The Perfect Everyday Bag

Say hello to my new bag, The O.M.G by Lo & Sons. This bag is the ultimate everyday bag. It has a designated pocket for just about any item you could possible need to lug around with you. Yes, that means there is even a SHOE pocket - a shoe pocket!

I've been so unimpressed with the one measly side pocket only handbags I have been using. The inner contents of my bag looked like a heaping mess and much like everything else in life... once it looks like a heaping mess, it becomes an actual heaping mess. My things were disorganized and dysfunctional. It made me feel disorganized and dysfunctional. It's only been a couple of days, but I feel like I leave the house with my sanity slightly more intact and ready to take on the day and that, is worth the price.

Weekend Plans

Hooray, hooray! The weekend is almost here. Does anyone have any big plans? I'm hoping to finally replace all of my summer clothes with my fall clothes and organize my room. That's some serious fun for an organizational geek like me... Nate and I are also hoping to make it out to the apple orchard. Last year was kind of a bust, so I'm hoping second time is a charm. 

Latest Read: Clementine Daily

I don’t know if this is a sign of me getting older, but I have recently started subscribing to websites via e-mail.  It feels a little archaic, but it’s really handy – I promise! It’s the easiest way for me to get my daily does of fashion, interior design, beauty and career advice all in one. My latest subscription?  Clementine Daily.

The design alone should have you hooked.

Girl on a Budget: Puppy Sweater

I saw this sweater in the Anthropologie window last week and snapped a photo of all of its adorableness as a reminder for later. I pretty much knew I wouldn't be able to purchase it, but hey - can't a girl dream? They paired it with black waxed jeans, a chunky, beaded necklace and a camel colored utility jacket. All these pieces perfectly contrasted the sweetness instilled in the sweater and I loved how effortlessly cool it looked. However, I'm a girl on a budget (GOAB) and a trendy sweater for $100  isn't exactly in the "the budget".

Enter Old Navy. While they're not identical, there is no way even I can logically justify spending twice the money on essentially the same piece. 

Anthropologie sweater

Old Navy sweater 

Outfit: Cozy Casual

sweater | hat | scarf | boots | handbag | bracelet | earrings

Beauty: Muted and Metallic

As I mentioned in my previous post, vampy is my go to fall polish color. However, I've really been feeling the muted and metallic lately. What's your go to polish color this season?

find these polishes and more here.

Mood : Fall

I love that my least favorite season, summer, is right before my absolute favorite, fall. It makes that first, cool, crisp day feel that much more celebratory. Today was that day in Minneapolis. I am now officially ready for layers upon layers, pumpkin spice lattes and vampy nails. 

P.S. How darn cute is that little girl? I could scoop her right up.

Mini Catch Up

jacket- Gap, shirt - Nordstrom Rack, pants - J. Crew, flats - Lucky Brand, bag - Anthropologie, necklace - little stand at a french market

Guess what?! I finally upgraded myself to a real camera. Bare with me, because I'm still trying to figure out how this thing works. If you have any favorite photography "how to" sites, please share :)

Welcoming all things autumn into the apartment. 

-S

Chicago

| top - Michael Kors via TJ Maxx, jeans - Madewell, sandals - Gap, hat - Banana Republic, bag - Kanken |

Nate and I took a quick trip to Chicago this weekend to visit my family and see a bit of the city. Our last visit was centered around the heart of downtown Chicago, so this time we took it to Wicker Park to get a feel for its neighborhoods.

My cousins are growing up so fast. Addison was in diapers and barely walking the summer I lived with my family and now she dances around the yard and runs around the house in her "princess heels". 

Rose's - our last stop. This place is celiac heaven - only here am I able to look at an entire menu and order WHATEVER I want. If you know someone that has celiac disease, tell them about Rose's. 

Style Crush - Gayle Spannaus

Chances are you've heard of Jenna Lyons, but have you heard of Gayle Spannaus? Spannaus is the style director of J. Crew and to say that I'm intrigued by anything and everything this woman says and styles would be an understatement. She is barely five feet, a lover of prints and sparkle and thinks the ankle is seriously under rated. New best friend? I think yes. 

