{skincare 101} keepin' it clean & clear

Hi there!

I've spoken a couple of times about mixing up my skincare routine in order to make sure my money maker is as clear, healthy, and (in the future) wrinkle-free as possible. I'm really happy with how much having a set regimen morning and night has paid off so quickly for me! I do have to admit that I inherited good skin from my mama. Aside from the tortuous days of middle school breakouts (possibly brought on by the mop of bangs I had yet to grow out), I've had a relatively easy road when it comes to keeping my face clear of acne. Which is really good because I also inherited an incredibly fair complexion from mi madre, and nothing stands out more on a white canvas than a bright red blemish. I always envied my darker complected friends during my teen years, as their breakouts were easily masked behind that golden glow. The only glow my skin put off was the glare from a camera flash bouncing off my pale cheeks and forehead. Sexy. 

so ... i bowl

I'm in a bowling league. Yes, it's true. On (most) Tuesday nights, you can find me at Park Tavern, over-indulging in pizza, Michelob Golden Light (the pride of Minnesota), and pathetic bowling scores.

{finding joy} a series



photo from revelife.com


Given that the entire aim of this blog is to point people in the direction of finding joy in the everyday of life, I realized that I should probably do more of that, so I'm going to start a weekly "finding joy" post. I'm not sure what it'll look like yet, but for the first post, I thought I'd share with you some of the little joys I've found in MY everyday just this week. I hope it encourages you to celebrate some of the seemingly normal but really extraordinary moments that we experience each and every day.

{lately} in chi-town

1. Had a great time in Chicago this past weekend with my family! Had brunch at Little Goat, the new breakfast place from the same chef of Girl and the Goat - so yummy. Followed that up with manis and pedis with the girls (thanks, Abby!) while the boys hit up a legit "man cave" to smoke cigars and drink bourbon. Reunited in the afternoon at Barn & Company for linner (two meals in the day: brunch & linner) - surprisingly great BBQ for a place in the city! And finished the day with the Million Dollar Quartet, which was pretty much a tribute to Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins. I'm pretty sure days don't get much better than Saturday was. After the show, my mom and dad stayed in to watch Soph Bug while the 3 kids and our better halves met up with my cousin, Grant, at the local Logan Square bars. Can I just say that I love my family?

happy birthday to you

Happy 25th Birthday today to my sister-in-law, Anya! I gladly forfeit the "baby of the family" title (by 5 days!) and opening Christmas presents first to have you for a sister! I love the spunk you bring to our family, your incredible fashion sense, your loyalty to the Volunteers and that hideous orange (I kid! Kind of ...), and the way you love my brother and everything that makes him Clay. And I'm so excited for you to teach me all about what it takes to be a southern gal!

I love you and can't wait to celebrate you this weekend in Chicago!

{must read} Bread & Wine

Anyone who knows me know that I am a HUGE Shauna Niequist fan. Sometimes I think we're best friends despite never having met and her not knowing I exist. But it's okay, the best friendships take time, so I still have hope.

Anyway. Her first two books, Cold Tangerines and Bittersweet are both in my top 5 favorite books. She writes in a way that makes you feel like you're sitting across from her at a local coffee shop while she shares her life with you. My copies are both currently in circulation around the greater United States, making their ways into the hands of and encouraging my closest friends that I insisted read them.

keys to a successful roadtrip

I'm driving to Chicago Thursday night for a weekend of McConnell family fun. When A drives, it takes six hours because he's a) a good driver and b) doesn't stop. ever.

But since he'll be flying in from Raleigh, I'll be making the Minne to Chicago leg of the trip alone and am thus in full road trip preparation mode. It's only seven hours (yes, I added on an extra one there, given past experiences), but seven hours after working a full day is a long seven hours - and I'm not exactly the best at being awake in a car after dark. So, alas, below find the keys to a successful roadtrip for Mary: