Hi, I'm an addict.

Hi you lovely little thing.

I may sound like a complete pyschopath for a second, 

but I need to put this out there to you guys, because I think after following along,

for this long, you're inclined to know a few things about me.

I was asked what my top 7 (weird number, I know) addictions were today in 

the rousing game of 21 questions you play with someone you're getting to know.

Here they are, point blank. 

Let the madness begin.

1. Target.

- Target, to me, is heaven on earth. 

I don't care if you're a brand whore or a coupon clipping junkie,

 target has everything to satisfy my shopping cravings on a daily basis.

And if you're already wondering, 

I have two target apps, as well as a maxed out credit card. 

2. Ice.

- And if you're around me, you'll have to either get use to it or get out. 

I chew ice. 

My tiny little baby teeth can handle it, so hush about it being "bad."

I'm iron deficient and proud, said no one ever, 

and instead of medicating on useless sugar pills, 

I fill cups with frozen gold and chew til my little soul is happy.

3. Pinterest.

-  I'm a 21 year old girl, 
I think this is more of a common addiction than some of my others. 

I hate babies, weddings, and anything that applies to either one of them, 

but somehow, 

I spend hours on my phone, pinning, repinning, and liking

 "diaper cakes" and "druzy cut engagement rings."

4. Sex and the City reruns.

- Stop right here. 

This one will never die,
 and you can never make me suppress my undying desire 
to become Carrie Bradshaw. 
From the closets in her brownstone, 
to her cigarette clouded life, 

I'm hooked.

5. Black. 

- Roommates, stop laughing. 

If it comes in black, I'll buy it. 

Black nails, black bags, black clothing taking up 98% of my closet space, 
I can't help it. 

Currently, every single thing I'm wearing is black, 

including my freshly done nails. 

Black like my soul. 

Just kidding. 

Maybe?

6.Water.

- I'm a Pisces, and I never realized my undying love for water 

until I moved to the southwest part of North Carolina. 

I can't be 100% happy unless I'm around water.

 And no, I don't mean water bottles, I mean like, bodies of water. 

Last year, I found my oasis in the south. 

Thank you Lake Norman, for making this Long Island girl feel at home.

7.  Captain Morgan.

- I'm sorry mom. 

I can't help it, but I'm my father's daughter. 

Dark liquor is my thing. I could drink 10 bottles of Captain Morgan a night, 

and be the happiest girl in the world without switching to something else. 
And I probably have. 
Just kidding(?)

No, I'm not an alcoholic, 
I'm a 21 year old girl in her senior year of college, 

who is trying to figure out which way to go in life, 

when she can't even figure out what to wear on a daily basis. 

So cheers to you, you dark delicious delicacy. 

You're the only man for me.

And here end's the myspace tag from 7th grade that you all posted.

You are so welcome.

And I hope you all had an incredible holiday this past week. 

All of my love, 

k.

Born for leavin'.

I want to start this post by saying, 
I'm not being ungrateful at all towards my family, 
and I love my friends dearly. 
But there's something different about coming home.

I'm back in the same routine I was in three years ago. 
Before I moved away and made a new life for myself.
Before I fell in love with new coordinates.
Before I changed.

And it's just strange coming back to Long Island.
I found myself in Charlotte. 
I found happiness, 
and I found a sense of confidence I never had before.

Taking the same roads, 
to the same stores, 
and the same job, 
just helped me in making a discovery today.

I could never stay here even if I tried.
Not because of anything other than the fact that I cannot see myself living happily here.


I just needed to vent. 
I don't want to ever upset my family or friends.
But Charlotte stole my heart a long time ago, 
and this trip home just confirmed it. 

xo,
k

Draped in happiness.

 

I apologize in advance for the lovely picture quality, 

my vintage Iphone 4 doesn't meet up to some expectations, 

but oh well, I had to share this OOTD.

I went to Torrid about two weeks ago and basically died over this draped jacket.

From the back, it appears to be a typical cargo type jacket, 

color and all, but from the front it is so not typical. 

It has a cinched waist with a tie that allows you to show your curves off, 

while having a bit of perfectly placed fabric draped down the front 

that adds just the right bit of something, 

to a garment that could have easily been duplicated.

