Hello from the Twin Cities! I hope it's warm where you are, because it certainly is not warm here. I left beautiful, sunny Virginia (pictured below, obviously) in flip flops yesterday for snowy Minnesota--luckily I packed some real shoes! I'll take a little bit of snow, though, to spend a long weekend with Rob.

Here are some links to get you through this Friday (there are a lot this time!):

Food and Drink

My friend Jonny opened a coffee shop in Charlottesville! (He used to make me those pistachio milk lattes I'd go on and on about.) Read about the new shop here and like them on Facebook.

This post was both informative and hilarious.

Game of Thrones-inspired cocktails: parts one, two, and three.

Life

I don't know if I agree with every word this writer said, but the notion that "long distance relationships mean always getting to say hello" is a nice one.

Beautiful thoughts on why a literature Ph.D. is not a waste of time.

How Not to Say the Wrong Thing. This makes so much sense.

Cute Things

This little animal family warmed my heart.

I need this dress for everything.

This bathing suit is gorgeous.

Religion and Faith

Study shows that belief in an angry god is related to poor mental health...I'm looking at you, Westboro Baptist Church.

Please read and sign this petition.

I love these words by Donald Miller. (Thanks, Meg, for reminding me of them.)

Boston

10 Touching Acts of Kindness at the Boston Marathon

Beautiful words from Thought Catalog: The Marathon

Blog Friends

Anna's new job sounds so fun.

Sandra is hosting a fun giveaway this week!

Robyn is right, it is important to think of the beautiful things in life.

And finally,

How David Sedaris Makes His Writing Better

(I just about squealed when I learned that he has a new collection of essays coming out this month. I can't wait to get my hands on a copy!) 

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Wishing you a happy weekend!

I have been wearing the heck out of my new Pame Designs pieces. 

You saw the beautiful silver cut-out cuff of hers in my last What I Wore post, but these ones are gold.

The necklace is my favorite because it makes me feel like I can mix my metals, something I always want to do and yet have really never pulled off until now.  

Montauk Pebble Necklace and Zig Zag Bangle: c/o Pame Designs

Dress: Ann Taylor LOFT

Ring: Tiffany & Co. | Watch (similar): Fossil

 

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I'm catching an afternoon flight to Minnesota today, so I'll be out of town all weekend!

Stay tuned for Friday Favorites tomorrow.

My high school cross country coach and his wife are two of my favorite people, and I haven't seen them in far too long, so when my mom asked if I wanted to ride out to their home with her on Tuesday evening to pick up some beef (and by "some" I mean 85 pounds), I jumped at the chance. Life on a farm feels so romantic to me sometimes, and there is nothing like catching up with Dr. Race over a glass of really good wine. 

The scenery isn't too bad, either.

  

When the world feels dark and overwhelming, it's nice to have a place where things don't seem to change.

My heart goes out to Boston this week. Life should be joyful. We shouldn't have to be afraid at every turn.