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...

Redecorating Project Complete! Almost...

So as many of you know my first quarter 2011 goal was to revamp my room. Many of my photos, bedding and furniture hadn't been updated since college. So it was time to graduate from hand me downs to my own personal design choices. To prove I had graduated from college, I told myself I could do the entire thing on a budget and never go to IKEA once. Mission accomplished!

It was also a wonderful journey to learn what my design style was. I've found I like loud prints more than I thought I ever would, and filling my room with my favorite personal photos and travel souvenirs makes me a lot happier than making sure it looks like a Crate & Barrel catalog. 

I think my home will always be filled with memories from all of my travels, very ala an anthropology professor, and I like that quirkiness because it tells my life story. If there's anything I've learned in this its that your home should tell your story, not look like a perfectly put together show room.

I'm still finding room for improvement and I'll keep you posted on the updates.

Focused on night two of installing the shelves from The Container Store. 

Shelves from The Container Store. Frames from: Micheal's, Target and Urban Outfitters. Cabo San Lucas print from Canvas on Demand (Photograph by myself). All bedding The Company Store (best bedding ever!).

New goal to keep my nightstand less cluttered, I think this is the best its going to get. Candle homemade by the lovely Katherine Harris. Dish from Cabo. Amethyst rock from Arizona. Coaster from Patina. Rug from Urban Outfitters. My beloved Minnetonka Moccasins (tip: You should only purchase them from a local MN store, not a national chain)

Obsessed with this rug, such a wonderful surprise from Urban.

Photos with some of my favorite ladies in my life. Nesting doll from Prague. My new favorite Buddha.

Standby Dishes

Everyone has those stand by dishes that can be made with things you always have in your kitchen and can be whipped up by heart. Those dishes that equal comfort in everyday life.

Mine is lemon chicken pasta. So easy, quick and since I cook like an Italian grandmother I always have the ingredients on hand. (Recipe below)

 Lemon Chicken Pasta
Serves: 4
Cook Time: 20 minutes

1 lb penne pasta 
1 1/4 to 1 1/2lb boneless skinless chicken breast
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 1/2 lemons (save some slices for garnish)
grated Parmesan
salt and pepper

1. Season chicken with salt and pepper and put on a grill pan or grill at medium heat
2. Bring a pot of water to a boil and add penne. Cook according to package instructions
3. At about 3 minutes before the pasta is finished, heat the olive oil in a medium saute pan over medium-high heat
4. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes for about 1 minute, take pan off heat
5. Drain the penne and add to the saute pan then put mixture in large bowl
6. Slice chicken crosswise into strips and add to the bowl
7. Squeeze lemon juice over mixture, then toss the pasta and chicken in bowl
8. Sprinkle Parmesan over mixture until top layer is coated (I like a lot of Parmesan so I add a lot, add as little or as much as you'd like)
9. Season with salt and pepper

Enjoy! I'd love to hear what you think!