Merry Christmas!

I tried taking artsy shots of my table setting but I'm not much of a photographer. We had only 3 place settings at our 'just family' christmas dinner last night. It lacked aesthetic symmetry -- but mostly lacked my silly, fun-making, "turn up the music," dancing/singing counterpart -- my sister. We missed you gretchie!

Coffee Shop Hopping

I'm taking a much needed homework break to update my blog. I've been working way too hard on my senior project and when I get stressed out, food sometimes becomes my comfort. Today I only needed to work on my computer which meant I was able to go one of the coffee shops I love in this town. Around 10AM I went to The Golden Leaf which is more of a lunch place and gathering of empty nest women. Around noon I started getting hungry and ordered a veggie panni with olive pesto, portabello mushrooms, feta cheese, spinach, and one more thing I forgot. AND, it came with Broccoli BLEU cheese soup! It was delicious! I wish I would have taken a picture of it all because it was so pretty and colorful. After about 4 hours there, I went home and started to work but was distracted by my roommates. It's impossible to work at home when your roommates are as entertaining as mine. So, I headed to coffee shop # 2: LEGACY CHOCOLATES! I just divulged in an 85% coca coconut truffle and a latte with hemp milk. A.MAZ.ING. I don't think I should go to another one tonight (due to being a poor college student) although being in a great atmosphere adds a really nice counterbalance to homework. I think I deserve it right now.

thankfuL for...

my SENIOR PROJECT . . . hahahahahahaha.
jUST kiDDING! Pretty much want to drop out of schooL.

but really, I am thankful for:
1. Being home for thanksgiving.
2. My mom and dad for helping with my project
(and just my mom & dad)
3. Gretchie for sending me the "grape lady" you tube video.....watch it - it always gets a laugh!
4. My ULTRA supportive friends. It's unbelievable how amazing they are....I love you guys!
5. My faithful readers - you are few & far between - i appreciate your loyalty and comments :)

My mom always makes our tables beautiful like this one for special dinners -- sometimes i help :)

f l u o r e s c e n t

Back in 2004, Richard Box created this display of 1301 fluorescent bulbs lit by power lines. I don't understand how it works exactly -- something about the energy surrounding the lines? Wouldn't this have been a fun surprise for an unexpected passerby?

Cynthia Warren Design

I enjoy Cynthia Warren's simple clothes-pined picture rails. She has such a great eye for color and texture too. My desk could maybe look like this for a day??

puppy love

I'm not even a huge dog lover but I found this cute little friend on
A Cup of Jo. I just want to give him a BIG hug he's so precious.

Goodmorning

I LOVE breakfast. It is the reason I am able to drag myself out of bed. I think I was too spoiled while I was growing up because my breakfasts actually looked like this. The cream of wheat was so smooth and sweet, the pancakes were mickey mouse and the "have a good day" notes were usually found later in my lunches. Thanks mom and dad! I hope I am this kind of creative and thoughtful mother someday.

photo credit: decor amor, desire to inspire, simply breakfast

Remembering the Souls of Our Departed

Tonight at mass we commemorated our loved ones who have passed and lit candles on their behalf. Their names were read aloud during communion and the litany of saints was sung. It was such a beautiful service. I wish I had a photo of our church altar because it was covered in tea lights -- each representing a loved one who had passed in 2008. Instead, I grabbed one from the church I was lucky enough to attend all summer -- St. Patrick's Cathedral. I'm sure this image doesn't do justice to the service they held today.

image: St. Patrick's Cathedral, NYC

Happy Halloween!

this little jack-o-lantern is Gabrielle Blair's cutie from this costume post on Design Mom

Wedding veils and hair pieces

I was feeling like a wedding post. My friends keep getting married!


ban.do #11


SWEETS N LO via Etsy


Feather Flower on Etsy




This was my track teammate Taylor. She made her veil and dress -- isn't she so talented & classy?

Stefanie van Keijsteren

I'm lovin' this cozy scarf from Stefanie van Keijsteren with the all the different woven fibers together.

Minnesota Love

I keep telling Britta she needs to be a professional photographer. Aren't these pictures she took of our beautiful state gorgeous? I love fall! Check out her photoblog here. She is posting a year of pictures - it's my new favorite blog to check daily.

hair clip holder :)

Isn't this super cute? Bobbies would maybe start sticking around longer.

zane & inzane photography

how perfect, relaxing, and beautiful? I love the subtleness in these pictures.





flickr: zane&inzane

birds at church

I found this cute wall decal on etsy. When my sister was little she thought birds were at church when they were perched on powerline.

I miss you!

Spinach, mushroom, feta omelet, I want you for breakfast today! NYCers, head to 50th and 2nd ave for the best breakfast you've ever tasted!

what is graphic design?

This is for all my graphic friends out there.
via: swissmiss

more lOVELY shoes

In keeping with the shoe theme -- how pretty are these?

Stella McCartney shoes

Mary Kate + these faux-patent leather and wood shoes make for a great post. Do you agree?

Pretty pearls

I think these pearl rings are hopelessly romantic, elegant, and classy. Buy them (or other beautiful custom jewelry) for me here.

Baby Love

I'm currently designing a new baby bottle, formula scoop & holder, and brush to clean your bottle that travel nicely for moms on the go. Anyway, while browsing the net for inspiration images I keep finding cute babies. I couldn't resist posting her. How precious and adorable is she?

Schema Seating from Isu

British furniture manufacturer Isu. I love the proportions. Does it grab you?

door mat

cONgRATS . . . you've made it to the finish another day!

Andrea Pininfarina

Yesterday the Italian community and designers everywhere lost an incredible and driven business man, colleage, and icon. Andrea Pininfarina the CEO of the world famous Italian design company which designs Ferraris, Fiats, and Ford Focuses was killed in a traffic accident near Turin, Italy. Here are just a few of many Pininfarina designs...

2006 Ferrari P4/5

2008 Maserati Gran Turismo

1966 Alfa Romeo Spider

a little sweet bite . . . or 3.

I was looking for a little treat today and threw together these super cute jazzed up girl scout cookies. Shortbread cookie + dollop of whip cream + fresh raspberry + dark chocolate syrup = yUM yUM! Aren't they cute?

uncoooked cards

Check out these absolutely crazy adorable random hilarous cards! These are my favorites but there are a BUNCH here. It's worth your time to look -- i promise.


Gretchen and I gave this one to our dad :)

Grandma's, Green Mill Guys, Good Times.

Yesterday my friends ran the Grandma's 1/2 marathon in Duluth, MN. This post is to congratulate them (kinda). CONGRATS GUYS!
but it's also to recall our Grandma's experience one year ago. After the race and later that night we went out in Duluth to find something to eat/see what was going on. It was one of those not-planned, not expecting to stay out late, not knowing where to go nights that turned into 12 free coronas, free apps, flattery and conversation from rich older men, free admission into a dance bar, getting to watch 30 year old men who can't dance try, money for calling in sick to work, and a date for Gretchen. WOW, what a great night! I hope you missed us this year guys....

yay gretchie - mile 13!

this is what started it all . . . parallel parking.