I'm currently en route to my favorite state ever, Arizona! If you've never been or been wanting to go, stop everything and book your trip. Maybe wait to go until November - May, but book it, trust me. If you didn't know I grew up in Scottsdale, Arizona. I lived there from age 3 1/2 - 17. My whole family still lives there, my best friends are there and its my most favorite place in the world.

"Where we love is home, home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts." Oliver Wendell Holmes.

Anyways, I'm heading home for my first baby shower! I'm so dang excited. But first, lets chat Arizona. There are so many amazing places to visit, eat, drink, shop, and tour. These are just some of my top favs, to name a few.

Have you been to Arizona? What are your favorite places?


ONE // Le Grande Orange, Phoenix, Arizona. Le Grande Orange is an organic coffee and breakfast bar, cafe, pizzeria and retail grocery. The food is simple and clean with no hidden ingredients.

Le Grande Orange, better known as LGO is one of the best places for coffee, breakfast and pizza in the city. My BFF Coti has made honey lattes at this place famous and their commuter breakfast sandwich will actually knock you socks off. Shop the grocery while you wait for your breakfast for all the cutest knick knacks, cards and things you never knew you needed.

TWO // Sanctuary Resort, Paradise Valley, Arizona. Nestled within the inspiring landscapes of Camelback Mountain, Sanctuary Resort invites you to experience a higher level of luxury, laughter, and glorious renewal. This famed Scottsdale luxury resort will introduce you to a refreshing new spirit of sophistication and relaxed refinements, as you discover 53 acres of your own private paradise where formalities are replaced by fun, and the most luxurious amenity is the art of reconnection.

The Sanctuary sits on the top of Camelback Mountain and is one of the best views in the city. Want a fancy brunch, delicious dinner or a gorgeous pool? Head up the mountain to find your little retreat.

THREE // El Chorro, Paradise Valley, Arizona. Cozily nestled between Scottsdale and Phoenix, Paradise Valley’s historic El Chorro offers an authentic Arizona dining experience. Generations of Valley residents and visitors have travelled to this serene setting at the base of the stunning Camelback and Mummy mountains.

The legendary restaurant has been around forever, plus it's where I got married. It has a gorgeous patio, delicious cocktails and the sticky buns will leave you absolutely begging for takeout. Order the short ribs, thank me later.


FOUR // Phoenix Open, Scottsdale, Arizona. As the most-attended tournament in the world, with an annual attendance at 500,000, it's a weekend you don't want to miss. The legendary 16th hole has a temporary stadium that manifests around it each year, so popular that the city is considering making it permanent.

Adam and I love the Phoenix Open because it's at the end of January and the perfect retreat from those dreary Denver months. Warning, its an absolute shit show. But its the best party in golf and totally worth seeing at least once in your life.

FIVE // Ruze Cake House, Scottsdale, Arizona. Růže was founded on the principle that local and sustainable ingredients make for better, fresher tasting cakes. Ethically-sourced food on a personal level; and an even greater responsibility to source food that’s been produced in a way which doesn’t harm the environment or exploit farmers and producers.

Delicious baked goods, amazing coffee and they make the most gorgeous cakes. Okay, so I'm biased because they made our wedding cakes and macaroons, but trust me. This is a stop worth making. Plus the shop is so cute and instagrammable.



SIX // Spring Training in Old Town. Scottsdale. Scottsdale Stadium takes up 11 acres in the heart of the city's downtown and can rightfully make the claim as spring training's most urban ballpark. It stands on a busy city thoroughfare just three blocks from Old Town Scottsdale.

Is there anything better than sitting in the warm sunshine, drinking beer and watching baseball? The answer is no. The coolest part about this stadium is its in the heart of old town scottsdale, meaning you can walk wherever you want before and after the game.

SEVEN // Mii Amo Spa, Sedona, Arizona. A world-class destination spa resort with its own award-winning facilities. Featuring 16 luxurious spa casita guest rooms & suites, Mii amo Spa offers everything from delicious meals at the celebrated Mii amo Café to spectacular spa treatment rooms, a tranquil library, fitness center and movement studio, plus indoor and outdoor pools with dramatic canyon views.

