5/21/2013

TO THE WINDY CITY



hey guys, i moved! :)

i'm now living in chicago - more specifically, in the lakeview neighborhood. i'm 2 blocks away from lake michigan, and i love my apartment. if you remember, i spent a few weeks here about 2 years ago for work and now i'm officially working in chicago. i can't wait to see what the city has to offer in terms of fashion and style, and i can't wait to share everything i find with all of you! 

4/14/2013

WINGS & "FLIGHT OF FASHION"





fashion for a good cause? yes please! earlier this month i had the pleasure of attending the united way's WINGs flight of fashion 2013, an event featuring fashion from local boutiques and designers. hosted and styled by grant whittaker, the runway segments were split into high fashion cities of the world: NYC, paris, tokyo, milan, and madrid. in between segments, grant and allison kaplan, shopping and style editor of Mpls St. Paul Magazine, recapped each look, commenting on current trends and inspiration. the collection of garments that went down the runway were more than most fashionistas could handle. my eyes widened when i saw a vintage chanel couture tulle dress. and the leather? beautiful and buttery leather garments that made me weak in the knees.

"it's so important that we support the community, and what better way than to do that with fashion?"  WINGs (women investing in the next generation), a division of the United Way, is all about investing in women by offering them resources and tools to maintain financial stability while expanding their skills to help "take flight."

the event reached out to the local community for support. runway looks were provided by boutiques including grethen house, june, fashion avenue, and arrow minneapolis; local designers emma berg and stephanie lake also provided pieces for the runway. the elixery, a minneapolis-based cosmetic house, created a custom shade called "take flight" - a sheer neutral pink - with proceeds going to WINGs.

flight of fashion was a reminder of the strength, influence, and power that a community has to forge new paths for women. it's often that we hear of international struggles but it's not often that we hear about the individual stories that happen in our community.

3/21/2013

TO THE MAX

it's still freezing here and it seems like spring is never coming. i'm trying to do a little bit of online shopping to distract myself from that bitter cold reality outside my window. i'm ready for dress weather and bare legs. maybe a little bit of color if i'm feeling really crazy, and a bright color for the sun (!!!) to shine on. i never need a reason or occasion for a new dress - it's just that i always want a new dress!



these designer dresses from max studio would be perfect for a nice outdoor event, hopefully with a cocktail in hand. i have a soft spot for dresses like these - minimal yet feminine - and they come in a handful of bright spring colors. these dresses are easy to style: dress them up or dress them down. when i'm thinking about something that can be a little more casual, i usually imagine those days when i'm in a time crunch and i grab the first thing i see - dress and a pair of shoes - and i run out the door. there's a handful of great transitional day-to-night dresses, too. the tubular tank dress is simple enough to wear on its own, or it could be paired with statement heels for a night out. their black tie dresses can be for that special evening event, but they're flexible enough to wear for other occasions as well.

and if i'm feeling the dark side? plenty of black dresses - right up my alley. some of them have a little lace, a little sheerness, and a little bit of flirtiness too. i'm kind of in love with the crinkled silk chiffon long dress. you can never go wrong with all black everything.


*sponsored post in collaboration with max studio

3/01/2013

& OTHER STORIES



in one week, another H&M womens' brand launches online. unfortunately for us americans, "& other stories" will be available to 10 european countries online with shops opening in major european cities, just another reason why i'm ready to jump on a plane back to amsterdam or paris. 




the most noteworthy part of & other stories is their beauty line, available now at colette online. colette has international shipping! now if only they stocked the entire line from & other stories... 

colette

2/10/2013

THRIFT THRILLS


while most stores have already cleared out their fall/winter collections, i'm still stuck with a real stubborn minnesotan winter and a desire for more knits. i'm back on my thrift game and i've finding some really great sweaters for under $10. for the month of february, i'll highlight some of my best thrift finds as my thrifting adventures continue. stay tuned!

VANITY PROJECT


wanna know my beauty secrets? i just did a little beauty interview for kara's blog, vanity project! spoiler alert: i confess my obsession and serious love for NARS.

1/24/2013

ARE WE THERE YET

summer

sub-zero temps this week have me dreaming of a much brighter and warmer future. on a beach, perhaps... somewhere far from the midwest. here's a few things i've been coveting for the summer so i can pretend that i don't live in an icy miserable climate.

1/03/2013

THIRTEEN



1. take more photos
2. travel (road trips included)
3. exercise
4. read
5. stay informed
6. move to another city
7. spend less
8. meet new people
9. go outside
10. stay positive
11. smoke less
12. spend time with family & friends
13. stay motivated