Summer Soiree to Winter Cocktails

Well I am in full swing of Christmas break, you can follow along on my instagram - I think the stories are the best, so much more a snap shot of real life in the moment.

In the meantime a quick share on an outfit I put together that I was pretty proud of.  All I have is Iphone photos to show for it.  I had resisted the temptation to buy a new dress, and succeeded - which is not always the case.  I love an excuse to shop.  But those darn budgets, and wanting to spend my money on more practical items - like velvet shoes and furry coats.  Makes sense right?

So I had received this skirt from Eshakti, if you don't know them you should check them out.  It's pretty cool what they are doing - you can customize their pieces, like adding pockets, or changing the hem length or fabric, as well as using your own measurements to have the piece custom fit. 

The original design of this skirt was ankle length, I had them shorten it to just above the knee.

And then I just started trying on tops with it.  Then I got the idea to try on dresses underneath.  Being a full skirt I figured it could handle a short dress and bonus, stay tucked in better.  I landed on my favorite piece from Silvae.  I love the way the exaggerated sleeves of the dress look with the high flared waist of the skirt.

And I love getting some winter wear out of my favorite summer dress.

So it's worth looking at your closet and trying new combinations.  A summer dress with a skirt is a great way to mix things up. 

Our shoes were on point for this event.

Lisa of West Fulton Street and What Jenn Wore.

skirt - Eshakti c/o.  no longer avail

top (dress) - Silvae, here in blue.  similar in white.

thanks for reading.  Hope you all are enjoying your week.

best,

Kirsty

My Favorite Chunky Sweater Gone Twirling.

Let's talk about Christmas Sweaters.  The statement sweater kind.  Not the ugly sweater kind.  Although you can drink eggnog in either.  Or champagne.  Or coffee.

I am smitten with this sweater.  It's soft and cozy.  It has awesome long cuffs on the sleeves.  It's just a little bit undone and it laces up with velvet ribbon.  It's easy to wear - would be perfect with jeans and boots.  Just perfect.  What's not to love?

But what I want to share is the dressier side.  I love a great sweater with a statement skirt.  Sequin, velvet, pleather, lace, full or pencil...  Because it's not the holidays without tulle, I brought out this old girl.

And twirled through an alley.  Just for the record, I'd do this anyways, even if I wasn't taking photos.

I love mixing a fancier statement skirt with this chunky sweater, it's a happy mixup.  Like breakfast and lunch making brunch.  Plus it gives more mileage to the pieces I already have in my closet.  Introducing two long lost friends right?

When pairing a chunky sweater and statement skirt - just try it.  I do like the mullet tucking of the sweater to keep the volume under control - full skirt and full sweater can be a lot.  And I like a ladylike heel.  But really do whatcha like kid.  Ooh ooooh.  (can you name that tune?)

Then because this cold winter day was gloriously sunny and this sweater is warm and cozy - all I needed to add was a fur scarf.  Ready set go.  Isn't this scarf amazing?  

sweater - Gypsy 05 c/o.  find here on sale, also at QAD.

tulle skirt - oldie but goodie!  similar.

ring, earrings and scarf - Queen Anne Frame  Come visit!

Still working out the bangs situation.  Thanks for your patience.  *eye roll emoji*  Or pretending to care.   *wink wink*   Honestly though!

Time for bed.

Happy Friday.

best,
Kirsty

Ps - a few of my favorite statement skirts.  That velvet ruffle one, ugh!!  And it's 35% off with code Friday. 

My Coffee To Dinner Date Dress

This dress is from Gypsy 05, they specialize in casual wear for women, but I think their dresses are just as killer.  I recently discovered them when I found this  tie-dyed blue velvet crazy good dress at my favorite local clothing boutique, I wore it with my beloved Rag & Bone heel booties.  You can see all their maxi dress with heels here.  

Besides their awesome attention to details, what I also love about Gypsy 05 is their commitment to being environmentally focused.  Finding their inspiration globally, their brand is located in LA, the brother/sister duo ethically source their goods through their Global Village Initiative providing fair wages to textile workers.  Their corporate headquarters is also the first completely solar-powered dying, printing and manufacturing facility in Los Angeles.  Hello Sunshine.

This outfit is equally perfect for a coffee date or dinner date.  I love an outfit that can be this versatile because it means that I will reach for it over and over.  When I am being very careful with my purchases and how I am spending my money, I want pieces that can work in many ways.  That go-to piece when you are in a rush but want to feel pretty and put together.  This dress will be just as awesome with booties and a fur vest or sneakers and a cardigan - which you will for surely see me in while I'm working at my shop.  

