Monday, May 14, 2018

Statement Earrings You'll Fall in Love With

Naked. That is how I feel without earrings on. I mean it can be hair in a ponytail, yesterday's mascara, sweatshirt off the pile off dirty clothes kind of day, but by slipping a pair of earrings on makes me feel that much more put together.

p.s. Lipstick works this way too. Lipstick and earrings are like partners in crime.

If you follow me on Instagram you'll notice that my earrings have gotten a little bigger and little more badaxx recently. I mean you really can't got wrong with statement earrings.


I have rounded up a few of my favorites. Yes, the statement earring is the perfect accessory for graduations and weddings and fancy parties. But, I promise you that they work just as well for a trip to Walmart (Target is 30 miles away from me), the ball park or a night out with friends.


Shocking that I would have a whole section on turquoise earrings. This is a color that looks great on everyone. It is perfect in summer, but I also love in fall and winter as a pop of color.

Before statement earrings use to mean heavy earrings that you were ready to ditch within an hour. I would say overall statement earrings have lightened up but if you are looking for the barely there feeling then these tassel options are the way to go.


And finally, remember that statement earring don't always have to be huge just fun. The next time you are in the J.Crew Factory story or Target, or shopping Baublebar online pick yourself up something up. I would love to see a photo.

This post may include affiliate links. 

Monday, April 30, 2018

When Farmers Have Black Thumbs

This is a sponsored post by Theisen's Home Farm & Auto. All opinions and views are entirely my own. 

I have a confession to make. Our picturesque farm isn't always picture perfect. Things that I am good at on our farm. 1. Raising calves. 2. Feeding cattle. 3. Killing every thistle in sight. Things that I am not good. 1. Growing stuff other than grass 2. Painting fence/building. 3. Raising things other than cows. 


Every spring I get super excited because all the farm stores start to put out their flowers and vegetables. I mean going to a farm store like Theisen's has its perks. They have popcorn. Like really good popcorn. Old Navy or Target does not serve popcorn. 

However, over the years I have recognized that I am a poor flower and vegetable farmer. We would end up with scurvy if we had to raise our own food because all we would have it beef. Yet, walking amongst all the gorgeous plants at Theisen's I knew there had to be something that I could grow. Enter the sweet Theisen ladies and HERBS. They promised me that I could conquer these and when I saw these tea time varieties I knew it was destiny. Yup, that is herb is called chocolate mint. I mean how could I resist? 




The best part about these tea herbs is your can use these to make tea. You take green tea and then a few of these fresh leaves boil and strain. So now I can look at our falling down fences while sipping tea on our porch. Ah, farm life. 


Last fall, we had some fence posts start to rot, and then a windstorm happened early spring knocking a section of fence over. New posts had to be reset and unfortunately wood fence posts don't come in the color white. So, that means painting by this lady because the the boy is currently planting rows and rows of corn and soybeans. 

The staff at Theisen's recommended a mitt would be the way to go. I painted some fence last summer with a roller, and I wish I had this mitt back then. They also recommended that I wear a latex glove under the mitt because although it has a lining the paint would likely soak through. Another good call. 

It was nice to visit a store that had multiple people willing to help. With strong roots in agriculture they have literally everything whether it be something for you home town, acreage or farm. I mean there was a WHOLE section on bee keeping, which is something I would love to do but I figured I maybe should do some reading first. There are 23 Theisen stores across Iowa and Wisconsin. You can use their store locator to find the nearest store to you so you can get started with #springatTheisens.

You can follow Theisens on Facebook,  Twitter and Pinterest

Sunday, April 8, 2018

Spring Beauty Finds

Yesterday, the boy and I celebrated our sixth wedding anniversary. I am pretty lucky to have a guy that supports me in everything I do - building my Keep Collective business, sharing in our dream of growing our farm and putting up with my makeup and Instagram obsession.

Since, Jon would be participating in the state bowling tournament (that's what guys in small town Iowa do for fun), I decided to spend the day doing some retail therapy before we met up for dinner and drinks. Yesterday, what Ulta's last day of 21 days of Beauty so the store was packed but I was really excited to grab a few of my favorites and try a few new things.


Brows: First if you ever have a chance to have your eyebrows waxed at a Benefit Brow Bar do it. People are always asking me what makes them so good and I think it is too things. 1. Consistency. All the gals are trained the same way so I can go into any Ulta, sit down at the Benefit Brow Bar and get the same result. Also, I love that they mark out how your brow will look after waxing so you can confirm that is the shape you are going for. 

