Spring Time

It is finally starting to get warm consistently!!!  Watch as soon as I say this it'll be cold again...  But on a positive note I just LOVE when the weather starts getting warm :) :) :)  As much as I love the whole four seasons bit, winter is just TOO LONG!

One of my favorite parts about this time of year is going on walks in the neighborhood after work!  Fresh air & exercise are a great remedy for a desk job!  Hopefully these walks will put some COLOR on my legs!  :)

Spring also is a time for new beginnings, I got my hair CHOPPED!  It needed to be done, I have been growing it out for a few years now & only letting my stylist trim it/ shape it.  It is so much more healthy!  It's been a while since I've had more of a blunt cut instead of layers.  Re-learning how to style it, but I love it most days!  Especially with my new straightener!  If you're looking for the best stylist in St. Louis check out Brittny's page: Wear Style Begins.

Senior PGA Championship

I am not a golfer.  I surprised myself at how much I loved going to the Senior PGA!

My Dad tried to teach me to golf in high school.  I thought it was super boring & too slow-paced.  I would go to the golf course with him occasionally to drive the cart.  Every now & then he would hit up to the green & let me put it in.  That was fun.  I am a mean mini-golfer :)  I think my prior lack of golf love primarily involved my parents rule: whatever my Dad spends on green fees Mamma Kay gets to spend that amount shopping.  I always went shopping.

I think golf as a sport is growing on me...  In addition to my Dad who is addicted to golf, my husband has taken up golf about a year or so ago (greatly encouraged by Dad).  Although I still think it's a little slow paced to watch on TV, I do support any sport that requires men to wear a collared shirt! :)  Helping James pick out golf clothes is super fun!  My little heart bleeds preppy.

Through work James & I won tickets to the 74th Senior PGA Championship at Bellerive Country Club.  Silly me thought senior meant veteran... I was expecting to see the big names in golf.  Turns out there were big names there, just OLD ones :)  Oh well...

The one surprise for me was you were not allowed to take photos AT ALL!  Not even on your phone! Crazy pants!  So we managed to snap a few photos at the entrance... But I wish I had more to share.

 Our tickets came with Etiquette rules!!!  Golf is winning me over :) 

 Entrance to Bellerive Country Club

The only photo of the course I was able to take from the entrance.

 Debut of my new Lilly Shorts!  They were right at home :) 

Overall I was very impressed with the day!  I definitely want to go to another golf tournament if I get the chance.  Our tickets also included a hospitality tent sponsored by the firm, that was very nice (aka free food & drinks all day!), air conditioned & had their own bathrooms!  We walked around the course & watched people golf.  I think the walking as a spectator makes it a lot more fun & less boring.  The tournament was sponsored by Kitchen-Aid, sadly I didn't win a new mixer!  But they did have all the new appliances on display!  I want a fancy kitchen so bad!!  The other big sponsor was Mercedes Benz.  James & I both wanted a fancy car, too.   Around the 8th or 9th hole we realized a Japanese man was close to overtaking the leader so we decided to follow him through the end.  He was able to win the tournament!  That was a lot of fun to watch.  Kinda funny - but they obviously didn't expect him to win- the media didn't have a Japanese interpreter to interview him.  The poor lady they found barely spoke English herself.   It was a great day & I am very happy that we were able to go!  Who knows, maybe I might pick up a pair of clubs myself someday soon :)

Padres Visit

This post isn't about baseball :)  Mamma Kay & Dad came to visit for a week!  My Dad had a week long work conference at The Firm, Mamma Kay tagged along.

It's always so great to have family visit!  Especially when you only get to see them a handful of times each year.

Here were the highlights:

They brought the rest of our wedding presents!!!  Yay!!  How fun!!  It felt so much fun pulling them out of the car, just as much fun as opening them the first time :)  Although now our jenga tower of presents we don't have room for has doubled....  Get me in a bigger place James!!!  (I'm working on this)

How precious are these monogramed pillows?

