artisanal cheese and birthday candles

Fromagination is no secret when it comes to best specialty stores in Badgerland. A friend included it on a newcomer's guide she gave me when I moved to Madison last April, so it's been on my radar for awhile. But I hadn't stopped in until this weekend—I'm just coming around to some goat cheese dishes and can only eat feta if finely crumbled—so I didn't feel a pressing need to scope out the stock of artisanal cheese at this local favorite. But, really, any gourmet food shop has me wrapped around its finger and I was not disappointed in the Carroll Street stop. The warm-glow ambiance makes you want to linger, the French-speaking clerk (oddly) makes it feel familiar and homey, and the shelves are filled with more than just brie and bleu (going back soon for an adorable appetizer tray and keeping the gift baskets in mind for birthdays and holidays!). I'm bummed that the tastings and fondue classes are only offered on Wednesdays. They're just what I've been looking to schedule for my mom's next visit, but the mid-week timing is tough for out-of-towners. Happily, come spring (will it ever be here?) I found they offer more frequent wine and cheese pairings on the outdoor patio – and that, I'm sure, will be worth the wait. I ended up deciding on a jar of tapenade and expressing it to Minnesota for my mom's birthday, which is today! I have so many adoring words for her, but included them in her card and don't feel the need to repeat them here—so enjoy this pic of us at the lake instead (slides in the water were the coolest). Happy birthday, Mom!
 

seeing the sun

It's so much easier to get back into the weekly grind when the time between the cyclical task and toil is fun-filled. Brunching, window shopping and cocktailing on Saturday and Sunday is fuel for the next five days. And I feel like I'm starting Monday with a pretty full tank. It was such a high to get outside and walk around downtown for the first time in months. The sunny sky and mild temperature brought back to life the inner-animation that winter kind of kills. Saturday Emily and I joined the ranks of people stumbling out of their cold-weather comas for a bite at Bassett Street Brunch Club. The staff was friendly—while perched at the bar, several servers jumped in on our chatter which felt very "Cheers"—the service was quick—our meals arrived before we could decide which daily doughnut flavor to sample (but slipped in a maple-bacon as dessert)—and the energy was high— booths were bustling with UW students curing hangovers before heading out to incur new ones that night. Creative, unstuffy touches—like dubbing the breakfast drink list "Wake Up Calls"—give the place personality. And that's all I'm really looking for on the weekend. That kind of spirit and the impervious delight of my Saturday is something Alice Herz-Sommer had all her life. The oldest known survivor of the Holocaust, Sommer passed away Sunday morning in London. Her peace is something to hold onto. The documentary of her story is nominated for an Academy Award—catch it before the show airs Sunday!

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gimme springtime

So, old Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow and temperatures are stubbornly staying low. Two thumbs down. But the days are getting longer – driving home from work this week while there was still some light in the sky was a huge step forward! So let’s keep steppin’. Strappy sandals are still a no-go, but here's how I'm getting into a spring-y state of mind right now. 1. Floral pumps – the conservative shape will protect toes from the cold, while the petal motif is leaps and bounds livelier than predictable black. 2. Sunny highlights – Kate Mara is literally aglow in this new shade. It’s all the inspiration I need to call my stylist. 3. A green smoothie – refreshing juice blends don’t have to be reserved for hot, sticky days. This one tastes amazing, is easy to make, and gets you your greens! 4. A new bag – you can justify buying two bags a year: one in fall, one in spring. Well, the time is now to refresh for spring. I love Coach’s newly sophisticated and simple designs, and the colors (grey birch, peach rose, powder blue) are dreamy. 5. A country playlist – nothing lightens the step like a little twang, and it's the best motivation for jumping in the shower at 5AM. A few to get you started: When She Says Baby, Give Me Back My Hometown, Sober. Know who else is pressing play on a new track? The Tonight Show. After more than twenty years, tonight is Jay Leno’s last night as host before Fallon takes over. Billy Crystal, Garth Brooks and rumored others will be his guests. I rarely watch the show (and kind of wish I’d been part of the Johnny Carson era), but don't plan to miss the sendoff – 11:35/10:35c! 

images via pinterest

the horse and the heart

Happy Friday and (finally) last day of January! Doesn't NYE feel like forever ago? This week was dragging at first, but by yesterday I felt like, “Thursday already?” I let myself sleep a little later on Fridays, get to catch the first 10-15 minutes of The Today Show (it’s something!), and treated myself to a vanilla half coffee/half cappuccino. Cue heavenly choir. There are also some fun things on the weekend agenda, and while I’ve always followed the rules, I made a big decision yesterday to do something for myself that has reignited a dimming light. This mood has me feeling warm and fuzzy, so let’s talk Valentine’s Day – two weeks away! The holiday has a lot of haters, but where’s the harm in spoiling those who keep the heart pumping? Whether you’re gifting your mom, sister, girlfriend or yourself (totally acceptable), theses small-but-sweet treats are the perfect sugar high: tasty little luxuries for which a girl’s appetite is never satisfied. Keep the indulgence going and crack open a fortune cookie – today is the Lunar New Year. Predictions say 2014 will be about standing your ground. I don’t put much stock in crystal ball-gazing, but horoscopes are fun to read (I love The Daily Scope) and they can give a little lift or big-picture perspective when you’re bogged down by the daily grind. See what the Horse has in store for you here.

 






















teacup. a pretty design elevates the ritual of tea drinking – even if the dishes are all white, mugs should have personality. the way we were. i’m making a point to catch up on the classics and have never seen anything starring these iconic actors. criminal. panty. have you ever met a girl with a bare-bones panty drawer? right. she doesn’t exist. nail lacquer. the perfect shade for day and night: feminine and cool. sports bra. seamless comfort with support for running, while free-moving enough for yoga. hydrangeas. prettier than roses in my opinion, and free from underlying messages of love, friendship and apology. malbec. because, duh. get it at trader joe’s for under $10. red lizard lipstick. “the best universal red,” as overheard in the marketing department of target hq. rollerball. travel sized to smell good on the go. throw. for stylish snuggling. candle. a jar as beautiful as the scent inside. 

Jonathan Adler Whale Keychain

A good friend had a small housewarming this weekend, providing the perfect excuse to buy a fun and frivolous gift.

With all gifts, I like to give those non-essentials the recipient wouldn’t think to buy herself, doubling the delight of the expected. I gave A. a set of four photo-real Paris magnets, reminiscent of our travels abroad, but the next pal to host a bash or birthday might find this oceanic gem swimming inside her tissue-paper-packed gift bag.

Seafoam, cerulean and cyan patterned enamel forms a miniature whale that is framed and fastened to a metal key ring. The cheerful orca is a travel-sized wink you’ll see whenever starting the car or locking a door. And if you lust over Jonathan Adler’s geometric-printed pillows and decorative home furnishings, but can’t swing $78 for a photo frame, this artsy keychain is an inexpensive way to get a piece of his creative pie.

Visit the Jonathan Adler Minneapolis location, opened March 23, at Lake and Holmes in Uptown.