Non Muggles for a Day

I am so glad that I am finally getting the chance to share our pictures from Universal Studios. I have become completely infatuated with Harry Potter within the last year and when I had a chance to visit universal studios a few weeks ago, I couldn't wait to see the Wizzarding World of Harry Potter.

We took in all of the experiences that Hogsmeade had to offer. We tried butterbeer, saw the wands at Olivanders, bought candy at Honeydukes, ate lunch at the Three Broomsticks, rode the Hippogriff, went on dueling dragons, walked through Hogwarts and went on the Harry Potter Roller Coaster.

All in all it was an absolutely fabulous day. The weather was perfect and although it was quite a pricey day ($168 dollars to get in) ((we bought the flash passes)) it was well worth every penny and we talk about that day often.

Envious((in a good sort of way)) I guess they call that inspiration

This week hasnt been all that kind to me. I had hoped to have my pictures from Florida up by now but thats just not happening. Instead, let me share my favorite blogs lately.
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Nat the Fat Rat: I only found this little slice of heaven recently. I mean if blog envy is a real thing, I have it out for this one. Her posts are centered around life with her little one and her husband and their life in the NYC. Not to mention her style is gorg.
Annapolis & Company: I got caught up with this blog a few months ago when I stumbled upon the post about her son's birth story. The honesty and comedy incorporated into this post hooked me. I couldn't stop reading after that. Also, she has one of the best link-ups and I secretly dream of her photographing my wedding some day. ((guess its not such a secret anymore))


Life of Bon: This girl is hilarious. Not to mention I love reading her posts about teaching high schoolers.
Gussy Sews: This was one of the first blogs I ever started reading. And each day I read her post. She just had a baby and honestly, I was so anxious to find out the news that he had finally arrived. I was actually checking instagram and twitter obsessively to see if there were any updates on the arrival. I look forward to reading all the milestones of this new little guy.


Smile and Wave: Her house tour posts are my absolute favorite. She really has a knack for vintage decorating. I also enjoy reading her DIY posts. They are extremely "do-able" but look fabulous when they are finished.
Nish Weiseth: Nish is such an inspiration. Her posts are insightful and thought provoking. I love sitting down and scrolling through her posts with a hot cup of tea. Im hoping to read some of her published work someday soon!

I hope to be just like all these ladies when I grow up.

a weekend of good eating and good friends with a trip on the horizon

1// I was dog sitting my parents dog for the weekend. He was so upset about them leaving that he wouldn't eat or drink anything the whole time I was there(beside a few dry biscuits).

2// Havent had Starbs in ages. The barista convinced me to try a Hazelnut Macchiato instead of my usual Hazelnut latte with skim. I wouldn't recommend it. She told me she would make me something else if I didn't like it but I didn't have the heart to tell her.

3// Lunch at Biaggi's an Italian cafe in Madison. I had a turkey and avocado sandwich with some sort of balsamic dressing on it and a bowl of creamy chicken soup. to.die.for. If you are ever in the Madison area, try Biaggi's.

4// Dalton was in desperate need of a new shirt for my dads wedding this weekend. Its beach casual and I loved this shirt. Not sure he is so keen on it but ah, whatever.

5// Some much needed time chatting with these two girls on Saturday night.

6// Gourmet Omelets on Sunday morning. Every ingredient you could think of! Matt should really think about opening up a breakfast joint.

7// My mom got me this adorable mug. It says "alligator" on the side. Of course a nick name for anybody with the name ali.

8// Dalton and I are headed to Florida with my grandma and aunt on Thursday. My dad is getting married on Saturday and I wouldn't miss it for the world. I'm glad that Dalton will be with too. It will be a nice little distraction from all that is going on at school. Not to mention we will be hitting up the Wizzarding World of Harry Potter on Sunday.




Hope you had a good weekend too!

To all of You

//via//

Rarely do I ever sit down at my computer at 7:09pm and write a blog post.
I just have so much tugging on my heart strings. So much that is dying to get out.

To the two people that fell in love and created a son, and then a daughter

To the person that showed me that love truly is unconditional

To the teacher that visited during the summer to make sure 2x2 was mastered

To the dad that taught me that if I could ride on two wheels, I could rule the world

To the woman that fights every single day for women less fortunate

To the girl friend that taught me that a box of wine is cheap but never disappoints

To the boy that taught me that love shows up in unexpected places...like english class

To the girl that taught me innocence is indeed bliss

To the mom that taught me how beautiful diversity is

To the friend that taught me life always goes on

To the cousin is preparing to bring a "little" into the world

To the blog friends that prove its not about how many people read this post

To the grandparents that never turned down a garage party, or a chocolate malt

To the elderly man that never fails to send a card, every week

To the brother that wasn't afraid to call dad because "I had to learn the hard way"







-----------> Your love has never failed me. <------------------ And every day it never fails to amaze me how much I have learned. And guess what? I'm only 19. I have so much more to be taught. I challenge you to think of all the big ((and small)) things that you learn throughout the day and throughout the grand scheme of this crazy, crazy world.

Singing in the rain and showering babies

Seems like a weird combo...I guess I could explain.


Maddie (dalton's sweet step sister) was involved with her high school's production of Singing in the Rain. This particular high school has some real talent. The singing and dancing was second to none. I ended up missing a good portion of the musical after being locked out of the aud. for quite some time. They let me back to my seat (without my ticket) right before intermission and just in time to see the "singing in the rain" scene.


Saturday was my cousins "friend" baby shower. I guess a cousin falls into the category of both family and friend so I went to both shower's. After not receiving much off of her registry at the family baby shower we hosted, Jolynn was relieved to receive some much needed items at the "friends" shower. Baby "o" was extremely active during the shower and we could see him moving around from across the room. It is such a remarkable thing to witness. I sure cant wait to see him though!

Dalton was in an ice fishing tournament with some of this good friends on Saturday. That night I offered to pick him up after having dinner with my parents. He was ready to get out of the cold so I drove to where I thought he would be. I could not find him anywhere. He was trying to explain where he was but it was dark and I just could not figure it out. The frustration and worry is only amplified by the fact that the spot where they were fishing is directly across from the Mental Health Hospital and a large, very dark wooded area. To make a long story short I was driving and crying and scared (inside the car) while Dalton is wandering through the woods of the mental hospital. We were both freaked out but I found him in the end. He ended up walking all the way out to the main road where I finally spotted him. Phew.

Sunday afternoon we met "soft grandpa" for lunch at one of our favorite local italian deli's

((Fraboni's Italian Deli, Madison WI))



Linking up here:

((Story People))

"He loved her for almost everything she was & she decided that was enough to let him stay for a very long time."

Have you guys heard of Story People? If you havent seen any of their work you can find out more about them here.

My mom got me hooked on these beautiful works of art. She has the one seen above displayed in her house and she has given me several of the prints.
This one hangs above my desk.



My mom gave me this one when I moved to college. I'll admit, it made me tear up a little bit.


"There has never been a day when I have not been proud of you, I said to my daughter. Though some days I'm louder about other stuff so its easy to miss that."