Shag Jacket // via Megann at Dash of Glamm

One of the cardinal rules of a midwest blogger is that you must have a collection of cute coats. Let's be real, it's the only way to make long winters feel a bit more bearable.

How amazing is this shag coat from one of our chicago bloggers Megann at Dash of Glamm?

image via Dash of Glamm

We are continuously inspired by our members' styles and creativity! Be on the lookout for a new MW style bloggers badge for your site- coming soon!

Midwest Pinterest Love

We've been loving following fabulous pins of our Midwest Style Bloggers community! From seriously incredible style posts, printables and inspirations. If you haven't already - check out what we have going on our Pinterest page here

Check out some our favorite pins from this week!

Love these fabulous outfit posts a la The Brunette One, My New Favorite Outfit, The Sweetest Thing, and Sugar and Stripes

We're also loving this printable Oscar Ballot made by the incredibly talented Danielle of Life's A Journal!

Lastly, we're loving Lauren's collaboration for La Petite Fashionista Magazine - snap a photo of your arm party and it could be featured in her next issue. Instagram her @lapetitefashionista, Twitter @LPFashionista, or Pinterest #LPFMag. 

Can't wait to see next week's fabulous Pins - have a great weekend everyone!

Stripes x Polka Dots // via Katalina Girl

Midwest girls look stylish even in the blizzard-like conditions we're facing this week! We love Iowa blogger, Katelyn of Katalina Girl's print-mixing look and how awesome is that DIY neck tie? 

See more of Katelyn's chic personal style & fashion advice on her blog! Stay warm in this awful winter weather midwest bloggers!

Wanderlust - Midwest Edition

Have you been bit by the travel bug? Maybe it's this cold Midwest weather, but we're having a serious case of wanderlust!

 Lauren at La Petite Fashionista and Maya at Charmingly Styled are sharing their dream destinations on their blogs this week. Where are you daydreaming about traveling to?

Beachy Retreat:

Via Lauren

Parisian Chic:

via Maya

Treat Your Self!

I think we can all agree on two of the most important things in life are fashion and food {especially tasty treats}. In the wise words of Aziz Ansari it's important to "Treat yo self" on a regular basis {see what we're talking about here}

Check out these delicious recipes from the Midwest community that will make you run to your kitchen for joy!

Laura of Beauty and The Beard's Raspberry Cream Cheese Pie Tarts

Candise of Sugar and Stripes - Lemon Raspberry Cupcakes

Ashley of Turquoise and Teale's Peanut Butter Jelly Smoothie

Lindsey of LSilverStyle's Zucchini Cupcakes with Greek Yogurt Frosting

Sequins & Stripes // To Live for Style

Minnesota blogger & model agent Katie, at To Live for Style is rocking the perfect friday look in sequins and stripes. We love the mixing of prints & chic style. Check out her blog!

Happy Friday to all of our Midwest bloggers!

Valentine's Day Love from the Midwest

With Valentine's Day tomorrow, we are so feeling the love in the Midwest! This is a roundup of some posts from around the blogosphere from our midwest bloggers that are perfect for the occasion!

Currently Coveting: [Valentine's Day edition] via Missouri Blogger Turquoise & Teale

We seriously need that Kate Spade "Eat Cake for Breakfast Mug" & love the idea of a sweet note to start the day for your loved ones!

Valentine's Day Nails via Minnesota blogger Rachel's Lookbook

We love this sweet pink, red & white look, especially when paired w/ a bow ring!

a Paint Swatch Heart Banner via Wisconsin blogger, Sugar and Stripes

this would be the perfect DIY to work on tonight for a Valentine's day tablescape.

Valentine's Week// Date Night via Missouri blogger, Go for the Glam

We love this feminine take on a Valentine's date look (see both the dressy & casual looks in her post!)

Love from the Midwest!

Q&A with Heather of Pearls and Paws

Q&A with Heather of Pearls and Paws

Name – Heather

Blog Name – Pearls & Paws

Hometown – Pewaukee, WI, Currently in Minneapolis, MN

1)    How would you describe your blog in a few sentences? 

Pearls & Paws is mainly a personal style blog.  I am all about great fashion for less and love finding good deals and mixing/ matching items from my closet.  My little dog Rex makes frequent blog appearances, and every Friday I feature a “find” – whether it’s a product, quote, do-it-yourself project or something I find fabulous :)

2)    What’s your favorite part about your corner of the Midwest?

Don’t be fooled by the sub zero temps, snowstorms, and six month winters ;)  Minneapolis has a vast art scene, many colleges and universities, great music and nightlife, amazing restaurants, extensive community events, more lakes and trails than anyone could ever want, and a ton of great shopping (not to mention the home of the Mall of America and the proud headquarters of Target!). There’s always a ton to do (and most of it within a 20 minute drive) – and the friendly atmosphere creates the “Minnesota Nice” reputation we take pride in. The best part about Minneapolis is that has the attitude of a big city with the heart of a small town. 

3)   Favorite local place to shop?

Patina is one of my favorite local stores – they have a really fun mix of eclectic and unique gifts, including gorgeous accessories you won’t find anywhere else!

4) When you’re not blogging, what can you be found doing?

