falling back in love with minnesota

these past two years, chad and i have not really liked minnesota, especially in the winter. we love our friends and family here, but we were really ready for a change and were hoping to move as soon as i graduated grad school. we started brainstorming our dream city, debating living abroad and started to plan on doing so.  but, things happen and i landed a great job here in minneapolis. which lead to our decision that we will be staying in minnesota for at least another two years, if not indefinitely. we were trying so hard to get away, but things kept strongly pulling us back. so we will take it and instead of dreaming of where we should move to, we are gong to refocus and re-fall in love with minnesota. now, this isn't always easy. minnesota has some glorious spring, summer, and fall days, but the winters get rough. but, we are no longer going to let it bother us or complain about it. we are going to embrace it! with our decision to stay here, we are really trying to find all of the good things about winter in minnesota. like playing hockey at the outdoor rink, going on winter walks all bundled up, drinking a lot of tea, getting cozy with a nice book. and it is slowly working. little by little we are falling in love with all of the minnesota seasons. i do have to say, it is pretty nice here :)

soup for the soul // carrot fennel soup

i have been a little under the weather this past few weeks. granted, it may be because i have spent a total of 9 nights in my bed in the past month and sleeping quite poorly... oops!

whenever i am not feeling well... or whenever it is cold out i instantly crave soup. with winter being here in full force, i have started my soup game up again (and am looking for any recommendations, links, or pinterest ideas of what types of soups i should make/ your favorites!)

chad is not really a fan of the soups. but as usual, i am keep feeding him these delicious soups. it's not that he doesn't like my soups, just not the biggest soup fan. i don't know how you can not be a soup fan. especially when there is snow on the ground! silly boys. i suppose they like things that are more meaty.

anyway, i always talk about the important of eating seasonally, and this recipe takes all of the delicious foods of the season - root vegetables, carrots, fennel, and blends them together to make a perfect, hearty winter meal.  roast all of these things together... and you instantly warm up, inside and out! don't be nervous if you have never cooked with fennel. it is kind of an odd ingredient that smells like black licorice but taste amazing. growing up in my traditional, five same rotating midwest meals every week, we never had fennel. i couldn't have even told you what it looked like until reading bon appetit a few years back, when i saw a fennel lemon salad. i read the recipe, and after a little hesitancy i decided to go to the grocery store and test it out.  the results were positive ;) now i am always trying to sneak it into things, especially in this winter season where immune systems are weak and are needing an extra boost!

carrot fennel soup

4 tablespoons of butter
1 onion finely chopped
3 carrots, peeled and finely chopped
1 fennel bulb sliced thinly
2 potatoes, diced
2 bay leaves
3 sprigs of thyme
salt and pepper
4 cups of broth (i used chicken broth)
dash of half and half

1. heat butter in a large heavy pot ( i used my cast iron pot) over medium. add onion, carrots, fennel, potato, thyme and bay leaf. season liberally with hot and pepper.
2. reduce heat and cook on medium-low for 45 minutes or so until vegetables become soft.
3. add broth and bring to a boil
4. reduce heat and simmer for another 10 or so minutes.
5. let the soup cool and then work in batches to puree in a blender until smooth. this was the point where i added half and half to give it a more rich flavor.
6. top with nuts, sour cream, creme fresh or whatever topping you would enjoy!
recipe adapted from bon appetit

enjoy! 

taking stock // winter

hello! i did this little taking stock "inventory" last fall and thought it would be fun to fill out again. so much changes in each season and it is fun to pause and reflect on these things before it passes by. certainly i am guilty of wanting to move to the next stage of life while forgetting that i am in midst of a beautiful season. so, taking stock part two. please copy and paste if you would like to play along. i love reading everyones answers!

(photo from warby parker event last summer)

taking stock // winter

making: bath time a priority. there is nothing better then to calm someone down then a nice soothing bath

cooking: some delicious soup. this winter i have upgraded my soup making. it is the best lunch! pinterest has been the primary source of inspiration

drinking: lots of champagne these days. my favorite alcoholic beverage of choice.

reading: lots about style. i am constantly inspired by the way the french live, so i have taken up reading on the subject matter. some of my recent reads include all you need to be impossibly french and lesson from madame chic

wanting: peace of mind. and to go to a bookstore and cuddle up with no homework in site.

looking: at madewell's site and wishing i could own everything in the store.

playing: lots of solitaire on my phone, don't start it is addicting.

wasting:lots of limes lately. i like citrus but lately can't finish it all.

sewing: nothing, i can't sew. :(

wishing: that floral bouquets would never die. or that i could have a 24/7 flower service

enjoying: marriage and the crazy adventures it brings

waiting:  for  the day chad and i can buy a beautiful house, so i can have my own little chickens

liking: the tumblr convoy

wondering: when i can wear cute shoes again, and not boots. or wool socks.

loving: the combination of chocolate and peanut butter

hoping: that despite the massive amounts of snowfall, traffic wont be *that bad*

marveling: at how much i love babies.  and how fun it will be to be a mama (but not for another 4-5 years)

smelling: my cinnamon gum. my latest obsession.

needing: sleep, or a fuel pump that would feed energy into my body.

wearing: my classic staples, comfortable sweater, black jeans, and beautiful scarf.

following: the olympics! go usa!

noticing: i'm getting wrinkles...

knowing: i need more jesus

thinking: about the trips we have planned this year

bookmarking: when looking up the books i shared in the reading, i googled french women and this link came up. it caught my attention and continued my adoration for the women of this culture.

opening: magazines. bon appetit and martha stewart living.

