LEMON JOLLY RANCHERS AND CANOE FORTS IN SAND

This weekend just needed ONE more day in it.

Can I get an AMEN! there please?

Here are the good things that have been goin' on lately:

Rainbow Instagrams!

1: OMG. Everyone. Remember like...5-6 years ago when they got rid of Lemon Jolly Ranchers and put in blue raspberry instead? I do. And I was so bummed. You know what's sweet? They now have bags of ALL LEMON jolly ranchers in stores. Yes, this is the kind of thing that excites me on a daily basis.

2. Orange-on-orange-on-orange. Favorite new tee paired with two orange necklaces.

3. Tomatoes from Michael's little balcony garden!

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CAMPANOEVENTURE! 

Okay that's not a real word...but I've been trying to find a catchy name for our camping/canoeing adventure this weekend- clearly I'm failing. Michael & I went on an awesome trip with some favorite friends on the Wisconsin River this weekend, and it took all my power not to share the billion pictures I took on Instagram.

 Left: Well, you can't have a canoe trip without a pretty canoe picture, right?

Right: River rocks. Gorgeous.

 Left: Michael & Josh being the badasses they are drinking Colt 45

Right: Despite some rain once we got to our island and set up camp, we still got a lovely sunset!

 After a while of being on our sandbar island we realized it was going to storm. Rather than hide out in our tents- the boys built a little shelter out of our canoes and coolers. I'm not going to lie- it was awesome! We had to scurry under there and hide from the rain a few times- each time watching the downpour over the river. The kids inside of us loved hiding under our fort.

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That's what my last week looked like,

What good happened for you, friends?

Anyone else get jazzed about lemon jolly ranchers? I know I can't be the only one excited....

xo, lp

(find me on instagram here!)

BIG NECKLACES, FLOATIES, AND THE PERFECT SUMMER SUNSET

Whatup team.

The weather is truly summer like. 85+ and thunderstorming daily. Yes, thunderstorming is now officially a word. Normally I love storms, but me and mah new car are terrified of hail. And wind. And flying tree branches. Boo.

Here's what's been going on lately:

I own too many big necklaces. Someone stop me:

 shirt (on major clearance)  //  necklace

We had a little work get-to-know you at the Terrace the other night. We couldn't have asked for a more perfect sunset!

You better believe I'm ready for the 4th of July! I have a ton of plans for fun snacks and drinks...and put my red & blue washi to good use this weekend- crafts on the blog soon!

Sunday was THE perfect pool day. Oh my goodness. So. Much. Sun. Michael stole my pool floatie like a big jerk:

I also spent some time editing photos of my GORGEOUS friend Dani for the launch of her new blog & business site. Yes I like to take pictures. Even if my sister is the professional- with a model like Dani, you kind of can't go wrong. I mean, come on:

And finally... like I mentioned, I'm ready for the 4th. Here's the recipe for tomorrow. It's the easiest one I've ever posted, but that doesn't mean it's not deeeee-licious...

What did you do this weekend everyone?

Pool time? Work? Picnics? Weddings?

Tell me something good!

xo, lp

find me on instagram HERE!

GIRL YOU FANCY!

Mmmk. So here's what's been happening lately:

1. Sometimes, friends know just how to make you feel good. My girl Dani made dinner and this kick butt cookie cake as a congrats on the promotion I mentioned last week. Like, who does that? And rather than just having the cake say "congrats" it said:

2. I wish I could link to these neon yellow flats so everyone I know could own them, but I got them at an Old Navy outlet. Bummer. They are the best shoes I own, I think. Also: please note M's basil plant. Giant.

3. As if enough exciting things weren't already going on- I bought my first real NEW car this weekend. EEP! It's dark grey and pretty and I love it. Is it wrong to want to hug your car? Probably.

4. My STUNNING sister Louisa was in town this weekend. Oh geez. So much amazing sister time! Isn't she lovely? 

5. This post would be pages long if I told you about all the fun things we did, but probably the most mature thing was getting Tattly fake tattoos. I'm totally scared about getting a real tattoo - but having a fake one for a few days kind of rocked.  

6. On a completely unrelated note, I've decided this is the perfect summer necklace to wear with a plain white tee. Tulle has a ton of great necklaces under $25, but this baby is my favorite!

