unglued winter craft retreat

I’m back again for the second time in the same week. I KNOW, I’m just as surprised as you 🙂 I have been getting a handful of questions about my adventure from last weekend and I wanted to get the information out to you sooner than later….so here we go!

Last weekend I piled in the car with a group of my closest girlfriends from Grand Forks and made the journey down to Fargo for an all day event hosted by the Unglued Market – a winter craft retreat – and heck YES it was just as amazing as it sounds like it would be!

Friday night we started off by heading to one of the best food and beer establishments in Fargo – Wurst Bier Hall. We enjoyed some appetizers together, both the pretzels and pierogies, and for dinner I went with the bacon flight (arguably better than a beer flight) and a side of the best sweet potato fries I have ever eaten. They are the perfect crispiness and I love the long crinkle style! This place opened up when I was in college in Fargo and I remember how much fun my friends and I had eating and drinking there. If you live in this area and have never been make sure you add it to your list of places to check out.

 

After our supper we headed over to Drekker Brewing’s brewhalla beer hall for a little pre-party action hosted by Unglued as a taste of the event that was to come the next day. I had never been to brewhalla before but had seen plenty of pictures and it was just as stunning as I thought it would be! A huge hall of a building with a loft and huge beams and wooden tables all dedicated to beer. They also have some fun arcade style games and bean bags which is a fun way to spend time with friends while there. They also have a huge outdoor area so I’ll definitely be planning a trip back when it’s patio season!

When we arrived we were pleased to find that we were able to get the crafting started early because they had a project for us to do in the room that was reserved for our group! We each got to stamp and decorate our own small tera cotta pot however we liked and then plant a sweet little baby cactus inside. I brought mine home and it’s loving being right by the sunny front window of my living room!

 

 

Saturday morning is when the real intense fun started!! The retreat was held at the local Sons of Norway lodge which meant Norweigan food all.day.long and it was incredible. After we registered in the morning we enjoyed a delicious Norweigan breakfast (give me alllll the Norweigan pancakes) and breakfast beers and mimosas provided by Drekker. If I could started every Saturday morning that way from now on that would be great :D.

The rest of the day was filled with crafting awesomeness. Each attendee of the retreat was able to sign up for 2 different workshops of their choosing before the retreat and then there were also free crafting breaks and other whole group crafts built in later in the day. The two workshops that I chose to attend were one on Punch/Rug Hooking and one on Embroidery. I instantly fell in love with the rug hooking and I cannot wait to continue making items with that technique and hopefully even selling some in the future! It was therapeutic but not something that requires intense dexterity like other knitting and crocheting seem to. I made an amazing rainbow to hang in my rainbow half bathroom which you can see below.

The embroidery class I definitely struggled with more but by the end of the two hours of the workshop I was feeling semi-competent. We made these mini embroidery necklaces which look like old school lockets. I will wear mine proudly because it’s pretty cool to rock something that you made yourself!

 

 

As I mentioned before the food that we were served all day by the Sons of Norway staff and volunteers was KILLER good. Lunch was sandwiches and an amazing dumpling based soup but the real showstopper was the indescribable piece of chocolate peanut butter pie that was for dessert. My mouth is truly watering as I type this….for supper we celebrated arguably the best holiday ever “National Meatball Day”. WOAH. We had amazing meatballs and gravy with mashed potatoes, carrots, and a great vinegar based coleslaw with MORE dessert. This time it was a light and fluffy chocolate cake. The Sons of Norway treated us like kings and queens and we definitely left as far away from hungry as possible.

Some of the general crafting time and the crafts that everyone participated in together were short and simple projects that are still a lot of fun! We made our own bath bombs/bath salt, our own soy-based candles, and were able to screen print our own small little art pieces. All of the items that you make you get to take home with you so how COOL is that!? Two other craft stations involved two local business – Wild Terra Cidery and Proof Distillery. It was a blast to learn about cider making and norweigan liquor from these two businesses AND do some tasting. Below is a photo of my cute little art piece that I screen printed with the theme of the weekend “hygge” pronounced HOO-GAH….yeah I KNOW….I’ve been saying it wrong my whole life and I’m ashamed hahah. I also took a shot of some of the fun sample glasses of cider from Wild Terra. I had no clue there were so many different types of cider and learning the difference between cider and beer and how they’re made very differently was intriguing.

 

To end out the full day of retreating (8:30 AM to midnight!!) we had an amazing night filled with karaoke and a HUGE dance/dance party in the bar at the Sons of Norway. They had a flower crown making station set up and the dance was luau theme so everyone was breaking out their grass skirts and Hawaiian style shirts for the party. When we woke up on Sunday morning my body (especially my neck from all of the headbanging hahah) was sore in places I could barely believe!

To close out the weekend we attended one final “add-on” event that Unglued had for us during the event weekend – a brunch at Wild Terra Cider Bar. Wild Terra is located in a beautiful building in downtown Fargo that the owners renovated – it was formerly a horse stable and it has such a beautiful structure. The vibe in there is so warm and welcoming and the upstairs loft area is filled with amazing vintage couches and chairs for group and casual seating. (Psst if you live in Fargo they host movie nights there weekly on a projector screen so make sure you check it out!) The photo below is the first floor and it has a stunning floral wallpapered accent wall. I had to take a picture because the morning light streaming in was so gorgeous!

Our brunch consisted of bottomless mimosa and a really fun “build you own” waffle bar. They had a TON of toppings to choose from but I was really in the mood for sweet so I went straight for the nutella and strawberries and then added in chocolate chips and froot loops for some crunch! Topped it all off with just a little bit of syrup and it was divine. For some savory-ness I had their breakfast potatoes with a generous serving of goat cheese which was SUCH a good combination. The fact that my breakfast elements ended up looking like a rainbow made my color-loving soul so happy and it was the perfect way to end the weekend.

 

All in all this craft retreat was one of the best and most memorable things I’ve done in a long time. Unglued and their team are such sweet and genuine people who will do anything to give the attendees a great experience. If you want to learn more about Unglued click here to be redirected to their website. Next time you’re shopping in Fargo make sure to check out their storefront – and if you’re a resident of Fargo or the surrounding area they host workshops and classes in their store location a few times per month which is a great way to expand your creative abilities and meet new people!

Last but not least….Unglued also hosts a summer camp (OMG!!!) that is a full weekend long event. They have hosted it for a couple of years and always over Labor Day weekend at a camp in the lake country of Minnesota. This year is the first time they are going to have TWO weekends and I am crossing all of my fingers and toes that I am able to get into one of the weekend to experience the awesomeness that is Unglued for 3 jam packed days.

Thanks so much for reading along with me!! Have a wonderful end of your week!

#sugarspiceandstylethatsnice

xoxo Jen

 

bar cart styling and colored kitchen vintage finds

Hey, friends! How is everyone feeling after the spring forward this weekend? I don’t know about you but I’ve needed an extra cup of coffee (or two) to keep up these last couple of days, but I won’t complain because it means spring is on the way!!

I have partnered up with a group of sweet blogger gal pals to present you with some fun inspiration through home decor and fun fashion pieces that were all picked up while thrifting! (keep reading for more details at the end of the post)

In celebration of spring I was looking to add some colorful new pieces to my kitchen so I took a trip to one of my local thrift stores and struck gold with a handful of kitchen decor and glassware items. Nothing beats finding some amazing pieces that match your style or home vibe for a steal of a deal.

The first thing I found was an awesome vintage primary colored floral ice bucket. I chose to style it on my countertop alongside my kitchen utensils and my red Kitchenaid mixer. I am using it to store loose kitchen items like measuring spoons and cups. The floral pattern definitely made me think spring and it’s the perfect practical storage for the kitchen! An added bonus is how much it “pops” with my metallic backsplash.