Underneath, I chose to layer an oversized scoop neck tunic. 

When I tied the drawstring, the tunic and jacket flared out a bit at the waist,

 making the simple shirt appear almost as a dress. 

I paired it with black leggings, 

and simple black heeled booties, 

and was absolutely in love.

You know those days when you just feel good in your skin?

This was one of them.

Wear things that you love,

 not pieces others decide you should love,

and you'll find yourself walking with ease,

instead of insecurities.

Xo,

k.

Untitled.

 

           Sometimes it doesn't matter how much you do.

Nudie kisses.

 

I have been so completely infatuated with this lip look as of lately. 

I love wearing lip products because I actually have like, 

no top lip at all, 

so anything that makes me appear to be blessed with lips is a gift from Jesus himself. 

This is my simplest trick to achieving a stellar nude/your lip but better look. 

1. Brush your lips gently with your toothbrush.

-Sounds really weird, but it helps to take away any flaky or dead skin.

2. Apply a light mauve lip liner all over the lips. 

- I choose NYX lipliners over any other brand i've ever tried,

 including high end products.

They stay in place all day, never smudge, 

and don't dry your lips out too badly.

3. Top with a tiny bit of a  

lip balm (for a matte look), or lip gloss (for a shiny finish).

Simple as that home girl.

It's too easy.

 It actually looks like you put time and effort into your lips, 

and it works every time, not only for light colors, 

but it works incredibly well with dark shades too.

Let me know your lip tips and tricks!

K

Anxiety & Excellence.

This week is the toughest out of the last ten. 

  Finals Week.

I'm a senior at a private business college, 

and to be able to say that makes me truly proud.

The thing is, it's hard as fuck to maintain your grades and your mindset when you have six exams in one week. I guess that's college.

I'm taking just a moment to wish everyone here, and other universities alike, all of the luck in the world on your finals.

Take a deep breath, actually, maybe study a little bit, and remember that this is simply a stepping stone in the path to a future you are painting for yourself. 

Good luck & all of my love.

-K.

Dressed in stress.

 

As a plus sized girl, my biggest fear has always been dress shopping.

I've never ever been comfortable wearing something that clings to any part of my body too closely. Something has changed for me, though,

and I've mentioned it before in previous posts.

I've started not to care about what people think about my body.

 

It's a horrible, treacherous life, when you live in fear of the opinions of others.

I decided to do something this past week

 that the old me never would have done.

I tried on the dress above.

It's an absolutely gorgeous vintage baroque printed sleeveless sweater dress from torrid.

 

It fits similarly to a "body-con" dress.

That term always scared the living shit out of me.

Body con?

Like, as in contouring?

Like it's going to hug my hips?

No thanks.

 

But something was different.

 I loved it. I wanted to try something new.

I felt so incredibly confident in this dress,

 and sexy?

Is that a word I can use on my not-size-4-self?

 Fuck yes you can.

 

To anyone who reads this and see's themselves incapable of wearing something so beautiful because of their size, please stop and think, "why the hell not?"

Is it because you're afraid of opinions too?

Stop.

Try it on.

Buy it if you love it.

 

Embracing your curves isn't always easy,

and it's a constant struggle,

but sometimes in order to see past the skin,

you have to look within yourself and see how beautiful you truly are.

 

Sending all my love to you tonight from Raleigh, North Carolina.

Goodnight lovelies.

-K.

 

 

Leave.

"We sit in bars and raise our drinks to growing old

Oh, I'm in love with you and you will never know,

But if I can't have you I'll walk this life alone

Spare you the rising storms and let the rivers flow

You'll never know the endless nights, 

the rhyming of the rain

Or how it feels to fall behind and watch you call his name

Pack up and leave everything,

Don't you see what I can bring

Can't keep this beating heart at bay

Set my midnight sorrow free,

I will give you all of me

Just leave your lover, leave him for me

Leave your lover, leave him for me."

Sam Smith 

 

Letters to the past.

Old friend, 

I know we don't talk much, 
and it's not like me to back track to the past,
but it's this time of year when I think of you the most.

