Dry Spell

I've hit a dry spell. I haven't updated in ages, I haven't had a good cup of tea for the past few nights, and I've been resorting to skinnies and flats for the what seems like an eternity. Basically, I'm off my game. These dry spells sneak up, don't they? Out of nowhere and boom, everything is off kilter. I'm not making excuses but this bipolar weather makes it difficult to find a good routine. It's light, it's dark, cold, hot, rainy, breezy. A good solid rain would help my muse, I believe. Do you ever have times when things are just, well, off? What helps you to get back in the swing of things? What inspires you?

Lip Off

Rose Salve, Apple Rose Salve, Mentha Lip Tint, Mentha Lip Buffer

With this chilly weather upon us and freezing winds fast approaching, I find myself stocking up. One of the worst parts of fall and especially winter is dryness. I can't stand anything more than chapped lips. Ladies, it's no fun and kind of gross. I'm a huge fan of great lipstick, but in order for it to look fantastic, your lips need to be in great shape. CO Bigelow makes the best lip care! I'm obsessed. I'm never without it!

It's Easy Being Green

The color green and I go way back. I love the color green. I like the summer, playing frisbee on the freshly cut green grass, I prefer green apples over red apples and green grapes over red grapes. Green Bay Packers, emeralds, Kermit the Frog, Gumby! Green is a color associated with Christmas and St. Patrick's Day, so in my book, happiness. I have green nail polish, green shoes, green pens. Money is green, spring is green, lime jello is green. (And who doesn't like lime jello?!) Green tea is amazing and green bananas? Don't get me started. Then green got the best of me. And I mean the bad green. Jealousy. Now, other than green matching my eyes (which is delightful for the things above), jealousy isn't my most becoming quality. And I'm learning that although it's easy, it's not good! I took the strengths quest finder test and one of my top five strengths is input. This means I'm a collector and sure enough I am! I have documentation of almost everything I do from every ticket stub with my boyfriend to maps of places, letters, even those crappy notecards you get with a bouquet of flowers. So obviously, my instinct is that a strength is good, right? For the most part yes, until is also rears its ugly head as a weakness. Input. I collect. I hang on to things. See where I'm going? I'm a good grudge holder. Seriously, I could win the Olympics in holding grudges. This leads to a heightened chance of greenness. So, I'm curious today, is it easy being green?
Green

WAM

WAM exterior.

No, I'm not talking about the George Michael WHAM, although I do love that! I'm talking about the Weisman Art Museum.  An amazing new addition to Minneapolis, MN on the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities campus. After some extensive remodeling, it is finally open and I couldn't be more thrilled! First off, I think it's marvelous that this art museum is right on campus and free. It makes art so much more accessible to the young adult demographic. There are so many amazing exhibits and galleries! Georgia O'Keefee, Edith Carlson, and Mardsen Hartley. Here's a few of the art you can see if you go! p.s. the WAM shop is the farthest thing from the stereotypical gift shop. A funky, artistic, eclectic little shop. Great place for those chilly days when you need so inspiration and color.

Leftovers

Loring Pasta Bar

I actually did not have any leftovers from my weekend. It was all too good! However, I was going through some pictures of my weekend escapades, and lo and behold, I found two quick shots I took from my evening at the LPB! Here's a few leftover pictures from my wonderful fall weekend. I guess you could say I took a vacation in the place I live. I so enjoyed exploring my town as a visitor!

Cool interior of the LPB. 

You'll have to excuse the possible weirdness of this one. If you can believe it, this is part of the restroom. Brick, gilded mirrors, hand blown lights. The most mysteriously decadent trip to wash my wands ever.

{Weekend Update}...Loring Pasta Bar

The Loring Pasta Bar*

Amazing food, amazing music, amazing ambiance. Sorry readers, no pictures from me this time! I'm so disappointed to report such, but I simply was so taken aback with the mood of The LPB. It's in a great location and has the most sophisticated, dark, chill quality that every great Pasta and Jazz bar calls for. I had the Vegetarian Orzo which had the perfect amount of balsamic! Delicious! I also got to sample some of  the  Fettuccini Carbonara. I highly recommend both. There is a mysterious quality with the brickwork, candles, and dim hand blown glass lights that is indescribable. Also, I can't applaud the musicians enough! A soulful set of five musicians (piano/vocals, bass, guitar, tenor sax, and drum) that seriously set the entire flavor for the evening.