 

 

My second score of the trip was a rainbow glassware set of both martini and wine glasses. They have a unique colored line pattern around the bowl and bottom of each of the glasses and there is a handful of colors making them look extra fun all together! My snarky coasters are the perfect complement to this sassy set 🙂  I styled them on my favorite vintage orange bar cart that I scored a couple of years ago at a big junk market. They add a touch of whimsy to the kitchen and will be perfect for summer entertaining and nights on the patio once we get rid of all of this snow!!!

 

 

To give you a better idea of the bar cart and styling, I took a photo from farther away. One of the walls in my kitchen was blank with no storage so I made it functional by adding a fun garage sale shelf to display my colorful coffee cup collection and then added the cheery orange bar cart to serve as additional dishware and small appliance storage. The multicolored and patterned curtain hanging on the wall above the bar cart was another vintage/junk market find from my favorite local store – Picks. I was drawn to it immediately because of the mustard yellow polka dot pattern and the sweet little yellow pom pom details. It was made by sewing a variety of hankies together. I love the vintage vibe it brings and its the perfect balance to the storage pieces!

 

Take this post as a sign to take a spin through one (or a few!) of your local resale, thrift, and junk market style stores. You just might find some unique treasures that would fit right in to a space in your home or pair perfectly with something else in your closet. I think we all know how many of our friends spent the first part of the year studying up on the Marie Kondo ways and probably took a few loads of items to the thrift store (wink wink). One woman’s items that don’t bring her joy just may bring YOU joy!

Please take some time to check out the other thrifted treasures that my gal pals from around the Midwest found on their thrift store adventures by following the links below. These women are some of the sweetest people I know and it would make my heart happy if you would support them and their blogging journeys as well ❤

 

The Dark Plum
9 thrift store shopping tips featuring thrifted outfits from all 4 seasons.

Everyday Mrs
Boho Home Finds and High End Designer Wear.

Sugar, Spice and Style Thats Nice
Bar Cart Styling and Colorful Kitchen Vintage Finds.

Live Laugh Rowe – ME!!
Boho Baskets and Beautiful Vintage Vase via Live Laugh Rowe

The Glamour Pursuit
Thrifted Work Outfits

Curlybyrdie Chirps
Revamping My Spring Style on a Budget

Everyday Teacher Style
Perk Up Your Home Decor on a Budget with Thrifted Finds

 

As always, thanks so much for reading along. Have a wonderful week!

xoxo  Jen

rainbow living room

Happy Sunday evening to all of you!

At home I have been making a lot of changes to my living space over the last couple of months and I have reached a point now where everything is settled in just the way I like it. What sparked the changes was the beautiful commissioned art piece I purchased at the end of the summer and then received in my home in October.

Because of all of these changes I wanted to make sure I shared some updated photos as well as walked through the new pieces to the space. I also have added an amazing faux fireplace, a yellow accent chair, and a new rug: just to name a few others! The style and vibe of the space has turned very boho and electic and I love how the space feels. It has given me plenty of ways to incorporate a heavy use of color just like I like to.

If you have any questions on any of the pieces in the space please don’t hesitate to ask! Some were purchased quite recently but others not. I will always try my best to find you something similar if something isn’t being sold anymore. Ok…here we go!

Here is a wider look at the overall space. I am standing over by my dining room table to capture as much of the new layout as I can. I changed the layout of the room completely during the Christmas season and I have loved having the couch this way. It makes the room feel WAY bigger. and allows the window to be highlighted and lets in so much more light when it’s not partially blocked by the couch. One thing that is best seen in this photo is the amazing rug I found on Amazon. It goes PERFECTLY with this space and I got it for a steal of a deal. The tassels at the edges add a great element of texture and I like that the rug itself has a higher pile so its nice and warm on your feet at this time of the year!

This stunning yellow arm chair was a gift to myself for my birthday. I got it on Houzz.com (similar to Wayfair) for an amazing price. I love the statement it makes and the classic oversized shape. The infamous commissioned art by the incredible Bailey Builds team from Duluth steals the show everytime – they got the colors of my living spot on and I couldn’t be happier with it. It really stands out against the wall and I highlighted it even more by draping a strand of pom-pom garland below it from the Opalhouse collection at Target. The wooden wall decor and sparkle wording above the chair are both from Hobby Lobby. As for the pillows and blanket – the faux fur pink blanket is from Home Goods, the pink knot pillow is from Hobby Lobby, and both the blue ruffled and metallic beaded pillows are from Gordmans. My metal magazine storage basket is from the Hearth and Hand Magnolia collection from Chip and Joanna at Target!

I scored this incredible rattan accent table from Picks the other week and it was the perfect addition to this room. It doesn’t look too busy in front of the window and it’s the perfect place to create different vignettes for each season – now with Valentines and spring hopefully around the corner I have fun florals, tassel garland, and a sweet new pink and gold lamp from Hobby Lobby. The faux fiddle leaf fig tree in the textured basket was a great score from TJMaxx – SUCH a good price compared to other ones I’ve seen. My gold and turquoise yarn and metal wall hanging is from Target – it’s probably more than a year old but it might still be around!

My white faux fireplace with faux marble accents is another of my favorite new additions to the space. This piece is also from Target (only sold online) and it’s truly stunning. I have loved having the feeling of a fireplace at home – especially during these colder months. It’s certainly an investment but it’s the prettiest TV stand ever in my opinion! Atop the TV are all pieces from Target – two different gold and white vases, some faux floral stems, and then two fun gold picture frames. My vintage paned window is from Picks a couple of years ago. I love showcasing and updating photos of my beautiful friends and family there – right under my “thankful” word wall from Hobby Lobby. The fun turquoise and gold hooks on the wall for purses and jackets are also from Hobby Lobby. Another new addition is the white decorative bell hanging from my doorknob – I got it at Kittsona and love the delicate touch it adds to the entryway.

The gallery wall behind the couch also got a slight face lift – the large gold piece and the small framed canvas are both from Gordmans, the fun pink textured tapestry hanging is from Hobby Lobby, and then white feathered hanging (called a juju hat!) is from Surface Abroad. My white sectional couch was my first adult purchase after graduating from college – it’s from Furniture Row but its unfortunately no longer available. My yellow lumbar velvet pillow is from Target (Opalhouse collection) and the pink throw and two metallic style/blush pillows are all from Home Goods.

My stunning dining room table is from Picks and my chairs were a steal from a garage sale. The wooden letter board was a Christmas gift from my brother and is still available at Target! The yellow vase, floral steams, pompom garland, and the glass jar are all Target items from various times. The gold mirror is the Dollar Tree and the beautiful colored yarn hanging is from Kittsona (a few years old).

As for the dubbed “awkward corner” at the landing of the stairs I finally found the perfect set-up and now I love how it looks over there. I wrapped another string of pompom garland from Target around the banister, used the great vintage dark wooden table that was by the couch before and placed it on the landing. The silver and gold basket I spray painted myself (was a plain rattan basket from Target) and I placed a mini faux fiddle leaf inside of it – also from TJMaxx, just like the bigger one by the front door. What REALLY stole the show over there though and made everything work perfectly is the amazing sunburst rattan mirror. I found that at Hobby Lobby a few weekends ago and I am so happy I came across it. I put a more up close picture below just so you can see it in all of it’s glory 😀

It has been so fun to evolve this space into something that matches my want for color. The changes have certainly been done slowly over these last 4 months so that’s a good reminder for all of you who are stressed about decorating your own spaces – take your time finding pieces that really meet what you’re looking for. No need to rush 🙂 when you find something after a period of waiting and it’s exactly what you want you’ll be glad you didn’t rush into buying something just because you felt you were on a timeline.

