Hip hip hooray!

Two super exciting anniversaries happened this past month! The first was my little blog space here is 1 years old. Its exciting to see where I've been and where I'm going...I love it! The second is the 3 year anniversary of Riley and I. Its crazy to think I've had this boy in my life for that long. 

With both things (the blog and the boy) its been such an amazing ride! I hope for so many more adventures:) Hooray!

From oh so long ago...

 Much love,

Sara

P.S. Sorry for my absence...I've been busy and kinda lazy but mainly living life!

Let's go on a bike ride!

 Now that chem has been conquered! I feel as though colors are brighter, the sun shines more and the creative juices are flowing! Hooray! So Riley and I decided to take advantage of the sunshine and adventure into the wilderness on our bikes. Even though we were only away from home for a half hour, it was a nice adventure. We have both decided that it is necessary for us to get out more and enjoy our too short MN summers. So here's to no chem and more adventures!

Much love,

Sara

Ropa: date with the boy

So I am surviving chemistry but barely. I am in the home stretch people! Woohoo! However, its been generally stressful. I started my job on Monday (hooray....money and best and most fun kids) but doing that plus chem has taken a toll on me. Literally I am a mess; I've developed what I believe to be TMJ from clenching my teeth and I'm just gosh darn tired. But I guess after living the good life in spain for 3 months and then hanging out for the last 2...I deserve it!  So after spending the last few weeks getting as much chem done as possible and then starting to work, it was time for Riley and I to go on a date. We went to our favorite little town close by and walked around the farmers market, cute shops, ate tacos at a cool newish restaurant and saw Kopecky family band at a radio event. It was a super fun adventure! 

Riley was a great photographer and I hope he's ready to get more jobs from me and this blog. Also, as we were about to leave he asked, "does Riley need photos of himself". It was basically the cutest so I had to take some of him. It was super happy so along with my outfit you got a Riley outfit too (which is great because I'm pretty sure he has better style then me sometimes).

Gosh I love spending time with that boy!

Sara: shirt Banana Republic// skirt thrifted // belt thrifted // shoes Saltwater // earrings Francesca's // necklace gift from mama // purse Sak //

Riley: pirate ship shirt gift from me (Etsy) // button shirt h&m // shorts h&m // shoes Sperry's // necklaces from me (Etsy) //

Much love,

Sara

Ropa: I hated everything in my closet today so I wore this

Saturday the boyfriend and I went on an adventure with Bear (aka dog in photo one) but before we went I stared at my closet hating everything. At this point it was already 4pm (I was still in pjs...) and I was running late..so after trying on everything in my closet. I threw on my tried and true grey stripped T from gap, a sweater and was done. I struggle but its not completely my fault...this weather is cray. Friday it was mid 70s and then saturday maybe mid 50s, plus we were by a lake and it was windy. One  can only hope the weather will start to be more summer like on a consistent schedule....but until then I will struggle to dress myself.

Much love,

Sara

Foodie: Cafe Maude and a date night

Riley and I went on a dinner/movie date last Thursday on our 2.5 year anniversary ironically, as kind of a final goodbye to winter break and a hello to spring semester. We tried out Cafe Maude (because my amazing bosses gave me a gift card). The atmosphere was amazing and as was the food. We got the house fries with truffle sauce and bacon/chipotle popcorn to share. For our main course I had lamb skewers and Riley had an amazing burger. Overall our experience was great and super chill!  

After dinner we went closer to home to see The Hobbit. I would say that was great as well! And when we went outside it had snowed even more so my boy scraped my windshields as I sat in the car to stay warm. I would say I am pretty blessed to have him. 

Happy New year and much love,

Sara

P.S. I just want to note that I go to spain on Saturday...AHHH! I feel so unprepared but so excited!

DIY: Tie blanket

Hooray for DIY christmas gifts! I decided to make Riley a large tie blanket so he could wrap up and stay warm while I am away in Spain. So I was going to go with the traditional tie blanket but I found this tutorial for tying but with smoother and cleaner edges. 

Supplies: Two pieces of fleece (1-3yds. is standard, I used 2.5 yds.), safety pins, scissors, ruler, paper

1. Lay out fleece so edges line up and safety pin together.

2. Cut out a square of the corners. Look at the tutorial I used (I forgot to take a pic).

3. Using the paper, cut out a template for the length and width of your fleece strips. 

4.  Using the template cut strips for each side. As you cut a strip flip fleece strips so they lay flat on top of the top fleece. 

