Natural Beauty Beginner's Kit

Don't you love when people surprise you?

I recently met someone from middle-of-nowhere Wisconsin—she wears just a whisper of mascara, knits on weekends, owns a three-chamber slow cooker from which she serves hearty Midwestern meals, and drives a manual transmission Ford. She knows where to find the best pho in Uptown and is currently planning a Thai getaway complete with cooking lessons so she can really learn the culture.

As we walked home from our monthly dinner club under softly falling snow on Monday night, stomachs full of drunken noodles and spicy curry, I learned she used Aveda hair products exclusively for three years straight. I had pegged her a Head & Shoulders girl for sure (to be clear, there's no shame in drugstore shampoo—my shower's stocking $6 Tresemmé), and was surprised by her allegiance to such a luxe brand. But I realized: beyond the intoxicating aromas and relaxing sensations that are truly universal (crockpot in the kitchen or not), Aveda's commitment to using pure flower and plant essences perfectly aligns with my friend's natural beauty inclinations, savvy disposition and worldly spirit.

Immediately, I wanted to get back aboard the Aveda train.

The brand, so much more than haircare, is the perfect supplement to the natural remedies I've recently started adding to my beauty arsenal (apple cider vinegar to clarify hair, peppermint to invigorate the senses, coconut oil to moisturize, rosewater to tame razor burn). I feel like an old-world herbalist in the best way with those jars and bottles lining my medicine cabinet—plus, they're cheap and effective. But I also love convenience and am not crafty; so piecing together an aloe-kelp-jojoba-buckwheat wax concoction, Albert Einstein-style, on a weeknight when my complexion's lacking luster isn't realistic. For those nights, I look to my Aveda lineup—complex masques and cremes ready to go in pretty packages, saving me from bumbling DIY disasters, but still so natural and so indulgent.

apple cider vinegar rinse | peppermint oil | coconut oil | rosewater | image via

Shop my hot-off-the-press natural beauty winter survival system below, focusing on treating dryness & dullness and including some of Aveda's signature wellness products—because it takes more than a fancy face cream to get through this cold, gray weather with a smile.

Hope you have a fun weekend ahead. After a busy week and bit of sickness, I'm simply looking forward to a fresh haircut and lots of rest!

How to Start Meditating  |  Make Moments in Your Week Joyful

Valentine's Day Gift Guide

With the dead space following the Halloween to New Year's Eve holiday streak, is anyone else reaching for a reason to celebrate? Well, chill the Champs because Valentine's Day is just three weeks away! Sharing a hot plate of pappardelle with your S.O. or getting buzzed with your buddies are perfect ways to celebrate, but we all secretly want some STUFF, too, right?!

I think it's fun to play into a theme for holidays, and gifts in a red or pink palette can give something commercial a cute and fun spin. And if you really don't want to be restricted that way, just garnish whatever you bestow on your number-one with a spicy red salsa (hey, hottie!) or a bottle of rosé.

While gifts for girls are arguably easier (Perfume or a pretty bracelet? Cake.), guys shouldn't get the shaft! I have a main hang for February 14 for the first time in forever and a pretty legit list of things I want to get him—when you have someone specific in mind, know what they like, and have things you like to do together, it's not hard to pick a meaningful or personalized present. But if you're in a brand-spankin'-new situation or are just stuck, get inspired with some Valentine's Day standbys at a range of retails below! xo.

LADIES

bralette | fragrance | cashmere tee | mask* | rings

*contains my new favorite beauty ingredient (rose water) and works while you sleep to hydrate and brighten. hello indulgence! 

GENTS

vest | beard grooming kit | shirt | coffee table book* | cutting board set**

*for the music man! or whatever he's into. 

