Minnesota Blogger: Lindsey from Life on Countryside!

Hey there!  Are you freezing your hiney off yet?  If you aren't....I am!

I found this site when I was looking for local blogs.  I read blogs like a crazy person, but am always reading blogs but none of the blog writers are from MN.  So I was searching...desperate to find some local girls!  And here I am, and here you are!

I am Lindsey, I am 29.  Ok I just lied... Today is 1/23.  I will be 29 on 1/25, so technically I am 28, but I am working on saying I am 29, so I have been 29 for about 2 weeks now.  I blog over on Life on Countryside, and up until yesterday my blog has been all about my house projects.  But I took a different road when I hit the fork and decided that I need to blog more and write about more...so I turned what used to be Countryside Chic to what it is now.  Less DIY Projects and crafts more of EVERYTHING!

I bought my townhouse in February, out in Shaktown, and we love but hate each other.  My house LOVES me because I buy it fun things and fix it when she is sick....new furnace parts, new water heaters, new AC units....the usual.  I hate her because she drains my bank account.

I have a baby who is a year old - by baby I mean a 4 pound TeaCup Chihuahua.  She is my world.  She is sleeping in a ball right next to me right now so shhhhhh.  I talk to her like she gets what I am saying, and one day I really think she will talk back and at the point I will faint!

I love movies, reality tv, reading, DIY projects, crafts and pinterest!

My family is my life, and my mom and my sister are my best friends.

I am currently getting back into the habit of eating better and getting my booty to the gym!

I have a few best friends - I don't see them often but I love them and wish I could see them more! This is Trinette - we are exact opposites in the looks department and it always makes us laugh when we are getting ready to go out!

Oh and I love sports! (I also think I am a little gangster too).

That's me in a nutshell!  You can read more about me over on my blog!  I just posted a Link Party post so there are a ton of random facts about me over on Countryside!  You can find me on Instragram (elle_raemarie) or Pinterest (linzm84).  Thanks for letting me introduce myself!  I can't wait to meet all of you and learn about all the Minnesota Bloggers!

Minnesota Blogger: Katie from Slowly But Surely!

Hey Minnesota Bloggers! I heard about the group when it first developed and I was always jealous because although I'm from Minnesota, I was living all over the country. After a few twists of fate, I'm back in my home state and am so excited to introduce myself!

 

My name is Katie and I blog over at Slowly But Surely, where I write about tackling big life goals and everything along the way.

I graduated from the U of M in 2010 with a degree in journalism. My career quickly turned into marketing when I accepted a job in Charlotte, NC at a social media start-up...that never quite started.

So after 6 months I packed up my little car and moved to New York City, where I had always dreamed of living. I worked for a great publishing company, and had an excellent roommate and small group of friends. However, I missed my long-distance boyfriend from college and I couldn't hang in such an expensive city for very long. After 1.5 years I decided to move to Wisconsin to be with Matt and the weekend he helped me move we got engaged! Unfortunately, after 8 months of trying to plan a wedding and start a new life together, it didn't work out and now I'm back in Minnesota! How's that for "long story short?"

I ran the New York 1/2 Marathon last March and I try to stay as active as possible but I have yet to tackle the big 26.2!

My time was actually 2:57 but with such a big crowd I got a late start ;)
 

I love a night out with friends,

a good book,

Book club anyone?!

and a good glass of wine.

My latest hobby is helping my parents live a healthier lifestyle, by cooking meals and taking them to Lifetime Fitness. It's hard to break old habits but their progress is so rewarding!

Anyway, thanks for letting me introduce myself! You can follow me on Instagram (katiep624) and Twitter (slowbutsure_kp) and of course my blog! I'm looking forward to getting to know you ladies better and joining your next meetup!

Thanks for being a featured blogger, Katie!! Although we hang out at Lifetime in real life, can't wait to see you at our next Blogger Get Together too :-)

Everyone say hi to Katie, and if YOU would like to be a featured blogger, feel free to inquire by emailing us at minnesotabloggers@gmail.com

Kelly

Minnesota Blogger Holiday Party Link Up

Hi Minnesota Girls! Feel free to come here and link up your recaps from last night's Minnesota Blogger Holiday Party. It was a lot of fun to see all of your smiling faces, as well as to laugh at our creative tacky sweater attire. Hope you all had fun :-)

 If you weren't able to join us, then you are definitely missed in this photo above. We'd all love for you to join us at our next get together.

