The number one MOST important piece to my new morning routine as shared on Instagram… Get the template here!
Read more"Old Look, New Perspective" My Interview with RWM
Sharing my thoughts on personal style and the importance of breaking free from comparison in this season’s Rochester Women Magazine publication.
A huge thank you to new owner Emily Coates Watkins and writer Grace Menchaca for allowing me the opportunity to share my passion for authentic-self driven personal style.
Find Rochester Women Magazine “in the flesh” at a variety of local businesses!
Signature Styling with Val in Vogue
When Val and I first met, it was easy to fall right into a conversation about fashion, mental health, and all things Rochester, MN. Val Kleinhans runs local lifestyle blog Val In Vogue discussing these topics and more. I just love her warm aesthetic and edgy style so when she mentioned noticing a few similarities between us, I was super flattered and this collaboration was born!!
Three key elements you’ll find on rotation for Val and me; animal print, black hats, and graphic tees. Our mission; share all kinds of ways to style these similar pieces in ways that are uniquely our own:
Animal Print
Val’s no-holds-bar approach to pattern mixing with animal print is my favorite! The secret to mixing any patterns is to pay close attention to the size of each, pairing larger with small as she does here- using patterns that share at least one base color helps keep the look from getting too busy as well!
For me, animal print is one of the few you’ll find in my wardrobe these days, as I prefer to play with textures. My looks here are an approachable way to introduce animal print if you’ve been hesitant to try it out. Whether a clothing item or accessory, make it the focal point of your outfit and keep the rest simple.
Black Hats
After years of sitting on my shelf, the black hat has now become one of my most signature looks. Each time I used to put it on & then it went right back on the shelf because I felt like Indiana Jones— I still do, but now I like it!!
Lots of people are afraid of hats. My advice, keep trying them on until you find one to give a shot. You may feel a little awkward at first because hey, it’s something new! Here’s a helpful guide on hat styles for different face shapes if you’re not sure where to start. Val rocks a plethora of hat styles and is soo good at styling each in such a unique way! I especially loves how she dresses up the knit beanie here.
Graphic Tees
Soo many options out there, you should probably have at least one in your closet! I love that like textures, it is another fun way to give an outfit depth and interest. Dress it up with a skirt or blazer, or keep it low key with jeans and boots.
Next time you’re getting ready, try swapping out the basic tee in your outfit with a graphic. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how easily it changes the whole vibe of your look.
We had so much fun planning this collaboration and hope that you’ve gotten some inspiration to dig a few key pieces out of your own closet for some fresh styling. Be sure to check of Val’s write up on her blog here. Give yourself some time though, the girl’s got amazing content for your rabbit-hole tendencies.
Hygge 101 "Let's Get Cozy"
While hygge can be practiced year-round, the concept is especially useful in combating cabin fever during Fall, Winter, and Spring (or second Winter, as we like to call it around here). Ready or not, here the snow comes so why not hunker down and try embracing all that is cozy with hygge?
Read moreSwap Don't Shop
Happy February! Has post-holiday cabin fever gotten the best of you? Get your girls together for a closet swap party and kill two birds with one stone— hanging out with some of your favorite people and enjoying some (free) “retail” therapy. ..
Read more"Dressing For Your Authentic Self" A SheCreative Collaboration (pt 1)
We are always evolving through education, spiritual practices, travel, and more. Simply acquiring life experience such as becoming a parent or losing a parent continues to shape who we are, re-knitting the fibers of our being. Throughout these different “seasons” as I like to call them, our personal style also evolves, as should our wardrobe. Often times, we hold pieces for sentimental value or because they truly did serve us during another season. Eventually our closet becomes merely a display of past seasons and fond memories rather than a functional tool in our daily routine.
Read moreFive Simple Ways to Celebrate a Deceased Loved One
Finding ways to celebrate a loved one can be difficult to say the least, especially if you are still actively mourning. My Mother in Law passed away February 2017 and while we have made it through the entire year of "firsts" without her, Lisa's birthday today wasn't any easier to get through than the last. Whether you are dealing with a recent death or one from years ago, here are five simple ways to honor a loved one on the other side...
Read more5 Free Things to Do on a Boring Afternoon
It happened, we got a blizzard in April- again. While being snowed in this weekend certainly wasn't at the top of my wish list of to-do's, getting creative around the house actually made for quite a bit of fun and productivity we wouldn't have enjoyed otherwise. If you're struggling with cabin fever waiting for the snow to melt this week, here are five free ways to beat the winter blues...
Read moreEmbracing Your Personal Style
The greatest part is that this process doesn't end at your closet. Becoming more attuned to your personal style is a great starting point for exploring what makes you happiest in other areas of your life, such as home decor, career decisions, relationships and more. Embracing your authentic self is entirely liberating and empowering! Grab a pen and paper for notes, then read on for my tips on how to get started...
Read moreMake it a Simply Beautiful Year
Are you a resolution maker? Have any stuck? While not being big into resolutions per say, I am very ritualistic. A new routine never starts mid-week in this household. New Year's Day is kind of like the ultimate reset, and a great way to kick off positive self-reflection, as well as plan some goals moving forward...
Read moreRochester Women's Magazine Feature
How many times have you stood in front of your closet, cursing that fact that you have nothing to wear? Me, too… Odds are that in the 62 days between Halloween and New Year’s Day, you’ll be invited to more events than the entire rest of the year. Keeping up with a great new outfit for each is exhausting, and unrealistic.
Read moreHow to Host a Closet Swap
Hosting a closet is a great no-cost way to snap up a new look and get some quality time in with your friends. It can be as simple as providing snacks and asking each attendee to bring a few items from their closet to “swap”, but to ensure absolute success, take note of the following tips:
Read moreStyling an Open Floorplan
I remember the day we put the offer in, smiling through gritted teeth as I surrendered to the fact that a ranch-style wouldn't offer the larger rooms we needed, and those adorable character-filled homes closer to downtown just weren't in the budget.
Read moreFall Color Tour 2017
Every October, my husband and I make a special trip into Wisconsin and along the Great River Road Wine Trail...
Read moreChicken Pot Pie Soup
The temps just seemed to plummet this year, yeah? Seriously- it felt like we went from 85 degrees to snow in o.2 seconds...
Read moreCreating a Capsule Collection
A capsule collection is a small group of useful clothing that changes with each season. Using this concept through the holidays saves time, money, and hopefully a bit of your sanity...
Read moreScary Good: Last-Minute Scarecrow
Today, I needed a SUPER last-minute Halloween costume. Since it was already Halloween afternoon, the look had to already exist in my closet...
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