0 In Travel

We Went to Summerfest in Milwaukee and Here’s How We Spent Our Weekend

I’ve committed a felony in terms of being a Wisconsin born-and-bred girl: I’ve never been to Summerfest. I know, it’s nearly unfathomable but I have never attended the world’s largest music festival that takes place in my home state. This summer, we decided to change that by seeing Eric Church on Thursday night of the festival.

I would 10/10 recommend attending a concert at Summerfest. It’s such an intimate setting, you feel like you’re getting a private concert at the American Family Insurance Amphitheater. There are tons of options for food and drinks (alcohol or not) and the surprise of the night was the firework show that happened during Eric’s set. We took an Uber to the show, which I’d highly recommend. Parking seemed a little limited, so having a drop-off option would be ideal. Hotels are expensive during Summerfest. We stayed at a hotel that was a little farther away to pay a little less.

Eric Church concert

On Friday, we booked a food tour through Milwaukee Food & City Tours. We did the Brady Street Lunch tour and it was absolutely phenomenal. Our tour guide Larry was extremely knowledgeable and you could tell he absolutely loved the city of Milwaukee. We love doing food tours when we travel as it’s a great way to see the city and learn some history (all while eating yummy food). After the tour we stopped at Eagle Park Brewing, which my brewery-loving husband raved about. We wanted to have drinks on the water, so friends recommended a Key West vibes-type place called Barnacle Bud’s (get the buffalo shrimp). After drinks we had dinner at Movida, a tapas restaurant that was a short Uber ride away. We opted for an all-you-can-eat option for $50 for unlimited tapas. SO GOOD! We ended our evening by taking a short walk for drinks at Boone and Crockett, a lovely cocktail bar with beautiful views of the water and bridge.

Drinks at Barnacle Bud’s

On Saturday we had brunch at Uncle Wolfie’s Breakfast Tavern. This is a hot spot, so expect to wait, but it’s absolutely worth it. After breakfast, we did the Lakefront Brewery tour. We’ve done this a couple of times, but the tour is always good and you get a couple of free drinks while you tour. They have a gorgeous spot right on the river to sip beverages by after. Ryan wanted to stop at a couple more breweries, so we hit up Company Brewing and Black Husky Brewing, which are within walking distance of each other in the Riverwest neighborhood. We had dinner at San Giorgio. If you’re into wood-fired Neapolitan pizza this place is a must. We ended our evening with a cruise down the river on the Paddle Tavern. This is essentially like the paddle tavern we did with Arizona Party Bike last summer, but on a boat! BYOB is encouraged and you do make a stop along the way at Boone and Crockett.

Bridge all lit up during the Paddle Tavern

Let me know your favorite Milwaukee spots in the comments!

2 In Travel

Top Things to Do in Duluth

What a fabulous Memorial Day weekend! Ryan and I wanted to do a road trip somewhere close by for the weekend and we landed on Duluth. It’s one of our favorite cities in Minnesota. We typically go in late July for a beer festival and find ourselves saying, “Why don’t we come up here more often?” It’s only 2 ½ hours from the Twin Cities and a very easy drive. I’m rounding up some of my favorite things we did.

Food

We ate so well this weekend! Tried a few new-to-us spots and a few tried-and-true favorites. Some of the standouts included Dreamland Supper Club in Superior. It was a little bit of a drive, but if you’re into the supper club scene I’d HIGHLY recommend checking this spot out. Another incredible spot we went to was New Scenic Café just outside Duluth. This place is perfect for special occasions and has a gorgeous view of Lake Superior. They also take reservations which is a plus during the busy summer months. On Sunday we wanted to check out a breakfast spot, but it was slammed so we ended up having lunch at Fitger’s Brewhouse. It’s a cool, historic building with lots of food, shopping and drink options. We topped off our stay in Duluth with delicious barbeque from OMC Smokehouse.

Ryan & I with our Old Fashioneds at Dreamland

Fun

If you’re into breweries, Duluth is a place you’ll definitely want to check out. We hit up several during our weekend, including Clyde Iron Works, Ursa Minor, Blacklist, Bent Paddle, Hoops Brewing and Earth Rider (Superior). This isn’t even all that Duluth has to offer, but with limited time we tried to hit up as many as possible. We also had a few cocktails at Vikre Distillery. This is such a cute spot with craft cocktails that are delicious.

