Thursday, August 28, 2014

Fall Totes..







Dress: old, similar here and here | Cardigan: Dillards, similar here | Booties: Maurices, similar here and here | Purse: Ivanka Trump (similar), lusting for this | Sunnies: House of Harlow, similar here | Earrings: Vince Camuto | Bracelets: BCBG, Stella & Dot | Lips: MAC - Happy Go Lucky (no longer available, similar here)

So I ran out of the house the other day without even thinking about changing my purse - the result was a little bit of pattern overload. My closet is desperately missing a good neutral tote! I'm looking for a good fall purse that I can bring to work during the day and also carry with me to dinner or drinks at night. I've been eyeing a few Tory Burch totes for awhile now, but they're definitely an investment I'm saving up for! What fall pieces are you eyeing?? Thanks so much for reading!

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Sorority Recruitment..



Welcome Round: Blue Silk Shorts | Pink Silk Top



Preference Round: Maxi Dress | Pumps  

I may be graduated from college, but my heart still aches a little that sorority recruitment will be going on this week and I'm not there! To cure my nostalgia, I decided to do a style guide for all the college women going through recruitment this month. All women have their own style and will incorporate personal touches to their outfits, however I have some tips for how to survive sorority recruitment, whether you're a Potential New Member or a senior. 

Welcome round is your one and only chance to make a lasting first impression! My suggestion is to wear a bright shade with silk shorts to stay cool and upbeat during the long day(s). 
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Welcome Back round is also another long day! Depending on your school, it could take up an entire day, so it's important to wear something that is easy to wear and also showcases your personality. I love a long-sleeve romper with cute flats - it's effortless and also different than the typical sundress and heels. Plus you'll be more comfortable in sandals!
Quick tip: this day always seems to be super hot, but remember you'll be going into freezing cold chapters! I suggest wearing sleeves or bringing a denim jacket/cardigan if you get cold easily!
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Sisterhood Round is when you really start to fall in love with chapters, and the conversations you have always have a little more depth! Leave a lasting impression with a full midi skirt and a fun clutch. The outfit will be classy and chic, as well as playful with the full skirt. 
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Preference Round is definitely the most emotional round, but what many PNMs don't realize is that they will be doing a lot of eating. I suggest going for a comfortable and colorful maxi dress that's flowy, but stray away from solid colors - many sorority girls will be wearing solid colors this day, so stand out with a print! 
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Good luck to all the PNMs out there and the many sorority girls preparing for recruitment! I promise it's a worthwhile experience that is life changing! Go Theta, Go Hawks! 


Thursday, August 21, 2014

Bermuda...







Top: old, similar here and here (on super sale and is PERFECT for transitioning pink into fall) | Cardigan: Dillards, similar here | Shorts: J.Crew | Wedges: old, loving these for fall | Wallet: kate spade | Sunnies: Ray-Ban | Bracelet: kate spade | Lips: FRESH Sugar lip balm - Untinted and FRESH Sugar Shine lip treatment - Clear


I've been wanting to try bermuda shorts for a while now, and only recently was I able to gather the courage to do it! I don't think I've worn bermuda shorts since probably the 6th grade, which was part of the reason why I was so hesitant. In middle school, I was still wearing "bell bottom" jeans and braces - you see what I mean? 6th and 7th grade weren't my best years! 

I'm starting to like bermudas more now that it's starting to get cooler out. They're conservative enough for wearing to family functions and work, and they're also pretty flattering! To keep these shorts looking contemporary, I added a pop of color with my peplum shirt. 

Thanks for reading! Have a great day :)

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Sunday Best...






Dress: The Three Sons of Milford, similar here and here | Denim Jacket: Old Navy, eyeing this one for fall | Pumps: J.Crew Factory | Purse: old, similar herehere and here | Sunnies: Ray-Ban | Watch: Michael Kors | Bracelets: kate spade, old (similar) | Earrings: Nordstrom, similar here | Lips: MAC Lipglass in Pink Nouveau

My outfit Sunday for church with my parents... I had some time off from work at the end of last week, so I traveled to Des Moines to catch up with friends and family. Sometimes a little escape from life is all you need to recharge. Hope you all are having a nice week :)



Thursday, August 14, 2014

My Life in Northwest Iowa..

Good morning! Today I thought I would share a little about my new life after college with you all. I haven't been able to really explain why I moved to Okoboji, IA because I've been crazy busy with work ever since I graduated college this May.

