Today’s Look: Waiting for Spring

Published on March 15, 2018October 23, 2019 by kendallshea22Leave a comment

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again; I’m ready for spring. I know it feels like it’s right around the corner, and technically it is because the spring equinox is next week. But some days are still too cold to whip out the floral dresses and sandals. If you are like me, and you just can’t wait until it stays warm so you can start wearing dresses and skirts then look no further. Today’s look is about just that; how to wear a dress or skirt in early spring.

Sweater: Old Navy (old)(similar here and here) Skirt: TJ Maxx (similar here and here) Bag: Vintage Belt: Ann Klein

For this outfit, I wore this amazing, brightly striped sweater that has been on repeat since I got it. The colors in this sweater make it the perfect piece to wear in the fall and winter, but also in early spring. Now when the whole midi length trend started I wasn’t sure how I felt about it, but now I am a full supporter. This long, flowy skirt style is very flattering and girly. It honestly makes me feel like a princess. My inner child comes out, and I just want to twirl all day. While the thin material of the skirt doesn’t offer much protection from the cold winds, the thick knit sweater definitely helps balance it out. You could also add some tights or leggings under the skirt, or even a pair of tall boots; I love the 70s vibes of that look!

Because the sweater is such a bold print and color, I toned it down by taking one of the neutral colors in the stripes and used that for the color of my skirt. I thought about wearing this skirt with the sweater untucked, which is a huge trend right now, but decided that it didn’t look very flattering on me. So I resorted to tucking the sweater into the skirt and belting it to further emphasize my waist. I thought the brown in the belt really complimented the rich tones in the sweater, and pulled the whole look together. Honestly, if you only listen to one clothing recommendation from me, please get yourself a sweater like this that can be worn almost all year round. Add some color, or keep it neutral, but definitely pick one that reflects your style and is versatile!

(Side note: we took some of these pictures inside the cutest little mansion in my home town. It was built in the early 1900’s and is now a museum/restaurant. How adorable is this bathroom!?)

Finally, to enhance the spring vibes of the outfit I wore these blush pink, tassel earrings which also pull out the pink stripes in the sweater. Because the sweater is so bold, I only wore a simple and delicate necklace with a hexagonal charm. I completed the look with this vintage, straw bag to add some texture, interest, and vintage charm. I know that straw bags were a huge trend all last spring and summer, and I doubt they will be going away anytime soon. If you are still on the hunt for one I would definitely check out Etsy. They have a ton of unique and cheaper alternatives. I stole this one from my mom who got it at a flea market, and it has quickly become my spring staple bag (sorry not sorry, mom!). If you do happen to get your hands on a straw bag, especially if it is vintage, keep in mind that they aren’t the most durable. But if you take care of them, they can last you a lifetime.

That’s all I have for this week, guys! Also, my Spring Break starts this weekend so if you want to keep up on all the adventures be sure to follow me on Instagram (@kendallshea22). My roommate and I are planning on going to Orlando for Universal Studios and Disney World. We couldn’t be more excited!

What are your plans for Spring Break? Are you just as excited for spring as me? Let me know in the comments down below.

Until next week!

Love, Kendall

Today’s Look: Happy Valentine’s Day!

Published on February 14, 2018 by kendallshea221 Comment

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.

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.

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.

Start with a square scarf
Fold the square in half to form a triangle
Roll the bottom of the triangle in 1-1 1/2 inch folds until about half way up the scarf
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
Pull the ends in front of your neck, and tie them in a knot over the triangle
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!

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.

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…

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

Three Items You Can Transition from Winter to Spring

Published on February 9, 2018 by kendallshea222 Comments

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.

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

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.

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.

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!

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

Today’s Look: The Two Trends I Used to Hate

Published on January 30, 2018 by kendallshea22Leave a comment

Hello everyone! I hope you had a relaxing weekend. I spent the weekend back home with my family, and left feeling rejuvenated and motivated to take on this week! I guess we will see how long that lasts.

