Wearable Wednesdays: Rainy Day

The past couple days in Tempe have been cloudy, cold and even rainy! Surprised that Arizona gets rain?? Yes most people are when a storm blows in and all we have in our closet is a light zip-up hoodie and flip-flops.   Although it might not rain a lot in Arizona, it never hurts to be prepared an have a few staple items in your closet.

- Pea Coat: This is perfect for winter, rainy days and makes any outfit feel a little dressier. Don't be afraid to purchase a fun bright color
- Nautical striped tee: A navy and white striped shirt is one of the most versatile pieces in a woman's closet. It goes with most colors and is way more fun than a plain colored v-neck
- Acid washed skinny jeans: The 80's are back and if you're feeling a little risky, try a pair of acid washed skinny jeans
- Combat boots: From school to even a night out, combat boots are the biggest rage at the moment. Now they are even coming with studs on them (my fav!)
- Gold watch: A gold watch is always a classic staple piece of arm candy. You don't have to spend hundreds and hundreds of dollars- just find one that makes your feel like a million bucks
- Fun umbrella: Although I rarely use mine, go grab one from H&M, Target or Forever 21. They come in handy when needed for rain, sunshine or even a fun photoshoot!

Wearable Wednesdays: 21st Birthday Dress

Recently I was introduced to Polyvore; and maybe I'm just behind the rest of the fashion world but it was so cool! I have always wondered how people put together those mood boards in magazines or Pinterest and figured you just have to be really good with photoshop or graphic design- wrong; even a newb like myself can do it!

If you're wondering what Polyvore, let me enlighten you. Its an online social community website where members can curate products and put them into mood boards called 'sets'. A lot of these boards end up on websites like Pinterest or fashion blogs. If you haven't checked it out before, definitely do so!

I am testing out a new lookbook of these sets and they are called Wearable Wednesdays. Hopefully each Wednesday I will have a new board with a new theme. This week is in honor of my close girl friend, Lindsey Lucero. January 22nd was her BIG 21st Birthday!! She kindly asked me to help style her for her night on the town.

Gray with embellisments birthday dress: Express $20 (on sale from $60)

Black Tights: CVS

Black Booties: Dolce Vita from Dillards (clearance)

Black Necklace: Forever 21

Black Ring: H&M

Red Lipstick: Hourglass in Icon from Sephora

Check out the first Mood board and get Lindsey's look:

Hope you enjoyed and let me know what you think about the mood board on my facebook page!

xoxo Audree Kate

DIY turban headband

Last week I presented to a new club at ASU called Sun Devils wear Prada and it was so much fun! I was asked to do a DIY craft for the members and I chose to do turban headbands. All you need is an old t-shirt, a pair or scissors, and hot glue.

Twist Turban
1. Cut the bottom half of the shirt off (under the armpits). Cut in fourths!
      > OR cut the length of you hand and then cut in 1/2
2. Place two strips in a perpendicular fashion
3. Grab two ends and glue together; do the same to the other side
4. Take the two sides and glue together
5. Take an extra strip of fabric (ie: neckline, finished cuff of the sleeve) and wrap around the back side to cover the glue and hold together for extra support

* You can also do this for bandeau tops. Just cut the  shirt vertical (cut off sleeves and neckline and cut in fourths and follow the same fashion.

Knotted Turban

This turban is a bit more difficult but I have looked at several tutorials online and will post their links on here

1. For this you can use the other two strips of fabric you had left over or I had an old pair of tights that I used. Nylon fabric is easy to stretch and easy to work with
2. If you use tights cut off the top part and just use the legs
3. Take one strip and make a loop like the 'Support the Troop Ribbon' and right over left
4. Use the second strip and make a U-shape with the right side under the bottom right side of the ribbon
5. Now take the left side of the U-shape under the loop of the first strand
6. Take the right strand of the U-shape and thread over the loop, under the left side of the U-shape,  and over the other side of the loop
7. Pull the edges out so the knot comes together and tighten
8. Glue together the edges like how you did for the twist turban
9. Cut off the waistband of the tight and use that as your security strip
10. Wrap the waistband and glue in place

Tutorial for steps 3-7
http://pinterest.com/pin/61713457364591841/
http://www.lovestitched.com/my-tutorial/knotted-jersey-headband-tutorial/

 

Hope you enjoy!

XOXO Audree Kate

Inspirational Calendar

Hold off before you throw away your old monthly calendar! I was going through one I had from a previous year and instead of tossing it, I thought of an idea. I have always been fascinated by inspirational quotes and posting them all around my room or in my weekly agenda as a 'pick-me-up'. So to combine my two favorite things, YES I love planners, calendars, lists, etc (nerd alert), I picked a quote for each month and covered the days so its just a calendar with quotes. You can do this on a regular sized calendar with quotes for each day, week, etc but this was a mini one so I just stuck with one quote a month. Super Easy DIY- hope you enjoy!

XOXO Audree Kate

365 Day Challenge

Happy New Year! I hope you haven't already broke your resolutions for 2013! When I sat down the other day to really think about what I wanted as resolutions I realized, I WILL make mistakes this year, I'm not perfect nor even near but I finally wanted to achieve some of my short term goals. Last year one of them was to start my fashion blog and I finally had the guts to try it out and I couldn't be happier! So this year some of my resolutions or as I like to refer to them as goals are the 30 day challenge and the 365 day clothes diary. If you haven't heard the trick of 'if you try something for 30 days it will become ritual'; I like this because it lets me try different things for a month at a time like working out, praying, wearing my retainer everyday (yuck), etc.

