Good afternoon! How has your day been? I have had a tremendous Saturday – done a lot so far and have enjoyed every moment

Kudos go out to the Des Moines Art Festival! Not only was this the best year they’ve ever had (in my opinion) in terms of the number, quality and types of artists – but I’m going to go ahead and say this is the best art festival I’ve ever been to! It was laid out very well and there was just so much to see and experience. It was great!

This was really cool – anyone could paint a tile, then this guy screws them all to a giant board. It’s called an “interactive mural.” We might go back tomorrow to see how it turns out!

AND – my favorite photographer was there – Lisa Kristine! I first discovered Lisa’s photography at an art festival in Minneapolis, and RANDOMLY when Ben and I were in Sausalito this past Spring, we stumbled upon one of her galleries…we had no idea she even had one there! Here’s her story:

Lisa Kristine is a San Francisco based photographer specializing in images of remote indigenous peoples.  Initially spending nearly five years in Asia, she immersed herself in world philosophies and religions. Upon her return in 1988, she showed her first body of photographic work. For over 23 years, Lisa has documented in over 60 countries on six continents throughout the world and has been active in publications, galleries, foundations, museums and educational venues.

There is one photo of hers in particular that I am completely nutso for, and…I know I shouldn’t have…but I did. I took a picture of it today! it’s the close-up of the Geisha’s lips on the top right. I’ve wanted this print since the first day I saw it in Minneapolis.

Here’s the image from her website:

Ugh, I want it, I want it, I want it! You know my obsession with Japan! Anyways, you should definitely check out her site – it’ll knock your socks off!

So after the art festival Ben and I ran some errands, took back the dresses that didn’t make the wedding cut, made a stop at Bed, Bath & Beyond (every man’s biggest nightmare) and got some Chipotle for lunch!

Ok, Chipotle is the ish. Considering that it’s technically “fast food,” I feel good about eating it. Today I got a burrito bowl with:

• rice
• black beans
• chicken
• pico de gallo
• green salsa
• corn salsa
• couple dashes of green tabasco sauce.

This was just as good as it looks! I ate half and am saving the other half for dinner later tonight.

Chipotle’s burrito bowls are one of those foods that look just as good mixed up, as they do when they’re first presented…don’t you think?

When I got home I had some delicious, chewy & sweet apricots…perfect

THEN – I forced Ben to watch Mama Mia with me!!!! Eeeeeeeek – it is SOOO good! He said it was even worse than he thought it was going to be, but I loved every second. Amanda Seyfried is amazing!

After the movie I went on my 3 mile run. There are some rain storms coming in, so dare I say, the temperature was tolerable?! It was a great run and was over in the blink of an eye – nice! Tomorrow, I’m scheduled for a 7 miler. Eesh – happy thoughts, happy thoughts, happy thoughts…

Tonight, Ben and I are heading over to our friends’ house to hang out…I might bring Blurt…muwahahaha…

Have a great night everyone!

~~~~~

What’s your favorite “fast food” that’s not really fast food? Panera, Qdoba, Buffalo Wild Wings?!

Mine is, hands down, Chipotle. Burrito Bowl all the way baby!