Adventures of Janet

Taylor Swift Weekend

This weekend was all about Taylor Swift and her movie! I went to see it 3 times and each time it just got better for me.

When she released tickets on Thursday for a day early premiere I was super excited but didn’t know who to ask to go with, thankfully after I dropped off Scott at preschool Dan had purchased tickets to surprise me! I felt bad asking him originally because while he does go along with all my shenanigans I do feel bad making him do stuff he doesn’t love. But Dan being Dan and amazing is always willing to do anything to make me happy. I screamed and jumped around when he showed me the tickets and couldn’t wait to go that night.

I was super worried about the AMC merchandise getting sold out before my show on Saturday so I was super relieved I was able to get everything I wanted for me and my friends.

I only bought the pink tin, tote with light stick, and cup for myself and the rest was for my other friends. It was 1 item each for each customer which I really liked since it prevented people from over buying. Thank goodness I had Dan so I was able to get 2 of everything.

Super excited to watch ahhhhh

I wish we got the cup with the cute clear pink lid and straw but sadly I think that was just a European exclusive.

Loved that Dan even wore a Taylor hoodie for the movie lolol

Some friendship bracelets

The workers at AMC were giving away AMC friendship bracelets so me and Dan got 1 each and I wore them both. I ended up giving one to my friend Cam since she couldn’t make it to the movie this night due to illness.

The mini posters were so cute!

I ended up regretting not getting the black bucket so again Dan being the most amazing person drove me back to the AMC since I hate driving in the rain and I was able to get 1 of each again for me and my friends that missed out on going on Thursday.

Scott has yet to let go of my black bucket and is the new owner with his trains in it. I use the tin bucket to hold all of my personal friendship bracelets and it is super cute!

On Friday, I went to the Alamo theatre to watch it for the second time. They didn’t have that great of merchandise so I didn’t buy anything from them but did enjoy the movie.

Saturday we ended up having 2 events for the kids and this was the second event of the day. It was our local Halloween Hoopla and Scott insisted we dress as pumpkins. He isn’t big on taking pictures so this was the only one I got of us in our costumes lolol

They looked so cute on Saturday

Saturday night finally came and went to the AMC with Camille, I also gave her the merch from Thursday. We wore our matching Speak Now Cardigans and everyone kept asking Cam about her Taylor cup and tin bucket. I guess everything sold out Friday so luckily I got everything for us on Thursday.

It was a great weekend filled with Taylor Swift and on Sunday, friends invited us for a BBQ and to watch the Bears game. It was a lot of fun and it was nice to have a relaxing end to a busy weekend. Bears lost but that isn’t surprising and I stayed to make bracelets.

Weekend

The beginning of fall always means the days go by so fast with so much to do

On Friday, I went to a Taylor Swift Pottery Class and it was so much fun!

Love the friendship bracelets they handed out and goody bag

I picked a plate with a pattern to stencil on and in hindsight maybe it was not the brightest idea I had, it took a long time to stencil with the bumps on it.

I don’t know what I was thinking when choosing this but again so much fun and exactly why I love art, it can be as beautiful or blah as you want and to me it will always be amazing lolol

I didn’t finish my piece so I will be going again this week to work on it and will post once I finish

Went out to dinner afterwards

The place that used to be Chatime got renamed since they decided to become independent. Tastes the same though just different name

I have gone to a couple of my friends’ houses to make bracelets with their daughters and love how they have also become obsessed with making them for the Taylor Swift movie coming up. All of these girls have been so much fun to hang out with and love seeing what they create. All of them have made beautiful creations and can’t wait to go with some of them to the movie to watch them trade bracelets and spread the Taylor magic. Ahhh so exciting when introducing people to something I love and seeing them love it too. I especially love when my friends send pictures of their bracelets and I am left in awe of what they did.

This weekend has been too hot for my liking but with so many events planned we tried to enjoy it. This was taken at the local Harvest Hop in our suburb. They had inflatable, a DJ, and some giveaways.

My oldest had his Homecoming this weekend and he went with casual for his attire to the dance. Can’t believe how old he is and really enjoying these moments with him.

Went to the Minnesota Zoo for their Jack O Lantern Spectacular and really enjoyed it.

I am always blown away by how detailed these pumpkins are, I never have the true patience to even do the basic eyes and mouth on my jack o lantern and here these artist create magic.

