today.

It's Monday.  But maybe instead of approaching the day as "ugh, Monday," we can simply think of it as Today.

One of the Branch Manager's at our company had this on his desk, as he had just received it from another Manager.  He asked if I wanted a copy and it's now hanging at my desk as well.  I work in Human Resources for an Electrical Contractor.  Not typically a role or industry that involves faith (usually just the opposite), so I count my blessings being able to talk about it almost every day! 

Here's to today! 

two-straps.

I almost forgot about Patagonia pullovers and two-strap Birkenstocks.  (How!?)  This was my summer uniform when I was nine or ten, and I'm thinking it needs to be at 26 as well.  

Can't get these out of my head. One of each, please.

our new friend, adriene.

Michael came across this bedtime yoga video and we've since become Adriene's biggest fans.  I have a hard time falling asleep and he has a hard time touching his toes, so it was a perfect way to end the evening.  She's cute, authentic and very talented - and she's now our new friend. via youtube. normal. Check it out and sleep soundly!

let's make out.

I came across the lovely Jenna Leigh a few weekends ago and have since favorited her blog AND started following her on instagram. #creepalert!
She's quite the photographer, she has a heart for the Lord and her new print shop has me swooning.  I'm going to have to reprogram my gallery wall so I can include at least one of these beauties! 

  

Browse more of her hand-painted prints (and shop!) here. 

gallery life.

My empty-frame gallery needs a facelift.  

It's now been with me through two apartments for the length of three years, and I suppose I'm getting spring fever.  In my first apartment it hung on the wall of my reading nook, and in my current it hangs on the main wall of my living room.  

Though I loved the DIY (post to come), I think its time to bid farewell.  

 Cue the inspiration.  

photos via 

 I adore these galleries!  The character, sass, personality - it's like an autobiography hanging from your wall.  For the past few months I've been searching to collect just the right blend of personal photos, written prints, artwork and other knick knacks to create my ideal look.

I get caught between the refined look of evenly distributed matching white frames, versus the eclectic blend of mismatched frames and organized chaos.  I'm thinking I'll go with the latter, because let's be honest…my autobiography would not be refined :) 

stuck in love.

I'm so grateful for nights like this.  The rainy kind that just barely quench our yearning for spring as it uncovers all of the green from its frozen state.  I always like to think rainstorms and blizzards are God's way of telling us to stop and rest a moment.  So I'm obeying.  Candles are lit, Ben Howard is wooing me in the background, and look at this, I found my blog again :)

It's funny how you can get stuck just going through the motions, cruising in autopilot until something finally wakes you up, realizing that a whole piece of yourself was left a few miles back.  I watched a movie the other night, Stuck in Love (check it out on Netflix!) and was reunited with my adoration of language and the treasure in taking time to simply "be" and reflect.  Outside of faith based, self-improvement, or business books, I have not enjoyed a good piece of literature in I don't know how long.  

"You mean pinning wise quotes on Pinterest don't suffice in fulfilling a passion?!   Whaat."  

This has been my exposure as of late.  Sad truth.

Instead of just dipping my toes in an unfulfilling way, this movie reminded me of my love for diving in and swimming around in words until I'm as pruny as can be.   

  

Stuck in Love inspired me to become reacquainted with Raymond Carver, the mean-muggin gent above.  I vaguely remember studying him in a high school lit class, but I think my brain was too self-absorbed to let anything else sink in.  Another sad truth.  But despite his gruff appearance, the quote below provides a glimpse of a tender and romantic heart.  I can't wait to pick up a copy of the short stories in What We Talk About When We Talk About Love, or Will you Please be Quiet, Please? 

