obsessed: denim + linen

I'm totally gobbling up this whole trend of minimalist fashion lately--but with one caveat: Statement accessories must accompany! Huge vintage jewelry and scarves are a MUST. Here a just a few minimalist favorites, to be dressed up with funky flair. Sources and more inspiration here.

obsessed: peggy guggenheim

Ever since Ted and I visited the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice, I've had a little obsession with the eccentric and stylish Peggy Guggenheim. Can you blame me? Just look at her... and her dogs!

black, polka dots, + rose gold

All I want to wear right now is a comfy uniform of sweaters, jeans, and sneakers.  For people who know me well, this may come as quite a surprise.  After all, I have over 40 dresses hanging in my closet (one of the quirks of having not grown since fifth grade). But hey, I never thought I'd enjoy a Taylor Swift album so much either, so life continues to surprise me (as it should).  I'm going to embrace these peculiar new inclinations with sparkle and polka dots, which will always be a favorite of mine.

sweater // tote // hat // sneakers // watch // barrettes // necklace // pouch // sneakers

hearts day

I redisovered Polyvore tonight (So this is what not having homework is like!) and made a set for the first time in two years.  Then it automatically posted here.  But that's okay, because my blog is in need of Valentine's Day festivities anyway.

Happy February!  Remember to be sparkly and alarmingly enamored with chocolates, romantic movies, and cute cards. 

blog announcement

For as long as I can remember, I've been interested in clothes.  I feel like I experimented a lot with my style growing up.  I remember getting a lot of "I never would be able to pull that off!" comments throughout junior high and high school.  I never thought my style was reaaaaally out there, but I suppose my outfits were eccentric enough to stand out as not being the typical go-to options for the average girl.  I've never, ever been a "t-shirt and jeans" kind of girl.  I tend to mix patterns and go for sometimes odd brightly colored pallets.  I like hats, and rarely wear pants.  In junior high, I was frequently mistaken for being on a girls sports team because they were asked to dress up on game days.  I'd reply laughing, "Nope, I just like dresses!"  Now dresses seem to be the norm, but back then, not so much, at least where I was.

I remember the moment in junior high when the world came crashing down on me--I finally made the startling connection in my mind that I wasn't the only one in the world who was interested in the past--other people liked vintage stuff too!  I had 50's birthday party in 5th grade, and starting antiquing in 6th grade (after a trip to the antique store with my grandma to find pieces for my Alice Paul getup--for a school project--sparked my interest).  I can even trace some of my style tendencies back to my childhood obsessions with Nancy Drew and my much loved American Girl dolls.

Despite my long love affair with fashion, I'm not the typical enthusiast.  My wardrobe consists mostly of things I've had for years, my mom's hand-me-downs, and holiday dresses (the best kind) I got while shopping with my stylish grandma.  Rarely do I add something new to my wardrobe, because a) I can't afford to sustain a shopping habit, b) Despite my love of fashion, I like classic shapes, and have no interest in keeping up with the latest trends, c) I have plenty of clothes already, so a dress here or there is all I can justify/store anyways.

One of the reasons I am attracted to costume design is the idea that everyone has a personal style that says something about them, whether intentional or not. I can appreciate so many different fashion sensibilities, while never desiring to don a similar get-up.  However, there are some styles that I find very appealing and wish I could pull off, but that are regrettably not "me."

A part of me desires to be as clean and simple as Audrey Hepburn, but in reality, most days I'm more of a Frizzle than a Hepburn.  Sure, I like clean lines and ballet flats, but I also like wearing polka dots, fruit-covered cardigans, brightly colored tights, and appreciate a well-planned themed outfit paired with my wild curly hair that I never comb. Not to mention there is nothing I love more than dressing in holiday-inspired outfits.  I'd like to think at my best, my Frizzle-like tendencies can transcend to be tastefully tongue-in-cheek, like my favorite brand, Kate Spade.  At my worst, I am a walking Christmas tree or Valentine, a themed outfit turned too literal (like when I wore an actual giant present bow in my hair--but that was pretty awesome, I must say).  But even then, I'm 100% Kaylie.

