Headed to Chicago...more to come on Monday!

Suri's Burn Book

Even though I'm trying so hard to wean myself off tacky celebrity gossip I had to share this little gem of a tumblr that has literally spread like wild fire amongst my friends and coworkers.

I discovered Suri's Burn Book in July thanks to my amazing friend Tyler and it has been part of my 3 pm pick me up ever since. Totally beats a second coffee and the laughing I get out of this I count as ab exercise.

So enjoy a little celebrity gossip especially when it comes in the form of "Suri's" perspective.

Winter Partner

I'm sitting at a local coffee shop tonight, since I can't get legit internet at my apartment. Ugh standard. I'm really over my current month to month living situation if you can't tell, but until I leave this state it'll have to do.

Anyways while I was busy working on my never ending search, I started to notice the date crowd trickle in for an after dinner coffee/glass of wine. What I noticed was everyone was first date couples. Case in point: dressed up awkwardly (bc you never know what to wear really) fidgeting about around each other and trying to figure out am I really going to spend the next 6 months shacked up this person while the below occurs outside my house.

Here in MN the hammer that is winter could fall at any minute and that means people are running for their winter partner. No not life partner, winter partner. That person you find in MN to shack up with during cabin fever season (also known to last anywhere from end of November to end of April) because you're bored, lazy and too cold to go the bar and find some ass.

Celebrities do May-December romances. Minnesotans do December-May romances. I've always noticed how cyclical dating is in this state. Now a lot of people in general are coupled up in this state but in winter it hits the peak. So you can imagine my thrill over this last year when I was dumped 2 days after the first snow storm that began one of the longest, coldest and snowiest winters on MN record (and that is saying something).

This year I refuse to partake in this seasonal ritual for a thousand reasons the biggest being there is no way in hell I plan on being here another winter. That is motivation enough not to bother with wasting my energy on finding a Mr. Right Now.

Halloween 2011

Well my favorite holiday has come and gone and now I'm left with great memories and a boat load of candy. This year I was super spoiled with 3 days of events and so just one costume vision would not do!

Thursday we had an industry party where I debuted my Rosie the Riveter costume! Thanks Mom for getting the coveralls at Fleet Farm, definitely completed the look. It was a great event and people came out in such creative costumes!

Friday my friend Hannah threw a great house party, one of those parties where you have no idea how you fit 60 people into a duplex and everyone compliments on each other's costumes.

I made quite the fashionably late entrance to the party since I had quite the crafting emergency, which required me to hand stitch my flapper head band and 4 hours to set the pin curls which paid off with my faux bob. Find the tutorial here.

My make up was quite the undertaking as well, clearly in the 1920s they hadn't learned the if you do a heavy lip, do a lighter eye rule so it was full on vamp make up. Click here for the full tutorial.

I had so much fun with the flapper and felt like I stepped right out of Boardwalk Empire. 

Saturday was a great night out in Uptown with the Statue of Liberty and Mortal Kombat. Rosie won over Zombie Amy Winehouse since I didn't think my skin would react the best to the zombie make up.

Another successful Halloween and I'm already plotting ideas for next year! How did you spend your Halloween?

Halloween: My Favorite Holiday!

For some its Christmas for me its Halloween all the way. Fall is my fav season, there is nothing better than mom's apple crisp, my hair and all my clothes go with the fall colors, I get to indulge in my boot collection, pumpkin carving is an art form, scary movies are awesome and an excuse to dress up and put together a whole fashion vision and play a character for a night, hello in heaven.

This year I'm lucky/spoiled enough to have 3 events so I decided to go all out and do 3 costumes, yes you read that right. I'm the kind of girl who's mom always made her costumes (thanks Mom for sewing 12 costumes over the years) so I'm not exactly the type to go and buy a costume from a store, I'm all about scouring for perfect items, reusing things in new ways and creating a whole look from scratch.

Stay tuned next week for my costume recap but I'll give you a hint of the general theme: retro American icons!

Missoni for Target: Part 2

The wait was finally over today and it was worth the wait!! Getting to work early this morning to get on the site I got word from my inside source that the site had crashed and things downtown were selling out fast. I beelined it for Rosedale and arrived 10 minutes before it opened, second in line and ready to go.

In true MN nice style everyone politely lined up, chatted excitedly about the collection and then grabbed carts and made our hauls. Everyone looked out for each other, trading each other for things and waiting in line patiently.

I know this wasn't the case at other stores today or other people's experiences online, but here's my secret peeps. I was prepared. I knew it was going to be like black Friday and had a back up plan. So to all complaining on the Target Style page stop whining or acting entitled like everyone deserves the flats. Its a limited edition collection and therefore there is limited quantity.

