Truly Midwestern Sayings (Decoded)

I've lived in the great Midwest my entire life, and thus I'm not always aware of what constitutes a "truly Midwestern" saying. When I traveled to Berlin, I realized some of our strange American aphorisms, and then even Minnesota/Wisconsin versions. When my family took a vacation to Florida, everyone picked up on our accents and our expressions. I've compiled a list and helped decode their secret meanings.

1. Minnesota Nice: this is just an excessively polite way of saying passive aggressive.

2. "That's different": Your behavior/lifestyle/personality/opinion is totally unacceptable in my view and I will never understand, nor attempt to understand, why you do/think that.

3. "For sure": this seems to be exclusively Wisconsin in my experiences. If you're hardcore, you'll tack on an elongated "oh" in the beginning. Depending on tone, this can be condescending (if someone makes a suggestion that you despise) or eagerly appeasing (agreeing for almost the exclusive desire to agree). See No. 1 for why. (I'm pretty sure that other regions say, "most definitely.")

4. "Just a thought": this is typically said at the end of an opinion/suggestion. It's a polite and slightly passive aggressive way of implying that what you just said is (to you) the right and superior sentiment, but you don't want to come of as pretentious or too forward.

5. "Wouldn't you know"/"Dontcha know": the former is a way of introducing what you're going to say as special, interesting, serendipitous (like if you recently saw a long-lost friend you had been speaking about the other day). The latter is added at the end of a statement, and means to establish agreement.

All in all, most Midwestern sayings are about playing nice. If confused, assume they are trying really hard to keep the peace.

Photo via sarahcarlsonetc Instagram. 

{Weekend Update}...Big Girls

My beloved Minneapolis (this is from early spring thaw).

After turning a momentous age last Sunday, Abby and I (along with our parents, naturally) went to St. Paul to sign our lease on our new apartment for the school year! It felt very exciting and mature, because we are no longer in an apartment complex, nor are we living with hundreds of students our age. It is in a small, residential neighborhood, complete with a gazebo-topped park. It's pretty much romantically picturesque. With a local market and butcher shop, a cafe that could become my "regular", and scenic shops, I'm feeling at home and I haven't even moved it yet! It feels very adult.

While in the cities, we decided to make a day of it, shopping and eating on Grand Avenue with a pitstop to the Rosedale Mall. (We much prefer this one over MOA.) It has seemed like eternity since the weather felt like summer, today being no different, but Friday and the rest of the weekend was a gorgeous combination of food, sun, travel, and family.

Our new favorite restaurant on Grand Ave. –– Salut.
Pictured here: Ze French Onion Soup

And our best kept secret of the Chippewa Valley––Foster Cheese Haus

Coming Home for Summer

Do ever find the transition into summer can be a little weird sometimes? I often am so used to being busy during the school year, that the first week or so I need something to keep me feeling productive. It can be difficult to go from long, productive days to lounge-y weeks that require little to no action. But, after a few days of unpacking & reorganizing all my belongings, baking up new recipes, and making summer goal lists, I settle down. 

And then I wake up to a bustling house in the late morning! 

While I'm at school, I'm considered the early riser between all my roommates. Weekdays I get up at 6:00 am and usually crawl out of bed for coffee by 9:00 am on weekends. But when I come home for the summer, I am the late sleeper, and feel lazy for not starting my days early like my parents. I occasionally even feel guilty for being so sloth-like, despite my mother's kind insistence that I "just relax after such a busy year!" 

I've been on summer vacation for over a month now, and am really feeling settled now. It seems crazy that the transition would take a while, but it can! 

How do you transition from hectic schedules to lazy weeks? I've heard horror stories of college kids not being able to stand living with their parents after living alone at college––could you do it? Should you ever feel guilty for relaxing if not everyone in the house is? 

Happy June!

It's finally June! After what seems like months of bad weather, summer has arrived! The Chippewa Valley could not be more beautiful right now––we're looking forward to going to cool even in our city called Taste of the Valley tomorrow (vendors from around the area serve their coolest, most popular food at a huge park and pavilion near the gorgeous river) for sunshine, food, and fun! Enjoy your first day of the lovely, lovely month!

Dream Sun Room

Lately, I've been dreaming of a summery sun room. After our family trip to Florida last year, beach houses have been on my mind, and since I'm nowhere near the beach, I'm longing to turn our sun room into a chic, calming oasis. I would, of course, need Abby's blessing, but I don't want anything literally nautical. Here's how I would incorporate the beachy scene, while keeping a little city chic. 

Instead of navy and white stripes that scream sail-boating, I'd choose a beautiful light turquoise couch that has a wavy back and arms. P.S It's from Target––how awesome! It's the color of the ocean, and would be beautiful with the white wood work we have in the house. 

To pick up the white wood work, I'd introduce white accents, like this furry stool (so glamorous!) and tall white floor lamp. (It's stand reminds me of a seagulls foot.)

We have a lot of windows in the room (three out of four walls!), so I'd bring in gorgeous bronze and gold that mimic the sunshine glow of the beach. It's sophisticated and fun, but still warm. The bar cart is beautiful, because of the glass shelving, which keeps it light. 

Finishing everything off, I bring in woven baskets and stools that recall a more nautical theme, but are much more modern. Mixing traditional braided woven baskets, with brightly colored stools help keep it interesting. 

With a base of sea-foamy turquoise, gold, and white, I can introduce any accent colors I would like. The stool has a beautiful lime, and I would also bring in a papaya pink, both of which remind me of summery drinks.

New Smyrna Beach

Do you have any dream rooms? When you travel, do you prefer hotels, or do you like to stay in rental homes and apartments like a beach house or city flat? Are you ever inspired to change your house after your travels?

