and on the 8th day, God invented brunch

Okay, so this post title may be a tad bit melodramatic, but I just have very strong feelings about brunch. I consider it easily my favorite meal, which probably has something to do with the fact that you can't have brunch except on the weekends.  Here's a little known fact - brunch is the best way to test out the new and cool restaurants in your city.  I certainly can't afford to go to every single new place I want to for dinner, but for some reason brunch is the universally affordable meal - we've tried out any number of places we'd never go to otherwise and judged them based on their ability to poach an egg, and the champagne to orange juice ratio in their mimosas - (I consider it an epic failure if it's greater than 25% OJ.)  

This past Saturday was our first official book club brunch meet up for carbs & coffee at Winslow's Home.  It's a combination general store & restaurant that makes you want to buy lots of things you don't need - my friend Jess was at one point considering purchasing some gardening supplies......she does not have a garden, but their shovels were that cute.  Also, their marble topped dining tables make for a fantastic Instagram backdrop.  

  After passing Claire around the table a few times and splitting an insanely delicious donut, we picked our book club choice for this month (#girlboss) & Jess kindly passed out a few tickets to the Top Chef burger competition taking place this coming Sunday in downtown St. Louis.  Thanks to her & Alive Magazine, one of you has a chance to attend with a friend as VIPs next weekend!  You can enter to win the tickets below - it will be a really fun event, and make for a wonderful (and delicious) Sunday.  Perhaps even a suitable alternative to brunch!  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*due to the fact that things around here lately have been more awesome than awkward, i've decided to switch that series to every other week, so come back next tuesday if you're visiting for those posts!  

alive bride

When we got engaged in August 2011, I will admit that I was really excited about the idea of planning a wedding.  I knew that with all the amazing resources St. Louis had to offer, I could find the perfect dress, venue, florist, baker, photographer, and calligrapher right at home.  (And yes, you need a lot of people to put together a wedding).  

The trouble was where to find them.  The internet and Pinterest are both wonderful resources for ideas, but when you consider the amount of time you'll spend with the people arranging your flowers, it becomes apparent that you will need to meet them in person before signing the paperwork.  Wedding showcases are the perfect place to see everyone you need.  

The good wedding showcases are held in beautiful event spaces, where attending feels like you're going to a party.  I still love wedding details - I hope to help some of my friends plan the perfect wedding in the coming years.  Even though I'm already married, I'm going to Alive Bride on January 16th.  The event will showcase all of the best wedding vendors in the city of St. Louis, and even if you don't plan to get married in the area you should still come check it out!  We got married in Mt. Vernon, IL, our hometown 90 miles outside of STL, and all my lovely vendors were willing to travel that far - some would go as far as 3 hours away.  

To help convince you, I've teamed up with Alive Magazine to get readers of Light Sleeper, Heavy Dreamer the chance to win two free VIP tickets to the event.  VIPs will receive specialty cocktail sampling and appetizers, as well as an amazing gift bag.  You can enter to win the tickets below!  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you don't win, you can still use the code DREAMER50 to get half off a VIP ticket - making it the same price as general admission.  

giveaway - free tickets to the st. louis fashion blog awards!

Happy Monday everyone!  I'm thrilled to say that the generous people behind St. Louis Fashion Week have given me the opportunity to give away two tickets to the St. Louis Fashion Blog awards and Fashion Week kickoff party.  It takes place this Thursday, September 19th at the Hilton Three-Sixty.  Just vote for Light Sleeper, Heavy Dreamer HERE, and then leave a comment letting me know you voted!  I'll select a winner at random, and email the winner with the information by tomorrow night.  Today is the last day to vote!  

Of course, since not everyone can win, they've also provided me with a code to get $5 off the purchase of a ticket to the event, which you buy here, using the code SUPPORT.  

Thank you all so much, and good luck!