STYLE: Varsity Team

Dress- Forever21 | Jacket-Express | Watch- Thrifted | Necklace- Forever21 | Shoes- Lucky Brand 

This is one of those outfits that I just threw two things together and said "ok, well, I guess this is what I'm wearing today" because I looked at the clock and realized I was already running late. Then when I walked into the office, Mary (my so lovely and talented photographer) asked me "So we're taking blog pictures today?" So if you've ever wondered if I really dress like I do in my pictures, the answer is yup, because sometimes I don't even plan on taking pictures and they still somehow end up on here.

xoxo, Katie

STYLE: Tough Girl

Jacket- Forever21 (similar) | Tshirt- PINK | Jeans- Hollister (old) | Boots- Lands' End (similar) | Flannel- American Eagle (old)

Somehow, I seem to have landed in a time warp where everything is a complete whirlwind, I have no idea what is going on, and suddenly a month has gone by and it seems like all I did was blink.

Seriously, people, that has been my past month.

While this blog has been sitting lonely and vacant, collecting cobwebs and floating around in the internet, I have been (somehow) surviving my last first month of school. Ever. I actually have no control over my life at this point it feels like, and while so many wonderful things are happening, it is also happening frighteningly fast.

I've taken up a job as the Opinions Editor at my school's newspaper (which you'll be extremely familiar with if you read Elana's blog, Room-334), taken on the (nearly) impossible task of resurecting the dying fashion club on campus, continued to write for CollegeFashionista, and still maintain some semblence of a social life through Seth and my friends.

Can you see why I've gone a little crazy?

So please forgive me that I haven't spent time on my creative outlets, because I haven't even truly had time to breathe, let alone take outfit picture and write a blog post about it. However, now that things are settling into more of a routine, I think I can start to dust off my keyboard and slowly start relearning how to write a blog post.

Because clearly I'm just typing anything that comes into my head at this point in hopes that it at least appears that I know what I'm doing.

xoxo, Katie

OOTD: Do I really need a title?

Long time, no blog, yeah? It's mostly due to a general lack of inspiration and crappy weather. Occasionally it stops raining and I can run outside, however this outfit isn't my favorite, and actually spurred me to get myself back on track with food/working out.  I'm always surprised by how I look in pictures compared to what I think I look like. Sometimes it's good, sometimes...not so much.

Dress- Timo Weiland

Jacket: Forever 21

If anyone cares about my life outside of the clothes I wear, it's been getting harder and harder to find structure in my life as the summer progresses. My job is frustratingly wonderful, because while I actually love the career I'm going in to, my team continues to give me next to no responsibilities. It's mostly because a new assistant merchant started at the exact same time as me, and they've been giving her pretty much any job that would be appropriate for an intern. It doesn't help that my desk is no where near my team, so I pretty much have no way of knowing what's going in unless they go out of their way to clue me in...

But enough complaining. I've been learning a lot and I wouldn't go back and change anything. The last 7 weeks have solidified in my mind that I really do want to go into this field, which is valuable in itself. I have no reason to complain (especially since I'm getting paid).

In the style of Elana from Room334, I'll tell you what I've been watching lately (although I promise it's much less cultured). Sex and the City was completely under my radar until earlier this summer. Of course I'd heard of it, but never actually sat down to watch it. Boy, have I been missing out. It is the perfect guilty pleasure chick-flick style show that I love to indulge in occasionally. Have you been watching anything great recently, old or new?

xoxo, Katie

OOTD: I Feel Naked

It's a weird thing, posting a picture of your wearing clothes on a fashion blog because you feel naked. I mean, does it defeat the purpose? Or am I just so hipster that wearing clothing that makes me feel clothed is too mainstream? Oh, the many questions that come with this post.

Dress- LUXE

Shoes- Steve Madden

Purse- Kate Spade

Sunglasses- Target

But in all seriousness- this "dress" is supposed to be a dress. Again, I'm not making much sense. However, it's because I'm so tall (and the fact that it's designed after what I can only presume is a toddler's dress from the 1960's) that this dress is more like a tunic, but really too long to be a tunic and much too long to be a shirt. So I just told myself I was channeling my inner 1970s plane stewardess and went for it.

I lasted about two hours. It's just so uncomfortable to feel this exposed! Even with shorts on underneath I felt like every eye was on me (my Millennial mentality is kicking in there) and the back of my legs. It was super fun while it lasted, though. It almost makes me wish I'd been a teen in the 60s and 70s-almost.

