Lately I'm Loving

Things on my mind/making me smile/causing distraction these days

--A new favorite in my Instagram feed lately: Subway Book Reviews. Normal commuters on the NY subway are asked what they’re reading and offer their own takes. It’s been a great way to build up my reading list without just picking a book judged by its cover at the nearest bookstore.  

--Speaking of books, I pre-bought and am working my way through Harper Lee’s “Go Set a Watchman.” Regardless of individual takes on the controversy surrounding its publication and content, I’m loving the immersion in Lee’s carefully-crafted, skilled prose. That said, I have so many thoughts and feelings and reading it honestly stresses me out at times. More to come.

--A few upcoming Twin Cities events that I’ve penciled in my calendar: next week Sociable Ciderwerks will host its second annual Northeast Brewers’ Block Party, and I can’t wait to attend! Kelsie and her sister, Hannah and her roommate Katie, Hal, Steph and I had such a good time last year, and it sounds like they’ve worked the kinks out of the first-year feedback…more taplines, more food, and better flow. Also excited for Theater Latte Da’s staging of “Sweeney Todd” starring two of my faves, Sally Wingert and Tyler Michaels, this fall. Will definitely be dragging Mama Bear to that one!

--In case you’ve been living under a rock and missed it, NASA successfully completed a flyby of Pluto last week. The discoveries sound pretty amazing—mountains that may indicate the presence of water, crazy potato moons, and a heart?—but I’m cracking up over a few of the memes that have been rocketing (ha!) around the Internet in the flyby’s wake. A few faves here, here, and here. I'm officially in favor of reinstatement as a planet. 

--And in the name of totally puerile, dumb, I-really-need-to-grow-the-eff-up-now humor, watch this. It makes me giggle EVERY TIME. 

Lately I'm Loving

Things making me smile/on my mind/causing distraction these days: 

-This New York Times story was deceptively simple at first glance: four sisters, forty photographs, forty years. As I read, though, and even moreso as I clicked through the gallery, I started thinking about permanence, aging, time, and leaving a record. I like to think this blog is one way of leaving my mark: my "forty photographs," just in words rather than prints. 

-Everyone's up in arms over the "Bachelor" bomb that next season's "Bachelorette" will feature two women (Britt Nilsson and Kaitlyn Bristowe) competing against each other to be selected...by the men...Personally I'm not a fan. Neither is Sean Lowe, of "Bachelor" fame, or Marie Claire. Don't worry though...E! Online got all scientific on us and polled 25 random men to determine who's actually going to get voted in. 

-Target Corporate's recent firing of more than 1,700 employees (not including last month's 500+) has rocked the Twin Cities. A plan for a pretty extreme restructuring has been rolled out, with few details made public, and the conversation is beginning to turn to how the Twin Cities will keep moving in the wake of what seems completely devastating. One of my favorite stories? YogaFit Minneapolis is giving a free month of yoga to anyone affected by the Target layoffs. A small gesture...but a great way to show solidarity. What better way to get centered again than with a little downward dog?

-Kaitlin sent me a ton of new music pretty much out of the blue earlier this week, and it's been making my earbuds insanely happy. Some of my new faves: "Never Been in Love" by Elliphant, "Hold Back the River" by James Bay, and "Hey" by Elvis Perkins in Dreamland. New season, new music, right? 

Lately I'm Loving

Things making me smile/on my mind/causing distraction these days: 

--Laura sent me the link to Emily McDowell's utterly lovely shop at work the other day. Productivity was instantly killed. Favorite? Her "About Me" page, where she states, "We think funny and pretty don't have to be mutually exclusive." I agree, Emily, I agree. I for sure want a print and a humorous reusable grocery bag...in addition to EVERYTHING ELSE. 

--Minneapolitans (and others) may remember this obituary, which went viral on social media back in November. Through other news articles, I found Aaron's wife Nora's blog, My Husband's Tumor, and fell down a rabbit hole of devastatingly honest, heartrendingly beautiful writing that I didn't tear myself away from until I'd read the entire site start to finish. If you need a reaffirmation of the resiliency and grace of the human spirit, check it out and stay forever. 

--It is with heavy heart that I have to report that two of my fave brunch locales have closed their doors: Boneyard has shuttered after only nine months in its Uptown Hennepin location, and Spill the Wine has also folded. I'm naturally devastated. Fortunately, there are a few openings that have raised my spirits: slotting right into Boneyard's vacancy is Salsa a la Salsa, which used to be a date night mainstay; The Third Bird right across Loring Park from me is garnering rave reviews, and I loved my visit to the big, new, gorgeous Surly Taproom!

