Sebastian Joe’s

Minnesota has a reputation for being rather cold all year round; I’m here to tell those of you who don’t already know, this is far from true. Especially during the months of July and August, Minnesota gets hot. And after a long day in the heat, what better way to cool off than going out for ice cream? I’ve never given much thought as to where my favorite place to get ice cream in the Twin Cities is because I feel like my regular places all have their own special traits. Some are great because of the amount of ice cream you get for a really low price, others are great because of the wide array of toppings and combinations. But if I had to pick my favorite ice cream shop based solely on the ice cream flavors, I would have to pick Sebastain Joe’s because it is home to my absolute favorite flavor of ice cream in the whole wide world: Flavor Formerly Known as Nicollet Avenue Pothole.

My ice cream was melting, I told you Minnesota gets hot!

Sebastian Joe’s is an ice cream and coffee shop with two locations in Minneapolis. One location is in Lowry Hill, while the other is near Lake Harriet (Linden Hills neighborhood). With both locations being in the Uptown area, I only thought it fitting to wear my Minneapolis neighborhood tee from Primp:

I’ve been going to Sebastian Joe’s with my parents since I was little, and thank goodness they introduced me to such a delicious place. Like most ice cream shops, it’s often filled with people of all ages, and the menu has flavors that appeal to everyone. More often than not, you’ll have to wait in line for your ice cream, especially if you go on a summer night, but the line moves quickly and the wait is more than worth it. Both locations also have great outdoor areas with lots of seating to enjoy your ice cream before it all melts. Sebastian Joe’s is open all year round, and while it may be busier in the summer months, you can fulfill your ice cream cravings there when it is negative 20 degrees outside as well, which I just think is really really great (plus the menu changes seasonally).

As I mentioned, my go-to and all time favorite flavor of ice cream is called Flavor Formerly Known as Nicollet Avenue Pothole. It’s a chocolate ice cream, with Heath bits, caramel, fudge truffles, and sea salt mixed in. If really chocolatey ice cream isn’t quite your thing, don’t worry; there’s lots of other great flavors. If you like caramel and chocolate, try Pavarotti. This is my Mom’s favorite, and it is a vanilla flavored ice cream with chocolate chips, bananas, and caramel. Another great flavor is the Chocolate Cinnamon Pretzel, which is exactly what it sounds like. If you’re more of a sorbet person like my Dad, you’ll love their more fruity flavors like Mango or Key Lime. While some flavors are regulars, the menu changes by the day, and you really can’t go wrong with any flavor that you try.

I’m not super picky when it comes to ice cream, I just usually tend to gravitate towards the really chocolatey flavors. You really can’t go wrong with any ice cream shop in the Twin Cities, but if you haven’t been to Sebastian Joe’s and are looking to try new flavors, I would highly recommend trying it out. So go out and enjoy a cup or a cone, and try to stay cool in the summer heat!

XOXO, Chloe

Stylish and Starving at Twenty Something

An overall recommendation

Overall it is safe to say that overalls are making a comeback. You can’t deny that denim is always in, however the bib aspect of overalls makes them a trend that often comes and goes. It looks as if they are here to stay for now, so you better embrace them. Short overalls are perfect for the summer, especially for festival season (Lolla is coming up folks). When the weather gets cooler come fall, try out a pair of full-length overalls, maybe with a darker wash and a flared bottom, paired with a long sleeved striped tee and platform wedges; it may seem like a 70’s throwback outfit but past decades are becoming cool again (see my 90’s post if you don’t believe me). But for now, dress down for the warm weather by wearing short sleeves, crop tops, or bralettes under your short overalls to stay cool on hot summer days.

I paired my overalls with a detailed lace bralette and black kimono with lace and fringe detailing. I think that while overalls are great for day to day wear with a t-shirt and Converse, this outfit in particular would be great for an outdoor concert. The intricate bralette helps dress the denim up, and the lace of the kimono helps add a delicateness to the get up. Black Birkenstock sandals help keep you comfortable while still looking cool; if you’re looking for something a little dressier, try a strappy sandal in colors that compliment your kimono or bralette to tie everything together. Keep on reading for more outfit details.

Kimono:

This black lace paneled kimono is made by Lush (the clothing brand, not the cosmetic company), and is from either Primp or Dry Goods, I honestly can’t remember which store I got it at. I bought it when the kimono trend was just becoming a thing a few of years ago; I loved the fringe detailing on the bottom and how it has slits on the sides. Because it is black, it’s really easy to wear with a lot of different things, although I do have to admit that I don’t wear it as often as I should. I think it pairs really nicely with the bralette I’m wearing because of the black detailing over the nude, and the two items would also be cute paired with high waisted denim shorts or a skirt.

