Usually when I talk about my love of residing in Shorewood with my conservative friends, there's jabs and jokes, giggles and gaffs. Why on Earth would I, a staunch Republican, choose to move into one of the most densely liberal populated areas?  Quite to the contrary, was my smartypants answer. For the first time in my adult life I was hanging with my peeps. Sensenbrenner had my back in Washington and my girl Alberta was giving me high fives from Madison. Of course the irony of that picture doesn't escape me. And I'm not talking about that Alanis Morrisette fake ironic either. The sweet, …

I have a reputation of being quite the thrifty gal. Coupons are my currency and I dream of DIY. With all my frugalities and ways to save there's one sale I just haven't been able to wrap my arms around and truly embrace. The rummage sale. Also known as a garage sale or sometimes a yard sale. Whatever your term for it, as soon as the words reach my ears, up goes my blood pressure and I start feeling all tingly. And not in a good way. I know I should toss my phobias aside and jump in, frugal feet first. There's so many great deals to be had! One man's trash is another's treasure! I know my …

As I sat down this week to pen my latest masterpiece my mind wandered, per usual, and focused on the radio program I had playing in the background.  The topic was September 11, 2001. Reflecting and not yet ready to get my witty on, I meandered over to Facebook and saw post after post relating one way or another to that historic and horrific day. Folks changed their profile photo in commemoration, a few posted links to respective articles and a handful wrote notes detailing where they were 10 years ago. Naturally, my mind wandered back in time and I thought about my September 11th story. We …

Today I bought a chrysanthemum. I looked up recipes for chili and pumpkin pie cupcakes. I picked out a spot in my office and prominently posted my Packers schedule. I entertained the idea of learning to knit. Again. It's Sept. 1 which, in my head, means autumnal goodness is just around the corner. Or so I'd like to believe. However Mother Nature and her 90 degree temperatures today with a side of holy-heck-it's-humid hint at other meteorological desires. But I'm not letting that crazy lady damper my fall spirits. I love Autumn. You hear that, Mother Nature? I LOVE IT. Enough with this 90 …

This past Saturday I packed a ton of adventures into my day. I was a regular Bear Grylls, I was. Well, minus eating live snakes and stuff. In the early morning hours I attempted to represent Patch at the Brookfield Farmers Market, which was amazing. I've never seen such a huge market, complete with a hefty handmade craft section. Unfortunately for me (but not my wallet) Mother Nature had other plans, dumping all sorts of rain atop my untented booth.  After gathering up my soggy self and taking a moment to dry out my Patchiform, I skipped over to the Wauwatosa East vs. West High School …

My one-year anniversary is fast approaching with my current boyfriend, the Shoreline! Tradition states the proper gift to give for this very mushy occasion is one of the paper variety. Since Patch has revamped the conventional local newspaper into one of the virtual kind, I thought it was appropriate to deliver an e-love letter of sorts with a Late Night twist.  Thus, ladies and gentlemen I present to you tonight's Top Ten Reasons Sara + The Shoreline = True Love Forever... No. 10 — My need for excessive shoe shopping has all but ceased. I found I only need one of two styles of footwear to …

This past Saturday I had the pleasure of meeting and greeting the North Shore's farm loving finest at the Whitefish Bay Farmers Market while representing the ol' Patch. I expected to have a good time speaking with a bunch of fun folks, broadcasting the good word on the wonders that are Patch, but I wasn't expecting a spread Old MacDonald would be proud of.  Living all around the Milwaukee area I've been to my fair share of farmers markets. There's the one downtown by We Energies and Boston Store that's pretty spiffy. Bay View's at South Shore Park is ginormous. The one outside the Public …

Mow, mow, mow your lawn...gently down the yard. Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily...mowing isn't so hard. At least it isn't too tough of a job if you keep at it. Which can sometimes be easier said (or written) than done.  When I moved to the 'burbs I found myself with a new responsibility. Mowing the yard. Luckily the front yard is about the size of a postage stamp and the back lawn is pretty teensy weensy as well.  Prior to migrating northward I had never lived anywhere that included me rolling up my sleeves to maintain landscapes. Mowing grass and shoveling snow? That's the sort of thing I…

Sendik's vs. Sendik's. Does it get any more foodie fabulous? The answer you're looking for is "oh heck no." It does not get any more fabulous for foodies like me. Each store is packed with the crème de la crème of ingredients including produce, groceries, spirits, sweets and proteins. Interestingly, despite the stores sharing the same name, they don't share the same ownership. The Balistreri family owned and operated both until 1998 when they sold the North Oakland Avenue store to the Nehring family. John Nehring, who worked previously at the North Downer Avenue Sendik's and at V. Richards in…

Knock, Knock.  Who's there?  We Are Wisconsin. We Are Wisconsin who?  Vote for Sandy Pasch! Wait. What?  Living in the age of smart phones, email, facebook and twitter, it's almost unheard of that a friend or family member would simply show up on my doorstep unannounced. And if they did, my only logical assumption would be that they were abducted by martians, stripped of all their Earthly belongings and beamed straight to my house.  Packages are no different. Well, minus the martian part. I order something and track that sucker from the time it leaves it's origin until the time it steps off …

