MARIMEKKO

Marimekko was recently introduced to me by my soon to be mother in law.

It was love at first sight.

Marimekko is a company that designs and creates some of the most bold, yet simple patterns I have seen.

Ian and I were blessed to be given an assortment of Marimekko dinnerware at our wedding shower in Minneapolis.


Now, after seeing the collection at Crate and Barrel, our obsession has begun.














Check out the full collection at: http://us.marimekko.com/

finishing touches...

gold say yes ''mrs'' necklace by Kate Spade

Jewelry.

The finishing touch.

Today I found the perfect piece for my wedding day.

I know the earrings I will be wearing-the rough cut diamond studs Ian bought me for my birthday, and of course I know the rings I will be wearing, but now knowing the necklace...
it just made it real.

BIRTHDAY WISHES!

I love birthdays.
They are carefree, fun, full of hugs and good food.

In the past few years, I haven't made much of a fuss over my birthday, but this year, however, I decided to celebrate.

That being said, I had no idea that my amazing co-workers had made the same decision. When I arrived to work on Saturday and walked upstairs to clock in, I was surprised by a decorated stock room,  a home cooked meal, chocolate cake, KATE SPADE knee high socks!!!, Coco Bella chocolates, and an over-sized card that made me feel loved!

Truly the best way to kick off a birthday weekend!

STATE FAIR!!!

my lovely fiancee with a pork chop on a stick

The Minnesota State Fair is not only the largest State Fair in the country, it also has the largest selection of fried food on a stick.

deep fried milkyway bars

Whether your pleasure is fruit salad or barbecued ribs, the Minnesota State Fair has it, made to ordered, battered, and served on a skewer. 

Of course there is more to the State Fair than food, the Miracle of Birth Center definitely highlighted my day. Seeing a momma cow nudge her newborn calf in attempts to get him to stand for the first time honestly took my breath away. Watching the piglets however, killed my desire for chocolate covered bacon on a stick, but then again there are worse things than remembering where things, like your snack, come from.

And of course there are the rides...their presence is undoubtedly essential at a fair. The anticipation and excitement they create forces you, even for a moment, to stay young, carefree and silly.

a part of something

This weekend, I was lucky enough to go to Minneapolis with my mother and fiancee for a weekend full of love, good food, laughter, and simplicity. It would be an understatement to say that the wedding shower/reception at my fiancee's parents home was amazing-it was perfect. Half way through introductions, food, hugs and chit-chat my fiancee's cousin gave me two of the most beautiful gifts I could have imagined.

The first was art. Art I could wear!
That being said, the set she presented to me were more than just perfectly crafted acrylic earrings. Whether or not she knew, when she gave me the earrings she also gave a materialized sense of belonging.

When I put the earrings on and looked in the mirror I began to realize that so many of the amazing women in the family I would soon be joining were wearing a piece made by Tia. It was in that moment that I realized how lucky I am. I have the most brilliant and loving mother a girl could ask for, a man who inspires me everyday, and a clan of Minnesotans who just make me smile. It doesn't get much better than that.







for more inspiration...
 http://silvercocoon-handmade.blogspot.com/

the little things

today was the perfect day.
great mood upon waking.
delightful breakfast.
breathtaking weather.
and then a little surprise waiting for me at work...

 My truly darling co-worker brought me a pair of tory burch flip flops...I should probably mention that I LOVE flip flops and seeing as how I am about to go on a long weekend to Minneapolis, where it actually feels like summer, these will be put to great use!

its the little things, like knowing that someone thought of you, that brighten your day

a dream soon realized

Tonight is the night that Ian, my mum and I hop on the Red-eye to Minneapolis-I could not be happier.
Its funny thinking that we almost didn't go. Not because we couldn't, but simply because we didn't realize how much we needed to.
Ian and I have been busy with wedding planning and we honestly didn't even think about going back to Minneapolis to celebrate our wedding.
It wasn't until Debbie, Ian's momma, mentioned that it might be fun if we had a lil' party at their home so that the whole Hanka family in Minnesota could celebrate with us.
When she mentioned the idea Ian and I were in immediate agreement-we had to go!
Plans for the weekend so far include state fair (I gotta get my hands on some chocolate covered bacon-on a stick), church basement style engagement party, breakfast with the Hanka's, and COCONUT CAKE!
This cake is quite possibly the best cake I have ever had.
It is composed of a light and airy cake layered with a caramel butter cream frosting topped with shredded coconut and dusted with cinnamon. It is perfection, and it can only be found at French Meadow Bakery in Minneapolis-unless your absolutely amazing soon to be mother in law orders a sheet cake version for your engagement party...
More details to come!!!