Thoughts on Personal Style

Sometimes, you just want to simply exist in another era. Whether in photos, in spirit, in reality (for those of us with time machines or a Tardis) the allure of channeling a previous moment in time is purely beguiling. I strive to never look modern. I used to want to dress modernly, when I was in college or high school perhaps. I wanted to look like all of the chic/modern individuals who were somehow slapped with the title of being 'best dressed' even though they just wore basically polos and well fitting jeans every day (not that there's anything wrong with that!). But I always wanted more. I didn't want to just look cute. I didn't want to blend into the sea of people with namebrand clothing manufactured in India, or who knows where else in a sweatshop. I didn't want to be well dressed, I wanted to have personal style. There is such a difference between those two terms and I don't think many people realize that. Personal style is wearing clothes that show your spirit and personality. It is evoking a sense of who you want to become as a continually growing and changing person through the way you dress.

It's funny that something considered superficial is actually indicative of one's character and personality in so many ways. It suggests to others your feelings, morals, and mood without having to utter a word. I want my style to say that I am an old soul who believes in modesty. I want others to hear that one can be stylish and alluring without having to put their bodies on display. I want others to hear that I love color and vibrancy because it can lift one's spirits and put smiles on faces. I don't value trends, I value people-which is why I shop primarily at thrift stores and places that donate to charity. I'm not saying that's for everyone, but it's something which I enjoy doing. I desperately want to find a way to use my love of fashion to benefit others, but I guess I'm still working on that part and waiting on God to guide my path.

My personal style is still evolving, but I feel as though I'm getting closer and closer to where I want to be, and that's a pretty exciting feeling. :)

How do you define personal style?

God Bless!

KJA

Zechariah 14:9

The Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name. 

Wearing:

Dress, Shoes- Kohl's

Jacket, Bag, Earrings- Vintage, thrifted

Lipstick- Revlon Creme Lipstick in Black Cherry

Ps: Pretty please don't forget about the Firmoo Giveaway I'm having so you can get yourself a pair of pretty specs!

ALSO: Don't forget to like me on Bloglovin' before Google Reader goes away tomorrow!

Daisies

 I have been so into pastels and the 60's lately. There's just something so summery and fresh about natural hair, light makeup and mini dresses. It seems like my vintage preferences change with the seasons. In the colder months I get really into the 40's and 50's, and in the summer I channel the 60's and 70's. Those decades had clothes that were much less fussy like simple, airy dresses. Not to mention they let their hair flow down naturally instead of having to curl and fuss with it. Oh what am I saying I can't decide, I love all decades in fashion equally!

I really love this coral shade of lipstick I bought a while ago. I bought a bunch of mini sample tubes for a dollar to try out some new colors and this was among them. The shade is just so light and not overpowering, which is great if you want a bit of color but don't want to look like you just ate a cherry popsicle. Not that cherry popsicles aren't awesome. Because we all know that they are.

Alright everyone, I need to give myself a good, swift kick in the behind and start my morning! I was going to do some housework yesterday, but it seems that after one mows the lawn they automatically become a lazy pile and don't feel like doing much after that. Go figure! But hey: I have a lawn now, and that's always something to be excited about :) 

God Bless!

KJA

Psalm 143:8

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.

 

Wearing:

Dress- Grandmother's, handmade

Scarf- Vintage, thrifted

Shoes- Payless

Lipstick- Sally Beauty sample

Hair Tutorial: 1960's Half-Updo

Hello there Darlings! I have another hair tutorial for you today! This is one of my particularly favorite styles to wear, especially when I'm feeling the 1960's vibe which I love. This is a fun half-updo that is super easy and can be done with long or short hair. 

See how I've worn this style in the past here.

This is what we'll be learning today!

 

You won't need many fussy supplies for this style. All you need are the items below! The curling iron is only if you want a bit more curl or volume in your hair. I didn't use the iron, but you can choose to for sleeker curls.

This is another look that works with both washed and unwashed hair. I wear my hair in up-dos when I sleep so it is usually pretty voluminous, which is good for this style. If you need more volume you can curl it as well as backcomb it.

The first thing you want to do is part your hair on the side. Take about a two inch chunk of hair from the very front and smooth it out. Pin this up to save for later so it won't be in your way.

The next step is to pull half of your hair back starting from the tops of your ears and angling up. Make sure you get enough hair that you can poof it up for that 60's volume.

This is the tricky part of the style. As you pull back your hair, begin twisting as you work your way down the back of your head. While twisting the hair, push up slightly to  create volume towards the crown of your head.

Depending on how much volume you would like, continue to push up the twist until the front looks how you want it to. You'll want to hold on tightly to the twist and brush or comb out the back of your hair at this time so there aren't any snarls later that would ruin your style. Use several bobby pins (it took me about four or five) to secure the twist. You'll need to insert them upwards and criss-cross them so that they stay in.

