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Grove Party

April 12, 2017

Hello, loves!
Such a fun shoot this was… My lovely photographer and I snuck away for a few moments to the orange groves on a quite beautiful day. We were in the area visiting our friend Sarah at her monthly pop-up vintage shop, held at the Redlands Country Mart. The first Saturday of each month, the parking lot is turned in to a curated flea market of sorts, with local vendors offering up all of their hand-picked finds. There is everything from decanters to fedoras to beaded sweaters and all at amazing prices. I love going to support her and check out all of the new things she’s accumulated!
It really gives me a sense of pride to be in the company of some outstanding entrepreneurial ladies. Some of my best friends are doing incredible things and I’m happy to be a part of that ride and boost them up however I can. Sarah, besides being a great photographer, has started Geaux Vintage, a primarily online-based curated shop of her finds. Holli, my partner in crime and one of the most talented people with a camera EVER, has left her office job to pursue photography full-time. She also has a new product line in the works, showcasing some of her best shots. Barbara is training to become a yoga instructor and also sells oils to her friends in need (love me some doTerra!). I have many friends who are nurses, which I of course don’t need to emphasize how valuable they all are! Nursing is something I could definitely never do myself, and I think it’s unbelievable the things they get put through and still go in to work with smiles on their faces, (I’m talking to you, Clare, April, Merisa!). I have friends who are pursing a career in the arts, like Bonnie who has been doing amazing work in the voiceover and acting realm. My friends in the blogging community are striving to reach their goals, and it’s genuinely fun to build each other up.
My grandfather told my mother something years ago, and she passed the saying on to me, but I never really considered taking it to heart until the past couple of years. The line is, “Surround yourself with balcony people, not basement people.” This has nothing to do with any kind of demographic, but more so that you want to be in the company of people doing good, for themselves, and for others. I’ve been in dark places in my life before, as cliché as that sounds, but now realize as an adult that friendships and other relationships matter so much for my own mental health. When I was hanging with the crew that wanted to sit around the pool and drink all day (I’m talking every day), I wasn’t doing anything good for myself and none of us were pursuing anything except a pot belly and a hangover. Growing up (finally) has me considering the lovely things in every relationship that I have, and weeding out the people who are not meant to be a part of my growth. I have to say, it feels GOOD to know that I have a choice.
I’d love to know, how do you build up and support the ladies in your life?

I had to throw in this last shot of me being surprised by Holli and laughing. Such a fun day.
Blouse / Daniel Rainn at Nordstrom Rack // Pants / Stitch Fix // Necklace / Rocksbox (use code kristinbff320 for your first month free) // Bag / Lulu Guinness for JcPenney (old, linked similar) // Ring / Luv AJ from the Box of Style // Booties / thrifted/vintage // Sunnies / EyeBuyDirect

Shot by Holli Z Photography.

This post contains affiliate links. Clicking on these links or purchasing items through them may provide me with a small commission.

Moody Florals with Mint Julep Boutique

March 31, 2017

Hello, loves!
Today, I’ve partnered with an awesome online store called Mint Julep Boutique to share one of their gorgeous floral maxi dresses! They have SO many cute maxis on the site right now, it was difficult to choose, and I already want more of them in my closet! This one is called Peaceful Paradise, which I think is quite apt for a dress this pretty. One thing I will say, is that I found the background of the dress to be black, not navy, as stated on their website. I could be imagining things, but my photographer and boyfriend agreed with me! I wore it with a light denim jacket to ward off the chill that’s been hitting us recently when the evening rolls around. For accessories, I paired my new espadrille wedges (hello, 90’s shoutout!), a stack of glimmering gold bangles and my favorite crystal necklace.
I’m also loving the look of the Garden Stroll, the Visions in Bloom, the Living Fantasies, the Beauty Abounds, and the Happy to Bloom maxis. Like I said, they have SO many cute options to choose from right now! Be sure to sign up for their emails, so you can get $10 off your first purchase! The dresses are already very reasonably priced, so this is just the cherry on top. Keep scrolling to see the full look, I hope you enjoy it!

Dress c/o Mint Julep Boutique // Denim jacket / Gap // Bag / T Shirt & Jeans (linked their similar style in blue) // Wedges / JustFab // Bangles and necklace / LA finds

Shot by Holli Zenko Photography.

This post was sponsored by Mint Julep Boutique. Items in this post were provided to me for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This post also contains affiliate links. Clicking on these links or purchasing items through them may provide me with a small commission.

