New Dress

I have been obsessing about this dress for a few weeks, and decided today that I need it.  A Cup of Jo, one of my favorite blogs, has a coupon code for ASOS, and obviously 20% off anything makes it totally worth it.

So do I get mint or navy?

hmmm decisions decisions.

Pomp and Circumstance

 On May 27th, my baby sister, Rikka Louise, graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College.

It was such a great weekend, including her golf banquet (go gusties!), moving her out (so much funnn), touring the beautiful campus, great music from the choir at the baccalaureate, meeting all her awesome friends (they are so nice in Minnesota!) and of course graduation.

I was also thrilled to see my family after 3 long months and just hanging out with them was a major blessing.

So proud of you Rikka!

The Fam

Such proud parents...

...and of course Henry and I were ecstatic

So excited

Roomies: Amy, Erianna, Rikka, and Hillary

Congratulations Frix!

x

Pinterest

Things I have learned from Pinterest:

1. I need to work out.

2. Some people, mostly my friends, have really good taste.  (Also, some people: not so much.)

3. There are a million little wedding details that can be so fun!

4. How to make crescent pizza rolls, a million different kinds of crock-pot tacos, and yogurt dots.

5. There are a lot of bloggers, chefs, photographers, and generally creative people out there.

{one of my faves}

6. Chocolate chips (white and regular) look really cute shoved into raspberries.

7. I seriously need a really pretty, pink ombre cake.

Thank you Ben, and the rest of the Pinterest team.
You have taught me so much!

Follow me on Pinterest here.

x

Weekly Gratitude

This week, I am thankful for:

• Tom Petty.  Seriously, every song is so good. Every time.
• The amazing beef tenderloin, caramelized onions, arugula, and spicy mayo sandwich that our chef made me this week.  First, it was amazing.  Second, it kept me fed for like, 2.5 days.  Yum!
• My mom.
• My teddy bear.  My oldest and most favorite stuffed animal is always down for a good cuddle.
• Facetime with my parents.  Chatting with both of them, giving tours of our houses, whistling at the dogs, etc. all while over the phone "face to face" is something that makes being so far away from them a lot easier.

Friday Favorites

When I first saw this on a random episode of "Parks and Rec" I was near tears laughing.  Ridiculously silly.

Have a happy Friday!

x

Happy Birthday Katharine!

Happy Birthday 

to my amazing mom!

Katharine (as I affectionately call her) is seriously the most wonderful woman I know. I am always so flattered whenever anyone says I remind them of her or look, talk or act like her.  

She is so generous, wise, silly, and fun!  

It is hard to be so far away from her, but I am so lucky that we still get to talk every day.

Doing festive jello shots at Cat/Griz

With gal pal Al

my adorbs, empty-nester parents

Happy Birthday Mom!

I love you so!

xxxxxxx

lots of kisses to you!

Polished Off

I am usually indecisive and full of doubt, but when I find something I like, I loooove it.  And usually then tend to obsess over it.  And never fear, I have found something worthy of my obsession.  

Essie nail polish.  

I love the colors.  I love the names of the colors.  I love the cute little square bottles and the white caps.  I love the magazine ads. And, most of the time, I love the quality of the polish.

And now this little obsession has become a problem.  I look at the Essie website way too much.  I just ordered 3 new polishes off of Nordstrom.  I can't leave Target without buying at least one polish (hence the reason I had to have a Target detox and am not allowed to go back for the rest of the month).

Some of my new fave colors:

Knock Out Pout

Mint Candy Apple

Anniversary Gala

What is your favorite brand of nail polish?  Your favorite color?

x

{photos via}