Locked Out

necklace - thrifted (buy similar) | Franco Sarto wedges - Marshalls (buy)

dress - Maurices (buy) | cardiwrap - Maurices (buy - ON SALE!)

I've been absent for a little over a week now thanks to my move and the fact that two of my husband's friends were staying at our house over the last week. I didn't feel like explaining to them why I was taking photos of myself in the backyard, and the time just wasn't there to take photos. 

I finally found the time for photos today after I got home from work. Imagine my frustration when I had finished with my photos and headed inside to change into my "at home" clothes, only to find that my dog had manged to lock the front door while I was outside. After a half hour of frustrated pacing, attempts to get Elwood to unlock the door the same way he had managed to lock it, and attempts to "break in" to my own house, I finally managed to get inside.

So that's my tale of woe. Happy Tuesday!

xo, Kellie

A Farewell of Sorts

sunglasses - Fossil (buy) | Tarina Tarantino necklace - It's Eclectic (buy similar)

Mossimo tank - Target (buy) | skirt - Urban Outfitters (buy similar)

cardigan - Maurices (buy similar) | Xhilaration sandals - Target (buy similar)

Yesterday marked the end of my last weekend before Matt and I move to another city. I've lived in Jacksonville and the surrounding beaches (Atlantic and Neptune beaches are essentially Jacksonville) for the last nine years, and I truly feel like this is my home. I'll still be working in Jacksonville, but my new home will be an hour south, in Daytona Beach. I'm anxious to be moving to a city where I don't know anyone, but I look forward to what I hope will be more time dedicated to myself: getting in better shape, improving my shop, and posting more on the blog.

So here's to trying to see the bright side!

xo, Kellie

Summer Layering

Tarina Tarantino necklace - It's Eclectic (buy similar) | belt - came with a Maurices Dress (buy)

Roxy dress - Marshalls (buy similar) | cardigan - Maurices (buy)

Franco Sarto wedges - Marshalls (buy)

I'm trying not to let my outfit photos drop off so much now that the summer months are here, but I have a much harder time coming up with "blog-worthy" outfits when it's hot out. I feel like an outfit has to have layers to be good, but it's hard to wear layers when you get hit by a wall of humidity and 90-degree temperatures when you walk out your door. Anyway, I ordered a few new items from Maurices (yay!), so hopefully I'll have some new, summer-ready pieces to work with to come up with new outfits.

xo, Kellie

The Shirt Who Waited

necklace - Forever 21 (buy similar) | bracelets - Target (buy similar)

Red Tulips acid wash chambray shirt - Marshalls (buy similar) | skirt - Urban Outfitters (buy similar)

Xhilaration sandals - Target (buy similar)

I bought this shirt over a month ago, and have just now worn it for the first time. I was a bit conflicted about how to style it, I tried to wear a different chambray shirt with this skirt before with no luck, but I gave it a go again with this shirt. I think it worked out this time, thanks in part to this shirt being a bit of a looser fit.

I don't plan to stop my chambray shirt collection at two, by the way. I must collect them all!

xo, Kellie

You know what's sad?

bracelet - gift from Oman (buy similar) | Billabong dress - Marshalls (buy similar)

Limited jacket - thrifted (buy similar) | wedges - Maurices (buy - ON SALE!)

And by "sad" I mean "pathetic," not go-cry-in-my-closet unhappiness.

I now have a list of outfits to wear (and photograph) once I lose weight. I have managed to put on enough pounds that a large majority of the clothing in my closet doesn't fit the way that it should. I could sit here and make excuses and tell you that between my sedentary job and all of the jewelry orders I've been getting, I just haven't had the time to exercise, but the truth is, it's my own damn fault. Exercise is important to my long-term health, and if setting time aside a few days a week to go for a jog means that my orders will take a couple of days longer to complete and ship, then so be it.