Sedona may be 2 hours from Phoenix, but it's totally worth the drive. Nestled in the most gorgeous red rocks, this spa is a dream come true. My bff Whitney had her bachelorette party here and we spent the day treating ourselves to some spa treatments. This is the perfect getaway for a girls trip, honeymoon or weekend getaway.

Tell me your favorites! What do you love to do in Arizona?

I love a good girls trip. While most of my girls trips are actually considered bachelortte trips, they are full of girls regardless. I don't live in the same city as my best friends or family so it's super important to me to be intentional with my time with them. If that's planning dinners when I'm home or trips with them, I tryyyy to get together with them.

Last year, two of my girlfriends came to Denver for the most epic girls weekend. We toured the city, ate our way through the restaurants and drank all the wine.

This year, my sisters are coming to visit Denver for another girls weekend. There will be FIVE of us, so the adventures are bound to be incredible.

My best friend and I are currently in the states of planning another girls trip for fall and I cannot wait. What's better than three days with your best friends, bonding over great food, a great city and quality time.

1. San Diego, California: The best weather, sunny days, the beach and cool ocean air? Deal. San Diego is the perfect spot to take all your girlfriends, spend the day on a boat and then go dancing at night.


2. Austin, Texas: Did you know Austin has wine country? Truth be told, it's pretty dang good too! Book a VRBO, grab some friends and go wine tasting, boating on the lakes or out on the town. Austin has great food plus a great vibe. The city is packed full of things to do and places to see.


3. Napa Valley, California: Is there a better location than wine country for a girls trip? It's an easy flight to SF, a quick drive to wine country and before you know it, you're enjoying some of the best wine in the world. Plus the views are perfect for photo-opps.


4. Grand Cayman: I know what you're thinking, isn't Grand Cayman for couples? Hear me out. It's easy to get too, beautiful, has great food, shopping and a night life. Sure, it can be a couples local, but grab your girlfriends, rent a VRBO and hang out all week drinking pina coladas. Sounds like an excellent girls trip to me!


5. Denver, Colorado: Yeah, yeah, I'm totally biased. But, mountains, city life, hiking, drinking, eating. You can literally do it all. Hour and a half drive gets you into the mountains and on the ski lifts. Denver is known for having the best craft beer selections in the country and don't even get me started on the food scene. We've been here three years and have barely touched on half of the food Denver has. Plus, our weather is the best.


6. Charlottesville, Virginia: Charlottesville has been in the news for not the best reasons, which is so sad. I went to Charlottesville for the first time last summer and I cannot wait to go back. I was so surprised at this darling quaint little town. Plus, if you are a history buff there is so much to see and do. The main drag is so darling. It's an open walking mall with shops, restaurants and bars. Another great place for wine tours :) Are you seeing a pattern here?

7. Scottsdale, Arizona: Yes, yes, again, I am bias, I grew up here. But, Scottsdale is the best. It's full of amazing hotels, restaurants and is the perfect spot for a girls trip. Grab your girls and hit the spa. After that you can hike and then head to old town for dinner, dancing and drinks. Hint, go anytime after September and before June. You'll thank me later. And, if you need more tips, message me, I've got all the goods.

Before we get to Arizona, can we please talk about Bachelor in Paradise?! As a verrryyyy loyal Bachelor Nation fanatic I have to say I am pretty damn bummed. Yes, BIP is middle sibling of Bachelor nation, often ignored. Not as many people appreciate the humor and  pure entertainment  BIP provides. I for one, am obsessed. Half drunk bachelor castoffs prancing around the beach pretending to be in love? Sign me up.

Here's where I'm struggling with this news. I'm about to get a little deep/preachy. Skip to Arizona if you want. For those that don't know what I'm referring too, there was an incident being investigated. From all the sources I read yesterday, there was some "sexual misconduct" filmed and then brought to the attention of the contestants. The contestants in question are Corrine and De Mario. Here's my thoughts on Corrine from a previous post and De Mario's is here.  

