Style Log: Seeing Stars

{top/modcloth :: blazer/target :: pants/thrifted :: shoes/maurices}

Life has been uber crazy lately. We literally were out of town every weekend for a month. We were home the last couple of weekends (but I had to work one saturday for election stuff) so that was nice. Then hopefully my family will be up to visit next weekend - which I'm pretty excited about, because its the first time since I moved in with Brian. They passed through once, but that doesn't count since I didn't show them around at all. :P

I got this top when modcloth was having that huge ass 70% off sale - so this outfit shouldn't be too bad cost wise. It has a bit of a strange fit, but I still like it...and it’s something different for me, so that’s good!

Breakdown  

Top $12

Tank $4

Blazer $20

Slacks, thrifted $5

Shoes, gifted $0

Necklace $6

TOTAL $47

I will admit that some of those numbers are guessing, I've had the necklaces and pants for YEARS.

Anyway, peace out

kass

SL: That Fall Feeling

[cardigan/old navy :: sweater/f21 :: cords/kohl's :: boots/target :: necklace/modcloth]

Ohmygosh, I love fall weather.  I know everyone and their brother keeps saying that, but I can't help it.  It's just so wonderfully cool outside.  Not cold, cool.  Perfect.

I've been sitting here trying to write an interesting blog, but my mind is totally blank.  

So here...look at this photo of my dog flashing you. 

Haha, but otherwise isn't he adorable?! :)

On a separate note, I'm really trying to get organized and figure out a way to make photography a lucrative hobby.  I'm a transplant to my current town and I don't work here - so I don't know many people.  I have some ideas for marketing online...but I'm also thinking an ad in the local paper might be in order.

What do you think? Any ideas?

xo, kassie

SL: Something Blue

[dress & belt/jc penny :: necklace/gift :: shoes/blowfish :: ring/f21 :: bracelets/gordmans (i think)]

NOTE: Please excuse my shitty phone pics, I forgot my actual camera!

Even though it's pretty much feeling like fall around here, we have had a couple randomly warm [hot] days.  On one of these warmer days we were headed to the wedding of one of Brian's friends - when we got lost.  Yep.  We have since discovered that we need to work on our "going with the flow if we get lost" skills.  Frustration trumped us that afternoon and sadly we missed the majority of the wedding, but it was non-religious and thus only about 10 minutes long, so we really weren't that late.  Another friend of Brian's was officiating, so we got to see the last bit where he announced the couple.  It was still cool!  

The reception was really pretty and fun...and I'm pretty sure I was at a "hipster" wedding, lol!  No judgement here though, it was held in this huge round barn and they were getting polaroids of all the guests as we came in. Ha, it was super cute.  Oh and the bride had this adorable 50s vibing dress on - like I said super cute.  Since I didn't really know the couple I don't have any photos of them, so my dress photos will just have to suffice! Oh and are we loving my new shoes or what?  I know I am!  Although, like two seconds after this I tripped on some old barbed wire fence in the ground and gouged my shoes...and my foot.  Ah, what I go through for silly photos! :P

Oh, and I thought I'd just share my pretty cat eye makeup.  Seriously, it takes me so long to do that shit, but I love it!  Also, my face is not actually orange [see first picture!] - I think there was just something reflecting on me.

Cost breakdown anyone?

Dress/Belt     $25

Shoes            $30

Necklace        $0

Ring                $2

Bracelets         $0

TOTAL        $57

First outfit on the blog over $50!  And not by much!

Okay, I feel I've already begun to ramble or am about to start.  Have a great day!

xo, kass

Dress Code Mahyem!

[source]

Ohmygosh, okay I’m probably beating a dead horse here, because I often mention my work/coworkers and their reaction to my clothing choices. This post is going to hover around that idea, but not drop on it. Lately at work there has been some drama about clothing and dress codes. I know I shouldn’t write about work, but none of this is any sort of secret and I’m not going to be naming names or hatin’ on anyone - just offering a few personal thoughts. Ha.

So, back story. A person has been dressing pretty casual (which is pretty typical at my work) and one day she wore shorts to work. Let it be known that she has wore shorts to work often over the past couple years, at least. Generally, she wears a tshirt with them or a nicer, but casual, top. Would I wear this ensemble to work? No, I personally wouldn’t feel comfortable in it. In my mind it’s not keeping with a professional image. However, it’s really a matter of personal opinion. Especially when handbook isn’t super precise and there is room for interpretation. I guess people had complained about her wardrobe in the past to her supervisor, who did nothing about it. This is where I feel bad for this woman.  Had her supervisor been honest and upfront with her none of this would be happening. Anyway, the powers that be aka. the Board of Supervisors happened to witness one of these outfits and apparently they were not happy, to say the least. I believe a formal complaint of sorts was filed. Her supervisor was supposed to deal with it, again he did not. So, his direct subordinate and my supervisor spoke with her. This week I’d say her apparel is more appropriate, but then another employee [that works in the same office as the first employee) wore a short skirt. Not super short, but mid thigh. She looked nice, but in light of the other employee some department heads decided to have a meeting and decide what should be done.

