Paint Me Pretty

IMG_2431 IMG_2438 IMG_2440 IMG_2450 IMG_2452IMG_2447My top reminds me of an artist taking it’s canvas by storm. It reminds me of a love affair between the paintbrush and the neon paint. I love the chaos in this blouse. It’s so beautiful. I’ve been trying harder to buy more color because neutrals never seem to let me down. I think it’s safe to say that I bought a top that’s more than just colorful. I definitely needed it in my closet. It will totally outshine most of the things that I own. Being colorful isn’t such a bad thing people. I would like to let you guys in on who has been my fashion inspiration lately. I recently caved in and bought Netflix. Big mistake. BIG MISTAKE. I haven’t left my bed in days because all I’ve been watching is “The Carrie Diaries.” It’s the prequel to “Sex and The City” and oh my gosh… I’m in love. I thought older Carrie Bradshaw was my idol but I think younger Carrie Bradshaw has my heart. Her style is just impeccable. It’s bright, innocent, put together, and totally 80’s chic. I never thought I would like 80’s fashion until I started watching this show. It’s not just the typical 80’s kind of fashion…IT’S SO MUCH MORE. I truly truly truly cannot get over it. The costume designer for the show needs to become my best friend, like pronto. I wish I was the younger Carrie Bradshaw. She works for a fashion magazine for crying out loud. I strive to be her. If you haven’t watched it, I suggest you should. Put on your favorite pair of hoop earrings, a tutu skirt, leg warmers and get started. You will be addicted in no time. Anyways, young Carrie Bradshaw kind of inspired this bright neon outfit. I hope I didn’t let her down.

Xoxo,

Karissa

Stay updated with me and my blog. Follow me here –>. Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

Top- (New) Anthropologie- I can’t find it online. 😦 | Skirt- Similar | Shoes- Zara | Clutch- Target |

Be Bold, Bejeweled

IMG_1709 IMG_1719 IMG_1726 IMG_1734Being bold and brave when choosing your outfit of the day can be hard. What will people think of you? My answer to that question is I really don’t give a hoot. I’ve said this before but I dress based on my mood not on other peoples opinion of me. If I’m wearing a t-shirt and jeans that just means I’d much rather be sitting at home on the couch curled up with my hot cheetos. If I’m wearing a maxi skirt, I’m in the mood to be extra girly…lets go shopping. If I’m wearing sweats, back away and I mean far far away because I’m about to have a mental breakdown. But If I’m dressed like I am in this post, I’m ready to take on the world. Nothing says world denomination like some black leather pants and a neoprene boxy top.

I don’t feel like dressing up or doing anything actually when the weather is dark and cloudy. I get extremely lethargic when I go long periods without seeing the sun. I don’t know if I’m the only one but my happy/optimistic mood decreases when winter time approaches. If I could control the weather I would keep it 70 degrees and the sun shining all year around. But that’s not the case. I get extremely worried when this time of year rolls around because I see more sad days than I do happy days. I should seriously consider moving to California. Let’s take a day like today for example. It’s cold and rainy, I see no sign of life outside.. ok that’s dramatic but it’s icky and I’m not a fan. I haven’t left my bed all day because of it. Netflix might have been a factor to that too but whatever. Bad weather keeps me inside all day.

Silver lining: I have more time to style some future outfits, read some books, and blog. Gosh…working for a fashion magazine sounds so good right now. Anywhere hiring? Vogue? Marie Claire? I’m kidding…no I’m not.

Xoxo,

Karissa

Top | Pants |

Stay updated with me and my blog. Follow me here –>. Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

 

October Outfit

IMG_1959 IMG_1960 IMG_2023 IMG_2028 IMG_1964 IMG_1982 IMG_2009I couldn’t imagine a more perfect Autumn day than the one in this blog post. The colors, the breeze, the atmosphere…absolutely everything was perfect. That’s what its all about. I just love life on days like these. Nothing brings positivity more than being outside on an October day. I found this charming spot somewhere in downtown Denver. The pros of downtown: Different people. The cons of downtown: Different people. I’ve always loved the vibe of being in the middle of the city but some days (most days) I don’t want to deal with all the sirens, impatient people, and traffic. I’d rather be snuggling up with my love at home watching Big Bang Theory and stuffing my face. I am such an introvert. Probably more than I need to be. But it’s nice, once in a while, to explore this city and get out of the same old routine. It’s a good feeling knowing that its there but that I can still head back to my quiet little spot that I call home whenever I feel like.

I don’t have much to say about the outfit besides the fact that it’s so perfect for fall. I’m trying to embrace earthy/neutral tones more. I’ve just always loved my pops of color and bold/bright accents. Adding this turquoise necklace made me feel more at home and you know me, I can’t live without lipstick. This color is like a nude lipstick to me. I wear it all the time, day in and day out. It’s my favorite fall lipstick ever and its drugstore. Woot Woot.

P.s. This wool Anthropologie hat is STUNNING. It’s so beautifully made. By far the best hat I own. Buy it (here).

