The Graphic Tee: A Wardrobe Workhorse

Check out my video on Instagram TV to see how I styled my graphic tees, but see below for a roundup of some that I have and some that I want! I also linked all of my outfits from my video, so keep scrolling to see it all!

1. Rag & Bone Crew Neck (my fave, TTS!) // 2. Emerson Fry (another fave, TTS!) // 3. Fleetwood Mac Tee // 4. Free People Zodiak Tee // 5. AC DC Tee // 6. Pink Floyd Tee

The Graphic Tee is the perfect transitional wardrobe piece and works ALL YEAR ROUND! You can use it as a layering item or as the star of the show!

1. WFH Perfection // 2. BoHo Chic // 3. Puffy Pants are fun // 4. Keep it Casual // 5. Simple White Tee Styled 2 Ways

1. WFH Perfection - Emerson Fry Tee // Saint and Sofia Pants // Converse Low Chucks, Everlane Cashmere Crewneck

2. BoHo Chic - Michael Stars VOTE tee // Emerson Fry Wrap Cardi (similar here) // Zara skinny jeans (similar here) // Suede OTK boots (similar here) // Amazon Hat

3. Puffy Pants are Fun - DayDreamer Led Zeppelin Tee // Zara Puffy Pants (similar here) // Amazon Hat // Free People Duster (part of a set), Steve Madden Booties (sold out, similar here)

4. Keep it Casual - Grateful Dead Tee (similar here) // H&M cargo khakis (similar here) // Steve Madden Booties // J Crew Denim shirt (Similar here)

5. Simple White Tee, 2 ways - Rag & Bone Crew Tee // Zara Boyfriend jeans (similar here) // Converse Low Chucks // Corduroy jacket (similar here) // Amazon Hat // Steve Madden Booties

Let me know what other types of videos you want to see - I love doing them, it’s so much fun!!!

xx

Kiki

Lillian & Alice Covid Thoughts....

As fall comes in like a cold breeze whistling through the trees and we bid the warm summer days adieu, I tend to get sappy, long-winded, and super introspective. Sooo buckle up peeps!

There is no doubt that Covid has made us reflect, right? Here we are almost 7 months to the day when a lot of towns and cities in the US shut their proverbial doors to the outside world. Remember the panic in the beginning? I waited in line to get groceries that first night (sans mask) for two hours jammed in with a million other people and next to a young 20 year old that tic-toc-ed the whole drawn out experience right before my very eyes. I basically had a box of rice, a can of beans, a medley of frozen vegetables, a tub of Bitchin’ Sauce (which I would later declare one of the best discoveries of Covid) and maybe some oat milk. There were no paper towels or toilet paper to be had. We ALL have this story or something similar, right? Kind of like the day of 911. This historic moment will be forever etched in our minds.

And let’s talk for a minute about the stages of Covid. First was the shock. Then reaction. Then Frustration. Then rollercoaster emotions. The losses. The mourning of the people that were losing their lives, the loss of our old lives, the mourning of a new normal.

The highs/lows of Covid have been, dare I say, A WILD RIDE. But then again, we all went through it together. There was so much sanity/comfort in the “together but apart” mantra and we all felt it. Our Zoom calls were at an all-time high - the novelty of grabbing drinks with our friends digitally was so “cool” and “progressive”. The connectivity was what got us through, despite the distance that might have existed. And that distance brought us closer. It may have even reconnected us with long lost friends. For me, it brought some very near/dear people back into my life. Karen, one of my favorite, most positive, most amazingly talented friends who lives in Denver. During the height of Covid I got to see her once a week for a virtual Barre class. She made me sweat my butt off and sometimes I cursed at her through the computer, but the beauty lies in the fact that I got to see her every week. Guaranteed. It has forced us to be more thoughtful in our connections and I think that’s some serious silver lining shit.

Even as I sit here and type, the word “Pause” keeps entering my mind. We were all forced to just hit the pause button on our lives. And I don’t know about you, but I NEEDED it. Before Covid hit the energy in the world felt ripe for change, like something pivotal was coming, but none of us knew exactly in what form it would take on.

This change has given us our lives back in some ways….no commute times means longer evening walks with family, saying hello to neighbors you might not have acknowledged before, adopting that long desired dog, making thoughtful dinners and actually sitting down to eat them face to face, zooming with moms, dads, grandparents. And the list goes on.

And so, as we watch Fall drop its leaves on our head and we enter more uncertain times, I think it’s important for us to remember the following…

…. Pause and breathe

….Allow this time to give ourselves perspective by reflecting on the good, bad, and ugly without judgement

….Take the walk! It feels so good to reconnect with ourselves, our loved ones, and nature

….Smell the roses, quite literally. Look around - this time has given us the power to take a beat…. so take it!

And these Positive Affirmations….

…. I will grant myself and others grace.

….I will grant myself and others space

….I will grant myself and others compassion

…. I will grant myself and others kindness

… I will grant myself and others the ability to reflect and pause.

….I will grant myself the ability to be comfortable in the moment

Let’s put these on repeat.

With much love, respect, and grace,

kiki

Well Balanced Wardrobe: Summery Celery Salad

This will be a short and sweet post, but definitely a recipe worthy of sharing. As I said in my Insta story, my husband called this “one of the best things to come out of quarantine”. We have made at least once a week and sometimes it doesn’t even make it to the dining room table because we are picking at it so much! In other words, it’s simple, easy and the flavors are extraordinary together - light and refreshing. If you don’t typically keep dates in your house, this salad will turn them into a pantry staple!!