This was a highlight for James...  his fav wedding present - the longhorns - made the trip!  This was a present from my great uncle who is a real life rancher.  When he heard James wanted a pair of longhorns he thought to himself, "I haven't seen one of my longhorns in a few years, maybe I should go find her."  He found her in the field - skeleton style- and plucked the head off for James.  TRUE STORY!  The only better part of this story was he brought the thing into our wedding reception to give to James :)  The longhorn has been named "Bubba" and until we have room for him (see above) he lives on our balcony.  Yes, several neighbors have inquired.  I am the whiskey-tango neighbor.

James & Bubba at our wedding reception

Mamma Kay & I ventured to South City to visit the Women's Closet Exchange!!  They are designer resale & currently have a reality show on the Style channel.  Mamma Kay was sweet enough to buy me a fun dress (BCBG), linen blazer (boutique label) & work/play dress (Rebecca Taylor)!  My in-person experience was different than the show, but I feel in a good way.  The show leads you to believe they ONLY take high designer pieces.  My experience was 25-30% of the merchandise was high fashion & the majority was expensive labels like J.Crew, Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, Coach, etc.  I will be going back more often because although snatching a great designer resale item (*cough*LVpurse*cough*) would be très fabuleux, it's much more likely I will buy a variety of higher-end pieces.

We ate some delicious French food!  It was dessert or I'm sure Dad would have objected.  (Don't get him started on French jokes...)  If you are in Creve Coeur make sure to stop by the pâtisserie La Bonne Bouchée.   Everything is so pretty you don't want to eat it!  (yeah right)  I had some lovely macarons, every time I go I make sure to try a new flavor.  My new flavor this trip was apricot!

Mamma Kay & me

Last but not least, my parents don't feel good about a visit without helping, they put up backsplash in our kitchen!!!!  I am so in love with the final product :)  It's black.  Surprise, right?

Work in progress

Finished Product

Facebook Notes

What is that?  Right.  Apparently with the new Facebook design (I'm behind the curve here- 99% of the time I check FB on my phone) notes are now front & center.  Ew.  I always hated notes & only felt obligated to make two of them.  I'm going to delete them off Facebook, however the nostalgic side of me wanted to re-post them :)


"25 Things" or How I Lost My Facebook Note Virginity (February 7, 2009) 

*) I'm nostalgic to a fault
*) When I need a quick pick me up I read my sister's "about me" section of her Facebook profile & it makes me smile every time :) 
*) When I need a big pick me up I get very dressed up (dress, hair, shoes, jewelry, etc.), drink wine & watch Aubrey Hepburn movies
*) My first crush ever was on Mark Hamill in Star Wars (which disappointed Mamma Kay)
*) When I was little my dad wouldn't play Barbies with me unless we were playing War so I could be instructed in military strategy
*) It's hard for me to get close to people I can't exercise/be active with while we talk
*) In jr high/high school I had my own horse, Ace. He was the most beautiful animal I've ever seen & I still miss riding him to this day
*) I can't explain it, but walking the streets of Manhattan makes me feel more alive than anywhere else 
*) I enjoy window shopping more than actual shopping
*) I always loved learning art techniques from Mamma Kay, but my perfectionist side & artist side never could co-exist
*) Things that aren't at 90 degree angles bother me & things that aren't symmetrical bother me (sorry, Toby McGuire)
*) My favorite flavors are peppermint & cinnamon, but not together
*) The only thing I miss about Abilene are the gorgeous sunsets
*) The world isn't black & white... to me God & Art exist, everything else is grey
*) I'm plagued by ambivalence... I see too many sides of each option to make decisions 
*) Aesthetics mean a lot to me
*) I am a dual citizen! I would love to move to Norway if it weren't for the above the arctic circle / immense amounts of raw & pickled fish in their diets thing
*) I love cleaning & throwing things away... But not little bits at a time, marathon cleansing calms my soul 
*) I got two degrees from a school I didn't want to go to & left with student loans. I found three loves of my life who will always be my best and closest friends and for that I'll pay any amount many times over
*) My favorite song ever is All My Life by K-Ci & Jojo (cheesy I know)
*) Not dancing is inexcusable
*) I love photographs but always forget to take them *sigh*
*) I'd rather read Miss Manners than watch reality TV
*) Pregnancy seems like it was an idea God stole from a horror film
*) I didn't number this list because it's not in alphabetical, chronological, or priority order... I would have had to re-organize it to correlate with the linear numbering system... And that was just too much work for a Facebook note, and asterisks are prettier :)
*) I dislike odd numbers



