Be Young, Wild and Free

I discovered Wild & Free Jewelry while casually browsing on Instagram last summer.  I was taken by all the beautiful photos of custom made boots and immediately contacted Corina Brown, the designer and owner of Wild & Free Jewelry. Excited at the prospect of having custom made boots for myself that no one else would have, I went ahead and ordered two pairs!  She basically finds vintage cowboy boots for you, which she refurbishes and adorns to your liking, whether it be with lace and floral (me, me!) or a southwestern vibe with turquoise (me, too, me, too!) or any ideas you may have, really.  I love that not only will no one else have your custom made boots, (since you are creating it together) but the right and left boot aren't exactly identical either.  I really appreciate finding unique pieces like this, when even today's boutiques seem to carry mass produced product.  Not to mention that Wild & Free Jewelry's hippie bohemian vibe is all me! :)

Not only does she make amazing custom made boots, but she also has a plethora of other unique pieces like rings, headdresses, jewelry, tie dyed short shorts (perfect for Coachella, which is coming up!!) and flannels.  I'm loving my most recent Wild & Free Jewelry piece, a vintage mint and lavender flannel which she fringed in the back and added studs on the shoulder and alongside the top of the fringes on the back, as per my request.  

Throw on a white tank, cut offs, boots and some turquoise and crystal jewelry and I was feeling Wild & Free, indeed! xoxo

OUTFIT DETAILS:

Flannel: Wild & Free Jewelry

Cutoff Shorts: Lucky Brand

Boots:  Steve Madden

Turquoise Leather Bracelet: Planet Blue ( no longer avail)

Crystal Necklace:   Urban Outfitters

Turquoise Bullet Necklace:  Stacy Sterling

Ring: Low Luv by Erin Wasson

Skull Bracelets: Brandy Melville

New Year, New Beginnings

Happy New Year, everyone! It's taken me a while to post this since not only were the holidays crazed for me, but I came down with a nasty bout of bronchitis that completely wiped out my voice.  With all the Christmas parties, December birthdays, traveling and other social events, it couldn't have come at a worse time.  There I was, just  getting better from the flu and flying home while sick (which is misery, by the way) and I forced myself to go to a birthday party because I love my friends that much, but I pushed myself, and a week later I was at the emergency room on Christmas Day getting diagnosed with acute bronchitis and finally getting the much needed antibiotics and care. I should have listened to my body the moment I came down with the flu and taken better care of my self. Why am I saying all this? Well, because I've given it a lot of thought, and this entire experience has inspired my New Year's Resolutions.  I know that there are a lot of New Year's Resolution cliches out there, like lose weight and work out more, but since I already do those daily, I've come up with some of my own that are really important to me.

MY NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS:

1. TAKE BETTER CARE OF MYSELF. (duh you knew that was coming).  I'm not talking about pampering myself like getting manis and pedis (you know I already do that, ha!) but I really mean, taking care of my health.  Don't push myself when I know I need to take it easy, sleep more (good luck to me), eat better, drink more water, drink less, and GET UP to do my morning workouts! When I do even just that, that sets the tone for my day in terms of productivity! 

2. SIMPLIFY.  This is a HUGE one for me. We live in a world of utter chaos! Why add to it? I'm really going to make an effort in eating simple foods, foods I can pronounce.  If I can't read it, I won't eat it.  I've been hitting the juice bar more, which I hope is adding to my overall health.  Not only am I simplifying the things I choose to put in my body, but even just the people and the things I choose to surround myself with.  It's ok to distance yourself from people/ influences that you don't find is adding to your well being or happiness.  

3. DE-CLUTTER.  Okay this really is still more in the category of SIMPLIFYING, but since it has to do with fashion, I decided to separate it.  I really really need to de-clutter my closet.  It's gotten to a point where I can't find anything. I literally live in chaos!  So my goal is to really go through all my things and start tossing/ donating/gifting/being the best big sister to my little sister cuz she's about to get a bunch of old OOTDs!  If your world is in a constant state of chaos, then so will your mind and body. Time to restore order and peace, I say!  (This also applies to all old paperwork you have been hanging on to..receipts..bills.. etc.  Everything  is online now...so time to toss those too!)