Today I wanted to share an outfit with you that I was initially very skeptical about: boyfriend jeans and camouflage. I realize that neither of these trends are new, and I’m a little late to the party, but it took me awhile to fully get on board. In my mind, boyfriend jeans only looked flattering on skinny girls, and camouflage was meant for hunting. Boy was I wrong! These two items have quickly become my college winter uniform.

Jeans: Old Navy (on sale for $30!) Jacket: Old Navy (also on sale for $30!) Sweater: Target (old) Belt: Anne Klein Shoes: Puma Purse: Ross

Boyfriend jeans are meant to fit your waist like regular jeans, but loosely fit your legs and hips. Plus, these jeans are a straight cut so they do not taper at the bottom of the leg. I always thought that of all the extra material would make me look heavier than I am, but this cut is actually more flattering on me than skinny jeans. I got these in my regular size, and they fit like a dream. They have a slight high waist, light wash, and distressing on both legs.

I have a love/hate relationship with distressed jeans, and by that I mean that when I try to buy distressed jeans, they are never as distressed as I want them. They are either too distressed or not distressed enough, but these are just right. I never knew how comfortable jeans could be until I started wearing boyfriend jeans! I typically belt them with something tucked in the front, because this is an overall more flattering silhouette. But you can wear them with things untucked as well.

Because the jeans are so light, I paired them with this dark grey turtleneck sweater for some contrast. This sweater has been a favorite of mine since I got it at Target a couple years ago. The chunky knit helps add a textural element to the outfit. To top the outfit off I added my new favorite jacket: this Old Navy camo utility jacket. Like I said before, I always thought camouflage was only meant for hunting. And if camo was worn for fashion it always came off as tacky to me.

When camouflage started making its rounds as a trend, I kind of rolled my eyes and avoided it. And then this jacket came into work one day, and it immediately caught my eye. I have this same jacket is two other colors, khaki and olive green, so I knew that I would like the fit of it. I tried it on one day just for the heck of it, and fell in love. I wasn’t sure how I would style it at the time, but I knew I had to have it. And I know that I am eating my words, but camo definitely works as a neutral! You can wear it with anything, and it adds pattern and interest to even the most casual outfit. I find myself reaching for this jacket almost everyday, and it pairs so well with boyfriend jeans, a tee shirt or sweater, and sneakers. This has basically become my everyday cool girl outfit.

When it came down to accessories, I knew I wanted to wear my new Puma Ignite sneakers. I got these for Christmas and have literally not taken them off since. They are a creamy off-white color, and they definitely give my Adidas Superstars a break. I chose them because they are different from any other sneakers I have. Most of my collection is flat and round, much like the shape of the superstars, but these provide more support for my foot and are insanely comfortable. I also think they are a lot easier to clean than my Adidas. But don’t worry! They still have a special place in my heart.

To me, this outfit is very model off duty, effortless, and cool. I am obsessed.

If you take away one thing from today’s post it should be to never judge a trend without first trying it out yourself. Never be afraid to try something new, especially when it comes to fashion. And no matter what, be comfortable and confident in your own skin!

I hope you guys enjoyed this post. Let me know your thoughts on the camouflage and boyfriend jeans trend. What trends do you hate, and do you think you will give them a chance now?

See you guys next week!

Love, Kendall

How to Style a Fur Vest

Published on January 19, 2018 by kendallshea22Leave a comment

Happy Friday, everyone!

Raise your hand if you are loving this cold weather? Now raise your hand if you are sick and tired of it? Well, guess who just raised both of her hands: me!

I’m sorry if you are ready to move onto spring and summer, but I just can’t let the winter fashion go. I love being able to wear sweaters and jackets and multiple layers. But on the other hand, I hate going outside when it is below freezing. I just want that chill in the air, without feeling like I’m frozen by the time I get home. Is that too much to ask??

Today, I am sharing the perfect winter outfit with you: a fur vest! When I first got this vest for Christmas about two years ago, I had no idea how I was going to wear it. And to be completely honest, it just sat in my closet collecting dust up until recently. My dad likes to joke that this vest looks like “squirrel fur,” but don’t worry it is 100% faux fur! I understand that a lot of you might think that a fur vest looks tacky or outrageous, and a few years ago I probably would have agreed with you. But when styled correctly this piece can be both stylish and warm!