Ryan & I at Bent Paddle

Other questions I’ve received about our weekend in Duluth:

  • Where do you stay?
    • We always stay at the Holiday Inn Downtown. It’s a little cheaper than staying in Canal Park but yet still walkable to most of the fun spots.
  • Did you drive up from the Twin Cities?
    • Yes! We actually made a couple of stops on our drive up in Mora, Minnesota. We stopped at the CUTEST winery, Ann River Winery with one of the best charcuterie boards we’ve ever had. We also stopped at Beer Club Brewing for a few beers.
  • How was the weather?
    • Definitely cooler than the Twin Cities. The proximity to the lake cools Duluth off considerably. It was upper 60s and sunny pretty much the entire weekend but the nights cooled down a lot so pack a sweatshirt (or two).
0 In Home

St. Paul Abode Boasts Farmhouse Fresh Design – Midwest Home Feature

Last fall, Midwest Home reached out to do a feature on my home and my life as a home decor influencer. I had an amazing conversation with their team and really enjoyed being a part of this. This is my second magazine feature, as I was featured in VoyageMinnesota in 2021. Check out the entire conversation with Midwest Home here.

Teele Schneider, also known as Atypical Teele on her digital blog and popular Instagram account, is a social media creator with a natural knack for design. But when she and her now-husband moved into this Cape Cod-style abode in St. Paul’s Midway neighborhood in 2016, much of the major remodeling was already done. The previous owners renovated and removed nearly all the original features but luckily kept the original hardwood floors—something that Schneider will never replace, no matter how squeaky and creaky they may be, she says. Although some elements of the home are brand new, Schneider preserves its old-fashioned ambiance by incorporating antique pieces she finds in local stores like Missouri Mouse and the Mall of St. Paul—both located on Selby Avenue in St. Paul.

To make the farmhouse-inspired space feel fresh and bright, much of Schneider’s century-old abode is primarily white, flaunting a few pops of color infused through indoor planters, patterned wallpapers, or neutral throw blankets and pillows. She says that although she uses a lot of white, she wants her house to feel “cozy, warm, and inviting” and encourages her guests to make themselves feel at home. Her biggest tip for anyone who wants to elevate their own space is to “stay true to your style. The most important thing is that you feel comfortable and make your home a place you are happy to be in.” Follow Schneider on social media at instagram.com/atypicalteele, or read her blog at atypicalteele.com for home, travel, and lifestyle content you’re sure to love.

0 In Travel

2nd Anniversary Trip to the Florida Keys

…and we’re back! We spent our 2nd wedding anniversary in the Florida Keys and despite windier and cooler weather than normal, we had such a fun and relaxing trip. It’s so fun to get to spend our anniversaries here. After getting married in Key West in 2021 and spending our first wedding anniversary in the Florida Keys in 2022, we felt so lucky to be back again in 2023. This year we flew into Fort Lauderdale as the rates were a little better than our usual Miami flight.

First Three Days – Marathon & Islamorada

After what has felt like the longest winter in Minnesota history, it felt SO GOOD to get into shorts again and get a little sun on our skin. Our first full day of vacation we went parasailing out of Robbie’s of Islamorada. This was our second time parasailing with Robbie’s and we have enjoyed it each time. The price is really reasonable and you can add on a photo package if you want the boat captain to take some great high-res images of your flight. Since we were already in Islamorada we also hit up our two favorite breweries: Florida Keys Brewing Company and Islamorada Brewery & Distillery. Both are must-stop spots if you’re in this area. On day two we did a half-day fishing charter with Tarpon Time. We’ve fished with them several times and it is such a good experience.

A few extra favorite stops: Herbie’s Chowder House, The Island Fish Company, Keys Fisheries

Parasailing at Robbie’s

Middle Three Days – Key West

We drove down to Key West bright and early from Marathon on Thursday and did another tour with Key West Food Tours. This is one of our favorite things to do in Key West! We’ve done them multiple times and each time we try a new restaurant or learn something new about Key West. We also hit up our favorite happy hour spot on the water: Alonzo’s Oyster Bar. We topped off the day with a sunset in Mallory Square. Friday was St. Paddy’s Day and it was HOT so we went to Dante’s pool for the day. We tried a new spot for dinner on Friday, Louie’s Backyard. I’d recommend getting a reservation (we didn’t have one) if you want to sit on the patio by the water. We were able to sit on the upstairs porch and had a beautiful view of the Atlantic and the most delicious food. On our final day we walked around Fort Zachary State Park and Beach. We’d never been back on the beach and it’s a great hidden gem if you’re looking for something off the beaten path in Key West.

