Category: Personal Style
F+F Fashion & $100 Gift Card Giveaway
Minnesota is getting a lot of new food retailers lately, so much so that my favorite humor columnist wrote about it recently. But they don’t all offer clothing as well as food. Retailer Hy-Vee, which sponsored this post, is rolling out the British-inspired F+F fashion label at select locations. The most recent store to add it is the Eagan, MN Hy-Vee. The international fashion brand is in 20 countries in Europe, the Middle East and Asia and now the U.S. gets to experience the modern, trendy styles too.
So here’s what it’s like to shop for apparel in a grocery store:
Before this, I had never shopped at a Hy-Vee. It is a giant grocery store, but it reminded me a little of a market or train station in Europe because it was filled with little departments selling different types of things. F+F is one of them-it’s a store within a store that’s laid out cleanly with styles for women, men and children.
It’s higher end and higher priced than I expected for a clothing line within a grocery store. Think better quality than fast fashion, but better pricing than a luxury department store. The fitting rooms were surprisingly luxe and made me forget I was shopping mere feet from the frozen food section. The trickiest part is adjusting to the sizing system. The sizes are European, but the labels also list U.S. and U.K. sizes. I tried on a few sizes before I settled on a Euro 38/U.S. 6.
The F+F fashion line space is small, but they make the most of it by merchandising everything well. There is enough variety to meet many different style tastes, with sections of pajamas, lingerie, shoes, active wear, casual wear, dresses and also styles you could wear to work. I gravitated toward the classic cardigans and blouses. I always check labels for fiber content, and while I had to work a little harder here to read these multi-language labels I was happy to find enough viscose available to satisfy my picky fabric palette. I made an exception for the poly-lined lace blouse, because the style was irresistible!
Gift Card Giveaway
If you live near a Hy-Vee store, you can enter to win a gift card below! Note that not all locations have an F+F fashion store (you can look them up on the website’s store locator) but the gift card can be used on the great selection of other merchandise at the store.
Throwback to Summer
Everyone is so excited for pumpkins and raking leaves, and here I am reminiscing about lake shores and sundresses. Regardless of the season, I’m so excited to share this outfit post. I bought the dress for my cousin’s wedding, which was a casual wedding on a working farm. The fabric, viscose and silk, was breathable and comfortable. It ended up being one of my favorite purchases of the summer. This Anthropologie Santee Swing Dress is now majorly marked down (over $125 off!), although only available in limited colors and sizes. Sometimes getting end-of-season deals can really work out in your favor. 
Pineapple accessories can be worn year-round in my book. I wore this pink pineapple belt in October with a different dress. I also plan to get a little more wear out of this dress by pairing it with a blue wool cardigan. Even though the print is tropical, the fabric is thick enough to gracefully transition into cooler weather.
What do you think of using summer pieces into fall? As long as it’s done sparingly and appropriately, I think it can be a great way to get more use out of favorite garments that stir up fond memories of summer.
Dress – Anthropologie. Belt – from a friend. Hat – inherited from my grandma
Photos by Mo Ashley, shot in downtown Wayzata, MN
What to Wear & Do in San Francisco
I was inspired to share this look today for a couple of reasons. First is that it’s the time of year I need to remember how to dress for fall. Like, I’ve actually forgotten. Please send help and something pumpkin spice flavored to jog my memory. Second is that today is Felt Hat day! I’ve been getting a lot of cross-seasonal use out of this felt hat that I first featured as part of a snowy winter ensemble.
Whenever I travel somewhere new, I always make note of what the locals are wearing and what I’m comfortable wearing in that city. If I make a return trip, I feel way more prepared with what to pack. Here is what I personally recommend for what to wear in San Francisco.
What to Wear in San Francisco
Downtown is almost always windy and chilly, so I like a lightweight scarf and a hat.
A leather jacket is pretty perfect because it provides the right amount of wind protection and style.
Flat shoes or short boots are a must have. Promise me you won’t even try to wear heels, unless you bring a backup pair in your bag.
The perfect accessory for this outfit was a gold bar necklace courtesy of A-List Greek. The company specializes in sorority lettered jewelry. They can also custom stamp your initials, roman numerals of your anniversary, or map coordinates. Mine has my initials on it. The modern and minimal design just felt right with the black outfit. I’ve since experimented by layering it with other necklaces too which also works really well!
