Merry Christmas

We had a busy Christmas trying to see all of our families for the holidays. We managed pretty well, but to be honest I am always a bit relieved when its over and I can settle back into my house and my comfortable routine. Just a few more days until its 2014. . . i can't believe it.

piano concert

our puppy is born on Christmas Eve !

kinda creepy looking, but i think he's cute!

I feel so blessed to be surrounded by people that love me unconditionally this holiday season. The amazing gifts i received don't' hurt either ;)

I begin a long stretch of overnight shifts through the new year. So i will be spending the end of 2013 with my patients, which i don't mind at all.

Hope everybody has a Happy New Year! 

Life Lately

went into the ditch

fixing my flat tire

attending yoga 3 times a week

dinner dates

With the holiday season we all have been quite busy, including me. I have been lucky enough to find my calmness among the chaos in a yoga class. 

I am so excited to spend time with family, relax, have a few days off from work and enjoy the christmas season. I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and happy holidays!

▲▲▲ December 2013 Vogue Italia: Resort collections, Model Cards by Steven Meisel

^^ I am loving the audio in this video. If you listen close enough you can hear a raven chirping the entire time in the background. It always amazes me the variety of videos, models, plots, and overall themes of these short clips.  And i can never believe how much Anna Ewers looks like a blonde Rachel Bilson.

 Thoughts?

Buy Local

Recently my hometown got a new restaurant. They buy their ingredient's local and organic. They are a huge supporter of being green and eliminate their waste via compost and other environmentally safe ways to discard trash.

The menu has such a variety.

I got Pyrohi. It is a dumpling/ pirogi style dish. It is filled with a potatoes filling and sauerkraut, this style is actually a Ukrainian dish.

^^ SO GOOD!

To drink I had "easy being green" a delicious blend of spinach, lemon, mint, kale, and green apple.


I think it is so important to support local small businesses. To have these types of places in your community is such a blessing.

Not to mention the amazing health benefits of eating and drinking green and organic.

Eating here as inspired me to due my major grocery shopping at our whole foods co-op.

I also indulged in one of their organic smoothies the other morning before work. Pb &J : almond butter, almond milk, raspberry jam and grapes. It was an excellent breakfast, you can always add chia or flax seed if you need something to fill you up for longer.

Since eating healthier, I have noticed increased energy, happier mood & reduction in aches and pains in my body.

You may pay a little more, but it makes sense, its quality food that is going to nourish your body.

Buy local. Support your community. Become a healthier you.

:)

Cyber Monday

Wondering where all the deals will be? Starting at most of these sites beginning at midnight on Monday December 2nd. . . .

Here are a list of a few of my favorites that I am hoping not to over indulge in.


- H&M- %40 off entire purchase, 25% off sale items & free shipping (on orders at least $50)

-American Apparel : 20% off EVERYTHING, 30% off already marked down items & Free Shipping

-Forever 21 : 50% off sale items, 50% off shoes, and bags & free shipping

-Macy's 25-40% off sale items, 15% off everything, & free shipping on orders > 75%

-Modcloth : 20% off everything

-Target : Clothes, Shoes, Accessories buy one get one 60% off, home decor 50&

-Urban Outfitters : $50 off $150, $25 off 100, $15 off $75, free shipping

-Banana Republic : 40% off everything

- Gap : 40% off everything

- Zara : 50% off selected items

- Patagonia :  Free shipping

 - Coach : Free shipping

- Tj Max : Free shipping

- Bed Bath & Beyond : Free shipping

- Victoria Secret- Free shipping on orders $50 > & $30 off $150

And i have the day off so I will have to try to be out of the house and away from my computer, this is going to be dangerous!

Happy Shopping!

Thanksgiving 2013

For Thanksgiving this year Nick & I hosted the grand feast.

About 8 of our good friends were going to be in town due to work.

This is the first Thanksgiving we have ever done. Overall I think it was a success. The food was phenomenal. Who knew a bunch of 20 something year olds knew how to cook.

Nick wasn't afraid to try to tackle a turkey. (He is the cook in the family, he get's that from his mom), I on the other hand have some learning to do. ;)

We soaked the turkey in an apple juice, garlic, salt brine. It was so good!

I had worked a night shift before thanksgiving, so i slept until about 3 pm on Thanksgiving. Nick got up early and played football with a group of about 14 guys. From what i hear it was pretty fun, but very cold out.

   ^^ it was delicious, moist and flavorful. Carving it was an adventure, thats all i will say about that ;)

                                                                      ^^ the ham carving the ham

The food was amazing. I would suggest for next year making half the amount, and not allowing everyone to cook their dish at our house. It was very chaotic (fun, but chaotic) I would heat the gravy, have to wash the pot, someone would boil their potatoes in it, then have to wash it again so that we could cook up the cream corn. or i guess i could invest in a few more pots & pans. We only had to reheat the squash once. Otherwise our timing was pretty good considering the situation.