A few extra favorite stops: Garbo’s Grill, First Flight Brewery, General Horseplay, Sunset Pier, Misohappy, Durty Harry’s

Sunset at Mallory Square

Final Three Days – Marathon & Islamorada

After our three nights in Key West, we drove back to Marathon to celebrate our second wedding anniversary! Because we weren’t down in Key West, I made reservations at Pierre’s Restaurant in Islamorada. A spectacular spot! We had never been here but were interested in a more romantic, elegant setting and Pierre’s did not disappoint. Our final two days were very relaxing. We spent a lot of time by the pool and checked out a few of our favorite bars and restaurants including Lorelei, Sunset Grille and Bongo’s Botanical Beer Garden.

A few extra favorite stops: Sparky’s Landing, Hog Heaven, Sombrero Beach

Dinner at Lorelei

I have our whole trip saved on a highlight on Instagram called FL Keys ’23. If you’re interested in reading more about our favorite things to do in the Florida Keys, I’ve written several posts previously on our favorite restaurants, bars and activities. If you’re planning on a trip, I’d love to help make it your best trip ever!

0 In Travel

Teele’s Top 5 – Work Travel Edition

I started a new job in early February that has included a lot more work travel. A common misconception about work travel is that it’s glamorous. I’m here to say: it’s really not. It’s exhausting and sometimes lonely. However, there are SO many things that can make it easier and I’m here to share them all with you. While I’ve titled this work travel edition, I also did a round-up of travel items for fun travel as well.

Noise Canceling Headphones These were actually a Valentine’s Day gift from Ryan and boy, did they come at the right time. My first day on a plane with these there was a baby who cried for nearly the entire flight so these came in handy. They’re affordable if you don’t travel often and the quality is great. I’ve even worn them at the gym and they worked great during my work out. Really love the rose gold color, too!

Wireless Earbuds Most newer phones don’t come with a headphone port anymore, so these are necessary for travel if you want to listen to audio/video on your phone. I’m mostly a podcaster while traveling, so these are essential when I tune into Crime Junkie mid-flight. These are also the earbuds I wear at the gym. They’re comfortable and easy to use.

Small Crossbody Purse I hate lugging my purse with me when I travel, but I like to keep my essentials close by. This is a great crossbody option that is cute and functional. It can hold my credit cards, cellphone, earbuds and other small essentials. It comes in a ton of color options and can be dressed up or down depending on your needs.

Kindle Case I always bring my Kindle when I travel in case of flight delays or down time. I was tossing my Kindle into my laptop bag and it was getting scratched up, so Ryan purchased this case for me for Christmas. It’s super affordable, comes in a ton of color options and keeps my Kindle safe. It comes with a handle on the back for ease-of-use as well.

Tile Or, some may be more interested in an AirTag depending on your phone, but I’ve found lately that this is a must-have when traveling. While I typically carry on my bag when traveling for work, I have found if I jump on a standby flight, I may have to check my bag due to boarding last and the plane running out of storage space. I don’t have to worry about my bag at all because I’ve got a Tile hidden inside. I would absolutely recommend this for your checked bag every time.

These are just a few of the things I can’t live without while work traveling. What are some of your favorite travel must-haves?

This post may contain affiliate links. That means if you click and buy, I may make a commission at no cost to you.

0 In Lifestyle

I Did Laser Hair Removal!

I started my laser hair removal journey nearly two years ago. I decided to start a few months before my wedding and went to three sessions and just inexplicably… quit. I have no reason why. It wasn’t awful. I just stopped going. So, this winter when I started hearing more about Milan Laser and all the promotions they were offering I decided to give it a go again. I signed up for a package with Milan Laser to get three areas done (under arms, Brazilian, legs) and I am committed to sticking with it. I’m here to answer your top questions from Instagram.

Does it hurt?

I would first ask how your pain tolerance is. I didn’t think it hurt, but some people who have more sensitive skin may. It feels like a rubber band snapping on your skin. Obviously, in areas where the skin is more sensitive, it hurts a little more. The least painful place was my legs, but the skin there is a lot less sensitive than say, your bikini area. The woman who ran the laser constantly checked in with me to make sure the pain was tolerable and if I needed a break, which I really appreciated.

Is it expensive?

