{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

{Eat It}...Let's Roll

Ages ago I actually made dinner. Can you believe it? I've always been a huge asparagus fan...then tomatoes entered the picture. And I liked them! They look beautiful together, so they must taste amazing when paired, right? Right! Oh, and did I mention I'm a chicken? Well, sort of. I've never really cared for red meats. I don't know why, but given the choice between a fancy steak and a piece of chicken, I'll take chicken. I'm a poultry junkie. So I was craving this delicious pairing and followed this recipe. They're chicken roll ups with asparagus and tomato. Add a little parmesan cheese and some tooth picks and you have yourself a great meal! Note, they look ultra fancy and elegant on a plate, but are sooo easy to make!

If you try these, I'd love to see what you think of them! What else would you do with a chicken roll up? I'd love to try rolling in onion and pineapple and then serving with a sweet & sour sauce! What about you?

{Curious}...Stuffed Animals: How Long Is Too Long?

As I get older, I am increasingly more curious about the childhood stuffed animal. Throughout my youth I favored various buddies, including Teddy, Purple-Berry, Oatmeal, Employee Bear (weird name, I know), Horsey, etc. Teddy, being my all time favorite, has aged with me, for he has been around since I was born. The others would come and go like transient nomads as my interest would ebb and flow. 

But I have a confession.

I still have my stuffed animals. A few maintain a permanent residence at my parents' (my childhood) home. But I have the others. And... sometimes (almost always) I snuggle up with them. After all this time, I can't seem to rid myself of them. But why?

Some of my theories include: 

It's just like having a companion to sleep with, which is comforting, but they lack body heat. I can't stand being warm when I sleep, so this makes sense. The snuggle without the sizzle. 

Those who cuddle with their childhood animals are yearning for those carefree years. I understand that; it's like a portal to an easy, cozy time. Doesn't the adult world seem to filled with so many worries? 

They're just so darn cute. And soft. 

A less interesting idea, but definitely possible for me... They're squishier than pillows! I swear. Stuffed animals feel better for resting your head than standard pillows. Why? They have limbs, and extra fluff, and they're flexible. Perfect for adjusting your neck and head. 

So I'm curious. Do you still have your buddies from long ago? If so, do they sit in a corner, or do you still cuddle up every once in a while? I've heard of parents who basically ween their child from their stuffed animals. That seems a little harsh to me. What's your opinion? How long is too long? When is time to let go?

Firework Fashion

Can you believe June has already come and gone? It seems like just yesterday I was leaving school... July is here in full force which means it's time to grab some fireworks, start the grill, and celebrate. Every Fourth of July my family gets to our local park early in the day and stakes out the prime spot for watching fireworks. We all put together patriotic little outfits (I always throw in a pop of a different color, like yellow, to mix it up a bit), grill out, enjoy the sun and each other. Whatever your plans are for tomorrow, here are some easy, flag inspired looks. I

Daytime BBQ: Blue Shorts (Madewell) / Espadrilles (Soludos) / Metallic Tote (Baggu) / White Tank (Old Navy)

Firework Cocktails: Yellow/Navy Necklace (Kate Spade New York) / Tie Dye Dress (Topshop) / Red Clutch (Rebecca Minkoff) / Metallic Wedges (Chinese Laundry)

{Weekend Update}...Paradise

After a whirlwind two weeks in the sunshine state, Florida, I'm back! The whether was temperamental, but incredibly relaxing and the sky was breathtaking. Sunrise and sunset were both an essential part of our days on the beach; and what a wonderful life! We canoed, swam, boogie-borded, sunbathed, grilled & brunched. How relaxing. This is a photo of the brilliant sunrise on New Smyrna Beach. 

After a week at the beach, we migrated to Orland for a marathon of six parks in six days. It was exhausting and thrilling rolled into one. I can't wait to share some of the beautiful photos and stories from our trip! I hope you have a good one while I've been away. Although my fabulous vacation has ended, I'm so looking forward to getting back into things!