7. Since you all know I enjoy teasing you about what Tuesday recipe is on its way...here's what is coming your way tomorrow:::

Random other sidenotes:

1. Happy Father's Day AGAIN to my dad, the best daddy out there

2. CONGRATS to my friend Sam, who found out she'll be having a baby boy in October!

What good things did you do this weekend, friends?

Fake tattoos, anyone?

xo, lp

Pssssst: I <3 Instagram. Find me here!

STOP TRYING TO MAKE "SUMMER" HAPPEN.

Have you guys all seen the movie Mean Girls? You know when Regina George is being a real wench to her friend Gretchen (who is trying to turn the word "fetch" into a cool word)? 

She says to Gretchen:

"STOP trying to make "fetch" happen. It's not going to happen"

I feel like that is what Mother Nature is trying to tell Wisconsin about summer, that it's just not going to happen...and Wisconsin only semi-listens. 5 days of 50 degrees and rain....followed by 1 day of 74 and sunny. ::repeat::

Hope you're following me here. Either way, this weekend kicked butt, and we had not one but TWO days where it didn't rain most of the time. I even got to wear short sleeves one day. Amazing.

Here's what's been up lately:

1. It was finally nice enough to wear this soft, amazing GAP tee:

2. Saturday we had a full day/night with our friends that was Mexican themed. Only Mexican beer, pop, food. It was awesome. Especially because Jarritos are pretty to look at:

3. I stole this picture from Dani- but she captured the best shot of our watermelon basil margaritas.Yum.

4. Naturally I had to make guacamole. I mean, come on. It was DELICIOUS. You may just see a recipe for it on the blog soon :)  

5. I had to take this cheesy picture to prove there were blue skies. And because I painted my nails and didn't pick off the polish for like a solid 8 hours (new record).

6. In other news, I bought some awesome colorful paper straws from an Etsy shop a bit back and they arrived this weekend. SUPER cheap, and so cheery! If you're looking for fun straws or washi tape for a party- I highly recommend the shop Loollipop (no, not a typo).  She was super accomodating when I bought these straws and some other goodies. Yes, I compulsively put them in rainbow order...

7. Sunday Michael and I headed downtown to fish with our friend Ben. It was STUNNING on lake Mendota. I even stole Michael's iPhone for a few panoramas!

How was your weekend, friends?

Tell me something good!

xo, lp

psssssssssssst: do you love instagram as much as i do? find me HERE!

IT'S GONNA BE MAYYYYYYYYYY.

Why oh why did this weekend go by so quickly?

Both of our parents were in town and after everything last week, it was much needed family time. 

If you're looking for a good way to make your coworkers smile, Google this image and leave it at the end of their April calendar. My friend Emily got me with this the other week and I laugh every time I see it! If you don't get it, sing it in your best JT voice...

I cannot even say how much I love my latest grab from Kate Spade Saturday. Since I'm a big mug hoarder I couldn't resist these two- and only $10 each! Free shipping both ways, too...

Every year the UW Madison Varsity band puts on a concert-and for the last 4 years I've gone to it with Michael's family. I can't even call it a concert- it is a full out SHOW. A few hundred band members, streamers, pyro, singing-you name it, they got it. If you're ever in Wisconsin at the end of April you've gotta go!

 Sunday included a trip to Costco, aka mecca. Michael's parents hooked us up with enough toothpaste to last us for like a year. Yessssssssss. Also- how do we feel about concrete floors in homes? I kind of love the look but also kind of think I'm enough of a klutz that'd I'd slip and knock myself out?

 Sunday also meant a trip to Home Depot to get MORE plants. Can you tell we're anxious for it to finally be spring around here? I'm already coming up with some killer cocktails with this rosemary, mint, and basil!

 Speaking of recipes, tomorrow I'll be sharing a recipe for this:

What did you do that was great this weekend, friends?

Tell me something good!

xo, lp

pssssssssssssst: find me on Instagram here! 

55 DEGREES? THAT'S SHORTS WEATHER!

Oh geez. 

Do you ever have one of those weekends that REALLY feels like a weekend? You weren't rushed, or working from home. You weren't too busy or bogged down with chores. Come Sunday night you feel refreshed and ready for the week ahead.

