A Few of My Favorite Things // 3 Home Inspire-ers

Happy Tuesday, friends! I hope you all are having a good start to your week and that you had a wonderful (chilly!) weekend! As for me, I had my first hunting experience as Loverboy and I headed to the woods of Wisconsin with some friends for the weekend. While the men sat outside in the truly winter temps waiting for a buck to wander by, us ladies enjoyed the warmth of the cabin and spent the days knitting, watching movies, snacking, napping, and lounging around. So utterly chill.

Today I wanted to share with you three people who have been inspiring me in my home lately. These books and tv show have really gotten my creative/decorative/organizational juices flowing, and hopefully they'll do the same for you!

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Styled by Emily Henderson
I've been following Emily's blog for awhile now, and when I saw that she was going to write a book I just about died. I pre-ordered the sucker and ran to the door every day to see when it would come. And let me tell you, it did not disappoint. I read it from cover to cover, slowly savoring each helpful tip, sassy insight, and beautiful photo. The best way I can describe it is that it is the happiest textbook for your home that you could ever want, teaching you the ins and outs of styling every room in your house from top to bottom. I was so sad when I finished it and I know I'll be referring to it often. Worth every penny.

The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo
I recently checked this book out at the library, and to give you a glimpse into it's current popularity, I was #600 on the waiting list! (But there were 200 copies, so I got it pretty quick.) I really enjoyed the practical points of this book and how Marie has many organizing tips, tricks, and rules that are opposite of what so many books and Pinterest articles teach. Her method centers on the idea of our objects sparking joy... and if they don't, then get rid of them! I found this incredibly helpful as I am known to keep things "just in case" or out of guilt. But with her method I found it easy to get rid of belongings that in reality are just stressing me out. My one qualm with this book is how she personifies objects and asserts that they have feelings and that we should thank them. Gets a little too weird for me, but if you read it for her practical approach and ignore that stuff it's a very helpful guide.

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Fixer Upper with Chip and Joanna Gaines
This is an HGTV show that's been around for awhile but just recently was put on Netflix. So I might be a bit behind to the Chip and Joanna bandwagon, but Loverboy and I have thoroughly enjoyed watching them taking the worst houses on the block and making them the best. We love watching them interact (they're a super cute, sassy southern Christian couple... could it get any better?) and seeing how they flip a house is amazing! Plus, Joanna has the best (if not a tad Southern) style. I know that when we have a house of our own someday we'll be using terms and employing tricks that we've learned from this show!

So there you have it. Those are a few of the people that inspire me when it comes to decorating and organizing my own home. What about you? Who do you find inspiring?

A Few of My Favorite Things // Places I Heart in Northeast Minneapolis

Hey there friends, and happy Monday! Today I wanted to share with you a few places that I <3 in NE Minneapolis! We've lived in two different neighborhoods of Northeast now, so we've gotten to try out a few local spots. Some we've liked, some not so much... but the list that follows is what we've loved! So read on for some hip/quaint/delicious/fun/adorable NE Minneapolis suggestions! And I'd LOVE to hear the places that you <3 around NE. (Side note: some of the websites for these places are hilarious/embarrassing! I guess that's what you get when you're a tiny local spot, huh? But I promise that these places are awesome, even if their websites would suggest otherwise.)

DRINK

Mojo Coffee Gallery, California St
This is officially our new favorite spot. Located just a few blocks from us, it's the perfect excuse to go for a walk. ;) Plus, it's also an art gallery so there's always unique art to look at while you sip your tasty drink. And if you get lucky, there might be an artist working on the pottery wheel!

Psycho Suzi's Motor Lounge, Marshall St
Another super local-to-us spot... this place is a gem! We went last week for happy hour (which only caters to people in the couple zip codes nearby), and were not disappointed by the over-the-top tiki theme! The drinks were each served in their own unique cup and the solo pizzas were yummy and filling. It was even warm enough for us to enjoy their huge tiki-lit deck by the river. Such a fun experience!

The Coffee Shop Northeast, Johnson St
This coffee shop is a Northeast staple and is a great place to meet up with a friend for a bite to eat or cup of coffee. They have a large menu and lots of space... what's not to love? (Plus, they have quite tasty chai tea lattes!)

EAT

Marinos Deli, Johnson St
This hole-in-the-wall deli has amazing (and super affordable) Italian food. Every single time I get the daily special, because it never disappoints (thank you, pasta, for always being there for me). The atmosphere is definitely not date-night material, but if you're looking for good, cheap Italian food, this is the place to go! Plus, you can always order to-go and put it on fancy plates at home with a little bit of candle light and wah-lah! Effortless date night!

Holy Land, Central Ave
If you are a fan of Mediterranean fare, then this place is for you! We usually get a gyro combo and it's more than enough for the both of us, and so satisfying. They cook the meat right before your eyes and not that I'm an expert, but it feels like a very authentic place. Once again, the atmosphere is a bit lacking, but when you find food this good it really doesn't seem to matter! And also once again, two words—to. go.

SHOP

Bloom & Buttercup, Johsnon St
This cute little shop is a florist, old-school candy shop, and fair trade gift shop all in one! I got a plant there a few months ago and she's still going strong! This place is definitely worth a stop in to look around!

A Little Refind, Johnson St
If you're into vintage furniture and decor then you must check this place out. Everything is styled just so and I've enjoyed window shopping there many times!

TO TRY

Betty Dangers Country Club, Marshall St
The Sample Room, Marshall St
Antiquified Antiques, Lowry Ave

A Few of My Favorite Things: Precious Metals

I've kind of been crushing on metals lately. There's just something about the way they shine. So, without further ado, here are just a few ways that different metals have been catching my eye.

Copper Mugs. These copper mugs are too adorable and are perfect for keeping your drink cold. However, we're not really in that season now, so I have my eyes on this for the warmer months. :)

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Gold Jewelry. Jewelry trends ebb and flow just as much as clothing, and gold is hot right now! I love the simplicity and warmth of gold. And the layered look is always a chic option.

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Metal Chairs. I'm loving the look of metal chairs right now! What they lack in comfort and warmth they totally make up for in style. Plus, throw a comfy pillow or warm blanket on there and you've got the best of both worlds! *cue Hannah Montana theme song*

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Lanterns and lights. There is something so beautiful about the soft glow of a candle shining through patterned metal. And I adore these copper hanging lights. The geometric geek in me kinda freaks out when I see them. Plus, sooooo shinyyyy. 

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Has metal been catching your eye as much as it has mine? What are you crushing on in the metal family? 

To check out more of my favorite things click here. 

Weekend Wrap-Up

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Here's a little collection of some things I've been diggin' lately.

Gold jewelry has been on my radar lately... and I always love multiple rings on one hand. 

Bright florals are inspiring to me, especially these super gorge tulips.

The ballet flats with ankle straps are adorable... feminine but not over-the-top since they're black.

Open shelving in a kitchen just about makes me swoon.

The outdoor scenery is getting me pumped for a weekend up north with the fam that's coming up soon.
I am always a fan of vintage tins... and candles. 

C.S. Lewis pretty much always knows what's what. 

The bright tribal patterns on the pillows make me want to turn on some Shakira and dance.

P.S. We tried the Pepperoni Pizza rolls this week that I mentioned wanting to try in this post (recipe #6) and they were heavenly. Seriously, almost bad how good they were since we gorged ourselves and got stomach aches. We will be having them again, but maybe next time with a bit more self-control. Just check these babies out, though!

Have a wonderful, inspiring (maybe even delicious?) weekend, folks!

A Few of My Favorite Things

Happy winter! Although the first day of winter is still a good month and a half away, I feel justified in this greeting. Yesterday I woke up to a car covered in leaves (that I had to brush off with my ice-scraper) and today I woke up to a nice layer of ice. So it seems that the seasons have changed overnight and we are now in that season that us frozen chosen live for - winter! Construction will be done soon and we're headed into months of indoor activities- such as reading, cuddling, and watching seasons upon seasons of TV shows. So, without further ado, I bring you a few of my favorite things... inspired by the changing of seasons!

Candles. I have been obsessed with candles the last few days! Especially the WoodWick variety. It's a crackling candle. How could you not love that? One of the few pros of the change in weather is that it's perfect for cozying up with a good book by the fireplace (or clump of candles in my case).

White Collar. Ok. This show has always been one of my favorite things. But I just discovered there's a new season playing! And I seriously cannot wait until I have time to (cuddle up by my clump of candles) and watch the new episodes. If you're looking for a quality show, this is it. Humor, thievery, enduring friendship, and loads of white collar crime action.

Mystic Topaz. How cool is this stone? One of my friends has a ring and I fell in love instantly! It's different from every angle you look at it! AND fairly cheap. Win-win.

 

Quillows. A quilt that can fold up into a pillow. Who knew this was a thing?? After looking for a photo on Pinterest I realized that they are apparently usually geared toward kids, but I say pish-posh to that. Best. Invention. Ever. Also, you can stick your feet into the little pocket and your blanket won't slide off you!

Divergent series by Veronica Roth. Just read it. I've only read the first book, but let's just say I devoured that sucker and am so excited to (again) have enough time on my hands to get into the second in the series! (But the real question is... will I go for White Collar or this first??) Plus, Divergent will be coming out in theatres in March so you should probably read it before then so you're not one of those sad people who is a fan of the movies but has never read the book.

Weekend Wrap-Up

A few of my favorite things from this week!

New sandals from civilization (aka Target... the Dells is a bit sparse for shopping)

Hammock time with the kiddos.

A magical, sparkly, and oh-so-perfect for summer manicure!

 Prepping for my Nav Night talk on Other-Centered Living at Starbucks.

Putting the snow-cone maker to good (and different) uses!

A Few of My Favorite Things

You can call it a wish list, inspiration, or late-night creativity. I call it a few of my favorite things (at the moment, subject to change, in fact, required to change, always growing, morphing, ebbing and flowing according to my mood, the design world, and yes, sadly, even our culture.)

P.S. Pssttt... did you know that The Things That Makes Us Tick is on Facebook now? Check it out! (and go ahead and click that "like" button while you're at it!)