Brooklyn Bound

If you have the opportunity to make it out to Brooklyn this holiday season, check out the Brooklyn Flea - from fabric to shoes to jewelry to classy Christmas decor - this looks amazing. Wish I could go! Sadly, it will be closed over my New Year's Eve visit. I'm on the hunt for other great flea markets, so if you know of any, please share - Minneapolis or New York.

photographed by yours truly November 2010

take me back to manhattan

As most of you know, I've traveled to the City several times over the last year and have fallen completely head over heels. I've never posted any photos on good ole facebook and thought that I would instead share just a few here with my nine followers - my friends. So in an effort to make a quick escape back to Manhattan, have a look at a few hazy shots from my last trip - and please excuse my lame photography.

the most intimate restaurant at the end of an alley, the type you can only find downtown

right outside this gorgeous spot, we came across one of my favorite kinds of art

and my other favorite kind.

j'adore Degas

do you like viewing beautiful fashion and powerful women throughout history? me too.

familiar view from the TriBeCa hotel, floating across the Hudson

my trips have never left me wanting much (except a fabulous studio in Soho),

but next time - I'm going inside

o how great the lawn is.

anyone for a boot?

I love boots. Although I tried to sneak a couple of pairs into my summer wardrobe throughout May and June, the August humidity has confined my beloved footwear to the closet. I am eagerly awaiting the return of fall to reintroduce these beauties. Have a look at some of the styles I'm loving.

Clockwise from top: relaxed collar lace-ups, anthropologie. bowtied beauty boots, anthropologie. albert2 fur lace-up boots, topshop. langford platform high heel oxfords, jcrew. the biker boot, madewell. high-heel riding boots, apc new york. center: the aberdeen two-tone boot, madewell.

trained...

For about nine months, I have been a loyal gym-goer. And by this, I mean a loyal treadmill run-walker. I stick close to my machine, we are a team. I have a routine - I begin with six minutes of warm-up walking at precisely 3.9, followed by a run of about ten minutes, followed by interchanging runs and walks at increasing intensities until cooldown (I've read intervels are more effective, but I am also far from being a runner naturally). Every workout day - walk, run, stretch, leave.

Until recently, I've always looked down at the open weight room below the cardio floor and dismissed it as a maze of machines that I would never navigate. In fact, now that I actually consider it, I think I subconciously began using one of the 'mills farthest from the view of the weight room. I hadn't the slightest clue of where to start with those mysterious machines. Besides, me and my treadmill were happy and comfortable AND I could watch T.V. which is a delicious treat when I haven't had cable (or basic!) for nearly two years.

Then last week, I thought to myself "why did you never use those personal training sessions offered to you upon joining? You should do that." Running tones my legs, calves and that's about it. My lower half is in great shape while the rest of me is a bit....less shaped. I needed help out of my treadmill box.

So, I capitalized on the never used personal training sessions and had my first today. And train me she did. I thought I was so inshape and so healthy...

au contraire mes amies!

I was shaking like a baby's rattle. Two four-pound dumbbells at once. Yes, I am embarrassed. I struggled through arms while she "spotted" me (aka lifted the bar for me). We moved on to core where I thought I might have some strength, but was again proven wrong as I nearly rolled off the stability ball with every move. They make it look so easy in those magazine pictures! Who are those girls and why are they never sweating?!?

Needless to say, I was challenged, physically and mentally and loved it. My next session is scheduled for Saturday morning (what?) and I cannot wait. Like Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi explains in my current read, Flow, flow (happiness) will never be attained until you challenge yourself to achieve a difficult goal, even if its as simple as learning how to strength train. Getting a little deep on this one, but its a great message.

Ready to be challenged...again.

an american weekend

This weekend Stella and I ventured up to the Blonigan Family cabin in Cook, Minnesota on Lake Vermillion. Quick fact about this enourmous lake - the shoreline measures the same distance as from Minneapolis to Washington D.C. That is a lot of boat playground!

The cabin is nestled deep in the woods and although bears have been spotted and snakes undoubtedly lurk closeby, Kendall, our lovely hostess, insists on spending her summer up there to prepare for her upcoming CPA exams - ambitious (and brave) girl!

Upon arriving, we felt a refreshing chill not experienced all summer long in the City. There was no humidity! In fact, the temperature dropped so low that we needed to fire-up the wood-burning stove. Do I hear fall calling?

I sat four feet from the fire and had a jacket on....coooozzzzy.

We spent the weekend playing cards and catchphrase (a personal favorite - thank you daily crossword puzzle for all of your training), boating, cooking and laughing. We traveled into town for some homemade jam and bread and bonded with the locals at a shore side bar. AND, how could I forget that I heard the best song in the world? I, unfortunately, will never ever forget the lyrics to “If I Die Young” by The Band Perry. Have a look at some of our photos below...

freedom

telling secrets

Gopher pride

For 40 years, Grandpa and Grandma Blonigan have welcomed family and friends

Lucy!

road warriors!

Kendall's pretty antique doves from Town

we loved food all weekend long

Brittanee held it down for us

1 1/2 hr. car ride for this deliciousness.
If you're ever in Cloquet, be sure to stop
and try the Cheeseburger and Cheese Curds.

Mmmmm mmm.

Ahh.

And after nearly a six hour journey, we made it home and were greeted by a wall of heat and humidity. Apparently fall is not quite on the way, but other good things are in store. In addition to the fabulous weekend had by all at The Blonigan family cabin, my good friend Katlyn got engaged at the Stone Arch Bridge in Minneapolis. I'm excited beyond words for Kate and her fiance, Evan. Congratulations!