{Weekend Update}...Fall Back

The moon + Jupiter

I had the great pleasure of participating in the Global Voices Concert at the university yesterday with some wonderful singers! There was a great mixture of songs, this being my favorite. My family came to the cities to see me (how sweet!) and we enjoyed a great brunch at Cupcake with an a-mazing dinner at The Old Spaghetti Factory. If you're ever in Minneapolis, I highly recommend both. Saturday was lazy with the roommates as we fulfilled my new challenge and watched Apollo 13 (I'd never seen it...) and baked late night cookies. 

Family pit stop at Art and Architecture

I hope your weekend was just as delightful. It looks like a gorgeous fall week ahead! And hooray for an extra hour of sleep! 

Nice surprise! Ice cream is included with your meal at OSF!

{Weekend Update}...Greetings, October!

 I definitely took advantage of the "holiday" yesterday and focused on some much needed schoolwork! I've had piles of readings, papers, and exams that continue to grow exponentially! But over the weekend I welcomed the truly fall weather with my family. I broke in my new oxblood penny loafers (or rather, the broke me in..ouch!) and painted my nails the most gorgeous navy purple. Enjoyed with sips of coffee and family talk, we taste tested brilliant cupcake flavors, made kabobs for dinner, and enjoyed the crisp fall air. Needless to say, I've already embraced the wonderful things fall has to offer!

What did you do this weekend? Meet up with friends? Put on flannel sheets? 

{Weekend Update}...Bridesmaids

Coffee run before the chaos of tulle, gems, and taffeta. 

 Have I told you guys this yet? I'm a bridesmaid for my dear Becca! We are all so thrilled about the wedding, and I couldn't be more honored to stand up for her wedding. She's such a great little thing! The wedding is in spring, so we've got to get those dresses ASAP. So I went on home for the weekend and experienced a marathon of sorts. I barely slept! But it was great. We had a viewing party for The Office (what are your reactions to this season?), went dress shopping, checked out a bridal fair, and celebrated birthdays. Needless to say, I'm worn out, y'all! But it's so great being a part of something so special. Crazy hectic. And lovely. 

Welcome to the weekend. 

Last minute catch up!

Photos via instagram 

{Weekend Update}...Goodbyes

The in between.

This was my last weekend in Eau Claire for a while. All moved in to my new digs for the new school year, I can't believe how much I did in the weekend! Although I will most definitely be in my hometown a lot visiting, I still have a hard time saying goodbyes. It's difficult always coming and going, leaving friends behind in both places. I made sure to have some quality lunch dates with my parents, breakfasts with friends, creative time with Abby, and family dinners as a send off! Home is great, new places are exciting and family is the constant.

The Godbrother.

Concrete leaves! Best handmade gift for fall!

Ahh...my bed, my home. 

{Fall Threads}...Dinner Partay

Nothing says welcome fall and friends like a fabulously fun dinner party. I'm imagining a roasted chicken or pumpkin soup with asparagus mixed in with some sweet potato and eggplant. Yum! We just had a huge family dinner the other night! It doesn't have to be anything super fancy, but it's a blast having a feast when the weather cools down!

Use a fairly neutral dining set so that your food can really pop. White dishes and dark silverware make a bold statement on the table without taking the spotlight away from the beautiful colors in your food. A fun way to incorporate hues in dish ware is the serving vessel. Imagine some butternut squash and asparagus in that turquoise serving dish! Love!

Of course you want look great, but you also want to look comfortable. Make your guests feel at ease with the modern kaftan...a simple shift dress and flats. You'll be looking the part in a versatile outfit. 

Don't forget the music! You'll want it just in case conversation drags...OR you feel like dancing!

P.S...How cool is this carbonator? No need to buy tonic water, make your own as needed!

Napkins / Plate / Serving Dish / Pitcher / Silverware / Dress / Carbonator / iPod / Shoes

The Guest List

You know how girls' night can become girl's weekend? Yeah, that happens a lot. And when out of town friends surprise you for a few days? Well you'd best be prepared for those bunking buddings! Let's keep them all happy with a fab guest room and treats! Make it comfy with quirky pillows, bright toiletries, and unisex fragrances. Oh, and let's keep them amused and hydrated! I also like to keep small packages of sweets set aside as goodies for my lovely guests!

Comb / Barsoap / Khiel's Lavender / L'Occitane Verbena / Whale Vase / Tooth Brushes / Towels / Finish This Book / Candle / Pillow / Water Carafe 

{Weekend Update}...Farmer's Market Finds

The weather was so incredibly gorgeous this weekend it would have been a crime to not go out and enjoy it. My family went down to the local farmer's market held at Phoenix Park, which is breathtaking.  We had to take one or two strolls around the place before actually deciding on what we wanted. Fresh bread, crisp greens, hearty tubers and flowers make the entire market explode with color. Oh, and did I mention there are local artists and musicians, too? Yeah, it's pretty much ridiculously perfect. I definitely felt and acted like a tourist in my own town this weekend, which can be fun. 