The theme was seasons and I loved how they started each season with Vivaldi’s music playing the in background. When entering I shouted “Omg they are playing Vivaldi Spring Concerto” and then I saw the month of April on a pumpkin and a worker said good job for guessing this year’s theme! I love little details like that and it always makes me appreciate something more because of the extra effort, so smart of them!

Love that they had the State Fair for August because it is such a Minnesotan thing.

Of course Logan begged Dan for a light thing lolol but him and Scott loved playing with it

Logan’s favorite month! When the worker saw how excited he was for his birthday month she gave him so many wolf facts and now he won’t stop talking about wolves lolol

We missed Dylan but like the world always works in his favor he is going next weekend with some friends and I think he will enjoy way more

My friend invited me to a Barktoberfest at a brewery and I must admit I had so much fun. I am not really a pet person but seeing all the dogs in their cute costumes I turned into someone else and was petting all of them and even took pictures with some lololol. I went dressed as Sally from Nightmare Before Christmas and found a Zero in one of the dogs and of course we posed for so many pictures. I had a blast!

The kids have started to decorate the house for Halloween and love how they did the stairway! They are so creative and love how they really get into decorating and making the house so festive.

These coming weeks are going to be so busy and I CANNOT wait! I love being busy and having so many plans AHHHHH

Paris Day 2

On this day we started it a bit later and went to our group tour of the Louvre. We have been to the Louvre a couple of times already but since it is so big I never really feel like I see anything except the Mona Lisa. So we got a tour this time and I opted for the bigger group tour. I have a deep love for big group tours because you always meet the most interesting people. As much as a private tour is also really nice between the two I will always choose the big group one.

One of my many cloud pictures I took lol

La Belle Ferronnière (Portrait of an Unknown Woman,) eek I actually prefer this over the Mona Lisa and Da Vinci painted both. This painting also gives that vibe of being followed and the mysterious smirk, I love it! I also love there is rarely any line or group of people blocking her. Dan knows my obsession with her and calls her my bestie and always teases when I just stare at her for so long

Dear Lord, this line is ridiculous to see Mona but it moves fast

I didn’t feel like waiting to be in the middle so took a quick snap and moved on. I have been very fortunate enough to see her plenty and while it is always nice to see her it is always so crowded.

I found a Pandora and immediately got my favorite souvenirs, 3 charms (Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, and Notre Dame) to add to my travel bracelet

Since we were at the Louvre, the Musée de l’Orangerie was right at the end of the gardens and we decided to go to see Monet’s beautiful lily pads. A time slot was suggested but we just waited in line and it took about 20 min to get in. I love this museum so much! 2 rooms of wall to wall beauties and this doesn’t include their amazing art collection in the basement.

The beautiful colors always make me jealous that I didn’t come up with that shade

It was surprisingly not that busy which was a huge plus

I sadly spent most of my time staring and sitting looking at the lily pads that I ran out of time to go to the basement. Yes, I had another melt down later that day about missing the basement art, but got over it

I will never get tired of seeing the Eiffel Tower, it is up there with my favorite building in Chicago, the Reliance Building. I can sit and stare for hours

I love these tourist traps and always stop for a snack

I was just telling my friend Camille how we should sell our bracelets like this and just like them when the police come we wrap it up and move along. Obviously, I would have a permit but the thrill would still be there

Sometimes I feel like I am looking up a women’s dress

Love these little conductors they have outside the elevator

Overprice champagne that I will gladly pay each time I go up

I love walking down the steps from the 2nd Floor to ground

They had these fun fact signs every stop

We love that alley that is in the Marais area filled with lots of bars and restaurants so we decided to eat at one of the places

Then we hit up a piano bar, which was AMAZING!!!! We stayed for hours lolol

Walking back and loving all the art everywhere

The second day was so nice and relaxing. It started later which was a plus and had me in a happy mood all day. I got to get breakfast downstairs and then lounge around which is a favorite and then we had an early afternoon tour. I really liked the second day in Paris and honestly just walking around stopping in random places is my very favorite thing to do in any city. I know there is so much to see and do but I am lazy and just like to eat, drink, and walk aimlessly so this day was perfect with very little planned but had so much fun. Even though we did a lot it felt like nothing with the late start and the time is always weird in Europe. I always feel like there is a hundred hours in a day there so we take advantage and enjoy as much as we can.

