It's Me, KP

What I Wore: Gatsby'd

Tuesday's date night this week was to one of the city's premieres of The Great Gatsby along with an afterparty and I was excited from the moment I got the invitation. I am not a big fan of Halloween at all but give me another excuse to play dress up and I am all about it.  

Dress: similar Forever21 | Necklace: Forever21 | Headband: Forever21 | Shoes: BCBG Holmy pumps

I was able to put together my outfit quickly with a sweep through Forever21 that afternoon.  I love the style of the 1920's and found the perfect swingy dress complete with a pleated skirt. They must've known I was coming.  It was fun to see the costumes that everyone at the theater put together - I'm not the only one who really got excited to get dolled up that night.

As for the movie, Robert Redford will always be the Gatsby for me but this remake definitely had some style. Are you seeing The Great Gastby this weekend?  Hope that you enjoy!

WC vs EC: Spring Jackets

Amy and I are back with another installment of our West Coast vs East Coast style series. I am now back to being a Midwesterner, but I think my closet is still going to say New Yorker for just a bit longer.  I'm still going to be the one wearing all black in the spring.

Today we're talking spring jackets and this one has been my favorite for about four years now. It was an inexpensive purchase at Forever 21 and has really held up over time. I love that it's a longer trench like jacket but still has a lot of girlyness to it with the ruffles.  

Jacket: Forever 21 | Shirt: Forever 21 | Jeans: Forever 21 | Shoes: Anne Klein | Necklace: Kate Spade | Photos taken by Meg Tsang

I find that I get tempted easily by jackets - there are just so many cute ones each season.  But this has been a long standing staple I like to pull out year after year.  Do you have a go-to jacket for the spring?

West Coast VS East Coast: Sparkly Skirts

Amy and I are back with another WC vs EC style post. Eventually I guess I'll have to slip back into Midwest... it'll be interesting to see how my style transforms.  But for now, I'm still repping the East.

I had a small snag with this post because Amy suggested that we style our sparkly skirts - I had worn mine at CHA this summer. But when I left NYC, I did a major purge of my closet and donated over half of my wardrobe. Anything that I hesitated on keeping just went in the giveaway pile.  Goodbye.  And so I discovered yesterday morning that my sparkly skirt did not make the cut.  Enter back-up plan: a sequin dress that was literally my back-up plan for New Years Eve this year.  Ta da. Problem solved.

Dress: Forever21 | Tank: Madwell | Kimono: Zara | Belt: J.Crew | Boots: Steve Madden (similar)

I added a tank over the dress and pulled on one more layer with the Zara kimono.  The dress was a cheap find, I think it was about $25 but can easily be styled in so many ways.  More casual like here or dressed up and ready to party.  It's such a great staple to have in my closet.  Plus, what girl doesn't love a little sparkle right?

I hope to get back on track with my What I Wore posts and make it a weekly series.  If there is anything you'd like to see or you have any suggestions, I would love to hear it in the comments!

West Coast VS East Coast: Holiday Party

It's been a while but Amy and I are back with another edition of our West Coast VS East Coast style posts.  And since 'tis the season for holiday parties, we're sharing what we both wore to some festivities lately.

 

Amanda and I hosted a Candyland themed party at her apartment last Saturday and it was a great excuse to get dressed up a little bit.  My motto for dresses is always keep it comfy, which this dress from Zara totally was and even had pockets - always a plus!

Dress: Zara | Boots: Steve Madden | Necklaces: Basil the Cat (use code ITSMEKP15 to save 15% off), Kate Spade | Nailpolish (put on after the first photo): Essie Snake it Up

I bought these boots at the beginning of the fall and I am so glad I did.  They walked with me all over Asia and are easy to dress up or down.  Super comfy, super easy.

I have more photos to post from our party but let me just leave you with this little teaser... Cotton. Candy. MACHINE.  Boy oh boy, are there some good photos to share.

I can't wait to see what Amy's wearing on the West Coast!  What gay apparel are you donning this holiday season?

