What I Wore

I put on some weight last year due to a medication I had to be on.

And by some, I mean 45 pounds.

And it doesn't want to leave. Like ever.

My doctors warned me it might not ever go away and I'm healthier now (I have a chronic health problem) than I was then so... I decided to try to figure out how to dress the body I have now in a way that makes me feel good and confident.

In an effort to do that and embrace myself how I am now I decided to start doing occasional outfit posts here. I'm a great person and it's time I stop hiding my light under a bushell and treating myself like I am!

So here we go!

I don't have a huge budget so I try to use pieces I already have or make or that I can find on sale like this Christian Siriano striped jacket that I paired with comfy skinny jeans, black ankle boots, and a long sleeved black tee for a chilly day.

I also paired it with a new pale pink lipstick I tried out that apparently looks terrible... But Che sera sera, that's why we try things, right?

On a different note... I threw on my favorite french blue Raybans, my "grown up" Italian black leather purse (With the Project DIY tassle keychain I made here.), and my Argento Alchemy made chunky semiprecious gemstone necklace (That includes jade that my sister brought back for me from her travels. Shoutout Stacy, awesome present!)

I also finally got a hold of the real Downton Abbey book so I'm pretty psyched about that! Have you read it yet? Are you reading it now?

I know I'm a work in progress and am just learning how to dress my current body and shape but I think I'm off to an okay start. Besides, the best you can do is always good enough.

Kisses,

K

(All images created and owned by Krista Carson.)

 

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Pop Quiz

If you love the icons and fashions of the past half as much as I do be sure to click on over to the site Byrdie to take their latest quiz: Which Classic Beauty Icon Are You?

I was pretty excited to be matched with one of my favorite icons, the incomparable and oft imitated (rightfully so, she's a classic) Audrey Hepburn.

"Your beauty icon is Audrey Hepburn! Classic and timeless with just a hint of quirk, you’ll gladly skip the trends and stick with what you know works on you. Your signature look? Clear, matte skin and look-at-me-brows. Radiant orchid lipstick? No thanks. You’ll stick with your go-to red—and look oh-so-fabulous while donning it."

So what are you waiting for? Are you a Bridgette, Sophia, an Audrey, or some other iconic beauty?

Go take the quiz!

Kisses,

K

(All images and quiz via Brydie site.)

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Saltabie

I first came across Saltabie on Instagram when I saw the #handsthatmake hashtag she started there. It's all about artisans and their wonderful, though often beat up, hands that create wonderful things. As a jewlery designer, artist, and crafter I found it really inspiring so I followed her feed.

Then when she did a contest for her new hand dyed and stitched minnow ties I knew I had to enter.

I was super excited when I won and I love the product so I wanted to share more with you:

"Saltabie is a one-woman creative endeavor powered by a fascination with Japanese textiles and copious amounts of salt-water taffy.

Saltabie items are hand-dyed and hand-stitched by yours truly (hi, I'm Shelby!) in the Pacific Northwest with materials imported from around the world.

My muses are Amelia Earhart, Anna Karina, and salty, tattooed sailors with dirty mouths and hearts of gold.

Visit me on Instagram and let's be Insta-Friends! Or send me an email at saltabie@outlook.com"

My minnow tie arrived in a pretty blue hand dyed cotton bag. When you pull the top thread it opens up. (Even Abigail was excited!)

Tucked inside was a lovely handwritten note, product tag, and a cute pink minnow.

I was trying to come up with creative ways to wear it that would keep it out of my pup's reach (She likes to bite my ponytails and long braids when we play... We're working on it...) so I did a Milkmaid-esque braid all around the crown of my head and tied it into the braid on the side.

I was pretty happy with the results.

I love cute hairstyles that keep my long hair managed and up out of the way and my minnow makes this one more fun.

I have to say that I'm definitely a fan. Cute and supporting an artisan is definitely a win win in my book!

Go check her out!

(All other accessories pictured were made by me for my Argento Alchemy line I'm working on.)

Kisses,

K

You can also contact Saltabie through her website at http://saltabie.bigcartel.com/contact

(All images created and owned by Krista Carson except for the Instagram image by Saltabie.)

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Yes, Please: Mansur Gavriel Small Tote Lined, Cammello with Argento

I like minimalist designs but not usually in my handbags so I was surprised when I fell so hard for this one from No. 6 Store.

But with its gorgeous peachy tan colr and shiny interior it was instantly love!

Of course it's $535.00 price tag means it will remain on my wish list but a girl can dream right?

