Tag: favorites

Saturday Favorites

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Happy almost end of April! I thought I’d share a few favorites and discoveries from this past week.

Music:
Sylvan Esso – this is a collaboration between a singer-songwriter from the Appalachian indie folk trio Mountain Man and an electronic producer/bassist – which results in a happy electro/pop/folk sound.

Holst’s The Planets – heard a snippet of this and was reminded about how much I love these pieces.

Because we were down and out with the crud and busy this week, I didn’t cook (okay – maybe one night).  As a result, I’ve been studying recipes and also ate out a fair bit for lunches this week. Some of my new favorites and ideas!

Eats:
Bep Eatery – Because I hardly ever venture out into the skyway, a coworker of mine had to introduce me to this place – and it was delicious. And most of their food is gluten free, because: rice noodles. I got some pho and not only was it affordable for a lunch, a large quantity, but I got to choose everything I wanted from the protein to the sauce. Comfort in a bowl.

This Ricotta Dumpling with Asparagus and Green Garlic looks amazing (putzy, but amazing) and perfect for spring. On my list!

One of my friends and I have decided to revamp happy hour to fit how we feel on Fridays. Because really – let’s face it – most of the time on Fridays, you don’t really want to go out (translate – we’re not as young as we used to be). So our new plan is to go and get snacks from a restaurant or have them on hand and then bring them, the wine and yoga pants to the happy hour. Best ever. Last night she had fries and this Sriracha Mayo – delicious.

Beauty/Lifestyle:

I’d forgotten how much I like to take a bath every now and again, until my chiropractor told me to take a epsom salt bath last time I was in to help relax my muscles. I love this Lavender and Honey scent from Calgon. Great before bed with that lavender!

Young Living Essential Oils certainly have their following and my sister has now introduced us to the joys of a diffuser with essential oils. Our diffuser came yesterday (it may or may not be the same one that both she and my mom have) and I could not be more excited to try it!

Sea Salt Spray is something I’ve used for a few years, but haven’t found one that I really liked until recently. Growing my hair out for a special occasion is not new to me, but this time, because it will be my wedding, is a different story. My hair is pretty fine and thin, so as it gets longer, I have to putter around with it more to make it look decent. Sometimes, I don’t want to and end up air-drying/retraining it to be wavy/curly. I love how light the Beautycounter spray is, plus it adds body and some level of hold and is free of so many ingredients I don’t want to be using!

And completely unrelated, I purchased some Yankz laces on the recommendation of my triathlete friend and just finally got them on my retro Sauconys – easy for putting on and cute!

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What are some of your new favorites or discoveries?

Cheers to Saturday!

Sundays in the city

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Another week, another Sunday!

After being gone last weekend, and a busy week – it’s been a weekend of getting things in order. You know that feeling when you’ve been absent from your home and while you don’t notice it, things keep piling up? Clothes, dust, dishes, (and your fridge is empty because you haven’t been home enough to cook). Everything needs a reset.

That was much of the weekend. We’re doing a mini-Whole30 this week and I spent much of the morning at the store and prepping food for the week. My feet are tired!

As The Knot keeps reminding me – we only have XXX days until our wedding! This didn’t really stress me out until this past week when it suddenly seemed like we were behind. I know it will all get done and it will be fun and no one will notice if all the details we planned aren’t finished, but there are definitely some things that have to be done sooner rather than later.

We managed to tick off a few of those things this weekend – like getting Z’s suit, scheduling a cake tasting, eyeing up some invitations, looking at flower shops to make appointments and registering (which was really fun). I know that there is more to come, but so far – we’re just having a lot of fun.

If you’ve been married – what was your favorite registry gift? And was it something you’d registered for or something you just got?

Before I sign off for the night, a few things to check out in the Mpls/St. Paul area that are rapidly becoming favorites:

Heirloom in St. Paul – cozy, delicious food, fantastic wine list and great bartenders.
Minnesota Orchestra’s Symphony in 60 (we saw the Rite of Spring last week and I forgot how intense it is.) I have been so impressed with the way the orchestra has made a concerted effort to get people into the hall – especially now, we need to be patronizing the arts. It’s important and good for the soul.
Mucci in St. Paul – prosecco on tap, need I say more?
Baseball starts tomorrow!

Cheers to a great week – happy April!

 

Sundays in the city

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Home from a much needed weekend getaway with a few of my best friends. Returning back to your own bed and the familiarity of home after being away – even for a short time is always strangely lovely and sad at the same time.

The unpacking, the memories, the sudden panic when you realize that you’ve got a busy week ahead and it’s late on Sunday night. The laundry, the grocery shopping, all of it.

Oh well. Tomorrow is another day.