Let me know if you guys have any questions about the recipe and if you love it please send me pics! I want to see how yours comes out!!

Celery Salad with Dates, Almonds, and Parmesan

Serves 4 ( although my husband and I will eat this whole thing as 2  )

Ingredients

½ cup sliced almonds, toasted 

8 celery stalks, thinly sliced on a diagonal

Handful of celery leaves roughly chopped  

6-7 dates, pitted, coarsely chopped; or if you don’t have dates - a handful of raisins chopped 

2 ounces Parmesan, shaved

One lemon squeeze or about 3 tbsp 

Olive oil ( I just do a drizzle but you could do up to a 1/4 cup)

Kosher salt and Pepper 

Crushed red pepper flakes - to your liking but don’t go too light this actually adds a nice dynamic to the dish 

Instructions

Toast up your almonds and let cool.

Toss almonds, celery, celery leaves, dates, and lemon juice in a medium bowl; season with salt and pepper. 

Add Parmesan and olive oil and toss gently. Serve spread out in a low dish. Enjoy! 

Holiday Outfits: Super Casual with a Little Flair

Holidays are becoming more casual. Hands down. There will always be parties that will require us to get a little sassier than we normally would, but what’s great about that is [unless it’s a black tie gathering] denim is typically acceptable so long as we all add a little unexpected and festive flair. The outfit “laydowns” you are about to see are simply ideas to get you thinking about what you can put together that’s ALREADY IN YOUR CLOSET!!! The holidays get expensive and if you can save a little here/there, more power!

THANKSGIVING DAY OUTFIT #1

The star of the show, this Brass Clothing Sweater, looks fantastic with a wide leg jean, a pointy shoe, and a long statement necklace. Throw a moto jacket over it and you are ready to eat some Turkey in style.

Brown and grey are two of my favorite color combos - transcends seasons. Simple, yet sassy.

Brass Clothing Statement Sweater in Smoke - $128 (HERE) // Nicole Miller Suede Moto Jacket (old, but similar HERE) // Anthro Wide Leg Jeans (similar HERE) // Rebecca Minkhoff Clutch - $95 (HERE) // Vintage Brown Kitten Heels (similar HERE) // Bali Tassel Necklace (similar HERE on sale and SO cute)

Thanksgiving Day Outfit #2

What I love about this outfit is that it’s feminine and flirty, but also the colors are earthy and autumnal - perfectly compliments the holiday.

Sezane Sweater (old, similar here) // M.Gemi Shoes (old pair HERE) // Rebecca Minkhoff Leo Clutch (tons of colors HERE // Mother Skinny High Waisted “Looker” Jeans (HERE)

Thanksgiving Outfit #3

Sass up your basic outfit with floral heels! These are Ted Baker from a couple years ago, but HERE is a pair that are a little lower heel and are soooo cute!!

Christmas Outfit #1:

Probably my FAVORITE of all the outfits. Mostly because it’s super simple, but also because it’s incredibly festive without being so in your face like a holiday turtleneck or an ugly sweater. ;o) A crimson blazer, rudolph tee, and patchwork denim - love the juxtaposition.

TopShop Crimson Blazer (similar HERE) // Rudolph Tee (similar here) // Zara Patchwork Denim (here) // Prada Oxfords (love this similar pair here) // Sophie Hulme Black Cross Body and Clutch (similar here) // JCrew Black Belt (here) // Chain Necklace (similar here)

Christmas Outfit #2: Soft and Ethreal

Cozy soft sweater, a peek-a-boo cami, and the cutest sparkly shoes ever.

Sezane Sweater (similar one here) // Amazon Sparkly Shoes - total STEAL and so comfortable (here) // Sezane Cami (here) // Maroon Pants (here)

Christmas Outfit #3: Lumberjack Chic

Quintessential buffalo check flannel with worn in denim, a peek of leopard and some serious gold accents.

Madewell Flannel (runs small, HERE) // Steve Madden Booties (HERE) // COH Low-Rise Denim (old, similar HERE) // Sophie Hulme Crossbody bag (similar HERE) // Sarah Chloe Pinky Ring (great gift idea - HERE) // Leopard Belt (HERE) // Favor Jewelry Hair Pin (HERE)

Christmas Outfit #4: Green Machine

Okay I lied - this might be my other favorite holiday outfit because I love green soooo much! And this buttery soft suede moto jacket is so cozy and chic. Pair with a silk scarf and some fabulous gold accessories.

Blank NYC Green Suede Moto Jacket (similar color HERE) // Cuyana White Turtleneck (here) // Green Flats (Here) // Local Eclectic Gold Medallion Astrology Pendant (similar HERE)

Happy Holiday Outfit Planning - hope this inspires you to take casual to the next level!

xx

Kiki

4 Ways to Style: Ann Taylor Faux Leather Wide Leg Cropped Pants

These Ann Taylor Leather pants are equal parts smart, casual, dressy, and comfortable. Full disclosure, since I bought them a couple weeks ago they SOLD OUT online (except in petite - lucky ladies), but they are definitely still available at Ann Taylor stores. I also have to say that I love all of AT’s cropped pants and have three colors in the Wide Leg Marina pant (HERE). It’s such a versatile pant that fits beautifully (I typically wear a 4-6 in pants and these are size 4). So if you can’t find the leather version of these, please go for the best-selling Marina! You can style all of the below looks the exact same way and SO MUCH MORE! I love the Marina with sneakers!!

One last thing - please see my IGTV (that Instagram TV) videos - I did a 2 minute hyperlapse on all of the below styles so you can see how much fun I had making the below magic happen. Enjoy and let me know if you have any questions!

