I love being in Chico. Especially this time of year.
The weather is perfect, the students are out in full swing and all kinds of memories always come flooding back as I traipse the streets of this small town I love.
As most/all/some of you know, I spent three of the most wonderful years of my life loving this town. I learned some of my most valuable lessons there (mostly outside the classroom) and made some of the most incredible friends.
One such amazing gal pal is Sarah Best. You've likely heard me talk about her as she is one of my most favorite friends from up north. Well, good news, she got engaged! In a similar fantasic fashion, she asked me to be a bridesmaid!
I love weddings. I love love. But that's another post.
To celebrate her engagement, I decided to head to Chico for a weekend of wedding planning and catching up--it had been too long!
So, Friday morning I jumped in car and crossed the bay bridge to make my way north. I arrived in Chico in just under four hours and met mumsy and grand mumsy for lunch at our favorite dining establishment, one Sierra Nevada Brewery.
Grand mumsy was in town visiting from Colorado Springs, so it was just such luck I happened to be coming up!
Lovely Hansrote ladies!
After lunch, we sauntered downtown to hit a few of our faves, like Tom Foolery, Made in Chico and Betty's on Broadway. We enjoyed the warm sun of the valley and chatted, as the gallerinas so often do!
After our wonderful afternoon, I got an incredible massage and ran to campus to meet one of my study abroad pals, Kirby, and we hit up the Naked Lounge for some delicious iced tea and a catch up session. She has been working as a student advisor in the Study Abroad Office and LOVES it.
Duh!
Okay so I don't have an actual picture of just me and Kirbs, but here she is at orientation a few years ago when we worked at the office together
After I left downtown, I met up with Sarah and we hit up one of my two favorite Mexican places in Chico, Casa Ramos. All I can say is: obsessed.
Two hours and a frozen yogurt later, we were at Sarah's apartment laid out on the couch watching Bridesmaids to prepare for the day ahead of us--picking out the bridesmaid dresses!
Saturday morning dawned early and after grabbing a Diet Coke, we were at David's Bridal for our 10 a.m. appointment. All my favorites were there! Meghan came up from Fairfield, and the lovely and pregnant Stephanie came down from Magalia. I also finally got to meet the fabeled Stacey (Sarah's friend from elementary school) and Sarah's financee's sister, Sara.
I'll save you the gory details, but we ended up deciding on a dress that Sarah had originally picked out for the maids of honor only. It looked great on all of us (Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, much?). Plus, it will make for easy altering when I get sleeves added underneath. Easy, peasy!
For some historical reference on these lovely ladies:
Steph's bachelorette party in 2010: final fling before the ring
Sarah, Meg and I in Tahoe the same summer
And the beautiful bridesmaids now!
Planning & parties
Anyway, I love these gals more than life and am so glad we decided on a beautiful dress and were able to knock that out of the way. Love the color. Love the design.
After the fitting, we went to one of my favorite lunch spots in Chico, T Bar. Again: obsessed.
But the day wasn't even CLOSE to over. We still had our murder mystery dinner to attend at the brewery, and we were totally in for a treat! The food was amazing, the entertainment was fabulous, and it was an awesome evening. Plus we like, totally figured out who did it and Steph won tickets to another show!
Murdered by the Mob
Babes
My fantastic Chico weekend was topped off Sunday morning with breakfast at Mom's and a stroll through Bidwell Park. I can't imagine a better way to finish off my perfect weekend.
Beautiful day at One Mile
The thing I love about being in Chico is that it helps me realize that going back to where you've been helps you better understand where you're going.
I am so excited to continue the planning, and of course for the big day: October 4, 2014!
xoxo
*A huge thank you to Sarah and Nader (her finacee! Eeek!) for letting me lounge on their couch all weekend and watch endless amounts of "Say Yes to the Dress." And for putting up with me in general.
I am so excited to continue the planning, and of course for the big day: October 4, 2014!
xoxo
*A huge thank you to Sarah and Nader (her finacee! Eeek!) for letting me lounge on their couch all weekend and watch endless amounts of "Say Yes to the Dress." And for putting up with me in general.
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