Go Twin Cities…

{Image via Forbes}

Sorry, I’ve got to brag about my hometown…just a bit!  American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recently crowned the Midwestern metropolis of Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington as the country’s top spot for healthful lifestyles!

Minneapolis residents breathe clean air, prioritize exercise and keep their weight down, supported by a city that was among the first to add bike trails and ban smoking in public places. If you live in Minneapolis-St. Paul, you and your neighbors are less likely to have cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and asthma and are more likely to be in excellent or very good health.

via Forbes

Now…I better start working out more so I can live up to this title!!

{Click photo for source}

MN Housewarming gifts…

Last night was spent roasting marshmallows at my best friend from high school’s beautiful new home in St. Paul.  She and her husband just moved back to Minnesota after living out East.  In an effort to find a decent housewarming gift…I decided to embrace our dear state Minnesota as inspiration.  Here are a few MN-lovin’ ideas:

Oh-so fabulous new poster of Saint Paul by Ork Posters:

{Click photo to shop Ork Posters}

Darling MN state pillow, that is sadly out of my price range:

{Click photo to shop this pillow from Catstudio}

Nicolette Island print by Mark Herman, which happens to be where my friend got married:

{Click photo to shop this print (and more) at The Bibelot}

A book that highlights MN’s home-grown goodness:

{Click photo to shop this book at The Bibelot}

The cutest little cheese board, with a delicate heart cut-out right on St. Paul:

{Click photo to shop this board from A. Heirloom on Etsy}