Turn a XL into a XS in Seconds!

One of my favorite tricks in the book is buying every size. 

To me, sizes don't define me. 

I can wear everything from a XS-XL. 

The trick is how you wear it!

This dress is from Rue 21 and is a XL.

But you wouldn't guess that on first glance right?

Check this out:

You can make two cute darts in the back using safety pins!

This is how I borrow my friends clothing, my moms or when I just MUST have a dress even though it doesn't fit. 

Safety Pin darts are easy and quick!

All you have to do is inside out your shirt or dress. Pinch two sections near the waist line and pin!

Inside it back out and there you have it! Try it on and edit it accordingly!

((If you have more time and own the dress *the one I am wearing I am borrowing* you can sew the darts in so they are forever!))

Hope this encourages you to look past your size range in the stores this summer :)

Thrifty Finds

So usually I only go to Goodwill when they are having a 50% off sale.

 (yes I am THAT cheap) 

BUT the other day was a exception.. due to the fact that well I was bored and felt like getting clothes.

 Judge all you want :D

So I go this haul for $53 (I also bought a movie and a brotank...) 

So if you do Kayla's Shopping Math

$53 / 13 Items = $4 per item! 

If I had bought all this on a sale day... My total would have been around $23 and $1.79 per item. 

Zig Zag Pop

Hello beauties :) 

These pictures were actually taken in December believe it or not

 by Arlina Rose Photography

Extreme Close Up :)

When I originally found this dress it was a little too long and a wee bit big but the price tag was just right! So I snatched up this vintage find by All That Jazz from my local Goodwill.

I found the adorable blue Rocket Dog shoes at a Goodwill during one of my trips to Texas! 

I absolutely love the texture and patterns that this outfit brings, it is so fun and makes me feel like a rule breaker.

Dress: $7 All That Jazz @ Goodwill

Shoes: $9 Rocket Dog @ Goodwill

Paisley Paradise

This week is going to be hectic for me so I wanted to give you a fashion packed post today!

(because I may not post again for a few days.. maybe next Monday)

Style Tip: If the dress is long, make them shoes high! 

Skirt (made dress): BP Nordstrom Clearance $15

Vest: Target Super Clearance $3 (twas a XL)

Wedges: Love Culture ~$17

Elephant Necklace: Plato's Closet $8

Belt: Thrifted (used a plenty in past posts)

 Arlina Rose Photography

 Further exploration into my 'fashion tip'

The reason I say long dress = high shoes is because {being 5'2} when skirts, dresses, shorts etc. go past your knee you start to look very scrunched and overtaken by the item. 

Don't let your clothes wear you -- show them who is boss and work together :)

-x-x-x-

I absolutely love this outfit it is a go-to when I need to be semi-casual/dressy. 

Ps: can you imagine how long of a skirt this would have been on me! 

When I tried it on at Nordstrom as a dress one of the workers was flabbergasted by the fact that you could wear a skirt as a dress! 

I was taken-aback by the fact that she had never done it before!

Outfit Total: $43

Worn 5+ times

=$8.6 per wear

(it could actually be seen as cheaper considering I wear all the items with various other outfits!)

{Dream} Sequence

This post is a few pictures of things that remind me of a fairytale.

I am all about following your dreams and not stopping until you accomplish what you desire. 

These pictures were not only inspiring but also artistically beautiful; I hope you all enjoy.

Where To Buy: Cake Vintage

You could easily do this yourself with a bunch of old door locks! 

Blue Moon Pumpkin (that is its actual color)

-You can easily create this without buying a Blue Moon pumpkin

 with some spray paint and a sponge-

Source: unknown

I absolutely love the royal blue with the fairytale pink and rhinestones; it is so beautiful.

Happy Cat Day!

Since I spend this last  Valentine's Day alone (which I was perfectly fine with)

I thought it was only fitting to wear a dress with over 87 cats on it!

Hi my name is Kayla & I am a cat lady.

 Dress: unknown

Jacket: Nordstrom H.I.P

Tights: Hue

Wedges: $8 Old Navy Clearance

I hope all of your Valentine's day were fulfilling or relaxing. 

