Tomorrow's To Dos

Weekend wishes

Posted on November 16, 2012 by tomorrowstodos

Do a little promenading update: I loved seeing so many twinkling Christmas lights inside all the East Village shops and boutiques tonight. The holidays are here and I couldn’t be happier!

I have a list of things going on tomorrow including: an early morning Pilates class, a (much needed) eye exam, an excursion to another craft show and a birthday bash for my father-in-law. But after a crazy Saturday, I’m looking forward to a lazy Sunday.

What is on your to-do list this weekend? Starting any holiday shopping?

Posted in Family, Holidays | Tagged East Village, Holiday Promenade | 1 Comment

Do a little promenading

Posted on November 15, 2012 by tomorrowstodos

Beast, bird and bottle update: I’ve printed out a sample invite and have gotten the approval from Meg to move full steam ahead. I am loving how they turned out with the added touch of rounded corners and the use of kraft envelopes. I am going to be taking the mock-up to the local post office to check and make sure that the postcard is regulation size and weight and to see how much postage is for the whole piece.

Earlier today I stopped by Terrace Hill to get a sneak peek at the busy little “elves” decking the halls for the upcoming holiday tour – Holly & Ivy. (Check out last year’s decorations.) The actual event takes place December 7-9 and you won’t want to miss it. Man, I love Christmas decorations!

The East Village is kicking off the holiday season in style tomorrow night with their annual Holiday Promenade and I can’t wait to partake in the festivities.

Posted in Birthdays, Holidays, Parties | Tagged birthday invitations, Christmas, East Village, Holiday Promenade, Holly & Ivy, hunting, Terrace Hill | 1 Comment

Beast, bird and bottle

Posted on November 14, 2012 by tomorrowstodos

Warby Parker update: A little to-do was crossed off my list today when I scheduled my eye exam for this Saturday morning. As soon as I have that bad boy in hand, the sooner I can order my Warby Parker Prestons. Done and done.

A good friend of ours is turning the big 3-0 at the end of the year and his uber-thoughtful wife reached out to us to help throw a big hunting-themed bash. Marcus is in charge of donating some of his “riches” for us to cook up and I am helping by creating the invitations for the event.

I started by creating a Pinterest board that I could collect my ideas on and shared it with Meg (the Mrs.) so that she could add things too. I especially loved finding a new blog (Hollister Hovey) during the process of collecting vintage deer prints, rustic tablescape images, wild game recipes and old hunting invitations.

I’d like to have the invitations finalized and start printing in the next couple of days, but here is a little taste of what we are envisioning:

Posted in Birthdays, Parties | Tagged birthday invitations, eye exam, hunting, Tablescapes, Warby Parker | Leave a comment

Warby Parker

Posted on November 12, 2012 by tomorrowstodos

Three meats, more fun update: Turducken was a success! And with three different meats and all sorts of tasty treats for sides and delectable desserts, how couldn’t it be?

This weekend my sister Morgan had a tough decision to make so we helped her out with it. Her big dilemma was which pair of glasses she should buy from Warby Parker.

What is Warby Parker you say? Well, it is an online eyewear retailer that sells boutique-quality prescription eyewear for $95 and donates a pair of glasses to someone in need for every pair sold. (Gushing ahead. No, I do not work for them – I just think it’s a great concept and quite the bargain.) Their aesthetic is vintage-inspired with a contemporary twist. And if the price point didn’t sell you, they even have a free home try-on program.

This is what Morgan had this weekend. She picked out five pairs from their website that she liked and got them (shipped for free) to her doorstep. Then came the consultation with her most trusted advisers (i.e. me, Marissa, mom, one of her besties via Skype, and a random lady at Trader Joe’s) to help decide which ones she liked the best. Since she had the trial anyway, I decided to try on a few of her “rejects” and ended up finding a pair that I liked. I then proceeded to wear them around most of the weekend to get feedback as well.

After falling in love with the Preston in Whiskey Tortoise, I must schedule an appointment to go get my eyes checked so I can have the most up-to-date prescription on hand for when I order them. I’m even thinking these would be a great item to add to my Christmas wish list!

Posted in Accessories, Family, Holidays | Tagged glasses, Turducken, Warby Parker | Leave a comment

Three meats, more fun

Posted on November 9, 2012 by tomorrowstodos

Threshold update: While at Target the other day I managed to find a few Threshold items that I “needed” to add to my holiday home decor. I think Marcus will really appreciate the deer napkins and I can’t wait to use the cable knit platter for showcasing decorated Christmas cookies.

We truly are heading into the most wonderful time of the year, and it officially kicks off this weekend as we host a turducken feast at our house on Sunday. I love getting our families together to enjoy good wine, great food and each other’s company. I have already started to set up for the grand event, and one of the things that means a lot to me is the kids table that I’ve decided to use. It was made by my grandpa (the one that made this horse) and I can’t wait to see my nieces sitting at it just like my sisters and I did when we were little.

Hope you all have a great weekend!

Posted in Family, Parties | Tagged Grandpa Dreiling, Target, Threshold, Turducken, woodworking | 1 Comment

Threshold

Posted on November 7, 2012 by tomorrowstodos

Decking the halls update: My little jaunt to Accents + Interiors to check out their holiday goodies was a success according to my husband because I was able to leave the store without buying anything. But, boy, was I tempted!

After my little excursion, it was time to go spend some quality time with my grandma and aunt who just got into town this afternoon. Grandma Dreiling is celebrating her birthday next Monday so we decided we’d have cake a little early.

