Fall Fashion Favorites

Thick knits, high necks, wraps & scarves is everything happening this Fall 2016 season, and also a few things I can never get enough of. 

 

High Neck Sweaters

Wearing: High neck thick knit sweater, olive green ripped cropped jeans

Both of these items can be found at PRIMP Boutique. 

When I heard that high neck dresses & sweaters (or turtle necks) as they were once called, were making a comeback, I was a but skeptical, but since trying them on, I haven't been able to stop purchasing them & sure enough they are now to be seen everywhere. 

 

Thick Wool Blend-Wrap

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Wearing: Black & White Wool-Blend Wrap, black high neck sleeveless dress, UO Black slip-on sneakers

These clothing items can be found at PRIMP Boutique 

I love this black and white wool wrap, with its exaggerated size and versatility. Its the perfect item to transition from Fall into Winter, over something like this simple high neck black dress to a long sleeve shirt, jeans & boots in the Winter months. 

 

Duel Suede + Knit Zip-up Vest

Wearing: Cream Duel Suede + Knit Vest, Cropped black jeans, UO Slip-on black sneakers

The vest can be found at PRIMP Boutique 

One of my favorite ways to style an outfit is to throw over a statement piece like this vest. This vest is all about the subtle cream color, making it a perfect transitional piece in between seasons. I absolutely love the two different materials used from front to back and the comfortability of this piece. 

 

Blanket Scarves

Wearing: thick wrap flannel blanket scarf

This item can be found most places, or here. 

We all know that scarves are not new to fashion, but this extra large flannel blanket scarf is the perfect accent piece for your upcoming Fall wardrobe this season. The best part about it, it can be worn multiple ways to ensure your outfits never look the same. 

Happy Fall! 

The best part about all of these items is that they are affordable and locally sold. This Fall shoot was done in collaboration with the amazing PRIMP Boutique.  Make sure to check them out at their multiple locations around Minnesota. 

Local MN Food & Catering Obsessions

I can't believe my blog launch party already came and went! It was such an incredible evening and it could not have gone any better. With twinkle lights hanging, mason jars with candles glowing and the beautiful food and drink displays from our partnering companies CRAVE Catering, North Mallow & BĒT Vodka, set up, it made for the perfect feel of a whimsical and fun evening. The atmosphere of being outside, with a clear view of the Minneapolis skyline, perfect for taking photos of course, and the sun setting over the cities, made it one of the best nights and made me the happiest girl ever! 

With three fabulous local Minnesota companies partnering with me to celebrate the launch of my blog, it was bound to be a success. The incredible display of food was provided by one of my favorite local companies in town, Crave Catering. With superbly talented and creative chefs, Crave Catering was able to fit the look at feel of my blog and event spot on with a summery, light and whimsical feeling with the food. Provided, was the beautiful display and take on the classic dish, "Peas and Carrots," which included a pea puree served with colorful heirloom carrots, charcuterie skewers loaded with wild rice sausage, cheese and pickles, potato salad, where the red potatoes were hallowed out and filled with potato salad inside and lastly a take on the classic "Bacon and Eggs," which included maple glazed bacon on a deviled egg. I am sad to say that if you didn't attend earlier on in the night, you may have missed the food, because everyone couldn't stop eating it! Everything was incredible and beautifully prepared. 

After all of that amazing food, BĒT Vodka had the perfect signature cocktails shaken and prepared to try. BET Vodka is another local Minnesota company that I am obsessed with. They produce and process their vodka locally from sugar beets. I am absolutely obsessed with this vodka, it is incredibly smooth, light and is naturally a bit sweet. The signature drink had a bit of everything, it was sweet, sour, light and refreshing, and I couldn't stop myself from having more than one cocktail! BET Vodka made the most adorable shaken martinis made with Vodka, fresh lime juice, simple syrup and cherry bark vanilla bitters. I highly recommend you go out and get a bottle for any event or party you go to next! 

Lastly, when you think of Minnesota summer nights, what do you think of? Because I immediately think of sitting around the bonfire eating everyone's favorite treat...S'mores. Local Minnesota company, North Mallow, has perfected the S'more game and has everyone wanting more. With their handcrafted and creatively homemade flavored marshmallows, you will never want to go back to the way they were made before. Theres a flavor for everyone, from the traditional vanilla bean to caramel, mocha and mint chocolate chip marshmallow flavors, on top of your choice of Hershey's chocolate or ghirardelli chocolate. Your mouth will be in for an explosion of incredible flavors. The best part about North Mallow is that they bring the "bonfire" to you. You are able to roast, over the fire, your own marshmallow on a stick and craft your own s'mores creation on top of a gram cracker. Make sure to check them out as they are the perfect thing for any event or wedding...s'mores dessert bar? Yes, please!

