4.30.2014

pajamarama {what i wore}



bravo to you fashion guru who thought to make pajama pants, aka the most comfortable pants ever, hip and flattering and totally appropriate around the clock wear.  I can't get over how happy I am in this outfit, it is so comfortable.  it is my quest to wear pjs as flattering awesome day wear.  So call them what you will joggers, track pants, trousers, beachwear.  I'm iiiiiiin.

Also I came to the realization that I can knot the bottom of my pants changing from a wide leg trouser to a tapered ankle affair...making the shoe pairings endless.



t-shirt - Bobi, Queen Anne Dispatch {other colors here}
pants - billabong sample sale {find here}
sandals - 80%20 {find here}
earrings - Lucia K. Jewelry Tag
necklaces - Lucia K. Jewelry

other pajama pant lovelies on my wantlist...










linking up with pleated poppy for what i wore weds.
happy wednesday.

best,
kirsty

4.25.2014

when i first visited this canyon


The first time I visited this canyon it was July.  Everything was brown and crunchy and prickly.  It was hot and super dusty.  My oldest and I had flip flops on and did not enjoy the stings are feet were receiving from little stickers or the dirt between my toes.  So we sat on the back of our car feeling quite sorry for ourselves.

Currently this canyon is magical.  There is silvery green plants everywhere, beautiful grasses that catch the setting sun and sparkle.  Orange California poppies and yellow wild flowers are scattered everywhere.  And even the cactus are green and sort of lush.

I am shocked at what these plants can do with such little rainfall, even if only temporary.  It is gorgeous in its own California kind of way.  I am happy to experience its beauty - dare I admit my slight change of heart.




I'm not sure why I look so somber in all of these photographs, that was not my intention.  I like how this scarf adds color and interest to my white and navy outfit, and also gives a sort of kimono feel.  Love those kimonos.  The skirt if from Brandy Melville, a new, and favorite, discovery of mine. 




Curious what other people have found beauty in lately?  Too deep of a question for friday??

TGIF, thank you for reading...

best,
kirsty

4.23.2014

so who knew whole foods has tank tops, and they're cute. {what i wore}

so I think my grocery budget just increased, rushing to grab the items I needed to make my contributions for Easter dinner, dare I spotted a rack of super cute and sustainable clothing.  and well you can guess the rest.



and a quick mention for my shoes...Joyfolie is a wonderful company with the most darling little girls clothes and lucky for me, women's shoes. 


tank - Threads 4 Thought, Whole Foods
jeans - oldies I self destroyed.
shoes - Joyfolie 

Happy Wednesday.

best,
kirsty

4.17.2014

Modcloth Wanelo Outfit Challenge Week #1

I recently discovered Wanelo when Modcloth contacted me to join their weekly Wanelo outfit challenge.  My first thought was "oh just another social media shopping sight, I can't keep up!"

But what fun I had.  It was like playing dress up.  

The challenge was to style this dress.

My inspiration was this building.  I actually had such a dress in my mind because of this building.  Is that strange?  There's just something about it.


and this is what I came up with...

I have been on the hunt for a flowy red dress, so when Modcloth contacted me for this challenge, I was stoked. I have this building in mind near my home. The architecture is old yet modern, it has fun eclectic vintage detail with beach charm. I picture walking past at sunset with my husband on our way to dinner. I find this outfit elegant with fun mixes of lines and architecture. The large cuff on one arm - black. gold, turquoise rose and a few bangles on other. My lips would also be red.




What do you think?

If you'd like to follow along on my Wanelo adventure, please join and follow along here.

almost TGIF.
Kirsty

4.16.2014

festival style without a ferris wheel while just cooking dinner. {what i wore}

floppy hat

I am not sure if its because I now live in southern California, or simply that the regional music festivals have just become so crazy popular, but you can't miss the talk down here.  or the style.

Maybe I am dreaming of a hip LaCoste style pool party with blow up green alligators free for the floating, or a great music concert at sunset, but I am loving all the festival style.  

fringe, feathers, beading, short shorts, great hats, clever quotes - all completely comfy and loungeable yet super stylish.  

Anywoo.  There is a festival in all of us, and this is mine while renting double surrey bikes {to seat 6 cousins and us 2 mommas}, snuggling on the couch with my boys to watch Monsters University, and making dinner with Pandora blasting.    


by the way how do they all look so fabulous at Coachella in the smoking hot desert weather and where do they sleep/get ready for the day?  this is a phenomenon to me.  

festical style





hat - Olive&Pique, Islaboutique
shirt - C&C, Queen Anne Dispatch {also here}
white tank - Billabong, oldie
shorts - Rails, Bloomingdales
 bracelets - Lucia K. Jewelry {turquoise}.  Queen Anne Dispatch {guitar strings}

turn up your favorite music and make your own festival this week.
linking up with pleated poppy for what i wore weds.
happy wednesday.

best,
kirsty

photos by angie.

4.14.2014

Curls Products that I currently can't live without {the curl files}


for far too long I have been promising and not delivering when it comes to the topic of sharing my favorite curl products and techniques.  so here we are.

A few things before we begin:

1.  I am a hair product junky.  A true test is if I finish an entire container of a product, and then if I purchase a second round.  The products listed below have been purchased countless times.

