Birthday Hooky

I played hooky yesterday.  And I loved it.  I wasn't 100% certain until Sunday evening (I was about 98.44% sure Friday afternoon) that I was going to take my birthday off but I decided to take the plunge.  My hubby (M) had to work and it was perfect because I wanted to do something I haven't had the guts to.  My facebook feed has been blowing up with photos of the view from the top of a hike that overlooks the water.  But I haven't been the most active person so I knew it would be hard.  And I didn't want to pass out.  And most of all I didn't want to start it with someone and not be able to finish it... so the stars aligned and Sunday night I decided to do it on my birthday. 
 
I didn't say a word to anyone, I woke up early and had coffee with M before he left for work and then I slowly got myself organized and headed out.  I drove the 10 minutes to the start of the trail and parked. 
 
I'm not going to like, it was a dicey beginning because the first 5-10 minutes looked similar to this:
 

Milo is the white blur in front.. he was over the moon!

A lot of stairs.  But then it started leveling out like this...

A bit easier to walk on, forgive my foggy camera lens!



 



This guy find every mud puddle possible



And after 1 hour and 15 minutes WE (well I) MADE IT TO THE TOP!!  Check out that gorgeous view!!!   And these are the two photos I texted to M to show him how I spent my birthday morning.  He was totally shocked but proud of me :-)

 

 

 

After my triumphant hike I went out to meet my mom for an afternoon of pampering, some shopping, coffee and tasty treats.  It was just what I needed!  I got home about the same time as M and we ordered in one of my guiltiest pleasures - Chinese food. 



the results of my mani/pedi (and our Chinese in the background)



I discovered a new wine last night... I knew we didn't have any cold wine in the fridge and that wouldn't do on my birthday so I stopped to pick something up and this label attracted me right away.  I bought it purely for the label and I love it!  It's on the sweet side and it even has a bit of fizziness so it's kind of like I'm drinking champagne which I also love.

And below is a blurry photo of my new golf hat from my mother-in-law... she loves golf and is so happy that I've taken it up.  Of course she found a bunch of purple stuff for me ;)

 

And that was my day!  Thank you everyone who made my birthday so special... and I can't wait to celebrate with all our friends at our BBQ next weekend!

Ahhh birthdays!

Thirsty Thursday

One of the rules of book club is that you never talk about book club wine is consumed.  A lot of wine.  Well I consume a lot of wine, I'm totally the lush of the group.  And because it's fun to try new wines (and hopefully like them) I went to the wine store to ask for something tasty.  

I love the wine store peeps - they always have employee tastings so a lot of them can actually give a real recommendation.  I wonder if they get a discount on wine?  I wonder if I can get a PT job working like 2 hours a week so I can take advantage of the discount... 

You know what always gets me? Labels.  I love a good label and will buy a bottle simply because I like it, but I lucked out this time because I also really enjoyed what was inside the label... And I hope the other girls did too but I don't really remember.  I almost didn't even get a photo but thankfully I did (I didn't say it was a good photo though, sorry...)



Long Row's Moscato

This is an Australian Moscato... I like moscatos but they are sweet and some tend to be too sweet even for me.  This one was just right and was very fruity.  I can imagine myself drinking a cold glass on a sunny patio with a prawn appetizer and/or spinach salad with goat cheese... Which might have to happen this summer.  

 

And isn't the label beautiful??  I'm not sure what it is but I love it, and it's even better in person. Maybe it's the texture - the pink is like a bubble gum nail polish.  I will obviously just have to buy another bottle and take better pictures right?  Sounds only fair to me...

 

Happy Thursday - only more sleep until the weekend! 

 

     

5 on Friday: booze, food,sun and shopping!

Happy Friday all!  Actually, Happy Friday Ya'll sounds SO much better.  I am pretty sure I was either meant to be a southern belle (right down to the dresses and hair) or I for sure was one in a previous life.  I watch Hart of Dixie religiously and I really identify with the Bluebells.  Anyway, I like to speak like one in my head. 

I am excited to be linking up with the lovely ladies for 5 on Friday today!  Here are 5 things currently on mind.

1. Wine. My wine choice for this weekend was newly introduced to me by my sister-in-law:

 

Barefoot Pink Moscato



2. Food.  Specifically BAD food.  I must have a wicked case of PMS because all I want to do is stuff my face with burgers, fried food, chocolate and diet Dr. Pepper.  If I didn't know better I would think I'm knocked up (I'm not). 

3. Exercise. I am going to check out Curves' new program with Jillian Michaels, starting at 12:30pm today.  Because of things like #1 I have to get some sort of exercise routine in place.  Curves is a 30 minute program I can do on my lunch hour and JM gives a crazy workout on her DVDs so I'm hoping to get my sweat on.

4. Palm Springs!  Hubby and I finally decided on a week in Palm Springs at the end of February.  We haven't actually booked our flights yet but we will by next Friday.  His family has a place down there so I wish we went more often but that darn thing "life" always seems to get in the way!  In fact he and I have never been together!

5. Shopping.  I haven't gotten new shoes in a while! My feet are tiny so finding shoes that fit can be a problem, but thankfully Michael Kors has my back.  The Palm Springs Macy's is my haven for MK shoes, haven't missed yet!  I am  also planning a major Target excursion tomorrow, I need to pick up some basics and maybe (definitely) non-basics just because they're cute. 

~

 

As always I am beyond excited for the weekend - dinner date with the hubby tonight, Saturday shopping followed by a lazy Sunday.  Oh and reading!  My next book club "meeting" is next Friday (we're heading out of town for a spa day, beyond excited) and I haven't even started the book, Gone Girl, so cross your fingers for me!

What are you up to this weekend?

Linking up with Darci at the good life and friends!