                                                                       ^^ some egg nog to warm the soul


I have so much to be grateful for this year. No matter what your circumstance I hope you all can see the good in your life and appreciate that.

Breakfast Girl

Ever since I can remember breakfast has been my favorite meal. I really shouldn't even say breakfast, i should clarify and say "breakfast foods". I never have been, nor will i ever be a morning person.

Any time dawn or dusk I could go for a good eggs benedict, some sausage links, side of hash browns, homemade toast with homemade jelly. mmm

Thats just the food- lets talk beverages!

In my house we go through a gallon of milk in 3 days. (its just me and nick)

My favorite morning cocktails would be a bloody mary & mimosa's. (especially grapefruit mimosas)

best breakfast in MN,  Pats Tap

I don't think i will ever grow out of loving breakfast foods.

How is that for food for thought?

mmmm pancakes, waffles, pannekoeken's, crepes, donuts, muffins, oatmeal, yogurt parfaits.

It is almost midnight and all i am craving is some good crispy hash browns, and a farm fresh omlette.


maybe, hopefully i will dream about food tonight.

ps- i am very excited to be hosting my very first thanksgiving. I already have looked on youtube on "how to carve a turkey" [ this is going to be interesting]- wish me luck!

▲▲▲ November 2013 Vogue Italia : Ashleigh Good by Steven Meisel

This is a unique video by Vogue this month. I always like trying to analyze what the producer/director are trying to convey. What message are they trying to send? Or is it not a message at all, just pleasing for the human eye to watch and the ears to listen?

Happy Birthday Big Brother!

Today is my brother's birthday, I can't believe he is 25.

It's always crazy to think back to our childhood, how much fun we had, and how clear the memories still are.

I always wanted a sister growing up, but I have come to be so appreciative that I have an older brother.

Here are some old pictures from probably 1995ish. Having only one brother and being from a small town, we were pretty much best friends growing up, as we had no one else.

This did lead to lots of bickering and sibling arguments, which still sometimes happen to this day, but i wouldn't trade it for anything.

We still have a lot of fun together however, he travels a lot for his job and we live in different cities now.

It makes me cherish the time I do get to spend with him even more, now that it is not very often.

Happy Birthday Alex!

Finding Balance

Lately I've felt off balance.

My diet has been poor, I am emotionally stressed out, I don't exercise and now with the winter fast approaching I rarely leave my warm bed unless to watch television or work.

Today I found some clarity. I had a surge of motivation. I can't be like this anymore.

I have to start focusing on things I can control in my life. I can control my own actions and day to day choices. Sure bills, work, relationships and other normal life stresses will always be there, but I can't let them take over my life.

Photography, blogging, shopping, cooking and plain just getting ready with hair, make up and a cute outfit use to be daily things for me. Having hobbies felt good.

At some point you have to be selfish and put yourself first. My bad attitude was a burden to those around me and I could start to notice.

So today I took control of a few things that i could.

I went to the gym.

I cooked myself a nice dinner.

I painted my nails.

I am blogging.

I may have only done 15 minutes of cardio and a short ab work out, then I hit the pool and floated  aimlessly around. After relaxing myself in the pool, I sat in the hot tub and then the sauna. That is what i needed.

Easing back into a workout routine is not easy, and I feel like I have a lot mental struggles right now, so i was not in the mood to be pumping weights or doing cardio until i couldn't breathe.

Just allowing myself to do what my body wanted and finding peace of mind that knowing where I am at in life is ok.

Dungeons and Dragons

"Farrah" Elven Ranger, accompanied by "Hoyt" rabbit animal friend

I have recently started playing Dungeons and Dragons. I really am not sure how to describe it. It is one of the most complex, fascinating, magical games I've ever played.

There seems to be a completly different language to this game, which I am immersing myself into.

I love trying new things. This game is something I have wanted to play since I saw a 90's cartoon show "Recess" episode based on this game.

Its a nice break from reality. To truly know your character and act for him/her based upon her past life experiences. To interact with other people who are passionate about the game and their character is just inpiring. It really tests my creativness. I'm realizing I have lost a lot of.

Unfortunately life can harden a person, things seem pretty black &white, with some hues of grays.

I need to find color again.

I think it's all about who you play it with as well. I feel so lucky to have gotten in with a really fun group of guys.

Some say to find yourself, you have to lose yourself.

50 Years of love

This past weekend we celebrated my grandparents 50th Wedding Anniversary.

It was a wonderful day with family, good foods, and great laughs.

^ muah

I feel so blessed to have them as my grandparents. I can only imagine Nick and I in 49 more years.

Halloween 2013

Here are some photographs from Halloween this year!

We had a wonderful night with friends.

^^ pumpkins John & I carved

^^ White Swan & Batman

^^ boo blurry picture :(

Hope you all had a spook-tacular Halloween!

