Fab Finds: Joia

Saturday afternoon, I caught up with Lindsay, a friend from high school.  I am pretty sure we haven't seen one another since we graduated from Wayzata High School in June of 2003.  (P.S. That seems like a long time ago!)  Anyway, she invited me over to her house in Edina, and we had the best time catching up.  We gossiped about old high school classmates, discussed what we "really do" at work, and completely enjoyed the company of one another.  Lindsay moved out to NYC with her hubby for a few years after graduating from undergrad at the U of M, and they've been back in the Minneapolis area for the past two years.  Last fall, when Josh and I visited NYC for the first time, Lindsay was kind enough to share with us her top places to go in NYC - it was a thorough list and I truly appreciated her input (word-of-mouth marketing is WAY better than reading it on tripadvisor).

When I first arrived at her house, she gave me the grand tour.  I'd already seen a few pictures on Facebook, but seeing it in person was more fun.  She's remodeling her kitchen this fall, and we've talked all about cabinets, surfaces, appliances, layouts, lighting...the works.  So, seeing her final picks for tile and countertop in person was exciting.

Anyway, after the tour, we sat in her beautifully landscaped backyard and sipped Joia Life sodas.  Um, DE-licious.  Apparently one of Lindsay's MBA projects was to do some marketing for Joia, and I'm so glad she did!  I enjoyed sipping the Pineapple, Coconut & Nutmeg beverage, while Lindsay sipped the Grapefruit, Chamomile & Cardamom beverage.  Heavenly.  Refreshing.  My mouth is literally watering now just thinking of them.  And, after doing a handy little Internet search, I learned I can purchase them at the Caribou on Mills Civic Parkway in West Des Moines.  I will probably have to go there tomorrow.  I can't wait...

I could sip you all day long, Joia!

Fab Finds: Forkly

On Sunday, I had brunch with Jaime - a good friend from high school - at Blackbird Cafe in Minneapolis.  We both ordered The Colleen Obrien [rancheros plus house made chorizo & avocado].  It was delicious.  Pretty much every time I'm up in Minneapolis, Jaime and I have the opportunity to catch up and it's really wonderful (typically, we reconnect over a lovely meal).  We learn a lot from one another, and now that Jaime is working full-time on her MBA, I know she'll have even more wonderful things to share with me.  This week, she introduced me to a new iPhone app:  Forkly.  If you like food, you should probably download it.  It's kind of like FourSquare and Twitter had a baby.  You take pictures of food (from restaurants), rate it, and then share it.  The goal is to become a Tastemaker, which means the foods you photographed (and likely ate) was loved by your followers...basically, it means you're respected in the food world.  I think this may become a new addiction of mine as it could open up a door to the eating-out g-free world...

forkly

The Great Minnesota Get-Together

This past Saturday, I attended the Minnesota State Fair.  It was pretty similar to the Iowa State Fair, except I think there were more people there.  I met up with Gena and Luke (who had just moved in to his freshman dorm at the University of Minnesota), and we spent the evening together walking around the fair, eating food, and people-watching.  Iowa has some great people-watching, but I think Minnesota's people-watching is far better.  I saw a tattoo that was written on a lady's back...but the font was reversed (I'm guessing so they lady could read it when she stands in front of the mirror and looks at herself with a hand-held mirror?).  I saw a completely unhappy couple taking a self-portrait (the woman was about 8 months preggers, and the man was disinterested in her and the terrible photo they took together).  It was an awesome people-watching evening.  Plus, the weather was fabulous - high 80s with a light breeze (just like it was for Cassie's wedding the day before).  I didn't get a chance to enjoy Sweet Martha's Cookies, but the French fries I had were heavenly (and gluten-free).  Also, we ran into Cassie's mom and sister, and Josh's cousins, Natalie and Derek.  I'd say it was a great get-together.

Making spin art for $4

Can't wait to frame this masterpiece!

Delicious French Fries

Gena's deep-fried pickles

Luke's Dippin Dots (they don't have these in Alaska)

Natalie and Derek working hard at the cheese curd stand

 After we had our fill of the fair, Gena drove us over to the U of M so Luke could give us a tour of his dorm room.  I can't believe Luke is old enough to go to college.  I remember his first (and second) year of kindergarten like it was just yesterday...where did the time go!

He's a college guy now!