Showing posts with label twin cities collective. Show all posts
Showing posts with label twin cities collective. Show all posts

 

I have realized lately that I have a lot of people in my life who love to cook and know how to cook, so I thought for this next installment that I would focus on them. The cooks and foodies that you know and love, who go out of their way to make food taste excellent! The ones who make you feel spoiled every time you get to eat something they made. Gifting these talented people can be fun and challenging at the same time! There are so many options to choose from, you really have to look into who has the best knives or dishware since you'd be investing in them. 

So if you've been looking for ideas in your own kitchen as well, please enjoy this gift guide, and let's get cookin'! 👩🏻‍🍳🍞🍳🥘

Baby Baggu | George & Viv Milk BottleDagny Pie Dish | Finex SkilletVÉNUS MON AMOUR - BOX OF 18 MACARONS | dark chocolate candy cane 51% | white raspberry popping candy 28%Wüsthof Gourmet 3-Piece Starter Knife SetIcon Lidded Soup CrockSusannah Garrod 'Tis The Season Dessert PlatemDesignt Metal Storage Box Bin with Hinged LidThomas Kinkade A Christmas Wish Popcorn Tin | The Copper Hen CookbookHoliday Jewel™ 3-piece Serving Set

I wanted to showcase a unique selection of items that could be for anyone who wants to be a Masterchef in their own way! Since these items will also be investment pieces, I knew that budget didn't have to be too much of a problem. Whether it's high-quality chocolate with unique flavors, a cookbook straight from the kitchen of a Twin Cities restaurant, or festive plates for the upcoming holiday season - they will surely be a hit if you want to be a sous chef! 

LET'S CONNECT ||  TUMBLR | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST
Always,
Mostly Lisa

Gifting the he/hims and they/thems in your life can be pretty tricky - especially since you usually don't get a solid response on what they actually want. Finally being in a relationship though has opened my eyes to the subtle ways they can tell you what they like, without having to tell them to do anything! What do they like to do ALL the time? What interests them when they're searching the internet or when you're going shopping at Target with them? What a relief it is to have clear communication with a guy for the first time!

I do know that I tend to reference the same items every time I've done this guide in the past, but it's what works and it tends to always please! So please enjoy and let's get into my next guide - for the lads! 

Plant Energy Shirt | Breville Bambino Espresso Machine | Market Smiley Patch Beanie | Mushroom Pour-Over Coffee Set| PUPPERS PLAID KOOZIE | Inverted Lighter | Best Buds Votive Candle Set | Konor Waterproof Chukka Boot | Harry Potter Collection - Hogwarts Express 3D Puzzle | BORDEAUX CORKSCREW | Flannel Pajama Set | Fenmore Midsize Multifunction Brown Leather Watch | Pinecone Cut Decanter, GreenCustom Vinyl Record Print | PIZZA SOCKS BOX 

A new merch drop from my favorite streamer (Julen), pizza socks that I even want, and so many other tech/gadgets that will make his holiday super special! These will be perfect for stocking stuffers and for big spaces under the tree.


LET'S CONNECT ||  TUMBLR | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST
Always,
Mostly Lisa

photo via: laura rae photography

 a playlist for when you need a boost of serotonin and you want to sing out loud in your pajamas to songs you've memorized since they first graced your eardrums. hold that pretend microphone and belt your heart out to some happy songs that can personally turn around my mood, even if just for a few minutes, and make me feel like I'm holding a concert for my neighbors. turn your speakers up and sing with me! fyi, I'll be adding songs to this list whenever I come across one that puts a smile on my face. feel free to add to it and let me know which songs you're listening to right now! 



LET'S CONNECT ||  TUMBLR | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST
Always,
Mostly Lisa
All photos via 11Honore

I am a sucker for a good dress. In fact, if I could wear dresses, skirts or even gowns more often, I'd be quite content to not have to always rummage through my closet to put together a whole damn outfit. Unfortunately, the climate I live in does not allow this half of the year and so I have to daydream until it gets warmer and live vicariously through my endless scrolling on IG and the window shopping I do online. 

A dress with so many expectations can lift your spirits up, make you feel extremely confident and sometimes have you wishing you lived in a fairy tale. This desire to wear more outfits in dress form may have been what inspired me to study fashion, however, I did not realize this until I got out of high school. As I've gotten older and moved away from just wearing a black hoodie with jeans, I've found myself truly enjoying finding dresses that I know will flatter my body type. The best part is that there are at least a few more size-inclusive options out there that I can chose from to do so. Fate much? So today, I wanted to talk about one option in particular that plays on the wish to live in a fairy tale - 11 Honoré! 

From their website: "11 Honoré is a size-inclusive shopping site that for the first time ever, gives more women the option to experience the best designer clothing and celebrate and honor their bodies, beauty and style.They offer up to size 24(!!) and are consistently working with various designers (Christian Siriano, Tanya Taylor, Jason Wu) to curate special collections for every new season. These are dresses that can be see on the runway or at any type of Hollywood event! All of this being said, I had to do some window shopping and found a few options that I would DIE to wear, even if just for a day. 

