I wish you could have seen my face the first time my friend Dee took me to City-Pharma. The place was packed… like, men and women reaching over one another to grab baskets and baskets of soaps, lotions, shampoos, and mysterious creams. City-Pharm is one of the biggest pharmacies in Paris, located in the popular neighborhood, St. …

If there is one thing I know about caring for your skin in a harsh climate, it’s that not all products are created equal. It’s that time of year where my little niche of expertise comes in handy for those of you who are feeling a little nip of cold and need to make a couple …

Believe it or not, the best thing to happen to your skin just might be sitting in your pantry. I’m a huge fan of using everyday ingredients to create affordable masks and scrubs, so when I came across this incredibly simple green tea and honey mask from Jamie Krell, I stopped what I was doing (getting …

When it comes to hair, low maintenance is the name of my game. While I wish I was a girl who had glossy, perfectly bouncy hair, my life doesn’t really give way to maintaining nicely coiffed locks. And even if I had the time and budget for photoshoot-ready-hair, genetics make it nearly impossible to keep life …

We talk about skin a lot at the studio. We chat about our concerns, our random stress and hormonal breakouts and every other skin issue under the sun we’re facing. Although we are not doctors, we all try to offer each other words of wisdom on topics we’ve gained knowledge on over the years. But the …

Spring is almost here! I whisper softly to myself after the third April blizzard in Minneapolis. After all, it even got into the mid-60s this week. I think we are finally in the clear. While eagerly anticipating the “real” arrival of spring, sans snow, we’ve been busy playing with fresh and glossy new beauty products in …

Spring is officially here. My favorite rooms to clean? The kitchen and the bathroom—where the beauty goes down. For me, the two should be within arms reach of one another as I regularly bop between them for items to rev up my beauty routine. Below I spotlight 7 things you likely have on hand right now …

One of my favorite questions to ask my girlfriends is “If you had to choose one product in your makeup bag, and only one, which would be your favorite?” Although it might sound like a fairly simple question, choosing just one item from the hundreds that overflow your bathroom makeup drawer is no easy feat. On the …

After weeks of holiday indulging, it’s time to get serious about staying true to those New Year’s resolutions. Whether you’re dabbling with a new exercise regimen or trying out the #Whole30 (more than half of my friends are doing it and tbh I’m really really ready to get my wine-drinking partners back.. but also, like, proud …

The Mask has made a comeback in a big way. No, not Jim Carey. We have seen a rise in the popularity of facial masks over the past few years. Maybe it has something to do with increased access and influence of K-Beauty. Or maybe this beauty product was just due to have its moment as …

What better time for a detox than fall? Because like me, you might be feeling the need for a little reboot after summer. Happy hours and pool parties can take a toll on more than our bodies— skin can be feeling and looking a little worn out, too. So while I love a good food or …

This whole blogger/social media thing has been around long enough, some of us have been following each other for the better part of a decade. For me, photo sharing apps were my drug of choice, and when I was deep in the rabbit hole of building my + Beauty + board on Pinterest I found manyyyyyy …

With spring rounding the corner into summer everyone at the studio is talking about how to freshen up their look and achieve that sought after summer glow. I’ve been traveling a lot recently and couldn’t agree more with wanting to freshen up my skin. I sat down with the W&D team last week and gathered up our …

When I was “finding myself” after college (and a little lost and lonely), I bought a book called Living a Beautiful Life. I sat on my combination futon/bed (which did a horrible job at both of its primary tasks) in my overpriced, aging apartment in the D.C. metro area and searched the pages. Author Alexandra Stoddard …

Cleansing sticks. Have you heard of them? After reading this Allure article, I sent a note out to the W&D team to see if they wanted to test out the newest way to clean your skin. I think I was in a hotel when I read the article and so tired from the day, I’m almost …

Minnesota friends! I am excited to share that we’re hosting a beauty & wellness pop-up event on Saturday, March 4, from 11am to 3pm at Studio 125. Those of us who work in the studio are always chatting about our favorite wellness tips or spots around Minnesota for a quick spa pick-me-up. With that, we decided to …

Complimentary facials. Guided meditation. Scalp-to-Soul consultations. Aveda is betting on better with a new approach to the retail experience. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Aveda recently launched their newly designed Aveda Experience Center, the first retail store of its kind at Southdale Mall in Edina. I was thrilled when Aveda asked me to participate in an evening …

