{Weekend Update}...Homecoming

I'll admit it...the only real Homecoming things I did this weekend was go to the parade. And can you blame me? The weather was so unbelievable perfect for movie days and baking. I mean, seriously. I was in heaven. I tried out a new cookie recipe and tweaked it a little and got an end result of the best oatmeal chocolate chip craisin cookies I've ever had. I'm surprised there are still some left. My room mates and I decided drizzly weather called for a movie night, so we hunkered down with delivery pizza (a luxury as a college student) and proceeded to watch the Bond movies. Who's excited for Skyfall?

I hope your weekend was great, with cozy fall weather and lazy weekend plans. On a gray autumn weekend, do you prefer TV or reading?

Photos via Instagram

{Weekend Update}...Preparations

List making, photo taking, hard drive back up-ing.

List making, shopping, and packing were the three domination factors of my weekend. Thrilling, I know. Although pretty mundane, there is something very calming about preparing. A small part of me deep down is totally stressed out right. Freaking about if I have everything I need, contacting my roommates, and part of me is already missing my family. Although I'm only an hour and a half away, it can be hard to leave home and get right back into school mode.

So with lots going on in life, I like to take a deep breath and prepare for the storm ahead. Thanks to a wonderful family, I'm all ready and am feeling much better about the new things coming.

Much enjoyed afternoon nap.

Packing up some wall decorations.

Photos via Instagram

{Weekend Update}...Movers and Shakers

Real life Tetris.

After many boxes, suitcases and totes, most (okay-half) of my belongings have been moved to my new apartment! Before the first move in trip yesterday, we did some end of summer cleaning. Refreshing! The weather was gorgeous and cool, so welcome, Fall! Oh, I can't forget...girls' night! In my book, there's no better way to inaugurate the weekend than a good old fashioned sleep over with your best gal pals. The end of summer has been a whirlwind of emotions, to do lists, obligations and more. When things get pretty crazy in life, my best remedy is friendship.

Looking a lil' bare. But not too shabby.

Fantastic friends. 

Photos via Instagram // Abby Carlson - @classickitsch Instagram

{Weekend Update}...Simple Things

Some of the best weekends are the ones spent doing simple chores. It's relaxing, but you feel as though you've accomplished something. With my mom, I froze and bagged over sixty cups of blueberries. I had a revelation, too. I never like blueberries until this weekend! I went flower hunting with Abby and the girls for our lovely bride-to-be, Becca! Those glorious sprigs of green, and bunches of flowers! I also traveled over the central Wisconsin to visit my grandma and thoroughly enjoyed gossiping, grocery shopping and flipping through photos of our Florida trip! 

Bonus? Grandma Esther has the coolest house, filled with amazing knick-knacks that span over a century! (Like these hat pins and broaches) I hope your weekend was filled with simple pleasures. Happy Monday, everyone!

Photos via Instagram

Last photo via Instagram // Abby Carlson

{Florida}...Outtakes

Dad and me our first night on Lake Smyrna

You've seen the beach, you've seen the parks. Now it's time to see the family! There isn't much to say about these photos, as they are random pictures, outtakes, and family memories! You can probably tell from the pictures that we had a ton of fun! I wanted share some of the less orchestrated moments with you! Enjoy! 

p.s. I love my family.

Got luggage?

Airport rhymes.

Beautiful flowers in the beach house. 

Night palms.

My daily outfit.

Cool seafood joint right on the water. You don't park your car, you dock your boat!

Honeydukes

Nick and me for birthday dinner.

Jacob,  Matt & me for my birthday. At Pinstripes.

Birthday cheesecake.

The kids at Hogsmead.

Sisters on the beach.

The whole family. 

{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. 

{Weekend Update}...Unwinding

Tubing! If you're curious, this is my all time favorite bathing suit.

After a long vacation, it always feels great to come home. I love nothing more than sliding into my bed with fresh linens, windows open, the familiar neighborhood noises trickling in, and drifting off to sleep. Finally unpacked and acclimated to normal life again (I worked tons!) I took the weekend to unwind at home. I drove with friends to Red Cedar River near Menomonie for some lazy day floating; enjoying the sun, water & nature was a great time! I finally took off my pedi, which was looking pretty shabby & lacquered my toes a hot lime! Movie night and live music at Acoustic Café also made their ways into my weekend. I hope you relaxed a bit! Didn't last week fly by? Did your weekend as well? It sure doesn't feel like Monday to me!

OPI Addicted

Popcorn + Dark Shadows at the Budget Theater

Iced chai, double chocolate cookie, live music, and Nick.

Top photo of Red Cedar River via

All other photos via Instagram