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fashion

12 Days of Christmas: How to Style Velvet During the Holidays

by Kayla Smith December 20, 2017

All things velvet from head to toe!

I’m so excited to team up with a few insta friends as we share our favorite ways to style velvet during this season. We are using the hashtag #myvelvetholiday on Instagram so you can join in on the fun by posting your own way to style velvet. Here are some Instagram accounts and blogs that have been linked so you can follow along and see how we style velvet this holiday season in our own way! Keep scrolling to get all my outfit details and be sure to give these ladies some love 🙂

Janelle (Janelle in Real Life) // Tasha (Tasha Abegglen) // Jensyn (Stripes in Bloom) // Lauryn (Lauryn Ashli)

Tamsyn (Endowed with Fashion) // Tea (Our Eternal Happiness) // Kayla (Kayla Smith) // Megan (Being Mrs. Fowler)

Outfit Details

I didn’t think I would fall for the velvet trend, but here we are! I love velvet more than I thought I could (probably since I’m a 90’s kid.) This adorable top is from My Sister’s Closet Boutique! I paired it with a skirt from DownEast. I also included my initial necklace from Cents of Style to give it more of a personal touch. Even though I paired my top with a skirt, it can easily be dressed down with some jeans and a cute ballet flat (my leopard ones are my favorite!)

What are your favorite velvet pieces? How do you style velvet? Do you like velvet at all? (I know my sister despises it 😉 ) Let me know in the comments and I’ll share my favorites on my Instagram stories! Another quick shoutout to all the wonderful girls who I got a chance to work with in this post. Happy Holidays!

XOXO Kayla

December 20, 2017 0 comment

Fashion Lifestyle

A Cozy Gift Guide for Anyone Who Loves to Relax

by Kayla Smith December 12, 2017

written by Kayla Smith

The best time of year for snuggly people!

I love to be comfortable! The moment I come home from work or a day out, I always slip into a pair of sweats or my favorite pajamas. Also, you can find me snuggled under a soft blanket 365 days of the year. I put together a cozy gift guide with all my favorite cuddly things that help me relax during the holidays.

cozy gift guide

Pajama Set

I know they say to save the best for last, but this is my favorite item in the cozy gift guide! I know I’ve raved about these pajamas before (here and here), but they’re probably the best pair I’ve ever had!

Sherpa Blanket

I’m a blanket aficionado. I think I own more blankets then I can count on both hands. Sherpa blankets are the best because they’re unbelievable soft and I could lay in one all day long if I could.

Robe

I wear my robe daily and it’s like being wrapped in a blanket all day long!

Slippers

cozy gift guide

I found the cutest pair of slippers this week from Cents of Style! My feet have never been warmer (and they’re usually freezing!)

Fuzzy Socks

Fuzzy socks are one of my go-to gifts for anyone! I pair it with a yummy lotion or bath bomb for a wonderful night in.

Fluffy Rug

If you have a terribly uncomfortable couch like me, a fluffy rug will be your best friend! My husband and I spend more time on the floor than sitting on my furniture.

Mug

Every night before my husband goes to bed, he relaxes with a cup of tea. We have tons of cute mugs and I found a bunch of cute ones.

Candles

No day of relaxation is complete without a volcano candle! I got one for the first time a few weeks ago and I can see why there is so much hype about them. I even turned my husband into a candle man and he lights it as soon as we get home.

Eye Mask

Everyone needs their beauty rest and I love my eye mask! It has cooling beads that help reduce my puffiness and is definitely needed after a long day at work.

Bath Bombs

I love bath bombs, but I always try to make sure they don’t have a ton of chemicals. That’s why these are the best since they only have a few ingredients. Plus, who wouldn’t want to have an excuse to sit in a bath for an hour?

Sugar Scrub

This is one of my saving graces in the winter!

Scarf

Thick, chunky scarves are my love language! They’re warm and sometimes can double as a blanket (which is a total win!)

Beanie

I love to wear beanies since they’re adorable, but hide the fact that I haven’t washed my hair in a week.

Sweat pants

If you don’t like sweat pants, we can’t be friends… Only joking! There’s a way to wear sweatpants while still looking cute, and I think these do the trick.