In insider scoop home decor will be restocked in almost all stores, while apparel is gone (but expect a resurgence of clothing this weekend when everyone who went crazy this morning returns extra sizes).

My favorite pieces include the infinity scarf, blanket, flats, shift chevron print dress, beanie hat and laptop case. My apartment officially looks like the Missoni for Target ad...

I DIE! Missoni for Target: part 1

Guess who's a happy and well styled little camper....more to come after work including my thoughts and inside scoop on fashion week, the site crash and walking out with half the collection.

Favorite Places: Prague

Prague, Czech Republic

Visited: May 2007
Trip: Weekend trip while living in Amsterdam
Reason I'll always remember it: A place half way around the world that somehow reminded me of Minneapolis and how can you not fall in love with a town when beer is cheaper than water?!

All photos: Emma Wiedner

Favorite Places: Cabo San Lucas

New series I'm starting on the blog featuring my photography of my favorite places. Stay tuned for more from my adventures around the world.

The first in the series, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

Visited: December 2010
Trip: Christmas vacation with my parents
Reason I'll always remember it: The trip I needed to escape and start new holiday traditions with new friends.

All photos: Emma Wiedner

Insights from the Opposite Sex

Eavesdropping. I'm so passionate about it I made it part of my career (consumer insights and anthropology).

Its one of my favorite things especially when it involves overhearing dating issues from the perspective of the opposite sex. Its what I would imagine being a spy during the cold war was like, but obviously less dangerous, so really nothing like that.

At the beach a few weekends ago with beach towels lined corner to corner it was inevitable to hear the guys next to us. What surprised me so much was their convo about one of the guys hooking up with this new girl who his friend was encouraging him to date. The guy sheepishly explained how she had just gotten out of an intense relationship and didn't think she wanted anything serious with him.

Ears immediately perk up.

Friend, "Well dude she's awesome and you should just ask her on a date and see how it goes. I'm sure she likes you."

Dude, "Yeah I'll think about it."

Emma thought bubble: "Dude stop screwing around and make an honest woman out of her and ask her on a date."

Then it hit me, the guys sounded just like my girlfriends and I. Nervous, unsure about everything, insecure with where they stood with this new person and terrified that however they played their next move they were going to screw it up.

Insight: Dating isn't easy for either gender the best we can all do is try and be honest with each other and hope for the best.*

*Obligatory Carrie Bradshaw wrap up line

Approaching

Heading back into the dating scene a few months ago I noticed guys in this state do not really approach women. I thought maybe it was me giving off a not into it vibe, but as I discussed this with both genders I learned it's not just me.

If a connection is made between two people in this city it's typically after they meet through friends and even then it's not guaranteed to get off the ground.

When I pushed my guy friends or guys I was seeing on why they don't go up to a girl they think is pretty and say hi, blah blah witty funny banter ensue. They answered point blank: "You all act like we're creepers if we smile and say hi to you."

And then I realized, in this aspect of dating, us the ladies were the issue. Mind blown.

Now I'm not saying this theory is scientifically proven and I've met and dated men after they've approached me, but I've also been stand offish and rude to a plenty majority and I've seen plenty of other women do this too.

A guy I was seeing a while ago, after he'd approached me, shed insightful light on this subject, "It's not just hard to approach women in this state you're given the brush off if you friendly approach anyone in this state." So true.

So the lesson in all of this, whether its dating approaching or trying to make friends in this city we could all be a little nicer to each other and not be so damn cliquey. Minnesota Nice should extend beyond just giving people directions.

Hair Info: Vintage Waves

Thanks to my new addiction Pinterest I've been finding an endless amount of hair tutorials and have been having a blast trying them all out the last few weeks.

Not claiming to be the expert on anything just wanted to share fun hair tips!

I've always wanted to know how to do 40s waves but really had no idea where to start. Thanks to thebeautydepartment.com I'm all set!

With the layers in my hair they're not full finger waves but give that retro effect without being too costumey.

Click here to see the step by step tutorial

Have any good hair tips you want to share?

Easy Summer Lunch

I've been on a huge Greek food kick lately, and only the Greeks could get me to consider a salad for lunch. I'm not a salad person in the slightest, maybe have one four times a year. I just don't find its enough sustenance or flavor and a lot of salads have so many preservatives on the lettuce that I just can't take.

Here's my take on a quick easy delicious Greek salad you can make for a weekend or work lunch. Next time I'll be adding grilled chicken for protein and so its more filling. Definitely try and enjoy it outside if you can!

Greek Salad
Serves: 1
2 cups of lettuce (romaine works fine)
1/3 cup green olives (halved with pits removed)
1/3 cup Greek pepperoncini (halved)
1/3 cup halved seedless cucumbers
2-3 slices of halved tomato
2 tablespoons Greek vinaigrette (I used store bought, but could definitely make your own with olive oil, lemon juice, dash or oregano and salt and pepper)

Toss all together and enjoy!

