Derby Dress and a Buzzer Beater

Today's going to be short and sweet because I learned a lot this weekend and I want to make sure you absorb it all. I'm also a little short today because I procrastinated on blog writing all weekend and can't stay up past my bedtime to do any better. It's a busy work week and I won't be celebrating Cinco de Mayo because I'm a responsible adult or at least I pretend to be.

+ I learned that all of my Facebook friends are Blazer fans.

+ I learned to never trust Slingbox because it cut out on the last 5 minutes of Friday's Game 6. I missed the buzzer-beater shot that sent the Portland Trailblazers into Round 2 of the playoffs for the first time in 14 years.

+ Names of derby horses can only be 18 characters long (includes spaces and punctuation)

+ A dress that's been in my closet forever that I LOVE and have never worn was a big Instagram / Facebook hit for derby day. I've aways thought I'd get made fun of in this dress because in case you didn't know, it's not the 1940's - but love the way it fits me. 

+ I need a bigger mirror and non-yellow hallway lighting (mom/dad?)

+ Taking a photography class does not make me a photographer.  (Hey look, there's Brooke!)

+ I learned that it's never too late to give or receive a Christmas gift - especially one this cute.

Alright, that's enough for me from this weekend - are you linking up with Katie today?

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

The Favorites on Friday

Woo-hoo! It's Friday and it's May.

May is the most wild and crazy month at work for me because it's our fiscal year end and the pressure is on! It's been a busy week already but I'm looking forward to the weekend with derby party / photography class plans with miss Brooke. Snapchat friends: expect something old, something new, something awkward and something inappropriate. (that's how that saying goes, right?)

What better way to end the week than recapping a bunch of things that made me smile, think, laugh and love the universe?

Favorite App Update

Since we've already mentioned snapchat today (and in my confessions), we need to talk about the new update from yesterday. 

At first I thought "oh shit, I might actually have to talk to my friends without allowing time to think of something witty."

Then - when I texted Kayla (a real text, yes) to tell her that the app was updated, we both realized it was pretty much the coolest. It's like a skype call without planning out the call part (because I hate actual phone calls)

Favorite Reads

So inspiring when Women Empower other Women
You know I loved this one (and thanks for showing Caitlin some love)
P-R-O-U-D (and a little pissed) with this post. Such a strong lady!

Favorite Tweet

Lauren knows my love for Costco so she sent me this article that points out the best way for single people to navigate the store. 

"Anyone at Costco Monday-Thursday is basically announcing that not only do they love a good deal on AAA batteries; they’re also single and ready to mingle"

Favorite Commercial

I might be a little late to the party seeing that this was from (wayyyyyy) back in 2013 - but forgive me please, I was busy in September.

This ad showed up before a YouTube and for the first time in ALL of history I didn't click "skip ad".

Favorite New Blogger

So I have to give the award to mom on this one. 

She jumped into blogging fearlessly on Monday (with GIFS, you guys!) and hasn't let up on the momentum. She introduced herself and now she's ready to start hitting you with all of her wisdom and wit. 

Thank you for all of you who welcomed her so warmly - although I DID complain that she got more comments on her first post than any post I wrote for my first 2.5 years of blogging. 

That's all I have - go enjoy the sun if you have it, friends!

Who else is linking up with Amanda's Friday Favorites?

Reasons Why I Don't Carry Cash

Doesn't cold hard cash in your hands feel amazing?

While I agree, there's something about carrying cash that makes me want to spend it. I have a fear about having "loose bills" around because I once lost my wallet with $300 the eve of a Vegas vacation (this is a hot mess 22 year-old story) and I have post traumatic anxiety about it still. 

But we're not here to tell that story - we're here to talk about why I don't carry cash with me and stick to the plastic every chance that I can.

Here are just a few of my reasons!

+ Girl Scout Cookies

One effective way to avoid buying girl scout cookies is to not have cash on you. 

The less effective way is when they're in your office and you have to act quick to make sure you get one before they're gone.

+ Costco Food Court

For as much as I go to Costco (hello, dating scene) there's good reason that I don't want cash on me - that damn food court. You have no idea how tempting that swirled fro-yo is to me even though I don't do dairy anymore - especially in the summer when I see every single person carting their haul out to their car while they try to eat the amazingness before it melts. I want to put a picture in here to show you but I'm afraid it's going to give me nightmares. 

+ Credit Card Rewards Points

Did you know that you can make money by spending money? My "spending account" gives me 1% cash back on ALL purchases and each quarter there's specific categories / companies that give you 5% back on your spending during those three months. I get so excited when I see what's there for me to deposit into my account - it's like getting free coffee.  

+ I'm a Nerd

I'm KIND of an analytics nerd and I KIND of like spreadsheets. So, since it's much easier to export a transaction report online than it is to journal out my spending. Probably once a month I pull a report to see how much I'm spending on gas, groceries, entertainment, etc and it's a way to help me budget. 

It's also a tip-off that I need to find a guy who will pay for my foods/drinks (please).

The only times I do carry cash?

- When I owe a friend some doll hairs.
- For mani/pedi's (because my neighborhood place is cash only)
- When I get my hair cut I take cash to tip my stylist - karma, guys.
- For the farmer's markets in the summer!
- Sports betting and other shenanigans related to betting with friends.

How about you? Cash or Credit?