Twin Cities Live Experience

Yesterday was the Twin Cities Live Top Blogs show and it was so much fun to be in the audience!  I have never really seen a TV show filmed up close before, so this was a really neat experience!
Before the show, a few friends and I met up across the street from the studio at Cupcake - because you can't be that close to Cupcake and not stop in for, well, a cupcake.  I had a dulce de leche cupcake and while it was sweet enough to make my teeth hurt a little, it was delightful.

We then made our way over to the studio where we got to have a social hour with all the other bloggers who were going to be in the audience.  The producer of the show also explained what would be taking place during the taping and answered any questions we had.  He then escorted us out into the studio.  I was surprised to learn just how small the audience section is.

As you can see, not a huge area of chairs.  I'd say there was maybe 30 of us total?  I didn't really get a chance to count.  We each got a goodie bag of items to take home with us too.  Before the show started, a few of my girls and I were in perfect position for a selfie, so of course we had to do it because what kind of bloggers/Instagrammers would we be if we didn't?  I think ours is cuter than the Ellen Oscar selfie.

We were encouraged to take pictures and use Twitter/Facebook/Instagram what have you during commercial breaks.  We were also given directions on how to clap (faster than you normally would) and that it's ok to react to what's happening on stage.  And then they brought out hosts Steve Patterson and Elizabeth Ries and started the show.

The set is warm and cozy feeling and it has a nice feel.  Steve and Elizabeth kicked off the show with their host chat and then throughout the show they featured several different blogs that have kind of "made it big" in different ways and it was neat to hear each story and what they've done to get their blogs off the ground and turn them into a business venture.

They also had a panel of expert bloggers that they feature on their show on a regular basis and they also gave out some good tips and information as well.  The hour seriously flew by and pretty soon it was all done.  After the show was done we were allowed to wander on set and take pictures if we wanted.  I decided to pose on the couch and pretend to be Elizabeth for a minute.

And then my group decided to grab a group photo with Steve and Elizabeth too.  They're warm and friendly people - they did a great question and answer session right after the taping was finished too. I sure wish I was home more often and could watch them every day!

And this last picture I stole from my friend Sara from Writing with Bangles, she DVR'd the show and got some screen shots of us clapping in the audience!  So I guess I'm pretty much famous now?

Overall it was a super fun afternoon, it was really neat to hear other bloggers stories and get some of their tips and tricks and it was fun to connect with other bloggers I hadn't met before, as well as get some quality time in with the bloggers I already know!  Thanks again to Twin Cities Live for having me!

MN Bloggers Favorite Things 2015

Happy Monday!  I'm just off of a very full, but very fun weekend.  I had the chance to spend time with a bunch of my favorite Minnesota bloggers (a couple of them I was lucky enough to even see twice!) and my heart is always so full and my spirit is always so refreshed after spending time with these lovely people.  Saturday I had the chance to participate in the Minnesota Bloggers Favorite Things Party and it was so much fun!  

We gathered together at J. Arthur's Coffee in Roseville, MN and very appropriately they gave us the Minnesota Room!

The awesome Lauren from Our Crazy Ever After was kind enough to organize and set this whole shindig up with the help of Megan from Mr. C and Me and they did a great job.  The idea at a favorite things party is everyone brings three of their favorite things (we kept the price limit to $5-$7) and then we draw names and everyone gets to choose someone else's favorite thing to go home with!  I totally forgot to take a picture of the favorite thing I brought, but it's on the table below here - I found the cutest mint polka dot coffee mugs at World Market and I stuck an individual pack of one of my favorite coffees that they have, Vanilla Bean.  

It was so fun to get to meet a bunch of new bloggers - before we drew names, we went around and everyone got up and introduced themselves and their blog and then explained what their favorite thing was.  Lauren said this was one of the biggest turnouts that they've had and I believe this was the third favorite things party.  I am so excited about the goodies I brought home with me.  I chose lipstick that one of the gals makes herself - it's awesome, it was a "surprise" color and I think is supposed to be like a mood ring, changes color with your mood.  It's been mostly peachy on me so far, but I really like it!  I also chose some awesome truffles from Trader Joes, they sound absolutely amazing.  And finally, one of the gals has a daughter named Bailey and she said that she's her favorite thing, so she brought little bottles of Baileys liquor along with a pen and a Reeses Egg.  I can relate to that since Ollie is definitely one of my favorite things, not to mention, I love Baileys!  Yum!

And naturally, we're bloggers, you put us alone in a room together and of course the cameras are going to come out.  Some selfies, some large group shots.  First I grabbed a selfie with Sara from Writing With Bangles and Jen from Wonderfully Unkempt.  These two ladies are two of the sweetest people and I just can't put into words how much I've really come to appreciate their friendship this last year. (#youjustgetme).

These next two pictures were stolen.  I took this next one from Megan Bird.  We were definitely missing Nora (but California does seem to agree with her so far!).  It's a shame we're not photogenic at all.  Or pretty.  

