Where Has The Week Gone?

Somehow I missed the fall leaves on the trees.  They still look pretty on the sidewalk, though.

The days just seem to be flying by lately.  I feel like I wake up on Monday morning, go to work and when I come home it's suddenly Friday night.  I honestly can hardly remember what even happened to me this week.  I found these pictures on my computer, which offer some clues as I piece together my week. 

I'm feeling very ambitious about embracing fall this weekend.  I was hoping to drive around and look at the pretty fall leaves on the trees, but I'm a weekend too late and they've fallen to the ground by now.  My new plan is to drive around and look at the pretty fall leaves scattered on the sidewalk.  I'm nothing if not flexible.

Cinnamon rolls for Sunday football.  Maybe not traditional football fare, but definitely a mixture of my favorite foods: sugar, cinnamon and carbs.

A self portrait with red balloons.  How many times in life do you get the chance to walk around with a huge bunch of balloons?  Not often enough.

Ever since the royal wedding in April, I have been obsessed with these English breakfast foods.  A toasted crumpet, a dab of butter and a generous dollop of lemon curd.  Jolly good.

I took a photography class this week.  Here I demonstrate my mastery of aperture. 

We went to a MN Wild hockey game on Thursday night.  Beers, jalapeno nachos, an overtime shootout.  If every Thursday night was like that, I would be a happy girl.

In the Kitchen {Biscotti}

I love me some biscotti.  It makes breakfast so much more sophisticated than toast or cereal.  And a cookie for breakfast?  Yes, please. 

As much as I love biscotti, I've never baked up a batch of my own.  I'm not sure why I haven't, though.  I loved the whole process of chopping, mixing and shaping the dough with my hands.  I was most excited that even early on the biscotti looked like the store-bought biscotti I'm used to.  And the end result!  So yummy--crunchy and just sweet enough with a hint of orange.  

(Recipe)

Real [Glamorous] Life

{Closet Visit}

I've been drooling over a couple of sites lately.  Each offers a slice of real [beautiful, artistic] people living their real [gilded, glamorous] lives.  If you are in the mood for a little inspiration in the form of giant, saturated photos check out Closet Visit, The Glow and My Vibe My Life.

{The Glow}

{Kelly Wearstler's My Vibe My Life}

The Runaway Bunny

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Nostalgia

Do you remember The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown? It's a really sweet children's book about a little bunny who threatens to disguise himself and run away from home. His mama assures him that every time he runs away she will find him and bring him back. "If you become a boat," she says, "I will become the wind and blow you home."

  

A suggestion for the sequel: "If you become a lamp, I will buy you from Anthropologie, bring you home and decorate my library with you."

My Life List

I've done it.  I've written a life list.  I wasn't really sure if I even wanted to make one--they kinda seem done by now, you know?  But, then I thought about it and I realized something.  One of my deepest held beliefs is in the power of intention.  I believe that putting an idea out into the universe is a powerful thing.  Like attracts like, so the things you say and think become reality.  I believe writing does the same. 

If I could come with a list of things I would be disappointed to leave the planet without trying, why not make it known to the world?  Why not invite into my life the things that I'm curious about and excite me in a concrete way? 

So, I put together a list of goals and dreams large and small.  Some of the things are easy (wear red lipstick, make Christmas cookies) and some more complicated (become a millionaire, visit Buenos Aires), but all are things that I absolutely don't want to miss out on. 

I'm ready to roll up my sleeves and get started. I'll report back.

