10.30.2013

burgundy and cobalt {what i wore}

there is so much comfort and happiness in this moment.


fog-hugged saturday morning and a hot mocha.  cozy sweater tights and my mom's favorite color. 






dress - Free People, {mine's from Queen Anne Dispatch}
scarf - Anthropologie {old}
tights - old {target is the best place to find inexpensive quality colored tights}
shoes - Cole Haan
handbag - Anthropologie {old}
nail polish - Butter London Tramp Stamp
earrings - Lucia K. Taylor
bracelet - Lucia K. Chloe

photos by Angie.

linking up with pleated poppy for what i wore wednesday.

happy wednesday.

best,
kirsty

10.28.2013

expectations, homemade puree, and halloween {around my home}


at first I felt completely bummed when the boys asked if they could decorate for Halloween please, please, puhleeeeeeeease.  I had planned to be settled in - unpacked, organized and styled before the holidays began, a perfect canvas to then decorate for the holidays.

but how silly.  really.

despite my disappointment in the current state of my home, I begrudgingly got the halloween tub out.  and watching my boys delight and wonder as we unearthed our halloween treasures and memories, my mood completely elevated.


 how about a little trick to hide 3m hooks - cover with washi tape.

someday I will give this wonderful hutch the attention its due, until then it sits empty, patiently waiting.


my mantle makes me smile.


 then a little pumpkinpalooza.  I finally made homemade pumpkin puree.  how in the world have I not done this till now.  look at the color, and the flavor!  I am a pumpkin fanatic.  I don't think I can ever go back.  it made my favorite pumpkin bread recipe unbeatable.

its this one.  so I just shred the apple unpeeled to make it easier.  also have subbed coconut oil and whole wheat flour.  still a knockout.

a wonderful former neighbor of mine left me a hand written card during the complete chaos of last Christmas..."enjoy! this is the last time you will have a 3 and 4.5yr old at Christmas."  boy those words stuck with me.  this is the last time I will have my littles loves at this age for halloween.  very well the last time their halloween costumes don't include super heros or blood.  this is our first halloween in california, when we may not need winter coats and rainboots.  what do I want this season to really be...

happy monday and to letting go of expectations to enjoy life's moments.

best,
kirsty

10.23.2013

regular or unleaded rockstar {what i wore}

well i suppose they don't even have regular anymore.  but lets talk about the gas stations along the Pacific Coast Highway.  this is the parking lot of one of them.


angie is taking pictures standing next to the gas pump.  a red ferrari drives past to the next pump.  we joke that my lipstick matches the mans car maybe we should ask to borrow it for our pictures.  and the evening rolls on.  lets just stop at this gas station in my reversible wax pants and faux fur vest, snap some pictures, and then off on a date with my husband.  very date worthy outfit don't you think?  I fluctuated between feeling like a rockstar and feeling a little bit crazy.  which I guess most rockstars are a little insane.




did you catch that?  my jeans are reversible, and you wash them in the freezer.  its the truth.  talk about getting double bang for your buck.  its a dark wax jean and presto zamo its a faded gray-black jean.  they also do other colors and designs.  its kind of genius.


faux fur vest - Michael Kors {old, but this one is awesome, if only two faux fur vests were appropriate...}
tank - Anthropologie {old}
jeans - Bleulab, Queen Anne Dispatch {rumor has it they will be avail. at Nordstrom starting Nov 8th}
shoes - Dolce Vita, Nordstrom
bracelets - Lucia K. Jewelry Nora, in black and ombre
nail polish - London Butter Marrow

here's to crazy rockstar moments, maybe just not all in gas station parking lots.

linking up with pleated poppy for what i wore wednesday.

happy wednesday.

best,
kirsty

photos by Angie.

10.21.2013

flower pot face lift. {around my home}

meet my blue flower pot.


I inherited this pot from the previous occupants of my house.  it doesn't match the vision I have for this space.  and to get the orchid that calls this pot home out, I would most certainly have to break it.  and to buy a pot that big in the style that suites me, and the orchid, would be expensive.  yet I can't seem to just give the thing away.  it has potential.  this is how I am.  {God bless my husband.}  so I was racking my brain at how I could give this pot a facelift.

enter two inexpensive {9.60$ each} woven doormats.