Style #1 - Sassy with a Twist

Ann Taylor Faux Leather Cropped Pants (Only available in Petite online, but plenty in-store, HERE) // Uniqlo Duster Jacket (HERE) with Fur Magnetic “Ruff” (HERE) // Best Bodysuit EVER - Free People Bodysuit (HERE) // Steve Madden Boots - seriously comfortable (HERE)

Style #2 - Light Blue Layers

H&M Light Blue Blazer (HERE) // Jcrew Velvet Tank (HERE) // Amazon Sparkle Shoes - so comfy and super affordable (HERE) // Layered Chain necklaces (similar HERE) // Rebecca Minkhoff Leo Clutch (HERE)

Style #3 - Holiday Plaid with a Leopard Splash

J.Crew Plaid (Last year, similar HERE) // Sophia Webster Leopard Kitten Heel (HERE) // Sophie Hulme Clutch (old, but HERE on The Real Real)

Style #4 - Buttoned Up Casual

Brass Clothing Statement Sweater (HERE) // Prada Oxfords (similar here - love these!) // Miu Miu Tote (old, but always pop up on The Real Real)

Happy Hunting for these pants (or just buy the Marina)!

xx

Kiki

Well-Balanced Wardrobe: Red Lentil Soup

Guys - I love a lentil soup. Like really really love a lentil soup. Now I am here to tell you about one of my favorite recipes that I’ve made in a long time! One of the reasons I love lentils is because of how HEALTHY they are…

Have you guys heard of the Blue Zones? These are areas around the world where people consistently live to be over 100 years old and where people live the longest, and are healthiest: Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Nicoya, Costa Rica; Ikaria, Greece, and Loma Linda, California.

They follow the following “rules” when it comes to the food they consume….

• Plant Slant: 80-95% plant based diet

• Consume meat no more than 2xs per week

• Small amounts of fish are OK

• Eat lots of beans! A recent study by the World Health Organization found that eating an average of 20gr of beans a day reduced risk of dying in any given year by 8%. (Lentils are a bean, guys!!)

• Slash sugar

• Eat nuts!

• Replace regular bread with sourdough

• Go Whole. Eating singular foods without processing. Most Blue Zone peeps rarely ingest preservatives

By no means am I suggesting any kind of fad diets or drastic changes to your current eating habits, but it might make you more mindful of what you consume. There are other factors that contribute to the Blue Zone long lives - to learn more about them click HERE - it’s fascinating stuff and may help you rethink some of your food choices.

Sooo how is this relevant to the Lentil Soup recipe? Lentils are a true superfood and this is the long list of everything they do….

• Lower Cholesterol

• Are truly a Fiber King

• Heart Healthy

• Keep you full

• Significant source of magnesium & folate

• So much energy!!

• Blood sugar stabilizer

• Iron rich

• Protein-packed

So here is the recipe… a true crowd pleaser!

Red Lentil Soup

Serves 4-6 peeps

1-2 tbsp olive oil

2 large carrots diced

4 large ribs celery diced

1 small yellow onion diced

2 cloves garlic

2-3 huge handfuls of baby kale chopped fine OR chopped frozen spinach (3-4 handfuls)

1/2 tsp oregano

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp paprika

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

1/2 tsp salt (plus more to taste as you cook)

2 cups red lentils (do not sub with green as it won’t cook the same)

8 cups chicken broth

3 whole bay leaves

1 big scoop of boullion paste (or whatever you have, powder etc.) - to taste obviously

For serving:

Fresh lemon wedges

Dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt

Directions:

In a medium saucepan heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the carrot, celery, onion, garlic and salt. Stir to combine then cover and let the veggies sweat until the onions are soft and translucent, about 5 min.

Add the lentils, broth and bay leaves. Bring to a boil, add kale or spinach, and rest of seasonings and then turn heat to low and simmer, covered until the lentils begin to fall apart, about 20 min. Add salt as needed/to taste as it cooks. You can use the emulsion blender at this point if you like an even textured soup. Sometimes I do, sometimes I don’t! If you do, remove the bay leaves and blend right on stove top. Once blended until smooth, let sit over low heat for a couple more minutes ensuring the flavors are integrated.

Turn off heat. Let sit for a couple min, put in bowls and serve with lemon squeeze, sour cream. A hearty piece of bread or grilled cheese pairs nicely.

Refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze. :)

Have a wonderful, well-balanced day!

xx

Kiki

Finding Ways to Get Inspired

Finding ways to keep inspiration burning can be a challenge, am I right? Whether you are a business owner, manage a department, work with your hands, or teach a class of 10-year-old kids, something must drive your passion and inspiration. I have been trying to find little things every day that ignite my spirit and as we enjoy this gorgeous fall weather before it turns to the cold of winter I want to share a couple things that are lighting me up right now!

Flea Style

1. Flea Style - without a doubt, blowing up my spot. I adore Brittany Cobb, the owner and founder of Flea Style's overall vibe and lovely attitude about women in business. She owns a very dynamic organization that is 1 part commerce, 1 part educational, 1 part empowering women, and the ultimate sharing platform Her podcast, called Fridays with Flea Style, makes me excited to get in my car on the last day of the week and cruise all the way into the office listening to Brittany interview some super cool chic who started her own business and is willing to give up all the dirt on what makes her tick. Fashion, arts, retail - just a few of industries she taps into. Her interviews are ON POINT. Period. Makes me want to be a better boss and impact a business. Every. Day.

