if she would have been there

I was really excited to do the vlog today because I've got some hideous shirts in my dresser at the moment, but I woke up looking like a monster and well, no one wants to see that. I'll plan my good days better next week so I can join in on the vlog fun. Or wimp out at the last second, most likely. 

Last night I was inspired to do a post about my older sister. Because I got a bajillion comments from her on old posts since she just figured out how to leave them. 

My sister is seven years older than me. I joke that I was an accident, but the reality is that my parents were married at 22 and 23 and then one year later had twins. This always scared me. I'm 25 and am no where ready to even think about having twins - or just one! So naturally, they needed some time. I doubt they were going for that big of a gap, but that's what they got. 

This meant that she and my brother left for college (12 hours away!) the year I was going into sixth grade. AKA - the really impressionable years. 

If she would have been there...

...the unibrow never would have happened.

See that pour little soul on the left? This was in sixth grade. Want to know how the unibrow finally went away? One of the "cute boys" at school made fun of it. The whole not being kissed until 16 makes sense now, huh?

...these pants would have never been bought. and worn once a week.

Good ole' American Eagle. I think I FINALLY threw these out my Freshman year of college. And yes, my mom did ask me "is that what you are wearing?" pretty much every day. 

...I would have never been allowed to leave the house without makeup.

Drill team competition circa 2005 when I was out for an injury. She was visiting and she probably even said something to me that day about how terrible I looked. I hope she did...but I obviously didn't pay attention.

...this hairdo would have never happened.

Slicked back in a low messy bun with that sweet middle part. How did I get a homecoming date that year?! (All you non-Texas people, that is a mum. That we wore all day long.)

...she would have never allowed my mom to use this as the Christmas card photo. 

Scratch that, she probably still would have because she looks great. So we can change it to...she would have never let me shop at Abercrombie Kids throughout all of highschool. And you can't even see the worst part - blue. plaid. pants. (The only redeeming part of this picture is the fact that my mom sent out a Christmas card with a photo of all of us in a BAR. Kens is part of the family.)

While she didn't teach me much during middle school and high school, she did teach me a lot of really good life lessons. I am SO glad that I have such an amazing and loving sister that will always be there for me no matter what. 

She (finally) taught me that I look better with a side part.

She taught me that monograms make everything look better.

She taught me to love the greatest school and man ever. (Referring to bobby here, y'all.)

And she taught me how to (in the future) be the most amazing mother ever. Reid is one lucky man.

I love you, Boo!

I just wanted my foot to pop

So that happened last night. I don't care how pathetic it makes me that it was the best part of my week so far. I still feel super ridiculously happy and giddy inside just thinking about it. If you have no clue what I am talking about, turn on Netflix RIGHT NOW and do yourself a favor and watch 

It got me thinking of first kisses. For the most part, they are just as passionate as the one mentioned above. They define the chemistry in a relationship, and you only get one shot at a first kiss. In a way that makes me sad because they are so fun and special and then over just like that.

I can't do a post like this and not take you down a stroll through my first kiss memory lane, now can I?

My journey starts at 16 - late bloomer. Braces + middle part. Enough said. I probably should change the names...nah.

My first ever kiss went to Shane. Shane and I had been official for a month or so and it was mostly just seeing each other at school and AIM chats. When he got his license we moved on up to dates. One Friday night we went to the movies and then he drove me back home. I could tell the big first kiss was coming and I was a nervous wreck. But I had it all planned out in my head. He was going to walk me to my door and give me a sweet but slightly lingering kiss and my foot would pop. Princess Diaries taught me that a kiss is just not a kiss without a foot pop. Naturally he ruined this. He asked if he could kiss me. What was I going to say to my boyfriend? NO?! When I said yes, he leaned in...and stuck his tongue right in my mouth. Now, I was no expert, but I knew that it was NOT supposed to go that way. Bad first kiss + that awful silver chain he wore at all times = breakup. A week later after I avoided his AIM chats and seeing him in the halls. I could write a novel on how terrible I am at breaking up with boys.

And next up we have John. Unlike Shane, John was a pretty real relationship. That started out on my best friend's couch while watching the Astros make it to the world series when he, out of the blue, grabbed my hand and held it. Hey, it was high school. Anyways, I really liked John a lot, and I was terrified of a first kiss ruining what we had. So fast forward a month (yep, a month) and it finally happened. And I finally got my foot poppin moment. It wasn't as passionate as Nick and Jess's, because I was an innocent little baby, but it was perfect. And then I think I waited two weeks to kiss him again because I was so nervous. 