I came up with the idea to wrap the mats around the pot.  they just happened to fit perfectly.  first try.  when does that ever happen!


I used a very light weight wire because it was what I had around and it was easy to poke through the holes as I laced up the two ends together.


then I wrapped the attached mats around the pot and laced the other ends together, making a nice cozy woven basket wrap for my good old blue pot.


you can still see a bit of the blue at the top.  I haven't decided if I will add some succulents or rocks to hide it.  for now I am happy with the quick and inexpensive update to my new orchid.  this also got me thinking how easy it would be to get an inexpensive indoor rug {like this or this} and update indoor pots as well, rugs have now been added to my list of crafting materials.

and so ever-so-slowly our "outdoor living room" is coming together.

next up, patiently waiting for the plants to fill out.  and sewing my own couch cushions!  oh my goodness thats a project.  then stringing some lights, adding a coffee table of some sort.  a cement planter on top with succulents....

hope you all had a fun weekend.

back to monday.

best,
kirsty

10.18.2013

two girls. one moto jacket. four ways friday.

this is a match made in forever 21 heaven.  Jenn and I have had an on again off again love affair with the afore mentioned store.  there are many inexpensive treasures to be found if you have the endurance and courage to search, and try on A LOT of stuff.  originally I purchased this pleather quilted moto jacket thinking that I loved the affordable price just in case I only wore it a few times.  turns out it has been quite versatile.

so here is four ways Jenn and I have been wearing our moto jacket...

#1 - Moto lace.  give floral and lace an edge.  I adoringly refer to this shirt as my "grandma shirt".  its a lacy, florally, fluttery piece so adding the black moto jacket gives it a more youthful feel.  first choice will always be a worn metallic leather {insert here}.  in this case shoe.  the faded black jean helps to keep the outfit from being too black on black.  of course pearl earrings only seemed appropriate.


jacket - Forever 21 {old, similar}
shirt - old
pants - Bluelab {they are reversible!}, Queen Anne Dispatch
shoes - Seychelles
earrings - Lucia K. Jessica

#2 - Moto LOVE.  Jeans and a tee.  how could it get more simple than that? Paired with a punch of red in a suede pump and a matching lip, the accessories spruce up an otherwise dark look.


jacket - Forever 21 {old, similar}
tshirt - Old Navy
necklace - Lucia K. Blake
bracelet - Stella & Dot

#3 - Maxi Moto.  jazz up an otherwise laid-back beachy maxi dress, making an easy transition from day to evening.  metallic espadrille wedges also go from beach to street quite well so they paired perfectly with this outfit.  this jacket gives the bohemian print dress more street credit.


jacket - Forever 21 {old, similar}
dress - Angie, Queen Anne Dispatch.
shoes - Tory Burch, Neiman Marcus {crazy sale!}
earrings - Lucia K. Tag

#4 - Moto glamorous.  this is my favorite look...love how Jenn mixed up all the style rules but somehow looks completely put together and impossibly chic.  in her own words "the textures were also really fun to play with here: suede, quilting, beading and jersey.  I tried to replicate several elements and colors in an effort to tie the look together."


jacket - Forever 21 {old, similar}
dress - Loveappela {old, similar}
shoes - Jimmy Choo {major nordstrom rack score! similar}
belt - Anthro {sold out, similar}
clutch - old {similar}
bracelet - J. Crew Factory, Nordstrom, Baublebar {right} Baublebar {left}
earrings - Lucia K. Tag

which one is your favorite?

tgif.

best,
kirsty {and jenn}

10.16.2013

different textures. {what i wore}


leather. denim. lace.  can we say country meets California here?  {see before Seattle was Montana.}  I'm just gonna let that one be my victory today.  I was quite thrilled with myself here, taking one of my favorite summer dresses and making it awesome for fall with my denim shirt.  {which by the way is on sale, and I hunted for this one - to get the right color and the right fit - slightly slim in the body and arms not so boxy like some, with loooong sleeves}.  and then my vegan leather coat. 

