Style from the Sticks

Thanksgiving Travel Day It’s been awhile since I’ve done some actual fashion on the blog, so I’m taking the opportunity this week as many of you are packing for Thanksgiving trips or thinking about what to wear for family gatherings. As I watch it snow here, I think leggings are perfectly appropriate to wear when you’re traveling, especially in inclement weather.  So long as you take care to wear them with a cute sweater and booties and not a hoodie and some ratty old Uggs. A

This may seem redundant to the farm post from Monday, but in case you don’t have access to the farm, taking a “field” trip is an excellent excursion. Take a little trip exploring and seek out nature.  Put on your rain boots to avoid all types of unpleasantries- ticks, snakes, chiggers, manure, mud, whatever may be out there.  But don’t forget to bring your camera to snap some shots of the beautiful, secret places you’ll see. Whatever you get a chance to do this weekend, I hop

Part of my life I spent living close to a lake.  And after many years of being away from the lake, one visit to the water reminds me of so much. A lake provides such an added level of richness to a kid’s life.  It is an education of water safety and primal learning.  Days spent exploring on the beach, stick in hand, sitting around beach campfires, collecting shells and telling stories…that’s a great day for a kid.  That’s not taking into account all of the swimming and canoei

Okay, so maybe it’s just your backyard and it really isn’t as perfect as we imagine the Garden of Eden.  But wherever your garden, make it an equal oasis- a place of bliss and relaxation. I love this little retreat.  Notice how your eye looks beyond the stairs to the focal point, the gazebo.  It makes this backyard seem larger than perhaps it is.  That frame of plants around the steps creates intrigue and drama.  And the privacy.  Ahhh. What to pack, a big floppy hat.  I love

This week, I’m inspired by the kickstart of summer travel.  Oh the places we’ll go! Today’s destination inspiration, the farm.  Possibly you live on one, so this isn’t a destination for you.  (Unless home is the destination.)  Chances are, especially if you live in Iowa but not on the farm, you may be one generation removed from it.  Sometimes it’s just good to go out and get back to your roots.  Or perhaps you just want to explore some beautiful old barns. Throw on a pair of

Pretty soon it will be Memorial Day weekend.  It may not seem like it since the temperatures don’t want to warm up, but that is the official kick off to summer! I couldn’t be more excited!  I may throw my alarm clock out the window soon.  The kids are telling me its time.  It’s time to be out late at night playing until dark and sleeping in.  It’s time to be through with the schedule. If you have travel plans for the big weekend, I’ll help you pack.  Send me a question and I’

Over the river and through the woods, to your holiday event we go! Traveling can be a major pain…especially if you are going a long distance or sweating airplane travel with little ones.  Keep things simple. Start with basic comfy jeans.  For climate control, try a tshirt and knit blazer.  Just one step up from a sweatshirt but so many more style points. Needing to hop out of the car a bunch? Sport this fun hoodie at the gas stations and these sneakers that weren’t meant for

A friend of mine is headed to Europe in a few weeks and I’m helping her put together what she’ll pack for two weeks of travel.  In the meantime, she’s filling in some essentials in her shoe department.  Items to look for?  Tall boots, flat sandals, and/or something pretty that isn’t too dressy or casual.  So while I wouldn’t normally look for the most comfortable shoe in the shoe department, these are Europe-worthy.  Because, my friend, those dogs are going to be barking.  Bu