Destination: Mankato!

This summer I spent the day in Mankato, MN for a destination piece in this fall's Minnesota Meetings and Events. Up until that point, I had only ventured to the city once, and spent most of my time on my friend's boat. I was pleasantly surprised and impressed with what I found—a city working on becoming more bike friendly, arts supporting and sustainable. Plus, there is a really awesome winery (three in fact!). You can (sort of) check out the piece in the digital version of the magazine here. Photos to come!

New Blogs Take Time

Anyone who has blogged on a regular basis is familiar with the unexpected time suck that doing so can be, not just in terms of posting but also in terms of maintenance. That said, it is (as I recently pointed out here), one of my favorite activities to do as a writer.

I am currently in the process of transitioning between several past personal blogs and including content from my current various projects (most notably C.L.A.P. (Creative Ladies are Powerful), the community-oriented publication and organization that I edit and head) on this blog, which will be my "main" blog/website. This means that the material you see on here will not necessarily be up-to-date, nor comprehensive. If you have any questions about my work, please contact me at holly.hilgenberg@gmail.com.

In the meantime, check out the most recent pieces I have worked on, including Twin Cities METRO magazine's cover story from August 2012, "Ladies Last: Why gender inequality is alive and well in the Twin Cities" (co-written by former METRO editor Dana Raidt), and the most recent issues of C.L.A.P., including our Summer 2012 "Weird Things" issue and our just released Fall 2012 "Peace, Love and Happiness" issue. I also wrote two pieces for the "Meeting Notes" section of Minnesota Meetings and Events' Summer 2012 edition ("Studio Visit: Bastian + Skoog" and "Mobile Juice Bar") which can be accessed through this digital version of the publication.

"Better Homes and Bloggers" in Bitch Magazine!

Illustration by Leslie A. Wood

Finally, finally, FINALLY, my feminist critique on lifestyle blogs is up on Bitch Magazine's website! This was really quite a piece of work (three months worth, give or take), and a real learning experience to boot. While the piece will run in the upcoming "Frontier" Spring 2012 issue of the magazine, you can check out the digital version it all its glory here!

"Retro Rentals" in Minnesota Meetings and Events

Just got my copy of this season's Minnesota Meetings and Events! You may asking yourself why this is, as I am not an event planner (unless you count our numerous, amazing C.L.A.P. events). It is because I contributed a rather lovely (if I may say so myself) article featuring three area retro rental companies. Lime Canary Vintage Rentals, Antique Door Vintage Rentals and On Solid Ground Vintage Rentals are all companies recently started by women that specialize in providing materials and planning for that perfect old timey event of yours. You can check out the article here or in the online version of the issue.

Farewell Ironing Board Collective!

I did my last post for the Ironing Board Collective on a rather contentious subject in the critical, feminist writing world—Jane magazine. Now,  I know that many had major grudges towards the publication, but I loved it, and miss it dearly. Sure it exhibited many of the insulting pitfalls that plague most mainstream women's magazines, but there was something about it that no other publication has been able to capture. Read about my further musings on the publication here.

Behind on the times...but here are some posts!

The past couple months have flown by and it is hard to believe that my stint writing at the Ironing Board Collective is coming to an end next week! I must be getting old, at the rate time is going.

Here is what I've been getting up to on the IBC the past few weeks:

Week #3: Bully Blondes: Kate Hudson and the Rom Com (as influenced by my viewing of Something Borrowed)

Week #4: The American Way: Growing up and getting "malled" by consumerism (all about the M.O.A., Claire's, Auntie Anne's and Hot Topic. Not to be missed).

Week #5: Viva Sookie Stackhouse! Anti-style icon (everyone's favorite smutty vampire romance/mystery novel heroine/ tv show character)

Week #6: Shoes Oh My God Shoes: the case for comfort (a.k.a. heels are bullshit)

Week #7 (after you write "week" that many times, it starts to look weird): Sew What? Handmade for everyone! (influence by my recent trip to the North Shore, I am going to start sewing all of my clothing by hand)

New Posts on the Ironing Board Collective

There has been so much going on lately that I haven't even been able to keep up on posting about my newest posts on the Ironing Board Collective! It's been a great experience writing for them so far. I've also been enjoying the other guest blogger's pieces as well, and definitely recommend checking them out.

In the meantime, here is what I have been doing for the IBC so far.