On that note, I want to announce that I am going to begin posting outfits regularly.  I've been wanting to do this for a LONG time, but have never had the courage to do it (there have been many instances that Ted and I will go out with the intention to take outfit pictures and in short, I chicken out).  Admittedly, I still have some courage to muster up, but I think that ultimately it will be good for my creativity and confidence to document something that brings me such joy.  Stay tuned for some crazy colorful and/or themed outfits!

fashion break: thom browne resort 2013

CLASSY WHALES?! As a lover of both animal patterned clothing AND not looking like a toddler, I'm pretty into these looks.  There are also some 30's vibes (seen more in other looks) which is nice.  I'd love to pair the blazer with a brightly colored dress or the blue bag with...everything. I'm also all over the pretty white, baby blue, and gray eyelet.  I'm usually one to go for bright colors, but I can appreciate the loveliness of a soft spoken eyelet. Yep, soft spoken.  Just go with it.

fashion break: anna sui fall 2013

♥

I just had to share this post I found, because it's so on point--this collection has Blair Waldorf written all over it and I am in love.

fashion on film: ginger rogers in top hat (1935)

The other night, I watched Top Hat for the first time.  I absolutely adored it.  Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers are a dream together.  I can't believe how long it took me to watch this delightful film!  Ginger Rogers totally charmed me the first she came onto screen in her luxurious silk night gown.  The epitome of Art Deco glamour.  I thought it would be fun to channel a few of Ginger's more casual looks and find modern-day answers to her iconic style.

Resort wear: romper // belt // wedges // purse

Equestrian-inspired outfit: blazer // blouse // pants // boots // hat

style lessons: shirley kurata

Thanks to Rookie, I discovered the wardrobe stylist Shirley Kurata.  The moment I read she described her style as "secretary chic" I knew we were kindred spirits.

Constantly seeing images of women who are super done up or put together in the chicest, sexiest way makes me want to curl up in a pear-covered cardigan ball (yep, wore that today).  My style is far from any definition of attractive in the traditional sense.  Yet, I'm not Man Repeller status either, because girls who dress "edgy" and go headfirst into crazy fashion trends usually have a killer attitude and confidence that translates to sexiness.

Edgy and sexy are two words that certainly do not describe me.  I am very modest and love to play with color and a sense of humor.  I have more brooches and holiday pins to rival your local elementary school librarian.  Obviously, this isn't the epitome of sexiness.  And I'm okay with that.

I can't say I don't try to look attractive sometimes, but let me tell you this--the rare occasion I do try to look more than cute, I fail miserably.  Even if I do succeed to some extent, I quickly pull a cardigan over my bare shoulders, arrange a bow in my hair, or put extremely bright opaque tights on.  Or all three.

It's just not me to put myself out there.  I'd rather stand out because of my interesting color combination than how much skin I'm showing.  Not to say that showing skin is bad--if you want to flaunt your stuff, more power to you!  However, in my case, it's more important for me to feel true to myself than look appealing to other people.

And this is why it is so refreshing to stumble upon someone like Shirley Kurata, who not only has a strong sense of personal style, but also has an incredible eye for fashion (see her styling work here).

In the words of one of my mom's second graders when shown a picture of me, "She looks like she's going to sell Girl Scout cookies!"

my favorite blogger designed a line for my favorite online store....

Nope, it's not even in my dreams.  Check it out here:  A Beautiful Mess for Modcloth

because elmo is the best

My love for this can't be described.

new line at shabby apple

There is a cute and classy new line at Shabby Apple called Highclere Castle.  I love its retro British vibe!  My favorite is the navy blue tulle skirt.  If you see something you like, use the code "High" for 10% off store wide.

fall in love

Dresses: 1, 2, 3

Accessories: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

I LOVE FALL.  I can not emphasize this enough.  Once it's August, it's all I can think about.

Ever since I can remember, Fall has been the epitome of prime Kaylie time--after all, it's the beginning of the holiday season.  I feel like everything good starts happening in Fall:

A new school year (yes, I'm a nerd), Ted and my anniversary/his birthday, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, Valentine's Day, my birthday, Easter...

I realize this all spans over six months.  But you guys.  Those six months are the best.  Holidays are my greatest joy.  Decorating, making homemade gifts, baking, hosting parties.....

I LOVE IT ALL.

This summer I have already been making birthday gifts for the remaining birthdays of this year, planning out Christmas gifts, working on my Halloween costume, and using my Pinterest as an arsenal for seasonal treats and fashion inspiration.

I have a problem.  I recognize this.  Call me crazy, insane, Mrs. Claus.....  It's probably all true.

