I found this awesome knitted hat on the free shelf at work the other day. Seriously, this picture does not convey how NEON ORANGE it is. We're talking blaze orange, people. But I actually really like how it pops against my dark hair. And it really livened up my boring comfy work outfit too!

hand-knit neon orange beanie: free shelf!

sweater: vintage, thrifted

flannel: AA

jeans: J.Crew clearance

boots: vintage Bass, thrifted

necklace: antique chain, flea market

pendant: found key

(artwork behind me was a gift by the talented Ryan Hughes)

I have a really packed weekend this weekend, including the second MN Blogger Meetup tomorrow at the Cheeky Monkey in St. Paul! Hope to see some new and familiar faces there. <3 <3 <3

This Minnesota winter is finally starting to kick in (we had our first "feels like -30" the other day, yikes!), and so are my hibernation tactics. All I have been wanting for dinner lately is soup, potatoes, fresh-baked bread and red wine. I also havent been wanting to do anything except snuggle on the couch watching Netflix in my new jammies... Here are a few of the delicious winter things I've made.

Beef Stew (the beef is for Alex!)

Traditional Stroganoff over noodles

Apple Crisp, yummy (Alex's mom's recipe is the best)!

Potato and Turnip Gratin

Roasted Carrot and Asparagus with balsamic carmelized onions

Delicious Leek and Potato soup with Barley

(And a loaf of fresh baked bread!)

Yikes, I had no idea some of these pictures were so blurry! I guess I was just in such a hurry to eat them that I couldn't take a good picture first. It's a wonder I got any pictures at all, really.

Today, Erin had us over for another swap: winter edition! It was, of course, so much fun (maybe even more fun than last time, if that's possible...). I feel like this type of get-together is just the perfect way to get to know the other bloggers better. Chatting, munching, trying on clothes.... it is really such a girl-fest! I of course, brought back a whole bag of stuff from girls like Lindsey, Maria, and Emma. I am sure there are others, I just have yet to learn who's. :) But that's just fine with me, because I brought at least three bags there in the first place. Win, win!

Anyway, here's what I wore, inspired by two images from my pinterest "outfit inspiration" board. The first, was this image from the Maison Scotch Fall 2011 lookbook (of which I am in love with!), and then I added a fur snood on top for a little bit of extra drama, inspired by this image of Jen from Jenloveskev. Mine is just a vintage fur collar that I wrapped around to make a scarf. Though I wish I had pinned it in place, because with all of the digging around looking for clothes and trying stuff on, it just would not stay put!

Huge thank yous again to all of the girls that came and brought such amazing clothes to swap, Erin for hosting us, and for Lindsey for taking so many pictures! I cant wait to see all of them soon.

You guys, I am totally on a roll with my 2012 new year's resolutions! Its not even February, and I've already adhered to three of them. Here's a look at some of our new candles in action. (I say "some" because I went a little crazy with the Bed, Bath & Beyond gift card we had leftover from the wedding. I didnt know what else to buy, so I figured, let's just go nuts with candles!)

They are now all over the house. Mostly in the living/dining room. But I did have one extra that I plopped into a mason jar in the kitchen. I dont know, in case I'm making a romantic dinner by candlelight? Here's to accomplishing our goals this year!

Sometimes when I get home from being freezing cold all day at work, and all I want to do is be warm. So this is what I did the other day, I threw on some additional layers, and then added a necklace later when we went out to meet Maggie & Brett and Gene & Jill for Thai at our favorite Thai place!

sweater: vintage, from swap
flannel: AA
necklace: vintage, two birds
jeans: J.Crew
socks: SmartWool, gift

EDIT: It is currently -10 below! I have a feeling that tonight is going to be another one of those nights...

Now, I wont deny the fact that I have a craigslist problem. I do... always have, really. There's just nothing like finding such incredible deals on beautiful, unique furniture in your area, just waiting for someone to take it home and appreciate it! But recently I've been bitten by the home-buyers bug (that's a whole 'nother story, my dears. One for another day...), and my problem has only gotten worse. I cant help patrolling craigslist (and lets be honest, the whole internets) for things "that would look great in our new house!" And things that "we're gonna have to buy if we get a new house." There are so many great things out there, folks. I wish I could get them all. For instance, all of these things:

These awesome gold-flecked fiberglass lampshades

This amazing Eames Lounge Chair (repro)

This mid-century sofa with amazing button detail

OMG THIS Homecrest patio furniture set!

This yellow/gold velvet tufted sofa

AN AMAZING dark grey wool/chrome sofa set (okay, so I'm especially a little sofa-crazy)

Adorable turquoise wooden stools (for an adorable kitchen bar area, amiright?!?)

The perfect solid wood Drafting Table for a home studio area!

This Herman Miller style chrome wire rocking chair

Antique industrial metal trolly cart (would make a great bar cart!)

Beautiful Bassett 6-drawer dresser and bed(droooooool)

I could probably keep going forever, but at this point I'm just babbling. Anywho, you get the idea. Snatch 'em up for me, will ya peeps?! PS: Speaking of the internets and all of its glory, in case you hadn't heard yet, the internet is going on strike on January 18th! I've signed up, so should you! STRIKE AGAINST SOPA. We can stop censorship now, if we band together and show the world what it would mean if the internet were censored by the government.

