I'm excited to share with you my adventures as I galavant around both near and far, exploring everyday adventures through my camera lens.
I’m always on the lookout for new parks to visit within a stone’s throw of home - which in my case is south Minneapolis, and it’s become even more important during this very on-going pandemic.
My husband and I recently discovered the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge in Bloomington, and it’s quickly becoming one of our favorite spots to visit!
When I first decided to start my travel & lifestyle blog, I knew that the biggest hurdle I would have is getting quality photos of myself that aren’t just selfies.
I would find myself getting so jealous of top influencers who have a team of people to help them and a partner who doubles as their personal photographer, a.k.a their “insta-husband” until I realized I am fully capable of getting amazing photos by myself.
Over the 4th of July weekend, my husband and I usually go camping every year. This year, we wanted to feel a sense of normalcy in the midst of the pandemic and thought camping would a great way to do some socially distant traveling
Every spring we get the garden ready by tilling the soil and adding in a new layer of rich compost from our tumbler that we add to all winter. I usually attend the Friends Plant Sale and stockpile all of the plants and herbs I want, and get to planting! This year, however, things were different on many fronts - hello global pandemic! Hello, snowy spring! Hello, rotten planter! So we needed to make some changes!
I have had so many emotions of grief, fear, anger, helplessness, sadness, and guilt. I was so conflicted about sharing my story, but the more I thought about it, the more I started to move past my discomfort and began looking forward to sharing. What if even just one thing I say could resonate with someone who has never before thought or talked about white privilege? What if something I said could tell a different story than just what has been shown on major news outlets?
When I first started this account and my blog, I had major doubts about it. Why would anyone give a fuck about who I am, what I think or what I’m doing? What am I even contributing in this space that’s over-saturated with other white, (privileged) female travelers and wanna-be influencers?
Last week my husband surprised me with the most amazing early birthday present - an Old Town kayak! He has had his own Old Town fishing kayak for over a year and knew that I was interested in joining. I’m not much of an angler myself, however, I’m happy as a clam just paddling around aimlessly and taking photos.
We’ve been weathering the storm of the Coronavirus in the US for several months now, and throughout all of the uncertainty one of the things that have kept me going is taking a break and getting outside. In Minnesota, where I live, we have been extremely fortunate to have full access to the outdoors, even during the stay at home order.
Now more than ever, I feel it’s so important to take advantage of the outdoor spaces we have right in our backyard (while we still can!) So I’ve compiled a list of my favorite places in the Twin Cities you can explore all while practicing #socialdistancing long after the Corona Virus scare is over.
If you’re new to working remotely, check out some of my favorite tips for a successful and productive work at home experience that I honed over nearly 10 years as a freelancer.
There can be a lot of pressure put on Valentine’s Day and finding the perfect gift that goes beyond the typical pink + red everything, chocolate-covered whatever and bouquet of over-priced roses that will immediately drop in price the second Feb. 14th is over.
Instead, I’ve pulled together a list of things that I personally own (or would love to receive, hint hint) that would be perfect for the adventure seeker in your life!
Over the weekend, my friends and I attended the Winter Kite Festival and Art Shanty Projects on Lake Harriet.
I’ve attended the Art Shanty project a few times over the past couple of years, but this was my first time to see the kite festival. It was amazing to see so many people out enjoying public art on a cold winter day.
Winters in Minnesota can be long, but that doesn’t mean we need to stay cooped up. In fact, I’ve come to love braving the outdoors in winter. The snow helps dampen the sound, the crowds are nearly non-existant and if you go far enough north, it can feel like you stepped right through the cupboard into Narnia.
If you’ve never been to Des Moines, or like a lot of people outside of the Midwest, have never even heard of Des Moines, stay tuned! I have some great things below to share with you that might make you want to stop and check out the “flyover state.”
If you ever find yourself driving through South Dakota, spending some time in the Black Hills National Forest is a must!
Custer State Park is just one of many inside the forest, and I recently spent a lovely weekend enjoying some quality time checking out all that it has to offer.
We recently spent a lovely mid-October weekend up in Grand Marais, MN learning how to make pine needle baskets at the North House Folk School, and I’m excited to share all of that knowledge with you!
I’m here to prove that ANYONE can do Halloween, starting with some very easy costume ideas utilizing things you might already have in your closet! Take a look to see how I put together these no-fuss, effortlessly fun costumes below…
Going back to the Badlands National Park as an adult with an entirely new appreciation for all types of adventures was everything!
Most people stop just long enough to snap a photo before getting back into their car and continue heading west. But I’m here to tell you that the Badlands are badass and you should absolutely explore them deeper!
I have a few solutions for bringing camera gear with me, depending on the situation. If I’m just going out for the day around town, I pop on the smallest lens I have and throw my camera inside my purse. Or I might not even try to hide the fact I have a camera and just wear it using my cross-body strap.
However, If I have more time on my hands, like say, a road trip, for example, I will bring everything I have! It’s so nice to house all of my gear in one spot. It makes it easier to stay organized, find what I need and get out and shoot!
Last week, my husband and I joined our friends at Hammerheart Brewing to take a step back in time and enjoy a traditional Viking meal put on by Daniel Serra, a culinary archaeologist and cookbook author specializing in Viking-age food.