Alison Sorensen Pillow

I got this pillow from my friend Alison at Alison Sorensen Designs. A comfy throw pillow with a funky design is one of my favorite ways to add coziness to a room, while still having a taste of my personality.

Those are my must-have items on my cozy gift guide! Let me know if there’s anything you do differently to make your space more inviting. Don’t forget to kick your feet up and take some time for yourself today (while maybe doing some online shopping 😉 ) Love you guys!

XOXO Kayla

December 12, 2017 3 comments

Fashion Lifestyle

3 Personalized Gifts to Show Someone You Care

by Kayla Smith December 11, 2017

written by Kayla Smith

Unique jewelry is one of the best presents any girl would love to receive!

Are you sick and tired of giving gift cards for Christmas? Do you want to put more thought into your gifts? I found the solution! Every year on my Christmas list, I usually have a few personalized gifts, because they’re so much fun! It’s personal to me and it’s unlike any present a girl could receive. I wanted to share with you a few places that go above and beyond with their adorable jewelry perfect for any bestie, sister, girlfriend or mom during the holidays.

Cents of Style

I ordered this initial necklace this past week from Cents of Style since I’ve been searching for a necklace like this for a while. If you are on a tight budget, check out their website! Everything is so CHEAP! Also, if you live locally, they have next day delivery for Utah, Davis and Salt Lake counties. Use code KAYLAJ, you can get an additional 20% off their already cheap prices.

personalized gifts

Mia and Mac

I get questions all the time about my choker and pineapple necklaces I got from Mia and Mac. Something you may not know is that they also have tons of jewelry that makes the perfect personalized gift. Her Etsy shop has the cutest stuff for a wide range of personalities.

personalized gifts

The Silver Loft

I ordered a couple things from The Silver Loft a while ago and loved what I found! She has bangles, necklaces, and so much more that you can easily customize. I got the state bangle and a bar necklace with Taz and I’s names on it. You can find me wearing it all the time, and it would be so cute for a mom with her kid’s names on it, a newlywed with her husband’s name or even just your name. You can treat yourself during the holidays too, right? 😉

These personalized gifts is a wonderful way to show someone you care and put thought into their gift during the holidays. It’s a gift they will cherish for years to come.

XOXO Kayla

December 11, 2017 0 comment

Beauty Fashion

November Beauty and Fashion Haul

by Kayla Smith November 30, 2017

written by Kayla Smith

Life-changing products that you HAVE to try!

I bought everything in this list with my own money. All opinions are my own.

This month was GOLDEN! Black Friday and Cyber Monday definitely raked in the goods. This may be my best beauty and fashion haul yet. Here’s what I found:

Beauty Haul

Stila Glitter and Glow Eyeshadow

If you’re going to a holiday party, make sure you have a tube of Stila Magnificient Metals Glitter and Glow Eyeshadow in your purse! This is my absolute favorite glitter eyeshadow. There’s minimal fall out and the color choices are STUNNING! I got the color Kitten Karma and I can’t wait to try another color.

Ofra Makeup Fixer

I got the Ofra Makeup Fixer during Ulta’s Cyber Funday weekend. I honestly thought I could spray it and then “fix” my makeup if I made a mistake, but it actually is a makeup setting spray. That’s my own silly thought! I’ve used two other setting sprays before. The first moisturized my face, but it didn’t set. The second set, but dried out my face completely. This one sets AND hydrates which is the best of both worlds.

Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Patina

My sweet friend, Shannon suggested I try the Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick and I’m so glad I took her advice! I was nervous at first since most all-day lipsticks are really drying, but this one didn’t. It lasts majority of my work day and I’m obsessed with the color Patina. This is more on the expensive side for lip products, but I think it is definitely worth the investment.

Clarins Instant Light Lip Oil in Honey Glam

Here’s another life-changing lip product: The Clarins Instant Light Lip Oil. When I go for a more neutral makeup look, I like to add this to my lips to look more pouty without adding a ton of color. It has a shine to it that also looks really pretty on top of my lipstick as well. The applicator is buttery soft too which brings this to the next level.

