Tag Archives: besties

Sep8

Summer Highlights

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Summer Highlights

Hi! I know summer isn’t “technically” over yet but it’s September and in my head it’s fall lol. So I thought I’d go through my summer highlights today, fall calendar date be damned! This summer has been jam packed with so many activities right from the jump as mine and Johnny’s birthaversary kick starts the month of June. We started this summer by hosting friends and family for a super fun party and the events and hang outs felt nonstop since. Johnny and I are definitely trying to take it easier on our schedule this fall but this summer was certainly one to remember! Especially my personal favorite occurrences:

Josh Groban Concert:

A few weeks ago Johnny and I had the best experience ever at Blossom Music Center seeing… Josh Groban lol. Yes, we laughed about this too but what started out as attending for a joke turned us into complete super fans. Johnny and I purchased tickets for the Stage, Screen, And Symphony tour because we love Josh Groban’s comedy but the jury was out on his music. After pre gaming, we posted up on the lawn of Blossom for the show and didn’t have the best view but could see the jumbotron well. Josh Groban took the stage promptly at seven to open his set with “Pure Imagination” and after that song something magical happened!

Post Pure Imagination, a Blossom employee came up to us and offered us seats in the pavilion. We assumed we would be in the back or the middle but were moved up to the fourth row in front of the stage. It was SO awesome!! From our upgraded seats we had a perfect view of The Grobes and our initial laughter subsided instantly because we were completely mesmerized. Josh Groban truly has the voice of an angel and it was such a treat to hear him perform beloved classics from the best view in the house. We couldn’t believe our good luck and are now so proud to say that Josh Groban was one of the most excellent performances we have ever seen. What a night!

Bestie’s Engagement:

Johnny and I were totally and absolutely overjoyed to take part in an engagement party for my best friend, Lea, in early August and my heart simply flutters whenever I think about it! After the proposal at the Cleveland Botanical Gardens, Lea’s fiance organized a party at a brewery with family and close friends to celebrate. It was the most lovely time and it really was an honor to be there for my best girl. I am so excited to help in any way I can for her wedding and beyond thrilled for her happiness. She deserves nothing less. ❤

All The Mini Golf:

I don’t know about all of you, but I love me some mini golf! I enjoyed going to many indoor and outdoor mini golf courses this summer with Johnny and my brother and it is always such a laugh. Whether we are doing good or bad doesn’t matter because it’s just the most fun to hit some balls around lol. But the answer is: Yes, I did come in last place pretty much every time! Although there are some pretty good outdoor courses in my neck of the woods, we have a few indoor ones that totally take the cake. We love visiting Alien Vacation and Glow Sticks which are both fabulous!

Glow Sticks is an indoor eighteen hole course that revolves around music from the 1950s to the 2000s. Each room features a different decade with murals of the most prominent artists of the time and obstacles that match the theme IE: A giant Rolling Stones tongue. My musician main squeeze was living for it as was I! What a unique and cool little spot! Alien Vacation is also ultra cool with wacky murals and an immersive walk through experience. There are animatronics, obstacles that move, and the neatest themes like an under the sea, ancient Egypt, and jungle themed rooms. We have been to Alien Vacation several times and it is always a blast!

The Strokes Concert:

Johnny and I gifted each other with concert tickets for our birthaversary and seeing The Strokes at Blossom Music Center was my prezzie. They have been a bucket list band for me since I was ten years old and I could not let the opportunity to finally see them live pass by! We opted for pavilion seats as they were only slightly more expensive than posting up on the lawn and had a terrific view of the stage from our middle left position. The Strokes crushed and it was just amazing to hear all of my favorite songs IRL. We made friends with all of the people around us and formed a ragtag group of people that shared my sentiments too: That this was not a concert to be missed!

Johnny and I made so many beautiful memories this summer and I can’t wait to see what fall has in store for us!

What is your favorite memory from this summer? What are you looking forward to in the fall? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug29

Happy Birthday, Best Friend!

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Happy Birthday, Best Friend!

