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

As the clock struck Twelve.

My sweet friend caught some photos of Michael and I as we celebrated the new year. Please excuse the cell phone quality, but I'm so grateful to have the moment on film!

xoxo

Industrial warmth.

Normally those two words don't go together, but these industrial kitchen lights do just the thing. I can't get enough of them!

photos via pinterest

xoxo

Tony, the kissing Llama

We had SO much fun with my sister home from Ecuador over the holidays, but throughout the 3 weeks, our photo-taking was far and few between. Luckily, we captured a few of my favorite moments: picking out the tree as a family, getting kissed by Tony, the llama (he walked right over to me and planted his lips on my cheek!!! Softest furry lips ever!), my dad jumping in on a photo with the Aaron Rodgers "belt" (like a true Packer fan), and of course, sitting on Santa's lap with Michael and a dancing Christmas tree hat!

I hope you had an equally blessed holiday with your family and friends!

xoxo