Shooting Fireworks

Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday weekend! I had a chill weekend in the city and threw a very relaxed BBQ on Monday.

One thing I love about living in Mpls is that its the #1 bike city in the country! Being able to bike from one end of town to another in 20 minutes and easily get to the busiest spot on the fourth without the hassle of parking is amazing!

Thanks to Pinterest my new obsession I've been finding great photo tutorials and found some great tips on how to photograph fireworks.

My photography is always a work in progress, but for my first time I'm pretty happy with them.

How did you spend your 4th?

Food Truck Review: Smack Shack

Food trucks are definitely the latest it thing in the foodie world and as of last summer have taken over the streets of downtown Minneapolis. I'm all for this, I think food trucks are brilliant and a great way for chefs to get their food to the masses at a low overhead cost.

This afternoon my co-worker Lizzy and I took off on our bikes for downtown in search of the Smack Shack (@Smack_Shack), a food truck serving what Bon Appetit has named one of the 50 best lobster rolls in the country. Yeah take that east coast!

The line was totally worth it (and moved extremely efficiently! They take cards and cash) and at $8 for lunch (you can't get out of Noodles for under that) it was a total steal and lovely departure from the typical lunch menu items.

If you're going, grab a friend and split the lobster roll (its super decadent and one half with shared fries is plenty for lunch) and take the hour away from the office you deserve by eating outside and enjoying summer weather while its still here.

5 minute lunches

I'm a firm believer in delicious lunches. Just because you're at work without a full kitchen does not mean you should have to sacrifice on flavor and freshness during a crucial meal in your day.

That said with my work's current temporary space (Ala plastic silverware and one microwave) my grandiose cooking skills have hit the skids. Over are the days of whipping up a croque madame in the office.

So what's a girl, who is not big on salad, soups or sandwiches to do without blowing the bank on take out lunches everyday? Learn to improvise and get creative.

This morning with scarce ingredients around after a weekend away I threw together a quick Mediterranean couscous salad. (Whoever invented that pasta and quinoa deserves a medal!).

The result was a delicious light lunch, exactly what a busy working girl needs! I also took a trip down nostalgia lane this morning when I stopped at the market to get the feta I found Koala cookies from my childhood and just couldn't resist (pardon the mess on my desk, its Monday.)

Mediterranean Couscous Salad
Servings: 1 1/2 lunch servings
Time: 5-7 minutes

1/3 cup plain couscous (could use Mediterranean/Greek flavor also)
1/4 cup water
1/2 chopped cucumber (preferably seedless, but won't make or break the dish)
1/3 cup chopped basil
1/4 cup crumbled feta
2 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
salt and pepper

Cook couscous according to directions
Chop cucumber and basil
Whisk together olive oil and lemon juice (season slightly with salt)
Mix together couscous, cucumber, basil
When you pull out for lunch mix in feta and lemon oil dressing
Enjoy!

Room update!

So after my small redecorating project over the winter I determined I was missing something. I needed another canvas print above my bed to balance out the room. Couldn't be happier with the results!

The photo on the left is in Cabo San Lucas on Christmas and the photo on the right is in Savannah this past March. I'm really proud of both photos and of course represent two places I love and times with friends and family.

What do you think? 

Thanks to Groupon and Canvas on Demand for the help with the project on a budget!

Favorite Things: Summer BBQs

The joy of living in Minneapolis during the summer is the amazingness of having a house with a backyard, grill, patio set and fire pit. You could pretty much camp in your backyard every night if you wanted.

I love hosting BBQs at my house all summer long. Having friends over, introducing new people to each other and getting to cook for all my friends makes me feel like life couldn't get any better.

The first BBQ of the season was on Friday and I can't wait for our 4th of July one!

 Mojitos are the perfect summer drink for a night of grilling!

My florist, aka my parents, dropped off my bouquets of fresh peonies that evening!
I follow Ina Garten's advice when it comes to dinner parties: make dishes ahead of time, have lots of booze and fresh cut flowers from your garden (ok my parents' garden).

Side dish: Grilled peppers and onion with olive oil and salt and pepper. Super easy and fresh!

Because it wouldn't be an event without something entertaining happening.
Friday night's main event: Katie spying into the downstairs neighbor's kitchen to see who had the better kitchen in the unit.

They have a bigger one, ours has way better lighting. I'll take ours in practice for my Food Network show.

Tuesday Comforts

Nothing better during a thunderstorm than to be home cooking a comforting meal (shrimp, basil, tomato pasta see recipe below) and blaring Adele. Now off to yoga to burn it off!