I also tried the whole straight hair thing, because the grass is always greener right and Ali just pulls this one off really well.  but I just end up looking like a curly hair girl trying to fake straight.  and a DROP of moisture in the air with find its way into my hair shafts and poof.  seriously poof.  so I'm good now. 




we are so faking its fall here in southern california.  and this boston ivy is giving a strong case right?  look at these gorgeous leaves.  seriously the changing of the leaves in autumn never gets old to me.  i get giddy over it.


calecedony.  thai silver.  gold painted chain.  when it comes to long layered necklaces, it's never just one.  I think its because I can never choose a favorite, if you ask me my favorite anything, its never one.  so why wear one necklace.

pleather jacket - Black Swan, Queen Anne Dispatch {also find it here}
denim shirt - Madewell. {on sale}
dress - C&C California, Queen Anne Dispatch {also find it here}
boots - vintage {from my grandma's closet yessiree!}
earrings - Lucia K. Jewelry Tag
necklaces - Lucia K. Jewelry Knotted Faye Ball & Blake & a new one.

did you see our four way friday post?  its happening again this friday.

linking up with pleated poppy for what i wore wednesday.

happy wednesday.

best,
kirsty

ps -photos are by Angie, so excited to have done these with her, thank you!  expect more great things to come.

10.14.2013

our blank canvas {around my home}

a large chunk of my time is currently spent settling in and making our new house a home.  so, I thought I would share the beginning of the adventure.

I hope to then share the progress made, or at least some of the journey along the way, in what it means to live in this house and call it home.  


these pictures were taken on moving day into our 1930s beach style cottage.  this was over two months ago.  we were so excited by the blank canvas of this house, never before have we moved into a house that has been newly remodeled, usually we have to remodel along the way.

the kitchen.


it took me a few weeks to get over being dizzy every trip up or down the spiral staircase.


this will be our dining room eventually.  


what i love {and worry will be a complete disaster with the little misters} is the white bright woodwork throughout the space, wood floors and lots of natural light.


I have a wood burning fireplace, and it works!  ironic that I had to move to california to get one of these.  love the big wood mantle.




there it is.  a brief look into the space we now call home.  it is a bit intimidating to know where to begin.  I have definitely been overwhelmed and paralyzed by the enormity of it all.  I don't like to unpack unless I know exactly where things are going to go and what I am going to do and it almost always involves some sort of project.  and I have two busy little helpers. and then there is the rest of life happening at that same time.  so as you can imagine, we haven't gotten very far.

here's to celebrating little victories along the way,

happy monday.

best,
kirsty

10.10.2013

as i was getting a pedicure {what i wore}

this stunning woman walked in with the best outfit on, this great floral flowy dress with booties with fringe.  right.  

when I told her how much I liked her dress, she told me where it was from.  

even better. 

because, hello, if I am saying I love what you are wearing, of course I am complimenting your style!  but it also means I want to copy you, so please tell me where it is from.  thank you.

and that is when I discovered Isla Boutique.  and she, Stephanie, just happened to be the owner.


and this jumpsuit.  I have always wanted a jumpsuit, been threatening my husband for years.  and to be honest they have never been flattering on my booty.  and how great will this jumpsuit be when the weather cools down with a long sleeve white t-shirt underneath with a jean jacket and a blake necklace instead of the blake ombre earrings that of course you can't see in any of these pictures, but were the perfect accessory for this jumpsuit.  

am I in this for the jewelry or what.  honestly.  


 and perhaps I will hem eventually.  but I love wearing my tallest wedges and pretending my legs are just that long.


so when you see something pretty - tell them!  I think the world could use more compliments don't you?  and who knows, it just might lead you to a jumpsuit.  

jumpsuit - Flynn Skye, Isla Boutique {similar}
shoes - kelsi dagger {on sale!}
belt - zara {old}
earrings - Lucia K. Blake

linking up with pleated poppy for what i wore wednesday {just a day late.}
happy thursday.

best,
kirsty