Finding Your Personal Style Part 3: Go To Outfits

Imagine this: you wake up and check the clock. It’s past time for you to get up, your alarm didn’t go off, and now you are going to be late to work/school/etc. What are you going to do? What are you going to wear? If you know your personal style, then hopefully you have some go to outfits in mind. And if you don’t, then it’s time to work on them.

For me, I always have several go to outfits in mind. Whether it’s a casual day, a work day, or a fancy event, I know exactly where to start with putting an outfit together.

One of my favorite go to outfits is a graphic tee or casual top with a midi/maxi skirt. I love the juxtaposition of a dressier item like a flow-y skirt with an everyday shirt like a slogan tee. I actually do this with just about every outfit I wear: chunky sneakers with cute little dresses, kitten heels with distressed boyfriend jeans, stuff like that. I feel like it adds an element of interest and you always look on trend.

Another stand by outfit is anything with wide leg pants. Not only do I feel like I’m wearing pajamas, but I look put together too. You can wear them casually with, you guessed it, graphic tees. Or you can dress them up with a button up or nicer shirt. I tend to create an outfit around one focus piece, typically a patterned or brightly colored piece. So if I am wearing patterned pants I’ll go for a simpler top and vice versa. This is one of the easiest ways to create outfits, by grounding them with one dynamic piece.

The simplest go to outfit I have is a dress. I prefer my dresses to have sleeves and be midi length so that they are easier to throw on and be comfortable without having to wear a strapless bra (you curvy girls get me). In a casual setting I love wearing dresses with sneakers or strappy sandals, and in fancier settings I almost always wear them with low heeled sandals. Dresses are great because they are basically an outfit in one piece. You can add things like shoes, purses, belts, and jackets but they are small additions to the overall look of the dress.

The most important thing to get from this post is that it is good to know how to build outfits around your personal style and keep them in mind when you have no idea what to wear. I hope you guys feel inspired to go through your closet and put outfits together around some of your favorite pieces. Let them be the star of the show, and always keep the “blue print” of your favorite outfits in mind so that you can recreate them whenever you need an outfit that you KNOW you love and look good in.

Love, Kendall

Five Last Minute Holiday Outfits

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

No, I’m not talking about Christmas necessarily. I’m talking about the time of the year where you and everyone you know put on your most festive and sparkly outfit and post cute pics on Instagram to stunt on all your haters, am I right?

Although that may not be your exact reasoning, the majority of people spend their holidays surrounding by family, friends, and holiday parties. And if you have any Instagram presence at all, you probably post a picture to commemorate the occasion. Or in my case, the outfit haha.

And if you are anything else like me, you probably wait until the very last minute to pick your holiday outfit. Well today, on Christmas Eve Eve, I am here to hopefully prevent the ill fated combination of procrastination, stress, and sequin covered clothing. Below I am going to share five of my favorite festive outfits that are perfect for all types of holiday occasions! Hopefully, these outfits inspire you to stop procrastinating on any future holiday outfits. Worst case scenario, at least I got to wear some super fun outfits, take cute pictures, and post them on Instagram.

Sweater: Old Navy Scarf: old Belt: DKNY Leggings: JCPenney Boots: Steve Madden

Outfit 1: Going to See Christmas Lights with Bae

I’m going to be honest with you for a second, I only added this outfit because I wanted an excuse to wear a big fluffy scarf. Problem is that I don’t like going outside, and I can promise that you will be way too hot if you wear this indoors. So this outfit, while cute, is for those rare occasions when you go look at the Christmas lights around town with your family, or when you go ice skating with your bae.

I will be doing none of those this year, mostly because when I post this I will be arriving in sunny Florida for the holidays. But ya know, if you’re looking for the perfect outfit to wear out in the cold that also gives you an excuse to snuggle with your man, I wouldn’t blame you. It’s the perfect combination of festive colors and comfortable fabrics. Plus the cinched in waist and all black pants makes your legs look long and your waist line more flattering. See? I got your back.

Shirt: Thrifted Skirt: Old Navy Shoes: Boots

Outfit 2: Christmas Dinner with the Family

If you’ve been following me and the blog for long enough, then you know that this skirt always makes it’s way out this time of the year. I love the bright red buffalo plaid and the warmth of the wool material. Since it’s a little on the mini side, and like me you probably have relatives that judge you for wearing ripped jeans let alone a short skirt, I suggest pairing it with opaque tights.