5. Once you have cut your strips go back around and and cut a small slit in each strip. 

6. Thread both fleece strips through the small slit.

Overall, people have said it takes longer but I think it was more convenient and looks much better than the traditional tie style! And even more importantly I think Riley loves it! 

Much love,

Sara

A birthday note to my honey

A (embarrassing) picture from our first birthday celebrated together. 

 Riley,

Happy birthday my love. This special day we share has tied us together forever and I am forever grateful for your presence in my life.  For today I hope it is filled with joy, peace and the realization that you make a difference in so many peoples lives. Thank you for being my sunshine and make me happy when skies are gray. Happy 19th birthday!

All my love forever and ever,

Sara

My favorite recent picture of us:)

Last week and weekend in September

So I have been MIA again...sorry! I've been catching up from the last week in September, when I was CRAZY! It was homecoming week and we baked over 700 cookies, made a cookie costume, went to Mall of America, a Twins baseball game, walked in a parade, hung out with my floor amigos until the wee hours of the morning and did homework...kinda! I even got a wicked bruise to remember the weekend (via falling out of a car moving 1mph). Needless to say it was a swell weekend!

Monday-Wednesday: bake 700 cookies, sew cookie costume, do school and homework.

Friday: Class, Mall of America (see Riley!!!), twins game with roomie and friends.











Saturday: Parade, laundry, nap, hang out with friends until 4am!

Sunday: Homework, procrastination at its finest and a bruise!

Much love,

Sara

Long Distance Dating (and Friendships)

Reuniting at MOA. :)

Though I am no relationship expert, nor do I  have more experience than a 20 year old college student, I find that there are things you can do when trying to keep bonds strong and relationships flourishing while apart. Now, even though Riley and I are only 2 hours apart during the college months (and 10 minutes during non-college times) it can be tough on a relationship. So here is my little advice...

1) Be understanding.
When far apart you can't expect your significant other or friend to travel and see you every weekend and break you guys have. That would just be crazy. Understand that they still love you, but must take time to grow on their own. You both need to have time alone and to experience life alone...which leads me to my next point!

2) Have a life outside of your relationship.
I have watched relationships crumble because they spend too much time together and have basically become one single person. That is not ok...as harsh as that sounds. You want to have a bond that 's strong, but don't be obsessive over each other. You need to develop a life (friends, hobbies, activities) outside of the other person. It 's healthy.

3) Make time for each other.
Simple as that. Whether its a phone call, texts, Skyping or really being together make sure it happens. It also makes missing them easier to handle when apart, if you know something good is coming up.

4) A relationship is a two way street.
You must take turns visiting each others places. There cannot be one person who burdens themselves with the total cost and time of flying/driving/traveling to the other persons place. Balance is the key in all relationships.

5) Catch up on life.
Relating back to number 3. Every week Riley and I try to talk on the phone to see what has really been going on,because as much as we do text, you don't know what 's happening in lie. We exchange stories and just laugh and discuss about how crazy this professor is and how the boy down the hall rode a bike through the building. We want to be connected so we take the time to do so.

6) You will miss each other.
And it will be sad.  but you can work through it. I believe in you!

7) If something is meant to be, it will be. 
You can't force any part of a relationship. Riley and I agreed before starting college that we were (and are) both willing to work for our relationship. We both know though, that there's a difference between forcing something to work, and being willing to work for it. The biggest way that we work for it is that we both know that communication is one of the most important parts of any relationship, and that we know that we can talk to one another when things aren't working out, to problem solve together.

Do there it is..the Sara advice for dating long distance. If you have any additional advice, as always, I love to hear about it! 

Much love,

Sara

Trampled by Turtles

This weekend combined a few of my favorite things! Live music, Trampled by Turtles and some of my best guy friends! Friday mid-morning Riley drove down and we got to catch up and he got to meet some of my friends here. Later afternoon my bro (Ryan) and friends Mitch and Alex came down to go to the Trampled by Turtles concert. We arrived at the outdoor venue around 7 and listen to two opening acts and then tramped went on at 9:30. AH! They are so good live. Literally I just love them. They are a mix of bluegrass, rock and just plain old amazing string instruments! So good! They are a local Minnesota band from Duluth. Seriously look them up! And in addition to seeing an amazing band I got to spend some quality time with my favorite guys (we even took some time to take band pics of them;)! It was a very fabulous weekend.

Much love,

Sara