giggling: at these two old best friends. i aspire to have a friendship like theirs one day.

feeling: all over the place. i have been very up and down lately, probably due to the stress. things have been making me extra emotional.


come join the fun and play along :)

wordless wednesday // snowy minnesota

wordless wednesday// coffee in camp mugs with a cozy sweater

polar vortex fashion inspiration

 

 
i hope you have managed to stay warm during the polar vortex these past few days. i know that i have been putting on extra layers and have been taking full advantage of scarves, hats, and sweater, specifically  turtle necks. here is a little fashion inspiration, being warm can be cute.

source// 1, 2 , 3

saturday mornings // winter

reasons why i love saturday mornings// winter edition:

-it is the one day of the week where you can stay in your pajamas until noon

-you can sleep in ( i kinda suck at this part, does 8am count as sleeping in?) and spend a few extra minutes in those flannel sheets

-there is unlimited, delicious, freshly brewed chemex coffee 

-you can cuddle up with a cute husband while reading a book

-the pretty snow falls, and you like it, especially because you know you don't have to drive in it

-whenever you finally want to make breakfast, it can be a big brunch (my favorite meal, ever!)

-you put on wool socks and don't have to worry about them getting sweaty in your boots

why do you love saturdays?

winter in minnesota, my to-do list

oooh minnesota winters, i have a bitter sweet relationship with you. the snow is so pretty, but it gets so so cold. its easy to let it get you down. the days are short, the sun isn't always around, and have i mentioned it gets cold? but... i have to face it, i live here. and though it does get so cold there are some great things about winter. the snow is so beautiful. your bed has flannel sheets that you get to cozy into every night. you always have an excuse to drink coffee. you get to wear cute mittens and hats. and there are some fun activities exclusive to this time of year.  this list maker in me had to make a winter to-do list for 2013-2014 :)

… go ice skating on the beautiful lakes or in rice park

… get a cup of coffee on a chilly day! a great excuse to stop at some of my favorite coffee shops. like spyhouse, or kopplins (they makes a mean cup of hot cocoa!)

… go see the holidazzle light parade

…. attend  the winter caravel hosted in st. paul and see the ice sculptures 

...  go snow shoeing at lebanon hills ( I always say I want to do this every year, but never do! Chad isn’t a fan of the whole snow shoeing idea, I don’t see why?! Maybe I can convince him)

…. celebrate our first wedding anniversary, January 19^th!

… go to minihaha falls and see the falls, frozen.

…. make a snow angel

... wear more hats 

 

winters are long here, but they still are beautiful. what do you have planned to do this winter?

little black t

shirt// aerie (old) pants// gap sunglasses// target shoes// target necklace// thrifted clutch// grandmas old bag

classic pieces in your closet. what are they? for me. it is this black t-shirt (little black t if we will) and olive jeans. i have had these items for years but time and time again they prove themselves to be wonderful pieces. simple. the best part about simple outfits is that they are so easy to dress up. add a few pieces of trendy jewelry and it looks like the pieces are brand new! or you can mix and match classics, for instance the clutch in the photos is my grandmas old bag from 40 years ago. classic, quality items go a long ways! 

as you can tell from the photos... minnesota still has lots of snow.  and all i want is grass! and flowers! (lots and lots of tulips if mother nature will allow) but- doesn't look like that is going to be coming for a bit. so in the meantime while all of the other states get lots of sunshine, i will still be wearing my boots, and jacket. :) but may be stopping by the grocery store to have some tulips indoor. if i can't have spring outdoors might as well bring it in! 

the ground is still white

sweater: aerie shirt: h & m pant: tj maxx boots: frye

so, this is the time of year where i get spring fever major. but the only problem when you live in minnesota is spring is still two months away. yikes. all i want to do is whip out the mint colored pants, the sleeveless shirts, and flats. but that isn't very practical when there is still snow on the grown. not to mention you will be freezing if you are actually serious about trying to wear that in a public place. so, here i am stuck in my mustard jeans. at least for a few more weeks (maybe we will get lucky with a huge warm front so i can wear my new sparkly flats!) but until then, i will be holding down the north front, fully equipped with sweaters and boots :)

what is the weather like where you live? what have you been wearing lately? 

winter needs

winter needs by heathermarie2391 featuring a bobble hat

so if you haven't ever heard, minnesota can be very cold. very very cold. meaning we all know how to dress in many layers to help  keep warm and comfy! i thought i would share some of my favorite winter wear products/must haves to keep warm this winter. most of these items (or items like these) got me through awful cold winters, that i had to walk to work.lucky this year the weather has not been too bad ( it was 60 the other day, something that is unheard of in decemember!) but i know that snow is going to be coming down any day now.

WINTER NEEDS 

1 & 2 - hats, you need hats and lots of them! if looking for a great deal on a hat check out carhartts basic knit hat, only $8!

3- wool socks, i live by these, they make such a difference! 

4- sorel boots, though they might not be the best looking things (but boy have they came a long ways!) they are the most practical winter boot out there

5- parka coat. last year was the first year i owned a parka coat, and i loved it. highly recommend purchasing one, especially if you live in a colder climate

6- big chunky scarves- i just purchased this scarf at target the other day and i am very excited to use it. scarves are awesome because not only are they a great fashion accessory but they keep you so warm! two for one deal.

7- mittens, this one is self explanatory, mittens are great and a must have in the cold. unless you want chapped hands 24/7  :)

some of my other favorite items that i don't have listed are long underwear, fleece jackets, and my faithful hunter boots with the fleece inserts. 

what are your winter needs? do you live somewhere cold?