This look is a level above jeans and a shirt, but it’s still very comfortable. And considering how much food we are all bound to eat on Thanksgiving 2.0 aka Christmas Dinner, I opted for a loose shirt instead of a form fitting one. Whatever it takes to hide the food baby!

Sweater: Old Navy Skirt: JCPenney Shoes: Franco Sarto Purse: Vintage

Outfit 3: A Very “Corporate” Christmas

When most people thing of work holiday parties, they probably think of boring outfits and meaningless small talk. But that doesn’t have to be the case. I have always been a firm believer in wearing fashionable outfits to work. Maybe it’s the stylist in me, but professional clothing doesn’t have to be plain or boring, and as long as you are following the dress code it doesn’t hurt to stand out and be confident.

While this outfit is a little more on the “safe” side, the details are what really makes this outfit pop. I decided to keep the color palette of this simple with black and white and hints of gold. The added texture and shine of the leather skirt creates interest, and even though the heels are not very high the gold embroidery makes them stand out. The sweater adds pattern and warmth, and the the gold necklace stands out on the high neck of the sweater. My favorite piece, however, is the gold, beaded antique bag. I own many antique and vintage bags, and I love them because they are so different and unique. Definitely a conversation starter too!

Sweater: Thrifted Skirt: Burlington Shoes: Nine West Clutch: old

Outfit 4: That Fancy Holiday Party You Never Thought You’d Be Invited To

Am I the only one that thought when you became an adult you would always have super fancy holiday parties to go to? Maybe I just watched too many movies, or maybe I’m just not at that stage of life yet. Either way, I am highly disappointed. Maybe next year I’ll throw a fancy holiday party for all my friends. After all, sometimes we need to work for the things we want.

Until then, I’ll continue to be overdressed for all my “regular” holiday parties. Any excuse to wear this gorgeous floor length, pattered, silk skirt. Doesn’t it just scream “Merry Christmas!” Since the skirt is thin, I wore it with a red sweater to bring out the color in the skirt and add some warmth. Throw on some heels, gold jewelry, and an embroidered clutch, and you’re good to go! That is if you have somewhere to go haha.

Dress: Old Navy Shoes: Old Navy Turtleneck: Old Navy Fanny Pack: Amazon

Outfit 5: When You Just Want to be Extra for the Holidays

This last look doesn’t have a partially occasion attached to it. In fact it doesn’t really have a rhyme or reason to it, apart from me just wanting to look super cute and extra for the holidays. Also I just got this red beret and I think I’m in love.

Sometimes when the holiday spirit hits you just right you have to go all out with color, pattern, accessories, and even poses. I layered the striped turtleneck under the dress to add a little extra pattern, and personally I love the way plaid looks with stripes. The belt bag/fanny pack not only worked to cinch in my waist in an otherwise waistless dress, but it also added an element of fun with the gold beetle and lion studs. The red beret is really the finishing touch here, though. I feel like without it, the outfit just wouldn’t look complete. I must admit, my outfits don’t always turn out the way they look in my mind, but this one turned out even better than I could have imagined!

Well, I hate to the the bearer of bad news but that’s the end of the holiday content on the blog. I hope you got some fashion inspiration, holiday inspiration, or a little bit of both. Enjoy the holidays with your loved ones, and I’ll see you next time!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Love, Kendall

4 Cute Halloween Costumes from Your Closet

Guys, it’s the day before Halloween, and we all know what that means. You’re still scrambling to come up with a costume in less than 24 hours, because you decided to wait until the last minute. To make matters worse, you need to spend as little money as possible. Don’t worry, this is a judgment free zone. We’ve all been there before, and sometimes procrastination still gets the better of us.

As someone who has most definitely been in the situation before, I have equipped myself with an arsenal of last minute Halloween costume ideas that I can put together with the contents of my closet. Below, I have selected four of those costumes to show you. So let’s get the creative juices flowing with some inspiration!

