Spring "It" Bag

February 27, 2015
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With each new season comes new trends in clothing, accessories and even colors.  This spring the most talked about purse is definitely the bucket bag! While it is not a new shape, it is definitely having its moment in the spot light.  The versatile bucket bag can be dressed up or down and has room for all of your essentials. For those that don't want quite as large of a purse check out this one and this one.  Spring 2015 is updating the bucket bag with fun spring colors, including periwinkle (my favorite color for this spring)!  My favorite can be worn on the shoulder or as a crossbody.  For those of you that are close to OKC Bow and & Arrow Boutique has a great bucket bag in 4 pretty colors for a great price!!

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Kara Krittenbrink
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Snow Days with Kate Spade

February 25, 2015
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The lighting wasn't the best, but I could not resist taking a few pics in the snow on Monday.  I scored this Kate Spade Coat during the latest 75% off flash sale.  I've been eyeing it since it came out in the fall but just couldn't pay the full price. It definitely paid off to wait on this purchase! It is now unavailable on Kate Spade's site but I found it on other sites but for full price. 

It made the perfect fashionable topper for my snow day outfit.  I added several comfy layers to keep myself toasty but it was still so windy I kept shielding my face from the snow! I love the embellished sweatshirts that have come out the last few years.  I turn to them when I need to be comfortable but still want something cute. The one I'm wearing is from last year.   I love the cutouts it has along the neckline. I also love this, this and this!

SHOP THE LOOK
Kate Spade Dorothy Dot Coat (another great option) 
JCrew Pixie Pants (20% off for a limited time) -  JCrew Sweatshirt, Old (I have this one too)  
Gap Striped Tshirt, Old (similar here) - Sorel Tolfino Boots (similar here & here)  
Headband, Old (similar here & here) - Ray Ban Sunglasses - Lipstick (last seen here)
Kara Krittenbrink
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Baby Shower

February 23, 2015
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Drink Station

Make your own Parfait Bar




The most adorable animal cookies from Gingersnaps

 






Mom-to-be and I


The Hostesses and Mom-to-be

Hostess gift from the Mom-to-be

   I have hosted my fair share of showers, both wedding and baby.  I love celebrating the new milestones in my friends' lives!  I recently helped throw a baby shower for one of my closest friends.  She will be having a baby boy soon and I CANNOT wait to meet him! 
The baby shower was a rustic zoo theme with lots of soft colors and animals.  I hosted with three of my friends and the Mom-to-be's sisters.  A friend and I were in charge of food and we put together a yummy brunch menu that seemed to please both the guest of honor and the guests.  I have some very talented friends that arranged the flowers and did the adorable decor.  My favorite thing were the small animal figurines spray painted gold!

My experience has taught me that there are a few key things to help make a shower a stress free success:
  • Pick a theme-  When you know what direction you are going in, all other decisions are easier.
  • Divide and conquer- Dividing the responsibilities among the hostesses gives each person something to concentrate on and keeps the process from overwhelming any one person.
  • Keep the food simple- overcomplicated food is time consuming and not worth the payout.
  • Host in a home - When possible host the shower at a home.  The atmosphere a home creates is always more inviting than anywhere you can host. 
  • HAVE FUN!!- you are celebrating someone you love, keep that in mind and everything else will come together. 

OUTFIT
Anthropologie Skirt - Anthropologie Shirt (no longer available) 



Kara Krittenbrink
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Beauty Rx: Bare Escentuals Foundation

February 20, 2015
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Bare Escentuals Original Mineral Foundation has been part of my daily makeup routine for 9 years.  With my fair complexion I have always had a difficult time finding the right color of foundation.  Many brands only have one color that is for fair skin and it doesn’t take into account whether you have cool or warm tones. The mineral foundation not only has a wide variety of colors but it actually improves your skin.



A few months ago Bare Escentuals premiered their Bareskin Pure Brightening Serum Foundation.  I was immediately intrigued by a liquid foundation made by Bare Escentuals.  My skin can be on the dry side so I thought a liquid might be more moisturizing.  I have been using it for several moments and noticed my skin feels more hydrated and brighter.  It does not clog your pores and the serum aspect of the foundation improves your skin.  My skin looks better and healthier even when I don’t have makeup on.
 The application brush has a well in the bristles to hold the liquid.  I recommend using short stippling motions when applying so the product is blended well.  As with all Bare Escentuals products, the color is very buildable and feels weightless.  The foundation allows your skin to show thru which creates a very natural look. 
Kara Krittenbrink
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Fashion Transition: Winter to Spring

February 18, 2015
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It's the time of year that each day feels like a different season.  Saturday was beautiful and in the 70's and by the end of Sunday we had snow and ice.  Dressing for this time can be a bit challenging, my strategy is to dress in light layers.  After finally getting my hands on a blanket scarf, I have reached for it time and time again.  It is super soft and versatile. Last week I paired it with some hunter green Minnie pants and a Boyfriend Cardigan.  On the colder days, I just have to add a heavy coat and I'm out the door.
 
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Blanket Scarf (similar here & here) - JCrew Minnie Pants - JCrew Boyfriend Cardigan
Gianni Bini Pumps - Tory Burch Thea - Kate Spade Bow Sunglasses
Marvelous Moxie Lipstick in Speak Your Mind
Kara Krittenbrink
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Pretty in Pink Dinner

February 16, 2015
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Flowers have been bought, chocolates have been eaten and the glitter has been cleaned up, Valentine's Day is officially over!  Before I start thinking about the next holiday, I wanted to share the table décor from the Galentine's Dinner I hosted with my roommate, Taylor!
 