You were comfort. 
Like the sweatshirt you grab on the first chilly night of autumn.
It's broken in, and has holes and stains in spots that can't be removed.
But, it's happiness.
You're the perfect kind of fucked up that I'll never be able to throw away.

And you were there on those old autumn nights.
And even though you still send messages out of the blue that give me chills, 
instead of reaching for you lately, like that hoodie, 
I choose now to put you away.

I miss you dearly, darling, 
but wearing you only brings out the worst in me.

Sometimes, we need to discard of things that bring us back to the cold.
And I apologize.
I truly do.

But instead of thinking of me with a blackened heart,
remember me smiling riding shotgun, 
wearing the holes and stains you left. 

I hope you're well.
And I send my love for the last time.

xo, 
K.

I ain't settling.

Rant time.

There comes a point in every big girls life where she just has to settle. 

Settling for a certain type of jean, or cut of a dress.

I decided to become a fashion major when I realized how much I

 hated the assortment of clothing provided to people above a size 12 in small and major retailers. 

Nothing irritates me more than seeing beautiful, thick women, having to wear clothes with styles from 1978 because no one takes the time to focus on a market that is, now, growing in our society.

So what do we do?

We settle for that fucking ugly wrap dress that doesn't flatter anyone, because it's the only one that will fit. Yes, i'm bitter. I can't help it. I'm so tired of settling.

It's not just clothes, though, I've realized.

And I don't know if I'm the only one who does this, but instead of searching for more, I settle. 

I've never been like this. 

I've always reached for the stars, but lately I've been stopping at the clouds. 

This is such a leap backwards, and if you're on the same path, 

turn around. 

Don't settle for shit that doesn't make you happy 

just because it's the easier thing to do.

Don't settle for people, "friends" who are simply going to take advantage of your kindness.

It doesn't matter how much you think they'll change, because they literally never will.

You're more than a doormat.

Don't settle for the boy who will hold you when the door is shut, but not when you're in public.

If he's not willing to put you on a pedestal in front of his friends, and strangers alike, and say "this is my girl, and she is beautiful in every way", then don't buy his act. It's not worth the pain, trust me. 

At the end of the night, as much as you may want it, just know he won't text you in the morning. 

So, class, what have we learned today?

Don't settle for clothes that your grandma would wear just because they're the easiest to find.

Don't settle for people who would rather lean on your bank account than your shoulder.

Don't settle for a boy who simply wants you in the dark, when you deserve nothing but light.

And absolutely don't settle for that fucking wrap dress. 

Sometimes, we deserve to put ourselves first.

End rant.

Love you guys.

Be good to yourselves.

X, 

k.

loving life and leather.

If you would have showed me this picture five years ago, and said 
"hey, this is you", 

I would have never believed you.

A leather skater skirt? 
Who do I think I am?
Sass queen of the century.

I've never felt better about myself in a skirt, than I do in this faux leather zip back skater skirt from Torrid. It flares PERFECTLY from about an inch above the knee, and is so incredibly comfortable. 

I chose to pair it for the purchase with a simple, navy, black and red flannel, and black flats. I strictly wanted the attention to be on the skirt. I'm obsessed.

Fall perfection in two simple, versatile, staple pieces.

Seriously, I know that it is so hard to take a step outside of your comfort zone, but when you do, you feel the weight of the world and the opinions of others fly off of your shoulders.

K

Thanks for coming, but..

"You see, darling, life has gone on without you."

The luckiest girl in the world.

I think that having the ability to wrap myself in a king sized sweater blanket, 

grab my laptop, (some ed sheeran,  a little/alot of pinterest)

and open the door to sit out on my balcony after midnight,

gives me the right to say I am the luckiest girl in the world.

I've worked 4 years to sit comfortably in this little home depot folding chair, 

and simply stare uptown at the city that stole my heart. 

I can't help but fall in love deeper everyday. 

I am infatuated with this life I've created for myself.

I hope you're smiling tonight and every night as well.

Sending my love from the queen city to you, wherever you may be.

Xx,

k

Just a tip:

surround yourself with people who genuinely want you
to be your best at all times. 

