sweater season

I think the weather has finally turned. While a few warm bursts have graced the afternoons, the evenings bring on a crisp chill, which I welcome. It's that time of year - time to rearrange the closet and dresser, sadly moving out those cute summer tops and welcoming in the warm and cozy sweaters. This fall, I'm loving cardigans. I really want to get my hands on a few. You see, with a cardigan, you can still wear those cute tops and keep warm at the same time! Genius! Here are a few I spied...

From J.Crew...

From Mod Cloth...

From Gap...

What to choose???

fall weekends ~ part 2 & 3

Our busy fall continues. Whether we are here or gone, the weekends are quick but fun. A couple of weekends ago, Hubby and I went to St. Louis for a long overdue visit to see a couple of friends who moved there around two years ago. We had a great time and I was reminded of what a slow, boring life I lead. We were out LATE and packed A LOT in and I was exhausted!!!! It was great to see them, their home, explore a bit in St. Louis and enjoy a friendly Cubs/Cardinals rivalry.

Of course a weekend to St. Louis isn't complete without a tour of the Budweiser Brewery. I am embarrassed to admit these were the only pictures I took that weekend (and I'm not even in any of them). I blame the exhaustion.

Check out that Clydesdale (and Hubby, too)!


Who are these guys?



The greenery and plants around the Brewery were so pretty!

Old architecture...pretty amazing.

This past weekend my cousin visited from Minneapolis for the Royals/Twins game. She is a HUGE Twins fan so it was fun to experience the game with her and watch her keep actual score of the game on a score card. We had lots of laughs and am glad we were able to catch up - it had been too long!

Again, who is this guy?

Our hectic fall doesn't slow down. We have another upcoming trip planned - college reunion. Should be a fun one!

a newly found blog

I spied a new blog with some very cute home pics. I wish I could be as creatively simple as this...

{via Mabel's House}

fall!

It's here! I love the fall season - the cool weather, the pretty colors, the change in the air, the crunch of leaves, the season of family gatherings...it's a good thing!

Looking forward to this view in my backyard soon!

pretty cupcakes

While visiting some friends this weekend, I was inspired by a picture of a cupcake. My friend has a great baking talent and loves making cupcakes - all from scratch - for different occasions for her friends and family. I looked through her pictures, saw her cookbook, and thought - I can do this! Hubby and I are hosting a few upcoming events at our home...might be a good time to pull out the flour!

Here are some goodies to get me excited!

Images from Martha Stewart

a secret place

While you are all sleeping in on this lovely Saturday, think about what it might be like to wake up in this peaceful spot, nice and tucked away.




via {home sweet home} and {somerset}

starbucks love

Oh how I love Starbucks. Although my wallet may not agree, my days seem much brighter when I start it off with a delicious cup of coffee. Although I may be teetering on obsession (I have to grip the car wheel hard most days so I don't make that right turn into the establishment), I feel like I have a pretty solid control of making Starbucks my once-in-awhile-treat kind of thing. I'd like to think my love of this little mega-store goes a a bit beyond just the coffee.

While I'm inside waiting for my joe to brew, I've noticed many neat ideas and causes supported by Starbucks.

They do good for the Earth.
Grounds for your garden ~ I never knew coffee had so many great vitamins for the Earth!

Recycling ~ Although they go through A LOT of paper and plastic cups each day, many are made from recyclable materials and they are working to be more innovative towards recycling.

Reusing ~ If you bring in your own, reusable mug, they knock $0.10 off your beverage price (good for the wallet and the environment). I need to start taking advantage of this!

Global support ~ By using this special card, they make contributions toward the Global Fund to help people living with HIV in Africa.

They offer great music!
Groovy tunes ~ Up-and-coming as well as well-loved musicians' work is always on display (and heard in the store). They even have downloads Tuesdays on iTunes, which features a different artist each week.

They offer GREAT coffee!
Pumpkin Spice Latte - I heard, I smelled, I bought, I loved! So many good drinks, so little money!

So there's a little background on why I think Starbucks is such a great little place. Pretty hard to resist with all of these positive qualities!

feeling fall

Even though the temps might not reflect it, I'm starting to feel the fall season. I'm itching to get out the fall décor and pull on the sweaters! While browsing some shops, I found some fall inspired items that might snaz up our home.

I absolutely love fall colors - browns, reds, yellows, oranges - I can't wait to see those colors in the trees!

Images from Z Gallerie, Pottery Barn, & Target

been bitten

I was a little unsure of this series...for starters, it's a young adult series and secondly, it's about vampires...usually not my genre. But after some encouraging and convincing from friends, I was swayed to give it a go. I'm glad I listened to my friends.

I've already swept through the first two ~

And am well on my way to the other two~

I actually think this series has put a spark back into my love for reading. I cannot wait to get home, curl up on the couch and read, read, read!

thinking...

I will need one of these tonight...

And one of these tomorrow...

What a week!

pretty packaging

I love packaging and product logos. If I could go back, I might consider a career in graphic design...can you imagine how respected the individual is who created the Starbucks logo? When I shop, browse via the web, or stand in line at our favorite ice cream joint, I love to look at the product design and packaging.

I've stumbled upon a pretty neat site, Lovely Package, which is chock full of seriously neat product packing. Here are a few that have caught my eye...

Images from Lovely Package