Taylor Swift Europe Edition

While on my trip, Taylor Swift tickets went on sale for Europe! My friends and I all signed up for the pre registration for various cities and it was very nerve wrecking because they were going on sale while I was on my trip.

I have a system with my friend Camille and we have each other’s login information for Ticketmaster and other concert sites because we both tend to go together to a lot of concerts now that she moved to Minnesota. Anyways, my first choice for Taylor in Europe was Milan because that was her only Italy city and I love Italy and wanted to go back again. We almost got Germany tickets but we kept going back and forth and they sold out. We got a lot of codes for various cities but some of her dates didn’t align with our schedules and realistically only her July dates worked for me, Michelle, and her husband Adrian. So we all really tried to get codes for those dates.

Michelle got the most codes while the rest of us got on waiting lists. I only got codes for Milan, Edinburgh, and Sweden but even with the codes tickets were so hard and kept selling out before we could get them. By the time I was on my trip I was panicking we weren’t going to get tickets so when I was in Montemarte I even lit a candle and prayed in the Sacré Coeur because I desperately wanted tickets for Milan that was going on sale the next day. I sent Camille my code for Milan so her and Michelle were the ones that were in charge of trying to get tickets for those days.

Somehow, we were able to score 4 tickets for Milan since that was the max number 1 could get which was perfect since only me, Camille, Shell, and Adrian wanted to go. We all were screamed in excitement and now are organizing a group trip with our other friends to go to Europe. I am super excited for this because I missed the past 2 group trips and I know this trip will be super crazy but a lot of fun.

We realized after that if we wanted we could get tickets for Amsterdam, Sweden, Edinburgh, and Lyon too but we weren’t going to be greedy and were very happy with our Milan tickets.

I have already started my friendship bracelets for this tour and will be making a ton to share!

Taylor has released more dates for the US next year and some dates in Canada and yes we have signed up for those registration codes too. We have our own system now and hope we get one of those concerts to go again. Adrian and Dan both teased us that we have had our fill but obviously we haven’t and yes both also have registered for cities too so I don’t get why they even say anything when they enable us lol. Some of us have seen all of her concerts (even when she was just an opener) and most of us have been with Taylor for 15 years so we love her no matter what and going to see her just creates more trips and memories for us so of course we are going to try to get tickets again. Wish us luck!

Paris Day 1

I thought I would be able to post while there but clearly life happened and so I am posting now.

Some days I will post solo, other days I will combine. I am in reality a very bad picture taker and if you were to look at my camera roll it would contain in this order pictures of clouds, food, my boys, and art. If it weren’t for the date on the picture I would have no idea why I took a picture until I focus on it and then see the beauty of it to me all over again. This is why I write in a travel journal but that shares my very personal thoughts so I don’t want to share that always

Anyways, our first day we got in and arrived around 9 in the morning. Our hotel room wasn’t ready yet so we left our luggage and went to see my favorites. This is why we always choose this hotel for the location, the Louvre is a quick 10 min walk away and I just love the Tuileries gardens.

I made Dan ride this right away when we got to the gardens. I love this ferris wheel and if I wasn’t stuffed from the quick meal we just had I would have loved some cotton candy too

We had a food tour later in the day so Dan said we had time for 1 museum to give us time to relax and get ready since it was all the way in the Montemarte area. I obviously chose my favorite museum Musee D’Orsay. I swear I love this museum so much and wish I could go daily.

For this trip we bought the museum pass and I have to say I was slightly disappointed. In the past we were able to cut the lines but this time if you didn’t have a time slot you had to wait in line which wasn’t so bad since all of our wait times were at most 20 min but I just missed how it used to be but I obviously would still go back and buy the museum pass now that I know what to expect.

For the D’Orsay we only waited like 10 min which was great!