Life will seem so much more purposeful. 

I promise.

Blue jean baby.

I just want to point something not so obvious about this picture. 

Yes, this is me. 

Yes, I'm wearing skinny jeans.

I saw some tumblr type edits on various forms of social media basically mocking plus size girls for wearing "skinny" jeans. Ladies, the "skinny" jean is a term used 

for a tapered ankle style of pants.

 No one, ever, 

made it a law that bigger girls couldn't wear these because we have a bit more junk in our trunks. 

Just wanted to throw this out there, because I have never ever felt more confident in an outfit than I did in these jeans, by torrid, Kimono, also by torrid, and tank by old navy. 

I always hated wearing jeans because for one I have stumpy ass legs, and two, I always had this weird feeling that people would be making fun of me for wearing them.

I got over it. 

And I'm so happy I did.

I felt like the sassiest bitch,

 and no one could have told me differently.

So just a shout out to the bitches who say 

"plus size girls can't rock skinny jeans", 

screw you and both of your zeros.

Love, 

the big girl in the kimono and bomb ass jeans.

High end accessory dupe: #2

Clearly, I'm from Long Island

(yes, pronounced lawn-guy-lind), 

but I actually believe you can blame it all on my roots, 

cause one of my ancestors had to of showed up in boots at one point or another, 

cause I love the south way too much.

Anyway..

Kendra Scott "Danielle"/"Skylar" earrings seem to be a "southern-belle thing." 

And I'm in love. 

These earrings are the perfect way to dress up any outfit and add just the perfect touch of sparkle. I'm not a big earring girl, and I never have been, until of course,
I found these on pinterest.
(Left: Danielle, right: Skylar)

My all time favorite Youtuber (Sarahbelle) has raved about the quality of these earrings for MONTHS. And I die, literally, every time I see a pin, or a post, or a video, of someone with these gorgeous, 

but so simple earrings. 

Unluckily for me, and all other broke college girls, (or boys, whatever tickles your fancy) these earrings come in at between $60 and $90. 

Ain't gonna happen darlin'.

So, again, I was on the hunt for these bad boys, and found a really similar pair to the Skylar earrings at the Merchandise Mart in Atlanta. Unfortunately, the store I purchased them from only gives access to buyers, and stupid me only bought one pair, not realizing how in love I'd fall with them.
(mine!)

I also found a seller on Etsy, called PrepsParadise, that carries an identical pair of earrings to the ones I bought at the Mart. These, instead of being between $60 and $90, are $15.99! 

I'm in love, and am planning on ordering a couple more pairs very very soon. 

Above, I linked my Pinterest page, 

Sarahbelle's youtube page and the etsy shop where the earrings can be found! Enjoy :)

What is your favorite statement piece of jewelry?

Let me know!

xo,

k.

Is it worth the hype? : Charcoal skincare

Over the past month, 
I've tried three different products with charcoal as a main ingredient.  
(weird, I know.)

Apparently, (activated) charcoal has natural qualities to it that help to detoxify skin, open and cleanse pores, and leave your face glowing. 
Charcoal products, from what I've read, work best on oily/acne prone skin. 
Like mine. SO, here we go.

I decided to test three products out, 
and have had amazing results with two of them.

Here's how I did it.

Each week, I would incorporate a new charcoal product into my normal skin regime, based on the directions each gave. Normally, I use a makeup wipe to remove face makeup, an oil based remover for any liner/mascara I'm wearing, then use an apricot scrub and cleanser in the shower to make sure any oil is removed before bed, and in the morning as well.

First, I tried the Garnier Clean plus "Blackhead eliminating scrub" 

with salicylic acid and charcoal.

After about three days, I honestly saw no results at all. My skin felt the same as it did before I used the product, and my pores were still very visible. 

Next, I tried my favorite out of all three. It's the Biore "deep pore charcoal cleanser", and it is AMAZING. I put two pumps in my hands, lathered it with warm water, then applied it to my faced, and rinsed. My skin felt SO clean after I used it, and every day that week,
 I noticed my skin looking a bit brighter, and had no spots or breakouts at all.
OBSESSED.

