Happy New Year, my dear readers.

It's crazy to think that Christmas and new years eve have come and gone.

1. Set realistic goals.

It's tempting to create outlandish ideas for how you want your life to change in the next year, and although those are good, it's also beneficial to make goals you can actually succeed in accomplishing. For example, one goal I have this year is to be healthier and have more self-control. Notice I didn't say "go on a crazy diet" or "loose this amount of weight". I just genuinely want to feel more energized day to day and learn how to have self-control (especially when it comes to sweet snacks!!!)

2. Do something you love at least once per week. 

This is an extremely fresh lesson that I have recently learned after graduating college two weeks ago. For years I read books and watched documentaries because I had to for a class, but now I've read two books just because I was intrigued by them. I also recently watched the OJ Simpson vs The People series on Netflix, which satisfied my love for historical events and crime shows :)

3. Learn the true meaning of self care. 

I used to think that self care was putting on a face mask and taking a bath, but after having "me time" doing those things, I never felt any calmer. I'm starting to realize that self care is not just clearing up your skin or taking time for yourself to accomplish all of the "to-dos" on your list. Self care is putting your phone down (or better yet, turning it off) and being present during time with your family. Self care is creating boundaries for when you will be available to post on social media, answer work emails or hang out with others. As a believer, quiet times with the Lord are not only necessary to know God better, it has also become one of my favorite times during the day where I have no distractions and I'm able to take a few deep breaths.

4. Do something that excites or scares you. 

Now when I say scares you, I don't mean go and terrify yourself, I mean like getting your adrenaline pumping or doing something that you wouldn't normally do. In 2017, I went to India for two weeks on a trip with 20 other college-aged girls, I rode on a helicopter and walked on a glacier with my siblings in Alaska and I took my first plane ride alone out to California to visit my friend Linnea. Keep yourself on your toes and do a few special things this year.

I hope that as you close out 2017, you take no regrets with you and that you've made a few discoveries of your own and I hope that your 2018 is filled with excitement and new, amazing memories!


Thank you Kelly Kwong for these gorgeous photos! Kelly was very easy to work with and came prepared with cool ideas for our shoot. I would recommend her for your wedding, graduation or family photos!

Many people often ask me "What does it take to be a blogger?" Well...the greatest answer I can give is time. Blogging is not just me sitting here taking one picture and posting it for likes. Blogging is intense and creative and logistical and time consuming.


I get up at 5 am at least once a week to go do three or four outfits with Angi in the negative degree weather that we often have in Minnesota. We have to work around two work schedules constantly. We have to work around lighting and locations.

If I collaborate with other photographers (like Kelly who did the photos for this post) then we have to find a few hours in a week that work for both of us. Then my photographers have to dedicate time to working on editing my photos, which is time consuming for them.


If I collaborate with a company, then I have to put aside at least two hours to pick and choose outfits from their store and go on their schedule.

If this sounds like a lot of work, it is! Creatives are the new entrepreneurs and we are spending every free minute we have working towards a goal we dream about - being able to blog as a career and be our own bosses.


On top of putting in time for all of that, we also put in time with each other. Going to events and meeting other bloggers, photographers, designers and influencers is fun, but also requires at least one night of our week.


Now I don't mean to sound like I'm complaining, in fact I thrive off of this kind of work. I love getting inside the head of my readers. I love trying to figure out what style they like or what content they want to read about. At the end of the day, the pay off (for me) is much greater than the work I put in.

If you are hoping to begin a blog and are confused on where to start, reach out to a local blogger you admire and ask to meet for coffee. Some of the greatest lessons I learned has come from "informational interviews" with female bloggers I look up to.


Also, as I come to the end of 2017, I wanted to say THANK YOU for this incredible year of blogging. I have more than doubled my following this year, have met many incredible women changing the face of fashion in the Twin Cities and I am SO ready to see what 2018 brings!


Thank you Kelly Kwong for these gorgeous photos! Kelly was very easy to work with and came prepared with cool ideas for our shoot. I would recommend her for your wedding, graduation or family photos!

I spent the afternoon at a Christmas fundraising event where you travel to five homes throughout the South Metro that have been decorated for the holidays by local business'. Some people may not be into that, but I love home decor ideas and I love Christmas, so it was right up my alley.


I knew I would be in and out of the car and may have to park farther away, so I wore my lightweight, plain black jacket. It was a bit windy and chilly today, so the jacket provided the perfect coverage.
 

While in Capitola, California, I was inspired by the different pops of color on the buildings  throughout the city and have been trying to integrate color splashes throughout my wardrobe (and Instagram photos) ever since. This Ann Taylor scarf was a perfect addition to the look. It not only added an extra bit of warmth, but the pop of color gave life to the look overall.

