Planning and Procrastination

With Aquatennial week quickly approaching, there were many last minute tasks to plan and execute before the big event. What big event, you say?  I'm developing, planning, coordinating, and hosting one of the first events for the candidates of the Queen of the Lakes Scholarship Program for the Minneapolis Aquatennial.  Let's just say it has been a busy summer.

Since I am quite excited about this new event, I'll hopefully write up a quick blurb about it after and share all the juicy details...but for now, we will stick to today's silly turn of events.

Without air conditioning, Mom and I have been escaping to anywhere that will allow us to linger.  Today the lucky winner was the American Swedish Institute.  Planting ourselves in their new cafe, Fika, I knew the ASI would be a perfect place to hunker down and get to work.

But with the grumble of one's tummy, I postponed my to do lists just a few minutes longer.  This refreshing cold sunflower soup hit the spot and we were ready to take on the world! 

A snap stolen from my Instagram, this view was the perfect companion to tackling some tasks.

After getting a bit done, then came the distractions...

With a beautiful glass exhibit in the Osher Gallery, we couldn't pass up the opportunity to take a quick peak!  This lovely photo was printed on a thin sheet of glass and hung in front of the window.  It was the perfect place to capture the light and juxtapose the lake and trees with the green outdoors.

A glass forest. I felt like I was in a children's book...or maybe this was just nagging at my child-like wonder because it took all my effort to "look with my eyes and not with my hands" as mom would so affectionately say during my childhood.

Paper-thin.

And fun to see the Turnblad Mansion peaking through the windows.  The new addition to the ASI perfectly complements the older museum and each highlight the other.  A lovely combination of Scandinavian design, both old and new.

We also got side tracked trying on glasses. I am on the hunt for some darker rimmed specs...

For now, my search will continue...

Cheers,

Alissa

Trampled by Trees

Working in the early mornings is a refreshing way to soak in the city before everyone has woken.  All is quiet and peaceful and a quick stop to the local coffee shop where "everybody knows your name" makes it feel like your city.

This morning, driving through south Minneapolis was a different story.  The lush greenery that lined the streets of homes were now strewn about the streets, on cars and houses and blocking many roads.  After a nasty storm, many full-grown trees were uprooted leaving the neighborhood in a picture from the Wizard of Oz.  This was nothing in comparison to the recent Oklahoma tornado but sure put things in perspective when thinking of that deadly natural disaster!

Roots extended in the sky as tall as a front door was a common sight and was heartbreaking to see so many of the city's tall trees fallen.  The clean up will be extensive and leaving the once-canaped sidewalks exposed. 

Wishing the best for all the residents in the neighborhood and to drive with safety and caution!

Glamdoll in Action

Spotted: The most adorable classic pink car on 94.

And even better? The girls were sporting a throwback vibe themselves with winged liner, victory rolls, and some vintage threads.

I thought, how funny and cute and wouldn't that be oh-so-fitting for the quaint doughnut shop, Glamdoll Donuts? I felt inspired, so mom and I ventured to Eat Street to visit and told them about the cutest car I had  just seen on 94...

 Guess what?? It was Glamdoll's car!!

The owners had purchased it just outside of town and use it as a "shop mascot" to have parked outside the storefront. The car makes visiting this place an experience....and their doughnuts make visiting this place necessary.

Maple frosted with bacon was a fun melding of flavors but dwarfed the tea-sized plates it was served on.  This doughnut destination is the new kid on the block and working out some kinks, I guess.  But from their late-night hours, throwback style, and sweet treats, it is a place you don't want to miss!

Even better? We know the wonderfully talented graphic designer that created their logo, etc!! Now you really cannot pass this up, eh?!

Cheers,

Alissa

The Graduate

Today is an exciting day for the Hibst girls!  Big sis, Emily, is donning a cap and robe for her college commencement!!

What a year is has been! Married in September, graduating in April, and expecting a delivery from a stork in November....

I think this is truly how the crazy girl feels...head spinning but so happy!

