Weekenders

Oh, I have had a crazy couple weeks: a visit to NYC for work and fun, sake and sushi, karokee (pictures too embarassing to share here), shopping galore, and a few new projects! I'm trying to get myself in order but thought I'd share a couple of pictures from my trip so I'm not not totally stagnant on here!

Visiting friends ...

and vintagey NYC views from my hotel ...

Weekenders

The sun was out this weekend in full force and we made sure to soak up plenty of it! Friday we went to the drive-in movies, our favorite way to watch a new flick since we can bring as much candy as we want and a bottle of wine.

Saturday we drove up in the mountains to Julian, an old mining town that has retained much of it's historic charm. We even ate at an original drug store soda fountain! Yum!

And Sunday, I was majorly spoiled as Derek insisted on doing all our chores (vacuuming, dusting, laundry, etc), while I lounged in the sun with a book. He even managed to be a sneaky photographer in the process.

Weekenders

Ah weekend, I miss you so much already. Friday night Derek and I made a scandalous maneuver when after seeing an early (and disappointing) showing of The Adjustment Bureau, we decided to walk unabashedly into a showing of Rango that had just begun. It was a very daring and deceptive maneuver, but Rango was a much, much better movie and it gave us an excuse to eat more candy.

After such a sugar rush on Friday, Saturday morning we went for a bright and early hike, then got dressed and went down to Coronado Beach and the Silver Strand for a bike ride. We worked up such a sweat we decided we deserved some chips, salsa, and margaritas. I was particularly tickled pink when Derek's prickly pear margarita turned out to be the girliest looking beverage on the menu.

We finished our day off with a stroll along the beach, some shopping, and dinner at a wine bar. A perfect Saturday I must say!

Sunday was full of errands - particularly the hunt for a new place to live (we're out of this apartment at the end of May and are picking the perfect new neighborhood) and a sofa/loveseat living room set. If you have any ideas on where to get an affordable but stylish set please let me know! I think we've exhausted all our options.

Weekenders

It was a very hairy weekend at the Burke-Engler house. For quite some time now, I've been due for a haircut ... a process I never enjoy. Every time it's time for a snip, I hem and haw over what route to go. Should I cut it all off? Just take care of the dead ends? Layer it or go for something blunt? I Google pictures of every possible cut, but inevitably I go with something pretty much the same as before. In fact, the most drastic thing I've done to my hair in the past ten or so years, is let it go back from platinum blonde to my natural darker color. Well that and then this:

Anyways, my very first plan for this weekend's hair appointment was to go for the same-old-same-old. Then I saw this photo of Heidi Klum, and in a fit of bravery, printed it out and put it in my purse. Haunted by the memories of sparkly hair clips holding back my awkward-length bangs when I grew them out in the fifth grade, I was unsure if I would actually ever pull it out.

.But with my man cheering me on from the sidelines while he read his In Touch Weekly, I felt the courage and I went for it. And voila! Here is the result:

I love it! Hooray for going out of my box. And in other hairy news. Someone went from this:

To this (cue dreamboat photo treatment):

 

Terry, you'll be glad to know your son still listens to your advice. Though I must say, while I spent Oscars' night admiring the dresses, Derek spent Oscar night nostalgically admiring the facial hair.

Happy Monday!

Weekenders

Well if it says anything about my Vegas vacation, it's almost the next weekend, and I'm just getting around to posting this last weekend. It was a whirlwind to say the least.

Here's a few highlights ...

First sights of Vegas, lots of flashing lights! (That's me holding up my high-rollin' $5 chips)

Doing the classic tourist poses at the buffet.

I may live in Cali, but I never tire of palm trees.

Derek showing off our hotel, the MGM Grand.

The look on my face every time I thought I was going to lose some money, ghostly white (I didn't whew!)

Fabulous food and whimsical decor at Serendipity 3.

Derek evoking his inner jungle king at the lion habitat at MGM.

Ready for a night on the town.

The luxurious pool at Caesar's Palace.

Vegas calls for getting dressed up! And you may notice, I'm not in my 30 for 30. Don't hate me, please! I'm actually swapping out a few of my picks I haven't worn yet for these new items - more on that to come. I think that's totally illegal but the weather has been particularly nutty as has my travel schedule and sacrifices must be made. More on new 30 for 30 pieces and outfits this week!

And I leave you with this important bit of advice ... Live long and prosper

Weekenders

I spent the weekend totally inspired and in awe in Washington D.C. where I toured some of the monuments that represent the heroism of our country's history and spent time with 11,000 living heroes who are working to end the educational inequity that exists between children in low-income and high-income communities today.

If you have a moment, please check out one of the highlights of the weekend for me, listening to Secretary of Education Arne Duncan speak about that work that needs to be done in our nation's schools. More video highlights of Teach For America's 20th Anniversary Summit including a performance by our board member and supporter, John Legend (woo!) can be found here.

Arne Duncan from TFA 20th Anniversary Summit on Vimeo.

Weekenders

All I have to say about this weekend is, my boyfriend is better at bubble letters than your's.

Oh, and in addition to the decor we cooked up a some of this, this, and this for our little superbowl party. Yum!

Did you have a good few days? Munch on any delicous eats?

Weekenders

Welcome back from the weekend friends! Derek and I had a fabulous time this weekend attending the PGA tour event at nearby Torrey Pines. I'm not much into golf myself, but Derek was like a kid waiting for Christmas ever since we got the tickets. Excited as I was initially not, I actually had a fabulous time! The competition, crowd, sun, and a few beers turned me into quite the golf fan. I even got a thumbs-up from this guy.

Unfortunately, cameras were not allowed at the event, and thus I have zero golf pictures to post. Instead, I thought I 'd share the above pictures taken a few months ago when Derek took me beach horseback riding for my birthday! Random, I know, but I was reminiscing in my Picasa albums today and thought why not?

What did you do this weekend? Are you a golf fan or more the mini-golfing type like I am? Happy Monday!

Weekenders

After being out of town for a few weekends in a row, Derek and I were excited to have a relaxing weekend at home - just the two of us.

Friday night we took it easy with a yummy sushi dinner out and some Netflix back at home. On Saturday, we headed to nearby Del Mar for an antiques fair! It was a lovely day outside, perfect for a Jeep drive.

To get in the thrifty-antique spirit I donned this floaty Target dress ($5) and my vintage Frye cowboy boots - thrifted for $8! Steal of the century.

Antiques fairs are the perfect place to accessorize! Check out these baubles! And that dress! To die for - but $500!

These folks got into their outfits as well. Meet Captain F-Bomb and some of his friends. They dress in "Steam Boat Punk" - imagine the Victorian age and a sci-fi movie combined.

I love the unique people and the unique finds at antique fairs. I could imagine this "gum parker" being cute in a bubble gum loving tween's room and this Jolly Roger boat would be a lovely surprise for a little guy. And the nut machine? Well that's just fun for everyone.

I think Derek was a little overwhelmed by it all, but he had a good time checking out some of the antique watches and listening in on a discussion about fishing lures. Maybe some of this antique shaving cream would've done him well. Could this stuff still be good?

After the antique fair we made our way home and had steak with this amazing topping. Then we headed to the drive-in theater to see The Green Hornet. The movie was just OK by itself but curling up in the back of the Jeep in our sweats with wine and candy made it a real winner.

Sunday morning I set off the fire alarm (oops!) while making beignets from mix Derek's mom sent us straight from The Big Easy! Beignets are delicious, especially paired with French coffee from New Orleans as well. Thanks Chris!



The rest of the day we relaxed, watched football, and got ready to get back to the grind!

How was your weekend? Can't wait to hear!