And this last one is a group shot of everyone.  I wish I had had more time to get around and talk to more people, but it was a really big group!  We were smart enough to pass around a sheet to have everyone write down all their social media info, so I'm just going to have to try to get to know some more of these lovely ladies online and hope that we all meet up in person again soon!

Overall it was a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon!  I can't say it enough how much I love blogging and the community that comes from it!  The internet can be used for good!

Inspiration Monday - And I said hey, what's going on?

Happy Monday!  If you're lucky enough to be off for Martin Luther King Jr. Day today, enjoy it for me!  I'm not so lucky, healthcare stops for nothing.  But, I had a good weekend, so that takes the sting off a bit!  I am also linking up with two birds for Inspiration Monday today which is also fun, so that helps too!

They chose a fun look from Emma Stone.  Can I just take a second to say how much I like her?  She is one of my new favorite actresses I think.  She seems smart and funny and like someone I think I might actually like hanging out with in real life.  Anyway, enough of my girl crush.

I chose to style a look for a night out with some other blogger/Instagram friends on Saturday night. My look is a loose interpretation, but I think it works.  Megan told me I looked kind of Harry Potter chic and I can dig that.  Just point me towards Hogwarts!

Blazer - F21, Shirt - swap

Scarf - from Secret Santa Exchange, Jeans - Old Navy

Boots - Target 

We had a bunch of fun, it was great meeting some ladies I hadn't had a chance to meet in person yet, but have been communicating with online for quite some time now!  I always have so much fun meeting up with my fellow blog friends - I think we all feel a kinship because we're all people who put ourselves out on the internet for the world to see and somehow that just really connects us!  As always there was a lot of laughing, a lot of hashtag jokes and this mama even got up and sang a little 4 Non Blondes "What's Up" in a rather packed bar!  Thank you beer for being a confidence booster! I was sad to be a lame old lady who headed home by 11 though so I could get to bed and get up for church with our music group the next day.  I should have stayed out, I got home and just laid awake for a very long time!  Coffee was good on Sunday morning.  Anyway, it was a good time and I can't wait to do it again.

Beautiful and lovely people - Lauren, Erin, Sara, Nora, Megan, Jesse, me and Rachel
And now as I said, it's Monday, and I'm stuck working, so I'd best get back to it!  Be sure to visit two birds over here for more Inspiration Monday looks!

Weekend roundup

Well did you all have a good weekend?  Ours was quite lovely!  My favorite was my surprise Valentine's Day dinner - the Pants Monkey outdid himself once again.  He made us a French themed meal with recipes from the Julia Child "For the Love of French Cooking" book.  We had mussels in white wine sauce, asparagus in a white wine reduction and steak that was seasoned with peppercorn and fried in butter - healthy?  No.  But freaking delicious.  He also just made some store bought twice baked potatoes and chocolate cake.  Oh and a homemade Caesar salad.  We drank wine and just enjoyed the evening - especially because Oliver more or less went to bed while we were eating!  Below are some photos.  I love my chef husband!!

Saturday we attempted to sleep in - Oliver is kind of an early riser so those days are kind of gone sadly, but we managed to stay in bed until close to 8, I'll take it when my days usually start at 5:50 these days!  We got him up, played a bit, then loaded him up to go meet a friend of mine who was in town just for this weekend. We went to college together and she now lives in New York and doesn't get here too often at all, but she was able to come for a brief visit, so she got to meet Oliver and that was nice.  Saturday evening we opted for greasy spoon burgers and laid low for the most part.

Sunday I did two masses with my music group while the Pants Monkey stayed home and played Mr. Mom. It was the longest stretch he's gotten to be alone with Oliver and they did great!  He even gave him a bath and everything all on his own!  When I got home from church I took Oliver to a blogger craft day so he could meet some of my blogger buddies - he had already met Miss Lori, but now he got to meet Megan and Nora from two birds and Erin from Due Midwest.  I didn't really craft anything, but it was nice to see the ladies!

After that we headed back home and then my parents picked us up and took us to dinner at our favorite Italian restaurant in St. Paul (Cossettas for you locals) - it was delicious and Oliver was so well behaved!  He has regressed a bit in his night sleep, waking a bit more frequently again than I'd like, but it's hard to be mad at him when he's so well behaved during the day!  I'm guessing he's in a mini-growth spurt again based on his eating pattern, so I'm hoping we're back to good night sleep again soon.  Next weekend will be a little more crazy, we have his baptism on Sunday.  I'm looking forward to it, especially because I don't have to do any work, my parents are hosting the luncheon for us!  That certainly makes life easier!

Inspiration Monday - Rockin weekend

Good morning bloggy peeps! Did you all have a nice weekend? I did, went by way too fast once again.  Friday we were off for the Fair as I mentioned last week.  We had a great time - definitely ate a ton!  The rest of the weekend was good too - more on that in a moment, but first, here is today's Inspiration Monday - Selena Gomez.

This mama isn't doing any mid-drift baring shirts these days, but I still managed to semi re-create this inspiration for a girls karaoke night on Saturday with none other than our Inspiration Monday hosts - the lovely Megan and Nora of two birds!

