Meanwhile, Upstairs at Brio

Mmmmm, mmmm, mmmm. Mojitos! With sisters Grace and Frigga. Skol!

Got Ten Minutes?

This is easy to understand, factual, and accurate. It's also cute. And needs to be updated to reflect the Supreme Court's recent decision upholding ACA. Watch it!!

Dear John...

How could I have so thoughtlessly forgotten your birthday yesterday? Please forgive me, I will make it up to you. I hope you had some cake and were celebrating among friends. You remain my primary crush that I worship from afar. Nathan Fillion, Kyle Chandler and that half dressed fellow in the Old Spice commercials mean nothing to me. Allow me to wish you all the best in the coming year. And until we actually meet in person, I'll get by with multiple viewings of High Fidelity, Must Love Dogs, Serendipity, America's Sweethearts and Grosse Pointe Blank. Until then, I remain your ever loyal fan and servant who respects your personal boundaries and all current protection orders.


With adoration,
Bellona 

KC, Day Two

When our bathroom proved to have a water leakage issue causing squishy carpeting in our room, the Holiday Inn staff graciously moved us to another room. Who knew such fun could be had with a luggage trolley! Please, no smartass remarks about the old bag seated on the trolley.

Just down the street from our hotel was Country Club Plaza. Loads of shopping and eating opportunities. Solidifying Kansas City as a city of fountains, here we see the J.C. Nichols Memorial Fountain anchoring the northwest corner of CCP.

What a fun part of town for a walking tour! Kansas City is a treasure trove of art deco architecture mixed with modern glass towers. We enjoyed a lovely meal at Brio Tuscan Grille where Spencer took excellent care of three hungry and thirsty ladies. Upstairs at Brio's happy hour, we were introduced to the Mojito. I became enamored of the mango version. Seriously enamored. Dangerously close to crossing the line into mojithoe territory!

 After a refreshing dip in the pool we put on pretty dresses for an evening out in the Power & Light District.

Kansas City's six year old downtown revitalization project, the Power & Light District, contains every opportunity for night life imaginable. We found excellent food and more Mojitos! I recommend the berry variety at Bar Louie.

Do keep your wits about you in any urban setting! At the same time we felt very comfortable and safe in this friendly environment.

We are amazed and awed by all the pretty lights. Is this when the Mothership landed?

My pretty sisters! An excellent evening was had by all.

Thanks, Nora

My words are insignificant when Nora Ephron's are available. Watch the video.

Outside Fidel's

Since I tend to be a little nitpicky about chronology when it suits me, before we move on to day 2 in Kansas City, here is one more adorable pic from day 1. We considered cigars and ended up outside Fidel's where Pamela and Martine got cozy with the sandwich sign. Is it a sandwich sign when there is no person acting as sandwich innards? Aren't they cute? Yes, indeedy, they are.

Rest In Peace, Nora

Nora Ephron. I absolutely adored her. She died today at the tender age of 71. Next to Julia Sugarbaker, Nora was who I wanted to be when I grew up. Born to writers, she and all three of her sisters became writers as well. She was a successful novelist and also published collections of her essays. When Harry Met Sally, Julie & Julia, You've Got Mail, Silkwood, Michael, Heartburn. She produced, wrote and/or directed a number of my very favorite movies. I might throw a mini film festival in her honor over the next few days. She felt bad about her neck, remembered nothing, and worshiped butter. Earlier this year she appeared on NPR's Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me! When asked what she thought the secret to a happy marriage was, she replied, probably separate bathrooms. I'm inclined to agree. I'm certain she had at least a couple more wonderful movie scripts to write. In lieu of that, her unique voice lives on in her books and through the many, many talented actors who brought her characters to life.