" title="ebb & flow :: fabulous finds & divine designs"> ebb & flow :: fabulous finds & divine designs

I think the trip to San Francisco last weekend reminded me how nice it is to be surrounded by green grass, tall green trees and other miscellaneous vegetation that isn’t covered by two feet of snow. As a temporary fix until the snow disappears, I’ve been itching to bring some house plants into our living space. It seems the blogging world is on the same page and I have been bookmarking articles like this, this and this the last few weeks for reference. I’ll let you know how it goes as I attempt to plant shop this weekend and keep those buggers alive in the months ahead. Come on, green thumb, time for you to make an appearance!

Source: *wit + delight and state of the state

I’m still easing into the week, it seems. Starting the day off slow with three images that caught my eye. No rhyme, no reason, just pretty images.

Source: 1 :: 2 :: 3

I’m not even supposed to be here right now. I’m supposed to be in Chicago on my sister’s futon, waking up after a long night of birthday celebrations with my family. BUT the seven inches of snow, three inches of ice on the highways and the negative temperatures had other plans for us this weekend and we’re home watching episodes of “Girls” one after another. To say I was bummed about missing out on the fun in Chicago would be the understatement of the century. I pretty much cried about it for 12 hours straight Friday night but I’m starting to move onto the ‘acceptance’ stage of grief and hope to make the best of today before another crazy work week begins. But before we can start a Sunday, we need a weekend wrap up. Enjoy!

• • Amazing what a couple lines can make.
• • We only saw the Ferry Building version of a Heath Ceramics shop, so I loved this full tour.
• • Bookmarking this. I need some plants in my life.
• • Adding to my ever-growing reading list.
• • Brian Williams and Rapper’s Delight.
• • Get it, girl!
• • Inspiring paint job.

In high school I, like most people in St. Charles, took a class or two in Ceramics. I thought my huge hands and general love of art would carry me through, but I was horrible! Absolutely horrible. I think I threw one bowl successfully and the bottom was about one inch thick which, if you’ve ever dabbled in ceramics, you know isn’t good. So, long story short, I definitely appreciate a good ceramic piece and know the work that goes into each one. Though my St. Charles ceramics days weren’t very fruitful one of my fellow high school alums has created a beautiful line of ceramic pieces over at Bird & Bumble. I think the Mukai Mugs are my favorite, but it’s hard to pick just one!

Source: Bird & Bumble

Last Friday, the Red Head and I caught a flight after work and headed to San Francisco for the weekend! The weather was great, the company was even better and we had an absolute blast! I seriously couldn’t have had a better three days. I can’t wait to go back one day. Maybe this weekend when the cold weather and snow return? Might have to make that happen. While all the memories are fresh, I just had to share some snaps from our trip. As always, follow along @elissa_erickson for real time updates.

Seeing green leaves and flowers was so nice. At one point, we just lounged in the grass. We haven’t seen ours in months and needed a fix.

Somewhere between the Horchata ice cream and the fresh oysters, I lost track of the stops we made at the Ferry Building. So delicious and beautiful. And busy.

NOPA was a great brunch spot. The cheddar biscuits… to good. And, of course, you can never go wrong with a blood orange mimosa. Thanks for the recommendation, Jessica!

The spoils of the Ferry Building Marketplace. Saving the Mast Brothers chocolate for a rainy and loving my Heath Ceramics bud vase.

On Sunday, we visited Napa. Our first stop was Castello di Amoroso. Not too shabby for a $50 million castle. And the wine was delicious too, of course.

My favorite tasting of the day was at Orin Swift. The people were so friendly, the decor was totally my vibe and the wine was on point.

Wine, wine and more wine!

I could have stared at the trees all day. I swear, most of my time this weekend was spent gazing at green leaves and blue skies. A welcome break from the Minnesota landscape of late.

See what I mean? Way better than two feet of snow.

I have the best friends.

We visited Palace of the Fine Arts Theatre on our way out of town and am so glad we did. Such a beauty.

Of course we needed a Golden Gate Bridge photo! Thanks for having us, San Francisco. We’ll be back one day (soon, I hope)!

Remember when I vowed, in this post, to start blogging more regularly? I must have meant that I would start that NEXT week, not this week. Eeks! Somehow it’s Wednesday and I’m just getting around to the weekend wrap up. I’ve got some pretty solid links to make up for my lackluster scheduling, don’t fret. And tomorrow, a brief San Francisco recap!

• • Harry Styles visits Jimmy Fallon… or did he….
• • When I studied in Rome, the birds did this and it freaked me out.
• • The only clamp a type lover needs.
• • Perfect privacy door.
• • Speaking of doors, re-designing the door.
• • One of my favorite mood boards I’ve ever put together.
• • One great desk, two ways.
• • No thank you.
• • Have you been enjoying the Olympics?
• • I like this way of hanging two mirrors.

I need to get my act together on this blog. I have been such a slacker lately! I can blame a lot of things, mostly my hectic schedule and addiction to Game of Thrones, but I’ll try my hardest to post more consistently. Hold me to it! While I’m not blogging, though, I have been busy. I had a photo shoot for work yesterday, ate way too many of these, broke in a new notebook from Lea, used some leftover wedding decor for valentines, kicked my dog off the couch (again and again and again…) and checked out a new-to-me shop in town. Be sure to follow all the riveting adventures here and have a great night!

I have to keep reminding myself that it’s only Tuesday, because right now I just want to fast forward to Friday. The Red Head and I are packing our bags and hopping a flight to San Francisco! Two of my dearest friends live out that way and I’m kicking myself that it has taken this long to get a visit on the calendar. We’ve got three full days of fun planned so be sure to follow along on Instagram. And send any must-see’s my way, please! Hopefully the next few days fly by…

Source: Pinterest (anyone know the original?)

It has taken me triple the normal amount of time it does to normally write this blog post because I’m 100% distracted by the Olympics. I might need to turn them off if I plan to get anything accomplished today. It becoming an issue. I’m even dreaming about the Olympics. Thankfully, not all my links are Olympic-related this week so enjoy!

• • Any blog post that references a ‘Bop It’ is OK in my book.
• • A mid-winter playlist for these blustery months.
• • We launched a fun project at work this week.
• • Nutella swirled banana bread needs to happen in my life soon.
• • A beautiful family and a beautiful look book.

It’s time, it’s time, it’s finally time! It’s time for the Olympics, guys! I already started my viewing duties last night with some figure skating and snowboarding but tonight I’m all set for the Opening Ceremonies. I’m making a feast of appetizers, gathering a few friends and plopping on the couch to watch the spectacle. I am so excited for the weeks ahead and the stories that are sure to unfold. Hope you watch them as well and we can dish here about all the action! For now, though, I’ll just be in my living room chanting ‘U-S-A’!

Source: Buzzfeed