Spring Ahead

Although it is still quite chilly outside, I'm getting excited for Spring.  Easter week always serves as a reminder that warm weather is on the horizon - and I am ready.

Here are just a couple warm weather festivities on the horizon that I'm looking forward to...Spring and Summer, here we come!

Local Vineyard Visits
Minnesota boasts some lovely vineyards.  Plans are already in the works to visit a few of them.  I love exploring new wines, stocking up on new and old favorites and soaking up the gorgeous scenery.


   














The Lakes
Growing up in surrounded by so many lakes, my summer leisure time tends to revolve around water.  I love spending time walking around Lake Calhoun {pictured below} in Uptown, Minneapolis - and rounding out the day with dinner at one of my favorite spots ever - Amore Victoria.   For my college girls - kind of cool backstory on Amore Victoria - the family that owns this restaurant also owns Victoria's in Green Bay!  Lovely homemade italian food right in the heart of Uptown.  Boasting a wonderful rooftop - it makes for a great end to a Spring/Summer day!

Hope everyone has a great Monday!

Happy New Year!

Greetings and Happy New Year!  I hope everyone is enjoying the last bits of 2012.  I find the start of a new year always provides a clean slate and great opportunity for fresh beginnings.  It always serves as a great excuse for reflection and goal setting - 2 of my favorite things (Nerdy?  Perhaps but that's just me!) 

Looking forward leads to moving forward, and as such, I embrace this time of year as an opportunity to set new plans in motion, to make 2013 amazing. 

One major endeavor I look forward to tackling is the home office; maintaining a clean, clutter-free (or at least clutter-light) system!  I.  Heart.  Organization.

So to inspire me...found this photo.  I love the books, greenery and vision boards of nice imagery.

Photo from:  http://thefinancialite.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/bedford-desk.jpg

 

Looking forward to recapping the holidays (lots of fun on the blog docket; a couple teasers - delish Bailey's Martinis, Holidazzle Parade/Girlfriend Xmas, New Makeup Reviews...just to name a few!) and kicking off 2013 with fun posts. Stay tuned!

A Few of My Favorite Winter Things...

Baby, it's getting cold outside!  As winter approaches, I gladly embrace festive red manicures and Cinnamon tea with open arms {or hands, rather.}

I'm loving OPI's "Bestille My Heart" for my nails at the moment; I love red nails - red in general dresses things up a bit, and also serves as its own kind of neutral when paired with basics. 

My tea selection is an all-time favorite:  Good Earth's Sweet and Spicy Tea.  It has a full bodied sweet cinnamon flavor with a kick of spice.  Such a treat; I enjoy it all year.

Cozy and comforting all around.

Giving Thanks

Happy Monday After Thanksgiving!  After a long weekend full of delicious food and drinks coupled with wonderful family time, it's back to reality!  We had a great holiday.  My parents hosted and my extended family came over to celebrate.  In the true fashion of my family, there was a lot of laughter, story telling, plenty of good wine, holiday jazz music and big hugs.  I'm thankful for all of those things being a constant in my life. 

To kick off the holiday, my brother Mike made us some of his famous and amazing Bloody Marys.  They.  Are.  Spectacular.  And strong.  Haha.  It was a great way to kick off the day of festivities.  Below is a photo for your viewing pleasure. 

Mike's Famous Bloodies

I'll Bring the Cocktails...

I'm blessed to come from a family where the men love to do the cooking.  My dad and brother are both wonderful cooks.  My dad's love for cooking has grown over the years; our family members eagerly anticipate the wonderful holiday feasts he prepares...myself certainly no exception! 

Although "But Dad...seriously...what can I bring?" is a good problem to have, I still love to cook and entertain myself, so I like to think up fun ways to contribute. 

This year, I've determined that with the help of my bartender brother, we'll contribute the fun cocktails :) 

Upon a quick google search for fun ideas, I stumbled upon this blog, called The Kitchn (http://www.thekitchn.com/drinks) - their "Drink" section is so fun!  I plan to make at least one recipe.  I do love a good Manhattan...so there's always that.  We're also quite big fans of "Hot Tottie" varietals in my family as well...so perhaps a "Hot Apple Spice Hot Tottie" for after dinner consumption would be in order.

I love food/drink blogs with visual aids to get me inspired...I will certianly post my creations after the holiday!

Cheers!

Recipe for "My Mother's Manhattan" from The Kitchn
 (http://www.thekitchn.com/what-did-your-parents-drink-my-mothers-manhattan-recipe-the-10-minute-happy-hour-175142)

Happy Friday!

Happy Friday and {almost} weekend! 

Hope everyone has fun plans; tonight I'm heading out for a night out at a favorite Irish Pub.  Tomorrow I'll be doing some cleaning and housework - so far that is all that's on the docket!  I also have a friend in town from Florida, so hoping to see her as well at some point! 

A birthday post will follow soon, but thought I'd share a picture from last week at Cafe Maude.  We enjoyed my favorite things:  live jazz, great cocktails and time with my beautiful friends. 

Last weekend served as a lovely reminder of how truly blessed I am.  Everything from my amazingly generous and thoughtful colleauges, to getting to hear my friend Kate's sweet baby Nina say "hi" to me over the phone for the first time, to all of the Facebook posts and then time with friends and family...needless to say my heart is full and happy.  :)



Kari, Mal, Ally and I at Cafe Maude in Minneapolis

Inspired in Heels

This morning I'd like to start a new Thursday morning post tradition:  I'm dubbing it Inspired in Heels Thursday!

Each Thursday morning, I will choose a favorite topic and share some favorite quotes that tie in.  The first week's quotes are all about Taking a Chance/Risk Taking.  I love to be inspired and know that my friends do as well...so I thought this would be a fun way to incorporate this passion into my blogging experience!

This first "theme" is one close to my heart...as it's not in my nature to take risks.  But I know how important it is and can be and therefore do intentionally try to go out on a limb as often as possible.  When I look to the best things that have happened in my life thusfar (my relationships, deciding where to go to school, new career ventures, etc.), they've all involved a pretty significant degree of risk in one way or another. 

"It's not because things are difficult that we dare not venture. It's because we dare not venture that they are difficult." -- Seneca

"Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far it is possible to go." -- T.S. Eliot

"Go out on a limb. That's where the fruit is." -- Jimmy Carter

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor, catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." -- Mark Twain

"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take." --Wayne Gretsky

What risks in your life are you grateful to have taken?