*photo via theloringcafe.com by Jeffery Austin

Huzzah

Looking for  a good show with some time travel? Find yourself a Renaissance Festival. The end of summer into middle autumn usually hosts a plethora of fairs. I've gone two years in a row now and am always entertained. So much to do and see! It's the culture shock everyone craves when they can't leave the country for a week. See flame and sword eaters, ride elephants, participate in a turkey leg eating contest, find beautiful jewelry and headpieces. There's great art and pottery for sale and the food is delicious. There aren't many places to eat a legitimately good turkey leg and sit at the outdoor pub every 20 feet. It's beyond fun. I absolutely adore the lightheartedness and dedication to character most of the participants at the fair have.

The beautiful country side for the magic garden.

Pigs, elephants, sheep, oh my!

Intense turkey leg eating contest-messy!

Renaissance madrigals.

Rainy Day

Rainy day from the window of the bus.

Finally, a rainy day. I seriously think that living in the midwest is a blessing and a curse. I get to experience every single season and all sorts of weather. Furthermore, I'm so blessed to not have to experience any serious weather catastrophes. Today is the first real gray blustering day with some clouds, rain, and puddles. Here's some of my rainy day necessities.

Mumford & Sons has a rich, unique sound that compliments any gray day.

Ben Folds album Wat to Normal features one of the most simplistically moving song, Cologne. One of the best rainy day mood setters.

Cologne-Ben Folds

A colorfully whimsical umbrella with your favorite flower (mine's Gerber Daisies) to brighten any bleary day.

Hunter Rain Boots

(WI)nning State

Via Lombardi Ave.

I must admit, I am not a sports fanatic. Actually, I'm pathetic when it comes to my athletic ability. Don't get me wrong, I can toss a frisbee when I need to, but for the most part, I do a pretty good rendition of Happy Gilmore for every sport. That being said, I don't tend to follow sports since I'm no good and therefore can't appreciate them. However, being a Wisconsin native has it perks. This year, even I can't stay away from the overwhelming amount of victory we have. The Brewers, The Packers, The Badgers, you're making me proud. 

I went to Milwaukee over the summer for a short weekend trip and enjoyed a great show, toured the brewery, ate at amazing restaurants and even took in a game of baseball at Miller Park. 

Miller Park

Sprechen Sie Deutsch?

Reichstag

About a week ago, October 3rd, people around the world celebrated Der Tag der Deutschen Einheit. Der Tag der Deutschen Einheit is a day celebrating the reunification of Germany. It is a national holiday on the third of October commemorating the German reunification in 1990. One of the reasons it is not celebrated when the Berlin Wall came down, August 9, 1989, is because August ninth in 1938 was Kristallnacht, Night of Broken Glass, in which the Nazis led the first pogrom against the Jews. Therefore, this day would be extremely inappropriate to celebrate. The Day of German Unity also celebrates the anniversary of the re-founding of five German states, Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringen. It is celebrate annually with festivals for citizens and ceremonial acts. Celebrations are usually centrally located at a specific state capital, but there are always celebrations in Berlin around the Brandenburg gate. Furthermore, the celebrations begins early since Oktoberfest begins the first Sunday of October and extends to the 3rd. I visited Germany and central Europe a few summers ago and was amazed by the culture and history. Forget Paris and Spain! Visit Germany and enjoy some amazing museums, food and art!

Brandenburg Gate

Berlin Wall

Danish Day

In my opinion, every day should be danish day. However, I don't think we'd truly appreciate the danish then. Therefore, it's not that mystifying that some many lovely cafes have Sundays reserved as Danish Day. What better way to begin the week than with an amazing cup of hot coffee and a warm apple danish. Have  I mentioned how much I love fall? Wishing you all a wonderful sunny autumn day.

Finally Fall

I am beyond thrilled that it's fall. I visited my hometown the last weekend and was so glad to be back in a rural area. The homecoming was, of course, complete with our families traditional visit to Pleasant Valley. It's the most beautiful quaint area for fall and winter. It's something I find myself missing when I'm in the city. Apples, pumpkins, corn field mazes, petting zoo, country crafts, folk music, and wagon rides. Perfect fall.

{Make It}...Pillow Perfect

I recently moved, and to be honest, my furnishings are depressing. I haven't put much effort into actually decorating the place. However, some quick home made pillow added the perfect cozy touch! Now the space feels less like a warehouse but a very bare bones living area. Also, company loves a personal touch. It's great being able to say you made them when a visitor asks where you bought the accent pillows. Don't be afraid to play with bold patterns and prints!