Holidays aside, one of my favorite things about the Fall is the change in weather.  In Arizona, Fall means cooler weather, even if it still means pumpkin ice cream is more suitable than a hot pumpkin spice latte.  See my ways for embracing a desert Fall here and here.

Since moving to Portland, I have come to see Fall in its full potential.  It's magical, and I can't wait to spend another Fall there.  Until then... I will be knitting, making mix CDs, and dreaming up layered outfits.  (Right now I am wearing my new boots... It's one in the morning.)

Are you crazy about Fall?

take back the past: victorian era

As a lover of fashion and history, I decided to start a new series about looking to the past for fashion inspiration.  See the first post here.  

Today it's the Victorian Era (1837-1901).  I never really thought about it until now, but Victorian-inspired fashion is EVERYWHERE.  It's such an accessible "look" that you can embody any day, even if it's just through a lacy top, cameo necklace, jeans, and lace up boots.

Above:  Dress, necklace, shoes, laptop case

The Victorian era lasted under Queen Victoria's rule.  The fashions went through the following trends:

• 1840's/50's - Full skirts supported by petticoats made of horse hair, off the shoulder bodices, skirts full of flounces (frills), 
• 1850's/60's -Hoop skirts (eek!), jacket bodices,  gored skirts.  Less flounces during Civil War due to decline in fabrics.
• 1870's - Hoop skirts replaced by the "bustle" (more fullness in the back), bell shaped sleeves for daytime, small decorated sleeves for evening, polonaise (bodice and overskirt in one piece) bodices.
• 1870's/80's - Bustles were abandoned for a more natural silhouette, more conservative necklines, slim skirts, asymmetrical details.
• 1880's - The bustle is back-this time with the slim skirt front, draping became more complicated, high necklines.

Accessories:  Bonnets, cameos, fans, heeled boots.

Sources: Truly Victorian
Pictures: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 (my favorite!)

I'm really enjoying this series... I hope it interests someone other than myself.  Either way--It's been a fun way to learn more about fashion history.  Next up, the Edwardian era!  I just started watching Downton Abbey, so that should be exciting.

take back the past: regency era

As a lover of fashion and history, I decided to start a new series about looking to the past for fashion inspiration.  First up:  Regency Era Fashion (1795-1837) 

Above: Dress, shoes, hair comb, shawl, clutch, illustration.

Here are a few distinctions from this time (found here and here):

• hoop skirts were shed for more delicate silhouettes in plain cottons
• high hair and hair powder were abandoned for more natural hairstyles 
• extravagant jewelry and general extravagance were now garish
• the Empire waist became the most popular style
• usually made from white lawn, muslin or batiste, Empire-style dresses were named after their influence from flowing Grecian robes
• white evening gowns were a sign of social status, while pastels were reserved for daytime
• Grecian and Egyptian-like trim patterns
• popular accessories were shawls, caps, bonnets, hair combs, reticule handbags, muffs, gloves, cloaks, and flat footwear sometimes adorned with bows

Inspiring at all?  In my book, a little romance while getting dressed is never a bad idea, so I love getting inspiration from films like Pride & Prejudice and Bright Star.  

outfit: favorite new trend

The other day my grandma and I got lunch and went shopping, which was lovely as always.  Since colorful jeans are everywhere lately, I've been looking out for a pair that would work for me.  Since I tend to wear bright colors, these teal ones fit the ticket.  Plus, this color reminds me of my grandma, who also loves it. 

While my grandma always looks polished and stylish, I tend to be all over the place, hoping it makes sense to someone other than myself. I do admit that matching an outfit is very important, but I have a rather unorthodox way of doing it.  Sometimes I think I worry my grandma, because I'm always saying, "Oh, I will find something to go with that!"  So this one's for you!

When I see blue, I tend to want to put green or yellow with it, so I put on this yellow top and belted it (because I'm a belt addict).  I have a headband that is the same shade of blue with a pink flower, so I put that on too.  THEN I REMEMBERED I HAD THE PERFECT CLUTCH.  So I added it, accessorized, and ta-da!  A colorful, yet matched ensemble.

People always ask me, "How do you come up with your outfits?"  Well, here you go.  I'm just a crazy colorful mess that somehow comes together by some miracle.  

Outfit: shirt/hand-me-down from mom, jeans/Nordstrom, headband/Etsy, belt/Goodwill, clutch & ring/Kate Spade, flats/David's Bridal, earrings/birthday gift, bracelet/boutique