Touch of Glam

Top - Target, Vest - PiperLime, Bandage skirt - F21, Boots - ?, Sunglasses - Street vendor

Admittedly, when I first bought this fur vest, I wasn't very sure how versatile it was going to be. I just knew that I wanted it (which I know is a terrible way to shop). But since I've gotten it, I've found that it is a great piece with a lot of potential. It actually works with a lot of different looks, including jeans, skirts, dresses, and even shorts with tights and booties. Now that the weather is warming up, I have to scramble to rock all of my cold weather favorites before I need to put them away until next year or figure out a way to springicize them. (Yep, I'm making up words again). Still I think there are certain pieces that just can't be springicized. Among these are a gorgeous vintage fur wrap, a few vintage fur mufflers, and a vintage Burberry trenchcoat gifted to me by my aunt. It seems like I can never keep up with the seasons. So my goal is to wear each of these pieces in the next few weeks so they get their day in the sun, so to speak. Hopefully, I won't have to wear them all on the same day to reach my goal, but please promise to laugh and point at me if I do.

Winter Wool

Coat - Old Navy, Skirt - Old Navy clearance ($6!), Tights - We Love Colors, Necklace, Boots, Tee - Target

These flat boots from Target and this totally reasonable wool coat from Old Navy were my two best friends during my NYC trip. I hate taking a lot of luggage on planes because I am a jetsetter. OK, it's actually because I am weak and petite and once had my suitcase hit me in the face as I struggled to get it in an overhead bin. Seriously. I got my butt whooped by my own luggage. Anyway, as a result, I now try to pack pieces that I can easily remix, and these two pieces ended up being extremely remixable. Hopefully you won't get sick of seeing them in multiple outfits this week.

Despite the fact that it was raining and windy as I trekked up and down Fifth Avenue, I opted to wear a skirt, tights and boots, which I contend are actually warmer than wearing jeans. We ended up walking up Fifth Avenue to Central Park and taking these pictures at the fountain right in front of the Fairmont Hotel. I love how it seemed like almost every block in NYC had a great spot for an outfit photo. Plus, no one in NYC seemed to care or flinch when I would stand in random spots posing for outfit photos. No one stared, gawked, pointed at me, or made me feel uncomfortable. Well, except for that one time that I stood outside of Magnolia Bakery practially stuffing an entire red velvet cupcake in my mouth, but I figured I couldn't blame them. It was impressive, I tell you.

Two more NYC photos before I go back to my regular daily outfit photos. Hope everyone survived Monday!

I Love NY!

Cardigan, jeans - F21, Tee - Old Navy, Boots - Target, Bracelet - ModCloth

I'm baaaaack! Just finished my mini-vacay to NYC, and I can't say strongly enough how much I LOVE that city! I actually grew up out there when I was a kid, but for some reason, I just remember the city being scary when I was little. Probably because NYC was a bit scary when I was little (in the 1980s). But as an adult...it felt like a gigantic playground! My favorite thing about the city is that it stays open so late, something that I miss terribly now that I live in a small town that literally is asleep by 10 p.m. Anyway, I had four days of pure vacation bliss, filled with shopping, eating, meeting up with friends I hadn't seen in forever, more eating, and a LOT of walking. I seriously have shin splints. How sad is that? I'm pretty sure the New Yorkers realized I wasn't a local when I was hobbling around Fifth Avenue on my last night, gripping the boyfriend's arm for support. I actually contemplated NOT getting off the subway at my stop once, just so I could sit down for a little longer. OK, I just went from sad to pathetic. Please don't judge me.

This is what I wore for my redye flight to NYC and my first day there after having only slept one hour. I actually wore sweatpants on the plane and changed right before we landed. Smartest travel decision I ever made. I was so comfortable! I opted to wear yellow because I knew the weather was going to be so dreary in NYC and I've mentioned before that I break out bright colors when the day is gray. I kind of stuck out like a sore thumb though...most of the New Yorkers were definitely sticking to neutrals for the winter season. It seemed everyone was bundled in black, camel, or gray.



This is what I wore over my outfit since it was pretty chilly!

 This week's posts will be dedicated to a lot of my trip to NYC, since I didn't have a chance to blog when I was there. I did a lot of remixing because I didn't want to bring too much on the trip. OK, actually I didn't want to bring too much so that I would have room in my suitcase for all the shopping I wanted to do. Anyway, you'll see how I tried to be creative with only one warm coat and pair of boots. Now, please excuse me, I must go ice my shin splints. Sad --> pathetic --> ridiculous. I know. I hang my head in shame.

Wrap It Up

Dress - Banana Republic, Boots - Nine West, Necklace - handmade, Bracelet, Ring - Vintage

I attended a fundraising dinner this week for a non-profit organization I volunteer with and struggled with what I should wear. I knew most people would be wearing suits, but I only wear a suit if my job ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY, ABSOTIVELY requires it (upon punishment of death or extreme pain or chocolate deprivation). In case I'm being too subtle, I haaaate wearing suits. Which is funny, since my job actually requires me to wear one fairly often. Good career choice, KK. Anyway, since the dinner wasn't one of those wear-a-suit-or-be-fired situations, I opted instead for a monochrome wrap dress I picked up recently. With a fitted black knee-length coat (not pictured), it proved to be the perfect alternative to a boring old suit.