2. 1843 - The Economist (for those unfamiliar, a very dense, incredibly sophisticated weekly British based publication) started a magazine called 1843 (named after the year the publication was founded). They refer to it as The Economist "Unwinding" and is the ideas, culture, and lifestyle magazine. "Bi-monthly print edition that allows you to explore the world through profiles, narrative and travel writing with sections on style, culture, design, travel, food and drink." Same smart writing, but about global topics that will inspire and educate! 

3. Stress Free With Deepak Chopra (Meditations) - Not sure how (or if) you guys meditate, but I have been digging the Deepak album. It's guided, which I need. I have never been good at the sit in silence and not think about a thousand things. I need a voice, a mantra, and maybe some music. It's a 5 part meditation, so depending on what your body needs on any given day there is one for breathing, heart, love, sleep, or light body. I know some people think meditation is hippy and hokey, but it truly is a windshield wiper for your mind and you can reap many benefits from doing it. It opens me up to allow more inspiration and creativity in and feeling all the lighter for it! 

4. Fresh Flowers - I just adore having beautiful flowers in the house. Try it. Every week when you pick up your groceries stop and smell the roses. And then pick some up and bring them home! I may not be able to grow a plant, but I can keep cut flowers alive for up to 2 weeks by trimming them back and changing the water consistently. If I can do it, so can you. These mini carnations are my favorite and will bloom for quite awhile, but hydrangeas will really give you the bang for your buck. 

5. People of Las Vegas - I happened to be in LV the Friday after the horrible, tragic, unspeakable shooting happened. Running the strip a couple times was powerful. One morning we saw squads of runners carrying huge American flags and #VegasStrong tees. And the next we saw makeshift memorials with beautiful flowers, messages, candles, and memories of people killed. 

I know what we are all thinking - these mass shootings keep getting bigger and when are they going to end? It's senseless and stupid for people to lose their lives in this way. 

What I will say is that I am inspired by the people. The community. Throughout the years I have made many local Vegas friends. Luckily they were all safe, but not unaffected. This one hit too close to home. With every incident it seems that we are forced to join together and by doing so it makes us stronger and more solid which contradicts what this coward (and all of those before/after) was trying to create. The sun was rising on all of the beautiful spirits that were lost in Vegas and for those mourning, it was bringing hope and breathing life/spirit back to the city. 

I would love to hear how you are keeping inspired these days. As we head into winter (and S.A.D.) I have to try extra hard to feel inspired, so I appreciate any words of advice! 

Will and I shot today and it was SO FUN! My plan is to continue this bout of inspiration and translate it into blog posts... :o) 

xx 

Kiki

Life is Messy. Period.

I feel like it's a common theme that I start off my blog posts with.... "so it's been awhile"....... but this time it actually has been a very long time. 10 months, 8 days, 12 hours, 56 minutes to be exact. We were moving into our new home the last time I posted. A home that we waited patiently for almost 4 years to find... or have it find us. And we are lucky, this little piece of paradise is a breath of fresh air, a respite from the city, a little slice of happiness. 

In the midst of it all, life is messy. We started demo on our kitchen/living room 13 days ago and our life is sideways - in the best possible way. At the same time, we have learned to embrace the moment. Live in the mess. Harness the hectic. And manage to find little ways to enjoy the ride. Yes our bathroom is our kitchen right now and the grill is our only source of cooking, but somehow it all feels like we are exactly where we are supposed to be. 

In an age of social media showing only "perfect" moments, I choose real. I want to see real life. Real mess ups, real clothes, real work outs, real meals, real people. Enough of this perfection. It's an impossible thing to live up to. Life IS messy. And that's OK. In fact it's more than OK. It's fantastic. If we are all living imperfect lives then why don't we celebrate the imperfections instead of hiding them? It would be so much more authentic. Don't get me wrong, that doesn't mean we need to be negative! In fact it can be the opposite if we all learn to smile at the mistakes and laugh at the insanity of it all.

The last photo shoot that Will and I did was around Easter. And it was a disaster. It's evident that neither of us were feeling it and we just couldn't get into a rhythm. Maybe the outfits were wrong or the weather wasn't great or Will wasn't feeling creative... Bottom line is it doesn't matter. The pics are a little bit of a hot mess. Not terrible (because obviously Will is a wonderful photographer), but when you look at them you will see - the soul and character is missing.  I kind of love that we captured this. 

Although I am sitting in a room stripped down to the studs typing this blog post.....

...I am celebrating the imperfections, Living in the mess, Harnessing the hectic. And managing to find little ways to enjoy the ride.

I wish you all the happiest perfectly imperfect 4th of July! Next time I promise it won't be so long.... :o)

xx

Kiki

Endings...

Endings....

If these walls could talk, what would they say?

As we get ready to close one very long chapter of our lives, we reflect on what we have endured and accomplished..... is it time to be sad? Is it time to be happy? Is it bittersweet? 

Lists of Note - In the Spirit of Nora Ephron -

*The "things" that happened in the last 12 years*

Got Married....

....witnessed family and friends get married

then divorced...

...made new friends

rekindled old friendships....

...lost jobs

gained jobs...

...built our family one puppy at a time

drank a lot of wine...

...rehabbed a boat

bought a bigger boat...

...fought, laughed, cried, yelled

ran three marathons and many half marathons...

...lived with a roommate

survived a recession...

...learned to love cooking

quit smoking....

...lost our amazing grandmas

started a blog in their namesake...

...became an auntie and uncle..twice

celebrated milestone birthdays - 25, 30, 35...

...survived a terrorist attack and terrorists... is that your boat?

went to Asia...

...traveled to many other far off places

began a new chapter...

