Wedding pics are up!

The wedding pictures are back! Neil, over at Front Room Photography did an absolutely amazing job photographing our wedding. Here are a few of my favorites, but for a few more, check out the FR Photo Blog. For a video of that awesome Vespa grand march, go here.

Milwaukee Faves: Milwaukee Public Library

It's good to be back home in my favorite city. Here's one of my favorite buildings in Milwaukee. A few weeks ago, my mom and I went to the court house to pick up the marriage license and made a quick stop into the Milwaukee Public Museum to look around. I used to live in the Marquette dorm across the street and would frequently study at the library back in college. The marble in the lobby is just breathtaking. There's a rare books library, many historic displays in the hallways, and an art gallery on the 2nd floor. You could spend hours in there and never even pick up a book. Take a look. Or take a tour: every Saturday at 1:30PM.





P.S. I know you want to WIN a moka pot.

Coffee Break GIVEAWAY!

We're back from the honeymoon. On the plane ride home I was really looking forward to settling back into real life, eating american food, and sleeping in. Today sleeping in meant getting up at 5am and taking a nap yesterday afternoon. Not quite adjusted after all that jet-lag. Thank goodness for strong coffee. I grabbed my new coffee maker, a fancy little moka pot for making espresso. Coffee break just got taken up a notch!


now......

To win your own moka pot, a nice little 12 serving Cuisinox Stainless Steel one, just leave a comment below. I will announce a winner Sunday night (8/2) and cookware.com will send it your way. Good luck!

{When In Rome} Save room for gelato......

Oh the gelato! Coming from Wisconsin, I find it hard for anything to compete with frozen custard, but I did enjoy the gelato in Italy. Gelato is made much like ice cream, but has a more elaborate process, has a smoother consistency, and YES less butterfat and sugar. We found Giolitti while wandering/being lost near our hotel. It looked perfect--cute outside seating, marble floors, white clad employees, old gold decor, families all around. I know there are lots of other excellent gelatarias in Rome, but we only made it to this one. I walked in and was a little confused, the signs weren't in english and the cashier had some problems understanding my Wisco-accent.

So if you go, here are the basics.......
Pay at the cashier first. Then, take your ticket to the gelato counter.
Cono: cone
Coppa: cup
Gusto: scoop
Gusti: scoops
Panna: whipped cream

and here's a chart for what all those italian flavors mean....

{When In Rome} Via dei Condotti

When in Rome, the place for window shopping is Via Condotti. It's right across from the Spanish Steps and has practically every high-end couture store (especially the italian ones) all packed into this tiny street. No, I didn't buy anything but it was a lot of fun just looking.

{When In Rome} Daily Fix: Old Doors

I took an early morning walk today to the Spanish Steps and couture boutiques to take some photos today. On the way there, these beautiful old doors kept catching my eye. I love the intricate door handles and old carved wood. Every once in a while, the doors were propped open and I could peek inside. Oh the marble! Really rich people probably live in these places. More on those couture boutiques to come!

{When In Rome} 10 Things

10 things I've learned today:

1. It's stupid to walk in Rome. But don't ride a scooter unless you REALLY know how. Matt's doing a great job driving today.
2. Harem pants (or as I call them, "poopy pants") are really big here.
3. Now I know where all the cute, comfortable shoes were hiding....ROME!
4. It IS possible to physically melt. Come to Rome when it's 100 degrees.
5. On that note, you can stick your feet in pretty much any fountain.
6. When visiting the Vatican, wear knee-length shorts (I ripped mine when I tried to quickly stretch them down).
7. Diet Coke is like $6 USD at all the touristy places, but only 0.75 euros at the grocery store!
8. The Spanish steps are beautiful, but when you're looking up at them turn around because there's a giant DIOR store.
9. You can pretty much park anywhere. We saw THIS a lot.
10. Gelato comes in more flavors than I knew possible.

Wedding update from Mrs. Beringer

Hey all,
The wedding was 100% perfect--the weather, the schedule, the vows, the photos--all perfect. Here are a few pictures taken by my bridesmaid, Casey, to enjoy while I pack for our trip to Italy. Thanks to everyone--it was honestly, hands down, the best day of my life--I had so much fun!

Love,
Mrs. Beringer

Wedding update: the final countdown

2 days to go! Needless to say my life is consumed with list-making and checking-off lists. Everything looks like it's going well so far- programs and menus printed, table cards set, photographer ready, hair stylist scheduled, dress at the seamstress, shoes bought (and they fit), emergency kit stocked, flowers on their way, catering settled, beer kegs ordered, limo scheduled, hotel rooms booked, slideshow work in progress, music playlists saved, marriage license picked up, rings in the safe, cake paid for, spa day on Friday, bridesmaids getting along, groom not nervous. That sums up the majority of it.

I'm realllllly looking forward to spa day. I can't wait to just relax and unwind and hang out with my bridesmaids. I even have my nail polish all picked out. OK, so peace out readers. I'll be sure to post a little on my spa day......but we'll see how much I get to blog after the wedding. We leave on the 13th for Rome. Ciao!

No Smoking, Milwaukee

The city-wide smoking ban goes into effect today. Hooray! My hair and clothes are happy that they will no longer be subjected to an ashy after-stench. Sorry, current smokers, but you'll be fine (says me, the non-smoker). As much as it sucks to have a personal choice prohibited, I think the ban has a lot more benefits than drawbacks. Won't it preserve general public's health and discourage future smokers? Don't you think it will make it easier for a lot of people to quit smoking--less accessibility, less mental triggers, less social pressure? Other smoking-banned cities like Chicago, Madison, and Appleton are still economically thriving economically and the public seems to still be ok. So we're good, Milwaukee? Everyone can take a big, deep, clean breath of fresh air?
Mechanical Stag

Red, White, and Blue Brunch

Happy 4th everyone! The weather in Milwaukee is hot and muggy but the sky is clear, so bring on the fireworks. We're passing the afternoon by grilling out and having some Red, White, and Blue Ribbon beer.

This morning I made (a pretty easy) brunch with a "red, white, and blue" theme: Baby green salad with strawberries, blue cheese, and raspberry balsamic vinegar; Mixed berry muffins (a modified recipe from Barefoot Contessa; Watermelon; Bacon and country sausage. Did you guys make any "red, white, and blue" recipes today, too? Do tell.

Happy 4th of July weekend

Laura Trevey painting,

I'll be doing some posting over the weekend and a LOT of chillaxin' in the backyard. Hope you have a good weekend, too!