To Each Their Own

With the sun shining a bit brighter and the temps getting a little warmer, our thoughts are turning to one of the prettiest times of year: spring!  These days, we find ourselves counting the days until beautiful green trees line our streets and watching the weather forecast intensely to see if we can be peacoat-less on our way to the office. We begin wearing brighter clothes–and less of them, to let our skin soak in all the Vitamin D we have been lacking the past 6 to 8 snowy months. And, it’s the time of year where Sis and I pick up every fashion magazine we can get our hands on to see what the spring colors, styles, and trends will be.  One of the biggest trends to hit Spring 2010?  Denim. And ladies–it’s not just for jeans anymore.

From denim bags to denim shoes, this fabric is going to be HUGE this spring. Designers are taking this all-too-common, leg-only fabric and bringing it to life in the form of shoes, shirts, blazers, and cute denim dresses fit for a Friday night on the town. From your everyday stores like the GAP to high-end labels like Tory Burch, Dolce & Gabbana, and Nanette Lepore, the Midwest gal will have her pick of ways to rock this new trend.  Conservative, but with a dose of denim here and there?  Done. Or declaring of your new relationship, “I love denim and I want everyone to know!” Do it. Either way, embrace it and take the risk. We know you will look amazing!

Here are a few ways to infuse your wardrobe with a bit of the blue stuff:

The YSL Tribute Denim Platform Sandal. Pricey, but goodness are they incredible!

Image courtesy of Neiman Marcus

Not a high heel kind of girl?  Throw on a pair of  Tory Burch Perry Denim Ballet Flats and be out the door.

Image courtesy of Saks Fifth Avenue

For a girls night out, try this dark denim Moschino Ruffled Neckline Denim Dress.

Image courtesy of Saks Fifth Avenue

Dare to be different at a casual springtime wedding with this Lotusgrace Pleated Denim Party Dress .

Image courtesy of Saks Fifth Avenue

And finally, a splurge of arm candy comes in the form of this Valentino Denim Petal Tote.

Image courtesy of Saks Fifth Avenue

Midwest gals, though we’ve grown up fearing the dreaded denim-on-denim “Canadian Tuxedo,” this spring, ditch any preconceived notions and bring some denim into your spring wardrobe.  Just throw it in the mix as you like and you are guaranteed to look like you walked right off of a runway.

-Kate

I know, I know.  For months I saw the commercial on TV and didn’t even listen to what they were advertising.  I just assumed Brooke Shields was shilling for some lame product I wouldn’t want anyway.  Well, my goodness was I missing out.

A few months ago, I was at my dear friend Ashley’s house (a Midwest Style Icon just a few months ago).  A small group of us were having a cocktail in her living room, waiting for Ashley (sorry Ash!) to finish getting ready. When she emerged from her room, ready for the night, my jaw dropped. Of course I loved everything she was wearing, but I couldn’t take my eyes off her eyelashes. They were unbelievably long!  Now, Ashley has always had slammin’ eyelashes, but on that night, they stopped me in my tracks.

“Ashley!” I asked.  “How on earth do you get your lashes so long? What mascara do you use?” She replied with one word and a signature Ashley smirk: “Latisse.”  I was stunned. “You mean the commercial with Brooke Shields?  That thing?” I said.  “Yup. I have been using it for 2 months.” She replied, smiling under mile-long lashes. Instantly, I was a Latisse devotee,  and I knew that no matter what, I had to get my hands on it. See, I’m a prime candidate for Latisse. Thanks to countless weddings over the past few years, my lashes had been abused by fake eyelashes, and in searching for the perfect lash-lengthener, I was changing up my mascara once every few weeks. Frankly, I was dealing with stubs and had no idea how to fix things.

But guess what my amazing friend Ashley bought me for my 29th birthday?  Latisse.

Here’s how it works: each night after my using my face scrubs, night creams and eye creams, I gently apply Latisse to the tops of my eyelashes– the point where the lash meets the lid. Then, I jump in bed for the night and forget it’s even there.  Thats it– no muss, no fuss. Honestly, I saw changes in my eye lashes within weeks.  My stubs became a distant memory, as my lashes suddenly became thicker, fuller, and longer.

The risks of Latisse?  Minimal.  I was concerned after watching the commercial that my green eyes would be turned to brown (one of the side effects listed in the commercial).  But after speaking with numerous doctors, I was quickly reassured that the chances of losing my green eyes were like,  one in 100 million.  The Latisse product itself would have to be not only strengthened nearly 1,000 times, but it would also have to be inserted directly into my eye.

Ladies, if you are like me and had a tough summer of false eyelashes, bad mascaras or if you missed the genetic jackpot of long lashes, I would highly recommend investing in Latisse.  Just go to the website and look for doctors in your area who are selling it. For the record, it’s not cheap. But you will be able to see it working almost immediately, and to find a product that actually works is worth every penny.

In case you’ve been tuning out the Brooke Shields commercials, here’s a quick visual of what to expect with Latisse.

Image courtesy of Latisse.com

Image courtesy of Latisse.com

I cross my heart that we would never lead you towards a product we didn’t truly believe in.  So, if you are willing to give Latisse a shot, I promise that you won’t be sorry!

Has anyone else used Latisse? Tell us your story!