Kristen Ess Beach Wave Spray

I haven’t had a ton of time to test the Kristen Ess Beach Wave Spray, but I still wanted to share what I found. It’s entirely different than other beach sprays. It doesn’t dry out the hair with using salt, instead, it adds volume while enhancing the shape and softness of the waves. Another thing that is different is that it is used after the hair is dried and styled instead of while it is damp. I added this to my hair routine to make my hair look thicker and more luscious than before.

Fashion Haul

Slip on Sneakers

These sneakers are incredible! They’re probably the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever owned. I’m pretty lazy when it comes to putting on shoes so it’s nice that I can slip these on and go.

Pajama Set

You may have seen these pajamas in my Instagram stories and there’s a reason for that. They are so buttery soft and feel luxurious, but are inexpensive. They come in a ton of colors (even Christmas!) I added two others to my Christmas List. They are THAT good!

Cents of Style skirt

I got this skirt from Cents of Style this month! This isn’t made from velvet, but it gives the sheen velvet has since the fabric is metallic. It comes in three gorgeous colors. I have both light mauve and champagne since it goes with everything.

Pink Blush tunic

I am an affiliate with PinkBlush, but this tunic is the best thing I’ve ever received from them. I love the length since it goes to the top of my thigh which makes it long enough for leggings or paired with jeans. It even has pockets! Plus, you can never go wrong with leopard print.

Woven Pear socks

I’ve wanted a pair of Woven Pear socks for months! I finally bit the bullet and snatched up a pair of Strawberry Fields socks. I ended up loving them! The fabric is incredibly soft, but I would say the colors look completely different in person so keep that in mind before ordering.

Olive Ave Peplum

Olive Ave has some of the best boutique clothing! I found this shirt with mixed patterns and was immediately drawn to it. I’m obsessed with gingham this season, but I like that even though there are two different patterns, the colors are neutral enough to match anything! Finding “personality” pieces like this really make my wardrobe stand out.

Stockplace ‘Weekend’ Sweatshirt

I finally got this sweatshirt last night and I haven’t taken it off since! It’s just a sweatshirt, but it isn’t stiff like other sweatshirts I’ve had in the past. It comes in a gorgeous mauve color too!

Anker Power Bank

I know this doesn’t really fit into my beauty and fashion haul, but I had to share this again because it’s THAT good! I have an irrational fear of my phone dying, but this battery pack can recharge it up to three times. When it is dead, it takes maybe 5 minutes to recharge. I don’t go anywhere without it.

November definitely gave me a productive beauty and fashion haul. Here’s what I found last month. I can’t wait to see what December brings!

XOXO, Kayla

November 30, 2017 0 comment

Beauty Fashion

November Amazon Finds

by Kayla Smith November 29, 2017

written by Kayla Smith

Black Friday, Cyber Monday are one weekend a year. These on sale all year round!

I have a talent for getting the best Amazon finds for popular fashion and beauty items (with a few exceptions.) I usually have an Amazon finds and deals of the day, but if you missed a few, I put them all together for your reference. Here’s what I found during the month of November:

Silicone Makeup Brush Cleaning Mat

Denim Jean Jacket

Knit Cardigan

Quilted Herringbone Vest

Slip-on Sneakers

Metallic Velvet Midi Skirt

Plaid Dress

Crew Neck Knit Sweater

Double Hooded Pullover Sweatshirt

Anker Battery Pack

Stila Magnificent Metals Glitter & Glow Eyeshadow

Wrap-Around Sweater

Long-Sleeve Pajama Set

Thankful Shirt

If you are looking for a good deal and don’t know where to find it, feel free to contact me! What are your favorite Amazon finds? Let me know in the comments below! Happy shopping!

XOXO Kayla

November 29, 2017 0 comment

Fashion

Stocking Stuffer Ideas with My Sister’s Closet Boutique

by Kayla Smith November 24, 2017

written by Kayla Smith

The cutest stocking stuffer ideas for a killer deal!

My Sister’s Closet sent me product for this review. All opinions are entirely my own.

Have you ever wanted to get some gifts for your girlfriends, but didn’t know where to start? Or do you need to fill the stockings and can’t find anything for a good deal? Well, you’re in luck! Black Friday isn’t the only sale going on this weekend. My Sister’s Closet put together some of the cutest things together for a Stocking Stuffer Saturday!

Doorbusters + Info

I have the inside scoop for the deals you can’t miss tomorrow!