The launch party event had such a fabulous turnout, with over 60 people coming and going. I feel so incredibly lucky to continue writing and blogging about things, people and places that I enjoy and I feel the love from all of you. Thank you to everyone who made it out and to all of my followers! Make sure to follow me on Instagram @oliviasobjectsofobsession and on snapchat (OliviaJoan21).

Here's just a few photos from the night! 

Cheers! xx

Favorite Summer Beauty Product Must-Haves

If you don't already know, my obsession for beauty & makeup is getting somewhat out of control. With having requests from all my friends to do their makeup, continuously stopping at the mall, drug stores and Sephora, I am always on the look for new beauty products to test on myself and share with you all! And with all of the searching I've been doing this summer, I have come across some of my favorites finds for being out in the heat, sun, at the beach and to also give you that perfect summery glow. Just to note, many of these products are fitted for my skin tone, which has more of olive skin tone with a bit of a yellow undertone, so make sure to properly test them to match your skin color before purchasing! Here's the list of my favorite summer products that I think every woman should own! 

Hourglass Brozer - This two-toned bronzer is honestly my newest makeup obsession. This illuminating bronzer looks so natural and gives you that perfect summer glow also while giving you some dimension on your cheeks, jaw line and forehead. I use the Luminous Bronze Light, which is the lightest of the three pallets. I suggest anyone of my skin tone or lighter, or of an olive complexion purchase this as it is already pretty dark. 

NARS Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder - This is one of the best purchases I have made all summer. As I am quite active on a daily basis, my makeup tends to come off throughout the day and when using this setting powder, specifically used under my eyes, it helps to give me that perfect illuminating glow and keep my under eye makeup on all day. 

It Cosmetics CC Cream with SPF 50+ - Go buy this right now, this is not a joke. I have finally found one of my favorite color correcting and coverage products. It literally has everything a girl could want. It protects your skin from the harmful rays of the sun, and is clinically proven to improve skin texture and provide hydration, so it is the perfect thing to wear during the summer. Also, I typically have sensitive skin and can't wear many products that cover my skin, but this CC cream is so lightweight and has a rejuivating skin serum in it, it honestly feels like you've moisturized with lotion. 

Perricone MD No Bronzer Bronzer - This is a product that I was unfamiliar with or hadn't used before. Its a liquid bronzer, which may seem scary to use, but honestly its one of the best products I have tried and is incredibly easy to use. It is perfect for contouring and to give you that depth and warmth on your skin. Squeeze a few drops on the back of your hand and apply on the top of your forehead and cheek bones with a bronzer brush. (I then go over this bronzer with my Hourglass bronzer). This is also perfect for the summer because it has SPF 30 in it. Winning! 

Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick- Ok, this product isn't actually one of my newer obsessions, because I have been using it for a while now. But, that doesn't mean it isn't still one of my favorites! I love this foundation stick so much. Honestly, if I had to choose one product to carry around with me, this would be it! It is such a great quality product and is perfect for hiding any blemishes, red spots or under eye darkness. Use this with a flat head brush to blend in and you're set! I use this primarily around my nose, since I have redness there and under my eyes, to give myself more of an "awake" look and brighten up my face. I use this in Warm Beige. 

Maybelline Concealer Stick - This concealer stick by Maybelline is awesome. It is super lightweight on your skin and really takes care of those under eye circles and darkness. I love using this, because it really brightens up my look and gives me the appearance of looking more awake. This was a drugstore purchase and can easily be found at any Walgreens, CVS or Target. For myself, I use the Sand Sable color. 

Milani Powder Blush - This peachy pink blush is my new blush obsession! Up until now, I had been using a slightly darker more burgundy color blush. I am bummed that I didn't find this sooner, because it is the perfect color for summer. I am using the color, Luminoso. With a slight gold tint, it gives you the perfect glow and brightens up your cheeks just the perfect amount. It also pairs beautifully with the Hourglass bronzer as well! Also, this color definitely does depend on the color of your own skin and what works well with you. This is a personal preference for my skin tone in the summer when I am a bit darker, as it is the perfect thing to give me some bright color. 

