top 10 travel checklist.

tomorrow i'm off to nicaragua with my best friend.
ask me if i've even looked at a map yet.
i've backpacked a few times in my life
and the best way to travel is with no plan at all.
i've also learned the necessary items to keep me company along the way.
the theme here people is cheap, cheap, cheap.

above is a look into my personal top 10 backpacking essentials:
1. cheap sunglasses: protect my baby blues but these eyes won't be watering if they happen to fall into the ocean during a booze cruise.
2. cheap bathing suit tops: i usually pack more as they act as not just swim wear, but my every day support system.
3. panama hat: i found this gem at a vintage store in town. it adds a little style to my trip.
4. the cheapest clothing you can find: worn multiple times throughout the trip and absolutely no concern if they gather a few stains. immediately throw out upon return home.
5. chacos: crocs ugly step sisters.  those multiple straps help my bad back when i'm literally...backpacking. hottest tan lines ever.
6. medications: thank you dad for prescribing me the goods just in case the worst happens. no one likes montezuma's revenge.
7. a damn good book: i'm not talking your chick flick beach reads but rather something with substance. john steinbeck and his travel stories will fit nicely at the top of my pack.
8. jhorts:  no reasoning needed.
9. cheap small purse: to hold my passport and money.  easy access while shopping.  no need to go digging through my bag when i don't speak spanish anyways. let's not make this completely awkward.
10. comfy flip flops: to get rid of the nasty chaco tan lines.

there you have it!
please stay tuned while i'm away as i've got some ah-mazing guest bloggers lined up.
adios!

"the eggo u twest"

yesterday, i had this amazing email in my inbox.
apparently i'm being talked about over these here internets.
and im totally okay with that.
whitney over at cheeriosandbeer (one of the greatest blog names ever) 
shared her chat with another reader, miss chelsea:

 Cheerios: http://theeggoutwest.blogspot.com/

                this girl looks like SO much fun

 Miss:  i always read blog addresses way wrong

           ' the eggo u twest '

            ha

 Cheerios:  haha

 Miss:  OMG

         can we play this {in reference to ski ballet}

 Cheerios:  i know RIGHT

 Cheerios:  http://theeggoutwest.blogspot.com/2012/02/80s-ladies-ski-ballet.html

         i am like in total envy of that

         but yes. we need snow to play that

 Miss:  wth

           who is this girl

           can i be her

and yes ladies, you do need snow to play ski ballet.
i peed a little after i read this.  not gonna lie.

gelande quaffing.

way back in the 80's, the greatest mountain sport competition was born.
Gelande Quaffing made its name right here in jackson hole.
what is Gelande Quaffing you ask?
well, the guys of the Hostel Team were nice enough to allow me to join in on a practice.
they answered all of my tough questions like, "what the hell is Gelande Quaffing?"
and I snapped some photos of their final Quaffing practice.
as you can see.....this sport is intense.
16 teams of the most hardcore Quaffers (local businesses) will line up today, February 29, 2012 at the base of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.
games start at 4:20, naturally.

History:
over 25 years ago in Jackson Hole, a few of the legendary Jackson Hole Air Force guys were having some brews at the Bear Claw (now Village Cafe) while waiting out a 14 foot storm.
the story goes that the bartender slid a full mug of beer down the bar to his buddy and instinctively, the beer was caught before it hit the ground.
little did they know but they had just changed the face of mountain sports forever.

Rules:

1. 4 person teams, no subs.
2. 1 minute for first 3 rounds, finals are 2 minutes.
3. Quaffer must be 2 feet from the edge of the bar.
4. Must rotate pitcher and quaffer every pitch.
5. You CANNOT pitch until beer is down and mug touches the bar again!
6. You must quaff the beer, not wear it.
7. No puking, puking results in immediate team disqualification.
8. In the event of a tie, each team will choose 1 quaffer and 1 pitcher, and the team with the fastest Gelande Quaff wins.

