What Spring Is All About

Posted on April 5, 2015 by karissaestrada

Happy Easter!

Pastels are on trend more than ever right now. I’ve haven’t entirely let go of pastels so when they eventually come back around, I’m fully prepared. I’ve stocked up over the years so I have plenty of light pink and baby blue to spare. I’ve preached my love for the light wash combo of colors time and time again. We all know that if I could paint my own world it would be in pastels, obviously. When I saw this brushstroke top online, my heart skipped a beat. It was made for me. I know I’ll be rocking this top all spring and summer long. I hope more stores embrace this brushstroke/painter vibe because it has “Karissa” written all over it. I dive into all sorts of fashion adventures but after awhile I get bored and move on. I move my gently loved clothing to the back of my closet to only find myself reaching for it months or even years later when they come back alive in the fashion world. Not with pastels. Nope. Never. I keep these babies in the front row. Everyone has a color or a collections of colors that they love to buy and feel good in. Mine are pastels. I’ll tell ya, I sometimes feel prettier in pastels than I do in a ball gown. Their just my thing and I love it. LOVE IT.

For those that aren’t really involved or haven’t emerged themselves into fashion, maybe it’s just because you haven’t fallen for or allowed yourself to fall for your color or your trend. Wanna know how to find the best trend that works for you? You have to try them all out. DUH. Trial and error ladies. It takes stepping out of your comfort zone and emerging yourself into trends that come and go. Start with a top or an accessory. Then once your feel some sort of connection, you move to pants. It may take time to find your “thing” or your place in the world but you’ll get there. You won’t get there by going to same old clothing stores or searching the same old online shops. Try searching something different and starting new.

That’s what spring is all about.

With Love,

©Karissa Marie

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Instagram Karissa VS The Real Karissa

Posted on March 30, 2015 by karissaestrada

I keep on forgetting to mention that I reached 10K on Instagram the other day. I’m shocked I haven’t blurted out those words yet to anyone. The reality is, I find reaching 10K pretty cool but I’m so relieved that I don’t let the number of subscribers or followers on any of my social media handles consume me. I don’t stay awake at night counting the number of likes on post or waiting for the next follower to discover me. No. It’s not like that at all. I’ve always been visual and loved taking pictures. When I look back, I’ve always been somewhat good at social media. I remember back in the good ole MySpace days, I was always being told how much people loved my page set-up and my photos which are now called “selfies.” I guess you can say that I have a raw talent for the internet. It’s so silly when I hear myself say it out loud. Social media has been an incredible platform for my blog. I’m able to reach so many of you on a more personal level. Because of Instagram, I can express my creativity more freely and I’ve been able to drive business from it. Best of both worlds. I’m still waiting for the day I get noticed and someone important sends me off to travel the world, wearing cute designer clothes and taking pictures for Instagram. (Ya right Karissa.) But really, that’s happened to a few of my Fashion Blogger icons. Sincerely Jules, one of my first blogger inspirations, was just doing her own thing on her blog and one day it became an empire. She lives in L.A. for the most part but she’s constantly traveling the world and living it up. Because of her blog success she is now a designer. Like seriously? That’s just one of many fashion blog success stories that I wanted to share. I don’t know if I will ever make it that big. I wouldn’t mind it at all but honestly, I won’t beat myself up if I don’t. I think that is the biggest misconception about me, that all I want is internet fame. Nope, ew, no thank you. I’ve gotten over 10,000 followers on Instagram simply by BEING MYSELF. I think that’s something to be proud of for sure but I won’t let any amount of followers get to my head or more importantly, to my heart. I have a lot of people who look to me for fashion inspiration and trust me, I feel the pressure of it all. Last Saturday I was approached by not one but THREE of my blog subscribers. THREE! Strangers that I had never seen before came up to me saying “Are you Karissa Marie?”

Wuw. What is life right now? I had no idea I was capable of impacting so many of you. It’s an honor to be recognized for the things that I do and for the person that I am. But if I’m being completely honest: I don’t feel appreciated outside of the internet world. I’ve bent over backwards, shown all sorts of my creativity and my kindness and my willingness to GROW to all kinds of people and even though, yes, I do get praised for it, praise is NOT what I’m looking for. I’m looking for a career people. I’m looking for my dream job or at least a step in that direction. I don’t know if it’s just Denver or if it’s just me but I don’t feel appreciated here. My lease to my apartment is up in 3 months and I could not be more excited to pack my bags and hopefully go somewhere where my talent can make an impact and a difference. Somewhere I can throw myself into projects and be surrounded by like-minded people. I really think my age has something to do with the fact that I haven’t gotten a decent job here in Denver. But that’s SO NOT FAIR. I have a lot to give. I just need a chance and an opportunity to prove myself.

YOU CAN’T FAKE CREATIVITY.

So here I am, in the same position I was in last year and the year before: Lost. I’ve been lost for a few years now and I’ve reached the point where I question if I always will be lost. Will my brain be stuck in a state of limbo for the rest of my life? I’ve been “stuck” forever now. The only thing difference is that I have a few more followers. I’m ready for a better, more positive outlook on my life. I ready for better, more uplifting friendships. I’m ready for a better job but more importantly a better self.

