5 Things Making Me Happy This Week

Last Sunday I woke up, spent an hour at the gym and ran a few errands before the Vikings 12 PM kickoff. Productive, with all the makings of a low-key and content day. But Chris called me out, saying I seemed quiet and asking what was bothering me. Nothing was wrong. I think not having anything particular planned for the day and then rolling right into the work week was making me feel BLAH. Like I was just waiting for Monday to arrive (dun dun dun). 

I started planning my fall bucket list (coming soon!)—a fun way to get more out of the season and, yes, avoid some empty Sundays—and it ironically inspired me to write down the simple things making me happy right now. It's easy to get caught up in the swirl of the routine and glaze over your perfect morning cup of coffee, but if you can't enjoy what's happening on the sidelines of the bucket list stuff, something's not right! Here are 5 little highs from my week! 

THE DAILY

a daily (!) 20-minute news podcast from The New York Times that dives a little deeper into need-to-know topics than GMA. I can usually get through an episode driving to and from work (easy!) and it makes me feel a lot more informed. 

AMERICAN HORROR STORY

Chris and I loooooved Ozark on Netflix, and AHS is satisfying our thirst for another thriller. Lame as it may sound, it's fun to have a really good show to snuggle up with mid-week. 

LATTES AT HOME 

I survived on black coffee for the last few months and recently rediscovered how delicious a cappuccino or latte from my Keurig can be—just the thing for chilly fall mornings. Sorry, Folgers.

ADULTING

Checked doctor and dentist appointments off my list! There's a lot I don't understand about insurance and benefits, but at least I'm doing the basic check-ups! 

BIRDS OF PARADISE

The Aveda F/W hair color & makeup collection went live on Monday!!!!! (So far I only see the makeup portion online, but I'm planning to meet a former coworker this week to pick up a copy of the look book.) This was my biggest project while I worked there. First of all, I'm proud of myself for working and earning my way into a brand like Aveda. Second, for then navigating the difficult territory this launch involved: i.e. writing quotes designed to inspire and intrigue professional stylists, and then articulating how birds had inspired the artists in creating different hair colors. I spent daysss creating collection name lists, reading through interview transcripts and researching minerals, flowers and plants to create makeup shade names and hair color names. It was Christmastime when the final creative was approved (feels like a lifetime ago!) and it's so fun to finally see it for real, 9 months later!  I'll definitely be swinging by Aveda soon to purchase the collection as a keepsake. 

P.S. This striped Kate Spade shift is also making me pretty happy. It's perfect for these 80º one minute, 60º the next temps, and the options really are endless—I wear it to work with wedges, on weekends with sneakers, and am even considering it for a farmhouse wedding at the end of the month. Kate Spade is usually out of my price range, but I knew I'd get plenty of mileage out of this super versatile style—and had a discount code. Here are a few styles I'd also wear non-stop: knit flounce dress, sleeveless midi (so cute with a leather jacket!), ruffle shift, long-sleeve midi (obsessed!). 

OUTFIT DETAILS 

Dress (old, Kate Spade) | Sunglasses | Crossbody Bag (similar here) 

Sneakers (Superga) | Bandana | Denim Jacket (old, BlankNYC. can't go wrong with this classic style.) 

Weekend Guide: Door County

I finally got around to gathering the photos I took during a bachelorette bash in Door County and wanted to share a quick recap of the weekend! Mary, who hosted the seven of us her aunt's house, has been spending summers in Ephraim for more than 20 years, so I feel like I got to experience the area with a local. Looking back at my photos, I snapped mostly pictures of the goats (and not the girls), but here's at least a taste of the trip! 

I arrived at the cottage late on Friday. The sun was setting as I winded along the picturesque peninsula and I was immediately enamored with the area. It reminded me of Bar Harbor or some idyllic east coast village—but with the friendliness and familiarity of the Northwoods—and Lake Michigan certainly looked big enough to be the Atlantic. 

Mary had an epic local charcuterie board waiting for dinner, and we popped prosecco to toast Katy and kick off the weekend. (Every corner of this stunning house buried in the woods was covered with black and white photos—it was literally bursting with family memories. I made a mental note to model at least one wall in my future home in the same fashion.) Full on prosciutto and olives and almonds, we spent the first night lazily bobbing in the heated outdoor pool (you may have seen it on Insta!).  

Saturday started early with the Door County Creamery tour—highly recommend! We got a tour of the goat farm where the cheese comes from and LOTS o' samples, including gelato! I don't necessarily consider myself a huge animal person, but it was actually fascinating to see the goats up close. I wasn't game to pick up any of the squirmy babies, but did cautiously pet one. :) The morning ended back at the shop and café where a gorgeous farmhouse table was set for lunch on the outdoor patio. There were string lights, my mozzarella sandwich was delicious and it was all perfection. 

One of three male goats on the farm. 

A couple of the babies! 

This cheesemaker in training (she studied at UW-Madison) passed around samples. Goats were constantly jumping on the table—so sprightly! 

Lunch back at the cafe! 

We had an early dinner at The Whistling Swan in Fish Creek, a white tablecloth kind of place and the peninsula's oldest operating inn, before jumping on a haunted pub crawl that evening. We whipped around on a boozy and rowdy trolley, stopping at a handful of bars and resorts where our tour guide (dressed as a priest) would entertain us with the haunted lore of that particular locale, many looking unchanged since 1970. I had my first shotski—I know, what took me so long?—and it was a super fun way to try a few different bars, all exactly what you would expect for small-town Wisconsin: lots of Packers memorabilia and hunting regalia cluttering the wood-planked walls. Loved every second. 

After such an indulgent Saturday, we all needed to move our bodies a bit on Sunday. We managed a light hike that included a great overlook of the lake, but I forgot to pack any kind of activewear, so I didn't last long in Mary's aunt's Seavees (major. blisters.). After an hour or so, some of us broke off to shop in Sister Bay. I was very tempted by all the rustic cabin decor, but resisted buying anything, having no real need for mini Adirondack chairs or On Lake Time cocktail tumblers. 

We lounged in the pool again as the sun set (gorgeous!) and Mary whipped up a gourmet grilled feast for dinner at the house. We dropped into Wilson's for ice cream, then spent the rest of the evening playing Cards Against Humanity with wine and sangria. 

Swimsuit from J.Crew. I'm obsessed with their one-pieces!  

(I mean, can you believe this pool? And view?!)

We all had long drives home the next day, and I hit the road back to Minneapolis pretty early on Monday morning (listening to How I Built This the whole way). There's so much more we could've done in Door County (kayaking, sailing, golfing, wineries, orchards), but our weekend was the perfect mix of tourism/activity and laying low. I love Wisconsin, and I'm so glad I was able to see this part of it and celebrate this lovely bride-to be! Can't wait to do it again at her October wedding! 

Since then, Chris and I have had a couple of quiet weekends! We saw IT, hit the farmers market for the first time this summer (I made BLTs), hung out at the NE food truck fair (loved the empanadas), saw Oh Wonder at First Ave, spent an evening playing board games with friends on Cedar Lake in Annandale, and have been watching a lot of football (we did a fantasy draft with my sisters! Chris has been very generous about helping me figure it all out. Not pleased about Jordy Nelson's potential injury).

I actually have some new outfit posts coming your way this week, so stop back here soon! Have a great Monday! 

Labor Day Weekend Packing List

The long weekend is (almost) here! I'm heading to Door County (I've never been!) for a bachelorette party and can't wait—here's what I'm packing.

