All To All

The other day, a group of us went to lunch at Ippudo, since our friend Lucrecia was paying NYC a short visit. It was a bit of an inadvertent blogger lunch, with Lucrecia from Fashion Is Poison, her beau Jack, Joelle from The Owls Are Not What They Seem, Jason from Citizen Couture and Mimi from Brook&Lyn. It was my first time meeting Jack, Jason and Mimi, but we immediately had a great group dynamic - you wouldn't have known we weren't completely familiar with one another. I guess it helps when you already know each other's blogs:) Joelle was still recovering from food poisoning and I was unaware of this secret vegetarian ramen option (I got the noodle salad), but we still had a great time. Naturally, being so close to Momofuku Milk Bar, we had to make a stop for cookies and soft serve. Magic.

So, you all know that I'm the worst blogger ever and I forget to bring my camera most of the time. This was no different. I wasn't thinking like a blogger - I just wanted to catch up with my friends and meet some new ones. But luckily, we had a very talented street style photographer (Jason) on hand. Hopefully he'll put some photos up soon!

Outfit Details:
dress (modified Clara, I just made one for myself) - Postlapsaria
shoes - Jeffrey Campbell (see more outfits with these shoes here)
Baby Ruche bag in blush - courtesy of Jenny N. Design (see other ways I wore it here)

Makeup notes: MAC Pink Plaid lipstick, MAC blacktrack fluidline on eyes, MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Petticoat on cheeks

Outfit note: I have quite a bit of leg before risking anything showing (I have an extremely short torso and long legs/thighs) - but when wearing short skirts and dresses, I wear matching hotpants underneath. That way, I don't have to worry about flashing anyone while walking up the stairs, or when a gust of wind comes by.


Love love,
Keiko Lynn

p.s. "All To All" has nothing to do with this post, but it has been in heavy rotation ever since the newest Broken Social Scene album came out. It's my summer song! You can give it a listen here.

In the Flowers

I often see these strips of flowers in the garment district, and I always spend a few minutes debating on whether or not to pick some up. I inevitably leave without them, because anything that involves an exorbitant amount of hand sewing makes me want to gouge my eyes out, and I rather need these eyes of mine. One day I will find the ambition to do something a little more extravagant, but in the meantime I like the simplicity of one little flower on the shoulder of a t-shirt. Best of all, I didn't have to make it.

p.s. Completely off topic, but I'm really excited about True Blood tonight!! Anyone else?

Outfit Details:
deadstock vintage skirt: thrifted
Whimsical tee: courtesy of Shop Mamie
Baby Ruche Bag in Blush: courtesy of Jenny N Design
shoes: dots
sunburn: courtesy of Renegade Craft Fair

Love Love,
Keiko Lynn

You are the best thing.

Outfit Details:

handmade dress - Postlapsaria

heels - Nine West

belt - thrifted

handmade baby ruche bag - courtesy of Jenny N. Design

There's so much more to life than fashion and beauty - but it's the pretty packaging that makes life's shortcomings a little more bearable. When I allow myself to laze around, drawn and weary in last night's pajamas, everything feels so heavy. A shower, nice outfit and a little bit of makeup is a physical pick-me-up that in turn directly affects my mood. I'm the first to admit that a great deal of narcissism and self-indulgence goes into maintaining a personal style blog. I could just as easily snap dressform photographs of my daily outfits, but instead I choose to wear them and model them in my own environment. It's an extra dose of that same pick-me-up I mentioned before - and unlike a glimpse in the mirror, I'm able to choose exactly which representation to put on display (let's just be honest about that).

I guess my blog has become mostly about style, but I want to maintain the personal aspect as well. Whether or not the smoke and mirrors enhance my own mood, there is still so much more beneath the surface and behind the scenes: my friends and family, love and laughter. Heartache, anecdotes and random musings. I enjoy sharing little pieces of my life with you, and receiving your own stories (and pictures!) in return.

Reading your comments and feedback (whether full of praise or criticism) is encouraging; it gives me a sense of relevance even on the most humdrum of days. I don't always have time to respond to every single comment, since I still maintain a full time career of being an old lady who is attached to her sewing machine. However, I want you all to know how much your presence (and readership) is appreciated. The support I receive on a daily basis is nothing short of incredible. This blog would just be a personal diary, if not for my audience. That is never lost on me.

Love love and forever gratitude,

Keiko Lynn

Little Bunny - ModCloth Spring Fever Blogger Challenge Week 2

It's week two of the ModCloth Spring Fever Blogger Challenge! This week, we were asked to style the Na Na Nineties Dress. As soon as it arrived, I knew I wanted to wear it for Easter at my grandma's house, with my new Jenny N. Design baby ruche bag. I missed the initial egg hunt (due to my horse and pony shenanigans), but Tessa joined me for an indulged my inner child and joined me for a second round. We spent the rest of the night dyeing glittery eggs:)

Check out the ModLife blog to see how each of us styled the dress. Please let us know whose style is your favorite by voting for your favorite look!

Outfit Details:

Na Na Nineties Dress - courtesy of ModCloth
Baby Ruche bag in blush - courtesy of Jenny N. Design
Shoes - Jeffrey Campbell
Blazer - H&M
Tessa's headband around my wrist:)

Love love and pretty pastels,
Keiko Lynn