{Weekend Update}...An Update!

Happy Monday, all! You may have noticed a few changes. Some big ones, actually! After a lot of consideration, I changed the blog. My life has been changing like crazy over the past few months, and it was about time my blog reflected those changes. At a point, I had to pick up and move on. In a large part, that meant making the blog something new.

Today we're starting a fresh. You can find me at Sarah Carlson Etc. And let me tell ya, it feels good. The content will be pretty much the same. You may have noticed posts being few and far between, which was a result of much contemplating over what to do with the blog. Now that everything is settled, posts should be pretty frequent again.

Thanks for your support and readership through all the changes!

Remember! You can still find me on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Tumblr, and Instagram! And go to the new blog! xoxo

{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}...A Day Late!

The Bag Girls...

Hello, all! So sorry about the post few and far between. Seeing as it is in the middle of midterm season, life is getting busy! But, amidst all the studying and copious notes, I was able to have a fantastic girls' weekend! Two of my best friends came to the cities, and did we have a blast. When you're feeling stressed, spending time with the girls is so therapeutic. Even if you're busy with mountains of to do lists, it's actually productive to be unproductive and silly for a bit. So we pampered ourselves with delicious food, shopping, and outdoor walks! 

I hope your weekend gave you ample time to unwind, be worry free, and girly!

Abby + Katie at Broder's 

Red Velvet Cupcakes...yum!

Photos via Instagram and by me. 

{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}...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}...Ye Olde Faire

 The Renaissance Fair reopened for this last weekend of September, before the cold autumn weather really sets in. Some friends and I drove to Shakopee for the day to enjoy the sights and sounds (and flavors) of the Renaissance and enjoyed the gorgeous weather! The Ren Fair is a unique place. As always, the dress code was varied, with amazing period appropriate pieces, modern interpretation; corsets, bralets. And then there were people like us, in everyday street clothes. The hot sun and dirt fairgrounds made for a tiring, dirty, but fun day! As the sun set, the sky turned pale and fuzzy, with a blurry full moon whispering through the dusty air. It was thick and warm as the kicked up dirt in the atmosphere started to settle while people left for the evening.

 The Puke and Snot show was fantastic. The longest running Ren Fair show, it's still hilarious, relevant, and a tad bit naught. While I didn't go for a turkey leg this year, the cream puffs were simply heaven.

 All in all, it was such a successfully fun weekend! I think most people would be hard pressed to find an experience like the Renaissance Fair. You arrive feeling skeptical, tour around feeling both out of place and included in something uniquely special, and leave feeling tired, sated, and childlike.

How was your weekend? I hope you enjoyed the gorgeous weather and did something out of the ordinary! That's what makes life interesting. xoxo

Top photos via Instagram

{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}...Totally Baked

A low key weekend is just what the doctor ordered. And I got it! After a full two weeks of being back in the swing of things, I did some much needed relaxing. And that obviously means baking! Since a hint of fall was in the air, and I had extra bananas, it only made since to bake up a batch of banana nut muffins. Yum, right? Feeling inspired, I finally watched Julie and Julia. (Meryl Streep is a goddess, right?) And with welcoming fall, I had to celebrate the last week of summer with a little ice cream. After all, it got super hot, so we were baking on the fourth floor! Looks like cool breezes and blue skies for the last week of summer. Yay!

Hope you enjoyed your weekend.

P.S...Are you getting psyched for the last season of The Office to air on Thursday? Abby and I have been re-watching the eighth season on Hulu Plus to make sure we're all caught up before our party!

Photo via

{Weekend Update}...Homegrown Talent

My hometown is Eau Claire, WI and we are now known for the indie band Bon Iver. I like to mention I went to the same high school as Justin Vernon. Yeah, that's how I impress... But have you heard of Jeremy Messersmith? He is a Minneapolis, MN native and is fantastic. His Midwestern tour starts today, so on Saturday he came to the U of M campus for a pre-tour concert. It was an intimate outdoor concert. With the crisp evening breeze and his adorable bow tie, sweater, guitar combination, Fall seems to have officially begun. 

How was your weekend? Is it fall yet? Was this past week the first week of school for you? Or were you simply busy?

Photo 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. 

{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}...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!

{Weekend Update}...Chalk It Up to Summer

 A fantastic event illustrated our weekend in Eau Claire. A local downtown park hosted the fourth ChalkFest, an annual festival-meets-competition for local artists. Each participant is allotted a section of the twisty, woven sidewalks in gorgeous Wilson Park. The viewing starts in the late morning around eleven and last all day, into the summer evening. Although rainy in the morning, it cleared up and proved to be a beautiful evening for strolling down to the park to enjoy art, music, and summer lovin'. The winning piece for adults was the amazing lion (pictured below) and the youth competition winner (top photo) is a family member! Holla! I'm so proud to live in a community that celebrates creativity in so many ways!

These great creations made me think back to childhood when my masterpiece was dusty, and I, covered in chalk dust, was so sad when it was washed away by midnight rains. But there was nothing better than creating something just as new and special the very next day.

I hope your summer was a fantastically summery one, filled with color, sunshine, and maybe some chalk!

{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

{Weekend Update}...Work n' Stuff

This weekend was busy. You know those busy weekends that feel like they drag, and then suddenly, it's Monday? And you're like woah, it's not the weekend anymore. That was this weekend. Old Navy is having their big "Stuff and Save" sale, it's crazy right now! Although I worked quite a bit, I had plenty of time to think (and start Mad Men!). 

When I'm at work, I love seeing all the people milling about. I so often wonder about their lives. People always appear so happy when they shop; at least I do. Some people get crabby and I wonder if they're always this snappy. Who knows? I am a person that likes people. But it's confusing, because sometimes, my intuition tells me otherwise. We'll have more on this this week, so stay tuned. Let's get you interested, though....

Are you outgoing, or are you an introvert? 

When you're feeling blue, what's therapy for you?

Are you creative? Mathematical and linear? Can you be both?

I hope you had a wonderfully thoughtful weekend! Happy Monday, all!

Photo via