 I have to give her the credit for the table décor, she found the inspiration and put most of it together.  The table cloth and table runners are the showstoppers.  The glittery pink fabric is such a fun item and a easy to use because it doesn't need a hem.  Taylor's mom made us the table runners.  I added plates from Hobby Lobby to mix in another print.  Flowers and heart confetti finished off the festive look! 

I hope your Valentine's day was fun and filled with love!
Kara Krittenbrink
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Valentine's Cookies

February 13, 2015
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 There is something about homemade baked goods that just speaks to me.  When you receive them you know someone has taken time to make something special just for you. It also doesn't hurt that they taste about 100x better than store bought.  I came across this recipe for heart cookies and loved the idea of elevating a simple sugar cookie.
 I made the basic dough in the recipe. It is a simple chewy cookie dough. 

  I took a third of the dough and added red food coloring.  It takes a bit of time to work in the food coloring.  If you are wondering if your hands will look crazy and red afterwards, the answer is yes!!
  I chilled the dough before cutting it out and chilled it again (for about 30 minutes) once I stacked the heart cut outs together.

 I found the best way to add the dough around the hearts was to make little dough snakes and wrap them around.  Then I once again chilled the dough, this time for a few hours.

 Using a sharp knife I cut out the cookies and baked them!!! Voila! 

 They are pretty cute just as they are!  I was taking these to a friends' house so I put them on a cute plate.  They would also be cute in a clear bag tied with a pink or red bow.

Changing up the colors and cookie cutters I use, this recipe can be modified to work for any holiday!


Kara Krittenbrink
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Taste of Spring

February 11, 2015
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The weather the past few days has been absolutely beautiful.  This taste of 60 degrees has me dreaming of Spring.  I can't wait to get my floral prints, sun dresses and sandals out!  I recently picked up this floral top from Anthropologie (on sale) to add a bit of spring to my wardrobe.  It is a great transition piece for this time of year. 




Working in a business setting, I have a collection of dress pants. These drapey crepe pants from JCrew are one of my favorites.  The ankle length allows me to wear both flats and heels with them and the best part is that they feel like sweatpants!  I'm wearing last year's version but the current ones look equally amazing and come in great colors. I'm thinking about adding the blue or copper to my work wardrobe. 

SHOP THE LOOK
Anthropologie Floral Top - JCrew Crepe Pants (old) New Version - Gianna Bini Pumps 
 Tory Burch Triple Zip Satchel - Kendra Scott Ring - Stell and Dot Earrings
Bare Escentuals Moxie Lipstick in Call the Shots

Special thanks to my friend Kiffany for taking the pictures!
Kara Krittenbrink
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2015 Grammy Awards

February 09, 2015
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Awards shows are a fashion lovers dream. The gowns, the jewels, the glamour... what's not to love?  While most of us will never have the opportunity to wear a designer dress, the red carpet is a great place to find inspiration for our own wardrobe.  A few of my favorite looks and trends are below. 
 
 
This entire look is incredible! The Grammy Red Carpet is known for outrageous and ostentatious looks but Miranda Lambert went the other direction.  The deep plunging neckline was so common last night that Miranda's subtle sweetheart neckline was a fresh change of pace.  She was the perfect example of how a great pop of color can change a classic look to something more current. 
 
 
Gwen Stefani and Anna Kendrick remind us that a dress isn't the only way to look sexy and glamorous. A perfectly tailored pair of pants paired with a subtly sexy top is a perfect date night look.   Keep the shoes black and pointed to create a lean long body line.
  
 
In a sea of black and white gowns, Taylor Swift's jewel tone dress stood out. This is by far my favorite look of the night and probably my favorite look from all of awards season.  The best part of this look is the color combination.  Instead of keeping her shoes neutral, picking a strong color like magenta adds a great contrast and makes her outfit pop even more.  I will be looking to recreate this color combination in an outfit this spring.  
 
Who was your best dressed last night?
 
Kara Krittenbrink
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Valentine's Decor

February 06, 2015
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Next week one of my roommates and I are hosting Galentine's dinner with some of our closest friends.  We both love decorating for any holiday (give us a theme and we will run with it) so we have taken this opportunity to have fun with the Valentine's decor in our home.  The goal is to stay away from cheesy and head in a fun but more grown up look. 


I have an interesting nook in my living room that has always been an issue decorating wise.  The twine and mini clothes pins were originally used to display Christmas cards. Instead of taking it down it was used as a way to add some more Valentine's spirit to the room.  I have to thank my roommate for meticulously cutting out all of the hearts and clipping them up! 


 
 
 
Wooden letters, modge podge, glitter, paint and some painter's tape are the only things needed for the XO. I will use any excuse to add some glitter to my life!
 
 
Paper Source is one of my go to stores for holiday decorations, I picked up  a wreath and a banner for the mantle.  
 

The L-O-V-E letters were made from cardboard letters wrapped in yarn.  It's an easy but time consuming project. I recommend having a good movie to watch while working on it.


I will be sharing the tablescape décor later next week!
 

Kara Krittenbrink
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