2.  Also, before I begin talking about the styling products I love, a good shampoo and conditioner regimen is the foundation and the key to happy healthy curls.


I started using this deep condition once a week, and now I use it twice a week {basically every time I wash/condition my hair}.  My curls are so much better, happier, less dry and brittle, smell good, and completely less frizz.  Even my husband, who says my hair always looks exactly the same {not true} noticed a difference, with a comment something like "you'd really like your curls today."  It takes a LOT for me to be impressed with a product and this conditioner totally does it.  I also have a clarifying Ouidad shampoo I'm starting to try every couple of weeks {to remove product build-up}.  and their repair mask.  I'll keep you posted...

3.  I created a "curl files" tab in the upper right to see all the curl posts I've done in the past.

and 4.  Just remember with curly hair - it is all about smoothing and treating it gently.


okay, now here are my favorite styling products, I promise {there's that word again} to go into more depth on how I use them in later posts when I talk about what I do to style my hair...maybe even a video or two.  oh dear.

first up...


I use this product right after I shower and have gently squeezed the water from my hair, before I comb it out. I put it from root to tip {but less at roots.}  I like the way this product helps detangle my hair and smooths and settles it and it smells great, priming my hair for styling gel. 


next...

This one hasn't left my side for almost a decade!  here's why.


after that...


This is what I use once my hair is close {but not quite} to dry.  I put a smaller than dime amount and smooth it over my curls, do not run my fingers thru, just smoothing from root to tip.  I love the shine it adds.  I also use this product on day two or three of my curls the same way.


another great product that I use on day two and three...

This is a great product for the days I don't wash and condition my hair.  It helps fight the frizz and smooths my curls so that my hair can last even longer without being washed/conditioned.


I used the shine serum and pomade above to smooth my second day hair, and to also smooth the strands in front before doing a side braid.

***enter code "deeptreat" to receive a free deep treatment conditioner from Ouidad, this stuff is awesome and not cheap, and free shipping, good until april 16th.***

okay, so I know that is brief but these are my top all-stars.

I would love to hear what you all think.  Are there other products you love and can't live without??

happy monday.

best,
kirsty

4.11.2014

jump jump uh-huh uh-huh.

Yes its friday!


I have had jumpsuits on my mind, I just love a good romper.  Just look at this one.  And I would love to find a classic black one, I don't by any means need one.  Just another fashion pursuit of mine.  This is my attempt at convincing myself I can pull this look off without having to buy an actual jumpsuit.  These black track pants have been such a great addition to my wardrobe.  Plus this solves the problem of longer torsos or inseams, which you have to get both right in a jumpsuit.  what do you think?  Ready for a night on the town.  Well at least my outfit is.





tank - fluxus, Queen Anne Dispatch
track pants - Wayf, Nordstrom {similar}
vest - Michael Kors {old}
shoes - Charles by Charles David, Nordstrom {and on sale!}
clutch - Isla Boutique


great black jumpsuit options...




TGIF.

Best,
Kirsty

4.09.2014

I'm a momma {what i wore}



I'm a momma who is signing her first born up for kindergarten in the fall.


I'm also a momma who's youngest is tall enough to ride the matterhorn at Disneyland, and does so with such zealous joy it makes my entire week.


I've just been sort of spinning this week.  and crying some.  and texting my friends and family for support.  its a crazy ride motherhood.

There are moments when a minute feels like eternity and I can not wait for bedtime!  and yet life is flying by in a blur and so often I wish wish wish I could just freeze moments in time.

what a precious gift it is for me to be their mommy.




happy wednesday.

best,
kirsty

photos by angie


4.04.2014

4 ways we are wearing the perfect spring jacket. {4 way friday}

two girls.  one jacket.  one spring season on the horizon. *fingers-crossed* 

besides here, here, and here.  here is 4 more ways we are wearing it.  

take note - the trick to a cargo style jacket - especially once the warmer weather hits and we are replacing bulkier sweater type clothing with lighter layers, is to cinch and cuff.  you want definition at the waste, the jacket below has a cinch on the inside of the jacket which is key to making it flattering.  and cuffing the sleeves is just better.  ok now we can begin.

#1 - with lace.

jacket - H&M
dress - C&C California, mine from Queen Anne Dispatch
shoes - 80%20, ASOS
necklace - Lucia K. Jewelry

 #2 - with florals.

jacket - Sanctuary, Nordstrom
shirt - Hinge, Nordstrom
shorts - 7fam, Piperlime
sandals - Gentle Souls, Piperlime
necklace - Stella & Dot
lips - Nars, Sephora

 #3 - with flannel

jacket - H&M
flannel - Rails, Queen Anne Dispatch
slip - Queen Anne Dispatch
shoes - Anthropologie
necklace - Lucia K. Jewelry

#4 with stripes.

jacket - Sanctuary, Nordstrom
shirt - Gap
pants - Aritzia
sandals - Sigerson Morrison, Bluefly
clutch - Pretty Ships, Nordstrom

a few other cargo coats we are loving...


thanks for reading, whats your favorite way to wear a cargo jacket?  

follow along on the fun
instagram: thekirstyfiles  &  lovin_styling
pinterest: kirstyp  &  j2lovin 

happy friday.
kirsty {and Jenn