4. BE PRESENT. We are all a bit guilty of this.  I know I am.  In an age where technology rules everything, how common is it nowadays to go to a restaurant or a party and see a group of people hanging out but all typing away at their phones??  We no longer are being present because we are too busy connecting with people via Instagram, Facebook, Skype, KIK, texting, whatever it is.  We are no longer connecting with people organically, which is good ole face to face interaction. Staying connected has been reduced to just liking and commenting on your friends' posts. It's so sad!  I will seriously try my hardest to NOT check my Instagram feed when I'm, say, at a lunch with a girlfriend I haven't seen in a while. And if you're that friend with me, seriously try to do the same for me! Let's help each other!

5. DON'T NEGLECT MY SKIN.  This one's simple. ALWAYS wash my face before bed, use sunscreen during day, moisturize, drink water, take my vitamins.  The end.  

And if I fail at any of these, I'll just strive to do better tomorrow! Besides, what's that saying again? "Don't look to the past...you're not going there!" xoxo

What are your New Year's Resolutions?

OUTFIT DETAILS:

Leather Jacket: Mike & Chris

Black Waxed Jeans: Flying Monkey

Tank: James Perse

Button Down Shirt Thingy: RAILS

Beanie: Veronica M

Shoes: Steve Madden

Lips: Adorable by Kat Von D

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like a Trippy Christmas

Knocked over a couple kids to get this shot.
You know I'm kidding right? They totally fell.

Have you gotten all your Christmas shopping done?? I've just started, and though the thought of dodging the "Christmas rush" at the malls makes me just want to scream "BAH HUMBUG!" I must admit that seeing all the decorations, Christmas lights and the grand Oh Christmas Tree at outdoor malls like The Grove in LA and Fashion Island in Newport Beach was more than enough to get me in the Christmas spirit! (Not to mention the free hot cocoa they give away at Bloomingdales! Why yes, I'll take, thanks! ;)

Making my Christmas shopping list in my head.
Did you make my list?!?

I was a little more successful at finding gifts for my nieces this shopping trip, whereas, lately, big shocker:  I've been shopping for myself. It really is hard not to, when everywhere you look, there are sales everywhere, and it doesn't help when you have no idea what to get your loved ones, but you know what you do know??? What you like. Great.

So I thought I'd wear some of the things that I've..umm...been Christmas shopping for myself (insert shameful blush face here)...ummm since Black Friday ( don't act like you're not guilty of doing the same)...to actual Christmas shopping for other people (for real!!)  This outfit has absolutely nothing to do with Christmas, but who says you have to dress like a friggin Christmas elf just to demonstrate that you're Christmas shopping, I mean come on?!!? 

 Besides, I just went crazy at a Novella Royale sale and any opportunity to wear these super cute Bells, I'll take.  Coachella isn't until spring next year, so Christmas shopping will have to do. :)

Flower child at Fashion Island

Outfit Details:

Tie Dye Bells: Novella Royale

"Ride to Live"Muscle Tee: Truly, Madly, Deeply

Goddess of Beach Headdress: Stacy Sterling

Fringey Cardigan: Some Days Lovin

Bag: JJ Winters (duh, all day, erryday;)

20% OFF BODY LANGUAGE SPORTSWEAR with Coupon Code KARENXXS

 


 
 I workout everyday, so it would be remiss to not feature any workout wear on my fashion blog, when, in fact, I wear it more than any kind of outfits I own.  Since I take boxing cardio classes seven times a week, it's pretty safe to say that workout wear is ALWAYS my "Outfit of the Day."  Now, just because it's workout wear, doesn't mean it can't be cute or fashionable!!

Right now, I am absolutely in loooove with Body Language Sportswear!! Their clothes are not only made with the best quality moisture wicking fabric, but they fit really well and are stylish as well!! I wore their Galaxy Print Multi-band capris to the gym then straight to doing errands and I got stopped on the street by people asking me where I got my "galaxy leggings."  They had no idea that they were workout pants because they looked just like those galaxy print leggings when worn casually with a black knit sweater, beanie and some sneaker wedges! :)

Have to have these workout capris and you're a size 0-2??? Well, you're in luck!! From RIGHT NOW til December 12, 2012, these same Galaxy print capris in size XXS ( my size, but they are stretchy and fit up to a size 2 ;) are on sale for 20% off just for my followers!!  Enter code KARENXXS at checkout to receive 20% off these near sold-out super cute capris!!!  Not a size XXS? Well don't worry, the code will work for the entire site until December 12, 2012 as well, but sizes are limited so don't wait!! Take advantage of this sale just for you guys!! Free ground shipping on orders over $125! ;) Happy shopping! xoxo Karen





