Friday Favs #5

While it has been a while since my last post, ideas are perculating, exporing sessions have happened and spring has been ever so much the temptress. Between 70 degree days, then snow and hail, then 30 degree mornings, my outfits are confused and my bare legs have braved the snow.

I think what I just wrote means, there may be fewer posts here, as I’m out enjoying the pending Spring, exploring to my hearts content and attempting to figure out what I want to do for the next 6 months. Do I want to set new goals? Where do I want to travel to next?

As Spring slides into Summer, I plan to spend as much time outdoors and trying the new as possible. Don’t forget about this little space here, I will be popping in to connect and write away.

 To recap last couple of weeks, heres a list of my Friday Favs, linking up with KatieHeather and Clare!

1. The Shed Fitness.  This place has become like a second home. I have a healthy obsession with thier spin and bodypump classes. If you haven’t been, check them out!

2. This Octopus dish at Coup ‘d’etat.  No idea what else I ate there, because this was the stand out dish.

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3. Puppy love. I always considered myself a small dog person. I like the little bundle of fur that curls up in my perfect little nook by my side at night. I can handle the pulling of the leash by a 9 pound dog.  I’m petite and many dogs, when standing on their two feet, can be taller than me! Small dogs were always my style, what I grew up with.  However, there is something about a big dog, taking up the other side of the bed, keeping you warm because you refuse to turn the heat back on in April.  She is more than growing on me 🙂 She has stolen a peice of my heart. Sorry Olive 🙂

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Actually, I think Olive is just fine with it!

4. This bottle of Rose. I had planned to not have wine this week. Bahahaha, right Christina.  But Monday got me. A flurry of work and everything else led me to Surdyk’s. I cannot remember his name, but he never steers me wrong on a bottle of wine. It was not too dry, not too sweet. Exactly how I described my hunt for the perfect Rose.  Have you tried this one?

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Enjoy the weekend! Trying anthing new this weekend?

Vietnam Bound

The anticipation has been building like a thousand knots in my chest.  Like a swarm of pverbial butterflies bursting out.

The excitement can no longer be contained! The duffel is packed, my comfy clothes are on, and we are off. Our Vietnam adventure begins.

I do not think words can convey my excitement.  My wanderlusting soul is like a kid on Christmas morning..

Hopefully by the time you read this, we are sipping morning cocktails at MSP, or rushing to our connection Chicago flight, or enjoying a plethora of wine on the 14 hour plus flight to Asia.

Or hopping on a small plane to eventually land in Hanoi. ( I may need more wine to survive all these flights!)

Its almost unreal. We are about to cross off a major bucket list item. A country I’ve wanted to explore for years. Well, two countries 🙂 See you seen too, Cambodia.

It started with a thought… then an action. More doing, less thinking. 2014 was the year of stepping up my exploring; or at least planning such stepping up. The year of making decisions and going for it.

An out of the blue text to my now roommate, and here we are, Vietnam bound!

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Cheers to you my fellow wanderlusting friends, happy Friday 🙂

And because I cannot think of a better Friday Fav,

Linking up with Katie, Heather and Claire for Friday Favs!!

Friday Favs #4

Its the weekend, weekend. Phew!

Who is ready for Saturday morning sculpt, family dinner and down time? This girl.

This week brought a weird mix of events and I am ready for a wind down.

However with the weird also comes the good.

Linking up with Katie, Heather and Claire for Friday Favs!!

1) With this weeks amazing (yes I mean 35 degrees!) weather, I went on a 1.9 mile run outside. Yep I just said that. Me, the “I hate running, maybe ill try it next year, I’ll stick to the elliptical”, self just said that. Mom, dad, are you on the ground right now in shock? Want to know what’s even more shocking? I liked it. Yes, liked it enough to agree to a 5k. Funny the things or people it takes to push you out of your comfort zone and try something knew 😉 Couch to 5k here we come.

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2) New fur friends. My friend Jen shared her lady crushes this week, and I’m hopping on the bandwagon, fur baby style.

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Best buds. Big and Little.

3) Disasters in the kitchen. Yes, disasters…. I do not recommend this “healthified” curry, whole wheat, all veggie mac n cheeses, not one bit. Though I still think in concept, it sounded delish! I love a good chopping\mixing/experimenting session in the kitchen…. even if it didn’t work out. Who has an actually good version of this veggie curry mac n cheeses?

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4) This bottle of wine. Pinot Noir like I like my Pinot. Full bodied but not too heavy…. 🙂 A 2012 Vaughn Duffy. Someone tells me there were only 99 cases made. Which totally means I’m headed to France 44 to purchase the remaining bottles. If you see these somewhere else, buy it! If not for you, for me…

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5) And as you read this, we are officially one week away from Vietnam! The bucket list trip is on the horizon and I’m ready to go!

Happy Weekend! What are your plans?

Friday Favs #1

 Happy Friday! Today I’m trying out something new and linking up with Katie, Heather and Claire for Friday Favs. 

Here is a roundup of my favorite things from this week.

1) My new favorite boutique Primrose Park, that just so happens to be down the street from my place.  I’ve popped in a few times now and treated myself to a dainty bar necklace by Sbg Designs. I literally have not taken off my new necklace. Seriously, I wear it with everything, alone, layered, with my pajamas.. without pajamas….. and it only comes off to shower. TMI? If you haven’t been yet, head on over to Primrose Park. Let me know and I’ll meet you there, its way too close for my Mastercard’s comfort 🙂

2) Bryant Lake Bowl. Um somehow I’ve never been here before?! Hands down my new favorite date spot. Or brunch, or activity spot. Can I go again next week!?

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(Yes my jeans are too long and I had to roll them into my socks….AND I was wearing Christmas socks.)

3) This pasta dish: Trufled Cream with Langostine Lobster and butternut squash, Hello Broder’s Pasta Bar.

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4) Christmas table decor, because you know, its 9 degrees outside in November! I have to beat/try to enjoy winter somehow!

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Have I mentioned that Christmas does not help my ball obsession? Confused? Heres an explanation on my ball obsession…

5) This starter at Heartland. My Rainbow Trout love continues….If I could just eat about 5 more of these…

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Happy Weekend! What are your Friday Favs?