Thousands gather to celebrate 'St. Croix Crossing'

After decades of discussion, years of construction and countless delays, the St. Croix Crossing Bridge is finally set to open to traffic at 8 p.m., Wednesday night.

An estimated 3,000 people showed up for a ceremonial ribbon cutting on the Minnesota side of the bridge in Oak Park Heights at 10 a.m. Wednesday morning.

"That bridge probably cost a lot of money to build," said 7-year-old Will Persico, who attended with his family.

Though the bridge project did cost roughly $650 million, the price was just one hurdle the project has faced in the decades since it was first discussed.

"Today is the day which many people thought would never arrive," said Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton, as he addressed the crowd.

Both Dayton and Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker said the bridge, which will effectively replace the Stillwater lift bridge, took years of hard work that spanned states and political parties.

"Any governor that can get Michelle Bachman and Al Franken together on the same subject has done a remarkable task," Walker said. "So thank you Governor Dayton."

They, along with local mayors and elected representatives, also thanked the thousands of people who helped build it.

Lowell Schmoeckel was one of those people. In the 1990s Schmoeckel helped lead boat support as crews tested the bedrock below the St. Croix. In the past four years he operated boats and barges for construction efforts on the water.

"In 2015 I had a little over 1,000 hours of overtime," Schmoeckel said.

As a Stillwater native, Schmoeckel said the bridge gives new life to the area and represents an important turning point. A moment he's proud to be part of.

"Very (proud), and to be a part of the history of it is crazy," he said.

Crazy that the massive project is finally reality.

"Imagine how much hard work it took them to build this bridge," Persico said. "It's like somebody sewed Wisconsin and Minnesota together."

When the St. Croix Crossing opens on Wednesday evening, the Stillwater lift bridge will simultaneously close to traffic. The historic structure will reopen to bike and pedestrian traffic only in two years.

Monica Warren Wants to Give You A Makeover

"Classic Chic with a love of bold accessories" sums up Monica Warren's style.

"I love a classic jeans and t-shirt or a little black dress with trendy bold accessories -bright shoes/bag and statement jewelry," she says.

Her friends describe her as owning a risk-taking style and attitude.

"I am the person that takes risks in fashion whether that's by mixing prints or by wearing a pair of bright yellow shoes," she says.

Now she wants to help others develop their personal style and feel their best. Warren is hosting a makeover contest through her website Jewels With Style.

"I love the makeover process because it can really change someones perspective of themselves," she says. "When I show someone how they can look and dress their best and they really begin to gain confidence, and see all their good qualities… that feeling is priceless. In a society where women are constantly being critiqued and judged for their physical shortcomings, its great to bring some balance to that by showing anyone that they can look & feel their best."

Warren grew up in Columbus and graduated from The Ohio State University with a degree in Mass Communications, finding a career path as a case worker. While she loves her job, she longs to keep her creative side engaged.

"My true passions are jewelry design, writing, and fashion," she says.

She began making statement jewelry after taking a Jewelry 101 class at the Cultural Arts Center.

"After that class, I taught myself techniques for working with gemstones," she says. A few months later she launched M Renee Design as a platform to sell her creations.

Jewels with Style came next, combining her love of writing with her love of fashion.

"My friends and family would always ask me for style advice and I was always giving people tips on how to dress, shop, and wear different trends – so I thought it would be a good idea to make my fashion sense and style advice available to everyone."

Offering makeovers gives Warren a chance to concentrate on a new complete look for someone, unlike the bits and pieces of advice she was currently offering.

Her first makeover helped Johari Mitchell, a new mom who had lost her style-sense, gain confidence with a new look.

"With all of the changes in my life, I feel I need to evolve along with my life, and my closet has not been evolving," she says in the video. She's looking for a style that shows she loves life, is creative, and celebrates femininity.

Warren evaluates a client's current look to get a feel of where they are today and where they want to be.

After the makeover, Mitchell is pleased with her new look and not sure why it took her so long for the change.

"I tend to look for big, monumental events, but there's never a wrong time to make a fresh start," she says as a takeaway from her makeover. "Each day is a new day to enjoy life -how about that being enough of a time marker."

Mitchell's excited to debut her new look to her family and be a model for living a vibrant and full life.

Along with her makeover videos, Warren continues to offer style tips for someone who wants to try their own makeover. Here are three of her tips for new moms who feel they've lost their style:
1. Try something new
2. Dress for your current body
3. Don't be afraid of shape wear

Key pieces Warren advises are good in every woman's closet include: a great fitted pair of jeans, a button up shirt, a blazer, a nice every-day handbag, a pencil or A-line skirt, jewelry, a neutral colored trouser, and a black dress.

Warren is looking for mothers, caretakers, or someone who feels they have lost their style and is interested in entering a chance for a makeover. Send your name, a picture of yourself, and a few short sentences explaining your story and why you feel you need a makeover to her.

Warren is offering her services of wardrobe consultation, hair and makeup advice, free of charge. The Clothes Mentor has partnered with Warren for the new looks. For Mitchell, hair was by Kweli Burton, and makeup by Danyae Person.

"I want to give local women an opportunity to look and feel their best," says Warren about why she is offering this contest. "I especially want [makeovers] on video so that everyone can see that regardless of your starting point, being stylish & feeling good about yourself is possible for anyone regardless of age, money, or size."