Backyard Discovery: Trail of Crumbs Pop-Up Restaurant

You get a date and time and thats it. That's how Milwaukee's pop-up restaurant ....And you will know us by trail of crumbs (aka Trail of Crumbs) works. The location is a secret until the day of the dinner event, then emailed to you. You arrive at a pop-up restaurant either in someone's home or an empty building or a business. It's all about the surprise. The next pop-up restaurant, with a Vegan-friendly menu will take place on August 5th. I have been wanting to go this but seem to always be busy the day it takes place. Wouldn't this be fun?

Check out their Facebook page here and their website here.

photos: via trail of crumbs

Wedding Weekend

Black lace dress. camel clutch. Kate Spade earrings (last season). mint shoes.

I'm back from a long, long weekend in Toledo, Ohio for my brother-in-law's wedding. The ceremony and reception were both held in the amazing and ornate victorian private club, The Toledo Club. From the marble floors in the foyer and Tiffany stained glass light fixtures to the hidden doors from its days as a speakeasy, it was truly an amazing place. The sheath dress I bought just days before the wedding (read: procrastination) had a great open back and a black lace overlay. As for the mint shoes, I bought those the day of the wedding (read: major procrastination problem) after deciding my other ones just weren't as fun. When doing a real feminine fabric like lace or ruffles, I try to keep the silhouette clean with basic lines and a straighter look. I also accessories with the same philosophy, but also try to add a bit of modern (so that I don't look like Barbara Streisand in My Fair Lady). And since mint is way hot right now, I just had to do it. Sadly, I don't own it, but this camel clutch is at the top of my wish list right now. How fun is that camel without being silly? Pretty fun. The earrings were a birthday present from my husband last year. When in doubt, guys, Kate Spade can't go wrong!

The Weekend: Firkin Fest

When you're in the midst of finals and its crazy town hot outside (see the lack of grass above), you should just give up go to a beer festival.

Milwaukee Firkin Fest was this past Sunday in Cathedral Square. There were 36 breweries/microbreweries/brewers guilds sampling a few of their beers, one of which was a firkin. What's a firkin? It's a quarter barrel keg of beer without the negative pressure which allows for a beer that harnesses full flavor but doesn't preserve like a normal keg. So some beers taste better from a firkin because there's less foam. My favorite find was the Halcyon Daze from Tallgrass Brewery- oh man. good. Although the best find may have been the beer schwing for $5. There's another beer tasting on the lakefront next weekend - Milwaukee Brewfest.

It was a nice break from studying and getting all stressed out and schtuff. Who needs that?! Now, back to life, back to reality.

Can't stop listening to: Tennis

I can't really vouch for what's going on in this video (why are music videos gettin so weird?), but I can vouch for the band Tennis being quite awesome. I love the punchy keyboards and the singers echoey voice. The band is fronted by a husband and wife duo from Denver who started dating in college and then took a 8 month yacht trip down the eastern seaboard. You can hear more on that here. The album chronicles their trip. Awesome, indeed.
Tennis will be playing in Milwaukee at Turner Hall on August 2nd with Sharon Van Etten.

Shopping List: Vintage Table Fans

replica air circulator / Classic metal fan/ Blue oscillating fan/Westinghouse fan

If you have air conditioning, you can just skip this post. If not, then let's talk fans. We have six going in our house at all times. And if I could get a seventh, I would. It's hot here in Wisconsin. Case in point - it's 103 here and only 80 degrees in Dallas. Our plan to delay installing central air ("It only gets in the 90's for like a week") was woefully flawed, because this happens to be the year of record high heat and record droughts. Rats! So we're surviving, and I'm looking for contenders for my seventh fan.

Backyard Discovery: Boone & Crockett

Welcome to my new hangout, Boone & Crockett. I love the theme - a turn of the century hunting parlor with a Sconnie twist. Deer trophies line the wall, plaid tufted benches, art deco brass lamps over the mohair couches, and a picture of Teddy Roosevelt above the bar. We were there the other night again - I think I just love the antiques, but the drinks might be the reason, too. They serve great mixed cocktails like cucumber collins and a gin bramble (gin with lemon and blackberries). It's a great place to visit if you're in Milwaukee and of course, hangout if you live in Bay View. They also have a patio for these hot summer nights. Hurrah!

Boone & Crockett Facebook page 2151 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., Milwaukee, WI Open from 3pm - 2am

Pint In Hand: Lakefront Brewery Wisconsinite

We've been drinking a lot of Wisconsinite this summer. In addition to having a stellar name, everything in it, from the hops to the yeast is all grown in Wisconsin. Being a summer weiss, it's a lighter, fresher and clean summer beer. It has paired really well with the summer salads and grilled chicken we've been eating on our patio. Cheers!

Citrus Cake

photo via apollinas

I can't get over how beautiful this cake is. It's a citrus cake with lemon curd filling and orange-lemon icing with mint leaves on top. Seriously, you had me at lemon. Follow the link here for the full recipe. Wouldn't this make a wonderful adult birthday cake? Or a garden party or shower? I think so.

Announcing! BLOGS & BOOKS

I'm so excited to announce a project that I've been working on -- BLOGS & BOOKS! I've partnered with Colleen from Inspired to Share, another great Milwaukee blogger, to host a book club meeting in Milwaukee each season. And then we'll blog about it. So for those out of town, you can still participate! Our summer selection is The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin - a book about a women's quest to find happiness on a daily basis.

The event will be hosted at the Pabst Theater in Milwaukee on Sunday August 26th at 1pm. We'll chat, meet some new people, and discuss the book, along with sampling some yummy summer drinks and treats. Each season we'll try to come up with a theme that relates to the book and style the book club meeting around that. So it will be more than just a book club. It's a day out to discuss ideas, learn something new and meet new friends.

As for out of towners, Colleen and I will blog about the book and the event so check back to see more!

See you in August!

(poster design by Marisa Seguin)

Milwaukee Faves: The Oriental Theater

We saw Moonrise Kingdom - and it was awesome. Very quirky, very clever, very well written. Have you seen it yet?

The Oriental has got to be the perfect backdrop to a Wes Anderson film. I love the moorish architecture, the giant buddhas with glowing eyes along the main theater walls, and of course, the brewers yeast to put on your popcorn. Heck yes, we're in Milwaukee. They only play select movies, two or three at a time, mostly independent or foreign films (which means I'll have to venture out to the iPic to see my Tyler Perry movie this weekend. not kidding).

The Oriental Theater
2230 N. Farwell Ave.
Milwaukee, WI
website: http://www.landmarktheatres.com/market/milwaukee/orientaltheatre.htm