Sweater: Old Navy Fur Vest: Old Navy (similar) Jeans: JCPenney’s Belt: Anne Klein Booties: Dolce Vita (similar)

I think my favorite thing about fur vests, and this vest in particular, is the texture and amount of interest they bring to any outfit. The different colors of brown layered on top of each other really create the allusion of dimension and body in the fur. Because of that, I think it is best to layer a vest like this over a much simpler outfit.

If you are worried about wearing a statement piece like this, it is best to keep the rest of your outfit toned down so that the vest adds to the ensemble instead of taking away from it. I paired this dark, forest green sweater with this outfit because the color really compliments and enhances the colors of the vest.

When I think of fur vests I am often reminded of the boxy and unflattering shape that they tend to have. To prevent the amount of fabric from completely taking over, I put on some skinny jeans and tucked my sweater in the front. By doing this, I am clearly accentuating my waist and breaking up the boxiness of the vest. I also added some height with these brown suede booties.

Whether you are on the curvier side (like me) or the more petite side, this step is essential in making sure you are wearing the vest, and the vest isn’t wearing you.

Because the rest of the outfit is simple, I decided to add some gold accents with the jewelry and accessories. Layering necklaces is such a trend right now, but in order to do this right you need to make sure you choose two necklaces with varying styles, lengths, or widths. Here I have one gold necklace with a thin, delicate chain and pendant, and one gold necklace with a thicker, more textured chain. I also added this Anne Klein statement belt to bring attention to my waist and really pull this whole look together.

Overall, the colors, fur, and accessories give this outfit a slight 70s vibe with a modern twist. I can’t believe this started with an item that took up space in my closet, and became one of my favorite looks I’ve shared on Becoming Kendall. Whether you are looking for some inspiration and tips for rocking your own fur vest, or you feel inspired to pull that item you never grab for out of your closet and create an amazing look with it, I hope this post has helped you. Feel free to share your own tips on how to rock a fur vest, or any other statement piece, in the comments down below!

Have a great weekend, and I’ll see you next time!

Love, Kendall

Three Things I Learned in 2017

Published on January 4, 2018 by kendallshea221 Comment

Hello and Happy New Year everyone!

I am so excited to share today’s post with you guys. This is a subject that has been on my mind for a very long time, but I only just found the right words for it. As you know, I just finished my second to last semester of college, and it was the toughest one yet. Earlier in the semester I severely injured my knee, and required surgery. As a result of this, I missed so much school that I spent the rest of the semester playing catch up. The work load just kept piling on, and the stress was almost too much to handle. Almost. But I am here to tell you that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I survived what has been the hardest year of my life, and I came out a much stronger person.

Below, I am going to share with you the three lessons I learned from my personal experiences of 2017, and how I grew as a result. I hope this will encourage you to look back on your year and focus on the things that grew you as a person. And if you feel like you didn’t achieve the level of growth you wanted, then work on it this upcoming year.

Sweater: Old Navy Jeans: Old Navy Jacket: Old Navy (available in navy here) Booties: MIA (available in black too! and on sale for $34!) Glasses: Kenneth Cole

Disclaimer: I know what you are thinking. “Kendall, do you only shop at Old Navy?” The answer is…pretty much. I work there so I get a nice discount, but all of my opinions are honest and my own.

1) Don’t Be Afraid to Speak Up!

Whether it be in an office setting or within a friend group, you should never be afraid to voice your concerns and speak your mind. This was one of the biggest lessons I learned during my internship in New York. While working for a magazine, I had so many questions about the work behind the scenes. Why did we do the things we did? What affect did it have on the production? Who made those decisions, and what was the thought process behind them? I wanted to understand it all on a deeper level, and my superiors knew that. So when I asked these questions, they answered them. In fact, as the internship continued, they encouraged these learning sessions and enjoyed my enthusiasm towards my job. I understand this may not be the case in every situation, and that’s where the ability to discern whether your voice is appropriate in that setting comes in handy.

