Farmers Market Style

If you follow along on my instastories at all, then you will know that most Thursday evenings between June and Oct you will find my family and I at our neighborhood farmers market.

It is such a lovely piece of our summer evenings, as our market not only has awesome local produce and vendors, but food trucks and live music, making it a community party every week.  So great right?

And whatever event is occurring in my life it affords an outfit or two to go with it.  Hmmmm...oversized down jacket "oh that would be perfect for school drop off and pickup."  I so want to wrap myself up in that all winter long, right??  Oh man if only.  Farmers Market season "oh that linen extra wide leg pant would be perfect."  Sure I'm not in the mindset of festival style, but for surely I have farmers market chic on my mind.

This is how I justify and make wise shopping purchases, key word not practical but wise.  But honestly sometimes a great outfit, or shoe, or bag, is what pops me out of bed in the morning.  and a good cup of coffee of course.  Even if it's just to go grocery shopping.

Just one more thing on this topic, people often say "I love this but where would I wear it?"  Where is the eye roll emoji?  Honestly if you love it then just wear it.  If it lightens your step then any occasion is the perfect occasion.  If you need there to be an element of practical then fine, but wouldn't we all be happier if we just wore what we loved no matter?

So I shall end on a functional note.  My bag.  I don't discount the power of a functional piece, case in point my little cross body bag is perfect for Farmers Market or festivals, or concerts...Just your essentials, hands free, and add a tassel.  In neutral so you can grab and go no matter the fabulous clothing you are wearing.  No brainer.  I like to spice mine up with a printed bandana.

 

pants - Mango.  similar

tank - super old Anthro purchase

cross body bag - Hobo c/o.  on sale here.

 bandana - Queen Anne Frame.

market bag - Queen Anne Frame.

"Dress up begins at age 5 and never truly ends."  -Kate Spade.  So dress up tomorrow and see where it leads you.  Even if just to the grocery store.  Do I make myself clear?

Full disclosure...I occasionally do my grocery shopping in PJs.

Happy Wednesday and thank you for reading.

photos by Angie.

best,
Kirsty

I've been having way too much fun in my instastories lately, you can follow my instagram here thekirstyfiles

Black is Always the New Black.

This outfit is a standby go-to date night outfit for me.  It's easy.  It's comfortable.  I don't have to think about it too much.  But also it's a bit sexy with the lace down the front and the open back.  

I am pretty sure when I bought these jeans they were much more black.  They've worn so well with age that I have hardly noticed how they have faded.  You know - the way you want to age, side by side, with the person who just gets you to your soul.  And they were the jeans that convinced me to invest in great denim.  For sure I have gotten my money's worth.  These jeans have also kept me from feeling like I need to buy other skinny black denim, because I love them so much.  They also happen to be on sale right now.

As I am attempting to write this blog post, I have been asked 3 times to tuck my kiddos in.  It's hot and with the eve of the last day of school upon us, and a 9th birthday, we are all restless.  The last request was met with a no from me, I'm tired, I would like to finish this post and head to bed myself.  But as I sit and type, it seems crazy not to snuggle them one more time, knowing these days are but a season.

This is often how date nights come to be, at the end of being requested, no time or energy left for myself, but I want to show up and feel put together.

So this is what I have.  A great easy top with a touch of sexy, and a great fitting pair of denim.

Oh and don't forget the accessories.  They are always the finishing touch.  I love the statement earring trend this season.  Love love love it.  These earrings are my most popular tag earrings updated with happy tangerine tassels.  They are worn constantly and becoming my most popular item.  You can find them here in dark blue.

top - Free People. see below of color options and major sale price

jeans - J Brand, Nordstrom.  dark blue on sale

shoes - Saks Off 5th.  old

earrings - Lucia K. Jewelry.  also available at Queen Anne Frame

Ok off to tuck my babies in for the 3rd time, exhausted but grateful.

Do you have a favorite denim?

photos by Angie.

Happy Monday.

best,
Kirsty

short and sweet: how to keep a mini skirt casual daywear.

California seems to have seeped into my blood, and among other things, so with it, mini skirts.  They are comfortable, great for hotter temps, and easy to keep casual with a simple tank or tee and flats.  

I especially like them paired with my birks.

So the short and sweet of it, I may need an intervention at some point, but for now I'm just gonna do it,  I mean if I have to shave my legs, I might as well take advantage of it.

PS - exxxxxtra bonus points for ruching, this always makes a mini more flattering.

 tank - Topshop, Nordstrom

skirt - Free People, available here, and here

shoes - Birkenstocks, Amazon {for 30$ dollars y'all}

sunglasses - Michael Kors, Nordstrom {similar}

clutch - Isla Boutique, Old

earrings - Lucia K. Jewelry

here are a few of my mini choices, all of these have a bit of ruching detail and flattering cut.

