Long Weekending in Palm Springs -- Part 1

A couple weekends ago (the first weekend of the month), we took a little weekend trip to Palm Springs to visit my Dad and step mom who came down from Northern California to meet up with us. I took Mason to speech that Thursday morning and then we left as soon as he was done. We were in Palm Springs from Thursday through Sunday and it was the perfect amount of time.

Every time we go to Palm Springs, we always pass these huge dinosaurs on the side of the freeway. I'm always intrigued by them, but we've never stopped. This trip we were taking our time heading in to the city, so I asked Seth to stop. I literally didn't know much about the dinosaurs expect for the fact that they were giant dinosaurs on the side of the freeway by the outlet mall and well... that's all they really are. And they were pretty unexciting. But, hey, we can say we've seen them, and we never have to stop again.

What's a road trip without lunch at In n Out? Even though we have them by our house, we almost always stop at one on a road trip since we can pretty much guarantee that lunch will be delicious. I totally pulled a "tourist move" and took a picture of the sign and a picture of my kid outside the restaurant. Hey, nobody but Seth and Mason knew I wasn't a tourist 😉

After lunch, we walked around the outlet mall (Cabazon) for a bit before we decided that we were going to melt (it was 107), so we headed back to the car and made our way in to Palm Springs.

By this time, it was around 12:30pm/1pm and we weren't meeting my parents until around 4pm to check in to our house rental. So, we drove around and visited a couple spots that I had wanted to stop by while we were in town.

mural located at the Hyatt Palm Springs

This Palm Springs sign we kind of stumbled upon by chance. I had seen Desiree Hartsock (from the Bachelorette) post a picture in front of this wall on Instagram a couple weeks ago and had wanted to stop by it but I had no clue where it was. Then we were driving down the main road and stumbled upon it.

ACE Hotel

Ever since I saw the first person take a picture in front of the ACE Hotel sign, I knew I wanted to see it in person. The hotel seems SUPER trendy and we definitely felt out of place, but before we left, Mason and I snapped a photo in front of the "M"ACE (Mase) Hotel sign. See what we did there? (Mace --> Mase --> Mason).

Everyone did an amazing job playing along with my "wall hunting" plan, so we decided to stop for some ice cream at our FAVORITE place, Great Shakes. Seriously, if you visit Palm Springs, you NEED to go here. I mean, they add a mini donut to the straw of your milkshake!

salted caramel milkshake // mint oreo fudge milkshake

After we fueled up on ice cream, we made one more stop -- the Saguaro Hotel. I had seen TONS of pictures of this gorgeous hotel all over Instagram and I was DYING to see it in person. The hotel did not disappoint and boy was it COLORFUL. This hotel was also super trendy and we felt out of place, but it was fun to walk around and check it out.

By this time, it was around 3:30/3:45pm. We found out that my parents were stuck in traffic and were running late so they called the realtor to meet us and give us the keys to the house. We had about an hour to hang out and unpack before they met us. My dad, step mom, and Seth went to the grocery store to get stuff for dinner and Mason, Leo (their dog), and I hung out at the house and splashed around in the pool.

We ate dinner, had some drinks, hung out, went to bed, and got ready for a weekend of fun!

Part 2 -- Friday, Saturday, and Sunday -- coming soon!

Little Letters || May.

I'm excited to link up again this month with Kristin from Taz and Belly for her Little Letters series and bring you a few little letters...

Dear coffee,
I didn't realize I was so addicted to you. I only really have one cup/one drink a day, so I didn't really think I was that addicted, but one day I didn't have my morning cup and holy cow... come 10am I had a MAJOR headache. I didn't realize it was from not having any caffeine at first, but when Advil didn't work after an hour, I knew I needed a "fix".

Dear lady on the radio who wanted to give her daughter _____ a shout out at ______ Elementary School, 
Probably not a good idea. Now everyone who listens to the radio (including any creeps) know your daughter's name AND where she goes to school. I'd never advertise where my kid goes to school in a public forum like that.

Dear LuLaRoe consultant that I wanted to buy from,
Why are you a part of one of those "mega groups" if you don't really care about selling your items? I commented on the item with a question. I waited overnight and then I TAGGED you on the item. And THEN I clicked on your link to mega roe and commented on the item and still... NO RESPONSE from you. Seriously TERRIBLE customer service.

Dear lady who walked right in front of an oncoming truck in the parking lot,
Holy cr*p you scared me!!!! Thankfully the truck was going slow enough and the driver had good reflexes, because WOW. You. Did. Not. Look. Before. You. Crossed!

Dear person who didn't stop at the freeway meter light when it was red,
What makes you so special that you don't have to wait your turn like everyone else? Blowing through the red light to go sit in the parking lot (aka freeway) won't get you anywhere any faster than the rest of us. Wait your turn.

Can you relate to any of my letters this month?

[Stitch Fix] Fix #15 + a $150 Stitch Fix Giveaway!

