Out with October and in with November

Spooktacular weekend

This weekend was spent running, and not in a pair of sneakers, but it certainly felt like a marathon. I was very fortunate to have some of my best girlfriends and the Boy come into town for the American Royal and KSU/OSU football game. With stops at the airport at the beginning and end of the weekend, we filled our time with shopping at Nigros, Jack Stacks, Grandmas, I-70, Bill Snyder Family Stadium, Aggieville, 1-70 and Kemper Arena, all before heading home to hand candy out to the trick-or-treaters.

Weekends like this aren't really relaxing I would say, but they do manage to get me centered and refocused again. It is really hard to explain to those that didn't grow up in agriculture, but sharing a ag background with these people creates an instant bond. I am really lucky to have such a great group of people surrounding me.

So, here is to a great October, and let a whirlwind November begin.

The Boy's Dad is quite the pumpkin carver. He said that I might even get a crystal.cattle turquoise one next year!

A little shopping at the Royal - Part 2

More like window shopping...

While most of my time at the American Royal was spent hanging out with friends, watching cattle shows, attending the LPC Gala and dressing up for Halloween, I also had a little bit of time to do some shopping. And did I ever find some great stuff!

This year I was impressed with the booths at the Royal, especially a booth called Ann's Turquoise. However I am pretty sure I am going to have to win the lottery or find a really rich guy that likes to buy me gifts, before I will be owning much out of this store! On their website there are lots of other cool jackets and jewerly. Some of the stuff I posted on here isn't on the website but they are attending a variety of shows this fall.

I thought this was a really neat idea, and this was in my price range. You buy these bracelets or necklace chains ($18-25) and then you buy the charms to clip on ($8 each). You can layer on as many or as little as you would like. Was very tempted to buy.

I love this belt! If anyone wants to treat me you should buy me this. And if you could find it in black that would be even more wonderful! Hint. Hint.

One day when I am a big high roller I am going to walk around in beautiful jackets like this that are covered in turquoise and studs. Definitely way out of my price range, but really fun to look at.

A Royal Weekend - Part 1

Well after waiting what seemed like an eternity the American Royal finally arrived!

I swear last week it mine of well had of been Christmas coming, that is how excited everyone was. The American Royal is such a great time, and then add Halloween on top of it and some birthdays, who knew what could happen.

Thursday - Em was my house guest, and a great one at the day. She took my car to get the oil changed, we ate lunch at the Japanese steak house, and then she made her famous lasagna for supper and bought wine. I don't think I had enjoyed any of her delicious lasagna since college, and back then it use to be a staple in my diet! Shortly after dinner Miss Former Junior Board Member friend arived, with cheese and wine from Wisconsin. Jeez I love company. We settled in for a night of Grey's, and me packing last minute! Yes, Emilie likes to where wigs when she cooks.

Friday - official first day at the American Royal. Very early morning, but that's what you do when you work for those Angus people! The junior show started off the morning, followed by the open female show, and then the bull show. I have videos coming so stay tuned. Then it was time for the PLC Gala! I mentioned last weekend I was in search of a hat. Well here it is...

Emilie was my awesome date. I had the Derby look and she was gangster. I would say we good pretty darn good! It was so fun getting dresses up in hats, but I will admit your vision does get a little blocked when wearing them. You have to do this tilt your head back thing to look someone in the eye, or for people to recognize who you are. I guess that's just the price you pay for looking gorgeous.

There were so many great hats there. Lots of very creative looks.

And this was our table. I would say we are definitely the up and comers in the livestock communications world!

And this is what happens when your friends steal your camera. Payback is fun girls! The night may or may not of ended with us doing the train. Sorry no pictures of that. I would say the night was off to a real good start.

Next week headed to the Power and Light District PBR Bar, which could have been called the place where you will have more fun than you ever could imagine. I think everyone was rather concerned that our normal hangout place, during the Royal - Connies, was shut down. However, PBR bar worked just find. A combination of Michael Jackson, a live Texas Country Band, and a little Vanilla Ice kept us dancing all night long. I even got told that if I could just improve one thing about me, I would be a perfect ten. I think I am going to take this statement as a compliment! Day 1 an overwhelming success.

Stay tuned Part two coming soon, and it involves shopping...

The Best Social Network out there revealed!

... I am letting the cat out of the bag.
Well the Royal is over. And once again it  proved to me that it really is one of my favorite shows. When I was leaving the grounds on Sunday afternoon, I had just spent three days with some of my best friends, met some amazing people, got to watch champions be selected, feel the excitement in the air, watch a great Simmental show, see some awesome heifer prospects, it was 70 degrees, the sun was shining and I am one lucky girl because I don't think I could have had a better weekend.

It was funny because right before I left for the Royal I came across an awesome article in The Showtimes magazine, called "Original Social Network," by Kassi Bauman. Kassi makes a great point in her story - that like so many of us on an average day she can be found, "Facebooking, Tweeting, texting, streaming Netflix movies, emailing and Googling or any combination thereof..." but, "I’ve found that nothing’s better than connecting with the original social network--my Charolais family--every summer at Junior Nationals."

Her article goes on to stress the benefits of being involved in competition and the friendship we make on the show road. It is really true that some of my best friends are the people that I might only see a couple times a year. They get me, they get my passions, and even though they may live in another state or another country for that matter, if I ever needed anything they would be the first people there.

I am working on all the stories and getting all the pictures rounded up from this weekend, and although I will share them through my blog and on Facebook, that make up area, backdrop and sitting on the tack box will still always be number one!

--Thanks to Kassi, and Brian Reif at The Showtimes, for letting me use part of the article. If you wish to read the full story you can find it online, in the Summer 2009 Edition. Definitely a magazine worth checking out.

Off to the Derby - A Day in Kansas City Part II

OK not quite, but maybe next spring...

So to say that I am excited about this week is an under statement.

1. Emilie is coming on Wednesday and is staying through the weekend!
2. It's the American Royal!
3. It's Halloween!
4. I have multiple parties to attend, LPC Gala, Hereford Foundation Event, Halloween activities, etc. 
5. There are so many great friends of mine coming into town I can even count them all, and we are bound to have a good time.

After my camo debut, we decided to get serious and get what we came for. It was off to Zona Rosa (a great outdoor shopping area in Kansas City), with my roommates R3 and Miss South Dakota, to find hats and shoes. The Livestock Publications Council is hosting their annual Gala on Friday night. Last year's theme was masks and this year it's hats. And this is what we found...

I really liked both of these, price tag not so much!

R3 looking very stylish in a sequined big bow hat.

Miss South Dakota going over the top with her look. 

Now you''ll just have to wait until I post pictures from the event to see what I ended up wearing. But let's just say this I think I am ready for the Derby!