A Lesson on Leggings

Gap Dress/ Zara Faux Fur Vest/ Chinese Laundry Sweater Leggings/ Michael Antonio Heels/ B.Makowsky Bag/ Necklace, gifted

I remember back in 2003 {November 20th to be exact} when I wore leggings for the first time. My friend was working at Abercrombie & Fitch and they were selling some footless leggings similar to my {self-titled} sweater leggings above. So my friends and I decided that we liked this look even though we had never seen anyone wear them {in our teenage lifetime}. So the A&F friend bought hers from A&F, and my other friend & I who worked at Mervyn's at the time decided those ones were too expensive and Mervyn's sold something similar in the Pajama Department for much cheaper. For my birthday, we all showed up to school in skirts with our leggings underneath. People honestly thought we looked ridiculous {and we kind of did}. Our group of girlfriends told us so. I recall a guy friend asking me why I was wearing long johns under my skirt. Of course my giant 'Up' sized bouquet of birthday balloons from friends brought us even more attention. It was a pretty memorable day. Looking back it's funny to think how quickly leggings caught on after that and how 2011 leggings have evolved. I feel like I don't go a day without seeing someone wearing them...for better and for worse.

To follow up I just want to share some rules of thumb that I have come up with for leggings:

1) Leggings are not pants and should not be worn as such.

2) White leggings are not the one. Never.

3) There is a thin line between Jeggings and Pajama Jeans. Don't even attempt to cross it.

4) If I can see that your underwear says 'Pink' on your bum, for God's sake, go home and change!

5) Please cover up your chunky butt and I promise to cover mine.

6) Leggings are not pants and should not be worn as such!

So who has legging horror stories or suggestions of their own? I know they're out there!

Sunshine & Shoulder Pads

Nicole Miller Blazer, vintage/ Free People Dress/ Steve Madden Flats/ Bauble Bar Necklace/ Michael Kors Sunglasses/ Nordstrom Watch/ B.Makowsky Bag

I sometimes forget that California {for the most part} is an oddball when it comes to weather. This weekend it was sunny and clear outside with just a bit of a chill in the air. No snow. No rain. No winds. I wore a dress layered with an oversized blazer {and shorts underneath}. We walked around downtown and even ate lunch outside. I can't wait to get up to the snow soon, but man I can't deny that I am loving this Bay Area weather :-)

Airplane Outfit

Forever 21 Top/ Mossimo Leggings and Jean Jacket/ B.Makowsky Bag/ Scarf, souvenir from Scotland

 Last weekend I flew down to Southern California to visit my sister in Malibu and of course do a day trip to the Happiest Place on Earth {Disneyland!}. I tend not to have the highest standards for travel outfits but tried to avoid sweats this time around and this is what I came up with. The leggings were comfy and it was easy to take my flip flops off at the airport, but my feet were ice cold super frozen for the whole plane ride!

Maybe next time I should go the Gaga route and forget comfort altogether. I suppose I could pull of a bondage suit and platform stilts?

Oh my Gaga

Oh Christmas Tree



NY&Co. Tunic/ Express Vest/ Target Leggings & Ring/ Michael Kors Sunglasses & Watch/ Timex Watch/ Bracelet, gifted/ Melie Bianco Bag/ Jessica Simpson Boots 



For me, nothing says Christmas better than the scent of fresh pine needles and hanging up my favorite ornaments! I understand that fake trees are a lot cleaner and more economical in the long run but I don't think I could ever skip out on our tradition. So of course a week ago we headed out to find the perfect tree and once we did hauled it home to light a fire, sip hot cocoa, and decorate our new tree. It was basically the highlight of my week :-)

What's your stance on Real vs Fake Trees? Have you put one up yet??

Abominable Snowlady

Old Navy Top/ Lulus.com Vest/ 7 for All Mankind Jeans/ Cathy Jeans Boots/ Rebecca Minkoff Bag/ Michael Kors Watch/ Nordstrom Bracelets

Do you ever buy something that you kind of like but kind of hate at the same time? Or when you think something is so ugly that it's cute? Well that is exactly how I feel about this vest. I love vests, I have a zillion of them and always feel like they add a fun element to any outfit, plus they are perfect for layering on cold days. This vest in particular is a little crazy looking and slightly resembles shag carpet or as if it was taken off the back of the Abominable Snowman. But hey it was on sale and dangit I just love vests. 

Black Thursday Night

Target Blazer & Jeggings/ Vintage Tank Top/ Cara NY Necklace/ Cathy Jean Boots/ Rebecca Minkoff Bag

Wow, if my blog was college I would have an F for poor attendance. The cold weather made me do it. No one wants to go to class when it's cold out and same with blogging...if I can't do it while lying next to the fire wrapped up in a blanket Mummy style, it's just too much effort. Maybe I should invest in some fingerless gloves and a Snuggie. 

