I met Tamara of Champagne + Macaroons at a New York Fashion Week party last fall, and I was immediately drawn to her inviting personality…and her adorable outfit (I still regret not buying those grey booties for myself before they sold out!).
Tamara is a born and bred Texan, but now resides in Minneapolis, Minnesota, my home-away-from-home, and therefore I’m so excited to feature her and her gorgeous blog on my Catching Up With series. Tamara has serious “I need that right now” style posts, and reading her blog is like catching up with your most uplifting friend.
I hope you enjoy catching up with her as much as I do!
I hope you enjoy catching up with her as much as I do!
I love your style that seems to include lots of neutrals! Any tips for dressing in neutrals?
I have always loved neutrals – I feel
that they are a staple of any wardrobe and for me with my skin coloring
and style neutrals seem to be the perfect match. I love a crisp white or
a really nice creme color that brings out
my hair and my eyes. I think dressing for your own personal coloring
is extremely important. to putting your best self forward.
that they are a staple of any wardrobe and for me with my skin coloring
and style neutrals seem to be the perfect match. I love a crisp white or
a really nice creme color that brings out
my hair and my eyes. I think dressing for your own personal coloring
is extremely important. to putting your best self forward.
What is a shopping weakness for you?
Dresses. Anything that is a dress is a weakness for me. I could wear a
dress everyday and be happiest. I love anything beach related that is
where I feel most alive.
dress everyday and be happiest. I love anything beach related that is
where I feel most alive.
That makes two of us! Do you have a go-to outfit?
Go to is usually something simple and neutral. I love to pair
sweaters over dresses that I would normally wear in the summer like a
little swing dress with a chunky sweater and tights with booties, and if
you lived down the street from me you would probably
see me in that + some sort of a hat. I am always in hats.
sweaters over dresses that I would normally wear in the summer like a
little swing dress with a chunky sweater and tights with booties, and if
you lived down the street from me you would probably
see me in that + some sort of a hat. I am always in hats.
Do you have a special recipe or favorite food you make often you’d like to share?
I do not cook often but I eat a very simple diet that is built
around the foods I love most. I think listening to what your body craves
is integral to your own personal diet plan. I hate diets I think they
are a recipe for disaster and moderation is always
a must. I am a pescatarian + vegetarian and eat tons of veggies and
love juice.
around the foods I love most. I think listening to what your body craves
is integral to your own personal diet plan. I hate diets I think they
are a recipe for disaster and moderation is always
a must. I am a pescatarian + vegetarian and eat tons of veggies and
love juice.
Do you have a favorite book you like to recommend to your girlfriends?
My favorite book is Eat Pray Love. I read it two times right away and
I think it has such a feel good message that is applicable to anyone no
matter where they are in life or what their struggle might be in that
moment. I love uplifting reads and a good
beach read, I took The Fault in our Stars to a beach vacation and cried
my eyes out but it is also another one that is up there. Also anything
by Gabrielle Bernstein – so good!
I think it has such a feel good message that is applicable to anyone no
matter where they are in life or what their struggle might be in that
moment. I love uplifting reads and a good
beach read, I took The Fault in our Stars to a beach vacation and cried
my eyes out but it is also another one that is up there. Also anything
by Gabrielle Bernstein – so good!
Do you have any secret talents or hobbies?
Ha I cannot reveal my secret talents but yes I love being outdoors,
biking, walking, lately trying out ice skating and sledding, and I just
started wake surfing last summer. I have always been an outdoor kind of
girl but I am not an extremist. Something
about being outside in the natural environment that makes me happiest.
biking, walking, lately trying out ice skating and sledding, and I just
started wake surfing last summer. I have always been an outdoor kind of
girl but I am not an extremist. Something
about being outside in the natural environment that makes me happiest.
Minnesota is the perfect place for a lover of the outdoors, especially if you have a few warm coats…Your Instagram photos are so often beautiful, fun and feminine! Any tips for taking such excellent lifestyle shots?
Just be who you are and that will always be the best image you can
share. Someone else might have a beautiful feed but it isnt you. It is
ok if you like bright colors and patterns or are totally different than
the rest. I always want who I am to come across
to my followers that is of utmost importance to me all the time.
share. Someone else might have a beautiful feed but it isnt you. It is
ok if you like bright colors and patterns or are totally different than
the rest. I always want who I am to come across
to my followers that is of utmost importance to me all the time.
You look like you’re in great shape, any fitness tips?