 Where have I been?  Trying my darndest to soak up every last bit of summer, before back-to-school hits my like a ton of bricks.  So thank you for still reading, even when my posts are few.  I promise to hit the ground running in the fall.

Photos by Angie.

xo,
Kirsty

this is how you wrap it up.

Don't wear your yoga pants.  In the crazy errand running that inevitably always happens as Christmas draws near, do it in style.  Shirred leggings instead of yoga pants with a comfy {but not sloppy} top and slip-on sneaks is the perfect shopping outfit when you gotta get it done.  And then swap them out with booties and a sweater and you're ready for drinks out to celebrate the kicking of your to-do list's ass.  

These pants are genius right.  And on sale.  Just saying.  

gotta go.

sweatshirt - Monrow, old.  similar style here.

leggings - Free People, size small here on sale, xs here on sale.  also here. {mine are from Queen Anne Dispatch.}

shoes - Dolce Vita, you can find a few sizes here.

sunglasses - Warby Parker

earrings - Lucia K. Jewelry Tag

my favorite combos.
1.  They have the most darling t-shirts at Jcrewfactory.com like this one, and today only they are an extra 30% off code JOLLY.

2.  Of course a touch of bohemian mixed in.  LOVE the color of these shoes.

3.  Every single one of these items are on my wish list, and to be worn just like this, minus the mullet tuck.

4.  Seriously this is the hazard of fashion blogging, I find way too many items I want.  I kept the colors simple here because of all the fun textures and details,  didn't want it to be too busy.

Which one is your favorite combination?

I can not take the credit, I found these leggings here, her blog is full of great fashion ideas.

Cheers to checking all the items off your list in style.

photos by Angie.
best,
Kirsty

texture, pattern, and chain.

I really want to wear my leopard pumps {that I scored at the Nordstrom sale} more often, so I am pretending that they are a neutral.  This might be adding too much with the print of the pant and a chambray top, a classic white tee would be less of a statement, but I'm just gonna own it.  In the words of the beloved WNTW Stacy and Clinton "color, pattern, texture, and shine" is what adds interest to an outfit. 

As for these pants, they are so super comfortable and you don't have to wear specific underwear, ahem for those of us who don't prefer a thong, this definitely ups the stock of any bottoms I own.  TMI?  I can't be the only woman on the planet who feels this way?!  The pockets and the stretchy waistband - icing on the cake.  Yet somehow they are chic and flattering.  

Sign up for Piperlime emails, and you will receive 30% off one item, like these pants.  {scroll down to the very bottom of the Piperlime homepage for details.}  Plus they regularly email sale coupons.  Often times I will put items in my bag that I like, or I will pin them, and then I will wait for a coupon to purchase them. {Jlov taught me this.} 

shirt - Trouve, Nordstrom

pants - Sabine, Piperlime

shoes - Halogen, Nordstrom {available in the gray leopard}

bracelet - Gorjana Mila Cuff

necklace - Lucia K. Jewelry Ginger

earrings - Lucia K. Jewelry

nail polish - "wicked" by Essie, Target

Happy Monday.

best,

kirsty

just a little showing

First please note:  I am in terrible need of a trip to Ouidad for a haircut.  And I need to use the iron more often.  Ok.

Confession:  I totally dig a little bit of bra showing in an outfit, just that slight undone, edge, personality that it adds to an outfit.  BUT I am not talking a nude bra strap or too much lingerie hanging out, I'm not really a rockstar.

Its a fine line.  Especially as a mother of two boys who is a lot farther from her twenties and closer to her forties.  What?  Read: trying too hard.  There are however, some awesome, and comfortable bras out there right now that are totally appropriate for some show, I like to treat them as an accessory to my outfit.  

tank - H&M

bra - Isla Boutique

harem pants - Angie

shoes - Dolce Vita {slightly modified originally here}

clutch - vintage

hat - Isla Boutique

jewelry - vintage, Elva Fields, Gorjana

bras screaming to be seen...

TGIF!

best,

kirsty

current address.

There will be a day in my life years from now that I reminisce about that time I lived 3 blocks from this.  I would hope that in my reminiscing I talk about all the moments we took advantage of and the memories made, embracing the sweetness of this eclectic beach town.  Walking down to the beach in the mornings while it is still quiet, the sweet smell of jasmine {hedge of choice in most parking lots seriously} and plumeria, the funky fabulous beach style that includes my children going barefoot to church, dining alfresco with wonderful new friends while listening to the steel drum band that has set up on the beach boardwalk, hearing the waves crash after my little noisemakers have gone to bed, my lemon tree, welcoming neighbors.  There is a lot in this state that has challenged me and stretched me, irritated me, made me sweat, but hopefully all growing me into the woman I am to be.  

As I write this post, I am in Washington, a place my soul rests and yearns for, but dang if I don't know that being outside of my comfort zone is where a lot of life is truly lived.  

outfit - its all so old!

TGIF.

photos by Angie.
best,
kirsty