Girls Who Wear Glasses

March 10, 2017

Hello, loves!
I’m starting to get in to the habit of sharing more about myself on here, and I realized I’ve been leaving out a huge part of my daily life. I wear glasses. Almost all of the time.
I got my first pair at the age of 19, and they were supposed to only be for night driving. I wasn’t driving much at the time, but thought that the Dior frames looked really cute on me, so I wore them whenever the mood struck, but not habitually.
Since I started a job 6 years ago that consists of 7 hours of staring at a computer screen each day, I’ve noticed my vision continually getting worse. I’m sure the texting and Instagramming doesn’t help, but that’s another story. I used to be able to read street signs at night, then it seemed all of a sudden, I could barely tell the score while watching a football game. I’ve been wearing glasses daily for about the past 4 years, and now have trouble seeing anything past my hand without them.
I knew when I was shopping for glasses that I needed ones that not only framed my face nicely, but were super affordable. I go through sunglasses so frequently, because I seem to lose/break/scratch them at a rapid rate. Even though I knew I would be more cautious with prescription glasses, I am a klutz, and I freely admit that. I would hate to spend $200 on a pair that I scratched beyond comprehension within a month of purchase.
About a month back, my coworker referred me to EyeBuyDirect, an online retailer of prescription and non-prescription glasses and sunglasses. I commented on how cute her frames were and was amazed when she told me how little she paid for them.
I went online and picked out a couple of everyday pairs, along with a pair of rx sunnies, which I never knew how much I was missing until I got them. They took a couple of weeks to make and ship and arrived in individual boxes. I picked out a couple of cute little cases to keep them safe, and was really impressed with the quality for around $4.
The lovely aubergine frames here are called Dialogue, and are $15! I added the anti-reflective coating to help with glare. I also picked up the Ember style, which are probably my favorite. I’d never tried steel frames before, and they are so light, I barely notice them on! For sunnies, I went with the Deja Vu. They were a little bit pricier than other styles, coming it at around $45, but are now essential every time I leave the house. My total for 3 pairs was well under $100, definitely a different story than those Dior’s I wore for aesthetics.
For my next pairs, when I decide I’m ready to add some fun prints and colors to my glasses collection, I’m looking at Chilling in Tortoise or Pink Floral, Warren in Navy or the Lindsey in Green.

Bodysuit / H&M (similar) // Vest / B. Son // Skirt / Forever 21 // Sandals / Nordstrom Rack // Bag / Philip Lim for Target (so old but I still adore it!) // Rings / bday gift from my lovely photographer // Necklace / LA find // Glasses / EyeBuyDirect : Dialogue

Shot by Holli Zenko Photography.

This post contains affiliate links. Clicking on or buying items through these links may provide me with a small commission. This is part of what helps keep Dressed for Time going.

February Stitch Fix

February 27, 2017

Hello, loves!
I present to you my February Stitch Fix! This month, I requested some lovely Spring-y items, something floral print (obviously), a light layering piece, and another pair of jeans. There was a bit of a mix up with my jean size, because in the last fix the uber-stretchy pants I bought I exchanged for a smaller size, so my stylist also sized down the not-so-stretchy jeans in this fix. They were WAY too snug, even to get past my thighs. Read on to see the rest of my February Stitch Fix!

Top & Jeans (Just Black Denim from a past fix) / Stitch Fix // Flats / Sole Society (similar) // Necklace / eBay // Sunnies / Amazon
I was super excited to take this black lace top out of the box, and was OBSESSED with the intricate detail on the sleeves. When I put it on, however, I felt it was quite boxy and just a touch short on me. It was a fantastic price, but I knew I didn’t feel comfortable in it.
Blouse, $44, returned.

Cardigan & Jeans (MaviUSA from a previous fix) // Stitch Fix //Scarf / H&M // Necklace / LA find // Tank / Everlane // Sneakers / Old Navy
This was my “light layering piece” that I had requested. I have to say, I was not impressed with this piece. The material was a chintzy waffle weave, and paired with the color, I felt like I should be headed off in the minivan to go pick up the kids at soccer practice. It was reasonably priced, but I couldn’t find many things to pair it with to keep it fresh and exciting, because this piece is far from exciting 🙁
Cardigan, $48, returned.

T-shirt / Stitch Fix // Jacket / JcPenney (similar) // Jeans / MaviUSA // Flats / Sole Society // Choker / gifted
Haha, I feel like such a flasher in these pictures! That aside, I really did like the look and feel of this shirt. I love cute little saying t’s, however.. I live in Southern California and am highly sensitive to caffeine, soooo it feels a little disingenuous for me. Plus, I thought about the drawer full of t’s I never reach for so I knew it had to go back.
T-shirt, $34, returned.

Blouse & Jeans (Just Black Denim from a previous fix) // Heels / Ivanka Trump (similar) // Necklace c/o The Giving Keys // Bracelets / LA finds
I can’t tell you how happy I was to take this blouse out of the box, right before Valentine’s Day, so I would have something pretty to wear that day! It fit well, and I was obsessed with the print, so it was a no-brainer to hold on to it.
Blouse, $54, kept.

Jeans / Stitch Fix
If these bad boys had fit, they would have been a definite keeper, and may have even inspired me to keep the rest of the lot. They were SOOOO infinitely small, allowing me to only get them up to my thighs. Not even my upper thighs, like my lower thighs. This is why I didn’t exchange them for a larger size, because I’m pretty sure upsizing wouldn’t have helped. A girl with curves like me needs some stretch in her jeans, you know what I mean?
Jeans, $54, returned.

All in all, I probably could have kept everything, but I’m trying to only bring in items I know I will get tons of use out of, and not all of these pieces spoke to me on that level. From my February Stitch Fix, I only kept the floral blouse, and I’m so happy with it.
For my next fix, I’ve requested another light layering piece, more florals, lace, and a white or navy crossbody bag. I can’t wait to see what my stylist picks!

Shot by Holli Zenko Photography.

This post contains affiliate links. Clicking on these links or purchasing items through them may provide me with a small commission. This is part of what helps keep Dressed for Time going.