▲▲▲ October Vogue Italia : Brooklyn Dandies by Steven Meisel

 : Modern Eccentric

Pumpkin Picking

Here is a little clip from our trip to the orchard. Hope you are all enjoying this fall weather as much as I am!

[[ps- we just got i-phones, i realize now that i took all my video clips holding the camera the wrong way; practice makes perfect! ;) ]]

▲▲▲ September Vogue : [Multiple Videos]

 

This video is more artistic then i have seen in the past with Vogue's beauty stories. I personally think it is a little lacking in depth. But i thought i'd share this video anyways since it is so different from the other ones i have shared. Thoughts?

^ Vogue Australia

                                              

^Vogue Mexico

                                               

This month I added 3 behind the scene videos. I appreciate videography just as much if not more than photography. Plus all 3 of these models I really enjoy, so seeing them in their element working is very exciting to me. Enjoy

1 Year Anniversary

I can't believe it was a year ago that i married my best friend. I love this man so much. I am the luckiest girl in the world.

▲▲▲ August Vogue 2013 : Amanda Murphy by Steven Meisel

This months Vogue Italia video seems very futuristic, simplicstic, geometric.

Not my favorite. In fact it kind of scares me.

I think I prefer a different form of videography and fashion. I am turning into such a girly girl.

Also I have notice, Vogue has been putting up more videos for each month. This months behind the scene was with Claire Danes and I did not particularly like it, a lot of talking. Not enough emotion. So you can check that out on your own if your interested.

Here to There

Do you ever see a picture of yourself from the past and can barely remember that person?

How do I get from there, to where I am now. . .  The building of character and your own unique self is so subtle, that during our lives we don't feel that we are changing drastically.

Day by day nothing changes, then one day you wake up and everything is different.

Its not a bad thing. . to think of such things.

I guess I lost sight of the journey.

This picture just reminded me of a different time in my life. I feel like it is an out of body experience. Who is that girl in the picture? The person i was back then is completely different then who I am right now.

Maybe i am running on too little of sleep and am not making sense anymore. That's my cue. Goodnight.

Minnesota Summertime

I love minnesota summers.

5 year reunion

Yesterday we had our 5 year high school reunion.

I graduated with a class of about 34 people. It was also our cities festival so there was food vendors and live music.

I was really glad some of my friends that weren't able to make it to our wedding were able to finally meet Nick.

It is just crazy how fast 5 years went by! I can't imagine what the next 5 have to bring for me, but i am excited to find out.

July 4th, 2013

This year for the fourth we stayed in town and went to a friends pool party . . .

We had a wonderful time. I ended up getting the night off from work, so Nick and I watched the fireworks. We had the most perfect spot that we could just recline our chairs back in our car and see them perfectly. This way we didn't have to get eaten alive by mosquitos.

Happy Birthday America!

Life Lately

  

                                
1. paying bills
2. enjoying the sun
3. baking
4. making a mess

Summer Solstice

I'll just say this. . .

This year's summer solstice was perfect.

Exactly what I needed.

xo

Summer Treat

Whats better than strawberry shortcake with a cold glass of milk on a summer day?

Nothing.


Hope all of you are enjoying the summer so far!

Happy Fathers Day!

Between my own father, my grandpa, and my husband, I have the best men in my life. I am so grateful to have such loving and wonderful role models.

I can't wait for the day that my wonderful husband gets to be a dad. He is going to be the most amazing father.

Happy Fathers Day!

Fail

Well I feel like I have failed once again.

My dessert a week has really fell through. I was even going to try and make some good old fashion chocolate chip cookies today, but then all these things came up. I didn't have any brown sugar, it was raining and i didn't want to go to the store.

I always have an excuse.

Don't we all?

We defend our failure so it makes it easier to accept ourselves. Disappointing yourself may be worse than disappointing somebody else. I'm not perfect. But that's ok, no one else is either.

ps: i've been on a white nail polish obsession this week. ^^ and this new geometric ring ^_^

*it's the little things.

▲▲▲ June Vogue by Steven Meisel

Gisele.

9 months <3

Here is just the most terrible collage, brought to you by yours truly.

I can't believe we have already been married 9 months. In the scheme of everything that is a very short time, but i feel like I learn more and more about Nick every single day.

Happy 9 months to us! and a lifetime to go.

Moving 101

We are moving into our new house tomorrow!

I have mixed emotions to be honest.

Here are my tips:

1. Don't pack things you will need too early, save yourself the frustration
2. Have plenty of boxes
3. Have a plan
4. You will break something
5. You will lose something
6. You will find this item many moons later
7. Have time to pack by yourself, but allow time to pack together

8. When you are about to verbally assault the other person for packing wrong... take a breath. and have fun... and take pictures.

jumping around

Taking a bunch of terrible, cheesy, couple pictures always can cheer me up.

My family is coming this weekend to help us move. . .  i can't wait to see everybody.