we went to St. Louis for a couple of days to visit some friends we've made over the last few years on our insurance trip convention. Their agency was having a big party for the holidays and since Scott and I have a little agency, they invited us to crash their party. What a fun night. Great food. Great music. Great friends. It was just what I needed to relax a bit and enjoy the coming of the season. We actually went in on Thursday and stopped in KC on our way to shop a bit. Of course, any truly good trip through KC always involves Nell Hills and this trip was no exception. Oh, if only money were no object... *sigh*. Unfortunately, or luckily for Scott, a lot of the beautiful things at Nell Hills are really more suited to a house like our old house so although I adore it all I don't feel the need to "have it all". It seems like less fun to have to hunt for a perfect piece but in reality, I kind of enjoy it more. When everything will work there's no challenge to it. But when your home is a bit more contemporary and not so traditional, it takes a bit more effort to find the vintage and funky pieces that will work in that setting and not look out of place. We left Nell Hills without buying anything BUT I did take a great big dose of "possibilities" with me and that's good enough for this trip.
When we got to St. Louis, we went to Joe's Crab Shack for Scott's birthday dinner. The food wasn't very good this time. I guess I've gotten spoiled by being able to get the best crab legs I've ever had right here in my tiny little Nebraska hometown. But they did sing to Scott while he was wearing a green wig and blowing kisses to the other diners. Good times. :)
We stayed at the Seven Gables Inn and really enjoyed the smaller boutique style hotel atmosphere. We were on the 3rd floor and it was quiet and quaint and just really a nice space to come back to at the end of our busy couple of days. I think we'll definitely stay there again when we get back to St Louis.
Friday flew by as we made a trip to the home office of the primary insurer that Scott writes business for. It was neat to see everyone and check out things there. Then off to lunch with Sherri and Bob and lots of business talk and laughing. We really enjoy them. It's nice to be able to sick and talk shop with other people who "get" what our work lives entail. Friday afternoon we spent at the St Louis Galleria and made sure that the economy was left a little better then we found it (just doing my part, people!) Friday night was party time and we SO enjoyed getting to hang out for a few hours with Bob and Sherri's agents and wives.
We came back through KC yesterday afternoon and made a quick stop at the Country Club Plaza for lunch and a bit more shopping and then popped down to Curious Sofa where we scored a cute vintage sled that will make a great centerpiece on my dining room table for the winter months. All in all, a totally great trip. It's always nice to spend a few days with the boy reconnecting and enjoying a bit of time away from the daily-ness that seems to consume life sometimes...