Double Dots at Dusk

The sun was shining.
I wasn't wearing socks.
I finally had time to hunker down and get some needed emails out.
...and then I forgot until dusk that I was going to snap some photos of my outfit for my sis.

That's what happens when you have a productive day. It's what I'm telling myself, at least.

Today called for dots.  Lots of dots.

But then again, I have a slight inclination that everyday is a good day for dots.

Want to know what's fun about sisters? Even when you live in two different countries, you can still share clothes.  I have officially inherited this neat leather jacket from my older sister.  Scored it when visiting her in BC and having so much fun wearing a piece of her when we cannot be together!

As I have mentioned, these aren't super stellar snaps, but alas, what's a dotty gal to do?!

Let's all agree that the graininess of the images adds to the mystery of the composition in the photos.  (Can you tell I've been through one too many art critiques??)

Hope to spot you in dots, scurrying about town!
Cheers,

Alissa

 

behind the look I'm sporting:

sweater, blouse, flats, bracelet- J.Crew (all quite old)

denim, belt- Gap

Necklace- vintage from Mom

Familiar Face

There's just something to be said to waking up next to a familiar face...

Mine happens to be a collage of magazine shreds.

Besides this fingers-for-nose, sideburns-flaunting, feathers-in-hair gal, here's a quick peak at my side table.

Well-equipped with:
1. my favorite tall green candle from Ampersand (cannot wait until it is all finished up so I can use it for a vase...more on that later!)
2. thankfulness journal-a while ago, I took on the task of slipping into my sheets as I jot down three things I was grateful for that day.  And nothing can be repeated.  Try that out for a challenge, folks!
3. a small dalahorse figurine (made from paper clay)...and yes, I agree, it looks like a unicorn from this angle.

And if we are taking this opportunity for honesty, I usually have a cup of tea, chapstick, a book (or three), pens, sharpies, more pens, sweater comb, random program from my high school graduation...ok, well, maybe that's a little much...but you know how your best efforts of a clean bedside usually turn out.
 

 

I like this little lady because I made it back in the day for my very first art class, freshman year of college.  We had to make a collage and I was not one of those girls that cut out lipstick and bikinis and such from magazines to make a summer inspiration board (clearly, before the days of pinterest).

Simply put, I was a novice.  So, off I went. Tearing and shredding and pasting, trying to make sense of values and texture.  After a few good hours, a face began to emerge!

Waking up to this simple collage reminds me daily that inspiration and success can come when we least expect it. Sometimes we have no idea what the results will be when we start pasting pieces of our lives together.  Occasionally, something beautiful will emerge.  However, more often than not, our attempts end up being crumpled and toss in the waste basket--but we mustn't forget that there is beauty in the process of failure too.

That's a lesson I have had to learn and re-learn every. single. day. Failure still brings us closer to our goals...even when it feels like three steps in the wrong direction.  So, keep truckin' along! Sooner or later, our failed attempts start working out, and something beautiful is created.

Cheers to beauty in our mistakes!
Alissa

The City's Finest

I haven't  been at this blog thing long...but I feel like I'm officially part of the club now that I have been stopped by the police curious as to what I was up to.

"Ummm, well, officer, just snapping some photos for my blog..."

You'd think it was illegal to be outside without a coat in Minnesota.  Now that I think of it, maybe it is! Uffda.

With todays 'to-do' calling for a few errands and scampering off to my small group and evening church, today was made for comfy-casual and some sneaks.  Clearly, I am still on this pink kick--being it is still February.  Please join me as I dress like a life-sized valentine for the remainder of the month.

 

So if you call the land of 10,000 lakes home, remember your coat.  You wouldn't want to be stopped by the city's finest!

Cheers,
Alissa

 

behind the look I'm sporting:

Jacket, denim (on sale!), belt, bag, bracelet- J. Crew

Monogram blouse- gift from sister's wedding...personalized by Initially Yours

Sneaks- Nike Flyknit

Scarf- Gifted

Sunnies- Ray Ban

Black Heart

What is it about February that makes one yearn to wear hot pink every. single. day?  I don't consider myself a "pink person" until the 14th rolls around and I find I have more than one option to wear to show my love for this love-hate holiday.

Today, I kept the spirit of love and chocolate alive with touches of hot pink and this sketchbook-style of tossed hearts.  I love outfits that can easily take one from afternoon errands to evening desserts--with just one quick swap of boots to heels!

I had the pleasure of snapping photos at Traditions in St. Paul off Grand Avenue.  They have a lovely set up of all the prettiest home furnishings in a quaint shop--and you would never believe how much they can fit into their small location--it's worth the trip if you're in the area!

They have these wonderfully adorned canes that make us all wish we had a limp...

Come home with me, antler-pillow!
I'm head over heels for this perfect pillow.

 

 A kiss for the bunny and a Valentines kiss to you!

Cheers,

Alissa

behind the look I'm sporting:
Blouse, bag, belt, necklace/pave heart bracelet, patent heels- J. Crew
Denim- Urban Outfitters, grey is an old color
Boots- Frye
Watch- Skagen
Lips- Pink Peony by FACE Stockholm
Sunnies- Ray Ban

Brussels Brunch

Get ready for your new breakfast best friend.  May I introduce you to Brussels Sprouts Hash...

I love Brussels Sprouts. If I could figure out a way to have them for every meal, I would.  Plus, it's generally a good way to sneak bacon into a meal...and nobody is complaining about that.

I had the task today to bring a dish for a  morning potluck with my small group--so off went the alarm bright and early to whip this up before dashing off to lots of tasty treats!  With little prep and cooking time, this was a great recipe to pull together at the last minute and left me with plenty of time to still get some beauty sleep.

First, I cut some thick sliced bacon from our pork guys, Tollefson Family Pork.  We like to know our farmers and believe me, when you have this bacon, you will know why.

Cutting it into half-inch strips, I threw it into a pan on medium heat to begin cooking the bacon.

Then, sliced up a small onion.

I then cut up a red yam. First peeling then slicing into round disks and then chunks, I quickly learned that yams (and I'm speculating all of those in the potato family) do not like to be cut when raw.  But raw it was.  And therefore, bravely I whacked at it with a (probably too dull) knife.

I am not entirely sure if this was, in fact, a yam or something weird.  As it was white in color when I cut it, and tasted more like a starchy potato---I was left perplexed.  However, it worked perfectly with the other flavors! Feel free to make this with a sweet potato for adding more color and flavor!

Once the bacon has browned and fat rendered, I scooped out the bacon and set on a paper towel to absorb the extra fat.  Then in the remaining fat in the pan, I added the cut yam and onion to cook.  About 7-8 minutes, or until the sides begin to brown and texture begins to cook more tender than starchy.

Taking about 20 good-sized Brussels sprouts and cutting off the bottom and slicing in half, I washed and tossed the green ombre rounds in the pan with their new friends.

Adding the bacon back into the mix, it is always the best part to watch the Brussels sprouts turn to a more vibrant green! The smells were delectable and I could not wait to start digging in...

Throwing this into a hotdish and wrapping it up in a dish towel, I was proud to officially feel like a true church-basement lady ready for potluck.  It paired wonderfully with a table boasting of eggbake, baked french toast, yogurt and granola, fruit, and wonderful fellowship.

So the next time you are planning a breakfast potluck, don't be afraid to be the gal showing up with the veggies!!

I'm now off to hop on a plane, jetting across the country to visit my sister in BC, Canada.  Yahoo! See you in a bit, America.

Cheers,

Alissa