she was an american girl

Outfit Details:
boxy tote - c/o Foley + Corinna
blazer - c/o Elie Tahari
plaid button up - Beacon's Closet
jeans - Tory Burch
sunglasses - Ray-Ban Wayfarers
Seychelles Clue booties - c/o Seychelles
bracelets - Forever 21
stacked rings - Forever 21 gold rhinestone ring - street vendor
Sea of Bees bear ring - c/o Emerging Thoughts

I've had this song stuck in my head all week.

Kim got in late last night, so we're off to spend the day being really awesome or really lame, depending on the unfolding of events. Probably somewhere in between the two: really lame in everyone else's mind but living for awesome in ours. I'm excited to have Kimberly back in town!
=

tiny creatures

Outfit #1 Details:
Ali Ro Anorak - gift from the Ali Ro shoot
blouse - Threadsence
skirt - Forever 21bag - c/o CoachMother of Pearl heels - c/o Seychellesglasses - Ray-Ban

Outfit #2 Details:
Ali Ro Anorak - gift from the Ali Ro shoot
shirt - Forever 21jeans - c/o Tory BurchAcorn trinket flats - c/o Anthropologie vintage scarf - gift from my mom (tutorial hereRachel Roy Japan Tote (all net proceeds go to Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief)

This anorak was a parting gift from our Ali Ro shoot - each of us picked out our favorite color. Even though it was too hot to wear it at first, it has since saved me from all of the rainy weather we've been experiencing. It also made for a great airport outfit topper, which is where I was headed in the second set of pictures (and also why little niece Roxy Mae was hanging onto me). What I should have documented was the hidden hood inside of the collar - which has come in handy more than a few times - but I often get distracted by tiny, adorable creatures and can't seem to resist the urge to pick them up:

Vampire Weekend

Airport Outfit #2 Details:
vintage scarf (tutorial here - gift from my momRay-Ban Wayfarers - c/o LensCrafters
button up - H&M
striped shirt (50% off right now!) - c/o Fischer
shorts - H&M
belt - thrifted
ballet flats - c/o Tory Burch

Kim: "You look like you should be listening to...what's that band called?"
Me: "Vampire Weekend?"
Kim: "Yes."

If the shoe fits, wear it. Own it!

I'm a mess.

Yesterday's outfit was a happy accident. I actually planned on wearing a completely different outfit (I'm now saving it for the weekend). I had this newly thrifted and laundered dress, shoes and bag laid out, which I almost never do. I was so proud of myself for planning an outfit in advance. Naturally, because I'm such a mess, everything went awry when I ended up running super late. I couldn't find the right belt; I forgot to lay out that one key piece. I quickly threw this outfit on - most of which was conveniently laying in packages by my door. I showered, got dressed and did my makeup in record time - under fifteen minutes! Let's just go with ten, because it sounds more impressive.  While we're at it, let's reward my poor planning skills. Yay, me!

I've said it before and I'll say it again: I'm a lucky gal. My budget is so tight, I have little wiggle room for shopping. I put all of my money toward bills, debt, and more vet bills. I just get resourceful - I alter old clothes and make them new again, borrow from my friends' closets and make stuff from scratch. But on top of all that, I get amazing gifts from friends, family and companies who like my blog. I never forget that this is largely because of my amazing readers; you all have kept my blog going. This week was extra special, because I got an influx of new things and decided to wear them all at once...oops. Let me tell you about a few of my new goodies:

The jeans: I was invited to Tory Burch's boutique to style a look for her newly launched denim line. In return, I received this great pair of jeans! Please ignore my very temporary hem; I promise to give it a proper one. I was hesitant and only hemmed it a teeny tiny bit, but it needs more. These are the first pair of jeans I have ever gotten that needed to be hemmed. I usually have the opposite problem! I wear a 34" inseam - these are a 35. I applaud them for making jeans with a longer inseam, and for making these roomy enough for the behind. I hate when jeans flatten my bum.

