Holiday Gifts For Her!

It’s my favorite time of year! All of the decorations, smells, the music, everything. I just can’t get enough! The only thing I ever have an issue with is when someone asks me what I want for Christmas…. Like I’ve only been thinking about it all year but now all of a sudden, BLANK! So I’ve put together some of my favorite things at the moment that are beyond cute and  will be sure to last you years to come! 

H A P P Y    S H O P P I N G !

  
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My Everyday Messy Curls!

Hello, it’s me again! First things first, I am so sorry for my absense! With starting a new job at Anthropologie, moving accross Virginia, and it being holiday time, I have just been swamped!

I have been receiving a lot of requests for how I get my messy curls so I went ahead and filmed a tutorial for y’all! I love hearing what y’all think so let me know if this was helpful & if there are any more you are interested in seeing! I have a couple more already in the works so GET EXCITED!

My Everyday Messy Curls!

The Details of Fall!

If you haven’t figured out by now from my unlimited comments about how amazing fall is, it’s my favorite season!  Everything is just better in the fall. The activities, the food, the colors, the smells, and the fashion (especially the fashion)!! I thought it would be fun to share my favorite fall details that really help to make your outfit feel more cozy to fit in with the fall season. So here we go!

1. My favorite thing about fall are all the sweaters and cardigans. Layering naturally adds a coziness to your everyday look and just makes you want to cuddle up next to a fire and drink some cider. My favorites these past few season have been anything with a big aztec print. It just adds a little character to your outfit!

2. Tassel booties have been EVERYWHERE this summer and they are definitely going to be a staple for the fall. I love having a little something playful at the feet for a little something extra you wouldn’t expect!

3. HATS! I am all about hats. Beanies are the best in my opinion because they have such a cool and easy-going feel that pulls your whole look together. But I am also really loving wide-brim, felt hats this year. They just really feel like a statement piece that can also cover up a bad hair day.

4. Speaking of hair, this is going to be a major surprise for you, like Huge! I am still rocking braids for fall! All jokes aside, braids add a lot of texture and depth to not only your hair, but your overall look. And as you can tell, those two things are a major factor for fall style. Braids can act as an art piece, so even if you keep your looks simple, they add the wow factor!

5. It wouldn’t be fall if it didn’t include a chunky knit scarf. They are full, cozy, and so so so soft. I usually get mine in creams, olives, and maroons because those are pretty neutral colors for the season and will go with anything!

6. Flannels and Vests, my go to outfit for fall.  Flannels not only have a cozy texture, but they are a great way to bring in lots of color your outfit of the day. And layering a basic puffer vest in a solid color helps to tone it down but also creating a very put together look.

Back To School Hairstyles!

So I am not going back to school since I graduate from Longwood University back in 2013, but I feel like everyone could enjoy these looks! It’s no secret that I love braids, they are my some of my favorite ways to wear my hair! Most of them are so effortless but look more intricate than they really are.

1. Four-Strand Braid! This is one of my very favorites! It does take a little practice to get your hand coordination right, but it really is a rather simple braid that adds a bit of “fancy” to your everyday look! Begin with 4 strands, take the front strand and place it over the 2nd strand, under the 3rd strand, and over the 4th strand. Now you’ll be working backwards, taking that 4th stand and continuing to weave in the opposite direction. And just continue until you reach the end. Then just pull on the edges to make bigger and pin in place!
2. Dutch-Braid into Ponytail! This is so easy but looks so cute! Make sure to leave a few pieces in the front to give it a more boho vibe if you want. Grab 3 relatively large pieces of hair and create a dutch braid (Instead of crossing outer stands over the middle strand, place them under!) Pancake the braid to make it appear larger and chunky. Pull your remaining hair up into a low ponytail and wrap the end of your braid around the elastic to hide it and you’re all done!
3. Fishtail-Dutch Side Braid! This look requires 2 separate braids. The first will be a fishtail. Part your hair on the side and in the middle of that part is where you will start your fishtail. Take 2 small stands and begin taking little pieces of each into the opposite side. Each time you take a section remember to add in hair for half of the way. Pin that braid to your head and then take all of your hair and pull it to that side. Add a side Dutch-Braid and you’re done!
4. I have been wearing this look a lot lately! I love headbands and the braid just gives a little more volume to the look! Again making sure to leave a few sections down in front, and make another chunky Dutch-Braid. Then take your Boho inspired headband and place it under the braid with the elastic part crossing over the middle section of the braid. To soften the look, undo the bottom of the braid that lies beneath the headband like I did!

