From Top Left: bkr Water Bottle / Polynesian Stone Earrings / New Balance for Jcrew Sneakers / One Love Organics Cleansing Sponge / Beauty Counter Body Wash / Papillionaire Sommer Bicycle / Hammered Party Bucket 

Summer is upon us and I couldn’t be more pleased! While Brass Tacks has been keeping busy indoors (pardon my lack of blogging!),  I can’t help but think about cruising on a fabulous bike, cocktails on the porch, sun dresses with statement earrings, long walks with the pup, lounging on the beach and finally moisturized skin after a long dry winter. After moving lakeside earlier this month (and being completely inspired by the Dutch Bicycles on my trip to Amsterdam), I’m seriously considering ordering a Public Bike. While cruising around town this summer, I’ll not be leaving home without my beloved bkr water bottle. These things make drinking water pretty delightful. Hydrating will be important this summer as my porch has been regularly begging me to sit outside with a good book and a cocktail. How cute is this party bucket? A must have for summer parties and porch time fun. With the extra sun comes the need for good skin care. I’m loving these new sponges from One Love Organics- a great alternative to my aging Clarisonic. And in case you missed my Beauty Counter test drive last week, you can still shop for fabulous safe products here.

What new things will you be trying this summer? Do share!

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!

1 Sugar Paper Card 2 Jennifer Meyer ‘mum’ Necklace 3 Rifle Paper Rorschach Notebook Set 4 Beautiful Flowers 5 Stella & Dot Demi Earrings 6 Jonathan Adler Pillow 7 Nine Space for Jcrew Beach Towel

Mother’s day is a little over a week away which means it’s time to put those thinking caps on and find a lovely gift for your dearest mom. After just spending ten solid days of quality time with my own mom, I a reminded that there is nothing more special than a mom. She is the woman who birthed you, raised you, fed you, taught you so many life lessons and ultimately (at least in my case) is one of your closest friends and confidants. That said, shopping can be tricky for the mom who has everything so I like to stick to something small that I know will put a smile on her face. A good place to start is a fabulous card. There are so many good options here but I usually resort to my favorite, Sugar Paper. In addition, you can never go wrong with beautiful flowers. When sending long distance I typically shop here, otherwise for local delivery, Spruce will not disappoint. If you’re upping your game and opting for a more substantial gift I’m loving this beautiful summer beach towel (doubles as a throw?), Jonathan Adler’s fun pillows, Rifle Paper’s new journal set and these simple earrings from Stella & Dot. I’ve also long had my eye on Jennifer Meyer’s ‘mum’ necklace, developed in collaboration with goop. Perfect for the new mom who is celebrating her first mothers day. Lastly, if you’re still struggling for ideas and live in Minnesota, come by the Lovin’ Local Event next Wednesday May 7th for some mothers day shopping, beats and bubbles.

Happy early Mother’s Day to all of you moms out there!!

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 Sukha Wall Hanging 2 Dutch House Number 3 Vanilia Blouse 4 Rituals Fragrance Sticks 5 FLINK Pillow 6 de Waldaad Bench 7 By Molle Table Linen

Greetings from the land of tulips, canals and cheese! While I have had the pleasure of stepping foot in Amsterdam once before, ten days here has allowed me to truly soak in all this amazing city has to offer. In typical “girls trip” fashion, my mom and I have been doing nothing but eating, drinking, shopping and walking. And let’s be honest…our suitcases are filling up rather quickly! With multiple stops at fabulous shops, we’re getting to know some people on a first name basis (this is a good thing, trust me)! I could easily decorate my whole house from here (but my husband would have my head) so I’m sharing just a few of my favorite finds while they’re still fresh in my shopping mind.

Step into the dreaminess that is Sukha Amsterdam and you will not be disappointed. Sukha means “joy of life” in Sanskrit and this store is seriously a joy to behold. With charming doodles like this and amazing pillows like that, you could browse for days. The young woman behind that pillow has a beautiful line called FLINK Netherlands. She helps define Dutch Luxury by using the most high-quality wool (knitted in an old Dutch knitting factory) to create the most divine blankets, pillows and scarves. FLINK is not the only line committed to a growing movement that celebrates the beauty of local production. By Molle, uses only natural materials to make all of their products. From the undyed wool of Swedish and Norwegian sheep to the flax for their linen from the Atlantic Coast- By Molle embodies sustainability and true craftsmanship. This gorgeous table cloth is already coming home with me (not surprisingly, it’s striped!). Clothing companies like the Dutch brand Vanilia are also committed to corporate responsibility. With just twelve small collections released a year, their charming stores are beautifully curated with unique pieces you can be pretty sure not many others will own  (like the new favorite oversized blouse I will be living in). If I had more room in my suitcase I’d be adding in some amazing vintage furniture from de Waldaad (like this bench!), a charming custom made house number from Alfons De Letter and yummy scents from Rituals.

I guess another trip is in order come new home decor time!

Words to live by! And with that in mind, I’m off to Amsterdam for ten days. Quality time with my Mom, an adorable canal-side apartment, spring tulips, delicious food and plenty of time for shopping. I’ll be sharing my favorite Amsterdam finds next week as well as more travel related fun upon my return. Have a lovely week!

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.