Halloween in Santa Barbara - Friends Don't Let Friends Leave the House Without Pants

To all the parents whose daughters left home to go to school in Santa Barbara - this one is for you...














I imagine the conversation during the getting ready process going something like this:

Brit: OK seriously, does this make me look slutty?
Ami: No way you look really classy.
Brit: Are you sure? Do you think anyone is going to guess what we're supposed to be?
Ami: Totally. We are the best um, well, anyways we are totally going to win the costume contest.
Brit: Totally.
Ami: Totally.

My personal favorites from the crowd on State Street on Saturday:

It has been a good visit with Jack. He's taken over 400 photographs of our little city. Here are some of his favorites...

Post Vegas Report

Let me just get this out of the way...

Dearest Peter, we did not play in a poker tournament. I know you are disappointed and I'm sorry we let you down. We got your voicemails and your email and we wish we had a great story for you about how we cleaned up and came out at the top of the pack but we don't. I promise not to get really sick the day of the tournament next time we go to Las Vegas and win it all, in your name.

Friday

Jetted off to Las Vegas. A 45 minute flight to sin city, you can't beat it. I managed to sneak about 5 ounces of Aveda hand lotion through security in my purse. Upon arrival, a limo was waiting for us and we checked in at the Westin. I highly recommend staying there the next time you are in Vegas. It is a small, clean, wonderful oasis in that crazy town.

Rob had reservations for dinner at Daniel Boulud Brasserie inside the new Wynn Resort and Casino. We toasted to our 8th anniversary and enjoyed an amazing meal of crispy duck and steak frites with this amazing shallot, port butter combination aka slice of heaven. We finished off the night gambling a little at Wynn and the small casino back at the Westin. It was a really memorable evening.

Saturday

I awoke to a full blown chest and sinus cold. Rob took care of me, ordered me room service and I stayed in that big bed until the evening. Being in Vegas you just have to rally, regardless of a bad cold. A shower, a double dose of Robitussen, coffee from Starbucks and I was set for at least a few hours. We made our way to Paris to investigate the poker tournament. A two hour wait and a very small poker pit persuaded us to seek out dinner instead.

This little bit of heaven fueled me for another few hours. Dressed for a poker tournament and not for the dining room, we tucked ourselves away in the back bar and were entertained by the two busy bartenders. Busy - yes, but clever? You be the judge...

We got home on Sunday and sniffled and coughed together, watching movies on the couch. It was a great trip. We are good in Vegas. I think I love that town because there is no sense of time. You just do what you want to do when you want to do it. Thank you Rob for another memorable year and another wonderful anniversary. xo

Rob and I leave for our long weekend in Las Vegas (baby) today. We are planning on trying out our poker skills in a tournament at the Paris casino. Four years of playing Texas Hold 'em with Pete and Adi will hopefully be practice enough. Rob planned the trip months ago to celebrate our anniversary.

He has been sick since he got home from Seattle. I'm stubborn and refuse to give in to a sore throat that wants to manifest itself into the phlemy mess that poor Rob has been carrying around with him all week.
How sweet is my man? He returned from Seattle with lots of video footage of our favorite places downtown, his family, his dad's surprise birthday party, his nephew. I felt like I was there.
He went to Le Panier in Pike Place Market and bought my favorite: palmiers. He brought home Pegasus whole bean coffee, Oh Boy Oberto pepperoni sticks (I dare you to try one and tell me they aren't made with crack) and even a gorgeous green cashmere sweater for his girl. I know I am spoiled and I loved every minute of the reveal as he took goody after goody out of his luggage.

Next week my old friend Jack arrives from Glasgow. I met Jack my first day of high school in Montreal and we've been friends ever since. He comes from a very musical family and he specializes in playing bass. I'll let him list the dozens of different kinds of instruments he can play when he gets here and I get him to guest-blog (bwa ha ha ha).

It has been almost 10 years since we've seen each other. I hope he has as many laugh lines as I do.

Guestblogger Sarah here:

Well I'm not exactly sure where to begin here... Amber is making me blog NOW (you know how bossy she is) and I'm not feeling too creative at the moment. Shocking I know.