I had never tried on a wrap dress until a few weeks ago because I always thought I would look goofy in them, but then I saw Kendi try one and tell me they were universally flattering. And since Kendi is always right (and always adorably dressed), I tried one myself. And I'm in love! Wrap dresses hug in all the right places and are so comfortable that you can eat a seven-course fundraising dinner without having to pop a button. My kind of dress! Since I can never resist adding a pop of color, I added a bright orange necklace I made last year. I kind of wished I could have worn a multi-strand green or turquoise necklace with the dress but didn't have one. Time to go shopping . . . :)

I have had a really rough week, so I am looking forward to some retail therapy and good eats this weekend to put it all behind me. Plus, I'm getting ready for a mini-vacay to NYC next week! Can't wait to put my cold weather fashion creativity to the test. Hope you guys all have a great three-day weekend!

Standing Tall

Sweater Dress - BB Dakota (old), Boots - Target, Scarf - Gifted from Thailand

I know it's weird, but for some reason, being in the snow makes me want to wear skirts and dresses. What's also weird is that I absolutely abhor the thought of putting on pantyhose for work but am thoroughly excited at the thought of sliding on a fun pair of colored or textured tights. That makes no sense, does it? I know, I am a walking mystery. That's what makes me so odd interesting.

I am a fan of the sweater mini-dress. With tights. It's a good option for the petite and curvy because the short length elongates your legs, but the tights keep you from showing too much skin. Add some boots and, voila, you look at least like half an inch taller than before. Magic.

Oh, and if you put your hair up in a kicky bun like I did, you can probably even give yourself another quarter inch. I felt about 10 feet 5 foot 2 inches tall while walking around in this outfit.  I really shouldn't be dishing you all my secrets, but hey, I'm a giver.

Pop of Pink

Tee - H&M, Dress - PIKO 1988 c/o Paper Doll, Tights - We Love Colors, Boots - Bamboo

So unfortunately, I only have a couple of pictures for you today. They were the only decent ones I could find in the dozens I took in this outfit. I blame my boyfriend/photographer. It's much easier than blaming me. Universal truth, people. Why blame yourself, when you can blame your boyfriend/photographer?

I was really hesitant about buying this sweater dress because I wasn't sure how to wear it, but I've since realized that I can wear it all sorts of ways...with leggings, jeans, or tights like I did here. And it is roomy, so it is an extremely comfortable choice when you're having a "fat day." You have those, right? I hope I'm not the only one! Anyway, I went with a neutral color combination and then added a pop of color (again) to add a little excitement. I've said it before and I will say it again...a scarf can truly save a boring outfit! Invest in a couple of bright colored ones and watch how it can liven up your wardrobe.

I hope you all noticed that I am rocking colored tights! I mentioned HERE how hard that is for me. Okay, okay, so I know you're going to say that gray isn't really a color...but I told you, baby steps is how I like to roll. I also got a chance to wear these new cuffed boots I snagged. I love them because they make my feet (a whopping size 8, which is ridiculously large for my 5-foot frame) look smaller. Yes, strange things make me happy.

Heading to the snow this weekend to get out of town and have some fun, and I am SUPER excited to take pictures in some snowy backgrounds to post next week. Outfit photos in the snow always look so picturesque.

Of course, if my pictures don't turn out to be so picturesque, you know who I'm going to blame.

Have a great weekend, everyone! <3

Back to Basics



Jacket - ModCloth; Tee, Necklace - F21, Jeans - JBrand, Boots - Cathy Jean

For whatever reason, I feel like I'm always drawn to outfits that have at least a few of bells and whistles (i.e. pops of bright colors, different textures, layers, accessories, different fabrics, etc.).  I think there's a part of me that feels like a quality outfit needs to look as if it took a lot of effort to put it together. That same part of me cringed at the thought of posting an outfit photo that included nothing more than a basic white tee-shirt?! (Oh, the horror!)  Of course, my notion is unequivocally and unmistakably W-R-O-N-G. Sometimes the most sophisticated of outfits are the ones that are simple, basic, and uncomplicated.



I think I wanted to get back to basics with this outfit, and what better way to do so than with a black-white-tan color combination? Black and white never goes out of style (of course!) and throwing in a tan or a brown keeps it from getting too boring. Plus, my back-to-basics outfit gave me a chance to rock this green hooded military jacket from ModCloth that I've been dying to don since I got it.



I love the look of all the army green jackets that are out right now, but most of them just didn't look right on me. They made me look...well, like I was in the military. Shocking, I know. But I love how this one is feminine and sporty and rugged all at the same time...and it doesn't make you you want to start yelling "Left, Left... Left, Right, Left!" at me. I suppose it might make you want to start yelling other things at me, but as long as it's things like "Cute!" "Love it!" and "Fabulous," I think we can be friends.