Humble Beginnings (Jan 20, 2011)

So I looked back to my first facebook wall posts in 2005! I saw these great gems from all of you fabulous ladies dear to my heart! Enjoy the nostalgic trip back 6 years ago... in a small West Texas town far far away...

Ramsey 5/20/05

Let it be known, Kristina is a dirty girl. She tried to hook up with me and was sad when I rejected her. Just kidding, who would reject Kristina?!?! Crazy!

Amy 6/28/05

Haha, yeah I had to slightly "edit" your comment because he looked at my facebook the other day. Haha. My number definitely climbed during Maymester.. if you know what I mean. If not, umm.. I dunno. Oh, and I miss you and you were totally in Abilene while I was and we didn't hang out? What the heck is up with that?

Heidi 9/7/05

I would be president of “we pick guys up at redlights” group since i actually did all the picking up... but you would be my vp since you attracted them!

Hill Hoo 10/15/05

If I sent you a relationship request, would you accept it or just break my heart like you do the others?

Blonde Amy 10/28/05

Guess what? You're the first person's “wall” I've written on. Doesn't that make you feel special. It should, because knowing me, I'll get tired of this facebook thing in a few days and you could possibly be the ONLY one I write on. Love ya

BLT 11/15/05

ooooooooooooooo....Kristina, I'm in your apartment writing this message on your wall because I love you :) (but not the way you wish I would love you...just kdding) Don't forget: lower temperatures do not mean lower standards. I'm looking forward to our fun weekend date :)

Kylee 11/16/05

Yes, it was last night I said that..and don't laugh at my make-out ministry!!!! You know it's a ministry that I take seriously and want to help others! Well....at least get what I need! Watch out 2nd Floor of the Library...here I come!!!!

Ramsey 12/3/05

Welcome to your 21st year as a raging, boy tricking, hottie! Don't break too many hearts today. i love you like Samantha loves sex, like Charlotte loves her vibrator, like Carrie loves shoes, like Miranda loves busting peoples balls- that's a lot of love!

More Baseball !

There are many jokes about St. Louis being a baseball town with a beer problem - or- a beer town with a baseball problem.  Either way I think Busch Stadium is one of the prettiest places in STL :)   

And Busch Stadium with fun friends?  Best ever! 

Red Birds!

I get back in town & what happens?  My sweet friend MC invites me to a Cards game!  Yay! 

It's going to be a very sad day for me if I ever stop working for The Firm...  I just love me a corporate box! :)   Or as Dad says, "You're so spoiled you don't know if you like real baseball games or not."  Touché!

Work Trip (?)

I got back from Philly & had a wonderful time!  It was a work trip- not like you'll be able to tell from the photos :)  I do feel spoiled that I supervise such a fun place!  And we got engaged here so it is always sweet to visit :) 

 I was NOT getting sick from the airport this time!

 Wait... am I flying to Philly or Dallas?

 Satellite radio makes all the difference!! 

 Gorgeous spring day at Philadelphia Premium Outlets

 My dream house! 

 Boo!!!  Panera with only unsweet tea?!?!?

 Best restaurant ever!  Legal Sea Foods - I always hoard my per diem so I can indulge!

 King of Prussia Mall - shopping heaven! 

 Duck Soup Cafe - cute mom & pop cafe

 Salad Works - I am obsessed with this place!

Flight home with my Nook & my bright dress I'd never be able to get away with in the office! :)

Stream of Consiousness

Forgive me.  Sometimes not being organized is just right.

