it's about damn time!

after weeks of cold and rainy days, the sun and warmth of summer has finally reached minnesota! i can't wait to spend the afternoon outside. i've been working a lot lately, and don't get me wrong, i need the cash flow, but definitely cringe when i look out the windows and see a beautiful day, while i'm stuck inside.

...but today i have work off! luke and i are going to do a quick kettleworx sesh (seriously the best workout EVER!) and then are headed back to big lake for the day to hang out with his family. we might even get the boat out on the lake. LOVE.

sorry to keep it so short, but I GOTTA GET OUTSIDE. :)

xox, eden

the future.

(source)

this week has given me a lot of time to think about the future. luke and i have had this discussion many times throughout the past year, and have yet to come to a conclusion about what our future holds. we know two things for sure: luke is going to grad school (where is the question) and that i am going to get a job as a teacher (how and where are the questions). i am so proud of luke and how much he has accomplished in his educational career. he is by far the smartest person i know, and i know he will have no problems getting into a school with a good program. this scares the crap out of me. he's applying at schools across the united states, from california to new york to pennsylvania to illinois, and more. up until recently, i've been nothing but excited about this. i mean seriously...we're getting out of minnesota, the only place we've known as home for our entire lives.

the reason i've had so much time to think is because luke has been in chicago with his family. he made appointments to meet with two different colleges about their grad programs, and from what he's told me over the phone, he loves it there. i really wish i was there so i could be getting excited about it. if you think about it, our big move would be only like a year from the end of summer, if not sooner. it just gets closer and closer, and now i'm starting to panic because when people ask me what we're doing after we graduate i have nothing concrete to tell them...just, "luke's going to grad school. so, where ever that takes us." i would just like to make it clear that i have no problem going where he needs to go. my career, while semi-inflexible, is definitely more flexible then his. it's what married people do for each other. :)

needless to say, while i am nervous, i think my most recent realization is that i am so excited for what the future holds for us...because it is our future. the one we're going to share, and talk about, and grow old together during. there are not words to describe how excited i am to experience it...

...no matter where it takes us. (hehe...us. i like the sound of that)

i love you, luke.

& miss you. you can come home now.

xox, eden

i'm sure some of you already have, but...

...you must see the moving blue valentine. it is beyond fabulous, and since recieving it for my birthday i've watched it twice already. IN. LOVE. WITH. THIS. MOVIE. period.

seriously...go rent it...or buy it...just see it.     now.

fitness monday {is back!!}

it has literally been probably a year since my last fitness monday post, but as motivation to myself, and hopefully to my readers, i've decided to bring it back! with a wedding in less than a year, i've really been trying to get back into my routine. i know how ridiculous it starts to sound, when you continually have to be trying to "get back into a healthy lifestyle," but it is something that i have always struggled with. as a child i was scrawny as hell, and ate whatever i wanted in something most people would consider to be outrageous portion sizes. mountain dew was my drink, and i would make cookie dough just for the sake of eating it. healthy wasn't in the mix except for family dinners. despite my incredibly unhealthy snacking, i didn't gain weight. then i started college, and slowly i gained the typical freshman 15...or 20. so...this is me trying to find fun recipes that are healthy, and that will help motivate me to get into the kitchen to extend my life, and the life of my amazing fiance.

so, to get things rolling again, i decided to do this week on healthy cookbooks. i, of course, am a vegetarian, but these cookbooks are great for anyone! living a vegetarian lifestyle has helped me to feel healthy again. my head is clear, and rather then continue gaining weight, i've hit a plateau. so here is a list of my top three favorite healthy cookbooks:

1. skinny bitch: ultimate everyday cookbook: my incredibly sister got me this book for my birthday, and i already have a ton of recipes bookmarked. i'm hoping that if i just start to slide these recipes into my meat-lovin' fiance's diet, he won't even notice. :) 

2. the kind diet: (ok so it's also a diet book, but it has GREAT tips for eating healthy, and cutting the crap!)

3. the conscious cook: i've heard great things about this cookbook. he does a lot with meat-substitutes, which originally made me a bit nervous, but i've definitely discovered some fake meats that i love.

have any of you tried any recipes from these books? or have any new suggestions? 

xox, eden

ps. i'm always curious to hear what my readers want. so...what types of fitness monday posts would you like to see? fitness? healthy eating? other diet/lifestyle/fitness blogs? any ideas? :)

{wedding} links to love.

love everything about this vintage engagement shoot. especially the swimming pictures. :)

this wedding, particularly their guest book. what a cute idea!

this bridesmaids dress in daffodil.

i am loving these customizable totes, by the wedding chicks. seriously such a cute idea!

i'm thinking something like this would rock as an "altar" or as decor for the reception. maybe for cards?

these escort cards are too stinkin' cute. a lot of work...but cute nonetheless.

this free online wedding look book is awesome. all of their ideas are brilliant and beautiful!

yes, please. i would love these for my wedding since i'm awkwardly tall, and refuse to wear heels. ;)

i love the idea of customizable stamps for invites and such. so adorable, and such a time/money saver!

xox, eden

ps. if you have any awesome wedding inspiration, send it my way! i can't get enough of wedding blogs/websites! :)

pps. luke and i have THREE appointments on thursday! one with my future mother-in-law's friend (who just happens to be a wedding planner), one with a ceremony venue (that just happens to be my childhood church renovated), and one with a possible reception venue! we're beyond thrilled

ppps. tomorrow's my 22nd birthday. i feel old. hopefully the weather doesn't ruin my day! can't wait to spend the day with my closest friends!

loving this.

