Visit from friends

A couple weeks ago we had some friends come to visit us from TN! They’re the first to visit since we moved last summer, so it was fun to show them around town.

On the first night we surprised them by taking them to Estes Park to stay at the Stanley Hotel. Andy and I stayed there a while back and loved it. Lynzi and Cara love all things spooky, so we thought a night there would be fun. We didn’t really see or hear anything ghostly, just a random creepy guy wandering the halls at night.

We celebrated and made a harlem shake video. Fortunately for you it will never be posted on the internet.

surprise road trip

the stanley

creepy elevator

The next day we drove back to Denver and relaxed by the pool, then ate at our favorite diner and headed downtown. We met up with Liz and walked around downtown Denver, then headed to the Fillmore for the Paramore concert! It was a really cool venue, and the opening band, Kitten, was pretty impressive despite all of the lead singer’s awkward hip gyrations. I was so excited to be at my 14th Paramore show. I’m kind of obsessed. Lynzi is the one who introduced me to Paramore 7 years ago.  I remember hearing them for the first time and feeling like they really got me, like their music was everything that I would write if I could write songs. We’ve always had a special bond over their music. So it was only fitting that she come out for their concert. We felt like such groupies because we’ve been going to their shows since 2006 when they played at way smaller venues. I had so much fun singing my heart out and dancing my butt off with my friends!

exploring 16th Street

at the Paramore show

Then to end the night we went and sang karaoke, something I’d never done before! Well I only joined in on one song because even though I can’t sing I couldn’t resist belting out Boyz II Men’s “End of the Road” with my friends.

Cara & Andy singing their duet haha

The next day we went down to Manitou Springs and walked through Garden of the Gods. Always such a beautiful place to visit. Still can’t get over seeing the towering red rocks against the bright blue sky and snow capped mountains.

Pike’s Peak

Such a fun weekend full of laughter, great music, and funny stories. Thanks for coming out to see us friends!

Love,

Melissa

home again

Last week we went back to TN to surprise my mom for her 50th birthday! We didn’t tell anyone but my sister that we were coming so we surprised a lot of people. We Skyped with Andy’s parents in their front yard and then just knocked on their door! They were so shocked to see us standing there. We also surprised a few other friends by just knocking on their door.

My sister and cousin had planned a birthday dinner for my mom, so I hid in a big box and let her open it. It was so fun to see shock, confusion, and then pure joy on everyone’s faces

We stayed for five days, and it was so good to spend time with loved ones. Listening to my grandparents’ stories. Holding my sweet little niece that’s not so little anymore. Catching up with old friends. Hanging out with the in-laws. Sipping tea with my mom. Shopping with my best friend.

petey was happy to see us when we got home

I think that no matter where we go, Chattanooga will always be home. Nothing can replace the place where we grew up, but it’s funny how after only 9 months in Colorado, we really feel at home. Excited to have some friends come visit us soon so we can show them around this beautiful city!

Happy Tuesday everyone… gonna listen to some good music and watch the snow fall (yes, snow, in APRIL!!)

Love,

Melissa

Happy Days

 

Do you ever have days where everything just feels happy? Last Monday was one of those days for me. I had absolutely nothing planned for my day off and it felt good. We slept in, then Andy made his famous bacon & scrambled eggs (we colored the eggs green for fun). We laid around in a food coma, then decided to go outside and enjoy the sunshine. It was 62 degrees and sunny, so I put on my new orange- red swimsuit (shout out to my bestie for the birthday present) and we took a dip in the hot tub. Crazy to think that just a few days later we’re getting snow as I type! It really hasn’t been a bad winter because the sun is always out, but we are looking forward to warmer weather. Anyway, later we went to Barnes and Noble, then to one of our fave restaurants and had the best burgers ever. Then we cuddled while we watched a movie. Oh and I can’t forget the best brownie ever too. Perfect ending to a perfect day.

St. Patty’s Day breakfast. I don’t think we’re even Irish?

5 year daily journal I got a B&N.

yay for Best Buy rewards

I know you were thrilled reading all of that… but I just felt like I had to document it somehow. Maybe I discovered the secret formula for a perfectly happy day. Like food+ sunshine+ food – chores + cuddling+ good books+ more food + good movies + dessert = happiness. So the secret part is pretty much the food. I should just make really good food every day and then I’ll be happy. I know that sounds like the beginnings of some sort of disorder… but really I just love food. 

I’m gonna go try and duplicate some Pinterest recipes… have a great weekend!

Love,

Melissa

Only got $20 in my pocket…

Well so I had a little more than that but that song kept playing in my head ALL DAY! Last weekend, I threw on some lipstick and a beanie to meet my fabulous friend Liz (why did I not get a picture with her?) for a day of thrifting! We didn’t score like we’d hoped, but there’s always next time. Here’s what we learned:

1. Only bring cash. Both Liz and I have this weird thing called a budget. And although many thrift stores now accept debit cards, we both understand that having physical money keeps one from spending too much. It’s just too easy these days to swipe a card and not be fully aware that your balance is declining.

2. If the establishment smells like A) old gym socks; B) a mothball factory; or C) a garbage dump: LEAVE! You all know that I frequent some shady thrift stores, but there’s a difference in a place looking like a dump and smelling like a dump! Chances are, if the place smells like a boy’s locker room mixed with wet dog, there’s nothing in there worth searching for!

3. Check the store’s hours before you go. The store that we were most excited about was the one that we saved for last, and is also closed on Sundays. At least we have a reason to go again another time!

4. Keep an open mind! Now don’t be so open that you buy everything thinking that you will have it altered/ dry-cleaned/ dyed to make it work (I speak from experience here), but do look at items with the intention of re-fashioning them. For example: can you add a belt or a sweater to change the look? I tried on a color block dress but decided to pass it up because I didn’t like the free-form shape. Then I came home and immediately the exact dress but in coral popped into my blog feed and made me feel stupid for not getting it. C’est la vie!

Here are some glimpses of our day:

so. much. polyester.

treasure trolls! used to love these.

blue satchel from target, $4

this shop had a kitty. his name is polyester. he wasn’t for sale.

gold bag from target, $4

knot earrings, $1

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Love, Melissa

Birthday Fun

Today was a perfect day. My sweet hubby made breakfast and then we went and played in the snow. I only remember it snowing once on my birthday. I was seven and it was magical. Getting to play in it today brought back so many happy memories. The snow here is so soft and powdery that we couldn’t really make a snowman, but it was fun to walk through it and see everything covered in it. The sun was shining so bright and made everything so white and sparkly. It wasn’t even that cold outside. Later we went to a movie (our favorite midday activity). Then we went to a restaurant we’d never tried and stuffed our faces with steak and mashed potatoes and laughed at inside jokes until we got strange looks from the server. And as if the day couldn’t be any more perfect, we came home, turned out the lights and tried to see how much static electricity would manifest itself on Petey’s fluffy self (so entertaining, you should definitely try it). Then we stuffed our faces with cupcakes, laid by the fireplace and talked about life. I’d say my 27th year is gonna be pretty awesome. 

 

Thanks for all of your kind birthday wishes. I’m feeling the love today!

Love,

Melissa

 

So we got a blizzard…

earlier today

our view

snowflake on my forehead

homemade belgian waffles seemed perfect for a snowy morning

early bday present from my hubby! i was so surprised!

Its been a perfect day at home. So thankful to be off for two days!

Hope everyone has a blessed Sunday!

Love,

Melissa

thrifty goodness

When we first moved to Denver and I didn’t have a job yet, I filled my days with thrifting. And good novels. And laying by the pool. And ice cream. But lately I’m so exhausted from work that I want nothing else on my days off than to stay in my pajamas and eat cereal and catch up on Downton Abbey. So that doesn’t leave much time for thrifting. Or anything productive. But the other day I took some time to visit some of my favorite thrift stores. I even returned to the scariest thrift store ever, because what I found last time was worth it. It was just as scary, with piles of furniture and random landscape paintings that looked as if they might topple at any second. So I stayed near front where I could make a quick escape if an avalanche started. Here’s what I found:

Sanitized these 47 times, and I’ve worn them every day

journal reserved for every detail of my daily life; consider yourself spared

Pocahontas bangles. Or is it Princess Jasmine?

Borderline old lady bag… perfect.

These weren’t actually thrifted (I’m weird about thrifting shoes), but I did get them for a steal!

Happy Saturday! I’m going to go play with makeup for the next 8 hours… oh I mean work

Love, Melissa