A Force-Filled Weekend

Happy Monday everyone!  Was the force with you this weekend?  It definitely was strong with me!  This was such a fun and busy weekend, so let's get into some highlights.

Our weekend started with seeing the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra play music from Star Wars- Episode I-VI.  Dan and I don't really get each other gifts anymore, but I wanted to surprise him before Christmas with these tickets.  He's always been a huge fan of Star Wars, and even got me into the movies when we started dating, so I knew he would love this.

The show was unbelievable!  The music was beautiful, the stage was transformed into a galaxy far, far away, and there were all sorts of fun touches that the orchestra did to make the show even more amazing.  Things like a Chewbacca Scream Contest (winner got a signed poster by John Williams) and a visit from Darth Vader and a Storm Trooper during the Imperial March.

I even got to meet Chewie himself!

On Friday, we went to Steffany's house for a Christmas party!  It was so fun to meet her friends from college and see some other local runners.  We watched the Pens game, played Cards Against Humanity, and had some delicious food.  I brought along my Hot Chocolate Cookies!

Saturday morning Dan and I had a coffee date at Commonplace Coffee.  It was actually my first time there, and I'm in love.  On the walls, you can see tons of Pittsburgh-themed paintings by local artists that you can buy, and I loved the industrial feel to the place.  I got an Autumn Spice latte and it was amazing!

Is there anything better than some latte art?

After coffee, it was time to see STAR WARS, which was the second part to Dan's gift! I really liked the movie - Rey is my idol, BB8 is the cutest, Han is a hunk - and I really liked the story line.  It definitely has a different feel from the other Star Wars movies though.  Dan and I both thought there were too many cheesy moments, which I guess is Disney's way to make this more family-friendly.  If anyone else saw the movie, I would love to hear your thoughts!
I didn't take any pictures at the actual theater, so this is what you get.

Sunday was a pretty chill day, with some relaxing, some cleaning, and some football watching (GO STEELERS!).  I ended this fun weekend watching Dan play some hockey!


BTW- I have a really exciting collaboration / announcement to talk about, so make sure you come back tomorrow!! I can't WAIT to share!  Ohhh, the suspense :)

Thoughts on Star Wars?
Anyone just not care about the Star Wars hype?
Does anyone play fantasy football?  How's your team doing!
Tell me about your weekend!

 linking up with Katie, Erin, Carylee, Jenna!

Comments

  1. UnknownDecember 21, 2015 at 4:16 AM

    I get chills whenever I hear the overture. I thoroughly enjoyed the movie, even if I think that the Dark Side really needs to up their security and mechanical weakness game. But I loved all the throwbacks :D

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    1. Gretchen BraunDecember 22, 2015 at 9:13 AM

      So many chills! And seriously..when did the dark side start slacking?!

      Delete
  2. Margaret @ youngandrungryDecember 21, 2015 at 4:26 AM

    You put together such a sweet "gift" for Dan and the best part is that you got to make some fun memories together. Mark went to see the movie with his dad last night. They didn't seem just crazy about it, but they did say that I looked like one of the characters, but I have no idea who!

    I'm so excited for tomorrow!!

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    1. Gretchen BraunDecember 22, 2015 at 9:14 AM

      Thanks Margaret! I hope he liked it :) I can see how you would look like Rey!

      Delete
  3. UnknownDecember 21, 2015 at 4:46 AM

    I think I'm in the minority for Star Wars- I was offered free tickets twice in 12 hours and declined both, haha. I unfortunately didn't make it into the fantasy football playoffs which sucks because I'm the commissioner :( But a big Steelers win was a great end to the weekend!

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    1. Gretchen BraunDecember 22, 2015 at 9:14 AM

      That's a bummer! At least you can relax now and not worry about setting your line up. Yay for the Steelers!

      Delete
  4. AnonymousDecember 21, 2015 at 4:55 AM

    I LOVED the movie!!! It was amazing, I plan on seeing it at least one more time while it's still in theatres. I loved the cheesy parts! My whole family & I went & we had a blast seeing it.

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    1. Gretchen BraunDecember 22, 2015 at 9:16 AM

      That's great! So glad to hear you liked it. I liked the cheesy parts too, but definitely a lot different from the originals!

      Delete
  5. UnknownDecember 21, 2015 at 4:59 AM

    I have a soft spot for the Star Wars theme song because it was one of the first "real" songs I learned to play on the saxophone in middle school band (LOL at those times...). I love experience gifts! For the last 3 Mission Impossible's we've taken my dad to the movie as a family and paid for dinner before.

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    1. Gretchen BraunDecember 22, 2015 at 9:17 AM

      That's so cool! I have the same connection to the song Enter Sandman..the first song that I learned to play when I switched from violin to sax! I've honestly never seen a single Mission Impossible movie. Crazy!

      Delete
  6. Jessie MDecember 21, 2015 at 6:08 AM

    I'm all about experiences rather than gifts. So the BF & I don't exchange gifts either.

    Umm yeah, I've never seen a single Star Wars movie. A friend tried to force me to watch once, but I just fell asleep instead. So, I would be of the "just don't care" variety. Haha. But I am staying far far away from any movie theaters until this blows over.