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I’m Dreaming of a Basic Fall!

Now I know this may come as a shock to y’all, but I enjoy a very, very, very basic fall season. All jokes aside, I really can’t wait to break out all my favorites and just be a basic betty and enjoy my favorite season the way it was intended with warm tones, layers, and pumpkin everything! I’m sure y’all also have your favorite fall staples and I would love to hear them (mainly so I can add them to my collection!) Here are my main pieces and a breakdown of each explaining why I can’t live without them no matter how hard I try!

I’m Dreaming of a Basic Fall! by kakakakerry featuring a red tote bag

1. J. Crew Excursion Vest! It doesn’t have to be from J.Crew but I find that these vests are very long lasting! I love this look for fall because in Virginia, it technically isn’t cold enough for a full winter coat on most days but provides the perfect opportunity for layering. It really comes in handy for football games when there is a breeze but too crowded for anything bulky!

2. Bean Boots! I’m going to be honest with you, I’m really not the biggest fan of the look of bean boots, but they really are a necessity! I got my first pair when I was a freshman in High School and they lasted me all those 4 years plus another 4 while at college! If you do a lot of walking outside to get from class to class in rain, snow, mud, basically anything unpleasant, these will be your saving grace for sure!

3. Hunter Boots! A boot that I’m definitely a fan of are these! The sleek all-black glossy pair are my all time favorites! You can where them anytime as they go with anything and provide protecting incase the weather does indeed take a turn. You can dress them up or down which makes them a perfect choice!

4. Longchamp Le Pliage! This isn’t its first time making an appearance on my blog and it most certainly won’t be its last! I feel like I am this brands #1 fan at this point! These bags are just the perfect addition for your collection as they are very practical, but simple and chic! I say go with a bold color like red for the fall season to add some pop to your looks!

5. Blanket Scarves! These tartan scarves have been everywhere the last couple of years and they aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. That’s because they are in the best fall print imaginable, TARTAN!

6. Gold Statement Necklace! It’s funny because I used to absolutely despise anything gold and now I want it everywhere! I had been really big on the statement coin necklaces last fall, like I have 6 in silver, and think it’s time to add a gold one to the mix!

7. Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette! This is by far my favorite of all the palettes because of all the rose gold tones! They are warmer shades which definitely work for the fall and my complexion which is very important!

8. Dark Polish! Nude nails are still hands down my go to, but recently I have been loving a darker, more sultry nail and it’s probably because it’s almost September which means fall is almost here!

9. Pumpkin Spice Latte! You know why. Pumpkin Spice is life!

Back To School Must Haves!

Seriously, I never thought in a million years that I would miss the back-to-school life, but oh boy do I! August has me craving the back to school shopping and the excitement to see all my college friends! I thought it would be fun to do a little post on some back to school items (or in my case, just items to love this year) that I feel are necessities!

Back To School Must Haves! by kakakakerry featuring The North Face

1. BAGS! I thinks it’s important to have at least two options for your school bag! For me, I used my North Face backpack for everyday classes. It holds literally everything I could ever need! On days when I may have had a presentation or interview, I always used one of my large Longchamps. It looks professional but still allows you to carry whatever you may need! Also, don’t forget a case for your laptop! You will be carrying it all over and don’t want it to get damages! This is my favorite laptop sleeve from Kate Spade as it has a cute print but also protects my baby!

