What about this is a fantasy.

Since we last talked, I enjoyed a fabulous long weekend in the paradise known as Newport Beach. Since I've been home, I've entered a whole different paradise - that oxymoron known as "Fantasy Football." Why, oh why, is it called that? Let's talk about it.

First off, the husband convinced me to join a "Couples League." He also convinced me to invite all my girlfriends. Since we (clearly) run the households and the lives of our significant others, this was already a strategic play. (Little did I know I was being taken advantage of early on in this so-called "game.") All the girls and their respective guys joined in and boom! We had a league. Thinking this would be  a fun way to "connect" with the husband every Sunday (and Thursday, and Monday and every other day this sport continues to pop up and interfere with life in general), I gleefully registered and named my team the "Downward Dawgs." In truth, I wanted them to be called "I'd Rather Be Keeping Up with the Kardashians," but that name was too long according to the (rude) rules of Yahoo Fantasy Football. Let's be honest though. Who would pick football over Kourtney K giving birth to Penelope? That's what I thought.

I absolutely despise this logo.
Especially because I feel like I can see it even in my sleep!

So, there we are, a few weeks later, and I'm drafting the Downward Dawgs for what I expect to be a successful season. Another wrong on my part. Super convenient that the WIFE of the COMMISSIONER is second to last to draft! Really? I get NO perks for being married to THIS? Long story short, I draft a VERY mediocre team. If that. I primarily picked based on a few factors: 1) player's names (do they sound cool? Last name is Best? Must have. Benjarvis for a first name? Can't beat that.) 2) player's looks (do they look good? literally - let's look at their head shots and see if they are worthy! who is cute and who is not? with the exception of Tom Brady; I refuse him based on the principle that he dumped Bridget. But everyone else is fair game!) 3) the advice of the husband. This turned out to be a little less consistent once I remembered he is IN the league and for the first time ever, he does not have MY best interests at heart! That's right - this guy is in it to win it and I am definitely one of his pawns! Picking Peyton Manning? Totally his advice. Did I know that Peyton Manning had not played professional football in a year? Noooooo. I thought that sweet man who put a ring on it actually wanted me to WIN! Silly, silly girl. They are right - love is blinding! 

Fast forward a couple more weeks. That all-star they call Peyton Manning has the worst game of his life. I wish he would have just stayed home. And THEN I found out he is a swinger! Really?! You play horribly AND you have gross habits? This has gone from bad to worse. In the meantime, my Sundays have been utterly stressful. My nails (I always do mani/pedis on Sunday nights) have completely gone by the wayside, I have  a stack of magazines waiting for me, in addition to Gossip Girl episodes on Netflix which are frankly not going to watch themselves. This is what people call fun? This crappy team that gives me headaches is called a "fantasy?" I think not. 

The only perk of this has been the trash talking with my girlfriends (their teams are equally fabulous with names like the "Wifebeaters" and "The Peanuts"), and gorging on delicious football food. I love being in what I call red-wine mode - cozying up on the couch, candles lit, wine in hand, guac and chips or my favorite Papa Murphy's take and bake pizza on the coffee table (it's the Thin Delite Mediterranean and you must try it - this pizza will change your life). Truly, those are yummy Sundays. What would make them better? Gossip Girl, for sure. But, if I want my team to be the "comeback kids" that I am assuring everyone they will be, I have a few (or a million) more Sundays to go. In the meantime, here is what I spend these lazy days in. My team may be the worst in the league, but I'm still hoping there is a best-dressed award...

• Zella Live-In Leggings: I own 3 pairs in 2 colors. Favorite leggings EVER. Reversible. Affordable. Do not pill. Do not stretch. Do not fade. You really can "live" in them! 
• Rubbish Chambray Shirt: Another "live-in" item. So comfortable, but still trendy. Roll the sleeves up or down, pair with a scarf or wear on it's own. Great with colored denim as well as leggings. Cozy up in this with a cami underneath for extra warmth. 
• Nordstrom Wool/Cashmere Scarf: For an extra piece, I never leave home without this. It comes in a million and seven colors, and wearing it casually for Sunday football is easy. Wrap it around and go! Learn different ways to tie it here. I have worn my black one with my chambray shirt, and then worn it a week later on Saturday night as a wrap to a wedding. Definitely multi purpose! Wear all-year-round in climates like Seattle.
• Vera Wang Flats: Want a little sparkle? These are the perfect flats. You can show off your pedicure AND be comfortable! I love these because they are like jewelry on your feet. No need to add additional accessories to your outfit. Wear your bling on the bottom and walk (or trot!) proudly. 

Safe travels, fashionistas!

