Life: The Big Move

I say this frequently, but it really amazes me how quickly time goes by. Remember my post in March about moving in with Jack? It seems like just yesterday we toured our new apartment building and signed our lease. But somehow, we move in next week already! So apologies that you haven't seen much of me on the blog lately, loves. Let's just say my apartment is one giant mess, and I'm living out of boxes and suitcases for the next few days until we move in next week.

So I bid you adieu for a few days as I condense my entire wardrobe and studio apartment into a U-Haul and make the move to Mill & Main! I can't wait to show you my new apartment - lots of decorating, de-stressing tips and lessons learned coming your way! See you soon.

- C

|| I wish I looked as fabulous as this gem while packing! ||

Beauty: Beach Beauty

Oh my goodness you guys, have you seen the weather forecast for Minneapolis this week? High 80s/low 90s with high humidity and thunderstorms. Let's just say that to stay stylish in the upcoming months, I need to completely overhaul my beauty routine. During the summer, I like to simplify my beauty routine to be as natural and clean as possible. 

In the summer, I try to wear as little makeup as possible, usually foundation, mascara and chapstick. Depending on how much sun I've gotten, I'll include a little bronzer if need-be. That's it! The same can be said when it comes to my haircare and skincare routines - less is more. 

My favorite products? Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser, Neutrogena Healthy Skin Liquid Makeup Broad Spectrum (with SPF 20), Alterna Haircare Bamboo Beach Ocean Waves,  Crabtree & Elevelyn Lavender Conditioning Hand Wash, Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm and Burberry Summer. These essentials will be getting me through the hot, humid months ahead!

What are your summer beauty essentials?

 - C 

|| Products provided by Crabtree & Evelyn, Neutrogena and Alterna. ||

Style: Doing Denim

Lately, denim vests have been catching my eye. If we're being honest here, I can't believe how much this surprises me! Jean vests instantly take me back to the 80s and 90s - I picture Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen in Full House (and every other 90s movie they made - I was definitely a fan). But lately, I can't get over how chic and summery they look - especially paired over a white lace dress (I'm swooning thinking about it!) With that said, it looks like I'm in the market for a denim vest.

Here are some of my favorites. But I have to say, I think my heart belongs to the Levi's vest - what's more American than Levi's and denim? 

Are you dying for denim just like I am? Goodness, I hope so!

 - C

|| mossimo || levi's || topshop ||

|| xilaration || monki || quicksilver ||

Travel: New York Minute

The phrase "in a New York Minute" has honestly never felt more true to me. My girls' weekend in New York City went far too fast for my liking. Somehow, it's already Wednesday, and I've been back in Minneapolis for nearly four days! You guys, my mini-vacation was beyond fabulous, and I'm getting nostalgic just thinking about it.

This past weekend, I flew to NYC with the girls to celebrate my friend Steph's 23rd birthday. For four glorious days, we ate (too much), drank, shopped till we dropped, laughed like crazy, shared secrets, danced and toasted to a perfect weekend together in the city. Even though we've graduated, gotten jobs, work like crazy, live in different cities and see each-other only a few times a year, these girls are my rocks, and I'm so blessed to have them!

Until next time, loves! (Pssst...Jack and I are heading to NYC for a weekend in September!)

 - C

|| Photos are property of Twentyapolis. Do not use or distribute ||

Beauty: Let's Talk Skincare

Remember The Ultra Gentle Cleanser Challenge I started a few weeks ago? Well, it's been more than seven days, and I'm so excited to share my thoughts with you!

I started the challenge because I was looking for a new product to better my daily skincare routine. But if I'm being honest, my daily skincare routine was almost non-existant. The reason? I hadn't found a skincare product that made my face feel how I wanted it to feel. The cleansers I had used in the past made my face feel dry and tight and usually had harsh, chemical-y scents. Needless to say, I was not a fan. When I started The Ultra Gentle Cleanser Challenge, I wasn't a skeptic, but I was secretly hoping this product changed my skincare routine for the better.

Well, you guys, it's been two weeks and I've fallen head over heels. Neutrogena, a job well done.

I used the cleanser morning and night for nearly two weeks (ok, every morning and almost every night. Come on you guys, Rome wasn't built in a day...).  My initial thoughts? I absolutely adored the fresh smell - such a pleasant surprise. I also loved how fresh and clean it made my face feel, without making it feel tight (my number one complaint with my previous cleansers). I was hoping that this fresh, clean feeling lasted all the way up until day 7 and beyond. Luckily, it did!