Hi!! There was a very important birthday earlier this week – my best friend Lea was the birthday girl!! Between her recent engagement and big day, there has been so much to celebrate and it brings me an incredible amount of joy. Johnny and I loved being able to enjoy her post engagement party with friends and family and her and I shared a delicious Mexican meal at El Meson for her b-day. For the past eighteen years and change Lea and I have celebrated our birthdays together and I would say a hefty portion of our festivities took place at El Meson lol. It is the best! Regardless of how long we have been besties, it is always special to be together for our special days and I can’t wait for eighteen more years of summer birthdays! ❤

Lea makes life sparkle. She is one of the most vibrant, kind, hilarious, energetic, goofy gals I have ever met and being her friend is like having permanent sunshine. She single-handedly made high school not suck and all of the years that followed, for that matter. It’s kind of insane that we became best friends in freshman year of high school and have not had one fight that entire time. But that’s just what our friendship is. This sounds cheesy but we literally have a soul connection and have no care for anything but fun when we are together. Even during the hardships that life brings, we emerge from our hang outs feeling lighter because we have been laughing for hours on end!

My girl has accomplished so much in her life and is easily one of the hardest workers I know. It makes me unspeakably proud because even during struggles she still came out on top and is perfectly happy with where she is at. We all are too because she is going to make the most beautiful bride and I wish that her wedding was next weekend! The pleasure is truly all mine to be a part of her milestones and cheering her on every step of the way. Just like she does for me. ❤ I don’t know how I lucked out so hard to have a best girl like her!

To my darling best friend going eighteen years strong:

Happy birthday!!!! I love you so!!!!

Are you celebrating any birthdays soon? How long have you been best friends with your bestie? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug23

Unique Unicorn OOTD Bloopers

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Unique Unicorn OOTD Bloopers

Howdy y’all and welcome to the Blooper Reel from my Unique Unicorn OOTD! This little look was worn to celebrate my darling middle niece’s birthday and it was such fun. The birthday girl had the best day – so much so that she has been asking when it can be her birthday again lol. We’ve got a ways to go for that, kid! My sister put together such a delightful party and even hired a face painter for the festivities. Although the kids had a blast with it, I daresay that I enjoyed it the most. How often does an adult get the opportunity to get unicorn style face paint?! The answer is: Not often enough. The face painter really did do a bang up job but these pictures do not do her work justice! Let’s take a looksee:

I call this pose “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Unicorn”

Lol me in basically every school picture ever taken

CLEARLY was feeling myself after getting some paint thrown on the old barn

Johnny really knows how to capture a beautiful photo

When someone asks if I want to get Taco Bell

Serving sass

This Squidward looking face lol

Johnny and I recently hosted our two big nieces for a slumber party before they go back to school and it was a hoot. We did lots of crafts, ordered pizza, and watched Toy Story 4. And, as per slumber party tradition, we had ice cream sundaes for dessert! Normally when I am with the girl squad, I am constantly picking them up, swinging them around, or giving piggy back rides. This time, however, was different as I can’t lift more than ten pounds post surgery. The girls understood and were SO attentive to their TT and it really warmed my heart. ❤

When I got up to start sundae prep, my middle niece stopped me to ask if I could still carry ice cream lol. Blessedly, I could still swing that! The following day when my sister picked them up, I started to carry some of their belongings down to the car. I wasn’t thinking about my post op instructions whatsoever but my biggest niece was. She stopped me in my tracks and said “TT you can’t carry that!”. She remembered what I had completely forgotten as I am forever a DIY kind of gal. Both of their concern was so sweet and it was one of the best slumber parties ever!

This little story is a firm reminder to myself to not carry heavy things lol. Shout out to my bestie girls for having my back!

Are your kids ready for back to school? What is your favorite animated movie? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug12

Best Weekend Ever!!

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Best Weekend Ever!!

