Showing posts with label Travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Travel. Show all posts

Monday, March 21, 2016

Found Local Love in Lincoln

Yes, there are sprinkles in the sugar shaker and yes, that birthday macaroon was amazing.
Photo via me

This past weekend my friend, Amy, and I packed up our weekenders and headed up North to visit our smarty law school friend, Paige. Destination: Lincoln, Nebraska. I knew it was going to be great weekend catching up with fabulous friends, but I didn't know I was going to fall in love with the local treasures! I haven't been up there in a couple years and since then, so many adorable shops have popped up. They are too unique and fun not to post about and I hope by the end you are planning your next (or first!) visit to this quaint college town in mid-America.

Saturday was our big adventure day and Paige made the wise decision of feeding us a delicious meal to start it off right. She took us to one of her favorite brunch spots, Bread & Cup, in the Haymarket area. When I saw pancakes called "Jack Johnsons" I knew I would fall in love. They were incredible - highly recommend! For a restaurant that follows the concept of "Simple food and drink," they did a great job of wowing my taste buds. From there she took us to a cute stationary store, Letter Bee Paperie, where I read many funny cards and looked through lots of pretty stationary. Picked up some fun Easter styrofoam cups and cards because they made me smile. Haymarket was a success.

The "Jack Johnsons" aka best banana pancakes of my life. Oh and don't mind the yummy cinnamon roll Paige ordered for the table! So good. Photo via me
Photo via Letter Bee Paperie
Our next corner stop was my favorite because it pops up in the middle of a fun neighborhood and reminded me of home. Seriously, this was a dream corner of shops. We first popped into Select Style, a clothing store owned by one of Paige's friend. Windows were filled with dream outfits and the racks filled with gorgeous clothing. The owner, Meghan, has done a wonderful job curating a store full of designer clothing. There are neutrals, bright colors, classics and trends. If I hadn't just been killed on taxes this year (ugh!), I would have splurged on at least one favorite. Next time Meghan! She has great style and from what I hear from Paige, is a wonderful stylist. Good friend and local shop owner to have!



Photos via Select Style
Next door, you are able to pickup a pair of shoes to match your new fabulous outfit at Pattino Shoe Boutique. It was busy busy when we walked in and I loved hearing the women who were running the store chat with local customers. They had some great brands such as Loeffler Randall, Dolce Vita, TOMS and Joie. You can check out more on their website.


After those stops we headed to round the corner and immediately were distracted by a sweet smell. Hello bakery! The adorable vibe of Goldenrod Pastries suckered us right in. The case full of sweets suckered us into eating again. They were too pretty and the shop smelled way too good to pass. I loved watching the girls behind the counter work on a cake. You could truly see they enjoyed how they spent their time making gorgeous creations. After purchasing a delicious birthday cake macaroon (as shown in the first picture), we sat down at one of the cute tables. Sprinkles in the sugar shaker, sold. If you are needing to fulfill a visual sweet craving, follow their Instagram immediately and stroll over to their gorgeous website.


You try saying no to that...didn't think so. Delicious and a great size! Photo via me.


Photos via Goldenrod Pastries.
Final stop, was the perfect ending to a perfect shopping corner. Paper Kite is a children's boutique that is filled with all things that make you happy. Making it even better, they also carry items that older girls love! Definitely found some items I picked up for myself. The owner, Meg, was adorable and so welcoming. We chatted on our love for Rifle Paper Co. (their focal wall is one of my favorite wallpapers) and beautiful baby swaddles. I absolutely love what she has done with the space and I can't wait to go back when I need to shop for my littles one day. Half of the clothing items, I was wishing they had in my size. She also had a local candle maker doing a pop up that day, Wax Buffalo (local love is a great way to help a fellow girl boss out). The best news? They are opening another store in Omaha! I have family there and I will definitely be making them stop there next time I am in town.





Photos via Paper Kite
Lincoln, you were so good to us! We finished off the day with some drinks at a sports bar in the new arena area that is building up (need to cheer on my Jayhawks #RCJH) and then a bottle of rosé called our name at home - it was thoroughly enjoyed with much laughter! Thanks to Paige for showing us a fabulous time, her wonderful parents for letting us stay with them and Amy for keeping me company on the car ride.