In a time of fierce disruption and anxiety, I am trying to look up, look around, and breathe it all in. Change is good. Change is evolution. Change is everything.

I will fondly remember, I will fondly forget, all the things that have happened and things I will never regret. 

For here is where we became we.

And there is where we will become us.

There are no happy endings.
Endings are the saddest part,
so just give me a happy middle
And a very happy start. 

xx

kiki

Chaos and Confetti

Life has been chaotic to say the least. Between a hectic work schedule, lots of travel and some exciting life events, I have been struggling to find the calm. 

As I navigate this chaos, I am reminded of something that my first yoga instructor, Baron Baptiste, taught me about equanimity - “The more you can ride out the storms within, the clearer the horizon will be.” Equanimity, by definition, is mental calmness, composure, and evenness in temper, particularly in difficult situations. Easier said then done, right? Work in progress....

Cambridge based artist, Caleb Neelon, created the mural in this post on a wall in Allston (small section outside of Boston) that sits on a very busy road. The beautiful confetti of colors matches the scene -  busy, hectic, and urban. The all white outfit is an attempt to manufacture the ultimate contrast against a sea of bright craziness...much like equanimity in a time of chaos. I think Will and I achieved our mission... what do you think?

Outfit deets for those that want to be in the know:

- Shopbop cami w/ lace detail - HERE

- Zara White suit jacket - sold out, but this one at Nordstrom is cute -HERE

-Zara White Wide Leg Pant - sold out, but this Milly pair is delish - HERE

-Rebecca Minkoff Clutch - HERE

So here I am, just trying to find joy in every moment of the chaos. I will keep the below image of my sweet family close, so I can remember what it's all about in the end.... love, happiness, and iddy biddy beautiful moments!

Have a wonderful, fashionable week,

kiki

A Reminder: Love Ourselves

Being comfortable in your own skin comes with age and even then it's a lifelong process.... but I strongly believe that's what makes it worthwhile ...

Seeing our reflection for what it is can be empowering.... 

1. Treat our bodies like a temple: We have one chance to get it right! Eat well, exercise often, and do all things in moderation. Most important thing is to BE HAPPY. Do what you love.

2. Be Positive: A positive mind produces positive results and creates opportunity. Choosing to see the good makes us feel BETTER and thus more comfortable!

3. Look inward: Meditate, be still with ourselves. Sit in silence and own who we are.

4. Find and be ourselves: Truly listening to our gut and "feel" our intrinsic value at the very core.

5. Love our imperfections and except who we are: I have big hair. I have beauty marks all over my body. I lack grace. I don't always say the right thing at the right time. I can be a big bitch to the ones I love. It's powerful to know that these things exist and that we can overcome them. It's powerful to know that we have that power over ourselves. To except our downfalls is to understand that NO ONE is perfect. There is comfort and freedom in that. 

This Bow and Drape sweatshirt says it all. I love that my gal pal Libby shares my affinity for a "Big Hair Don't Care" mentality and bought me this sweatshirt for Christmas. Just one of the reasons she will be my sister wife for life. :o)

(Make your own version here: Bow and Drape)

“To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don’t need to be accepted by others. You need to accept yourself.” ~Thich Nhat Hanh

Have a fun, fashionable week,

kiki

The Wide Leg

This spring is all about the wide leg denim. So get on the party train!!

Before you dive head first into the wide leg trend here are some nuances and nice-to-knows:

-if you aren't naturally built with daddy long legs , these pants will need tailoring to look perfect

- make sure you bring your heels to the appointment so they get the measurements correct. The length should graze the floor ever so slightly, but still show the front of your shoes

- a nice press down the center creates long, lean lines and draws the eye away from the the hips

A couple of things are at play here...

- Wide leg jeans 

- A fun hat

- Brown/Black together at last

-Spring transition sweater vest

- Fun gold jewelry, like cool midi rings and necklaces that magnify

All different prices and styles - click the # here for the one you like - 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5

My outfit details are as follows: Sweater, Madewell on super sale, here / Necklace, Julie Vos sold out but more here / Midi Rings - Hearts On Fire, not out yet / Denim, Anthropologie sold out / Shoes, Jessica Simpson here / Handbag, Sophie Hulme here

have a fun, fashionable week,

kiki

March Vibes - Kicking It Old School

Does this sweater look familiar? It's probably because it's sitting in your closet (or your boyfriend/husband's) from the 90's. This sweater was purchased when I was in high school and hasn't aged a day. J.Crew used to make classic pieces (like the rollneck sweater - remember that one?) that we could pass down to future generations. Even though they have become a version of "fast classics" (meaning fall apart or giveaway) this sweater has somehow stood the test of time.

This outfit throwback was perfect for the Harvard campus - both scholastic and New England-y! :o)

I have the J.Crew sweater layered with a chambray button down, turtleneck, and paired with luggage brown accessories like my Sophie Hulme bag, Bryce's belt from 1995, and pumps. The moto pants are H&M and cost all of $25 (find them here). 

After bopping around Harvard Square for awhile, I swapped out my stilettos for my favorite grey pointy flats that match my hat! I was cozy and warm in the sun and thoroughly enjoyed this outfit! Thanks to Will for the amazing shots (as usual).

Have a fun and fashionable week,

kiki

OUTFIT DETAILS: Sweater (as I said, old school J.Crew)/Moto Pants (H&M here)/Hat (Primark in-store only)/Bag (Sophie Hulme here)/Brown Stilettos (Jessica Simpson here)/Grey flats (Nicholas Kirkwood here)/Shades (Rayban here)/Accessories (Hearts On Fire not yet released; Loren Stewart Ear Cuffs here)

Inspiration: Menswear, a Brief History

Marlene Dietrich, Audrey Hepburn, Amelia Earhart in the '30s, Katharine Hepburn in the '40s,  and Diane Keaton in the '70s.... all defying gender role norms and all a complete and utter inspiration. 

