I Just Might Explode

go rollerskating. done.

Yesterday Darian, Kaitlyn, and I had grand plans of going to the Brunea Sand Dunes(on my list, you see), but it began raining a few hours before we were set to go. I thought it would pass, but it didn't. So, we decided to change plans and go rollerskating instead! (which was also on the list). We went to the Rollerdome in Nampa which I hadn't been to since I was a kid. 

And it was so fun. I had never rollerskated before and hadn't rollerbladed for at least ten years, so I was a little wary when first went out on the rink, but I was up to a nice speed by the end. The three of us were the oldest ones out of the 15-20 kids on the rink and did our fair share of ridiculous dancing and singing to the wonderfully awful music. It was an odd mixture of Top 40, classic rock, and the YMCA song. 

I didn't bring my camera inside, but I did grab my iPhone and take a bunch of ridiculous shots. 

Afterwards, the rain finally cleared and we took some more silly photos in front of the awesome signage.

And, uh, the three of us are sort of ridiculous together.

We headed to Sonic afterwards and then ended up my house watching SNL. They had never seen the beauty known as Stefon and then we had to watch the Judy Lawrence Welk clips for good measure. 

I love my friends. 

 

fashion faux pas. round four.

I've asked a bunch of stylish ladies again if they'd join in me wearing a series of "fashion faux pas" in a creative way... Here is what we came up with! 

Katie from Skunkboy Creatures wearing white with khaki and white, pale legs with no tights:

Outit details- Dress:  Erin Fetherston for Target, Shoes:  Swedish Hasbeens. 

Emily from Emily O Photography wearing dress over jeans AND a slip as a dress:

I've always been drawn to pretty slips and nighties, so it seems a shame that they can't be worn out and about... I mean, why not? I'm always careful to layer them creatively so I don't feel as though I'm wearing my pajamas. This slip was a vintage find several years back. I actually wore it to my first Death Cab for Cutie show (I love the memories attached to clothing.) I adore the thick lace trim. I paired it with comfy jeans and a colorful cardigan and am carrying a large straw tote bag... an outfit perfect for a summer evening at the park or time spent journaling at a coffee shop.

Outfit Details- Slip: vintage/thrifted, Jeans: GAP/thrifted, Cardigan: NY&Co, Sandals: Forever21, Bird necklace: Forever21 and modified by me, Chain necklace: a gift, Earrings: Walmart, Straw bag: thrifted/vintage.

Mandie from Here's Lookin' At Me Kid wearing denim on denim:

 

(Photo by Lydia Carmany)

Denim on denim has been a recent trend making its appearances on fashion blogs everywhere, but here in Canton, Ohio, my friends still like to cheekily label this fashion faux pas as the Canadian uniform. I really don't get the joke, to be honest, and I'm not sure if it's supposed to be ajab. But since I like Canadians, and enjoy stirring the pot, I've been attempting different ways to try out this look.

The shirt I'm wearing was a chambray work-shirt found at the thrift store that I wanted to use for layering in the Spring and summer, so I cut the sleeves off, and even added a little German flag to go with the whole grunge look. To prep up the look a bit, I wore some cotton knit tights, demure oxfords, and a classy wide-brim fedora. I think it's a great casual look for cooler Summer days. And I really wish I would run into that girl in sixth grade who publicly criticized me for wearing denim on denim...

Outfit details- Button-Up Shirt: thrift store, T shirt: Urban Outfitters 2008, Shorts: thrifted high-waist jeans I cut off, Tights: Love Colour Love Tights (UK), Shoes: thrifted, Hat: Secret Past Vintage (Cuyahoga Falls, OH).

Kaelah from Little Chief Honeybee wearing clashing patterns:

One of my new favorite things to do when I style up my outfits is to clash patterns. Normally it's considered totally taboo but there is something about the juxtaposition of geometric lines with organic shapes that really excites me. Playing up contrasting patterns in two totally different color schemes can be fun, too! And sometimes a little monochromatic action is totally warranted!

Elsie from A Beautiful Mess wearing tye-dye:

Outfit details-  Hand Dyed Slip Dress: Love, Lune, Shoes:Jesssica Simpson Collection, Hat: UO, Jewelry: Vintage , Key Necklace: handmade by me.

Me wearing a shirt over a dress:

I don't know if this is so much a faux pas as it an sort of awkward pairing? Wearing a shirt over a dress sort of goes against my nature, but it's something I've been wearing a lot recently. I recommend wearing a loose crop top or other shorter shirt, so it doesn't create an awkward silhouette. And then cinch in your waist with a thin belt. 