They have a ton of doorbusters are 50% off including the adorable chunky scarf in my pictures and a bunch of knit beanies. They all go live at 8 pm TONIGHT!
Everything in the store is 20% after midnight + there’s always free shipping! This is the time to grab that floral dress or chunky cardigan you’ve been eyeing. Here’s a few of my favorites here, here, and here.
If you are lucky enough to live in Utah county, everything in the stores in Spanish Fork and Draper are 20% off beginning Saturday morning at 9 am!

I discovered My Sister’s Closet when I first moved to Utah 5 years ago. They were actually one of the first brands willing to work with me when I first started blogging, and I have never been disappointed with them. They have high quality clothing and accessories for a fraction of the price you will be able to find anywhere else. I definitely recommend checking them out if you haven’t before. If you have any other questions, I would be more than happy to answer them or you can refer to My Sister’s Closet’s blog post giving the details about how this weekend works. Happy shopping!

XOXO Kayla

stocking stuffer scarf

November 24, 2017 0 comment

Fashion

How to Wear Leopard Print Like a Neutral

by Kayla Smith November 17, 2017

written by Kayla Smith

Leopard print will never go out of style!

Let me tell you: I’m a sucker for leopard print. I have been since I was a teenager (I even wore a leopard print prom dress…The horror!) and I still love it now. I asked my husband if my pair of leopard print shoes matched my outfit and he told me they went with everything. That’s not necessarily true, but it’s so easy to wear leopard print like a neutral and our conversation is the inspiration for this post! Here’s a few tips I put together on how to incorporate leopard print into your wardrobe.

Clothing

I found that when I wear leopard print as a focal point rather than an accessory it makes my outfit easier to dress up or down. My definition of a focal point is a shirt, skirt, dress or pants. This shirt is from Pink Blush and I love it! I went for a more neutral look with jeans and black slip-ons. However, you could dress it up with tucking the top into a skirt and adding a pop of color on the lips.

Accessories

Accessories are the best way to show off your personality, however a lot of them can make or break an outfit. I choose to get minimalistic pieces that I can use with majority of outfits whether that be shoes, a purse or even a scarf. For example, I wear my leopard print flats regularly. They’re the perfect addition to dress up or down. Slip on a pair with a cute top and jeans or a colored dress any day of the week. I love to wear them specifically to mix up colors and patterns to mix up my style.

I hope this gave you some ideas on how to wear leopard print like a neutral. I’m convinced animal prints will never go out of style so I know you’ll be wearing your favorite pieces for years to come. Let me know your favorite ways to wear animal print and if you want other styling tips, head to my other outfit posts.

XOXO Kayla

leopard print Pink Blush sweater

November 17, 2017 0 comment

Fashion

Holiday Gifting with JORD Wooden Watches

by Kayla Smith November 7, 2017

written by Kayla Smith

A classic watch with a unique twist

The holidays are right around the corner, and it’s never hurts to get some holiday shopping done early! I’ve had a hard time thinking of some thoughtful gifts and I finally found the solution: JORD Watches. They made these timeless pieces from high quality wood which is a twist to these classic watches. I was asked to be a part of the JORD Holiday Campaign and I couldn’t be more excited about these wooden watches.

Classic Wooden Watches

People always say the best gift you can give someone is time so why not give them a way to track it? A high-quality wood watch gives that touch of personality that is so different from other traditional watches. Choose from light colored wood to darker-toned watches. I got the Frankie watch which is made of a darker wood with rose gold numbers. JORD doesn’t only have women’s watches, they carry men’s watches too! It’s the perfect gift that anyone would be happy to receive! My husband even already picked out a few that look good to him so I guess that’s a hint to me for his Christmas gift! Lucky for you, I have a link to a coupon code for you to get 25% off your JORD wooden watches from now until December 19th! They don’t do this very often so make sure to take advantage of this for the holiday season. I also included a few pictures of my watch for reference below! Happy Holidays!

XOXO Kayla

November 7, 2017 0 comment

Beauty Fashion

October Beauty and Fashion Haul

by Kayla Smith November 2, 2017

written by Kayla Smith

My favorite products I found this month!