This post contains affiliate links but, as always, all opinions are my own. If you use my affiliate link, I may receive a small commission.

Goodness, it's been FOREVER since my last fix! It was completely unintentional, but I didn't realize how long it's been since my last fix back in February. In the grand scheme of things, obviously a couple months isn't that long, but I was getting them every month or so (and wanted them more often LOL) so three months seems like a long time!

But... without further ado... it's fix reveal day! One of my favorite days!

In case you haven't heard of Stitch Fix, it's basically a personal shopping service. You fill out your online profile by answering some questions about likes/dislikes, style, sizing, etc and then can write a note about what you're interested in as well as link a Pinterest style board to help your stylist know what you're looking for and what you're style is. Then your personal stylist gathers some items that she thinks you'd like and sends them to you. You try them on in the comfort of your own home and decide what you do and don't want to keep and then you have three days to send back whatever you don't want. Easy peasy! The styling fee is $20 and if you send back all the items, you lose the $20. If you keep one (or more) items, they deduct the $20 styling fee from your total and you pay the difference. And if you keep all five items, they deduct the $20 from the total and you get a 25% discount on all the items. Pretty great! If you're interested in signing up, if you want to use my referral code then I'll get small credit to my account and will be forever grateful.

A couple fixes ago, I had requested a new stylist. While I did like my old stylist, I felt like she was thisclose to nailing my actual style. I always liked the things she sent me, but they just weren't quite me. So, I requested Desiree's stylist, Raquel. I always LOVE everything that Desiree gets in her fixes and figured that if we had a similar style, that Raquel would surely hit the nail on the head for me too. And sure enough.... SHE DID! Check out my FIRST 5/5 fix here!

So now... on to my 15th fix!

Kut from the Kloth | Lonnie Distressed Cuffed Denim Boyfriend Shorts

Size : 10 | Color : Blue | $68

You guys might remember my love affair with Kut from the Kloth when I previously shared my beloved Kut from the Kloth skinny jeans. It's no secret I am a HUGE fan of their jeans and shorts and I ask for them in every Stitch Fix box that I can in hopes that they will have some new item that I haven't tried yet. Well, Raquel delivered on these and I haven't tried them yet! When I first took them out of the box, I was excited about the brand (obviously), but I wasn't overly excited about the hem. But I thought I'd give them a try because KFTK hadn't let me down yet, but I didn't love them. I had actually just bought some new KFTK shorts at Nordstrom a couple months ago (but I never say no to more), but these didn't wow me. They were slightly tighter than my other kinds and I would probably have to size up, so I ultimately decided to keep what I have and return these.

Verdict : Returned.

Blu Pepper | Vincente Woven Henley Knit Top

Size : M | Color : Red | $48

When I took this shirt out of the box, I was excited. It's a little hard to tell in the pictures, but it's a very skinny red striped shirt. It's 3/4 length and it has lace at the bottom. What more could a girl ask for? Well... it's been quite hot here in Southern California and this girl asked for flowy short sleeve tops, so this one didn't quite fit the bill. It was more of a terry cloth type shirt than a light weight breathable shirt also. Had this shirt come to me in October, I totally would have kept it, but May and going in to the hottest season... not so much.

Verdict : Returned.

Market & Spruce | Kollie Woven Henley Knit Top

Size : M | Color : Grey | $54

This shirt had some potential and then... buttons. There's just something about this shirt that struck me as "old lady". I actually really liked the pattern part of the shirt, but wish it was just the back detailing and shoulder/collar detailing and that it didn't go all the way down the front. And that there were no buttons. Well they didn't unbutton, so are they really buttons? What ever you want to call them, I wish there were no little gold things on the front.

Verdict : Returned.

Papermoon | Gwennie Crochet Detail Knit Top

Size : M | Color : Black | $36

I pulled this baby out of the box and it was love at first sight. I actually don't have anything with crochet detailing on it, and I fell in love hard. I was so happy when I put this shirt on and it fit perfectly. I love the fact that it is black. I love the fact that I can wear a real bra (!!!) with it. And I love the crochet detailing on the sleeves. It's light weight and flattering and perfect for summer!

Verdict : Kept!

Kaileigh | Yanna Knit Maxi Dress

Size : M | Color : Turquoise | $54

I was excited to see a dress in this fix, but I wasn't overly excited about the color. The turquoise color was a bit brighter and louder than I am used to, but I wanted to try it on to give it a fair chance. Sometimes I think I hate things when they come out of the box, but then love them on me, so I wanted to try it on first before I made a complete decision. And well... I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it either. I did LOVE the color blocking, but wish the top color was a bit more subdued. Or maybe if it was reversed and the majority of the dress was a more flattering navy blue and the bottom part was the turquoise?

Verdict : Returned.

***

Well, a 1/5. Not the best, but not the worst! I was actually kind of surprised at some of the pieces that Raquel sent me because some of the pieces were so "not me" and she was being so amazing with her choices in previous fixes. Maybe because I had taken so much time off, she forgot what I liked? I have no idea. Either way, I'm definitely excited about getting another fix and I made sure to leave feedback so Raquel knew what it was about these pieces that I didn't like.