I just felt like being honest today. I felt like typing up all my feelings and posting it on my page because it will make me feel better for just a few minutes before I go back to my life of disappointment. My biggest fear is making a living out of something that doesn’t truly make me happy. I want to make a living doing spiritually, emotionally, and mentally fulfilling work.

I fear a job that squashes my creative juices into oblivion.

I need a sign. Any sign that says I am here on this planet for a reason. A literal sign that points in the direction that I should go would be helpful as well because I have no clue what life has in store for me. I don’t even have the slightest hint.

So thank you, 10,oo0 + followers, THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for believing in me but I think my biggest accomplishment will be whether or not I can believe in myself.

With love,

Karissa Marie

Top. Skirt. Fedora.

Girls Night Out

Posted on March 28, 2015 by karissaestrada

Hello There Friends!

This is the first of many posts featuring some fabulous clothing items from Tobi.com. Today’s post is all about this “Bound To You” wrap style top. I wanted to style this top in a very “Girls Night Out” kind of way while still keeping it casual by adding some slouchy faux-leather bottoms. The cut-outs in this top reveal just enough without being too overboard. Not for one second did I feel insecure just because of the placements of the small but statement cutouts. I’m not one to show a lot of skin but I thought this top was appropriate enough for a fun girls night out on the town. I love this monochromatic trend that’s happening right now. I also really love it with a pop of red lip and a gold accessory because I just can’t live without color on a Friday night. Tobi.com is a great place for on-trend simple clothing. I really think a lot of my girlfriends from back home will adore this site. IF YOU SIGN UP FOR THEIR EMAIL LIST YOU GET 50% OFF YOUR FIRST ORDER! Check them out |here|

Since Spring has arrived and summer is just around the corner it’s time to start taking the layers off and revealing our sun-kissed skin. I’ve really embraced the porcelain look this winter and I’m almost sad to say goodbye but I look forward to getting a little extra Vitamin D on the those sweet sunshine days. I’m not yet in the tanning mood but I’ll hang out by the pool once in awhile. I’m gonna taking tanning this year nice and slow. I’m in no rush at all to get darker so just bare with me and my white girl complexion.

With love,

©Karissa Marie

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The Blue Team

Posted on March 24, 2015 by karissaestrada

It’s official. I’m on the blue team now. I’m so happy that more and more clothing companies are hopping on this Indigo trend because it’s just more for me to buy. I WANT IT ALL. I’ve always been a huge fan of the color blue but now that it’s available everywhere I’ve just been soaking it up more. I almost don’t want to leave the house without the color blue somewhere on my outfit. I need help. Again, this is just another phase in my style life. Everyone goes through them. I was school shopping one year and all I bought were dresses. Nothing but dress. No jeans, no tees. Halfway into the school year I was like, “Okay, I’m so sick of this.” But I always do this to myself. I jump into every fashion adventure with my whole heart. I really dive deep and I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that. Because in the end, I’m left with great memories and some cute clothes that are mostly timeless. I now have plenty of denim in my closet to last me a lifetime. I really feel like one of the guys. Uh oh, here I go dropping the word menswear but whatever. My brothers would really love this new “not so girly” side of me that I’ve recently discovered. I love my skirts, my blouses, my heels but it’s nice not having to dress up completely in head to girly-ness. It’s nice throwing my hair back and putting on some denim overalls. P.s. I have been on the search for some fabulous overalls for the longest time. I’m so thrilled to have finally found a nice light wash pair. All that’s left to do is discover a dark wash but until then I’ll be rockin’ this one.

With love,

©Karissa Marie

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Overalls. Top. Shoes-Zara

Cute Overalls HERE. HERE. and HERE.

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Spring Bohemian

Posted on March 18, 2015 by karissaestrada

As most of you know, I’m not one to check the weather. I know should probably start at some point but as of now I’ll take the risk. Even though I’d like to think that I have complete control over the weather and can wear whatever I want, that’s simply not the truth, but I will compromise from time to time. The weather in Denver is either a hit or miss. Thank goodness our weekends are filled with sunshine and warm weather but the weekdays have been miserable. It snowed today and no one warned me! The weather may be frustrating but choosing your outfit doesn’t have to be. My heart has been dying for Spring to arrive so I can get out my brights again but the weather tells me no. I decided to take the reigns on this one and pair my favorite bright joggers with my favorite sweater. (It’s technically a poncho but whatever) Two seasons in one. Adding brights and colorful lipstick to a typical fall outfit is my favorite and bulletproof way to conquer the gloomy day blues. People think that transitioning between seasons is complicated but I find it challenging and fun. It’s the perfect time of the year to get creative with layering. Pullovers are at their peak during spring and fall because of their ability to easily transform to your needs. You’re cold? Throw a sweater on. You’re hot? Wrap the sweater around your waist for a more laid back vibe. Pullover 101 my friends. It’s the easiest trick in the book. This “poncho” is my favorite “go to” cold weather essential. The scalloped hem detail is what caught my eye from the very start. It’s one of my favorite bohemian-like pieces in my closet! Shop my outfit below.