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Holly Golightly – Breakfast at Tiffany’s

This is by far one of my favorite costume ideas, inspired by one of my all-time favorite movie and character! If you haven’t seen Breakfast at Tiffany’s, then stop whatever you are doing and watch it immediately. It is a cinematic masterpiece starring Audrey Hepburn as the darling Holly Golightly, a sophisticated women with a troubled past and a tendency to never put down roots. For this costume, which recreates the iconic opening scene, you need a little black dress, black heels, lots of pearls, and the biggest sunglasses you can find. Bonus points if you wear a tiara, long white gloves, and carry a coffee and breakfast pastry.

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Lydia Deetz – Beetlejuice

This costume was so fun to put together, and it fits the Halloween theme so perfectly! Beetlejuice is a Halloween classic (at least to me it is) and this costume seemed only fitting considering it is the 25th anniversary of Beetlejuice. Lydia Deetz is played by a young Winona Ryder (one of her first movies, actually). She is the epitome of a goth queen. From her outfit, hair and makeup, and her witty one liners, recreating her look is simple! For this costume, you need an all black outfit, black choker, grunge makeup, and big teased hair. Bonus points if carry a vintage film camera, the Book For the Recently Deceased, or slick your bangs like Lydia.

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A Hogwarts Student – Harry Potter Films

If you are a Harry Potter fan like me you probably know your Hogwarts house, and own the corresponding tie/scarf (no shame). If you do then this costume is a no brainer, and if not, don’t worry! This costume is still fairly easy to create, you just may need to buy/borrow a tie or scarf. For this costume, I went with the typical Gryffindor school uniform which consisted of a black skirt, black tights, black shoes, a white button down, and the Gryffindor tie. Bonus points if you add a gray sweater, school scarf, wand, or Harry Potter glasses and scar!

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Edna Mode – The Incredibles

Okay y’all knew when I dyed my hair dark and cut it into a bob that I had to recreate a look by the Queen of Fashion herself, Miss Edna Mode. Honestly, if she’s not your favorite character in The Incredibles then I question your judgement. But for real though this look was so fun to do and I truly think she is a fan favorite this Halloween. For her super chic ensemble I wore another all black outfit, but this time with a skirt, collared shirt, and blazer. You can’t forget the black shoes and tights, and a red accent around the neck. I opted for a statement necklace, but a tie or ascot would also work. Bonus points for the Edna hairstyle and a rolled up magazine to beat some sense into your friends while screaming “GO, FIGHT WIN!” at them.

I hope you enjoyed my second Halloween blog post. What can I say? It’s my favorite time of the year! Now go run to your closet and create your own Halloween costume, whether it is inspired by my creations or something completely your own. Have a fun and safe Halloween! Boo to you!

Love, Kendall

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Today’s Look: Happy Valentine’s Day!

Hello everyone! I know that Valentine’s Day is such a polarizing subject; you either love it or you hate. But for me, regardless of my relationship status, I tend to be pretty neutral. Valentine’s Day is a great time to be with loved ones, romantic or not, and treat yourself and those around you to something special. For me, today is a pretty normal day full of work, class, and blogging. However, I plan on treating myself to one of my favorite meals and a night of relaxing and watching some of my favorite shows. There’s also something special about telling those closest to you how much you love them and what they mean to you. Regardless of your feelings on Valentine’s Day, I hope you enjoy today’s post.

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Sweater: H&M  Jeans: Old Navy  Booties: Old Navy (similar here)  Silk Scarf: Vintage  Purse: BCBG Max Azria  Glasses: Kenneth Cole

I’m sure if you have been on social media at all today you have probably seen tons of sappy posts full of the colors pink and red. When I was planning this shoot I realized I don’t really have a lot of pink or red, and to be honest, it’s not really my style. So instead, I came up with this casual, toned down look that takes a little inspiration from today’s romantic holiday.

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Okay but this scarf! I was antiquing with my family in Arkansas one day, and I fell in love with it. It’s made in Italy and has a beautiful, romantic Victorian scene on it with a blush pink outline. I knew that even if I didn’t find the courage to wear it, it would be worth it just to own and admire.

But I decided I couldn’t leave it at that. It felt like a great disservice to this beautifully made scarf to sit in my closet and not show it off. So I decided to style it. This required a lot of research on Pinterest about what to wear it with and how to tie it. I ended up tying the scarf in a very French inspired way and went with a simple outfit, because I wanted the scarf to be the statement piece.