We decided upon fresh peaches (yum!), finger potatoes, freshly baked focaccia bread and caramel apple bread, both from Bohemian Ovens. We know the family who owns it and they seriously make the best breads and pastries. In Bloomer, WI, they use a brick oven and old techniques. It's the bomb. 

So happy Monday! I hope you got out there to enjoy nature's beauty! When you really look around, there is some pretty amazing stuff. For example, some of my favorite things in life are looking at fresh produce. Weird, I know. But it's gorgeous. And did you see the meteor shower? Sadly, it was a bit too cloudy for me. I'd love to know what you saw!

{Eat It}...Chewy Ginger Cookies

It seems like ages ago since the Olympics started. For the opening ceremonies, my family had a little viewing party, complete with all the fixings; burgers and brats were grilled, berries picked, desserts made. Abby and I were in charge of desserts, so instead of going with the classic chocolate chip cookie, which can feel a little heavy and overly sweet in summer, we opted for a chewy ginger cookie. Since it wasn't a snap, but a softly dense cookie, it was the perfect dessert. 

Ginger also helps settle upset stomachs (that's why you should have ginger ale when feeling queazy), so after a huge dinner the cookies were actually just right. I know it seems like a winter cookie, but with cold milk, or iced coffee, they're a great dessert for any season. Bonus: your house smells amazing throughout the whole process. I just love how fragrant ginger is. It's not overly sweet and is almost savory. Fantastic. 

Transition

It's something so simple and beautiful to remember. We've talked about how change can be hard. This is to make it easier. Send this card from Etsy to your best girlfriend when she's feeling overwhelmed by the transitions in life. It's the perfect reminder that she is resilient and wonderful.

Happy Monday!

Via pinwheeldesigns

{Florida}...Park by Park

Six parks in six days. Yes, you read that correctly. After the beach, our family trekked to Orlando for a marathon of parks. We visited all four Disney parks and the two Universal parks. It was exhausting, but the memories from the nonstop rides, park food, and ponchos are hilarious and lovable. Right, ponchos...it rained. Hard. The first two and half days were not just overcast, it was pretty much a wash. The downpour didn't stop us, though. We pulled on our really attractive ponchos and enjoyed our days. It cleared up (yay!) midweek and we really had some fun. I never used to be a rides person, but on this trip I went crazy and did everything. Even the ones with your feet dangling! Yikes! 

RockIt Roller Coaster. Amazing!
Each person picks the music to which the listen for the duration of the ride! Sweet!

Cinderella's castle. Obviously.

The Tower of Terror. One of my favorites. 

Disney Hollywood Studios.

Honeydukes! Harry Potter Park at Universal.

Hogsmead.

Hogwarts. HP FTW.

Disney Animal Kingdom safari. We were this close to the giraffe! 

{Florida}...Beach Bums

Seaside sunset.

And, finally! The Florida pictures have arrived! Now, I understand. Florida is not necessarily the most exotic location in the world. But there are some really breathtaking sights there. It is so utterly different from Wisconsin and Minnesota that I just can't help sharing with you. We so enjoyed the beach. Can you believe I'd never been to the beach before? How did it take me this long to get there? I love it. We stayed at a beach house right on the water on New Smyrna Beach. A fantastic location and lovely house. It was spacious and light. We did have a few issues with things being a bit dirty, but we got things spick and span in no time. Next time you're yearning for the beach, go to New Smyrna. It is amazing. 

Sunrise

We were really overwhelmed by the gorgeous sunrise and sunset. I took about a million pictures of every one we saw. How can you not be amazed by this sight? And in case you were curious...yes, the water was already warm at sunrise. 

Me, Amanda. Boating, but not fishing.

We rented a pontoon for a day and went fishing and boating all day. So gorgeous. I didn't fish. It's not really my thing. However, I finished the book I had been reading. The Host by Stephanie Meyer. Surprisingly good! I highly recommend it. 

The women. Abby, Amanda, Mom, Cathy, Me, Becca. Last night on the beach.

Beach life, in general, was amazing. I swear I ate seafood everyday. Delicious and so rare for me. We relaxed, ate, swam, sunbathed, played cards every day. It was the life. 

Shrimp Off the Rock. The first beach dinner.

All photos are personal ones I took on the trip. Some are on Instagram.