Self Revelations

I was sitting at home yesterday, doing some studying (as usual), and a couple of things just kinda hit me about myself. A self-revelation so to say. This might be a little personal, but oh well, if you aren't interested...forewarning...stop reading...at about...here... ;)

A few relationships I've had have ended in the exact same way. 

That's a little strange, right? It seemed a little odd to me until I really though about why. For the last several years (after each one individually), I went through the blaming myself part, and the racking it up to the guy just being a jerk part...but what it really comes down to is me, that's the part that I can control. I realized that I avoid confrontation, I avoid the conversations that have to do with how I feel, I avoid looking inward. I can help others with their feelings and emotions all day long, but when it comes to me...I avoid it, I think about it too much, I overanalyze it all. 

I realized I don't have a relationship with myself. I don't really know me. This kinda makes it hard to say how I feel, or to stand up for myself in any situation where I feel taken advantage of. I can stand up for others without any second thought. But for myself, it's a different story, unless it's with my mom, certain family members, or my best friends. (The unconditional love relationships that I've been blessed to have).

Hence,  I have decided to build a relationship with myself. To really get to know me. To enjoy spending time with me...not just in the introverted, self-replenishing way that I'm used to, but in a way where I venture out and do things, with just me. 

So I guess you could say that I've decided to date myself. haha. But not exclusively...I mean, c'mon. 

Anyhow, date one: I went to see Fast and Furious 6 yesterday...loved sitting in the theater by myself. Loved laughing by myself. It was releasing in a way. There was no one to impress, or to judge me about the things I laughed at. It was just me, being me with me. I liked it and I felt comfortable just being with myself in public. I know a lot of people don't like to do anything alone. Especially go to eat by themselves...but it's healthy to do things with yourself. 

The way I choose to look at it is you're spending time with yourself, you're going out with yourself...you're not doing something alone. You have yourself. To be alone sounds to me like you're not even with yourself...I think that's how I've felt for the last little bit and I think it's time to get back in touch with me. To get acquainted. 

So cheers! Here's to me and me...may it be a lasting relationship, filled with love and acceptance. :)

P.S. Yeah, the guys were jerks, but it came down to more than that. ;)

Twenty dollas...no longer in my pocket

Went thrifting today...figured I'd share some of my favorite finds with you! Most of what I got was home decor type stuff. I'm trying to make my place a little more homey. Anyhow, in the midst of making the video, the sun went down, hence the dark lighting. And I tried to make it shorter and more condensed, so it jumps around a bit...I'll work on that in the future :/

xoxo, Kate

Her life seems like a movie...

I read this article the other day about Jenna Lyons, who if you don't know, is the President and Creative Director of J. Crew. First off, her style. Love it. It has tailored, manly facets, but then girly, sparkly specs, and then on top of that, nerdy chic. It's so many things into one and it's just fun! She usually has one classic piece, with a girly piece, and then some random unique item. For example...a couple of her looks that I love. 

Instead of wearing a formal gown, she opted for this statement! She has the classic sweater, the girly clutch and earrings, then the unique skirt. For some of you, it might not be your cup of tea, but it's brave. 

This next look, once again a red carpet deal. But this time she chose a feminine hot pink skirt with an interesting cut and large side front bow, pastel heels, classic clutch with a classic white button down and blue jean jacket...then to top it off, just simple cascading curls. 

I won't analyze all of her outfits, but I'll just post a couple pics of my favorites...

 

She combines textures, maybe that's what draws me in. Also, she is like 6 ft tall and she kinda reminds me of Gisele Bundchen...idk if ya'll see it or not, it might just be my imagination...

Anyhow...she grew up with this medical condition that caused her to lose her teeth, so she has dentures. She went to design school @ Parsons and then got a job working at J. Crew as an assistant to an assistant's assistant...Now she practically runs the company. She was married, but divorced and is now with a woman...seriously, her life is like a movie...

Maybe I'll do a Jenna Lyons style week, and basically take on her style as a challenge...hmm...

Anyhow, hope you all are doing well! Click on the pic to see the sourcing sites and if you'd like to read the article on Jenna and J. Crew, it's here. 

xoxo,

Kate

So this seal walks into a club...

Today is World Penguin Day.

I, myself, love penguins. I think it's just because they always look so classy and put together ;)

Seriously though, are they not adorable. Especially if you've seen that movie with Jim Carey and the penguins...I don't remember the name but his dad ships him like 8 penguins in NYC and the whole movie brings his kids back into his life bc of the penguins and their quirkiness. It's cute. 

