Be Crafty AZ: An Adventure to Remember

If you pull the letters from Be Crafty AZ, you can also make the words Be Crazy.
Which, if you think about the fact that I spent 25 out of 72 hours on the road for this adventure, I absolutely signed up for Be Crazy.

And you know what, it was totally worth it.

I left work a little early on Friday afternoon, and sadly not early enough, as I hit awful Friday traffic while I headed south to Katy's house.

I consoled myself with Dark Chocolate Cadbury Mini Eggs and a Diet Cherry Coke from Sonic (happy hour, praises!)

Thankfully, as I sat in traffic along the Pacheco Pass, I got to admire California showing off her gorgeous spring landscape.

I mean, right?

Katy and I sat together on her couch for about an hour after I got there, before we were the grown ups we are, and put ourselves to bed. We had an early morning and long day ahead.

Up before the sun, we started making our way out of California.

We were greeted by some gorgeous skies, which my iPhone could do no justice.
And before we knew it, we were almost halfway to Arizona, driving through the great windmills of Palm Springs.

Everytime I have driven through these towering structures, it has been for something really awesome.
(Resolved Conferences and a Bachelorette Party).

This trip was no exception.

Before we knew it, we were in the vast California desert quickly approaching the Arizona border.

Rest stops that promised restrooms and services, were nothing more than dusty boarded up buildings, and abandoned gas stations. Right out of Cars.

Thankfully, Katy and I had bladders of steel, and managed to keep composed for the next 40 miles.
Which looked a lot like this.

For 8 hours to Arizona (and another 8 hours back). Katy and I didn't listen to one song, sermon, or radio show. We just talked. For a total of 16 hours. Ha! I guess we really have the gift of gab.

Finally, we crossed in to Arizona. Crossing something off my bucket list, posing by a "you're now entering such and such state" sign.

Me, Katy, and the Grand Canyon State had a full on photoshoot on the side of the road.
We shortly stopped for lunch at the funniest little town, Quartzsite, AZ, where the people watching and roadside stands were divine. I seriously regret not taking any pictures.

A couple short hours later, we had arrived at our hotel, where we kicked off our shoes, closed our eyes, and caught a couple of much needed zzzz's.

After that, Katy and I headed over to the Lovliest of Homes, belonging to Heather, who was a gracious and incredible hostess with the mostess. 

Where we enjoyed a warm spring Arizona evening with blog and instagram friends, new and old.

 I also spent the evening plotting how I could stash Heather's pup in my purse without her knowing.

And we had a blast taking Instax Pics with each other, and now I totally want one.

Here's Katy and I with Amanda and Lesley. 

Next thing we knew, it was time to get up and get going off to the Be Crafty Workshop.

 

But first, coffee.

We arrived on site, at the Old Main at the ASU Campus, and while I ran a quick errand, these ladies transformed the place into something magical.
It literally looked like this when I walked in.

The grand entrance, was exactly that, GRAND.

How cute is my felt flower nametag made by Cole!
It's one of my most favorite things, she makes incredible felt flowers!

And the Be Crafty AZ Team
Cole, Heather, Katy, Amanda, Lesley, and Kate!

With three adorable new friends, Ruth, Rebekah, and Annalea.

And with Katygirl, of course. 

I tried to hijack Lesley's chalk art lesson with a lesson on how to draw Cat Emojis.

Thankfully, Lesley didn't allow that to happen, and I ended up with something pretty awesome. (At least I feel like it's pretty awesome. It needs a little touching up though.

I also met some wonderful ladies, who were crafting at the table with us. It was so fun to laugh and craft together.

And the sweet Be Crafty girls, knowing we had an 8 hour drive ahead of ourselves, squeezed us and hugged us, and sent us on our way, with mason jars full of lemonade.

We headed west, chasing the sunset as we went.

And stopping for a photo op...

Or two.

The next morning, I woke up at Katygirl's, enjoyed coffee with her and her kids. Played some I Spy, read a few books, watched some Tinkerbell, had lunch with everybody, including Scottyboy, and then hit the road for the final leg of my trip home.

Where, I promptly placed myself on my couch for the rest of the night, with a margarita in my Mason Bar Jar, both exhausted and refreshed from a time of being social, and creative, and enjoying friends. It was a whirlwind of an adventure, and one for the record books.

The 4th Annual Arizona Sister Trip!!!

Every summer, my sister and I take a trip by ourselves to the hot, hot, hot desert of Arizona! Technically we have done this trip 6 times now, but this is our fourth year in a row going just the two of us, during the month of August.

My dad picked me and Laura up nice and early.

Also, this is Mylie. Not Laura. If there was any confusion.

And we got Peet's at the airport took our traditional airplane selfie.

And in under 2 hours we had touched down in Phoenix. Grabbed our bags, and in a car to the hotel. 

This year, we switched up resorts. There were pros and cons to doing this - and I think it was a good choice. The maids forgetting to clean our room one day and three of the six restaurants being closed are the only things holding me back from a full on good report. But we absolutely made the best of it. 

There were fantastic pools, complete with a lazy river. Oh how I wish I had brought my dad's GoPro for water pics!

The skies were to die for.

And the sweeping mountain views they raved about were no joke.

I absolutely give them 5 stars for their grounds.

There were also Margaritas on tap.

Which you could win in pool games.

We didn't win. Boo. Hiss.

And I sent Laura's husband her traditional, "She's never coming home" text.

My friend Cari gave me the coolest early birthday present. An at home shellac manicure kit. I need to work on my painting skills, but it is seriously the coolest thing ever! I didn't have time for a real mani before I left, so I packed it with me and did it in the room!

My sister also packed me some fun sweet treats.

We also had some issues with the safe and had to call security once. Or twice.

Maybe just because we wanted to see them roll up on a Segway. 

And the sunsets. Oh the sunsets.

The sky had been incredible all day.

By the time the sun sunk down, it was ready to really show off.

Even well after it sunk down, the sky was an incredible painting.
This pic is straight out of my camera, and the view from our room.

We stayed in a Westin. Which is known for their Heavenly Bed. 

Oh. My. Word. 

Is it heavenly.

It has ruined me for my own bed. 

And I LOVE my own bed.

I would not be lying if I inquired about getting Mylie one of her own.

If she had come with us, she would have gotten to use one too!

We spent a full day shopping. I have zero pictures from that.

But we were sure to reward ourselves with wine & dessert.

It is vacation after all.

The next day we spent the entire day poolside.

And like I said. Those skies. I wish I could have packed them up and taken them home with me.

We floated in the lazy river.
And sweat on our lounge chairs between floats.

And my favorite poolside meal. A hot dog and pina colada.

Followed by a long rest in the blasting air conditioning and hotel robe.

And one last glass of wine and shared dessert before saying goodbye to the desert.

And in the morning, I stayed in my Heavenly Bed, sipping my Starbucks coffee & reading until the very last second. 

Because with that last sip, it was the official end of my "summer vacation". 

Third Annual Arizona Sister Trip Here & Here

Second Annual Arizona Sister Trip Here