Target is my happy place. I can go and walk the aisles aimlessly for hours and come out refreshed and with lighter pockets much to my husband’s dismay. I know I may have an unhealthy obsession with Target when I hit three or four different stores in one weekend. Yikes.

Knowing the holidays are ahead, I think that the bullseye is a great place to pick up gifts for a loved one or co-worker, and while recently checking out the home goods section I stumbled across a line I hadn’t seen before – Threshold. After doing a little sleuth work, it turns out that Threshold is Target’s new in-house home brand. And now I officially want everything!

I picked out a few pieces from their collection that I’m obsessing over. Head to your nearest Target (or online) to snag these goodies up before they are gone.

[antler cheese knives, knit storage cube, monogram mug, dome cheese tray, cable knit serving platter, bathroom tumbler]

Posted in Birthdays, Holidays, Local Spots | Tagged Accents + Interiors, Aunt Shirley, Christmas, Co-worker gifts, Grandma Dreiling, Target | Leave a comment

Decking the halls

Posted on November 6, 2012 by tomorrowstodos

Your vote counts update: Did you get out and vote today? I sure hope so. Marcus and I sent in our votes early this year, so we didn’t have to worry about the lines at the polls. Now we just wait and see…

It has long been a goal of mine to run a 5k and it wasn’t until recently that I finally put in the time to train to do one. Today I participated in DMU’s Turkey Trot and as of 12:33:37 p.m., I have successfully checked it off of my lifetime to-do list. And you know what, it wasn’t that bad, even with the wind gusts and south of Grand hills. No, I didn’t set any world records, but I just kept going and that is all that matters to me.

Most of the stores I’ve been into recently are in full-force holiday mode and the local home goods store, Accents + Interiors, is no different. They are having a holiday open house starting tomorrow and I can’t wait to check out what they have in stock. I’m hoping to find a few Christmas gifts for co-workers and maybe even a little something-something for myself.

Posted in Holidays, Local Spots, Workout | Tagged 5k, Accents + Interiors, Christmas, running, workout | Leave a comment

Your vote counts

Posted on November 5, 2012 by tomorrowstodos

Getting crafty update: Nothing says the holidays are upon us than receiving your Saturday morning tall skinny vanilla latte from Starbucks in a red cup.

And on top of that, look what I found during my excursion to Wal-Mart this weekend.

And if both of those things weren’t enough, a certain you-know-who was busy Sunday morning checking out the big toy book that came in the paper. The holidays are definitely here.

Who else welcomed daylight savings time with open arms this weekend? The extra hour we got was nice, and Karl managed to take full advantage of it.

After a good ‘ol fashioned breakfast (thanks dad!) my mom brought out a new (yet old) toy for Sidney to check out. This rocking horse was made by my Grandpa Dreiling (my mom’s dad) and I remember playing on it when I was a kid. My grandpa was such a skilled woodworker and I have many fond memories of hanging out in his shop with him.

And since we are officially 49 days away from Christmas, I thought I would give you a SNEAK PEEK at the winning Branstad Family Holiday card photo:

Tomorrow is an important day. It is our privilege as Americans to head to the polls and speak our mind (left or right!) as to who we believe should be at the helm of this ship. Please respect this significant personal freedom and right, and head to your local polling location and VOTE!

Posted in Family, Holidays | Tagged Christmas, german shorthaired pointer, politics, Starbucks holiday cups, vote | Leave a comment

Getting crafty

Posted on November 1, 2012 by tomorrowstodos

Scare Us Hill update: It is over. And with it has gone all of my stress. Well, most of it anyway. There is still the clean-up and pack away portion to do, but all in all, I feel great with how things turned out. I’m sure the planning for the next one will be starting any day now…

Scare Us Hill 2012

Now that the party is over and we have officially moved into the month of November, you know what that means? Time for more holidays – a.k.a. Thanksgiving and Christmas. This is the bread and butter of the holidays for me, and I welcome it with open arms starting this weekend. Come Saturday the Haas ladies will be heading north to Ankeny to check out their annual Santa’s North Pole Village Craft Sale.

What are your weekend plans?

Posted in Holidays, Parties | Tagged craft shows, Halloween, Scare Us Hill, Star Wars | 1 Comment

Scare Us Hill

Posted on October 30, 2012 by tomorrowstodos

Blowin’ out candles update: I won’t lie. This past weekend was not the relaxing birthday weekend everyone longs for. Instead, I spent most of it getting ready for the big Halloween party, Scare Us Hill, that will finally be here tomorrow. Here is a little weekend round-up of all the craziness!

I got a visit from the breakfast in bed fairy.

Smiled big for the camera – Branstad Family Holiday photos 2012

Kept the party going with a post-photo shoot mimosa & bloody mary spread.

Started bringing Scare Us Hill to life at Terrace Hill.

Snuggled with this cute ball of fur. Ruff.

Celebrated with the family at Centro.

Got some super fabulous gifts!

I crammed so much into last weekend (mostly a ton of Scare Us Hill decorating), but it was all worth it when I received this little bouquet at work today from the Bean.

For a two-year-old, she’s pretty thoughtful!

And after I got done with even more decorating tonight I rushed over to catch the tail end of trick-or-treating so that I could see Bean in her costume.

Love me some ice cream.

Tomorrow is the day, or night really, that I have anxiously/nervously/excitedly waited for – Terrace Hill will open its doors to costumed creatures and throw one big Halloween bash. Let’s do this.

“Help me Marki-Wan Kenobi. You’re my only hope.”

Posted in Birthdays, Family, Holidays | Tagged birthday gifts, Flowers, Halloween, Princess Leia, pumpkin, Scare Us Hill, trick-or-treat | Leave a comment