LookBook: City Girl Flannel

Hey loves,

Sorry about the lateness of this post, these next couple of weeks may be a little crazy for me school and pageant wise. But no worries I will never completely forget about you guys! On an honest note, I love writing and shooting blog posts. They help me hone my photography and editing skills while getting to talk and share something I enjoy, fashion and shopping. 

This week because the weather is consistently changing I got my inspiration from what I am wearing for this specific weather. Today when I shot this look it was a short break from a thunderstorm. I felt it was the perfect time to pull out my trench coat that you all have seen before. 

 Underneath the trench coat I decided to wear a warm plaid flannel shirt. The great thing about this shirt is that I got it from plato's closet, and it only cost me $10. ( Score!) The shirt is originally from American Eagle. I decided to buy this shirt to wear it over cuter clothes I had during a drawing class I was taking. If you have taken a drawing class you know that you have to draw with charcoal, which I really enjoyed. So I often refer to this shirt as my drawing shirt. 

Of course again I have paired this shirt with my denim leggings in a light wash from target. To make this outfit a little less "messy artist," I added a pair of Sperry brand navy sequin wedges. Sperry brand products are usually super expensive however I found these on clearance at Famous Footwear and I got them for $30. And because I am obsessed with statement necklaces and charming Charlie's I added a blue necklace to make this shirt more girly. 

I always see girls wearing flannel button downs, and I never thought that I could wear one. However I like how I have styled this outfit, not to dressy, but casual enough to wear in any situation. 

Would you wear a flannel button down? or a Button down in general? How would you style it? 

I'm really curious! Let me know! :)

Outfit: 

Shirt- Plato's Closet (American Eagle)

Denim Leggings- Target

Shoes- Famous Footwear (Sperry)

Necklace- charming Charlie's

Headband- Clarie's

>>> Stephanie

LookBook: Spring Maxi

Hey Loves,

This past week I was scrolling through pinterest looking at women's fashion, as it's one of the only things I look for while scrolling. Eitherway I saw a post about 50 spring fashion look ideas. Naturally I started scrolling, and came across a look that incorporated a maxi dress. The article suggested taking a leather jacket and pairing it with a maxi dress to make it appropriate for spring. I took this idea and made it my own here on Min Wage. 

I own quiet a few maxi dresses, I love them because I don't have to worry about anything making an appearance that I would rather it didn't. If you know what I mean. Plus unlike skirts, maxi dresses or dresses in general really don't require much thought. No trying to make a shirt and skirt match business.

However following the advice of the pinterest post ( you can read it Here ), I paired this white lace maxi from Maurices with my leather moto inspired jacket from Express. And before you freakout about Express prices, I actually bought this jacket while the seasons were changing so it was on sale and cost me $80. A little pricey for us here, but it was originally $150 so i'm calling it a deal. 

The dress however only cost me $45, which i've had this dress for two years, so the cost per wear price has gone down! 

( Orginal price: $45, Worn: 10 times, 45 divided by 10 = $4.50 is now what the dress cost!)

Math is so much more fun, when applied to shopping.

And of course I paired my black knee high boots with the dress, to match my jacket and make the outfit ready for cold Minnesota springs. ( currently snowing).  

What do you guys think? Would you rock a Maxi dress in spring? 

Let me know in the comments.

Outfit:

Maxi Dress- Maurices

Jacket- Express

Boots- Famous Footwear (Carlos by Carlos Sanatana)

Necklace- Deb shops

>>>Stephanie

LookBook: Pretty Pink Florals

Hey loves,
This week, we're pretty in pink. Finally it's consistently above 40 degrees in Minnesota. Naturally it's time to pull out some florals to embrace the warm weather. I think in fashion we are afraid to pair prints with prints as we don't want the outfit to look busy. However I feel that these floral prints work well together. The color of the flowers in both the skirt and the tank top match, allowing the two prints to blend nicely. To give the outfit a more pulled together look I added the lace blazer, the blazer adds to the overall feminine look but does not distract from the floral prints. For shoes, I paired my crochet lace Toms, which complimented the blazer nicely. For accessories I added a multi-strand pearl bracelet with pink rose broach, and a pink floral headband.

What do you think? Do you like mixing prints/patterns together?
Would you rock this look?
Let me know!

Outfit:

Blazer- NY Collection (Herbergers)

Tank Top- Forever 21

Skirt: Cotton On

Bracelet- Maurices 

Headband- Claire's

Shoes- Toms 

Lookbook: Creme of the CROP.

Hey loves,

We're at the creme of the CROP here are Min Wage, and that's the way we like it. As spring seems to be getting closer, and yet further away here in Minnesota, I thought I would play around with the latest spring and summer trend of crop tops. I have to admit that although I love the way crop tops look in outfits, I wasn't sure if I could pull one off. However when I saw this top at Deb, and tried it on, I thought I could make it work. ( Plus the top only cost me $12.99) 

What I liked about this crop top is that it seemed to be longer than other tops I had seen. I also liked how the top was flow-y. I paired it with my trusty denim leggings from target, that sit higher up on my hips. These pants are not sold to be high waisted, but appear so because I wear them right on top of my hip bones. 

I also loved the back of the top, with the arched crochet design. It shows of my back with out being so low cut or revealing that I couldn't wear a bra. I also added my Minnetonka fringe boots, and a trench coat from American Eagle. It's a great way to pair a crop top in spring, while there's still chance of snow. 

