Delicious Jewelry Storage

I'm a multi-tasker by nature, so of course I prefer items in my room to live accordingly. If something can dually serve as storage for my jewelry and can also contribute to decor, then WELCOME TO MY ROOM, CAKE STAND.  

No I didn't perfectly align all of my jewelry for the photo because if you think that's how it looks every day, you be crazy.  

I got this one for super cheap at TJ Maxx but thrift stores and etsy would be other good sources. 

The $8 Beauty Product I Somehow Lived Without For 22 Years

We've all heard of primer right? Primer is what you put on before your makeup to ensure a smooth base for foundation (if you haven't tried it yet, I suggest this one.) But what about what goes on after your makeup to keep you lookin' like a babe all day long? During a random trip to Ulta this past weekend, I discovered NYX's Dewy Finish Makeup Setting Spray and had a "WHAT HAVE I EVEN BEEN DOING WITH MY LIFE BEFORE I FOUND THIS" moment.

It holds your makeup on for an insane amount of time — my makeup looked the exact same after 12 hours yesterday, and that was tested in 90 degree heat. Important tip: don't go hog wild spraying all over your face, one or maaaybe two sprays should do the trick. Did I mention it was only $8?

Minnesota's Very Own Fashion Star

Wayzata-native Alex Davis may have made it big (judging this by the fact that Jessica Alba is just ONE of the celebrities to frequently be seen wearing her shoe designs) but what I like most about this chick is she doesn't forget her roots. Every year she comes back to Wayzata to host a Cobra Society trunk show with friends and family. 

"I'm a boots girl, I wear boots with ev-ery-thing."

I was lucky enough to talk to Alex for about five minutes at the trunk show and have never developed a girl crush so fast.  Wearing leather leggings topped with her signature boot, a white blazer, and no makeup that I could see (she doesn't need ANY) this girl was just straight up cool. What was even more cool was how obviously passionate this girl is about what she does. As she was talking to us about individual designs and inspiration behind this collection she'd excitedly run over to grab each shoe so she could show us exactly what she was talking about. 

Her collection is North Africa meets Morocco meets Santa Fe — probably because this girl has traveled EVERYWHERE; she's a serious nomad. Wanna peek at her worldly bad-ass designs? Here were a few of my favorites: 

(You probably saw a picture of these on my Instagram, I was in love)

The picture of this purse does not do it justice. It was the most magical purse I had ever come in contact with. 

Please. Please. Can I HAZ IT?

Visit thecobrasociety.com for more global shoe and purse goodness. 

Drugstore (beauty) discovery

Searching for good drugstore beauty products can be kind of overwhelming at times. Most time when I'm combing the aisles looking for a new eyeshadow or whatnot, it's kinda just the "uhhh, this one, I guess," game. SO, If I find something I like I'm obviously going to spread the good word. This lipstick is Maybelline's Coral Crush and it's only five buckaroos! Looks really cute against striped shirts, chambray, white, and khaki green — and it's WAY adorable on blondes and red heads too. 

Spring break swim style

When my girls over at Styled With Strength asked for some fashion input for their swimsuit newsletter, I was all aboard, cuzzzz: 1. Any excuse to momentarily mentally transport myself from this hellish winter that feels like it is dragging on FOREVZ and 2. I'm more than happy to help these girls out in any way possible. If you haven't heard of Styled With Strength yet, you're probably about to. These ladies created a daily manifesto for bettering the mind, body, and soul. Every morning, around coffee brewing time (non-coincidence, I'm sure) an email arrives with some sort of empowering message, story or visual inspiration that really makes you want to be a better, well....everything — while at the same time making you feel completely normal for being completely imperfect. If you want to sign up for their "go get 'em, tiger" emails, just email styledwithstrength@gmail.com. You'll be glad you did.  

Sorry, none of them have links embedded, I stole this from their email blast. But if you search the websites they're not that hard to find! 

12 detrimental tips for the everyday gentleman

These are taken from one of the best books I've read in quite some time, Mindy Kaling's "Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?" Seriously, this book is a blue ribbon winner. Sure she spills on hilarious details from The Office, but aside from that she makes you feel completely at ease with any insecurity or moment of awkwardness you've ever had in life and does so with the sort of humor only Kaling can conjure. She's totally on par with my Amy Poehler girl crush...she's THAT good.

