the sum of all the parts was not greater...

happy friday!

 

I tried too much with this outfit and it fizzled, blame it on pinterest.  so much that the full body shots are atrocious and will not be seen.  there was way to much going on, but individually all great pieces.

hmmm.  guess I'm really not a natural blonde.

bag {my birthday present! In LOVE.} - Marc by Marc Jacobs, Shopbop

boots - DV by Dolce Vita, Nordstrom

tights - Target

mini skirt - free people {old, similar}
hat - similar here and here.

hope you have a wonderful weekend.  mine includes some favorite girlfriends, champagne, definitely shopping, like at a real mall without my little helpers!, one cute cuddly tiny little baby, most certainly dessert, maybe even fancy chocolate, probably a sporadic dance party or two, a beach house and according to the forecast - pouring rain and flash floods.  cheers to finally meeting up seattle girls down south and bringing the most rain I've seen so far in southern california.  

best,

kirsty

denim, nude and blah blah blah {what i wore}

one of my very favorite things - that I wish I could hold every single moment of and not forget a single word or at least have my video camera always ready to catch these moments - is conversations with my 5 year old.  the ones that just spring up from nothing, or something, but they are unplanned and I have no agenda or life lesson or legacy to instill in him.  just to soak up his little brain and delight in all of the new body language and nuances and {most of the} tones he has observed and is trying to emulate.  the newest being "blah blah blah."

there was no agenda for this outfit, it just kind of happened.  my new shoes arrived and I wanted to wear them casually, this outfit is one that is better in person.  blah blah blah.  

denim shirt - Trouve, Nordstrom {similar}

tank - Banana Republic {old, similar, 40% off with code BRCLUE40}

jeans - DL1961, Piperlime

shoes - Charles by Charles David, Nordstrom

earrings - Lucia K. Jewelry Tag

bracelet - Lucia K. Jewelry Nora

necklace - Lucia K. Jewelry {not available, maybe soon...}

oh my goodness these moments.  

and I realized today I have six months until kindergarten begins.  oh f*&#.

photos by Angie

happy wednesday.  linking up with pleated poppy for what i wore wednesday.

best,

kirsty

blush is back

Or did it ever really leave?  I was reading the March issue of InStyle magazine and blush tones were everywhere.  And kimonos.  Both trends I am super excited about.  I kind of think of this as my kimono trench, and its so perfect for california in the winter.  I mean yes, this is winter.

Also, I have worn these jeans over and over and over.  I can't get enough of them.  And I have been embracing the messy hair look a lot.  

jacket - Collection O2, Queen Anne Dispatch

tank - C&C California, Queen Anne Dispatch

jeans - Bleulab, Queen Anne Dispatch

shoes - Anthropologie
nail polish - Butter London, basecoat and color

bracelet - Lucia K. Jewelry

earrings - Lucia K. Jewelry Chloe Earrings

photos by Angie.

TGIF.

best,

Kirsty

bun envy {what i wore wednesday}

I bought this shirt right after I had my littlest son.  I completely remember it...one of those moments when you just need something cute, you are too big for all your clothes but all your maternity clothes are frumpy slumpy.  I love the lace grandma detail.  I love the length.  I love the over-flowy flutterness.  and I love the memory behind it, as my baby is now 4.  I think this shirt keeps my black ensemble from being to somber.  And I love the lace under the jacket.

and here's the thing, my hair does not do buns well.  is it my head shape?  the frizzy pieces that frame the face?  I just can't figure it out...

shirt - Meadow {old, similar}

jacket - Anthropologie, {similar}

jeans - Bluelab

boots - DV by Dolce Vita, Nordstrom
barrette - Anthropologie {old, new favorite}

earrings - Lucia K. Jewelry

similar shirts...

photos by Angie.
happy wednesday.

best,
kirsty

it's been a while {4 way friday}

Two girls, one serious love, dare I say addiction, to fashion.  1 pair of earrings that have stood the test of time {we are talking a couple of years already}.  So here are four ways we are styling them.

First, lets focus on these earrings for a moment, there are a few choices in the Taylor collection.  Its a fancier earring with the Swarovski Crystal, but this version with the copper chain makes it more subtle and versatile.  They would be completely appropriate and amazing with this dress.  But also work so well with plaid flannel, sequin, silk, denim, leather...perhaps less of a statement than their gold or gunmetal cousins, but still plenty, if not the perfect amount, of chic for these busy every day ensembles.  and what I love best, they don't compete with my red lipstick, they simply compliment.  

outift #1 - the urban lumberjack.  plaid flannel with sequins, fur, and wedge sneakers.  yes please.

 jeans - J Brand, ShopLAStyle

plaid shirt - Free People, 6pm

vest - TopShop {no longer available}

shoes - Splendid, 6pm

lipstick - Nars, Sephora
earrings - Lucia K. Jewelry Taylor

outfit #2 - preppy cowgirl and her trusted sidekicks.  photo-bombing is their specialty.

