Fall Wishlist 2013

Tis the season… to drink captain & cider and cider mimosas (anything cider really)… to frolic in pumpkin patches and meander through corn fields… to cozy up by the fireplace, wrapped in a blanket, drinking hot cocoa… to go on a haunted hayride… to whip out the “heavier” blankets… to day drink watching college football (just like every other year, I’m hopeful THIS YEAR IS THE YEAR Michigan State will make it to the Rose Bowl)… to eat tons of homemade chili and butternut squash soup… to eat CANDY… TO BE MARRIED! That’s right, tis’ the season to be married (for me… and many others). Can’t wait.

Oh yeah, here’s my Fall wishlist J (P.S. Can you tell, I LOVE ETSY?!)

1)       Seasonal throwpillows – this one would be perfection

2)      Farm wood Table! Secret: This is in the process of being built for us!

3)       Chairs to go with the table? Hmm… maybe more extravagant chairs for the ends…

4)       Scarves… all the time! On the lookout for some good new beanies too…

5)      Boots boots boots… cause a girl can never have too many boots! If only I could afford Tory Burch

6)       Leather is always a good idea

7)       I’m sorry, but you can never go wrong with Aztec print in the Fall

8)       Oversized sweaters… seriously thinking about ordering a mystery sweater from the Bearded Bee

Monday Motivators!

[HAPPY BIRTHDAY, APPLE! She turns 1 this Thursday!]

Just another manic Monday...

I am so lucky for the life I have & the people who fill it. No matter how much the day-to-day tries to rule, I have so much that keeps me smiling! 

The following motivators are charging me up this week: 

[Family photos taped to the inside of my planner]

[Me time: Reading a trashy novel on the bike at home...and watching my babies play--or kiss each other]

[Meggie isn't my only music source. Thank you, Starbucks!]

[Apple is finally calming down. She found her spot on the new couch]

[Pretty view from the bike. This is how I've been starting most Friday mornings]

[Internet connection at the gym means Netflix while I work out]

Keep on movin', everyone! Make it a great week.

Links... Lately

I read a lot of blogs, which in turn means that I search the web… a lot. I’m reading one blog, it links to another that links to another that links to a store that links to a store blog that links to something else… and on and on and on. There is a lot of interesting stuff out there! Whether that be articles, new clothes I feel like I have to have (but can’t), new music… and the list continues. So, with that being said, I will be posting my “Links… Lately” on a random basis. With everything going on I don’t think I search the web enough to have this a weekly installment to the blog, but I’ll probably do it more than once a month (maybe not this upcoming month, not a lot of time to search). This will end up being a completely random list of things that I’ve found interesting or inspiring lately. It could be an awesome online store, a cool blog, an awesome source for more music, a funny article, a helpful article. You name it. It could be anything. This will also serve as a place that I can document and revisit if I ever feel like it J

Hint Hint: Court, maybe you want to get in on this action?

1) How happiness changes with age

2) I keep picturing this tray atop our bar cart! I don’t know how much longer I can say no! Also, this is an AWESOME online store for home shopping (update… I BOUGHT ONE):

3) What does your birthday mean.

4) Bubbly Can Boostbrain power: damn straight

5) These articles are always so interesting to read… 1 and 2

NOLA Cafes: Cafe Luna

Most Fridays I have time in the afternoon to catch up on the pile of work that rapidly accumulates during the week. I start the morning with meetings and the afternoon is my "flex" time.
I know myself too much to think for one minute that I'd be productive at home...too many distractions...so I've decided to take advantage of this time and begin a New Orleans coffee shop tour.
There are so many places in this city that I run or drive past...always wondering what they look like inside and who has the best brew.

So, today I begin my series of NOLA Cafes. First up:  Cafe Luna on Magazine Street.

 [Front porch of the house provides a large work space with a pretty view]

[That's a real cappuccino]

Location: Awesome. Near my house (but far enough uptown that I feel like I'm away) and a stone's throw from Audubon Park.
Service: Awesome. The owner is super chill and remembered me from my last visit.
Atmosphere/Decore: Inside is super charming. Local art posted--and swapped out often. The whole cafe is literally an old Victorian house. It has a Southern, New Orleans feel and very different from a big city coffee shop.
Beverages: I have enjoyed both a cappuccino & an apricot iced tea, both yummy.
Food: I order a plain bagel and a piece of fresh fruit when I come (2 visits so far). I wish they had sandwiches or soup.

Score (1-5 cups):  Cafe Luna gets 4 cups! 

Friday Five!

{kalamazoo friends visiting the new house – cheers to new homes, weddings and promotions}

This week has been rewarding. It’s amazing how regaining control (of your job… of your time… of your life!) can be like taking blinders off. All of a sudden it’s like solutions have been there all along, but it’s not until you've taken a step back that the answers are revealed. It’s an amazing and liberating feeling. Hopefully this is just a preview of what’s to come.

This weekend is full of a whole lot of nothing. Max is heading to an MSU alumni golf tournament, so I plan on kicking back, sipping on mimosas, not changing out of sweatpants (yes I’ll be showering) and enjoying a movie marathon with some of my favorite people. Sunday is all about checking things off the to-do list (and let’s be honest, still while in sweatpants). The list is never ending with a new home and a wedding on the horizon (and that’s just my spare time!). But it will be well worth it.

Friday Forte: Robbers– The 1975 (their album released this past Tuesday! Undo was not on it L but many other good songs were)

{seriously thinking of marching back to the mall and getting this for the champagne room!}

{trampoline time on Labor Day}

{The Great Gatspy… didn't see it in the theater, but knew that it would be a movie I want in my future DVD library}

{so ready for this in so many ways!}

Labor Day Weekend

This weekend was everything I hoped it would be and more. It was the perfect combination of relaxation and busyness. The only thing missing... MORE. After a vacation, even something as short as a 3 days off, sometimes you need an extra day to wind down. Oh well. That will come soon enough, until then moving full steam ahead. Here's to many more weekends like this one. I couldn't think of a better way to enter my favorite season of the entire year.

{wallpaper in the ladies room}

{we got rained out}