Throughout much of history, Western women (both European and North American) traditionally lived by strict dress code in which pants were not allowed. In the early 1900's during both World Wars, women were asked to do more physical jobs and therefore pants were a necessity. It was very freeing and women weren't willing to give that up! Coco Chanel was often found wearing her boyfriend's suits so she created a "sportswear" line for women to wear during activities like horseback riding.

In the 30's and 40's the general public was still pretty surprised to see women sporting menswear and actresses like Marlene Dietrich and Katharine Hepburn popularized the trend in a big way. In February of 1933 WWD (Womens Wear Daily) raised the question, "Will women wear trousers?" By the time the May 1939 issue of British Vogue hit the newsstands that question was answered and it was a resounding YES. Yes, we would. 

By the 1960's and 70's wearing pants was completely accepted both in casual and work fashion. The aforementioned women really paved the way for the freedom to express ourselves individually and without gender boundaries. Pretty cool, right? Scroll on down to see my take on this look..... 

Have a fun, fashionable week,

kiki

CopyCat

I am a firm believer in being my own person. I think challenging convention is truly important in paving the path to our own personal freedom. Getting "stuck" following the crowd is limiting and creates complacency, but drawing "inspiration" from the crowd is important! The stuck part can be lazy and comfortable - we have all done it! It's so much easier to watch what others are doing and follow suit - sure we all have a human inclination to fit in and be accepted by our friends, family, and peers. My point is that we can accomplish the same thing by becoming "inspirational" to each other!

Whether it's our food choices, travel ideas, clothing purchases, or general life decisions we should strive to be original in our approach and when we syphen cool things from each other we put our own personal spin on it therefore re-creating the "originality" piece all over again - then it becomes a domino effect. We already live in a homogenized, strip-mall, restaurant chain ridden world - who needs more of that! Let's dare to be inspired by each other and not exact replicas! 

THE NECKLACE: I truly love the company - The Giving Keys (here). Their mission is simple - they employ people transitioning out of homelessness. Pay it forward is their credo. Put a message on the recycled vintage keys and when you don't need the words of encouragement anymore, you pass it along to someone who does. LOVE!

This outfit is "inspired" by a Zara look that I love. I am also completely in love with wearing brown and black together. There are a couple tricks to this though -

- treat the brown bits as "pops of neutral" against a relatively black pallet. 

- accessorize using brown leather items

- go for the same "shade" of brown across all pops - belt should match the bag should match the shoes, you know what I am saying!

have a fun, fashionable day and remember... don't be a copy cat, be inspired and in turn, inspire others,

kiki

February Goings On

February started off with lots of hustle and bustle! Bryce is at the height of his season and I also have lots of travel coming up all month long. And.... we got snow! And..... it melted! :o) Last year was such a long, cold, tough winter that we deserved a wonderful, long, summer followed by a mellow, mild 2016 winter. Mother Nature is being good to us so far!

The sun setting after 10" fell.....

A snowy training run with these two gals....

A delicious, easy recipe that I have been wanting to try.... soy soaked hard boiled eggs from Momofuku Restaurant in NYC - try it here - you won't regret it!  (trust me I know it looks gross, but I PROMISE it's not!)

Some soulful tunes... 

1. Hello (Reggae Cover) by Conkarah & Rosie Delmah - this is a delightful little version of Adele's Hello

2. Coffee by Se - a tune that my favorite yoga instructor always place, it's uplifting but also mellowing

3. Water Under the Bridge by Adele - the entire album is amazing, but right now this might be my go-to jam

4. Raven's Song by Aaron Embry - he is a stone cold weirdo, but this song is tantalizing, happy, and upbeat. The piano playing is spectacular!

I love a monochromatic grey look... nails, scarf, coat... the list goes on! Grey is the new black - it goes with black or brown or any pop of color you want to include! 

Lots of love and happiness!

Have a fun, fashionable week,

kiki

Confidence is the Best Outfit

It was a rainy, dreary Sunday in January. I had just gotten back from a quick trip to NYC. Will and I had planned to shoot regardless of the weather. I look tired in these pictures, but I love the simplicity of the outfit, the comfort of my surroundings, and coziness/color of Will's lighting.

Let's talk about entering 2016 with confidence. Why not? Why wait? Let's make it happen - during tough conversations, difficult moments, work meetings, uncomfortable times. But what are the tricks and tips to feeling more confident in a world where so often we feel the exact opposite. 

1. Stand Tall - our posture speaks volumes. If our bodies are upright and our shoulders back we immediately look stronger, happier, healthier and by default exuding confidence.

2. Change our Environment - Get up, walk around, and change the stimuli in our brains! Studies prove that going to places where we feel creative and happy when we are have low confidence helps! So hit up that coffee shop or go to the park - do something that gives us pleasure!

3. Do something we are good at! Be aware of our strengths and use them everyday. That, coupled with doing something challenging, creates balance and harmony.

4. Reframe. Negative thoughts = low confidence. We must learn to ask ourselves these three simple questions when faced with negativity: how can we make this situation work in our favor? What is the benefit that will come from this? How can we look at this in a more useful way?

5. Breath and Future Thought. Fear and anxiety cause shallow breathing and terrible thoughts. We should intentionally breath deep and visualize positivity. To make this a natural reaction when faced with adversity we must practice - dedicating time to quiet.