Here’s how I tied this scarf, in case you were wondering.

  1. Start with a square scarf
  2. Fold the square in half to form a triangle
  3. Roll the bottom of the triangle in 1-1 1/2 inch folds until about half way up the scarf
  4. Take the long folded ends, and with the remaining triangle in the front of your neck, wrap the ends around the back of your neck
  5. Pull the ends in front of your neck, and tie them in a knot over the triangle
  6. Adjust and tighten as needed

Sorry if that is confusing to you. I tried to explain it as best as possible. Just think of it like a fancy bandanna!

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I paired this scarf with this cream sweater from H&M. I thought about wearing it with a striped sweater, but decided this solid one looked better with the colors in the scarf. To keep the colors in the outfit light and pastel, I wore my light blue denim jeans with distressing at the ankle. This little detail, along with these snakeskin booties, really pulled the look together. I just love the subtlety of the muted colors and little details. For me, its a simple outfit that really packs a stylistic and unexpected punch.

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Although I’m not the biggest fan of Valentine’s Day, or bright pink and red outfits, I feel like this look accomplishes the task of being a slightly festive Valentine’s outfit, while also being something you could wear any other day of the year and no one would find it outrageous. Like me, this outfit celebrates Valentine’s Day in the most neutral way possible. Maybe that’s why I love it so much…

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I wish you all a wonderful Valentine’s Day, whether you are as single as a Pringle, or happily in a relationship. Hold the ones you love a little tighter than normal today, and carry that love on passed today. Because the ones we love deserve more than just one day a year, am I right?

I’ll see y’all next week!

Love, Kendall

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Three Items You Can Transition from Winter to Spring

It’s that time of the year again! The time of the year when one day feels like we are in the middle of winter, and the next day feels like spring is in the air. It can be very difficult to know what to wear this time of the year, especially when you want to wear something cute and trendy without freezing. Below I am going to show you three of my favorite items, how I style them now, and how I’ll be wearing them once it’s warmer.

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Shirt: Old Navy  Skirt Old Navy (similar here)  Purse: BCBG  Hat: Target (similar here) Booties: Old Navy (similar here)

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First off, this skirt! I have been obsessed with this skirt all fall and winter, and I just know that I’m going to get some more use out of it once spring starts. I love pairing it with black and white. I’ve never been one to shy away from pairing neutrals together, and when done right, black and brown can look very chic. I wore it with tights to help keep me warm, and these black ankle booties. When it starts getting warmer, I plan on wearing it with graphic tees and sneakers or ankle booties (sans tights), or even light weight blouses. Even though the skirt is (faux) suede, the material is quite thin and comfortable, and I think when paired with colors like cream, blush pink, or even light blue it will instantly look more spring-y.

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To me this silky shirt is an instant classic in my wardrobe. I know most people would say that a white button down is a must have, but for me a pin stripe button down is just as versatile and much more my personal style. I’ve always been a fan of stripes, and the vertical stripes on this blouse are flattering on any body type! The material has a silky finish that gives it a vintage 60s and 70s vibe. I paired it with my suede button down skirt to play off of that vintage look. In the spring, I plan on wearing this shirt with a denim skirt, shorts, or boyfriend jeans and then sandals or mules.

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The last piece in this outfit is this newsboy/baker boy/caddy hat. This style of hat has been such a huge trend lately, and the funniest thing is that I’ve had this hat for years! When I was younger, I was constantly buying hats and then never wearing them because I was too worried about what people would think. It has taken a lot of conscious effort, but I have slowly started to erase this mindset. So when this look started making it’s rounds on Instagram and fashion blogs, I knew I had to break this old hat out. Plus it saved me some money! Even though this hat has a very fall and winter look to it, I plan on wearing it throughout the early stages of spring with graphic tees, boyfriend jeans, denim skirts, and sneakers. If styled correctly, this hat can add an interesting element to a casual outfit.

I styled the rest of this look with these delicate, dangly earrings, and vintage, gold bow necklace. This necklace is actually my Grandma’s! She gave it to me recently when she noticed me admiring it. I love the statement it adds to every outfit. My Grandma certainly has style. Thanks Grandma!