OEI Welcome Reception on Sunday night
Outside the house of Tom Bedell - the host of Sunday night's Welcome Reception
The University of Iowa OEI students and staff members (and me!) 
Governor Terry Branstad stopped by to talk to the students about entrepreneurship in Iowa. He graciously took a picture with the OEI staff and myself.
The Young Professionals group of NW Iowa joined us on Thursday night for a yacht excursion on the lake.
A view of the ferris wheel from the docks at Arnold's Park Amusement Park
A picture of this year's OEI students with Toby Shine, president of Shine Bros Corporation and Norm Waitt, Co-founder of Gateway Computers. 

To begin this story, I really have to move backwards about 40 years! Ever since I was a little girl, my parents have been bringing me and my sister to Okoboji to vacation. My great-grandparents, Gus and Eileen Glaser, had a lake house on West Lake Okoboji, and my dad and all his brothers and sister would swim, eat ice cream and enjoy the lake at their house in the summer months. Fast forward to when my sister and I were young girls, and soon we too were learning how to swim, ride bikes and even learning how to mix a good drink in my great-grandparent's house. When great-grandpa Gus passed away when I was 5, my great-grandma Eileen asked my mom and us girls to stay with her in the summers to help with household chores and also to keep her company at the lakes. My dad would drive back and forth on the weekends because of work, but my family was blessed to be able to vacation in such a beautiful place surrounded by family. Eventually, my parents decided to get a place of their own on the lake and my great-grandma passed on, however I will never forget all of the memories with her and the rest of my family in that house. I continued to summer at the lakes, working as a waitress at the local Italian restaurant and babysitting on the side. During college it was harder to come to the lakes because of internships, but I had the opportunity to come back for an amazing networking workshop my senior year - the Okoboji Entrepreneurial Institute. 


The Okoboji Entrepreneurial Institute - we call it OEI - is a week long program for some of the top entrepreneurial college students in the state of Iowa. 32 students are selected to come to Okoboji and network with some of the most successful entrepreneurs in the country while also competing for cash prizes through a business simulation. These students receive college credit for the week, but it's also a way for students to experience Okoboji in the hopes that they decide to start their own business in the area. I had an amazing time at OEI last year as a college student, and I kept in contact with the Iowa Lakes Corridor (the organization who coordinates the week) after OEI was over. Last winter, the Corridor was seeking a new Communications and Events Coordinator, and I was fortunate enough to be interviewed and offered the job in early April. Never did I think I would be moving to Okoboji so soon after college, however I feel so fortunate to be living in a place that holds so much history for my family. My job allows me to keep in contact with the people I met last year at OEI, and working in economic development keeps my job interesting and worthwhile. 

Last week we held the 9th annual OEI, and it was so fun seeing all the the planning and coordinating come to life. Seeing so many students' lives be positively impacted by OEI was amazing - it's honestly hard to put into words. Not only is this event a networking experience for the students, but many of these students create lasting relationships with the people they meet here and also find personal mentors and confidants. Although it was a long week full of long parties and intense days (we joke that this week is like planning 6 large weddings for 5 days!), I can say the week motivated me to keep pursuing my passions!  

Enjoy the pictures above from last week. All pictures are courtesy of f8 Creative. Thanks for reading :)

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Casual with Sota Clothing...










Tank: Sota Clothing c/o | Cardigan: Portobello Road | Jeans: BCBGeneration, similar here and here | Booties: Maurices, similar here and here | Watch: Michael Kors | Bracelets: kate spade, BCBG | Sunnies: Target, lusting for these | Lips: YSL Rouge Volupte #7 


I may not be a Minnesota girl, but I live just 5 minutes away (and I live by a lake... I guess that makes Iowa the little sister that always copies the cool, big sister...ha!). When Sota Clothing approached me to collaborate with them, I couldn't resist! Sota Clothing's designs are inspired by the people who call the midwest home. I love the laid-back attitude to their pieces, and also their dual function. Their shirts and tanks can be worn out and about running errands with jeans, or the jeans could be swapped out with running tights and sneakers for a cute workout outfit. Sota also incorporates fun colors and inspired designs to create fun and functional pieces that are easy to wear. Not only do they have tanks and tees, but they also offer sweatshirts, beanies, coffee mugs and even onesies for your littles :) Wearing my tank has inspired me to plan a trip to Minnesota. I mean, they do have the Mall of America... !!!!

My MIA status has a direct correlation to my busy work schedule, but I'm excited to share some pictures of what I've been up to later this week. A lot of people don't know my connection to this area and why I decided to move here, so I'll clue you into my life in NW Iowa soon :) Have a great day!

Thanks to Sota Clothing for sponsoring this post. All opinions are my own.