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Monday, January 31, 2011

Happiest Place on Earth

I'm baaaaack. Family Vacation 2011 is in the bag. I have videos to prove it, although to not annoy the h out of you, I'll probably only share one.

Hit it:

(I shouldn't have joked about throwing up on that ride. I had to sit still for 30 minutes in order to keep my soft pretzel down.)

MKA

Saxophones in the Park

fashion outfit, Givenchy Nightingale, Gucci boots





{Grammy Label Feather Knit Striped Pull Over, INC skinny jeans, Nightingale bag, vintage Gucci boots}

I just uploaded 200 songs into iTunes from some CD mixes I made in September 2007 and it all brought me back to that year. Music plays a huge role in both my happiness and inspired thought.

Grammy Label is a band of designers, friends and teammates dedicated to styling and handcrafting excellence, in the spirit of the Grammy Awards. With their unisex oversized sweaters and linen rompers, Grammy Label is sure to be a hit for 2011. Grammy Label helps promote musical art and education, embracing the mission of the Recording Academy, a not-for-profit organization. Join the band, and keep the music alive.

Sunday, January 30, 2011

random: mary-kate

Primrose Winter Coat

Chatham coat, Fashion
Winter Coat, Fashion coat
{Vintage Coat via Chic Shop}

Relaxing in my new reading chair. Perfect for browsing my stash of magazines, no? On a whim, my Mom took these shots. --- Stay tuned for a wonderful giveaway this week involving a Vintage Shop from Canada!!! Don't forget to follow me on Bloglovin' so you won't miss out.

Happy Sunday.

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Fashion Magazines

Fashion magazines

I have bookshelves, and some trunks, stocked with issues of ELLE (my favorite!) Vogue, Nylon, Marie Claire and Allure. I covet the International and September issues the most. I even have Teen Vogue and Elle girl issues conserved from many moons ago. However, when traveling, considering I treasure those aforementioned and dare not bend them... I prefer stashing Life & Style, In Touch, Us Weekly, People and Vanidades in my bag. Are you like me? Or am I alone in the fashion magazine/tabloid collecting obsession?

Friday, January 28, 2011

Elizabeth / Sundance



daylife

Be Right Back


I'll be out of town, away from my inbox and off the internet for a few days visiting Mickey. If I had an office, this would be my out of office message. 

C ya real soon. 



(I couldn't resist.)

Lust or Love?

Anja Rubik, Chuck Bass, Adriana Lima, Kate Bosworth, Fashion Inspiration
A quick collage of current inspiration by way of Fashion Editorials, balloons, burnt browns, bright reds, scallop cut outs and Chuck Bass in a turtleneck. Presently craving Kate Bosworth's wardrobe especially those Isabel Marant ankle boots.

{images: fashiongonerogue, littleplastichorses + tfs}

My Picks to Remix

With the remix just around the corner (no seriously, it's next Tuesday), I thought I'd go ahead and post my items for the 30 for 30. And here they are in all of their remixing glory. Please don't stare, they hate it when you stare.

Can you just imagine all of my outfits right now? You can? Well stop that. If you imagine all of my outfits there will be no element of surprise. 

So as you can see, I am one item shy. Would you guys be so kind to help me pick the last item? That's right! Reader's Choice. So will you pick the Rookie Polka Dot Top or the 30 for 30 Veteran, the Red Heels. Only you can decide my fate.
(I promise that if you choose the polka dot top, I will iron it.)


Thursday, January 27, 2011

Get The Look: Mary-Kate



1. Prabal Gurung Drop Shoulder Wrap Coat
2. Botkier Isla Shoulder Bag
3. Fragments Fireball Earrings
4. Falke Pure Matte 100 Tights
5. Forever21 F9121 Sunglasses
6. JUMA Waterfall silk scarf
7. Pelle Moda Vinette Buckled Platform Booties

Behind the Scenes



A peek at yesterday's outfit in motion. Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here.

Create A Working Closet, Part 5: Remixing

I have had the hardest time writing this post. Not that I can’t usually string a few words together in a logical sentence (well....) but for some reason I hit a block on this post. How ironic. Remixing is the name of my game. Literally (cough, the 30 for 30 Remix Challenge, cough). So why can’t I write about it? Why can’t I give you tips on how to remix? What’s wrong with me?!!?*

Then I figured it out. No matter how many cups of coffee I go through this morning, I will never be able to tell you how to remix your closet. I can give you tips (and I will) but ultimately remixing is a habit that you have to form on your own. That’s the best part of remixing -- it’s up to you. It’s up to you what you remix, how you remix and why you remix. I can not tell you any of those things, it’s just something that you have to decide. With that said, I will tell you how I go about remixing. These are my own theories that I’ve tried out and that work for me. This may or may not work for you, heck it might not even make sense to you. But that’s okay. Figuring out your closet is what you need to do. Figuring out my sick, twisted brain is not what you need to do.

