Copenhagen Cyclery: New Obsession in My Life!

There are many things I miss about my daily life in Amsterdam, one of the biggest are the bicycles.  (As you can tell by my header)

Dutch bikes are unlike any other bicycle in the world. Built with stainless steel, the craftsman ship that goes into these bicycles is unbelievable. They're built with the idea that this is like some one's car, an everyday vehicle.

Yes I'm lucky enough to live in the #1 bike city in the country, but its different to be a hipster swerving through lanes of traffic on a 10 speed than on a beautiful Dutch bike cruising through the bike lanes over canals. Its called elegance.

When I found Copenhagen Cyclery on apartmenttherapy.com this weekend I was reminded I gushed over this adorable bike shop while I was in Chicago this summer. Its as cute in person as its site!

To find an entire shop dedicated to these beautiful bikes was like when I first found my Looza pear juice in Lund's. Priceless

Now who wants to shell out the $750 to buy the Batavus Old Dutch Step Through for me?

Where else in the world have you built a life for a while and what was your favorite reminder moment of that life?

Minnesota: More than sub zero temps and lefsa

Photos: adamturman.com

Something I love about Minneapolis is that it is a great arts city. Whether its music, theater, or art exhibits something about this northern city fosters some great artists. One of my local favorites is graphic designer Adam Turman. I've noticed Adam's work around Minneapolis for about a year now and instantly gravitated towards it. Its kitschy, eclectic, culturally right on design work. Adam's work can be found around town at SaraCura (where I also sell my photography) and The Electric Fetus as the featured Minneconomy artist.

Adam does a lot of screen print work for bands, but also does great screen prints of things truly Minnesotan. Highlighting the beautiful, unique and quirky parts of the northern culture. My personal favorite is the Hotdish screen print. Perfectly sums up one of my least favorite dishes ever, yet one of the most unique parts of Minnesotan culture. I'm dying for the apron!

You can admire and purchase Adam's work here

Vicky Christina Barcelona

I had a lazy Saturday and watched Vicky Christina Barcelona, Woody Allen's latest film. Always in the mood for a film about travel, food, wine, and love I was particularly excited for this film. From the opening scene to the closing narration I was captivated and reminded of why traveling is so amazing. Shot in beautiful Barcelona, a city still on my list, two Americans Vicky and Christina are quickly swept up in the Catalan culture of food, wine, art, and guitar. Penelope Cruz and Javiar Bardem pay beautiful homage to their homeland as passion fueled exes. (My vote for best supporting actress is now Penelope) Shot in a quirky yet seamless way that only Allen can capture on film its full of humor, passion, and raw emotion of leading a life and talent unfullfilled.

The film's narrative of can travel sweep you away from the life you've always planned is one I full identify with. After living abroad I threw out my traditional American 5 year plan and began living for each crazy moment, experience and day. In the last month it has been hard to embrace Carpe Diem, but after a lovely film reminded me of what I was missing and throwing away each day I intend to fully 'Seize the Day.'

Anne Taintor

One of the best Christmas presents I received this year besides my amazing pink Dyson, and no don't think I'm domestic I just like a clean house, is my Anne Taintor planner. I'm a girl who lives by my planner (I'm a visual person who has to write important things down or I forget) and I'm always excited to see which theme my mom picks out. This year she hit a homerun. My family, a very cynical, sarcastic Irish-German Catholic group, laughed for a good hour flipping through the pages. My two personal favorites: Why yes I am overqualified, and Remember sweetheart...mommy loves you, but she doesn't have to like you. The former sums up how I feel about being a college graduate who is now a professional job hunter. I think I'll just start sending it out as my new cover letter. To the point, creative, and witty. Isn't that what it takes to be in the ad industry? The latter made my mom and I laugh hysterically, because women you all know you have those days with your mother or daughter.

Anne Taintor's hilarious spin on 40's and 50's Americana female imagery is just what I need each day to make me laugh. You can find Anne Taintor's work at many gift stores and her website www.annetaintor.com
On my wish list: "You be Thelma. I'll be Louise." Passport holder. "Why yes I am overqualified" business card case.