Frozen Music Studios Photography

My Favorite Place on Earth

Last weekend we had the opportunity to spend some time on Lake Superior's North Shore in Minnesota.   It was a wonderful little vacation... a weekend to get away from work and home improvement projects and just relax and have fun.  It is so totally gorgeous up there, especially in the fall!  I haven't been up that way in the fall since I was a teeny little kid, so this was wonderful.  And, oh, the colors!  They're amazing!  What an incredible display.  I think I need to move there. :)

We started the weekend hanging out in Duluth, checked out Gooseberry Falls, got some pie at Betty's Pies, and arrived at Caribou Highlands in Lutsen.  Saturday we wandered around Grand Marais for a while, of course spending some time drooling over the art we'd like to buy at Sivertson Gallery.  Then we took the gondola up to the top of Moose Mountain and hiked the Superior Trail...for a while.  Later we took some pictures around Lutsen Lodge, and had dinner at Sven & Ole's.  Sunday we had to begin the LONG trek back home, but it was so worth it.

Here are some photos of the gorgeousness that is the North Shore.   Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mona Laura

Soon I will be sharing some pics from the fantastical fun of the MN State Fair this weekend.  But for now, I leave you with this picture.  This was in front of the Fine Arts building.  Who could resist?  

This is my best attempt at that mysterious smirk.  Pretty good, right?   :)

Going Green Today!

First, I would like to announce the winner of the Pangea jewelry give away from yesterday's post.  Congratulations to Lindsay who said, "Happy Birthday!  My favorite is the Pacific Rose Necklace! But they're all so cute!!"  I want that necklace too!  ;)  Lindsay, please email me with your mailing address so I can have that sent to you.   

Way back in February, I introduced my blog readers to the incredible Sigg bottle.  When I was thinking about doing this birthday week of give-aways, the first thing I knew I wanted to give away was a Sigg bottle.  I love these things.  For Christmas last year, almost all of my family members got Sigg bottles.  (Check out mysigg.com for more information on why these bottles rock!)  

Today, I am giving away a special one liter Frozen Music Studios Photography Sigg bottle.  (PS... I got myself one too!)  How awesome is that?  

To enter to win, tell me in the comments section one way that you are trying to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle.  Only entries submitted before midnight tonight will be accepted.  Good luck everyone!

Adorn yourself for my birthday.

I am loving sharing some of my favorite things with all of you!  The winner of yesterday's drawing for the Caroline Smith and the Goodnight Sleeps CD is... Maddie!  Good thing you made a comment... you'll love them. :)  Send me an email with your mailing address and I'll get that out to you.

If you're coming here for pictures... don't worry!  I've got pictures coming from Lindsay & Jonathan's wedding that I'm really excited about, a "Trash the Dress" creative session, and pics from an awesome engagement session with Steph and Karsten... so stay tuned!

To continue on with the birthday celebration (you only turn 25 once, right?! ... though, some people turn 29 many years in a row!) I am very excited about today's give away.  If you read my blog much, you probably have noticed that I am in love with all things Etsy.  It's awesome.  So today, I am giving away an item from my favorite local Etsy seller, Pangea.  Pangea is owned by Angie, a sweet and quirky girl who makes gorgeous vintage-inspired jewelry right here in Fargo.

 

To enter, visit Angie's Etsy store and make a comment on this post telling me which piece of her jewelry you would love to have.  The randomly selected winner will receive the item they chose!  Contest ends at midnight tonight.

Here's a previous post about Pangea.  (I have the middle locket and wear it all the time!)  Also, check out Angie's super fun blog: http://pangeahandmade.com/blog/

A few of my favorite things...

This is the beginning of my birthday week!  I am excited, and you should be too, because I am celebrating my birthday with all of you by giving away a few of my favorite things.  So check back on the blog every day this week for a chance to win something awesome!

Only one catch...  there must be at least 10 comments on the blog post each day in order for a prize to be given away.  (Only one comment per person per day).  Comments made before 11:59pm on the day of the post will be accepted and included in the drawing.

So... on to the fun part.  Today I am giving away a $5 Caribou Card because one of my favorite indulgences is a Cookies & Cream Snowdrift from Caribou Coffee.  Did you know that there is not one single Caribou in Moorhead?  I have to travel all the way into Fargo. This keeps me from getting a snowdrift too often I guess!

 

To enter to win, leave a comment giving me a suggestion of a good way to celebrate my birthday this weekend!  I still don't know what to do. :)

Tea Time!

 

I saw this idea for centerpieces today, and just love it!  Gather up empty tea tins that your mom or grandma have collected over the years, or find some at flea markets and antique shops.  Fill them up with pretty flowers and viola!  A funky, fun and vintage centerpiece.  This idea and photo is from Martha Stewart Weddings.  Good ol' Martha has TONS of ideas for wedding decorations, so head on over there for some inspiration!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!  Stay tuned next week for images from Morgan & Brandan's wedding in Brainerd.

Vintage Inspired Jewelry

I always like to share items for brides that are a little off the beaten path.  Today I'm sharing some pretty jewelry that you won't find in a bridal store, but would be beautiful with one of those vintage-style dresses we've been talking about.

 

 

 

These lockets and bracelet are made by Angela, who currently designs delightful vintage-inspired jewelry from her Fargo apartment.  (Yay for local artists!)  You can find her work at One World Imports and Revolve stores downtown Fargo, but the easiest way to find her creations is to check out her Etsy store, Pangea.  You can also check out her blog, Science & Romance, to see what she's up to!

Inspiration

Throughout the past few weeks, I've experienced many unexpected bumps in the road that have tossed many good intentions and plans out the window.  All normal life in my community came to a halt as the flood waters rose, I spent a few precious days in bed sick, and recently my mom needed to go in for an emergency surgery as she was here to visit us over Easter.  Sometimes life gets overwhelming, and all of us need little reminders to inspire us and remind us of our dreams and goals.

A few months ago, I found a blog by Jess Gonacha called pecannoot.  It is full of refreshing and uplifting art that reminds us of abundance in our lives.

 

This is one of my favorite images shown on the blog so far.  It is a piece by Jodi Ulschmid, and a great example of the inspiration you will find on pecannoot!

Sigg Bottles

If you're still buying water, juice or pop in plastic bottles, run, don't walk, to your nearest computer and get yourself a Sigg reusable bottle.  I bought myself one last spring, and I totally love it.  I fill it with my sweet tea and bring it with me.  Here are some of my favorite styles available right now (they change them up every year) and guess what?  They are on sale right now at reusablebags.com. 

 

 These things are really in demand right now, so get yours before they run out of the style you like.  Check out the website for more information on these beauties.  (Random thought, my old dentist used to call teeth "beauties.")

All Things Pretty

If you're in need of some gorgeous eye candy, check out Holly Becker's design blog decor8.  Sometimes I need respite from the drab, and Holly's blog is full of inspiration and just puts me in a good mood looking at all those pretty things.

 

There are usually multiple new posts per day, so it's easy to get hooked looking at the beautiful photography and sweet design ideas.  So, head on over when you need a little pick-me-up!

P.S. I'm not affiliated with Holly, I just love her blog! :)