Start your obsession here.

diy // polka dot wrapping paper

 

 What comes after wrapping? PAPER. and I love paper. I came across this polka dot wrapping paper DIY on pinterest by The House That Lars Built and I had to try it out. I'm pretty pleased with the results... I think I will go with classic, simple black and white next time around. Oh, and here is a great tutorial on how to make the tissue flowers. Craft on!

weekend wardrobe

jacket & shirt - j. crew / jeans - else / sandals - gap / hat - banana republic/ bag - h&m

Hello and happy Saturday to you all. Welcome to my back alley apartment entrance. It's as far as we dared venture in this on-again, off-again rain. 

FLOWER POWER

 

 

I've been all about flowers this summer -- they have this way of completely transforming a room. My favorites? Tulips, peonies and hydrangeas. Learning how to create gorgeous bouquets is next on my agenda.

Straw Totes

 

If you know me, you know I'm a handbag girl (I actually just purchased one...more on that later). Summer means straw totes in my handbook. It puts you in the mood for the beach, farmer's market or just bee-bopping around town. My all-time favorite? OP's of course...


 
left to right :: Tory Burch // J. Crew // Pepe Jeans  // Kate Spade 
image

Weekend Photos

 

 

 

 photos by Brianne Lee

Nate and I ventured to Fargo this weekend and I had my little sister's friend, Brianne, take some photos of us. I realized some time ago that the only photos that I had with Nate involved standing in front of something like a staircase with one arm around each other. Blehh. Insert Brianne. This is only a snippet of the collection, but I love how she was able to capture our relationship personality so perfectly on film. Be sure to check out the rest of her portfolio here.

Insta - life

Finally met up with Chelsea of Zipped at Bull Run in Uptown // photo credit - Chelsea's instagram

 

 If you haven't. You should. The Foundry Home Goods

 

Nate eating the best cinnamon rolls in town

 

follow @samanthaholte - or click here

Creative Casual

How lucky am I to have a M-F dress code described as "creative causal"? Some days, like today, it feels like wearing your pajamas to work. I found this French Connection dress while out and about with the boy this past weekend and I have to say, it made my Monday a little brighter. Don't worry, I promise to always wear it with leggings.

Style Envy // Reese

 love everything about Reese Witherspoon, especially her simple, yet pulled together style. Excuse me while I go scour the internet for an identical hat and pair of sunglasses.

001 // mood board

 

I truly try not to mention the weather in my blog posts, but my patience for the warmer days ahead is coming to an end. I ventured home this weekend and was greeted with bright white snow drifts that were taller than me and whipping winds. And when I say bright, I mean so bright that Nate and I had to stop at a Flying J on our way back to the city and purchase some styin "2 for $15" sunglasses to try and ward off our oncoming headaches. Weather complaints aside, this weekend is the big move! Remember my sneak peek here? I am so excited to get settled into my new place and will do my best to document along the way.

pencils | JOIE top | jackie o |  necklace | polish | bensimon sneakers

company I love // rennes

I'm kind of overly obsessed with the Boston company, Rennes. Especially their dot collection.

wish I was wearing

jacket- coach // shirt- chance // jeans- j.brand // bag- furla // shoes- superga // glasses- warby parker

Today I'm Thinking About

bedding // flowers // photos // tassels // sunglasses // stripes

Fabric & Handle Shopping Totes

 

 

Orva Tote // Miu Tote // Rin Tote // Claire Tote

Insta Review

 

1// Polka dot manicure with my favorite 6 year old during a quick trip to Chicago.
2// Snail mail from Karin can cure even the worst of days.
3// Spring has officially started entering my wardrobe.*here's to wishing!
4// Valentine's Day themed sprinkle donuts? There was no way I wasn't going there.
5// Chai latte at Lucia's.
6// A sweat treat from Madewell.


images via instagram - @samanthaholte

The great apartment search

The hunt was over almost as quickly as it began. My sister and I couldn't resist the charm of this lakeside, 1920s, brownstone beauty. Now I have to patiently wait to move in...which isn't going to be easy. In the meantime I'm looking for all the perfect pieces to decorate my first real room in years.

 

Stay tuned for updates!