You've Got Nail 49 // Scratch Mini Mani Box July

The set I received in my Scratch Mini Mani Box is one of my favorite designs so far! I was able to create three different manicures from this box — at ten bucks, that's a steal! Check out the three manicures I made with these wraps.

Trend // Lace It Up

It's hard for me to walk away from lace-up clothes lately. Everything from shoes to dresses to bodysuits — I can't get enough of this style! I first started noticing it around Instagram and even picked up (and made) a few pieces for myself! See my favorite picks after the jump.

Cherry Blossoms

I've been really beating a dead horse with the floral prints, huh? Oh well — I love this jumpsuit. I hardly ever find one pieces that fit my short frame. I was killing some time at the Urban Outfitters Surplus (where I used to work so many years ago!) and found this for five bucks. In the back of my mind, I was searching for something to wear to my art show and this ended up being perfect!

How I Stay Inspired

Inspiration can be elusive. Some days I'll jot down twenty ideas for Mini Penny, for drawings, and for photos. Other days I will stare at my computer screen with complete and total writers' block. Personally, staying inspired means balancing the right amount of work and the right amount of rest. Here are a few ways I keep on my toes.

Review // Julep July Desert Heat Box

I can't believe it's been so long since I've gotten a Julep Maven box! I've been skipping every month since August 2014 — I just have so much polish that I haven't seen much that sparks my eye. I was delighted by July's options and opted for the Desert Heat Box for July.

Quick Change Artist

I've lived in my neighborhood for about four years (minus the short time I spent in Philly) and it has changed so quickly. It seems like it's accelerating. Truth be told, I think I'm about to get priced out — I found out my landlord is selling my building. I can't blame him, though, because property in Logan Square (and many neighborhoods in Chicago) have gone up hugely in the past couple years.

Clinique #FaceForward

Today I'm partnering with Clinique to ask you all one simple question: if you could give your future self any advice, what would it be?

Bell Sleeves

Nowadays so many pieces in my closet are governed by whether or not I can wear it to work. Working in a tattoo shop means no bells sleeves and no white — it's all a recipe for (gross) disaster. Additionally, the motorcycle. Certain styles have had to be phased out of my closet. But this dress, this dress. I couldn't say no.

Garden Variety

There's so much black in my closet. I'm constantly teetering on the edge of ditching color all together and sticking with a simple palette of black, grey, and white. I noticed this romper (romper! It's so loose and comfy that it looks like a dress!) at the store and knew it would be a good addition despite it's bright floral pattern. I mean, I love florals — and this is still a fun way to mix it up without veering too far from my favorite dark palette.

Shop the @MiniPennyBlog Instagram!

If you're looking for easier ways to get the looks I post on Instagram, the wait is over! I've (finally) hopped on board with the shoppable Instagram tools that help you find those shoes you love without scouring over the web.

How does it work?
1. Follow @MiniPennyBlog on Instagram.
2. Visit LikeToKnow.It and authorize your Instagram account.
3. Enter your email.
4. Every time you ♡ a photo on Instagram with a liketk.it link, you'll get an email with a link directly to the products shown in the post!

It's so easy, right? No more searching all around or asking your favorite style 'grammers where they got something. Most of my favorite stylists and bloggers use liketoknow.it and it's helped me find so many goodies so easily!

July Shop My Closet

It's that time again! The Shop My Closet sale! 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! Onto the next! Check out the August Shop My Closet Sale.

Review // July Pixi Box

Another month, another Pixi box! Last month I shared some really great beauty products sent to me by Pixi by Petra. This month's box is half good and half eh. (Insert shrugging emoji). Click through for more details on the eye, face, and lip products I tried this month.

Striped Summers

I love rompers. I love stripes. So naturally, this romper was an easy pick. I wore this to Randolph Street Market last weekend — something light, cool and fun for my rare Sunday off.

My Fourth

Yesterday we rode the bike down to Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve. It was a great ride and felt good to get out of the city for a few hours. Once we got back into Chicago, we grabbed a quick bite and watched fireworks from my apartment (I live in the tallest building on my block and have windows that face West and North) with a bottle of wine. It was the perfect low-key fourth of July for my busy schedule.

Fourth of July Sale!

Happy Fourth of July weekend! To celebrate, everything in the Mini Penny Vintage Shop is 30% off! Sale ends Sunday night. Always free shipping in the US. No code required. Shop now!