I purchased this scarf at an Ann Taylor Factory store, which is not sold online. I did find some similar scarves, that you can see here, here and here.


All images taken by the incredibly talented Angi Klepnev. 
If you're looking for a photographer for your blog shoots, senior pictures, family pictures or wedding, I would highly recommend her. She is very detail oriented and can always find breathtaking locations.

Hello loves and Happy Halloween!

A few months ago, my mom came upstairs from our lower level and said "Should I get rid of this dress? We've had it downstairs for forever and no one ever wears it."

I was shook for two reasons: 1) This dress is gorgeous and 2) I immediately knew what my Halloween costume would be this year - Wednesday Addams.

If you're looking for a last minute costume, this is the one for you. Braid your hair on the sides, find a black dress with a white collar, wear black knee high socks and black shoes and you're done! I played around with my makeup a little bit, but Wednesday Addams is a child, so if you tend towards the natural look, this is most definitely the look for you.

I hope you all have a wonderful (and safe) Halloween! Comment below what you're dressing up as!

All images taken by the incredibly talented Angi Klepnev. 
If you're looking for a photographer for your blog shoots, senior pictures, family pictures or wedding, I would highly recommend her. She is very detail oriented and can always find breathtaking locations.

Hello friends! I'm currently waiting at my gate at the MSP airport to take a flight to San Francisco and I thought this would be a perfect time to sit and type out this post.

I've flown many times for family vacations and for my class trip to India back in January, but I've never flown by myself before, so it's new and exciting and also somewhat terrifying.


Anyway, in my experience with flying, these four points have been crucial for me and hopefully they will be helpful for you.

1. Plan Ahead.

If you're anything like me, you constantly fight the desire to procrastinate. Thankfully I have a mother who does not have one procrastinating bone in her body and she's taught me well.

Flight travel takes a lot of planning ahead:
You need to plan out what you will wear for your trip a few days ahead so you can plan for laundry.

You need to print tickets out the night before (or 24 hours before your flight) and register a checked bag so you can move through the airport at a quicker pace.

If you are getting a ride from a friend, you need to reconfirm your drop off time and make corrections as you get closer to the fight. If you are not able to get a ride, you should go to the airport a few days ahead and maneuver your way through parking, riding a tram and finding where you need to check in so you're not lost and stressed the day of.

2. Think Layered and Comfortable.

I know that some of us desire to be able to breeze through the airport looking effortless like a model, but most often comfort is most important when flying. Of course, this references clothing choice (do comfortable pants and a light sweater or layer your tops for different temperatures), but this can also include keeping your hair out of your face (Pro-tip: don't clip your hair or pull your hair back at the nape of your neck because it makes it harder to lay back and relax on the plane. In this post, I pinned my hair back with bobby pins and that will allow me to lean against the chair without having something stabbing my head), or this could also mean wearing glasses instead of contacts because of the dry airplane atmosphere.

3. Save Yourself From Sore Feet.

Continuing with point number 2, do not wear shoes that are uncomfortable. Nothing is worse than watching some poor woman run through the airport in her heels that are breaking her feet with every step. Airports require a lot of leg work and comfort should come before style. If you need to be properly dressed when you arrive at your destination, pack heels or nice shoes in your carry on and put them on when your flight arrives at its destination.

Also, if you are going on an extended flight (like 6+ hours), please remember to have shoes that allow for extra room. When you're sitting for that long, your feet have a tendency to swell and tight shoes will only get more uncomfortable and swelled feet and legs can actually lead to health problems.

4. Keep Yourself Occupied.
If you're reading this blog, then you are most likely 18-24 years old (according to Instagram insights), so make sure you bring items to keep you occupied during the flight. Whether it be a book, music, homework or a game, keep yourself entertained and don't be that 20 year old who relies on other people to help make the flight fun.


Well that's it, my lovely readers, see you in California! 

Pictures done by Annis Nelson.

Looking at the title of this post, you may be asking "Kaylie, what is a Canadian tuxedo?"

 Well, first off it is not a look for Canadians only (I'm Irish, Norwegian and Scottish) and it is not actually a tuxedo (at least not in modern trends).

In 1951, Bing Crosby, an American singer and actor, was denied access into a Canadian hotel because of his head to toe denim look, which the front desk workers felt was too low class for their establishment. Once they realized who he was, they made an exception and allowed his stay. Hearing about this incident, Levi Strauss quickly created a full denim tuxedo for Mr. Crosby so he could look distinguished but stay comfortable, no matter the dress code.