One of my hopes this year is to learn to listen to my body and give it what it needs. Sometimes that means a big glass of water and other times it means driving across town to get that sprinkle doughnut and giant coffee. It’s not just about food intake; when I’m tired, I try and go to …

With a newborn and demanding work schedule, making room for “me time” has dropped to the bottom of my priority list. While I don’t have the time for luxurious facials and massages these days, I do feel better and more confident when I’ve put a bit of time and effort into my appearance. As I type this …

New mom, new me, new hair! I’m thinking I need a change this fall and here is what we’re seeing for trends: 1. Deep, sleek side part: This is an easy makeover. No cut needed. Super chic but still relaxed. A good balance, no? 2. Natural Root: I dyed my hair way, way back and I’d …

Woof. We’re in the dog days of summer and the last thing I want is my hair sticking to the back of my neck. I’m also currently debating growing my hair out again, which means my lob is at a weird in-between phase with bangs that don’t really do much but curl in 17 different angles …

They’re at it again! Warby Parker‘s new Windsor Spring Collection is full of fun 90s nostalgia and also completely on point for what I’m loving right now. Loving these colors; such a fun way to add a bit of whimsy to your basics. Since summer is just around the corner and some kind of frame will be …

Oh, to live a life with dry skin. ‘Tis an itchy and flaky existence, and for me, it seems perpetual dryness is my white whale of a beauty problem. No matter how much green tea and water I drink, ladies behind the makeup counter shove ultra moisturizing masks my way unsolicited. Turns out I just need to do …

Here are six winter skin care tips I follow to keep my glow going, even when it’s nasty outside. Even if you’re drinking plenty of water and wearing SPF, taking care of winter skin can be an uphill battle! 1. Switch It Up. As our wardrobe changes with the seasons, so should our moisturizers. The biggest challenge during these …

Have you heard about this little miracle product sitting in the back of your pantry? Apple Cider Vinegar. People are raving about it. My mother has used it to clean the house for years. It smells like salad dressing, but evidently, this stuff works wonders. It can detoxify your home. It can regulate the pH of …

** THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED ** As we embark on this upcoming Labor Day weekend, many of you will be heading out for one last bask in the sun. Between commuting from my in-laws and seemingly endless airline travel for work, I wasn’t able to spend as much time as I had hoped outdoors. My plans …

I always joke that I’ve had the same “look” since 9th grade. Never one to shake things up too much, I can admit to enjoying a quick little update here and there. So, I’ve pulled together four of my most pinned beauty trends that have translated IRL. 1. The Bordeaux Manicure: Every cool babysitter I had growing …

A few objects of beauty that have caught my eye lately…. 1. Julia Kostreva is back with a handful of gorgeous planners for the new year. If you haven’t picked one up yet, check them out here. $32 2. These distressed high-rise boyfriend jeans from Topshop ($135) make me excited to take a vacation. They pair …

In the past, my lazy go-to hair style consisted of me attempting to throw my hair up in a topknot, but I never quite got that one down. No matter how many hair tutorials I followed online, my bun always looked too perfect or like a nest of some sort sitting on top of my head. No …

Routine, by definition, is a series of actions we do without much thought. For many, these repetitive tasks are considered the most mundane aspect of life, but for others routine is almost sacred- a ritual that keeps life glued together. My daily wrestling match with ADHD means I have a love/hate relationship with routine. After I completely gave …

I have rocked my long hair, don’t care, policy for a while now (probably a term I should retire, but I’m still saying it anyway). In the past, I’ve been reluctant to any hair change, and is the reason why I have had the same hairstyle for over 5 years. So, it’s about time to mix …

Just because…peach is pretty. One: Lace Bra / Two: Alexander Wang Bag / Three: Two Tone Sweater / Four: Triangle Studs / Five: Ray Ban Aviators in Rose / Six: Revlon Lipgloss / Peach Linen Throw

I really like this. via

This is the third post in a three-part series made in collaboration with Juut Salonspa. We’ll be talking hair, skincare and spring makeup during the month of April! Lastly: Why an esthetician is your best skincare asset. The last post in our Juut Salonspa series is about skincare and the importance of knowing what your skin needs. …

