It is no secret that I’m a big believer in investing in quality skin care products. After realizing the ingredients of some of the things I put on my face, I’ve developed a heightened awareness for products that not only work but are good for you. With so many new products popping up there is a lot to try (see some of my favorites here) so I didn’t hesitate to say yes when asked to take the Beauty Counter line for a test drive.

Beauty Counter is a Santa Monica based company with a mission to get safe products into the hands of everyone. Research has revealed that the toxic chemicals we encounter in daily life may play a role in the increase in serious health problems our society faces (hello cancer). On average, American Women use 12 beauty products a day resulting in exposure to over 100 chemicals before we even leave the bathroom in the morning. Alarming! The good news is, Beauty Counter has banned more than 1,500 ingredients in their products resulting in the strictest ingredient selection process in the industry. With this brand, you not only know what you’re getting but their products remain as indulgent and luxurious as many other (less safe) products you may already be using.

While it’s hard to pick a favorite, I’m on the oil bandwagon lately and I couldn’t help but love the results seen with the Lustro Face Oils. With quick absorption, they left my skin nourished and glowing without feeling greasy. I also fell for the delicious citrus-mint smell of the body care line, in particular this yummy wash filled with moisturizing marula and mongongo oils. While I found the am and pm moisturizers to be great, I enjoy sourcing more unique products and am intrigued by the Rosewater Uplifting Spray which may just act as my ultimate facial refresher this summer. These products are only the tip of the iceberg since Beauty Counter offers two full face care collections. The Face Collection is perfect for every day use while the Countertime Collection consists of their workhorse anti-aging products. But let me tell you- you really can’t go wrong with anything in this line. In fact you’ll likely go a lot more right than where you have been.

For more information about the current products you use (and their safety rating) visit the EWG Cosmetics Database. You can also download their app to scan products on the go.

If you’re interested in spreading the good word about safe products, consider being a Beauty Counter Consultant. Contact Jen Shultz for more information or simply purchase your products through her to receive fabulous local customer service.

Lastly, make sure to enter the GIVEAWAY of my favorite Lustro Face Oil! To enter, follow Brass Tacks on Instagram and Facebook and leave a comment in either place about which product you can’t wait to try. A winner will be drawn at random on Friday May 16th. Enter now and don’t miss your chance to win!

As my husband and I pack up our first home together it’s hard not to get emotional about all of the memories here. Our first party meeting neighbors and sharing plans for small renovations. Bringing home our sweet puppy and watching him romp around the yard. Coming home to a dozen red roses after the most special engagement day. The excitement of the irrigation system installation (who’d-a thunk). A memorable joint family Thanksgiving in our “dining room”.  And most of all, the daily love and companionship within our little family. Home truly is about who you share it with.

I couldn’t be more excited about where we’re moving. A place so charming and peaceful I feel like we’ve found our beautiful little slice of paradise. I know we’ll never look back. That said, I still have a hard time detaching myself emotionally from this gem of a house we’ve called home for the last 3 plus years. As with any transition, it’ll just take time. As we continue to pack and deal with these crazy few weeks of upheaval I am reminded that home really is one the most important comforts in life. But no matter where it is, what it looks like, what it will ultimately look like (hello exciting remodel) and how much it sucks to pack- a home is what you make of it and soon enough our new home will be as special as the last.

Until then, please pardon my absenteeism from the blog!

Save the Date for this fabulous local event at my favorite Room No. 3! Lovin’ Local supports and celebrates local women owned businesses (including yours truly) while enjoying delicious treats, bubbles and beats. With Spring and Summer festivities upon us, there are so many occasions to shop for- Mother’s Day, graduation parties, teacher gifts, birthdays and of course your own personal shopping. You won’t want to miss the amazing pieces from Room No. 3, yummy fragrances from Alora Ambiance, my favorite beauty products from Lovecrate, delicious juice from Truce, the best paper goods from Brown Ink and dreamy pillowcases from Beauty 101. Brass Tacks will be offering complimentary gift wrapping for all of your pretty purchases so mark your calendars and I hope to see you all there!

xo

1 Good Vibes Only 2 Mixed Succulent Wreath 3 Otomi Table Lamp 4 Faux Deer Antler 5 Marais Side Chair 6 Strut Console Table 7 Catalina Rug 8 Colorblock Woven Baskets

I’m in major new house planning mode over here and have been doing a lot of thinking about what makes a house a home. The feeling of “home” is derived from an intimate relationship between ourselves and our space. When finished properly, a home gives you comfort, pleasure and a personal sanctuary. It is the accumulation of meaningful items that ties a home to you and your life experiences. Or maybe it’s not about what’s in your home at all but rather a general sense of familiarity. It’s quite easy to get caught up in only wanting the finest finishing touches for your house. Expensive furniture, top of the line appliances and everything else you see on the pages of a glossy magazine. But, at the end of the day, your home is your cozy space. It’s a half drunk glass of wine in the kitchen. A ruffled blanket on the couch. Your slippers by your bedside table. Your pup’s bone tucked away in the couch cushions. An unmade bed and piles of laundry. The smell of your husbands cologne and that favorite recipe you cooked last night. A place surrounded with simple possessions that inspire you and your loved ones. Home is where you begin your morning and end your evening. It is where you share moments of joy and moments of sorrow. Most importantly it is where you grow as an individual and watch your family grow along side you.

