How to: Steal Another Girl's Outfit.

Disclaimer: I didn't actually steal any of the clothes pictured.

Scarf and jacket: Old Navy

White top: Madewell

Pants: Forever 21

Boots: Delia's 

Despite my total love for fashion, I'm really not the best at putting outfits together. This leads to me stealing ideas from a lot of blogs and celebrities and don't even get me started about Pinterest. This outfit I stole from a passing customer. She had on flats and a floral print scarf, but I'm working 9 hours on my feet today so I thought boots would be more comfortable. The only floral scarf I had was very springlike so I opted for red instead. It's really easy to copy ideas from others once you have basics. A jean jacket is the best staple for dresses and dressing down black pants. I love finding ways to mix basics in new ways like this. I hope this might inspire someone in the same way that the random person inspired me. Xoxo Katie

How to be pretty.

I have to start this post with a little bit of background on me. For the past five months I have had a job in retail and the lessons I've learned from it could take up several posts themselves. My whole purpose of doing so was to get involved in that industry and gain the skills and experience I would need for a future career in fashion. This sounds very college application-y, because it is. I probably phrased it that same way, but it really is true. Every day I'm not there for the paycheck. I'm there to learn and grow, as well as help customers in any way possible. (Tonight I put together something so cute and my customer was thrilled. I think it may make me happier than it makes them.) My attitude at work every day is that with every minute and every folded shirt I am one small step closer to my dreams. However, I have learned so much more than just about retail. One of the things that has affected me the most is being up at register. It's like speed dating. You get a few minutes to have a quick conversation with someone and you have to present yourself in the best way possible. The customer, on the other hand, has no obligation to be nice to you whatsoever. This is where the part about how to be pretty comes in.

Being pretty, attractive, beautiful or whatever adjective you want to use has absolutely nothing to do with your physical appearance. One half is kindness, and the other half is confidence. I cannot state this any more explicitly.

Kindness is something I feel like I've always strived for. I want to be as nice as possible in every situation. It's hard when you're tired or you have something going on. No one is a kind saint all the time. But a few words of gratitiude to your cashier can make their entire day. Every little word has impact. Do not take your anger out on people that do not deserve it. There is truly nothing more attractive than putting others before yourself and considering the other person. 

Confidence is also so important. Smiles, eye contact..what is kindness when you can't properly express it? I know this is a battle for a lot of people, myself included. But the less-physically-attractive person who is making conversation with me is far more attractive than the wallflower. This stings me a little, being shy. I think it's really about just being sure of yourself. So as much as my blog is about fashion and makeup and physical things, none of it matters. These things are not your true beauty. Read all of this for fun and try not to take it too seriously. This is a lesson that I've learned that I hope gets through to others. Xoxo Katie

Red lips, casually

I am making a somewhat pathetic attempt to blog every day, now that I have linked it to my Pinterest profile and am slightly trying to make a name for myself. My shyness seems to translate easily into my unwillingness to show this to anyone. It's also being a perfectionist and not wanting anyone to see it until I'm satisfied. (Which I never am. Of course.) However it is important to me to build a base of posts so I seem like I have knowledge about all this. Which I do, despite it not being obvious. I'm starting to ramble. Anyway, my favorite lip products are the Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains for their amazing color and staying power. This is the shade Romantic. I think it's perfect for spicing up a daily casual look. I just had on a tan cardi and a loose white shirt. The only part that came off on my gingerbread latte was the cherry Chapstick I had on over it. :)

Leather and lace! Ootd 12/16/13

Leggings- American Eagle

Skirt- forever 21

Boots- j. Crew

Top- nordstrom

Necklace- charming Charlie 

I might as well title my blog "how many ways to wear an army green chambray shirt." I swear I will actually add some different items at some point. 

Current Favorites!

I have been planning for months to do a monthly favorites post, but at the end of every month I can't remember at all what happened during the month and what products I've used. So, I am just going to do a current favorites post when I have several things I really like! As I do right now. 

If you haven't tried Benefit's They're Real mascara, you almost haven't lived. This stuff is worth all the hype and rave reviews. However, getting addicted to $23 mascara is not recommendable, so definitely consider that before purchasing.

This is a Nars blush in Deep Throat. It's all I've used since about September! It gives my face such a gorgeous glow that is healthy and natural. 

I will admit, my favorite thing about this heat protectant is that it smells like watermelon. However, it dries extremely fast so you don't have to wait before applying heat to your hair, and it doesn't weigh it down whatsoever. Leave your Tressemme Heat Tamer behind!

This perfume smells heavenly! Lately, I've been verging away from my typical girly fruity scents to some that are a little bit more mature as well as fresh and clean. This stuff smells so good-it's not too woodsy. It's perfect for a beginner into that area of scents like myself. It also has some praline, mandarin orange and magnolia in there to make it even better. Definitely smell it if you get the chance in stores. It came with two other rollers, the Clean Skin and Clean Rain. I haven't started using those two as much yet but they smell equally lovely as White Woods.

This moisturizer is amazing. It smells like cucumber and mango which attracted me to it instantly. It also is water based instead if oil based so it won't make my already oily skin even worse than it is. I love the amount of moisture that it gives me-it's baby bear's porridge, if you will. :)

I hope this helped someone in cyberspace! Xoxo Katie