Before I start let me explain some lingo that I use here in Kendi Land (different from Candy Land, but not too far off). Remixing is simply a word that I use to describe the mixing and matching of the contents of your closet. Since that definition is a bit bloated, I just say remix. I did not make this word up, however. I think Stacey and Clinton made that up.

At this point, we have purged our closet, assessed the inventory, organized the mess, shopped for essentials and now we are ready to remix. This is the ultimate skill in order to have a working closet. If you learn to work you closet by remixing, your closet will work for you.

1. Remixing starts when you buy an item. I know that we've already covered shopping, but it's an important element to remember. Because of this, it takes me a long time to shop. If I am ever rushed, I usually make a bad decision. This is why I tend shop by myself. So what takes me so long? Before I spend money I have to decide if it fits in my closet. I am that girl standing in front of a rack of clothes staring into space. (I'm thinking okay, leave me alone.) I picked this tip up along the way: If I can’t remix an item at least 5 times, then it doesn’t belong in my closet. Let’s be honest -- 5 times isn’t a lot. But it’s a good basis for me to start with on a new item. If I can easily think of 5 outfits off the top of my head, I know it will be a great addition to the closet. (Your number might be different than 5, it's up to you.)

2. Shop your closet. No really. Look at your closet as if it were someone else’s. Look at your closet as if it were the cutest boutique on the block and you get to wear anything you’d like. How lucky are you??Take a few minutes and try on some things. Try crazy patterns together, try different color combinations, try something that you haven’t worn in a really long time. I think one thing to remember when remixing your closet is that no rules apply. If you want to wear a striped top with a floral skirt, try it. It just might work. Take the rule above of “5 outfits” and see if you can make 5 outfits out of each item in your wardrobe. If you have 30 items in your closet, that’s 150 outfits! (the bold means I'm screaming at you right now) That’s 40% of the year covered by just 30 really good pieces. You see where I’m going with this right? If you fill your closet with good, quality pieces that match your style, you don’t have to worry about getting dressed. This is your closet working for you.

3. Make a plan, each week. I say start weekly with your plan, since that’s normally when you wear clothes, during the week, right? I’m assuming that most of you take the weekends off from wearing clothes like I do. Your plan can involve a pen and paper, an excel spreadsheet (don’t hate) or simply by hanging outfits together in your closet. Normally I do laundry and start planning on Sunday. I start with my events for the week and plan accordingly. I usually plan about 7 outfits each week, so that I can have a few fall backs. And I usually hang them at the front of my closet, by outfit.

By simply making a plan, taking 30 minutes or so on a Sunday, my mornings are that much easier. I can walk into my closet on Monday and not have the usual routine of pulling items off of the hangers in anger and then walking out in a mish-mash of an outfit.

Just how do I go about making this plan? Well, I will tell you. If I am working all week, I know that my remix will consist of mainly skirts and pants. So I pull a few skirts and pants to the front. Let’s say I end up with 4 skirts, 2 pairs of pants and a dress, just to be crazy. I like to think of the bottom part of the outfit as the base or foundation. So I take a skirt and find 1-2 tops that I could wear with it. Then I hang them together with the skirt. If I’m feeling good, I’ll take some accessories and hang them on the hanger as well. That way I literally have to get up and get dressed without thinking. I do this over and over until I get my 5-7 outfits.

4. Be inspired. Sometimes all it takes is a little inspiration to help you out. I keep a folder on my computer for outfit inspirations. Sometimes it’s the color that inspires me to put a combination together, other times it’s the pieces. I might not have the exact piece, but that doesn’t mean I can’t build a similar outfit. Seeing how other people wear an outfit is extremely helpful when putting outfits together in your own closet. Style blogs keep me on my toes when it comes to inspiration. The internet is filled with inspiration, so there is no excuse in being bored with your clothes. Sometimes it just takes one outfit to get that creative spark going.


So that is my humble list of tips on remixing. I am by no means an expert on this, but I am an expert in my own closet. Just as you are the expert of your closet. So experts, have any tips you’d like to share? Don’t hold out me. I will find you.

