Say Hello To My Little Friend

Meet my new composter! Mine is an orange version and looks very cute on my counter top. It was my only purchase I made this weekend and I got a great deal on it at one of my favorite stores, HomeGoods.

Hopefully it will help me add many nutrients to my soil so my lil' garden will grow!

(Image via norpro.com)

I'm Not A Quitter. No. I'm. Not.

I've been tempted to quit this little blog project. I wonder what the point of it is, really. Who actually reads this frivolous thing and why do I spend so much time on it? One of my goals was to post daily. I thought it would be easy-peasy but not so much!

The few people who actually read it won't let me quit. So, for all seven of you, I'll continue! Plus, I really set out to do it for myself as a place to post all the things that inspire me and so I should keep at it.

Of course, I compare myself to other bloggers out there who do this full-time or work in creative fields and are surrounded by daily inspiration. Oh, and it seems that almost every blogger has advertisers! I'm just one girl living in a little city posting about a few things that I like. And have seven people who read this.

I also don't want to be one of those people who just regurgitates stuff from other people's blogs (that have been reposted from other blogs...which have been reposted from other blogs...and, well, you get the picture). How unoriginal. But, sometimes I will post things I see on other blogs and I'm ok with that!

Alright, enough rambling. Moral of the story - I'm going to keep trying to post regularly (when I'm feeling inspired) and I'm going to have fun with this and not worry about all that other stuff that doesn't matter. I've got people relying on me!

Phew! That was quite the rambling for sure.

Now I must recover from my lovely weekend where I spent a few days at home and a few days in Minneapolis. Oh, how I miss the city. I had a good time catching up with friends and visiting with my old buddies at work (totally worth the $42 parking ticket! Oy.).

But, I failed to indulge in a Grain Belt or two! The horror.

(Image via adamturman.com)

What I Need

I'm not sure what I would do with this. But I think I need it.

(Image via Irina Graewe)

What I Love: Iconi Interiors

My friends warned me. Don't go there, they said. You'll want to buy everything. They were right. Everything at Iconi Interiors is pure perfection. I could move right into the store.

Iconi Interiors has a mix of new and refurbished home furnishings that I would call "mid-century modern with a touch of glam." Throughout the store you can find one of a kind pieces of furniture, some great lamps and a pretty sweet assortment of bar ware. I wanted to buy it all and throw a party. I restrained myself. But don't worry, I'll go back.

 (All images via Iconi's flickr stream)

Baking Bonanza

I like food. Wait, I love food. Sadly, I don't cook or bake often. I've got a pile of Food & Wine and Bon Appetit issues, as well as a few cookbooks. I think I buy them mainly for the pictures. And I'm always finding recipes on-line that I bookmark...and never make!

Things need to change around here. Yes, yes, yes they do.

So, this weekend I baked TWO different things. Can you believe it?? And both were tasty, if I do say so myself.

First up, black bottom cupcakes. These are probably the most perfect dessert. Chocolaty. Creamy. 100% Delicious. I don't think any photograph I could take would do them justice but here's a lovely pic I found.

(Image via Life's Smorgasbord)

Since I had leftover chocolate (always dangerous) and I had a few bananas in the freezer I decided to make chocolate chip banana bread. Now, before you start to wonder about the healthiness of this weekend's baking bonanza, I should let you know that I found this next recipe on Cooking Light. And, let's face it, when baking sometimes healthier is not always better!

The Marbled-Chocolate Banana Bread was scrumptious and pretty and yes, healthy. Well, as healthy as chocolatey-bananey bread can be! It was the perfect thing to eat to distract from the miserable Badger game.

Image via Cooking Light)

TOAST? Yes, Please.

I'll take this outfit from TOAST. Thank you very much.

 

(Images via TOAST)

Just For You. And Your Whiskey.

No, these are not old, gross sugar cubes. They're whiskey stones. For the whiskey lover, just in time for St. Patty's Day. We wouldn't want our Irish whiskey to be watered down now, would we?

Gettin' Groceries In Style

One thing about not living in Minneapolis anymore is that I can no longer frequent two of the most beautiful grocery stores on earth. I'm being serious. Everything and everyone in these two stores were beautiful. Sometimes I was tempted to just wander around the aisles, soaking in all the loveliness, without ever buying anything. Don't judge. You would do the same.

So what if there aren't any beautiful grocery stores here in Madison? This doesn't mean I still can't shop in style.

Hello uber-stylish grocery bags! Hy-Vee, I hope you are ready for me.

(Image above via shopkirdevries.com)

 (Image via branchhome.com)

(Image via reusablebags.com)

POP!

Hello color!

(Image via sunset.com)

 (Image via apartmenttherapy.com)

  (Image via sunset.com)

 (Image via apartmenttherapy.com)

(Image via emmas.blogg.se)

(Image via irinagraewe.de)

(Image via cocokelley.com)

Liberty of London For Target!!

I'm actually really loving this collaboration. I've felt kind of eh for the last few designers who've done lines for Target. Full disclosure: I have yet to see this in person so my opinions may change. But I really love the colors and pattern of so many of the pieces and it's a great way to add some fun to your home or your wardrobe. Must. Get. To. Target.

(Images via target.com)

The Perfect Life

Mine would involve a lot of this:
Looking fabulous. Eating fresh & healthy food at a quaint sidewalk cafe every day. An abundance of free time and no worries in the world. Time to read all the best magazines and books. The sun always shining. And...somewhere in Europe.

(Image via thesartorialist)

Aaaaah, if only....

For The Corner Office

My office needs a bit more pizazz. I refuse to have those lame "Dream" or "Believe" posters that are in every other office on the planet.

Instead, I need some of these lovely motivational posters! They are great for me to look at throughout the day and they will also motivate my students. Or at least get them to think I'm cool. Maybe.

(Image via etsy)

(Image via etsy)

(Image via unknown)

(Image via etsy)

(Image via etsy)

Oh, and yes I do have A Corner Office. Overlooking the lake. It's pretty sweet....except sometimes in the summer I spend more time looking out the window at all the sailboats. Oops!

I Don't Think You're Ready For These Jellies

It's time to hide the winter boots in the closet and go get a pedicure! What better way to prance through the puddles than with some freshly painted piggies (those are toes for those of you who never played  the "This lil' piggie" game when you were little) and a pair of jelly shoes?

Kate Spade (Image via bloomingdales.com)

 Tory Burch (Image via bloomingdales.com)

Cesare Paciotti  (Image via zappos.com)

Missoni (Image via amazon.com)

Ralph Lauren (Image via amazon.com) 

Gap (Image via amazon.com) 

Grendha (Image via aol.com) 

What I Love: Positively Green Cards

Today, during my favorite lunchtime activity of reading all the latest magazines at the bookstore, I got distracted by these cards. The colors are so vibrant and the designs are very cool. I especially love the color combos. And thankfully, the messages on each card aren't too cheesy. Always a plus ;)

The cards are made by Positively Green, a company that "green manufactures" all of their products. Each card also has an easy-to-do environmental tip on the back. You can check out their web site for more green tips.

 

  

 

 

 

 

(All images via Compendium)