Wear What You Own

     Often in life we keep searching for things outside of us that we think we need when all along we already had it.  Whether it be love, approval, validation, it all exists within us.  If you seek out these things from other people you not only give your power away, but you would be missing the most important point, and that is self-love is the key to happiness.  Get out of your head and drop into your heart  to find that, and you will see that all the things you thought you needed you've already had all along.

      To celebrate this empowering thought, I've decided to include this post.  Everything I'm wearing here is nothing new, I've had all of these inside my own closet for a while, so forgive me if some of the items won't have links that to direct you to where to get them, as some are no longer available.

What are some things in your own heart (and closet, ha!) can you bring to light?  Don't be afraid to really look and get creative!  Radiate love!

xo Karen

"Maybe there's a way out of the cage where you live

Maybe one of these days you can let the light in

Show me how big your brave is"

-Sara Bareilles

Outfit Details:

Flannel: Nordstrom's

Shoes: Aldo

Jeans: Paper Denim & Cloth

Lace Top: Forever 21

Big Stud Bracelet: Urban Outfitters

Silver Rope Bracelets: Rebecca Minkoff

Statement Necklace: Luna Boutique ( may be still avail at store locations)

Effortless Boho Chic

       Though I tend to dress according to my mood, and perhaps location ( I've never worn so much black in my life than when I was in New York) my style tends to lean more towards the boho-chic, easy Cali vibe on a day to day basis.  The trick to making this look work is just that, be literally effortless with it.

        

That's why I loooove this mini dress by One Teaspoon.  It serves the same purpose as a maxi dress ( in that, you put one on and throw on some jewelry and suddenly you look put together with no effort at all) but it is a mini dress, which is a godsend for petite girls like me because it won't swallow up my figure like some maxi dresses can.

   As for accessorizing, I have been guilty in the past (and probably still will be in the future) of doing the whole arm party and ring fiesta ( I just coined that term..I know, I know, stop trying to make fetch happen!) thing.  It's hard not to when boho chic accessories/details are all my favorites: turquoise, feathers, lace, stones, crystals…I could wear them all!! The more the merrier! Ha!

But this stunning quartz crystal necklace by Paradigm Design is a showstopper enough by itself and didn't need much more so I wore it solo and just threw on some bangles.  I  love the length of the necklace.  It stops at a perfect spot just above my heart, which is perfect since crystals are said to have healing properties. (How so boho-hippie-chic of me! )

To complete the look, I put on a braided tan belt to cinch the  loose fit of the dress and to break up my petite frame. Threw on some House of Harlow tortoise sunnies, sandals and of course, some fringe!! Voila!! Boho chic done effortlessly! :)

Outfit Details:

Dress: One Teaspoon

Necklace: Paradigm Design from Prism Boutique

Sandals: Michael Kors

Fringe BagJJ Winters

Bangles: Urban Outfitters, no longer avail..here is similar

Lovin' My Birthday Dress

So for my birthday this year my girlfriends were throwing me a brunch, which was perfect because breakfast happens to be my favorite meal of the day and what girl doesn't love champagne?!?  I wanted to wear something girly and feminine and once I tried on this floral maxi by Some Days Lovin, I knew that was my birthday dress. 

   

It's no secret I'm drawn to floral prints, which is a reflection of the girly girl side of me, but the high slits on both sides of this dress just added the right amount of sexiness. 

Also love the seemingly demure halter neckline. It covers cleavage but are cut somewhat low on the sides. 

With just a simple gold link chain bracelet, I was ready to go and celebrate!

Girl with the most cake! :)

Outfit Details:

Dress: Some Days Lovin
Bracelet: Forever 21 (similar)
Shoes: Steve Madden ( no longer avail, here is similar)



I had an amazing birthday….hope everyone does too this year!!…


xox
Karen

Spring Forward

       Though rocking florals for spring is not exactly groundbreaking, I find that another trend this spring, the high waisted jean, is on the riskier side.   It's definitely not for everyone, and can be tricky to pull off.  To all those that believe that women dress for men, rocking the high waisted look would definitely refute that.  Not a favorite to men, I've even seen several posts by men asking, pleading for women not to don this look, and enlisting other men not to compliment or encourage their women to wear the high waist in hopes to squash the trend.   Well, lucky for them, trends are fleeting, and one way to pull off this look is to actually marry it with a very man-approved look, which is the cropped top.  I think the key way to balance out the high waist is to show a little bit of skin, and with that, it actually can be cute! What do you think?

Wearing the high waist jean with this adorable cropped floral top from Topshop.

 
        Oh and P.S...to all the men out there, regarding the high waisted trend…it's coming for you!!! Haven't you seen HER?? You can thank Spike Jonze for that! :)




Ultimately though, with any trend, just like in life, you have the choice to decide what is and isn't for you.  What works for some, may not work for you, so choose wisely. Dress for no one else but yourself!   Make sure YOU wear the outfit and not vice versa. It should accentuate you and express to the world who you are at that moment, and for me, it's playful!! :)


Outfit Details:

The Much Discussed High Waisted Jean: Urban Outfitters
Cropped Floral Top: Topshop
Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell ( no longer available)
Bag : Foley and Corrina Shopbop Exclusive ( no longer avail, so this is similar)