The necklace: Lori Goldstein sent me this great necklace and I liked that it almost looked like a part of my shirt. Into the outfit it went! I'm trying to accessorize more. This is a tiny step, but today I went all out! I found my jewelry box - tucked in the back of a high shelf, which should tell you something - and decided I need to wear my jewelry more often.

The shoes: Oh, these shoes. Solestruck, one of my previous sponsors, sent me these amazing new shoes from Senso. I'm in love. I walked a little like Bambi at first, but I am going to wear these to death. They're actually pretty comfortable, but I'm still going to carry my flats in my bag for emergencies;)

Outfit Details:
sheer jacket thingy: Beacon's? Thrifted? I can't remember. I rolled and stitched the sleeves
vintage sequin blouse: Beacon's Closet
Coach Cambridge bag (still kitty scratched, but I love it anyway): courtesy of Coach
Super Skinny Saturated Jean - courtesy of Tory Burch
Crystal Swirl Necklace in Smoke - courtesy of LOGO by Lori Goldstein
Senso Tina shoes - courtesy of Solestruck

Love love,
Keiko Lynn

Homeward Bound

Outfit Details:
french terry open duster - courtesy of Lilla P
button down top - thrifted
doily skirt (last seen here)- courtesy of Spotted Moth
belt - thrifted
tights - courtesy of HUE
Seychelles Hawk wedges (last seen here) - Gilt
Robinson tote - courtesy of Tory Burch

Miku's results came back all clear, and she is feeling much better! I am beyond relieved. Thank you all so much for all of the support and concern about my furry little gal - I appreciate it so much. We're getting ready to leave for a trip to Florida and I'm not finished packing, so I'll have to keep this short. Miku is extremely fond of car rides, and it's about time she gets out to stretch her little legs on property other than a sidewalk or a dog park. We're excited!

Fat Cat and Mary Poppins

Outfit Details:
Robinson Tote - gift from Tory Burch
sweater - thrifted
lace collar shirt (I always wear this, I know!) - H&M
tights - DKNY
Garren platforms - gift from Blowfish shoes (these are so comfy)
scalloped hem skirt - H&M
fat cat - Vester

This picture of Vester makes him look so fat. Don't get me wrong, he's pretty large and in charge, but he's less of a butterball and more of an all around massive cat. I think he's part lion, or maybe bear. He kept trying to get in the picture, by way of snagging my tights and skirt, so I had to pick him up. In retrospect, I should've know right then and there that Miku wasn't feeling well (these were from Friday, the day I took her to the emergency vet), because the past two days she didn't even try to get in the pictures - she just slept right through them. Luckily, she seems to be feeling much better already. I have been feeding her boiled chicken and rice and will slowly start introducing normal food in the morning. We're still waiting on test results, which were supposed to be ready yesterday - but at the very least, I'm just happy that little Miku is feeling better.

I'm a little bit in love with this new Robinson Tote that was sent to me by the Tory Burch team; it's like a Mary Poppins bag that fits your whole life. It fits my laptop and camera, which has eliminated the need to carry around several bags when the job calls for it, but I haven't tried putting a lamp inside...yet. I'll let you know how that goes.

Though this weekend left me in a blur, I promise I will be posting Makeup Monday. I just have to actually photograph it, first. Give me some time to pick up some stuff from the pet store, finish this dress, and do a quick makeup look - and I will have something new for you!

p.s. My cat wasn't the one who was sick - I was talking about Miku, my puppy! Sorry for the confusion.

Gift Guide Feature: Tory Burch

I happen to absolutely adore buying gifts for my loved ones, so I'm getting really excited for the holidays! I have been getting ideas from all over the web but I won't be posting their actual gifts, since most of my friends and family read my blog. However, Kim and I had so much fun window shopping and picking out our own favorite items - we might put together some little gift guides for the holidays in the coming weeks!