(source)

seriously, luke (skywalker)...hehe, jk...will die when he sees this.
it's the quirky little details that get me.

a sunday stroll through the gardens.

since my sister is visiting, luke and i decided to give her a tour of our favorite place. i've talked about munsinger gardens before, but every time i take a stroll through the gardens i fall in love with it all over again. it might just be the nerd in me...but i feel like i'm in narnia. go ahead, laugh.

someday, i'm going to know the names of flowers and plants. when luke and i buy a house someday, i'm going to have a garden with fresh herbs, flowers, and other shrubbery. i'll have to talk to the future mother-in-law about that. she's a total green thumb. her gardens are b-e-a-U-tiful. then when we have kids...they can weed the gardens. (learned that skill from my parents) yes, mom...i am talking to you. i'm scarred. 

anywho, in these pictures you will also realize why this is NOT a fashion blog. that's me...top bun, sweatshirt, and sweats...total scrub. but i guarantee i'm 100% comfortable. :)

do any of you have any hometown gems? what's your favorite place to go and relax? 

xox, eden

giveaway winner announced!

i'm here to announce the winner of the shabby apple necklace giveaway! so here goes:

congrats jenny! i'll be emailing you to get your information so your prize can be sent out!

xox, eden

i've got the wedding fever.

after being personal attendant to one of my best friends last weekend i've really gotten back into "wedding mode." haha. yes...i call it that. their wedding was absolutely beautiful, and i cried just a little too much. i was so disappointed to discover that my camera broke the week before the wedding, but to be honest, i don't think i would have taken many pictures. i was far too busy, and having far too much fun. ali was a beautiful bride, and jake looked fabulous in his uniform. luke and i are so happy for them, and i love knowing that they will both always be in my life.

on a side note, last year i did a post about a friend of mine who opened an etsy shop. her wedding pictures were recently posted, and they are absolutely BEAUTIFUL. the bride is just so creative. all of their decorations and gifts were handmade. i would be happy if i were half as creative as her. i'm so happy for her and her husband (another man in uniform!) they are so adorable together. here are a few pictures from their wedding.

*all photos courtesy of lace hanky photography (i just love them!)

summertime goals.

1. read read read! with all this spare time on my hands, and a must-read list that is a mile long, i have no excuse not to get a jump start on it!
2. get these wedding plans going. i can't believe how much goes into planning a wedding, and i have been looking for inspiration non-stop. i have an entire folder dedicated to images i find in random places. i've been emailing back and forth with a couple different venues. we should be scheduling some more visits soon! we need to pick a date already!
3. get moving! biking, running (ok...so i hate running,) rollerblading, hiking...whatever! i just wanna get off my butt and do something. there are so many days when no one has plans, i don't have to work, and so we sit around and hang out all day. there are so many beautiful paths, lakes, and scenery in our area. i wanna go exploring!
4. do something crafty. i used to scrapbook, paint, draw, and so much more. i miss it! somewhere in the chaos that is school, work, and life in general, i lost touch with that side of me. i want it back! even if it's just doing wedding stuff, i'm determined to do something crafty this summer!

what are your summertime goals? link up, and i'll read yours too!

xox, eden

quick update & GIVEAWAY reminder.

i'm currently sitting at caribou coffee because our internet has yet be be set up by our cable company. SO annoying. i can't tell you how much i've missed blogs over the last few days. luckily, we should be able to get it set up by tuesday. it's been especially annoying because in order to do any of my homework (which is what i'm supposed to be doing now...shh) i have to either go to the library and pay for parking, or a coffee shop and pay for coffee...i picked the coffee shop. :) it was a fairly easy decision.

DON'T forget! sign up for my giveaway...just one post down. it's a beautiful necklace that i am personally fawning over. :)

talk to you in a few days.

xox, eden

shabby apple giveaway! CLOSED

i am just so excited about this post. i have long been a fan of shabby apple. for those of you that aren't aware of what shabby apple has to offer, you are definitely missing out! they are an online boutique that sells the most beautiful dresses, jewelry, and swimsuits (among other things). they even have a selection of bridesmaid dresses and fitness wear. see what i mean when i said you're missing out? check 'em out! they also use 5% of their dress sales to help women world wide. so awesome!

they are giving away their "light as a feather" gold chain necklace to one of my lucky readers! (US residents only. sorry!)

to enter the giveaway:

1. become a follower of minnesota girl.

2. visit the shabby apple website.

3. leave a comment telling me what you're favorite item from the shabby apple is, along with your email address.

for additional entries: (leave an additional comment telling me of each extra entry, along with a link to your tweet/post)

1. "like" shabby apple on facebook.

2. tweet about the giveaway.

3. blog about the giveaway.

they are also offering minnesota girl's readers 10% off their shabby apple purchase using the coupon code: "minnesotagirl10off" the coupon expires 30 days from this post.

good luck to everyone! i'll be selecting a winner next friday, june 10th.

xox, eden