Outfit Details- Top: H&M, Dress: Thrifted, Belt: Thrifted, Shoes: Toms, Necklace: Dailee Dose. Ring: Thrifted. 

Thanks so much, ladies! If you want to some more faux pas outfits, check out these posts here and here. 

flowerchild.

I decided that I needed to get out and do a 'just for fun' shoot to creatively re-inspire myself. I wanted to do something summery and 70s inspired. I should head to bed, but I edited this one and love how it turned out! I'm super excited to go through them all soon. 

I had a busy day and would love to stay in chat, but bed is calling my name... Check back tomorrow morning for another fantastic faux pas feature! <3

 

silly.

So. I just realized I uploaded this Super 8 film last month and never shared it. It's kinda silly and random, but I feel like it's art school so I'm allowed to random things, right? ;) I made this film for my Film class. 

<3

Untitled from Kara on Vimeo.

 

oh.

So. I listed this Amy Butler In Stitches book (in new condition with all the uncut/unused patterns still inside!) and a roll of Super 8 film on Ebay this evening. 

I'm not a sewer and won't have access to Super 8 developing for awhile, so I thought I should start removing things from that "clean up and deal with" pile in my bedroom. The one pile that random post-it notes, plastic princess crowns, and bobby pins live in. Please let me you have one of those(or many...) too?!

a thought to go.

I thought I would share a few pages out of a 1976 reproduction of a 1906 Sears Roebuck catalog. We've had this since I was a kid and I would look through it and "shop".

A few favorite pages:

The illustrations make me happy. 

Also. A photo I couldn't help editing from the other night. I'm inside my beloved car, Burt. He's a 1984 Honda Civic and I'm one of those people who talks to her car while driving and brags about him like I'm driving a mustang or something.

silly times. (and a winner!)

I was going to blog yesterday, but the weekend ran away with me. I was housesitting in the North End and squeezed in a photoshoot, errands, friend time, and some commission work. I was very happy to roll into bed last night. I won't be sharing the photoshoot photos quite yet(they're for something special), but I did take a bunch of silly photos with my friend Kaitlyn last night. She texted me last night asking if I was busy and wanted to go swimming with her. I threw on my bikini and we have swam for a bit and then went to a park afterward and took a bunch of "friend photos" because we didn't have any. 

Oh, summer... <3

P.S. The winners of the decalLOVE giveaway are Lisa(large wall decal) and Jasmin(small wall decal)! Send me an email at karahaupt(@)gmail.com and we'll send your decal on it's way. <3

 

a little bit of happy.

Things that are making me smile:

Oh. And definitely this. 

Happy weekend, friends! <3

P.S. I will announce winners for the decalLOVE giveaway on Sunday! 

taking cues from vintage you: one.

Rachel from Smile and Wave recently facelifted her blog and, not only it is gorgeous and you should totally check it out, but she's having blog party today! She was sweet to ask me to contribute and I'm exicted to share a new fashion feature over there. 

<3

summer threads: bra straps.

I went through this phase when I was 14 where I pretended to be able to sew and it really only involved me making a blanket(which I still sleep with every night) and a few tote bags. I realized that I abhor following patterns and, really, I am much too lazy to be a sewing gal. But, I do like to alter clothes. I like to add pretty trims, or stitched detailing, or new buttons. Summer Threads is a feature I'll be running through the summer where I give new life to boring mall clothes, thrift store deals, or items I already own. 

They're not complicated. And like most of my DIYs involve me saying things like:

"now just add some trim. whoo-hoo! you're done!"

"you could use that one loopy hand stitch here if you wanna"

In some circles I'm known as the Betty Crocker of sewing. 

First up: Altered Bra Straps

In this fashion faux pas post from last summer, I shared my bra-strap lovins. I like wearing tank tops and strapless bras are annoying and basically I'm trashy, but who cares. 

My sweet aunt gave me a two boxes of trims she found at a garage sale:

I grabbed two bras that have been hanging out my secrets drawer for a long time and pinned the trim to the straps:

Be certain to try the bra on before you pin, so the bands are as tight as you want them to be.

I then ran the straps through my sewing machine with zig-zag switch and afterwards pinned on lace and rick-rack and ran it through again. 

And ta-da! Pretty straps to liven up your summer tanks and spaghetti strap dresses!

I also love this teal and red combo:

Hope to see your straps hanging out. ;)