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    1. Gretchen BraunDecember 22, 2015 at 9:18 AM

      Experiences are always way better than gifts in my opinion! I just buy anything I need during the year, so I really don't want more "things". Funny that you fell asleep!

      Delete
  7. Morgan @ Morgan Manages MommyhoodDecember 21, 2015 at 6:16 AM

    I didn't see the movie yet, but I'm excited to see it (probably once it's out on demand because toddler life haha) since my dad was OBSESSED when we were little, and then so was my brother, so I'm obsessed by association, I suppose ahahha

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    1. Gretchen BraunDecember 22, 2015 at 9:24 AM

      It's definitely a lot different than I thought it would be growing up! I always thought it was super nerdy and would be over my head, but there's so much good action and romance and the plot is great. Highly recommend- whenever you get to watch / rent it!

      Delete
  8. DarcyDecember 21, 2015 at 7:03 AM

    The symphony sounds like it would be fun! That is a great gift idea!
    www.amemoryofus.com

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  9. LesleyDecember 21, 2015 at 7:31 AM

    I ked the movie, and seeing it with a theater full of Star Wars people added to it. I loved the humor, but I can see how some would see it as cheesy. Those moments aren't in the original movies, but it lightened the mood.

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    1. Gretchen BraunDecember 22, 2015 at 9:35 AM

      Definitely agree! It made it much more fun for a whole family to attend I'm sure. The audience in my theater was annoying..laughing at random parts which kind of ruined those moments!

      Delete
  10. Amanda @ Exploring Life & ThingsDecember 21, 2015 at 8:00 AM

    I am one of those people who has never seen any Star Wars movies haha. I'm sure if I saw them I would like them though. I love giving "experience" gifts as well, they can be much more fun!

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    1. Gretchen BraunDecember 22, 2015 at 9:36 AM

      That was me before I met Dan! Experiences > gifts any day!

      Delete
  11. RachaelDecember 21, 2015 at 8:10 AM

    i firmly fall into the i dont care about the star wars hype camp. simply because the merchandising/promoting of the movie has been out of control. i will see the movie eventually but i will be so happy to not see another star wars commercial again anytime soon!

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    1. Gretchen BraunDecember 22, 2015 at 9:39 AM

      I agree with you there! I seriously can not watch anything without hearing the dang Imperial March! Car commercials, jewelry commercials, SNL..it's all Star Wars craze! Hopefully it'll die down soon.

      Delete
  12. Laura NorrisDecember 21, 2015 at 10:11 AM

    I loved Star Wars also! Rey was such a strong female character and I loved BB-8. I heard a rumor that JJ Abrams is directing the next one, though, which made me super upset!

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    1. Gretchen BraunDecember 22, 2015 at 9:39 AM

      I agree! What don't you like about JJ? Just curious!

      Delete
  13. UnknownDecember 21, 2015 at 12:02 PM

    I don't really care about the Star Wars stuff these days but I LOVED the movies as a kid. Return of the jedi was my favorite!

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    1. Gretchen BraunDecember 22, 2015 at 9:40 AM

      That's so funny because I'm the opposite! Never cared and now I'm all about it!

      Delete
  14. Kristen @ See You In A PorridgeDecember 21, 2015 at 1:16 PM

    oh my gosh KC would have loved the symphony, he loves the music. We saw the movie yesterday - it was good, though I was sad about a certain part, I didn't like a certain romance thing that I think they were trying to make happen (I wasn't feeling it) though I liked the characters separately. I enjoyed the funny parts though I definitely think some parts were awkward. Overall, lightyears (haha) better than the prequels!

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    1. Gretchen BraunDecember 22, 2015 at 9:41 AM

      Agree about the romance. Why couldn't they just leave that out?! Nice little joke there Kristen!

      Delete
  15. UnknownDecember 21, 2015 at 5:01 PM

    I am not a huge Star Wars fan but I do want to check out the movie, since I have seen them all. I am in 3 fantasy leagues. 2 leagues I missed playoffs by 1 spot and in my 3rd league I won the regular season and will be playing for championship next week.

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  16. UnknownDecember 21, 2015 at 9:21 PM

    Okay, here's the truth. I have never seen one single second of any Star Wars episode. I don't like football, fantasy or real. But I love that selfie of you more than anything. You really are the greatest!

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    1. Gretchen BraunDecember 22, 2015 at 9:42 AM

      HAHAH I look so redic but I'm glad you like it ;)

      Delete
  17. Gina DailyDecember 22, 2015 at 5:51 AM

    OOh, good to know about the cheesy parts of Star Wars! That's the first negative thing I've heard about the show at all and I have a fairly low tolerance for cheese so I like being prepared! I am pretty sure we'll take the kids to go see it over the break!

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    1. Gretchen BraunDecember 22, 2015 at 9:43 AM

      I don't think it ruins the movie or anything..but it's definitely more "Disney-fied" than any of the other movies. SO if you like the humor and style of Disney/Pixar movies you'll love it!

      Delete
  18. CaileeDecember 22, 2015 at 2:22 PM

    Oh so fun!! Looks like a great weekend! ...also, your latte art is the best! I'm coffee obsessed!! :) YUM!

    ReplyDelete

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