These are my favorite blog posts to write! I love to try new things and re-order things I adore. This month, I wanted to share my beauty and fashion haul for the month of October. I bought everything with my own hard-earned money so I could test and report back the best of my findings with you!

Beauty Finds

Benefit Roller Lash

This is my new favorite mascara! If you don’t have time to get falsies like me, this mascara will become your new best friend AND you don’t even need an eyelash curler which saves me a few extra seconds each morning. I’ve never had the appearance of longer lashes than with this. I have tried it in the past, but I always come back to it and I have a feeling you will too.

Tarte Don’t Quit Your Day Dream Palette

Tarte had an incredible birthday sale a few weeks ago and I snagged one of their limited-edition eyeshadow palettes. I didn’t think much of it until I swatched it. Oh my gosh the colors are stunning! I wrote a blog post all about a fall makeup look I created with it. The colors are super pigmented and are the most gorgeous warm colors perfect for fall. It’s on sale until they’re gone so grab one before they’re gone forever!

Stila Eyeshadow

This is the best glitter shadow I’ve ever used and is my #1 favorite product during this month’s beauty and fashion haul! There’s not much fall out and it stay ALL DAY LONG! You can’t say that about many glitter eyeshadows. It’s stunning and perfect for the holidays or a night on the town. I can’t wait to get the other colors!

W7 Makeup and Glow Bronzing Base

I’ve been using this to step up my contour game. For less than $10, I think this is the true winner of my Amazon finds this month! It did take a long time to get here, but it was totally worth it in the end. It blends well and is very forgiving for those learning how to contour. I couldn’t be more pleased with how it turned out.

Milani Amore Matte Liquid Lipstick

This lipstick is a little more drying than I would like, but the color pay out it worth it! It goes on very smooth and the color lasts all day which is hard to get after eating a sandwich.

Fashion Finds

Quay Sunglasses

I’ve never loved a pair of sunglasses more! They’re reflective and the most gorgeous rose-gold color. I love the unique shape of them and never received more compliments than when I’m wearing them.

Baltic Born Shirt

After I got this shirt, I wore it for three days straight. It’s super soft and long enough to wear leggings with which is a huge plus! I have an obsession with varsity sleeves so if you see me wearing everything with varsity sleeves. You know why.

Eye Buy Direct Glasses

My friend at work introduced me to them since they are a cheaper option for prescription glasses. I ordered two pairs: one more neutral and a pink pair. I love them! My brown/black frame has computer lenses along with my prescription and I’m obsessed! It takes down the intake of blue light which reduced my headaches and eye strain. It’s helped a ton! Here’s a link to get $10 off your first order. Each pair of mine cost $30 so that’s an awesome deal!

eye buy direct

Cara Loren Tee

I’ve been eyeing this tee for months! She had a flash sale so I snagged one before I even knew what happened. It’s super cute but comes veryyyy short so keep that in mind before ordering. I probably should have sized up, but I love to wear it with high waisted jeans or a cute skirt.

Cara Loren shop Nina Nautical Tee

Shop Zoco Sweater

Sweater weather is my favorite time of year so I’m weak when it comes to buying sweaters. I usually get them all from my friend, Melissa who owns Shop Zoco. She has incredible taste so you can never go wrong.

shop zoco

This month I got some good finds and I can’t wait to see what will happen in next month’s beauty and fashion haul with Black Friday!!! If you want to see what I found last month, click here.

XOXO Kayla

November 2, 2017 1 comment

Beauty Fashion

October Amazon Deals

by Kayla Smith October 31, 2017

written by Kayla Smith

The things you’ve been wanting for killer deals!

I’ve received a lot of messages asking for links to my Amazon Deals of the Day and I decided to put them all here for your reference. Some of them are more now than they were before, but they’re still a better deal if bought it anywhere else. Majority of these Amazon deals are 50% off the original price which is a definite win in my book!

Embroidery Dress

Cut Out Booties

Makeup Organizer

Metallic Midi Skirt

Blanket Scarf

Chiffon Flutter Sleeve Maxi Dress

Distressed Overalls

Click here to find my other favorite Amazon deals. If there’s anything you are looking to get a discount on or want to see, leave your suggestions in the comments below!

XOXO Kayla

October 31, 2017 3 comments