I love sharing my spaces with all of you and I hope you enjoy seeing photos and details! Thanks for much for reading. Have an amazing week!

#sugarspiceandstylethatsnice

xoxo Jen

 

the beauty of SHE

Hello, my friends! Those of you that follow along with me on Instagram (@sugarspiceandstylethatsnice) heard me talk about some wonderful events I have attended in the last month and I wanted to spend some time discussing them here so that I can build awareness for my sweet friends and the beautiful community they have created right here in Grand Forks.

SHE is a women’s empowerment movement that was started by 3 gal pals of mine: Mary, Kristin, and Nicole. I attended my first SHE event at the end of January and was overwhelmed with the community, vulnerability, and sweetness that happened over the course of a few hours together in the workshop they hosted. I learned a lot about myself and experienced a lot of emotions while opening up to a group of women about healing and the healing journey.

As I was leaving the event in January I asked if we could be expecting another event anytime soon and was overjoyed when they shared they were planning something with a Galentines theme in early February. Last Friday night they hosted a wonderful Galentines retreat and it was honestly the perfect Friday night: a pizza party, pajamas, wine, hot chocolate, candy, yoga, education on healthy relationships, and the creation of community with like-minded women.

The event was hosted at Nicole’s home and it was so beautiful!! I had to take a few photos of the space because they had it decorated so nicely for us and all of the little touches made it even more special. There was a spot for photo booth style photos, tons of food and drinks, and a big open living space that fit all of our yoga mats!

When we arrived we just got to spend time (in our pajamas – arguably the best part) getting to know the other women at the event and enjoying snacks, wine, hot chocolate, and plenty of candy. They thought of every little detail – all the way down to your gift for attending which a coffee mug of your choosing out of a whole selection of Target coffee mugs….another dream come true for me. I chose one that has to do with shopping (surprise, surprise) and enjoyed filling it up with hot chocolate and a heaping serving of marshmallows 🙂

After we had a meal and team for community we had such a great session of yoga with the always lovely Kristin of Sorella Wellness. It was the perfect way to wind down and find center and grounding in your own body through breathing, movement, and meditation. There’s always something powerful about practicing yoga and in a room full of women it felt extra empowering (maybe it was the fact that we were all in our pajamas!?)

With the theme of the retreat being Galentines, Mary spent some time teaching us about relationships and the way toxicity can be found in them: friendships, romantic relationships, family connections, coworkers, etc. It was a good reminder to hear about common ways that we allow toxic behaviors to be a part of the relationships we keep with people and caused reflection on my part to think about the relationships I currently have and which ones I am negatively influencing or allowing to negatively influence me.

After the discussion on toxicity Mary changed directions to talk about what positive relationships look like and a framework to follow that will help to evaluate the best qualities that a friendship (or other type of relationship) can possess to be healthy for both parties and allow for growth and trust. The framework was created by the incredible Brene Brown and its called BRAVING. You can read more about it here! The framework is laid out and explained in depth in Brene’s book ‘Braving the Wilderness’ which has been on my reading list for awhile.

To end the night we spent time doing something that we did at the first workshop event I did called “circle processing”. We spend time sitting in a large circle as a group and we go around the circle one person at a time and answer different prompts or questions asked – usually about the content we learned in the workshop or from the speaker. We spent time talking about BRAVING and relationships and where we have experienced positive or negative relationships in our lives and how we’re working through and journeying through them. One woman speaks at a time and it’s powerful to have so many women listening to you and your thoughts while showing support.

 

You can learn more about SHE by visiting their Facebook page here (and you can also find them on Instagram!) which will keep you updated on the upcoming events and workshop that they are hosting. I highly recommend SHE to all of the women in Grand Forks and the surrounding area – it is a fabulous place to build community and practice vulnerability and self-care in the presence of other women with open hearts and listening ears.

If any of you are looking for a friend to attend the next event with please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I would be more than happy to join you 🙂 As always, thanks for reading and I’ll be back with more soon!

#sugarspiceandstylethatsnice

xoxo Jen

beauty product roundup

Hey friends! I have been noticing how much you all enjoy when I share beauty products and routines on my Instagram stories so I wanted to share a blog post with all of you that showcases some of my favorite beauty go-to’s

Almost all of these products are available at Target and almost all are under $20. Each of the products is linked so if you want to buy for yourself just follow the link directly to the item 🙂

Haircare

Speaking as someone who suffers from really dry hair (especially in the winter months) this Kristin Ess weightless leave-in conditioner has been SUCH a good find for me. It’s only $10 and sprays on just like a hairspray. I put it on my hair immediately out of the shower when its still damp and use about 10-12 sprays. You don’t have to be afraid of how much you use because the product is so light. It provides good leave in protection and keeps my hair moisturized all day.

I change up my leave-in curl creme and product every so often just because my hair tends to “get used to” certain products and they don’t create as nice of a curl anymore after a period of time. I’m currently using Miss Jessie’s and I really like the weight and smell of this coily custard. It has been creating great curl definition for me and it’s less than $15 so it’s a major score.

Skincare

I have extremely sensitive skin and way back in high school my dermatologist recommended the Cera Ve brand to me because it is so light and free of scent. I have used it for the last 8 plus years and I don’t think I will ever change. I buy both the AM and PM versions because the AM contains SPF for daytime wear and the nighttime packs in extra moisturizing for the overnight hours. 

The Bliss brand (which you can find at Target!!) has quickly become a new favorite of mine. The first thing I purchased was this amazing watermelon scented overnight energizing face mask and I use it 2-3 times per week. You apply right before bed and the scent is heavenly. It’s lightweight and dries really quickly – it’s easy to remove in the morning and leaves your face glowing and energized! The second product I bought to try is this under eye cream – it comes with an easy to use rollerball applicator and can be used both morning and night. I appreciate that it’s unscented especially because it’s used so close to my eyes which are really sensitive. For $20 it’s a really affordable anti-aging product.

Last but not least is this Ahava hydration cream. You can use it as a short-term application mask or you can apply it and leave on all night as another overnight mask. It is such an amazing product and always leave my skin feeling amazing the next morning (I always use as a full overnight mask). This one is a little bit more costly but certainly worth the price – I use this on the 2-3 nights of the week that I don’t use the Bliss energizing mask so just rotate between them 🙂

Makeup

If you follow me on Instagram you know how much I love NYX soft matte lip cream. You can score these at Target or other drug store locations and they come in TONS of shades. I don’t like shiny/glossy lipstick so I’m all about the matte. This goes on great and has long lasting wear – especially for the price. Truly can’t be beat! If you’re looking for a shade to get started with Cannes is my favorite!

I have used Maybelline lash sensational mascara for at least the last 5 years and I love it so much. After trying SO many different kinds I finally found one I love and I truly don’t know what I will do if they ever stop making it one day…I don’t even want to think about it!

Julep brand is something that I had never even heard of until my mom gave my a cute beauty gift box from them as a Christmas gift. I fell in love with the “it’s balm” lip crayons that came in the box and I’m so excited to see that there are way more color options online. I got three in my box and I’m planning to order at least a couple more. Since it’s a lip crayon it’s really hydrating and easy to apply. At $20 per stick it’s a little more than I would typically spend but for the quality I’ve witnessed so far it’s definitely worth it.

I have used Bare Minerals foundation for countless years as well. I use the matte powder because I tend to get oily/shiny throughout the day. I use two different shades depending on the time of year and sometimes combine the two. I love that it has SPF so then I have an extra layer of protection on top of my moisturizer.  I have always been a fan of powder foundation because I feel it’s easier to apply and I feel that liquid foundation doesn’t fare well with my breakout and acne-prone skin.

Miscellanous

I’ve shared this Queen Bee perfume from Target multiple times now but it’s so good. It’s a great every day scent and at $25 a bottle (which will last you a long time!) it doesn’t get much more cost effective than that.