I'll admit that I am more of a Sephora gal than an Ulta gal, but I do love that Ulta carries MAC cosmetics now. I've been noticing a lot of pop of color trends this spring and wanted to give it a try myself. The MAC assistant and I went through a lot of purples and blues, but decided that this pop of coral-y pink would be perfect and I am loving it. I apply it right to the center of my eyelid, staying out of the crease, and to my lower lash line. This coppery liquid eyeliner is going to be fun for the spring and summer. It goes on lighter and dries darker, so don't feel like you have to apply a lot to start with.

One of the problems that I have been trying to fix is when I wear mascara on my lower lashes I feel like some transfers to my skin throughout the day leaving dark smudges. I had to laugh when the associate said, "girl if you can find a mascara that won't do this let me know!" I guess we are all on the hunt. However, she did say that she has been using a primer on her lower lash first and then applying her mascara and it has really helped. I am on day one of this method and so far so good. Thw Josie Maran mascara is only available at Sephora but it is one of my favorites!



Talking about hair care products I noticed that Ulta now carries Drybar. This is one of my favorite mousses, and it is awesome for fine hair. I had mentioned in my IG story thought that I am not a fan of any other Drybar product, especially not the dry shampoo. You overwhelming agreed. Now, if you are looking for a great dry shampoo I am in LOVE with Klorane and have been for years. One of my favorite bloggers Jen from The Sister Studio raves about Dove Volume & Fullness Dry Shampoo and that girl has dang good hair. I am really excited to give this a try especially since it is a great price. 

So, what are you looking to try this spring? Sephora's big spring 15% off sale is going to be happening soon so you can bet I'll be stocking up on more favorites.

This post may include affiliate links. 

Monday, March 12, 2018

The Third Party Compliment


One of my favorite things to do is pass on a compliment. I don't mean give a compliment (I like doing that, too), but rather if I hear another person talking positively about a friend I like to let the friend know. Following me?

This weekend I was on the road this weekend and was listening to Marlene Eick's podcast Live Your Story. I posted on my Instagram story how much I enjoyed her podcast. Several followers sent me private messages sharing how much they also love Marlene's podcasts. So instead of keeping those compliments behind closed doors I took a screen shot of one and sent it to Marlene. Thus the third party compliment was delivered.

Today, Marlene was interviewing me for an upcoming episode and she shared how much the compliment meant to her. If I hadn't chose to be the middle man that compliment would have stayed hidden behind the closed doors of a direct message. I know there are probably more than a few of us (including me) that have been guilty of sharing "did you hear what so and so said about you" in a not so positive light. So why isn't it automative that we share the positive. 

Why do compliments matter? 

People are craving positive feedback. When someone singles you out to highlight something positive about you if feels like a blanket of happiness washing over you. In my Keep Collective business one of the most important things that I can do to motivate and support my team is to dish out recognition. Research has shown that compliments light up the same part of the brain, the striatum, as being given money, both of which are huge motivator.

I remember when I noticed a new Designer on my team was making huge strides in her business and hitting her goals. I sent her a message to congratulate her on a job well done and shared with her the potential I saw in her. It wasn't until a month or so later that she shared with me that she cried after reading my message. Even though she appeared to have a successful corporate career she shared with me that she couldn't remember the last time her boss paid her a genuine compliment. 

You get the warm fuzzes too.

Have you ever thought about how you feel after delivering a compliment. It takes our focus off ourselves and makes us think about others. Compliments also strengthen and deepen our relationships. And how often after you give a compliment do you end up receiving one. Your compliment can start a chain reaction of happiness.

The next time you hear something positive about another don't be afraid to pass it on. 

Sunday, March 4, 2018

Perfect Spring Loafers

When you are in the arm party business you take a lot of "wristies." And when you also love a good try on session and some power shopping comfortable shoes that will look good with almost anything are important. I have had these Gianni Bini loafers for a few years now, but over the past couple of weeks I have had more compliments on these shoes than I have any others.


Unfortunately, since they are so old they are no longer available but I have found some very similar options. As you are searching online also use the term driving moccasins or driving loafers if you are looking for this style.

I think what I love about these loafers over flat is that they have a support sole, which makes they so much more comfortable. Which pair is your favorite or maybe you have found a pair that you love that we all need to be in the know about!

This post may include affiliate links. 

Saturday, February 17, 2018

Old Navy President's Day Sale

Old Navy is clearing feeding my cactus obsession. They also have tons of cute new items perfect for transitioning from winter to spring because it is VERY much still winter in Iowa.


Check out my CrystalCattle Instagram stories to see how each of these items fit. And you can click on any of the pictures to view on the Old Navy website and take advantage of some of the awesome sales.

This post may include affiliate links. 
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