I also adore the ruffles, anytime I can add ruffles I'm a fan.  I thought pairing ruffly lace edged socks with this dress picked up the fluttery details of the dress nicely.  Pairing a sock the same color as your shoe together - voila! sock booty.  A trend that is so popular right now but so hard to find - a sock bootie that's not to loose, not too tight....just right!  This hack gives you more wear out of what you may already own.  And I love socks with heels, always have.  As long as I can find the matching mates.  Ugh.

dress - Gypsy 05 c/o.  find here, also at Queen Anne Dispatch.

shoes - Louise Et Cie.  similar

socks - Free People

thanks for reading.

best,

Kirsty

Luvies And Lunges With Zella

If you missed our fitness Friday a couple weeks back you need to head over to Angie's blog and see how we worked it out at the playground.  Yep, I have agreed to a fitness series, mostly because I want to hang out with these two moms and they think working out is good for you.  Ok, so do I.  As long as there isn't too much sweating. 

But endorphins, yes.  Lower anxiety, for sure.  Deep Breathes, absolutely.  Tighter buns, hell yes.

During the holidays this is challenging for moms like me because my workout MO (m) is heading to a Bar Method studio and now the kids are about to have 17 days off.  But who's counting...I am!  It is my goal to not set an alarm for 17 glorious crazy days. 

So how do we fit in staying active when we need it most?

Angie dreamed up todays workout, location fit for your kids bedroom, and apparently the lower to the floor bed the better, ugh those push-ups - complete with luvie props and trophies.

It's not to be missed. 

And of course I have to talk about our Zella workout clothes.  It's like we planned it.  How cute is my top, it has a built in tank bra, which is exactly what I prefer since I am not doing high impact exercises and it's one less piece of equipment needed, and I love the back detailing.  These striped leggings are crazy comfy, fun print, high waste design, super flattering - what more could you ask for in a workout pant?  Oh well the price is also nice. 

The snazzy red zipper detailing on Angie's leggings, and Jenn's sweatshirt that you could wear everyday, both get my vote too.

my leggings here, and tank in other colors on sale here.

Jenn's leggings here and sweatshirt here

Angie's tank here.

No surprise I still haven't figured out how to upload videos to my blog, maybe I should attempt this when it's not 11pm.  So the blooper reel will have to wait.  If anyone would like to teach me, I'll make you dinner.  But I did sew some faux fur pillows today for my living room.  So there's that.  Priorities. 

Thank you to Angie and Jenn.

Photos by Jessica.

TGIF
Kirsty

This post was done in partnership with Zella.

Yves Saint Laurent at the Seattle Art Museum

Jewelry of Haute Couture Collections

Cocktail Dress Homage to Piet Mondrian FW 65

During the holidays we managed to squeeze in a girl's night to the Seattle Art Museum's Yves Saint Laurent:  The Perfection of Style exhibit.  And I am so glad we did.  This exhibit obviously checks all the boxes for me.  Experiencing YSL's designs over the decades in one impeccably displayed space, including many of his sketches, fabric swatches and production documents intermixed with inspiration stories, it really felt like I experienced the human behind the designs.  You truly walked through his legendary 44 year career.  This exhibit transports you into the behind-the-scenes creative workings of not only the couture fashion house but the private life of the couturier.  (yeah I had to spell check that one.)

To be honest, I didn't know much about Yves Saint Laurent prior to this exhibit, I hadn't realized how iconic and transformational his pieces were, or the depth of his genius.  At 21 years of age Saint Laurent was named the Artistic Director of the House of Dior.  Of his many accolades, in 1966 YSL was the first to open a ready-to-wear boutique bearing his name, paving the way for what we know fashion as today.  

Who knew there was a time when everything we wanted was right at our fingertips!?

Oh these ruffle cuffs...

Tuxedo Dress Detail AW 66

And this black lace top paired with the layered skirt of my dreams, that sky blue oh my...

Evening Ensemble SS 81

I want to be this goddess...

Evening Gown SS 85 Blue Green

This exhibit runs at the SAM through Jan 8th, 2017.  The museum is open late Thursday, which is perfect for a ladies night out followed by drinks and dinner, as well as NYE and New Years Day.  Find tickets and more details here.  (After SAM, the exhibition will travel to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts from May 6 – August 27, 2017.)

For sure I will be having sweet sugar plum dreams filled with sequins and silk and couture glamour.

Best,

Kirsty

Thank you to the Seattle Art Museum for generously supplying tickets for our girl's night out.  All photos with a caption below our courtesy of the museum.

All opinions are my own.