Go Green.

Green eating that is. 

I love a fresh home cooked meal, but let's face it, it's a lot of work. And not to mention spendy. Check for sales, download free coupons, and save money with store cards or store apps (ie. Target redcard - 5% discount on everything you buy with your card or the Target Cartwheel app - varying percentage discounts off everyday items). 

I do the bulk of my grocery shopping at Target and save on average $10 per trip with all of the [helpful] saving promotions out there. This makes healthy eating much easier.

On tonight's menu for me was homemade taco bowl and guacamole. Lettuce, limes, cilantro, avocados, rice, black beans, rotel, and mixed blend cheese. Simple enough for even a busy individual and packed full of healthy nutrients and flavor. 

Hope your bellies are equally as full.

J.

Packing List

Packing for a trip can be tricky. Weather is always unpredictable. I like to find outfits that can be accessorized to work with the weather, and most importantly my comfort! Most of these outfits could be paired with a jean jacket, white blazer, or flats. Cold weather, sore feet, I'm covered. 

Featured items range from old to new and brand name to target. If you like something leave a comment; if I can't track down the exact item, I will hunt you down a similar option.

J.

Everybody dreams.

Thanks for encouraging all the dreamers, John Lennon.

The world needs creative people; people that bring the sunshine to an otherwise colorless world.

Be bright. Be bold. Be a believer - most importantly in yourself.

J.



Imaginary Dream OTD

Dreaming of 'sleeping' all day long. ;) Just kidding. Kind of. Well it's only true when it's this nice out.

Happy Memorial Day weekend! Be safe, have fun. 

J.

Imaginary Dream OTD

So, I just realized that it has been quite awhile since I have posted an Imaginary Dream of the day. Sorry about that, I've been a busy gal; birthdays to babies and everything in between.

Any-who. My dream today is for the future. I suppose most of my dreams are. But isn't that what life's about? Aspiring to achieve greatness and day dreaming of how you'll do it. That passion and drive is exactly what it takes to become your own boss. Which I someday would like to be. 



To inspire you here is an article from The New York Times by Jay Goltz expressing which qualities make for a great business owner and a wikiHow page on how to get started. Enjoy!

Six Attributes of Successful Entrepreneurs

7 Ways to Start Your Own Business

Do YOU have what it takes?

J.

Fashion Finds

Today's fashion finds, courtesy of DSW. I am a clearance girl, if you haven't caught on yet. These metallic gold Ireney Steve Madden flats are not only comfortable, but also adorable. Gold will go with any color, so when I saw these on SUPER CLEARANCE (80% off the already reduced price = $10!) I had to take them home. The One Wink statement earrings were also a steal coming out at just over $5. But, the saving didn't stop there. Thanks to my birthday being in May I scored a $5 off certificate from DSW, soooo these earrings were essentially free. 

Yep, FREE. Not a bad days work when you save a whopping total of $118 [based off retail price].

Saving Tip: Check out retailmenot.com and hunt down some promo codes so you can be guilt free and look fabulous.

Interested in making a purchase?

Steve Madden Ireney Flat (exact)
Dangle Earrings silver/blue (similar option)
Isabella Drop Earrings (similar option)

Happy Thursday!

J.
     

Happy belated birthday... to me!

Yesterday I celebrated my 25th birthday. One quarter of a century old. 

The day was pretty routine; work, dinner, low key night at home. But I appreciate all who thought of me and wished me well and those that very generously sent me gifts. Including this adorable [and oh so fitting] wine glass!



The glass goes well with the card from my future hubby, which read..."Some see the glass half empty, some see it half full, I say who gives a rats ass as long as the bottle is nearby." 

Happy half-way through the work week, to all. 

Getting VERY excited for my vaca.

J.

Auntie x2.

Today I welcome a handsome little man into this world. My brother and sister-in-law are proud parents to son number two, Mason. 

Welcome baby. We can't wait to love and spoil you silly. Hurry up 5 o'clock, I wanna meet my new little buddy.

Auntie J.

Weekend wrap.

Whew. The weekend flew by, but thankfully was filled with fun activities and minimal time spent around the apartment. Which is good; the weather was lovely. 

Friday night out for a friends birthday. Pricey night for me, but yolo, right? My lovely fiancee treated me to lunch at one of our favorite places, Patrick McGovern's in St. Paul. Patio weather has arrived. And lastly, a shopping trip at MOA which resulted in a few new dresses for my upcoming vacation and an early birthday present to myself. Here are the items that now call my closet, 'home'.

MICHAEL Michael Kors Hamilton Large Tote

H&M Sleeveless Dress

H&M Bandeau Dress

H&M Jersey Dress

Goodnight.

J.

Keep it fresh.

Because every desk needs a little fresh. White tulips pair perfect with my new cube decor. 