Overalls:

These short overalls, or “shoveralls”, are from Gap; I bought them last summer when I worked there so that I could wear them to my sorority’s barn dance, but little did I know that I would get more casual wear out of them too. Originally, they were a really awkward length that hit a couple of inches above the knee, but I cut them to be shorter and then folded over the ends as well. I like that the denim is a lighter wash because it makes them great for summer. I also love how the back is open and has the criss-cross straps. The open back allows you to pair the overalls with tops that have cute backs, just like I did with this bralette.

Bralette:

This nude and black bralette is from Free People. I absolutely fell in love with it while Black Friday shopping this past year, and was lucky enough to receive it as a Christmas present from my parents. For as beautiful as it is, I always want to pair it with items that really show off how intricate the details are, which is why I think that it looks great with these overalls. You can not only see the designs on the back, but also the scalloped detailing that lines the edges on the straps and along the bottom.

Shoes:

I do have to admit that I’m surprised that Birkenstocks haven’t been featured in my blog posts prior to this. You can catch me wearing my Birks pretty much all spring, summer, and fall long, and if I could wear them in the winter I honest to God would. My favorite pair are the ones I’ve had the longest; they are silver and I’ve had them for about 8 years. These black ones are great because they are neutral, and like all Birks, very very comfortable. Birkenstock sandals are absolutely one of my staples, and definitely worth the investment if it’s something that you have been considering.

Accessories:

As per usual, I went with gold metal jewelry; I also paired this with a trendy black shoelace choker, and gold rimmed sunglasses. Both bracelets are from J Crew, and are my go-to accessories with almost any outfit. The gold bar earrings are from Primp; I love how subtle these are while still being cute and edgy (exactly how I like my studs). The black shoelace choker is also from Primp. Chokers are super in right now, and I hope to add more to my collection as we roll into fall. For sunglasses, I wore my tortoiseshell Ray Ban clubmasters, a pair that I have been wearing all summer long. I love how these have the gold rims, as it ties in perfectly with most of the jewelry I wear. I finished off my look by wearing my Kylie Jenner Lip Kit in Reign, one of her metal mattes. I have to say that while a darker metallic lipstick might not be my everyday go-to, I really do enjoy the way the color looks on, and the metallic aspect makes it fun to play around with.

No matter what you pair with your overalls, you’ll be sure to look stylish this season. The options are endless; they can be dressed up or down, worn with tights in the winter, worn with or without a jacket over them, worn with long sleeves or t-shirts, and so much more. If you haven’t worn a pair since you were little, my overall recommendation would be to pick up a pair soon so you can enjoy the trend to it’s fullest. Just think of it this way: overalls are kind of like rompers, they are just denim and you have to wear something under them. Happy overall-ing!

XOXO, Chloe

Stylish and Starving at Twenty Something

Shades of blue

Let’s be honest; I’ve been anything but shy when admitting that I have an obsession with the current off-the-shoulder trend. And while it may be a trend that will have come and gone by next summer, I’m embracing it for now, and I am considering it my summer staple. The trend is great because it is so versatile; you can find off-the-shoulder items that are perfect for day, night, or even both. While all of the items have a commonality in where they sit up top, they come in a variety of styles, fabrics, patterns, and lengths. Some items are lacy and classy, while others are more boho-chic. No matter what, it’s a great trend to try, and hopefully this post will convince you to go off-the-shoulder if you haven’t already.

As I mentioned, I think the off-the-shoulder trend is great because there is such a wide range in how it can be styled. The outfit that I wore is something that has a sort-of boho feel to it because of the embroidered details, and it is the perfect outfit to bring from day to night, especially on a hot July day. The shades of blue are also great because they allow for a lot of different accessorizing opportunities. While I accessorized with silver, I hope to play around with different colors in the future. Keep reading for further details!

Dress:

This blue off-the-shoulder dress is from Primp, and is made by the brand Honey Punch. The reason I fell in love with this dress was not actually the fact that it was off-the-shoulder, but because of the embroidered detailing on it. I love how they have contrasted the color of the dress with two different stitching colors that are both blue hues. I also love the different geometric designs and the vertical stripes that are created with the embroidery. I love the shape of the dress, and how it has a layer of fabric draping all the way around the chest instead of just the front. The thin elastic across the top is also great because it keeps the dress up without distracting from the patterns of the dress. It’s also a really lightweight material, which is great for when the weather heats up. Blue has been my go-to color for dresses this summer, especially in lighter hues like this (it helps bring out my eyes), so I’m lucky that I have been able to find so many adorable blue dresses at Primp.

Shoes:

Another summer staple, I paired this dress with my silver Jack Rogers (fun fact, these were my very first pair of Jacks, thanks Santa). I love how they are not just plain silver, but have some texture to them. These sandals go great with tons of different outfits, and the metallic color is what really helps bring this outfit from day to night with little to no changes. I think that wearing a non-blue shoe helps add more color to the outfit; you could also go with a neutral color like a nude, but I personally think that the silver adds more pizzaz.

