Arizona Recap and a Trip OOTD

Hello long lost friends!  I go on vacation for a few days, and I feel like I haven’t blogged for months!  Eesh.  Matt and I got back from Arizona late last night, and though I’m feeling a little run down today, the trip was definitely worth it!  Even though we’re moving in 9 days (eeek!), we really wanted to try and squeeze in a trip to see Matt’s family before we left, and I am so so glad we did!  Now that my family is back in the country and living in Houston, we get to see them often, but we don’t get to see Matt’s fam nearly enough, so it was great to be able to see them!  Matt’s brother Josh (you know, the one who treated us to all those delightful desserts) wasn’t able to join us, but other than missing him, we had such a fabulous time!  (I also don’t have quite as many pictures to document our trip as Josh is the crazed photog of the family.)  When it comes to in-laws, I got soooo lucky.  Like, really lucky.  The Davis family is so accepting, so fun, and so gracious.   (It doesn’t hurt that they love to shop and eat as much as me either!)  But for realz, I am so blessed and so thankful for such an incredible group of people I am lucky to call in-laws!  Onto our trip recap…

We arrived in AZ late Thursday night and after quick bite to eat at Applebee’s (never again, I was up sick all night), we hit the hay.  Rested on Friday, we set out shopping bright and early with Matt’s mom.  We spent 4 HOURS in Nordstrom Rack, and I’m pretty sure I tried on everything in the store.  (PS: If you have a Nordstrom Rack in your area and haven’t been, you NEED to go.  We are obsessed with that place!)  And since photog Josh wasn’t with us, I didn’t remember to snap any pics until halfway through lunch, oopsie.  (See Josh, this is why we need you!)

We grabbed lunch at NYPD, New York Pizza Department (clever huh?)  Matt and his mom look like twinsies in blue :)

Look at that greasy goodness!  I’m pretty sure, I’d love to have a slice of that sitting on my desk right now.  So yummy!

After more shopping and some great jewelry finds at Target (I love Target’s new designer jewelry lines, because after being fairly overpriced for Target, it hits the clearance section in large quantities and at great prices), we headed home so Matt’s dad could work his magic on the grill.  Here, the dogs were clearly offering up their assistance. 

I know I’m from Texas, but even for me, steaks this gigantic are still a sight.  Howard worked his magic in serving steaks three times the size of my face.  Overwhelming?  Yes.  Awesome?  Definitely.  (And for the record, I ate about a third of my steak.)

The next morning, Matt’s older sister and her kids drove in from California.  We met them at The Good Egg, which has become a regular thing during our AZ visits.  Nothing like an omelets and country friend potatoes to fuel you up for a day of shopping :)

Matt and I pose with little Andrew.  Sidenote: the blue beaded chain necklace was a Target clearance find from the day before.  Originally $15, I snagged it for $3.74.  Perhaps I should rename my blog, Smart, Sassy, and Thrifty with Sprinkles!

In true Davis fashion, we spent all of Saturday at the mall.  (Seeee, I told you my in-laws are my kind of people!)  Here, Jamie (Matt’s mom), Alex (our niece), me, and Matt pose for a little shopping picture.

Alex and Jamie made a pit stop at Claire’s.  After a twenty minute time warp back to my elementary and junior high days of bright plastic accessories, I stepped outside for a photo with the boys.

Alex and Aunt Allison.  (It’s really weird to me that when Matt and I got married, I became an aunt.  It was like one day, I’m not an aunt, and then poof, I’m an aunt.  It’s weird to say I have a niece and nephew, I don’t know why.  For the longest time, I called them “Matt’s niece and nephew,” until he was like, “Umm, Allison, they’re your niece and nephew too.”  Oh yeeeahhh.  Weird, but since they’re so cute, I think I’ve transitioned well :)

The girls showing off our loot (courtesy of Jamie and Howard!)  I practically got a new closet on our vacation.  For realz, it was awesome, and I told Matt that night, I was too excited to sleep because the day had felt like Christmas.  They were super generous and provided lots of goodies for future OOTD posts!

I love my bag man, err, I mean my husband.  Yes, husband, that’s what I meant :)

Here is what I wore shopping on Saturday afternoon.  Please excuse the horrible shadows.  My bag man camera man husband is still in OOTD photographer training.  And yes, I know you’re sick of seeing these dresses, but I warned you I was obsessed.

Dress: Forever 21

Shoes: Rampage {here} {also available at Macy’s, but I can’t find them online}

Necklaces: Target; from my trip to Spain a few years ago

Earrings: Forever 21

Ring: Davis Yurman

Saturday night, we headed to The Cheesecake Factory to celebrate Matt’s belated birthday.  Cheesecake Factory is the Davis’ celebration spot.  You know, the place they go to celebrate all the family’s fun and exciting occasions.  Do you and your family have a “celebration spot?”  If not, I recommend The Cheesecake Factory.  What better way to celebrate than with gigantic portions, loads of carbs, and huge chunks of cheesy desserts?

This picture makes me think I should go back to my dark hair.  I look left out!

Matt and me :)

Matt’s birthday cheesecake.  He acted all surprised when they brought it out.  When will he learn that I’m just not capable of letting birthdays be celebrated quietly or privately?

Sunday morning, Matt met a friend for golf, and we girls of course did what we do best.  Brunched and shopped.  (Yes, they are verbs.)  First stop, Mimi’s Cafe.  PS: Why have I always thought this was an “old person” place?  It was so yummy, and we were halfway through our meal when we realized they had mimosas.  Dang, why didn’t we know that!  Note for next visit…

Posing for a picture in the middle of Matt’s shoe shopping debacle.  Whhhyyy does he have to be so difficult when it comes to shopping?  After visiting 953 stores, he finally settled on the shoes I suggested in the first store.  Sheesh.

After breakfast on Monday, Julie and the kids headed back to Cali, and we headed to the bowling alley with Matt’s parents.  This bowling alley was so fancy, it even has couches.  I mean, we only do VIP right?

Matt and his mom :)

I’m looking a little run down here, but sadly, this is the best pic I have of us bowling.  Oh, I should also mention, that on Matt’s first time up to bowl, he slipped and fell.  Like, arms flailing, legs in the air, butt on the ground kind of fall.  It was the funniest thing I have seen since I don’t know when.  Hahahhaha, oh Matt, always good for a laugh :)

So there you have it, our quick trip to Arizona and back.  We shopped, ate, shopped, hung out, ate, and shopped till our hearts were content.  But more importantly, we got to spend time with some delightful people who we love very much.  And nothing in the world beats that :)

What about you, how was your weekend, what have I missed?!