Hi!! This past Friday was the most fantastic, wonderful day because my Johnny and I got to celebrate the engagement of my best friend of almost two decades, Lea! Her fiance, Zack, planned this day so beautifully with a proposal at the Cleveland Botanical Gardens and a party with family and friends afterwards at the HiHo Brewing Company. We had the best time mingling with friends new and old and it was so special to be a part of my best girl’s big day. I am beyond excited to be included in all of the wedding fun but the most excited for Lea to be treated like the queen she is every day. She truly deserves nothing less! ❤

Ever since our freshman year of high school in *gasp* 2008, Lea and I have been with each other through thick and thin. For two years shy of twenty, we have been together for wins and losses, birthdays and holidays, and transitioning from clueless teens to slightly less clueless adults lol. I would not want anyone other than her by my side and am so incredibly lucky to have a friend like her. My Lea is the most hilarious, selfless, kind, intelligent person and to know her really is to love her. She lights up a room with her infectious smile and laugh and treats everyone she meets like a dear friend. It has been such a joy to essentially grow up with her and it has brought us into the here and now on her big engagement! ❤

Johnny and I were both so touched to have been thought of to join the engagement partay and it meant the world to share in the happy couple’s happiness!!! Both Lea and Zack were glowing and it legit radiated as if a spotlight were on them. My main squeeze and I have really been enjoying getting to know Zack since they started dating and he has always been a part of our ragtag family. It’s just official now!! I can’t wait to watch their relationship continue to blossom as they prepare for their biggest adventure yet. I will be there cheering them on and probably crying a little every step of the way!!

Here’s to my best girl on her engagement!! I love you forever and a day, darling!!!

How long have you been friends with your bestie? Do you have any special occasions coming up? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul16

Belated BFF Birthday Haul

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Belated BFF Birthday Haul

Hi! This past weekend was so lovely because I finally got to see my bestie girl, Lea, after a month and change apart from each other. We were supposed to have a birthday hang out earlier in June to celebrate, but those plans got foiled when Johnny and I went to see The Strokes and we had to postpone till last Friday. Absence makes the heart grow fonder and whatever and it was the perfect evening of chatting away, delighting in big wins, and having some one month post birthday fun! Lea completely spoiled me with these prezzies and I am obsessed:

This haul featured all of my favorite things – bunnies and bath and body care! The first gift I opened was the bunny ear can openers and all I can say is what a revelation. As a long nailed queen, I am always fearful of breaking a nail whenever I open a beverage can and typically have someone else open it for me lol. I think this all stemmed from that old Sally Hanson commercial for the Tough As Nails polish when it showed a person opening a can and breaking a nail! Thanks to these can openers, I never have to hand over my drink to be opened again and can do it all by myself like a big girl. 🙂 I had no idea that there was a product out there that so specifically represented me as a person but leave it to my BFF to find it!

As well as some smell goods, Lea also gifted me with the cutest bunny themed wall art ever with an emphasis on pampering self care. My go to! These prints are just too adorable and while they are bathroom related, I can’t imagine hanging them up in the bathroom lol. They are too pretty and no matter how clean a bathroom is, it’s still gross! I’m sure Johnny and I will find a spot on our many art adorned walls worthy of housing this new addition. Until then, they will be sitting on my work table where I can see them every day and so NOT in the general vicinity of the bathrooms. 😀

These belated birthday surprises were oh so sweet but the best friend time was even better. I can’t wait to celebrate Lea’s birthday next!! ❤

How long have you been friends with your bestie? Do you have any big summer plans with your friend group? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun1

Happy Birthday, Johnny!

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Happy Birthday, Johnny!

Hello everyone! Today is a fantastic, wonderful day because it is my fantastic, wonderful husband’s birthday! My Johnny turns thirty-seven today which kick starts our birthaversary week. His birthday, our fifth wedding anniversary on the fourth, and my birthday on the seventh. I am so excited to celebrate with all of our friends and family! Johnny has been my main squeeze for over six years now and I simply couldn’t imagine going through this thing called life without him. He is my best friend, my pal and confidant, and every second of every day is the best because I’m with him. ❤

Every day when I’m at work, I literally am chomping at the bit to get home to Johnny because I miss him terribly. It is my favorite thing in the world when he opens the door for me, gives me a big hug, and asks me about my day. Then, everything is a-okay because the dream team is back together. Whether we are out on the town or just at home binging our favorite shows, there is nothing better than just being with him, talking, and laughing like crazy. No matter how low I’m feeling, Johnny can always coax a smile out of me and can instantly turn it into belly laughs in a matter of seconds. He is the personification of sunshine and just has that effect on people!