These bausch + lomb lumify eye drops are pretty amazing…I got them in my Target beauty box a few months ago and they are definitely expensive but their eye whitening and refreshing feeling really helps with my itchy, sensitive eyes.

Lastly, if you’re looking for a way to shorten time in a certain area of your beauty routine definitely considering buying some Sally Hansen Insta-Dri nail polish. It comes in countless shades and truly does try instantly (60 seconds or less). When I paint my nails at home I usually have zero patience to sit there and let them dry and I usually end up ruining them by starting a task or project before they’re all the way dry. I gave this product a try a few months ago and at less than $5 per bottle it’s a cheap way to have quick dry polish.

 

I hope all of you enjoyed checking out some of my favorite products that are all friendly additions to your beauty product regimen. I hope those of you in the upper Midwest with me are staying safe and warm this week. As always, thanks for reading and be back soon 🙂

#sugarspiceandstylethatsnice

xoxo Jen

msp food adventures

Hi, all! Last weekend I took a nice trek down to Minneapolis/St. Paul to spend time with some of my best gal pals. I have some friends who are true foodies like myself and they knew that I wanted to hit up some great places during my visit. They did not disappoint and I did some of my best eating in MONTHS. I always enjoy sharing travel and food snippets with all of you so here is my food diary from last week including pictures of every last thing I ate! Enjoy 🙂

Nice Juicery – Alexandria, MN

On my way to the cities I made a quick pit stop to stretch my legs and I decided I wanted to check out Nice Juicery for the first time! I had heard of this place before and had never had the opportunity to stop and I’m really glad I did. It’s a locally owned cold-pressed juice shop that sells juice by the bottle in about 15 different combinations. You can buy bottles individually or you can choose to buy 1, 2, or 3 day cleanses.

I decided to buy one juice to enjoy in the shop (how cute is that hexagon planter wall!!!) and then I bought a 1 day cleanse to bring back home with me to have on Monday following my full weekend of eating! Each of the juices I had was delicious and you would definitely appreciate the freshness if you try for yourself someday. The one I had during my roadtrip had cold brew coffee mixed in with a hint of mint and it was divine and refreshing.

All Square – Minneapolis, MN (Minnehaha Ave)

I heard about All Square through a Minneapolis eats/foodie Instagram account that I follow and I’m so glad I suggested to my friends that we check it out. They serve exclusively grilled cheese sandwiches but in a ton of varieties (including options for dairy-free). I went with the charcuterie grilled cheese – brie cheese, onion jam, prosciutto, and crushed almonds. It was HEAVENLY. Especially for someone who is as big of a brie-lover as myself. It was a difficult choice because the whole menu looked wonderful.

The atmosphere of the restaurant was funky and simple. They had a blue-light effect which is why my food photo looks like I had a green sandwich! I am even more glad I chose the restaurant because of what I learned when I was there: All Square is staffed entirely by formerly incarcerated employees. This allows them the opportunity to get back into the working world and provide amazing service to the people of Minneapolis. All of the employees who helped us at the restaurant were so friendly and as mentioned before the food was to die for. Please stop by to support and check it out if you’re a Minneapolis resident or plan to visit.

Muddy Waters – Minneapolis, MN (Uptown)

After our dinner we got a wonderful wine nightcap in the Uptown neighborhood at Muddy Waters which is a favorite place that holds memories for my friends. The atmosphere was really moody and comfortable. We sat in a characteristic booth and enjoyed quite possible the best plate of fries I’ve ever had. These were on the appetizer menu and reminded me a lot of “fresh cut fries” from the MN State Fair. That perfect crispy on the outside but soft on the inside texture. The seasonings were perfect and they were serve with an aoili that was light and refreshing. The perfect compliment to a glass of red wine.

Cafe Astoria – St. Paul, MN

I almost feel as though I don’t even need to say anything about this latte from Cafe Astoria in St. Paul because it certainly speaks for itself….but I will anyway. This is another Instagram find and when I saw there was a place to get a rainbow latte I couldn’t pass it up. This little cafe in St. Paul (near the Xcel Energy Center on Grand Ave) is a sweet spot to enjoy a baked good and a great cup of coffee. They have a lot of fun specialty lattes on the menu – this rainbow latte is made with peppermint to give it a nice refreshing taste. Some other top contenders that I saw on the menu – a campfire smores’ latte and one with gold foil on top to make you feel extra extra! We didn’t enjoy any baked goods because we were headed off to brunch but what I observed of them they looked like they would not disappoint!

Nightingale – Minneapolis, MN (Uptown)

Nothing says a Saturday morning brunch like bottomless mimosas. Nightingale was such a fun place to enjoy brunch in uptown. The atmosphere was fun as the restaurant was full of groups of people enjoying the weekend together. I indulged in the mimosas and for my food I went with a cornmeal style waffle at the waitress’s recommendation. I really enjoyed the texture and the fact that it was savory versus sweet like a regular waffle. It came with pineapple on top which was a good offset to the cornmeal taste. The bacon was an A plus too! When we walked into the restaurant I couldn’t help but think how fun it would be to dine there during the nicer months of the year – they have a beautiful outdoor area that would make for great people watching 🙂

Nolo’s Kitchen – Minneapolis, MN (North Loop)

Nolo’s was far and away the best meal of the weekend. I am still salivating just thinking about my food from here!! The 4 of us enjoyed red wine paired with a delicious cauliflower and brussel sprout medley as an appetizer. The herb dressing that topped the vegetables was too food for words. We asked the waitress to share the secret but unfortunately we came away empty-handed!

When it came time to decide what I wanted for my main course something about pasta was attractive to me and in the big open concept restaurant I saw the station where a chef was making fresh pizza dough along with fresh gnocchi. That made my decision really easy because I am in love with gnocchi and I can truly say that this meal change my life. The photo on the right doesn’t do it justice at all because of the lighting in the restaurant but the colors were beautiful. It was the handmade gnocchi with butternut squash, a brown butter sauce, and hazelnuts for additional brunch and flavor, and some sage and parmesan cheese. Next time I am in Minneapolis I will certainly be going here to have the exact same meal again.

I also wanted to mention the atmosphere – North Loop is a really fun neighborhood to explore in MSP. Nolo’s was a big open concept space with industrial looking white pillars and white washed brick walls. A nice mix of tables and booths around the edges and the large circular bar in the middle. It’s a trendy place to be and I’ve also heard great things about their brunch menu!

Pizza Luce – Minneapolis, MN (Uptown)

Not much explanation is needed for a 2 AM slice of pizza. It is never a bad idea…especially when it’s Pizza Luce. All 4 of us grabbed a slice and enjoyed it sitting cross-legged in the appropriately dubbed “pizza corner” of Rose’s living room in our pajamas. The perfect way to end the night. The pizza itself – I went with classic cheese and it was delightful. What was equally as good was the Italian cold noodle pasta salad with mozzarella and pepperoni/hard salami.

Gigi’s – Minneapolis, MN (Uptown)

For my parting breakfast on Sunday morning we found ourselves in the neighborhood of Uptown again only a few minutes’ walk from my friend Rose’s house. They had told me lots about the neighborhood cafe, Gigi’s, so I was expecting great things and I was certainly not disappointed. It’s such a sweet local place with great coffee and even better breakfast food. I enjoyed a bacon and egg scramble with breakfast potatoes, and toast. The portions were just right and it was the perfect meal to share great conversation over.

By the time we were wrapping up our breakfast it was crazy to see how the cafe had completely filled up all the way with people of all ages from around the neighborhood who were enjoying the best breakfast around!