I get this question a lot and yes. I am
an extremely active person it is hard for me to sit down, just getting my
nails done at the salon gives me so much anxiety because i feel like it
is the biggest waste of time. I have a
nightly routine and weights at my house because that seems to be the
best recipe for me personally. I love being outside and staying active
and just moving!
an extremely active person it is hard for me to sit down, just getting my
nails done at the salon gives me so much anxiety because i feel like it
is the biggest waste of time. I have a
nightly routine and weights at my house because that seems to be the
best recipe for me personally. I love being outside and staying active
and just moving!
That’s so funny, I actually don’t like getting my nails done either because just sitting there drives me nuts! On another note photos you’ve shared of your home are amazing! Your dogs are so lucky ha! What helped you put together such a pretty space?
I have a secret love affair with decor.
Maybe that is a secret hobby of mine. I did the house all on my own. It
has been a ton of work but totally worth every minute. I love to
decorate and share that to inspire others. I also
love finding good pieces at the most unlikely of places it doesn’t have
to be expensive to look good.
Maybe that is a secret hobby of mine. I did the house all on my own. It
has been a ton of work but totally worth every minute. I love to
decorate and share that to inspire others. I also
love finding good pieces at the most unlikely of places it doesn’t have
to be expensive to look good.
Can you recommend any bloggers or celebs you look to for style inspiration or tips?
I am so inspired by the blogging community. I love seeing people
shine or when my girlfriends have really exciting news to share that
makes me happiest. I loved it when I read a recent post about Community over Competition. Whoever started it deserves
an award. Life is too short to compare or not support one another. Happily Grey has been a very big inspiration to me. She is a Texas girl like me
who moved to Tennessee and she was apart of the blog world way before it
was cool. I think she is so naturally beautiful and I love her style. My favorite celebs with style are Sienna
Miller + Sara Jessica Parker.
shine or when my girlfriends have really exciting news to share that
makes me happiest. I loved it when I read a recent post about Community over Competition. Whoever started it deserves
an award. Life is too short to compare or not support one another. Happily Grey has been a very big inspiration to me. She is a Texas girl like me
who moved to Tennessee and she was apart of the blog world way before it
was cool. I think she is so naturally beautiful and I love her style. My favorite celebs with style are Sienna
Miller + Sara Jessica Parker.
You live in Minneapolis, can you recommend any favorite spots for readers?
My favorite restaurant is Bar La Grassa – get the gnocchi and the red
wine spaghetti and you can thank me lately. I love the lakes we live
near one and my favorite part of summer is biking around the lake with
the dogs. I also love all of our quaint coffee
shops. I tend to frequent Urban Bean and Bull Run quite often and I
also love the 50th and France neighborhood. The owners are all very
passionate about their stores. One other spot is the Guthrie. My husband proposed to me here and I often go there to sit
on the look out bridge and just take in the beautiful view of the city.
I did a feature on MSP in 24 hours on the blog http://champagnemacaroons.com/2015/10/jet-set-to-the-city-of-lakes-minneapolis-in-24-hours/ lots
of fun info there!
wine spaghetti and you can thank me lately. I love the lakes we live
near one and my favorite part of summer is biking around the lake with
the dogs. I also love all of our quaint coffee
shops. I tend to frequent Urban Bean and Bull Run quite often and I
also love the 50th and France neighborhood. The owners are all very
passionate about their stores. One other spot is the Guthrie. My husband proposed to me here and I often go there to sit
on the look out bridge and just take in the beautiful view of the city.
I did a feature on MSP in 24 hours on the blog http://champagnemacaroons.com/2015/10/jet-set-to-the-city-of-lakes-minneapolis-in-24-hours/ lots
of fun info there!
Okay I have to try all those the next time I’m in town, which is very soon! Do you have any advice for bloggers?
Yes just be who you are. If you want to start a blog then go for it. I
get a few emails a week about this exact topic and that is my number
one piece of advice. If it is on your heart then follow it and just be
who you are. Authenticity always shines brightest.
get a few emails a week about this exact topic and that is my number
one piece of advice. If it is on your heart then follow it and just be
who you are. Authenticity always shines brightest.
Lastly, any Valentine plans you can share?
I am so happy valentines falls on a Sunday because we are making it a weekend of celebrating with another couple up at our family’s cabin up north. We
plan on sledding and riding snowmobiles and also cooking and just relaxing!
plan on sledding and riding snowmobiles and also cooking and just relaxing!
Thanks Tamara!
P.S. Happy Valentine’s Day!
xo
Hollyn
xo
Hollyn