In Progress: Backyard Renovation

01. plant labels 02. dining set 03. plates 04. lanterns 05. charcoal bucket 06. planter 07. sunglasses

The backyard is finished! The sod has rooted nicely and we have even had a few people over for cookouts. Some minor additions remain such as setting up the living space (the lower patio) and getting some outdoor dining materials for the dining area (the upper patio). I've been eyeing up the Aplarro outdoor furniture at IKEA. I've always wanted a chaise - despite not having a pool. And our four person round table is just a tad too small. But all in all, it's looking pretty good. And can I just say - It's so nice to have 'real' grass. I never thought it would be that big of a deal, but it feels like stepping onto a golf course.

The Weekend

The long weekend (and beautiful weather) is upon us! My summer classes started this week - and despite the drive this surprisingly is not a bummer. My health policy and health finance classes sound fascinating! I'll be checking out the Downtown Baseball Block Party tonight. Then going to Chicago for a bachelorette party this weekend. Then taking some pictures of our beautiful new backyard to show you guys on Monday.

Enjoy your Memorial Day weekend!

Window Shopping: ReThreads in Bay View

There's a new addition to the stores in Bay View - ReThreads! located at 2671 Kinnickinnick Avenue. I am so, so excited to have a cool clothing store just blocks from my house. They just opened a couple weeks ago and are adding to their selection daily - I know because during my usually fast-paced walks with the dog, I find myself slowing down to a crawl as I walk passed their display windows, trying to peek inside, then picking it right back up when we hit the next building; I feel like a cartoon. The other week, I picked up a fuchsia and yellow caftan for backyard lounging this summer. I'm a big fan of caftans, but I worry it's a slippery slope to donning a moo-moo. So moderation, I guess.

If you shop at ReThreads a lot, you should check out the Shepherd Express Store because they sell 'groupon-like' coupons for 50% off for ReThreads and many other local stores like Actaea Works, The Brass Rooster, The Pedal Tavern, and Sobelman's. I have been telling everyone about this.

Featured in......

A few weeks ago, I was asked to name a "must-see"/"must-do" summer activity or event in Wisconsin. Country Living compiled a master list called "50 Things To Do In 50 States This Summer" from bloggers around the country. To see the Milwaukee favorite that I picked clicked HERE. If you're planning any trips this summer, check out the full list HERE.

The Basics of Long Hair (from a beginner)

After my wedding and years of sporting a layered bob, I started growing my hair out. My hair now is below my shoulders, but still has a few inches to ideal length. I never realized that growing out my hair would take two years. So whenever I think about chopping it off and going back to my tried and true haircut, I think of all the work. Long hair is hard. I can no longer rely on the predictability of layers, the easy of drying and the natural lift. Instead, my hair gets flat and frizzy. So, I've since been exploring the world of straightening balms, hairsprays, and round brushes.

Luckily, one of my blog sponsors supplies all the tools I'd need. ghd which stands for 'good hair day' from the UK sells professional hair straighteners (in the most fun colors!), products to help smooth and straighten, and round brushes in hard to find sizes. And all US purchases come with free shipping. If you want to find more information about what the best hair straightener are, and you want to find out more information about the ghd models, then you can visit www.ghdhair.com.

I have fine hair but lots of it. And it has a slight bend to it in the back. So I say I have faux thick hair - it needs lift but can't handle gobs of product and it's prone to frizzing. So, I stick to the basics, a root lifter or straightening balm/spray that I work into the shaft, not the root with my fingers. Then I blow-dry on a low setting with my head upside down while I brush with a round brush. Once done, I smooth it all out and flatten out the angles with a straightener on high. I'm pretty low maintenance, so on days that I do my hair (err, VERY low maintenance), this method takes me 5-10 minutes.


*this post brought to you from our friends at ghd

Flea Market Finds

There were so many great finds at the flea market yesterday that I just had to show you guys. There were a lot of great industrial chic items like lights, stools, and storage bins. I don't know what I would do with them but there were two ediphone dictation machines. They'd probably make a good conversation piece if you had the room. The Elvis needlepoint pillow made me laugh. I could just imagine my husband's face if I brought that home. And I love the color of jadeite. Sometimes it's hit or miss, but yesterday there was lots of good, fairly priced jadeite. Lastly, there was a hand carved glove box with red gerberas on it- it was beautiful. I hope these items all found happy homes!

Tucked away

Source: sweethomestyle.tumblr.com via Sara on Pinterest

Source: moredesignplease.com via Sara on Pinterest

Source: bookshelfporn.com via Sara on Pinterest

Source: vintagehome.tumblr.com via Sara on Pinterest

Source: c497280.r80.cf2.rackcdn.com via Sara on Pinterest

These tucked away beds look so fun - like a fort for grown-ups. I've been racking my brain over the last couple weeks trying to figure out a small nook in our old house that could one day be renovated into something, anything, like this, but it just isn't meant to be. So if you have one of these kind of beds - I totally want to come over and take a nap.

