A walk around my city

You know what, dudes?

Phoenix is truly a unique place.

I'm thankful for this community of misfits, creatives and professionals that I get to be a part of.

TOMORROW

Phoenicians, what are you up to tomorrow night?


Because if you're interested in free wine, beer, coffee, munchies and a MOST EXCELLENT raffle, you need to be at this event:

I'm not gonna tell you what we're raffling off, but among other fabulous and amazing things, let's just say there is a pair of much-coveted concert tickets floating around in the stash...


Find us on Facebook, Twitter and our blog for more!

DIY: liquid handsoap

You guys. I made soap.

  
I'm newly obsessed with Pinterest (find me here!) and recently saw this really intriguing idea on the Bleubird blog that just so happens to be making the rounds on Pinterest: homemade liquid handsoap for pennies compared to what everyone (me) pays for Mrs. Meyer's.

I followed the directions listed on the blog and let it sit overnight.

And voila! Liquid soap!

A bar of Yardley soap (I picked English Lavender) was about $1, a bottle of liquid glycerin was about $4, and a gallon of water was free from the sink. I used 2 tablespoons of the liquid glycerin for the recipe...meaning the entire gallon of handsoap this recipe yields cost me barely over $1!

What's your favorite Pinterest household project?

What I wore: all black

I've been in a serious all-black outfit mood lately - I don't know what it is. I'm still as sunshiney as ever as far as moods go...but I love me an all-black ensemble. Easy, slimming, doesn't require much thought - count me in!

Contrarily to my all-black thing that I've got going on lately, I've been on the hunt for some obnoxiously colorful jeans! I love the colored jeans trend and have serious doubts that I'll be comfortable enough to pull it off, but I'm really determined to try it. I think I'll start out at Forever 21 because I'm just way too thrifty to throw down upwards of $80 or $100 on a pair of pink designer jeans. It's just a whole lotta look.

(Speaking of a whole lotta look, is anyone else watching Project Runway All Stars? I'm wondering if I'm the only one who watched the entire Miss Piggy episode thinking to myself, "Don't these people know she's a PUPPET?" Like, I really didn't get it. I need someone to explain these things to me.) 

And speaking of random television, Ryan and I just got introduced to Portlandia and it's safe to say that I'm obsessed. I don't know why, but those feminist book store owners reduce me to fits of giggles every single time and gosh dangit if I don't love Fred Armisen in drag. And the episode with The Decemberists?!?! I had a total fangirl moment. "Sparklepony...."

Sorry, this post took a really strange turn. I'm just really happy that it's the weekend and that I have BOTH DAYS OFF. I think the novelty of having a normal schedule has caused some temporary insanity over here. 

Unintentional ombre

Giddily yours,
Kara

Outfit details: jacket, Target - top, gift from Karen Kane - shorts, ancient - tights, gift from in-laws - boots, Blowfish Shoes - necklace, Moorea Seal - glasses, gift from GlassesUSA.com

Introducing: the Phoenix Style Collective

This year, I've made a promise to myself to get more creatively involved in this beautiful community of mine. A huge part of that has been my commitment to the creation of the Phoenix Style Collective - a group of five Phoenix-lovers that works to link the tastemakers of Phoenix's fashion and style industry. We believe that style is about more than just clothes - it's about everything with flair. Fashion. Design. Art. Food. Community. And so much more!!

Sound like something you want to be a part of? Forget want...I think you NEED to be a part of this. Our first event is coming up, so mark your calendars...

So I'll see you at the GROWop on the 27th, right? 

Don't forget to check out our blog for updates, inspiration, and fun things to see and do around town.

New specs: GlassesUSA eyeglasses review

I'll never forget the day in 4th grade that I got my first pair of glasses. My mom and I held hands as we exited the eyeglass store at our local mall, and I literally gasped when I looked at a tree in the distance and I could see its leaves. In 8th grade, I was finally deemed mature enough to wear contacts. I can remember sitting on the couch at home wondering why my eyes felt so dry - wearing contacts would definitely take some getting used to, but it was nice not to have to rely on a pair of glasses for sight. 


Now, in my ripe old age, I enjoy wearing eyeglasses again to break up the monotony of wearing contacts. Plus, glasses bring an extra element of style to an outfit and can add balance to your face. When GlassesUSA.com contacted me recently, it was perfect timing - I haven't had a new pair in over 5 years!


After quite the uncomfortable eye doc visit (my right pupil was dilated WAY bigger than my left; made conducting therapy rather awkward), I picked out these two pairs:


The Adams:

And the Bettys:

(I love the detailing on the side of these!)

I absolutely love them both. The Adams are sophisticated and classy for my therapist look, and the Bettys are a little funky and stylish. I wish I could go back in time and tell my 8th grade self that wearing glasses is cool and to stop trying so hard to fit in! :)

The ordering experience with GlassesUSA was absolutely a breeze - the site is very user friendly and the PRICES are FANTASTIC, no joke. Regarding shipping? They were at my door faster than I could even track the package online. I would absolutely recommend them to a fellow four-eyes looking for a fun new pair of glasses. And the best part? You don't even have to wear prescription eyeglasses to enjoy GlassesUSA - you can order glasses without a prescription, just for fashion's sake!


Wary of ordering such an important, every-day accessory online? Don't worry, the virtual mirror makes uploading your photo a breeze so you can try on your favorite pairs virtually. 

If that isn't just the most awesome thing ever, I couldn't tell you what is.