Kisses,

K

(All images and bag information via No. 6 Store)

 

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What I Wore; Happy St Patricks Day!

I know most people celebrated over the weekend but today is St. Patricks Day so in honor of the ocassion I donned some of my luckiest green pieces today.

I built my outfit around this cute sparkly and metallic green tee from Disney. (I purchased it in Mouse Gears inside of Epcot but I'm pretty sure you'll be able to find it in Disney stores around the country and definitely at Downtown Disney locations.)

Then I added this multi-green and navy tweed pencil skirt from past seasons at J Crew.

Next cam my favorite part, accessories!

I layered in a semi-precious and precious gemstone and sterling necklace and matching chrysoprase earrings from my past Argento Alchemy works as well as a braided wrap bracelet.

I also wore a vintage green crystal clip earring from my Grandmother that had lost its mate as a brooch. As well as a Honduran inlaid sterling cuff, a Michaud cuff, and a large green druzy ring.

Here is a more detailed shot (bottom to top):

Large green druzy ring

Hand dyed silk, hand forged fine silver link, and black pearl braided wrap bracelet.

Michael Michaud eucalyptus cuff

Honduran inlaid cuff

Since I work at home I can get away with a Mickey tee and tons of jewelry but...

For those of you who don't I also pulled together some more office friendly inspiration above.

Details: Argento Alchemy petite chrysoprase briolette dangles on German sterling huggie hoops, vintage green crystal clip earring worn as a brooch, and work appropriate bangles in jade from Chinatown in Chicago and navy, green, and white cloisonné from France.

Just swap out the tee shirt for a white or blue button down plus heels and your work ready instead.

Hope you have a lucky Monday!

Kisses,

K

(All images created and owned by Krista Carson.)

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Fashion Friday: Cakeworthy Disney Style

My Cakeworthy coach tee finally came in the mail the other week and I'm super excited about it!

Every time the Cakeworthy site has these available they sell out über fast so I actually stayed up till midnight to order mine. (Crazy I know, but the heart wants what the heart wants...)

And I'm so happy I did!

I love it! It's a very soft cozy cotton and the graphic is very tongue in chic. (See what I did there, wink wink...)

They re-release them from time to time so I'll keep a weather out for you all and try to give you a heads up.

In the meantime they have lots of other fun Disney inspired merch so be sure to check it out here!

Kisses,

K

(All images created and owned by Krista Carson. Coach tee by cakeworthy.)

 

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Fashion Friday: Disney Style

I really loved this helpfully cute chart the Disney Blog posted not long ago and just had to share it.

As a big Disney fan it really made me smile.

It also reminded that I have a lot of pairs of ears! (Say that ten times fast...) And that when it's all said and done I'm a sparkly kind of girl at heart.

What ear pair are you?

Kisses,

K

(Flow chart via the Disney Blog.)

 

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Fashion Friday: The Incomparable Atlantic-Pacific Blair Eadie

I'm sure pretty much every blogger and budding fashionista is already very aware of the Blair Eadie's blog Atlantic-Pacific. However, that being said, I still can't help but sharing her fabulousness yet again!

She titled the post with this look Very Carrie which I love. And the outfit? So very fab!

The black and white color scheme, the floaty tulle, the bows, the tastefully edgy sliver of tum? C'est parfait! Absolument parfait!

I just love the sweetly seductive oversize bows on these shoes!

And while I couldn't wear a tummy shirt right now I'd love to try a look like this out without showing off my tum.

Wouldn't this be a super fun variation on the typical Holiday Party outfit?

Simply perfection!

Kisses,

K

(All photos re-blogged via Atlantic-Paciffic.)

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Fashion Friday: Yes, Please

Anthropologie always has the most beautiful things. I love browsing through their catalogs and website.

I recently came across this quirky yet gorgeous dress by Geisha Designs on their site.

Its called the Icefall Maxi.

If the color scheme and print hadn't already drawn me into their web of fabulousness the name, Icefall, would have done me in too.... I just love the romance of winter, snow, and ice. The silvers and blues of the Arctic... Le sigh...

I feel like this dress is dressy and edgy and fabulous! It's a subtle statement maker and definitely not what everyone else will be wearing during the Holiday season. Yes, please! Now if only it wasn't so pricey...

Would you wear such an avant garde piece?

Kisses,

K

(All images, info, and dress via Anthropologie.)