To bring a little penguin into your life today, here are a few of my favorite things...clothes, accessories, and bags, oh my!

Enjoy your day! Hopefully it is a little more colorful than black and white ;)

xoxo, Kate

Parker? Parker? Warby Parker?

 This Season:  A Touch of Vintage Charm and Hollywood Romance 

Vintage trends, lifestyles, and “Old Hollywood” glamour have been steadily making a comeback.  Popular in 2012, the vintage trend is continuing into 2013 stronger than ever. (YAY!) There are many ways to explore vintage styles and put some glamour into your life!

Wardrobe is a fun way to show vintage style and class.  There are now many online retailers offering vintage styles with great customer service. One of the easiest ways to incorporate a vintage look into your wardrobe is to style one or two of them with your usual outfits.  Toughen a sweet 40’s or 50’s vintage style dress with a denim or leather jacket, tights, and boots.  Or make it office appropriate with a pearl-buttoned cardigan, pendant necklace, and flats.  A vintage midi skirt could also go to the office with a cardigan accessorized with a vintage brooch.

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Vintage accessories are also an easy way to experiment with a vintage look.  A quick search online will show that established online businesses are reflecting this trend as well.  A great example is the new “Hayworth Collection” of eyeglasses and sunglasses from Warby and Parker.  The frames and sunglasses from this collection have a fabulous vintage Old Hollywood look, and are a great choice if you’re seeking Warby and Parker’s usual combination of affordability, modernity and luxury.  Along with sunglasses that make you look as though you stepped out of a noir film, jewelry is also a great way to add a vintage feeling.  Thrift stores, online auction sites, and online retailers such as ModCloth are all good places to shop for vintage brooches, pendants and pearls to complete your looks.

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While wearing vintage items is a great way to update your wardrobe, using vintage touches in your home is a fun way to add some glamour to your everyday life.  Use an art deco lamp, an ornate ‘50s mirror, a collection of ‘60s vases, or other vintage accessories to liven up a room.  Accent a wall in your house using vintage themed wallpaper.  Mix a vintage cocktail, such as the Tom Collins, in some vintage cocktail glasses for your next party.  Once you get used to having Old Hollywood glamour in your everyday life, you’ll be finding many ways show your vintage flair!

If you love sunglasses as much as I do, check these out!

Warby Parker: Edgeworth

Or maybe the eyeglass version, my eyes are so bad I need think frames to hold my thick lenses...seriously thinking these could do the job. I think I could pull it off.

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I love the vintage look to frames nowadays and so glad the trend has been returning!!

*This post is a collaboration with Warby Parker, but my feelings and opinions stated are all me*

February Red.

For some reason, every single time I think of February, I think of the colors Red and Pink. It might be the whole Valentine's Day thing, or my Birthday month, maybe just because it's the month of L-O-V-E. (Background: oohs and ahhs). But seriously, this dress to me, says LOVE. 

The bright Lipstick Red, the Lace, the Peplum hips...it's just all LOVE for me! 

P.S. I can only imagine how entertaining it would have been to watch me get this dress on. It fits me like a glove and it has a zipper up the back on the inner dress, but then the outer lace, has fabric buttons and loops...imagine one person trying to button loop buttons all the way up your own back without the benefit of stretch arms...ahh, the little things in life that make me laugh. I was seriously laughing at myself trying to put this on! But I did it! And then I didn't want to take it off bc I was in love...and because it was gonna be difficult, but actually it ended up not being that hard. 

xoxo, Kate

Launch Party a Success!

My MK team leader, Laurin, came over last weekend and gave two of my old roomies and I a few makeup tips and tricks. Honestly, makeup is not really my thing...but I'm learning!

I got to spend the afternoon with three of my favorite people and had so much fun!

Here's a little before and after pic of just MK foundation...then full on MK makeup!

Couple tricks I learned:

1. An eyebrow pencil is the key to highlighting your eyes!

2. Eye Primer is AHHHMAZING! It keep the eyeshadow from clumping at the crease and it also keeps the eyeshadow's sparkle...and you know girls love to sparkle.

3. Do 2-3 applications of mascara within 1-2 minutes...it really does make a difference!

My person, (aka Christina and Meredith 'my person'), Jess, is going to be my first hostess in a couple weeks for my first skincare PARTY! I am super excited, but so so nervous. Anyhow, it'll be fun no matter what! Hopefully, it will be a success! Wish me luck!!

xoxo, Kate