Field Trip

I can't believe I forgot to post these photos. They're from the epic Tessa and Ally visit! On this day alone, we rode the Staten Island Ferry, went to The Met and had a little jaunt in Central Park. I'm hoping we can make this an annual tradition. I have so much fun with these kids. Ally is like a mini Kim. She started calling Ally "mini-me." She and Kim were separated at birth. I'd like to think that Tessa is a mini version of me, but she's way cooler and more grounded than I ever was at her age. I didn't dye my hair blue until I was 17;) In other news, I can't believe she has a boyfriend. I don't want to talk about it. AJKSFHJKASFHSFA3iur314891493uuqihr

My outfit details:
vintage blouse
bb dakota skirt courtesy of ModCloth
Rayban new wayfarers
h&m flats
target maryjanes (before I switched into the flats)

Check Kim's blog for more of her photos, and don't forget to check out Bobby's blog - thisfellow.com.

Love love,
Keiko Lynn


EDIT: I removed a portion of this post in order to protect someone dear to me. I'm free game; I willingly put myself on the internet. My friends' and family's best interests are not up for debate, since they aren't active members of this blog and can't defend themselves.

crimson and clover

Bobby and I have been very busy, and the past couple of weeks have been no exception. He's working two jobs (seriously, he's always working!), while I'm sewing way too many dresses, helping with my sister's wedding planning, making her wedding dress and generally taking care of business. We found some time to take little Miku to the dog park, where she befriended a baby pug and got extremely dirty. We let her play until it got dark and all of the puppies went home. I obviously decided to dress like I was Joan Jett; I was probably listening to Crimson and Clover while getting dressed that day. I've actually been wearing jeans a lot in the past two weeks. It's like I all of a sudden realized how convenient they are.

Outfit Details:
tyler moto jacket - courtesy of Coach
favorite vintage shirt - thrifted a million years ago (at least that many)
jeans - courtesy of Hudson jeans
Senso shoes - courtesy of Solestruck

Love love,
Keiko Lynn

Meet me in Montauk.

Despite the tremendous winds and misty rain (or maybe because of it), Montauk was lovely. Trite as it may be, Montauk reminds me of two things: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and Circa Survive. We didn't even think to put the old Circa album on, but by coincidence, were listening to the new one. As for the movie: you might not think it just by reading my blog, but Clementine and I have a few things in common. We're both messes; we're destructive by defense and afraid of normalcy. I've been working on that. Well, the destructive part. Luckily, I have a really patient, supportive guy on my side.

Too many guys think I'm a concept, or I complete them, or I'm gonna make them alive. But I'm just a f***ed up girl who's looking for my own peace of mind. Don't assign me yours. - Clementine


Outfit Details:
umbrella - Muji
Tyler moto jacket and purse - courtesy of Coach
light blue jacket thing with crochet details - vintage, from the Fellsmere Inn
bustier - vintage
bb dakota skirt and belt (from another dress)- courtesy of ModCloth
tights - we love colors
Senso shoes - courtesy of Solestruck


Love Love,
Keiko Lynn

p.s. He's at work right now, but you can see more photos at Bobby's blog, This Fellow.

p.p.s. Before I forget: My friends at Tweet My Bag are hosting an awesome giveaway for the rest of today and tomorrow. They're giving away a free Zara Terez bag to one lucky winner each day this week. Obviously I'm a little late on this, but you have today and tomorrow to enter. Just upload a photo of you with *any* handbag and you're entered in the contest. The odds are very good! Do itttt.

Forever Friends

Before anyone comments on how wrinkled and unkempt this looks, let me present to you my defense. Bobby and I woke up very early, on one of the hottest days of the summer, and made the 4+ hour drive to Washington, DC. Oh, I forgot to mention: Bobby's air conditioning broke. So, 105 degree weather, no air, and 4.5 hours later...this is what I looked like. It's my own fault...what was I thinking when I got dressed that morning?


The trip was well worth the misery. We met up with my forever friends (the best kind of friends), Lauren and John. You may remember them from my last trip to DC. It's kind of a halfway point between us. Lauren and I have been best friends since 6th grade. John and I have been friends since 2nd grade. Years later, they married:)




At least I wore flats. I actually did remember to bring wrinkle spray, but completely gave up on the idea when we got there. I just wanted to run to the nearest spot with central air. About the bracelet: it's a beautiful leaf bracelet, and arrived with the leaves pressed together a little bit (to prevent breakage, I'm sure). I think you're supposed to spread them out, but I kind of liked them overlapped. Next time, maybe I'll shape them in a different way.

Last time we met in DC, we went to the zoo. This time, we went to the Smithsonian American Art Museum. I love our little halfway meetups! I miss the two of them so, so much. Tell me, are you still close with many of your childhood friends, or are most of your friends newer? Most of my friends are people I've been friends with for a lonnnng time, but I do have some newer friends (mostly through blogging!)