Dear Photograph

I love the idea behind the tumblr site, Dear Photograph . What they do is ask readers to send in photos of themselves holding up old family photos in the exact place the picture was taken years prior. In a world of furry kitten memes, someecards, and texts from Hillary, it's nice to find something heartwarming and meaningful. I would love to dig up my childhood photos and do this.

They just came out with a hardcover book with their best "Dear Photograph" submissions. I heard an interview with the author/creator on NPR last week. Wouldn't this be lovely for a coffee table or guest room?


images: dear photograph

GIVEAWAY: Elkhorn Flea Market passes

images: Keith Scott Morton, Country Time

So, you've probably heard me talk about flea markets a lot of this blog. And I'm really excited to be giving away passes to my favorite flea market. Here's your chance to win a pair of SEASON PASSES to the Elkhorn Flea Market in Elkhorn, Wisconsin (45 minutes from Milwaukee, 90 minutes from Chicago). These two passes are good for all four 2012 Elkhorn Flea Markets. The first show is this weekend. And just from experience, the May show is one of the best. Dealers have been stocking up merch all winter and are ready to unload.

To enter, visit the NL Promotions website and check out their Elkhorn Flea Market and West Bend Flea Market shows, and enter a comment below. One winner will be announced Thursday and will be mailed ASAP or can be arranged for pick up. Two passes are each good for May 20, June 24, August 12, and September 30 dates, 7am - 3pm.

Good Luck!

UPDATE: The winner is commentor #17 Kathy Maurer from Madison!

Etsy Finds: tissu color block totes

photo: tissu handbags

Behold, this year's perfect summer tote. These color block leather totes from tissue handbags are calling my name. The color blocking and simple design are so in right now. And they're well-made - by an italian designer who now lives in Chicago. Visit the tissue website HERE and the easy store HERE.

(Found via Simple Lovely)

Head scarves?

photos: Charlotte Linton
What do you think? I love bright colorful patterned scarves (especially vintage Vera scarves) and there are so many ways to wear them, but I'm always a little self-conscious about wearing them in public. Would you ever wear a head scarf?

5 Gifts for Nurses Week

photo: sho.com
This week is National Nurses Week. If you didn't know, that's OK. I'm a nurse and almost forgot. We're good at selfless acts of kindess, not self-recognition. So let's talk about what nurses do. If you watch Nurse Jackie, that's totally our lives - minus the drug addiction. We see people on their worst day, at the worst time of their life. I've used the pair of backup scrubs in my locker way too many times, but I've also left work knowing that no one left as sick and anxious as when they came in. It's a tough job but so rewarding. And that feeling is pretty good, but it's nice to be thanked, too. So here are some ideas on how to thank the nurses in your life.



1. Gourmet chocolate: The way to our hearts (and the top of our priority list) is not hard. You just have to bribe us with chocolate. Shown: Divine Dark Chocolate Bar

2. Fun watch: I own this exact watch and love it. It also distracts the kids just long enough so I can give them a shot. Multi-functional. Shown: La Mer Carpe Diem watch

3. Something pretty: Life in unisex scrubs is pretty unexciting. So something small and pretty like earrings, a handmade bracelet, or a necklace from the gift shop can add some much needed life to our look. Shown: A Merry Mishap pale blue geode earrings

4. Strong coffee: There is no such thing as a nurse who doesn't like coffee. I guarantee we all have coffee makers in the break room, but always run out of the secret stash of good coffee hidden beneath the no-name bulk ordered coffee. Good, strong coffee is a godsend. Shown: Stumptown Guatemalan coffee blend

5. Hand cream: I wash my hands at least 20 times a day; not because of the OCD, because of the job. Unfortunately, it wreaks havoc on my already dry skin. Hand Cream, moisturizing soaps, and lotions are perfect solutions for this problem. Shown: L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream

3 Things from the Weekend

1. Our backyard renovation is nearing completion. The sod is almost ready to walk on. Luckily there was plenty of rain and an overly ambitious husband to make sure it got plenty of water.

2. I planted our vegetable garden over the weekend and planted some small shrubs and ornamental grass, too. After learning our lesson with garden box no. 1, I left plenty-o-space between seedings and did not plant a single cucumber. Those things take on a horrifying life of their own, to the point where I think the plant in 'Little Shop of Horrors' must have been a cucumber.

3. I was able to catch up on some leisurely reading. How? Spring Semester ended last week!! I read the latest quarterly of Wilder, a gardening and lifestyle magazine I had on my desk since February. It's a beautiful magazine.

Out and About: Monograham Paper

Last week I took a little field trip to Delafield to check out Monograham Paper & Gifts. I was in desperate need of good birthday cards and upcoming Mother's Day cards. And I was in luck. Monograham was chock-full of beautiful designed items. They carry the lines I love like Rifle Paper Co., Knot & Bow, Field Notes, Bellocq Tea, Smock, and Baggu. Suffice to say, I was going nuts!! I found the selection to be far better than Broadway Paper, so I'll be making the hike "out west" whenever I need to stock up again.
Check out Monograham's large 4 room store in downtown Delafield at 719 Genessee St. They're open 10am - 5pm Tuesday - Saturday and for appointments. They do great custom invites which you can see on their website and blog.