Finally, I used the Freeman Feeling Beautiful facial polishing mask with Charcoal and Black Sugar. This was the product I was most skeptical of, because a mask typically won't have any type of grain or grit to it. I used it twice a week, and left it on damp skin for about 8 minutes each time. My skin was extremely soft after using it even once, and I found that I had a lot less oil the next day than before using. 

Overall, I think the charcoal craze is worth the hype if you have oily/combination/acne prone skin. I'm still going to use the mask, and the cleanser each week, because I honestly fell in love with both of these products. 

What is your go to skin product?

Let me know!

xo, 

k.

Itunes lovin': July 2014

She Got the Best of Me - Luke Combs

Sherrif You Want To- Luke Combs

Show You Off - Dan + Shay

Night That You'll Never Forget - Love and Theft

Runaway - Love and Theft

One - Ed Sheeran

Photograph - Ed Sheeran

Time to Get a Gun - Miranda Lambert

Platinum - Miranda Lambert

Smokin and Drinkin - Miranda Lambert

Carolina In My Mind - James Taylor

She's so Georgia- Jon Langston

Sweet Child o' Mine (cover)- Jasmine Thompson

What have you been listening to? 

Let me know!

xo,

k.

High end accessory dupe!

Pinterest has made me fall deeply in love with Ray Ban flash aviators, as well as a billion other accessories I probably couldn't ever afford. As a college student, though, I can't justify dropping $150+ on a pair of sunglasses that I'd probably end up breaking and crying over.

   So I've been on the hunt for either just a pair of good, neutral aviators, or similar glasses that don't make me look like a bug.
. I've contemplated just biting the bullet and buying the Ray Ban pair, but then recently I stumbled across a beautiful pair at no other than Burlington!
I was buying some stuff for school, 

and you know, 

had to make a pit stop at the accessory section. 

These have easily become my favorite buy of the summer. 

And, instead of paying that crazy amount for a pair of beauties that I'd probably shatter, I paid $4.99. 

#winning. 

&

#pinteresthastakenovermylife.

xo,
K.

#thankgodforconcealer

So I'm a complete concealer junkie. 

You name it, I've tried it. Unluckily for me, I was cursed with dark circles under my eyes that look like I've been sucker punched by the hulk. 

Thankfully, I've found four products that actually cover them up, and all four of them can be found in the drug store! 

1. Maybelline cover stick.

This is probably the cheapest one of them all, but comes in handy all the time. With a cream constistancy, this Concealer blends incredibly well and doesn't fall into creases. I also have been using this as a cream eyeshadow base. It highlights as well as creates a steady base for shadows. 

2. Rimmel "Wake me up" OR  3. Rimmel "Match perfection.

I'm convinced these two concealers are the same product, just in different packaging, but regardless, they are AMAZING. I use these not only under my eyes, but also to correct any spots or discoloration on my face. I rarely use a foundation, but instead I use a bit of either of these in any necessary spot, and it does just the same, or better as a full coverage product. 

4.  NYX Above and Beyond - Full Coverage Concealer

This is my newest found lover. This tiny pot of concealer is one I would easily compare to the Amazing cosmetics concealers, which range from about $25-$30. You literally need the tiniest bit of this product to coverup darkness or blemishes, and you're ready to go. 

They're not playing around when they say full coverage. 

What are your holy grail products?

let me know!

xo,

k.

Ranting: Babies, bitches, and body image.

I'm apologizing in advance for the cursing.
Don't say I didn't warn you, but I can have a mouth like a sailor if you really piss me off. I need to say something, and I need to say it right now before I literally scream.

Here's a little story for y'all, and if you don't think this society is fucked up, you might now.

There was a little girl and her mother shopping in Target the other day, and they were your typical cutesy-blonde-skinny mother/daughter combo pack.Crocs and all. The daughter was maybe 10 or 11, old enough to know that if you don't have anything nice to say, you don't say it at all. But clearly, her bitch of a mother didn't teach her that, or just never learned that herself.

As they walked past the plus size/maternity niche of the store, (you know, the tiny corner that's hidden right behind clearance, and before dog food), the daughter looked at a, honestly, maybe size 14/16 woman who was on the main aisle and giggled, and her mother just kind of ignored it.