How do you feel about crop tops? Do you love them or hate them? 

Outfit:

Crop Top: Deb 

Pants: Target

Boots: Minnetonka 

Jacket: American Eagle

>> Stephanie

LookBook: Goodbye Snow Hello Boho.

Hey loves,
Happy Thursday! So this week I went for a look that was more casual.

The snow is finally melting here in Minnesota and so we can start to put away some of our layers and add some color into our looks! Because I was in the spring spirit I styled this boho inspired look. I took my white H&M tunic and belted it to accentuate my waist and added color around my neckline with my mint colored necklace from charming charlie's.

For bottoms I wore a pair of jeggings from target. I added a pair of tan sweater leg warmers and put my brown boots over top. I picked these boots because the brown matched perfectly with my belt. I styled my hair with a middle part and two braids wrapped around my head to add to the over all look.

What is your go to spring style?

Outfit:

Tunic- H&M

Necklace- Charming Charlie's 

Belt- Maurices

Jeggings- Target

Legwarmers- Fashion Bug

Boots- Famous Footwear (Carlos Santana) 

>> Stephanie

February favorites!

Hey loves,

So because February is over on Saturday I thought I would list off all the things I have been loving this month. (No pun intended.) A few items you have seen before and others are new! 

The first item on my list is the Naked 3 eye shadow Palette.

Now I know in the world of beauty and fashion this is not new anymore but I am loving the eye shadow palette so much!

My go to colors in this palette are limit and nooner. I have hazel eyes and I love how both "limit" and "nooner" bring out the green in my eyes when I wear them. Plus I think they are great day time colors. However, I would definitely argue that the Naked 3 palette rates highest in color wearability. 

The next item is also a beauty related item. I find that I have been curling my hair more than I have in my entire life recently, as pageant appearance call for such things. For that reason I had to go out and buy a heat protecting spray. I was lucky to find this Tresemme one on clearance at target! ( Just the way we like things here at Minwage). 

I really enjoy this product because it's a heat protectent and a hairspray in one. This is awesome for me because I have long thick hair so I need something that will make my curls last. I have used this five times and everytime my curls are lasting throughout the day! So this product has been a life saver for me in many ways.

In February I have been painting my nails almost every other week, these are just a few of the colors that I have done this month. 

From left to right

As gold as it gets- Essie

Muchi, Muchi- Essie

Set in stone- Essie

Butter please- Essie

Stroke of brilliance- Essie 

Here are the two recent nails I've had in the last week. 

Okay now we're done with beauty products. On to the fashion. The first two things that I have are statement necklaces I recently got at Charming Charlie's.

I may also be a little late on this trend but I have been getting into statement necklaces. I love the first necklace because the mint color is really in for spring this season! And the best way try new trends is to try them in accessories. Also the first necklace comes with matching earrings, and that was totally worth it for me! 

The second necklace I love because of the triangular design. I am also really enjoying the white and gold look for spring as well. I think it's very classy.

This item is one that you have seen before. This is my Union Jack Beanie that I got from Hot Topic. I love this hat, because in Minnesota and you have to have some warm head gear if you have to walk outside to get to class. Which I do. I also have really gotten into the british culture and love wearing this hat and showing my love for the United Kingdom. I usually curl my hair and then put the hat on over the curls, and it makes my hair look like it has more volume than when it's just straight. 

The last thing that I have been loving this month are my madden girl black and gold velvet heels. I wore these heels in my last lookbook. I got these heels for a christmas present and I was in love with them from the moment I saw them. They are perfect for pageant appearances that I have to make, because the heel isn't the tallest, and they are easy to walk in, and comfort is nice to have when your at an event for a couple of hours!

I know that most of my favorites are more accessories, than clothing items, however in the winter I love to jazz up my outfits with these items as the plain sweater and jeans look can get old. So I love being able to add colors, anywhere I can!

Let me know what you love this past February!

>> Stephanie

Red is for Valentines

Hey Lovelies!

So Valentine's day is here. Time to whip out all the pink, white and red clothes you buried since last valentines day. Now whether your celebrating single's awareness day or valentines, we all want to look good. 

Now coming from the state of Minnesota, some may say your crazy for wearing a dress in the winter time. However as soon as the weather is above zero, clothing usually reserved for the summer begins to make an appearance.  I've made this red peplum sheer long sleeved dress appropriate for the winter conditions by adding a flux fur pleather bomber jacket, and brown combat boots lined with flux fur.

The jacket and boots with the addition of my favorite union jack beanie hat gives this outfit a cute hipster style. The necklace balances out the look keeping it girly/sexy and comfortable/wearable for day and night. It is important for my Valentine's inspired outfit to be comfortable. I spend all day valentine's day out and about and do lots of walking. And in Minnesota winters, heels are just not practical.

I like this outfit not only for it versatility but also because it shows off my curves while still being appropriate for daytime. What do you guys wear on Valentine's day? Do you get into the spirit? Let me know in the comments below. Post a picture of your outfits on instagram/twitter/tumblr with the tag #minwagefashionvday

Dress- Posh Love

Bomber Jacket- Target

Necklace- Charming Charlie's

Union Jack Beanie- Hot Topic

Combat boots- Payless Shoes

>>Stephanie