Outfit Details:
You Were Mint For Me dress - courtesy of ModCloth
50s cardigan with crochet details - a gift from my mom
pink belt - thrifted in Cape Cod
Twinkle Toes T-strap Flat - courtesy of ModCloth
Everlasting leaf and branch bracelet - courtesy of Kellyssima
Carpenter Bee Bag - courtesy of Spotted Moth

Love love,
Keiko Lynn

p.s. For one week only, Kellyssima (the maker of my leaf bracelet) is offering a 30% discount for purchases over $20 to my readers! Mention KEIKO when you check out and she'll send a refund via PayPal. Discount does not apply to shipping costs and to items on sale.

What makes love true

Outfit Details:
Joie silk blouse - c/o Joie
lace skirt - c/o Spotted Moth
belt - thrifted
shoes - Beacon's Closetvintage bag - Hourglass Consignment
twist key necklace - c/o Tiffany & Co., in celebration of their microsite, What Makes Love True

Bobby is wearing: Urban Outfitters hat and Benjamin shirt by Fischer

There is no authority on love. Love is such an intimate notion and to be in love is beyond description. Or, at least, it is for me. I've been in love a handful of times - truly - and I'll never discredit those that didn't last. Once you're in love, it's difficult to admit to yourself that you can ever fall out of it. It's right and then...it's just wrong. From the four year relationship that ran its course to the whirlwind romance that crashed and burned, I've become the person I am today - and I've learned when to love and when to let go. That is never lost on me.

When Tiffany & Co. sent me this beautiful necklace with the thought provoking question, "What makes love true?" I immediately thought, "Love is whatever you make of it." That might sound like a cop out, and maybe it is. But each time I fell in love, it felt completely different. That doesn't make it any less real. What makes love true and long-lasting is all in how you maintain it, and that requires balance and resilience. And if you're dating me, patience - lots of patience.

I'm a fiery person. I can be tempestuous and lose my temper rather quickly, and I'm extremely stubborn. I need someone who balances me out and keeps me grounded, yet lets me express myself. He needs to accept that I'm going to get riled up every now and then, but not let me get out of control. And maybe bring me back down to earth with a soothing voice and some breathing exercises, if necessary (I'm only kind of joking). More than anything, I need someone who will stick around when things get tough, and I need to want to stick around, too...and be the voice of reason when he needs it.  People don't often tell you how much maintenance a relationship requires, but know this: there will be rough patches. You need to know when to pick yourselves up and dust each other off and when to let go - and grudges are out of the question. Bobby and I have had our rough patches in the past, but after eight years of friendship and three years of living together, we know how to handle what comes our way. Despite all of my faults, he never gave up on me. And just so you know (because I'm painting myself to be a crazy person with a perfect counterpart), he has his [very minor] faults, too. The goshdarn boy can't seem to go one day without accidentally throwing away something really important.


Oh, and one other thing that makes love true? Mutual adoration for my animals. Obviously!

To see more thoughts on what makes love true from fellow bloggers, check out the slideshow on stylelist.

Alta Cucina

Knowing that Bobby likes to cook and I like to eat, a friend of mine invited us to attend a cooking class at Alta Cucina, as guests of Rue La La. The cooking class was offered as a part of their local picks, which hosts exclusive events for their members.

Our group was taught by Vito Polosa, owner and chef of Aroma

. He took us through the menu step by step and we created a nice little meal, together as a group. Apparently we messed up the cake but it still tasted pretty good. I started to get a little impatient throughout the course, because 1) I was starving and 2) I'm not really into cooking. But even though I plan on leaving the cooking to Bobby from now on, it was a really fun night and we enjoyed ourselves. Since I make Bobby go to the occasional fashion/beauty related event, it was nice to be at something more in his realm.


p.s. True story: When we were driving home, we saw that there wasn't a line at Shake Shack in Madison Square Park. After a full meal, Bobby stopped the car and got Shake Shack. If you know the usual line at Shake Shack, you probably understand the reasoning behind this. I definitely had some cheese fries. It was necessary!

MYNY

I'm super excited about my most recent collaboration, with Coach and their MYNY Poppy campaign. This officially made me realize I'm a New Yorker. I'll always be a Floridian, but I've been living here for more than three years! This feels like home, now more than ever.

I picked the Tyler Moto Jacket because I have been on the hunt for the perfect motorcycle jacket for over a year. Kismet! It's super soft and fits beautifully - and it has a teal lining. I love that I can push the sleeves up, zip it up or wear it open. Naturally, I paired it with an overtly feminine skirt and bows. As much as I want to think I can be Joan Jett, even in a leather jacket I am still a girly girl. But hey, if I can't be Joan, I'm up for playing her love interest in any future videos. Joan, what do you think? Do I have a shot?

Check MYNY to see more photos, interviews and all of the new Poppy products! You can also check it out directly by going to Coach.com, clicking on the "New at Coach" tab and selecting MYNY.

Outfit Details:
Tyler Moto Jacket - courtesy of Coach
sash and skirt - I made them, Postlapsaria
thrifted bustier
glasses - Bobby's
shoes - Nine West
my favorite bag (wahhh this was before one of my kitties scratched it up) - courtesy of Coach

Makeup Notes:
My lipstick is Pink Poodle by MAC, blotted. MAC Petticoat on cheeks. Nails are a combination of Minx and Essie polish (I can't remember the name).

Love love,
Keiko Lynn