 [source]

I never heard anything after that. There was talk of maybe just a memo or maybe changing the employee handbook, but nothing yet.  Either way, I’m a bit concerned- for selfish reasons. Which is awful I guess, but I enjoy my fashion freedom at work.  I dress modestly and appropriately, but I don’t want to be stifled by having to wear specific attire! I have a feeling they are going to comment on the length of things and the easiest and most logical thing to say is, at or below the knee. Not cool. I have plenty of items I bought specifically for work and they do not fall at the knee. I’d say they are within 2-4 inches of my knee and I think they are long enough and appropriate. If I think something is iffy I don’t wear it or I wear dark tights with it. As far as I know, no complaints have been lodged against me or my attire.

Here’s my question to you, well questions. I’m dealing with an office situation here, but I’m curious in general.  

Do you have a dress code at work or school? If so, how strict is it? Also, what length do you deem appropriate for work skirts and dresses?

For the record, I don’t really think any length of shorts are appropriate for work. Unless maybe you are rocking the dress shorts + tights combo - which doesn’t really fly in the rural midwest. :P

xo, kassie

Style Log: Breezy Basics

[white shirt/thrifted from my grandma’s closet, ha! :: pink tank/thrifted, maurices :: skirt/thrifted :: flats/american eagle by payless :: shades/kmart :: watch/gift :: belt/with dress]

As I’ve probably said more than once now...I have a long commute. 50 miles, one way. Yea, that’s love for ya. :P Anyway, on this commute I pass several places that I think oh hey, that would be a good spot for photos. This was one of those places. Now...if I could just remember my camera more often I could try some other spots!

Lemme tell you, this is one cheap outfit. I’m going to add it up for you, because...well because I can.

White Shirt, Watch, Belt $0

Pink Shirt $3

Skirt $3

Flats $12

Shades $9

TOTAL $27

See, it’s totally possible to be cute and thrifty! I’m actually willing to bet that most days my outfits were created for under $50 - although I do have a few pricier items. Hmm, maybe I’ll start doing a cost break down to see. Could be a fun experiment!

While I love these summer, breezy outfits I’m beyond ready for fall. The weather keeps getting cooler, than spiking up for a few days. I just live for those cooler days when we can keep the windows open. Especially at night when we’re asleep. I sleep so much better when it’s chilly in the room! Plus, I’m so ready for fall foods...thick, creamy soups and shepherd’s pie, yum!

Sigh, soon enough it will be winter, so I suppose I should stop wishing away my summer days!

xo, kass

Style Log: Yellow Teal Color Blocked

  [top/chico, thrifted :: jeans/mossimo via target :: shoes/so, from mom]

Man, it’s been a long time since I did an outfit post. In all honestly, I’ve just been too hot to care. It’s so hard to dress for hot outside/freezing in the office weather. It usually resulted in my grabbing the nearest sweater cardigan...so not always cute. I did have a few cute outfits though! Cute [and out of the box, for me] enough that I want to recreate them for the blog, so I’ll be doing that soon, hopefully.

So, how do you like my sweet ass color blocking? I absolutely love this shirt! Got it at a second hand shop up in Spirit Lake, it’s so comfy and so pretty. I’m also loving my color jeans - they are “dressy” enough to wear to work and I lost enough weight that I had to buy them size down. It was pretty exciting. :)

Oh, and yes that is a sock bun. It was harder than I thought to get up, damn layers. I think with some more practice though that it will become a workday staple...it’s just so cute and office appropriate. Or at least I think it is.

[btw, got some crazy freckle action happening, lol]

Speaking of hair and what’s appropriate, how do you all feel about pigtails?  

I saw this status post and feed on facebook and it was straight up some shallow, cruel, shit...hatin’ on pigtails. I’ve been rocking the double braids a lot this summer. I mean, I don’t do the high up pig-pony tails like a little girl, but I’ll do low loose ones, or two buns. What’s so wrong with that? The feed was going on about how childish it was and people should just grow up already. I hardly think wearing your hair in pigtails says much (if anything) about your maturity level. And if it does, well...I [the pigtail wearer] wasn’t the one gossiping and being a straight up rude about a stranger’s hair style. :)

xo, kass

Style Log: Heat Wave & Floral Blouses

 [tank/thrifted, maurice's :: blouse/thrifted, route66 :: necklace/f21 :: slacks/idk, old :: shoes/jcpenny]

Holy heat wave. Ha, heat wave? No, full on crazy drought. If you live in the midwest with me, then you are most definitely feeling it too. Will it never end?! To be completely honest, I don’t really care for the normal heat of summer - but now. GAH. At least there is no humidity, thank you mother nature for sparing us some miserableness. This outfit is not heat friendly - in the least.

Here’s the story. I wore it a week ago, I sweated the entire workday and decided I would not post the pictures. Monday, I wore an adorable outfit - striped t and cute [new] green skirt. It started raining 10 minutes before I left and I wasn’t able to take photos [I wanted outside ones!]. So, I thought, I’ll take them after work. Nope, got a flippin stain on my new skirt. It did come out however, so I will wear the outfit again, just for you guys. :)

I decided to go ahead and post this, because I liked it and because these were taken in the AM, pre pit stains. Also, because I thrifted both shirts - sweet right? And just to be clear, in case I wasn’t already, I was hella hot [temperature, lol] in this outfit. Just ‘cuz shirts are gauzy and see-through does not necessarily mean they will keep you cool.

