After a bit of a break in the action, I’m back for the latest installment of coffee talk and the first of 2018! Grab that cup of coffee, or tea, take a seat and let’s chat.Â
First off, Happy Valentine’s Day! I’m not a huge Valentine’s Day celebrator, but I’m not going to lie, I enjoy the sweets that come with it. We had no plans, but then Toyota reached out and offered suite tickets and dinner at tonight’s Rockets game, which we couldn’t pass up. Not sure if you’re an NBA fan, but the Rockets are one of the best teams in the league this year and so fun to watch. Personally, heading out to a sports game with a casual dinner is much more my type of Valentine’s Day then an over-the-top high-end dinner and gift exchange.
I’ve also been testing out the new Toyota RAV4 Hybrid the last six days and have loved it. I’m definitely not used to driving a hybrid – it took me a few drives to realize the engine hadn’t died – but I love the smaller SUV feel of both sitting up and driving in the rain. If you hadn’t heard it’s been raining a ton here in Houston, so driving the RAV4 through the rain and stormy weather has been so ideal.
Are you more of a sappy Valentine’s Day lover or like me and just here for the sweet and candy?
In other news… well honestly, there hasn’t been much news to report! I did do a lot of traveling the end of last year and early this year. I love traveling and am so fortunate to have this platform that allows me to do so, but I’m not going to lie, I also miss home, sleeping in my own bed, Rick and my pup. The whirlwind travels began with a media trip to the Bahamas (check out my full Nassau, Bahamas travel guide), home for a day to unpack then repack for Thanksgiving with family at home in Phoenix. After a week in Phoenix, Rick flew back to Houston and I continued farther west to visit my dad in the Bay Area, then my dad, little brother and I flew back to Austin, Texas to spend time with family. Christmas was spent at home in Houston, which actually featured true Christmas-time weather, cold enough for hot cocoa and fires in the fireplace. We took a quick road trip to Dallas to visit my Sister-in-Law and her family before New Years, then took it easy over New Years weekend.
I returned to the friendly-skies in 2018 with my first trip of the year to Squaw Valley. The media trip was so much fun, and I got to hone my skiing skills – stay tuned for a travel guide coming soon. Later in January I flew back out to the west coast for a trip back to Healdsburg (see my Healdsburg travel guide), benefitting the Sonoma County fires and to visit my dad. All in all, it’s been a busy few months of travel, I had so much fun, but I’m happy to be back into my routine… for now!
Because it’s Valentine’s Day, let me throw at you some things I’m loving in the treat yo self department:
– Because I’m all about sharing things I love and have put to the test myself… makes the best , hands down. I’m about to ditch all my old bras and slowly stock up on theirs, because well if you read the reviews, you’ll realize they’re the best. They come in half cup sizes too. Basically the most brilliant idea ever. Check them out .
– In case you’re on the hunt for a new skincare line, you’ve got to try Drunk Elephant. Y’all these skincare products are the bomb. I’ve been using like crazy, as the weather has been all sorts of wacky here in Houston – freezing one day and warm the next. I’m especially loving the and the . I also just finished off the travel size of the and my skin has never loved me more. It is the best! I lather a layer of it on right before I go to bed and wake up to super hydrated, fresh and bright skin every single time!
– I was recently introduced to Vital Proteins and have been loving adding the supplement into my daily routine. Since I’ve been working out more consistently (back at it with Orange Theory!! Who else does it?) and been upping my protein smoothing drinking, I figured I should add some protein and collagen to my routine. I really had no idea of the health benefits of collagen. But after seeing it time and time again at Whole Foods, I finally decided to check it out. I’ve been mixing the unflavored stick packs of Vital Proteins, in my coffee most mornings. It’s been a nice little boost, as I’m usually not a big breakfast eater, and the little individualized packets have 9g of protein!
– And for some pieces I have my eye on… loving these darling and these that my friend Katie just picked up, aren’t they so cute? A fun perfect for wedding season. And of course, spring can’t come sooner for this crisp and classic white shirtdress… I think I need it in my life as soon as it warms up outside!