Early birthday flowers to me. Feeling whimsy. 

"I fell in love with her courage, sincerity, and her flaming self respect." 

-F. Scott Fitzgerald

J.

Crafted Cubicle.

Yet another makeover to my cubicle. This one I think will stick, though. Neutral colors and shiny objects to keep me entertained, but not overwhelmed. 

I've posted links below of my feather printable and little things quote printable. Add them to your decor, home or cube! I personally think this feather print (which IS available in a few other colors) could be beautiful framed and hanging on a wall.

Enjoy. 

• Feather Printable courtesy of  the 'Oh So Lovely' blog
• Little Things Quote Printable courtesy of 'HomeTalk'

J.

Imaginary Dream OTD

I have been very busy with work and dead tired when I get home. My apologies for the lack of posts. Here's a little something to remind you, you to take things slowly. Admire the present and all it has to offer. And most importantly live life one day at a time. Also, this is the key to happiness... in case you needed help in that department. 






(All photos borrowed from Tumblr)

Enjoy your Thursday. We have almost made it through another week. 

J.

Imaginary Dream OTD

Foodie dream of the day. I love beer cheese soup and I love buffalo chicken dip. So naturally, this dip sounds like the most amazing thing in the universe to me.

Best yet, the recipe calls for less than 10 ingredients, some of which you may have around the house. Below is a grocery list, but head to The Cookie Rookie's blog for step-by-step instructions. CLICK HERE. You are hungry, you know you want to, just do it.

Be prepared... here's what you will need:

3 cups shredded rotisserie chicken, cooked
8 oz sour cream
16 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup mozzarella
1 cup Monterrey jack cheese
½ cup Franks Red Hot Sauce
⅔ cup IPA beer (we used Schlafly American IPA and LOVED it. give it a try!)
½ cup blue cheese crumbles

J.

Whats for dinner?

Dreaded dinner time. Rainy, dreary day = one tired and unmotivated me. The fact that I had nothing thawed out helped along the decision to order in. On tonight's menu, good ole Italian food, courtesy of Donatelli's of White Bear Lake. For me: Baked lasagna and dinner salad. For the man: Thin crust pepperoni pizza. 

Delicious. 

Now accepting ideas for Tuesday night's dinner.

J.

Imaginary Dream OTD

Dreaming of a new 'do'. Hair that is. Since their arrival in December, I have been obsessed with my Luxy Hair extensions. They look amazing and only people who know I have mid-length hair know they're fake. Likewise, the clips are well made and stay put all day long. 

First off, I love the blendability of these extensions; they are dyed a special way to match with various hair hues. I have been on the light side of my natural color and dead on dark and the extensions blend seamlessly. I know people see before and afters of extensions that make them skeptical, but you can seriously trust this brand. 

Second, the price is right. My extensions still look great, especially after a fresh wash and they are already almost 6 months old. I received them as a gift from my mom, but know that she only paid about $155. Bonus: FREE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE. They have 3 densities of hair in 120, 160, and 220 grams; I stick with the 160 gram set, which is mid range and should work just fine if you have regular hair (not thin/not thick). 

Since mine are in great condition, I don't forsee needing to replace them for awhile, but would like to purchase a second set. The 160 gram set comes in Ombre Chestnut - and is just what I am looking for for summer. Here is Luxy sister, Mimi Ikonn, modeling her set...

(Photos of Mimi borrowed from the Luxy Hair ordering site)

The Ombre extensions, which also come in Ombre Blonde, are a bit spendier at $199.95, but you can usually find a promo code online for $5 off or so.

Saving startingggg, now.

J.

Imaginary Dream OTD

(Photo borrowed from Peonies and Brass)

It figures, that I would dream of kitchens after recently signing [yet another] year long lease in our current apartment. Now, I don't mind our apartment, but I will say that after 2 years here I am getting a bit stir crazy. And I am also a bit over all of the cracks in my bathroom tiles and outdated cabinetry. It may not be an HGTV space, but the people are what make a home. The people and the items they have hand chosen and love.

I love my items. But I wish that I could choose furnishings I love too. Which is why this picture is inspiring. I love an airy, clean space. White exudes this in a kitchen, and I foresee white cabinets and white subway tiles in my future. I do however prefer a bit of a slighly warmer vibe in the kitchen; something country-ish, like butcher block counter tops. I love cups and mug sets, so these floating shelves should make an appearance one way or another. 

Fresh flowers will be a must.

J.

Wear to work.

Shopping this weekend yielded some great deals. I scored this adorable black tweed Vera Wang dress from Kohl's for a mere $12. A great shape for work, with a respectful width sleeve strap. I plan to pair mine with a low covered wedge and some flashy earrings for easy all day wear. 