But this. THIS is key. Mindy writes how guys need to do pretty much nothing to be perfect, and she's so right. Guys, seriously, you have it so easy. Trust me when I say that all of us girls have thought at one point or another, "I could easily be the most flawless guy of all time." All you have to do is like, hold the door open and surprise us with a bottle of wine when you come over and you've pretty much got it down.  Okay there's a few more things than that, so let me help a brotha out:

1. Buy a well fitting coat from J.Crew (editor's [me] note: or any peacoat. In black or dark charcoal.)

2. Have a signature drink like James Bond. (Someone who knows their whiskeys is sexy.)

3. Own several pairs of dark wash straight leg jeans. No skinnies, just a nice pair of Levi's.

4. Wait until all the women have gotten on or off the elevator before you get on or off the elevator. A re-written reiteration of this section: women aren't chivalry nuts, but small acts of kindness are visual and SUPER memorable.

5. When you think a girl looks pretty, say it. There isn't one woman in the whole entire world who doesn't like to be told she looks nice. It's three words, you can do it. 

6. Don't ask if someone needs help in the kitchen or at a party, just start helping. This is sexy to every woman, I'm telling you right now. 

7. Have one great cologne that's not from the drugstore. (And my boyfriend can never wear Acqua di Gio because that's what my dad wears and even though it's super good smelling it's just....this can't work.)

8. Your girlfriend's siblings or parents might be totally nuts, but always defend them. This goes for us too, ladies. 

9. Kiehl's for your skin, Bumble and Bumble for your hair. "Maybe a comb. That is all you need. And when girls look in your medicine cabinet (which they will obviously do in the first five minutes of coming to your place), you'll look all classily self-restrained because you'll only have two beauty products. You're basically a cowboy." 

10. I really think guys only need two pair of shoes—a nice pair of black shoes and a pair of Chuck Taylors. 

11. Bring wine or chocolate to everything. (I think Mindy's being a little exaggeratory here. What she means is important occasions and a surprise non-occasion every once in a blue moon.)

12. Get a little jealous every now and again, even if you're not strictly a jealous guy. "Too much and it's frightening, but a hand on her back at a party when your girlfriend looks super hot is awesome."

~

If you haven't yet picked up on this, this post is a full on endorsement for you to buy this book. Go to Barnes & Noble, go to the library, go to your Kindle, or whatever. And read. 

Weekend Style

Do you ever do the whole, "Welp, I didn't see enough people today NOT to wear this outfit again tomorrow,"? Totally did that this weekend. Based off my last few blog posts I'm admitting that I do this all too much. 

This outfit was perfect for boppin' around town this weekend with my mama who came to visit me for a night. Moms are just the best, aren't they? We both like to shop, get coffee, and watch Bravo so pretty much nothing sucked this weekend. 

P.S. Polka dot jeans (!!!!!)

The Trend Report

I have three fashiony things that I'm kind of dying over right now so here you go: 

1. THIS. COAT. FROM. JCREW. Just debuted at New York Fashion Week and as soon as I saw it, it was jewel-encrusted love at first sight. 

I mean...right?

2. Speaking of J.Crew, they just debuted an in-store personal styling program called Very Personal Stylist, allowing you to tap and swipe through a series of styling tips while shopping. I'm tellin ya, bringing interactivity into the brick-and-mortar shopping experience is where the future's at, ya'll. 

3. Have you heard about Kate Spade's new line, Saturday? Encouraging us to celebrate everyone's favorite day all week long, this bright and poppy (signature Kate Spade aesthetic) sister line comes out next month, but there's a pop up shop on fab.com right now which you should definitely check out. Here are a few favorites:

4. Brad Goreski is now dishing up denim style advice for Old Navy. HOW FLIPPIN CUTE IS HE?

Last minute DIY Valentine's Day cards

The glue is still drying on my first card this is so embarrassing. 

These will lit-ruh-lly take you 5 minutes, even if you're craft-challenged like moi. 

All you will need is some card stock (I used super thin crappy paper because Target was all out of the good stuff), candles, matches (bonus if you can find red), and a V-Day color-appropriate felt tip pen. BAM! You look like the most thoughtful person who ever lived. 

Midwest is best (tee)

This is actually my third day in a row wearing this shirt (LALALA CAN'T HEAR YOU SAYING "EWW") so let's discuss the functionality of said item. Sunday - with sweats (SEE, so versatile), yesterday - under blazer for work, and today - with polka dot skirt & bling (cheap-ass bling, but bling.)