Annnd moving right along through my college years (including only the first kisses that turned into relationships...yea I just decided that) to Andre'. There's a back story to how we met that I'm going to make next week's Wedding Wednesday post, but it boils down to the fact that we were on a sort of date in the summer of 2009. This sort of date led us to a bar in Lafayette, The Pub (classy!), and then back to the Kappa Sig house to play beer baseball or something college-y like that. I am the biggest light weight ever, so naturally after two beers I was filled with liquid courage (and the knowledge that he thought I was cute. If I didn't know this that night, we might not be an us.) Three AM rolls around and he brings me back to my friend Stephanie's house where I stayed when I went to visit Lafayette. And then, just like magic, it started raining. POURING is really a better word. My liquid courage mentioned that kissing in the rain was on my bucket list (word vomit?) and then, voila!, we had our first kiss in the rain. (There are conflicting reports on who kissed who first. I still say he kissed me first.) And I'm pretty positive this one had the same passion as the new girl's kiss. Good thing, because it turned out to be my last first kiss ever. 

My name is Kaitlyn and I like to elaborate with lots of details. 

where I pretend to be a food blogger

Around May I found a recipe on pinterest for Lasagna Soup and was so excited for fall weather to roll around so we could cook it. Well, fall doesn't really happen in South Louisiana so we didn't get to try it until mid December. And I don't even think it was cold out when we made it, I just couldn't wait any longer. 

Hands down this is one of the best soups I have ever had. And I'm a total soup lover. Best part? It is really healthy! AKA - no cream or milk or butter. I really didn't think I was going to like it because, lets be honest, I love me some cream, milk and butter. 

We made it for the fifth time Sunday night and made extras so my parents could have yummy and homemade lunches this week. And I decided to pretend I was a food blogger and share the recipe with y'all. Clearly you'll see why I am not one. And that I tend to forget I have a nice fancy camera all the time. iPhone for the win on this one. 

So here we go:

Lasagna Soup

Recipe by Kaitlyn loosely adapted from Bobby Dean

The ingredients:

I doubled the recipe so we would have extras, but for one batch you will need one onion, 1/4 C basil (which is one package), 32oz chicken stock (or one condensed stock pod + 3 cups water), 1/4ish C ricotta cheese, 15 ounce can tomato sauce (plain, no need to get fancy), 1 package Kraft + Touch of Philly motz cheese (trust me on this, it melts better!), one pound ground turkey, garlic powder and salt & pepper. NOT PICTURED: five lasagna noodles, uncooked.

Now whip out your handy (and beautiful) Le Creuset pot. If you don't have one, I HIGHLY recommend getting one. And if you are getting married any time soon, do yourself a favor and add it to your registry. They are pricey but SO SO SO worth it. (I actually got this one for my Mom on Rue for around 70% off! And they have them at Marshall's all the time for a good price.) Anywho, you'll need to chop up your onion. I learned some fancy way from The Pioneer Woman that makes it easier, but in reality, I always look like that while chopping. Amazes me daily that I found someone who would want to be stuck with that for life!

But eventually you will make them all pretty and chopped. But then you'll look anything but pretty. Yikes.

Happens every time. My eyes don't just water, I seriously look like I just spent a good 20 minutes crying my eyes out. 

Moving on. Put some olive oil in a pot and then throw in the onion and the turkey. Season your little heart out with some Garlic Powder. I really like garlic so I sprinkle a lot, but you can taste after the turkey browns and always add more if you like. Cook on medium until browned. 

After the turkey browns (or whitens, let's face it, ground turkey just don't brown), add in the tomato sauce. Then add in the stock (I did the pod + water method). Then season with salt and pepper. Bring this to a boil and then reduce to simmer and let it sit for 15 minutes. 

Then break up your lasagna noodles and add to the pot. Bring to boil and reduce to simmer for another 15 minutes. While that is simmering, chop you up some basil. Neat trick, stack the basil and roll it. Then chop away and it's perfect! 

After the 15 minutes, take off the heat and add in your motz cheese (1 C or so), ricotta and basil and stir until melted. 

Then ladle into a bowl and sprinkle some more cheese on top. And, most importantly, serve with champagne. What, you don't drink champagne on Sunday nights? You are missing out. 