This old train station never stops to make my heart flutter

This exhibit reminded me a lot of the Van Gogh in Chicago describing his friendships and how they impacted his career which was the same for Degas and Manet. I wonder if these curators met up and discussed how the theme for this year should be friendships/relationships because in hindsight both of these exhibits were amazing and shared lots of similarities. It was great to get such insight and to see how their influenced each other

I always love seeing Berthe Morisot and get especially tickled when I see her portraits. We are lucky enough to have a couple of her paintings in the Minneapolis Institute of Art and I just love her

Ah one of the four of Van Gogh’s Starry Nights, it is always a pleasure to feast my eyes on this one

I always love this hotel even though it is small it has everything I need and love. Free mini bar, happy hour snacks and drinks, a delicious breakfast, and location is my favorite too and I never have any complaints. In cities like Paris and Rome, we are gone most of the day so to come back to a cozy bed and tasty treats is always a love!

Love the complementary minibar refilled daily

The hotel room key was so cute and I definitely kept one to add it to my shadow box for this trip

My souvenirs from the D’Orsay museum. Since I forgot my totes I had to buy a new one and this one with the Starry Night was perfect! I also got Dylan some mints with the museum on front because he loves mints and a pin for me and him to wear on our coats and hats.

The hotel gave us a full bottle of wine which was really nice!

I loved the design of the bottle, I have a running joke with my friend Christina here and I promised her anytime we get free booze I bring it to her as her souvenir. I just gave it to her yesterday and she also loved the bottle design

Weather was AMAZING in Paris! I tend to avoid the sun like the plague so to have it cloudy and rainy some days was the cherry on top! I always pack a travel size umbrella for sun and rain and a raincoat for us so I am always prepared

We obviously love macarons and have had lots from different places but the place across the carousel is our favorite in Montemarte and I love that the food tour included it so we got to pick 2 flavors and 2 pieces of chocolate.

“I love you” in over 200 languages is a perfect place to take a picture

These water fountains are always nice to find around the city

I have always had an odd obsession with windmills so I take lots of pictures of those too

We have done this food tour twice and it is one of my favorites. We go shopping around the area picking up bread, cheese, meat and then we all sit down together and enjoy the meal like a family. I just love that we walk around and learn about the history of the area, stopping for random food to eat right away and then food for later. It is a great experience!

Of course no visit to Montemarte is complete without stopping to look at the Moulin Rouge. We went to a show here a couple of years ago and sadly we just did not have time to do it again this trip so a walk by is all we could do

The first day in Paris was a success but I hate when a day is jammed pack like this. Dan was especially shocked we did so much because most of the time I can only handle 1 thing planned a day at most 2. This is exactly why we stay for days at a place so I can immerse myself and not be so rushed. I love sitting, observing, walking, and enjoying my time at a cafe. I hate being rushed and on the go. It really stresses me out and I know the mentality since we are in Europe already might as well see as much as one can but I can’t, my brain just doesn’t work like that and I start to panic and cry because I feel like I am not enjoying just existing. This first day was super busy and this is the only day it was like this lolol. At night I started to cry that I didn’t get to enjoy the Musee D’Orsay as much as I wanted and I missed some of the other paintings and I unintentionally made Dan feel bad for keeping us on a schedule but he was reminded I just can’t be rushed because I do need hours at some museums.

Packing and miscellaneous

Packed my daily makeup, couldn’t find my red lipstick so had to stop by Sephora to get a new one

I am so mad at myself. I forgot 3 major things, 1) my Marc Jacobs black travel bag that I ironically bought on my honeymoon in Paris 10 years ago! It was going to be it’s anniversary too and has been on every single Europe trip I have ever been on! I am not brand obsessed and just look for what holds the most with my 3 kids and their random items from rocks to chewed candy or gum, but since my other bag was Marc Jacobs it felt only right to get the same brand. I thankfully found a basic affordable one but no zipper inside 😩 I wanted a black bag with lots of zippers but settled for this camel color one because it had a zipper closure but no inside zipper that I really wanted. It’s cute but I know I will be missing my main love while on my trip

My favorite dessert that my mother in law makes Watermelon sherbet

A popsicle delight that my friend took me too in my old neighborhood in Chicago

No trip is complete in Chicago without some Korean BBQ

United airlines again and always love this walkway

Second thing I forgot was my shoes!! I wanted to wear my black and white checkered vans same as Dan on this trip but I forgot I left them with my friend Camille so sadly couldn’t wear them. I felt bad buying the exact same ones for this trip so Dan suggested the pinks ones and happy I got them because they are super cute

My third thing I forgot was my Tae Bear travel buddy 😩 I’m devastated because I bought him specifically for this trip and even though he will have many adventures with me I don’t have a travel buddy this trip and that upsets me. Maybe I’ll find something cute in Paris to temporarily replace my doll…..

