Tis the season for holiday shindigs, and it seems that these days they are all Ugly Christmas Sweater themed. Remember when you wouldn't be caught dead in an unflattering, kitchy jumper? But now it is a "thing". No longer do you have to hunt down a Goodwill or beg Aunt Margie to let you raid her closet. Now Target has an entire section dedicated to them. The more pom poms, glitter, embroidery, animals, and puns, the better. Oh, and of course - lights! I remember my mom being ahead of the trend when she purchased a sweater in the late 80s that lit up "Happy Holidays". The battery pack alone weighed a pound. She wore it to a work holiday party and was asked to switch it off. I wonder what those coworkers would think of the options today?
I feel like I am zigzagging to and fro for quick getaways or weekend stays quite often during this busy time of year. Wit & Delight's weekender bag fits everything I need for a couple of days away - check out the bottom compartment which is perfect for separating shoes! It's designed with a combo of utility and style. Now off you go!
2017 has been a gut punch right up until the end. It will definitely be a year to remember, eh? With the #metoo movement gaining momentum and revealing some crushing realities about men that we may have even looked up to, I surveyed my friends to see whose downfall from bad behavior would be the biggest blow. The clear winner? Allen Bauer, himself:
I've heard only good things about Lady Bird and now that I've seen that other little art house movie (hint: rhymes with car doors), this will be my next film outing.
Thanksgiving may be over, but these super savory and sage-forward salt bombs keep the thanks a flowin'. It's one of those novelty items that actually work.
Not sure how long this product will be on the shelves after T-Day, but if you missed them this season, you know what to add to your shopping list for next November.
Might not be the perfect pairing for the above, but the release of Beaujolais Nouveau 2017 is upon us. Fruity and affordable, I enjoy this wine year-round, but there is something festive about uncorking the new vintage this time of year.
I realize you could buy a plane ticket to Cancun for the same price (and I advise you do that and buy one for me while you're at it - Vitamin D is important during the winter months!), but the delicately crafted wreath is just so darling and magical and Christmas-y. I even spot a dachshund! It puts me in the holiday spirit.
Are you full of Christmas cheer yet? If you are struggling to find some merriment, watch this clip from a past Billy on the Street episode featuring Amy Poehler. It's become an annual viewing tradition for me. I promise you a few fa-la-la-la-las and a lot of ha-ha-ha-ha-has.
You know what feeling I've been craving amongst the bizarre, angsty, depressing, up and down world we've been living in lately? Peace. It's as simple and as complicated as that. Not easy to achieve in some senses, so we've been starting symbolically.
Seeking peace in Prior Lake
The above wreath was purchased at a local garden center, Mother Earth Gardens, but this is a similar one:
Now, just because I am preaching peace, doesn't mean that I'm all kumbaya about what's happening in our country. Not one bit. That's why I cheered when I heard that on his or her last day of work, a Twitter employee deactivated 45's account. Amazing!
I may loathe bananas, but I looooooove ice cream cookie sandwiches. True story. In fact, they may be my dessert of choice (I like that technically you are getting two desserts in one). So, I'll have to venture to the new Seventh Street Truck Park in my sister city in order to test out this giant 15 pound ice cream cookie sandwich. It's filled with Sebastian Joe's ice cream, so there is quality along with quantity. Who is willing to help me with this monster task?
Damn you, Polar Springs marketing team! You sure know how to reel me in to spend too much money on creatively packaged, mystery...water. Plus, these are mini-sized, and who can resist tiny things? The limited edition sodas were released in August, but you can still order variety packs HERE.
Can someone please buy this stunning number and wear it to some fabulous holiday shindig? There should be the promise of romance, perhaps a jazz band, and definitely a stiff drink in a vintage glass.
Some might be drooling in anticipation of the latest Star Wars film, but the release I'm jonesin' for is this:
I, Tonya Trailer #1 (2017) | Movieclips Trailers - YouTube The drama! The characters! The scrunchies! I can't wait. Fun fact: I was with my parents at the 1991 U.S. Championships when Tonya Harding became the first American woman to land a triple Axel in performance, but I was in my crabby pre-teen years and missed it because I was reading a book and refusing to watch. Luckily, there is YouTube and I can finally see the magic (starts around :55 - I keep trying to find myself in the crowd, but it whizzes by too fast).
