Kristina does the Internets: layers

Showing posts with label layers. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 2, 2018

Easy Fall Layers

Tee (similar here and here) - Halogen / Vest - Old Navy (I also love this one!) / Leggings - Blanqi (these are my favorite maternity pants so far, if you aren't preggers these are my fav regular leggings) / Flats - Sam Edelman / Necklace - Stella & Dot / Sunglasses - Amazon

I've determined that since the rest of my pregnancy will be during cold months (I'm due at the end of February), I'm just going to go for all of the cardigans and wraps and ponchos and vests. Add in a basic tee (or probably a maternity tee at some point) and leggings and I'm calling it a day. I've been so motion sick so far this pregnancy that I've mostly been working from home rather than torture myself on the train every day, so leggings and easy layers are where it's at.

I was a little unsure of this vest online, just because it looks so drapey on the model, but as soon as I opened the box I was sold. It's so soft and cozy, the perfect layer over a tee, sweater, or even a blouse like I wore it in San Francisco for work last week. Just know that it isn't the most smart thing to pack if you're trying to pack light, because it took up a ton of space in my suitcase! Whoops. Definitely not a travel item unless you're planning to wear it on the plane.

Oh, and yes, I bought another pair of Karen Walker dupes. I loved my pair from last year but the finish eventually completely peeled off and would leave little bits on my face, so I had to throw them away. I saw someone on Instagram with this pair from Amazon so I decided to give them a try, and so far I'm really happy with them. I'm not the kind of person who takes great care of my sunnies, so dupes like these are my best bet for when they inevitably get lost or end up broken at the bottom of my bag.

Linking up with Style Sessions.

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Tuesday, February 6, 2018

Put A Bow On It

Blouse (similar here and a splurge)- LOFT / Sweater - J. Crew Factory / Jeans - Gap / Bag - Tory Burch / Necklace - Tiffany's / Bracelet - Jet Set Candy / Hair Bow - J. Crew / Coat - One Madison / Boots - TOMS

Other potential titles for this post: Bows before Hoes, You Had Me At A Bow, Sunday is for the Bows.

Oh dear. I'm not a pun person.

I am, however, a bow person. Over the weekend, my friend asked how many I was wearing and I said how many I thought there were, and then she pointed out two more. And then I went home and put on my OTK boots, effectively adding two more to the outfit.

Of course, this outfit only has one bow. Just one I swear! I snagged this hair bow when ordering something else from J.Crew as a ride-along for the free shipping, and I love it so much I don't know how I got by without it. It's fun to dress up a simple pony like I'm wearing it here, but I've also been adding it cheerleader style to my messy bun when I've been working from home, and it gives me an amazing amount of joy. I can't even turn a cartwheel, but this is making all of my cheerleader dreams come true.

I also was pretty psyched to come up with this outfit combo, because I'm pretty sure I haven't worn this silky button down since we moved into our condo, oh, just two years ago. Usually getting dressed for me involves standing in my closet and going over all of the options, but this combination just came to me. Usually the outfits I dream up outside of the closet don't actually work, but this combo? A+

I also have to point out a couple new jewelry additions - both Christmas presents. The first is this sweet Paris charm necklace my grandma and aunt gave me for Christmas! It is definitely a splurge but it is so cute. Just a note if you're larger chested, this length necklace only works if you're wearing something with a high neckline, otherwise it gets lost. The second new piece of jewelry is this cute link bracelet Jeff gave me - it's actually a charm bracelet specifically for traveling! I just have the little airplane charm it came with, but I'm excited to get some more charms to remember our trips by. I saw that Carly has hers completely filled and it looks so cool!

Okay, that's enough rambles for now - enjoy your Tuesday!

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Tuesday, January 31, 2017

5 Tips for Conquering Your To-Do List

Shirt and Vest (a gift from my sweet mother-in-law - she must know me well ;) - J. Crew Factory / Jeans - J. Crew / Booties - TOMS / Bag (similar) - Coach Factory / Watch - Wristology / Necklace - BaubleBar

Do you ever feel like your to-do list is a mile long, and there's no way you could ever get to the end of it? I'm trying to play catch-up from being out of town last week (and honestly, because I wasn't budgeting my time well before I left), and I feel like I've been running and running non-stop with no end in sight. Of course, it doesn't help that I scheduled a couple of dinners for restaurant week and my company is having a big end-of-year party tonight (yes, we recognize that it's January, but it's our end-of-year). I'm not sure how to squeeze it all in, but there are a couple of steps I take when I have a lot on my plate to keep me from feeling overwhelmed/like my head is about to explode:

1. Take a deep breath.

Usually when I have a lot on my plate, my mind starts spinning, and the anxiety starts rolling in. It turns into a dangerous spiral, to the point where I'll start thinking there's no possible way I could get anything done. Instead of letting the anxiety take over, take a step back and take a breath. The time it takes to take a breath helps you to clear your head and put things in perspective. Yes, you may have a ton of work to do, but you've done it before and you will do it again.

2. Write it all down.

For me, there always seems to be so much more to do until I write it all down. Somehow, seeing my to-do list on paper usually makes it look smaller and more manageable. Writing your list down also lets you prioritize, as well as feel accomplished as you check things off of your list. I'm really motivated by crossing things off, so for me just having the list is a good reason to power through.