Anyways, I am in air now and looking forward to this trip. Hope to post daily since trying to post at the end overwhelms me.

Random Thoughts #9

Here is the last Random Thoughts post if interested- #8

-My brothers always told me I just have a resting b face and never make eye contact unless a person makes it clear they are talking to me, so they told me no one would ever want to be my friend. I get too easily distracted and don’t look around at my surroundings especially if I am with my kids or Dan, I just stay hyper focused on them and the million voices in my head all talking at once. My oldest always takes the lead and looks around for any odd characters and locates his fire exits in case of an emergency so I definitely am in my own little world if I am with him.

-I don’t know why and it sounds terrible but I sometimes feel the overwhelming guilt of being born pretty. I know it sounds bad and first world problem, but I have constantly seen and heard how people get treated because of their looks. It took forever for me to be comfortable in my own skin but I always felt bad how people would always say to my family, “she is so beautiful though, shame she isn’t all there in her head.” Like I was a waste because I had nice looks but obviously not all there in my brain. I couldn’t help how I look or how messed up my head is, people always expecting something from me and when I didn’t want to talk to someone I was automatically a bitch. Too conceited and didn’t care what others wanted, when in reality I am terribly awkward and just like different things. If you approach me talking about baseball, sci-fi, history, lord of the rings, food, comic books, or even makeup I open up instantly and talk a lot but ask me where I bought my clothes or gossip about someone in poor taste I close up instantly and go to run away. I could never really gossip except with Dan and it is really just talking about sports and food, our gossip is boring since we both don’t like talking about people and don’t care about material things so we just talk about our memories and trips to come. I have let myself go these past 2 years to get a view on the other side and I can see how it does affect how people perceive me but at the same time I get a sick thrill knowing this isn’t my forever weight and I find it fascinating how people treat me. I have started to take my daily hour walks and I have lost 20lbs! I still feel huge but damn 20lbs just from walking and eating somewhat healthy. Imagine if I keep this up, bitches beware (just kidding, I am very nice unless you do something to hurt me or what’s mine.)

-I also have this problem where I am my own guinea pig and always do tests on myself to test my own theories. I used to want to write case studies on my own findings of how society worked but I got lazy and now just do it for fun, but then wonder have I lost myself in all my crazy testing.

-I was recently listening to shuffle on Spotify and this song came on and the line “we’re meant to be, not made to last,” struck me. This one line would have helped me so much after my first love broke up with me. I loved him for years after and it took years to finally let go and when I did I found Dan, but this line would have made perfect sense to me. Oh well, I am happy I heard it and will be passing it on to my kids if they have any bad breakups and hope this line helps them.

-If you would have told younger Janet she would like being a mother she would have laughed at your face. I have always enjoyed playing with kids and have lots of patience for other kids but I never imagined my own. I have a lot of flaws and didn’t want to pass those down to my kids, but man, do I love being a mother. I love smothering them with all the affection and love I never got and spoiling them so much. I never thought I would be part of booster clubs or PTA committees, like who am I, but love it.

-I remember once my dad sitting down while I was watching Gossip Girl and him telling me I was dangerous and boys would never come to me. He went on to explain that I enjoyed my own company too much. Boys wouldn’t like how independent I was and how I thought I was my own funniest person. Most days after work I would go home, eat, then change to go out for the night but some nights if the old theatre was playing a favorite silent film or older movie I would go by myself and watch it then have dinner somewhere by myself. My dad never really showed that he cared what I was doing so I was surprised when he mentioned these things to me and how boys wouldn’t like someone who likes being alone so much. I didn’t understand what he was saying until years later and boys would tell me the same thing. How they couldn’t stand that I didn’t make them feel loved and I would just go off by myself without telling them where I was going or with who. I honestly didn’t think it was big deal since I would just be by myself but I would say that they would get offended and hurt. It took me years to fully open up to Dan and really show him all of my quirks and weirdness, to this day I surprise him constantly with a story or a hidden habit that I forgot I had. He embraces all of me and never questions when I disappear or run off and it is so nice. He knows to mingle with our friends and I will always comeback like a boomerang to him. If I take too long he does text to make sure I am ok since I also do have a habit of sometimes meeting the oddest characters, but if anything I am mostly to be found sitting by myself staring blankly in my own thoughts.

