With Summer comes adventures in the mountains! The last few days have been spent in the mountains with my family on vacation. It was a fun time spent relaxing, talking and of course exploring the beauty of Colorado. I have included serveral pictures that I captured as we hiked. The large amount of snow that we received this past winter and the relatively late arrival of warm weather in the mountains produced a late run off which has produced some of the most lush and beautiful conditions I have ever seen this late in the year. I hope that you enjoy these scene as much as I did.

Ahhh...now back to work!

So I'm back from my long awaited trip to Montreal. It was both more amazing and more unexpected than any vacation I've ever taken.

First of all...what they say about French food is 100% true. I knew this from my college experience in Europe, but time has a way of making you forget even some amazing things. I had some of the most savoy meals while there. There is something about a small French restaurant where every detail is thought about, the atmosphere is relaxed and casual, and you can spend hours there drinking (new and delicious wines) and talking and yet it feels just like a few minutes have passed. I came out of a couple of these experiencing feeling like I was glowing...maybe it had something to do with the aforementioned wine. *grin*

The city did not fail to impress with its classic architecture like the amazing Basilica of Notre Dame or the cobbled streets of the Old City. What was most amazing was the unexpected bits of beauty...like this stained glass window in a subway station that I could not take my eyes off of every time I was in the station waiting for a train. I think I could look at it for hours and still not see it all.

What vacation would be complete without shopping? Well...not one involving me! I am trying hard not "shop". I decided to try to reduce my shopping after looking at my closet that can literally not have one more thing added to it without something else being deleted. So I did go shopping with my roomate who was buying some beautiful clothes (and a lot I might add) and limited myself to one beautiful cashemere scarf that I justified to myself as needing...since it was cold and snowy and the one I brought got a latte spilled on it. *laugh*

Lastly a vacation would not be complete without some drinking and a few nights at the clubs. Okay...so every night. Fortunately my friend Joe (seen below) is always a true partner in crime and enjoys going out on the town as much or more than I do. The clubs in Montreal were packed with some of the most amazingly beautiful people I have ever seen anywhere. Sort of intimitating and yet some of the best people watching around.

So after all of this fun and relaxation I had to return to reality. Today was my first day back at work and I already feel like going back on vacation! *laugh* I am a store manager for Old Navy and my store is having a store visit with the CEO of our company in just a little over a week's time. I am, of course, excited and nervous for this opportunity. The pressure and stress around this type of visit, however, are extreme. Everyone from the Zone VP to my Regional Director to my District Manager are intent on making sure that everything is "perfect" and that we make the best impression of our area and our brand. Needless to say this is going to make for a long week and a half of working extended days, etc. to ensure that we are READY! Wish me luck...

Montreal!

In just a few short days I will be off to see Montreal, Canada. I am more excited about this trip than any I have taken in a long time. I travel fairly often to different parts of the US for work and for fun, but not since I went to college in Britain and subsequently traveled all over Europe have I been to such a seemingly exotic place. I have been brushing up on my French, buying countless guides of things to do while there and I bought myself a new camera to capture the whole thing on film. I hardly think that the reality of the city could live up to how I currently imagine it, but I hope to be blown away. Here is to exiting new adventures!

Spring Has Sprung!

This morning as I am getting ready to head into work it hits me how amazing nature really is to see in action. I was walking around my yard looking at my garden when I was just struck by its beauty. I think that it provides such a contrast with the dull and dark that has been winter this year. Just like the clothes I sell at work, nature too wants to put on a new outfit for the season and isn't afraid of a little color!