Does your partner annoy you? Joanna from Cup of Jo always asks her readers to weigh in on questions she poses. And this one really made me think. Because while I am totally head-over-heels in love with my partner, yes, there are still things that bug me about him. But she makes a good point (or rather, her husband Alex does) that annoyances are "part of the fabric of the relationship. They try to act like they're driving each other crazy but they really can't live with out each other. Annoyances aren't a deal killer. They're a natural part of a long, happy marriage."

Things that Alex does that annoy me:
-He is such a smarty-pants. He always has to explain things to me in a very calculated, scientific, smarty-pants way. When I dont understand the language he's speaking, I end up getting even more frustrated.
-His reluctance to try new things (which he has been getting better and better about in the last few years, but very slowly). He always wants to go back to his favorite restaurants, and go on the same vacations over again, and do things the way he's always done them. I hate doing things the same way twice, even watching movies for a second time! There are just too many things/places I havent gone yet to think about going back again!

Things that I do that annoy Alex:
-In general, I am very good at spelling and grammar. But the one that I never say right is "borrow, and lend." Somehow I manage to always say "Emma borrowed me this book," instead of "Emma lent me this book." (Did I say that right?)
-I watch bad tv. He cant stand being in the same room with me when Im watching Gossip Girl, Charmed, Law and Order or any crime show. He can be half-listening and still find fault with the plot or the legitimacy of the show. He hates them.

Also, I totally stumbled upon one of THE BEST twin cities guides! All thanks to Design*Sponge! It is written from the point of view of an actual local, instead of sounding like every other city guide out there (aside from The City Scout, of course!!!), regurgitated over and over again from soul-less internet articles and best-of lists. It is seriously amazing and comprehensive, you should check it out.

Design*Sponge ALSO did a little home tour yesterday of Sarah & Greg's Los Angeles apartment, whom I had a chance to meet up with while visiting Miss Katie back in March. It was so great to see your amazing apartment Sarah & Greg, Katie & Scott talk about it all the time! (Go check it out, I especially love that vintage couch and chair set!)

TRAVELING... I have that itch again! I know, I just went to CA, but it was such a short visit! I was browsing Airbnb yesterday, and I found this adorable little flat in Istanbul for only $14/night (THOSE VIEWS OMG)! I think I might have to make that happen. UGHGhGhGHHHHHhhhh.

PESTO. It is taking over my life! We've had a few weeks of our CSA delivered now, and all we seem to be getting these first few weeks is spinach, arugula, swiss chard, salad greens and more salad greens! When we cant quite finish them at the end of the week, I've been throwing them all into the food processor with some walnuts, garlic, olive oil and S+P to make a quick pesto. But NOW I have too much pesto... a few small jars of it in my fridge. But I found out last night that I can just scoop it with some crunchy french bread and some spreadable goat cheese and it is to die for. BEST THING EVER.

What's up with you guys? I feel like we havent caught up in awhile.

A few weeks ago, our good friends Ben and Bill had a cookout/party to celebrate their recent (official) domestic partnership status. It had to have a theme of course, so they decided on Domestic PartyShip, a nautical party me maytee, arr! They even handed out sailor hats as party favors, and I have to say, everyone looked smashing! Almost as if we all walked directly off a (very fashionable) boat and into their lawn, haha.

It was one of the first perfect summer days with nothing but sunshine and a light breeze, just warm enough for a campfire late at night. Here are some of the pictures I captured with the famous Canon Demi S. For some reason, I must have been really into taking portraits that day. So here are a selection of those, with lots more on my Flickr!

I am so happy for you both, congratulations again Ben & Bill! I wish you both an eternity of happiness.

I have a few pieces newly printed, framed and hung in a swank law firm gallery downtown. The photographs themselves arent very new, but I cannot tell you how great it is to see them on the wall, finally! They look even better than I thought they would, and I cant wait to get a few smaller ones made in anticipation of the MCAD Art Sale. Plus, maybe now this will be just the kick in the rear I need to make more stuff!




I'm pumped.

When Alex and I moved in together in 2008, we both had busy full time jobs and lots of friends and etc, and we started realizing that we didnt spend much quality time with each other alone anymore, even though we lived together. Most of our time alone was spent curled up in front of the tv or crammed in the bathroom brushing our teeth in the morning! Great stuff, but not very romantic. So we carved out some time each week just for date nights, deciding on Mondays mainly because we knew things most likely conflict on Monday nights. AND I SWEAR YOU GUYS, it is one of the best decisions we have ever made. We usually go out to a new-to-us restaurant (or one of our all-time favs), since we are so obsessed with food. But we also go to movies, bowling, the Walker or walks/picnics in the park. It really reminds us to connect as a couple, and actually we tend to look forward to Mondays now (who does that?!)

So I would highly recommend it to all couples out there: married, dating, living together, not living together, have kids, newly dating, dating forever or what have you!

Here is an outfit I wore to our last date night. I had totally forgotten that I had this dress (or maybe rather, how much I like this dress!) We went to Red Stag in NE, which we rarely get over to, even though Alex has deemed their burger the "best burger he has ever had in his life." He always gets that. I got a spicy chili-infused mint julep (not for the faint of heart, actually!) and polenta. YUM. The night was ended with some Mad Men on the couch, if I remember correctly. We have been watching it from the beginning again, since we havent seen any of the new episodes and wanted to get back up to date with it first. Can I just say, it is so different the second time around?!?



dress: F21, years ago
fleur de lis necklace: etsy, gift from Alex!
sandals: vintage, thrifted
bag: vintage, Melrose Flea

PS: I am sporting the necklace Alex picked out for me for our first married anniversary, though you probably cant see it very well in this picture. He did such an awesome job (he snooped my Pinterest for something I liked, GENIUS)!