For example, if your friends are making plans without you and you feel left out, you should let them know. It may change nothing, or it may help them realize that they were leaving you out and hurting your feelings unintentionally. Or if you are applying for a job, it is good to be consistent when you check on the status of your application. You don’t have to do this everyday, in fact you definitely shouldn’t, but if you haven’t heard anything back for 10-12 days, it may be worth another call or email. No matter the scenario, you can make a lot more opportunities for yourself if you learn to speak up.

2) Achievement is Relative

Now this one may sound a bit weird, but let me explain. When I was unable to walk because of my knee injury, I felt helpless. I couldn’t do anything on my own. I was constantly having to ask for help from those around me. It was truly a humbling experience. And something I learned from this is that we need to celebrate the little things. When you are injured, or stressed, or having a rough day, the littlest things are achievements. Getting up out of bed and going to class. Getting a big project done early. Drinking enough water. All of these things are achievements, and should be celebrated. Not everyone is able to climb Mount Everest or run a marathon. And sometimes the simple act of getting out of bed, can feel as big as Everest.

3) I am Stronger Than I Think

If there is one thing this year has taught me, it is this. I am so much stronger than I ever thought I was. In 2017, I moved to New York on my own to pursue my dream internship. I lived in the big city for about three months and I loved every minute of it. I survived a surgery, which five months ago I never would have imagined I could do. I am terrified of needles, a fear which did everything it could to prevent me from going through with the surgery. But with the help and strength of those I love, I was able to overcome this fear. Not only did I go through with the surgery, but I also worked hard in physical therapy for weeks to get my mobility and strength back. After all of that, I had to put my nose to the grindstone and work hard to catch back up on all that I missed, while also getting my grades up.

At the beginning of the year, I never could have imagined that I would be able to face all of the things that were thrown at me this year. But by the grace of God, the love of my family, and my own personal growth, I was able to get through 2017. I only hope that this post allowed you to reflect on your year in a positive way, and to look back on all the ways you grew. I wish you all a Happy New Year and I hope that 2018 is filled with even more growth and happiness for the both of us.

Cheers!

Love, Kendall

Today’s Look: Home for the Holidays

Published on December 25, 2017 by kendallshea221 Comment

Well Merry Christmas, y’all!

I know it’s been a long time since I posted anything new. But after the past couple of months I’ve had, this break was much needed. As some of you may know, earlier this year I severely injured my knee, which resulted in surgery and physical therapy. After that, I decided to continue my hiatus for personal reasons which I will share in a following blog post. Needless to say this year has been rough for me, but I’m just glad to be surrounded by the ones I love for the holidays and to be one semester closer to graduation. I plan on getting back into a routine of sharing these moments with you through blog posts.

But enough about the past, let’s talk about the present (ha, present…Christmas…see what I did there?)

Sweater: Old Navy (similar here and here) Skirt: Old Navy (similar here) Boots: Steve Madden (similar here for 40% off!) Coat: Cato (similar here and here)

For this outfit, I went with something that was festive, without being straight up Christmas-y. I got this red plaid skirt on clearance, but the weather had started to warm up, so I didn’t get much wear out of it until recently. I love the pop of color it brings to an otherwise dreary outfit. I paired it with this light grey turtleneck sweater to add some contrast to the overall dark tones of this outfit. Of course I had to add these thigh high boots and coat to provide some warmth, because while I may be in Oklahoma, it can get very chilly this time of year.

I chose the boots, because they cover up my legs without having to wear tights (although you could add some if you wanted to) and then the coat was added to make the outfit seem more cohesive and festive. If you are in the market for a new coat this year, then I definitely suggest something in a bright and bold color. In the winter, we tend to cover up our outfits with big bulky coats, so why not make the coat itself a fashion statement by picking something fun.

No matter what circumstances are surrounding you this holiday season, I hope that you find even the smallest moments of happiness. I know that for many Christmas is a time for family, but don’t forget to take some time for yourself to reflect, rest, and find peace. And most of all, enjoy every moment you can. Savor it. Tell the people around you how much they mean to you. Look forward to the things God has in store.

Merry Christmas, everyone! And Happy Holidays!

Love, Kendall