The importance of all of this seems more obvious as I begin planning the remodel for the home that will be our family home. I’m trying to make decisions through the eyes of what my children will one day see. Keeping that in mind I hope to make my home a cozy but bright space that reflects the happiness my husband and I share on a daily basis. One which teaches our children to love and be loved and to approach everyday choosing joy. With that said, I’m sharing a bright smattering of items today that just exude playfulness. From a reminder to share good vibes to pretty eye candy to gold accents and an artistic lamp. There are so many ways to really liven up a home- I can’t wait until we complete our remodel and begin making our house a home.

From top left to bottom right: Pastel Flag Garland / Sugar Paper Hippity Hop Card / Riegelein Gold Chocolate Bunny / Crate&Barrel Easter Baskets / Brach’s Malted Milk Chocolate Easter Eggs / Easter Steiff Chick / Decorating Easter Eggs / Freshly Picked Platinum Moccasins / Chick n’ Egg Dishtowels 

I really love Easter. Something about celebrating the arrival of spring, the excitement of a grand egg hunt, brunch with family and an excuse for a new dress…The whole day just puts me in the best of moods. Lucky for me, this day is already next weekend!  So whether you’ll be creating a special easter basket for a little one or celebrating on your own, these festive finds should put you in the Easter spirit if you’re not already!

Easter always seems like the perfect time to send a care package to my nieces and this year Sugar Paper made my card selection extremely easy. Throw in a couple of malted eggs and a chocolate bunny and mission complete! While I don’t yet have kids of my own, if I did I would be gifting my tots a few new pairs of Freshly Picked Moccasins. These adorable moccs are my go-to baby gift and with new color releases regularly, the options just keep getting better. Easter is also a great time for gifting classic items like Steiff stuffed animals. Steiff completely reminds me of my childhood and this little chick is perfect for a special Easter basket. Adults can of course enjoy Easter baskets too in which case I’m loving these themed dishtowels and Martha Stewart’s ever challenging and amazing egg creations. Wherever you celebrate next week (and if you celebrate at all), I hope you all have a lovely Easter Sunday!

1 lemlem for Jcrew Lilly Scarf 2 Parachute Sheet Set 3 Castle Artwork 4 Tortoise Gem Necklace 5 L.L.Bean Boat and Tote Bag 6 Jcrew Metallic Low Wedges

As I work on wrapping up travel itineraries, finalizing a big birthday bash and handling many other to-do’s in between- my thoughts are all over the place and this post reflects that! Outside of work, my husband and I are starting to design our new home. A remodel is in the works but I of course am focused on final decor (premature!). I’m in love with these playful pieces of art from the talented Castle who is based in Australia. I’m a sucker for inspirational words and can’t think of anything better than bringing them to life in a fun and playful way. I hope to frame one of Castle’s beauties over a cozy new bed fitted with Parachute sheets. Parachute Home keeps popping up everywhere- affordable, luxurious, simple sheets designed in CA and made in Italy- yes please! When I’m not thinking about the new house, I’m focused on packing for my upcoming trip to Amsterdam. I picked up these fab shoes last week as they’re the perfect item to wear with casual jeans or dress up a dinner outfit. I also have my eye on this bright scarf (I adore lemlem, founded by supermodel Liya Kebede) and an affordable new statement necklace. You seriously can’t go wrong with BaubleBar’s prices. With so many fun items to bring on my trip, I’ll surely be making use of my hardy go-to L.L.Bean tote. A classic piece for everyone to own!

What’s on your mind this Spring? Wherever you are, I hope you’re soaking it up!

1 RMS Beauty 2 RMS Mascara 3 COOLA Sunscreen 4 Mrs. Meyer’s Dish Soap 5 Late July Organic Snacks 6 One Love Organics Skin Savior

For me, Spring isn’t just about cleaning my closets and stopping to smell the tulips. It’s a time of year that always inspires me to reflect on my health and lifestyle choices. As the snow melts away, I’m motivated to exercise more and fill my body with healthy veggies and whole grains. I focus on my post-winter skin by nourishing it with moisture and protecting it from the sun rays it’s not used to feeling. Minnesotans experiences such seasonal extremes that force you to a heightened awareness of seasonal transitions. After six months in the frozen tundra, Spring is by far the most long awaited transition. Every year I go through a “spring renewal” ritual and pamper myself with healthy organic food, fabulous new products and even an annual moisturizing body wrap. It’s a way to say hello to Spring and start six months of warmth feeling refreshed and energized.