My Johnny is the kindest person I have ever met and it simply radiates. He lights up every room he walks into just by being his charming, goofy self and knows how to make everyone feel special. Especially me! Johnny makes me feel like the most special gal in the world and I am the luckiest gal in the world for it. For more than half a decade, I have never felt more seen or heard than when I am with him and that is the most beautiful gift anyone could ever give. It truly feels like we have been together for forever and, knowing Johnny, I’m sure he would quip back with “it feels like an eternity” before flashing his best smile. I wouldn’t have it any other way. ❤

To my amazing husband and love of my life:

Happy Birthday!!!!!!

I love you so!!!!!!

Apr8

Happy Birthday, Sister!!

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Happy Birthday, Sister!!

Hello everyone!! Today is a fantastic, wonderful day because it is my big sister, Kristen’s, birthday! Kristen is my bestie pal and I am still overjoyed at the fact that we got to have so much quality time together in New Orleans this past month. Our mini vacation turned us into teenagers again and it was, honestly, magical. We had slumber parties, sipped on drinks, shared delicious meals, and got to explore a brand new city side by side. Our trip was nonstop laughter and fun and I think it brought us even closer together. It has warmed my heart so much that we have been texting way more often since our return home! Maybe next year we could do another getaway for both of our birthdays but it will be so great to celebrate her here on her big day and every day. ❤

Kristen inspires me to no end and I genuinely don’t understand how she is still standing at the end of each day. She is a proud mom of three precious girls, two cats, and two dogs – I’m exhausted after a few hours at her place and she makes it look so easy. It is anything but and I couldn’t be more proud of her and all she has accomplished. Kristen is one of the strongest people I have ever met and I do not say that lightly. She has endured countless hardships and emerged victorious on the other side to create a beautiful life for herself. She is so steadfast and determined but greets any and all situations with kindness – a further testament to her fortitude.

It is so special to have a big sister as incredible as mine and it’s even better that we’re best friends too. We might not have always acted like it lol but we really are thick as thieves! From childhood to teenage years, I remember wishing that I could be just like her and I’m sure it was easy to get fed up with her constant shadow. Even when we had our tiffs, however, we both knew that I would never be far from under her wings five minutes later. It was so fun to return back to that sisterly bickering but loving every minute of it during our travels and I can’t wait to make more memories together. We have plans for a sister slumber party soon and I can’t wait! ❤

To my best friend and best big sis – Happy Birthday!

I love you, Kristen!!!!! ❤

Mar22

Happy Birthday, Mom!!!

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Happy Birthday, Mom!!!

Hello!!! Today is a fantastic, wonderful day because we have a birthday girl in the house – my fantastic, wonderful mom!! My sweet mom is my little cutiepie lol she is a tiny ball of energy and spending time with her is one of my favorite things in the world. Whether we are shopping, walking our beloved Archie dog, or just sitting at the kitchen table chatting it is literally food for the soul. There’s a saying that as you age you turn more and more into your parents and I am a-okay with that. It is a gift to be anything like my mom!! ❤

My mom is my best friend and when we’re apart, we are sure to be texting or talking on the phone. Every Monday after work I give her a call on my way home and I look forward to that chat every week! I am lucky enough to see my parents several days of the week and live right down the street from them. Honestly, it’s not close enough lol. Whenever we are together, it promises to be a good time and we are always laughing about something. It could be my dad jogging through the house or my mom losing her glasses for the five hundredth time but the laugh attacks are always on the verge of striking!

All joking aside (Which is more often than not!), being around my mom is a masterclass in kindness. Ever since I was little, I can always remember her greeting every person we encountered with a smile and her deep passion for animal rescue. From childhood on, I wanted to be just like my mom and I still do. Her compassionate manner hasn’t faltered once in her life and if that isn’t an amazing role model then I truly don’t know what is. My mom is always who I want to talk to first whether I have good news or bad. She celebrates the good with the utmost pride and helps handle the bad even if we don’t say anything at all. Just being around her is enough because she radiates love and that is the best medicine of all. ❤

To my mom and A1 bestie – I love you more than words can say!

Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mar14

My Special Flower

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My Special Flower

Hi! Our beloved downstairs neighbor, Tony, passed away last month and we miss him terribly. I always would tell Tony that Timber Top wasn’t the same without him and that sentiment is SO true. My days are not the same without our morning and afternoon chats when he would be outside smoking. I would give anything to smell those cigarettes again! I still say hi to him every time I pass his place, though, because I just know that he is there. I wish so badly that it was in a physical sense but his memory lives on every single day.

The day after his celebration of life, Tony’s daughter dropped by a beautiful orchid that served as centerpieces at the gathering. As touched as I was by this gesture, I have to admit that it made me nervous. When Johnny and I moved into our bigger apartment, we received several plants as housewarming gifts and I promptly killed them all lol. Clearly, I have no green thumbs! I wanted my orchid to thrive and I knew that there was only one thing left to do… Call my dad. 🙂

My dad is an excellent gardener and is incredibly knowledgeable on the care of flowers and plants. I called him to tell him about the orchid and requested that he adopt it. He agreed and I was so thankful as I knew my orchid would be in the best, most capable hands. It most certainly was because the day I dropped it off, my mom texted me that he went to the store to get special plant food for it. My dad has been tending to the orchid for the past month and I am so lucky that I get to see it almost every day. It is doing wonderfully:

Indeed, life is not the same without Tony because he changed our lives so much. We were lucky enough to have a neighbor who turned into our best friend. Someone who we could always count on for a chat, an afternoon movie, or a Friday Night Dinner Club meeting. We really did have so much fun together and I miss going to his place to make plans and mark it in both of our calendars with a heart. When I see my flower or say hi to him when I get home from work, it’s like he’s still here with me. He’s here with a smile, a kind word, and the lingering scent of cigarette smoke like always. ❤

Huge ups to my dad for caring for my orchid and giving it the best chance of survival lol because it definitely wouldn’t have had it with me!

What is your favorite flower? Are you good at taking care of plants? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec16

All’s Well That Ends Well

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All’s Well That Ends Well

Hello! On the Friday of the first week of December Johnny and I tested positive for Covid after an exposure at his work. It was truly the best case scenario because we both felt perfectly fine and spent four days at home vegging out. As much as we love a solid hang session at home, it was a massive bummer. My holiday hair appointment had to be cancelled as well as my Christmas get together with my bestie girl. Johnny, on the other hand, had to miss out on Spamalot at Playhouse Square and was devastated. Naturally we got Covid on the weekend that we were actually doing stuff!

In my extensive tenure (Over twenty years!) of getting my hair done by my stylist, Anna, I cannot recall ever having to cancel an appointment. I was so sad because I really was looking forward to seeing her and having brand new hair for the holidays. I had come to terms with the fact that this was more than likely not going to happen. Even though Anna said that she would see what she could do, I knew the schedule at the salon was jam packed and that was okay. I would get my locks refreshed eventually and it would be glorious. ❤

When I returned back to work on Tuesday, I texted Anna to let her know I was negative and she sent me the most beautiful reply. She asked if I would like to spend her birthday with her at the salon on Saturday morning. Would I ever! You guys, I was so genuinely touched by this that it made me tear up. Anna has been doing my hair since I was seven years old and I am thirty-one now. She is the dearest friend and has literally watched me grow up. I would never expect her to make exceptions for me or overwork herself to squeeze me in before the holidays. The fact that she found a way to make it work was such a gift to me and I can’t wait to celebrate her! (Note – I am typing this the day before my appointment!)

Anna always knows how to make me feel special and this particular instance really took the cake. So, of course, I had to go to TJMaxx and pick out a pretty little something for her big day. It pales in comparison for all she has done for me, though. Anna isn’t just my stylist, she is one of my favorite people in the world. When I’m in her chair, I can tell her anything and have always put her as big sister status in my head. She has the most amazing way of making people feel beautiful inside and out and after my hair appointments I feel like my best self. She brings it out of me and I am so excited to show all of you my new do. 😀

My holiday wish for great hair came true by Anna and I only wish that Johnny could have seen Spamalot for a true All’s Well That Ends Well ending. But, hey, it’s close enough!

How long has your stylist been doing your hair? Did you get your hair done for the holidays? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah