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!

In the kitchen.

While waiting for a cake to finish baking the other day,  I thought about how I was lacking (and needing) a cute apron to cook in. Luckily for me (and everyone else who has the same thought), Anthropologie has some super cute options. Check these out!

outfit of the week.

This is an inspired look that I wore the other day on a hot date with my fiancé- red. hot. Take a look!

Last but certainly not least... the shoes. 

Sneak peek of the day!

Sneak peek of the day- wedded bliss. 


I am in the middle of planning my wedding in Napa Valley and can I just say... The colors! The themes! The budget breaking! Oh my! Although it may be hard for me to hone in on the exact color scheme I want (I am leaning towards a neutral palate), here is a small idea of what I want for my centerpieces- simple, understated, yet elegant and fitting for an outdoor wedding.  

Via Forget Me Knot Weddings/ Photo by Jasmine Star

As the weeks go by, I will post more photos and ideas of what I want for my wedding. 


Cheers!

Don't forget to check out my Pinterest board for styled. ideas!

Hello all! I am super excited to start this blog as I venture into an exciting new career- a freelance personal shopper! Having a longstanding obsession with the fashion world, along with a passion for food, wine and traveling, I aspire to share these passions of mine with the world- of any demographic. Stay tuned for the coming weeks where you will begin to see my personal style unfold as well as the styles that can fit into anyone's budget, personal taste and perhaps most importantly, flattering for any shape! 

Get ready to be styled.