It's not secret I do not like Corrine. I didn't like the attention she brought to Nicks season and while I think she's hilarious, I kind of found her to be a sad character to watch. However, this sexual misconduct  Warner Bro's has referenced in their statement is what many of us refer to as rape, drunk beyond control, not able to consent rape. I sure hope this investigation actually occurs and instead of blaming Corrine, we get to the bottom of what happened and provide the poor girl some justice. And while we're at it, leave the girl alone. 

Whew. Alright, let's get back to our regularly scheduled programming, shall we? Arizona.


I've been an Arizona girl since I was 3 years old. I grew up there, went to school there and it's still, to this day the place I call home. When Adam asked what I wanted to do for my 30th birthday, we discussed a lot of options. Should we take a big trip? Grand Cayman? The Mountains! Go somewhere new? Fiji? Telluride?

At the end of the day, all I wanted was dinner with my family and best friends and it's exactly what I got.

My actual birthday was Thursday. It was full of presents, pure barre, work, chick-fil-a and a late flight home to Arizona. We were greeted with my parents and some chilled wine. We sat around and chatted until late. The perfect end to the best birthday. 30 is pretty damn awesome.

30, the number made me nervous. I won't get in to those details, see here for that. But I was nervous about what 30 meant to my life. But I realized, if 30 is me, surrounded by friends and family, eating delicious food, then 30 is the best year. There is nothing to be nervous about.

Friday, we slept in, brunched with my dad at the cutest breakfast spot, Hash Kitchen, I got my hair did and then we enjoyed the best pizza from Oreganos, Friday night with my family, Coti and Matt.

My family has come to expect when I come to Arizona, there are two things I want to eat. Oreganos pizza and In-n-Out Burger. I'm a fairly simple girl.

Saturday, I got to spend most of the day with my adorable nephews. My oldest nephew Tomas is the baseball king, and my younger nephew Leo, crawled for me. It was a huge morning in our house. I spent the day watching baseball, throwing fake ones and bouncing Leo. Add in some champs with my sister-in-law and it was my favorite day.

Saturday night, Adam planned a nice dinner with my best friends and family. Complete with a limo to take us to dinner. We went to El Chorro, the place we got married. It was so special. I got to go back to the best place in my world with my favorite people. Call me lucky.

After that, the youngins' went out for some cocktails, dancing in a limo to 2Pac and the best of dive bars. Sunday was complete with breakfast and the airport. I always tell my husband how much I love Arizona and I'm so lucky we had the chance to go back.

To my hubs, you are the best human, thanks for planning my special day and being the best husband ever. 

To my family and friends, thanks for letting me take your entire weekend to celebrate and thanks for being the best. 

I love you all. 

PS. Tomorrow on the blog, all the details on my top favorite Denver locations and a West Elm Collab! Happy Tuesday friends!

Brutal honesty. I am burnt out on the gallon challenge. Yes, I feel great, but the 3pm chug session and the 3am pee sessions are making me lose it.

Brutal honesty #2. I've been kind of burnt out on blogging. So please excuse the lack of - but I have some great recipes coming this week andddd some great dog food recs! Get excited. Sometimes breaks are good for the soul and I know this mini-break was good for mine.

But hey! I am LOVING all the lovelies out there participating in the challenge! You all rock and really are the reason I push myself to keep chugging at water at 3pm so I can post my results on snapchat.

We only have ONE week left! Can you believe it. Let's talk about week 3 and let's chat about the weekend!

PS -- If you are new to the blog, we are in the final week of the #everydaygracegallonchallenge where we drink a gallon of water a day! There are so many amazing benefits and you can read all about those here! 