Accessories:

For accessories, I kept it very, very simple. I toyed around with the idea of mixing metals, but once I decided on a silver shoe I thought it best to stick with silver. So as not to distract from the detailing on the dress, I wore a simple silver bracelet from Aerie. This bracelet is probably 8 years old if not older, but I still wear it when I’m in need of a simple silver bracelet because that’s exactly what it is. Stacking bracelets of mixed metals or wearing a simple chain necklace would be a great way to further accessorize this dress.

No matter the hue, shades of blue are definitely both hot and cool this summer, so adding them to your wardrobe is a must. Also, keep your eyes open for new off-the-shoulder options to try when you are out shopping, I promise that you won’t be disappointed. And if all this talk of blue made you think of a certain song, feel free to click here: da ba dee da ba daa.

XOXO, Chloe

Stylish and Starving at Twenty Something

Ruby, white, and blue

No matter how you celebrate July 4th, there are usually two things that just about everyone experiences on America’s birthday; a whole lot of fireworks and a whole lot of red, white, and blue. I began putting a lot of thought and effort into my Fourth of July ensembles at a young age. One year it was a red, white, and blue tie-dye crop top, another year it was a sundress with small embroidered fireworks all over it. Over the years, though, I’ve strayed away from the clothing items you can only wear once a year, and I’ve instead worn everyday clothes that fall within the range of our country’s colors. Some years, this proves to be difficult, and I sometimes try to pass off my blue eyes as my “blue” or red lipstick as my “red”. Luckily this year I was able to fulfill my American duty of wearing red, white, and blue on the Fourth of July, so keep on reading for the recap of my oh so patriotic outfit.

What I love about this outfit is how inconspicuously American it is. You could easily wear this outfit on any given day of the year without people thinking you look like a flag. While I might switch out the necklace for a gold one when wearing this outfit any day except for July 4th, that’s just because I think it has a nautical flare that way. I feel like this outfit is truly perfect for any summer or spring day, so if you’re looking to scoop up some of the items, keep reading for further detail.

Top:

As I have expressed in previous posts, off-the-shoulder is my current trend obsession. So obviously I had to sport it on the 4th. This navy and white striped top is from Apricot Lane Boutique, and is made by the brand Cotton Candy LA. Unlike many of the off-the-shoulder tops, dresses, and rompers that I have, this one has separate arm holes, which actually helps the top remain off-the-shoulder. This is especially great for a day like the 4th of July because you can celebrate America’s birthday all day long without tugging at your shirt 240 times (see what I did there?). It’s also really lightweight and airy, which is perfect for the warm weather that usually accompanies July.

Jeans:

If I’m being honest, white jeans scare me a little bit. Whenever I wear them, I live in fear of getting them dirty. But sometimes you have to face your fears, and that’s exactly what I did. The jeans pictured are from Abercrombie & Fitch, and are quite a few years old. Ideally, I would have been wearing my new white Toothpick jeans from J Crew, but I had to exchange them upon realizing that they had gotten dirty before I even tried them on or wore them. Despite this, the day (and the jean exchange) went on, and I paired my striped top with these slightly distressed white jeans. I would say the most important thing when buying white jeans is to make sure you look at them in different lighting just to make sure the denim material is thick and not see-through. Again, if you’re looking for white jeans I would highly recommend J Crew’s wide selection.

Shoes:

A summer staple for me, I rocked my gold Jack Rogers to tie the outfit together. For those of you who don’t own Jacks, I would definitely recommend looking in to them. They come in tons of different color combinations, and they are just the cutest summer sandals. They can easily be dressed up or down, which I love, and they always look classy. Also I’m obsessed with baby Jacks, so here’s a pic: gbless America for these.

Accessories:

So I had the white and blue down with my top and jeans, but I needed to find the perfect red accessory to complete the color scheme. Ultimately, I went with this red statement necklace that is from Francesca’s. Given its gold chain, it matched perfectly with my gold Jacks, and I also sported two gold bangles. Both of the bracelets are from J Crew, and while one is plain gold, the other is gold with white 3D dots lining the top of it. I also added more red to my outfit by wearing red lipstick in Viva Glam I by MAC, a shade that matched the red in the necklace perfectly.

Ruby:

You might have noticed that I titled this post “Ruby, white, and blue” instead of “Red, white, and blue”. And if you found yourself noticing this and thinking “what the heck Chloe?” I’m here to explain my reasoning. As I was shooting these outfit pictures, I met a chocolate lab named Ruby. She’s pictured above, and she spends her days outside of The Foundry Home Goods in the North Loop of downtown Minneapolis. She was even representing the good old US of A by wearing blue and white ribbons around her collar. So there you go, that’s Ruby.

I hope that you all had a very happy 4th of July weekend that was filled with an abundance of food, fireworks, family, and of course red, white, and blue fashion. If there’s one thing that will never go out of style it’s those colors, along with the stars and stripes of our flag. So happy 240th birthday America, here’s to many, many more years.

XOXO, Chloe

Stylish and Starving at Twenty Something