Lesson learned my friends, lesson learned. 

xo,kass

p.s. like my cool color-organized, pinterest-inspired book case?  these are the first photos of my new living quarters that you are seeing! :)

Some Inspiration: The Great Gatsby

Let’s talk about one of the Greatest stories of all time, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. If you’ve never read this book, then you’ve been living under a rock...or must hate reading. This was one of those books that I had to read for english class or some crap and I actually ended up loving it. It’s been made into a movie already with the lovely Mia Farrow and Robert Redford (actually there are several Gatsby movies), but there will be a new one out this December...and I can’t wait! Now, I haven’t told Brian this part yet, but I think it would be super fun to get all dressed up for a date night...inspired by the film of course. AND, as my Who What Where eNewsletter informs me, retro - specifically the roaring 20s, is totally in. Ha! :P (This is a bit of a side comment, but I thought if I ever get married I might like to do a Gatsby sort of theme, so yea.)

For funsies I made a couple outfits with Polyvore. Two of them are possibly affordable options made up of clothes from Modcloth and Ruche. The third is silly pricey and made up from searching on Polyvore. Ha!

1920s v.1 by kassienichole featuring sequin handbags

1920 v.2 by kassienichole featuring adjustable rings

1920s v.3 by kassienichole featuring 14k earrings

And here, after all that might as well watch the movie trailer! :)

xo, kass

Style Log: Hippie Tracks

 [dress/thrifted :: belt/f21 :: necklace/modcloth :: sandals/old]

I’ve come to realize that my blog has made a major [unintentional] shift...that I’m okay with. I haven’t done a style post in so long! Or a recipe post...which I would still like to do both on occasion. I have some outfit photos just waiting to be shown and I have one recipe to share. I should probably get on that. I also have some random photography I’d like to share and some not so random photography. Seriously, I need to get organized, it’s hard to find time for all the stuff I want to get done AND I’m still not unpacked from moving! Life.

Brian took these photos for me, not bad! It was nice to have them taken them for me, but I’m not going to lie...I kind of like taking them myself. I feel more relaxed or something (no offence hunny!). Regardless, it was still fun to do the shoot together and it was kind of fun editing photos I didn't take! :P Brian also made some comment about me going for a “hippie” look. Which I suppose is the case, I’d call it boho-chic but it’s all the same as far as I’m concerned. Regardless, I was comfy and cute - the perfect combo.

I do think I’ve found my new photo location. These tracks are a couple blocks from the house and are semi-remote, right on the edge of town. I mean the neighboring house can watch me, but I won’t come across too many other people, so that’s cool. :)

xo, kass

Lost Passion? [style log]

Wet dreary days always leave me feeling contemplative...and calm. So last week we had such a day and I started to think of things I am passionate about, or tried to. I attempted to make a mental list and I’m sorry to say it wasn’t easy for me at all. Is that sad or what? I mean, I find lots of things interesting enough...but I wouldn’t call myself passionate about them.

I want to be passionate about photography, but am I? If I were, wouldn’t I find more time for it in my life? Or maybe I'm just overthinking it. I’m passionate about reading I think. I have a thirst for it. I enjoy reading immensely and I feel strange or off when I’m “in between” books or just lack the time to read. I think maybe I would like to write a book someday...about what? Who knows.

[sweater/f21 :: skirt/thrifted :: belt/f21 :: boots/merona via target}

I think I have a passion to be creative. To find creativity somehow. It’s hard though, most of my day I am surrounded by an environment that stifles me. I wish I could find a way to transform that somehow, but I haven’t a clue how. Maybe if I just start with my desk space and fill it with things I find inspiring or things that make me smile. I have pictures of loved ones, so that’s a start. I think I’m going to do more though. Wait . Wow, ok I literally just got an idea. I’ve been wanting to create more digital art, so maybe I should take some quotes I like and make some typography artwork...something like all those lovely quotes I find on pinterest. Yes, I think that sounds like a good idea. Then I can print a few and hang them around my desk.

I do think I am passionate about photography...and art in general. Just because I don’t always create things doesn’t mean I’m not passionate about it, right? Right. I mean, I don’t create music, but I’d call myself passionate about music. I couldn’t survive my day to day without it.

I know I said this not too long ago, but it’s important enough to say again. I want need to focus more on the people and things that bring me the most joy. I always put things off and procrastinate, but life is short, so why wait to start tomorrow when I can start today?

Ha, let’s just help I can hold myself to that thought.

xo,kassie

Style Log: Blue Blazer

{Khakis/thrifted :: Top/Old Navy :: Blazer/thrifted :: Shoes/american eagle :: Necklace/f21}

I just can't get enough of this blazer!  It's just so simple and it looks great with so many things!!  Hope you all are enjoying your week...I'm busy finishing up the moving process!  Wish me luck!

xo, kass