Team spirit update: Some times you win and some times you don’t. Tonight, I had a bit of a DIY disaster. My ribbon headband didn’t turn out the way I had envisioned it, so to the trash it goes…
Crash and burn.
Geez, I hope this isn’t some sort of foreshadowing, because on tomorrow’s to do list: Cheer on the Hawkeyes and bring home a victory!
Lands’ End v. J. Crew update: Since Marcus is traveling and won’t get back until later on tonight, I decided I’d pop on over to my local Sears to see what kind of trouble I could get into.
The fall looks I’m lusting for…
The summer stripes I took home with me.
If you live in Iowa, you may be aware of a very big college football game taking place this weekend – Iowa vs. Iowa State. Just like last year, we will be attending the showdown this Saturday and I am trying to figure out what to wear.
May the best team win.
While mentally reviewing my closet yesterday, I came across this adorable headband DIY on one of my fave blogs, Cupcakes and Cashmere. Who doesn’t like to wear a little team spirit in their hair? I’m thinking yellow ribbon with white polka dots will go perfectly with whatever I decide to wear.
When craftiness calls update: I spent Thursday and Friday night holed up in my parents’ basement working on my mom’s future craft room, yet I feel like we didn’t get anywhere. So much stuff!
We made a dent…I think.
The long Labor Day weekend was filled with all sorts of fun including: a bachelorette brunch, surprise birthday party, impromptu date night dinner, Dahl’s breakfast and snuggle time with Karl due to fall allergies.
Can’t every weekend be three days long?
This weekend during some downtime, my mom and I headed to the mall in search of some rain boots for my niece Alexis’ upcoming birthday. While there, we stopped into Sears hoping to get lucky. No wellies were found, but some super cute clothes were. Did you know that Lands’ End sells some of its line there? I was shocked at how much their items resembled J.Crew options but for a fraction of the cost. Check it out:
A return trip is on my to do list. I’m eyeing those colorful cardis and cords for fall!
Weary weekender update: My favorite (and I’ll admit, odd) way to refuel after weekend getaways is to spend some time at my happy place, Target, and that is exactly what I did with my mom and sister last night. While there, we managed to pick up the perfect birthday party outfit for Sidney. What do you think?
I still can’t believe our little bean is going to be two! Time sure flies.
Tomorrow I am heading over to my parents’ house after work to help my mom create her dream craft room. Now you’ll be able to see where I get my creative gene from. I’ll try to shoot some before and afters to share with you, but here is what we are envisioning:
Linda’s Craft Room Inspiriation
Lake looks update: The weekend away was just what the doctor ordered. Marcus has been traveling for work a lot lately, so it was nice to spend some quality time together during our weekend trip to Lake Okoboji.
We hit the road Friday after work and just had to make a pit stop in Marcus’ college town, Storm Lake (go Beavers!), so that he could show me all of his favorite haunts including the restaurant he used to work at, The Boathouse.
Beautiful drive, tasty eats.
Even though it was rainy, I was up and at it on Saturday so that I could get in a workout and head out to do a little exploring before the wedding festivities started later in the evening.
Puttin’ on the Ritz
The storm clouds parted just in time for the beautiful outdoor ceremony. The bride was glowing and the groom was handsome and we danced the night away.
Mr. & Mrs. ZITO!!!
No rest for the weary as we were up early on Sunday to head to Sibley, Iowa to check out the POST OFFICE THAT WE BOUGHT! Yes, we bought a post office. When I type that it sounds quite ridiculous I know, but it’s true. We are proud co-owners of the Sibley Post Office building and it is quite the 60s gem.
This baby is ours!
We figured we might as well celebrate our purchase by stopping at La Juanita’s (another of Marcus’ Storm Lake faves) on our way back to Des Moines, and cheers-ing each other with bottled Cokes.
Tacos and Cokes – not a bad way to end a great weekend.
All the weekend’s excitement has left me tired and yearning for the upcoming three-day weekend. Do you have any plans?
Delightful desserts update: My, my, my, such heavenly yet sinful desserts. My first visit to the hottest new dessert lounge, Creme Cupcake, did not disappoint. Between the three of us we each got to taste a little bit of everything.
Clockwise from top right: Almond champagne cocktail, Amaretto pistachio molten lava cake, Fried cake balls, Irish whiskey caramel mousse
Tomorrow we are headed north to beautiful Lake Okoboji for our friends’ wedding weekend. This may come as a shock to some, but I have actually never been there before so I’m really looking forward to doing a little sight-seeing. Have you been before? Know of any must-see spots?
I will be packing light because we are only going to be gone for two nights, so my overnight bag will look a little something like this:
Denim jackpot update: It seems like everyone is raving about their chambray shirts lately. Even one of my fave blogs, Kendi Everyday, was all about her denim top this week. My quest for dressed up denim turned out to be quite fruitful thanks to some refined Pinterest searches. Can’t wait to try out some of these looks for fall/winter:
How to style a denim shirt
I love a good gals night out and tomorrow we are taking it one step further. Instead of doing our usual locally owned location dinner, we have decided to go for sweets and drinks at the dessert lounge, Creme Cupcake. Such a brilliant idea! Who doesn’t love their cupcake served with a sip of champagne? And that is just the start, check out some of these pairings: Irish Whiskey Mousse paired with a Spanish Coffee rum and Kahlua drink and Lavishing Lava Cake paired with a Vanilla Peach Cobbler drink
It’s fairlicious update: I think we may have created a new state fair record. Morgan and I managed to hit up all of my must-see locales and were able to grab a corn dog to go all in two hours. I’m impressed. Here are some of the sights:
Fairlicious for sure.
This weekend I hit the denim jackpot. I have been lusting over this shirt from J.Crew for quite some time, but just couldn’t pull the trigger due to the cost. Enter Target and Merona. Check out this splurge vs. steal comparison – LOVE IT!
On my to-do list for the week – figure out how to work my new shirt into my work wardrobe!
Let’s eat update: I know I’ve said this before and I’ll probably say it again, I love Luna Bistro! The service, the ambiance, THE FOOD, everything is always amazing. My compliments to the lovely Chef Kris Van Tuyl and his staff for always surprising my taste buds with something new every time I’m there.
Luna Bistro – the star of Des Moines Restaurant Week
Marcus heads out early in the morning for a 27-hole golf tournament called The Death March, so I’m on my own for the day. I can think of no better way to spend my free day then with a trip with my sister, Morgan, to the greatest state fair around, the Iowa State Fair.
Nothing says IOWA like hugging pics, corn dogs and ferris wheels.
On my fair to-do list:
-Check out the miniature houses, photography entries,woodcarvings and sand sculpture in the Cultural Center
-Say ‘hey’ to the Avenue of Breeds
-Breeze by the butter cow sculpture because I hate waiting in lines
-Marvel at the jumbo veggies and hard-to-pronounce flowers in the Ag Building
-Eat something on a stick
Do you go to your state’s fair?
Sidney Street update: I am pleased as punch at how well little Bean’s birthday invites turned out. What do you think?
Greatest street I know. Want customized invites for your next party, check out my Etsy shop, Branstad Designs.
I know I constantly tout Des Moines, but I truly think it’s an amazing city. Case in point, tomorrow Restaurant Week kicks off and there is an endless list of local spots that will be offering prix fixe meals for the tasting. Last year we dined at 801 Chophouse, but this year we decided to head back to one of our favorite joints, Luna Bistro. If you haven’t dined with them yet, put them on your radar – you will not be disappointed.
Will you be dining out this weekend?
Tomorrow's To Dos 