First, I wrote about a subject that is near and dear to my heart—magazines. Specifically fashion magazines, specifically about what I do and do not like in fashion magazines. I plan on writing at least a couple more pieces focusing on magazines, but this was a good starting piece.

This week, I took on local giant Target and mused about the massive buzz over their just released Missoni by Target line. Check that one out here.

Got a lot going on this week—finishing up an article for Minnesota Meetings and Events, have another piece in the works and putting together the fall issue of C.L.A.P., which will be released Sept. 23rd. So much going on, but it is all fabulous!

Mighty Swell is...well, Mighty Swell!

Photo of Meghan McAndrews and Rae Danneman by Dajana Bartulović

Here is my post on the Dressing Room blog about last weekend's Mighty Swell sale. Meghan and Rae are super sweet ladies that didn't get discouraged by the stress that really comes with opening an Etsy shop focusing on vintage. They are also huge supporters of C.L.A.P. (Creative Ladies are Powerful), the zine which I founded and edit (and, as an extra plug, if anyone wants to contribute to the fall issue, email me at creativeladiesarepowerful@gmail.com!). Alright, now I need to go ready some more about Mormon mom blogs/read the insane comments on the salon.com article about said articles/want to get violent about the anger against women being anti-religion/"children"/domesticity (since you know, the Women's Movement happened, things are totally fine)/ponder how in this wholly anti-intelligent, independent female world one can even freely express their opinions without being deemed as some sort of harlot or "bitch" or "over-educated snob"/go to bed, because tomorrow (well today) is another day.

City Pages: Vintage Shopping in Northeast Grows with New Shops

So I almost died of heat stroke from (stupidly) biking all over creation the other Tuesday working on this story (uncovering breaking news guys!), but all in all, it was a nice experience. Nothing like having a working excuse to check out new vintage shops in town.

Check out my piece on Bologna Vintage (a relatively new shop I hadn't visited) and Northeast Vintage (a brand-spankin' new store) here.

And remember: if you are going to bike across the city the day after getting a terrible sun burn and drinking a bunch, make sure that you bring buttloads of water with you. And an umbrella. And maybe you should just drive.

City Pages: The Midwest Vintage Show beats Etsy on charm

This past weekend, I attended the Midwest Vintage Clothing, Jewelry and Textile Show and Sale at the State Fairgrounds, a occasional expo I've been meaning to go to for years. Here I cover the event for the City Pages Dressing Blog: The Midwest Vintage Show beats Etsy on charm

If you want the check out my amazing photographing skills (or if you would like to see some of the treasures I spotted at the sale), here is a slide show from the event (please try to ignore the fuzzy vertical photos, still getting the hang of sizing for these matters): The Midwest Vintage Show slide show

Rewind turns five, expands to south Minneapolis

Rewind, a super fantastic vintage shop that pretty much solidified my love for Northeast Minneapolis years ago, is celebrating their fifth anniversary by expanding to a new storefront in south Minneapolis. Closer to my house. Sort of. I don't know if I can handle it. Check out my coverage of the new shop for the City Pages Dressing Room blog here.

RetroRama proves to be totally worth the parking hassle

Yesterday I picked up my good, and willing, friend Lisa Luck, to accompany me to the annual RetroRama vintage fashion event. I have to admit I was a bit nervous. Getting dressed for such an event is quite nerve racking, especially when you are dealing with the lines of what is appropriate (decidedly vintage) and what is actually you (for me, not 50's cocktail looks). After much deliberation, I decided upon an extremely vintage frock my grandmother had found in the basement of a house she put up for auction (so vintage, in fact, that it ripped several times through out the course of the evening and had to be held together with my slip straps) and a "modern" headband from the lovely ladies of Witt & Lore.

Other than picking Lisa up about thirty minutes late, we arrived in style after sitting in traffic for a good twenty minutes, trying to park. After adjusting the car about five times, with the parking attendant and five RetroRama go-ers watching, we were set to go!

The evening turned out to be quite fabulous, from multiple run-ins with people we (especially Lisa) know, to many an enjoyable conversation with people enjoying the generous libations. All in all, I think it was a fabulous first entry into the RetroRama world. To see my full report, check it out here.

Blogging about Retro Rama for City Pages!

I am so very excited to announce (ahem) that I am going to be covering the annual RetroRama event at the Minnesota History Center for City Page's Dressing Room blog! For a look at the details, please check out my post on the event here. Now I have to go find a suitable outfit.