Showing posts with label fashion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fashion. Show all posts

Monday, March 4, 2013

this week's looks: spring!

Spring is large and in charge here in northern California. The trees have blossomed, the grass is green(er) and the sun is a-blazing. 

THANK GOD.

I'm so sick of sweaters and freaking layering the time to stow it all away and bring out something fresh couldn't have come soon enough. Here are some outfit ideas to help get your springtime wardrobe started. 

monday: add a jean jacket and different colored flats to liven up a plain dress

tuesday: keep it casual with a flowy skirt and soft white tee

wednesday: the jean on jean keeps this preppy look from being too stiff

thursday: mix stripes and floral for a fresh take on layering patterns

friday: add some edge to an otherwise soft look with art deco-inspired accessories

saturday: navy keeps these colored jeans crisp and clean

sunday: an old concert tee and keds make sunday errands bearable


visit this week's looks: spring! by kantoske on polyvore.com for clothing sources.

Monday, December 17, 2012

feeling frumpy.

Ever find yourself in a mood where all you want to do is start exercising and eat nothing but lean proteins and healthy fats? "It's about that time," I say to myself. "Time to finally feel comfortable in my own skin, have killer abs and glowing skin only healthy people are able to master. Yes, this sounds great. I'll start tomorrow." 

Look, I have plenty of excuses. I work over 40 hours a week, am scared to run in the dark and have never, EVER craved a vegetable in my life. Except for brussel sprouts. Smothered in butter and bacon. I'm ridiculous.

But today feels different. I don't know if I've hit rock bottom or I'm finally ready to get serious but damnit, I need to get this frumpy ass in shape. So many times I think, "If only I could lose 5 10 15 pounds. I could take more risks with my wardrobe. Wear those boxy silhouettes I love and show some leg without wondering whether or not my thigh is jiggling while I walk. I'd love to finally put together those outfits I have in my head. Wearing them comfortably. And with confidence." 

And then poof. The motivational thoughts vanish and the leftover pizza is in the microwave.

Truth be told, it's not even like I'm fat, I just don't feel like myself. I don't care if fashion sounds superficial or materialistic in terms of rationale for weight loss. It is what it is. For those that know me, I love clothes. I love the statements they make, experimentation it allows and confidence they boost. Fashion makes me happy. And when I start noticing myself shying away from different clothing combinations solely because of how my clothes have started to fit, there's a problem that needs fixing immediately. Plus I'm in California now. People love eating healthy out here. I should embrace this lifestyle. So I can wear outfits like these:






[elle]






That's it. Operation Kate-Get-Your-Act-Together starts now. 

Saturday, February 25, 2012

a real nail biter.

I am what you call a nail biting addict. In fact, you're more likely to see my hands in my mouth than not. Chomping away. To the point where I swear I don't even know I'm doing it anymore. It's disgusting and I need to stop.

So while I typically don't give anything up for Lent (sorry, mom and dad), I thought it made for the perfect excuse to start weening myself off the nail. It's not that I want long nails (I'm not really hip to that look), it's more I would like my nails to stop looking gnawed on. To help, I plan to keep my nails perfectly polished and pretty. This time around I kept it simple and basic with some red and hot pink.





And here are some of the other patterns and styles I've had my eye on. After all, dream big or wake up, right?


[different colors]





[different color and less like a french manicure]

Friday, January 27, 2012

a lonely closet.

Today I have a little story about a closet. My closet which, to be honest, is becoming less inspiring by the minute. And for the record, I never thought I'd say that about the space I probably hold closest to my heart.


Pre-operation get out of debt, my closet was living the high life. Screw what the kitchen looks like Mr. Landlord, tell me about the closet space. New clothes were getting tossed in there on a weekly (sometimes daily) basis. Need a new outfit for a special occasion? Can't find a necklace that will work with that neckline? Just hop into my magical closet and watch all your wardrobe woes disappear. New shoes, new sweaters, a new shirt that would probably never get worn. It was all in there. Decadent. Over the top. Completely irresponsible.

Truth be told however, I very rarely had an issue with what to wear. And, when I did, I would just hop in my little car and head on over to the mall for a quick fix. Yes, clothes were my crack. And I was constantly on a soft cloud made of cotton tees and silk blouses.

Enter gigantic credit card bill. What?!?! You have to pay that all back? How much did I spend this month? A little debt spillage to next month here, a little spillage there and boom I was in way over my perfectly accessorized head.

These days, I very rarely hit the streets for new garb. In fact, the last time I bought something was a $5 hoodie, a $5 work cardigan and a $2 striped henley at Gabriel Brothers. Before that was Christmas and before that was my dress for my company's holiday party. It's been tough times for la closet de Kate and it continues to feel the burn on a daily basis.

What should I wear today, closet?

Hello?

Anything in there?

So while I'm busy getting out of this self-inflicted debt (almost done!), here are some outfits I wish I could put in my closet as the new and responsible me kindly declines the urge to actually purchase. Sorry for your misfortune closet but mark my words, I WILL find something in you to mimic these looks. Sometimes it's the pity parties you throw for your closet that gets your crafting butt back in gear :)

via wendy's lookbook (love her!)


via topshop



 






Find all of my fashion day dreams on my pinterest boards. And don't forget to be my friend on FaceBook and Twitter. Happy Friday!

Monday, January 16, 2012

the golden globes with a side of yawn.

