Rocksbox // Designer Jewelry Box

I love finding out about new subscription boxes! I'm excited to share my newest favorite one with y'all, too. It's called Rocksbox and it's a great way to try out new jewelry styles. And even better news is that you can try it out for one month free.

Winter's Last Stand

Snow day! Monday morning I woke up to my neighborhood blanketed in white. We all thought for sure that spring was here, but in standard Chicago fashion, the forecast changed. The bright side? I get to get a few more wears out of my favorite coat and boots!

Recipe // Helen's Cheesecake

I can't believe Mini Penny Blog's birthday almost slipped by me! March marks four years of running this blog and I decided to celebrate with two awesome things: cheesecake and a shop sale!

Okay, so first things first: the Mini Penny Shop sale. Now through the end of March, everything in the shop is 30% off. No code is needed and it's always free shipping in the US. There are lots of goodies available, so hurry up and get them before they're gone.

As for the cheesecake, this is a recipe that my mom uses all the time. She got it from one of her quilting friends, Helen, that I've known pretty much my whole life. Bottom line is, it's so good and I pretty much have to keep myself from eating half the darn thing in one sitting. Enjoy!

#WWIM11

This weekend I attended my very first Worldwide Instagram Meet! It's so nuts — I've been on Instagram since they first launched in the app store and I've met so many awesome people along the way. But somehow I had never been to an official meetup!

Of all the social networks I've been a part of in the past 10+ years, it's easy to say that I've made more friends and more connections through Instagram than anything else (old school Tumblr is a close second, though!). Isn't it great how a mutual love for good photos, food, puppies, and shoes bring us all together?

Did you attend an Instameet this weekend? Did you get to meet any of your favorite Instagrammers?

Spring Up

Good grief, Chicago. The past few days have been so wonderful and I'm so excited because ... outfit photos! Winter always hits me pretty hard — the short daylight, the snow, the ice, the dirt. But the other day my friend and I took a walk to get donuts (necessary) and I had to start stripping layers. I totally forgot how to spring.

Ways To Wear It // Spring Transition

Few things make me more excited than the spring rolls around. Last year, it felt like it took forever, but right now I'm stoked that all of Chicago's snow is melting and that green is just around the corner.

Granted, warmer temperatures are on the way, and the transition into spring is great for layering if you do it right. My biggest concern this time of year is my footwear. The disappearing snow is leaving dirty puddles at curbs and intersections, meaning you need something that has traction and it still relatively waterproof but goes with the rest of your outfit. And that's why I own so many pairs of Dr. Martens!

Here are some ways that you can style Docs with your transitioning layers. There are so many different kinds, it's easy to find something that works for your individual style.

New Vintage Listings!

Great news! A lot of new vintage listings have gone up in the Mini Penny Shop! There are plenty of options for spring, plus all winter sweaters and coats have been marked down (sweaters are under ten dollars!). Always free shipping in the US. Shop now: Mini Penny Vintage

A Nashville Adventure

For starters, I didn't take many photos while in Nashville for a few reasons. One: I had a blast (oops, I always have the tendency to forget to take photos while having fun) and two: the weather was unexpectedly ...grim. Last year at this time, I made the same trip during the same week and it had felt like summer. This year, it was cold, wet, and icy. This in turn left us stranded in Nashville with few ways home to Chicago. But more on that later.

March Shop My Closet Sale

It's time for a brand new Shop My Closet sale! I'm getting rid of some great items for the winter/spring transition — perfect layers, boots, and more. If you see something you want, send me an email with your PayPal address plus the item(s) you want and I'll shoot you the invoice. US Shipping is included with all of the prices — let me know if you're international and we'll figure out the shipping fee. As items sell, this post will be updated to reflect which items are no longer available. If it's here, it's for sale! Click through for the full listing and hurry — things go fast! Go see the current Shop My Closet Post!