The daughter then tapped her mom, and asked...

 "Do fat people always have rolls? Look at her back. That's like, gross." 

I actually had to pick my jaw up off the floor.

Because instead of, you know, saying something to her daughter about not being so rude, or blunt, or obnoxious, she proceeded to laugh, and ignored it. She was in clear listening distance of the woman of the aisle, who quickly put down the maxi skirt she was looking at, and walked away.

I wanted to grab the dress, buy it, and give it to the woman, then go back and smack that little idiot in the mouth, and slap her mother.

How dare you?

Teach your child to be respectful of people of all sizes. 

And she's not like, gross. 
That's called like, skin. 
You know, like, what your fucking body is coated in.

Little bitches like this go into middle schools and make fun of beautiful girls who don't know anything different than being called fat. That's bullying. You're raising your child to be a full blown bitch. Just putting that out there.

Wear whatever the fuck you want, whatever fucking size you may be.
If you're comfortable in a bikini and you're a size 26, rock that shit like you're on MTV spring break.

We get a limited number of days to spend and enjoy and live to the fullest, and we should not be held back by false pretenses about what we should, or shouldn't look like.


Just a little something to think about.
Goodnight.
xo,
k.

Outfit of the day: July 7, 2014.

Outfit of the day: July 7, 2014

Dress: Torrid (clearance, shockingly)

Bag: Target (Merona)

Plain and simple, I'm obsessed with this new dress and purse. 

The dress is a hi-lo silhouette with a tie right under the bust to help accentuate the waist. There's a super cute ruffle detail across the bust as well. You can't tell from here, but it is a tank top dress!

I'm thinking to do an updated "What's in my bag" post soon, let me know if you guys would like to see that!

Sing me to sleep.

Be with someone who makes you feel as 
gorgeous as you truly are.

Once you feel beautiful, you will radiate eternal happiness.

xo,

k.

Do you.

Sometimes it's late, and my legs are restless, and sleep just doesn't come.
And I wonder if your day was good. 
I wonder if you're happy where you are, and how your parents are doing.
Sometimes I wonder if you ever even wonder about me, because for years you were my only thought.
I think about the days when my hand flew out the window of your truck and we sang along to our favorites.
I wonder if you think about how my day was.

I wonder if you ever even cared about anyone other than yourself.
Meeting you made me realize that you were the selfish one, not me.
I hope you're happy where you are, because you taught me so much.

I'm happy, and my day was fine.
You had your chance.
And if you were wondering about me, or miss me at all...
don't. 

xo.
k.

Long hair, should care.

I'm such an infant when it comes to haircuts, it's kind of pathetic.
So instead of cutting it, I find surefire remedies to keep my hair strong, and healthy.

Recently on both of my addictions, Pinterest and Youtube, I've been hearing massive amounts of buzz over coconut oil and it's benefits for hair. I was very skeptical at first, because being Italian, my hair is already oily, and adding any sort of oil based product seemed like it would end in disaster.  

But disasters are fun sometimes, so I gave it a shot.
I found a mask on Pinterest that seemed to have a ton of likes and reposts. 
It consists of two tablespoons of coconut oil, 2 egg yolks, and a splash of water.

I mixed it in a bowl, and once it was all thoroughly mixed, I started at my ends and lathered up to my scalp.
I suggest putting the mixture in a mason jar and shaking it though, the process will probably move a lot quicker. 

I left it on for about 15 minutes, and then washed it out with shampoo. No conditioner after. 
I blew it out, and my hair was so soft, and shiny, that I figured when I woke up the next morning it would look like a hot mess. 

Instead, my hair held a wave, and stayed frizz free until I washed it next. 
I swear, it was a freaking miracle.

If you have long, thick hair, I suggest this mask with every ounce of my being because it works wonders.

(Ps. Coconut oil is really easy to find, and since it's gaining popularity, you can find it anywhere. I found mine at the Christmas tree store, but I've also seen it at Walmart, Trader Joe's, and Whole Foods.)

Let me know what you guys use as your "refusing to get a haircut" remedy.
Until then,
x
K.