Now for the BIG one! The 365 day challenge is a diary of my outfits for an entire year- but here is the kicker... I can't repeat! Well, I can repeat items but not the exact outfit. Now if you have sneaked a peak into my closet, you will not have any doubt in my ability to do so but I am still a little scared but extremely excited for this challenge. The hardest part will be to remember to update the blog and Instagram of the pictures. Although I have a full closet, I barely spend anything (I'm way too cheap)- I love thrifting. Brand new items in my closet, especially ones that are expensive, are a rarity.

I want to do this challenge to show that you don't have to spend a lot or any money at all to make your wardrobe unique and different. I will try to keep my outfits trendy and not too boring!

So now check out my newest page on the top of the webpage for all the outfits! They will also be posted on my Instagram (simplyaudreekate) so please follow me and root for me!

Don't let your resolutions overwhelm you; start small like a 30 day challenge and test out the waters. If you goal is physical, mental or emotional- you can do anything if you want to. Don't go looking for happiness in something or someone; it starts with you as an individual so make those needed goals and be the BEST YOU!


XOXO Audree Kate

The Best of 2012

"WOW" is the only word I can use to describe the past few months. College took full swing this last semester and man was I a busy lady! Between 18 credits, 2 jobs and a sorority, life was a tad hectic and I sadly put Simply Audree Kate in the shadows; but never fear- I'm back (please hold the applause). I can't wait for a fun new year with many posts, projects and DIYs; so stay tuned and follow my Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram

Since the year is winding down to an end I wanted to celebrate my favorite trends and fashion picks that became more popular in 2012. Hopefully most of these will keep on the runway in 2013.

Color:
Mint, Mustard, Tangerine, Nude, Military Green, Soft Pink, Nude


My new favorite is mustard! It can be classy and funky at the same time and adds a POP to any outfit

Fabric:
Sheer, Lace, Embellished

You can never go wrong with lace; its the epitome of feminine and romance

Print:
Floral, Stripes, Polka Dots

Pair a printed top with basic solid other items

Accessory:
Gold Jewelry, Watches, Clutch Purses, Infinity Scarves, Turban Headbands

I have a bad addiction to watches- 95% of the time I am wearing one of my many pieces of arm candy. My favorite is my rose gold Bestey Johnson!


Turban Headbands are sweeping the fashion nation. They are great for a bad hair day and are easy to make


Beauty: 
Nail Art, Bright Lipstick, Top/Sock Buns, Ombré hair

 

Bright red lipstick or colorful nails is an easy way to stand out in a crowd

Trends:
>Tops
Chambray

demin on demin on demin and no one is complaining! Not gonna lie, I love jean shirts- they are effortlessly sexy and an easy go to. Wear a light chambray button up with dark skinny jeans, bright flats, chunky jewelry and a scarf.

Crop Tops

The 90's crop top is back ladies and it is making all of us rethink last night's dessert. But never fear, balance it out with highwaisted bottoms and a flowly coverup or a chunky necklace

Embellished Necklines and Shoulders

 

These tiny embellishments make any outfit a showstopper

Peplums

Ladies, meet your new best friend. These shirts slim hips and accent your waist.

Cutouts


From cutouts on the back, side, front and sleeves, this trend made 2012 a little more holier

Chunky Sweaters

Paired with leggings and you have met every college girl's go to outfit (other than yoga pants of course). Its a perfect fall or winter trend so go a size bigger and get your comfy on

>Bottoms
Colored and Printed Skinny Jeans

 

I'm just getting into this trend and love it! I now officially own red, gold, corduroy green and lavender skinnies. My next purchase will be floral.. if I'm feely gutsy

High to Low and Maxi Skirts

 

High to Low hit the stores big time this year! They are quirky but work for all body types and show that inner diva in every girl.

High Waisted Jean Shorts

I'd be lying if I said I didn't love this trend. I have stolen some of my mom's hideous 'mom shorts' and cut & roughened them up to look straight from Urban Outfitters.

>Shoes
cap toes

captoes add a little spunk; so keep the best foot forward and try a cap toe shoe

Booties

Oh Mr. Jeffery Campbell.. you DA man! I am obsessed with these booties. They are great for date night, girl nights out or with that killer LBD

Combat boots

If I could pick one shoe to live in the rest of my life it would be these bad boys. They make any outfit a little rock n roll with a touch of attitude

Studded Loafers

Why yes Steve Madden did it once again ladies and gents. Loafers are great for one but with STUDS?! can someone just pinch me?


Well this sums up some of my favorite from the past year. I can't wait to see what the runway brings us for Spring and Summer but until then, keep updated for more posts and have a very blessed and Happy New Year!

XOXO Audree Kate

Styling- Dream Photography Studio

Hi ya'll!

Last spring I had the opportunity to work on my first photo shoot! I was so incredibly blessed to be contacted by Stacey Woodward from Dream Photography Studio to style a couples session. Stacey was great to work with and her photos are absolutely amazing. Krystle (female model) was such a fun person to style; her personal style is a mix of retro, pin-up and feminine. Both Krystle Maher and Danny Darnell are beautiful people inside and out and I'm so excited to share the photos with you. I really wanted to exude their personalities with this shoot and I think the pictures turned out great! Let me know what you think and CHECK OUT Dream Photography Studio- you won't regret it :)

Also a special thanks to Smeeks for letting us work in their store! It's absolutely the cutest place I have ever visited.

photographer:
Stacey Woodward
http://www.dreamphotographystudio.com/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dream-Photography-Studio/52261872163

location 1: very playful and casual look
location 2: romantic dressy look
location 3: retro look

I hope you enjoyed!

xoxo Audree Kate