Cottages in Cottagewood

On the steps of the Cottagewood General Store, literally steps from the trail I ride every week.  I didn't know it was here until today.

Inside was adorable, I felt like I was on Martha's Vineyard

Lots of goodies to choose from and in the back, that is the cooler. Cool. They also have ice cream and espresso,  of course.

Anna had a rock candy sucker.

The patio was lovely

And cozy spots to sit inside as well

Across the street, I fell in love with this house

And this one, it had a tuck under garage, I love those, and pretty red porch chairs.   Sorry about the photos, I wasn't planning on photo journaling, just a quick ride around the neighborhood, the Mister had his iPhone in his pocket so I confiscated it.  This was all a 10 minute ride from my house and seconds from the trail I have ridden a million times, but it felt like a step back in time. So without writing a cliche about getting off the beaten path...

I didn't get much housework done today.

Gifts for the Grad

I have many grads in my life this year and my favorite place to get them gifts is a local shop called Patina.  Walking into the store is a feast for the eyes, as they have a little of everything all beautifully styled and arranged in color themes.  Here are a few picks I though looked good, and you can order them online if you are not near the TC metro area.

This book looks inspiring,  How Many People Does it Take to Make a Difference?

Who doesn't need one of these?

Peace pillow.  They all go through this phase.

I love office supplies.  They will too.

He's cute.  Wrap him up with a gift card or a check.

Minneapolis Design Done Right

Gunkelman Flesher.  Right.

I get very protective when people make fun of Minneapolis.  Anna Wintour called us "Little Houses".  Mean.  Most of my friends have rockin bodies.  Today it is going to be 70 degrees and sunny.  And we have Gunkelman Flesher. Unfortunately many of our other local designers feature a portfolio with lots of the "Tuscan" look.  Ugh.  When will people stop asking for that?

In my hometown

Room and Board.  They are local to Minneapolis, and use all American made products.  I love this chair.  My living room aches for this chair.

I love you too sofa.

Local Love

Dare I say it, but it is time to order your Christmas cards, and I have found a way to make it super easy, thanks to two local moms who are totally amazing.  The first is Kristin Gunderson, a local photographer who took the above photos of those gorgeous kids.  Now if you have been going to pricey studios get ready to be gobsmacked.  Kristin spent over an hour with my kids at the location of my choosing.  About a week later she delivered 2 cds of every. single. picture. she took. Plus 35 edited 4 x 6 prints and a cd with those prints, for $150. Again, gobsmacked. You can take those digital images and make a calendar or a book for the grandparents or a coffee mug for the mister.  Your christmas list is now half done.  Your welcome.  I found her on Google and took a chance, you can find her here.

The second part of the equation comes from a mom I met in ECFE when our sons were mere weeks old.  Erin Newkirk and I laughed and cried together about not sleeping, weirds poops, how to make your own baby food, and how not to feel guilty if you don't.  She went on to create the fabulously successful online business Red Stamp Cards.  If you are not familiar, you should be.  Oprah is.  And so is practically every other major publication in circulation.  Check out the website here.

 

All of the success has not gone to her head.  She offers gorgeous holiday cards that you can personalize with a photo in just a few clicks, for really reasonable prices.  In fact I think the prices are lower than last year.  Is that right? How can that be possible?  Red Stamp also offers a free online calendar.  They email you when your loved ones birthdays are coming up, you click a few times and voila!  Beautiful cards arrive in your mail box, ready for your witty note and signature.  For the super lazy among us, they will even write the witty note and send them for you.  And those girls are witty.

So get to it ladies.  Have your photos taken, upload them to Red Stamp, order your cards, and then have some egg nog and enjoy some Peace on Earth.  Christmas cards? Done and Done.  Word to your mother.