Outfit Details:

Reversible Sports bra, in Galaxy/Blk print:  Body Language Sportswear
(more sizes available)

Galaxy Multi Band Capri: Body Language Sportswear

Beanie: Urban Outfitters

Sneakers: Steve Madden Hilight

Bag: JJ WINTERS

Sweater: Blue Bird ( was part of a dress)

OUT: Political Rants, IN: Wearing Camo

I do this thing.  Whenever I fall in love with a new trend, ( or I guess fall in love in general, ) I kind of go overboard.  Instead of following the sensible fashion rule of investing in one or two pieces of each trend, I go nuts.  For example, the skull trend.  I couldn't buy just a few skull bracelets, I had to go get myself an entire "arm army" of skulls!! Instead of getting just that one skull-print LF top, I went and got the copy too.  Don't even get me started with the whole "spikes" thing.  You know how that story ends.  ;)  And so here we are again, and the Piscean in me has fallen head over heels in love with Camo!!!  And like I said, I couldn't just get maybe the staple: a vintage army camouflage jacket, I had to go get camo skinnies, a bandeau, a hat and sweater too (when I already owned a good camo thermal top by LAMB, mind you.) Clearly moderation is not my thing. Lucky for you, my excessive nature has resulted in this medley of Camo-print looks I've put together  to hopefully inspire you, and help you decide which one or two pieces to invest in from this trend! :)

Here's a casual cozy camo sweater and cords outfit for a rainy day like today...xoxo


Sweater: TOPSHOP
Cordouroys: Stitch's
Sneakers: Steve Madden

Camo-print skinnies, basic white tee, leather jacket and a beanie?? Perfect, let's go to a concert!! xoxox

Beanie: Veronica M
White Tee: Body Language Sportswear
Leather Jacket: Mike & Chris  (now defunct, damnit!)
Camo skinnies: Nameless
Strappy heels: LAMB
Dog tag Necklace: Kitson

Wore this outfit to see Breaking Dawn 2 and fell asleep. Haha. That has nothing to do with anything. Outfit details:

Vintage Camo Jacket: American Rag Cie
Beanie: Veronica M
Leggings: Brandy Melville
Boots: Jeffrey Campbell Hell Yes
Shirt: UNIF
Bag: JJ Winters

 My new obsession has even affected my manicurist. I was dead set on getting camo print nails too. I went back twice to get them to perfect the daunting, not to mention time-consuming, task of swirling five different nail polishes together for it to remotely resemble a camouflage print.  I think they did a great job, didn't they? Looks like camo to me!! ;)


So what about you? Which camouflage look are you going to sport?? xoxo Karen

TOPSHOP is now in Nordstrom's and My Head is Spinning

There I was...honestly trying to start my Christmas shopping early, when I wandered over to the Brass Plum section at Nordstrom's in South Coast Plaza. I spotted the all too familiar TOPSHOP neon sign and I had a flashback to 2010, when I was in the Kensington Street TOPSHOP in London, and the very cute trendy ladies working there threw me in my own personal, shaggy-rugged dressing room, equipped with my own clothing rack, tray of sweets and glass of champagne.  I was merely browsing, mind you, but when they offered to comb the dizzying multi-level TOPSHOP for cute outfits for me ( for free!), how could I say no to their impromptu personal styling session???

Soon I had a rack of clothes to try on/ work with, with a team of fashionably dressed girls fetching me different sizes and styles. I never even had to leave my cushy room with my own craft service table in there. (Had to admit, this little set up had me drunk with power!  Cue evil laughter here: Muahahahahaha!!  LOL, just kidding!)  No really, plying me with champagne and cupcakes was probably not a bad move on their part (quickest way to my heart, p.s. is cupcakes), because a few hours later, I walked out with shopping bags (plural) of cute things.... aaaaand a skinnier wallet! :(  Now...who really had the power in this scenario?? I was hustled, I tell ya! ;)  Oh well, I still wear those items two years later so it was worth every penny and experience! That's my story and I'm sticking to it! ( I have pictures of me in the super cute, modern decor, small bedroom-sized dressing room too, and I'd show you but they are all stuck in my archaic Blackberry, so you'll just have to imagine me twirling around in front of the mirror with my shopping high. ;)