Unfortunately I was not able to pin down my exact items. But, click the links below to make some very comparable items part of your wardrobe today. And lucky for you there's some sales going on, so ACT FAST.

1 .Simply Vera Vera Wang Fit and Flare Dress. 
2 .Simply Vera Vera Wang Rectangle Drop Earrings. 
3 .Merona Mackenzie Suede Wedge Pumps.

J.

Celebrate, Mom.

You wouldn't be here without her. She was your first friend and will always be your truest friend. Her love for you is indescribable. She deserves praise everyday, but at the very least on this day. 

A very warm wish for a swell day to all of you moms out there. You hold worlds toughest job and don't make a dime. 

Whether you surrounded yourself with loved ones, celebrated from afar, or remembered a special someone who has left this world... I hope your day was lovely.

Count every blessing.

J.

Store raid.

H & M

I scored this dress earlier this week at H&M for only $12.95. Chu-ching, jackpot baby! This cute a-line summer dress has mesh cuts into the sleeves with a tiny dot pattern. Girly and cute. The website says the dress is orange, but the one I picked up in store is definitely pink. Other colors and patterns available in this shape; the exact dress is also offered in classic black.

Here are a few easy pairings [also courtesy of H&M] to jazz up this little number...

Day Option: 1 . 2 . 3 . 4

Night Option: 1. 2. 3. 4

Shop away!

J.

To my only follower...

Imaginary Dream OTD

(Photo taken from the Marketfest webpage)

Dreaming of summer in White Bear Lake and if you're familiar with the area, you may have guessed by the picture.... Marketfest! For those who haven't had the pleasure of spending one of their summer Thursday nights at this outing, here's a little back story blurb from their homepage.

"Marketfest is a free family festival [that has been being held for 24 years] in beautiful downtown White Bear Lake that features live entertainment, fine art, a variety of foods, children's activities, a farmers market, a classic car show and much, much more."

The festival runs Thursday evenings from 6:00 to 9:00 pm from mid-June to the end of July. Rain or shine folks, so come preparred. 

For more information check out their website!

Hoping I will soon find a cruiser bike (the cute pistachio one was too tall) that can take me into town.

J.

Finally Friday.

Happy weekend, cyber world! 

J.

Growing up.

Imaginary Dream OTD

Today I am dreaming of going home. 

A five person team, with two people off and one out sick = one busy day for me! So, I hope that you don't blame me for my lack of exciting post; this is simply the only thing on my mind right now. Well maybe a cheeseburger, too. Which just so happens to be what I am making for dinner tonight. Mmmm. Come on 5 o'clock.

I will find other things to woo you with this afternoon I'm sure.

Until then...

J.

Homemade Cards

Making mom a gift for Mothers Day doesn't have to be for little kids. Today I crafted these cute homemade cards for Mom's special day. 

I find that something personalized is not only sentimental, but a clear indication of your effort. And what mom doesn't want to feel like someone went out of their way for them? 

I start by finding cute backgrounds as a base, then use different shapes, clipart, and text to jazz it up as I choose. Lastly I pull one of the accent colors from the background out and use that for the back piece of the card. Print out your front and back templates, then cut and glue them onto matching scrapbook paper for a sturdier base. 

Voilà! Beautfiul [and thoughtful] cards, that you can completely personalize with a cute message. I plan to pair mine with tulips, for the moms in my life. 

J.

Summer 'Must Haves'

My two must haves for summer are Wedges and Colorful Jewelery. These are cheap which makes them easy to replace... in the event that you lose an earring, tear the strap of your slingbacks, or if you just need a wardrobe pick me up! 

The wedges featured here are SUPER old, and from Target. They have held up remarkably well, as have many other pairs I have purchased from Target throughout the years. Bonus: many of the wedges I own cost less than $10 on clearance. Keep your eyes peeled throughout the summer for rollbacks and steals of deals.

These precious little gems cost me $3.80! Forever 21 is definitely my go to for jewelry, as they have endless options and keep your pocketbook happy. Statement necklaces that will run you close to $30 at a boutique can be found here for under $10.

Happy hunting.

J.

Around the Town.

I am starting to delve back into my photography hobby. This was something I loved throughout my college years, especially. Living in Duluth, there are countless things to photograph. The city flows with variety in terms of people, landscape, architecture, and culture. 

Maybe I lost touch, because I felt like I lost the beauty. My muse. But regardless, I have been spending many of my weekends in Downtown St. Paul. Dining out, visiting the Science Museum, and just cruising around taking it all in. St. Paul is also flowing with inspiration for photographers, so I make sure to keep my camera, or at least my phone, around. 

I think what I love most about photographing St. Paul is the fact that everything has a story to tell. The city has changed so much in the past 50 years and it's exciting to take a trip back and imagine life in another time. I am fascinated and mostly just amazed by the detail in each and every house/building. So much character. Here are a few shots that I took while out an about this past weekend.