Another reason I can't be a food blogger is because that post was all OVER the place. And the longest recipe ever. BUT, y'all should seriously make this and tell me how you liked it. Because I know you will.

another one bites the dust

The weekends just seem to go by faster when you are older. I am not OK with this, and something needs to be done about it. I vote that we make it mandatory for work to end at noon on Friday and we start the work week on Tuesday. I really think this would make everyone a much happier person. Unless you are one of those crazy lucky OMG I HATE YOU person that loves your job.

Anywaysss, I got a little bored with my layout so I went a little crazy with photoshop on Friday. I really like how it all turned out, so I think this one will stay for longer than 2 months. And The Bow Blog Designs doesn't really exist, it just sounded so much more fun and professional. Hey, maybe one day it WILL exist! Probably the day I figure out how to make the domain I purchased work. I no speako your languageo computero!

I also made a new header for my sister-in-law's blog, The Domestic Dog Mom. Go on and check her out while you're at it, she just started the blogging adventure and already has two really yummy recipes posted! And cute puppies, everyone loves cute puppies. 

Now onto a weekend update of sorts. On Friday night A and I met up with my sister and her husband and little Reid man at a new restaurant in the Heights, Cottonwood. It was perfect for the warm weather Houston is having and for Reid to run around and be wild. It had only been three weeks since we'd seen him, but good gosh, in those three weeks he changed so much! I hate that I can't see him every day but am so thankful I am able to see him as often as I am. He knows exactly who I am now and says KiKi like a champ. He tries to say Andre' but it comes out as "de", it's still adorable. 

Then we went to Beaver's to meet some friends for drinks. I was a bad blogger and didn't take any pictures. BUT I did learn about these insane bars in Houston, referred to as "bathhouses." It pretty much blew my mind (and still does!) that it's allowed for a place to exist that, when you walk in, hands you a towel and a comdom and lets you have at it. Glory holes everywhere. And then A told me that crazier things were out there than that, so I'm choosing to remain naive about it and pretend that it's all rainbows and butterflies in the world. 

Saturday morning we played a bit with Bowden and Reid and then A dropped me off at Brickhouse Bridal where my best friend FOUND THE DRESS! It was actually the first dress she tried on. It is beyond perfect and I am so honored to stand by her side in seven months! 

Saturday night we went to Blackfinn in Midtown for dinner with my three best friends from high school. The drinks were really good but we waited over an hour for our food, so I don't think I would go back. And I'm still wondering why there was part of a Christmas tree in my drink.

Annnnd I finally told people I know in real life (besides A and my sister-in-law) about this little ol' blog! I was talking about it but refused to tell them what it was called, but I'm easily convinced so I gave in. I really don't know why I am so embarrassed when it comes to that, but oh well, they know about it now! 

Sunday we met up with the whole family (Minus my little sister, apparently her boyfriend is much cooler than we all are. HA.) for my birthday lunch. We went to Grimaldi's in The Woodlands and YOU GUYSSS, my mouth is still watering. Their pizza is amazing, and I am really picky about pizza! (A has in fact referred to me as a pizza snob. Not my fault Lafayette doesn't have any good pizza!)

Little man was so tuckered out from all of the fun. He's just so precious when he sleeps. And I'm going to need him to give me his eyelashes! 

That's about all that went on in my neck of the woods. Now hurry up next weekend! I'm ready for ya!

Go link up so I can read about your fun weekend :)

pretty little wieners

Shout out to Alexa for the inspiration for the title of this post. Brought to you via Bowden's disgusting red rocket and gchats about her mom's awesome little wiener - yep that doesn't sound wrong AT ALL.

And it's fitting because today my house (ok, parent's house) has gone to the dogs. 

I present to you - the Lindsey/Hebert/Torian family zoo.

Weighing in at five pounds, I present to you the wiener man himself, Mr. Bowden.

Mr. Bowden playing with Huck - Bowden may act all big and touch but homeboy is straight up TERRIFIED of Huck. Wouldn't you be scared of someone 20 times your size? I think yes. 

Then there's Skeeter. Girlfriend is absolutely positively terrified of any other dog. Baby girl doesn't have any hair (was like that when they rescued her) so when dogs paw at her, she does NOT like it one bit. 

You leave me alone Mr. Huck! You too, Mr. Bowden! Let this princess be!

I planned on joining in on the letters to my single self link up, but let's be honest, I can't get anything done in this zoo. Or with Mr. Bowden humping me and me running away from his nasty red rocket. Impossible! 

Jazz Fest 2013

Last week they announced the lineup for Jazz Fest 2013 and I cried. Tears of happiness, of course! This is seriously the BEST YEAR EVER. (I say that every year. But really!)

