Things I Learned This Easter Weekend

Happy day after Easter! Who still has a sugar/brunch/mimosa hangover this morning? 

I had an amazing weekend with my family and really wish that I had today off from work rather than next Monday. Heck, why do I even have to choose - let's make a mandate that all Monday's should be extended weekends! Can you do that for me?

Before I recap the weekend, here's the Friday outfit that I chose. Thank you to anyone and everyone who weighed in on the outfit decision. I felt happy and confident - and rocked the presentation!

This weekend I learned a ton of things that I want to link up with Katie and I don't even know if I can remember them all because I'm writing this Easter Sunday after a few mimosas in. Let's give it a try!

Disclaimer: the photos below somewhat have to do with what I learned, but I don't plan to address them all. Still enjoy.

+ I learned that a Sunday haircut at a new salon is the way to go! Not only was it laid back and relaxed, but I got awesome personal attention and parking was easy because everyone else was out fighting the Portland brunch rush. Yay!

+ I learned that I love my hair without layers - no more whispy and frayed ends in my life! Portland people, if you're looking for a stylist you need to schedule an appointment with Emmanuel now.

+ I learned what a Paleo easter basket looks like - yes that's sriracha and broccoli in there. My mom is awesome!

+ I know how to make whipped cream now with coconut cream (Trader Joes) - and it will be one of my summer staples. 

+ I should never make Friday plans because I always seem to nap through them. I was supposed to go to the Spring beer festival with Brooke - but instead had fun at a work party with beer that was free-.99. When I got home it was a nap with no pants and the lights on kind of evening. 

+ I learned that I can do four T25 workouts in one day and that my (super)mom is an animal! Wait, I already knew that. She did two of the workouts with me and wanted to still do another! (more here)

+ I learned I can't be trusted around champagne and OJ - you remember the last time, right?

+ I learned that my mom wants to start a blog about what she wishes she would have known while she was growing up that she knows now..... I'd read it, wouldn't you?!

Tons of education going on this weekend, what did you wonderful people learn and want to share with us? 

Link up with Katie if you know what's good for your health!

Friday Fave's

Hello Friday friends! 

I heard a rumor that most of you have the day off from work today so if that means sleeping in - I'm jealous. If that means you're up early and reading my blog - I'm thankful! If it means you're skipping blogging all together for the weekend - go on with your bad self(ie). 

I normally would be sharing My Week In Gifs for your Friday entertainment - but my lady friend across the country is hosting a Friday link-up that I wanted to support for four main reasons:

1. She's a loyal reader

2. She's a bargain queen

3. She's gorgeous and funny

4. I'm just starting this post at 9:40pm on Thursday night - cheers for link-ups!

Plus she made this link-up button on her own, isn't it pretty?

First before we talk about favorites - I have to mention that I'm finally getting a haircut this weekend and can't wait to flood your instagram feeds with selfies!!! Okay, maybe I'll just do one but know that my snapchat peeps are going to get at least 10.

I'm going to do my own take on this link-up, hope you don't mind!

Favorite Instagram Interaction of the week:

I allowed my followers to pick which outfit to wear to work Friday. It was a question for me because I love dressing springy on Good Friday, but I also have a work presentation where I want to be taken seriously. Let the people vote! 

Helene, bless her soul, was the only one out of 25+ who picked 'left' and I love her for it.

Favorite Video I watched this week:

#WorldsToughestJob (Love you, Mom)

Also in a close second is this: (Helene again)

Favorite Blog Reads this week:

Both are body image / loving yourself / loving others related. Please enjoy and follow these ladies.

Friends Don't Let Friends Fat Talk - I'm Your Katie Qué
April 'Strong' Showers - Kait Makes a Run for It

Favorite Thought Catalogs/Buzzfeeds this week:

21 Reasons I'll "Nope" You on Tinder
22 Times Stephen Colbert was the Perfect Man

Favorite workout this week:

Thursday night I combined a T25 cardio workout with Brooke's Dirty 30 and was a sweat storm.

Absolutely doing it all again.

That's all I've got today! Look out for my new hair selfies and have an amazing weekend!

Don't forget to link up with Amanda!

Stay Golden, iPhone 5s

So I've been feeling pretty handicapped the past few weeks as my iPhone suffered a major functional injury. 

I don't know when, why or how it happened - but all of a sudden the button on the left side stopped working. What's this mean? That I could no longer silence my phone thanks for asking.

The timing of the event seemed to be around when I went on my ski trip, but we can never be too sure about these things. This is my clever way of removing myself from any and all fault and leaving it at the fact that the button stopped working, cut and wet dry. 

Sure it would have been convenient to find out about this button issue in the comfort of my own home (the same way it's convenient for shark week to begin at home, right ladies?) but no - the moment of realization happened one morning at work when I was taking a selfie (see: Snapchat Confessions) and co-workers around me heard the camera shutter click.

Immediately red-faced, I plugged my headphones into the jack and was paranoid about the sound for the rest of the day. 

Not willing to walk around with headphones in my phone all day every day, I did what and normal person would do and recycled a pair of broken headphones I hadn't thrown away yet (read: hoarder) and plugged the hole, thus tricking my phone into thinking I had headphones in. Win/Win right?

It was all cool until people started making fun of my awful set-up. 

Not very good at social criticism, I decided to go to the Apple store to get my baby a doctor appointment. 

The last time I had a functional issue they handed me a brand new phone - no questions asked. So what was it going to hurt to walk in there and get a new phone (especially since I'd dropped mine one too many times):

On Monday I went into the Apple Store and waited as they woefully explained to me that it was a button issue and unfortunately that wasn't a replaceable feature on the iPhone 5.

They commended my work-around, but also said "you could have just used the Do Not Disturb option"

..... don't they know me and know that I need the notifications on. All day, every day.

What were my options?

+ Buy a new iPhone 5 at $269
+ Keep working through my sound issue (and also a corroded battery according to the diagnostic check)
+ Use a family upgrade and get the iPhone 5S

I'll give you one hint what I did - thanks mom and dad!

Now, can anyone explain to me the difference between iPhone 5 and iPhone 5s (with Apple Care!)

Stay Golden, my new pretty baby!