-I really don’t like when people make fun of something someone finds happiness from, like why is a hobby a bad thing? Thank goodness I have kids that introduce to the oddest of hobbies and likes but I love learning about all of them

-I am heading to Chicago tomorrow to drop off my kids with my mom and my brothers and I have so much anxiety about it. I know my kids will be happy and safe but I worry for my middle son. My family has a nasty habit of showing favoritism and he is clearly not the favorite and I hate seeing him sad about it. I did get him a lot of fun things he can play with by himself and I will be texting him a lot via his iPad but I just hope they don’t break his spirit. He is my exact personality and it can be a lot and I know only too well how it feels to be left out for being different and it makes me sick to my stomach. I have almost cancelled this trip so many times because I worry he will be lonely and sad, but thankfully Dan’s mom has offered to watch him for a couple of days so I know he will get individual attention from her.

–Current playlist of mine on Spotify, if you have one please share. I love music –Janet’s playlist

-Making some last minute bracelets for my trip

Made cute bride and groom bracelets to celebrate our 10 years together and renewing our vows

Testing them out, made a bracelet with Dan’s initials

Made some cute France theme bracelets. Still working on some Amsterdam ones

Dan’s bracelets all made by me that he is bringing on the trip

More of his that I made and he is bringing

– I do love how supportive Dan and the kids have been in my new hobby of bracelet making

-I still cant believe I leave for my trip in a couple of days, tomorrow Chicago, Tuesday Paris ahhhh

-I cry a lot so I sometimes feel like I don’t even know if I am crying for any reason, I bet this happens to others and wish I could start a crying club like we all have a drink and just cry to cry. It would be a safe place and we don’t need to tell others why we are crying we just cry. My brothers loved calling me a cry baby because I would walk around the house just crying and wailing for no reason to them and sometimes no reason for me but I always felt better just letting it all out.

Late Spring/Early Summer

Some pictures of what I have been up to, it was hard to narrow it down because I forget how much I do but here is some snaps of stuff I did so far…

Logan’s buys with his birthday money. Huggy Wuggy and Diary of a Wimpy Kid in Spanish

Crayola gives a free box of crayons every year for kids so took mine to claim theirs

Scott turned 3 and of course he wanted a train cake

We went to a fundraiser where the theme was Roaring 20s since it was their 20th year

Scott had his birthday party at the train museum with ECFE friends and family friends

Kentucky Derby party that Dan (in my opinion) should have won best dressed

I really liked this butterfly headband and hope to find an occasion to wear it again

Always one to start karaoke if it is available. To share, I am completely tone death but that never stops me from attempting to sing

Me and Scott at Mall of America, this sign was too cute to pass up so had to take his picture with it

Shake Shack and Hooters are my favorite eats at the mall

Celebrating Mexican Mother’s Day with my friend Gloria

We shared the Cotton Candy mimosa board and it was very tasty

During my Chicago visit I dragged my bestie Laney to get breakfast with me and to go to the Art Institute

Always a glorious sight to see the lions

This was really an amazing exhibit! It was beautifully curated and went through Van Gogh’s life and his friendships just so thoroughly. You could tell all of the influences they had on each other and I was left in awe. I have gone 2 times so far and hope to go more when I visit this summer

Had to snap Laney looking at her favorite painting in the museum- Nighthawks by Edward Hopper

When I was in grade school I first read the Picture of Dorian Gray, then again in high school and this painting has always left a huge impression on me

After the museum I dragged Laney to the newest Kong Dong location by the museum and it did not disappoint

I like flying out of the United Terminal for the lights

Another baseball game to celebrate our friend Josh’s birthday

New dessert place we checked out, my dessert was so pretty but just tasted ok

Our friend hosted a Spain/tapas theme party

Our State Fair hosted a preview where some vendors were open and omg so happy and love this event. I went twice this year

This caramel apple seltzer is my very favorite, if you like sweet you must get this!

