I will never forget the shoes I wore to my 8th grade dance. They were four inch black patent leather DKNY wedges. I didn't think they were special until I arrived and saw all the other girls wearing boring strappy kitten heals. No one knew or cared what my shoes represented, but I did. They made me feel like I walked out of the pages of Vogue. I think my life might have changed that day. But the weirdest part about that miraculous moment isn't the shoes, it's where I bought them. That life-altering footwear was purchased at a Marshalls in Niles, Illinois.Yes, the discount store. In fact, I bought most of my clothes there. They were cheap, accessible, and allowed me to be a slave to fashion on my allotted budget. There was no way in hell my parents were going to spend thousands of dollars on my shopping habit(Ahem, Sea of Shoes, Ahem).

Up until a couple months ago I forgot how much I loved those stores. Marshalls invited me to partake in an informational seminar to learn a little about what goes on "behind the seams" at their stores. There I learned that, like department stores, they have buyers but the main difference between theirs and someone like Saks, Marshalls sends theirs out 46 weeks out of the year instead of just 4 times. They do this to ensure that their stores have the freshest crop of merchandise on hand at all times. I was pretty impressed.

They let us roam free to check out the goods ourselves. Just as I had remembered, their selection was bountiful. With my $100 gift card I purchased Frye sandals for $30, which are "on sale" at Zappos for $105, two summer dresses, and some intimates.

If you're like me and you turned your back on discount retailers when fast fashion came to power, I would give them another try. You might have to dig a little but it's totally worth it.  

If you're still reading, you'll notice that our blog has been a little, uh, dead, for the past few months. Well, after a little restructuring, brainstorming, and much needed time off we're ready to get back in the swing of things.

Our main goal for the rest of this year and beyond is to establish a community of the coolest, hippest, most amazing girls on the planet (that reside in the Midwest). We know you are out there and we want to give you a place to talk about "world issues" in a way that editors in New York and LA just can't. Fashion, Lifestyle and Culture from a Midwestern perspective.

So let's get this party started roight. ASK US ANYTHING. Forrealz, anything.

Have a cheating BF you just can't shake? Can't figure out WTF to wear somewhere? Wondering where the eff to go for awesome tacos in Chicago? Scared that your infatuation with Jon Hamm has gone a little too far?

We're here for you girl...

As a reformed nail biter, I've come to not only understand the importance of keeping my fingers out of my mouth but also keeping my nail game tight. This is a monumental leap for me, as I've gone from little nubs on the ends of my fingers to only painting them beige to in-your-face gold zebra nails. And I did it all by myself!

I got some inspiration when Monica showed me the Valley NYC gallery, who are the best of the best when it comes to pro nails. These gold zebra nails caught my eye and I decided to try to recreate the look at home on the cheap.

WHAT TO BUY:
* Milani 3D Holographic Nail Laquer in 3D, $5
* Milani Nail Art Lacquer in Black Sketch, $4
* Seche Vite Top Coat, $8

HOW TO:
- Prep nails like you normally would. Remove old polish, file, clip cuticles, buff, and finished with a cuticle cream.
- Apply a base coat and let dry.
- Apply two coats of gold polish.

- To paint the stripes, start with one side of the nail and begin another pattern on the opposite side, working your way from the bottom up. The key to the stripes is to work from side to side. Also, don't be too precise as natural zebra patterns are rather haphazard.
- When dry, clean up the sides with a cotton swab dipped in polish remover.
- Apply a final top coat.

Then RAWR, all finished.

SATURDAY

LCD Soundsystem 8:30 (a)
Freddie Gibbs 7:40 (b)
Panda Bear 7:25 (c)
Bear in Heaven6:45 (b)
Wolf Parade 6:15 (a)
WHY? 5:45 (b)
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion 5:15 (c)
The Smith Westerns4:45 (b) Raekwon 4:15 (a)
Dâm-Funk3:45 (b)
Titus Andronicus 3:20 (c)
Kurt Vile2:50 (b)
Delorean 2:30 (a)
Sonny & the Sunsets1:55 (b)
Real Estate 1:45 (c)
Netherfriends1:00 (b)
Free Energy 1:00 (a)

SUNDAY

Pavement 8:30 (a)
Sleigh Bells 7:40 (b)
Big Boi7:25 (c)
Neon Indian 6:45 (b)
Major Lazer6:15 (a)
Here We Go Magic 5:45 (b)
St. Vincent5:15 (c)
Surfer Blood 4:45 (b)
Lightning Bolt4:15(a)
Local Natives 3:35 (b)
Beach House3:20 (c)
Washed Out 2:50 (b)
Girls2:30 (a)
Best Coast 1:55 (b)
Cass McCombs 1:45 (c)
CAVE 1:00 (b)
Allá 1:00 (a)

The Eskell 3 Day Wholesale Sale begins today July 1st. and runs until the evening of the July 3rd. Enjoy 50% off the entire Eskell Spring 10 collection.

Online shoppers can enter COUPON CODE: Eskell50 at check out to receive additional 20% off reduced online prices.

Katy Perry and Snoop are right, there MUST be something in the water on the left coast. Though, I'm not talking about the girls. Take a look at LAVintage.com and you'll see what I mean.

The California-based vintage site is home to a seemingly-endless collection of well-edited vintage garments from the 60s through 90s with some pieces dating back as far as the 40s. Catering to both men and women, they offer authentic hand-picked items that are so on-trend they look like they just walked off the runway. But like all good vintage, everything you see is one-of-a-kind so act quick if you spot a must-have.

While you're there, you have to check out their blog for some kick-ass style inspiration and advice on how to translate vintage garb into modern gold. 

HERE'S THE DEAL: Enter PROMO CODE: midwaste15 at checkout during the month of JUNE to get 15% off in their online store.

West Coast Represent!

Midwesterners wait what seems like all year to get three solid months of beach, babes, bronzing (and booze). Don’t forget these beauty essentials for your trips to the sunny shores.

1. Redken Color Extend Sun Solar Screen SPF 12, $12;  2. Maui Babe Browning Lotion, $14 (Note: Always be careful when staying in the sun. This is a great lotion that really revs up your tan but make sure you’re familiar with your skin type and how much sun you can handle!); 3. LAVANILA Laboratories Pure Vanilla Healthy Lip Butter SPF 15, $16; 4. OPI Nail Polish in A Good Man-darin Is Hard To Find, $5; 5. Grand Floppy Hat, Forever 21, $7; 6. Marc Jacobs Splash in Apple, $68 for 10 oz.