Between the wedding whirlwind I told you about in my last post, you won’t believe this. But. I. Went. On. Vacation. This. Summer. Miracles do happen! Not only was this a MAJOR feat because I was successfully able to sneak away for 7 days and not miss a wedding, but my little retail-working self has not vacationed during June or July since… high school?! You all know I love my work, but this is the first summer that this Nordy girl wasn’t slinging sales and clocking 13 miles a day during the Anniversary event (trust me – I wore a pedometer last year and it was SCARY. You don’t want to see those things when they are reading double digits after your regular day at… work!). This year, fear not – I am still a Nordy girl, tried and true (duh), but after 7 summers, I have a new home on the 4^th floor that I LOVE. I am in Human Resources, recruiting and hiring, and this position comes with a wee bit more work-life balance. This makes the husband happy! I thought he would be even happier when I invited him to go on vacation with me, but not so much.

When I say I invited the husband to go on vacation with me, it’s because I did. I extended a personal invite (actually more than one), and I got declined! We did take a lovely week-long vaca to Maui with my family (and yes, I absolutely bought and sent vintage postcards like the one above because they are SO cute and make people smile when they get their mail), but a couple weeks ago, I decided I needed one more mini-trip. I like using “mini” when I want something, because it seems like I’m asking for less. One of my frequently used phrases is “Can I have a mini massage?” This implies that I want him to give me a massage equivalent of service I would pay $100+ for in a spa, but I throw “mini” in there so it seems like a quick and easy request! Try it at home and see what happens!

Back to my mini-vaca. We usually go with a group of friends on a (wild and crazy and not G-rated) house boat trip every year. Last year, 6 couples on the trip were engaged. This year, guess what? They all got married. Not that married people aren’t allowed at Lake Shasta – I proudly pioneered that trend! But, with all the weddings and honeymoons, we took a hiatus and will resume Shasta 3.0 in 2013 (get excited for that post, people)!

Thinking this would be the perfect opportunity to go on a 2^nd honeymoon (ok, more like 3^rd or 4^th but who’s counting? Those things should be endless, right?), I suggested several genius ideas to the husband. First, I generously offered to take him to Lake Chelan, where I could conveniently lay out all day and wine taste all night. Who wouldn’t want to spend a few days with the happiest version of Erin? After I spent 3 days researching places to stay, he informed me he was not interested in going.

No problem! Me and my “mini” requests will not be deterred. I quickly changed pace and invited him to a romantic getaway in Mexico. We love Mexico. It’s inexpensive and guacamole is one of my favorite foods. What’s not to love? When the only “serious” decision of your day is choosing the beach or the pool, life is pretty grand. We went to the Riviera Maya last year and spent 8 days in paradise for practically pennies! We literally NEVER left the resort. I read 9 books on my Kindle, and the husband kept busy refilling our travel mugs with adult beverages. We were both in heaven.  This is why I was confused when he AGAIN dissed my invitation! I was all hot and bothered to go to Puerto Vallarta  and even found an all-inclusive resort that was definitely calling our names. This time, he says we shouldn’t spend the money (or some stupid excuse like that). Would have been nice to know that BEFORE I devoted a week of my life to Travelocity.com! Oh well.

After all that, me and my mini vaca are ON! The moral of the story is – I’m (oh, i mean we) are going to Newport Beach. This place really IS calling our names – frequent flier miles at the ideal days and times, friends to visit, and by that I mean free places to stay? Yep, California sunshine, here I come!

You know I have plenty of dresses to bring. But what else will I pack in my suitcase for along weekend full of fun in the sun? Here are a few of my current faves:

• ring necklace – the husband got this (in mixed metal) for me as my “mini-present” when we were in Maui, and I absolutely worship it. It goes with so much. Easy to layer or wear on it’s own, casual or formal.
• iPad with cute Dodo cover, made especially for J.Crew (here is the chambray one, but I obviously have leopard, which is in-store only - totally won't be offended if you copy me)
• long black maxi dress – I found a strapless, wrinkle-free one and have worn it for many an occasion this summer. It’s ideal for travel and can be quickly accessorized to dress up or down.
• rompers! Love these little guys. I have yellow, blush, and my favorite – leopard! Perfect for swimsuit cover up or just with gold gladiator sandals and some gold bangles for a day out and about.
• big hats! The only problem with the extra large wide brim hat is that it can be challenging to navigate with, especially while driving (warning: danger!) so just beware that looking good really does come with side effects (see big hat PLUS leopard romper above; that's my mom with me, embracing her own visor-hat-hybrid trend. I do appreciate, however, that she is rocking a black maxi. Whew, since she often refers to your truly as her "mini-me!") 

Safe travels, fashionistas!