Lincoln, thanks for sharing your local flair and goods! I'll be back. Here is a list of my favorites for you to add to your travel plans when you stop in:



Lots of Love,

Thursday, December 31, 2015

Party Crashing - Bachelorette Party in the Desert!


A couple months ago I shared these colorful invitation boxes for a friend's bachelorette weekend (find details here) and a couple weeks ago we finally had the fabulous party! Ryan, the bride-to-be, is getting married tomorrow, so I felt it was an appropriate time to share the adorable decorations from her last fling before the ring.








Ryan's little sister and MOH, Quinn, did an aMAZing job planning and getting setup for the weekend. We had so much fun and went to some fab places. The decorations were adorable and I already offered her a gig if she gets tired of nursing :) The flamingo ring game we spotted on Sugar & Cloth's Instagram and thought it would be perfect with some diamonds on the rings. Definitely something I'm going to keep in mind for the future. I loved her strands of pom poms she put with the glitter Bachelorette sign and her sparkly confetti was fun on the gift table. Also, her fiesta touches added the extra touches of color needed to decorate the rented house. Here is a list of the fun places we went over the weekend, in case you are wanting some fun ideas for your Scottsdale Bachelorette Parties:



The koozies and sash were actually designed and drawn out by me. I have some more of the koozies that I will be posting in the shop soon and I'm also going to have a custom option available. The sash, I worked on with a friend who is a graphic designer with mad printing skills. Firming up a couple details and then we will also get those added to the shop!

It was such a fun weekend and I cannot wait to celebrate the big day tomorrow! Ryan and I have known each other since 2nd grade and I'm so happy she found the love of her life. How did we grow up so fast!? Had to share a couple funny kid pictures before sharing the fun bachelorette all grown up!




Wishing you all a very Happy New Year!

Cheers & Lots of Love,

Monday, July 13, 2015

Travel Stories in Pictures

 This summer has absolutely flown by, mainly due to our constant traveling. I am obviously behind on sharing the details with you, so I'm doing it in the form of pictures - pictures say 1000 words or something right?

New York City - Traveled there with Dustin for Lillian & Nigel's gorgeous wedding!
Hotel: Dream Midtown
Wedding: Central Park Boathouse

My absolute favorite wedding decoration at her wedding!
Newlyweds!
My very handsome wedding date!
After a few trips to NYC, finally walked by this fun beauty.
Madison Square Park Art Installation by Teresita Fernández  - Amazing in person!
How fun is a flower shop on wheels?! I especially love the bright floral truck!
Found ourselves some delicious lobster rolls in the fish market of Chelsea Market.
Too pretty not to snap a picture.
Singapore - Traveled there for work and found some time to relive a few favorites from a few years ago!
Hotel: Grand Park Orchard

Loved seeing my good friend Grace! Met up in Chinatown for some yummy food & catch up! 
Singapore's 50th Year Celebration

Love the bright colors and life in Chinatown!



Fun adventures in the Bugis area checking out the markets and temples.

Las Vegas - We needed a getaway with friends!
Hotel: Cosmopolitan

Had to bring fun party favors for my girls!
Dustin's first time in Viva!
Our room was fabulous and the closet was such a fun visual.
Free pool bag with our booking and it was full of fabulous goodies! Nothing like some pina colada sunscreen and that cute pink box has wood dice!
So, some how we got this incredible view...
Well hopefully that gave you a little insight to our crazy travels all over the place! We have gone to some fabulous places and stayed at some pretty hotels. We have a few more places to head to this summer because of wedding events: Dallas for a Bachelorette Party, Denver for a Wedding and Houston for a Wedding. In between the trips, we still need to get the island done (we ordered the countertop!!), keep going on the powder room (ugh, pipe problems) and I'm planning some fun Love of Character things that I'm excited to share with you. I promise to keep you all posted! For quicker updates, make sure to follow me on Instagram: @loveofcharacter

Lots of Love,