I know the cats love this holiday.

Ten-Nis

This may have been a old tennis outfit -- I say this because when I wear it I feel like I should be walking racket in hand. 

Dress: Tail -vintage- (Orig. $68; Thrifted $1.50)

Thrifted Belt

Shoes: Adrienne Vittadini also worn here

Something old, new, borrowed, and blue

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.

No, I am not getting married - but this phrase is perfect for this ensemble! 

Behind-the-Scenes story: 

The dress that I am wearing for my New Years celebrations is actually a vintage skirt that my Grandma gave me. Last week my Grandparents brought over some of my Grandma's old attire and gave it to me! So I pulled up the skirt above my chest flipped under the waist belt and sashed it with a silk scarf! 

Photography by Arlina Rose Photography

Dress -  My grandma's vintage skirt

Bracelet: Caché (borrowed from my mom)

Elixir Necklace: Orig. Anthropology-I think (found at Curio)

Silk Sash: Curio

My new Steve Maddens!

  I decided they went with everything and splurged on them. They were on the clearance rack (+ a coupon) at Macy's and they are going to be a new staple item to my wardrobe.

(silly one for the shoot) 

Leaf Necklace - Forever 21

I hope you all are welcoming in the New Year with open arms and make the most of it! 2012 is a new year to change your style, attitude, outlook, and life. Don't waste anytime being someone you aren't

My fashion new years resolution: 

1. Hang up all my clothes 

2. Not care if people think what I am wearing is 'weird.' If I like it, that is all that matters.

Any New Years resolutions?

Nine Dollars Baby!

The reason the title is 'Nine Dollars Baby' is because -- that is how much this outfit cost me!

Sweater - $3 Thrifted (orig. Nordstrom's) Dress - Gift (orig. F21) Necklace - $2 Thrifted

(and although you cannot see my shoes, they are the boots from earlier posts that cost me $2)

I have worn this ensemble another time at school and used the belt from here.

I love it! Thoughts?

I cannot take 'model-esque' pictures without doing a few silly ones, so I hope they make you laugh!

--x--x--x--

These pictures were taken by Arlina Rose Photography in Texas over my Thanksgiving vacation.

The weather outside is frightful! {But your outfits don't need to be}

A friend of mine who is studying at University of Idaho sent me little packaged complaints on how cold she was -- considering we are both California girls, we are not used to such frigid temperatures. I thought I would share how to stylishly pack on the bulky sweaters and not look like a pile of lumpy blankets!

I love the idea of belting some of the clothes together!

It's like "Oh, thats where my figure went!"

{My favorite part about this is 1. you can totally find a sweater like this at your local thrift store for 6 dollars and the fact that whoever this girl is, is using 2 scarves! Double the neck heat? Count me in!}

This may not look warm, but it could definitely withstand some Santa Ana Winds and around 50 degree's.

{Whenever I feel like wearing a sweater dress, or a normal dress in the winter, I always layer my leggings/tights. It makes them more opaque and keeps your legs nice and toasty! I learned about this tip at The Glamouri ((aka my blog crush right now))}

Now the reason I put this picture of a dress is because I personally live in Los Angeles, where it is cold-ish but not freezing. I pull this trick all the time; Maxi Dresses. they are not just a summer staple, but are a sneaky way of staying warm on a night out on the town! perhaps a date ;) I always wear leggings underneath because no one can see them! (and they keep you warm.) Also with a thick mid-thigh length sweater you can call it a night and go outside without a shiver in sight.

(Its almost Christmas time--excuse my need to rhyme every now and then.)

--x--

So today in Cali it was a brisk 65 degree's so I opted for a dress/sweater combo!

{Sweater Dress: H&M Clearance Rack, Leather Clutch, Shoes, and Belt: Thrifted, Jacket: My moms (I think from Nordstrom)}

I also layered my tights (aka: two pairs of brown tights) so my legs were nice and toasty!

PS: Sorry for low photo quality -- Its from my macbook photobooth because my camera was dead and no one was around to take a picture of me!