These shoes. I just adore them. Butterflies and puppy dogs.... (check here if you want 'em)

I am loving silk scarves this winter. They dress up any outfit. I have a bunch that my grandmother Alice left behind and have also collected several favorites off of The Real Real. The moto faux leather pants are Madewell (old but similar at ShopBop here), Rebecca Taylor slouchy shirt (similar here). Jewelry is Stephen Webster and Hearts On Fire.

Be well. Be ready. Take on 2016 with so much confidence and truthfulness. It's our time to be bold, happy, and positive.

xoxo

kiki

Part Of a Well Balanced Wardrobe: A New Year, a New Recipe: Cauliflower Cake

So it's a new year...and my blogging in 2015 left something to be desired for sure. I was pretty sparse, but for good reason! Life took over! And I am not complaining - it's been fun. 

My focus for the year is three-fold -

- Really and truly learn how to meditate. I started playing with this last year, but have yet to fully commit to the process that it takes to be able to meditate. Lulu Lemon is offering meditation podcasts (check it out here ) on SoundCloud which should be relatively easy to dedicate time to. I already downloaded the app and am primed to go. The research just keeps getting stronger about the health benefits of meditation. Check out the most recent segment from CBS Sunday Morning about the power of meditation - here - kids are doing it in schools, people are escaping plane crashes by using calming techniques. 

- Volunteer! Period. Find one organization that I can be passionate about. I love the town I live in and would be interested in making it better. I ran into a fellow Watertownian while walking with the dogs in the woods the other day and she was telling me about a group that is all about improving the town and increasing awareness about issues that pop up. Soo... I think that might be my first foray into the world of volunteering. My friend Marissa also inspired me - she is always trying to improve herself (not that she needs to, she is pretty great) and volunteering is something she takes seriously! Thanks Mar. I hope I can make a difference too.

- Blog More. Shoot more with Will. Starting tomorrow we will have our first shoot of the year. I am excited to start fresh! We didn't do much last year because life got in the way, but we have made a promise to each other to make it a priority. It's good for both of our creative juices. So stay tuned for some fab shots! 

So usually I post about a tried and true recipe, but this was so good I had to share!! It's been saved in my "New Recipes" folder forever and after the food heaviness of the holidays it was time to eat something light. and this Yotam Ottolenghi Cauliflower Cake is seriously to die for. He is an amazing chef and is known for identifying the correct method of how to cook vegetables in a way that effectively brings out the maximum flavor each one has to offer.

I love me a good crustless quiche and posted my favorite rendition last March (HERE), but I swear by the way I gravitate toward anything that is Israeli or Middle Eastern Mediterranean leads me to believe that I was of that decent in another life! Yotam has many amazing recipes and cook books so don't forget to check him out on Amazon. 

Cauliflower Cake (adapted from the Kitchn blog - I served with a simple shirazi salad)

Serves approx 6-8

1 small cauliflower, outer leaves removed, broken into 1 1/4-inch florets (about 4 cups)
1 medium red onion, peeled (6 ounces)
5 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon finely chopped rosemary
7 large eggs
1/2 cup basil leaves, chopped
1 cup all-purpose flour, sifted
1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/3 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 1/2 cups coarsely grated Parmesan or another aged cheese
Melted unsalted butter, for brushing
1 tablespoon white sesame seeds
1 teaspoon nigella seeds (also known as black caraway) - can be hard to find, but the ones I got on amazon were awesome and came fast - order here)
1 tsp Salt and a nice amount of black pepper

Directions: 

Preheat the oven to 400°F.

Place the cauliflower florets in a saucepan and add 1 teaspoon salt. Cover with water and simmer for 15 minutes, until the florets are quite soft. They should break when pressed with a spoon. Drain and set aside in a colander to dry.

Cut 4 round slices, each 1/4-inch/5-mm thick, off one end of the onion and set aside. Coarsely chop the rest of the onion and place in a small pan with the oil and rosemary. Cook for 10 minutes over medium heat, stirring from time to time, until soft. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool. Transfer the onion to a large bowl, add the eggs and basil, whisk well, and then add the flour, baking powder, turmeric, Parmesan, 1 teaspoon salt, and plenty of pepper. Whisk until smooth before adding the cauliflower and stirring gently, trying not to break up the florets.

Line the base and sides of a 9 1/2-inch/24-cm springform cake pan with parchment paper. Brush the sides with melted butter, then mix together the sesame and nigella seeds and toss them around the inside of the pan so that they stick to the sides and create a "crust". Pour the cauliflower mixture into the pan, spreading it evenly, and arrange the reserved onion rings on top. Place in the center of the oven and bake for 45 minutes, until golden brown and set; a knife inserted into the center of the cake should come out clean. Remove from the oven and leave for at least 20 minutes before serving. It needs to be served just warm, rather than hot, or at room temperature.

Serve with a quick Shirazi salad - tomatoes, cucumbers, yellow onions, parsley, any other herbs/spices you want to throw in, salt/pepper, a dash of olive oil, some of your favorite vinegar and mix. 

And that's it! Simple and delish. I had leftovers for a whole week's worth of lunches and even Bryce said that we need to put it into the dinner rotation! Win overall! A couple adjustments I would make to this recipe.... even though the onion rings look so pretty on top of the cake I would prefer an even distribution across the top in separate rings. Additionally, I didn't have full amount of fresh basil required so I added parsley. And the results were tasty! 

