FITD: Living In Style: Part 1

I just read Rachel Zoe's Living In Style, and I have to say: I loved, loved, LOVED it, Her tone and voice were so engaging, and her message was very Framed In The Doorway. (I also loved Style A to Zoe.)

I was so inspired by reading her book that I decided to interview myself on my own blog about my thoughts on style, fashion and living the good life--especially as I turn 40. (YAY!!!)

Let's talk a little bit about style. Tell us a bit about your personal aesthetic.

For me, it starts on the inside. The quote from Diana Vreeland absolutely sums it up: "The only real elegance is in the mind; if you've got that, the rest really comes from it.." I think of my style like a story. The core piece remains the same. I just keep adding lovely bits to it.

To me, the most important thing is to remain intellectually engaged: Everything else stems from that.

My style is pretty classic. I prefer the old to the new. Quality over quantity. I appreciate anything with a sense of history.

What's your daily uniform?

I always joke that I have an outfit for every occasion. (I have a gardening outfit.) But my day-to-day wear tends to be pared down: denim, cami, jacket, cute shoes. And accessories, of course. :)

How do you splurge?

I tend to invest in good-quality denim and high-quality handbags. I buy a pair of jeans every other year and wear them often. In terms of handbags, I prefer a lovely leather with very little logo action. I tend to be pretty hard on stuff. I want something that's going to last.

You're turning 40...how has that adjusted your fashion/beauty routine?

I love turning 40!! I love all of my birthdays. :)

Umm....for me, not all that much, I tend to be pretty mindful about certain things--to the point where I'm evangelical. (Sorry to all of my friends who hear me proselytize.) Take care of your skin, take care of your skin, take of your skin!!!

I also tend to edit my closet.

So, your new fave accessory is...?

A pink sunhat!!

Fashion pet-peeves?

Romper, overalls, jumpsuit....anything that mimics an adult onesie. (Outside of my hoodie-footie!!)

You're stuck on an island?

Where's my lipstick?!?!

Living the good life?

Is simply that. It's not about material things. It's about living well. It's about living in the small things. Making memories. As Ms. Vreeland would say, “Oh, but I think that thoughtfulness and manners are everything.”

FITD love!! And thanks to Rachel for another great read!!

This post: To Be Continued,

xo,

B

FITD: In The Garden....

After months of living under a blanket of white, we, here, in Minnesota are introduced to a new color. I believe the rest of the world calls it green.

In honor of color and warm temps, let us celebrate my most favorite time of the year: PLANT season!! (Okay, it's really, "I can sit outside season.")

(I hereby declare this day National Planting Day.)

We have had two glorious days--most of which we spent working in the yard

The promise of good weather made me hightail it to the plant place yesterday.

Now, I don't know about y'all, but something overtakes me when I'm in a nursery. I enter a fugue-like state, and suddenly, my cart is full.

And although I begin my planting and don't finish, I still go back to the plant store the next day because I need more colors.

Admittedly, I don't own the greenest of thumbs, but I love when I plant something, and it looks amazing until I forget to water it or an Act of God happens.

But, for now, it looks like this. :)

First Round of Goodness

Fairy Garden: After a Long Winter

How the Gnome Felt About That

Crazy for Geraniums

Ditto

Little Sweetie



Today's Haul

A Patch of Lovely

A Guest From the Fairy Garden

Marigolds: Will They Last?

Hope you've had as much playing in the dirt as I did!!

FITD love!

xoxo,

B

(all images courtesy of Framed In The Doorway)

FITD Style: WOW BAR

I have been enamored with the dry bar concept since 2011. Living in Minnesota, well, sometimes, it just seems like it takes FOREVER for trends to get here.

WOW BAR opened in Edina in 2012. (I was on the email list for months and would check the website daily.) When they finally opened, I booked an appointment immediately. (I also might have cried a little.)

Anyway, if you're not familiar with dry bar: oh it's so fab.

Basically, they do blowouts. And to say Basically and Blowouts minimizes what they do. They are artists. In under an hour, they give you an amazing shampoo and a smashing 'do, which you can keep for days.

Today, I had a second WOW BAR experience. I had an event and wanted to look my best. I was met by Kristen, a lovely young woman, with the most amazing bubbly personality and vision. Sometimes you just meet people with a good spirit and that was her. Some people are just beautiful inside and out

So if you've never had a dry bar experience. Picture it like this: you go into a beautiful place. You have a wonderful shampoo experience. You pick from a Lookbook Menu to discuss your 'do. And  magic simply is magic.. You leave feeling fabulous.

Somehow between the wonderful drop-down blow dryers, and the multiple curling irons, art simply happens.  Whether you choose this on a weekly basis or on a special occasion or just for your, WOW BAR is...WOW.

And that happened to me today.

So, thank you again. I'm honored to mention you in a blog post. You are Framed In The Doorway.

FITD love!!

xoxo,

B

(images courtesy of Framed In The Doorway)

FITD Food: Chocolate-covered Strawberries

Chocolate and strawberries....is there a food pairing that is any better? (Okay, yes there is. Bacon. Bacon with everything.)

Chocolate-covered strawberries are like the rock stars of food: generally adored, often publicized, and easy (to make).

So, here you go:

*Ingredients

• 1 pkg strawberries
• 1/4 vegetable oil
• chocolate of your choice
• wax paper

*Ingredients are approximate.

Directions

1. In a Pyrex measuring cup, pour in the oil. Add a small handful of chocolate. 
2. Microwave about 20 seconds at a time. Stir until chocolate is melted.
3. Add more chocolate/oil as needed.
4. Dip strawberries into chocolate mixture and place on wax paper. Chill until the chocolate has hardened.

 A few notes: chocolate is fragile. If you choose to do this on the stove, use a double boiler. Make sure you don't overheat the chocolate. You want it warm. Not boiling. Stir and let sit at room temperature.

Showcase your skills by placing the berries in a cute gift box. Perfect for holidays, special occasions, or just because.

(Mine were for Mother's Day.)

Enjoy!

FITD love.

xoxo,

B

(all images courtesy of Framed In The Doorway)

FITD Flights of Fancy: Headed off to The Barre

As I approach my fortieth year, I am looking for ways to get my body strong and fit--especially around my core area. And although I'm good about doing cardio, I really hate, hate doing any kind of strength training . I get bored easily, so I need to be motivated.

I'd been wanting to check out Barre classes after the studio moved to the area, so finally after just talking about it, I acted upon it and signed up for a free class online.

The studio itself is light and airy with a view that overlooks the lake. There is a lounge area to rest before and after class, and bottled water and tea are provided for your convenience.

The Movements

Since I've only done this one class at this studio, I don't know if this is a standard curriculum. The exercises are isometric with small repetitions, working each major muscle group until point-of-failure.

(I failed a lot.)

The Props

Yoga mats are provided--along with medicine balls, free weights, and straps.

Tips

• Wear fitted, breathable clothing so that your instructor can see your posture and alignment.
• Leave your dance shoes at home. Although very basic terminology and concepts are used, this is not a dance class. Instead, opt for socks. (My studio requires them and suggests the ones with the grippers on the bottom, which they sell in the studio.)
• It's not how high you lift your leg. Exercises can be modified to suit your needs.
• Hydrate. I had to stop and drink lots of water. 

This class was a lot of fun and an amazing workout!! I'm excited to check out another class soon. Thank you The Barre Wayzata for a wonderful experience.

Barre Socks :)

FITD love!

xo,

B