New Year's Eve

While most people end up celebrating NYE out on the town, I usually am spending the day working to create a memorable celebration- this year, the restaurant is hosting what will turn out to be a spectacular, black tie event. Which of course means we get to doll up as well! 

Knowing full well I will have to work what will be a long shift that night, followed by ringing in the New Year with many good friends after, I knew I would need an outfit that was both super chic and super comfortable. (With a change of heels, of course!) 

I didn't want to spend the money I normally would on such an event, so off to the discount shops I go! Here is what I came up with...

 

Sequined stretchy dress from Forever 21 ($35)

Vintage Art deco earrings that were from my Grandma

Steve Madden Nude flats while at work

Splurge alert! For after work, a beautiful pair of Roberto Cavalli sandals from Yoox - these shoes will make the inexpensive dress look like a million bucks($280) 

Giving Thanks.

 

Have a safe holiday everyone! Today, I am reflecting on the many things I am so grateful for- I couldn't  ask for much better. 

Cheers!

 

Pinspiration

One of my favorite blogs, Atlantic-Pacific, is my inspiration this week- Blair has a sense of style that's both timeless and so chic, I wish I could raid her closet everyday. 

This outfit seems to be the perfect transition between fall and winter, day and night, timeless and fashion-forward. 

Enjoy!

Dramatic Dressing for Less

The holidays are coming up fast and what better way to celebrate than to look fabulous without the cost!?

I have drawn some inspiration from both Pinterest and by channeling my inter Angelina with this look... 

Enjoy!

Check out ASOS to see the back of this dress as well- Super. Hot. ($52)

Wear backwards with the dress to show off the sexy back from Express ($34)

 

Simple yet elegant miniaudiére from Zara ($90)

Just enough of a statement in these Aldo shoes. ($48)

Find that dress! (Or purse, shoes, earrings... etc.)

It's been a while but I am BACK in action! What a crazy few months, people. Lots to talk about, but let's get down to business. 

A friend recently requested my help finding a dress for her- a beautiful, flowy L.A.M.B. maxi dress. It was sold out and her heart was nearly broken... until yours truly came to the rescue! Knowing my shopping habit, she sent me a picture of the coveted dress seen here- 



Within 20 minutes, I was able to not only find the dress, but find it for a discount. (And for 60% off!)

Now, I have this idea- send me your requests, blogosphere! I will help you find pretty much anything you are looking for if it is sold out! (A lot of times, I can find things at a discounted price too!) 

Taking requests starting.... NOW. Give me what you got!

indian summer.

It is almost that time to start thinking about the transition into a fall wardrobe- but I am still holding on to this amazing Minnesota summer. Here are some great pieces that could easily be styled into fall outfits as well- but we will keep it summery for the time being. 

(appliqué top from zara)

(orange trousers from express)

(oversize clutch from neimans)

(awesome YSL pumps from bluefly)

sneak peak of the week.

Hair. I love styling my hair in all sorts of funky ways- but for the wedding, I want to keep it down. I am still trying to figure out exactly what "let your hair down" style I want. 

Here are a few ideas of what I am considering... 

classic//vintage

beachy//undone

loose//curly

modern//loose ends

*Still crossing my fingers it grows another 6 inches before the wedding!* 

pinspiration.

It's been a crazy busy week celebrating the one year anniversary of The Bachelor Farmer. Today, we are spending the day setting up for Kråftskiva, a traditional Scandinavian summer festival. 

I decided to post a photo from Pinterest that was particularly eye-catching to me today- keep the summer coming with a white, flowy dress like that!

Happy Saturday!

minneapolis finds.

I thought I would post about some of my hometown treasures today- thrift and vintage stores. Some of my all-time favorite items have come from these stores and although it takes time and patience, can be totally worth the wait. (i.e. my marc by marc jacobs bag, a BCBG maxi, some super cool vintage silk scarves and my very favorite new flats)

Here are some of the stores in town that I would highly recommend:



 Rewind Vintage - 2829 Johnson Street NE Mpls • 4806 Chicago Ave S Mpls.

This store is definitely a place to frequently visit (sometimes you come away with nothing, other times you hit the jackpot) but I have found some seriously killer accessories here, including a brightly multi-colored woven belt, a couple vintage silk scarves and some awesome cowboy boots that I wear almost everyday in the fall. All for less than $75. Total. 

Opitz Outlet Center - 4320 Excelsior Blvd St. Louis Park

Wanting some serious designers in you closet? Then this is the place for you. up to 90% off some of their items, and let's just say gettting a Marc Jacobs bag for $150 is not out of the question. The other day, a friend of mine scored some super cute Cole Haan woven pumps for $30. That's Payless prices, people. 

Downside: You may have to bump thorough a crowd to get to that Alice and Olivia dress you saw on Selena Gomez. 

T.J. Maxx - specifically, the one in Knollwood Mall- 8322 Highway 7 St. Louis Park

This well-known discount store has multiple locations, but the one at Knollwood Mall blows the rest out of the water. Looking for Gucci? Marc by Marc Jacobs? Rebecca Taylor? T by Alexander Wang? You can find it all, just don't expect as much of a price cut as Opitz. 

(Update! My Reed Krakoff Gym II bag was actually found at theoutnet.com- an awesome website for designer goods at a fraction of the price!)

celebrity.

Oh, Shorts. So much more versatile than people give them credit for. Dressed up, dressed down, to the beach, out on the town or running errands, shorts can be worn in so many different ways- especially during the smokin' hot months of summer. Here are some perfect examples from Eva Longoria, Kate Moss and Tinsley Mortimer. 

outfit of the week.

I'm heading to the Governor's Mansion for a casual dinner on Thursday and needed an outfit that was both classy and fashionable without being too dressy. 

Here's an idea of what I put together...

(Skirt and top from Asos)

(Vintage Chanel. I wish.)

(Charles David sandals from Neiman's Last Call) 

(Marc by Marc Jacobs earrings from Shopbop)

(Statement cuff from Shopbop)

styled. essentials.

There are a few things every girl (and guy, for that matter) must have in her closet- one of them is a quality silk white blouse. They are extremely versatile, can be dressed up or down, and when fitted properly, make you look like a million bucks. Although I recommend spending the time and money on a great blouse, here are a few options across all price points. 

Bling-bling:

(Equipment blouse, $208 Bloomingdales)

Affordable:

(Blythe blouse, $110, J.Crew)

On a dime:

(Cocoon silk blouse, $49.50 (on sale!), Banana Republic)

sneak peek of the day.

As far as wedding cake goes, I am really having a hard time finding one unique and affordable. They all look so similar and the really beautiful cakes are WAY out of my price range. Another important quality about the cake for us is taste- since we are placing the focus on food and wine for our wedding, flavor is absolutely the most important aspect about it. 

When I came across this wedding cake, I instantly knew that if we were going to have one, this would would be it. It's unique, looks beautiful and does NOT have fondant (I'm not really a fan of the blanket of frosting)! 

What are your thoughts about this cake?

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celebrity inspiration.

Today while having my usual morning coffee and Pinterest routine, I came across this beautiful photo of Olivia Palermo. I thought I would share this inspiration with you as well. Mixing prints can be tricky, but Olivia pulled this off- absolutely flawlessly. 

trending.

Whether we are still soaking in the summer heat or looking forward to cooler weather, fall fashion is fast approaching. Earthtones, drape-y tops and leather pants are all the rage this coming season. Here are a few examples of the perfect fall outfit. 

Bling-bling:

(Outfit from barneys.com)

Affordable:

(Outfit from Zara)

On a dime:

Paired with...

(Both from asos.com- pants and jacket)

dressing.

I wanted to focus on dressing for a specific type today- petite pear. (Yes, that's me!) It can be frustrating  to shop for this type for two reasons: the obvious reason, inseam and also trying to find things that do not make your hips look like the size of the Grand Canyon! Here are a couple of tips to prevent this from happening. 


1. Find a good tailor. There are plenty around, but sometimes it can take a little digging. A tailor is your best friend (especially with inseams!) and can turn any outfit, even that one from Forever 21, look like a million bucks. Some good ways to find them- Angie's List, the old fashioned phone book and even older fashioned word of mouth. 


2. Accentuate the waist. This can be as easy as an A-line skirt, a blouse and a belt. A flowy, knee length skirt is one of the most flattering for the pear body type. Also, look into pants with a little flair at the bottom- this balances the look of being bottom heavy. 


3. Pull the attention upwards- whether it is wearing a fun hairstyle, flattering make-up, some fun statements jewelry, a scarf, an attention grabbing top (remember: sexy not sleazy) or a combination of these things, pulling the attention towards the torso draws it AWAY from the bottom half. 

Here are some perfect outfit examples: 

The striped top and fun belt add the slimming effect- the red skirt, while brightly colored, has the perfect flair and length to flatter any pear shaped woman! (Belt: Anthropologie Shirt and Skirt: Asos.)

This classic outfit of a flowy blouse tucked in to the always flattering black trousers can be accessorized with a colorful and attention-grabbing scarf. (Scarf: J.Crew Blouse and pants: Club Monoco)

This dress from Madewell has some seriously slimming effects- vertical stripes create an illusion of smaller hips with the belt drawing attention to the skinnier waist. (All from Madewell)

Have a great Saturday!