human again

Ingrid Michaelson, one of my favorite singers, released her newest album Human Again last week. You can get a sneak peek of all the songs here and download the album on iTunes for $10.99. Her lyrics and voice are beautiful as always. I can't stop listening to I'm Through and This is War. There's just something about that lady that gets me every time.

Also exciting news is that she will be in San Diego on April 28th at House of Blues! Her shows are great. She is hilarious and you kind of feel like you are at a comedy show on top of the concert. Hope to see y'all there.

You may also like: far away

Photos via www.ingridmichaelson.com

january. pretty me pinterest

 Pretty little finds on Pinterest this month:
1. diy confetti 2. turquoise flats 3. rope bracelet 4. pig bank 5. tea spoons 6. you, me & the dog print 7. neon barn 8. gold french press 9. jello shots 10. nesting glasses 11. domino magazine living room archive 12. hand-painted plates

Don't forget to follow me on Pinterest

friday's fab $15.

I'm really excited about this new series. Each Friday I will share with you my four favorite finds under $15 from that week. This week features some great Etsy finds, a little bling for your iPhone and my all-time favorite sunglasses {I'm way to clumsy to have a real pair of Ray-Bans at this point of my life.}

I hope everyone has a relaxing and happy weekend! As for me, I plan on sleeping in, eating good food, having some girl time and imbibing on some wine. You?

 1. Mint Geo Earrings, A Merry Mishap, Etsy, $14.99
2. Montana Print, Stay Gold, Etsy, $9.99
3. Winter Stripe iPhone Skin, society6, $15
4. Risky Business Sunglasses {my all time favorites!} Urban Outfitters, $10

isn't that the truth

Thank you to Mackenzie from the lovely blog Adorned for sending me over the original link to this poster at Society 6. Might have to get this for my office now!

happy birthday to the most handsome man in all the land

Happy 4th birthday to my sweet little guy, Mr. Otis! I adopted Otis four months ago and already can't imagine not having him by my side. I never knew how hard having a dog would actually be {it's true} but also would have never imagined how much a dog could melt my heart and make me start talking in awkward baby/monster voices.

I love his big floppy ears and how they get wet when he drinks water. I love his big clumsy paws and how he can't go up the stairs with out tripping over them. And I love how he will shred every stuffed toy to pieces except for his elephant {thank you Dugan & Sadie the angel}, which he carefully carries around like it's his baby.

Cheers to the pups!

be mine.

I love these adorable West Elm Valentine's Day dishes. So much, in fact, that I have made them {be} mine. Can't wait for the order to arrive. Something about hearts gets me every time. I imagine my morning coffee will taste much sweeter in that mug <3

miranda july's "a handy tip for the easily distracted"

Have you seen this video from Miranda July? I recently saw it posted on The Studio of Mae blog and couldn't help but relate..and giggle.

Anyone have any personal tips to share on forcing yourself to focus and veering away from your cell phone/laptop/iPad? I always have my phone on silent. I somehow make myself believe that by putting it on silent, I will be less likely to look at it and will somehow magically forget about it; quite the opposite is true.

{You may also like:  I Heart Mae }

an ode to all things gold & white.

Gold and white. Look at all these little gems that have taken on this favorite color combo of mine.

1. Duchess Chair 2. Gold Pens 3. Hotel Home Florence 4. Gnome Cookie Jar 5. Paper Mache Bowl 6. Chevron Drawer Liners

i heart mae

I'm continually impressed by the adorable designers of the world and am currently lusting over Love Mae. This Aussie-based online shop has gorgeous decals, stickers and stationery that pulls at the cute-strings. The effect that a great decal can make to a space is great, particularly if you rent and can't make a bold wallpaper statement. I'm having visions of adding the birdy {typical} decals to my otherwise boring kitchen walls and decking out my mini pantry with these ID stickers.

hunt & gather antiques

If you are in Minneapolis make sure to check out Hunt & Gather Antiques. It's an antique shop filled floor to ceiling {two floors, mind you} with delicious vintage gems. My friend Emily and I stopped by on New Year's Eve and it's probably a good thing that my suitcase would no longer fit anything or I may have bought half the store {although I did squeeze in a cute vintage fan}. 

The treasures inside spanned generations and the shop was home to old school mason jars, gorgeous 50s dresses, huge letter signage, beautiful furniture, antlers galore {it is Minnesota, after all} and everything in between. Rumor has it that you usually are served champagne and sweets when you shop, doesn't get much better than that, now does it?

on the twelfth day of christmas: home for the holidays

On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love gave to me... 12 drummers drumming, 11 pipers piping, 10 lords-a-leaping, 9 ladies dancing, 8 maids-a-milking, 7 swans-a-swimming, 6 geese a-laying, 5 golden rings, 4 calling bird{y}s, 3 french hens, 2 turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree.


Back in sunny San Diego after an adventurous trip back to my homeland, Minnesota. I spent 10 days with family and friends and filled my time by celebrating the holiday with my family's Swedish traditions, catching up with people I don't see nearly enough, eating, practicing my dance moves with my niece and nephews and getting lots of rest. And although it wasn't the white Christmas you would expect in Minnesota, and I ran into a travel nightmare on the way home, it was still a great time that I'll never forget. 


While I was away, I gave myself a break and completely checked out of work and blogging but am happy to get back into my routine. To finish off my 12 days of Christmas posts, I have posted some photos below of my perfect holiday week home. I hope all of you had a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year. 2012, here we go! May it be a happy, healthy and fun year for us all.


I can't wait to share photos with you from my fabulous New Years Eve night out with friends in Minneapolis. Post coming soon...

Check out my other 12 Days of Christmas posts here:

• On the first day of Christmas: iGifts
• On the second day of Christmas: DIY ornaments
• On the third day of Christmas: Free Holiday Subway Art 
• On the fourth day of Christmas: DIY Advent Inspiration
• On the fifth day of Christmas: DIY Snow Globe 
• On the sixth day of Christmas: Have Yourself a Sparkly Little Christmas 
• On the seventh day of Christmas: Holiday Link Love 
• On the eighth day of Christmas: Holiday Gift Guide
• On the ninth day of Christmas: Simple Hostess Gift
• On the tenth day of Christmas: Holiday Stationery
• On the eleventh day of Christmas: m's favorite gifts