A few months ago I read "The Power of Habit" by Charles Duhigg.  Key points came back to me today as I was traveling for work.  I am a very habitual traveler.  From the amount of time I like to be at the airport: 90 minutes, to my routine after security:  bathroom, Starbucks, wait at the gate, bathroom right before boarding.  I even realized that on my work trips I take the same flight to arrive at 2pm, drive one hour to the Premium Outlet Mall & power walk around until dark or closing.   One key point the book makes is that every habit has a "trigger" that you have learned automatically to respond to.  If you are looking to change a habit identifying that trigger is the first place to start.  I was having a hard time with making unhealthy food impulse buys.  I would ask James if we could eat at McAlister's so I can get a salad but then when the girl asks for my order I'm blurting out "FRENCH DIP!" ...    I think it is unfair to say that I've struggled with weight.  I lost a lot of weight with Weight Watchers, I just have hit a plateau that I can't seem to get off of.  I know it is the impulse food choices.  And not being more diligent about working out.  I was pondering this on the plane when I was thinking about my travel habits & I was reliving a recent experience - going to Starbucks to get a hot tea & then blurting out "GRANDE DIRTY CHAI" ... Who said that?  Ugh.  As the book suggested I was re-playing the event in my mind looking for clues.  I think I might have stumbled on a big trigger.  I think when I have poor posture I make poor decisions.  My unintentional Starbucks order came in the struggle of being saddled by bags, rain coat, etc.  I realized about a month ago that my once complimented posture was gone.  Making an effort to have excellent posture ripples out to the rest of life.  I tested out my new trigger on the plane.  When the flight attendant was taking drink orders I made a point to sit up straight & say to myself "you are the kind of woman who sits up straight because she takes care of herself" I had a momentary falter in self-discipline when the person in front of me ordered Dr.P.  But I LOVE DR. PEPPER! I WANT DR. PEPPER!  I HAVE A DRINK TICKET, I WANT A CORONA!  IT'S CINCO!  I managed to keep that crazy lady inside my head & repeat my little mantra.  What do you know, nothing crazy came out of my mouth & I was able to say "Club soda with lime."  No regrets on my order.  If my brain is so smart why hasn't it learned that I don't regret good food choices?  Why does it keep screaming Dr. Pepper at me?  I was on a roll.  When I landed in Philly I got a drink for the drive (wish I had taken a picture of the label so I could find it again) sparkling water with juice.  I power-walked tall around the outlet mall.  Because that's what healthy me does.  There is a fab salad place in the food court, which is what I had for dinner.  I again had to steel myself at the register for not ordering a sugary drink.  It's crazy that one tiny thing can have an impact on bigger things.   We'll have to see if this works or if this is a fluke for today only.  What's the worst that can happen?  I stand up straighter? 


The great Wen-xperiment has begun. 
First time using it my impressions were:
1)  It would be nice to only have to buy one product & not get irritated that I can never use shampoo at the same pace as conditioner
2) These directions are crazy!  Does this really need to be a 10 step process?
3)  Smells nice.
4)  After my hair air dried it was very soft, ends a little frizzy, roots looked ok but felt a little gummy
Second time impressions:
1)  Ditto
2)  OKOK I'll take the step "1-3 minutes of vigorous massage" more seriously
3)  I'll use more at the end as a leave-in conditioner
4)  After my hair air dried it was still very soft, little less frizzy, roots felt like fresh washed hair!  Guess the extra massage did the trick ;)


I guess I am loving it because I defiantly poured out travel shampoo to take Wen with me!


As I ate my lovely salad in my brand new Holiday Inn Express room (I should make a joke but I hate how cheesy their commercials are & then I'd be one of them),  I found old Sex & the City reruns on the Style network!  I watched the episode where Carrie won't marry Aidan & they breakup.  Really made me miss James.  He is such a sweetheart.  When you live with your best friend it's hard to be away from them for a week!  Maybe the shopping without his comments about saving money will make up for it a little ;)

And it's Cinco de Mayo & I'm alone in a hotel room business center.  With a salad.  Where are the margaritas?  Where's the party?  How is it almost 9 pm already????  For anyone out there drinking a margarita right now, please drink up for me.