Merry Christmas, all! :-)

Kelly

Secret Santa names have been distributed!

Happy Monday ladies! Hope you're all surviving the first day back from the long weekend!

I just wanted to stop in and let you all know that the names for the Minnesota Blogger Secret Santa have all been distributed, so check your emails! 

Also - get excited! Our Minnesota Blogger Holiday Party is next week! EEK! :)

 For more details on that... head here!

If you have any questions, concerns or didn't get a name, please email Kelly and/or I! 

A Tacky Christmas Sweater Shopping Guide

Hi, all! Kelly here. And I'm about to talk about Tacky Christmas Sweaters.

Jess commented on last week's post about where to "procure" a Tacky Christmas Sweater and I had to highlight her comment. Not only because I love her descriptive word but because this seems to be an important question!

The Sweater Store and The Ugly Sweater Store are both online sites selling Tacky Sweaters, but the prices are a bit steep. Although I have seen a few LIGHT UP sweaters for sale on these websites. Tremendously tacky.


Tipsy Elves is a fun site that sells hilarious sweaters... but again, the price is a bit on the high end (in my opinion)

If you want an in-store option, Kohls has some options and Walmart has an impressive stock as well!

{these turtlenecks make me think of my mom... in the most NON-tacky and MOST-loving way possible of course ;-)}

Of course you could save a few dollars and hit up your local Goodwill store like Carolyn and I did this week. The store that we met at had three racks full of tacky-licious sweaters boasting $8.99 price tags and the store even a flier alllllll about how to host a Tacky Christmas Party :-)

It goes without saying that we had a blast trying on our sweaters in the dressing room together. And NO, these are NOT the sweaters that we chose (it's a secret!!) ALTHOUGH? These WERE the runner-ups and yes, we had to talk ourselves out of buying both a sweater AND a sweater vest for a mid-evening wardrobe change.

So now that you know where to pick up your Tacky Christmas Sweaters, GET EXCITED for the meet up!! I know I am. Make sure to RSVP for the meet up and the Secret Santa Gift Exchange (partners will be announced on MONDAY) before this Saturday as well. Hope to see SO many of you there!!

SANTA!!! I KNOW him!!!

Okay kids, Kristin here! Get out those fancy day planners and your red and green glitter pens because...

...the details for our Minnesota Bloggers Holiday Meet Up have been set.

Here's what you need to know:

WHO: Minnesota Bloggers!

WHAT: A Holiday Get Together!

WHERE: Mall of America!

WHEN: Tuesday, December 4th at 6:00pm

WHY: Why the heck not?!

 

The plan is to meet in the rotunda at 6 o'clock and GET OUR PICTURE TAKEN WITH SANTA!

Yes, I know, it's going to be chaos. It's also going to be hilarious. And super awesome.

That poor old man will have no idea what hit him.

 

From there we will head up to the 4th floor for dinner at drinks at Dick's Last Resort.

 

Here are the requirements to complete (or you WILL be put on the "Naughty List")

1. We need a firm RSVP by November 24th so that we can organize Secret Santas and set a reservation!

 

2. We will be wearing Ugly Christmas Sweaters...so dress accordingly.

 

3. Get excited, it's going to be FUN!

 

And now, I'll turn the mic over to my pal Kelly so she can fill you in on all the Secret Santa deets!

 

Feel free to e-mail me (Kristin), Carolyn or Kelly with any questions! Hope to see YOU at the Holiday Meet Up. Make sure to RSVP by leaving a comment and filling out the Secret Santa survey!

Tis the Season

The stores have their holiday displays out, Santa's elves are working doubles and the Bieb is dusting off his Christmas album.

"Hey girl"

Which means it TIS the season to get a Holiday MN Blogger Festive Meet Up on the calendar before everyone is booked up with family and work parties and last minute shopping.

We have some really fun & festive ideas (including ugly sweaters and a secret santa gift exchange) but first we must pick the special day!

What day would you ladies prefer....

*TUESDAY, December 4th

*WEDNESDAY, December 5th

*SATURDAY, December 15th

or

*SUNDAY, December 16th

and don't be a Grinch, you're going to want to be at this one, it's going to Jingle Bell ROCK your socks off!

Please leave a comment with the date(s) that work best for you!

xoxo,