Alright, change of plans. The Monday moodboard is switching to Tuesday this week as I'm out of control confused with this year's Golden Globe choices. So much that I can't contain my rage any longer and have to be all mean and stuff. But, in the words of my mom, "it's for their own good".

Allow me to paint the rage-filled background. While sitting down to enjoy my morning cup of coffee I pulled up this past weekend's Golden Globes gowns, excited to be wowed by the selection and not able to wait another second to soak in the glamourous evening I so love to peruse.

FAIL.

Instead, I was feverishly pressing the next button (over. and over. and OVER.) waiting to find the amazing gowns I know these gals are capable of wearing. Amy, Tina, Natalie, Heidi. NOTHING. While I was able to find a few diamonds in the rough (not exaggerating), majority of the gowns seemed to be overly ruffled, borderline costumey, weirdly sculpted or too boring to get noticed. Am I being overly critical or do these stylists need to step it up a notch? Ugh. Mean Kate, entering here.
1. Natalie. This is not the 1870's, girlfriend. Bussels should forever be a thing of the past or on the set of Pride & Prejudice. While I adore the hot pink, simple makeup and deep red accents, the shape does absolutely nothing for her and is draped around like she should be headed to a toga party.


2. Angie. This is actually the exact opposite of Natalie's problem. The shape is completely, 100% perfect for her but the colors makes Ang look sickly. Even though I've always been Team Jen, Angie porcelain skin is something I'm willing to give her mad props for. The issue is that she has a pink undertone which puts pastels and muted colors (with the exception of nudes and beiges) on the do not wear list. I get the whole neutral-with-a-pop-of-bright-color-by-her-face thing but if she wants to go that route Ang needs to go more beige+jewel tone to make it work. Or monochromatic like Natalie's.


3. The Deschanels. This one is painful for me because I love, love, love, LOVE Zooey. But she chose wrong. And so did her sister. They look like they're playing dress up with the wardrobe from Dynasty. I'm liking the bright lime contrast Zooey's sporting and I'm always a fan of the deep blue hue, but come on ladies. Retake your measurements, know what your assets are and show them off.


4. Sarah. Another linen closet original. Lose the tie-dye effect and mushroom top for a version that's more updated, streamlined and fitting. Or, if Buffy wanted to stay bright and colorful, she could have opted for a block-colored, tailored gown with more of an edge. She looks so uncomfortable in this dress she almost looks constipated.


5. Kelly. I appreciate the heavy tailoring, I really do. But the front darts make her look like she has THO, her shoulders are way to broad to pull off those sleeves and someone forgot to steam the bottom half of her dress (which she's too short to be wearing anyway). With platinum hair and an hour glass shape, you need to simplify to keep the gown from overpowering your true shape.


6. Charlize. This gown looks like it's in the midst of an identity crisis between old hollywood glam and a straight up flapper. Trying to do too many things at once, the gown comes off as messy, unfocused and a little costume.


7. Lea. I think she was trying to do a similar thing that Olivia Wilde did in 2009. The issue I have with it is, like Charlize, the gown is trying too hard. The long sleeve, the metallics, the mermaid silhouette... too much, too much, too much. If you're going sheer, balance with an understated color and some layers. This will help the option look more timeless and appropriate vs. flashy and Las Vegas show girl. See the difference?

]


8. Julianne. It's true, I always appreciate her fashion risks. But for this one she should have picked either long or short. Probably long since she's showing a ton of skin up top. Love the green accessories though.


9. Laura. Again, find your best asset to feature. Clearly, Laura's chest is not the one I would have focused on. And the belt doesn't do anything for her boyish torso. Legs, shoulder or back, Laura. Legs. Shoulders. Back.

10. Reese. I hate to put her on here but I have to. I get the whole "undone" look she was going for but the structured, extremely form fitting dress hugged her in all the wrong places and didn't match what was going on up top - especially the dramatic coloring. It washed out her face and hair, made her look wider in places she's really not and had uneccessary darting in areas no darting should ever be placed. Ever.


The conclusion? COME ON HOLLYWOOD. Get your head back in the game! To really drive home the fact that these dresses were either gross or meh, here are the ONLY FIVE outfits I happened to like. Yes, only five. Have the stylists gone on strike?

1. Kate. Even though it was very Carrie and Aidan, Kate looks ridiculously stunning. Her dark hair and olive-based skin tone keeps the white looking fresh and crisp and her skin looking dewy and glowing.





2. Diane. Lea, take note. This is another way to do sheer. The gold compliments her auburn hair and the shape is extremely flattering for her shape. The cinched waist accentuates her curves and the sleeve makes it elegant and age appropriate. Also, the metallic is much more subtle making the gown look light and airy.


3. Emma. Probably my favorite one of the night. Laura, this is how you use a belt to define a boyish torso. The pleats and shoulder sleeves add more curves to her petite frame while the deep v-neck is positioned in a way that shows off her collar bone vs. making her appear bustless.


4. Piper. I love the fullness of the gown paired with the simple color and top. She looks like she's having a blast in this dress which is also a testament that the way you feel in something has everything to do with how it looks on you.

5. Stacy. I really didn't want to like it. Anyone from Dancing with the Stars kind of puts a bad taste in my mouth. But then - sigh - I saw these photos of the gorgeous bow on the back of the dress. The simplicity of the gown really made her figure stand out and diagonally tied bow accentuated her height. Is that a panty line though? Awkward.