Most of us have a love/hate relationship with Facebook and UPS, but its only love for both of them when it comes to THIS.
UPS Dogs - Facebook Dogs are a cure-all, no? You know what else clears the head and opens the heart? Getting to see our home in the greater scheme of things (thanks to NASA's Osiris-Rex spacecraft). Weird to think about what you might have been doing at the moment this picture was taken. Hello down there!
It has been embraced as essential curriculum for middle school aged kids, but it is just as an appropriate read for us older folks. One quote that stood out to me: “If you have a choice between being right and being kind, choose kind."
I had a fulfilling (especially in regards to my stomach!) day at the Minnesota State Fair. Lots of highlights, but I have to say that the Giant Egg Roll On-A-Stick lived up to fair food expectations, wasn't that expensive, and probably could have fed a family of four.
It reminded me of other films documenting the rise and fall of musical geniuses, like AMY (Amy Winehouse) and Little Girl Blue (Janis Joplin). Why does it seem to be fate that those who shine so brightly end up being destroyed?
I've been seeing a lot of lists of ways to help Hurricane Harvey victims financially. If you are able, please consider aiding one of the organizations listed HERE.
“You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.”
We are used to needlework having quaint phrases such as Home Sweet Home or perhaps a biblical verse or sweet saying. So when I ran across these sarcastic, and sometimes naughty samplers by Third Daughter, Restless Daughter at a recent block party, I knew I had to have one. My favorite being:
Others I spied that gave me a laugh:
You can check out 3DRD locally HERE or on their Etsy page HERE.
I think we all know what I am talking about. (insert big SIGH) One of the reasons I backed away from this blog for a spell is I worried about posting unnecessary frivolity while such serious unrest existed in the world. I didn't feel right ignoring the issues, yet I wasn't prepared emotionally to write about them. I still don't. But since it is a Friday Feels, I guess I can admit that I continue to be concerned, dismayed, and anxious about what is happening in our country and I am grasping at the idea of hope. Thank goodness for both the activists and the comedians out there, who give me fuel and a laugh.
Tina Fey is a national treasure. I'll buy the sheetcake if you bring the grilled cheese?
But even with such distressful events and an unending political chaos, the world goes round, and the sun rises and sets. And sometimes the moon gets in the way and you have a solar eclipse.
An annular solar eclipse on May 21, 2012, Tokyo, Japan. Photo: Masashi Hara/Getty Images
What it will look like from your time & location HERE
Fingers crossed for a clear day on Monday!
Do you ever go down the YouTube rabbit hole? You start off innocently watching one clip and then realize there are thousands of more clips on your topic and before you can realize it you've clicked through them all and have a mastery of the subject? I find myself in this position at least once a week. The latest one was instigated by talking about a historic Willie Mays catch.
The past few weeks I've been upping my protein with shakes a few times a day. The Ninja has been my best friend. So easy to use and a breeze to clean up. And believe me, I'm super lazy and would usually not make the effort to take out and put away an extra piece of equipment. I especially like this set because it takes care of your blender, food processing, and smoothie needs all in one bundle.
After my stretch of clean & healthy eating, I'll definitely be primed to enjoy an adult beverage or two this weekend. I'm thinking perhaps a cider? It seems appropriate as we transition from summer to autumn.
Another seasonal segue winner has been this eyeshadow palette. It has the rose gold and shimmer for these last August days, as well as siennas and wine-tones to be used as the September leaves start to fall.
I used it for my self date to see a show at the Guthrie the other night. I am in love with wandering around my new(ish) neighborhood. This might not be the case come winter, but for now, I spend hours exploring new sights and hidden streets. I couldn't believe I never ran across this "urban castle" a few blocks away from my home. Funny to think of how it sat amongst endless parking lots and the Metrodome before its more vibrant and blossoming current surroundings. I am completely obsessed with the rumor that it will soon be turned into a brewery. Downtown Minneapolis is killing it!
That's all the feels for this Friday. OK, I'm lying, I could go on and on this week, but let's leave it with this thought that I heard Senator Cory Booker say on a podcast: Don't let hate make you hateful. Don't let the darkness make you dark.