Scoring:

Round 1: 1 point regular catch, 2 points handle catch.
Round 2: The quaffer must do a 360 between leaving the pitchers
hand and the quaffer’s catch.  1 point regular catch, 2 points
handle catch.
Round 3: The quaffer must to a 360 OR under the leg catch.  1 point
regular catch, 2 points handle catch.
Finals: (2min) 1 catch of each… handle catch, 360 catch, and under
the leg catch. After the 3 required catches..Freestyle. 0 points
regular catch*, 1 point handle catch, 2 points 360 handle catch* OR under the leg, 0-5 points freestyle (at judges discretion)
*rules and scoring provided by the Village Cafe.

due to the release of this article being the morning of the world championship,

i was sworn into a vow of secrecy of the freestyle moves I witnessed last night.
that being said, the Hostel Team is looking tough!
good luck boys!!!

meet my friend.

check out my friend's new jewelry collection.

how gorgeous are those gems?!

my childhood pal Ali just released her newest project, a.louise.

i'm so, so, so impressed by her insanely beautiful designs.

very intricate yet very simple that any lady could rock.

i'm thinking about leaving her website up on my computer

just as a little hint to the boyfriend for a certain lover's day coming up.

i mean, wouldn't you?

my favorite is the chimera ring shown above.

stop by her website.  

i'm seriously in love with every piece!

*all photos courtesy of designer*

the art of making pasta.

i'm a sucker when it comes to cooking classes
its so much fun to get your hands dirty with a real pro.
i went to the aspen's market pasta making dinner and had such a good time.
joel was awesome, telling us stories about his time spent in Italy learning to cook all types of pasta.
he showed us how to make fettucini, ravioli, tortellini, tagliatelle, and agnolotti.
after his demonstrations, we all dined on our homemade ravioli filled with butternut squash and fettucini topped with an incredible bolognese sauce.

if you are going to be in the jackson hole area this winter season,
hop over to Dishing's website to check out a schedule of upcoming classes!

i can't feel my legs.

row 1: jeffers had a bloody nose so HE decided to shove a tampon up his face....a lot of down time in between powder days with my cozy cabin slippers.

row 2: powder essentials for this chick: tram bars and tylenol.....blue bird powder day on sublette

row 3: hiking the headwall via the elevator aka STF (straight the f*ck up). my legs hate me..... one of my favorite apres ski drinks, cascade's blood orange margarita.

5 feet of snow in 5 days.

powder days every day at jhmr.

for reals though, i can barely move.

but so very worth it!

P.S. Jackson Hole Featured on VOGUE!

can't be without.

one of my favorite bloggers Maple + Shade asked me to do a guest post

about what i can't live/work without in jackson hole.

the full post should be up soon over at her blog. 

(i highly suggest you follow her)

i thought i'd share a few things i can't do without in the hole:

cannot live without
1. i carry my hobo clutch everywhere.
2. this patagonia down works great for both skiing and showing property. so many awesome colors every season.
3. if you are a mac user, this little gem keeps your mac safe. trust me, invest....only $20!
4. stylish anthro bedding keeps me warm and cozy during the long winter months.
5. a gift to myself after i sold my first house. dress her up, dress her down, i take this little lady everywhere....even dubai!
6. one can never have too many pairs of frye boots out west.
7. greatest product ever invented.  i have one in every coat, every purse, my car, my office, and ski pants.

cannot work without
1. the otterbox might be bulky but it protects my iphone from the snow.  i have to take it with me when i ski!  my emails are non-stop.
2. my new blogging job requires me to snap photos all over town.  the 60D is light and easy to use.
3. my mom always said that people will take you more seriously when your nails look good.  my favorite polish, midnight red.  mom is always right.
4. my around-the-office moccasins.  very comfy and not too casual for when clients pop in.
5. i need music 24/7.  at my office and on the slopes.  this app is perfect.
6. go ahead and laugh but this medicine ball has been my best friend for 3 years.  sometimes i do ab workouts when no one is looking....and its a great ice-breaker when new customers walk into my office!

what are your absolute must-haves? 

me at parties.

thank you a cup of jo.
i don't think anything has ever described me so perfectly.


don't forget to entre my personal give + away for a fun new ornament!
{click here to enter}

give + away. {little okins}

i'm so excited to announce a give away from one of the coolest etsy stores around.
Little Okins is offering the egg readers a chance to win one free custom made Little Okin!!
these little guys bring a whole lot of happiness with personal messages, killer designs, and plenty of attitude.
super fun gifts, invitations, party favors, you name it.
pretty awesome, right?!

it's super easy to win.
visit the Little Okin etsy store and leave a comment below telling me which little one you fancy the most.
2 entries for telling me WHO you'd send it to and why.
3 entries for becoming a follower of The Egg Out West.
winner will be chosen at random next week.
capiche?
did i mention custom?

my favorite is the ninja.
the moustache following in a close second.
like in a super-close-almost-changed-my-mind second.
which one will you pick?