Fast forward to today, many people still wear a denim on denim look, but have tweaked it to be more fashion forward. Here are a few tips I've learned so you do not have to look like Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake circa 2001, but like the stylish individual you are:

1. No full denim.

Some may disagree with me, but I have never though that a full length denim skirt or a full on denim dress was flattering. I think it is too overpowering and cheapens your look.

2. Play with different shades.

Although some pairings of similar-shade denim can look good, most often you want to mix lighter and darker denim shades. So if you have a light jean jacket like I do in this post, pair is with a darker wash jean. This goes back to the overwhelming factor of head to toe of the same color.

3. Play with color.

Jeans and denim tops come in a variety of fun colors, take advantage of that! You do not have to stick with a blue shade, you can have salmon, olive or rust orange pants. You can play with patterns as well like patches or the newest rotation of floral patches.

4. Go out of the box.

Tying all of our points together, get creative with your denim on denim look. Wear a chambray top with white denim shorts. Do a denim top over dark black jeans (this especially looks nice on men). Make a statement with your denim jacket (I have seen so many cool jackets full of quotes or pins or patches and it is an artistic way to communicate yourself without saying a word). 

All images taken by the incredibly talented Angi Klepnev. 
If you're looking for a photographer for your blog shoots, senior pictures, family pictures or wedding, I would highly recommend her. She is very detail oriented and can always find breathtaking locations.

Many times, I think that social media can be an amazing space. You can stay connected with friends and family you don't always see, you can build a personal brand through what you share and you can make new connections with individuals you may have never met otherwise. 

With that being said, I also believe that there can be some negatives to social media and that sometimes it is hard to be in the right head space when approaching it. Putting aside online bullying and that annoying uncle who always posts Facebook rants, social media does affect us whether we like it or not. 

Sometimes I find myself seeing posts done by other bloggers with extravagant backgrounds and expensive clothing that was sent to them for free and I think that I'm not good enough at blogging, otherwise I would get to do what they're doing. Or I see a perfectly furnished home and come to the conclusion  that I'm behind on life because a 17 year old is a homeowner and I am not. Or it could be something as simple as seeing a post of two of your friends doing something fun and finding yourself feeling left out or lonely. 

I find that all of those feelings are very common, so instead of falling deeper into those feelings, I've created ways to have a healthy "relationship" with social media without have to fully delete your profile and become a hermit:

1. Put down the phone.

Crazy right? Why put my phone down and walk away rather than fall deeper into the pit of despair I've already created looking at other peoples profiles? It sounds simple, but too often I don't do this and I desperately need to in an effort to remind myself that there is a world outside of my phone that is much better than I make it out to be. 

2. Have a quiet time.

This could be anything from reading a book to doing a craft/art project or having a traditional quiet time where you read the Bible and journal for a particular amount of time. With so much going on around us 24/7 (and having an online world instantly available), it is necessary to slow down and help get back on track with our priorities and grow in discipline. Also, as a believer, I find that my quiet time is the most refreshing part of my day. It reminds me of who I am and gives me hope on where God is leading me next. 

3. Get up and get moving.

I recently saw an article that talked about how beneficial it is for corporations with lots of technology to have spaces for physical movement. Many tech companies like Facebook and Google have already adopted this and have human sized chess boards or swings within their lobbies. Other companies simply have standing desks. The body and mind are connected, so it makes sense that you are more clear headed and can overcome mental roadblocks easier when you move. 

4. Kill comparison. 

As a blogger, the greatest killer of creativity is comparison. When I compare my pictures or ideas to someone else's, two things occur: 1) I start to believe that I am not as skilled as they are and 2) I never come up with original ideas. Basing everything you do off of what other people do is a great disservice to yourself. Going hand in hand with the quiet time point, something I do when I find myself making comparisons is sit in silence (which I know is uncomfortable for many people but is actually REALLY healthy to do) and I will focus on what I can do that I have not done before. I may also brainstorm on what topics I want to cover next - which is how this post came about. 

5. Take a break. 

Even if I am not feeling overwhelmed by social media or feeling like I am comparing myself to others, it is beneficial to take a day or two away from the online world. It isn't as permanent as fully deleting all your profiles and apps, but it has the same effects in the long run. 

I hope these five points are helpful for you in the future. Remember to take some time away from social media and grow the friendships and relationships in your everyday life.  Let me know what you do to conquer the pull towards social media anxiety by leaving a comment below!

All images taken by the incredibly talented Angi Klepnev. 
If you're looking for a photographer for your blog shoots, senior pictures, family pictures or wedding, I would highly recommend her. She is very detail oriented and can always find breathtaking locations.