Shrimp, Basil, Tomato Pasta

Serves 2

1/2 lb linguine
7-8 pieces of shrimp
1/2 pint of grape tomatoes, halved
1/2 can of diced tomatoes in juice
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup of basil, torn apart
3/4 cup of water
olive oil
salt and pepper

In a skillet heat olive oil over medium-high heat and cook shrimp 2-3 minutes remove from pan and set aside

In the same skillet heat olive oil and cook garlic for one minute then add diced tomatoes and water. For extra heat add a dash of red pepper flakes and salt and pepper. Cook for 15 minutes and then remove from heat and add grape tomatoes

Meanwhile bring a pot of water to boil and add linguine. Cook per instructions. Strain pasta and return to pot. Add tomato sauce and then add shrimp and basil and mix. Season with salt and pepper.

Recipe: Everyday Food

Some tips for the boys...

I don't normally discuss my dating life on here but after a few months back on the scene there are a few things I've noticed about the opposite sex's behavior that needs to be addressed. So to the boys of my generation listen up:

1. You text to confirm a lunch with friend not to ask a girl out on a date
-Hiding behind a screen is not a winning quality. If the girl gave you her number have enough faith in that gesture to pick up the phone and call her to set up a legitimate date. It will beyond earn you points from the start.

2. If you have to cancel or reschedule don't wait until the day of
-Now I'm not saying all boys do this, I even know girls who've done this, but either way its a No No. That person, girl or guy, made time for you in their schedule and you should be respectful of that.

3. Do not fall off the face of the earth after a few great dates
-I know it was tough for you to pick up the phone in the first place when you had something great to tell us, and after a few great dates us the girl thinks everything is ok, but maybe you had a change of heart. Maybe you decided to move across the country, focus on your job, found another more interesting girl, blah blah blah. Whatever it is, or whatever code you want to use, be an adult and pick up that phone and tell it to that nice girl you wined and dined. Your future dating karma and her baggage will thank you down the road.

All is not fair in love and war, but that gives no excuse to throw out all social decency and manners that we know your mother raised you on. Treat the girl you're starting to date with class, kindness and fairness and I guarantee your rate of "attracting the crazies" will decrease dramatically. We only bring that out when you've given us reason to be.

P.S I've confirmed all of this with my amazing lady friends and they're in total agreement

Flattered.

As a digital marketer, I live by web stats. Deciding to check my own blog stats today, definitely took me back.

I was flattered to discover people from all over the world are reading my blog and have become subscribers. I never thought my point of view would carry past my friends, who are faithful in reading this, let alone to place like Maylasia and India. Maybe I could give a few famous bloggers a run for their money, haha, only kidding that was never the point of writing at this forum.

Thanks for the all the positive feedback the last few months and I'll try and keep it up more often.

Please give feedback on what you'd like to hear more of!

Fashion. Freakout.

When I saw this status flash across my Facebook newsfeed at lunch, I had to do a double take. It took a few seconds to sink in, like a kid on Christmas who gets that unexpected, amazing, didn't even think was possible gift. For Ralphie it was a Red Rider BB Gun.

For me it was Missoni at Target.

That's right people. The amazing Italian knit wear design house is collaborating with our favorite bullseye neighbor come fall. As if my favorite fashion season couldn't get any better.

Said to be Target's largest designer line yet, complete with clothing, housewares and bedding!!

I'll be counting down the days until the release, and buttering up all my friends at Target Corporate all summer.

Can. Not. Wait!

Its the little things...

Seeing these $6.99 Tulips at Lund's yesterday made me light up and instantly brought me to here...

Photo: Keukenhof Gardens, Emma Wiedner

...my favorite place to spend Spring: Holland. What are the little things that instantly bring you to a favorite place?

It's finally Spring!!

While yes its officially been Spring for over 3 weeks across the country, the tundra is just getting the memo. Standard.

It's cause to celebrate with fabulous new fashion purchases, rooftop patios and biking! All three were accomplished yesterday when I left the office for the first time all day and discovered it was 73 degrees!!

I rarely post photos of myself on here, but with a springy new top I just couldn't help but capture a self portrait of my glee over the new season! (I promise I won't go all Cupcakes & Cashmere on you)

Enjoy Minnesotans, and to the rest of the country: enjoying this weather 3 weeks earlier is why I'll be joining your civilization soon enough.

Where I've been...

I know my writing has been really sporadic lately and a big part of that has been a) work is really ramping up (always a good thing) and b) I'm coming off a traveling high

In a previous post I mentioned I snapped from winter around Groundhog's day and decided to pack up and take off to Savannah for some sun and family. I think the photographs speak for themselves...

One of my new favorite cities! It has a charm unlike any other city I've ever been to. Thinking it'd be a good place to decompress for a while after adventures in NYC...