P.S. The perfect beach towel, a killer swimsuit, my summer playlists.

{Mother's Day Gift Guide}...Spa Day at Home

Mom's work so hard, especially mine! I'm amazed at everything she does, and I know she could use a day just to pamper herself. But instead of shipping her off to some salon, why not turn her house into a beautiful oasis? She could even have it be like a girls' day with some of her friends. To get things all serene, you'll want to have some essentials:

The softest, feather-light robe to lounging. 

A great sea sponge for soaking in the tub or for pedicures.

Insane moisturizing cream that has anti-aging components. Not that she needs it!

Eye cream to relax and look refreshed.

Hand and body lotion that will give her radiantly soft skin.

Nail polish in pretty spring hues to brighten even most dull tasks, like washing dishes. 

Staying true to the spa theme, serve lotus blossom tea. (If she begs for coffee, she can have it. It's her day, after all!)

A lavender candle from Aveda. They donate money to a wonderful charity with this!

Luxurious pajamas, so she feels like a fabulous queen. 

{Spring Threads}...Light Whites

Will you wear white this spring? It's one of my favorite colors to wear when it's warm outside. It looks great with a tan, but I secretly love white with pale skin. It looks so angelic, don't you think? Here are some beautifully crisp white for this spring. 

P.S. We are still wearing sweaters and jeans in Minnesota, so it may be a while until I can wear my favorite white tank top. 

White shift dress that looks like a cloud.

A beautiful white bowl that would look gorgeous with blackberries. 

A string of pearls that is opera-worthy (but would look great with a chambray).

Snake skin belts for the adventurous. 

Doesn't this bracelet remind of you rock candy? 

I'm totally into the white nails fad. 

Lucite white sunnies. I can imagine wearing these on the beach while enjoying fresh lavender ice cream.

Studs that have a nice variety for many occasions.

White flats for a day of picnicking and farmers markets. 

Have an all white party (with brightly colored balloons) using these plates!

Isn't there something so appealing about white stilletos? 

{Weekend Update}...Snowed In

I had a luxurious weekend. I was home with my family and friends and enjoyed some simple pleasures that I normally don't indulge in.

My girlfriends and I baked a chocolate cake with a peanut butter frosting and chocolate ganache. I died and went to heaven. Along with decadent cake, came a little gossipy girl talk, giggles, and a fashion show of our bridesmaids dresses! (They're gorgeous.) I went on everyday errands with my family, braving the cold and slush and survived to enjoy a Grammy viewing night, breakfast for dinner, and pajama time with my mom and Abby. It was lovely.

I also got an extended weekend thanks to the buckets of snow! I'm heading back today, as opposed to last night! Better safe than sorry, right?

Photo via @sarahcarlsonetc Instagram

{Weekend Update}...Vacation Farewell

So I'm back in Minnesota. It feels like ages since I've been in the city, and while everything is obviously the same, the streets look so different. Perhaps it's the half-melted snow littering the sidewalks...

For my final weekend home on break, I did lots of family stuff. Very specific, I know. My mom and I hauled ourselves out of bed at 5:30 am (yawn!) to drive to my grandma's house in Marshfield, WI. It was so lovely to see her, and the early morning was well worth it. Following out little ritual, mom and I stopped to grab huge coffees for our drive there-so delicious!

Even though dad was a little under the weather - poor guy - we had much fun chilling at home. It's been so long since our family actually went to the movies, and since it was so freezing, we stayed in and watched To Rome With Love, by Woody Allen. It was fantastic, and now I'm on a Woody-kick. I might watch this tonight with Abby.

How was your weekend? I hope you stayed warm and smiled!

Photo via my Instagram @sarahcarlsonetc

Time Stands Still

When you're with old friends, does it sometimes feel like time hasn't passed?

I met up with some high school friends today for lunch and it was fabulous. How great is it to come home and see people who knew you during those awkward years? They know your back story, your quirks, your ups and downs, your passions, and nothing ever has to be explained, so you just talk and laugh. Abby and I only get to meet up with Erin and Nicole a couple times each year because we all go to different schools in different cities, with our lives taking us every which way. But when we do reconnect, it's perfect.

What feels like forty five minutes turns out to be two hours when you realize your soup is cold and your salad is room temperature limp. But it doesn't matter because some of the greatest girls, who will always care about what's going on in your life are gathered around a table in the loud cafe giggling like little girls. Old friends, no matter how much time has passed, are constants joys, don't you agree?

Home Again, Home Again

After a crazy semester and a week of finals (minus that surprise break!), it feels very nice to be home again. My own bed with flannel sheet, that homey smell you'll never be able to recreate in your apartment, the sound of neighbors shoveling in the morning. No matter how long or short it's been since going home, it's always, always good to be back. And I'm guessing things will stay this way for a very long time. Because that's just the way it is. 

I look forward to fresh coffee in the morning, the quiet residential streets, getting the mail from the slot instead of walking to another building, sitting in the big cushy chair (I'm doing that now), and snacking on cheese, clementines, and summer summersausage until our bellies are full in the evening. And my dear family, of course.

When you think of home, what come to mind?

P.S...I just finished wrapping Christmas gifts!

Signing Off

At noon today my vacation begins, and I couldn't be more ready for it! It's been a crazy few weeks, but extremely rewarding. I've been so lucky to see wonderful friends, try new things, and see my efforts pay off. But now I'm heading home to spend a relaxing few days with my family. I have to work for Black Friday (yikes!), but that just gives me a reason to drink obscene amount of coffee. What am I looking forward to? Spending the whole day eating sweets, drinking coffee and reading (preferably in a room like this)! I'm picking up some books today, possibly from this list. . . any suggestions? 

Have a cozy holiday with your family and friends! 

P.S Maybe I'll journal over break. 

Photo via