This is the second post of a three-part series made in collaboration with Juut Salonspa. We’ll be talking hair, skincare and spring makeup during the month of April! Next up: My makeup questions, solved. Since the 7th grade the art of makeup application has intimidated me. It was then, at the tender age of 13, a classmate pointed …

This is the first of a three-part series made in collaboration with Juut Salonspa. We’ll be talking hair, skincare and spring makeup during the month of April! First up: a new spring up do we’re calling “The Deconstructed Ponytail” Achieving the perfectly tousled ponytail has long eluded me. It seems like a simple trick, but I’ve …

Who wants to talk skincare?? I DO! I’ll admit to being a bit of a skincare junkie, so when I went in for a truly amazing Juut facial with Christen Hackett a few weeks ago, I had a ton of questions. She was kind enough to talk me through what I should be doing to keep …

When I went in for a spa day at Juut Salonspa, my stylist Jen Hughes was kind enough to show me how to do a fishtail braid, with an updo option! I hope this helps all the fishtail-inclined ladies out there and feel free to share your favorite “easy updo” if you’d like! I’m all for …

Wow, this weekend was great. The rainy Saturday I spent with my friends at Juut Salonspa was refreshing and relaxing! I’ll share a few skincare tips and simple up-do tutorial over the next week, but I wanted to start with pictures from the “Day of Beauty” at Juut Salonspa. I never thought I would say this, …

I’ve been running on all cylinders for the past 3 weeks, so you can only imagine how excited I am for this weekend. I’ll be heading into Juut Salonspa Saturday morning for a “Day of Beauty” which involves a new hair do, styling session, facial, and massage. The best part? I’m going to share my experience …

I’m finally starting to make use of the vintage scarves I have laying around by stalking french girls like Valentine of the blog Hello It’s Valentine! via Notes to Sarah Photos and Styling by Hello It’s Valentine

In 2012, I will: 1. Learn to love my natural texture 2. Primp & curl when time allows 3. Wear a hat when all else fails 4. Break free from the top knot 5. Rock a messy braid 6. Add some hardware to my pony 7. Try out a new flirty style 1 | 2 | …

When you’ve lived in one of the coldest urban environments for the past 5 years, you witness how brutalizing the cold can be on your skin. Especially if you have dry skin, like moi. I thought, in preparation for the colder months ahead, I would share a few skin-saving tips and a less traditional “In the …

I want… that look: jcrew fall 2011 that hair: messy updo via sweet thing’s pintrest this face: understated glamour a la alexa chung How to get it… dress / shoes / cargo jacket surf spray / teasing comb / pins blush / bronzer / liquid eyeliner

to cut or not to cut? that is the question i won’t be asking anymore! when i saw this picture of the gorgeous Rebekka and her long healthy locks, a little light bulb went off in my head. so i tried out this look today and it’s a really fun way to change up your current …

i’m just popping in to say hi today, but this was too good not to share. i know a lot of ladies out there are looking for polished up-do inspiration for upcoming holiday parties. head over to {this is glamorous}, she has a great tutorial from martha stewart weddings on achieving the perfect chignon. images from …

i spent monday indulging in my favorite vice, hours upon hours of mad men! i’m eagerly anticipating season 4 and this month’s la times magazine cover feature has me all the more giddy to see the series return to tv. i often notice that men and women differ when it comes to defining what they view …

…and so do your sweet comments. thanks for sending me all the positive vibes, peeps. and for letting me whine a little bit. you are such a lovely bunch of readers. hugs and smooches. image via all these mountains. chelsea print available at nosideup

i’m obsessed with the idea of having bangs…again. i haven’t had them since college, and while they were cute, i cursed every time i had to pin them back before a run. but maybe i’ve matured enough to handle the extra attention they need. they’re just so flipping adorable. adorable enough to accept the fact that …

i think i need to get a shade of red-orange lipstick. it’s a little difficult to find the right shade with my dark hair and light skin, but i’m determined to find one that works. (i love the color the jcrew gals wear in this months catalog…)

my hair is reaching the point of being unmanageably long. but i’ve been telling myself i’m too busy to squeeze in a trim (err.. i maybe just a little too lazy…) so during the work week, i’ve been throwing my hair up and letting it lay wherever it pleases. this how-to guide for achieving that effortless …