Finally, after lots of trial and error, my search for a new daily cleanser is over. Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser, you are here to stay! I think my assessment below says it all. If you're looking for a new daily cleanser, I highly recommend it - it worked for me!

 - C

Travel: Going, Going, Gone

All right loves, I have to bid you farewell for a few days as I trade the Midwest for the Big Apple for a weekend with my favorite girls. While I'll be away from the blog, I won't be far from Instagram, so feel free to follow my adventures while I'm there at @cocoreigh!

xoxo,

C

|| let's go ||

Blog: Liebster Ladies

Today's a good day, loves. Today, not only do I get to express my dearest gratitude for Sarah at Run Shop Eat Repeat for nominating me for a Liebster Award, I also have the honor of nominating a few of favorite bloggers for the same award!

So what is the Liebster Award? It's given to up and coming bloggers by other bloggers. It's nothing serious - just a fun way to recognize each-other, discover new blogs and network with other bloggers. But there are a few rules that go along with giving and receiving the Liebster Award:

1. Each person must post 11 things about themselves.
2. Answer the questions that the tagger set for you. Then, create 11 questions for the people you nominate to answer.
3. Choose 11 bloggers with less than 200 followers to nominate for a Liebster Award, and tag them in your post. {Nominees - I'm sure you have way more than 200 followers. No offense is meant by this - I just love your blogs!}
4. Go to each blogger's page and tell them about their nomination!
5. Follow each blogger you nominate, and connect on social media.

Here are the questions provided by Sarah at Run Shop Eat Repeat:

When did you start your blog?
I created Twentyapolis in April of 2012. Before that, I had a Tumblr account under the same name where I posted photos and images similar to what I write and post about today.

Why did you start it?
I wanted an outlet where I could express my love of style, design and writing. I have always loved writing and wanted to find a way to continue after college, and blogging seemed like the perfect fit!

Favorite quote?
"Be in love with your life. Every minute of it." - Jack Kerouac

Summer or winter?
Summer! Sunny days and bare feet are my bread and butter.

If you could live anywhere, where would you choose?
This is a tough one! It changes depending on my mood, but a villa in Italy, a flat in London or a bungalow on the beach in the Caribbean sound fabulous to me.

What's something you can't leave the house without?
My phone and my two silver rings. I feel naked without them!

What's your dream job?
Being the editor of a women's lifestyle magazine. 

Favorite food?
Chocolate, coffee and fruit.

Where do you see yourself in five years?
In five years, I hope that I am married, a homeowner, successful in my career and happy as ever in a city I love (hopefully Minneapolis!)

What's your go-to drink?
Champagne! It has always been my favorite.

Piece of advice you'd give to your teenage self?
Everything works out in the end.

OK, now it's time for the fun part - my nominations and their questions! Don't forget to check out their gorgeous blogs!

Nominees
Cassie @ The Happiness Project
Rose @ Blonde In This City
Samantha @ Sipping Style
Jewel @ Style Optimist
Catherine @ My Inner Fabulous
Katie @ To Live For Style
Molly @ Heart of a Blonde
Morgan @ Morgan Neisinger Photography
Lauren @ Lovelo Beauty & Style
Tameka @ Cultural Explorer
Sarah @ Run Shop Eat Repeat (I had to return the favor, darling!)

Questions
Tell us about your blog!
What is one thing your readers don't know about you?
What inspires you?
Spill the details. What is your guilty pleasure?
Next vacation?
Which would you pick - truth or dare?
Describe your perfect Saturday.
What's one goal you would like to accomplish this year?
How would you describe your personal style?
Name one thing you are currently obsessed with.
One piece of advice for other bloggers?

Happy Blogging!

- C

Blog: Blog Love

OK you guys, today's the day I welcome my favorite girl to the blogging world - my little sister Cassie!  

Whenever someone decides to take the plunge and start a blog, I am wholeheartedly in support of their endeavor. Contrary to my belief before I started Twentyapolis, blogging isn't always a cakewalk! At least for me, writing down my thoughts, feelings and beliefs and sharing them with the world to see took some serious courage and commitment. Not to mention, making time in my schedule to sit down and write - let me tell you, not as easy as I thought. So naturally, when I heard my darling sister wanted to start a blog of her own, I was (and am) ecstatic, and so excited for her.

   Cassie recently started The Happiness Project, where she is sharing her journey toward a happy, fulfilling life. She has always been such an inspiration to me, and I'm ecstatic she's taken to blogging to inspire others. Follow Cassie and her journey here!

Love you, Cass. So proud of you!