This year, I’m loving so many wonderful organic products I don’t even know where to start with my pampering. RMS “”un” cover-up was a favorite throughout winter and I’m now loving their living luminizer, mascara and just about every other product they make.  I recently discovered One Love Organics through the fabulously curated local online boutique, Love Crate, and am using it as both a cleanser and moisturizer. Perfect not only for spring but also next winter! I discovered COOLA Organic Suncare Collection after a malfunctioning aerosol sunscreen incident in Hawaii last all. Our resort came to the rescue with this fabulous replacement and it’s now my go-to sunscreen- it smells divine! Speaking of fabulous scents, I am such a sucker for Mrs. Meyer’s cleaning products and the amazing scents they come in- Radish, Basil, Rosemary– yes please! While her products make doing dishes a little less painful, I often choose to stick to my Late July Organic Snacks to avoid dirty dishes all together.

What fabulous organic products are keeping you healthy and happy this spring?!

1 Tory Burch Calita Dress 2 Teil Duncan Artwork 3 Illume Go Be Lovely Soap 4 Illume Sketchbook Ceramic Candle 5 Truce Juice 6 Letter For You Pillow 7 Rifle Happy Stripe Wrapping Paper

I am embracing the arrival of April with open arms. The snow is falling sun is shining and all I can think about is summers out on the lake (yes, I realize this is a bit premature).

I plan to be sporting a series of breezy dresses all summer with this boho-chic number on the top of my list. Summer also gives me reason to end my winter diet (hello red wine and pasta) and start eating healthy again. What better way to get your daily veggies than to drink them?! Truce is my favorite local juice company with options like The Vacay which actually taste as if you’re on vacation. On the topic of local companies, Minnesota based candle company Illume, is killing it lately with their gorgeous illustrated candles and soaps giving fans like me a reason to shop not only for scent (how amazing do pineapple cilantro and cactus verde sound?!) but also for pattern. Speaking of talented illustrators, how fabulous is Teil Duncan? I’m head over heels for this talented girls work and am anxiously awaiting the arrival of new originals so one can come live with me on Lake Minnnetonka. There’s nothing I love more than amazing artwork other than fun pillows. This option is whimsical yet neutral and is sure to add character to any room. Wrap it up pretty for an April birthday girl and she’ll love you right back.

 I am constantly preaching “live what you love”. It is the phrase that inspired me to found Brass Tacks and also the sentiment behind each and every service I offer. It is what keeps me inspired day-to-day and is the wisdom I impart to those around me. I truly believe that when you live what you love you are better at what you do, resulting in a happier and more fulfilling and life. It’s that simple! Thomas Edison may have said it best when he quipped, “I never did a day’s work in my life. It was all fun”. Or the legendary Steve Jobs who stated, “The only way to do great work is to love what you do”. I am clearly not the first to adopt this way of thinking, although I believe society still has a long way to go in producing our best results.

This article really got me thinking about the importance of living what you love. The author stresses the results we see when individuals think of their work as play. “Instead of grinding it out in jobs they hate, these people become passionate and highly skilled at what they do. They team up with other great players and collaborate on interesting projects. Then one day, they’re making magic. Their mastery shines through in everything they create, society reaps the benefits of their gifts, and our world changes.” Our world is already filled with endless opportunity. So what would life be like if each and every one of us embraced our passions and played for work? Would we all live a richer life?

I do not have all of the answers. But what I do know is that life can be short. And living what you love is the best way to look back on it with no regrets. As Leonardo Da Vinci said, “life well spent is long”. So how will you choose to live your life?

1 The Goldfinch 2 Faux Floral Arrangement 3 Beard Oil 4 Saved Rosé 5 RMS Beauty Lip2Cheek 6 Handmade Heirloom Scissors 7 Printed Espadrilles 8 Seagrass Flatweave Storage Basket

Spring always inspires me to bust out the bright colors, resume my consumption of rosé wine (after a long winter of sticking to heartier reds) and do a little home organizing. I’m loving these bright espadrilles from Jcrew- comfort, color and pattern all in one shoe. I plan to throw them on while enjoying a glass of rosé on my new front porch. This particular bottle is the brainchild of winemaker Clay Brock and tattoo artist Scott Campbell (hubby to Lake Bell). I hope it’s as good as it looks. Nothing goes better with wine and a sunny porch then a nice hefty novel. Speaking of reading, I’ve decided to start saving my favorite magazine issues (you know, the issues you just can’t throw away in case you may need that best restaurant tip some day) and I’m pretty sure this basket is the perfect home for them. While I love a good basket, nothing warms a room like a beautiful vase of flowers. If you’re anything like me you’re tired of killing your lovely blooms (I just can’t keep up with the regular trimming of the stems despite my awesome new scissors). Enter this fabulous faux version which will stay beautiful forever. Wine, shoes, good reads and flowers- what more could a girl need?! Kisses from her hubby of course. Thank heavens for beard oil making someone’s newly grown facial hair soft and kissable.

Ok  Spring, I’m ready….now why is there still snow on the ground?!