray is so cheap and is conveniently found everywhere.

I kid you not, it is the BEST hairspray I've ever used (and I've bought all of the expensive brands you can imagine).

(8)Fruit of the Loom Sports Bra's at WalMart

Your girls will thank you... so will your bra's -- even they need a break every now-and-then!

I wear these as sports bra's, under work shirts, when it's hot out (and I don't want to sweat threw a good bra) AND under tank tops and sundresses.

I wore them the whole time I was in Europe this summer!

When under a tank top, if the sports bra peaks out a bit at the chest line, they add a really cute layered look.. looking like a tank top underneath.

Sometimes I wear a strapless bra underneath them because they help keep my strapless bra in place.

They also come in racerback.

I own about a dozen in various colors and styles and probably wear them 4 out of 7 days.

(9)

Dish Drying Mat

This inexpensive drying mat is a lifesaver.

I hand wash my vases, wine glasses, non-disherwasher safe cookware and utensils, etc. and then place them on this mat for safe drying.

It absorbs everything from water to wine and is machine washable.

The cushion adds nice protection for any glassware.

And it folds up so nicely to store when not used.

*sold at Bed Bath and Beyond for $4.99 and $7.99, depending on size

(10)

Revlon Hair Waver

This has been one of the best purchases I made in 2010.

When I'm having a crappy hair day... when my hair won't straighten... when I go to bed with my hair wet and wake up with funky looking waves...... when I want the fresh out of the ocean look.. I take the waver to it and POOF, my hair looks sassy and intended.

Also, if you have curly/wavey hair, but it's straight at the roots -- take the waver to it!

(11)
TIGI Catwalk Root BoostThis product literally changed my life almost 10 years ago.
I have oily skin, therefore I need to wash my hair daily.
Well, not since I discovered this product.
I spray Root Boost in my roots at the top of my head, sides and around my face. I massage it into my scalp with my fingers then brush it threw.
With a quick blowdry my hair has volume, style and best of all... I can wash it every-other-day.
It really has changed my life.

(12)
Rainbow SandalsBeing that I grew up in Orange County, CA and Rainbow's are manufactured in San Clemente, a city in Orange County... I have worn Rainbow's for as long as I can remember.
Everyone on the west coast wears them.
They are a wardrobe staple and might be the most comfortable pair of shoes I've ever worn.
I have them in black and tan and love them both equally.
Why are they so amazing?
Because the arch support is unlike any other.
I have high arches and my feet hurt badly after a day out and about without my Rainbow's. If I know I'm going to walk long distances, like at Disneyland, the mall or when in Europe -- Rainbow's are a must!

Black Friday Fun!

2 years ago Bryan and I were working at a Turkey Trot in downtown Dallas for Thanksgiving.

The morning of Thanksgiving, we were scheduled to sample Pepsi MAX outside a busy WalMart starting at 3:00am.

We were up for the Black Friday shopping and experienced it all for the first time, at WalMart none-the-less.

It was crazy madness and we loved every second of it!

Last year, Bryan and I woke up in the middle of the night and stood in line outside Kohls, waiting for the doors to open... the crowd to rush in...... and us, sprinting to the Dyson vacuum.
Yes! We got it (and LOVE it!)

Flash forward to this year, Bryan is in California and I'm in North Carolina.

Bryan woke up this morning and fought the crowds with his mom.

I, on the other hand, did my shopping last night online.

I love that we both enjoy the rush of the crowds and the extreme discounts, but let me tell you -- sitting in the comfort of my own home, browsing the ads and purchasing away while adding to my 'cart' on the computer was SO nice!

I got the same discounts that I would have had I woken up and gone to the stores.

I received an additional 20% off of everything with an online coupon.

Plus I got free shipping.

And I was able to do it Thursday night.

Although I love waking up on Black Friday, I also love getting packages in the mail... even if they're not really for me.

Bryan's still out and about shopping, so I'm excited to hear about his finds - he was going for a top coat and his mom was going for the Dyson vacuum.

I hope everyone had fun today!

I'm curious what I missed out on...

Dallas Turkey Trot 2008

Happy Thanksgiving

I have much to be thankful for this year, but most of all I am thankful for my incredible husband.

This year has been such a transitional year for us -- from moving to the other side of the country... to getting a dog... to marrying each other --I have found my once in a lifetime love and am thankful beyond words for it! I am also unbelievably thankful for the continued support, wisdom, love and laughter that my parents bring to my life.

Change of Plans

Bryan and I purchased flights to go back to California to spend Thanksgiving with both our our families months ago.
Well, I've changed my mind.

I don't want to go.

Holidays are a big deal in my family and I have always loved spending Thanksgiving at my parents house with our family and friends around.

We always eat and drink too much.

And we always make lasting memories.

Bryan parents were going to come over this year.

Bryan and I are a 21st century couple in that our marriage comes 1st, but us as individuals is high on our list of priorities.

