Oh hey. I’m back.
Finally, right? A vacation to St. Louis in every sense of the word!
So while I’m catching up with all you kiddos, here’s a quick run down of what I’ve been up to:
1. I asked my friend Mary to pick me up from the train station this time around. Last time, Laura got lost trying to find the station. It just seemed to be a good idea. Mary found the station without a problem. However, finding our way back home was the issue. A little tour of East St. Louis may have happened. Not ideal. Slightly scary.
2. The initial reason for my trip to St. Louis was a friend’s wedding. It was at a winery just outside of the city. A beautiful spot. On days when it’s not pouring (thank you, aftermath of hurricane Issac). I forgot my umbrella, but luckily my guy friend had one on hand.
It may have been a golf umbrella and I may have been able to fit the entire bridal party underneath it. But whatever. Go big or go home.
And please ignore the massive bruise on my leg. I considered concealer, but decided, in the end, just to own it like a baller. Doubtful anyone really cared after we decided to take the dance out from under the canopies to frolick in the rain.
3. Just because it was the holiday weekend doesn’t mean we completely slacked off. And just because it rained the entire time I was in St. Louis, doesn’t mean we had to stay in the house the entire time.
According to my friend’s gym, I just moved from Chicago and am looking for a great new gym to meet my fitness needs. Shhhhh. This got me a 3-day pass and the ability to tinker with some weight machines after a 3-mile run. Gym date with the girls. Total win.
4. Because it was the last official summer weekend, we absolutely had to grill out. I got put to work in the kitchen (to earn my keep?) and the end result was grilled chicken and loaded mac and cheese with bacon. Because that’s how a true ‘Merican would celebrate.
5. I worked so hard in the kitchen and all they did was make fun of how my booty shakes when I stir stuff. Sigh.
6. It’s not a trip to Missouri without a date to St. Louis Bread Co with my besties.
This time I even went twice. Yes, we have Panera in Chicago. But it’s just not the same. Possibly because Laura and Mary are the missing part of the equation.
Funny how we seem to have made a bar in the Soulard neighborhood a similar tradition.
What can I say? We find something we like and stick with it.
6. I am convinced the train is the best and most efficient way to travel from Illinois to Missouri. I can zone out to music and read the entire time instead of having horrifying thoughts of my car breaking down and me being dragged into the cornfields in a Children of the Corn moment.
I’m not kidding. The thoughts are terrifying.
Plus, it’s much cheaper. And I don’t have a car anymore- very much limiting my options.
7. I always feel so rough for a day or two after trips like these. When reverting to old college self ways with besties from college, my body tends to hate me. Hopefully this won’t last long. The train ended up arriving in Chicago early last night (NEVER happens) and I was home at a respectable hour. Allowing for a respectable amount of sleep and a respectable strength workout this morning with Jillian.
Here’s hoping the rest of the day will be respectfully mild. It will make my recovery from the weekend respectfully easier.
Laters.
Filed under: Random Rants Tagged: | Labor Day Weekend, running, St. Louis wedding, St. Louis weekend, taking the train, traveling for the weekend, yet another wedding weekend
Girl, you rocked that dress. The bruise is not even noticeable.
I will be taking the train for the first time in a couple of weeks and I’m so excited for the free wifi (you know, to stream Dawson’s Creek on my iPad)
Ugh, we are driving 8 hours to Clinton with the baby this week, because we hate ourselves, obviously. And there will be no wine waiting for us when arrive. Maybe we should take the train so we can make everyone else miserable too. Hm…
Oh and you look hot, but what’s that giant purple thing on your leg?
<4
Again, I can’t even see the bruise because I’m too busy staring at your hot bod. Glad you had a great trip!
Rawwrrrrr, hot dress! You look great.
My buddy is getting married at a winery next summer. I was excited when she told me about it weeks ago, but she just informed me this weekend that she’s getting shuttles for the guests from winery to hotel. Now (needless to say) I’m pretty stoked.
Cheers to another great weekend!
amy! you are seriously too adorable!!!! glad you had a fun weekend, rain or not! xoxo
You look amazing in that dress! When I bruise, it’s normal like that. A massive one that I have no choice but to wear it like a badge of honor. I’m so glad you had a great weekend! Hopefully that will set you up for a great short week!
HOT dress, Amy!
And at least you put in a little effort to come up with a story to workout! I’d actually appreciate that at my gym lol. I get “my friend wants to work out with me…don’t I get to bring friends?” No, just no. And then they get mad when I don’t let them.
This looks like an absolutely perfect weekend!
And where did you get that banging dress, luhve it.
The train station story reminded me of Adventures in Babysitting for some reason, lol.
Here’s to the short week.
Dang, you is one HOT lad, bruise and all.
I play that gym game while traveling all the time. Love it.
hot dress, mama!!! wooooooo
Hmmmm, I think I may have seen that mug before……..
Looks like you had so much fun- I loved your dress, bruise and all (props to you for owning it!)
Lookin’ faboosh in that dress girl!
As for the bruise, I have a million random bruises on my legs lately..I blame the baby
I love that dress. You look so hot it makes the bruise completely irrelevant.
Oh Bread Co! I love bread co. I’m the same way…I must go when I’m in STL.
Oh man, I remember when Panera was called Stl Bread Co up here, too! Silly lawsuits. Glad you had a good weekend with your pals!
Love your dress!! Too bad you had to wear it in the rain
I hate when weather gets in the way of plans!
You look amazing in your dress! It’s ok, my butt jiggles sometimes when I’m hard at work in the kitchen (or maybe it’s from cookies–
). Way to own the bruise like a baller. I secretly like my battle wounds, even if they are just with the floor or the stairs!
LOL, I was going to ask what the difference was beteween St Louis Bread Co and Panera
You look smashing in that dress!!!
I would love to take the train on a trip like that. We’ve been on so many long car rides lately. Steven does the driving and I just want to sleep but it’s not fair to him.
Your dress for the wedding is amazing!!!
I love taking the train to St. Louis. My SIL lives there so we usually go once a year. The train is definitely the way to go for sure.
The dress? Mission accomplished. Anxiously awaiting the verdict….
I think we’re turning into each other slowly. Did I mention the gnarly bruise I got on my arm from running into the purse hook in a bathroom stall? Also, this last trip truly kicked my ass. I feel so rough. Hopefully a healthy dinner tonight, and no booze, will right that situation. I’m that you had a good holiday weekend! And as I’ve already told you, you looked like a frickin bombshell!!!