Make Glorious Amazing Stupendous Mistakes This Year.

Our Theme For 2020.

"I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes.

Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing the world.  You're doing things you've never done before, and more importantly, You're Doing Something.

So that's my wish for you, and all of us, and my wish for myself.  Make New Mistakes.  Make Glorious, Amazing Mistakes.  Make mistakes nobody has made before.  Don't freeze, don't stop, don't worry that it isn't good enough, or it isn't perfect, whatever it is:  art, or love, or work, or family or life.

Whatever it is you're scared of doing, DO IT.


Make you mistakes, next year and forever."  ~Neil Gaiman.

Why does this year feel so significant?  Is it the changing of the decade?  The fact that my kids stayed up till midnight while Nick and I went to bed?  The greater divide that is happening in our communities, our country?  Or that we frankly have access to infinite possibilities and the knowledge of what is happening...to our environment, our people, our bodies (seriously Why do I google those ailments?!).  and just about anything can show up at our doorstep in under an hour?  equal parts amazing and disgusting. 

My kids are taking note.  And for some reason they see mistakes as failure.  They don't want to fail, truthfully who does?  It's a smack to our pride and our hearts.  What seems to be getting lost is the trying.  They assume if they aren't good at something, they just won't ever be good at it.  So this starts with Nick and I, what are we modeling to our children?  What ways will I make mistakes this year, and how can I be way more transparent about the process to my children.  

Make Mistakes.  This is our theme this year in our household.   I definitely don't want perfection, nor can I even achieve it anyway.  Making mistakes means listening to our dreams and taking risks, getting outside of our comfort zones.  And then honoring those mistakes - what can I change for the next round?  Do I need to apologize and make something right?  Work harder?  Listen closer?  Simply try again?  Being Intentional.

Here's to 2020.  oh, and also addressing this hair situation.  That will come in time.

dress // The Odells. I won it
jacket // Hobo. My Christmas Present
boots // Frye via Bloomingdales. My Splurge - PSA - watch the Bloomies Friends and Family Sale, it often includes Frye.
eye glasses // Eye Eye. Gifted
scarf // old


thank you for reading 

best,
kirsty

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

Swiss Dots and Ruffles. Love This Dress.

I've forgone a patriotic post today.  But bear with me.  I know it's the 4th of July, and I'm wearing gray.  But anything from Ho Hum.  I love the 4th, and and everything red, white, and blue don't you worry.  

It all started last night while hanging out with favorite friends having a BBQ and I elected my girlfriend, such a good sport, into a photog.  Be weary if you know me, you may be photographing me.  Ha!  But for real she did great, especially considering what she had to work with.  And if only I really knew how to use my camera.  Anyway, this alley - all the same block we found raspberries, blackberries, crab apples, graffiti, the best old peeling garage and gorgeous alstroemeria the color of the sunset.  I love where we live.

All because I really wanted to post this dress today.  

It's swiss dots, reminiscent of sweet girly dresses, but the gray makes it modern and grown up.  And who doesn't love ruffles?  This dress is great for those of us who aren't well endowed up above.  I love the V back too.  It runs a tad small, I would say if you are in between sizes go with the larger size - if you want to breathe.  

It's on sale here. 

And a shout out to my new sunglasses, affordable and fabulous.  Aren't they awesome!  I love the high-end style yet totally affordable price tag.  

And my earrings - they are crocheted by hand with the best little details.  I love the colors and the statement that they make, but they aren't heavy.  I am in love with all the pieces, and they are now at my shop - Queen Anne Frame.

dress - J.O.A, shopbop

shoes - Dolce Vita, Nordstrom Rack

earrings - Queen Anne Frame

sunglesses - Quay.  here and similar but in gold here.

Now back to red, white and blue!  What is your favorite part of the 4th?  It's a toss up between fireworks and sparkling rose.

Thanks M for the photos, you were such a good sport.

best,

Kirsty

Black on Black

Adding a turtleneck under a dress achieves a few things.  It keeps me warm.  It makes a fancy dress more day appropriate.  And adds versatility to my dress style.

So I say layer away.  Otherwise this dress might stay stashed in the back of my closet until I have that fancier occasion to dust if off.  

This turtleneck is from Everlane.  I love the snug but not too snug fit and flattering ribbing.  It has been on repeat as I wait for the warmer temps of spring to arrive.

And a note on this necklace, it's adjustable, I wear it up, down, choker style, lariat.  It's fantastic.  And now they have it with natural stones.  Sign me up.

Also my earrings are from Rocksbox, they also carry many of Gorjana's line like the above mentioned necklace.  Rocksbox is like Netflix for fashion jewelry, you pay a monthly fee and rent 3 pieces of jewelry at a time, switching as often as you like.  If you'd like to try it, you can use code "thekirstyfilesxoxo" for your first month free.

dress - Zara

turtleneck - Everlane

necklace - Gorjana c/o.  also here

clutch - Finn Leather Goods

earrings - Rocksbox.  code "kirstyfilesxoxo" for first month free

photos by Angie. 

How do you feel about the layering trend?   

best,

Kirsty

California Dreaming, My Favorite Resort Wear Pieces.

