Rainy Day Activity

With 9 days out of the next 10-day forecast boasting of cold, drizzly rain, it only makes sense to strap on your rainboots, grab your rain jacket, and start puddle jumping! Caught in the chilly wind but wanting to dress in the light clothes of spring, I opted for layers on this relaxing Sunday afternoon. From trying out a new coffee shop with Mom to cozying into the couch at small group, this sweatshirt dress is just the ticket for appropriately wearing sweats outside of the gym, don't you think?

With all cares tossed to the wind, some natural waves seemed fitting for today--then one needs not worry about having your locks blowing about!

It was rather windy...one might even call it a wind tunnel....

What do you like to do on a perfectly rainy afternoon?

Soggy cheers to you!

A

 

 

 

 

Wearing: Madewell sweatshirt dress, American Living denim jacket (old), JCrew rainboots, Madewell bow belt, JCrew silk scarf

Baseball and Ball Caps

There is something so simple yet delightful about baseball.  Yeah, American pass-time and all...but more than even watching the game, the sound of a game (MLB or little league) has a way of taking you to a state of pure relaxation where you can soak up the simplicity of whacking a little stitched lump of leather with a long, shaped piece of wood...or metal :)

Also, the man at Costco was entirely thrilled with my choice of  ball cap and inquired as to what the insignia symbolizes...I had to let him down easy and confess that all it was built up to be was a bunch of wonderful swirls.  However, I like to think it is the scroll-y monogram of a monarch from the late 1700s hailing from France. That just seems appropriate, right?

Cheers to my fellow Euro-monarchy history-loving readers,
A

Wearing: JCrew jeweled-collar blouse [similar], Crewcuts boys' rolled-collar crew (old), Gap chinos, Michael Kors sneaks, JCrew ball cap, Madewell Arrowstack necklace, JCrew brompton bag (old)

Grand Stroll(er)

What's the greatest part about springtime in Minnesota? You can finally take a stroll on all the cutest avenues and start soaking up that vitamin D...not to mention wearing dresses.  There is something uniquely wonderful about dresses--you put such little effort in but end up looking all pulled together.  Which is great when you have a baby in tow!

We had to stop in at the glasses shop to try on a few fun frames! (And say hello to the chihuahua dressed in a polo and sweater vest...)

 

That's when I saw these crazy frames...they have women's legs as the bows! Heels and all! How could you not feel just a little bit glam when sporting these?

But let's not forget about the elephant in the room...I was really out with this guy! Just hanging out in the sunshine :)

 

Wearing: American Living denim jacket (old), ANNO Design Stockholm dress, Madewell Arrowstack necklace, dainty gold necklace, Nike Flyknit sneaks (now on SALE!), Aden + Anais frog spitcloth

What's your favorite go-to activity when the sun is shining and you have a minute to kill?

Cheers,
Alissa

Peaches and Cream

HE IS RISEN.  HE IS RISEN INDEED!!

Oh what a joyful day it is that we may rejoice of our risen King! Forget those egg hunts and chocolate everything, for the Savior has struck down death and sits at the right hand of God.

There is not much I don't like about Easter...the hymns, Holy Week services, and shouting "He is Risen" waiting for that "Indeed" response!! But on a more superficial level, I also love the pastels, sunshine, and new life bursting forth in springtime buds. It was a wonderful, sunny day as I celebrated Easter by volunteering at church for some of the services, had a lovely light ham lunch with my family, and relaxed with my mom as we watched the classic "Easter Parade" with Fred Astaire and Judy Garland.

My favorite depiction of the beautiful display of Christ's love through lyrics is the third verse from In Christ Alone:
There in the ground His body lay//Light of the world by darkness slain;
Then bursting forth in glorious Day//Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory//Sin's curse has lost its grip on me,
For I am His and He is mine//Bought with the precious blood of Christ

Do you have any favorite hymns or Easter Sunday traditions?

 

Cheers on this sunny Sunday!
A



Wearing: Madewell embroidered blouse (old), J Crew double serge pencil skirt [similar], J Crew glitter wedges, J Crew necklace [similar]

And let it be known that I am a difficult one to capture on camera...I'm usually too busy telling a story to stop for a picture.  Hence, I get a lot of snaps in "halfway to a word" pose.  It's cute, I know.

 

Ok, fine. Let's take one last look at these sparkly gems...don't they sorta make you want to giggle and draw outside of the lines of your coloring book--just a little bit?

This Can't Be Beet

This can't be beat.

This city. This community. This ever-changing weather.  This local, farm-to-table fascination.  This hipster-artsy-Scandinavian-immigrant-melting-pot vibe.

By embracing this unique personality of Minneapolis, we cannot be beat.  After hosting the recent Vancouver-based athletic wear company, Lululemon Athetica, for their Warehouse Sale, both coasts and countless cities in between were confused by the location selection.  Lululemon responded, "if you're confused, you don't know Minnesota."  If one only associates this city (and this state!) with the eternal winter, some losing sports teams, and more lakes than anyone could dream, you don't know Minneapolis.

It's four seasons that make us revel in the weather of the moment.  It's celebrating an April snowstorm because we know it'll help the farmers.  It's making a bigger deal out of the High School State Hockey tournament than any professional team because we love seeing the future unfold in these kids.  It's about there never being an end to creative outlets.  It's about sitting on the end of the dock in July to the peaceful refuge of silently snowshoeing in January.  It's about the flocks of people filling the running trails as soon as the temp hits the 40s.  It's about the neighborhood rivalries of the 5-8 Club and Matt's Bar on who has the better Juicy Lucy...

This city, this community, this opportunity cannot be beat.  The Minneapolis Farmers Market is at the center of it all.  Fueling all four seasons, farm fresh food, and countless vendors to meander through--before or after your morning jog.

So as Portland rocks the weird, let's Keep Minneapolis Fresh.  Support the Minneapolis Farmers Market this season and see what this fresh community has to offer!

Cheers!
Alissa

Photos courtesy of Chris Court and CBS Local.

Potter and Clay

"...He will rejoice over you with gladness and singing and calm your fears with His love." Zephaniah 3:17

Today I had the pleasure of seeing my cousin, twice-removed (or rather, my grandma's cousin), do a presentation on his testimony through the use of his pottery.  Having a love for the creative arts, this was my jam.  It was fascinating seeing him work with such ease as he related his art to how we are the clay and He is the master potter.

Afterward, as I went onto my small group, Renny's message stuck with me.  We just started our study of James had memorized James 1:2-4,
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.  And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

Now for a little lesson in Latin...
The word sincere comes from the Latin word for wax, cera, and sine, meaning without.  That seems odd, eh? Well, I'll just let you know what I was taught--as there IS some controversy on the etymology.  In classical culture, as pottery was being made, there were vessels that were without flaws and those that had cracks or would not be suitable for carrying liquids or other contents that could slip through the cracks.  Therefore, if a vessel was not made that was up to standard, it was sealed with wax.  When a vessel was not sealed in wax, it was considered sincere.

As I pondered trials and pottery and being sealed without wax...I was so grateful that we are not simply made and then marked sincere or not.  We are constantly being molded and shaped by both the good and bad trials we face.  We must therefore rejoice in the opportunities of growth; knowing that each obstacle we endure, we are becoming more sincere in our faith. Not until that glorious Day will we be finally marked sincere--made perfect in Him.

We all took home a little treasure of his art...perfect for flowers or coffee, don't you say?

Have you seen any art lately that stuck with you? Inspired you? Made you think for days after?

This one was incredible...a verse from Isaiah in Norwegian!