With that fond memory, I rushed over to the new TOPSHOP section at Nordstrom's, which I come to learn just opened recently in the early Fall.  Only a select number of Nordstrom's nationwide ( fourteen, to be exact) will house a TOPSHOP section, and lucky for me, two of them are local to me! (Irvine Spectrum and South Coast Plaza, happy day! ;)  Anyway,  I SWORE, SWORE to myself I'd just browse!!!! No buying for yourself, Karen, seriously!!!!!  I wasn't going to buy anything but again with these damn helpful TOPSHOP workers, (who shall from here on be referred to as, "Shopaholic Enablers", or "SE" for short,) they just kept bringing me cute thing after cute thing! Then, when I tried to dissuade myself from standing in line to pay, the super nice SE whipped out what looked like was his iPhone and started ringing me up right there with his handy little techie gadget! What will they think of next? First champagne and cupcakes, now wireless, long line-free shopping????  It just goes to show, that good customer service is a testament to keeping returning shopaholics. I'll definitely be back!!!

Anyway, here is one piece of several that I got that day: This super cute, black cotton mid-calf cross dress.  I  styled it with some of my chunky silver jewelry, black ombre beanie and some Lita's, and there you have my TOPSHOP outfit of the day!


Dress:  TOPSHOP
Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell Lita's
Beanie: No Rest For Bridget
Jewelry: Brandy Melville



xoxox Karen

Tell Me About It, Stud!!!!

                                                                                                                               Ok so maybe the title of this blogpost should really be, "Tell me about it, Spikes and Pointy Toes!!!"  but these waxed black skinnies really remind me of Sandy from Grease, so guess what?? "Tell Me About It, Stud!!!" stays.   Today's outfit of the day has to do with the outfit I wore last Friday night.  It was a cold cold night and wearing a dress would have resulted in me wearing chicken skin as well, which is not only not cute but uncomfortable also.  So I decided to put this lil Friday night number together.  Why post a weekend outfit on a weekday, you ask?? Well according to Ryan Seacrest in the morning, women start planning their weekend outfits at approximately 1:30 pm on a Wednesday! Hopefully this post will inspire you guys for you own weekend outfits! ;)        

I've had this teal blouse for ever...in several colors might I add, because they are such great, easy, chic tops to throw on with black for a night out!  I last wore this top early this year on my birthday when it was warmer, and I paired it with the cutest lace trimmed shorts.  Last Friday night was a bit colder so I opted to throw on my new black wax-textured skinnies by Flying Monkey. I love them because not only do they look like badass leather pants, but they really kept me warm as well, without the discomfort that leather pants can sometimes give! No baby powder needed, ya know what I'm saying?;)

   Another way in which this outfit was different this time around from my birthday was the shoes.  This past March I wore my trusty ole YSL Tribtoos. The black, hidden platform rounded toe pump was a hit for every  "petite" woman who wanted to add 5 inches to their height, thus appearing taller and thinner.  This time around, I styled this outfit with a classic, pointy toed pump.  I recently read in an InStyle interview that Halle Berry wished that the pointy toe trend would come back, because, as she said, "That's my jam!" Well, Halle Berry, you're in luck.  Not only is there a resurgence in the pointy-toed pump trend this fall, but the newer models even come with just a teeny bit of a hidden platform; so thin you can barely notice it, but still does the job of adding (secret) height. The result is a sexy pointy toed pump, that which lacks the sky-high height that the bulkiness of the Tribtoos provides, makes up for in sleekness in an honest, sexy heel.

   
And finally, let's not forget the ACCESSORIES!!! Sexy, black wax-textured skinnies with a see-through bright top over a lacy black bra and some pointy heels just BECKONS badass jewelry doesn't it??? This black vegan-leather with gold spike wrap around bracelet by PEACELOVEFLAIR was the perfect compliment to the outfit! Stack it with a gold, spiky studded bracelet and you're good to go!!

I also threw on this "Love"  ring by Belle Noel, which was great because it appeared like a stacked set when it really is just one ring. Grabbed my quilted Chanel bag and I was out the door!!!

xoxox Karen

Blouse:         Fun 2 Fun
Bag:             CHANEL
Shoes:          Rachel Roy
Ring:             Belle Noel
Pants:           Flying Monkey
Spike
Wraparound
Bracelet:        PEACELOVEFLAIR