It’s not cheap, but I would consider it to be an investment. What I liked about Milan Laser is they offered an interest-free payment plan so I can pay over a few months. This made it extremely affordable for me and an absolute no brainer. The previous place I went had me pay after each appointment and if you’d prefer that, that option is available at most places as well. Milan presented me with 3-4 different payment options depending on what type of package I wanted, and I could pick the body areas I wanted to do and how much I wanted to pay.

Is it worth it?

Absolutely, yes. The small amount of money I will be paying monthly to complete 7-10 treatments and never have to deal with shaving again will be 100% worth it. I realize it might not be affordable for everyone, but if you can swing it, I’d definitely recommend it. The appointments are less than a half-hour and you go every five weeks so the time spent in the office is also pretty minimal. Milan Laser did a great job of presenting me with all of the options and I felt empowered to make the right decision for myself. Milan Laser has locations all over the country, so check out their website to see if you have one in your area. If you have a specific question, don’t hesitate to send me a message.

0 In Travel

Our Weekend in Los Angeles

Ryan and I spent a long weekend in Los Angeles with my sister and mom. We haven’t had a vacation since September, so it was nice to get out of the ice and snow and head to the beach. We stayed in the Venice Beach/Santa Monica area, which I’d definitely recommend if you’re looking for a surf-y, beachside town. Our hotel was right on the beach and waking up every morning to waves was magical.

Food

We had great food while in Los Angeles! We stuck mainly in our neighborhood, but we kicked off the trip with brunch at Neighbor where we had great food and drinks. Friday night Ryan and I really wanted seafood so we hit up The Anchor for lobster rolls and lobster bisque. It was so good and I had a fabulous Moscow Mule there as well. Before the LA Kings game, we had dinner downtown at Bottega Louie and this place was incredible. They made the most beautiful desserts you’ve ever seen and their cocktails were fabulous as well. Such a fun pasta and pizza place. Saturday night Ryan and I were on our own for dinner and we were both craving sushi, so we found Wabi. WOW. This was such a fabulous last-minute find that was only a couple of miles from our hotel. We sat at the bar and had the prettiest cocktails and the most fabulous sushi. The aesthetic of this restaurant is gorgeous as well. Before our flight we wanted to get brunch, so we walked down the block to Rose, where I had incredible pumpkin spice pancakes.

Drinks

A fun bar that was literally steps outside of our hotel door was the Venice Ale House. We stopped in here several times for drinks during our stay as they had a great array of beers and cocktails. Ryan and I went out on our own Friday night and stopped at Library Ale House. Really fun vibe and look here, plus TVs so we could watch the game. As you guys know, we usually make it a point to stop at a few breweries while we’re on vacation. The two we were able to get to in LA were The Dudes Brewing Company & All Season Brewing. If you can only get to one of these DEFINITELY make it All Season. It’s in an old Firestone tire store and it is such a neat spot to see. We hit up an amazing rooftop patio before the Kings game called Perch. Absolutely breathtaking view of downtown Los Angeles and very good craft cocktails. On Sunday we needed a place to watch both the Vikings and Packers game so we went to the sports bar Busby’s – can you say bottomless mimosas?

Venice Canals

Fun

We spent a lot of time hanging out at the beach, but we were able to do a few fun and touristy things. We checked out the Venice Canals on our first day and this was a really pretty area. We were able to walk there easily from where we were staying and it’s a great spot to take pictures. The only thing we really planned was to go to an LA Kings game since we’re a hockey family. We love going to sporting events when we’re on vacation. We like checking out other stadiums and teams. The Kings game was affordable entertainment, and we had a great time. While we were downtown before the game, we hit up The Last Bookstore – a bookstore of ALL bookstores. It’s worth checking out even if you aren’t a reader. We also wanted to do something Christmas-y so we went to the Lighthouse Airspace to do their immersive Nutcracker experience. It was very affordable and a fun thing for adults and children.

Ryan & I at the Nutcracker experience.

I’ve got our whole trip saved in highlights on my Instagram under Los Angeles ’22 if you’re interested in seeing even more of what we ate, drank and did.

0 In Lifestyle

Things People Say to Us When They Find Out We’re DINKs – Part 2

I decided there needed to be a part 2 to this series. If you’re new here, check out part 1 first. I’ve had so many people reach out to me on Instagram to thank me for my openness when it comes to mine and Ryan’s decision to be childfree. I covered a few things that we often hear in a previous blog post, but we’ve heard the below A LOT lately and I thought I’d address it. Whether you also hear these things or you’re considering DINK life too, you can be prepared for some of these comments.

