Birthday Adventure | Day Trip to St. Cloud | Personal

24 years old never looked so good on me. We both got the day off from our full time jobs and we decided to have a day adventure. There is this little restaurant down the street that never seems to be open at convenient times called T&T Galla. Although an odd name for such a little dinner , even more unexpected was the nautical theme throughout the tiny space and menu. Over all being our first time I would give it a 8 out of 10. Food was good, service was fast and the servers were friendly. 

After breakfast we packed our lunch boxes, made a free coffee run at the new quick trip downon concord , and we were on our way to a day of exploration and adventure. And as you knowa birthday adventure is one of the best kind of adventures.

Something that my father ingrained into me growing up was the art of window shopping. My family would take advantage of having the Mall of America close by and go store to store admiring and feeling but rarely would we ever purchase.  Now when shopping with Marcus we go through the same routine as mychildhood.  Many of the trips we have made together even when dating we will always stop at antique shops. I love looking and dreaming with all the random old stuff we find in these shops . This trip we found a two story antique shop, upon entering we were greeted by a large poodle who gave us a sniff of approval and moved on waddling through the store. Looking through everything between 50s style wedding dresses to old mickey mouse penny bank to Nascar toys in would call it a good time! I secretly hope to one day find something unique and purchase it then find out later it is actually worth millions , but until that day we will keep exploring.

After we had antiqued out we roamed the streets of downtown st. Cloud and continued to explore other shops, some smelled amazing from their holiday candles and others we were half expecting to go mysteriously missing in the back of the store. I told Marcus to have the search parties at the ready.

When they day was all shopped out we made our way to a steak spot for my birthday meal! We both got a delicious steak and reminisced over the days adventure. The drive home it was down pouring the entire time, but Marcus handled it like a pro.

I loved having a whole day just me and him exploring a random city in Minnesota.

Overall the beginning of year 24 has started off on a good foot.

Como Conservatory Portrait Photography | Shattuck

Saturday could not have been a more perfect day; Como Conservatory hummed with activity do to the beautiful sunshine and the celebration of its 100 year anniversary.  Even though it was a little busy, the Shattuck clan did a great job of enjoying the time we were able to shoot in Como's gardens. Having four girl to photograph is easy when they have smiles that literally light up the room. They were such a joy to shoot and looking back while editing still makes me smile with all the giggles that where shared between loved ones.

Concerts Galore | Nightmare Before Christmas with Minnesota Orchestra | Personal

In college we had concerts all the time. These concerts were conservative, orchestral, and mandatory, which for any college student on the verge of drowning under a sea of assignments was burdensome. Once I finished up with college I was officially concerted out and i was determined not to go to another one unless it was something I really wanted to listen to.

  Fast forward to this weekend. The Minnesota Orchestra played to the movie Nightmare Before Christmas in Orchestra Hall in downtown Minneapolis. My sister and I have been looking forward to this concert for months; both movie lovers and big Tim Burton fans it seems like the perfect way to enjoy halloween. My expectations for this concert were just the MO playing the soundtrack while I enjoyed listening to while scrolling on my phone.  Reality: they played to the movie on a wide screen. So even our nosebleed seats in the uppermost part of the theater we could enjoy the movie. I was more than a little taken back but I loved it! Even though I didn't see Danny Elfman sing in person (for a minute I thought was going to happen) I was able to watch a movie the way they used to be watched in the days where a full orchestra was mandatory for a movie event. From one movie lovers to another this is a must do for a movie. So if you are available, I know they are doing Home Alone this November. 

Sunday comes around and we have another orchestral concert with a famous Tenor, Anthony Kearns.  My sister has played Viola her whole life and just recently she found the St. Croix Valley Symphony Orchestra , which she has excitingly been able to perform in. So after church and lunching with my parents, Marcus and I sat in the second row to watch. I was blown away by this singer; it was a beautiful and quality performance from both the orchestra and Mr. Kearns. My favorites were Danny Boy (irish folk song) and Bring Him Home (from my favorite musical- Les Miserables) ; I would be lying if I said i didn't tear up at each of these numbers.

Once we had clapped our hearts out until our fingers stung, I turned to Marcus,  and whispered in his ear that I think we are good on concerts for at least 3 months.