Whew! My arms are tired! But it's not from running or from playing tug of war with Lucydog. It's from unpacking all of the amazing donations we received during the Patch for Patriots drive! For the past couple of weeks I fought my urge to peek in on the Stone Creek Coffee stores that generously offered to collect the items being donated to send to my adopted soldier, Command Sergeant Major Shelton R. Williamson from the US Army, currently stationed in Afghanistan and in charge of just over 1,000 American troops. I'd find myself drifting off into daydream land imagining what sort of donations …

Driving down North Lake Drive on any given day, you see the same scenery. Beautiful homes, meticulously maintained yards, and runners. Slews of 'em.  And you have to admit, runners are cool cats.  Some of that sentiment comes from the fact that we are sitting in our cars going home to sit on our couches. The other part comes from the fact that running is hard. Like really friggin' hard.  How do I know? Because I used to be a runner. This is something I like to tell people probably more than I should. But I want everyone to know, that despite my current physique which resembles more of a …

If there's one thing I can't be accused of, it's being a wet noodle on issues that I care about. Complacency isn't in my makeup.  So back in April, when I heard stories of my friend sending care packages to her son who is currently stationed in Afghanistan, I felt that all to familiar tingle up my backbone. I found out that our troops, fighting their pants off every dang day, all the way across the world in the most extreme and crappy of circumstances, needed basics like toothpaste, deodorant and razors. What in the heck? Seems crazy, right? It's not. It's very real and it's all very much in …

Darling, you gotta let me know...should I stay or should I go? That song by The Clash has been running on repeat in my mind for the past couple of days. You see, my lease is up for renewal and normally that means I would be excitedly scouring Craigslist, touring potential new pads and fondly packing up my belongings, headed off to the next adventure in the storybook that is Sara.  Ten moves in 12 years. I have quite the streak going. But this time is different. Sure, I miss the shadows cast by a city skyline and the hustle and bustle of a busy downtown. However, I think I've made a nice …

Last weekend was the dog days of summer in the Conrad household. Just minus that whole summer part. My doghter, Lucy, came to visit while her dad was out of town and I was thrilled to spend some quality time with my favorite furry friend. When Lucy and I lived in the Third Ward, we walked all over the place. For coffee. For drinks. To the market. To shop. For kicks. For giggles. For sh*ts. Literally.  But when we really wanted to walk, when it was more about the journey and not the destination, we'd hop in the car and drive to the Shoreline. North Lake Drive and the streets perpendicular to …

I live in the city for a reason. A very good reason. Bugs are the most horrific, terrifying beasts on the planet.  So my move from downtown to the 'burbs had me armed with both a vat of bug spray and high hopes of decorating my new suburban balcony. An outdoor space was something I hadn't had in the Third Ward and I was always oh-so envious of those who did. One year I lived in a condo facing the river and was literally surrounded by balconies, but I had none. Which actually was quite alright as for some odd reason spiders love the river. Maybe they can appreciate the view with their eight …

Today's battle of the brews is coming at you from our very own backyard. Pssssshhhttt to those big box chain coffee houses and high five to our very own Stone Creek Coffee! I had to wait until the weather warmed up (although today there's a crisp chill in the air yet again, boo!) to referee the showdown between the Whitefish Bay and Shorewood Stone Creek Coffee shops. This reasoning is because one of my top ten favorite things on planet Earth (and maybe outer space, I haven't been there yet) is Stone Creek's iced coffee. I don't know if there's a fancy venti tall grande latta whatta name to …

Girls night out. Kind of a cliche, right? It really should be called, "girls night to drink more than we normally would and yak off about boys, The Real Housewives, and how much our shoes hurt." Am I right, or am I right?  Well, cliché or not, it rates a 10 on the fun-o-meter here in Saraland, and this past Friday night I indulged in my first girls night within walking distance of my new home. This convenience is a definite necessity as driving on girls night is a no-no.  When I lived in the trendy frou-frou-yakity-yak Third Ward neighborhood, I walked to my favorite watering hole all the …

When I made the move from my shiny and sleek Third Ward apartment to my cozy and vintage Shorewood flat, I knew I was in for a bit of a reality check. Gone was the stainless steel and granite and in was the 70's rust brown and linoleum. But I was hunky dory with that. I've lived in many places in the last 13 years and I'm no stranger to the older home. In fact, after living in a high rise penthouse, warehouse condos and a home nearly 100 years young, I learned I liked my homes like I like my men. Older and distinguished with great stories to tell. Of course with all those stories of times …

"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmaaaaaasssss. Ev'rywhere you gooooo." What's that? You're thinking I've finally taken a left turn down Loopy Lane and you're stoked because you won the office pool?  Wait. What pool?!?!?! Anyways, back to my caroling. In May. Seems pretty crazy, right? I mean, it's teeter-tottering on Spring out there. Tulips are blooming and trees are finally sporting a smart shade of green. However, in my neighborhood, there's still a stark reminder of the holiday season. Houses are gleaming with crimson and emerald colored flood lights and trees are trimmed with …