The team at Tory Burch asked a select group of bloggers to choose their favorite gift items - and since they have been very kind to me in the past, I happily obliged. Here are my holiday picks, all from Tory Burch - along with the people I had in mind to receive them (in a world where I have unlimited funds):

1) For Miss Kimberly, whom you all probably know by now: Inga wedges (with a little bit of sparkle to match her personality)
2) For my sisters Nicole and Amanda, who are a little less girlie girl and a little more earthy-chic: Dean Oversized Hobo bag
3) For my princess pup, Miku: a fancy Kody collar
4) For my friend Lauren, a true Floridian who will be toughing out the winter in Virginia: a cozy pair of Leather Knit Gloves


That was fun - but now Miku is insisting that I get her a pretty collar for Christmas. For decorative purposes only, of course. You should see how much I strap her in for her walks, ever since that scare!

walk with your feet straight

Outfit Details:
lace top - courtesy of DKNY (from the gift card I won!)studded belt - from my mom's shop, Hourglass Consignmentsparkly tutu skirt - Urban Outfitterstights - HUEEddie Metallic Ballet Flat - courtesy of Tory Burchivory infinity scarf - I think I stole this from my sistercoat - courtesy of Club Monaco, from one of their parties (best party favor ever)

Makeup Notes: Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer in Porcelain, e.l.f. blush, MAC blacktrack fluidline, Laura Mercier lip stain in Hibiscus


When I was a baby, cute little shoesies were not an option. Since I was born severely pigeon toed, I had to wear corrective shoes with a bar between them, which turned my feet outward. Here's a visual of something similar. I then graduated to the child version of orthopedic shoes, which added insult to my single mom's injury with their hefty price tag. I consider my collection of ridiculously high heels a form of reparation for the years worth of ugly corrective shoes. Of course, that's idiotic and detrimental to my weak ankles, and my mom is probably horrified at my lack of care for my sad little feeties.

Lately, I've been trying to tweak my habits. I'm not giving up heels - never ever, but I always carry extra flats to change into for walks around the city, and I save the high heels for cab rides (or change into them closer to the venue). I'm rediscovering my favorite flat boots and have been exploring the world of comfortable ballet flats and oxfords.

My feet are thanking me - and I'll admit that I'm smitten with many of my flats. But weak ankles aside, I'm pigeon toed with or without comfy shoes. And you know what? I still prefer my heels.

A Little Bit Country

Outfit Details:
shirt - Bobby's
lace camisole underneath - thrifted
jeans - courtesy of Tory Burch
vintage america boots - courtesy of Nine West

I'm usually not a practical person. You can't claim practicality when you wear four and five inch heels to walk around the city, even in snow. Practical I am not - but I'm not fussy, either. Give me a piece of land to explore and I can entertain myself for hours.

On the surface, I might seem high maintenance or maybe even prissy with my little dresses and heels, always made up. Though I admit I like to dress up and look nice - and I feel there is nothing wrong with that - I'm actually rather low maintenance. I can count on one hand the number of times I've had my nails done. I've literally had one pedicure in my whole life, much to my mom's chagrin. I cut my own bangs and have my hair done once or twice a year (which is why it is up so much). I've never even been to a spa, though I'm sure it's heaven. It's just makeup and clothes. Other than that, I'm actually the type of girl who is more comfortable outside, jumping on a bareback horse and swimming in the pond. I like to splash in puddles and tread through mud, explore the orange groves for creatures and rescue snakes from being run over (or shot by the neighbor). I'm always covered in bug bites and bruises and often put myself in mild danger in the name of adventure.

I've often said that two things saved my life: my horses and Tessa. Tessa didn't come until I was in sixth grade, but my horses were there since I was four. Without them, I don't know if I would have made it through my childhood, let alone what kind of person I would turn out to be. Growing up with horses, being raised in a ranch environment (though we didn't own that one) with endless adventures - all of that stays with you, and there's no amount of material possessions that can ever compare. There's something magical and freeing about the great outdoors, especially when you get to share it with such magnificent creatures.

I love this city and the opportunities that come with it. I love being in a liberal-minded environment, having everything within arm's reach. I am this strange, conflicting combination of a city girl and a country bumpkin, nothing in between. I just wish I could plop down a little piece of land in the middle of it all, with my horses and a little house with a wrap-around porch. Though I'm lucky that I'm able to travel back and forth so often, it would be nice if the distance was shorter. One day...