My top favorite things right now!
(in pretty close to right order, some might be harder to judge their favorite-ness than others)
WHOLE FOODS!
We have cheated on our beloved Caribou by going to the Monopolized Starbucks but that was before we explored the clubhouse of our new apt/Townhome complex.
It's a good thing the new place we moved into has an espresso machine, we are making cafe mochas, mocha lattes and super espresso drinks like crazy lately, otherwise we would be breaking the bank trying to support our blended and cool coffee obsession!
IKEA:
The AS-IS bin at IKEA:
Being the frugal bargain shopper that I am, and was raised to be, I am very much in love with the "as is" section of Ikea. Now when you hear "As is" you are probably picturing furniture beat to hell and falling apart, this is only the case and a few items. If you take a stroll in this section and can get past the abused furniture you will find amazing pieces at great discounted rates. We got a NICE bookshelf thing that matches our whole bedroom set for almost 50% off!!! Best part: this fully assembled piece didn't have a scratch or a nick anywhere on it's gorgeous body. Most of the items in here have just had their box broken a bit and since you get your favorite IKEA items while they are still in a box, these are the pieces that people pass up. So the nice guys assemble them, put them in the AS IS section and slap a super reduced price on your favorite pieces! BOOM! You have what you wanted for a discounted price AND all the labor is already finished, just take home and enjoy! Wow I probably sound like I work for IKEA but I in no way am employed by IKEA nor do I receive a compensation for the great things I have to say :)
Penguins!
The 1968 Pontiac Firebird (CONVERTIBLE!)

Up Nort {der hey}
Yes, I am originally a Minnesotan so I can make fun of the up nort dialect :) .
This weekend we attended a wedding in the far north of the Midwest and I forgot how much I am entranced by the beauty of it all. The smell of the fresh, clean air that wears you out after a long day, the gorgeously stunning lake views, the cool breeze that rustles through the forrest up there is breathtaking. Around this time we usually go on our annual canoe trip way up nort but this year it has been postponed/cancelled, so I was glad that we at least got up for the weekend, even if we stayed in a hotel instead of under the Northern Sky :) Also arou d this time of year we head up to Lutsen Mountain, MN with hubband's boss & family, but not this year and I miss it so much (see husband CRASH fully recorded as he plummets down the Alpine Slide on Lutsen Mountain, click here to see his whole video!). Anyway, if you live in the city and never leave, I highly urge you to experience it, even if you are not the "outdoorsy" type, you can still bring the little comforts of home and "rough it in style"! No worries :)
Ps: btw I don't own all these pics