sweater - Madewell {old}

denim shirt - Madewell, {similar, extra 50% code XOXO}

jeans - 7 for all Mankind, Hautelook {if you haven't before, you should really check it out}

boots - Frye, 6pm {also on sale, I surely did not pay this price.  bummer}
nails - Butter London 

lipstick - Nars, Sephora 

earrings - Lucia K. Jewelry Taylor

outfit #3 - PJ Jumper.  sort of like matching pajamas.  seriously are there people who wear matching pjs to bed on a regular basis?  I want to know.  honestly, if my socks match I'm proud.  back to the outfit,  these earrings keep my overflowing crazy comfortable outfit from being sloppy.  

jacket - Black Swan Heart, {mine's from Queen Anne Dispatch}
shirt - Gap {old}
romper {pants} - Flynn Skye
shoes - Anthropologie {available in black}
lips - MAC Viva Glam, Nordstrom
bracelet - Lucia K. Jewelry Chloe
earrings - Lucia K. Jewelry Taylor

and the winner is outfit #4 - Jenn and I swap text messages about what outfits we are going to style, and until the pictures show up in my inbox, I am in suspense.  {she is in WA, I am in CA.} 

I love this one, she's a beauty and it completely shows why she is an up and coming stylist.  so much happening but it all works together so dang well.  take it away.

jacket - All Saints {similar}
shirt - J. Crew
jeans - Gap {15% off with code TREAT}
shoes - Madewell
scarf - Alexander McQueen, Ebay! {similar}
earrings - Lucia K. Jewelry Taylor

Thanks for joining us for 4 way friday, it's been a while.  What do you think?

TGIF.

best,

kirsty {and Jenn}

ps - like what you see?  follow us on instagram for more...  thekirstyfiles & jenniferlovin

paper dolls {what i wore}

When I was young I was very very fond of playing with paper dolls.  Such a strange concept really, but I would switch outfits until the little tabs wore off and the clothes no longer stayed in place.  Did they every really stay in place?  

I think this classic basic outfit, a great ribbed black tank and black denim {in this case wax jeans that are reversible and you wash in the freezer, for real}, is a great blank canvas to then mix and match the other items, playing with patterns, and textures and colors.  

I also have seen versions of this all over New York Fashion Week this week, sub an amazing baby blue fur coat, or black and white pin striped heels, and of course a well out of my price range handbag.  It's so chic and so easy.

coat - ASOS
tank top - Nordstrom Rack

wax jeans - Bleulab, Queen Anne Dispatch {they are now 50% off}
hat - Billabong
shoes - Cole Haan {Chelsea Pointy Toe High Pump} {CRAZY sale 70% off, then use code "spring" for add'l 30% off, holy smokes}
sunglasses - Marc by Marc Jacobs
necklace - Lucia K. Jewelry
lipstick - MAC, Nordstrom

photos by Angie.

Just for fun, here are other outfit combos, and because I am also now on a budget, using all sale items.

paper doll outfit #2 

paper doll outfit #3

paper doll outfit #4

linking up with pleated poppy for what i wednesday.
happy wednesday.

best,
kirsty

love is in the air. {Valentines around our home}

after halloween, and having young children who are so excited, and want to help, with every single holiday, big or small - they don't discriminate.  I find myself wanting to not miss a single excuse to get festive.  could also be her influence.  regardless, I am excited for each holiday I get to experience through their young eyes.  even though it means answering "mom can I have a valentine candy?"  at least 20 times a day.

so here is a little bit of what February in our home looks like...

completely underestimated the amount of time it would take to wrap yarn around this wire.  I am pretty proud that I persevered and finished actually.

 

because 4 and 5 year olds love sparkly heart garland.  and so do 30 somethings.

tulips spotted at Costco.  cherry hearts and cinnamon lips from whole foods, and seriously I could eat these all day long, they are even better than the ones made with artificial stuff, something about colored with beet juice takes them over the top.  and that makes them healthy right?  

our rainy day activity.  yes we had rain!  thank you Michaels.  best $4 spent last week. 

our love bird.  and after 5 months, I put my plant in a pot!

I heart ranunculus.  

I happened to have a fantastic aged terra cotta pot, so in they went with a few other lovely reds to keep them company, topped with a wire heart.  to me - a front door greeter that makes me smile every single time.  lets hope I can remember to water.

   

love catchers.  to capture all the love sent down from those we love in heaven.

hmmm.  somebody should wash my windows.

and the screens while they're at it. 

really hoping to make some chocolate truffles this week and frosted sugar cookies, and send out valentine cards.  oh my goodness I just realized I haven't anything planned for the boys to hand out as valentines.  crud.  the story continues.  what do you think?  

hope you have a lovely start to your week.

best,

kirsty