.Green Island, Great Barrier Reef.

Green Island is the only place in the WORLD where rainforest meets the Great Barrier Reef! The aboriginals used to use the island waters for fishing and perform sacred manhood rituals on the island. Even today tribe members come to perform rituals on the island to keep their heritage alive. Dave and I spent the afternoon on the island relaxing, snorkeling, and sun bathing. It was great to explore the rainforest and then locate our perfect spot to snorkel..it doesn't get much better than that!

Trail through the rainforest 

Tree outside the alligator zoo looked like croc skin!

Snorkel Gear!

Green Island was the first place to have underwater observatory and a movie theatre on an island!

.DIY simple wall decoration.

HAPPY THURSDAY!
Really, is it Thursday already? I just don't believe it, where did the days go? Is this what happens when you work, the days fly by faster?

Today I have a really simple DIY for you or your little ones to do to help decorate your pretty walls.  I literally made these within 5 minutes of having guests over to our apartment! We had picture frames up in the bathroom with nothing in them so I created this cute decoration.

All you need are the following materials:

Paper Cutter (or scissors), picture frames, letter cutouts, glue, and paper

All you have to do is:  1) cut down the paper to the size of your picture frame, 2) arrange the letters the way you wish, 3) glue the letters down on the paper, 4) place in picture frame, 5) hang up and enjoy

See, it's super easy! You probably didn't even need any instructions cause I know you are one smart cookie!

In the second frame, I just cut a piece of scrap booking paper and created a message board. Currently we are using a washable marker to write cute little notes to each other. It's a create way to wake up to or notice during the day!

The bonus is that these are really easy to create and swap out! If you wanted you could create new ones for each holiday, month, or whenever you wanted to!

Have a great Thursday!! 

.Tuesday Tunes: Flogging Molly.

This is the last Tuesday in March..where in the world did time go? Are you a little sad that this is the last Tuesday for Irish music on the blog? I'm a little sad because not to often do you listen to great Irish music other than St. Patrick's Day, but it's not done yet so we aren't going to mourn! 

Source

Today I would like to introduce you to Flogging Molly.  Flogging Molly is from Los Angles, California (not your first thought for an Irish band) and formed back in 1993. They released their first album by themselves in 1997 with a live album and then released their first studio album in 2000. You may have heard them on Weeds or in the movie P.S. I Love with their hit song, " If I Ever Leave This World Alive." 

Give a listen and enjoy!

.WIW: Black and White Gingham.

Hello!
Did you have a good weekend? What did you do? Mine was chill with lots of sleeping...oooooohhhhh how I love my sleep!

I wanted to start of this week with an outfit I wore that I really really liked. My favorite part of the outfit is playing with the different prints.

one of my collections is funny old romance novels, this one is Passion's Fury

AND without the scarf:

.the details.

dress: Torrid :: shirt: Old Navy

Cardigan & purse: Target

scarf: TJ Maxx :: shoes: Urban Outfitters

Another way to get double the wear from your dresses is to throw a shirt on top and make the dress into a skirt. It's a great way to make your dollars and wardrobe stretch. 

This is the dress without a shirt over it.
I love wearing it both ways, each new way has a different vibe. 

.spring's in the air.

Like the rest of the nation, MN has been freakishly warm for this time of the year. I still am tentative of this new weather and think the weather gods are going to send us a HUGE blizzard, I just think the weather gods are that evil!  But while the beautiful weather is here, I'm living it up and showing off my pale white legs!!

Here is what I have been wearing the last week and half celebrating the warm rays:

 What have you been wearing lately?

Here is a little fun outtake for you!
This is what happens when Dave is in charge of the photo shoot!

.running like crazy.

Guess what! 

YEP...that picture below, it basically says it all. I am OFFICIALLY in training to run my first Half Marathon! AAHHHHHH!! I have ran a few times with one of my girlfriends who is training for one so I decided or was persuaded to run the race with her! So, Dave and I have jumped into training. We only have 7 weeks before the race, so we had to begin on week 4. 

10-Week Half Marathon Training Schedule

Week	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun	Total
1	3	Rest	3	3	Rest	4	Rest	13
2	3	Rest	4	3	Rest	5	Rest	15
3	3	Rest	4	3	Rest	6	Rest	16
4	3	Rest	5	3	Rest	8	Rest	19
5	3	Rest	5	3	Rest	10	Rest	21
6	4	Rest	5	4	Rest	11	Rest	24
7	4	Rest	6	4	Rest	12	Rest	26
8	4	Rest	5	4	Rest	9	Rest	22
9	3	Rest	4	3	Rest	8	Rest	18
10	3	Rest	3	Walk 2	Rest	13.1	Rest	21.1

So now instead of running with views of the ocean we run with views of the lake. It's not exactly the same, but at least it's still beautiful! So wish as luck as we begin to truly train for one of the biggest races I have ever done. In the past I have only ran three 5ks, so this is going to really push me! 


I'll keep you updated on training as well as inform you a little bit more on why I run. I know that back in the day I thought runners where crazy fools, really why would anyone run, now I'm one of them! 

Wish me luck..because I know I'm going to need it! 

What is a challenge you are preparing for?

.Tuesday Tunes: The Tossers.

Just because St. Patricks Day has come and gone doesn't mean that we can't still listen to great Irish inspired music. As promised, the Irish music is still playing here on .PhotoSho. and today I have a great Chicago based band to share with you.

