a visit to the land of 10,000 lakes. and shopping and food and more food.

Just got back this past week from four days of lakes at every turn, food, fun and America's biggest mall. 

My cousin showed us her faves at Stella's Fish Cafe-gorgonzola table bread, the firecracker sushi roll and a delicious slice of cheesecake. I guess I failed to take a photo of everything but the cheesecake.. We were hungry. 

Day 2 we stopped by the mall, obviously to do what I do best, took a wild and crazy roller coaster ride, and ended the day at Tavern on France for fireside cocktails, build-your-own burgers and pizza, and local brews.

Of course one day involved cupcakes. My family and I stopped by Sweet Retreat

as seen on the Food Network's, Cupcake Wars, and tried basically every kind.

Day 4 we went to The Wienery (also seen on the Food Network) before heading home. It was a hole-in-the-wall place with the best hot dogs and onion rings I've ever had.

And Fruit Stripe zebra gum for the long ride home. A bit nostalgic.

white + black + blue + hand towel as head scarf

sweater: target (clearance $9!)

chambray shirt: target

pants: lauren conrad for kohl's (clearance $12!)

bag: the fur company

head scarf: target (last seen HERE)

necklace: forever 21 (last seen HERE)

heels: zara

So far this zig zag hand towel has been used every way other than as a hand towel; around my neck, my noggin, and most likely somewhere else surprising soon.

pink flames + electric blue

jacket: old navy

skirt: american eagle

shoes: walmart

bracelet: pier 1 (last seen HERE)

Something I love about my little sister's style is that she's always wearing something bright. She found these cute little pointy-toe flats at Walmart, of all places. Looks like wally world is stepping up its game. Great find, Hillary!

dash of red

on my mom~

scarf: walmart (for $2.50!)

white button-down: the limited

jeans: american eagle

leather wedges: nine west (only $40!) last seen HERE and HERE

jacket: target (for $19.99!)

on my brother~

gray blazer: target

 white button-down: target

jeans: target

shoes: aldo

tie: jcpenny

I helped dress my brother and mom for my brother's Catholic Confirmation this week. The confirmation candidates were asked to wear red, so I thought the best way he could incorporate some red easily without having to go out and spend much, and still look modern, was in a tie. Fashion can be scarce in my small town. The malls don't have the greatest of store options, but we've learned to work with what we've got. My mom and I were surprised to find this one at JCPenny; slim and straight, not too sheeny with a dash of red. We'll take it.

Oh, and the other handsome young fellow with the nice eyes.. that's his friend Colin.

color

pants: target

shirt: walmart

shoes: keds

chain necklace: chico's

fedora: h&m

My sister Hillary brightening this rainy afternoon with her outfit and even more colorful personality. 



a thousand words

I'm really loving Harper's Bazaar's minimal type treatment for their covers. I find the pictures more compelling than bold headlines, making these issues look more like decorative coffee table magazines.

Less is definitely more.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

An h&m sweater with pot o' gold shine, green kicks and hair strips, and a tasty ol' donut to top off me mornin'.

UW Fashion Week

I was invited this week to take part in a blogger panel for University of Wisconsin's first ever Fashion Week put on by MODA Magazine. It was so nice to meet the students and fellow Midwest bloggers for a night discussing the world of blogging, creating an online presence and, of course, fashion. The other blogs included Style Block, What I Wore, Fashion Farm Boy, and Flash Revolutions. What a fashionable-looking group!

cowboy + wind

plaid shirt: abercrombie & fitch

sleeveless sweater: chico's

infinity scarf: h&m

jeans: tj maxx

boots: gap

cuff: kohl's

It's so refreshing being able to walk outside in light layers. I even left my house with wet hair. No need for a blow dryer with this glorious, unseasonably warm wind! I am A-OK with 60 degree weather in early March in Wisconsin. The day called for some color, so blue, plaid, and my little Gap red leather cowboy booties (which I got for pennies compared to their original price) it was! The sleeveless sweater was my grandma's that she didn't want anymore. Her wardrobe is surprisingly hip, and she's always had such great and classy taste. I think I get my love for clothes from her.

Time to go enjoy more of this day!

crayola ola ola

vest: gap

pants: the limited

striped button-up: old navy

shoes: old navy

blazer: h&m

socks: old navy

I've never really been a green kind of girl, but for some reason these little snake skin flats struck my fancy. I don't know if it was the $8 price tag or the rich emerald color.. or the fact that my brain uncontrollably started to put together all the ways I could wear them, which is something I do a lot.. my brain is very persuasive and at times dangerously good at figuring out how to pick up something that I don't even really want and think of 101 different ways to wear it, (wow this is getting to be a long sentence.. almost done) forcing me to buy it even though I don't exactly need it. Some say it's a skill, but I consider it a slight sickness. The blazer I have on was a great buy; neutral, modern fit, can go with everything, $20 closet staple? Yes, please. As for the mismatching socks.. it was done on purpose.