That was this weekend for me. It was the perfect balance of time with friends, family, and Michael. I even went to the gym twice. Boom. Champion.

Here's what's been up lately:

Word on the street is the weather is going to turn nasty again, so I'm getting in springy clothes while I can!

I came home from work the other day and Michael had gotten home early and cleaned the apartment & bought a bouquet of gorgeous flowers. He's a keeper, folks:

This weekend we did one of my favorite things: blow up the air mattress and put it in the living room with all of our blankets. Saturday night we watched a movie and Sunday afternoon we took cat naps and watched some hockey. Best. Idea. Ever.

In Michael's cleaning escapade he cleaned off our coffee table, which is usually overly cluttered with mail, books, cups, and other random things. I took the time to put out some of my favorite items to spruce it up. I give it about 2 days to stay this nice looking...

Sunday was GORGEOUS. We decided to walk around downtown Madison and a local tea shop had this sign outside:

It's true! There were people wearing shorts! 

We also walked around UW Madison campus (where we met-cue the "awww!")- and man I appreciate how gorgeous the buildings are so much more now that I'm not racing to class. 

 Finally, we had dinner at a restaurant I used to work at off the capitol square...and took the obligatory iPhone panorama of the empty square!

How was your weekend?

If you didn't camp out in your living room, I highly recommend it! 

xo, lp

** also- i'll be sharing my new favorite quinoa recipe tomorrow! quinoa is one of the worst looking, best tasting super foods- be sure to check back tomorrow! **

psssssssst: let's be instagram friends, shall we?

i'm @lpodlich- find me here!

I HOPE YOU ENJOY THE CLEARANCE CANDY

Before we go any further, let me just say:

To my friends observing Passover- I hope you all haven't turned into a giant piece of matzah.

To my friends celebrating Easter- I hope you enjoyed your egg hunts and pastel treats.

To my friends not partaking in either- I hope you enjoy the 50% off candy at Target.

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A few things:

1. I like all of you A LOT! That's why I'm doing an awesome giveaway with The First Snow. You can win a gorgeous print or set of cards (worth up to $50)- and all you have to do is tell me your favorite thing in her shop. Easy right? No hoops to jump through! Click HERE to enter! Ends in less than 2 days! 

prints all via the first snow

2. I've finally ditched the sweaters! HURRAY for being 40 degrees!!!

3. We went back to Michael's hometown this weekend since his family has a big Easter celebration. We were lucky enough to see Michael's best friend's play a show in town! (If you live in MN, check out Rochester Revival!)

4. I did traditional Easter egg dyeing for the first time...turns out I'm not to great at it (I thought it was foolproof?). Please note my hideous rabbit that looks more like a voodoo doll. Aaaand Michael's jack-o-lantern. #holidayconfused

5. Tomorrow I'm sharing one of my favorite sweet recipes in a while. It is totally baking for lazy people- so if you love making baked things for family/coworkers but don't like the effort- this will be the recipe for you!

What did you do this weekend?

Brownie points if you entered the giveaway!

xo, lp

pssssssssssssssssssst: find me on instagram! @lpodlich

A FEW WAYS TO PRETEND IT ISN'T WINTER.

Hey friends.

You're in luck! Hopefully this is the last time I'll be whining about the weather- although it's snowing right now it is supposed to be 45 by Friday. 45 DEGREES! That's bikini weather around here! Yippee!!!!

Here's how I've been pretending it isn't still winter:

1. Wearing obnoxiously bright clothing. This picture doesn't do this shirt justice. Neee-on.

2. Making Reeses Peanut Butter eggs of all sizes (so addictive, watch out!)

3. Making chalkboard eggs (good in theory- but unless you set them somewhere right away they smudge a lot!)

4. Painting eggs and hiding them around our shelves...

5. Going to townie bars and playing shuffleboard with friends!

 6. Telling the cool people who read your blog about a sweet giveaway that'll be happening soon... (get excited people, this is a good one!)

What have YOU been doing to pretend it's not winter/get ready for spring?

If you want some PB eggs, please come over. I made wayyyy too many!

xo, lp

Pssssssssssssssssssssssst: Find me (@lpodlich) on Instagram here!