Bogart’s Doughnut Co. – Minneapolis, MN (Uptown)

Last but certainly not least was the final pit stop I made before getting in my car to start the drive home. Just down the street from Gigi’s you will find Bogart’s Doughnut Co (BoGoDoughCo) where you would be crazyyyy not to stop for a doughnut. I went with the glazed brown butter option (obviously the theme of the weekend!) and it was so dang good. All of the options looked so fabulous but I knew better than to pick multiple to “bring home” which I knew would turn into “bring into the car and eat all of them during my drive home”.

I hope this gives you all some inspiration for great food stops next time you find yourself in Minneapolis/St. Paul. Have a fabulous week and thanks for reading 🙂

#sugarspiceandstylethatsnice

xoxo Jen

the year of bold

Happy 2019, my sweet friends! I apologize for my few week hiatus from writing blog posts – I was soaking in the holiday time with family and enjoying a few week break off of class. Everything kicks back in next week so I’m getting back in to my work routines and preparing for my last semester of grad school as well so it’s time to get back on track 🙂

I don’t tend to be someone who makes really specific New Year’s resolutions but last year for the first time I decided on a word for the year and what the meaning behind that word and focus meant for me. 2018 was “the year of calm” and you can read all about that in this post linked here. I found that my focus on rest and calm in 2018 brought me a lot of good lessons and I do feel I made a lot of positive strides throughout the year. There is still much more to be done but I feel happy with my progress and looking forward to continuing to prioritize rest in the coming year, especially once my final semester of school is complete.

When sitting down to think about my word for this year I had a lot of thoughts. One thing I discussed quite a bit with one of my best friends was “boundaries”. Up until a couple of nights ago I was certain that was going to be my focus for the year but as I was continuing to brainstorm on my couch the other night it just hit me all of the sudden: bold. Bold is what I want to focus on this year and I wanted to explain my thought process behind what that means to me and my thoughts for the coming 12 months.

As soon as the word entered my mind I began doing some searching on quotes about boldness and the definition of the word bold. Bold be defined in two ways:

1. (of a person, action, or idea) – showing an ability to take risks; confident and courageous
2. (or a color or design) – having a strong or vivid appearance

As I read these two definitions it became even more clear to me that this is exactly where I want my focus to be this year. Those that have followed along with me for awhile (especially on Instagram) know my love for color and how much I like to incorporate it into my daily wardrobe and in the decor in my townhouse. When I read the definition of bold surrounding color or design I look at it through the lens of personal appearance. I want this year to focus hard on having a strong and vivid personal appearance that incorporates the first part of the definition: confidence and courage.

Working on self-love and self-acceptance when it comes to my body image has really been strengthening these last couple of months and I want to continue on that path. I want to remind myself that I am bold and confident in my appearance just as it is now. That doesn’t mean I don’t embrace the continued changes and journey of becoming more healthy but it will also remind me that it’s OK to exude confidence in the state that my body is in now (and the state it will be at in April, and July, and October…)

The first part of the definition is one that will be the most difficult for me: “showing an ability to take risks”. Even though I am an extroverted and mostly confident person I find myself to be someone who tends to stay in a comfort zone, especially when it comes to certain areas of my life. I’m hoping this year to find that level of courage to take some risk in those areas where I’ve stayed closed in and comfortable for a long time. I don’t see myself turning into someone who takes risks freely and easily, but I know I have an opportunity to create more space for the unknown and be willing to give things a try that I have always counted out in the past.

I also want to focus on adopting bold in my professional life. As a younger female in the workforce I can often feel the subtle (or not so subtle) discounting of my ideas or abilities at work because of my age and experience level. I hope this year to work on comfortable pushing the envelope when it comes to my courage and confidence level at work when I’m met with resistance or find struggles when working with others.

When I was looking up the definition for bold I found some great quotes that really embody what I’m looking to accomplish this year as well

 

I chose “fortune favors the bold” to be my first quote of the year on the new wooden letter board I got for Christmas from my brother. I displayed it on my dining room table and hope to use that as a daily reminder of my word of the year. Throughout the year I will work to update it with new quotes that continue to keep me focused on my goal for the year.

I’m looking forward to another great year ahead on the blog and I’m so thankful to each of you that follow along with me. I hope you had a wonderful New Year and that you’re feeling refreshed and ready for what 2019 has in store for you. Cheers!

#sugarspiceandstylethatsnice

xoxo Jen

 

the ultimate christmas gift guide

Alright, everyone! It’s here: the ultimate Christmas gift guide!! Creating this guide has been a labor of love but I enjoyed every second of it. Every single item in here is less than $100 and more than 90% of the items are less than $50. Some of these products are on here because I’ve used them personally and love them. Others were items I’ve stumbled upon and researched about to give you all a variety of fun products to add to your own Christmas wish list or to use as a guide while shopping for others!

Every item on this guide comes from one of three places – 1) Target 2) Old Navy and 3) Kittsona….no surprises there, right!? I wanted to make sure that each piece I included would be something everyone would have access to either in store or very easy to order online from any of these three places. I hope you find this guide exciting to look through! I’m already excited to make another one to share next year 🙂

Here are a few ground rules to the guide: all items are sort under the following headings

• Beauty
• Outerwear
• Dresses & Sweaters
• Jewelry & Accessories
• Home Items & Decor
• Stocking Stuffers (all $15 and under)

There are pictures for every item but the list of links and items below each heading isn’t necessarily “in order” of the photos – so just make sure you’re matching the photo you’re interested in to the description with the link. Each item has a direct link to the product on the store’s website. Keep in mind there are often multiple colors and patterns in some items so the exact item I have posted may unfortunately be sold out (in some or all sizes).

I have short descriptions behind each item and I’ll comment on the ones that I own and/or use myself! When it comes to the stocking stuffers/price points some of the items in sections other than the stocking stuffers are also under $15 but I listed things I felt fit in best with “Santa” type gifts for Secret Santa, etc. in that section.

Lastly, if you go to purchase any of the items from Kittsona don’t forget to use my #kittsonabrandbabe discount code SUGARSPICESTYLE10 at checkout for 10% off your total purchase. Phew, ok, I think that’s it……Enjoy!!

Beauty

Hydrating sheet face mask  

This miss spa brand is sold at Target. I have tried each of the sheet masks from their brand and love them all. They’re a good price and I’ve had good results from consistently using them. This hydrate one is best for this time of year when we’re getting blasted with that cold winter weather up here in the northern Midwest.

Overnight energizing face mask

I tried this bliss brand overnight mask for the first time about 2 weeks ago and it’s been unreal for my skin. I’ve been using 2-3 times per week. I love that you put it on right before bed. It dries almost instantly and then you sleep with it on and wash off in the morning. Biggest bonus – it smells amazingly refreshing – watermelon is one of my favorite scents!

Queen Bee perfume

This is the perfume I use. I realize it may not be a scent everyone is crazy about but I thought it was worth listing! It’s $25 for a large bottle and only $12.99 for the rollerball version. Target is breaking into the fragrance game and I’m definitely ok with it!

Matte liquid lipstick set

Bare Minerals always has great gift sets! These three colors are great – and this would also make for a perfect stocking stuffer for a gal pal

Deep cleaning face brush

This is elf brand. I haven’t tried myself but I’ve heard great things and you really can’t beat the price point

Silicone brush tool for face masks

This I own and love. I use it to apply any of my non-sheet style face masks. It’s a big win to not use your fingers to apply – both for mess reasons AND for cleanliness of not using your own oils/fingers to spread the mask around your face. Keeps things more hygenic and all you have to do is rinse with warm water after each use.

Facial hair removal tool

This. Is. Life. Changing. and I’m not kidding. A blogger I follow on Instagram recommended this and I decided to give it a shot. I’m never turning back. Totally painless way to remove any facial hair and at $20 NO ONE is complaining about that price!

