Valentine's Day Nails {Beauty}

Happy Valentine's Day. I am a complete sucker for V Day! I love everything hearts, cookies, candies, cards, flowers, tea parties...the list could go on. My love for Valentine's Day comes from my mom, who absolutely loves this holiday as well. Growing up she would shower us with gifts, baked goods, and sweet cards, showing her precious love to us. These traditions continue today and I am just as in "love" with Valentine's Day as when I was eight years old. 

I wanted to post a fun, easy way to get in the Valentine spirit. I hope you enjoy and feel inspired to embrace Valentine's Day (please excuse my extra dry cuticles from this crazy cold winter).  

Step 1: Choose a light pink, hot pink, and red color. I chose O.P.I. Kiss Me On My Tulips, Deborah Lippmann Before He Cheats, and Essie Snap Happy.

Step 2: Paint all of your nails in two to three coats of the light pink polish. 

Step 3: Using your hot pink polish, very carefully brush off the majority of the paint from the brush. In light easy strokes, create two hearts on your ring finger and your pinky finger. 

Step 4: On your ring finger, add an additional heart using your red polish. 

: : Shop the Post: 

O.P.I. Kiss Me On My Tulips, Deborah Lippmann Before He Cheats, and Essie Snap Happy.

With Love,

A

Photos by Preston Anderson

Sewing Lessons {DIY}

Year after year I have continually set a goal for myself to learn how to sew.  This has not been an easy task when my teacher (my Mom) lives in Minneapolis and I live in Seattle. When home for an extended period of time I declared to my Mom that we were making a Midi Skirt, and when I say we I really meant my Mom was making me a Midi Skirt! All the credit for the skirt goes to my Mom but here is what I learned from careful observation. 

1. Choose your pattern carefully. I made the mistake of choosing a European pattern, these patterns are not as clear and give less direction. 

2. Don't be afraid to alter your pattern, I really liked the silhouette of skirt "A" but wanted to add length and put the zipper in the back. Keep in mind that if you are altering something on the pattern you need to account for extra or fewer supplies like fabric. 

3. Make sure you have all the supplies you need, by the end of the week the staff at Jo-Ann Fabrics knew us- we were there on four different occasions picking up missing supplies. 

4. Read the pattern very carefully, my mom likes to study her pattern the night before she starts a project, this helps her visualize each step. 

5. Get started and have fun, as my mom says "you don't really know what you are going to get until you're done." 

6. First projects can be frustrating but practice makes perfect so keep on creating new things. Since this was my experience making clothing I decided to have it hemmed by a tailor- it saved me from some frustration and I'm hoping a professional touch will help to look a little more polished. 

The final product is coming soon...

:: Supplies ::

Sewing Machine

Pattern

Fabric (I chose a cotton fabric with a hint of stretch)
zipper

Pins

Thread

Scissors

Measuring tape

Interfacing (this helps stiffen the fabric for a better shape)


Thank you for reading,
L

Frosted Pink

The weather has been especially cold this winter. I have had four days called off of school because it has been significantly below zero (we're talking like -40 below)!!!! We are caught in a "frozen tundra" here in the cities. This hot pink coat has been helping me to embrace the cold as I count down the days until spring. 

: : Shop the Post : : 

J.Crew Hot PInk Coat, old (similar here) / / J.Crew Chambray / / J.Crew Pixie Pants / / Frye Boots / / Anthropologie Mittens, old / / Chanel Sunnies, old (similar here) 

With Love,

A

Photos by Preston Anderson

Comfy with an Edge

 This winter season I have been all about the, comfy, slouchy, and well draped sweater. This grey one from Tommy Bahama is one of my favorites, I have also been living in this one. The idea of putting on something comfortable while also looking polished is a wonderful thing. 

:: Shop the Post ::

Tommy Bahama Sweater // Zara Pants  // J. Crew Coat // DV Booties // Rebecca Minkoff Handbag // Stella & Dot Earrings // NARS Lipstick in Fast Ride 

Thank you for reading, 

L

Photos by Brendan Lorentz 

Red, White, & Black

I'm so excited to share this beautiful full midi skirt with you, its been something I have been looking to add to my wardrobe for some time now but was not able to find one at a price point I was comfortable with. I was about to pull the trigger on this one but on a shopping trip in MN to the Galleria I found the one I'm wearing on super sale- I got this beautiful silk/wool blend skirt for $30, marked down from over $200. Needless to say it was meant to be- I love nothing more then a great deal on an item I have been on the hunt for. 

:: Shop the Post ::

Seyrig NY Skirt (similar here & here) // J. Crew Jacket // Tommy Bahama Shirt // J. Crew Shoes (similar here) // F21 Necklaces old (similar here & here) // Rebecca Minkoff Purse // FACE Stockholm Lipstick for J. Crew in Chili Flake

Thank you for reading, 

L

Photos by Brendan Lorentz

Merci Merci

I have loved the graphic tee trend, but was having a hard time finding one that represented "me". I am not usually a graphics type of gal, but when I stumbled across this one at J.Crew I knew I had to snatch it up. It combines my love for anything French and it is simple enough to be paired with a lot of different outfits. If you are like me, and aren't usually drawn to a graphic tee, step outside your comfort zone and search for one that is perfect for you. It has surprised me how much I gravitate towards it in my wardrobe. 

: : Shop the Post : : 

J.Crew Merci Graphic tee / / J.Crew Wool Minnie Pants / / Anthropologie Utility Jacket, old (similar here) / / J.Crew Suede Flats, old (similar here) / / RayBan Sunnies / / J.Crew Necklace, old (similar here) / / Tiffany and Co. Bracelet / / Chan Luu Wrap Bracelet, old (similar here). 

With Love,

A

Photos by Preston Anderson

Plaid

I love fall in Minnesota. The crisp air, colorful leaves on the ground, sun shining, and beautiful new fall clothes (complete with boots, my absolute favorite). Fall brings so many wonderful memories to my mind. Fall is also the beginning of a new school year for me with my students and I always feel like it is the start my "year". Here's to a new year! Cheers. 

: : Shop the Post : : 

J.Crew Plaid Flannel / / J.Crew Wool Minnie Pants / / Rag & Bone Boots / / Marc by Marc Jacobs Bag, old (similar here) / / Chanel Sunnies, old (similar here) / / J.Crew necklace, (similar here) / / Tiffany & Co. Bracelet, Chan Luu Wrap Bracelet, old (similar here).

WIth Love,

A

Photos by Preston Anderson