Cumberbatch & Aster

T-shirt: Out of Print via Len, Shoes & Earrings: Target
Tank: Nikibiki & Jeans (similar): Joes Jeans via Hot Mama
Book: True Love Story by Willow Aster via Amazon

Whew, what a weekend.  Thursday night, I saw Star Trek: Into Darkness.  OMG, loved it so much.  Strangely, I really felt the love for Kirk in this movie.  I'm usually all about Spock.  Maybe next time, Zachary Quinto.  Oh, and Benedict Cumberbatch is to die for - I'm re-watching Sherlock at this very moment.

Friday = uneventful.

Saturday, I had the ultimate pleasure of meeting Willow Aster, author of True Love Story at the Minneapolis Author Event.  I don't read a ton, and never anything as sexy as this (turns out, I like sexy - not going to apologize for it either).  It came highly recommended and had me hooked on page 1.  Willow was everything I imagined she would be.  That's right, I'm on a first-name basis with her now (wink).

After bummin' around with my BFF and her perfect baby boys, we met up for a friend's birthday at CRAVE's rooftop in downtown Minneapolis.  The drinks, sushi, and service were just okay, but now I don't want to dine anywhere but a rooftop ever again.  The atmosphere was fabulous.

Sunday was mine and Steve's 7th wedding anniversary!  Like the awesome and attentive wife that I am, I completely forgot.  Didn't even cross my mind.  My darling husband approached me mid-choir practice to wish me a Happy Anniversary.  Whoops.  I was slightly mortified, but laughed it off and enjoyed the rest of our day together.  I love him.  I will keep him.

Now your turn:
What did you think of Star Trek? "Chris Pine is hot" is an acceptable answer.
What's your favorite sexy book?  Interpret that genre however you want.
What's the best rooftop bar in your city?  Meet ya there someday.
Have you ever forgotten an important milestone?  Help a sister out.

What Daisy Wears

Steve had wanted a black, female pug for a while.  I wasn't convinced we could handle TWO crazy furballs.  As if I could ever resist a pug puppy - I was kidding no one.  

We brought her home and I envisioned an extensive wardrobe of pink and bows.  She's 9 months old now and it was about time my girl got girly.

Daisy and I attended the grand opening of Cocobear, a new pet boutique in St. Paul.  This bow tie collar was waiting for us there.  It's so flippin' cute, and I think Daisy knows it.  All of a sudden, her silly butt-wiggle seems a little more intentional.

Cocobear is a pet owner's dream.  Their services go way beyond pet supplies.  Grooming, walking, pet-sitting, food delivery, transportation, and training are all on the list of services they provide.

It was high time my pugly baby strut her stuff on the ol' blog.  Not sure if you can handle all this cuteness.   My advice: hold on to something squishy while you take it all in.  It's a natural reaction, no need for concern.

Prairie Underground: Spring/Summer 2013

It's no secret that I'm obsessed with Prairie Underground.  My orange cloak hoodie is by far the most worn item in my wardrobe.  I practically live in it.  No doubt I would be equally smitten with the mid-victorian hoodie in that cheerful sunflower yellow.  I promise you this, readers:  despite the $253 price tag, it will be mine someday.

Just when I decided against criminal activity to afford Sunflower from the spring collection, I found the equally gorgeous Kelly (green) cloak hoodie from the summer collection.  Shoot, we're already on a first-name basis here, they may as well move in to my closet already.

Back to the Windy City

I have a certain reoccurring urge.  Mostly on mornings when I drive east on Highway 94 into Wisconsin.  It's an easy stretch of road, opposite of rush hour traffic.  But instead of getting off at my work exit, I want to keep driving until my surroundings are no longer so familiar.

Sometimes, I just have to go.  Go, or go crazy.  Before this week, I might have been on the verge of crazy.  Perfect timing for a little vacation.

We love traveling with Girly Muse and her family and were so excited at the opportunity to road trip with them.   After a couple ideas fell through, we settled on 3 nights in Chicago.  Steve and I thoroughly enjoyed our December trip, so we couldn't wait to experience the Windy City with warm weather and in the company of our wonderful friends.  

There was...

Pizza at Gino's.  A little shopping.  Church (like, crazy-awesome church) at Lighthouse.  Mini-golf.  A little more shopping.  BBQ ribs (OMG).  Navy Pier.  Sears Tower.  Char Dog.  Millennium Park.  Picasso Exhibition.  Manny's Deli.  

Loved every minute of it.

Room with a view

Deep Dish at Gino's East

Ferris wheel at Navy Pier

Me (Bean) at "The Bean"

Winner!

Aaaaaand the winner of Shabby Apple's $50 gift card is...

Rachel Travis!
(psst...the Calliope Skirt is one of my favorites too)

Congratulations, Rachel!

I'll be sending you an email tomorrow.

Meeting Christopher Straub

T-Shirt: Killers concert tee,  Skirt: Forever 21,  Bag: DSW
Shirt: Levi's, Hoodie: Prairie Underground - via Hot Mama
Tights: Old Navy,  Boots: Vintage, thrifted via Savers

Let's see...last Monday we got 6 inches of snow.  Today, it was in the 80's.  Later this week, the weatherman is predicting 30's with snow again.  The schizophrenic weather serves my blog purposes because even though it is almost May, this ultra-layered outfit from early March is still believable.  Sad, but true.

