The Prairie - Seven

Hoodie: Hot Mama
Tank:  Eddie Bauer
Jeans:  Target
Boots:  DSW
Jewelry:  Gifted

The blaze orange Prairie Underground hoodie was a rare piece for Hot Mama.  Only the Woodbury location received them, and not many.  Karen was a lucky customer who bought one.  She came back in the store one day to get some ideas on what to wear with it.  I offered her a few ideas (SO many  colors look great paired with blaze orange!).  The next day, a message was relayed that Karen had put an item on hold for me at Eddie Bauer (across the street)  - something she thought would go with my OUR hoodie.

I hadn't been in an Eddie Bauer in EONS and had no idea what to expect.  Holy cuteness!  Sure, it's not the trendiest place on earth, but their basics (tees, flannels, etc.) and outerwear are adorable.  And I don't know why I had never thought of shopping for Steve there - their clothes are perfect for Disc-Golf.

The very nice salesperson presented me with this green tank, on clearance.  Not only does the color look fantastic with the orange, but the ruffle detail peeking out of the zipped hoodie is too darn cute.  It had to come home with me.  Thanks, Karen, for your thoughtfulness and for re-introducing me to Eddie Bauer!

The Prairie - Six

Hoodie & Vest:  Hot Mama
Earrings:  INPINK
Shorts:  thrifted
Boots:  DSW

Ignore the blur.  And that scowl on my face.  It in no way reflects my current state of being.  On the contrary, I am a very happy, busy girl.  As you might have noticed, I still haven't figured out how Ms. Blog fits into my new routine.  I go for days without checking email, so if you've sent me anything, please be patient as I filter through what requires a response.

Outfit pictures and post obligations are piling up, but now is not the time to abandon ship.  Fun things coming up...in due time. 

The Prairie - Five

Hoodie, Leggings:  Hot Mama
Dress:  Kenzie via giveaway win
Boots:  DSW

Just poppin' in for a quick "hello" and to encourage you to comment on this Wild Ruffle post.  Cate is not only raising awareness for one of my favorite charitable organizations, but she is donating $1 for every comment she receives.  How great is THAT!

The Pairie - Four

Hat, Hoodie & Jeans:  Hot Mama
Shirt:  Gander Mountain Outlet
Boots:  Madden Girl
Laptop bag:  FuzzyNation via Macy's
Necklace:  Gift from dad-in-law

I'm pretty crazy about hats.  The only thing I find challenging about short hair is finding hats that don't make me look like a boy.  The key is to wear lots of mascara and big earrings.  I'm not putting that into practice in this photo, but in general...it helps.

Happy Weekending!

Michele 1 Elle

I love show-stopping accessories.  The bolder, the better.  And these gorgeous pieces by Michele 1 Elle are exactly that.  I would love to dress up a simple black tee & blazer with the Antique Copper Fringe Necklace (top left).  And I could so see myself wearing the Amethyst and Gold Fascinator (bottom right) to the MN Opera, a vintage fashion event, or PROM (10+ years too late).

THIS is how upcycled vintage should be done.  Lots of class, without lacking any sass.  MmmHmm.  You know that's right.

(Thank you Michele for donating a gorgeous headband to the clothes-swap benefiting Dress for Success - and for your attendance.  So nice to meet you!)

The Prairie - Three

Earrings:  FMSC Marketplace
Hoodie & Bouse:  Hot Mama
Skirt:  American Eagle, thrifted
Boots:  DSW

This just in:  All Most animal print is neutral.

Ok, so maybe this isn't breaking news, but it's pretty important.  At least in my world.

The Prairie - Two

Hoodie, Cardi, Tunic, Leggings:  Hot Mama
Boots & Socks:  Target
Jewelry:  INPINK

Nope, didn't plan this.  The hoodie was purchased with no intention of pairing it with this striped, orange tunic.  It just happened.  Orange has become my new color.  A color I always meant to have more of, just never came across it in the right fashion until recently.  Good timing, because it sure looks great against the colors of the sweetest Minnesota fall in a hundred years or so...at least that's what the weatherman says.

FRIDAY!  Doesn't have quite the same meaning as it used to, but it's still worth celebrating.

Wherefore Art Thou?

Dress: vintage via Mighty Swell
Boots:  DSW

You didn't think I'd given up on my love of vintage, did you?  Oh, contrar.  I call this my Juliet dress.  Though I'm sure it's not from Shakespeare's era.  More like the Sonny and Cher era.  But whatevs.  It's about as polyester as polyester can be, so it had to wait for cooler weather.

Kokoon

I've been to purse parties and jewelry parties.  MaryKay, Arbonne, and Melaleuca parties.  Fun and informative, yes.  But none of these have truly spoken to my lust for spending because my #1 shopping priority has always been CLOTHING.

Enter KOKOON.  A boutique without borders is exactly what it is.  A private pop-up shop that will set up a trunk show in your very own living room, with only your specially chosen guests in attendance.  I'm excited to go to my first Kokoon boutique next month!

Designs are crafted with a busy, modern woman in mind (that's all of us, right?).  I particularly love the use of basics - with the chicness factor taken up several notches.  It was no problem selecting my favorite items from their website.  Prices are reasonable, but I better start saving if I'm going for a whole outfit (*wink).

(Thank you to Amber at Kokoon for donating 2 $50 gift cards to the clothes-swap benefiting for Dress for Success!)

Winner!

Congratulations, Nicole!  You won the gorgeous yellow dress from eShakti!  Check your email for a note from me!

The Prairie - One

Tee:  H&M
Hoodie:  Prairie Underground via Hot Mama
Jeans:  Lux, thrifted
Shoes:  Target

I nearly died when this bright Prairie Underground hoodie came in at Hot Mama.  Colors I had seen in this style were typically muted.  I momentarily resisted trying it on for fear of what I knew would be too tempting of a purchase.  The price tag read just over $200!  Granted, I get an employee discount, but still.

Somewhat hesitantly, I tried it on.  Pure LOVE.  I'm a girl who knows and loves her casual-wear, so hoodies and sweatshirts abound in my closet.  But this one...this one was soooooo different.  It made me feel special.  The color made me glow.  The fit made me feel light and slim.  And that ruffled collar made me feel like a queen.  I calculated the value of the hoodie by how much I would wear it, how much I love it, and how I feel IN it.  I determined that sacrificing a few smaller purchases in order to afford this one was worth it. 

And now I will spend the month of October proving to myself that cost-per-wear matters MORE than the cost of the item itself.  Oh boy, here I go.

Sighs of Relief

Scarf & Blazer:  Hot Mama
Tee, Jeans & Boots:  Target

Can I just take moment to breath a sigh of relief...(ahhhhh).  This concludes the first week of my new dream job at Hot Mama.   How awesome is it to look forward to work every day?  Pretty darn awesome.  One of the reasons I never ventured into retail before was because I couldn't imagine having to work evenings and weekends.  Turns out, when it's something I love and enjoy doing, it really doesn't matter when I do it...because I want to be there all. the. time.

Also...the clothes-swap is over.  Thank God.  Not that I don't love the event, but the timing wasn't good for me this year.  It went really well with the help of some wonderful friends (you know who you are), and for that I am incredibly grateful.  

Now that my schedule has lightened significantly, I plan to make time for blogging again.  I have some big plans for October.  Like, sharing a few local businesses with you that contributed raffle prizes to the clothes-swap.  They're all so great, you deserve to know them.  

AND,  I've challenged myself with styling my new Prairie Underground hoodie as many ways as possible.  There might even be a vote for your favorite look at the end of the month.  Fun stuff like that.

See you sooner than later.