3 Ways to Style…A Cardigan (Without Looking Buttoned-up!)

Posted on May 2, 2013 by Sarah S.

I love cardigans. I probably own about ten in various colors (but at least three staple black ones). I’m lucky enough to work in a casual office where wearing a cardigan is absolutely acceptable, so I probably add one to my look at least three times a week. Generally, I dress fairly preppy, but I also try to deviate from the overly-preppy-kinda-buttoned-up look that cardigans can so easily give off. Below are three ways I style cardis without looking buttoned-up. Try adding bold patterns and prints, wearing a neon cardigan, or adding platform pumps. No girl looks uptight in a platform pump, right?

3 Ways to Style a Cardigan (without looking buttoned-up)

5 Reasons Why I Absolutely Love Wisconsin

Posted on May 1, 2013 by Sarah S.

1. Beer

I’ve never tried such a variety of amazing local beers as I have in Wisconsin. The (many, many) micro-breweries are my favorite, including the Lake Front Brewery in Milwaukee, the Grumpy Troll in Mt. Horeb, and One Barrel in Madison. I also love Wisconsin Old Fashioneds.…but that’s another story.

2. Farms

I love cows. I love rolling hills. I love Wisconsin.

3. The People

I’ve always believed that Midwesterns are the most genuinely nice people in the States, and Wisconsinites are no exception. For example, I get a smile and wave from every person I cross when I’m on my runs…even the teenagers say hello.

4. Trails

The state trails and parks are truly amazing in Wisconsin.

Madison, WI

5. Madison

Madison is a young, vibrant, beautiful city. I enjoy spending time at the parks and lakes, strolling State St. and the Capitol Square, roaming the huge Saturday Farmer’s Market, bar hopping, and of course, bike riding.

Why do you love Wisconsin?

Ciao!

Sarah

Gearing Up! Marathon Training Gear- My Post on Rather Be Runnin’

Posted on April 30, 2013 by Sarah S.

This week, I was going to post my gear list for my marathon training on Mia Prima Casa. Instead, I was lucky enough to be a guest blogger on Rather Be Runnin’!

Check out the post: Gearing Up! Marathon Training Gear.

Sarah

Josh Ritter, Joy, & Dreams

Posted on April 29, 2013 by Sarah S.

Why spend your only life hopin’?
What a torture to be always blue, darlin’.
Why spend your only life waiting
To do what you know you can do?

-Josh Ritter in “Why”

I saw Josh Ritter for the first time seven years ago. He was opening for Rufus Wainwright at the time, and needless to say, the whole show was amazing. While I absolutely love Rufus, what struck me in particular about Josh was his passion. It looked like he was having a blast. It was probably the first time I saw and recognized someone following their dream in real time. I witnessed this again: once in Barcelona on the face of a dancer and again in Capri, Italy from an gentlemanly Italian shoemaker. The common thread was pure joy. These people were completely and totally losing themselves in the joy of their work. It was no surprise that I saw the same passion the other night when I watched Josh’s Madison show at the Overture.

Certainly, it’s a rare thing to experience, but it’s something I’m lucky enough to find when running. When you’re on mile 9 of a long run and you can’t help but smile, something is going right.

Are you following your dream?

Ciao!

Sarah

Thirsty Thursday: Coffee 101

Posted on April 25, 2013 by Sarah S.

Generally, I consider myself pretty coffee literate, but I still forget the difference between a latte and a cappuccino at times. My sister, however, is even more crazy about coffee than I am, so she helped me put together this nice cheat sheet to guide anyone whose coffee knowledge has gone astray. My favorite of the below? The flat white: a British coffee drink that I discovered at a Madison cafe.

What’s your favorite? Any other coffee drinks you’d add to the guide?

How to Clean Makeup Brushes (Because You Know We All Should More Often…)

Posted on April 24, 2013 by Sarah S.

The simplest way to clean makeup brushes, including foundation, concealer, eyeliner, and eye shadow brushes, is to use baby shampoo. Simply wet the hairs of the brush in warm water then gently massage baby shampoo into the hairs. Depending on how long it’s been since your last brush cleaning, you may need to repeat a few more times. Once you are done cleaning, gently dry the brush with a paper towel. Then set the brush on a paper towel to dry. You may also need to reshape the hairs. Let dry completely before using.

How easy is that?

Essential Beauty Supplies has an easy step-by-step of this process as well.

Ciao!

Sarah

Great Finds at Belmont Army Store, Chicago

Posted on April 22, 2013 by Sarah S.

A couple weekends ago, I spent an afternoon shopping around Boystown, Chicago with a couple friends. I lived in downtown Chicago for about five months, but I had never really properly explored this part of the city. Coming from Madison, it was refreshing to see the vibrancy and energy of Chicago…not to mention all the amazing places to go shopping. One of my favorite places from this trip was the Belmont Army Store, which boasted four floors of amazing and unique merchandise. The first floor was a hip, urban boutique, the second a shoe store, the third an army surplus store (coming back here when I have more time to explore this for longer!) and the fourth a perfectly overwhelming vintage shop. I think I could have spent a good half a day in there, but being pressed for time (our parking meter was dangerously close to running out, and we were still at least five L stops away), I only purchased one dress, below, by BB Dakota for $72. That’s more than I would usually spend on a dress, but the fit is perfect and $72 is worth the experience of this shop!What’s your favorite Chicago find?

Ciao!

Sarah

p.s. Want to know how I’d style a stripe dress like this? Check out 3 Ways to Style Zig Zags and Stripes.

3 Ways to Style…Zig Zags & Stripes

Posted on April 16, 2013 by Sarah S.

3 Ways to Style…Zig Zags & Stripes

Bold stripes and zig zags is one of my favorite summer trends. I think Louis Vuitton and Kate Spade Saturday do it best: sleek 60s-inspired silhouettes, bold lines, and two simple colors.

In my opinion, if you’re going to wear this bold trend, you might as well go all out: mix patterns (yes! florals!), add pops of bright colors (neon is still in, you know), and try a sharp, simple silhouette to draw attention to the pattern.

How are you wearing this summer’s zig zag trend?

Ciao!
Sarah

For Boston

Posted on April 15, 2013 by Sarah S.

Instead of staying angry and feeling hopeless about what happened in Boston, I’m going to try something else. At least two dozen people were injured, so I’m going to spend the next 24 hours doing 24 things that make the world a little bit better in their honor. It’s definitely not much, but it’s something.

1. Make someone laugh
2. Give someone who is having a bad day a cookie. Never underestimate the power of a small act…or a cookie.
3. Volunteer for Uncovered Artistry
4. Reach out to an old friend
5. Thank someone for doing a good job
6. Donate to a good cause, like my sister’s Heel Violence event
7. Stop for all pedestrians (I should be doing this anyway!)
8. Smile at everyone who I pass on the street during a run
9. Send my host mom an unexpected email in Italian
10. Surprise a loved one with a gift for no reason
11. Offer help at work, even if I’m busy
12. Stop complaining about the weather…and start being thankful for it
13. Pray
14. Get over any grudges I’m still holding on to
15. Listen, really listen, to how someone’s day is going
16. Share a Paulo Coehlo quote: “The enemy is only a pretext to test our strength”
17. Donate old, long unread books to the local library
18. Let someone go in front of me in line, or let a car in while driving
19. Write a letter to an old professor, thanking them for how much they’ve done for me
20. Donate extra clothes to GoodWill
21. Give a friend a hug
22. Help my friends move into their apartments
23. Smile twice as much
24. Be thankful for all that I have