Do you know of any hidden Minnesota Gems? Share your findings!

J.

Imaginary Dream OTD

Yet again, I am dreaming of summertime. Sun dresses, sandals, swimsuits, sunscreen, and SALADS. I love me a good cold pasta salad and thanks to Pinterest I have plenty of recipes to try out this year. 

In my [professional salad eating] opinion... a good salad MUST consist of at least 2 of the below items:

• Cheese
• Pasta noodles -- preferably filled with cheese :)
• Peppers or some crunchy component
• Pepperoni
• Bacon

Now, don't get confused and think that because I am referring to these types of masterpieces as 'salad' that they are healthy for you. Because, come on, all of the above ingredients are not your best friend. They want you to gain weight. 

If you are focused on maintaining your figure, and just to stay lean, substitute the components of these calorie packed sides with light or low fat options and focus on portion control. Making your own dressing using seasoning packets and Greek yogurt is another smart tip for saving your waist line. Just don't deprive yourself; you'll only end up gorging later when you eventually cave to your cravings. This will happen, not because you're not motivated, but because you're human. 

First on my list is this oober-yummy looking Tortellini Salad courtesy of What2Cook.net

Bon Appétit, bloggers.

J.

You only live once...

Dare to dream big. Nobody puts baby in a corner. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't.

Photo of some very happy person loving what they do, taken in Honolulu, HI.

J.

Imaginary Dream OTD

Dreaming of cruising down the bike trails and sidewalks near my apartment. Gazing at the sparkling lake water and waving to others passing by with their dogs. 

This is my ticket to ride.

26" Huffy Cranbrook Women's Cruiser Bike in Pistachio. Sold by Walmart and currently on roll back special for $88! Vintage feel, without the worry of breaking down. This cute little cruiser is reminiscent of an old Schwinn and bonus, comes in my favorite color, green. 

Reviews are favorable, coming in with 4.5 stars and overall feelings of good bang for your buck and comfort. I am working on getting myself up, out, and about [for more then just cocktails] and I figure that at this great price, I can't go wrong [even if it just sits and collects dust in a few years]. 

How do you plan to be active this season? 

J.

Tulip Pile

(Photo credit to Arthur Chang via Flickr)

Life is too short, to not have fresh flowers. 

J.

One Day

 
I wish for this for each and every woman in my life. And every woman in the world, actually. 

Allow yourself to believe you're worth every good thing that could find you. Then live each day with that in mind. Failure is just a lesson learned and a stepping stone to future success.

Food for thought on this lovely Monday.

J.

Imaginary Dream OTD

Dreaming, today, of the future. In particular the future where my friends are getting married and having babies. In my wedding planning, I have found how much of a passion I have for decorating. Specialty themed wrapping of presents, fun food themes for parties, holiday decor, etc. I just find it so fun to tie a theme to something and go all out. I think my attention to detail may be to blame...

Here is a sample of an Indoor Picnic Themed Birthday Party from Hostess with the Mostess' blog. 



With summer fast approaching, I am hoping some sort of party will present itself for me to get my fix. But if not, I will patiently await the day I have my own home to entertain in and the honor of hosting for someone special :)

What unique themed parties have you planned? Share your ideas in the comments section! 

J.

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Good Morning and happy Cinco de Mayo to all. Maybe you are vaca-ing in Mexico or partying at your local cantina.... or maybe your stuck at work, like me. Regardless, happy day!

Hopefully everyone had a nice long weekend. And the weather treated you well, as it did me. I spent my Saturday in St. Paul touring the many countries of the world at the Festival of Nations. I remember coming to this in junior high with my Spanish class and used to love it. My mom confirmed that when I told her I was going this weekend. Anywho, countries have booths setup throughout the Rivercentre for tasting their delicacies and also buying their merchandise. 

Our food list (split with my fiancee):
- Polish Kielbasa 
- Finnish Strawberry Shortcake
- Italian Pizza
- French Ham and Spinach Baguette
- French Eclair 
- Danish Lefse 
- Mexican Steak Tacos
- Mexican Fresh Mango with Chile powder (HOOOOOTTTT! Yikes.)

MMM. All were delicious. 

We also toured the merchandise booths, which reminded me of the World Bazaar at the MN State Fair. In fact, I finally snagged one of those hand carved wooden croaking frogs, for a mere $5! I am already driving people crazy with the thing. 

Buy one of these guys on Amazon.com.

Time with family, yahtzee, and dinner with my hunnie sums up the rest of the weekend. Welcome back to reality folks. Friday... come early.

J.

Imaginary Dream OTD

Dreaming of a Wild win tonight against the Blackhawks! 

(Photo cred to DAVID BANKS/Associated Press)

Come onnnnn Minnesssoottta!

J.