“But you guys would make great parents!”

This one always makes Ryan and I laugh out loud. Yes, we know we’d make great parents. We’re great people. We make a great couple. We have a stable life. Full-time employment. A roof over our heads. We’re responsible (sometimes). This doesn’t mean we should have children. Just because you know a couple that are *great people* does not necessarily mean they want to tie their lives down or define themselves by being parents. We have a dear friend who makes this comment to us regularly and while I know they don’t mean harm by it, it’s so beyond unnecessary to even say. NOT. EVERYONE. WANTS. TO. BE. A. PARENT.

“Aren’t you worried you’ll regret your decision?”

Were you worried you’d regret your decision to have children? If you aren’t comfortable answering that question, please do not ask DINKs if they’ll regret their decision to be childfree. There is just as much of a possibility of regretting not having children as there is regretting having them. Studies have even shown as of late that parents are regretting having children.While I hope no one regrets having children, it is a giant decision that you should make with your partner just as Ryan and I decided it’s what we didn’t want. Regret was never something I worried about. I won’t regret the brunch I ate. I won’t regret the trip I took. I won’t regret sleeping in on Sundays until noon. I’ve got plenty of fulfilling things happening in my life that I won’t have time to regret being childfree.

“Did you guys make this decision one day or over time?”

This was not a one-day decision. Nothing this big should ever be a one-day decision. You should have multiple conversations with your partner about this topic if it’s something you’re considering. Heck, if you WANT children you should talk about that too. Honest and open communication is so important, and these conversations will change your life significantly. So, absolutely no, we did not just wake up one morning and decide this. Over years together (we were together 8 years before we got engaged) we decided that we absolutely loved our lives the way it was – without children.

0 In Lifestyle

Teele’s Top 5 – Amazon Fall Shirts

Amazon always has some great looks for fall and this year didn’t disappoint. I picked up five new fall shirts that I am absolutely loving so far and wanted to share them with you. All of these can be worn in multiple ways and will transition nicely from summer to fall to winter.

Long Sleeve Button Up Pocket Shirt

I have had this in my cart for over a year now. The shacket trend blew up last fall and it looks like that isn’t changing in 2022. I bought the beige colored one, but it comes in several different color options. I’ve worn it a couple of times so far with just a tank top underneath and love the look of it half tucked in and off the shoulder. I am going to wear this so many ways through the fall and winter! Oversized fit – I bought medium.

Quilted Sweatshirt

I like this dressed up or down. It’s more of a sportier-looking quarter zip sweatshirt, but with jewelry and the right shoes you could definitely elevate the look of this sweatshirt. I bought it in the red wine color because I thought it would easily transition to winter. It comes in several colors and is extremely cozy and soft. It also is a bit longer if you’re looking something that covers your booty. Fits true to size – I bought medium.

Batwing Sleeve Turtleneck

I don’t own any tops like this but loved the look and light weight of this top. It hangs below your butt, so it would look great with leggings. I got it in army green because I don’t own many olive-colored shirts and thought it would be a great fall piece. It’s a thinner material, so in the winter I’d recommend pairing it with a long-sleeved body suit. Fits true to size – I bought medium.

Long Sleeve Waffle Knit Off Shoulder Shirt

A perfect, lightweight shirt to transition from summer to fall. Wear a bralette underneath it to achieve the perfect cozy, fall look. I bought this woven bralette on Amazon to wear under it and I love these paired together. I bought the color apricot, but it definitely is more of a cream or beige. I love the look of it tucked in front and hanging longer in the back. I sized up to a large so it would look extra cozy.

Plaid Oversized Flannel

My first flannel shirt bought from Amazon! I’m a tried-and-true J Crew flannel girl, so I decided to buy one of the Amazon versions in a neutral pattern. The color I bought is multi-camel and is a mix of cream, orange and blue. I love the versatility of flannels and like wearing them tied around my waist or buttoned up with a puffy vest over it. Despite this shirt being called ‘oversized’ it fits true to size – I bought a medium. If you like the oversized look definitely size up.

Interested in seeing some of my other favorite products? I save all my Top 5’s under Lifestyle on my blog. Find these products and all my favorites in my Amazon Storefront.

This post may contain affiliate links. That means if you click and buy, I may make a commission at no cost to you.

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