–Kate

Maybe winter weather has folks in hibernation mode, or perhaps everyone is trying to stay true to their resolutions to save money in 2010, but it seems like lately, rather than hitting the town, folks are having at-home gatherings. From board game parties to home-cooked dinners, my planner has been packed with events that involve the homes of my friends and family, rather than meeting times at Chicago’s hotspots. And truthfully? This is just fine with me, ’cause I’m in hermit crab mode, too.

I’m a definite believer in the host/hostess gift (as well as thank you notes, but that’s a story for another time), but last week, after making what seemed like my billionth trip to Provenance, a deliciously awesome wine shop by my house, I decided I was bored of handing over a bottle of wine upon arrival.  So when I recently stumbled upon a table devoted entirely to hostess gifts at Pottery Barn, my breath stopped, my heart caught in my chest, and I knew I had found my new, perfect, pre-party, go-to shop.

Their offerings include plenty of adorable and functional pieces for entertaining, with gifts for every hostess with the mostess. The price point is wide-ranging, but they have a ton of goodies for under $25– perfectly comparable to a good bottle of wine.

Here are a few faves:

For the Foodie: A wooden cheese board, $15.

Image courtesy of potterybarn.com

Or also for the Foodie: A set of 4 cheese markers, $19.

Image courtesy of potterybarn.com

For the Pen Pal: A collectible tin full of vintage-inspired postcards, $12.

Image courtesy of potterybarn.com

For the sommelier/beer connoisseur: An antique silver wine pull or bottle opener, $15 and $12.

Image courtesy of potterybarn.com

For the eco-friendly folks: Recycled glass fluted jar, $6. (I love how you could easily throw a candle or flowers in here to take it up a notch.)

Image courtesy of potterybarn.com

For the Bride-to-Be: A Fortune Telling book, $9.95.

Image courtesy of potterybarn.com

And for the sentimentalist (always best with a photo included inside, if possible): Sentiment Frames, $16-18.

Image courtesy of potterybarn.com

Sure, wine does the trick, but a visit to the Hostess Gift table at Pottery Barn helps go above and beyond the call of guest duty– and always ensure yourself a return invitation!

–Molly

Over the holiday season, Molly and I had a blast engaging in our favorite Minnesota activities: looking at the houses around Lake Harriet, shopping at The Bibelot in Northeast and hitting up new boutiques that have popped up all over the city. One of our favorites?  The beautiful, trendy, standout Minneapolis boutique Bell Reve.

The name Belle Reve has stuck with us for a couple years now, as our girlfriends all over the Twin Cities have cited it as their go-to shop. Upon admiring their gorgeous dresses, tops and clutches, we’d always ask, “where did you get that?”  The answer was always the same: Belle Reve. Finally, we had enough.  It was time to visit this shop we had heard so much about–and we are so happy we did!

Style mavens all over the Minneapolis/St. Paul area can thank Aisha Ghanchi, the lovely owner, for bringing new designer labels and the hottest trends to the Minneapolis area. And her store is the perfect home for upscale fashion. Upon walking into Belle Reve, as silly as it sounds, you immediately feel good.  Welcomed, comfortable and overall cool. The walls are covered in a soft purple damask, the vintage-inspired fixtures exude a homey vibe, the shop’s crystal chandeliers add a dose of glam, and the gorgeous designer duds fill your senses with glee.

A Minnesota native, Ghanchi (whose background includes a stint as a buyer for Marshall Field’s)– who once owned Blue boutique in West Hollywood– returned to her roots to open the shop with her mother and sister just over a year ago. Each year the trio travels to New York, L.A. and Vegas, scouring shops and shows for designer gear that doesn’t just look good, but can survive 6-ish months of salt, slush and snow.

Lucky for us, Ghanchi took a few minutes out of her stylish schedule to give us the deets on her shop.

Mission: “I wanted to bring edgy fashion to the Twin Cities. I found things were more dowdy or conservative, and just not girly. I wanted a shop that was edgier, sexier.”

Shopper: Since Ghanchi opened the shop with her mother, Connie, and younger sister Shehan, it makes sense that her shop appeals to a multi-generational group. “I want a place where both moms and daughters can both shop.”

The Look: Edgy meets feminine topped with a dose of sex appeal.

Lines: Foley + Corrina (exclusive to Minneapolis), Flavio Castellani, Stretsis, Plastic Island, Mink Pink, Cobalt by Christ Haan. Insider tip? Ghanchi only stocks a few of each style, so if you love it, scoop it up!

Ghanchi’s Personal Style: With a bold style that expertly blends girly-with-an-edge, Ghanchi’s look emulates that of her boutique.

Check out some shots of the beautiful Belle Reve below.

Molly purchasing a one-shoulder gold lame dress:

Darling chairs and magazines to read for those who are just spectator shopping:

A flat screen behind the register plays movies for customers to check out as they shop. We gushed at the sight of White Christmas during our visit!

Our Shop Girl Aisha Ghanchi in her boutique!

The Belle Reve storefront, complete with window displays that will stop anyone in their tracks.

Looking to amp up your wardrobe? Head to the northeast Minneapolis to kick it at Belle Reve– we guarantee you’ll leave feeling fabulous– with a gorgeous new purchase to boot! (Not in the Minneapolis area? Visit their ebay boutique here!)

-Kate