Try again

I'm feeling like it's time to attempt to blog again, we'll see how it goes this time!

Here's what I've been up to this week:
1.  Restaurant week in Minneapolis - had a fantastic $10 lunch at Vincent.  Check out the participating restaurants and menu's here, there are still a few days left of this fabulous promotion.
2.  Loving the new Avett Brothers Album - I and Love and You.
3.  Rockin cute new fall boots!  Don't miss the flip flops at all!

And here's something to make you laugh, from The Book of Bunny Suicides, by Andy Riley:

Hope to check in again sooner rather than later...

MAGHOUND

Today I learned about a great new subscription service called MAGHOUND. It's an monthly service that allows you to pick and choose your magazine subscriptions and change them at any time. For example, I signed up for 5 monthly subscriptions for $7.95/month. I can go online and update my list of magazines at any time!



So COOL!!! I always get bored of my magazine subscriptions or find myself buying extra magazines at the grocery store. I wish I had thought of this...darn Time, Inc.



Anyway, check it out, they are offering one month free. With pool season just around the corner, it's time to stock up on summer reading materials!!



Click here to go to the site: MAGHOUND



Happy reading!

Remember when..

Murphy was just a little puppy? Here she is at 4 weeks old:

Now she is a big girl! Here she is playing and getting very muddy with her friend Marley, a Bernese Mountain Dog:

And last night playing with her best friend Sherman:

Proof that even Vizsla's need a nap...once in awhile!!!

Great Hair Product!

I was in Sephora last week looking for a dry shampoo. I'm trying to be kind to my hair this year, and I've heard great things about this type of product. I've been using it for a week now and I really would recommend it to anyone that is looking for a solution for in between washes. It has a mild scent and I haven't had any problems with cloggin, which I think it pretty commoon among other brands. Check it out: Naturia Dry Shampoo

Comfort Food

After a dinner at Al Vento where we ordered the most amazing short ribs, I've been searching for a recipe that will come close to what we had. For those of you who like beef short ribs, here are two new recipes to try:

A more hands-on recipe (but well worth the time!) from Simply Recipes:
Braised Beef Short Ribs

A quicker, easier version from epicurious.com:
Super Short Ribs

Enjoy!

Quick Rant

I know it's been a long time since I've posted and I have plenty to say...but I'll save that for another, longer blog post.

Here is my quick rant...why do people talk on cell phones while in the bathroom stalls? I've been noticing it happening more and more and it seriously grosses me out. And I'm not talking about someone standing at the sink, talking on the phone. I'm saying that someone is sitting on the toilet, and flushing while on the cell phone. Ewww!

That being said, I'm trying to be less judgemental of people. I have a long way to go!

These are a few of my favorite things...

1. Salad Dressing: Trader Joe's Champagne & Pear Vinaigrette with Gorgonzola Cheese. It is super tasty with a romaine mix with chicken, walnuts and pears.

2. Red Wine: Kim Crawford Pinot Noir. I am in love with the Kim Crawford vineyard, from New Zealand. Reasonably priced wines and really bold flavors! Can be found at Sam's Club liqour stores at a better price than most wine shops.

3. Reuseable Shopping Bags: I have finally broken my habit of plastic/paper bags and have made the switch to reuseable. They hold more product and they never break! I love the canvas bags from Target.

4. Doggy Daycare: I never thought I would be that person, that obsessed over and sacrificed other things to splurge on the dog. But I'm guilty, Murphy has me suckered into complete submission - no Alpha leader here. I am so happy that we found Pampered Pooch Playground in St Louis Park. The staff there is just the best. They know Murphy by name and get so excited when we drop her off. And when we pick her up, we have a tuckered out puppy (at least for a few hours!).

5. Madonna: You know, the good old Material Girl Madonna. Before Kaballah, Guy Ritchie, bulging biceps, A-Rod and all the other foolishness. We are living in a Material World, and I am a Material Girl.

Happy New Year!

I can only hope that 2009 does not fly by as quickly as 2008. Last year included 3 trips to China, lots of little trips around the country, and a new dog! This year I plan on less travel and more time at home.

Here are some pictures from the past couple weeks as I enjoyed my vacation time with friends and family:

Happy New Year Ya'll!!!!

The best thing to do when stuck at the airport...

is to sit down at Ike's and enjoy The Weekender Bloody Mary. It's fantastic! It's about the only thing that will help pass the time while you wait for another flight to Chicago...after the first flight took off and had to land back at Minneapolis due to mechanical issues.