And before I go, I'm pretty sure the lady across the street from me hates me after taking that last picture. I didn't realize it was her actual driveway because it leads into this run down shack-like building that I NEVER see cars in. I just assumed it wasn't in use anymore. Fair game, right? Wrong, apparently, because as I was snapping this last picture her car came tearing around the corner and almost ran me over. As if taking pictures of yourself in public wasn't awkward enough...

xoxo, Katie

PS- Let's all just take a minute to look at my purse. I'm pretty obsessed with it at the moment- so much so that I'm going to do a review post about it sometime in the coming week. My love for quality leather goods knows no bounds.

OOTD: Sporty Spice

Jacket- Express

Top- H&M

Skirt- Thrifted

Watch- Swatch

Shoes- JCP

 

I'm currently sitting at my desk, eating lunch, and trying not to get anything on this jacket, because I am that in love with it. Although I suppose if I really loved it that much I might have planned ahead better to not bring spaghetti on a day I wore it...

 

I snagged it in the sale Express had on their clearance items two weeks ago, and it was totally worth that whopping $14 I spent on it. I never buy anything from Express unless it is on sale because I really find that it isn't worth the extreme markup they put on everything. I could have found a jacket like this at Forever21 for $25, and this one was originally $50.

 

Lame assessment of the brand aside, I've been obsessing over anything sport inspired as of late. Varsity jackets, tennis skirts, sneakers, sports bras....ok I haven't gone far enough to wear a sports bra for anything other than working out, but at this rate I wouldn't put it past me. There is just something so fun (and comfortable) and wearing girly clothes with a pair of tennis shoes or a varsity jacket. Has anyone else been feeling the love lately?

xoxo, Katie

 



ps- you can check out the runway look that inspired my outfit and how I recommend styling it in my CollegeFashionista article this week! 

OOTD: Terribly Awkward and Uneventful Milestones

Top- Thrifted

Jeans- Hollister

Shoes- Giveaway prize

Watch- Express

Necklace- Thrifted

Somehow I've come to this 2-year anniversary of blogging and I still haven't figured out how to pose adequately in front of a tripod. 

That's right, it's somehow come to be two whole years since I've started this little guy. Where does the time go? If it was a baby it would be walking, talking, and learning to pee in a toilet by now. (ok that was a little unnecessary, sorry)

So while this blog might not be out of diapers yet (ie, I'm not internet famous), I really do enjoy sharing content and thoughts. It's a great outlet for me, and maybe it's better that companies aren't emailing me about being sponsored or doing promos or anything else of that nature. Without all of that, I'm free to post whatever I'm really thinking about or feeling. I don't have to worry about deadlines or required content or legalities.

That isn't to say that I wouldn't love to have all those perks. Companies, don't hesitate to email me, because even though I just spent an entire paragraph bitching, I'm more than happy to take those "downfalls" and turn them into positives. I'm a very "glass half full" type of person.

So this is really just a random post to celebrate having made it this far without giving up yet. I don't have a fancy giveaway to offer my readers (we have to remember that I'm a poor college student/intern), I want to make sure that you readers know how much I appreciate you. I can't be completely selfless and say that I don't partially do this because I love hearing back from everyone. It's one of the major perks of blogging, and I'm forever grateful to those who have stayed around, and I can't wait to see who comes along in the next to years.

Cheers to you, blog.

xoxo, Katie

OOTD: I'm a Grown Up

Sweater- H&M

Blouse-H&M

Jeans- Gap

Watch- Vintage

Heels- Target

Necklace- Thrifted

I'm writing this in my delusional late night stupor, but I knew that if I didn't force myself to get back into a schedule then I'd go another month without posting anything regularly.

This outfit just seems very...adult? I mean, layering a button up shirt and a sweater is more than enough maturity for me. So adding polka-dots seemed like the most logical solution to avoiding adulthood and trying to fly to Neverland. 

Sorry for the very short wordage. I just can't force my eyes open any longer. They're starting to do that very annoying and painful burning/prickling thing, which means I better listen for once.

xoxo, Katie

OOTD: Sophisticated Graphics

Tank- Nordstrom

Pants- H&M

Vest- Bill Blass

Heels- H&M

So this summer, CollegeFashionista assigned me to style MYSELF for my posts each week. I thought, "this is great! It's going to be a piece of cake considering I do that already!" Wrong. So wrong. Taking pictures by myself with my tripod is much more difficult than I anticipated. The focus is almost always off, the lighting is hard to set, and running back and forth to check the angles and set the timer just get annoying after two shots. I really should invest in a camera remote. Any suggestions?

