b*spoke blog

Hello, dears. I'm here today with another edition of b*local! It's Friday, so that means you have a whole weekend ahead to check out my latest local love. Spill the Wine is on Washington Ave in Minneapolis. It's one of those places I go back to. Over and over again. The atmosphere is to die for. The wine list is varied and interesting. And as an extra added bonus, they have great food! A couple weeks back, I went with my hubby for a late night drink, which turned into a late night bite. We shared a burger and fries and a piece of their german chocolate cake. Their fries are ridiculously good. Remarkable, really. This place is perfect for date night, or girls night. It's cozy, but spacious, so you don't feel crammed next to other wine-sipping patrons. Also, its location on a busy corner makes for a fun view of the city, traffic and passers by. Bottom line --- if you are local and you love wine and tasty bites, visit Spill the Wine. Happy weekend!

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late nights • early mornings • feet pounding the pavement • learning new routines • laundry • dirty car • running errands • no time to read • but time to watch LOST • new clients • new projects • new challenges • learning • being stretched • growing • houseplants dying • smoothies for breakfast • a million emails a day coming to seven email addresses • wanting to simplify • living in leggings and boots • dreaming about sedona • travel • put me on an airplane to anywhere • new friends • old friends • good friends • need to drink more water • marathon? • why not • watching squirrels out the window • distractions • longing for summer • iLoving the iPhone • happy • too much • but not • friday nights out • french toast on sundays • new songs • singing loud • dancing in the kitchen • hate my dog • love my dog • family far away • always missing those i love • busy • crazy busy • hate busy • love busy • hopeful • content

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I have a thing for pens. PARTICULAR pens. Not ballpoint pens. Not gel pens. These pens. Smooth writing, fine point, smudgeless, ink pens. In black. Are you a pen geek? If so, check out these three fine writing utensils, and see if they pass your test. #1 - Le Pen by Marvy #2 - Pigma Micron 05 by Sakura #3 - Sharpie Pen by Sharpie Happy Monday, dears. Be back soon!

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It's time for another edition of b*hway's fave apps. Some of these are free, some are not. All of them are awesome. In no particular order, and without further ado, here we go... TRANSFER :: Because I use my phone as my camera, and getting the hundreds of photos to my computer needs to be as easy as possible. TIME TRACKER :: Because tracking time should be simple and intuitive. For everyone who needs to keep track of hours for an employer or client job, this is a GREAT app! 100 PUSHUPS :: Because I haven't forgotten about the b*list, after all. And because working your way up to that giant number is more fun with something to track the progress. ANT SMASHER :: Because sometimes three-year-olds need entertaining. MEMORABLE WINES :: Because keeping a wine journal sounds incredibly romantic, but is entirely unrealistic for a person like me. Thus, the Memorable Wines app!! Possibly my favorite app of all time. Can you tell? Because I gave it a whole SIX sentences (counting this one and the next) instead of only one or two. It's that good. MEMORABLE MEALS :: Because remembering the awesomeness of a particular dinner is even better when you can photograph and review it using this handy app. MATCHBOOK :: Because sometimes you are driving or walking or wandering around and you see a place and think, "I need to remember this place and check it out later!". BAM! Matchbook. It's amazing. And pretty, too! URBANSPOON :: Do I need to even say anything here? FOODSPOTTING :: Because good food and good photos come in really handy when you're hungry and not sure where to go. Okay, time for you to dish. What are some of your newest fave apps? AND, before I wish you a happy weekend, I better announce our giveaway winners!! Here they are!! 1) Commenter #10, Emmary 2) Commenter #2, Susan 3) Commenter #7, Trisha 4) Commenter #14, Dondrea 5) Commenter #20, Abby 6) Commenter #15, Jaime If you are one of the lucky winners, email me at bethany(at)bspokeblog.com with your address and I'll send off your prize! And now, HAPPY WEEKEND!!!

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Lately I'm into dresses. Not sure why or what happened, but I think that my psyche is trying to compensate for my childhood years, where I ran around looking like a boy most of the time. Now, before you jump to conclusions, I must clarify. When I say dresses, I don't want you to picture anything with ruffles or frills. I'm still me. Which means I wear mostly gray, black, navy or brown, and the details are simple, to the point, and not overly girly. That tomboyish streak will always be there, it seems. For the January Style Guide, I'm thinking about dressing for meetings. Probably because I have a lot of them lately. I'm all about that snappy casual look. Pairing tall boots and a slouchy bag with a tailored, laid-back dress and a single, statement-making piece of jewelry is perfect for a midday powwow with a client. And the best part? Add some earrings, swap the tie for a chunky belt, grab a cardigan, and you're ready for a dinner date downtown. Win, win! Interview Advice Dress by ModCloth ($75) | Loose Change Necklace by Anthropologie ($48) | Brompton Hobo by J.Crew ($298) | Intyce Boots by Steve Madden at Piperlime ($149)  

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