We have had the most beautiful winter in Seattle, bright and sunshiny more days than not.  But it's so cold.  I know - not like Montana cold, but we are bundled and chilly.  We even put plastic on our bedroom window.  Desperate times when it's your 90 year old lead glass windows vs. mid 20's and heating bills.

So yeah, I am definitely dreaming of warm getaways.  And windows freed of plastic ushering in the warm sea breeze.

And whenever warm getaways are happening, so is Pool to Party.  The pieces from this line evoke the sun goddess in me.  I love the luxurious flowing fabrics and the unique prints.  They just scream beach days and poolside cocktails, even if my sun moment is more like beach toys and covered in sand.  I'll take it.  

PSA: A chic kimono does wonders for boosting your mood when you are not in a swimsuit state of mind.  They never go out of style.  So consider one for your packing list.

What I also love is wearing these pieces in my everyday life.  Sure, not in winter temps, but once the seasons change, they add great interest to my outfits.  Think past swimsuit coverups and pair with a white tee and wedge sandals, chunky jewels.  

Do you see it?  See my urban styled kimono here.

Seattlites - You can find a great selection of Pool to Party kimonos and coverups at Queen Anne Dispatch.

coverup - Pool to Party c/o.  Also find here.  

sandals - Target

more of my favorite coverups

Happy Dreaming,

Kirsty

I Feel Pretty, Oh So Pretty. Holiday Party Prep.

It has come to my attention that a lot of people don't enjoy going to holiday parties.

Don't get me wrong, I am a bit of an introvert, so when it comes to the holiday season, I protect my down time, but the opportunity to get fancy always makes an event more appealing to me.

Perhaps it's the prep and the stress of finding something to nice to wear?  Having nothing to wear ruins the anticipation of any event.  For sure.  Then there's planning and primping.  Our lives are full of life, and adding in an event that requires getting dolled up can seem overwhelming.  Sometimes washing my hair is more than I can take.

So here's my proposition - Pamper yourself!

Take this opportunity to take some time out for yourself, sure it might seem like a lot just for a company party, but really it's just for you.  To sit and breathe and let yourself be waited on, without requests being made of your time, if only an hour.  I'm putting this in the category of holiday self care.

It works wonders for the soul.  And it's a great confidence boost.

I feel pretty.  Oh so pretty.  There is real meaning behind these words.  And it's deep.  And everyone should feel pretty.  Period.


So here's the plan.  Book yourself a few moments to yourself.  Here's some of my ideas...

Manicure and Pedicure - Grab your girlfriend and make it happen.  Need childcare?  Plan it for a weekday that isn't prime time and bring your kiddos, they can set next to you and play iPhone.  If you are in the Seattle area, Apollo Spa offers an affordable 1 hr champagne mani/pedi.  No time?  Get some glitter polish and put it on the tips of your nails.

Spray Tan - Planning to bare your shoulders, or forgo tights?  If you want a holiday glow, this is the way.  No tanning beds, ok?  My favorite in Seattle is Rainglow.  Their tan is sprayed on by a trained technician, no booth errors and it's organic and paraben free.   Make sure you exfoliate ahead of time, come in with clean skin, wear lose clothes and no doing dishes for 10-12 hours.  Really.  So your pampering just got even better.  Also make sure you schedule your mani/pedi pre-tan.  No space for getting a tan, these are my backup tan wipes.

Hair - A major mood booster for me is getting my hair balayaged to hide my gray.  Maybe schedule yourself a cut and/or color?  Another great option is a blow-out.  Let the experts blow dry and curl your hair.  It's no longer all about an up-do, although that is always fun too.  The go-to place in Seattle is Swink Style Bar.  Bonus - you hair will stay sleek well past party time.

Makeup - Let someone else doll you up.  Add fake lashes!  A bright lip.  This is the time to do it.  If you have an idea in mind, make sure to bring pictures, and let your artist know what you have in mind.  For the Seattle Ball I was able to have my makeup done by Emilio at Swink Style Bar.

Brows - brow shaping is another great way to pamper yourself, brows frame your face and having them dyed makes your eyes brighter and your morning routine shorter.  Swink also does brows.


Lastly, Attire.

The power of a Cinderella dress.  Asos is a great place to find smart, stylish dresses at reasonable prices - see my picks at the bottom of the post.  There are other options such as Rent the Runway (use code FIRSTRTR20P for 20% off first order), or borrow from a stylish friend.  Just ask.  I love lending my clothes, it helps me justify why I have so many.

dress - Asos.  old

shoes - Marc by Marc Jacobs.  old

gold ring - Gorjana, Rocksbox.  use code "thekirstyfilesxoxo" for first month free.
clutch - Hobo, Queen Anne Dispatch.  also here.

Spray tan courtesy of Rainglow.  

Mani and Pedi courtesy of Apollo Spa.  

Makeup courtesy of Swink Style Bar.

Lets make this holiday merry and bright.  I'd love to hear how you enjoy all your festive commitments, and care for yourself.

Make my day and leave a comment! (easiest way is to choose option openID)

best,
Kirsty