Compared to other cities, I describe San Francisco as fashionable yet casual. Wear what you want and make being comfortable a priority, because you won’t enjoy the pretty views of the Bay if you’re cold!
My two favorite places to visit in San Francisco
The places to see in San Francisco are endless, but there are two favorites of mine that I have to share. The Palace of Fine Arts is a must see — read the post here.
My other favorite is Alamo Square, best known for the iconic Victorians known as the painted ladies. It’s probably one of the most Instagrammable views in the city too. My most popular Instagram photo ever was taken in Alamo Square.
There’s a big park on the hill with amazing views of the city. It’s a peaceful oasis in the midst of the business. Dog lovers will enjoy Alamo Square, because it’s a popular spot to bring dogs — there’s even an unfenced section of the park where they’re allowed to run off leash. So if you’re looking for a downtown San Francisco dog park, this is one dog friendly spot I recommend!
What are your tips for things to do and what to wear in San Francisco?
For more travel explorations, check out where to shop in San Francisco and where to find the best desserts in San Francisco.
Early Fall Style & a GIVEAWAY
I recently got the chance to work with Mo Ashley Photos again after our first collaboration together this spring. We chose to shoot in downtown Wayzata, one of my favorite main streets in the Twin Cities. The shops are trendy, Lake Minnetonka is gorgeous, and even the occasional train that rumbles by just adds to the scenery.
Mo Ashley is such a talented photographer and I have gotten countless compliments on the shoots we’ve done together, like this one at the Walker Sculpture Garden. Someone said they thought one of the photos I put on social media was from a magazine. Not only is she artistically gifted, she makes the process fun even if her subjects experts at modeling.
I know this because she we had to take about 100 walking shots to get a good one ?
Giveaway with Twin Cities Senior Photos Photographer Mo Ashley
I have the amazing opportunity to offer TWO readers the chance for their own photo session with Mo Ashley! This will be valid for a senior photo session OR a fashion session. To win, you MUST be available to shoot in the Twin Cities before September 30.
If you qualify, make sure you get your shot to win below! Follow along on Instagram for another chance to win coming this week.
Meet My Blogging Theta Sisters
As almost any blogger will tell you, one of the perks of blogging is meeting other creative individuals who love curating content as much as you. Some of the people I’ve met through blogging are my sorority sisters too from around the country. I’m introducing these Kappa Alpha Theta bloggers in today’s post!
Kappa Alpha Theta Bloggers
The Coastal Confidence
Aubrey Yandow is a University of San Diego graduate and the creator of The Coastal Confidence, a website & store that encompasses her New England rooted lifestyle. The meaning behind The Coastal Confidence brand stems from her bi-coastal experience and her passion to relate to and inspire young women to embrace their confidence and push themselves towards achieving success in their passion.
Seattle Stylista
From outfit inspiration to heartfelt discussion on body image, Seattle Stylista is a life and style blog all about empowering women to live beautiful, authentic lives! Madeleine is a 2016 graduate of Washington State University.
The Scalloped Edge
Victoria is a junior at John Hopkins. “My blog’s mission is to encourage girls to present their best self, whether it be in fashion, academics, or just life in general! By focusing on personal development, organization, confidence and style, girls really have the ability to conquer the world. Of course, Greek life has helped me so much with this, and I love sharing my journey and tips and tricks that I learn along the way.”
The PDX Belle
May McNeil is a recent graduate of Randolph-Macon College. She says “The PDX Belle is a fashion & lifestyle blog designed to be a place for young women to hang out and feel inspired – to try on new clothes, hit the gym, save some money, or travel the world. I curate an upbeat, open-minded atmosphere that is influenced by an east-meets-west coast vibe – and I don’t take myself too seriously.”
Texas Sweet Tea
“I’m Sarah and I go to the University of Alabama so you’ll see me mention that a lot. I mean how could I not when we have 16 national championships (roll tide)! Although I write posts on just about anything, I mainly post about fashion and lifestyle. I have quite a few posts about my own personal Greek life experience as well.”
For a wider selection of sorority bloggers from more affiliations, check them out here.
All photos are copyright of the bloggers and are used here with their permission.