It was fun, a couple of other gals I've been lucky to meet through blogging - Kimi and Erin, came out for the fun too along with a couple of other gals the birds know. And let me tell you - those ladies know how to rock it and have a good time!

Dress as skirt - American Eagle (old)

Shirt - Motherhood Maternity (thrifted)
Vest - Vintage Lee, Mighty Swell Vintage

Jewelry - Stella and Dot

Shoes - Target

Kimi was nice enough to take some pictures for me before we left Megan's house - can I just say her house is seriously the most adorably decorated house ever?  I absolutely love this wall up above here!

And yes...this happened -

I was joking that I usually need a little more liquid courage to get up and do karaoke, but they all were having so much fun that I just gave it a go.  Sang a little Sarah McLachlan and also some Walking on Sunshine.  Not my standard fare - hard to sing pop when you're not used to it, but it was still pretty fun, I will admit that.   The others are definitely better at it than I am - I'll have to practice a bit more for next time!

And finally, you have to see this adorable gift that Megan and Nora gave me for the baby.  I laughed so hard and when he saw it, so did the Pants Monkey.

A Diaper Monkey onesie in honor of his Pants Monkey daddy.  Too funny and too cute!  It was so sweet of them to do that - thanks again ladies!

The rest of the weekend I pretty much laid low, it got very hot on Sunday.  I am so glad we went to the Fair when we did - this whole week is going to be miserable!

For more Inspiration Monday outfits, check out two birds over here.

A night with the girls and Audrey

So what could make a crap week totally better?  Hanging out with two good blogger buddies, watching Audrey Hepburn, drinking hard cider, eating chips and salsa, popcorn and chocolate peanut butter bars and then finishing the night with an hour's worth of crazy YouTube videos.

On Saturday evening, I had the pleasure of hanging out with the fantastic Lori of A Little Slice of Special and the adorable Cambria from Jupe and we had a ton of fun.  Of course we took pictures to document the evening, because what kind of bloggers would we be if we didn't?  Thanks to Lori for the pictures - though I have to say I was way under dressed for the occasion!

 Shirt - Mossimo, Target

Pants - Old Navy

Shoes - Consigment

Necklace - S&D

This next picture makes me laugh, Lori was taking pictures and Cambria told me to pose a certain way (I have a bad habit of looking down all the time in my photos, Mr. Monkey complains about it too) and so I did, resulting in this, immediately afterward I was on the ground laughing hysterically.

We watched Wait Until Dark - it was a rather suspenseful and somewhat stressful movie, but I enjoyed it, even if the outfit Audrey wears for 75% of the movie was extremely unflattering!

 Seriously - how cute is this girl?  Check out her shoes!!

After we finished the movie, we were going to start another one, but ended up on YouTube sharing our favorite funny videos that give us a pick me up when we're down - we laughed a lot.  I have some new favorites now in my list!

This girl is just as bright and beautiful in real life, she makes me smile!

Both girls were kind enough to share things with me they both no longer wanted/could use - some clothes from Cambria and some makeup from Lori - so now I'm like, hey, what shopping ban?  

Anyway, it was just the pick me up I needed after a tough week and since we only got through one of Audrey's movies, I'm hoping we'll have a chance to do it again soon!  

PS - be sure to check out their blogs, they are seriously two of the nicest gals ever.  Links are up above.

Thrifty girls

I really heart my outfit today and wouldn't you know, my camera battery died halfway through my photo session. Sad panda.  It was my own fault though, I knew the battery was getting low but I thought, hey maybe I can squeeze out a couple of more.  Well that's what you get today, the couple of more!  Photo quality is so/so, but I still adore how this outfit turned out.  It features two of the goodies I bought on my day off last week.  I love that this entire outfit, minus my necklace and boots is thrifted and gifted.  Thrifty girls for the win!

 Sweater - Polo Ralph Lauren, thrifted

T-shirt - Express, thrifted

Skirt - Vintage, Hill Valley

Socks - gift from Megan Mae

Boots and leggings - Target

Necklace - Maurices

Speaking of thrifty girls, I had a wonderful visit with the fantastic Amanda of Salvaged Strawberry last night.  She had a dress in her Etsy shop I'd had my eye on for ages and since she lives in my area I finally just said, hey can I come over and try it on so I know that it fits?  She was more than willing to have me over, so I headed to her place after work.  We had the most lovely chat over a beer, talking about blogging and our significant others and just life stuff.  I was sad I couldn't stay longer.  And the most important part - the dress fits me like a glove, you'll see here very soon!  I can't wait to get together with her again!  Maybe next time we'll go on a thrift adventure.

Still lots of snow on the ground.  We're bad, we didn't shovel yet.  I hear there is potentially a bigger storm coming this weekend.  That could be interesting!

Below here is a close up of my jewelry and also so you can see the pretty purple horse on my sweater.  I keep forgetting to do more detailed shots like this, I'll try to be better.  I snapped this on my iPhone since my camera died!  Have a great day!