Sweet Carolina

As promised, another favorite singer songwriter for your listening pleasure... For two years I lived in Greensboro, North Carolina while I worked as an investigative producer and reporter at a local television station.  For many, many reasons this was a memorable time in my life and career.  This song by this artist about this place is sort of a perfect coming together for me.  I have a deep affection for all three.



I ain't never been to Vegas but I've gambled up my life
Building newsprint boats I race to sewer mains
Was trying to find me something but I wasn't sure just what
Funny how they say that some things never change

Oh, my sweet Carolina
What compels me to go
Oh, my sweet disposition
May you one day carry me home
 © 2000 Ryan Adams

P.S. Adorable summer sandals and yummy Italian basil lemonade.

Sweet Tune

I promise to feature other artists here besides Paul Simon.  This song is just so fitting for the holiday weekend.  Enjoy!

America
“Kathy,” I said, as we boarded a Greyhound in Pittsburgh
“Michigan seems like a dream to me now
It took me four days to hitch-hike from Saginaw
I’ve come to look for America”
© 1968 Words and Music by Paul Simon

Homeward Bound

I’m sittin in the railway station/ Got a ticket for my destination
On a tour of one-night stands/ My suitcase and guitar in hand
And every stop is neatly planned/ For a poet and a one-man band
Homeward bound
© 1966 Words and Music by Paul Simon

Have a wonderful holiday weekend

I am very proud that my grandfathers, my father, several of my uncles, and now my cousin have all served in our nation's military.  On this Memorial Day weekend, please remember to keep the families who have lost loved ones while serving our country in your thoughts.

Enjoy the long weekend!

Patio season in Minnesota!  Here's where you can find a table.

A lovely read about springtime in Paris, ahhhhhh.

20 pairs of seriously wearable summer sunglasses.

Coming in September: Target's latest designer collaborator is Joseph Altuzarra.

Well, I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder with this one.

This week's top 10 Minnesota music videos.

Five iconic toys born in Minnesota.

Oh, Positano

A friend of mine just returned from a vacation in Italy, so naturally I've been reminiscing about our honeymoon there.  We spent two weeks exploring this amazing country and decided Positano is hands-down one of the most beautiful places on the planet.  So I thought I'd share some of our photos from this dreamy trip.

Cha-ching!  Tourists throw more than 700,000 euros worth of coins into Trevi Fountain every year.

Be sure to read this list of things Italians want you to know before you visit.

My Stick-on Paris

My office faces south and it's wonderfully sunny but HOT, so the blackout shades that the previous owners of our house left behind haven't yet been replaced.  They serve a purpose, but they're so boring.  I finally came up with an idea: wall decals of a cool city skyline!  It was one of the easiest DIY projects I have ever done.  Kids' rooms often have blackout shades for nap time... what a simple and cheap way to add some interesting style! 

Lay the shade flat on the floor.  Wipe clean and dry.  Apply decals.  Voilà!

And speaking of design ideas, how funny is this clever thing.

He Had Me At 'Salted Butter Caramel Chocolate Mouse'

I love love love all things Parisian.  So naturally the HIP Paris Blog is right up my Rue.  Today there is a wonderful post about famed chef David Lebovitz and his new cookbook, My Paris Kitchen.  What a perfect Mother's Day gift!

Amazon

And if you're on your way to the City of Light, be sure to take this list with you.  Then shoot me an email so we can make arrangements for the delivery of caramels (#1) that you'll be sending to me!

Take A Bow

I recently thought I'd try my hand at kiddo bow ties.  I found this terrific tutorial, and voilà!

Hooray, It's May!

All Minnesotans know: it's been a long brutal winter here.  That's all I'll say on the topic because I'm over talking/thinking/writing about the gross weather.  So on a happier note: Hooray, we made it to May!

Minnesotans aren't the only ones to sorta lose their minds this time of year as we await the warm fresh air in our noses... Paul Simon and Edie Brickell rather famously made the news last week for a spat.  Well now they have released a sweet little duet called "Like To Get To Know You" about loving each other after 12 years of marriage.  It's a clever bridge over troubled water, ahem (and a genius PR move!)



You might also be interested in: Free admission at museums this month and here's how you can buy Bob Dylan's "Like A Rolling Stone" lyrics with all the money you saved from not paying for museum tickets.