ZAC Zac Posen Pink Joss Gown: $1,490

Mary Katrantzou Theresa Dress: $2,365

Marchesa Notte Bishop Sleeve Printed Embroidered Tulle Cocktail Dress: $695

Reem Acra Velvet Burnout Jacquard Kaftan: $1,950

Jonathan Simkhai Short Sleeve Ruched Front Sateen V-Neck Dress: $695

Juan Carlos Obando Green Tulip Dress: $1,195

Rachel Comey Proposition Dress: $625

Let me know what dress you would wear and what other size-inclusive brands you've been shopping at lately!

LET'S CONNECT ||  TWITTER | TUMBLR | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST
Always,
Mostly Lisa


Oh 2019, I will not miss you. You were an absolute shit show, for literally everyone. The year, for me, started off really high and then ended at the very bottom of what you expect a low to be. It was spectacularly, devastatingly life changing and was not at all where I expected the year to go for me. I can look back at it now and be somewhat grateful that what happened, happened, but it was not at all wanted at the time. That being said, my expectations for 2020 are at the bare minimum and so I now want to take back the narrative of life and really focus on things that are going to make me happy. I'm more determined than ever to continue telling myself to keep going, to not blame myself for things I cannot control, to love myself completely and to not sweat the small things. I have been knocked down millions of times but I'm still here, and I'm looking to be inspired by other people who have done the same in even worse situations. Those are the people I am going to look up to. Listen, I have no idea where this year will take me, I don't think anyone really does, but to start this new narrative, I have come up with five things to do this year that will hopefully guide me to a more positive ending. Please read below and let me know what you are planning on doing in 2020 to make life more enjoyable.

WORK
Photo via Morgan Harper Nichols
I worked really, REALLY hard to get to where I was at the beginning of 2019. I busted my ass to truly figure out where I wanted my future to go at the company I was working at, took the leap, and started working in a role that was essentially what I had been working towards since I graduated college. It was my dream career. Five months into the position, not even a real chance to show what I could do, it was snatched away from me. I'm not going to go into details with what happened, however, my life was flipped upside down. It felt like all the hard work I had done up to this point was for nothing, the belief in myself was shattered and I felt like I had no purpose anymore. Not to play the tiny violin on me though, because life moves on, doesn't it? As the trauma has moved further and further away from my present self, I've gained clarity from the people around me and am now looking to the future. I have now decided that the event doesn't define me anymore and I'm ready for a new adventure, a better one, that will lead me into even greater opportunities. This leads me into the first thing I'd like to do in 2020 - find a new job. Let's do it!
LIVE
Photo via RÜNI CLAY STUDIO
These are pretty obvious for the explaining why, however, getting my ears re-pierced is something only recently that I've gotten into wanting to do. I originally got them done when I was in 6th or 7th grade but I didn't like the way they framed my face so I let them close and my earlobes have been naked ever since. There is this recent trend of really gorgeous handmade sculptural earrings made out of brass or clay that I've been obsessed with and I may just need to cover my lobes in something beautiful again. This goes with my skin as well, so getting a new tattoo is also on my list.

CREATE
Photo via Walmart.com
Anyone on here interested in the ASMR community? Raise your hand, because I don't want to be the only one! If you take a look at my YouTube history, you may just see that I've become enamored with watching various artists (itsblitzzz, mads asmr, Gibi ASMR) in the past couple years create some very relaxing content. I mean, truly relaxing. The best part is that it's really helped with my anxiety, depression and feelings of loneliness over the past several months. The community itself is also very positive, so with the suggestion from one of my friends, I've been planning on starting my own ASMR channel where I read some of my favorite books and possibly do various triggers that I find calming. The main goal is to actually get the channel up and running with at least one video - getting the proper equipment is what is holding back - by the middle of this year. Would anyone watch these?

LEARN
Photo via Brit & Co.
Who doesn't want to learn more every year? I'm trying to find new skills to learn that aren't just career-focused but projects that I can work on by myself in the comfort of my own home. I tried picking up a few things here and there back in 2016, to no luck. Let's just say I've never seen myself so frustrated trying to learn how to crochet. I'm older now (which means I'm trying to be less anxious about not getting things correct the first time) and want to take up a few easy classes to create, just create. Brit + Co. is really great offering affordable classes on various subjects, i.e; calligraphy, painting, knitting, so I'm hoping I can start one during these colder months and into spring! 

HOST
The last thing I'd like to do in 2020 is to host! Parties, coffee chats, a night out to celebrate, anything really. There are so many beautiful ways to be inspired to host a gathering so I want to create something of my own that people can enjoy. My first idea is to do a Galentine's Day-themed party filled with all the gal-pal love you could ask for. I'm thinking plush pink velvet, heart-shaped balloons, cupcakes, a fun backdrop to take pictures at, and so much more. How would you throw this pre-Valentine's Day party? Let me know down below!

LET'S CONNECT ||  TWITTER | TUMBLR | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST
Always,
Mostly Lisa