Bring on my next fix!

Do you agree with my choices? Should I have kept anything that I sent back?

And now for the exciting part!!!! I've teamed up with some amazing ladies to bring you a giveaway for a $150 Stitch Fix gift card! Click the links below and check out the goodies they got also!

Sarah // Seeing All Sides

Desiree // Macke Monologues

Kristin // Taz and Belly

Courtney // A + Life

Whitney // Work it Mommy

Emily // Emily Enchanted

Jessi // Jessi Living Lovely

Jess // Being Mrs. Beer

Lacey // Perks of Being a JAP

Kerri // XO Kerri

Enter on the rafflecopter below. Entries will be verified. Giveaway runs from May 9, 2017 at 12am Pacific time to May 15, 2017 at 12am Pacific time. Winner will be emailed the Stitch Fix gift card.

Good luck!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Need a last minute gift for mom? Give her a Stitch Fix gift card!

Weekending.

This past weekend was a good one! I feel like we got a healthy mix of tons of stuff done all while feeling like we did nothing at all. You ever have those weekends?

Friday started my weekend off early with a pedicure, a trip to Target, running a few errands, and an arrival home to my Stitch Fix box waiting for me. Not a bad way to start off a weekend if I do say so myself. I was just coming off a 9-day-working-in-a-row spree, followed by a day off for a funeral and then back for 2 more days of work, so a short day of work on Friday followed by a pedicure and a Stitch Fix box was just what the doctor ordered.

Seth picked Mason up at school, he took him to get a haircut, and then they met me at home after I got take out from Lazy Dog Cafe for dinner. This was the first time that Mason has sat in the big boy chair at the place that we get his hair cut on his own. Ever since we lost our beloved Cool Cuts 4 Kids stylist, we've been going to a friend and she does an amazing job, but her place is not specifically for kids, so Mason has been sitting on Seth's lap and watching his phone. This time, Mason sat in the chair all by himself! Seriously a major accomplishment. I was so proud!

On Saturday, we met Desiree, Marcus, and Julia at the aquarium for a few hours of fun before breaking for lunch, heading home, and a quick stop by Home Depot to pick up boxes.

original photo by Desiree. edited by me.

photo by Desiree.

Sunday was for a trip to Trader Joe's, a stop by the post office to pick up a box, grocery shopping, laundry, packing a little, and being lazy.

The weekend was filled with nothing super crazy, but it was one of the best we've had in a while! The countdown is on to the (long) weekend ahead!

[Mailman Mason Monday] #postofficeadventuresofmasonb #part12

When I last left you, we had gotten through March 27, 2017. Which means... we really are caught up now!! I promise.

Here are the pictures that I've shared on Instagram as well as the captions (+ the emojis!) that I've shared from April 1, 2017 to April 21, 2017.

4.1.17 // Stumbled upon the wall of employee lockers at Costco today. Mason thought he was at the post office and tried to open them all! 😂✉️📮📬

4.3.17 // He's a man on a mission. Happy Mailman Mason Monday! ✉️📮📬

4.5.17 // This little mail man helped me mail TWO BOXES of letters this morning! That's 200 letters! 

😳✉️📮📬

4.11.17 // Confession: I love mail truck photos. 😍 But I get too embarrassed to take them when other people are around (mainly, workers) so today we must have been a little later than normal and there was nobody around so I "encouraged" Mason to go stand by the mail truck. 😉😂🚐✉️📮📬

4.12.17 // Late afternoon mail run with the mini mail truck! 🚐✉️📮📬

4.14.17 // "Mom! They won't let me in!" 😂✉️📮📬

4.17.17 // When the big mail truck is parked outside, you have to get a picture. 😉🚐✉️📮📬

4.17.17 // One final letter drop off and this Monday is done! 🙌🏻🚐✉️📮📬

4.20.17 // Mason had an ENT appointment this morning so he went with Seth and I was on my own at the post office. Since I'm sure you don't want to see a picture of me there 😉, here's a little #tbt to a month or so ago when we were at Disneyland's Toontown post office! ✉️📮📬

4.21.17 // One last mail run before our event this weekend! He insisted on wearing his Easter glasses

 🤓🐰✉️📮📬

***

A little back story... When we stopped doing the Picture Perfect Project last year, I stopped sharing Mason's post office pictures on the blog. I had deemed it my "photo project of the year" through the PPP and when it ended, I didn't stop taking pictures of him at the post office, but I forgot to share them here too. I was thinking about it the other day and I want to continue to share them here even though I don't technically "have a reason" to each month. So instead of sharing per month, I'm going to share per event cycle (for my work - essentially why we go to the post office so often). We have seven events per year and as the events approach, we go to the post office more often and as they pass, we go less often.

You can find more of our post office adventures on Instagram here.