 - C

|| Photo is property of Twentyapolis. Do not use or distribute ||

Style: Obsessed: June

Let me just start by saying...How is it Monday already? These weekends have been coming and going in the blink of an eye, I tell you! On that very same note, how is it already June? 

Seeing as it's already summer, I think it's about time I got my act together when it comes to organization on the blog. Let me just admit that I have been doing oh so poorly lately when it comes to my weekly and monthly columns (remember this post about them from November?) Well, it's about time I get back on track. And with that, I'm introducing my newest monthly column, Obsessed. Instead of posting here and there about things I'm currently swooning over, I'll post one list each month. And with that (and a wee bit late), here's June!

I'm a flats girl, through and through. But sometimes, my beloved flats just won't do. While I'm a strong anti-heel kind of gal, I do have a {secret, hidden, very small but significant} place in my heart for wedges. And those beauties below (a Target steal) are the newest addition to my wardrobe. 

I'm also obsessing over The Transport Tote from Madewell. I'm currently participating in the Super Summer Challenge through Back to Her Roots (adore this blog), and the Transport Tote is my reward when I reach my ultimate goal at the end of the summer. 

This month (and I predict many months in the future) I'm also obsessing over the Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser from Neutrogena. I'm currently participating in their seven-day skincare challenge (see more here) and am already over the moon about this new cleanser, and it's only day 5. 

Next on the list? Avocados. Seriously, need I say more? These babies are packed with potassium and protein and taste good on almost everything. And they're affordable. Obsessed.

Last but not least, I'm swooning over NYC right now. Later this week, I'm heading to the Big Apple for a girls weekend with some of my BFFs, and I couldn't be more excited! NYC, here we come!

|| set ||

 - C

Life: Searching For the Sun

OK summer, I have a bone to pick with you. You let winter hang around forever. Let me repeat that. Forever. Now it's finally June, and we're still experiencing our April showers. Come on summer, let's get things moving.

I don't know about you, but my body is craving warmth and sunlight. I need an afternoon where it is far too sunny to be outside without my sunglasses, an evening that is too hot to even consider using my down comforter when I go to bed, and a morning so warm that I finally order an iced coffee rather than something piping hot. Summer, I think it's about time you showed up.

While I'm waiting for summer to make its debut, I'm swooning over photos from 2012. Last summer was fantastic, filled with happy hours, long walks, summer cooking, drive-in movies and s'mores galore. While it's only June, my summer is already nearly booked, and is looking just as phenomenal as the last. Weddings upon weddings upon weddings, summer concerts, grilling out, trips home to Wisconsin, weekends spent with family and lazy weekends spent in our new apartment!

OK summer, we're ready for you.

xo 

- C

|| Photos are property of Twentyapolis. Do not use or distribute ||

Beauty: Let's Talk Skincare

Well hello there, loves! Can you believe it's the middle of the week already? I know - thank goodness! Today on the blog, we're talking about skincare.

OK guys, I hate to admit this to you, but my skincare routine is...lacking. And by lacking, I mean I don't really have a skincare routine other than washing my face with a daily cleanser every morning in the shower. That's IT. But as I'm working to become healthier and better myself this year, I'm just not OK with that.

If we're being real here, I totally take skincare for granted. I've been blessed with relatively nice skin. I have never had acne, other than the few blemishes here and there every once in a while. Because I've never had to take my skin care regimen seriously, it's fallen way to the wayside. And it's time to change that.

While sticking to a skincare routine has been difficult, knowing which brand I was going to go trust to help me change that was easy. For all you dolls out there, remember being a little girl and wearing your mom's makeup/high heels/clothes? My childhood was a little different. Instead of reaching for my mom's lipstick, I remember sneaking into her bathroom to use her Neutrogena Body Oil, and taking a sip of her vanilla coffee as I left. Almost 20 years later, I still do that every time I'm home.

Just my luck, Neutrogena is kicking off The Ultra Gentle Cleanser Challenge, featuring their Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser.  Lately, I'm a sucker for challenges (remember Blog Every Day in May?) Naturally, I couldn't resist. Today marks day one of the seven day challenge!

So far? L-O-V-E (see the pictures of my first use below)! Granted it's only day one, but I'm swooning over the scent and am loving how fresh it makes my face feel. I have six more days to decide if this product is here to stay, but right now, things are looking good! 

Want to join me in the challenge? Click here for a coupon for $2 off and challenge your current cleanser to a face-off with me! 

 - C

|| Photos are property of Twentyapolis. Do not use or distribute. Product provided by Neutrogena. ||