EDIT: OMGGGG somebody stop me from buying these!!!!

Oh, blanket sweater. I love you so much. Especially on those cold days when I roll out of bed with just enough time to get dressed and scrape my car off. How I love to just throw you on and know that I wont be freezing my butt off all day at work! You are reliable and fuzzy on the inside. You make me feel fashionable without even trying. You are the next best thing (nay, the same thing) as wearing a warm blanket at my desk, happy as a clam. Today was just one of those days...

blanket sweater: Urban, gift

tank underneath: H&M

jeans: J.Crew

suede shoes: vintage Bass, thrifted

2011 was a whirlwind of a year for me. An Amazing year. I traveled a bit, got married, celebrated friends and family, and I tried to fully appreciate the wonderful life I live. It's not always what I'd pictured myself doing at 25, but I am lucky. And in 2011 I think I did a pretty good job of reminding myself of that! And yet, there are always little improvements that can be made. Some things I've been thinking about making a priority in 2012:

+ Start eating meats again. Something to do with grabbing life by the horns and never holding back!! Never turning down an opportunity to eat well, enjoy life and stay out a little bit too late.

+ I need more candles in my life. Buy a bunch of candles. Something to do with romance.

+ The ubiquitous "I need to get in shape" resolution. I agree with Erin that "get in shape" feels a little bit more attainable than "lose weight." I just feel my age beginning to catch up with me (see above). I'm thinking Mary Helen's Ballet Beautiful might just be the perfect change for me.

+ Have no fear. I might need to deal with some big (difficult?) life changes in 2012, and I have to remember not to be afraid, and remember that everything will work out in the end. Life may not be like I had originally planned, but sometimes it turns out better! Travel more, even if you dont think you have the dough, and take advantage of the opportunities that present themselves to you. Make opportunities happen for myself!

+ Seek out simple little ways to de-stress. Pay bills in advance, have a glass of wine before dinner, make homemade bread and other baked goodies more often.

+ Create more. Whatever that might mean.


PS: Inspired by Jen from jenloveskev, Alex and I whipped up a quick (our first) Happy New Year newsletter/card for family and friends and sent it out last week! You can see it here.

Here are some of my favorite outfits of 2011. I find it super interesting to go back and revisit what I thought were my favorite outfits of the past year, and what themes I latched onto. They always surprise me! Plus, I remind myself what I liked and what to wear again soon! (Here's my 2010 recap)

January

Cozy wool sweaters and stripes prevailed in january. Also, I loved this pendant I made out of an antique padlock.

Before the Holiday, I was contacted by the wonderful Laura from Stitch Fix, about partnering with (dot)luv to be one of the first (lucky) participants in their wonderful new online styling service!

 "Stitch fix is a monthly personal style service-- a way to conveniently stay up to date with the latest trends and styles. We're only available for women right now, sorry boys! Each month, you get a package delivered to your door with clothing and accessories, picked just for you!  How much fun is that? So, we'll get to know you, your style, and your life through a style survey. Then, you'll get a package consisting of five of the latest and greatest fashions based on your size and style preferences and the season's latest trends. Try everything on at home in the comfort of your own closet, with your own mirror and your own jeans. Keep what you want and send back what you don't.  It's that easy.  Plus, we're working with some of the best affordable brands around!"

I had a great time and will definitely do it again in the future. Read my full review and how I styled the pieces they sent me, below!

I dont talk much about my career goals on this blog, or even life plans. I started this blog as an outlet for interests that had no relevance in what I liked to think of as my "real life." And yes, my blog world and real worlds have been colliding this year, more and more each day. But I have been feeling pretty inspired lately in the career department. Yes, I think I have some new plans and new ambitions, and while I dont think I'm fully ready to commit 100 percent to them now, its a start.

I am really thankful to have the wonderful job I have now, at MCAD. I am so lucky to be in the place that I am. Besides it being my alma matter (MCAD 4 EVAH), it's an arts organization chock full of creative students, artists, designers and staff. I am inspired by the people around me daily. I also got quite (unexpectedly) interested in arts administration during my time at the Children's Theatre Company (next door!). So am happy to feel like I somehow make a difference in peoples' lives, especially fellow artists' lives.

However, I think in the years to come I would like to make a change. I would like the chance to spread my wings and become more independent. I want to photograph, collaborate, challenge and inspire myself. I want to be a part of the Minneapolis-St. Paul's bourgeoning young creative entrepreneur scene, and support others making work like myself.

I know now that I can also dabble, yes dabble! I can make things, blog, photograph when I want to, and not photograph other times, attempt to model clothes when asked, blog some more and enjoy my amazing little life with my amazing husband. I want to take advantage of all of those things, and to take the opportunities that each present to me!

Here's to the coming year, and to not simply achieving your goals, but to also defining them, changing them, and being excited about those goals! Because I've learned that those are important too. In fact, maybe more so.

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