Anyways, I'm here now and that's all that counts right? So let's rewind a couple of weeks. Three houses and two Thanksgiving dinners later my boyfriend and I decided we wanted to see how the whole early Black Friday thing was panning out. Utter disaster! There was a massive group of Occupy Target Protesters Black Friday Shoppers around the entire perimeter of my favorite red store. So naturally we drove to Walmart only to find an equally crazy {and slightly trashier} mob ransacking the store and hovering like vultures over odd saran wrapped piles of electronics that wouldn't be opened until midnight. So again, naturally we decide to go home, wait a couple of hours, and come back out again. We must have been high on Turkey. Everything we hoped to get our hands on was gone by the time we got there. But I must say it was a good experience if only for the people watching. My favorite people were the groups barking at each other as if they were an army ready for attack, checking off their list as they knocked over babies to throw a pair of socks in their carts. It was great.

So naturally after a ridiculous unfruitful late night we decide to head out to the mall early afternoon. All of the crazies must have been worn out from the early Black Friday because it was a pretty mild mall experience. I picked up a few things, came to my senses, left the mall and vowed to do the rest of my Holiday shopping online. 

How was your Black Friday?

Breakfast at Nordies

Target Lace Top & Blazer/ Express Vest/ 7 for all Mankind Jeans/ Cathy Jeans Boots/ B.Makowsky Bag/ Forever 21 Necklace & Bracelets/ Bauble Bar Bracelet/ Michael Kors Watch

Last Saturday Morning we kicked off my quarter century birthday celebrations at the Nordstrom Fall Cosmetics Trends Show. My posse and I sat front row as all of the Makeup Lines showcased their hottest products and models walked the runway in Nordstrom's latest fabulous designer wear. After the show we had appointments for complimentary Dermal Quench facials at Kate Somerville and makeup appointments with Chanel, Dior, and Bobbi Brown. Amidst the crowds of hundreds of women, everything was pretty hectic and appointments were really behind, but we all managed to have at least two services done. It was basically a girly girl's heaven....so it was the perfect event for my birthday! The next show should be in April, so keep a lookout on the Nordstrom calendar and be sure to attend!

Floral Arranging Presentation

Candy Bar at Philosophy

Oxidation Peel with Philosophy

Makeup at Chanel

Left to Right: Monica-Sister-in-law, Margi-Mom, Jessica-Friend, Me-Old Birthday Lady, Jessi-Friend, Lauren-Sister

Merci, Gracias, Grazi, Thank You!

Olive & Oak Blazer/ Top, vintage/ Old Navy Jeans/ Charles by Charles David Loafers/ Leopard Clutch, via Poshmark App/ Bershka 'Love' Necklace/ Forever 21 Necklace & Bracelets/ Tiffany & Co. Paloma Picasso Loving Heart Earrings/Michael Kors Watch & Sunglasses

Fall is finally showing up all around us! I'm reminded of this every time I step outside of my house; the air is crisp and our streets are lined with gorgeous red, orange, and yellow trees. I've baked pumpkin pancakes, a pumpkin roll and I'm hoping to attempt pumpkin bread today! I am officially loving the season!

Since tomorrow is Thanksgiving it only seems fitting to give a little thanks and praise where it's due. So thank you to all of my favorite fashion icons, my fashionable friends, and fashion bloggers out there who continually inspire me to step outside of my comfort bubble and have fun with my wardrobe. Even more importantly, thank you to everyone reading this! I love writing it and sharing my ideas and pictures with you, so thank you for taking the time to follow me!

Happy Thanksgiving Friends! XOXO

Wild Thing!

Hear Hear, Hear Hear! I {Kristen} am having a party and YOU are invited!

The coolest new App in the iTunes store {Poshmark App, duh} has invited me to co-host {w/Chandamheer of Pancake Stacker} a Wild Things{Animal Print} Posh Party!

What does this mean? Download the Poshmark App yesterday, pop some bubbly, put on your heels and/or sweats and join us for the fun!

What is a Posh Party? A virtual theme party where you sell, buy, and drool over fab clothes and accessories that are looking for a new home

When? Thursday, November 17th 8-9pm PST

Where? On your iPhone, iTouch, or iPad

Find more info and RSVP on Facebook

Here's a sneak peak of a few items I'll be listing for sale!

H&M Racing Stripes Kaftan

Bebe Lady in Leopard Dress

Express Ch-ch-ch-cheetah! Dress

Hope to see you at the party, I'll just leave you with a few songs to get you pumped up! :-)

Blood, Yelp, & Tears



Aryn K. Blazer/ Glam Top, via StitchFix/ Bauble Bar Chevron Necklace/ Michael Kors Watch/ Belina Bracelet



Yelp events are always a seriously fun time and this past Monday's party at Maria Maria in Walnut Creek was no exception! We arrived to find the usual awesome Yelp swag available for taking, so of course I grabbed sunglasses and a rad sweatband. To kick things off we ordered a couple of refreshing Don Pilar Margaritas and chatted with other Yelpers. Servers came around with plates full of mini quesadillas, flautas, chimichangas, and burritos, and I successfully stuffed my face :-). Anyone who knows me could tell you that I looove Mexican food so I can be a tough critic, but everything at Maria Maria exceeded my expectations. The setting is intimate with well-appointed decor and the service was amazing. I was really impressed with the whole event and I can't wait to come back to Maria Maria [anyone up for Taco Tuesday?!]!

 



My partner in crime



Don Pilar shakin' it up!

Thirsty Monday ;-)