Let the swimming begin. 

not cool, Robert Frost!

i'm late to the party, i know. but if you are like me and have yet to watch kid president, please take a few minutes. it'll make your heart smile. 

give the world a reason to dance...get to it! 

three-peats

my weekend daily playlist. can't get enough. 

for this one, you just have to let it play....all 9 minutes :)
(okay maybe I stop at 6 min sometimes, but it's still so good)

happy weekend.

recent happenings.

sometimes we skype. sometimes we do bible studies via skype, and i feel like the luckiest girl in the world. other times i try to skype and darth vader shows up in place of my boyfriend. normal.

luckily he (my boyfriend, not darth vader) just moved downtown so skype is no longer necessary. welcome MRE to MKE :) cheers to being in the same zip code for the first time in 3+ years! 

i tried to go to Target for a tweezers and a hand-held vacuum...only. silly me. i left with half the store. remember those bright pillows i wanted? found them. and the neutral sheer knit? found that too. ...and the snakeskins i've been dreaming up. and a clock, and a case for my sunnies...both of which i needed. and a scarf of my favorite color combos. i even found a piggy bank! really kerstin? really! 

and then i dropped it and it shattered into a million pieces. did i take that as a sign? nope. i mustered the most charming smile i could, apologized sweetly, picked up another piggy and scampered away (i offered to help first!). needless to say, i felt dirty after i walked out the door. the tweezers and vacuum mission escalated rather quickly.

it's been pretty chilly lately and we're finally getting the wisco snow. so michael and i met for a running date. i always forget how beautiful winter runs are. skip the treadmill, friends. layer up and head outdoors!

as i was folding laundry one night there was a huge boom. i thought little of it (dangerously desensitized!) but then the power went out...and it never came back on. a sewer explosion led to a blackout, so my neighbors had a block party with candles and wine and gave each other home-tours like on MTV cribs. not a bad way to see the other units and meet your neighbors :)

i was especially thankful to have family nearby so they could rescue and feed me, and michael nearby so i could sleep in heat and shower the next morning!

just before valentine's day i came across this quote. usually i think the term "soulmate" is lame...but this time, this time i'm all for it. 

i got a sinus infection. but i also got my new Sorel's in the mail :) apparently my legs shrank too. 

we spent a night in chicago for the Hockey City Classic. michael and the boys dabbled in scotch flights, and the girls danced on stage with a gang of clowns at the bar...no explanation for that one. and then we all froze at the hockey game the next day. (had to represent wisco in camo...keep it classy) Go Badgers! 

hope ya'll had a good week! 

arctic treatment.

My Hunters aren't making the cut this winter. I bought them last year with the cute little boot liners and felt so clever having one pair of boots to keep my feets dry and warm all year round. 

Silly me. Those rubbers don't stand a chance in Wisconsin winters. (it's currently 10 degrees outside)

I love Hunters for the rainy season, but once the temperature starts dropping my toes can only stay awake for an hour max before they fall into a freezing coma. No one likes to be the first whiner that needs to thaw out inside and miss the outdoor fun, so I've decided its time for an alternative.  My boyfriend's family often uses Sorel boots, claiming that they last for years and years on end. After browsing the Sorel website, I fell in love with the style. They're the American classics of boots! 

The Joan of Arctic boots are my favorite. They change the perception of "arctic treatment," making it look like the coziest retreat of winter. My feets will be happy, plus they're on sale, so my wallet will be too. #winning

See for yourself at Sorel, Zappos, and Nordstrom

Photos are courtesy of those websites

facelift.

If you're visiting my page and things look a little off-kilter, don't be alarmed, I am under construction!  I'm giving my blog a little facelift and trying to teach myself a few tricks along the way, so thank you for your patience :)

In the meantime, which design below do you like best for my new header? I'm going for a much cleaner, more simple look, and I'm having a hard time deciding which one I like best. (shocker)

Let me know what you think!

catching up.

It's been months, and I hate missing out...so let's catch up :)

Here are some things worth mentioning from the past few months, and I'll fill in the gaps later...

Only the first few pictures appear on my home page, but you can click "read more" below to view the entire post." Sneaky new tricks :)

Halloween happened. Pumpkins glowed in the sunset and were later carved into silly faces.
Michael and I went to our first haunted housed together...and laughed. What? #middleschoolzombiesarentscary

Michael had a birthday. I decorated. #quarterofacentury

 

The Badgers played in a heavenly scene.

We cheered.