You've always been a bundle of laughs, and I am so blessed to be spending this time with you to celebrate your great achievement!!! Congrats, dear one and cannot wait to see what happens in this next chapter of your life.

Remember when we were those crazy youngsters that dressed up like Pippi Longstocking to cheer on the Sweden futbol team?! Spice up that accounting persona, you crazy girl. When mixing your talents and intelligence, I know you can move mountains!

Supposedly I like the rush of the "last minute" thrill.  So instead of working on printmaking in class....I sketched out a card for sissy.  As long as I'm creating art, that counts as using class time well, right?  

Another congrats to the graduate! So proud.

Cheers,

Alissa

Stop and Smell the Roses

For anybody that knows me, I love flowers. Everything about them. My dream is to be in a secret garden or have a secret garden or discover I have an unknown limpy cousin and teach him to walk through the magic and beauty of flowers.  Can you tell I wrote my AP Lit essay on the secret garden...under pressure, it was the only thing that popped into my head. 

Anyways, back to flowers. Naturally, one of my favorite events would be the Minneapolis Institute of Art's Art in Bloom.  It is the most wonderful event each spring where local floral artists (really open to anyone and many non-florist participate too) to recreate a piece of art through a floral arrangement.  Just like the Rose Parade in Pasadena (whoa, another love of mine), all materials must be completely natural.  The arrangements can include things like vases but the interpretations are planned ahead but often made just hours before they are due in order to remain fresh.  Here are some snaps I took on our annual adventure to the MIA with mom and sis.

Nothing could be more grandeur...just need some yogurt and a sassy flock of girls.

Look! I found a crescent! I had to take a snap with it...maybe one day I will send in one of my "Capture a Crescent" pictures to send into my sorority magazine to be on the back! :)

We were on a tour where we had the opportunity to hear a bit about the art piece and the interpretation through the floral arrangement--it was great to hear a bit more about the process than simply taking a stroll through the museum but we had to be quick to snap our pictures. We were on a time schedule!

Can you believe the detail?? Each piece became more and more amazing...

This one could have been one of my favorites.  You could feel the emotion of the painting through the arrangement! And this side view captures the beautiful vase they selected to display it in...very reminiscent of waves, don't you say?

I had to take a snap of my favorite painting while walking through...the velvet so wonderful it is always difficult to not want to reach out and touch the smooth texture.

We actually knew the "florists" that submitted this one! Grew up with this family that owns a local landscaping company, Aloha Landscaping.  They are a talented bunch to say the least.

May I take you home with me? I think it would go smashingly with my glitzy chandelier.

This was a photo? painting? of a tornado over St. Paul.  I believe it was a painting but the artist created from a photo. I'd say the added pressure of an imminent tornado approaching would put me over if I were live painting...

A group of kids that were in our tour group sketching the pieces we were stopping to discuss.  They looked like a homeschool crew so I had to wiggle over to the mom for a quick chat. Sure enough, they were homeschooling and it was a pseudo-field trip. As a previous homeschooler myself, it was a lovely sight!

Itty bitty toothpicks were made into a fence at the bottom with houses scattered throughout the "field" of delicate pink flowers.

The creator of this beautiful piece happened to be there and gave us a quick talk about the inspiration behind it and process of creating. He actually was the very first to arrive in the long line of participants on the day they are allowed to select their piece of art to interpret. A man who knows what he wants!

Everywhere you looked there were flowers. Are you beginning to smell the sweet aroma yet?

I just LOVE the hustle and bustle of the museum.  We went at the last minute of the exhibit so there weren't as many people but the passion for art in this city and community is a beautiful thing in itself.

I'll leave you all with this lovely vantage point of downtown Minneapolis. A view I never tire of.

My 2014 goal is to participate next year! And now that I've posted it, hope you can keep me to it! Here's to an endless amount of flowers and the ever-blossoming spring just around the corner!!

Cheers,

Alissa

As you can see by the size of the roses in the bunch, this is an over-sized bouquet. I'll be expecting this on my birthday, k?