What I Wore to Travel In

Lately when I go shopping it's not "do I look cute in this?" it's "will this be comfortable this on a five hour flight?" My time seems to be spent more on airplanes than in situations where I have to look nice.  (This also applies to the fact that I work from home and will contemplate "is this be comfortable to wear all day at my desk, yet doesn't look like I'm still in my pajamas when the UPS man shows up?")

I snapped these two photos on my way to and from Panama.  I had a full day of travel and a layover each way, so I wanted to keep my outfit something that was very comfy.  I like to curl up and fall asleep on the flights but also not look too out of place when I get upgraded and end up sitting next to someone in a suit in business class.

Away I Go - Sweater: LOFT | Leggings: Old Navy | Shoes: Old from Banana Republic | Bag: Amy Kathryn

Back I Come - Tee: J.Crew | Skirt: Promesa | Bags: Amy Kathryn

Maxi skirts really are my new best friend.  They're comfortable and they're so easy to dress up or down.  I invested in two that I love this past summer and wore them many times on flights.  And of course, I don't go anywhere without my Amy Kathryn bags.  That purse has suited me well and my new duffle has been around the world with me now.  It's such a great bag for easy trips.

So that's a little peek at what I wear to travel in.  Sometimes I will dress it up a little more if there's a handsome man waiting for me on the other end, but he already knows what I look like in a LBD... so leggings and a bun will fly just fine.

West Coast VS East Coast: Polka Dot Sweater Style

I have a fun guest joining me today for a West Coast VS East Coast style post - my awesome friend Elise Blaha Cripe!  When I snatched up the cute polka dot sweater at Old Navy (brown is available online) that Elise had also shared on her blog, I thought it would be fun to show how that cool California girl and I both styled it.

There are a hundred different ways I wanted to wear it... with a bright skirt, black pants + boots, with a long striped maxi, under a blazer.  This sweater is so versatile.  I wore it to meet a friend for a casual dinner, so I decided to go with what I would normally just throw on in that situation.  

Sweater: Old Navy | Jeans: GAP | Shoes: J.Crew | Bracelets: Madewell | Watch: Michael Kors

I'm obsessed with gold right now and love it as an accent.  I picked up these inexpensive bracelets at Madewell and they're my new favorite accessory.  To top off the outfit, I pulled on some fun gold strappy shoes just to be a little more girly.  There really are so many ways to wear this sweater, I'm sure you'll be seeing it pop up in photos the rest of the fall.  What would you chose to wear it with?

I hope you enjoyed this WC vs EC episode today - and thanks to Elise for joining me!

What I Wore to the Beach

I meant to do this post a while ago when it was more revelant since summer seems to be slipping away but better late than never, I think.  Growing up only thirty minutes from gorgeous Lake Michigan beaches spoiled me rotten and I constantly need to be near water.  It makes me happy.  Luckily in New York we have quite a few nice beaches and that's where you'll find me every weekend that I'm home.

Dress: Old Navy | Hat: bought on the street | Sunglasses: Ann Taylor Loft

I like this dress because it's actually made of polyester and is nice and light.  On beach days I always bring along my fedora or some type of hat because as we know, black absorbs the sun nicely and boy oh boy does my head heat right up.  

Swimsuit: J.Crew | Necklace: Basil the Cat | Headband: Zara

The past few years I've bought swimsuits from J.Crew and I highly recommend them.  I have this top and this top, along with this bottom and this bottom.  They hold up really well and the colors don't fade.  They're definitely a little bit pricier than others I've bought from Old Navy or Target but I get a lot of wear out of my suits and these are a good investment.  I also love that from J.Crew you can mix + match tops and bottoms plus they have an amazing selection of one piece suits (I like this one and this one - modest but so fashionable.)  If you have a recommendation for suits that you love, please share in the comments!

And sadly my beach days in the city are numbered but that only means it's time to start planning some warm weather getaways for the fall + winter.  Miami Beach is definitely calling my (and my swimsuits) name.

West Coast VS East Coast: Lunch Date

Amy and I met for lunch last week to eat one of our favorite things, the lamb burger at The Breslin, and she suggested we snap some photos to do another WC vs EC post.  I hadn't worn anything particularly special to meet her, so I think this is a good example of what I sport on a daily basis.