I'm not telling you this in an effort to get "aww, you look great!" comments, so don't bother. I'm telling you this because studies show that if you make a public announcement that you are committing to exercise and lose weight, you're more likely to stick to it.

So there it is: I have pounds to lose, I am going to exercise, and I am posting it on the World Wide Web in hopes that a bunch of strangers knowing my goal will help me accomplish it.

xo, Kellie

On the Ball

necklace - Love Culture (buy similar) | bracelet - World Market

cardigan - Maurices (buy) | Soprano dress - Marshalls
Xhilaration sandals - Target (buy similar)

Life has been a bit hectic lately, and for a few weeks I had no structure in my schedule. I am a creature of habit and feel more balanced when there is uniformity in my life, even if I am busy during that uniformity ... Does that make sense?

Anyway, despite the fact that I am: (1) trying to work by butt off at work, (2) crazy backlogged on jewelry orders, (3) trying to promote the heck out of a contest I am currently in on Shopbevel (vote for me?), and (4) volunteering as a "SEO coach" for the Etsy team that I am a part of, getting back to a normal sleeping / eating / commuting schedule has made all of the difference.

My dad always joked that I did better when my plate was full, and I think it's still true, but take away my structured schedule and everything -- including my outfits! -- falls to pieces.

xo, Kellie

Spring Un-Sprung

LC by Lauren Conrad necklace - Kohl's (buy) | earrings - Betsey Johnson (buy)

shirt - Forever 21 (buy similar) | cardigan - Maurices (buy) | skirt - Urban Outfitters (buy similar)

tights - Target (buy) | Libby & Priscilla boots - DSW (buy similar)

Well, it's cold again. Fortunately the inspiration bug struck when I was trying to figure out what to wear for the sudden reappearance of chilly weather. I really wasn't sure about this outfit until I photographed it, and I actually quite like it now that I can see it from a perspective that isn't in my mirror.

I also decided to change up my background scenery a bit, I'm only standing about two feet from the wall I normally take my photos against, but I figured this might be a refreshing change.

Stay warm, everyone!

xo, Kellie

Spring, Sprang, Sprung

necklace - heirloom (buy similar) | belt - came with Maurices dress (buy)

dress - Marshalls (buy dress with identical print) | cardigan - Maurices (buy)

Franco Sarto wedges - Marshalls (buy similar)

I am attempting to will spring into being with bright colors and a floral print. The spring solstice is here, I am appropriately dressed . . . Come on, Mother Nature!

I think I need to get my diet back on track so that I'm ready for some beach weather!

xo, Kellie

Weekend Simplicity

shirt - Gap (buy similar) | skirt - Urban Outfitters (buy similar)

Tarina Tarantino necklace - It's Eclectic (buy similar) | Xhiliaration sandals - Target (buy similar)

A couple of nights ago the meteorologist on the news mentioned that February in North Florida has the most variety in weather. What an understatement! A few days ago I was layered in a sweater and a leather jacket and had to start my car up 15 minutes before leaving for work to get it warmed up, today I'm in a skirt and T-shirt and completely comfortable.

Part of me is ready for spring, because with it comes warm beach days and fun outdoor activities, but part of me is dreading it because I am terrible at creating outfits for warmer weather. Better start pinning ideas now!

xo, Kellie  

From My Man's Closet: The Wolf Chief

tank top - Southern Made Hollywood Paid (buy similar)

flannel shirt - Marshalls (buy similar) | Levi's jeans - Navy Exchange (buy)

Report flats - Ross (buy similar) | elephant hair bracelet - gift from Tanzania (buy similar)

Tarina Tarantino necklace - It's Eclectic (buy similar)

I started stealing borrowing this shirt from Matt (husband) during his last deployment, and he saw a picture of me wearing it and told me it looked better on me. Naturally I took that as an invitation to continue borrowing it from him even after he returned home. 

He suspects that I bought this shirt for him with the intent of wearing it myself. I plead innocence.

xo, Kellie