Happy New Year and share what you are focusing on for 2016! Hopefully it's always happniess, health, and love!

xoxo

kiki

Summer, In Reflection

Summer has been good to us. After a long, arduous winter we deserved sunny, hot, humid days filled with blue skies and puffy clouds. Gorgeous sunset after gorgeous sunset and one perfect sunrise from the boat... an amazing New England week spent in Charlestown, RI, a blue moon to close the month of July and a full, yellow one that brought August out with a bang. Both equally beautiful. It went fast at all the right moments and slow just when the universe needed it to. 

I took the last two months off from blogging. I am pretty much the world's most inconsistent blogger to begin with and I have become OK with that over the last couple years. I just do what I can, when I can! Embrace life and regret nothing!

With that said, Will and I did manage to squeeze one shoot in this summer. It was intended to be easy breezy proved to be just that! As we head into Fall I will be sharing some key pieces to add to your wardrobe and even some that you should seriously consider retiring, but for now, let's just pay homage to this amazing, spectacular summer by looking through some highlights from our day on Peddocks Island.

What a cute little picnic Will, Joanna, Bryce, and I had on Peddocks Island (where Shutter Island was filmed)! We had cheese, meat, hummus and of course - MIMOSAS in Chandon's cool striped summery bottle! The Beach People blanket in these pics stole the show this season - it was my absolute fave splurge (but more on that later). The picnic basket was a gift from my bro and SIL a couple years ago for Christmas and it's awesome - has silverware and stemware! Perfect for this kind of spread.

The Beach People blanket is $99. It's worth every penny. An Australian company I discovered online - I fell in love with their patterns, the round shape, and the fringe! It's just perfect and such a great gift idea! Their whole vibe will keep you wishing for an endless summer!

I haven't embraced a one-piece bathing suit in years, so I stepped out of my comfort zone and gave it a whirl. It wasn't the perfect fit, but I love the simplicity of the back. It's JCrew - they have a good selection HERE.

Such a bummer that I lost this white dress on a bach wknd in NH, but at least it was Zara on sale and only cost $19! I tried to reorder it, but it was popular at that price and totally sold out. It did, however, teach me the importance of the perfect summer white dress. Stock up for NEXT summer here (and they are on sale)!

This dress! It was a wonderful $25 spent. You can still get it on a website called Choies - HERE. I have it layered with a lace tube top because it's VERY open, but it's lovely and fun and COMFORTABLE!!! I love all the shots Will got of me wearing it around Peddocks.

I will miss you dear, sweet summer, in all of your glory! Your remaining days may be fleeting, but I will put every single sun-drenched memory in my winter coat pocket!

xoxo always and forever,

kiki 

3 Ways To Stop & Smell The Roses

Death always happens in threes, right? Well we had several losses in our extended family over the last couple of weeks and it's a startling reminder that life is short. My 2015 posts have mostly been about embracing the small moments and spending time with loved ones as as much as possible.

Last weekend I noticed that my rose bush had flowers on it and I got so excited. It has such a short life cycle so I always try to cut them and enjoy their gorgeous fragrance in the house. This time (and I know how silly and cliche it sounds) when I cut the roses I got teary-eyed thinking of the people we lost. To remember to stop and smell the roses is a tough thing to think about on a daily basis, but when we lose people the silver lining is that it gives us pause. That reminder alone is so important and such a lovely thing to think about. Yeah, death SUCKS and that won't change. I am taking this time to say these are the things I love: the people in my life and the little moments that often fly by in a blink. 

Before I get down to it, let me introduce you to the star of this show: THE ROSE MIDI SKIRT from Mindy Mae's Market. You can find it here for a grand total of $39.99!! It is so versatile and although I would use the words bold, loud, and bright to describe it I think that any gal willing to give this a whirl can completely OWN it!!! Here I give you three ways to work it!

FIRST....

With the city as our backdrop, Will and I got down to it one beautiful spring day. Seen here with an Asos crop top and SJP heels, I kicked it up a notch by keeping it super mellow and conservative up top in a simple white top, but then adding some more pink to the bottom. One can never have too much pink, right? SJP heels (TTS): HERE and Asos top HERE (sold in a two pack w/ a black one as well).

So many fun jewels - Hearts On Fire Lorelei ring HERE and a mixture of Pura Vida bracelets, Tai bracelets and a fun, but old Vale rose gold cuff. I like to mix/match for texture. Also, the Rebecca Minkoff bag is such a staple - find it HERE. My denim jacket has also been a lifesaver this spring with the fluctuating temps - it's J.Crew (HERE).

Second....

I know what you are thinking - seriously? Stripes w/ flowers? Who does that? I actually like to play with print, but in a very subtle way. It could be way more intense then this, but I chose a very subdued black and white classic stripe to pair with this bold skirt. I am also loving the off-the-shoulder look right now. This one is from Zara and it's pretty fantastic for $15.95. I adore it!

Alright so the DVF shoes are a bit much and I recognize that they won't be right for everyone, but they are super comfortable and have a fantastic gold heel (that you can't see). Sold out everywhere unfortunately! 

Third.....

I love a cropped top. But only when it is worn in a conservative way. What does that mean? It means not showing your midriff - connecting the top with the bottom so it's resting fabric on fabric. GIRLS - you don't have to tell all of your secrets - be DISCREET.  

The top is another Asos purchase (HERE) - it's only $9 and has a fabulously open back. It will be perfect to wear over a swimsuit or with any kind of high-waisted skirt! 

Tell the people in your life how much they mean! And stop to smell whatever flower it is that you call your favorite....  Don't wait. It all goes by in a blink, after all.

have a fun, fashionable week,

kiki