**whip up new recipes together. add some sriracha or pink peppercorns to give the gift some kick!

Winter Lip Exfoliators

Following the Packers' Saturday night loss, I'm begrudgingly shifting my attention from football to film. The Oscars airs in a few weeks and I'm seeing as many of the nominations as I can before the Feb. 28 show. On tap tonight: The Revenant. While the storyline is dramatic in itself, Leo's cracked and bleeding lips in the trailer (whoa) left as much of an impression on me as his harrowing quest to survive winter and seek revenge. I'm in a solid routine of exfoliating my face twice a week, but forget that same technique should be used to nourish lips (and make color last longer). Mine aren't QUITE as ravaged as Leo's (wink), but they could still use some TLC—especially in these sub-zero Minnesota temps. Sara Happ's peony formula is my current favorite, gently sloughing away deadness and leaving the kisser as soft and fresh as a spring bouquet. I'm also a big fan of bliss® after waking up to a couple of the brand's moisture creams in my Christmas stocking, so I have high hopes for fabulips.

photos via: one | two | three | four

Shop the best exfoliators below and get those lips lookin' more Angie, less Leo. You can also find the peony lip scrub on my new SHOP page! It features the products I'm using and loving IRL—stuff for the guys, too!—updated on a rotating basis, so bookmark it and be sure to stop back. Have a great Tuesday!

5 QUESTIONS WITH Askov Finlayson's Zach Dolinaj

How was your weekend?! I capped off a Saturday trip to Stillwater with wine & crostini at Toast, a show at Acme and a late-night bite at 112 Eatery. A tip from today's interviewee inspired me to finally try the latter—and I'm glad I took his word for it! The cheeseburger was top-notch and the candle-lit atmosphere cozy—a safe haven from all the undead swaying through the streets outside. The kitchen stays open 'til 1AM (I love a late dinner) and the food tasted even better washing down a couple hours of Wyatt Cenac's wittiest quips.

Judging by his exceptional taste in gourmet ground chuck, you're going to want to pony up and pay attention to what Zach has to say about Minnesota menswear Mecca Askov Finlayson in this month's guys' style feature—dude knows what's up!

My favorites from the current online assortment. LOTS more in store at 204 North First Street in Minneapolis!
Sneakers | Keychain | Oxford | Sweatshirt | Backpack | Cap | Bitters Set | Belt | Candle | Boots

WHO: Zach Dolinaj
WHAT: General Manager, Askov Finlayson
HOMETOWN: Cedar Rapids, Iowa—"The City of Five Seasons"
HANG: 112 Eatery for burgers, Marvel Bar for cocktails. I had an Agricole Manhattan with Mezcal last night. It blew my mind.
FOLLOW: @insta_zach

BREAK IT DOWN 

How would you describe the Askov Finlayson aesthetic? 

Our aesthetic circumvents trend in a way, and in doing so, demonstrates our desire to prioritize quality and the story behind our products and brands over buzz-worthiness. Classic shapes and fabrics and clean, do-it-all designs that go from the city to the woods and back are what we do best—and we're sticking to it! 

HOT BUY

Must-have for the season? 

The HAN Kjøbenhavn Bankers Trench (in-store exclusive) is the fall/winter wool trench every man needs in his wardrobe. Designed in charcoal this season, it's minimal and unassuming, letting the tailored cut and fabric do the work.

KEEP 'EM COMING
Will there be more products introduced to support the Keep the North Cold campaign?
Later this season, we'll add a crewneck sweatshirt and a few tees to the current assortment of hats, mittens and water bottles. We're also releasing an updated NORTH ball cap that's pretty rad!

IN GOOD COMPANY
You like to share photos of people sporting North gear on your social channels. Any famous faces spotted wearing your brand? 
We've had some great people excited to show support for Keep the North Cold. We'll feature some fun portraits of them in our North gear in the coming weeks. Stay tuned!

HUMBLE PEEPS
Best thing about working at Askov Finlayson? 
Interacting with the vibrant North Loop community and the greater Minneapolis/Twin Cities area is the best part. The talented designers, businesses and other creatives in the neighborhood continually set the bar higher for all of us.

GET MORE GUYS' STYLE: casse-croute archives!

September | July | February

December 2014 | November 2014 | October 2014 

September 2014 | July 2014 | April 2014 

Best of: Quilted Coats

CALLING IT: quilted coats are the season's must-have outerwear style. Once found only at elite retailers like Barbour, most brands now carry a version—so, splurging or saving, you can snag the preppy, quintessentially fall look. Kind of makes you want to head for the stables and ride a stallion through the colorful countryside, right?! Just me?

TRADITIONAL | one | two | three

UPDATED | one | two | three

MORE QUILTED COATS FOR A COUNTRY RIDE (or stylish city livin'!)