--With my rampant Francophilia in full swing in advance of our trip to Paris in May, I'm spending way too much time dreaming of all things French. When Em pointed me to the Instagram account of the Chateau de Gudanes, "j'ai flippé le shit," colloquially (and incorrectly) speaking. An Australian couple purchased this decrepit Sleeping Beauty of a French château and commenced renovating it with as much historical accuracy as possible. I've loved following along on Insta as well as through their oh-so-charmante blog. 

--Valentine's Day is right around the corner, and my world has exploded into happy clouds of pink and hearts and glitter accordingly. This is my first single Valentine's Day in a long time, and I've already got my plans set in stone to make it the best in years...but how cute is this girly brunch by Lauren Conrad, or this pretty "friendship fete" by The Everygirl? It makes me want to unleash my inner Martha Stewart in a big way. 

Lately I'm Loving

Things making me smile/on my mind/causing distraction these days: 

--I'm taking on a new role at work that's a pretty big step up difficulty- and seniority-wise from my old role, and the flip side of that is that I'm starting to struggle with a new batch of colleagues taking me seriously. I actually quoted Shakespeare to myself--and my Facebook friends--the other day..."Though she be but little, she is fierce." ("Midsummer Night's Dream," for those curious.) This New York Magazine article piqued my interest--who doesn't want to be powerful and likable at the same time? 

--I love coffee. I love books. I love nerdy jokes. Therefore I am honor-bound to love Literary Starbucks, the brainchild of three way-too-witty Carleton College students who like to imagine the world's great authors attempting to navigate the Starbucks menu. Bonus points to the barista in all the scenarios, for always knowing exactly how to act...am I right? 

--Ever since Laura came to visit, I've had a craving for a Juicy Lucy...I blame our decadent trip to the Nook. Thrillist took some time to compile a list of their favorite Juicy Lucy spots, and I have to say, I'm a bit confused by the Thai salad Juicy Lucy...other spots definitely sound worth a first (let's be real, another) visit, though! 

--My family has a kind of weird but awesome tradition of seeing movies on Christmas Day when we're on our own for the holiday..."Les Mis" in 2012 was pretty much the highlight of my holiday season. This year, I'm hoping we'll head to "Into The Woods;" the MTV first look seems so promising! 

--I'm a proud member of the losing-est graduating class in the history of Notre Dame football. Fun fact, eh? My first three years of school were Charlie Weis's last three years as Notre Dame's head coach, and needless to say, they were painful years to be a football fan (let alone a band member who got to witness most losses up close and personal from the field). This ranking of the defeats of the Weis era made me laugh, cringe, and cry internally a little. I definitely agree that the Snowballgate during the Syracuse loss takes the cake, given I had three guests in to watch a "sure win," and we got routed, and I couldn't feel my toes for hours after. 

Lately I'm Loving

Things making me smile/on my mind/causing distraction these days: 

--As a total bookworm, I always get excited when people talk about books, literacy, reading, et cetera in the media. This article in The Atlantic accordingly piqued my interest, claiming Millennials are out-reading older generations. The article went on, however, to explain that 88% of Americans under 30 stated they had read a book in the last year. Um, a book?! I read a book a week...at least! So what does that make me? At any rate, I found the discussion of the waning of public libraries interesting.

--Since moving to Loring Park, I've been seeing a ton of this guy around. Odd, right? I was curious as to who he is, so I hopped on Google and searched "Minneapolis weird guy in white suit." Cue falling down the rabbit hole that is Scott Seekins, artist and local celebrity of sorts. He's got an obsession with Britney Spears, wears head-to-toe white all summer and black all winter, and is said to bring good luck to all who spot him in his daily ramblings. There's even a site to track spottings! Just one of the myriad reasons I love this crazy small town, big city. 

--My friend Kim sent me this Buzzfeed article about what happens when you reply to guys on Tinder exclusively in Taylor Swift lyrics. There's a long, convoluted backstory as to why I found this extra-funny, but it's worth checking out. She knew you were trouble when you walked in, and all. 

--As I've been furnishing my apartment, I'm looking all over the Cities for fun, feminine touches to make it really reflect me. I've hit up all my usual standards (Patina, Bibelot, Ampersand, and duh, Anthropologie), but headed to I Like You in Northeast after work the other day to snap up some of their adorable Twin Cities pint glasses. The store is uniformly precious and I want everything they sell. That's all. 

--I'm extra excited that it's Friday because one of my favorite people ever is en route to visit! Laura has been my unofficial "life coach" for years...since she's basically living my life two years before I do. We both studied in London, suffered in the Big 4, and found professional fulfillment after our exits from that world. We love Taylor Swift, musicals, brunch and the Backer. And I am OBSESSED with her adorable standard poodle, Fiona, who is without question the most intelligent and attractive dog in the world. This weekend, I've got a ton planned for us! I think we'll hit up Minnehaha Falls, check out the lakes, grab brunch somewhere on my list, and maybe take in a show at the Guthrie if time allows!