I am not above selfies. Mostly because I don't have a boyfriend photographer to take outfit shots of me everyday (SHOUT OUT TO MUCH COOLER BLOGGERS!) so you're going to have to deal with iPhone shots in a dressing room. But I am DEFINITELY not above selfies for 'Midwest is Best' t-shirts because I am hometown proud, and home region proud, and mom proud because Kelly Welle sent me this for Valentine's Day — thanks, mama! 

Want your own? Cool, they're available at this etsy shop. (Gentleman, there are male sizes as well.)

"Piece of advice #1: 'Enjoy the god damned moment.'"

Last April I happened upon this podcast called Creative Mornings. The first one I tuned into, the one I'm about to share with you, was a breath of fresh air and a kick in the pants all in one. I've watched it over and over, every time I feel like I need a little realistic inspiration, or to attempt to take life less seriously and enjoy "the god damned moment." 

Aaron Draplin is hilarious, inspiring, and utterly creative. Even just having this on in the background while you work today is well advised. Enjoy :)

(Sorry for the language, mom. It was him not me, I swear.)

....no pun.

One polka dot dress, three ways.

Bee is to honey what Liz is to polka dots so I'm not really sure how I don't own some sort of black and white dotted dress. This one in the two left pictures is from Madewell and i'm KICK-ING myself for not buying it when I had the chance. Here's to finding a look-alike and styling it as so. 

1. With a floppy hat and brown leather accessories

2. With a totally cool moto jacket, minty accessories, and red lips

3. A cool cut blazer tossed casually over your shoulders. 

1. Atlantic Pacific 2. Mattieologie 3. Madwell.com

All that glitters is gold

There is no greater show of my patience than the fact that I NEVER paint my nails. No. Sometimes I do, but it will either look like a five-year-old did it with their eyes closed, or I'll quit after one hand. Seriously, I'll walk around with one hand painted trying to pretend I just saw it in Vogue and it's the cool new thing.

So! *Trumpet sound* Yesterday I used not one but TWO polishes which meant extra sitting time which meant this was something I had to document. 

SO GLAM, YA'LL. 

Super Bowl Snacks — the healthy, the artery-clogging, and a happy medium.

Super Bowl Sunday is pretty similar to Thanksgiving to me, and by that I mean calorie counting is against the law. However, I did want to give a few different varieties; just because you're being health conscious doesn't mean your food can't be yummy in my tummy (thought you're seriously missing out if you don't ever give that white pizza dip a try). 

Mango & Avocado Salsa // Baked Jalapeno Poppers // White Pizza Dip

Summer Lovin

I've never been so "I need summer RIGHT. NOW." in my life, so let me just daydream a little about a summer wardrobe while I currently can't have (even CLOSE) to summer weather. 

Dress // Brogues // Bag

Today, on the internet.

Links too good not to pass around:

• "Say My Name/Cry Me a River" - The Neighbourhood

• New movie trailer alert! Inside Llewyn Davis stars Justin Timberlake, Carey Mulligan, and John Goodman. It's about Greenwich Village's music scene in the 60's and has a Bob Dylan soundtrack which is pretty much all you need to know. Oh, and it's directed by the Coen brothers. 

• MUST WATCH, NO EXCEPTIONS. K so everyone has seen this, but even if you have, watch it again. "A Pep Talk From Kid President" 

• Lauren Conrad's new spring collection for Kohl's is ca-UTE.

• All the fashion you may have missed from the SAG Awards red carpet.

• Super interested as to what will come of Twitter's new video app, Vine. Fast co. gave us the most creative ways it's been used so far.  

• Instead of a to-do list, create a "NOT to-do list". The art of adding by taking it away.

• A goat GETS DOWN to the sound of beatboxing.

• In other news, Chris Brown is still a complete idiot. 

Photo via: Glitter Guide

The closest to chemistry I'll ever get.

That was probably a horrible title because if I ever saw a link with the word 'chemistry' in it I'd be all, "YEAH, NO THANKS." You know what they say, SEO shmeshee-o**.

These lab beakers are KIND OF like real laboratory vases only they have a flat bottom and are meant to hold flowers, not magic potions. The perfect addition to any desk or windowsill. 

A distressed wooden holder is the perfect touch, it's adds to the whole nature effect. 

**No one says that.

This one is from Urban Outfitters but here's another option from Etsy.