  From 8 to 5 I’m a marketing manager, and I teach an undergraduate marketing class on the      weekends. Outside of that you can find me at happy hour with friends, on my couch (either reading or watching bad reality TV), at the dog park with Rex, and hanging out with my boyfriend/bestie... I like to do most of these things with a glass of wine :)

5)    Why do you love about being a Midwestern blogger?

I love being able to showcase all four seasons, and hopefully break some of the stereotypes about style and fashion in the Midwest.  When it comes to fashion and trends, it’s always about either East Coast or West Coast style…  but I think we are holding our own quite nicely here in America’s Heartland :)

6)    What’s your best blogging advice?

Your blog is your world!  You can do what you want, break your own rules, go off topic, change up your focus…  and it’s inevitable that you will get frustrated and/or overwhelmed at times. When that happens to me, I step away from it all (including social media), and usually it’s the moment I stop thinking about it and trying so hard, that inspiration strikes.

And be kind to others – there is room in the blogosphere for all of us… what you put out in the world will come back, so be nice :)

    7) What are you looking forward to from the Midwest Blogging Community?

Most certainly connecting with other fashionable and fabulous Midwest gals… I travel quite a bit for work (all Midwest states!), and would love to meet up with fellow bloggers and get the inside scoop on other Midwest cities I travel to (Marriot dinners are getting old).  The Midwest feels like family – when I find out a blogger is from Wisconsin or Illinois, etc- there is an instant bond- and I love that :)

 Link Love –

https://twitter.com/pearlsandpaws

https://www.facebook.com/pearlsandpawsblog

http://instagram.com/pearlsandpaws/ 

http://www.bloglovin.com/en/blog/3055835/pearls-amp-paws

https://pinterest.com/pearlsandpaws/ 

Giveaway - Isn't That Charming

With Valentine's right around the corner - us bloggers are loving anything with hearts and arrows... When we spotted Midwest Style Blogger  Emily VanderBeek's fabulous giveaway over at her blog, Isn't That Charming, we had to share! 

Check out this gorgeous arrow stackable ring from Christina Nicole and enter to win! While you're over there, take a look out Emily's fabulous blog full of fashion, design and DIY inspirations

Midwest Blogger Q&A: Danielle // Life's A Journal

One of the things we're excited to do on our Midwest Style Bloggers page is put a spotlight on our talented members so you can get to know people from the midwest blogging community, read their tips, & get the details on their favorite things about their hometown.

Our first Q&A is with the lovely Danielle, of Life's a Journal!

Name – Danielle Bruflodt

Blog Name – Life's A Journal (editor's note: P.S.  be sure to check out her etsy shop too!)

Hometown – Originally from Mabel, Minnesota...currently at home in Madison, Wisconsin.

1) How would you describe your blog in a few sentences?  

A creative outlet that over the course of 4 years has manifested itself into what some would call a blossoming little blog. 

2) What’s your favorite part about your corner of the Midwest?

It didn't take me long to fall in love with Madison. My husband and I relocated here from Minneapolis about 18 months ago. One trip to the Farmer's market around Capitol Square and I was sold! Our favorite summer activity is hopping on our bikes and spending our entire Saturday riding around the city and visiting various bars, restaurants, shops and patios. 

3) Favorite local place to shop? 

Shopping was one of my biggest fears when moving to a smaller city....but I quickly found that West Towne was the mall of my dreams. It was the first mall that had some of my favorite stores all in one place: J.Crew, H & M, Bare Escentuals, Sephora, & Forever21. 

4) When you’re not blogging, what can you be found doing? 

Working from home as an information & social media manager, contributing at BeautyBets.com, playing with our Jack Russell Terrier, Walter,  decorating our new house (we moved last week!), or anxiously awaiting the next Downton Abbey episode.

5) What do you love about being a Midwestern blogger? 

I think the blogosphere in the Midwest is very welcoming:  we're all here to support, help and promote each other. 

6) What’s your best blogging advice? 

If it feels like work you're not doing it right. Blogging is supposed to be fun---it shouldn't be a chore to make yourself sit down and put together a post. 

7) What are you looking forward to from the Midwest Blogging Community? 

Meeting more creative minds! Whether it's in real life or just online it's great to connect with people that not only have similar interests...but can relate to the stress of juggling a full-time job, blogging, tweeting, promoting & managing an etsy shop, etc., and are there for you when you just want to rant about instagram crashing or last night's pinterest downage. 

Find more of Danielle at:

Twitter:  @JournalingMrs   Instagram: @JournalingMrs   Facebook: Lifes'a Journal

Keep checking back on the Midwest Style Bloggers page for more blogger features, hometown spotlights, and our favorite new posts from our members!

Valentine's Day Flower Guide // LSilver Style

Milwaukee blogger, LSilver Style created a handy guide for the guys out there to help pick the right bouquet for their lucky lady for Valentine's Day!

Whether you're married or newly dating refer the guys in your life to her post for a little help!

What are your favorite flowers to receive on Valentine's Day?

Chic Winter Style // the Brunette One

Any Midwesterners experiencing all the snow and freezing weather we've had lately can appreciate how chic Samantha from the Brunette One's cold weather style is! She is rocking a fur snood, stylish satchel, & snakeskin pants in her trendy winter look- see more in her blog post.

We love our Midwest style bloggers' fashionable cold weather style! Send us an email to be included in our Midwest blogroll. Happy Monday!