HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

This little ladybun says she's ready for some trick or treating.

FALLING AROUND + TULIP TWIST

Sweater (old)/Oxford Shirt: Old Navy;  Skirt (old): Banana Republic;  Knee High Socks: c/o Tulip; Shoes (old): DSW (similar)

We all have those outfits in our heads that we ponder about wearing, but then lack the courage to actually put on.  This is one of those outfits for me.  But when I got an invitation from Tulip to style these adorable knee high socks, I figured it was time to play fall around with fashion and take a chance.  Besides, these socks are too fun to cover up with boots.

I love the lace detail around the top of the socks, and they're thick enough to warm my legs on even the chilliest of days.

I used to play here when I was little.  Well, actually the old wooden play set where I used to climb and get splinters has been torn down and replaced with this more child friendly plastic one.

It's still in the same spot, though, right across the street from my parent's house.  Even so, it would seem like we ran forever to be the first one to the swing.  It was close enough to home that I could see when my dad got home from work, but far enough away to give me the false sense that I was out on an adventure.

We ate picnics here and made our heads swirl as we tried to swing higher than the day before.

My mom took these pictures of me.  (She's really quite the photographer!)  It was her idea to head to the park.  I don't know why I didn't think of it.  Why do kids get to have all the fun?



I'm participating in another Tulip Twist today, so head over to Tulip's Facebook page to vote for your favorite styling of knee high socks.

HALLOWEEN COUPLES COSTUME: AGATHA AND ZERO FROM THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL

Yesterday I posted how to create Agatha's look from The Grand Budapest Hotel, and today I'm back to show you how it turned out!

Wade already had the purple pants from his Joker's costume last year, so he just bought a purple dress shirt and used a lot of hot glue to make it look more like a jacket.  Then he added piping to the shirt and stripes to the pants with felt.

Some cuties crashed our picture.  Elsa and a Power Ranger are too adorable to say no to, though.

We went to a Halloween party with a couple of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and had a blast.  

And what happened with the costume contest?

We won 1st place!!!!!   

I was so elated and pumped up, mostly because it validated all the time we spent making our costumes.  Ah, who am I kidding?  I would have wanted to craft the day away with Wade even if there hadn't been a contest.  He's really the crafty one in the relationship:)

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I'm linking up with Life of Meg's Mingle Monday and Treasure Tromp's Treat Yo' Self Thursday!

AGATHA FROM THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL COSTUME DIY

Dress // Shirt // Collar // Necklace // Socks // Shoes // Hair // Mendl's Box

It's no secret that I loved the latest Wes Anderson movie, The Grand Budapest Hotel.  It was a veritable feast for the eyes centered around a story full of duty, longing for time gone by, and love.  It was epic.  

We watched it again the other weekend and summed it up the same way I had a few months ago: utterly delightful.

Following in the footsteps of my favorite Halloween costume when we went as Sam and Suzy from Moonrise Kingdom (see it here) a few years ago, we're going this year as Agatha and Zero, the love struck duo in the film.

Read on below for more info about each part of the outfit and my DIY fill-ins if you want to try your hand at making some of these items yourself.

Dress:  I scoured the internet looking for a dress similar to Agatha's.  That peter pan collar and color really limited my options.  As a last ditch effort, I went to the Kohl's website and found this dress.  It is near perfect!  The color is pretty close (khaki).  Plus, it already has an outline for the peter pan color AND has tufted sleeves AND is pleated!  To customize it a bit more, I weaved light peach ribbon through the holes already around the collar and sleeves of the dress to add the colored binding, similar to the photo above.  I think it turned out really well, and I can easily pull out the ribbon if I want to wear this dress again in the future.

Necklace:  In the movie, Agatha receives a Society of the Crossed Keys necklace from M. Gustave.  You can buy one on Etsy or you could make your own.  Since I didn't have enough time to order one, I made my own out of a wooden circle, some paint, a sharpie, and blue ribbon.

Mendl's Box:  Agatha works at Mendl's, a sweet bakery, so this box is a big tip off for anyone wondering who you might be dressed as.  Again, there are a few Etsy sellers online where you can purchase the box, but they weren't big enough for my taste.  Instead, I found this website where they offered a free printable.  I printed the pdf off on pink cardstock and taped my own box together.

Wheat Stalk and Flour:  Since Agatha works in a bakery, put a little flour on your face and a wheat stalk in your milkmaid braids.  It's those little extra details that make the outfit.

Birthmark:  On her face, Agatha has a birthmark in the shape of Mexico.  I used brown eyeliner to create the look, and just free handed the shape.

Shoes, Socks, and Shirt:  To round out the outfit, wear khaki colored knee high socks and brown oxfords.  Then put a peach colored long sleeve top underneath your dress.  Double points if the shirt matches the peach ribbon you used to to trace the collar and sleeves.


We went to a Halloween party this past weekend, so I'll be back tomorrow to show you the finished product and let you know how it went!


What's your favorite Halloween costume you've worn?

WEEKLY WEARS: FLORAL (JAMMER) PANTS

Hat/ Pants (similar) /Shoes (old): Target; Shirt: Old Navy;  Feather Necklace: Made by me

I don't know what the correct term is for these pants.  So I'm going to call them my floral jammer pants.  Jammer, because it's a mix between pajamas (since they're so ridiculously comfortable) and hammer (because I equate them with MC Hammer pants).

If anyone knows the correct word for them, though, please feel free to correct me in the comments.

You know those outfits that are so comfortable you have to constantly look down to make sure you aren't just wearing your pajamas out of the house?  That's this outfit.  The pants are a bit too flowy for my taste, but maybe that's just because these jammers are so far outside my safety zone and what I'm used to wearing. 