 

Outerwear

Blush suede moto style jacket

Even though I have very pale skin I’m finding myself drawn to a lot of blush pink lately. I love that this blush color turns something normally masculine looking into something softer that still has plenty of edge.

Plaid with fur detail dressy coat

This coat would be great as a dress coat for work and other fancier gatherings. The faux fur sleeve collars are a unique touch and at $70 it won’t break the bank.

Faux fur vest

Again with the light pink…I know…but I’m so glad faux fur vests are still on trend. It’s a fun way to add texture and dimension to any outfit and takes virtually no effort.

Fleece-lined patterned athleisure jacket

This is a fun patterned number – I like that it’s a way to dress up an athleisure look. This could be your coat to wear on your way to and from the gym, or with any athleisure look that you wear to tackle errands on the weekend!

Dresses & Sweaters

Yellow midi length dress

Sign me up for anything yellow. I love the length of this dress. Would be a great holiday party option!

Brown and pink boatneck sweater

I own this sweater in the gray and yellow version. It is SO soft. I highly recommend.

Green and black striped boatneck sweater

This is a classic piece that you can’t go wrong with at all. There are many different color and pattern options in this one. I like the boatneck style – the higher neck is timeless and classy.

Cream cardigan sweater

This openfront cardigan reminds me of a piece I bought at Loft earlier this year. I like the flecked detail that keeps it from being too stark and plain, but it’s a neutral that can be worn with virtually anything.

Black floral jumpsuit

This is another fun holiday party option. A small, undertoned floral is feminine without being too overpowering and it’s a fun element to come away from wearing something that’s just plain all black.

Velvet swing mini dress

This little velvet dress is so fun!! Velvet has been huge this fall and winter so this is an easy way to work it into your winter wardrobe without going outside of your comfort zone.

Black midi dress with floral detail

I love the detail of this piece. It’s a classic LBD but with a twist – and definitely more casual for someone who doesn’t like tight-fitting or overly dressy pieces.

 

Jewelry & Accessories

Blush pink sherpa purse

I’ll be honest, out of this whole list I think this is the number one item that I want to buy for myself! I LOVE the idea of a sherpa style crossbody bag and a $30 price tag is perfection.

Mustard yellow winter scarf

Old Navy has TONS of colors in this same scarf. I gravitated toward the yellow (naturally!) but you could choose any color and it’s a fun way to add a pop if you have a neutral solid color winter jacket.

Metallic silver mittens

I love these metallic mittens!! I would definitely buy them if I didn’t already own the Old Navy metallic puffer coat in the rose gold shade of metallic. The only thing holding me back is that mixing two different shades of metallic might be a littleeee much. Even for me!

Colorblock oblong scarf

Colorblock is still a big trend everywhere – in sweaters, dresses, and anything else. I like the option of bringing it in through a scarf and the color palette is nice and classic.

Multicolor plaid blanket scarf

I was drawn to this because of all the colors. The beauty of a piece like this is that if you’re someone who doesn’t normally wear a lot of color you can add this to a solid/neutral outfit for a way to ease into some brightness in your wardrobe. It would look fabulous paired with an otherwise all-black outfit!

Dressy velvet scarf

Did someone say velvet SCARF!? That is all I needed to hear

Pom pom scarf

This is another fun and simple scarf that comes in many different colors. Pom poms may be the new tassel so hop on that trend with this scarf!

Gold winged stud earrings

These are a simple but stunning piece and can make a statement without having bright color or flashiness. I would be hard-pressed to find an outfit that these earrings DON’T go with.

Multi-layer gold necklace

Multi-layered necklaces are still really big. I like the pretty girly touch of this piece that again could be worn with anything!

 

Home Items & Decor

Hearth and Hand candle

I got this candle from a friend for my birthday and all I can say is wow. It’s actually burning right now as I type and my house smells like a miracle. You really can’t go wrong with any of the Heart and Hand candles though if I’m being honest.

Circular rattan mirror

This mirror is so much fun. Circular mirrors have been ALL over Instagram but this one has a unique touch to it. It’s from the Opalhouse collection at Target which I love.

Plaid throw blanket

For those of you with traditional colored Christmas decorations this throw blanket would be a fun way to add a touch of Christmas to your chair or couch in a living space.

Gray chunky knit throw blanket

You can never have enough throw blankets….seriously….

Black macrame wall hanging

Woven wall hangings are a fun way to add dimension and texture to your walls. This black piece is proof that it doesn’t have to be flashy or intricate to make a statement.

World map hanging tapestry

If you’re an avid traveler (or want to be!!) this world map hanging would be a great addition to a room in your home!

Bon appetit wire wall decor

I love this little wire piece. It would go perfectly in any kitchen or breakfast nook. It’s only $12.99 so the definition of budget-friendly!

Hexagon shaped letterboard

Letterboards are STILL huge but Target has changed the game up by having boards in fun shapes instead of just your standard square and rectangle. This hexagon shape still gives you plenty of room for words but adds more visual interest with it’s unique shape.

White and gold wall hanging planters

I have one of these hanging on the wall right when you come in from my garage. I use it as a “drop spot” for my work name badge and my keys so that I always know where they are. As it’s labeled they are also intended to be hanging wall planters for small house plants!

 

Stocking Stuffers (all $15 and under!)

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Eyelash print makeup bag

Another thing that you can never have too many of is small bags/clutches. You can use them for countless things and they are a great way to stay organized in different areas of your house. This eyelash print one is only $5!

Ice cream cone makeup bag

Loving the pompom detail on this one 🙂

Orange pom pom throw blanket

Can’t stop won’t stop with the pom poms, y’all….they are really on trend! This blanket would make the perfect stocking stuffer for virtually anyone. It comes in lots of different colors!

Jewelry storage box

This little box is precious and would be a sweet way to store your jewelry when traveling or on your bathroom counter since it’s so pretty to look at!

Flower stud earrings

I wanted to add a few pieces of jewelry here under the stocking stuffer section because things like this are always fun to give to others!

3-pair metallic stud earring set

This set is only $7.99 for all three pairs!

Minnesota retro style keychain

Keychains are a fun way to express yourself on an item that you carry around with you everywhere. If you or a loved one live in Minnesota or grew up there this retro style keychain is a great idea for a gift.

Be kind leather keychain

Kittsona has multiple sayings in this leather style keychain! Find one that works best for the person you’re gifting 🙂

Set of hair coils

These hair coils are all the rage! They are certainly prettier when worn around your wrist than the traditional ponytails and they don’t leave bumps in your hair

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Wasn’t that fun!!?! As always…thanks for reading along and supporting me. I hope this gift guide gave you some ideas for people you might still be shopping for or helped to add to your own wishlist that you’ve been sharing with those who are shopping for YOU!

There is more fun holiday content to come in these next two weeks leading up to Christmas…can you believe we’re only 15 days away….

Wishing all of you a wonderful week! Be back with more soon 🙂

#sugarspiceandstylethatsnice

xoxo Jen

 

 

kittsona christmas gift guide

Happy December, everyone! I promised to deliver a few gift guides to all of you during the holiday shopping season and wanted to kick it off by sharing a guide from favorite local boutique – Kittsona 🙂

These items would all be great for women in your life – moms, sisters, best friends, coworkers, secret santa recipients, aunts…the list goes on! All of these gifts are under $70 and almost all are under $30 making them affordable for a variety of price points and reasons for this season’s shopping.

