Hope

I always think of this picture when I have a tough day.

There is always a light.

via Pinterest

xoxo

PYT (Pretty Young Thang)

I've always wanted to go see the Cirque de Soleil.

Random, yes. But many of my friends keep returning from Vegas, raving about the Beatles cirque or some other amazing show.

A few weeks after I vocalized this desire, Mike surprised me with tickets to the Michael Jackson Cirque de Soleil. I had no idea they were in town, let alone with the theme of MJ!

So we had a little date night after work, and sat with wide eyes and gawking mouths in awe of the ways these dancers can move! ...and fly through the air. anddd MJ's music, of course.

I even got to debut my new pumps :)

It was amazing! Go see it for yourself!

xoxo

Tech Holders

I am terrible with my technology.

Cameras. Phones. Laptops.

I buy 'em and break 'em.

Despite my currently cracked iPhone screen (I broke my case the week before and then it fell out of my pocket...blah), I am doing my best to keep all of my technology tools intact. So I devoured the world wide web to find effective tech-holders that didn't smother my style.

Between Society6 and Etsy, my case was closed.

I seriously couldn't believe all of the options. After much dilemma, I finally chose the following:

My phone cover makes me feel like a hippie wild child...

Well..I suppose they both do. Hah!

But I just received both in the mail and I'm loving these refreshing prints in comparison to the typical dull rubber bumpers.

iPhone case found here

MacBook sleeve found here

Check out Society6 and Etsy for more options.

Hide your wallet if you don't plan on purchasing!

xoxo

crushing

My mind has been buzzing for weeks.

What am I thinking about so lustfully?

This chair.

As I build my foundation of home decor, I've been sticking to furniture and main pieces that are neutral in color, allowing me to accessorize with bright patterns and colors for each season.

But this...this breaks every mold. I saw it on Pinterest and just found it again via Kelly Green. She hit the nail on the head. I have a huge crush on this chair!

xoxo

sharp as a pencil

I am swooning over J.Crew's spring collection of skirts. Including but not limited to the pencil. My mom keeps telling me that this season was made just for me. Ever since I was little I tried to wear as many colors at one time as possible. I love dressing like a crayon box!

Bring on the colors and silhouettes!

xoxo

enjoy your ride

Michael's mom organized an indoor triathlon on Sunday on behalf of her non-profit, featuring those suffering from MS and cancer. After spending Saturday night at a charity auction for the ALS disease, I couldn't help but feel like God was trying to teach me something.

The wisdom on the complimentary Wheel & Sprocket water bottle was far too appropriate!

I signed up for my first Olympic triathlon a few weeks ago, a feat that isn't far out of my reach but still intimidating. I've never been more inspired by the heart and perseverance of those that surrounded me this weekend in their fight for life. They face adversity each day and only hope to show others how to battle on with grace and an everlasting faith. An indoor triathlon was nothing in comparison to the battle they face each day!

Let the training begin!

xoxo

It's time to begin, isn't it?

via a perfect kind of day

xoxo

the great outdoors

I've never been much of a camper.

It's an event that I'll happily participate in and enjoy (as long as there's a bathroom), but not something I'd go out of my way to plan. But after seeing these photos on Pinterest, I've got the itch and I can't stop thinking about it!

I feel an outdoor adventure coming on. Who knows what the summer season will hold!

xoxo

effects of the retrograde

I was told that Mercury went into retrograde yesterday, which apparently in the astrology world means that people do crazy and stupid things. I'm unfamiliar with this, but I'm going to take it in stride and use it as a crutch for my string of unfortunate events yesterday.

I drank a full cup of coffee which makes me absolutely batty. Like jumping out of my skin, can't stop talking, annoying myself and all around me, batty.

"Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results."

Yes. That is me drinking coffee, thinking that my body can suddenly handle the on-pour of caffeine when it never has before.

No, Kerstin, No. It will send you to the hospital either from heart failure, or a loved one harming you out of sheer irritation.

I then proceeded to back my car into the side of Michael's garage. (Can I blame the caffeine shakes??) There is no sound worse than the unexpected crunch of your back bumper. Sorry, tail light, I really didn't mean to break you into a million pieces.

After a very productive day working on Michael's new house (more on that later), we had to rush downtown to get ready for a charity auction. After the 40 minute drive to my apartment, I reached in my purse to discover that my apartment keys were with my car keys...in the ignition of my now-battered car...in Michael's garage....40 minutes behind us.

"Uh...Mike..."

Luckily he has the patience of a monk (hah) and drove us all the way back to his house, and then all the way back downtown, and then waited 40 more minutes for me to shower and get ready so we could be 2 hours late to meet my family at the event. That's love, people!

So after a jam packed weekend, we were finally able to breathe and relax at 1:32 this afternoon, and for the past 7 hours our lives have looked like this:

please note that this cup represents tea. i'm trying to stop my patterns of "insanity"

all images via pinterest

Hope you all stayed clear of the effects of "Mercury in retrograde" and had a wonderful weekend :)

xoxo

Cheerio

My girlfriend over at lace & lacquer just introduced me to a band called Karmin.

Start your weekend early with a solitary dance party. Right...now.

Go ahead, no one's watching :)

xoxo

Thankful Thursday

Extra reasons to smile this week:

1. Dinner date with my girlfriend, Brenna, for a "classy burger" (the perfect combo!) at one of my favorite spots in Milwaukee, Elsa's. So thrilled that it's within walking distance!
2. Close-up of my necklace-holding tree. More on that later.
3. Ivanka Trump's Gurdia pump from heels.com. I stalked the mailman in anticipation for this package.
4. I'm a Gemini. Gurdia pumps, meet my other side: running shoes. First run since my marathon in October. Letting my blood drain to prevent soreness...? I know, I know, running myth for sure. I felt like a spazz and it didn't even work. But I'm back on the road. Progress!
5. Came home from work, put on my hoodie and suddenly felt very J.Crew-esque. Had to capture it ;)
6. It is unseasonably warm here in Wisco. Dear flip flops, meet the month of March.
7. Michael and I walked down to Alterra at the Lake to enjoy such glorious weather. Hooray for 70+ degrees in the evening, patio sitting, and the smell of spring!
8. Nightfall at Alterra at the Lake
9. Happy St. Patty's Day! We pretended we were in college again and started the day at noon. Complete with beads, green beer and glasses!
10. God made the Irish #1. Enuff said.
11. What a cute happy couple :) I finally caught dinner with two of my favorites at the Horny Goat's outdoor patio. (I cringe every time I hear the name, but I love the place!) We enjoyed the dangerously delicious "loaded tots" outside by the fire. Replace nacho chips with tator tots. Napolean Dynamite would FLIP!
12. I went to my parent's house for a night just in time for the pier to go in - one of my favorite days of the year! I am soo loving this heatwave.

I feel like it's been an unusually exciting week.

:)

Now if only we could get a win from Marquette tonight for the Elite Eight...

Ring out ahoya!

xoxo