 A chic and travel-friendly bodysuit for Friday (we'll get there around 7 PM for a low-key dinner) + a hat to hide end-of-week hair. Saturday: a breezy dress that goes from day to night and a bandana wrapped around my wrist as a "bracelet"—new favorite thing. Appropriate for Wisconsin, right? Sunday: another easy dress (feeling very boho lately), accessorized with an iPhone crossbody so I'm ready to 'gram at every moment. Easy nude sandals that I can wear with every outfit and an under-$100 faux leather jacket* to throw on at night will be clutch—and save suitcase space for all the wine, duh.

Follow along on Instagram for real-time updates! Spoiler alert: a goat & cheese tour is involved. Happy Labor Day loves!

*check out my fall jacket guide for more must-have transitional options! 

Hat | Bodysuit | Jeans 

Bandana | Maxi Dress (3 colors and under $80!)

iPhone Crossbody Case | Mini Dress | Sandals

5 Jackets for a Fall Wedding

Happy Friday, friends! I am in complete denial that September starts next week—except it's only 65 degrees right now (brr) so I guess that makes it feel pretty real. Up until last week I was all about sleeveless summery tops, but with the arrival of an October wedding invite, I've started thinking about fall events. I'm excited to wear a gown to the black-tie-optional ceremony that is quickly approaching and decided on this easy but elegant maxi that could lean casual (with slides and a jean jacket) or dressy (with big sparkly earrings and a gold tassel necklace).

The tricky part of an October Midwest wedding is the jacket (right?!). I want to wear something heavier than my trench, more fun than my puffer—and the glossy pashminas I stocked up on while studying abroad circa 2009 (ha) feel dated. I spent some time searching around this week for new options and found 5 amazing layers that would be great for a wedding AND every day. I want them all!

1. A cashmere wrap or long draped cardigan—the ultimate travel accessory and a lusciously elegant layer on top of a flowy gown.
2. A velvet quilted jacket—love this sport-luxe mix. Velvet is going to be everywhere this fall.
3. A delicate kimono—obsessing over these goddess-like caftans. So pretty poolside or on date night.

4. A faux fur vest—the glam outfit-completer to wear to work and special occasions.
5. A faux leather jacket—the all-season staple for indoors and out. 

Do you have any fall weddings this year? Tell me: what are you wearing?! 

Clinique Even Better Glow™

Happy Friday! It's been awhile! Work is busy and I've been happy just going to the gym and hanging out after a full day at the office. But I had to pop in because I found the best new foundation, and there's really not much better than finding that perfect shade and putting an end to the relentless experimentation.

The Even Better Glow™ display caught my eye when I passed the Clinique counter at Southdale the other day, returning a bottle of OUAI spray (I thought this new-gen wave spray would be different, but I didn't care for the sticky feel and haphazard look; and since my hair already has texture and wave, it seemed pretty unnecessary). The moisturizing oil-free formula has luminizing pigments to create natural radiance—and promises that over time, skin glows on its own thanks to brightening vitamin C. Sign. Me. Up. I love knowing that something I wear every day is helping it long-term, not hurting it. Clinique has always been a favorite of mine because of its skin care focus and whenever I stray from the brand I wonder why—my skin just loves it. (Plus, $28 is way easier to swallow than super prestige brands like $47 NARS.) I've only been using this for two days, but was instantly obsessed. It makes my skin visibly dewy and feels light, natural and healthy (if you're super oily, this is probably too dewy for you). I'm wearing Cream Chamois—the best part is that the color blends in so well with my natural skin tone. With 30 shades, you're sure to find your best fit, too. Clinique is offering free 10-day samples right now, so swing by this weekend and try some!

Quick life update: last weekend, Chris and I visited my grandma in the U.P. with my mom. We stayed on Fortune Lake, a really beautiful chain of lakes—the kind where trees jut up right from the rocky shore and you can see straight to the sandy bottom—and I made it through my first round of golf at the Iron River Country Club. I have today off and we're heading up to Moose Lake to camp with  friends for a few nights; I'm excited to try these low country boil packets. Even though this post is about makeup, it'll be nice to go without for a few days, hang out around a fire and just relax. Hope you have a good one!