(And if you want to jump head first into remixing, join the 30 for 30 challenge starting February 1st)


____________
Part 1: Purging
Part 2: Assessing
Part 3: Organizing 
Part 4: Shopping



*Don't answer that.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Style Woes

1.26.10a
1.26.10e
1.26.10d
1.26.10c
{Shop:  Similar Chambray Shirt, Skirt, Boots, Necklace}

I guess I shouldn't have named this post style "woes" as that seems a bit dramatic. It's just that I've been trying to think of new ways to wear this pretty skirt that I got on the cheap. But it's surprisingly hard to style. But does that stop me from trying? Ohhhh no. Only velour sweatsuits with words on the butt and fluorescent high-tops stop me. Dead in my tracks.

T-minus two days and I'll be at Disney World. And I have no idea what to wear. Ask me what to wear to a job interview, I can tell you that. A first date, an engagement party, or heck even prom. But if you ask me what to wear to a giant amusement park in the dead of winter, this is most likely the face you will get:

That's me grunting/thinking. It's not pretty when I think, people. I pretty much don't own anything other than the clothes you see me wear here, so it's about to get awkward up on this family vacation. And you better believe that I'm going to take outfit photos. I'd have it no other way. 

(Oh wait, I can just style up my velour sweatsuit and high tops. I've been waiting for an opportunity to wear those closet gems and here it is. I'm coming for you, Orlando.)

MK leaving the George Condo art installation in NYC


Milkshakes + Topshop

Topshop boots
fashion outfit
winter fashion
agate ring
Coupon Code: LOVEFASHIONCHALET for 20% OFF anything in the Alex & Vina store.
Topshop boots, over the knee boots, Fashion
Fashion coat
Givenchy Nightingale bag, Fashion boots
Fashion hat
{Vintage Coat and sweater, Topshop boots, Asos hat, James Jeans Twiggy Karma, Nightingale bag, Alex & Vina Agate ring}

I'm excited to announce that February will be starting off on a positive note for me. First I'll fly out west to LA for a yet to be revealed photo shoot/campaign. Then I'll jet back East for New York Fashion Week. Let me know your favorite dining and shopping haunts on both coasts. I hope to see some of you around.

Have a great Wednesday!

Win $25 Store Credit to Much Love, Illy!


This week's giveaway is from Much Love, Illy's adorable Etsy shop. Handmade headbands, hair clips, and accessories, oh my! (I just made that tag line up for her. Feel free to use it, Illene, free of charge.) Here's how you sign up:

1) Visit sweet Illene's shop and pick out your favorite item.
2) Leave a comment below with the item you'd buy with your store credit. 
3) That's it. Seriously, that's it. 

Giveaway is open from now until Monday, January 31st at 10 pm. One entry per person, please and thank you.

And if you don't want to wait for the giveaway results, Illene is offering readers a 10% discount with the code "KENDIROCKS". I did not bribe her for that code. I swear. 

__________________________________________________________________

The winner of last week's Katwalk Giveaway is...


Congrats Emily! Now send me an email. 

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Elizabeth Olsen at the Sundance Film Festival


tlfan

Parisian Stripes

Ralph Lauren, Gucci boots, Asos, Fashion
{Asos hat, Ralph Lauren sweater, INC skinny jeans, Vintage Gucci boots, coat and bag}
Vintage Coat, Winter Fashion

When I got dressed for dinner last night, I was apparently dreaming in French. I am very much so inspired by navy blue stripes as well as vibrant red pieces. I am fond of both Isabel Marant and Balmain. If the two lines merged into one, I would easily wear every single piece. The only thing missing is a Chanel matte snakeskin classic flap bag in red on my arm.

Who is your favorite French designer?

Swap and Stripes

1.25.10a
1.25.10b
1.25.10c
{Shop: Blazer, Similar Top, Tights, Similar Shoes}

So today Liz + Linda (ya'll should trademark that) deemed today "Wear your Breton Stripes Shirt" day. And then in my Quirk Swap Box was this adorable skirt. So basically what I'm saying is I didn't even have to think about getting dressed today. I just woke up and let someone else dress me. So... is this what it's like to have a personal stylist? I also haven't cleaned my house or cooked a meal in weeks. Is that what it's like to have a live-in maid and cook, except your house is clean and you don't eat cereal for dinner every night?

I wonder if Rachel Zoe would cook and clean for me. I'll look into it.


{See Jessica's take on this skirt in the summer and winter.}



Did you wear your stripes today? Submit your photo to Linda's freakin' awesome site. 

Monday, January 24, 2011

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