i'm a TJ addict

Well I failed at blogging this week majorly. I like that I get to go on trips for work but being out two days mid-week ALWAYS messes me up. Coming back to 300+ work emails (I really wish that was an exaggeration) just makes the rest of the week SUCK.

I meant to prepare a Wedding Wednesday and a Si.Pi.Di post ahead of time so they would post while I was out, but it's just been one of those weeks. January CAN NOT come fast enough!

Anyways, as you know from my last pathetic post, I was in Chicago the last two days. Usually on my trips I have some "me" time, but I was only there for exactly 24 hours this time.

 

 

I have a goal with every city I travel to. I HATE looking like the tourist, so right when I land, if I have the time, I like to walk around a bit and immerse myself in the city. And I also have a problem. I'm addicted to Trader Joe's and I WILL go to one in every city I visit. NYC - check. Dallas - check. Chicago - you betcha I went.

 

 

 

 

Over thanksgiving one of the dips we had as this Herb Brie did from TJ's. I was obsessed with it. So naturally, I put my bags in my hotel and marched right on over to TJ's. (I did good this time, my hotel was only 2 blocks away. In NYC I had to walk two miles. Worth it? YES.) I found the dip and some delicious fresh bread.

 

 

No cheese and bread lunch is complete without some wine. And GUESS WHAT? TJ's is kinda known for their wine. And by known for I mean it's SUPER CHEAP. Seriously - that bottle was four dollars...and it was not the cheapest one there. It was pretty tasty I must say. Especially tasty when drank (drinked? drunk?) out of those cheesy clear hotel coffee cups. 

 

This is for you TJ newbies - they have the best candy/dessert known to man-kind. Those Milk Chocolate Salted Caramel Butter Cookies? Yea. May or may not have scarfed down a whole tray in five minutes. They taste like super fancy homemade Twix bars. I usually just get the normal Fleur de Sel Carmel's but I had to step it up this time, and I am SO glad I did. I'm sure the cocoa truffles are equally as deelish but I'm waiting to eat them until I give them to my father-in-law the cocoa truffle addict.

 

After my amazing TJ experience I could have just lounged all night and watched HGTV/be a fatass, but I had our company "holiday" party to get to. Fortunately I have great friends all over the place so I was able to meet up with a sorority sister of mine. It was really fun to gossip catch up on everyone ;)

 

Last year the company party was INSANE - and by insane I mean that I fell asleep on the bar (yes, at the party) and got kicked out of the next bar because I tripped. (You guys probably think I have a drinking problem. I seriously don't and this proves it - I don't drink a lot so when I do, I don't know when to stop. EMBARRASSING.) So this year I stuck to water until everyone decided that must mean I am pregnant. Nothing like that to make you switch to champagne ASAP.

 

After the party some of us were hungry so we went to billy goat's.

 

 

If you ever go to Chicago, make sure you stop here for a late night snack!

 

It's true what they say in the SNL skit - they won't get you get a single. And really, the double is like a normal single at most places because the patties are so thin. It's not the greatest burger ever, but the history inside the place makes it a great spot.

 

I'm already planning my next trip - for fun this time - because there is SO much to do there and 20 hours is not enough! Can't wait!





greetings from chicago

Just checking in from Chicago while freezing my little booty off. It was apparently 70 degrees here yesterday, not sure why it couldn't have stayed that way? At least it's not 32 degrees during the day like it was last year. My ears fell off that trip - OK, they FELT like they did.

Anyways, I'm here for a "holiday" party for work. I hate that we have to call it that, but I have to be a good employee and not offend anyone or something.

Come back tomorrow (evening) for a much better post. This one needs to end pronoto so I can head out to meet up with a sorority sister that I haven't seen in too long.

Hootie hoot y'all.

friday's letters

this week went by SO fast! Not sure why, but can't really complain! Maybe it's because we don't have anything big planned this weekend - the things you cannot wait for just take SO long to get to! A's team has a home game this weekend (so does mine, but I'm not driving an hour to tailgate for a 2:30 game. CURSE YOU CBS!) so we'll be heading out in this fantastic weather to tailgate.

linking up for Friday's Letters with Adventures of Newleyweds today. Here we go!

Dear family: I can't wait to be home and celebrate Thanksgiving with you! And watch FSU kick some gaytor booty. And stuff ourselves with too much mac and cheese. And drink too much wine. best kind of fun!

 

Dear bestest friend: BEYOND excited to fly up to Little Rock to see you! Last minute vacations are the best and spending time with you is even better. I'll be bringing some purple and gold for you to wear, you'll look better in that than whatever shade of red the silly piggies are. 

 

Dear Nashville: I am so glad you got picked up for a whole season! ABC has a record of cancelling my favorite shows halfway through (looking at you Pan Am and GSB!) and I was so worried you would join that club. And helllooooo football love interest of Juliette, nice to meet you choir boy! You can stay a while.

 

Dear trash can: you have GOT to stop smelling so much. every morning I wake up and take you out (maybe a third of the way full) because the apartment smells so bad. We don't throw food in you - why you gotta smell so much?!

 

Dear Bowden: please sleep this weekend as well as you did last night. Your mommy is on morning duty and I would like to sleep!

 

Dear pinterest: please stop! you're making me want a huge house so I can make all of these Christmas crafts/decorations. I have no room left and everything I make automatically goes into the holiday box. Just not fair!

 

Dear sewing machine: I know I haven't touched you since before the wedding, so please be nice to me this weekend. I needed a break, and I think you did too, but I'm back and ready to go!

 

Dear kate spade: stop being such a jerk and sending out 20% off codes. I don't need to spend any more money this week!!

 

Dear St. Landry Parish po-po: I realize that I was going 20 miles over the speed limit, but it's a country road in the middle of NOWHERE. Also, how did my sob story not work?! I was lost, late to a work event and not even from here. My TX license should have been a clue, but that's probably what got me the ticket in the end. Also - there was not a SINGLE speed limit sign on the road! NOT ONE! Apparently I'm just supposed to KNOW that state highways in Louisiana are 55 mph. Uhhh hello, not from here. TOTALLY going to court to fight this one.

 

That's all I got - hope everyone has a great weekend! I'll be back Monday with pictures from the game. It's a black-out so I'm SUPER excited. I don't own any red (the main color) so I finally get to dress in a cute outfit - and wear my new boots!!