Friday Favorites, Girl's Weekend Edition

I arrived home from Scottsdale around midnight on Tuesday and immediately dove right back in to real life, which included sifting through the minor mistakes that were made in my absence (nothing but appreciation for Emily for tackling my duties, which have evolved past what they used to look like when she was responsible for doing them daily), as well as prepping for my hosting night for my Bunco group.

This post is a little overdue, but also aligns nicely with a Friday Favorites post, since time with my Girls is never anything less than a favorite.

Our time together started Friday morning, when I arrived at Jules' house just outside of Neighboring City; her mom (bless her heart) had volunteered to drop us off at the airport so we could avoid parking fees.

We checked our bags, which, by the way, did not take full advantage of our First Class tickets. Did you know that you can check two bags, weighing up to seventy pounds each? We did not, but we do now. Additionally, our First Class tickets are less expensive than an economy ticket, including bag fees. I find that so odd. Anyhoodle, I digress...

While we waited to board our flight, we indulged in the most expensive drinks we would consume all weekend ($32 for two mimosas. Airport bars are such a scam).

When we landed at Sky Harbor, we were greeted by Phoebe and Tee, who had landed mere minutes before us. Reese picked us up not long after, and we headed to our first activity, which was an appointment at a nail salon for pedicures.

Then we got checked into our suite at the Westin Kierland Villas. Our rooms had a golf course view, and we enjoyed the antics of the local wildlife, including rabbits, quail, and a sneaky roadrunner. We were less than impressed with the roadrunner when he managed to reduce a quail family from seven to five within the first day we were there, however. Also, baby quail are about the cutest thing, ever.

After pizza and snacks on the balcony, we got a good night's rest before heading out for a full day of fun. This is the only picture I posted on social media, and it immediately elicited a deluge of comments that included statements like "There goes trouble!' and "Watch out, Scottsdale". Our people know us well.

After doing a little light shopping, we hit Top Golf. Tee and I were the sole Top Golf virgins, so we didn't think we would do great. Tee also swore me away from the camera to avoid unflattering pictures of our lack of athletic ability. That was probably a good call.

Phoebe is the most experienced golfer out of the five of us, and she showed impressive form.

Tee showed impressive form in the Food and Beverage ordering portion of the program, though, and didn't mind having a photo of that accomplishment.

We ended that day with a third-place finish at trivia at the pool, where we were aggressively hit on by a very drunk guy named Brian who took great pride in telling us that he was "class of 2008". From which prison parole program he failed to mention. I would say "we still got it," but if the best we can attract is a drunken fool covered in prison tats, I'm not sure what it" is.

Later that evening, we indulged in facials that included sheet masks. If you think Tee had a problem with pictures from Top Golf, you can only imagine her adamant instructions against images of us in those masks. Again, it was a good call. Still, the image of Jules, in particular, in her face mask is something that the five of us will continue to laugh about for the remainder of our (obviously lifelong) friendship, despite the lack of photographic evidence (in the interest of full disclosure, that photo does exist, we just won't be sharing).

We also played a rousing game of "New Phone, Who Dis?" while wearing the masks and drinking adult beverages. It is a night that will be revisited in tearful laughter the next time we gather, I guarantee.

Sunday morning, we enjoyed a fantastic breakfast, cooked by Tee and Phoebe, before jumping on the shuttle to the pool at the sister resort, where we had a cabana reserved.

The day was not as sunny as one would hope to find in Arizona in June, but that didn't stop us from having a good time. At one point in the day, lightning closed the pool and we were forced to seek shelter at the bar on the golf course for an hour, but we were able to return o the pool for one lap around the lazy river and a rousing game of "Taco, Cat, Goat, Cheese, Pizza", which was a hoot since what the cabana lacked in sunshine it more than made up for in alcohol. Also, I suck at "Taco, Cat, Goat, Cheese, Pizza" and don't know how anyone could enjoy that game. Obviously, the Girls would disagree, since they collectively kicked my ass. Bitches.

Sadly, Sunday evening, Tee and Phoebe took their leave of us, each having to return to work on Monday.

Reese, Jules, and I spent Monday exploring Old Town Scottsdale and the outlet stores, where I purchased a new Coach wallet. My current Coach wallet was purchased at that same outlet eleven years previously, when The Girls and I were last in Scottsdale together. That speaks volumes about the quality of Coach products and the longevity of our friendship.

Since the weather had finally gotten the memo about it being June in Arizona, we were able to end the day poolside before hopping into a Waymo for a trip to possibly the best Mexican restaurant I have eaten at in years.

Waymo is a driverless car company that currently operates in several states in the western United States. It was a trip, and I mean that literally and figuratively. If you get a chance to try the experience, I highly recommend it; while it was futuristic and weird, it also felt oddly safe and exciting. It was also cheaper than taking an Uber and there was no need to make small talk with a driver.

Carlsbad Tavern was cute and featured delicious food as well as the best blood orange margarita that I have ever tasted.

The tomatillo salsa was ridiculously good.

Tuesday, before our evening flight, Reese took us to Queen Creek Olive Mill, where we sampled gourmet olive oils, balsamic vinegars, and dipping seasonings. We also had lunch in the courtyard; I had an Italian salad and the fresh cream of mushroom soup, and was in heaven.

Reese and Jules topped lunch off with gelato, but I was so stuffed, I had no room left.

Then, far too soon, it was time to head to the airport for our flight. I'm glad we booked the latest flight out, because it gave us so much extra time to spend together, and I didn't mind getting home late one little bit.

It was a great long weekend and one that has energized me, which I had been in desperate need of. I'll head back into the fray at Not So New Job on Monday, but I'll feel a lot more prepared for it, thanks to my Girls.

Always a favorite.