2. SHOES! The same goes for your shoe collection! Make sure you have a wide assortment of options. For me that was about 55 options but whatever…. I always found myself wearing my trusty riding boots the majority of the time. You can dress them up or wear them with your leggings! Always make sure to have a durable pair of flats around as well, as they are perfect for your business casual needs. And of course, invest in a good pair of sneakers for those days when you are running all over campus or you know… if you do that strange thing called going to the gym!

3. FASHION! Now lets be honest, you’re going to bring everything you own, that’s just a given. But two pieces that I have found extremely helpful all these years is a hat and some form of a button down (my favorite is a chambray shirt!) I love the chambray shirt because you can wear it over your t-shirt to portray a more put together outfit rather than just looking like you fell out of bed (which you did). A hat is a given for those days where your brush or shower just isn’t happening! Try fun colors to really make it more of a statement rather than something you had to throw on! Lastly, get a great pair of sunglasses! Get some that are a more classic shape so you can wear them to multiple occasions!

4. MISCELLANEOUS! As a former college girl who still needs to have every single day planned out, an agenda is a must! My favorites are from Lilly Pulitzer and May Designs for all their bright prints! Headphones are an ultimate must! They will come in handy when you need to tune everything out for that hour you have left before your paper is due! A portable charger will be your life saver at some point in time. You don’t want to be that person who is locked out with a dead phone and can’t find a single person to help (it happens, trust me). And last but not least, a water bottle for everyday of your life because, HYDRATION!

Mermaid Briads!

My go-to hairstyle in the summer is by far braids! They are soft and pretty as well as give a little more than your average ponytail would do. You can wear them throughout the day to keep your hair out of your face (and off your neck) or dress them up for a night out. I just love them.

There are tons of different kinds of braids to try out, but my favorite ones are those that give off a mermaid vibe. With my natural red hair, I have an automatic love for anything that makes me feel even more like a mermaid. These 3 are just a few that I have been wearing these last couple of weeks since summer began! They are super easy but look a little more detailed than they actually are, which I also love!

Trend to Love: Ear Jackets

So I don’t know if this counts as cheating, but I made a promise to myself this summer to try more statement earring looks. Now I bought my first pair of these earrings back in January only because they came in a set of really darling studs, which I love! Recently, I’ve just been really into them and I’m including them in my statement challenge!

I really like that they are a little something extra but not too over the top if you don’t normally rock the statement earring trend like yours truly! Most of my favorites I’ve found at ILY Couture and wear them all the time!

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Trend To L O V E: Watercolor

So, as I’m sure we all know, tie-dye is literally EVERYWHERE right now. Especially with it being festival season, people are really channelling their inner flower child. I however am not the biggest tie-dye fan. It just seams a little to arts and crafts to where around to everyday get togethers. What I am loving however are watercolor prints. I find them to be very feminine and a great way to add lots of color (like tie-dye) without it being too over the top or harsh!

I think this trend is perfect for spring and summer because HELLO the colors but also for it’s light and airy feel! Can we talk about that watercolor wedding gown! How gorgeous is it! The perfect amount of statement without taking away from the entire dress!

Family Portrait Styling!

So my sisters have been asking me for awhile now to pick out pieces for their everyday wardrobe and for some reason I haven’t been able to get around to it…. until now! One of my sisters is actually getting her family photo taken (by my other sister Katie Powers Photography!) and asked me to help her come up with outfits for her beautiful little family!

I was actually really excited for this because my sister has a very easy going, chic style and I think it will translate perfectly on everyone! It was important to make sure I didn’t come up with anything super matchy-matchy because that has to be the absolute worst when it comes to group photos!

So here are the 3 options I have come up with so far for her to choose from! The main colors that I was really feeling were Navy Blue, Chambray, Grey, Pink, and Cream. It felt very “Springy” without an overpowering amount of pastels!

Maren // Kelsey // Taylor

Maren // Kelsey // Taylor

Maren // Kelsey // Taylor