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I know Groundhog’s Day has come and gone, and according to the groundhog we are supposed to have more winter weather coming our way, but I can’t stop thinking of all the spring outfits I want to wear. Guess, we will all have to wait. Hopefully this post helped you see your winter faves in a new light, so you can style them in spring as transitional outfits!

Until next time!

Love, Kendall

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My Winter Skincare Routine

Hey guys! Happy Tuesday!

I don’t know about where you are, but here in Oklahoma it has been very chilly. And for me, that only means one thing: dry skin! However, there is one catch. I have combination skin, which means that parts of my face are extremely dry and other parts are extremely oily. Sadly, the colder months only intensify these problems. So today I am showing you the products and routine that I use on a daily basis. If you suffer from problems similar to mine, I would highly recommend trying out some of these products and finding the routine that best suits you and your skin!

I know that everybody’s skin is different, and while these products work for my skin, they might not work for yours. I am not a dermatologist, nor do I claim to be. I am just here to share my personal experiences and encourage you to develop your own skincare regimen.

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Skin Care Correct

1. Biore Charcoal Cleanser  2.  Farmacy Green Clean Makeup Melting Balm  3. Biore Acne Scrub  4. Mario Badescu Rose Facial Spray  5. Kerstin Florian Rehydrating Neroli Water  6. Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer 

Cleansing –

I tried this Biore cleanser and exfoliating scrub by chance this summer, and I fell in love! The charcoal in it helps take care of the oilier parts of my face. And while I’ve never had an issue with acne and blemishes, this cleanser and scrub have completely gotten rid of the occasional spots I used to get. If you have combination, oily, or acne-prone skin, I would highly recommend this product. However, if you skin tends to be dry, I would look into a product like Farmacy’s Green Clean Makeup Melting Balm. This oil based cleanser is moisturizing while completely melting away all of your makeup. I know that sounds weird, but I have never seen a product that takes off my makeup so easily (and I wear a lot of it!) I typically use this first to get all of my makeup off, and then wash my face again with the cleanser and scrub.

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Facial Spray (Toning) –

After washing my face, I use the Mario Bedescu Rose facial spray or the Kerstin Florian toner water. By spraying it all over my face, I feel refreshed. The Mario Bedescu spray has aloe and rose in it, which is meant to reduce facial redness. The toner is supposed to help close your pores and shrink and tighten them. Now I don’t actually know if this is true, or if this step is completely necessary, but I have noticed a difference in my skin’s look and texture. So take that as you will.

Serums/Oils –

Now you are probably wondering: if I complain about my skin being oily, why would I put more oils on my face? Well the two oils/serums that I use both have ingredients that make them great for my skin type. I use a serum with hyaluronic acid, which is actually good for providing moisture to oily skin, while still being lightweight. It is easily absorbed, and doesn’t leave a sticky or oily residue. I also use tea tree oil. Tea tree oil is good for acne spots and blemishes because it helps dry them up. I use this one more sparingly, as I tend to have very few breakouts, but it is good to have just in case. Both of the specific serums I use are unavailable online, but if you look for products that have those key ingredients in them they should do the trick. I would look at places like Walmart, Target, or your local drugstore.

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Moisturizer –

This is my favorite moisturizer, and I have been using it for about three or four years now. The Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer has been a bit of a “holy grail” in my skincare routine (before I really even had a skincare routine). For me, this product gets the job done and without breaking the bank. Since I tend to do my routine at the end of the day, I like to finish off with a pump of this moisturizer and then let it absorb into my skin over night. I always wake up with soft and dewy skin. Plus it has a little SPF in it for protection.

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This is the routine and the products that work for me. It has taken many years to curate and create this regimen, but I am very pleased with the results. I very rarely stray from this routine, except to try a new product or treat myself to a face mask. And while I know that this list of products won’t work for everyone, I hope that I have at least brought a couple of things to your attention.

If you have tried or use any of these products on a regular basis let me know! Or if you have any holy grail products of your own, leave them down in the comments. I would love to know!

I realize that this post might not be for everyone, and if you get nothing out of it I hope you at least get this: Take care of your skin. Take care of yourself. Find your own routine. Be confident in your own body. And love yourself.

Love, Kendall

P.S. If you have any other beauty/skincare tips you would like to hear from me next, I would love to hear it! Maybe a round up of my favorite face masks? Or my holy grail makeup items? Let me know!

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