On another note, this outfit was inspired by Burberry's s/s 2014 runway shows where they paired graphic t-shirts with dress pants. Fancy, huh? Well considering I really own very few graphic t-shirts (I had to dig through my closet to even find this one), I threw on a denim vest to dress it down even more. So what's the verdict- are we feeling it? I'm a fan, I think. I'm probably going to at least actually buy a shirt that doesn't look like it was attacked by wolverine after this.

xo, Katie

LIFE: Shopping Snippets

I know that Thursdays are usually a beauty post day, and I had one planned out and everything, but it rained all. freaking. day. yesterday and pictures were just impossible to take inside by house. The lighting is difficult enough to work with on a sunny day, let alone a drizzly mess.

However, the rain didn't stop my sister and I from taking a romp around town for some little things I needed for my room before The Big Move. One of our longest stops was Target, and I happened to remember to bring out my camera to get a few snaps of the goings on.

Of course in true "white girl" fashion we had to stop and get a starbucks for our trip around the store. I like to use the excuse that the town my college is in doesn't have one, so being home makes it a treat. Now that Lands' End has one inside the building I'll be working from, I have no excuse and will have to keep my habits in check.

A look through the dollar bin always proves fun! Although it's turned into the $1 & $3 bins now? When did that happen? Anyway, this basil growing kit made me laugh. Seth loves basil, and I thought this was a cute little kit I would have bought for him if I wouldn't have had to send it through the mail to reach him :( 
And these little candle holders were quite nice quality given that they only cost $1 each. If I was a tea light candle person, I would have bought them.

This little journal was too perfect to pass up. It's the perfect size for throwing in a purse (possibly the one to the right?) for jotting down notes/ideas/etc. I snagged that along with a few other items from the bins, and later this week I'm going to write up a haul post of everything I bought from Target and the two other places we went into. 
I fell deeply and madly in love with this brown purse, but the price tag just didn't warrant the splurge just yet. Especially because I really need a black structured bag more than anything (see my last post here for which one I've got my eye on). Looking at it now, however, I'm glad I didn't spend the money on it. It's photographed quite orange, and that's the trademark of cheap fake brown leather, I feel.

Running errands doesn't require a sacrifice of fashion. It was just as easy to throw on a pair of jeans, a sweater, and low heels as it would have been to wear leggings, a t-shirt, and tennis shoes (and heels don't require laces!). The make-up section of Target has also gotten a makeover since I've last been in. While it is brighter, I felt that it was quite a bit smaller- am I imagining that?

PS- my blog sale is going on through May 29th, so don't miss out on that. Later this evening I'll be updating it with books and shoes, so make sure to follow me on Twitter @styleduckling to know when everything is updated! I'll also be updating periodically with new items and tweeting every time something different goes up. Don't miss out ;)

xoxo, Katie

OOTD: Katz Dress

Dress- H&M (borrowed)

Cardigan- French Connection

Necklace- H&M

Shoes- Lucky Brand

Bag- DIY

Ring- Forever21

This is probably the last set of pictures you'll see of my campus for a little while. I am officially back home and soaking up a couple days of freedom before heading off to work for my old summer job for a couple of weeks. After that begins the intern journey! I'm so nervous and excited at the same time. I have so many diy and decorating ideas for my room, so get ready for those as soon as I get them into place.

I'm really going to miss having Mary and Elana (whom I borrowed this dress from) around to always be ready to take some outfit pictures. When I'm home I practically have to get on my knees and beg my sister to take them, and I have absolutely no clue what Wisconsin holds for me. I'm just hoping that someone there will also have a fashion blog (or photography background) and I can bribe them with baked goods. I mean, that always works for me.

PS- I pulled this cardigan out of the back of my closet and I just fell in love with it again. Why didn't I discover this earlier back in the fall when mauve and cardigans were much more appropriate? Oh well. Also, I'm realizing I have no idea what to do with a cardigan. My experience with them is minimal at best. Tips for styling, anyone?