I am leaving Santa Barbara soon, but if you ever come to visit I hope that you enjoy all the things I love about it. Like the guy who plays guitar on summer nights under the arch of the Court House so that it echoes across the sunken gardens. Bloody's at Brophies, a counter stool at Judge for Yourself Cafe, the dudes who work the counter at the Presidio Market. Play croquet in the park, watch a world cup game or 5 at the Press Room, stop in C'est Cheese. Park in the News Press parking lot on Friday night and leave your car there all weekend. You don't need it. Avoid the restrooms at the Sandbar (Amber has christened them 'The Gateway To Hell') and whatever you do... don't talk to the crazy homeless lady with the pit bull. There's nothing wrong with crazy, but she is just mean.

Sadly, these few helpful tips are about all the blogging content I can muster at this point. I will be back, there will be more, and it will be better. Promise.

I leave you with a question. Is drunk blogging on par with drunk dialing, e-mailing and/or texting? This is important, so I'd appreciate feedback. They seem different, yet this format could be infinitely more embarrassing.

xx
Sarah

Today is Canadian Thanksgiving. I think Canadians have it right in breaking up the turkey portion of the last few months of the year.
October - turkey, November - no turkey, December - turkey. Smart no?
Normally I would be in Georgia, in my sister Kim's kitchen for two days co-creating the best holiday meal you have ever had. She does this butter, prosciutto rub thing to her turkey. It is so freaking good. This year we will be together for Christmas instead.

Mike and Darian's wedding last Saturday was beautiful. There were roses in every corner, on every pathway, on every table, in each bathroom. It was a real pleasure to watch them during the ceremony, exchange their own vows and incorporate traditions from many different influences. My little digi-cam hung on as long as it could but died before I was able to take all the shots I wanted. Keep in mind that I took photos from a girl's point of view (close ups of Darian's gorgeous up-do, kissy photos etc.)...

Live music kept the outdoor dance floor hopping all night - I've never seen anything like it. Amazing all vegetarian appetizers and dinner, memorable speeches and even a shuttle home at the end of the night (many thanks for that you two). Our driver was a great sport and cranked the stereo so we could rock out all the way from Carpinteria to downtown Santa Barbara.

Bill was the definition of a great date. He had his arm out every step of the way as I maneuvered cobblestone, gravel and grass in heels. He is also an amazing dancer and after sending Dan off to LAX on Sunday I spent the rest of the day on the couch taking care of well earned aches and pains from being led around the dance floor the night before.
The house is quiet now. I woke up on Sunday morning to find Danimal Prowel at the kitchen table smoking a cigarette, in tux shirt and pants. God knows what was all over the front of his shirt. I told him I wasn't old enough to hear what he'd been up to all night. It was sad to say goodbye so I gave him a hug and shooed him out quickly. I hate goodbyes.

Rob returns from Seattle today and I am giddy to see him. Sweet, sweet man.

My goodness, what a week.
I am sad to say I had a fabulous time at Sarah's going away party. It is difficult to smile as you send a friend off to their new city. She leaves for San Francisco next week and no longer will we make brunch last all day together, get pedicures at lunch or hear the words 'I'll be right over daaaaaaaaaarling'.
Sarah doesn't like to have her photo taken but I think she is lovely and I tell her so all the time. So Beatz, it's my blog and here is my photo montage of you. I will miss you. Imagine, Kenny Roger's song Through the Years playing now...

There are so many more I could post but these are some of my favorites.

More than half way through Danimal's visit from London. Everybody is still in pretty good shape but there is a lot of time left in his time here. Big BBQ at Bill's house last weekend (thanks Bill).












Adi and I picked up organic tomatoes, onions, avocados from the farmer's market and fresh baguettes from the bakery next door. Homemade salsa, guacamole and loaves of garlic bread for the grill. Mmm mmm.
We spent the equivalent of a work day in Bill's garden enjoying smoked tri-tip, marinated chicken, salads and vino. Lots of people came to visit, dancing in the kitchen to disco, more great photos than I can post here. It was a wonderful night almost like old times.















Rob departed for Seattle today to surprise his dad for his 60th birthday party this weekend. I'm a bad daughter-in-law. I am staying in Santa Barbara for the weekend and have the pleasure of attending the wedding of Mike and Darian.




















These are two lovely people and it is going to be an elegant event. I'm really looking forward to it and I even suckered Bill into being my date. I promised to let him ditch me should he see any ladies he'd like to meet.

Next week I'm going to dip my toe back into some work after a month off. It has been a relaxing time for me and my outlook on work has changed for the better; variety, low stress and finding enjoyment not just in time off but in time spent working as well. Upward and onward.