It should resemble this now:

When your twist and poof looks the way you want it too, unroll the front section of hair that you've been saving. If you have bangs, or just like the look of your tendril, stop here and you have a sassy peekaboo look!

If you want to pin back the section of hair, continue reading :)

Smooth out this section of hair while pulling it to the side. You'll want to wrap the strand of hair around the side of your head going just behind your ear and around the hair that's pulled back. My hair is long, so I have to wrap it all the way to the back of my head. If you have shorter hair or bangs you can pin it wherever works for you.

I simply pin the hair to the back of my twist and incorporate it into the back of the hair.

Don't forget to spray down the wayward hairs if you want a sleek look. If you're going for that natural 60's vibe then embrace your frizzies and nude out your lips you little vixen! It will be very Brigitte Bardot.

This is such a fun style to wear and really adds a bit of confidence to your demeanor as well. Put on your peter pan collars and cat eyes and take yourself out on the town! 

Be sure to let me know if you try this style, I'd love to see how you all look!

God Bless, 

KJA

Matthew 17:20

Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Poof

I love simple dresses. One just can't go wrong with a simple dress, and a blouse underneath to add some character. Especially in the summer there's nothing better than a dress who's pattern can double as a picnic blanket if needed! I don't really love the square neckline and straps of this little number, but I think the blouse distracts from that enough to make this work. I love thinking about the evolution of personal style. When I first bought this dress a few years ago, I would just wear a ratty tank top or tee underneath it to hide straps and add a little coverage. I didn't have nearly the creativity to play around with adding a button down or anything underneath it. Oh if I could go back to little college freshman Katie and teach her a few things ;)

My hair has been so poofy lately, I love it! I don't know where it's coming from-the abundance of hairspray used in the play maybe, or my newfound love of ratting (that's a destructive relationship if there ever was one). I always did love a little volume. If I had been a teenager in the 80's you KNOW I would have been one of those girls with the gigantic perm and bangs sprayed to high heaven. See exhibit A:

Aw yiss. I yearbooked myself. I'm just that cool and don't you forget it.

Aaaaanyway...Things have come a long way since that time, but I still love me some volume-just not in a helmet shape around my entire face. :)

My sister took these photos of me when she was visiting last week. And then we put on some crazy music and had a dance party in my basement! Dance parties are the best. We made a couple of videos and I'm trying to decide if I should post one or not...haha. When my sisters and I get together it's pretty much dork city in the best possible way. I absolutely love dancing. I love being crazy and just freestyling to music, but I also really love choreography. I want to find a good dance studio in town and actually take a couple of classes, it would be so much fun! I've had a couple of recommendations from friends that I should check out. What about you guys and gals, do you love to dance?

I hope you're all having a splendid week! 

God Bless, 

KJA

Matthew 16:25

For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.

Wearing:

Blouse-Vintage, Rummage Sale

Dress- Walmart

Shoes- Four Seasons Flea Market

Pssst! Don't forget to enter the Firmoo giveaway to win some cash towards a new pair of glasses!

Also, check back tomorrow for another hair tutorial!

My First Giveaway, with Firmoo!

Why hello guys and dolls! Today marks something very exciting for my blog-my very first giveaway! This one is sponsored by Firmoo, whom I know many of you have heard of for their amazingly stylish eyewear, affordable prices, and great customer service. I've had my Firmoo glasses for several months now and I absolutely love them. I actually love them so much I have four pairs just for fun!

This is such a fun giveaway, I get to give you lovelies FIVE $20 vouchers to purchase a pair of frames (prescription or non-prescription) from Firmoo's Classic Series of glasses! Prices in this collection range from $16 to $49 so you'll certainly be able to find a pair that you love.  I adore each and every pair of frames which is why this is a perfect giveaway to host on my blog. You'll look like a vintage beauty in any pair you select!

 All you have to do is choose which pair of frames are your favorite from the Classic Series and comment below which pair you'd purchase along with your email address!

The giveaway will last 10 days, until July 5th. After that I will choose five of you ladies or gents to win the $20 voucher (which does not cover shipping costs). One of you might even win the grand prize of a completely free pair of frames of your choice with shipping included!

Seriously, a great pair of glasses or sunglasses are accessories no one should be without-even if you have perfect vision.

Aaaaand, as always, Firmoo has their great First Pair Free program where you can get a pair of full prescription glasses for FREE, you just need to pay shipping! Seriously, one could outfit the whole family with a deal like that.

So go ahead and comment below to make sure you're entered! Don't forget to leave me an email or some way to contact you in case you win. Ps: You do NOT have to have a blog to enter this giveaway! Anyone can enter and win, so don't be shy.

Good luck!

 

God Bless, 

KJA