Meet The Tossers, an Irish Punk Rock Group formed in the predominately Irish neighborhoods on the South Side of Chi Town.  The band has been around longer than Dropkick and Flogging Molly, they formed in 1993, but may not be as well known. This does not mean they aren't as great...cause they are and you should give them a listen and see for yourself! The first time I was introduced to The Tossers was when they opened up for Dropkick at a November show. That Christmas I got their cd from Dave because I we both liked them right off! I hope you enjoy them as much as we do!

.happy monday.

HAPPY HAPPY MONDAY!

I'm excited for today because I'm going to keep the good vibes from this weekend go all the way into this upcoming week! Well, that's the plan at least. I can do it right? YES, I can (hopefully)!!

What did I do this weekend? Well a little bit of this......

Eating Jimmy Johns and looking at the beautiful Minneapolis skyline!

Seeing Dave Barnes perform at The Varsity

Making Irish Soda Bread for the first time!

Attempting Irish Fadge..it didn't look correct but it tasted great!

Ate a great Irish meal with friends!

This is just our normal...and that is why I love it!

shadow dancing

walking our lovely neighborhood on a beautiful day

What did you do this weekend?

How are you going to have good vibes this week? 

Please do share!!

.St. Patty Day: Dropkick Tunes.

First....guess what!!!

This is my 200th post!! WHAAAAAAATTTT! I can't believe I have written 200 entries, it blows my mind that I really stuck to this. But blogging makes me happy so lets cross our fingers that I will have another 200 posts in my future!

Secondly...HAPPY ST. PATRICKS DAY!  Any big plans today? We are having a little get together with Irish foods, Irish drinks, and just plain fun!

To help us celebrate we will be listening to great music. Have you been listening to the mixes I've posted the last week? If not, you will probably want to listen to them today! You can find the Pogues and a St. Patricks Mix with lots of different artists on the blog!

Today...I wanted to throw you another mix to help celebrate. This mix is by Dropkick Murphy's. This is Dave's favorite band and I have grown to love them as well. When living in Newcastle, we had the opportunity to see them in concert! AAAHHH..it was the first time in 10 years that they have played in Australia! You can check out my post about the concert and the band right......here!

Enough with my chit chat...here is the music:

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!

.be safe.

.green wears.

Okay. St. Patrick's Day is tomorrow and if you don't want to get pinched ya need to wear green. (Don't get mad at me...it's just the rules and I didn't make them up.)  BUT just because it's St. Patty's Day doesn't mean you need to wear the crazy KISS ME I'M IRISH shirts (even though we know half of you aren't) or other tacky St. Patty's day gear. Yes, I agree this gear can be very fun and make bar outing and drinking hilarious. But's lets leave those outfits to the others and just giggle at them when we see them out and about this Saturday!

Here are some green items that you can totally rock this St. Patty's Day without getting pinched and looking great:

Source 

Source

Source

Source

Source

Source

Source

How will you be working green into your outfit?

.To Do In Melbourne: Part 2.

The weather this week is GORGEOUS! It even reminds me of Australia spring time, which just makes it all a little bit better. Since I can't stop thinking about Australia it seemed like the best time to share with you Part 2 of what to do in Melbourne. Missed Part 1? No worries, you can check it out right....here!

6. Flinders Street Station
Flinders Street Station is one of my favorite stations in the whole city..or state, maybe even the country. It was so beautiful to look at, especially at night. We didn't see much of the inside of the station due to not needing to take the train, but i do hope it's as great as the outside. You can find this station just across from the popular Federation Square, where people like to meet up and hang out, making it a great place to people watch.

7. St. Paul's Cathedral

The architecture and beautifully designed church can leave you speechless. Dave and I spotted the church across from Federation Square and immediately wanted to get a closer look. Usually, I don't like to go into churches because I feel like I am breaking up someone's spiritual time and interfering with things. I also just admire from the outside, however I am appreciative of Dave for pulling me in. The inside of the church is magnificent and wonderfully crafted. This is definitely a place to check out and get lost in beauty. 

8. Hosier Lane

When walking down the street....Swanson Street, I think...we stumbled upon this gem in the city! This little alleyway is filled with graffiti. Every square inch on the buildings has this great, creative, street art spread over it. I think I took a picture of almost every graffiti piece, but for your sake I will just show you a few of my favorites!

9. ANZ Bank/Gothic Bank

This is probably the greatest bank in the whole world...well, not ANZ itself, but this location!! Did you know in Australia the pronounce it as A-N-Zed? Yep! This is one of the first banks I have seen in a gothic revival architecture and it blew me away. I used to be a bank teller and I would LOVE to work in a bank this gorgeous. The pictures below is where the banking takes place as well as the former stock exchange floor. 

10. Ride on the Great Ocean Road

The Great Ocean Road is called one of the worlds beautiful highways and rightfully so. The Great Ocean Road is 240km long with a view of the ocean almost the whole time. At times during our travel on the road we had the ocean on one side and the rolling green farm lands on the other side...just amazing. When on the Great Ocean Road make sure you stop at Apollo Bay, view the 12 apostles, London Bridge, and take it in slowly..you definitely do not want to rush through! We were able to book a day tour through our hostel and it was a great deal for a whole day of beautiful sights!

We spotted this cutie at one of our stops on the tour!

My last tip for everyone when visiting Melbourne is to go online and see what community events are taking place! When we were there a Summer Series of events as taking place in the Fritzroy Gardens every Saturday night. So we walked over to the gardens for a picnic, Bollywood music, and Bollywood dancing. The best part of the whole night was being able to be with a large number of the community and having a blast doing dance moves with strangers and feeling like we were citizens for a night!

The best thing about Melbourne 

is never knowing what you are going to find!!