life lately

it's been super hectic the last few weeks.

between packing, and moving, and meeting planning, and farewell partying, and after-work-cocktailing,

i haven't found much time to blog.

 that, and i'm just now starting to feel settled and on track to getting back to my old lori self.

there's been no shortage of tears and tiny breakdowns but i'm learning that i can't always been in control

of everything. that's something that isn't quite a new concept to me, but definitely something that i'm starting to embrace. so, apologies for the blog hiatus, but i've been busy mending this little heart of mine with a little bit of soul searching, spending time with friends, and lots and lots of love.

friends that are co-workers makes work feel like hanging out for eight hours

farewell drinks at duplex

bubbles for a perfect last evening spent at the sweetz spot (aka my very first apartment)

"these days of glory, being alive on this planet with the filth, hatred, violence, and all the unhappiness is tolerable because i believe in you. you're there. walking up every street i don't turn on. behind every door i don't open... you're alive on this dirty rock. maybe you were born today or you're one hundred and twelve years old. you exist."

- my dear, sweet friend, jon dambacher

sour candies

le sigh

i miss the man i haven't even met yet

thank you thursday

...for real friends who wipe my tears when i cry...then remind me there's no reason to cry at all,

impromptu sleepovers,

retail therapy (only because it means cute new clothes in my closet),

solo trips to orange county,

and for that feeling you get when you put all your feelings down on paper.

"i am someone who is looking for love. real love. ridiculous, inconvenient, consuming, can't-live-without-each-other love"

-carrie bradshaw

there is...

a hole in my tummy and a hole in my heart.

but, i'm gonna keep pushing on.

special little soiree




finally! a break in traffic.



last saturday afternoon, we celebrated the first marriage in our little concierge family. our darling friend (and former co-worker) alex and his partner josh celebrated their union amongst friends and family underneath the stars in palm springs.

after an 8 hour work shift, 3 hour drive, and one very expensive hotel-shower later - we arrived just in time to catch the first dance, the open bar, and somehow found a way to sneak off and scarf down burritos in the car (um...yeah. don't ask). all in all, it was worth every minute of the trip. to witness two people pledge their love in front of their friends and family is not only an honor to be a part of - but it fills my heart with endless joy.

mazel-tov alex! we love you!

whatever your views on marriage may be - this is love - and i'll always stand behind that






 

food for thought

am·biv·a·lent

/æmˈbɪvələnt/ Show Spelled [am-biv-uh-luhnt] Show IPA

adjective

1. having ”mixed feelings about someone or something; being unable to choose between two (usually opposing) courses of action.

2. Psychology . of or pertaining to the coexistence within an individual of positive and negative feelings toward the same person, object, or action, simultaneously drawing him or her in opposite directions.

i like lists

stumbled across this little gem in the interwebs world today.

i'll be 30 in 102 days (not that i'm counting or anything). let's see how many of these i can knock out in the next fifteen weeks.

By 30, you should have:

1. One old boyfriend you can imagine going back to and one who reminds you of how far you’ve come.
2. A decent piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in your family.
3. Something perfect to wear if the employer or man of your dreams wants to see you in an hour.
4. A purse, a suitcase, and an umbrella you’re not ashamed to be seen carrying.
5. A youth you’re content to move beyond.
6. A past juicy enough that you’re looking forward to retelling it in your old age.
7. The realization that you are actually going to have an old age—and some money set aside to help fund it.
8. An email address, a voice mailbox, and a bank account—all of which nobody has access to but you.
9. A résumé that is not even the slightest bit padded.
10. One friend who always makes you laugh and one who lets you cry.
11. A set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra.
12. Something ridiculously expensive that you bought for yourself, just because you deserve it.
13. The belief that you deserve it.
14. A skin-care regimen, an exercise routine, and a plan for dealing with those few facets of life that don’t get better after 30.
15. A solid start on a satisfying career, a satisfying relationship, and all those other facets of life that do get better.

By 30, you should know:

1. How to fall in love without losing yourself.
2. How you feel about having kids.
3. How to quit a job, break up with a man, and confront a friend with-out ruining the friendship.
4. When to try harder and when to walk away.
5. How to kiss in a way that communicates perfectly what you would and wouldn’t like to happen next.
6. The names of the secretary of state, your great-grandmothers, and the best tailor in town.
7. How to live alone, even if you don’t like to.
8. Where to go—be it your best friend’s kitchen table or a yoga mat—when your soul needs soothing.
9. That you can’t change the length of your legs, the width of your hips, or the nature of your parents.
10. That your childhood may not have been perfect, but it’s over.
11. What you would and wouldn’t do for money or love.
12. That nobody gets away with smoking, drinking, doing drugs, or not flossing for very long.
13. Who you can trust, who you can’t, and why you shouldn’t take it personally.
14. Not to apologize for something that isn’t your fault.
15. Why they say life begins at 30!

heather can appreciate my new found obsession.

only in california will you find short sleeved shirts with scarves. we're kinda annoying like that.

now if i can just remember all these cool new ways to tie them!

note to self

slow the 'eff down!

relax. breathe. (proofread). and take your damn time.

you'll thank me later.

thank you thursday

...the extra hour of sunlight every evening,

freebirds nachos, tecate beers, and new found irish pubs,

a new haircut (!!),

candles that make the house smell pretty,

and for best friends that have a way of making everything feel better.

thank you thursday

..for farmer's markets (and fresh tulips!),

spending time with mom (even if we were sitting in traffic for two and a half hours),

trying a new cuisine and realizing i love cuban food,

and for discovering i'm much more patient than i give myself credit.

change

/tʃeɪndʒ/ Show Spelled [cheynj] Show IPA verb, changed, chang·ing, noun

verb (used with object)

 

1. to make the form, nature, content, future course, etc., of (something) different from what it is or from what it would be if left alone: to change one's name; to change one's opinion; to change the course of history.

 

2. to transform or convert (usually followed by into)

 

3. to substitute another or others for; exchange for something else, usually of the same kind

 

 

 

to transform.

hoping that's what comes of all of this.

kiddos

attempting to get two teenagers and two little nuggets to pose for a picture is a feat in itself

spent the day with my nephew and nieces yesterday. i can't believe how big these kiddos are getting! i'm not sure if i'm more upset about the fact that they're getting older, or that them getting older means i'm getting old! i took them to lunch, miniature golfing, and spent a couple of hours in the arcade. 

after four hours with this group reminded me that mothers are miracle workers (i mean...how does anyone drive with four little mouths yapping in your ear all at once?) and i can wait a pretty long time to have littles of my own.

let's go camping

yesterday i decided we should go camping. i don't know the slightest thing about the wilderness or anything that has to do with the great outdoors - so...i brought camping to us. i may or may not have had a few mini breakdowns when stringing our stars christmas lights and found that setting up a tent, alone, isn't the easiest task. camping in the middle of the living room is a lot less scary than sleeping outdoors. i think i'm keeping our campsite up for the weekend.

happy friday!!

thank you thursday

...for love. lots and lots of it.

for a short little while...

no shopping.

no soda.

no texting or social media on my phone while in the presence of friends.

if i don't stop me, no one will!

wish me luck!