{Weekend Update}...Spring Fling!

Prosciutto and Arugula Pizza + Blood Orange San Pellegrino

Yum is all I can say about this weekend. In short, I ate like there was no tomorrow. I had my very last concert of the year, The Spring Fling!, which was great fun. A cappella, pop, you name it. It was relaxed and fantastic. I also went to "Fresh Scenes" on Friday night put on by the BFA company. They were amazing. I can't really put it any other way. You know when you go to a production and you know the people in it? The entire time all you think is, "I know these people. This is weird." It wasn't like that. Every scene I was totally engrossed in these characters' lives. I was floored. Before our concert on Saturday, my family and I went to Broder's. They were feature on 'Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives' so we of course had to try it. Great, authentic Italian food. Someday I'll go there again and do a full piece on it. Promise! In case you wondering what else I consumed over the weekend, here's a list: pizza, tiramisu, a cannoli, carrot cake, cappuccino brownie. Don't forget frozen yogurt from Chilly Billy's! Needless to say, I won't eat for another week. Well, probably for a few hours. 

Happy Monday to you all! I hope your weekend was fantastically entertaining and food-filled!

Carrot Cake + Cappuccino Brownie

Amazing.
Original Tart + Raspberry Pomegranate froyo + almonds, coconut, blackberries, raspberries & passionfruit bobas.

Photos via Instagram.

The Five-Year Engagement

I'm a fan of the following: weddings, comedy, Jason Segel (How I Met Your Mother), Emily Blunt (The Devil Wears Prada), the movie Bridesmaids, British accents, films featuring the Midwest. Needless to say, "The Five-Year Engagement looks great! It comes out in theaters today! I'm pretty busy this weekend with a choir concert, so I might not get to see it right away.

Will you see this movie over the weekend? What are your plans? Saturday and Sunday look to be cloudy/rainy in the Cities so perhaps a movie would be perfect! Happy Friday!

Gettin' Busy

The end of the year rush is starting. Are you starting to get really busy? I know I am! I have so much going on. More than usual! How do you keep afloat? I'm very organized and keep a calendar on my computer, phone, as well as carry a planner with me. It's extensive... For college students figuring out class schedules, which can be grueling, Schedulizer is a great tool! 

{I Adore My}...Swisspers!

I know that sounds weird, right? You read it and thought I meant slippers or something. Wrong! I actually really love my Swisspers. For the longest time I removed my make up with tissues. Every night, new tissue. I tried to conserve and stretch it out for maybe two days, but that's gross. Then...

I ran out of Kleenex! In my nail polish treasure chest, I had these cotton rounds for removing lacquer. I tried them out and voila! My makeup came off better than it ever had before! I don't know what it is, but Swisspers are more gentle on my eyelashes and lids, plus they remove so much more! I couldn't believe how clean my eyes look around the edges. No smudges! I recommend trying these out next time you're picking up floss. Bonus, they're cheap! 

Remember, one of the best beauty secrets: don't go to bed with your make up on!!! (Otherwise  you might look like this...)

{Splurge or Save}...Rosy Cheeks

One of my beauty favorites is blush. First of all, I just really love the color of blush and beige. So it makes sense that I love a beautiful rosy cheek on smooth porcelain skin. Blush makes you look like you just came in from the cold after ice skating, or got slightly burned just on your cheeks after a day in the garden. It's girly and natural looking. NARS blush is fantastic. They have great colors. This color has been voted as best blush! However, I'm young and totally skint. (Isn't that fun?! It's a good ol' british word for broke. It makes me feel less poor. :) I really love e.l.f for a beautiful, poppy blush. It's cheap and you can find it in every drugstore on the street corner! Splurge on NARS for when you're feeling decadent. Save on e.l.f when you're late for a date and you swing by CVS for mints. Only 3 buckaroos and you can keep it in your purse! Also, have you ever tried a blush color stick? This one is only a dollar! I might try it out.

Color Blocking I've Been Loving

I'm a big time fan of pretty pinks and lovely blushes. They're so ethereal and feminine. I feel so dainty when I wear typical "girl" colors. Color blocking has been everywhere. I sometimes like the look of a fairly chromatic color blocking look. For example, wearing mostly pinks, blushes, creams. Then, I add a bold, perhaps neon for this season, color. Can teal be neon? Who knows, who cares? This is one of my favorite color combinations paired in a really perfect way. 

{Weekend Update}...Lazy

This was definitely a lazy weekend for me. I have lots coming up! In terms of lazy, I was pretty productive work wise. I was a reading-writing machine! Beyond that, not much happened. Instead of going to SpringJam (I could hear it from my room... lame music, sorry!) I spent some quality time with "The Office". I re-watch episodes I have seen before. Okay, okay! I'm re-watching the entire series. Don't tell me you've never done that! I discovered some hilarious stuff I'd never seen! They're such pranksters. I'm suddenly in a pranking mood. Plus, I ate a lot of good bananas. Hence the banana peel... It was well worth the shame of admitting I watch the same shows over and over again. If it's good, it's good for a reason and deserves to be watched! 

Speaking of shows, have you seen "Girls" on HBO? I've not watched it yet. It sounds interesting. I've also heard great stuff about "Awake" with Jason Isaacs on NBC. Of course, I'm always the last to party. I probably won't start watching these shows until they're a few years old. Lazy, I know. 

Gustav Klimt

Gustav Klimt is one of the most highly acclaimed and recognizable artists from Vienna. He was an Austrian Symbolist painter, but also worked with murals and sketches. His primary subject is the female body and sometimes uses pregnant women, which is quite uncommon. I find these portraits to be just stunning. My mother has a beautiful coffee mug that features one his gorgeous paintings, Judith and the Head of Holofernes (commonly referred to as Judith I). I would love to have a print of Der Kuss as well as the one above, Bildnes der Adele Bloch Bauer I. 

For a fun little extra, KLIMT YOURSELF here. I did!

Photos via  The Online Klimt Museum

Tom Binns

I am in love with these amazing necklaces by Tom Binns. Beautiful, eye catching design! All of these would certainly be the perfect accessory. They could pump up any outfit. Who says bold jewelry has limited use? Tom Binns proves that you can have elegant, edgy, unique jewelry for every occasion. Love it!

Check out his website here!

Office Hours

My first semester of college I went to my professors' office hours constantly. Professors from giant lecture halls knew me by name, knew my intended major (which changed frequently), answered any and all questions I had, and offered advice for my post-college queries. 

Then second semester came. Never did I meet with any of my professors. I had one meeting with a TA for a course-mandated conference about revising papers. The previous semester I was determined and excited to meet my professors and suddenly I had absolutely no desire to know my professors nor for them to know me. What inspired my drastic change in behavior? I honestly have no idea. 

Logically, I would have expected wanting to meet with professors as I became more comfortable and confident at a big, big place like college. The opposite happened. I was less intimidated by faculty first semester, than the second. 

Going to office hours actually helped me in school. Surprise! I know they always say, "My office hours are in place to help you and they are highly under unitized." Now that I think back on it, they were right. Interestingly, we didn't have to talk specifically about problems I was having in class, questions about the readings, or complaining about grades; simply discussing interesting topics that were relevant to their field was what helped. I found that by engaging in the course beyond the lecture hall, grades improved. Making the academic experience personal encouraged me to work harder. I loved the classes more. 

So obviously they're right! Grades and enjoyment of the class is definitely correlated to office hours. 

Not to mention, you'll stand out to your professors as dedicated. They'll see you have a personality. Bonus? Someday when you need a great letter of recommendation, those professors will remember you as the exceptionally bright and personable student. 

Did you go to office hours in college? Did they help you? I'd love your thoughts!

Photo via

Vacation Kicks

I've probably mentioned about a million times that I'm going to Florida with my fam at the end of June. It's been a pretty long year, so you can imagine why I'm so pumped. Since we're flying, I sadly can't really bring all my shoes (as much as I'd like too!) for every outfit. Here's what I'm wondering today...When you're on vacation, what do you put on your feet? We all know I like my chucks. I want to be comfortable whether I'm on the beach, shopping or trekking through the new Harry Potter Park. Any suggestions? I'd love your input! What's your favorite vacation shoe?

Birkenstocks: everyone tells me they're amazing and that their feet haven't been happier. But I think they look so ugly (sorry if you like them!) and have always said I'd go barefoot before wearing them. Should I convert and become a Birkenstock junkie?

Sperry Top Siders: They have the reputation of being ultra cute and comfortable at the same time. I think it's great they have a wedge alternative. Do you go barefoot with these? They look like your feet would get really warm. Are they breathable? Would they be good for a variety of situations?

Soludos Espadrilles: These look super comfy to me. They look so easy to slip on, but also protect your toes from rocks and rogue stroller wheels. But, they also look a little flimsy? Have yours ever fallen apart? I always think Rachel Bilson looks so chic when she wears Espadrilles. Would your feet hurt after a day on the pavement? They look great for the beach.

Keds: they are so similar to my beloved chucks, but have a little bit more femininity to them, which I really like. As you know, I've been debating over which ones to get (help!). With socks, would your feet get super gross after a day of walking? What about water rides and the beach? Do you go sans socks? I'm cool with that as long as I don't get blisters. I like how classic these are. 

TOMS: These have been all the rage lately. Especially after the one day with out shoes. I hate to say it, but I think the classic are kind of ugly. Not so much ugly, but cumbersome and boxy. I think the ballet shoes are cute and chic. They also have wedges. I love that this company has a great cause donating one pair for children for every pair you buy. Thoughts? Do they last? 

I Think I Just Giggled

This is definitely a laugh out load worthy photo. A young Newt Gingrich & our Office favorite, Dwight Schrute. I'm dying here. The hair, the glasses, the forehead.

{Eat It}...Lemon Loaf

How often do you open the cupboards and have everything you need to make a yummy dessert? For me, hardly ever! I don't make much here in Minneapolis as of now, because the kitchen is kind of nasty. Saturday was sunny with just the right amount of chill so that I was craving a delicious dessert. I opened the refrigerator and there were lemons! Perfect. I instantly thought of the tangy lemon loaf they sell at Starbucks. It's surprisingly a perfect pairing with coffee. I used this recipe and it turned out great. All the ingredients are probably found around your house. It makes two loaves, so you can share! Or not. 

For the frosting, I used the basics of this recipe, but modified it a little bit by adding a splash of milk. It sounds insane! But trust me. Without milk, it will be ultra tart, if you like that. I like the frosting to be both creamy and lip puckering. 

 I couldn't find a lemon juicer! So I really worked my hand muscles and just squeezed those lemons! I actually got about a half cup of juice from two lemons! Crazy!

Be warned... if you grate lemons with a standard grater, use a tooth brush to clean it.

For the frosting, I used the basics of this recipe, but modified it a little bit by adding a splash of milk. It sounds insane! But trust me. Without milk, it will be ultra tart, if you like that. I like the frosting to be both creamy and lip puckering.

I also added some sugar sprinkles to make to pretty. The loaf was so moist, the frosting so creamy that the sprinkles added a very slight crunch that made it so much fun to eat!

Eating this makes me feel like this. Enjoy!

{Weekend Update}...Surprise!

A fun surprise for us (and the police) when the meter died mid coin feeding.

This weekend Abby went home for the Viennese Ball! I was planning on staying in the cities to catch up on lots of work. But, surprise! At the spur of the moment I decided to go home as well. I didn't tell my mom so when we drove back with Dad, would couldn't let her know. (Keeping secrets like this are fun, aren't they?) When she came home from work, her surprised excitement was well worth the neglected work on my desk back in Minneapolis. I ended having tons of fun surprising friends and family who weren't expecting me. Not to mention, Abby and Alex looked gorgeous! I ate wonderful food that can only be found in my hometown and enjoyed Jacob's surprise when he ate an entire medium pizza. Woah!

Before...

After!

Friday the 13th

Perhaps the best horror movie ever made, I think I'll be enjoying a little Psycho this Friday the 13th. Have a great (and scary) Friday, everyone! 

p.s. Have you seen this great re-creation of the iconic photo?

Photos 1 / 2

Weekend Plans?

Titanic in 3D is getting quite the buzz. Are you going to see it in theaters? Do you think it will be better than the original, or should they have kept it a "classic" and not tampered with it? I'm kind of itching to see it in 3D! It might be really cool. I'm back in my home town for a quick visit. Abby and Alex are going to the Viennese Ball! How fun and romantic! Maybe I'll hit the gym or watch a movie. Both sound nice. What are you up to this weekend?

Photo Credit: F M Browne, via

Font Frenzy

I love fonts! Who doesn't? I'll admit, I'm getting a little sick of Times New Roman... So many papers in MLA format! But let's just enjoy the prettiness we have right here. 

Oh! And by the way...check out this font shop!

Pretty Poppy

I am so inspired by poppies. Especially the painting by Claud Monet. Claud is always good for a beautifully striking inspiration. Poppies are so vibrant, but delicate. I feel youthful and sophisticated and utterly "poppy" with whimsy and fun.

Is there a flower that evokes a certain mood? Do roses make you feel romantic? Daisies carefree? Hydrangeas gracefully ethereal? I'd love to hear your thoughts!


Scarf / Notecards / iPhone cover  / Poppy by Coach perfume / Blush / Lipcolor / Poppy Corset / Dress / Essie

Disney for Minimalists

I'm loving these minimalist movie posters for Disney films! Although I was never a huge fan of Disney (too frilly and such), I really loved "The Lion King". Obviously, I find it to be the best poster. I also really like the Bambi one. Very cool. I'd totally put these in a children's room for a little artistic inspiration. 

What's your favorite Disney movie? Your favorite poster?

JCS Revival

My all time favorite musical (although I've never actually seen a production) opened on Thursday! The revival production of Andrew Lloyd Weber and Tim Rice's "Jesus Christ Superstar", a rock opera looks amazing! From the word on the newsstands, Mr. Nolan (Jesus) is pretty darn impressive. And that's a hard part! In the past, there has been some debate over the fact that it is such  glitzy, hard rock production since it's featuring the last human days of Jesus before his crucifixion. Also, it was criticized for not featuring the resurrection. Regardless, the music is phenomena. I mean, come on... Rock and opera combined? Sweet!

What's one of your favorite musicals? I have so many! Does it bother you that the musical doesn't feature the resurrection?

Photos by Sara Krulwich/The New York Times via