Xoxo,

Karissa

| Cardigan | Hat | Jeans ON SALE NOW! | Boots |

Stay updated with me and my blog. Follow me here –>. Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

Lipstick and The City/My Dream Job/My Fears

IMG_1868 IMG_1871 IMG_1883 IMG_1895 IMG_1899 IMG_1905 IMG_1917 IMG_1919 IMG_1920When you’re 20, the only questions you get asked are- “Are you going to school?” “What are you going to school for?” “Whats your dream job?” “What the hell are you gonna do with your life?”

My answer to all those questions….”Um…..”

I would like to think that I have a plan for my life. But I’ve thought that before and it didn’t really work out the way I wanted it to. I’m one of those people that knows EXACTLY what they want. My only problem is I don’t know how to get there. I don’t lack in the dream department, that’s for sure, but I do lack in the confidence department. I don’t think I’m good enough…which is crap because I come to my blog and I tell all of you, constantly, to have confidence, pick your head up, and know that you’re beautiful. But ironically enough, it’s hard for me to do those things. I’m working on it, working on it daily. I always think that I made a big mistake by not finishing college. I went for a year and half but left because I failed my last semester after I found out about my brother’s death. I would never use the death of J.J. as a crutch, but it took a lot out of me, it still does, so the thought of going to math class and keeping myself together sounded way too difficult. The MAIN reason I moved to Denver was to get away from that heartbreak and do a little soul searching. I’m working two jobs and no, I’m not going to school. Not right now at least. I’ve needed time to breathe and keep my mind busy or I WILL fall apart. When the time is right I’ll go back to school. But in the meantime I would like to not feel constantly guilty for missing out on all those college memories. That wasn’t part of God’s plan for me, even though I won’t understand why the things in my life have happened, I have to believe that I’ll be okay. I have to believe there’s a bigger plan.

Its hard some days to believe that though. I’m sitting here in my apartment where the lease is over in 2 months. I have no where to go after Decemeber. I won’t go back home to NM but I also have nothing keeping me here in Denver. It’s been hard for Wyatt and I to make friends and we’re going no where in the jobs that we have now. I’m a little lost and to be honest, I’m almost to another breaking point because I really don’t know what to do. I wish there was some sort of a sign that I’m going to have a successful future because at this point…I see nothing. Totally don’t meant to sound depressing. I’m really just typing out loud here. Let’s be more positive shall we? Here are my dreams and my goals for the next 5 years.

1) Find a city (or country) that Wyatt and I both fall in love with.

2) Go to fashion school. (New York or London)

3) Work for a fashion magazine.

4)Have my family be proud of me.

I mean, I would absolutely love to write/style/assist/direct/photograph for a fashion magazine. I honestly envy Carrie Bradshaw’s life. (Don’t we all?) I would love to have her life, minus all of the sex of course. Instead of Sex and The City my column would be called “Lipstick and The City.” Oh! I can see it now! *Empire State of Mind by Jay Z playing in the background*

I think I can do it. Don’t know how, don’t know when but I won’t be happy until I cross these things off of my list. If there’s one thing that’s pushing me through this dark time it’s my brothers voice in my head. If he believes in me, I have nothing to worry about.

Xoxo,

Karissa

Shoes ON SALE NOW! | Shorts (TopShop)-Similar |

Stay updated with me and my blog. Follow me here –>. Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

 

Small town girl with big city dreams.

IMG_1855IMG_1823 IMG_1828

^My face when my photographer (aka boyfriend) farted. 
IMG_1837 IMG_1841IMG_1865 IMG_1862Am I the only one that feels like this outfit belongs to a girl from Oklahoma? A girl who’s just out and about shopping her favorite local boutiques and picking up peaches at the Farmers Market on her way home that’s surrounded by a white picket fence and big red barn in the backyard? No? Okay, scratch that. But I did feel like such a country meets city girl in this outfit. There are hints of both lifestyles in this outfit. The metallic sweater reminds me of the bright city lights while the boots take me back to that open dirt road.

I will never regret growing up in a small town. I complained about it for a good 18 years but I’m so grateful my parents raised me in a itsy bitsy tiny town in New Mexico. What I miss most about that little town was knowing that there wasn’t such a rush to get places. People had manners. People cared only about the simple things. Life was about going to the high school football game on a Thursday night, or hanging out at the Sonic Drive thru. Gosh, do I miss those simple days.I do not regret the decision moving to a big city though. I’ve taken everything that my parents and good ole’ Farmington New Mexico has taught me and applied it to my life here in Denver. I’m happy and a little bit proud of myself to say that I’ve remained the humble, kind, and respectful person that my parents raised me to be. Sorry to say but no city, no state, no job, no amount of money or no amount of friends can change me. I will always remain little old me, that small town girl who’s chasing her big city dreams.

Xoxo,

Karissa

Top (similar)| Necklace | Shoes | Lipstick: Divine Wine by Maybelline

Stay updated with me and my blog. Follow me here —> Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest