{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}...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}...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

{Fall Threads}...Museum Hopping

One of the best parts of the Twin Cities is the number of museums we have. It's spectacular! My two favorite art museums are The MIA and The Walker. The U of M campus even has a rad museum, WAM. When I'm at a museum, I like to look like fit in. You know, kind of sophisticated. I don't want to look boring though. That's why I usually go with all black and neutrals, with lots of metallics and some pops of color. 

Bonus, by wearing mostly black, you can transition to night!

P.S...Did you know that there are only four Roman replicas of the Doryphoros? There are three in Europe and the last one is at the MIA in MPLS! We're totally boss. 

Sweater / Studs / Jeans / Bangles / Watch / Bag / Scarf / Shoes

{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}...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

Good Rivers Make Good Neighbors

I'm headed over to Minnesota on this fine day for a productive and fun excursion. I've got a meeting right away once I get to The Cities and then we're off shopping! I've got Mom, Dad, and Abby in tow. It's so wonderful living in Western Wisconsin, because I sometimes get that small town feel, but we're really very close to some fantastic metropolitan areas, like the Cities and Chicago. I think this shirt is just adorable. It made me laugh out loud a bit. The only two states I've ever inhabited and they're both so wonderful. Friend rivals, which is fun!

Even though we get along like butter and toast, MN & WI love to get after each other. Do you have a friendly rivalry with a neighboring state, or is it a Midwestern thing? We love to tease each other, but we wouldn't know what to do without 'em!

Lions, Tigers, Bears, Oh My!

One leg, many feathers

Over the weekend I did lots of cleanin' and such. But before that, I also squeezed in plenty of fun, like a spontaneous trip to the Twin Cities for a day at the zoo! Nick had an appointment in St. Paul, so we made a day of it, stopped by Grandpa Ed's and took the boys (Luke and Owen) to Como Park Zoo. For the first time in my life, I drove through the cities! I was terrified (spaghetti junction-yikes!) and couldn't even talk, except for the nervous mutterings periodically. It was dry heat, so we could enjoy aimless wandering and frozen treats. The boys loved Como Town for the water balloon fights and the scrambler, while Nick and I gushed about the baby and mama Orangutans cuddling and kissing. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the zoo! I always thought I would outgrow it. I loved it as a child, and going back brought so many memories to the front of my mind; meanwhile, I also got to create new, wonderful memories. 

Did you go to the zoo when you were a kid? Do you go now? What animals do you have at the zoo? We have an arboretum filled with exotic plants, do you have one? I'd love to know some other great zoos and botanical gardens for the future! Any suggestions would be great!

Arboretum

That's right.

train tracks  // WI in MN

Long road ahead

cold as ice

hangin'

turtle champions

long necks, long lashes

I see stripes

Frogger

Water balloon war champs

let's do this

{Weekend Update}...Visiting

This past weekend, Alex came down to Minneapolis to visit Abby. Of course, I tagged along for practically everything, including a trip to Mall of America. Childishly, the best part of the shopping day wasn't the shopping, but taking a trip down memory lane at Lego Land! We built this lego masterpiece! Sadly, twenty five minutes later when we went to check on it, our house had been demolished. We also took Alex to Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. for the first time! I couldn't believe he's never been there. It was, as always, delicious, and we had a fantastically outgoing waitress. 

I don't have any pictures, but my parents visited us too, because I went with them to Rochester on Saturday. We visited Nick who was a little under the weather (he's doing great-what a trooper) which was so wonderful. This made him feel better. I saw so many people I don't normally get to see this weekend and it was fantastic! Let's face it, no matter how far you have to drive, even if it's a little out of the way from your final destination, visiting family and friends is the greatest. 

{Weekend Update}...Small Town Trip

   This weekend I took a very brief trip to Northfield, MN to visit Nick. I spend so much time in the big city surrounded by bustling people, crazy public transit, concrete parks of skyscrapers and museums and an all together busy atmosphere. I love being in the middle of such an exciting place, but sometimes, you just need to clear your mind.

    This semester has been significantly busier than I anticipated. I have a lot going on with a busy schedule, work & everyday life. Everything has been happening so quickly. Luckily, that means spring break is quickly approaching, but it also means I have lots to do in a little bit of time. With everything going on, I've been pretty stressed & tired out. Do you have weeks where all you seem to do is work, work, work & you still don't feel on top of everything? That was last week for me.

    So this weekend I picked up bus & hauled my work with me to Northfield. Nick goes to St.Olaf & I've never actually visited him there! He always comes here...I feel a little guilty. When I got off the bus, Nick surprised me with my favorite flowers! What a gentleman! 

    It was an amazing weekend filled with window shopping around the town looking in used book stores (yay!), candy shops, where we got some deliciously rich peanut butter fudge, rock climbing, and even going to casino night! I'll admit that while I hold my own with Blackjack, I'm a failure with Poker. There's room for improvement and I'm willing to learn! We stopped by Mandarin Garden for some pot stickers & sesame chicken & finished off the weekend with a little Modern Family. 

    I even got to sit in on Chapel Choir's rehearsal. Needless to say, it was beautifully moving. This weekend was a much needed break from my hectic life. I hope your weekend was equally relaxing. 

Primary Mania

Apartment building on West Bank in Minneapolis

I have the luxury of living near this lovely building....Yes, it appears to be a tad bit dilapidated. However, I am always drawn back to it. It is so bold with its very modular design and primary colors. I like shapes & I like neatness, so anything linear usually interests me. Also, primary colors! Red, yellow & blue are basic, bold & beautiful. This building inspired me somewhat. See what other things I think of when I see this building.

Sky way of parking ramp and Carlson School of Management. 

Piet Mondrian, Tableau 2, 1922

Piet Mondrian, Composition, 1916

1. Blue and White Stripe Playsuit

2. RACHEL Rachel Roy Multicolored Cuff Bracelet 

3. Diane von Furstenberg "Abby" Shoe

4. Rag & Bone Lemon Yellow Silver Tuxedo

Mondrian Painting photos via 

Wall Art

This is a sculpture that is part of a building on the U of M campus. The cool thing about it is it's located right next to the bridge. It's more interactive & engaging because it's not just one dimensional. Sweet right? My favorite part about is actually the side view. It makes me rethink sculpture. I like the idea of having sculpture be a part of something else. It's multifunctional. Everyone likes it because it's both sculpture and wall art. Ingenious. 

Also, I think from the front it looks like a bird staring at me. It has a tiny beak and then one of those crests. What do you think of when you look at it?