Lancome Silky Cream Highlighter - This creamy highlighter just came out on the market recently and I am loving it. Lancome has made a seriously excellent highlighter cream that will brighten up your look and last all day. Since it is of a creamy consistency, it stays on your skin very well. It comes in a variety of colors, and I use Buff Lights - Champagne Gold. Again, this is my preference, because I really like a visible highlighter, so I chose the lightest one available in this collection. 

Becca Backlight Primer - Lastly, this Becca Backlight Primer is amazing!! I have just recently started to use a primer before doing my makeup, but I am really loving it. Again, this is super lightweight and is the perfect base before putting on your concealer. It give you a radiant glow since it has illuminating aspects to it and acts as a filter for your makeup. This is definitely just an optional step for doing your face makeup, but I love the way it ends up looking! 

Well, thats it for my summer fav beauty products! I can't wait to hear what you all think & let me know your favorites. Also, let me know what else you would like to see me feature, so comment below or on my Instagram (oliviasobjectsofobsession)! Also, follow along with me on snapchat (OliviaJoan21) as well to see my daily makeup routines as well as some glamour makeup routines for the evening! 

Naked Ninas Smoothie & Juice Café

With garden walls, acai bowls and kombucha on tap, Naked Ninas is the trendiest spot in St. Paul and has everything one could want. Opened in January 2016 by June Berkowitz, this progressive and trendy café, organic smoothie and juice bar brings a little piece and feel of the California lifestyle to Minnesota. The owner June, has a passion for all things California and her goal was to bring some of that sunshine here to St. Paul.

Located in the Cathedral Hill area in St. Paul, Naked Ninas introduces powerful, healthy eating all while keeping a good balance in mind.  With more than 10 different kinds of smoothies and juices available to drink, plus homemade acai bowls, raw salads and granola bars, you will be in “superfood” heaven!

The few times I visited Naked Ninas, I was not only greeted with a friendly, smiling face and bubbly personalities from all of the employees, but an adorable well set up sitting area inside and out. The trattoria like seating outside brings me back to my times overseas and with large glass windows lining the front of the store and a cozy seating area inside, to relax, drink and converse with others, Naked Ninas café will keep you coming back with all of your friends.

Make sure to come check them out & quick, because I am sure they will soon be overly crowded every day with visitors just as obsessed as myself.  

Modist Brewery

Hi guys!! Happy first week of June!! I am so excited that it is summer and that the weather has been amazing, because summer means patio season!! 

 I had the most incredible day last week, shooting, getting information and scoping out the newest brewery, located in Minneapolis, for the next place that I feel is a MUST for you to check out when you’re visiting the North Loop in Minneapolis. I am pretty much obsessed with it, and since it is literally around the corner from my apartment, I have a feeling I may be frequenting it often this summer.

If you thought the North Loop in Minneapolis couldn’t get any better, with its accessible walking & biking trails, convenient location, located between downtown and the river and the many incredible restaurants and cafes, think again, because, the most incredible, trendy and innovative brewery just opened up just blocks from the light rail & the Twins Stadium. Modist Brewery is located on 3rd Street, right off of Washington Avenue in the North Loop. With its rustic and industrial exterior appearance, and large outdoor patio with hanger garage doors that open to the inside, it is sure to be the place to head to for any activity, especially before and after Twins games.

When entering the brewery, you walk into a large and open space, almost resembling a dining hall with its long “family-style” tables and high-top bar stools lining the bar. In the mood for more of a laid back and relaxing setting? The space also has a seating area filled with beautiful dark brown leather couches and chairs for more of an intimate setting to talk with friends and enjoy the incredible beer you are sipping. In addition to its creative and beautifully designed interior, Modist Brewery is one of a kind, with its unique varieties of brews and the machinery to make them. Specifically, the brewery houses two very unique machines called a hammermill, which can pulverize materials into a flour as well as mash filter, which makes beer out of any starchy material, even quinoa! Quinoa beer….sounds kind of healthy, right!?

Lastly, you must check out Modist Brewery, because the staff are some of the most welcoming and passionate individuals I’ve come across. After leaving their previous careers to pursue their love for entrepreneurship, brewing and beers, it is truly telling that this is what they were meant to do! Their innovative and creative ideas for all varieties of beers will be sure to make any customer happy and wanting more!  

Cheers to an amazing summer and exploring! I can't wait until you check out Modist Brewery & of course, let me know when you do by leaving me a comment or post a picture on Instagram and tag Modist Brewery and myself! 

photography by: @allegraroseb