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Details (following photos from left to right/top to bottom) – each of the items is linked directly to Kittsona’s website so follow the links for easy purchasing!

nodak baseball hat – $28

This baseball cap is simple and perfectly distressed. It would be the perfect weekend wear and having a couple of “go-to” hats is always a good idea to hide a bad hair day or wear on the weekends when you’re getting all of your errands and shopping done! They have other version of this same hat including city specific for different place in North Dakota and Minnesota.

funky white fringe sweater – $48

I was immediately drawn to this sweater. Even though it isn’t in a bold color like a lot of my wardrobe the details and fringe look make it so unique and fun even though it’s a classic neutral color. It would be a great staple to add to any winter wardrobe and could be worn countless ways – I’m envisioning it with a fun pair of colored dress trousers and ankle boots for a fun business casual look for the office.

metallic faux leather earrings – $12

These earrings are simple and sweet. Since they are made of faux leather they are extremely lightweight even though they are a bigger statement size earring. The metallic colors are a nice a subtle way to add some shine to your look, especially when wearing your hair up. At $12 per pair you can snag all three colors and have no shame at all!!

be a kind human sweatshirt –  $68

This crewneck is a part of the Humankind collection at Kittsona and I love the simple message. The world can always use a little more kindness and this sweatshirt would serve as a reminder to anyone who sees you wear it! The price tag here is higher but I’ll speak to how comfortable these crew necks are – I have the Minnesota Vikings crewneck from Kittsona and it is so warm and cozy. Definitely worth the price!

“home” north dakota drink tumbler – $22

I love all of the different color options for this tumbler – I also like that you could use it for any type of drink. Enjoy hot and cold beverages in here all year round! Coffee, iced coffee, water, wine…the list goes on! They also have this available in Minnesota if you’re a Minnesotan 🙂

“home” north dakota wooden keychain – $8

This sweet little wooden keychain would make the perfect stocking stuffer or secret santa gift for your holiday party or other North Dakotans in your life. The price point can’t be beat and I love the simplicity that this would add to your key ring. Also – this would be a perfect gift for someone who has moved away but calls North Dakota home and would like to have a nice daily reminder!

“world’s best dog mom” coffee mug – $18

If you’re looking for a gift for a dog mom in your life look no further. Especially if that dog mom also loves coffee! I’m hoping Luna reads this blog post and has the ability to order items online for her mom….I would really like to see this for me under the tree this year to add to my coffee mug collection at my office!

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I hope these items give you some good inspiration and can help you to cross off some people from your Christmas gift list. Don’t forget – when you shop at Kittsona (either in your local storefronts or online at www.kittsona.com  you can get 10% off your total purchase when you enter in (online) or mention (in person) my discount code – SUGARSPICESTYLE10

Christmas is quickly approaching and I am looking forward to sharing more fun holiday content and posts with all of you in the coming weeks! I hope you are having a wonderful week so far and that you are staying warm if you’re here in the northern Midwest with me. As always, thanks so much for reading. I appreciate each of you ❤

#sugarspiceandstylethatsnice

xoxo Jen

may your days be merry & bright

The best time of the year is here!! I wanted to share all of the details of my Christmas decorations even though they have been up for a couple of weeks already 🙂

I know most of you are now going to be fully in the spirit and ready to decorate yourself if you haven’t already now that Thanksgiving has passed. I hope all of you enjoyed a great holiday with those you love. Let the decor round up begin!

In the kitchen I have this great wooden sign from Gordmans. It was 30 dollars and was one of my favorite editions for this year! It goes great with all of the primary colors I have going on with the coffee cup shelf and the rest of the kitchen.

In my first level half bathroom I put a small touch of Christmas – I bought these 4 bottle brush trees at hobby lobby. I loved the bright vibrant colors and they go great with the rest of the color filled rainbow bathroom. They were half off and so were really inexpensive – only $4 for the largest size ($8 regular price)

The front door wreath for this year is very simple. I used a plain faux evergreen wreath that I bought at Menards a couple of years ago. To dress it up I wrapped it in gold star tinsel for $3 from Target and then hot glued three ornament on – all from Target as well. The two metallic gold ones were $1 each and the white faux fur and gold one was $3.

In the living room I added a fun touch of Christmas to my amazing reclaimed art piece with this pink and blue felt style “merry & bright” garland from TJMaxx. I can’t remember the exact price but it was less than $20 for sure! On the end table – my Christmas gnome is also from TJMaxx along with the metal Christmas tree – both purchased this year. The silver JOY and the glittery deer are both from Target a couple of years ago. And the fun gold spiky table garland is from hobby lobby!

The other side of the living room is the most festive place of all! The new yellow chair has the fun beaded and tassel pillow from Target this season. The colored tinsel trees on the ground are from Target a couple of years ago and the gold tree in the middle I just bought at Picks this weekend! The “all is calm all is bright” wooden tree sign hanging on the wall is from TJMaxx last year and I think it’s so beautiful! My new yellow chair that arrived this weekend from houzz.com is fitting in perfectly 🙂

On the couch I have two fun Christmas pillows that I added to my usuals. The beaded colored reindeer pillow is from Target a couple of years ago and the light pink Christmas tree pillow was a favorite find from this year at TJMaxx.

My TV stand decorations are currently undergoing a little bit of a change because of my DIY project from today so here is a close up! This wooden house I painted and decorated myself today and I can’t wait to make my second one next weekend. The glass jar and pom pom garland are both from Target! Adding garland or vase filler to any jar or container is a great and easy decor hack.

My dining room table scape this year has really gone full on rainbow!! My dollar store mirrors stayed for the season and then the wood and turquoise Joy sign and the yellow pickup truck are both from Picks. The colorful advent calendar was a Target purchase from 3 years ago and then the mini colored trees are all from Gordmans this year – with the exception of the pink and yellow trees on the right hand side which are from Target. These colored trees are such an easy and inexpensive way to add touches of Christmas at home. Even if you don’t enjoy color you can get more metallic or neutral ones. The trees from Gordmans were all $9.99 less – the small red ones were only $4.99!!

The landing and stairs have become one of my new favorite spots for decor this year! The beautiful wooden painted “it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas” sign I bought at picks this year and placed inside of my big vintage frame. On top of my bookcase is another silver tree, a big wooden/metallic deer, and another string of the pom pom rainbow garland – all from Target!

The two stockings on the banister are from Target along with the small glass “J” and “L” ornaments that I hung from them this year to mark mine and Luna’s! It was a fun easy way to make them personalized. Around the banister I wrapped two different versions of tinsel garland – one in rose gold and gold metallics and one version completely multicolored. Both from hobby lobby! I also stuck a fun velvet red bow on the end of the banister.

Last but far from least is my tree. This beauty is a 7.5 foot flocked tree from Walmart that I got an amazing deal on last year. The pink faux fur and gold accented tree skirt is new this year from TJMaxx! And all of my ornaments are from a combination of Target, Hobby Lobby, and TJMaxx – some new and some old! I’ll post one more detailed picture of the ornaments up close below. The wooden woven star on the top of the tree is from Target last year. And the “believe in the magic of Christmas” sign on the wall is from Kittsona!

I hope you all enjoy seeing my Christmas decor as much as I enjoy sharing it with all of you on here and on Instagram every day. I’ve really and fully embraced the rainbow and colorful Christmas experience this year and I am excited to enjoy it all season long! If you have any questions for me about any of my decor, DIYs, or end up buying any of these items please share with me 🙂 I always love seeing what all of you do in your homes too!

As always, thanks so much for reading! Have a wonderful week!

#sugarspiceandstylethatsnice

xoxo Jen

birthday wish list!

Hi, everyone! I’m sorry that I missed connecting with you last Sunday. I’m back now and have lots going on that I am looking forward to sharing soon. My house is fully decorated for Christmas and I will be bringing a full decor detailed post to you a little bit closer to Thanksgiving.