If you follow me on Instagram, you recognize this as one of my most beloved spots in the city.  These are the steps at the Ace Hotel and I usually pop in there once a week.  I am addicted to this place.  So hipster.  And there's a Stumptown and photobooth inside.  Now you know why I can't stay away.

Jeans: GAP | Tank: J.Crew | Shoes: Steve Madden | Necklace: Basil the Cat | Bag: Amy Kathryn

I'm wearing what I loving refer to as my "mom jeans" - they're these skinny jeans where the waist comes about three inches above my bellybutton.  Damn, they are comfortable.  Especially after you eat a lamb burger.  I'm also sporting my new summer go-to 'do... the top knot.  (My hair is growing!  Hallelujah!) And my well worn Oxfords.  A little hipster wannabe.  What would you say your go-to outfit is on a daily basis?

I also wanted to share that Amy + I are coming back to San Diego (hooray!) this fall and doing another day of classes at Paper Tales.  More details to share soon but put it on your calendars for November 17 - hope to see you there!

West Coast VS East Coast: CHA

What happens when the West Coast and the East Coast meet in the Midwest?  You're about to find out in this edition of the challenge where Amy + I are sharing what we wore last week at CHA in Chicago.  (For those of you who are not scrapbookers, CHA is the Craft + Hobby Association tradeshow where we debut new products.)

Please excuse the awful lighting inside the convention center.  We complained about it every time we went to take a photo or Instagram.  It was not flattering in any stretch.  As soon as I walked into H+M I wanted this skirt that was on display... it's easy to be dressed up with a fancy top and heels or down with just a tee and sandals.  Definitely a keeper.

Skirt: H+M | Tee: J.Crew | Sandals: Steve Madden | Necklace: Basil the Cat | Watch: Michael Kors

We got a small break in the heat wave so I was ok with wearing a light weight long sleeve shirt.  This print just seemed like it belonged at CHA.

Shirt: Zara | Jeans: Forever21 | Shoes: Aldo |  Necklace: Basil the Cat | Watch: Michael Kors

I was all about comfort on the last day of the show and went for the super comfy jeans and just a loose stretchy cotton top.  

Jeans: GAP | Shirt: J.Crew | Belt: J.Crew | Headband: Zara | Necklace: Basil the Cat | Watch: Michael Kors

Very rarely when I work do I actually get dressed... it's mostly me working away in my pj's.  It's a nice change of pace to get to put on pretty clothes and go to work.  And so that is a little NYC style at CHA.

What I Wore | Adventures in Neon

I'm not going to lie - when the neon trend first reappeared, I hated it.  I thought it was too bright and unsure of how flattering it would be to wear.  I wanted it to fade out quickly.  However, like the good trend follower  I tend to be, I have come around to neon and have enjoyed adding a few pieces into my wardrobe here and there.

I think the key to neon for me is pairing it with neutrals.  Black, white, tan.  Safe.  I also like to keep it fairly minimal.  Kelly Kapowski might have been able to pull off head to toe neon, but that's not really a look that works for me.  

Skirt: Old Navy | Skirt: J.Crew | Shoes: Steve Madden | Necklace: Basil the Cat | Belt: Old Navy

This shirt was the gateway neon to my collection.  I think I wore it every other day this spring.  It's a nice subtle pop of color that is easy to pair with jeans or a skirt.  I added another pop of neon with these oxfords.  They are one of my favorite pairs of shoes I've ever bought.  The pink soles make my soul happy.

Scarf: Zara | Shoes: Aldo

For outfit two, I kept the shirt and skirt and traded in the shoes to make it a little more girlie.  Strappy platform sandals and an extra pop of neon on top now with this scarf.  I also like to pair the scarf with an all black outfit (typical, typical) or jeans and a white tee. 

I have some neon pink nailpolish that I can't get to look quite right - if anyone has a brand they recommend please share.  I also spot girls sporting neon bras under white shirts... which looks oh-so-trendy but is something I don't think I've got the guts to pull off.  

What about you - any successful adventures in neon this season?

*Note that my fabulous sponsor Basil the Cat is offering 15% off her store with code ITSMEKP. I rarely take my inital necklace off.