Benson's Styling Skillzzzz

While I was in Phoenix for the weekend Benson kept in touch via texting and photos to let me know he was thinking about me, and shared his thoughts about how we might be in need of makeovers for himself, me and Stormy. See below for examples of his mad personal styling skillzzzz.

Under the Phoenix Sun

Heading off to Phoenix today for a weekend with several of my high school girlfriends. Since we graduated in '97 we have tried to plan a trip together every year. Some years we have earmarked each others' weddings as the trips, but we've also done Lake of the Ozarks, San Antonio, Nantucket and maybe a few others. We are very lucky this year because Barb Campbell's parents are letting us use their Phoenix condo as our meeting place for free-- saves some cash for sure! We'll be sitting by the pool, going out for drinks and hitting some outlet malls, but really the whole point is to get together and enjoy some quality time. Pics to come upon my return.

Cards over Dodgers 3-2

Went to the Cardinals v Dodgers game tonight with Julie, it was a really nice time! We got a shock though, as the tix I bought from our friend Chance's season tickets were (surprise!) in the Left Field Pavilion (aka bleachers) at Dodger stadium. It is not an exaggeration to say I am fairly leery of the Dodger bleachers, because every time I go to a game I see at least 2 fights and fan ejections occur. Tonight was no exception, though we were totally safe the entire time, even with me in my Cards jersey. (It says Gibson on the back, in case you were wondering). We did see one guy get escorted out for being a general PITA, and that was actually Dodger on Dodger issues! But overall we had a great time chatting and watching the game, eating our Dodger Dogs and nachos. And the Redbirds pulled off a win, with homers from Pujols and Ankiel- woohoo! Going again tomorrow night with Benson, they've slated a new pitcher I think, so should be interesting.

Jaye's Birthday Dinner

Just got home from a birthday dinner for our friend Jaye, lots of fun! About 12 of us showed up at Lare's for delicious Mexican food. Nicole and I shared the mole and verde tamales. We all met some new friends and drank some 'ritas and had a grand old time. Looking forward to Sunday-- church, errands and then beach time!

An End in Sight

Benson's game, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, is officially slated to hit stores in North America on October 13 - that means there is an end in sight for this crazytown work schedule, woo-hoo!!!!!!!!!! (They have to stop working several weeks before that so the game can be processed in manufacturing and shipped to retail stores). See below for the box art for the game. B and I both like the blue.

Photos

Christine, Katie, me and Alex (the Grand Champeen)

Me and Jess!

Uncle Erick, me, Mom and Dad

Home Sweet Home

I returned to LA on Saturday night. It was really fantastic to be with so many family and friends in the midst of a successful work trip, and now I am glad to be home with my hubby. The Midwest Extravaganza was fabulous! Here's a breakdown:

Friday night - out with Alex and Christine and old high school buddies
Saturday - breakfast with Gama Max and Uncle Erick, pool party at Christine's, then out with Alex, Christine and Katie, and the surprise addition of Jessica in from KC!!!
Sunday - 1:30 Cardinals game with mom, dad, and Uncle E; dinner with the previous, plus Gama Max, Jake and Emily; then to The Muny to see Camelot!
Monday - travel to Minneapolis and work from hotel, dinner out with colleagues
Tuesday - successful meetings with the journalists we were visiting, awesome steak dinner at Capital Grill
Wednesday - travel to Chicago, work, and then a delicious Mexican fiesta dinner with Benson's dad Earl, Joanne, Penny, Steve and Kellsie (loved that sangria!)
Thursday - All day meetings in Chicago that went very well, plus dinner with colleagues at the PrimeHouse
Friday - more meetings, then ended the day with cocktails and a long lingering dinner at Sepia with friend Heather
Saturday - brunch with Heather, her husband Tyler, as well as our friend Barb, her husband Dave and their 2 1/2 yr old daughter Michaela; then hopped on an earlier flight to get home sooner :)

Benson picked me up at the airport with a suggestion to go out to a nice dinner to celebrate my return. We walked out to the new-ish Santa Monica restaurant Rivas on Wilshire near 3rd, and then grabbed dessert at Yummy Cupcakes across the street (thanks to Nicole for the suggestions of both in the past, they are on our faves list now).

Photos to come tomorrow.