See Paris: eat croissant, picture with the Eiffel Tower, use a little French • Skinny dip • Throw pots on a wheel • Picnic under apple blossoms in full bloom • Walk across the Golden Gate Bridge • Change the oil in my car • Sit on a jury • Sip a mint julep at the Kentucky Derby • Take my mom to Hawaii • Get a spray tan • Visit Greece: stuff self with Greek food, dip toe in Mediterranean • Save up one year's salary • Road trip across America in an RV • Become a better swimmer - swim 50 laps all in a row • Drop a dollar in a guitar case • Gamble in Vegas • Dye my hair brown • Attend a rodeo: wear cowboy boots • Do yoga on a regular basis • Know all about wine • Run a marathon • Have the perfect, cozy bed • Knit a sweater • See Tokyo: eat sushi, sing karaoke • Take the train to Chicago • Attend the Oscars • Try vegetarianism for a month • Buy a kayak (and use it!) • Plant tulip bulbs • Try acupuncture • Learn to make Thai food • Visit a hot spring • Hula hoop for 3 minutes straight • Drink wine in a Napa Valley vineyard • See Stonehenge • Adopt a dog • See Montreal • Open a bakery and serve perfect weekend breakfasts • Have a family • Stand atop the Great Wall of China • Master smokey eye makeup • Stay in the ice hotel • Take a hayride • See the Grand Canyon • Spend a weekend free from technology • Visit the Taj Mahal • Purchase personalized stationary • Learn to make Greek food • Mix up 15 fun cocktails (ideas: Sangria, Moscow Mule, Egg Nog, Singapore Sling) • Make and can my own jam • Bake homemade versions of Girl Scout cookies • Read some of the classics • Visit a haunted house • Attend Mardi Gras: wear a mask, collect beads, eat a beignet at Cafe Du Monde • Become a millionaire • Jump into a leaf pile • Watch all of the American Film Institute's 100 Greatest American Movies • Spend a night in a castle • Try body boarding • Learn to juggle • Swing from a trapeze • Try veganism for a month • Spend a week at a 5-star spa • Go to Rome • Try the Atkins diet for a month • Make a batch of gorgeous Easter eggs • Gallop on a horse • Make a necklace • Go to Sydney • Visit Buenos Aires • Kiss the Blarney Stone • Make my own ice cream • Learn to make Spanish food • Buy a cabin • Learn to play a song on the piano • Learn to play the guitar • Memorize a poem • Figure out how to convert Fahrenheit to Centigrade • Learn to line dance • Float in a hot air balloon • Take a helicopter ride • Belly dance • Get to and maintain my fighting weight • See the Mona Lisa • Get a Master's degree • Learn to blow glass • Throw a clambake • Throw a surprise birthday party • See Puerto Rico: swim in the bioluminescent waters • Make ravioli from scratch • Learn to make Mexican food • Learn how to do a drum roll • Host a masquerade party • Take a drawing class • Take a foreign language class • Fly in a blimp • Take a nap in my very own backyard hammock • Zip line through a canopy • Rock climb • Take a camping trip: pitch a tent, build a bonfire, wear flannel • Fly a plane• Sew homemade Halloween costumes for my future children • Own a house • Perform a closet makeover • Be an extra in a movie • Learn to make French food • Host a dinner party • Go on an African safari: ride in a Jeep, see an elephant • Learn to decorate a cake • Plant a huge backyard garden • Be a tourist in my hometown (150 Things to Do in Minneapolis) • Set foot in all 50 states • Set foot on all 7 continents • Wear red lipstick • Do a detox diet for a week • Compost • Take golf lessons • Do the splits • Ride my bike to work  • Take ballroom dance lessons • Take a vacation dedicated to volunteering • Attend Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany • Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro • Make 1,000 great recipes • Make 1,000 beautiful things • Send out holiday cards • Ride on a float in a parade • Milk a cow • Make some earrings • Be a guest on NPR • Watch a match at Wimbledon • Take a ferry to get an ice cream cone, like I did when I was little • Install a rain barrel • Learn to snow board • Do pilates regularly • Fully decorate a house • Be a member of a sports team • Be an active alum at my alma mater • Write a book • Take 5000 great pictures • Sit on the board of a non-profit • Knit some doggy mittens (a family tradition) • Complete a triathlon • Meet a US president • Witness the Northern Lights • Ring a church bell • Knit a hat • Attend a movie premier • Bet on a horse race • Do 30 fun things in 30 days • Make Christmas cookies • Become a regular at a farmer's market • Learn to water ski • Revamp my baking supply storage system • Take a surfing lesson • Host Thanksgiving • Treat myself to a bouquet every month for a year • Climb a mountain

Wear A T-shirt To Work (And Get Away With It)

Remember when I mentioned wearing a t-shirt under a blazer to work (and getting away with it)?  I've been busy thinking of other ways to wear a t-shirt to the office (and get away with it).  It's not that I want to be sloppy at work, it's just that I want to look nice and feel comfortable, you know?  Plus a part of me feels like it is a game--tricking the man at his own game (and getting away with it).


So, without further ado, three ways to wear a t-shirt to the office (and get away with it):

[Great Plains scoop neck t shirt, Madewell polka dot button down, T Tahari crystal earrings, Madewell necklace, Alexander McQueen boot cut pants, MICHAEL Michael Kors chunky bangle, J crew bracelets, Banana Republic handbag, Madewell flats]

Try layering a tee over a button down--it's a little preppy, a little cool and a lot comfortable. I wear a version of this all the time. I like to also thrown on a long necklace and lots o'bracelets.

[Meet Mark jacket, Madewell cotton tee, Chan Luu scarf, H&M pants, Proenza Schouler clutch, Jasmine heels, Anthropologie cuff, Anthropologie necklace, Anthropologie posts]

Wear a t-shirt, but fancy it up with a jacket, pretty jewelry and a pair of heels.  You'll come out on the right side of the business casual math problem every time.

[Anthropologie necklace, J Crew hoop earrings, J Crew crystal bangle, Anthropologie tee, Anthropologie trench coat, Anthropologie vintage gold ring, Anthropologie skirt, Anthropologie satchel, Anthropologie pumps]

One of the best ways to get away with a t-shirt at work is wearing a fancy tee.  I like a fancy tee particularly with a skirt (and some fun baubles).  I am in love with that trench and those shoes, too.  Nothing casual about them!