PPS- I'm realizing that I ALWAYS seem to have a PS. Maybe I just need to make this a real thing from now on.

xoxo, Katie

OOTD: Oh you fancy, huh

Top- Joie (via Wasteland)

Cardigan- Elana of Room334

Leggings- American Apparel

Ring/Necklace- Forever21

Sandals- BCBG

This blog post actually marks the appearance of TWO "new" products on the blog. Both the shoes and this top were purchased in L.A. during my spring break trip, and I just love them to pieces. The silk top makes me feel way fancier than I actually am (which is always a plus during finals week), and the sandals are perfect combination of sweet and practical for the summer. The only downside to the top is that silk wrinkles. Badly. And I also can't spill anything on it for fear of ruining it. So this might not have been the most practical purchase, but common! Just look at it! I'd have been a fool not to snag this baby. Especially since it was only 

Also, this cardigan was borrowed from my blogging bestie (she's going to kill me for writing that) Elana. I've mentioned her before, but it's quite fun to have someone around who always understands your desire to obnoxiously take picture of things for instagram. Since our styles are pretty different, this is the first time we've swapped items this whole year, but I've fallen in love with this cardigan. There is just something about speckled grey sweaters that scream "cozy".

Elana is always making this cardigan look fantastic. She's basically the cardigan queen, so if you're into those (or even if you're not, because I adore her style and own maybe 3 cardigans max) make sure to check her out!

xoxo, Katie

OOTD: All Blogs Post the Same Stuff

(That "tie" is actually my lanyard, haha I'm not weird and just carry ties in my hand)

Tshirt- American Apparel

Vest- Thrifted

Jeans- 'Q

Shoes- Nike

To say that this week has been stressful would be an understatement. Without boring you with all the details, a quick overview would include officially taking over my editor position, multiple projects being due, finals week quickly approaching, and dealing with more than a few things that I had thought would stay buried in my skeleton closet.

And when all of these things bubble up and take over all at once, the pressure to handle it all perfectly can be a bit overwhelming. As a first born child (and then later being thrust into the middle child spot) it's in my nature to be a perfectionist. Sometimes it feels like the world will end if you're not 110% what everyone expects from you- and sometimes most importantly what you expect from yourself.

So this time around I decided to include photos that would usually be considered "bloopers". Mess-ups. Short of perfect. However, in reality, there is nothing wrong with them. They're showing me being my goofy, loud, sometimes obnoxious self. A lot of the pictures I post on here are the "serious" photos. The ones that make me look all brooding and moody, but make for a good shot. But 80% of the time, that's just not how I am, and I'm letting these slightly more real pictures do the talking.

In a blogging world full of pressures to have the "perfect" picture (ie, all white walls, wooden flooring, solid monochrome furniture, and perfect minimalist yet beautiful decorations- bonus points for being able to fake natural lighting), sometimes it's nice to take a step back and realize that pictures (and people) don't have to fit a mold to be perfect. 

ps- if anyone noticed that I didn't make an "Inspiration" or "Beauty" post this week, I apologize! The key to everything really is planning and it just slipped away from me this week. Don't worry, though, next week is already in the works :)

xoxo, Katie

OOTD: Your Boyfriend's T-shirt

Jacket- Forever21

Tshirt- Boyfriend :p

Jeans- JBrand

Boots- Baker's

Necklace- Thrifted

Bracelet- Tiffany's

Bag- Thrifted

Now before anyone starts to go all crazy on me and I get hate mail and stalkers at my dorm building- this isn't YOUR boyfriend's t-shirt. It's MY boyfriend's t-shirt. But I wanted to show everyone how easy it can be to take something super comfy and turn it into a fashion statement. The day I wore this outfit a random woman on the bus stopped me to tell me I looked very glamorous. That was the first (and probably last) time anyone has told me that and, gosh. It really made my day.

I can't think of anything I'd rather be called than glamorous. Beautiful, pretty, stylish, and fashionable are all wonderful compliments, but there is just something quite special about the idea of glamor that makes me all happy and tingly inside. Maybe it's because that is one word that I really aim to embody with my clothing regardless of the genre of style. I can be grunge-y one day and then be wearing silk the next, but I always want to find a way to keep things on trend but still stylish, classy, and coherent. Is that the best way to define glamor? I'm not 100% sure, but it's the best I could come up with. How do you define it?

So I supposed the bottom line comes down to this: somehow I manage to take a t-shirt my boyfriend doesn't like anymore and turn it into a "glamor" piece? Fashion is so incredible. I love my 'job'.

xoxo, Katie