Also also, in a sort-of-related-fashion, I recently stumbled across this hobby compatibility quiz that Amanda from wit + whistle whipped up. What a curious and fun idea! Maybe Alex and I will go golfing or take a ceramics class next date night, we will see!

You may have heard about this amazing design project Nicole Meyer has taken upon herself, the Branding 10,000 Lakes Project. She makes beautiful, simple logos for one Minnesota Lake a day. And since I can't get the cabin on the lake out of my head now that summer has rolled around, I thought I would share some of my favorites! (although, she hasnt gotten to Birch Lake yet. I'm keeping my eyes peeled for it!)











They are honestly all so beautiful Nicole! Keep up the great work!

Alex and I are going to the cabin up north this weekend for the first time this summer (other than opening up the cabin and doing some prep work), and I am pumped! The weather looks perfect for laying in the lake all day and drinking mojitos on the deck each night. This got me thinking about summer and what plans I have this year. So I made a list! Here are some things I want to accomplish this summer...



1) Spend weekends at the cabin (obvs), relaxing as much as possible and soaking up the sun! (top photo taken at the cabin last year)
2) Go to a pick-your-own berries farm, preferably raspberries or blueberries. Although I hear the strawberry crop is outstanding already this year. Go pick them if you are in MN!
3) Have an outdoor dinner party (possibly for my birthday?). I saw this photo (above) years (maybe) ago, and have been dying to recreate it ever since. And boy, do I have big plans for that!
4) Pickle things and make some jams. (with my CSA! the first share was delivered TODAY, as demonstrated by the image below! there is mint, hence the mojitos mentioned above! I cant wait, gah!!)



See ya in a few days, peeps!

It's time for another episode of "WHATS COOL ON CRAIGSLIST THIS WEEK." I'm your host, and welcome back to whats recently become a regular installment, apparently! Forewarning people, prepare to drool. (And ps: I've been building this post for awhile, so I am sure some of these are long gone already, in classic craigslist style).

Eames Lounge knock-off, complete with ottoman $350!

60's Highboy Dresser $325 (a set of two)!

The Most Giant Mirror I have Ever Seen! $200

White Herman Miller round table, $175

Great Navy and Cream striped Mid Century Sofa, $475

Ikea NORDEN Dining Table, $300

This awesome rustic outdoor dining set! $165

That's all for now folks. But yours truly, the self-professed craigslist skimmer, will be back very soon... I am sure.

As some of you know, I've been working on doing Ballet Beautiful 3-5 times a week, and after only a few weeks, I can definitely tell a difference. I no longer feel pain in my back when sitting at work all day, I have wayyyy more flexibility and I have definition in my legs and abs (muscles? who knew I had those)! But its funny, Ballet has also been showing up in my life here and there and everywhere lately... WHATS THAT ALL ABOUT? Well, they say things come in threes I suppose.

First I saw this documentary trailer on a blog a few days ago, called First Position, and it looks FASCINATING. I always find myself interested in young athletes, their inexplicable drive and determination, maybe because I was once an athlete like them. I will forever identify with these kids' desire to be their absolute best and ultimately, win!



Then I saw this amazing short from the New York City Ballet about pointe shoes. Specifically, the pointe shoes that NYC Ballet dancers use, and about the importance of them. This is a beautiful video and so interesting!



Also, this video is pretty much completely unrelated, but it makes me smile and makes me want to get up and dance myself! The animation is so fresh and lovely, with that watercolor treatment on light paper. Animation by Shishi Yamazaki, more here.

Woa you guys, I just realized that I have over a month of wardrobe_remix photos sitting on my camera that I have not uploaded to Flickr yet! Time flies so fast, and here I was thinking that I hardly take outfit photos anymore. NOPE I take them, I just forget about them on my camera. Whoops. Well, over the past month it has been cold and rainy (I was still wearing rainboots and pea coats a month ago, weird), nice and sunny, and now it has finally made it to hot muggy summer shorts weather. What a transition Minnesota Springs go through!

Instead of inundate you with a photo-heavy post, or vice versa - not show any of them at all on the blog - I thought I might show a few highlights from the past month. You will really see what I mean when I say that this time of year is the most varied and unpredictable of all.

This last photo is me today! I know, Deer in headlights much? We were in Christy & Adam's wedding yesterday and it was so beautiful, heartfelt (tear-city!) and SO MUCH FUN! You can see it in my face, but I had wayyy too much fun dancing the night away to a friend of theirs' house band. Anywho, Alex and I woke up to get coffee and bagels, and will probably be heading to Grand Old Day later with some friends! It is such a beautiful day, I cant wait to spend it outside.

tee: Target, old

shorts: thrift store jeans, cut off by me

belt: vintage, thrifted

shoes: Fake Target (thrifted)

As always, more deets on my flickr!

As promised, here are some photos from my quick trip to Los Angeles to visit Miss Katie (whom I just found out has a blog?!? I've been telling her to blog for years, so I am officially thrilled!) Angie and I had so much fun just trying to keep up with Katie-the-Total-Powerhouse, and seeing all of the most awesome parts of LA that I had never been before.

Mimosas, Margaritas and copious amounts of Mexican food were had (hello, Cinco de Mayo!), shopping, karaoke bars, flea markets, and playing on the beach were achieved and we even got spontaneous pedicures! It was amazing, and makes me want to move out there. Like for real. Echo Park/Loz Feliz/West Hollywood is my new favorite place on the planet, and I hope to go back very soon.

Thanks again for hosting us, Katie and Scott! We will be seeing you soon!