october birthdays

More birthdays, more birthday cards...

For my friend who loves pink and brown,



and for my special someone's mother.

saturdays

I love Saturdays. I love them for their lack of alarm clocks and work, for their French-pressed coffee and late breakfasts, for their slippers and robes and long showers, but most of all, I love them for their endless possibilities. Restaurants to try, markets to peruse, roads to run on, things to be photographed, stores to browse, "what a find!"s to find, friends to see, sunshine to be enjoyed. And, this past Saturday was one of those days when I was lucky enough to do it all. I don't need to give you a play-by-play of my day, so I'll just share with you a couple of the high points.

Brunch at French Meadow, one of my very favorite spots in Minneapolis. All-natural and organic ingredients, delicious food, outdoor seating, good coffee and great people watching. Plus, the best tomato basil soup I've had in my entire life.




Next, to the Minneapolis Farmers' Market, for some late-season produce purchases.




And finally, some great finds at Valu Thrift in the Sun Ray Mall.

umbrella art

All that umbrella talk yesterday got me wondering about umbrella art, so I poked around Etsy for a while and found some lovely pieces. I have always loved rain and I think that tucking yourself under an umbrella is incredibly romantic (even if you're alone). These were just a few of the paintings that drew me in...

Umbrella Rain from David Hayward

Maude

New York Love

Umbrella Print

Autumn Fire and Soggy Dog by Kelly Gentry

Please don't leave

Rainy Day

Green Umbrella

rainy day inspiration

A cold, rainy day here in Minneapolis has me wishing I had a new umbrella to brighten up my day (instead of the boring, tan one I stole from my dad’s car years ago). Here are a few of my favorite that I found while searching for a new rain-repelling device.

Pops of color from FinnStyle- Marimekko’s Silkkikuikka, Petrooli and Ruusupuu umbrellas



Blue skies above from MoMA- Sky and Two-Tone

Sassy prints from J.Crew- Snow leopard and Regular (?) leopard

Parisian delight from Bibelot

Gerbera Daisies from Patina

birthday cards

Ever since I was little, I’ve been hand-making birthday cards. My parents can attest- I believe they have a collection that dates back to 1988, though I’m happy to say that my design tastes have evolved over the past twenty years. It helps to have stores like Paper Source and the Paper Depot nearby. As of late I’ve even heard remarks such as, “This is the best card I’ve received in my entire life.” I wouldn’t go that far, but I do believe a handmade card is hard to beat. Here are a few of the latest…

an autumn weekend

This past weekend I spent as much time as possible outside, enjoying rare, perfect Minnesota weather and taking in the autumn beauty at some of my favorite places in Minneapolis.

I spent Saturday morning at the Mill City Farmers’ Market, browsing locally produced goods under the old Gold Medal Flour mill. I ate yummy aebleskiver straight from the griddle, watched a group of cloggers perform, was amused by inquisitive children and bought some organic green beans and brussel sprouts for dinner.

Sunday afternoon was sunny and warm, a perfect time to stroll through the Lakewood Cemetery. I realize this may seem slightly morbid, but I have yet to find a more peaceful place in the Twin Cities. The foliage was in full force, the pond was calm and the only sound was the crunching under my feet.

Lastly, (and I realize this is an indoor activity), I had a drink at Nye’s Polonaise, the Best Bar in America. A piano bar in one half, live polka in the other, lots of Midwestern accents and tacky gold booths. A Saturday night doesn’t get much better.

photography

I adore photography. I love viewing photographs, touching photographs, filing photographs, and, most of all, taking photographs. To me, photography is one of the most beautiful forms of art. To capture a moment- a feeling, an idea, a piece of beauty- is like a secret on the tip of a tongue, the holding in of a breathe of air. And, the best part is, anyone can do it. Have you ever seen pictures taken by children? It’s an incredible way to learn about the world.

So, when my friends tease me about my obsession with my new camera- its macro lens, its color-swap setting, the clarity of the pictures it takes- I don’t mind. I admit that the amount of time I am able to spend with my eye to the viewfinder can be a little… excessive… but it makes me happy. To me, it’s art, a way to express myself, a way to appreciate the small pieces of beauty that exist in our everyday lives.

In conclusion, my blog will include lots of photography, both mine and others’. I hope this makes you as happy as it makes me.

These are a few of my favorites that I’ve taken over the years…

my first-ever post

Well, as the first-ever post on my first-ever blog, I feel I should say something marked, insightful, profound. Then, on the other hand, I know that is not me. I’m silly and somewhat scattered, preferring to find inspiration in the smaller, daily things in life, putting my passion towards whatever I feel pulled by at the moment. Which is why, I think, I decided that a blog was for me. It can serve as a place to collect all of these inspirations- to catalog my thoughts, excitements, journeys, discoveries. Whether it’s a yellow leaf on a grey city day, beautiful design, a thought-provoking book, expressed love, a good meal or a spoken word that causes me to ponder, it will have a place here.

And, if you choose to read my ramblings, feel compelled to follow my thoughts, I hope that you too can find inspiration and beauty, share your passions and delight.

I welcome you to read, explore, learn; ponder, create, delight; feel, wonder, love; to appreciate with me all that is lovely in life.