3. Conquer something small.

Because I'm so motivated my crossing things off of my to-do list, I usually start by finding something small that I can quickly accomplish. That way, I get to check something off right away, making me feel like I've done something and leaving me excited to get to that next check mark. Anything to make that list a little shorter!

4. Stop Multi-tasking.

Okay, okay, okay. I love multi-tasking. I typically find myself constantly flipping back and forth between working, checking email, looking at my phone, picking music, etc. throughout the day, and whenever I'm at home the tv is on in the background. All of the technology in our lives has made our attention spans really short, making multi-tasking the norm. That being said, whenever I stop multi-tasking I notice how much easier and faster it is to get stuff done. If you have a lot on your list, close out of your email tab, turn off the tv, put your phone away, and focus only on the task at hand. You'd be amazed how faster you'll work!

5. Realize the sky isn't falling.

Anxiety is often my biggest issue when I'm trying to get a lot done, so sometimes I'll just have to remind myself that if I don't get everything done in the time I allotted myself, the world isn't going to end. Sure, a deadline is a deadline, but I'm not a rocket scientist or anything. If it takes me a day longer than I said it would to turn a project around, nothing terrible is going to happen. There are no lives at stake. I put a lot of pressure on myself, but realizing that you don't have to check off every box on that list always helps! If you can drop something, drop it. If you can push something back, push something back. Just know that the sky isn't falling and that there are less busy days ahead!

So tell me - how do you deal when there's a ton on your plate? Any tips to help me get through the week??

Previously on KDTI - more layered stripes!!

Linking up with Flashback Friday, Style Sessions, Style Me Wednesday, Trend Spin Linkup, Confident Twosday.

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Wednesday, January 4, 2017

A Little Day Date

Tee and Pants - J. Crew Factory / Sweater (similar) - LOFT / Scarf (super similar, similar for less than $10!) - Forever 21 / Boots (almost exact, gorgeous tan version) - Bandolino / Bag - Sole Society / Earrings and Ring - BaubleBar / Lip - Bare Minerals (in Juju)

Last week I took the whole week off of work for a little rest and relaxation. I wanted to do a little staycation here in Chicago had a lot of things planned for the week. Jeff was supposed to have the whole week off too but ended up having to work several hours every day, so we didn't end up having enough time to squeeze everything in.

We did, however, manage to make it downtown for a little day date! We wandered around Millennium Park in the cold and saw the Bean and the big Christmas tree, which was especially fun for me because I used to work a block away from the park so I'd go just about every day. After that we went up to Cindy's for lunch and a few cocktails. Cindy's is on top of the Athletic Club and has a beautiful view of the park and Lake Michigan. I made a reservation even though we were going really early, which meant they put us at one of the best tables right next to the windows - it was so gorgeous!!

The food at Cindy's was so good too - we freaking loved the tartine, and I even managed to get Jeff to share a salad with me, which is impressive because usually when we get small plates he only wants meat and more meat. I also accidentally ordered a cocktail that had scotch in it - whoops! Once I realized the mishap and ordered something I would actually like, I really loved the cocktails too.

After lunch Jeff had to go home to do a little more work, while I wandered the Magnificent Mile for some slightly tipsy afternoon shopping - always exciting ;) Now if only I could have another week off of work to explore the city!

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Previously on KDTI - stripes!

Linking up with Flashback Friday, What I Wore to Work, Spotlight, Style Me Wednesday.

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Thursday, December 15, 2016

Snow Day!

Coat - 1 Madison / Hat - Kyi Kyi / Scarf - Sole Society / Sweater (similar) - Old Navy / Tee and Necklace (similar) - J. Crew Factory / Denim - Madewell / Boots - Sorel

Brrrrrrrrrr...

I'm basically burrowing myself under all of the faux fur in our condo and not coming out again until spring. Oh, and outfit photos? Yeah, not sure how I'm going to be accomplishing those this winter if this weather keeps up!

We took these photos last weekend when I convinced Jeff to leave our house and go for a little walk in the snow. I thought we'd find some untouched, pristine snow in the park near our house, but forgot that of course a hundred dogs had already torn through it. It was still beautiful, and the temperatures still bearable, so we chased each other around through the snow for a bit before coming home to hide on the couch for the rest of the weekend.

To make it through cold weather, I have a few staples in my closet. The first are these Joan of Arctic boots. They're a bit clunky so I don't pull them out until I need to, but the huge size, faux fur and rubber soles are perfect when its cold and snowy. I often wear two pairs of socks with other boots in the winter to keep my toes warm, but that's unnecessary with these!

Another staple for me is a big blanket scarf. This one is technically a wrap, but works really well as a scarf too. It wasn't so cold over the weekend, but when it is (um, you know, like today) I love being able to wrap a big blanket scarf all around my face to stay extra warm.

Another essential in Chicago is a big puffer coat. They may not be the cutest, but there's no way you're making it through a Chicago winter in just a wool coat. I'm still dreaming of owning a Canada Goose some day, but until then this puffer will do. When buying a puffer I look for details that make it a little more fashionable, like fur trim and some definition around the waist that helps me not look like a giant marshmallow.

So tell me, is it cold where you live? How are you getting through the winter?

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Previously on KDTI - Honeycomb sweater + snow:

Linking up with What I Wore to Work.

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