Steve and I went to the Minneapolis Home & Garden Show.  The highlight for me was the Runway to Room segment where Christopher Straub (cutie from Season 6 of Project Runway) demonstrated spring trends - both in clothing with his own collection and home decor.  He covered a lot of ground:

• Digital prints
• Bold texture
• Mixed materials
• Neutrals
• Candy inspiration
• Bold color
• Bold print
• Nature inspiration
• Whimsy

I got to meet Christopher after the show and he was an absolute sweetheart.  If spring ever comes to stay in Minnesota,  I'll put his information and inspiration to good use.  A honeycomb dress and bug wings could totally be in my future (wink).  Even more exciting is his fall/winter collection - gummy bear, anyone?  But let's not get ahead of ourselves.

For the Locals: Stylish Charity Events

It's a fashion show event on a mission to end hunger in local communities.  Cash bar, silent auction, fashion show = yay! Check out the Facebook event for more details.

Faces - Mears Park, St. Paul
Saturday, April 27
6pm

My favorite St. Paul salon, Bleach, is participating in MN Aids Walk.  Help them raise money and awareness with a $25 haircut.

Cut-a-Thon
Sunday, April 28
10am - 2pm

For the 21+ crowd, drinks while you wait - um, ok.

Who doesn't love brunch?  Make it even more delicious with a great cause and some spring fashion.

Galleria Brunch & Fashion Show
Galleria - Edina, MN
Big Bowl Courtyard
Sunday, May 5
9:30am - Noon

Shabby Apple Giveaway!

Shabby Apple strikes again!  Perfect timing, since Mad Men is back in my TiVo queue and I'm re-obsessing over vintage-inspired outfits.  Pretty sure my closet wants more polka dots, but needs a little black dress.  It's quite the dilema.

I've been a fan of Shabby Apple for a long time.  They do a great job demonstrating how "modest" can still be flattering and playful.  True confession: their grown-up tutus make me want to put on my slipperiest socks and glide across the kitchen floor like Zoe Zaldana in Center Stage (OD'd on that movie: me, age 17).

Good news for you!  Shabby Apple is giving away a $50 gift card.  Pick whatever floats your style boat because that's a nice chunk of change.

To enter:

1. 'Like' Shabby Apple on Facebook
2. Choose your favorite Shabby Apple item (this one's mine).
3. Tell me in a comment.  Include your email.

Ends Monday, April 29.  So get busy.

Stubby Thumbs

Shirt-dress: Gap - thrifted,  Sweater-dress: Old Navy,  Leg-Warmers: Target
Boots: Frye via Amazon,  Glasses: c/o glassesusa.com

Most evenings, the Erickson clan piles onto the loveseat in front of the television.  It's a bit snug for 2 adults and 2 furbabies, but we make it work (putting the larger couch in this spot is not Feng Shui enough for Steve).

In the rare event that one of us is not also preoccupied with an ipad or laptop, we might hold hands.  After almost 7 years of marriage, I think this is fairly impressive - as are the random confessions that may arise in these semi-intimate moments:

Steve:  You have small hands.

Me:  Do I?  My thumbs are weird.

Steve:  Yeah. Before we were dating, I thought, she has stubby thumbs, but I'd still date her.

Me:  Wow.

Follow-woe-woe

Shirt: Hot Mama,  Dress/Jacket: Cabi, thrifted Valu Thrift
Tights: Gap,  Shoes: thrifted via Clothes Mentor

I thought I would have a few more months with my beloved Google Reader.  I was planning a very sweet, intimate goodbye.  I'd sit out on the patio with my laptop on a beautiful day in late June.  Scrolling through the blogs that GR has provided so efficiently for me, I'd stroke the trackpad a little bit lighter, lingering on each click just a little bit longer.  Perhaps I'd make myself a cocktail and toast GR for it's years of service to bloggers and blog readers everywhere.  With the GR window still open, I'd close my laptop and hold it close in a warm embrace of love and appreciation.  "Goodbye, Google Reader.  Rest in peace." I'd whisper.

It disappeared.  I thought there was more time, but all of a sudden it's gone.  Vanished.  No more. Didn't GR say it would be leaving us in July?  Was I mistaken?  Who will keep track of all of my blog subscriptions?  Who will tell me when I fall behind in my reading?  And how will YOU follow Spoils of Wear?

There's always email.  That thing on the sidebar that says FOLLOW BY EMAIL.  Yeah, that.  It might actually work.  Let me know if it doesn't.

How about Blogger's Reading List or Bloglovin'?  To be honest, I'm not crazy about either one.  It's possible I haven't given Bloglovin' a fair shot.  Other people love it and follow that way so...cool.

Facebook & Twitter.  Great n' all, but not the same as having those delightful bits of inspiration all in one handy spot.

Suggestions?  Is anyone else as bummed about Google Reader as I am?

Let's have a little cry together.