• Loving: How my body feels. My joints & muscles don't hurt and I just feel lighter on my feet. Digestion finally on point! Yes! 
• Feeling: Good! I am still craving sugar though and I would hope that would go away! Great! I went through an entire hot power yoga class without having to chug water. No thirst! 
• Anticipating: It being over. That's negative, but I am anticipating implementing the water challenge into my normal life and seeing if I can keep up. 
• Enjoying: Writing this post :) Inspiring others - other teachers and my fiance are doing it! My fiance even wants me to get him a jug! 
• Working on: Callie and mine are the exact same - finish earlier in the day. 
• Hating: How much I pee and how water full I get. That it seems harder to get it done this week.
• Struggling with: Getting it done before 6pm. I get lost in the day and forget! Peeing while teaching, but thank god I'm used to peeing on a schedule!

"I'm upset." Let's be honest, that's never the way you want a phone conversation to start. Coti was calling to tell me she was upset I wasn't coming into Arizona for an engagement party for mutual friends of ours.

Now, let me explain. We had planned on coming but in the busyness and expense of life, Adam and I decided we couldn't make it. I apologized to Coti and moved on. Next came the phone call from my mom, "I wish you were coming." Well, as much as I wanted to go to the party, I stood firm.

Then, last Monday, Whitney called, baby Blakely had arrived. 6 pounds, 8 ounces and 20 inches long. The long awaited arrival and she was here.

Then it hit me, not only will I not see my family until July, nor see Blakley until June and miss the engagement party of two very close friends, I decided to venture to Southwest.com to see what they had to offer. $11.20 later, I was booked on a flight to Arizona for 18 hours.


Needless to say, it was a whirlwind.. and a wonderful whirlwind at that.

3:35 am: The morning had started.

4:30 am: I was en route to the airport.

7:00 am: One americano from Cartel coffee and Coti's fiance, Matt picked me up. I walked into Coti's house and her room and as she woke up she just stared at me. Breakfast and multiple cups of coffee later, we were in route to surprise my parents.



10:00 am: "What the hell are you doing here/?" was my moms response followed by big hugs and another cup of coffee.

11:30 am: Time to go meet baby Blakley. How wonderful to see your best friend becoming a mom. It was an hour spent taking pictures, cooing and enjoying time with the girls.



2:00 pm: Time to surprise dad. Back to the house we went. A couple hours spent enjoying the afternoon with my family. Tom, Camila and Tomás stopped by and we just enjoyed each other company. I'm so lucky for such a great family.


6:00 pm: Time to celebrate the engagement of two very good friends of mine and their love. What a wonderful celebration watching two families come together. It brings tears to my eyes thinking about their love. I cant wait to watch them get married. 4 glasses of wine later it was time to head to the airport.



9:00 pm and a flight delay. If flight delays when the airport is shutting down isn't the worst thing I'm not sure what is. I met some ladies who were there at a makeup convention selling towels that take your makeup off. I wish i was lying. A full convention devoted to makeup removal towels. I need a career change.

11:45 pm: Two more glasses of wine and I was almost on my way.

I made it home eventually after a whirlwind 18 hours. While I don't always recommend one day travels I always recommend spending more time with family and friends, that is something you'll never regret.

Struggling with: Being homesick. It's weird, but recently its been very active. 

Wow, it's been a longgg time since the last time I've blogged, probably the longest ever. It's been pretty hectic... school was winding up, finals were over, Adam and I went home to Arizona to spend a beautiful weekend in the sun filled with engagement parties and Mother's Days and as soon as I got back to Omaha I was sick... After that was over, summer school started. I just started week two of summer school and needless to say, there's not a whole lot of room for blogging or summer. However, the last couple days have been so wonderful. Everyone, summer in Omaha is finally here. It's been a consistent 70+ degrees and its lovely. So, grab those bikinis, cold beer and country music, find yourself a pool or a lake and get outside. It's summer and the living is easy.

I'm getting a little homesick. I LOVE Omaha, but there's something about home. But, in 24 days, I will be home, and bringing Adam with me. So, let's just get through these finals and then I can go home and see these lovely people. Thank Heavens.