Being an individual in our marriage keeps us happy and makes us a better partner to each other.

Therefore...

Bryan will be flying to California for Thanksgiving.

I will be in North Carolina for Thanksgiving.

This was not an easy decision to come by.

So many factors went into making this decision.
Um, how about the fact that we bought plane tickets already?

Yeah, you can't cancel them... just forefit the money.

Ouch!

I haven't been feeling well for 5 weeks now and this week I'm ready to admit that I'm actually sick.

The doc just diagnosed me with Bronchitis, as expected, and I'm hoping to bounce back quickly with my lovely z-pack!

I'll be fine, but I really want my own bed.... my own couch........ my own blankets to curl up in.

Remember, I've been hotel hopping since mid-August.

Along that same line, we've been away from home for 13 weeks.

I don't want to make it 14.

It sounds selfish, right?

Probably because it kind of is.
I miss home and I just want to be there, even if it means I'll be celebrating Thanksgiving without Bryan and our families.

Bryan was really torn with his decision.

He wants to be with me.

I want him to go to California though.

He misses California, his parents, his old dog and his friends.

He hasn't been back since April and he hasn't seen his parents since our wedding this past May.

I went home in September and my parents both came to visit us in Chicago about 6 weeks ago.

Neither Bryan or I feel 100% about our decisions.

I know I'll feel a bit lonely on Thanksgiving.

He knows that he will probably feel guilty.

We both will miss each other so much.

But what we know is that we're individuals - we're Kate and Bryan - and we're not okay with losing that to do what society views a marriage to be.

Again, this sense of self is something that we both admire in each other.

It's something that attracted us to one another in the first place.

Why fix something that's not broke?

I mean, I know that we're newlyweds and should be attached at the hip, especially for holidays, but honestly, we've spent everyday for the past 3 months together.... we sleep, eat and work together.

The most time that we have had apart is maybe a few hours. MAX.

We feel so blessed to be able to have all of this time together, and that truly does make it a little easier to know that we'll be apart for a short bit.

The time will fly by and we'll be together in North Carolina before we know it.

What I love about our relationship is that we communicate so openly and honestly and sometimes the outcome is not perfect, but it always works for us.

*

I am so looking forward to go home to...

fall leaves

The Village

Most of all... MY HOME!

6 Month Anniversary

Bryan and I were down in the Caribbean island of St. Thomas with our family and friends saying "I do" 6 months ago today.

May 22, 2010

6 months in, I can honestly say that marriage is easy.

I don't know what everyone is talkin' about.......

*wink*

Orlando, FL: Sea World

The arrival in Orlando was bittersweet.

This is our last week launching the 2011 Ford Explorer on the All Area Access Tour.

www.facebook.com/FordExplorer

Our tour is wrapping up, and as much as we're ready to get back to our life, we'll also miss this life and the guys that we work with everyday.

Although most of my stories from the road are about Bryan and I, we have been traveling and working with 2 other guys this whole time.

Yes, that means that I'm the only girl!

Even though I love these guys and they've become our great friends, I am in dyer need of some girl time.

I was lucky that my friend, who's from Orlando, was in town for the holidays with her little Yorkie, Piper.

Cali and Piper have become the best of friends, so Shannon and I got them together for a little play date while we headed off to Starbucks... for what turned into about 3 hours of girl talk on their front patio.

It was my 1st Gingerbread latte of the season -- so yummy! Ford has a partnership with Sea World, therefore we concluded our 3 month run at their facility.

Between the Penguin Encounter and the 3 roller coasters we had our Ford Explorer display set up.

Each morning was fairly quiet, so we all took turns seeing the shows.

First up, Bryan and I went to the Dolphin Show.

These animals are beautiful!
So magestic
The following day we went to see the Shamu Show
February 2010 there was a horrific accident on this very platform and a trainer lost her life while performing the show.
I give the trainer who now stands on this platform a lot of credit, for I would be terrified!
Gorgeous
Although I've been really sick with what I think is a Sinus Infection and Bronchitis and this has been a really hard week with the passing of Abby-girl, I put on my make-up, volumized my hair and rallied the troops together for 1 last "family dinner."

You have to live in the moment, right?
The 4 of us headed to Universal City Walk for our final night out together.
There was a pretty awesome band playing
It's the California girl in me, ah hahaha!
Me and my love
We had a fantastic meal at Emeril's
So sad.......
These guys have really become our family and I'm going to miss seeing them everyday.
Bryan's going to miss planning this countries politics if he and Colin were in command -- all stupid people would die in the most hilarious of ways.
I'm going to miss Colin's comical and constant road rage and talking with him about our lives.
Bryan's going to miss betting $10 on every NFL game each week with Dave, tracking his wins and loses throughout the day and always somehow ending up even.
I'm going to miss watching Dave ride off on his GoPed, secretly praying he eats it so that I can point and laugh.
On the flip side, we're really looking forward to being off of work until 2011!