 

 

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Fashion Friday

It's so easy to find good fashion inspiration these days on the internets so I though I would start sharing some of the looks that I'm currently loving on Fridays.

For my first one I decided to go with this pic of Olivia Palermo killing it in the cozy chic category!

From the gold bottoms on her peacoat to pop of color on her heels, this outfit is both classic and unexpected at the same time.

Let's break it down: traditional black peacoat, cozy cable knit ivory sweater, cute flirty back and white leopard print skirt, opaque black tights, black high heel boots with a colorful twist, a matching bag carried as a clutch, and simple classic gold jewelry.

She pulls the look together with an overall black palette that keeps everything grounded, the fun pattern and shape of the skirt make it playfully youthful while the tights keep her warm and covered, and the pop of color on the heels and bag adds a chic twist to the look while the matching hue keeps it looking purposeful, in a good way. Lastly, her jewelry subtly enhances her outfit instead of competing with it.

This is definitely a look I'd like to try to find a Florida version of! (I'll keep you posted if I'm able to track anything similarly styled down.)

Kisses,

K

(Photo via Pinterest.)

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Yes, Please: Home Edition

With the start of November the holiday season is fast upon us... I know, I know, you're not ready.

Well, neither am I... Which got me thinking about guests... which led to thinking about entertaining... which led to thinking about having people over for dinner... which reminded me that since I previously had no formal dining table so I have no formal dining set up...

So I started looking for things online and ended up with this moldboard containing things far out of my monetary range but that I love. I already have a Wedgwood china pattern and crystal that I'm slooowly collecting after my wedding a few years ago so I don't really need to pick out those. So I went for the fun stuff.

I love rocks and geology and nothing is prettier to me than rocks and minerals so these malachite patterned chargers by Kim Seybert are so up my ally. I also really loved her vaguely sea inspires sparkly blue table runner and rock topped lucite napkin rings.

Everything else on my moodboard is from RabLabs. They make the most beautiful and amazing things! I'm totally in love with pretty much everything they make! They really utilize the minerals in a beautiful way that allows their true nature to shine through while giving them a beautiful function in the home. Agate chees plate, coasters, and utensils? Don't mind if I do! Crystal bowls and platters edged in sterling silver or gold? Yes, please!

I love everything on this table moodboard and while it's all pretty pricy... I figure it's a good place to start. Who knows, maybe by next year I'll actually be prepared for the holidays like a real adult... ;)

Kisses,

K

(All products by and available from Kim Seybert and RabLabs.)

 

 

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MJ Trimming Project DIY: October

I finally got my October MJ Trimming DIY box tonight and was super stoked to dig into it!

The theme this time, as you can see, is Punk revival. I love me some punk rock and spikes just as much as I love preppy and pearls so I really love this theme.

It came with everything I needed to get my punk on. Easy to follow step by step instructions make it easy to create the cool punk pieces pictured.

 

But in true punk form I decided to toss the directions this time before I dove in.

 

 

So I jumbled all the pieces up and started from scratch.

 

 

My little Westie pup Abigail wanted in on the action too. :)

 

So of course I made her a little punk princess with a sparkly gold spike collar. (Don't worry, she only wore it for a picture. I didn't leave my precious pup covered in sharp spikes even though she looked pretty adorable!)

 

Then I made a ling silver and gold toned necklace that I like styled doubled up.

 

 

I used this cool round gold clasp as the focal point.

 

 

Then I took the pearl chain, a spike, safety pin, end connectors (the little ends you normally use with leather in order to attach it to something), and jump rings to make a second necklace.

 

 

 

I added the end connectors to jump rings with a couple little pearl links to jazz up the spike hanging off the safety pin.

 

 

I loved the tiny spikes and when I saw them I knew immediately that I wanted to make earrings out of them. Some silver linked chain, pearl links, and a jump ring later I was pretty happy.

 

 

I used the black chain as a juxtaposition against the gold link chain to make a bracelet. Black and gold is very on trend at the moment and I can see why. They contrast and enhance each other nicely.

 

 

So... That's the whole shebang. I feel like I really got a lot out of this month's box and I'm pretty happy with the results.

 

What do you think, would you have gone rogue and created your own punk inspired thing or would you have stuck with the directions?

Either way, if you haven't signed up the Project DIY box yet do it now! It makes it so easy and fun to DIY cool pieces in the comfort of your living room. Love that and love it and the inspiration it gives me!

Kisses,

 

K

 

(All photos and jewelry designs by Krista Carson. Project DIY box and materials all from MJ Trimming.)

 

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