In fact, I felt pretty sheepish walking around Westside with Alex the other week.  You only live once, though, and while I'm here I'm going to try all the crazy trends out there!

And comfort is my middle name.

Even though I felt insecure trying something new, I think Alex did an awesome job taking these photos.  She has as much talent behind the camera as she does in front of it. 


In other news, it's finally Friday, people!  Wade and I are heading to Lawrence to go to the annual Halloween party with my brother and sister-in-law.  Here are the pics from last year when we won first place.  I'm not sure many people will know who Wade and I are dressing up as this year, though.  It's a little obscure, but that's the way I like it. 

I'll give you a hint by showing you who we went as two years ago.  Any guesses?

The party is Saturday, so we'll be feverishly working on our costumes the next few days in between cheering on the Royals in the World Series!

What are you up to this weekend?  Any Halloween related festivities?

AUTUMN TOP PICKS + THE BEST BLACK JEANS...EVER

Another season is upon us.  I wasn't going to put together my top picks for fall, but the smell of pumpkin everything and chilly evenings has put me in the mood to replace my summer attire for some bulkier and cozier wears.

A // B // C // D // E // F // G

Black Jeans
Actually, these black jeans are what really got me wanting to put together this list.  I guess I needed a lead off to start raving about them, because no one wants to just read a post about the best black jeans ever, right?

Well now that I've started, I might as well keep the glowing review going.  I got these lookers at Old Navy on sale for less than $20.  I've been watching the black jean trend gain momentum so figured I should see what all the fuss is about.

Now to me, trying on jeans is about as bad as going to the dentist after you ate a granola bar and trying to explain to them that your teeth aren't normally that gross and those aren't cavity pits all around your mouth but just leftover chunks of oat that have gotten lodged there (lesson learned).

I can never find a pair of jeans that fits both in my waist and thighs.  Usually I fit for my thighs and then my mom has to fix the waist.

These babies fit like a glove, though, and they hit higher than most jeans.  Finally FINALLY we seem to be steering away from all these low rise jeans.  I'm not saying I want high waisted jeans, because only a lucky few can pull off those and still look cute, but at least something that doesn't show my big 'ol bloomers every time I bend over.

So I guess what I'm saying is that you should check them out:)

Minnetonka Fringe Boots
I have my 2 year old niece to thank for this new obsession.  As I was trolling the internet, I came across these and thought about how cute they would look with my skinny jeans and leggings.  They looked so familiar, though.  Then I realized I'm taking fashion advice from a 2 year old.  When you're right, you're right, though.  So really a big thank you to my sister-in-law for dressing her child trendier than myself and showing me what's in style for the new season.

Ponchos
I am on the hunt for the perfect sweater poncho.  I saw Megan wearing this one a few days ago and put it on my list.  I love the black and white stripes, but I'm just not sure if it will be long enough.

Oxford Shirt
I have this exact shirt and have been wearing it with everything: on its own with black jeans, underneath dresses, and layered under sweaters.  It's my go to staple right now, and I like the addition a collar makes to certain outfits.  I think it would be perfect under this dress for Thanksgiving.

Scarves + Cardigans
Throwing on a mustard cardigan over just about any outfit instantly makes me feel more fall-y.  There's just something about that color that seems to be synonymous with fall.  For the chillier days, I also like adding a scarf.  My mom makes the coziest ones, but this Aztec print scarf looks fun for those days with just a little frost in the air.



What's on your autumn wish list?  Does your daughter or niece have any style advice for me?

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I'm linking up with Treasure Tromp today!  Stop by and meet some new friends!

TULIP DIY NIGHT + RECAP

Tulip, a local boutique, hosts a DIY night every month, and I was excited to teach this month's class on how to make these fun (and easy) feather necklaces. 

We had a great turnout and Robin and Jennifer from Tulip made us all feel comfortable and pampered with fall-themed goodies.  Who could turn down a pumpkin beer and delicious chocolates?

I loved seeing how everyone added their own unique spin to their necklaces.  So many beautiful color combinations! 

There's just something so inspiring about getting together with other crafty ladies to create something.  Sometimes it doesn't even matter what it is.  It's just the act of creating and taking a break from our hectic schedules to sit down and laugh a little with nice people.  I left there feeling rejuvenated and inspired.  

 

I'm loving that Tulip is making these types of nights possible for all us gals in Kansas City.  In addition to being a hip and beautiful store (also online for those of you not in KC), Tulip has become synonymous with being an avenue to meet new friends and share style advice and new ideas.  It's something that has been missing in Kansas City, so I'm so excited it's here.

 

We all know that November and December are going to be busy, so while there may be a hiatus in DIY nights for the remainder of the year, be sure to follow Tulip's Facebook page to stay up to date on cute new clothes and accessories in the store as well as their next DIY night.  Tulip is also always doing fun giveaways and Tulip Twists, so stay tuned, friends! 

CHASING THE LIGHT

I met Alex the other week in Westside to capture the last glimpse of the fading light.  A while ago we realized we both have an affinity for film cameras.  Her, the Instax, and for me, the Diana +. 

While I can never get any of my Diana+ pictures to turn out, she took one of my dearest pictures of Maisy and me. 

So we walked around the neighborhood.  We snapped pictures with film, and I took the same picture again with my digital camera to make sure I had recorded the moment just in case the first try didn't turn out. 

I haven't developed the film yet, but I had to share these pictures.  Alex exudes such a confidence and coolness in front of the camera.  It's not tangible, it's just that feeling she pushes through every photo with her stare. 

I still feel awkward both behind and in front of the camera.  Like I don't really belong either place. 

But driving home that night, I whispered to myself that it has to be less about just proving myself for others.  It has to be an urge to take a leap, to capture the setting sun with a new friend, and trying to chase the light in every moment.