A little background: I am lucky enough to work for a company that takes us every year - all expenses paid. There's lots of schmoozing in my industry, and basically for us it means that we have to spoil our clients to get them to buy more with us. It's a win-win, because we get to benefit. We go to both weekends each year (different clients come each weekend) and entertain OVER THE TOP. We stay on at the Royal Sonesta on Bourbon (just about the only time of year I would stay on Bourbon) and then attend the festival on Friday and Saturday. Did I mention that it also means a free day off work? Holla! 

It also means a LOT of going out. Basically it's a weekend of drinking, more drinking, eating crappy (but so yummy!) food...and more drinking. Crawfish Monica...get in my BELLAY!

Before we go into the awesomeness that is this year's lineup, let's look at last year, shall we?

Second weekend group at Pat-O's. I don't even want to know what the bar tab was there. Find the bow and you'l find me!

Corey's first Jazz Fest also meant Corey's first...whatever that disgusting shot is called. We love him, I promise!

And of course, you can't go out and not do the wobble. And I'm just now noticing how much I do not fit in at this bar. 

And now, for the best part. The ones I am MOST excited for are:

First Weekend
Friday: John Mayer | Band of Horses
Saturday: BILLY. FREAKING. JOEL. | Rebirth Brass Band
Sunday: Dave Matthews Band | Earth, Wind & Fire

Second Weekend
Friday: Maroon 5 | Marc Broussard
Saturday: Fleetwood Mac | Little Big Town

And now you know how big of a weirdo I am because I am most excited for Billy Joel. Please still be my friend?

wedding wednesday

And now for my favorite part of the showers/parties we have my Bachelorette Party!

We made a weekend out of it and went to Austin, TX on Thursday night and Gruene, TX for the weekend. 

We started off the night with some delicious homemade cocktails and found a winner - Pearl Wedding Cake Vodka with Pineapple juice and a splash of simple syrup + rose's lime juice. Shaken until frothy. YUM!

Then it was time to hit the town.

Central Texas during the summer is CRICKET mania, which explains the first picture. Seriously, they were EVERYWHERE! In our hair, on our pizza, ugh. Gross. Other than that, we had a blast on Thursday night in Austin. Thursday during the summer is a relatively quiet night in that city, so the bar workers walk up to people on the street and offer free drinks to get you to come in. We didn't pay for a single drink the whole night! Go in, get your drink, finish it, and move on. Great for people watching, too!

All of that partying made for a wakeup that was quite bad.

Yep, that is the dress I wore out the night before. Classy!

After some much needed Mexican food we headed to the airport to pick up my long lost best friend who ditched me for Louisville. 

You've always wanted to do this, right? So fun!

Then it was time to hit the road to Gruene, the cutest little town ever. 

If you are interested in relaxing but fun-filled Texas getaway, I highly suggest Gruene! 

Dinner was next and filled with fun and laughter and cramming two drinks each into happy hour. Yum!

The view at dinner, so pretty!

Then we headed over to Gruene Hall - the oldest dancehall there is. You can definitely tell it's old, but that is part of the charm. And they only serve beer, wine and sangria. So cute! We had SO much fun, I am already itching to go back.

We got REALLY lucky - while standing in line to pay cover ($7 each) an older man and his wife saw that we were a Bachelorette group and he paid for all of our covers! He was the sweetest thing ever.

Some people find this odd, but my mom was with us the whole weekend. I loved it and having her there with me to join in the celebrations was a lot of fun.

Saturday we woke up to the smell of Monkey Bread (see, perks of having my mom there!) and got ready to float the Guadeloupe River. I made Hop, Skip and Go Naked for everyone to drink (six pack of beer, container of lemonade concentrate and then fill that with Vodka, pour and mix. I highly suggest using fruity beer and flavored vodka!). My sister bought CFA nuggets so we snacked on those while floating. 

We ended the weekend with a lingerie shower. My mom decorated the condo while we were tubing, she did great! 

First we played the panties game - every girl brought a pair that described her or our friendship and I had to guess who brought what. 

Then we opened the goodies and named each of them. On our honeymoon I brought them all wrapped up and A had to pick that night's outfit based on the name. Some that I remember were Breakfast at Tiffany's, Have Your Cake and Eat it, Too, and Cherry on Top. I highly suggest this method :)

And to conclude the longest post ever - I HAD SO MUCH FUN! I was so blessed that six of the ten bridesmaids could come - and the four that couldn't all mailed goodies to my sister so they were included. I am very blessed with some great friends!

For more wedding updates, check out the k + a page.