This Friday (November 16th) is a big day in my house – it’s both my birthday AND Luna’s birthday!! I will be turning 26 and Luna will be turning 3! When I visited Luna as a puppy at the breeder’s farm and I learned that she had the same birthday as I did I knew I was meant to be her dog mom 🙂

Each year my parents ask for a birthday and Christmas wish list from me and I thought it would be fun to share the things I have on my list with all of you this year. A few things I have had my eye on for awhile and some are newer interests but it’s a good variety of items. Since my birthday is fairly close to Christmas it’s easy to make a bigger list with lots of ideas as some of them could become Christmas gifts next month!

Fitbit Charge 3

I had the original Fitbit charge when it came out a few years back and really loved it. Here is a link to the newest version that is on my list! With my eczema I can’t wear metal-based watches because they really irritate my skin and cause a rash. Wearing something like this with a rubber-based band is a good option for me. I also like that this style of the tracker is a thinner style so it’s not as chunky of a watch. It can blend in with other jewelry/bracelets because it almost looks like a bracelet itself! I also love that all of the Fitbit products now come with the ability to change out the band. That was one of the downsides before when you had one color and one color only. I love the rose gold accent on this one and know it would look great with a variety of bands that I can buy to change up the style depending on what I’m wearing that day.

Oh Joy! Calpak confetti luggage

This confetti designed luggage set might be one of the cutest things I’ve ever seen. Joy Cho is the blogger and name behind the Oh Joy! brand and she combined with CALPAK to design this luggage set. I love that it’s got the hard outer shell making it more durable for travel. The gold accents on the handle and 360-degree wheels makes it look extra classy and chic. I am a big fan of colored/patterned luggage because it always makes it so much easier to spot your bag – not to mention it helps you travel in style! This set is definitely a little bit on the pricey side but I have a feeling the quality holds up that price point. Here is a link to check it out! You can buy as a set or separate pieces in the different sizes.

Yellow Accent Arm Chair

Photo by OneBigOutlet. See more mid-century modern armchairs and accent chairs designs

This yellow arm chair from Houzz.com has been on my radar for the last couple of months and I have always thought it would be fun to have an accent chair in my living room. You all know the fairly recent obsession that I have developed for yellow and I’ve enjoyed working it in in small ways in my living room. This chair would pack a big punch and I like that it looks really stately but comfortable at the same time. The chair I currently have in my living room doesn’t have arms so it’s not very inviting or comfy to sit down and curl up in to read or watch a movie. I’m thinking of treating myself and buying this for a birthday gift to myself so stayed tuned for that 😀

Camel high neck dress coat

I have a really heavy duty black winter jacket that is dressy and nice to wear for both work and casually. I have wanted to add another lighter colored option so that I have two different choices of jacket for during the winter season. I always want to make sure that what I buy is dressy enough for work but not so stuffy that it isn’t warm enough for our nasty winters. I spotted this high neck camel coat at Old Navy and I love how it’s simple but really classy at the same time. You really can’t beat the price either! Here is the link for it on the website. 

Matching Christmas pajamas!

There is no such thing as too many pajamas – especially no such thing as too many Christmas pajamas! Target has so many great matching pajama options for the whole family that would be fun to wear on Christmas morning all together when you’re opening up your gifts. Luna surprisingly doesn’t mind wearing dog sweaters so I thought it would be cute for her to have something matching with me for this season. Here is a link to this whole family collection of this set of pajamas but as I mentioned there are more than 10 styles of family pajamas.

I know that other than the pajamas I didn’t list any specific gifts for Luna on this list but not to worry – I will make sure my pup gets a good peanut butter treat on Friday along with a new bone and toy from me to celebrate turning three! I’m looking forward to sharing some photos from our big day with all of your on Instagram and probably here on the blog sometime soon too.

As I mentioned in the beginning I have lots of holiday content coming soon – Christmas decorations, Christmas music, and some winter fashion trends. Thanks so much for reading and I’ll be back with more soon! Have a wonderful week ❤

#sugarspiceandstylethatsnice

xoxo Jen

diy yarn wall hanging

Happy Sunday, everyone! I’m happy to be back on a Sunday night and I’m also happy to share this fun DIY project with you 🙂

Kelly Mindell (aka @studiodiy) is one of my favorite bloggers and she and her family live in LA. She has a big appreciation for bright, bold color and recently she posted a yarn hanging tutorial. After I saw the pictures of the masterpiece she made for her newly renovated office space I knew I needed to make a version of my own!

Here is Kelly’s post that I followed along with and used as inspiration. I knew I wanted the piece I made to go in my bedroom in the place of a much smaller yarn hanging I bought a few years ago. I used my bedroom’s color palette to build on my yarn choices when I went to the store.

I bought all of my yarn from Michaels when they were having a buy-one-get-one-free sale on yarn skeins so I saved a lot of money that way! Micheals also has great coupons on their app and sometimes you can get 20% off your whole purchase so I would look to score a deal when you buy the yarn in order to keep the costs down!

You can tie the yarn on to lots of different things – a wooden dowel is a great option but I chose to use a piece of decorative driftwood that I bought at Picks a month or two ago in preparation for this project. I like the visual interest is adds with the texture.

I estimated the number of skeins of yarn I would need for the project – my mindset was I’d rather over-buy and have to return some than get started and not have enough. I ended up buying 9 skeins in a variety of textures and colors (which is key!) but two of them I didn’t use at all and returned.

Mustard yellow, burnt orange, and two different shades of blue were my colorful choices and then I mixed in white and gray as neutrals. As I mentioned above, buying yarn in a variety of weights and textures makes it more appealing to the eye and even if you want to do a lot of the same color you can add variety and interest with yarns that are more or less bulky. I also bought one fun multicolored skein that had beautiful oranges and blues in it and it ended up being my favorite one I used!

Here is a photo of the finished product. It looks so great on the wall with all of my jewelry in my room and nothing beats having pieces in your home that you know you created yourself!

All in all this project took me about 2-3 hours to complete and all of my supplies for the project were less than $50. My hanging is quite large so if you’re looking to do something smaller it would be even more budget friendly!

I took a few photos of each of the different types of tie or braiding I did up close so you can see more clearly

A couple sections of yarn I didn’t do anything to other than looping them through the top. I made sure to use multiple strands together so that it was chunky but the colors made it pretty enough to not have to do anything fancy with some of the sections.

In the photo above the mustard yellow was just a simple twist. I cut about 10 strands of yarn total and once they were looped around the top I split them in half and twisted all the way down to the bottom before tying it off with a knot.

The blue yarn is looped around the top and then the whole set of strands is just knotted in a few different places down the strand to add texture

The orange multicolor yarn is done in a standard braid. Once the yarn was looped I just split into three sections and braided all the way down before knotting off the end

In the gray yarn above this was the most unique textured one of all – very soft and shiny, and felt a lot like human hair. I cut a few strands of this and then let them hang individually after looping through – then I tied some knots in each individual strand, spacing them out and doing them at different points on each strand

The large orange twist took the most yarn of all the ones I did. I cut lots (probably 20-22) loops of yarn for this. Then once it was hung through the top I split in half and twisted each of the two strands all the way down and knotted off. Then I took the two twisted strands and twisted them together for one big strand.

The bright blue is another standard braid but it’s a little bit easier to see with that color than it is with the multicolor yarn!

One last thing to mention is that I liked keeping a variety of lengths at the bottom of the piece. This adds interest to not have it all lopped off at the same length.

As I mentioned in the beginning this is one of my favorite projects I’ve ever done and I’m so glad I took the time to invest and work on it yesterday. I also got to do this project alongside my friend Brittany who made a version of her own. Crafting with someone else always makes it more fun 🙂

I’m hoping to make another one of these in the future and something on an even bigger scale. I dream of making a HUGE one one day the could be used as a headboard over my bed!

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend and that you have a great week ahead. Thanks so much for reading!

#sugarspiceandstylethatsnice

xoxo Jen