Kancamagus Colors

In honor of fall, my favorite time of year, I thought I would put up a little memory post in honor of the season. In autumn, the air is crisper, the breezes a bit cooler, and the leaves are starting to change.

While I think Minnesota can be quite pretty in the fall with the bright oranges, reds, and yellows creating a beautiful backdrop by the city lakes, it does bring me back to the memory of the prettiest place I've ever seen in the fall: The Kancamagus Highway. Winding through the White Mountains in New Hampshire, the colors are so vibrant, so polished, they look more like a New England painting than a real New England road.

So, as fall and its beautiful colors come to the Twin Cities, I will take my camera and my notebook and record some of the beautiful shades and moments around the area. But, I will always hold that memory of living in New England in my heart...because people still think the photos look fake because the scenes are just that beautiful - and all the winding roads through the history, the mountains, and along the ocean all resemble a painting of nature's best.

Kancamagus Highway

Free People & MOA

One of my best friends is as much of a Free People fan as I am. We love their flowing styles, comfortable fabrics, and free-spirited attitude...not a real big surprise with the blog name. I've gotten many great pieces over the years that I wear every time they're clean and hanging in the closet again.

When we were out and about a few weeks ago, we decided to head to the Mall of America. Many local people don't actually go to the mall to shop all that often, or if they do they hit the end they like for their favorite stores - or just enjoy a happy hour in one of their great restaurants.

We had heard there's an actual Free People - Mall of America Store  - not just the apparel available in department stores. On a rather dreary day that still resembled winter a little too much in Minnesota, we finally made it over there to look around. 

When we got to the front of the store it felt, quite frankly, like we had arrived at our mothership.We were not surprised by the layout of the store. It had all their great clothing, jewelry, and other cool accessories decorated in their famous Bohemian way...just as we expected. And the atmosphere of the place totally fits their apparel - open, fun, and adventurous. We lingered for quite some time. 

So, yes, we fit the profile - right down to the long, messy hair. But, we do it with style and attitude. The staff of the store had the same vibe - and even the dressing room had a fun, boho feel (I snapped a photo when my friend was trying on some skirts). When we go back, as I'm sure we will, I'm sure we'll find some other cool things we just have to have...and I'm sure there will be additional lingering.

The Dressing Room at the Mall of America Store

Springing Forward with the Full-Time Writing Gig

This full-time writing gig is pretty cool. I feel so fortunate. I have neglected the blog and other writing I usually do...but, no complaints. I love being a full-time writer. There's lots of variety...one day I'm writing about computers and technology, the next day I'm writing about fashion. It's pretty great. In the meantime, I'll touch base here and there on the blog until I can get caught up on everything else.

As winter drudges on and we barely get above zero degrees and rarely see the sun, I'm so glad that it's the first of March and not the end of November. Being this cold is much worse in November because you could have months ahead of you - of often brutally cold weather.

But today is the first of March! I can see spring coming...and for the first winter in as long as I can remember, the huge storms hitting the east coast seem to just keep passing us by.

I don't mind snow, but it's actually nice that this year we aren't so completely overwhelmed by it. For friends and family on the east coast, I know you're all very overwhelmed by one storm after another. But, by this time next year, it might very well be our turn again. For now, though, let's just look forward to a long awaited spring.