Rocky Mountain High's

I am going to be blunt here, no pun intended, but if you haven't been to Colorado Springs and to the places I am going to mention...you may want to travel West! Seriously!  Of course, I returned to Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, a yearly tradition, where I am still trying to figure out how to snatch a giraffe on my way out.  The place never gets old, ever! The views of the city below are amazing too!  I could just feed the giraffe's but I give my attention to the other animals too, I don't want them to feel left out!  Get there folks! It's the only Mountainside Zoo in the US!

Bon Ton's ~ a small-hometown feel restaurant with some delicious bacon...I mean, food. No really, the bacon is to die for! It's located in Old Colorado City, so it's nearby to quaint little shops and many other places to check out.  They have outdoor seating and allow your dog to join...extra points for them!  The people are awesome too!  I wanted to take the newspaper-style menu home...and while debating how I was going to do that, I decided I should probably just ask the server if I could just have it, without "stealing" it.  But it was my lucky day, you can take them without even asking...it says so right on the menu.  I think I'll frame it. 

Tsing Tao House ~ Pre-race dinner and post-race snack! Because you know the servings are always enough for at least two meals! They have great food and their crab rangoon is the bomb!  My Colorado bestie recommended this place and I am so glad she did!  Besides we managed to stop by a couple of liquor stores and I grabbed some local brew, Dry Dock Apricot Blonde...Colorado has some of the best beer I have ever had! Besides the can is orange so that is what drew me in, but now I wish I would have stocked up on it! 

I had to include a pic of Harley girl..a dog with so much personality and so tall she can eat off the counter. She is the sweetest!  Until next time Colorado! 

 

Love To You Colorado!
Shona

Mile High City

I made my annual trip to Colorado recently and it was amazing even though when I arrived it was 100 degrees...what the heck Colorado? I could have had that weather in Kansas! But this time I changed it up a bit by staying one night in the Highland Ranch area with a friend...and get this, we had never even met in real life!!  ...sidenote, my sister was very concerned that I was staying with someone I had never met..."what if she tries to murder you?"  Me rolling my eyes...Shelli, I'll be fine, I'm packing..." Anyway, we became acquaintances through none other than Beachbody and so I reached out to her when I found out she had moved to the Denver area and figured we may as well meet up for lunch! Leah is a real peach and she offered up her new pad, allowing me to stay with her! I'll be honest, I wondered how "uncomfortable" it may be never having met...but it became real comfortable pretty quick as we both stood at the bathroom mirror getting ready like roommates for the evening out!  Makeup, hair, outfits, life, love...you get the drift.  Some friends of hers invited us to a Movie Night to support the Special Olympics, but first we headed to grab some dinner at a local place called Lola's for Coastal Mexican. Our selections: Cochinita Pibil which included waffles and Smoky Chicken Enchiladas...happy plates!  BTW, when I told Leah what my sister had said, she replied with, "The only I might try to do is make you eat unhealthy"...goal accomplished!

After dinner we met up to watch The Sandlot at a local bar, Recess.  And because it was ridiculously hot..we ended the evening at a famous ice cream place, Little Man...we waited in line for like 40 minutes...on a Wednesday night...but it was worth it.  The next morning we decided breakfast was a must so we ventured to a very popular place called, Snooze.  Coffee, Bloody Mary's and Pancakes...and bacon.  Enough said, this place was amazing! Food coma for sure!  I took off shortly after, thankful for the new friendships!! 

I was meeting a friend for lunch later that day, but wanted to make a quick stop at Red Rocks and explore before heading back to downtown Denver.  I have definitely gotten over the fear of doing things alone...and was glad I had the chance to wander around this beautiful place.  The views were incredible.  Literally so many "red" rocks.  I need to return and do a bit more exploring as I found a tap house while driving around the cute little town that I am sure would be worth stopping for! Colorado has some amazing beer! 

Katie and I met for a light lunch at Highland Tap...and by light I mean a hamburger and fries...and two amazing beers.  The favorite, a Ginger Cider, from a local company in Colorado.  I should have asked them to bottle that up for me.  I am not usually a huge Cider fan but add Ginger and hello! 

I made my way to Colorado Springs...where more adventures would begin! Stay tuned for the next blog post about traditions and a few new experiences I shared with my Colorado Bestie.  

To new friends and new experiences!

Shona

Pig and Finch and Brunch

First off, I must say...finally, I have met someone who likes patios, brunch, and bloody marys almost as much as myself.  Kansas City has some of the best brunch there is too offer in my opinion, which could be a little biased I suppose, but recently I enjoyed a lazy Sunday eating brunch on the patio at Pig and Finch; sunshine, good company...and oh, that bloody mary.  When your drink comes out with olives, limes, bacon, and garlic...how can you possibly go wrong?

Their menu offers the perfect variety of brunch items, but today I decided on Lemon Ricotta Pancakes with a Blueberry Compote and a side of smokehouse bacon and all of it was amazing. The Crabmeat Omelette with broiled tomato, hollandaise sauce and fontina cheese along with homefries and a wolfermans english muffin was very good; give it a try if you are craving something a bit more rich.

Check this place out the next time you are in the area...they also have a fabulous lunch and dinner menu too! 

Happy Friday! 

Shona

New Years Day Outfit Deets!

Simple but perfect! I spent New Years Day...morning...having brunch at one of my local fav's, Succotash.  The people, the food, the fresh pressed juices, and that day the company was just what I needed to start the New Year off right.  This outfit though...ahhhh!  So I maybe picked out the hat for myself and it may have been given to me by my Dad for Christmas, but hey it works! However, the long sleeveless, hooded sweater he did all himself and it is perfect! Purchased from Audacious Boutique, this cute store never disappoints. One of my favorite looks for this season!

Hat by Kohls. Sweater by Audacious Boutique. Black T-shirt by VS Pink. Sunglasses by Ray-Ban. Skinny Jeans by Hudson @ VonMaur. Fringe booties by Steve Madden. 

Happy Shopping!

Xoxo, Shona

Louie's Wine Dive and my #30FauxBirthday

If you have never heard of Louie's Wine Dive, I highly suggest you look into it.  This cozy little dive has one of the best brunches you will taste and not to mention liters of Mimosas where you can choose from the traditional OJ or venture out to Grapefruit juice, Cranberry juice, and even Grape juice. Trust me, they are all delicious!

When I started thinking about what I wanted to do for my #30FauxBirthday, I immediately thought of Louie's.  Brunch and Mimosas, two of my favorite things besides getting to spend the day with my wonderful friends, both old and new! Twelve girls, champagne, good food, laughter, and the most amazing gluten-free gold sparkly crown cookies you can imagine to end the party!

From their french toast, to biscuits and gravy, omelet stuffed with macaroni and cheese, to their famous blue plate...their food will leave you wanting more.  I couldn't be more blessed with these amazing girls!!  Thirty-five never felt so good!

Mother's Day Brunch

Mother's Day was so fun this year!  Since the family and I celebrated together one day early, we decided to go out on the actual holiday and have brunch with some good friends.  We opted for brunch at La Bodega, and although I have been there many times, I have never ordered from the brunch menu.  One word, amazing. Did I mention the mimosas...we may have had a few of those too!  The food was delicious.  We ordered a couple of Tapas for starters and each ordered a different entree so we could share...because that's what girls do!! 

After enjoying the lovely weather and eating on the patio at La Bodega, we headed to Cocoa Dolce for some gelato, which they were offering free to all Mothers, and of course coffee!  Perfect timing too as it started raining the minute we arrived!  We had the perfect day celebrating our Mom's!!

 







 

My Momma and Me at Cocoa Dolce