I had the pleasure of spending this past weekend a Birch Haven Retreat in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. Â I had been there once before and this past weekend was every bit as fun as the first go-around! Birch Haven can basically be described as an Air B&B for crafters. The house has been completely renovated with the clear intent to accommodate a group of crafters for a weekend (or week long) crafting retreat. It is obvious that the person who designed the space did so with a group crafting event in mind. From the provided cup holder/trash bag combos that attach to your work table to the open living area that…
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Oversized Chenille Sweater, 4 ways
I have a serious confession to make: I absolutely HATE paying shipping fees. I would rather drive an hour to a brick and mortar store than pay $6.99 for shipping on an online order. There have even been instances where I have spent an hour on a retailer’s website adding items to my cart only to discard the entire order upon the realization that there is no spend threshold that I can surpass in order to receive free shipping (I’m looking at you, Hobby Lobby). Anyway, enough of that mini-rant. I say all of that to say this: I did not set out to buy this sweater.  The only reason…
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My Favorite Sweaters Under $35
Winter is in FULL swing and I think now might be the perfect time to make whatever sweater purchases you were wanting to make this year. There is still plenty of cool weather left this season, and the fiscal year for many retailers begins in February. This means that you will be sure to find a lot of good deals on fall and winter merchandise as stores prep to bring in their new spring inventory. Starting now and likely going until sellers are sold through inventory, there will be sales galore on lots of great cold-weather necessities, including sweaters! Because the Midwestern girl in me hates paying full price for…
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Don’t Forget your Jacket! How to build a Solid Outerwear Foundation
One piece of an outfit that I think is often forgotten is outerwear. Being from Wisconsin where the temperature outside can fluctuate from 60 degrees one day to 30 degrees the very next, the option to overlook outerwear is not afforded to me. I am a strong believer that your outerwear should flow and compliment the rest of your outfit in the same way that hair or makeup or accessories do. However, the biggest issue with this way of thinking is that outerwear is not cheap! Because of that, I cannot justify buying a new coat or pair of boots to go with every new outfit that I come up…
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2018-2019 Winter Must Haves
Considering the fact that I am Wisconsin born and raised, I have a good idea of how to withstand the cold weather with out sacrificing style. Sometimes it is easier said than done. Winter clothes are heavy and the extra layers required push the pocket books a little more than warmer weather wardrobes. But it is possible to dress in style without breaking the bank! Here are my recommendations to get the most bang for your buck for the 2018-2019 winter season! 1. Puffer Vest I figured that I would start here because I have talked before about how much I love puffer vests. They are so versatile – you…
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Denver in December
About 4 years ago one of my brothers made the decision to move to Denver, Colorado. At the time, most of my family thought he was crazy. No one in our family had ever moved outside of our home state of Wisconsin, and he had no reason for leaving other than the fact that he just wanted to get out of our little nowhere town. It was a pretty difficult concept for most of our family to grasp. Since he moved, I have had the opportunity to visit him three times. The very first day of my very first trip to visit him in Denver, everything clicked in my brain…
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Five Ways to Wear a Bold Striped Sweater
One of the biggest challenges of dressing well on a tight budget is finding multiple ways to reinvent the same pieces, but it is so rewarding when you do. Isn’t it such a thrill to find new ways to wear items that are already in your closet?! Coming up with a new outfit that makes you feel great is always exciting, but being able to do it without spending money on new pieces makes it that much more exhilarating. That is why I am giving you five ways to wear one bold striped sweater. This sweater actually has somewhat of a comical story behind it. I had ordered it from…
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Favorite Black Friday Finds 2018
Here are my favorite Black Friday finds of 2018. Working in corporate retail has given me a keen sense of what is a good deal and what is just marketing filler. Here you will find trendy pieces and wardrobe staples alike – all for a great deal! Outerwear This head band is so cute, comes in four colors and is only $3! I might buy one in each color! These mittens are perfect if you would like to add a little extra glitz to your winter wardrobe. At only $5, you can totally afford to look cute while staying warm! This teddy jacket is only $24 and comes in 3…
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Old Navy Vests: A Yearly Tradition
What is it about a great vest that makes it an essential for any fall or winter wardrobe?! Is it the versatility of being able to dress it up or dress is down? Is it the fact that its lack of sleeves makes it appropriate to keep on indoors while its cozy filling keeps you warm if you choose to wear it as outerwear? Maybe it’s the timelessness of a great vest that makes it the perfect staple piece. It’s very possible that a combination of all of these reasons is what makes a vest an absolute must have for fall and winter. I can’t be 100 percent sure. One…
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White After Labor Day – It’s A Thing and It’s Here to Stay
For as long as I can remember, it has been ingrained in my mind that wearing white after Labor Day was some kind of major fashion faux-pas. There is a very specific memory that has stuck with me and further entrenched the notion. I recall being in second grade standing in line to go inside after recess and talking to a third grader, who was obviously much cooler and more knowledgeable than I was based merely on the fact that she was one year older than I. I can’t recall how it came up, or even exactly what she said, but I remember her making the point known that wearing…