We had a great weekend in Davenport, IA – eating, drinking, laughing uncontrollably, getting pedicures and doing facial masks, watching lots of Chopped. Perfect girls weekend.

A few pictures with the promise to write more about a few of our favorite places this week!

Besties.
New toes!
A toast. (with kind of crappy champagne)
Cru – super cute wine bar!

My Favorite Products: Face Oils

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hMinnesota winters can be * harsh. The snow, the salt, the dry, dry air. Or at least usually that’s the case.

I love winter. I love being cozy, snowed in with a glass of wine, a delicious meal (maybe a Norwegian Fiskesuppe?) a good book or movie, cozy blankets and candles.

This winter has been especially mild. Fifty degrees in March with no snow? Just drab, dirty winter. I’m not into it. And neither is my skin – so dry!

Solution? Beautycounter Face Oils. 

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The new Beautycounter+ Lineup plus the fabulous Face Oils!

I know what you’re thinking – put oil on my skin? That seems like a really bad idea.** Oils are actually really great for your skin for a variety of reasons. Especially in harsher, drier climes like Minnesota.

Mix a drop or two with your moisturizer and you are set. This is one of my favorite discoveries within the Beautycounter skin care line. I love how well it works and what it’s done for my skin. I use it year round (mixing with a lighter moisturizer in the summer).

(Side note: today Beautycounter announced its new Beautycounter+ line which is AMAZING! I have tried all of them and they are awesome.)

I’m not done hoping for winter, for more snow and a chance to be socked in with nothing to do but be cozied up with the two Z’s***, a blanket and a cup of tea.

“Snow was falling,
so much like stars
filling the dark trees
that one could easily imagine
its reason for being was nothing more
than prettiness.”
― Mary Oliver

(But seriously – can it snow again?)

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  • * I guess? Hello global warming.
  • *** Zach & Zorro

My Favorite Products: Touchup Skin Concealer Pen

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This time of year is always challenging – especially as we hurtle towards Daylight Savings time. My goal lately has been to get to work earlier – which is easier with more light in the morning – and always allows me to be able to work, get a run in*, get to the grocery store if I need to and somehow get dinner on the table before 8 PM.

I’m definitely one of those people that likes to be busy – I thrive on it. But sometimes that means I might not get as much sleep as I need/want. And with naturally dark circles that just refuse to go away no matter what treatment I give them (I’ve tried just about everything – every cream, concealer, mask in the book) – concealer is a must have in my makeup bag and I rarely leave the house without it.**

Enter my one of my first Beautycounter makeup purchases: the Touchup Skin Concealer Pen. It’s in my top five favorite products for sure. And it works. It’s easy to toss into your purse for those longer days (when you are needed to fill a seat at an event last minute/going out for happy hour/a board meeting/fill in the blank) for a touchup, but also stays pretty put during the day.

The click pen applicator and brush great for applying to the gentle eye area and provide good coverage and is easy to build on. Pro tip: I like to dust a little bit of a highlighter on after my moisturizer before the concealer to help it set.

Because no one likes to hear: “You look really tired today!”

Just don’t say it. Get the concealer you have stashed in your purse and share it!

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  • * Or… getting back into running – which is no joke.
  • ** Let’s be real, I don’t leave the house without it.

My favorite products: Nourishing Cream Cleanser

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Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing my favorite Beautycounter products, how I use them and why they rank in my top five favorites.

I’m starting with the Nourishing Cream Cleanser because it was one of the first products I tried and continues to be one of my favorites. I had the opportunity to try the Essential Nourishing Starter Set from my good friend Colleen, who had just started her own Beautycounter business. I was hooked after trying this super gentle cleanser the first time.

It’s gentle, not heavily scented, super rich/smooth and as I discovered, perfect for my sensitive skin. What I have recently learned that makes this product even better (along with all of the Beautycounter line) is that the products do not contain any gluten products. (I am not generally very sensitive to gluten in products, so if that is a bigger concern for you, please do a patch test.)

You only need a tiny dime sized dab of this gem (really!) – and it easily rinses clean, without any dryness or tightness. Massage over damp skin and rinse! Voila. Make-up and dirt: gone.

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Have you tried the Nourishing Cream Cleanser? What did you think? Share in the comments!

Why I joined Beautycounter

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Friends, I decided to join the Beautycounter movement because I believe that we should not have to question the toxicity level of our personal care and cosmetic products. I want to advocate for safer products, but also to share these incredible products which have been great for my sensitive skin. I invite you to take a few minutes to watch this video to learn about this innovative company, but also to understand why this is important. If you have questions about Beautycounter or are interested in learning more – please contact me!

This website will be a space for me to share news and product information, but also to share some of my favorite things related to the arts, music, and food. I hope you’ll follow along, ask questions and help us move toward safer products and a brighter tomorrow.