This chocolate chip beer is very tasty but heavy

And of course have to end with Sweet Martha cookies

A fun bonfire at my friend Gloria’s house

Splash pad fun at the zoo. Very happy I had packed an extra set of clothes for the kids

A tennis day with the besties in our matching skirts

Went to a friend’s birthday party where we made signs

Precision cutting is always super hard for me

This art gallery was so much fun in Northeast Minneapolis

Final product- it gave me very calm vibes

Dan’s Father’s Day present-he loved the bracelet!

At a local festival that was a lot of fun

Eating Pho at the Asia Mall (yes, that’s the name) I crave this again and if it didn’t take 45 min to get there I would be there all the time

Love this artwork right by the Mochi donut place

It was so cute I just had to take a selfie with it

10 bracelets for each era of Taylor Swift

Love a bobble head with one of my favorite players

Joe Ryan has found his home with my other sport bobble heads. Don’t think he likes to be the only Twins player in my mostly White Sox collection but he will make fast friends with them

Friends boat day on my friend Jen’s boat

The following day went on another friend’s boat and it was just gorgeous out

Couldn’t capture the beauty of the red moon but it was there

Enjoyed the fireworks from Hudson, WI Booster Days from the boat and Logan loved them so much!

Making 4th of July bracelets for my friends

Summer is flying by and next up is my Europe trip! Hope to post daily for that but knowing me who knows lol

Taylor Swift Day 1 Minneapolis

OMGGGGG I was able to go again to the Taylor Swift concert again here all thanks to my friend Camille. She was able to score a code from Ticket Master when they released Production Hold tickets and we only paid $10 more than what we paid for Chicago and way better seats. It was amazing!!!

Here are some quick snaps

While waiting to get into the stadium saw this shirt and loved it!

View from the skyway. No way was I going to wait outside in the 90 degree weather so we walked into the stadium via the air conditioned skyway

When we were in Chicago we saw these too late and me and Cam went on a hunt to find them this time

Our seats! We were section 118 and they were amazing!!!!

Some quick pictures before the concert started

As Queen Taylor looks out into her crowd to soak it in for a minute

Ugh, I just love Taylor Swift so much!

This time around I only made like 60 bracelets but it was still so much fun to trade and give some away. I was surprised not a lot of people had bracelets so me and Cam made sure to share the wealth and gave lots away. The bracelets we did trade were some great ones compared to the Chicago ones. We both had an amazing time and now are on a low because it is all over.

We did sign up for the pre sale for her European leg so hopefully we can score some tickets and take a friend trip with our Chicago besties too.

Taylor Swift Chicago Day 1

I went to Taylor’s concert this past week and it was AMAZING!!! I went with my besties in Chicago and I can’t get over how incredible the whole event was and wow just wow!

I wish I knew how to post videos because I have a ton and thanks to one of my besties that edited some of her videos they are even better! But I do have tons pictures, I will just post a couple lol

Each of us was an era, starting from left to right was Josie as Speak Now, Laney as Taylor’s debut album, me as Red, Shell as 1989, and Cam as Fearless

My hands terribly painted lolol we all painted them just like Taylor’s nails on the car ride to the concert. Each color is an ERA. Also wearing some of the bracelets me and my friend Cam made. I was holding a couple to pass out to people I saw that were also trading

With the besties with our nails painted and they are all wearing bracelets I made. I LOVE that I was able to share with them my bracelets and it really made me happy they loved them so much. I had given them a couple to pass out too and enjoy trading but they hardly traded and said mine were better made and wanted to keep them. In fact, Laney nearly had a breakdown because she traded one she thought she had an extra one and I had to calm her down by promising her to make the exact one once I got back home.

They had some fun photo stations throughout the stadium

I have always loved that Taylor provides free light up bracelets

Ugh, just loved her in this Fearless outfit

Weeks prior I had been making bracelets to trade and happy I did get to meet some fun people and might be going downtown to Minneapolis to try to listen to the Friday concert. There was another concert I wanted to go to too but ugh I can’t say no to Queen Taylor.

I really felt making the bracelets was so therapeutic, I definitely needed it. I used to paint a lot when I had too much going on inside my head but I haven’t in ages so having this as another creative outlet was so good for my mental health. And on top of that, passing them out and hearing people say how pretty were bracelets were and how they loved them really made it worth it.

Here are some pictures of the process of bracelet making….

I made bracelets for every size I could think of because I didn’t want anyone to feel left out. I am so happy I did because I was able to share the love even more around