Good news: if you're looking to buy glasses, GlassesUSA is offering Sunshine Cupcakes lovebugs a little deal...

**Take 20% off any pair of eyeglasses and get FREE US shipping with the code: New2012

**Take 10% off any order. Code: Blog10

If you need me, I'll be on a walk around the neighborhood, continuing to admire the fact that I can see the leaves on the trees.

La Fashionista: Jewelry Edition

Have you guys met my friend Kelli yet? She is a renaissance woman in every sense of the title - she cooks, sews, bakes, writes, crafts, knits and bowls with ease and finesse while I scratch my head and wonder how she manages to fit "sleep" in there somewhere. She recently moved to Colorado to pursue snowier pastures, and every month we've pledged to publish a shared fashion post on our respective blogs. This month's theme? Jewelry. Forever one of my favorite ways to be fashionable.

**

Dear Kelli,

As a fellow gal from AZ and recent transplant to Denver, I'm sure you'll appreciate the sentiment behind one of my latest fashion purchases: "You can take the girl out of the Southwest...but you can never take the Southwest out of the girl." 

In November, just before our wedding, I took my mother- and sister-in-law to Frontier Town in Cave Creek (where we got married) to poke around and take in the scenery. When I laid eyes upon the mud hogan-housed jewelry shop there, it was all I could do to keep from running. 

Inside, among several Southwest-inspired costume pieces, I set my eyes upon this beautiful faux-turqouise necklace and knew it had to be mine. My midwestern in-laws giggled at the blatant Arizona-ness of it while I envisioned myself in several ensembles with the colorful necklace being a focal point.

And you know what? I wear it with everything. Out to dinner with my husband, topping off a printed dress and sharp blazer. With a casual chevron-striped tee and jeans. In a professional white button-down and grey pants for work. On our honeymoon in Jamaica with a fuchsia dress.

It's one of my favorite pieces of jewelry to wear. Wherever my travels take me, I know that every time I put on this giant, heavy necklace, I'll smile a little and think of my forever home: the Southwest.


Kisses and cactuses,
Kara

3 years

Three years ago yesterday (or today, perhaps - we've never quite been able to remember the exact date!), this very handsome, tall gentleman walked into my college apartment and wrapped his arms around me. 

We'd spent the month prior sheepishly texting and talking on the phone while he spent winter break at his family's house in Indiana, recovering from ACL surgery. (My mother in law still makes fun of Ryan about his nervous twitch every time his phone bleeped during that month!) Our courtship was verrrrry long but very sweet, and the month of giddy texting came after over a year of shyly avoiding each other at parties until our dear friend Sarah finally took Ryan aside and said, 

"KARA IS FINALLY SINGLE, RYAN, SO YOU SHOULD PROBABLY DO SOMETHING ABOUT THAT IMMEDIATELY."

(Sarah, ever the queen of subtlety, gave the keynote speech at our wedding.)

So, Ryan finally made a move. From 2,000 miles away!!! And when he came home to take me on our first date - a day early - we threw all date plans out the window in favor of getting in all the hand holding, hugging and kissing we'd been missing out on for the past year. 

I still feel that silly in puppy love when Ryan wraps his arms around me. Now, we have a wedding anniversary to celebrate, but I'll always cherish this one the most. It was the time I knew that those arms were the only ones that really fit.

Happy anniversary, my love. Here's to many, many more.

What I wore: a lazy Friday

On Friday, Ryan and I slept in and made ourselves breakfast at home. After I gasped my way through a Tivo'd episode of Project Runway All Stars, we ran errands and spent the evening hanging out with one of our favorite people.  

It was a great way to celebrate my last funky weekday off: I've accepted a full time position doing therapy! The agency I've worked at for the past 2 years offered me the job recently and I very happily accepted it - this means no more working weekends, no more working 2 jobs, no more uber high stress levels. And most importantly? I get to do what I love every single day.

4 inches - gone!

Lazy days off with Ryan are my favorite days and now I'll be able to have them on the actual weekend like the rest of the world! 

Jeggings, a roomy blouse and my favorite clogs made it a casual chic sort of day. (Some of you are judging me for wearing jeggings and to you I say - don't judge it til you tried it!)


Three cheers for a REGULAR Monday-Friday job with WEEKENDS OFF!

Outfit details: top, jeggings - NY&Co, cardigan - Old Navy, scarf - Target, clogs - gift from Ugglebo Clogs, glasses - gift from GlassesUSA.com, tote - Vera Bradley

Good news, chickadees - Ugglebo Clogs is running a great special right now! If you buy a pair of Ugglebo Boots or Shearling, you can take 30% off a pair of Urbans too!

About Ryan

Let me tell you all a little something about my husband (eee! still gives me a thrill to say that): 


He is meticulous.





I caught him on New Year's Eve in the kitchen, rocking my apron, deep into appetizer preparations for the house party we'd been invited to. 

Over the course of a few hours, he carefully assembled stuffed mushrooms, bacon-wrapped water chestnuts and sweet potato chips. It was all delicious and a huuuuge hit at the party!

It was a charming reminder of how well we balance each other out. Where I am flighty, messy and careless, Ryan is calculated and focused. He pays attention to details that I sometimes think I'm too good to worry about. My projects have a tendency to sometimes turn out with what I'll call a quirk - the malformation that is usually a result of me not working carefully enough. Ryan does everything with purpose and care and his projects almost always turn out perfectly. The man can make a recipe and have the end result look better than the photo in the cookbook!

It's yet another reason why my husband will always be my hero. :)