what I wore | tshirt dress + cropped sweater

Sweater : c/o sisters closet | Dress, Necklace, Belt & Glasses: Rue21 | 
Tights: Target | Shoes: Payless | Necklace: Rue21 

OMG. It’s been  LONG TIME since I’ve put on heels. I used to live in them, never walking out of the house without  pair of stilettos, but then again, there was also a time when I didn’t HAVE to wear makeup, didn’t have to pack a diaper bag and dark under eye circles were something I didn’t know existed. MY MY… how things have changed.
I love this dress, super simple and so comfy, but since it’s a t-shirt dress, it’s more of a comfy lets go thrifting cause the sun is shining outfit. Not that it’s a bad dress, just more of a summer dress. Lord knows,  I love a good fashion challenge, so  I decided to find a way to make it more Date Night-ish.

Enter cropped sweater a few accessories. YES. Still super comfy, just a smidge of sophistication added.

What have you been sportin’ lately?? Do you like to have fun with your clothing choice, or are you repetitive?

I get a ton of emails asking about fashion tips, and always hear how readers feel they could never pull off an outfit I wore. But you totally could! A year ago, I would never have worn anything you see in my WIW posts! Seriously. It wasn’t until a good friend participated in a fashion challenge last year, that I finally got the inspiration to step out of my comfort zone.

Step out of your comfort zone this week with your clothing, take a picture and tweet it to me (@kristanlyn) ! Mix some bold colors or patterns or both, something out of YOUR ordinary.

# kristanlynn
xoxo  

oh yes. she has arrived.

HELLO there you beautiful readers. If you follow me on Instagram (@kristanlynn), you probably have seen some sneak peeks of my latest project(s)… If not, here ya go.

 
I’m super excited to share these  projects that have been going on over here. I think you will love them,
 and they are just in time for SPRING. YES… I said spring. Because she is here in Middle Tennessee.
 
 
Fresh flowers, lace, burlap, canvas, thrifted finds, ruffles and repurposing. Yes, this spring is going to full of
beautiful things. 
 
Including these two rolling around in the grass together:
 

Getting out of the house, breathing in fresh air filled with the scent of cut grass and Magnolia trees, soaking up some MUCH needed Vitamin D. Thank you Mother Nature, you have been too kind this February.

He’s such a chubbawubba.

Here are a few ways to display your spring flowers in something (anything) other than a traditional vase:

That pretty aqua mason jar back there could be used as a vase too ;)

HAPPY MONDAY!

# kristanlynn
xoxo  

catching up | thru instagram

February has been a lazy blog month for me. Too bad it hasn’t been this laid back around the house. Between sick babies, two trips to MI, court dates and a house full of 8 children and 5 adults…. lazy has been a word I would definitely not use to describe this household lately.

I love their love. Adelyn has an ear fetish. When she sucks her thumb she HAS to rub her ear, or anyone's within her reach. It’s how she falls asleep.

Somewhere between last March when I started this blog and now, I have lost the reason in which WHY I blog. A way in which to reflect on the days experiences…. sometimes so much happens during the day, we lose track of all the little things that make our hearts happy. I stared blogging initially to capture these things (along with sharing my creative ideas and hoping to inspire you)… not birthday parties or major events… to enjoy little hugs or secret whispers shared during the day. Somehow it’s slipped away.. and I can feel it. I’ve stopped reflecting on my days in a positive light, but rather a negative one “I could have done more, I should have done this” It’s starting to weigh on me.

So these past few weeks I’ve really been reflecting, writing down all my ideas, thoughts and feelings in an old fashion journal….instead of blogging. It’s been pretty therapeutic. And spending much of the time nursing the littles back to health. I’m proud to announce that they are both better than before and finally in high spirits. Be patient with me as I find a new routine with the blog.

I’ve also started incorporating healthier snacks into my diet, not that I’ve ever been unhealthy in my eating habits, but I normally skip breakfast. Not so good, as everyone says it’s the most important meal of the day, so I’ve started making yummy smoothies and snacking on carrots and hummus instead of ice cream and cupcakes.

Have you read The Hunger Games?? I’ve been wanting to read it, but it wasn’t until I heard that it was better than the Twilight saga that I decided to buy it. I’m a Twilight fanatic, so I had to see for myself. I will say that while it is NO Twilight… I could not set it down… every free second I had for 36 hours was spent entranced by this gem of a book. It was a fast read… meaning, it took every bit of will power I have to set it down. If you read it, know it’s not the type of book you can only read a few pages of and come back to. It’s suspenseful and there is not one page that doesn’t leave you wanting more.

Finding Stone sitting in a chair reading a book makes my heart happy. Adelyn has always done this too. I love that they share my love of books.

Sneak Peak into the latest project, which should be up on the blog in the next few weeks, a long with a tutorial too.

I’m holding onto another secret too. OHH. I love secrets. Stay tuned….

# kristanlynn
xoxo  

DIY Fabric Bracelet

So I went to find my VDay outfit last week. While I was browsing the jewelry section I became overwhelmed by all the fabric jewelry, I hadn’t really noticed how popular it was becoming! I had a few bracelets in my hand at the register, but at the last minute I put them back, I knew I could make the same thing… I did however purchase the fabric heart earrings. I love them! (Rue21 for the record)

A few days ago I sat down and upcycled a few of Adelyn Dollar Store bangles, one of which I wore on Valentines Day.

For supplies you just need

• some strips of your favorite fabric, preferably 1/2 inch wide and around … oh 40” long? I just winged it and cut off any extra, there really is no right or wrong width or length. The red one I made (pictured above) I used 2 strips because the piece of fabric I had were not long enough.
• old bangles or plastic ones you pick up from the dollar store.
• hot glue gun
• scissors to trim

The pictures pretty much say it all… it really is super easy. Just glue down one end of your strip, wrap it all the way around (pulling tight) , and glue the end, trimming off any excess:

The fabric will fray as you wear them, but it just adds character, more of a vintage feel, right.

Whatchya think?? Like… dislike?

# kristanlynn
xoxo  

what I wore | valentine’s edition | lace + fabric jewelry

Shirt: c/o sister’s closet | Dress: Rue21 | Belt: F21 | Tights: F21 | Boots: c/o sister’s closet | Hair Clip: c/o  Treena Bean | Fabric Flower bracelet: DIY | Fabric Heart earrings: Rue21 | Nail Polish: Sally Hansen’s Salon Effect Polish Strips

Hoping you had a very special Valentines Day! I may, or may not, have gotten all dressed up to post these photo’s on the blog. And I may, or may not, have changed into sweats afterward. HAH. NO, I didn’t change into sweats, but no babysitter = no romantic date for us. I was thinking wine, candles and Breaking Dawn… Craig was thinking PlayStation. Different worlds we are from, I swear. Tis ok, as he came home with roses and chocolate.

BUT I may have thrown a temper tantrum upon hearing the word: PlayStation… and may, or may not, have ruined our Valentines Day… There’s always next year right?!

OH WELL… I have my wine, and he his PlayStation. Our worlds are aligned again.

Us girls had fun this VDay though, mani’s, heart shaped sandwiches, fun VDay art, pink and red mismatched socks… you know, the usual.

# kristanlynn
xoxo  

painted toast | getting a picky eater to eat.

OK, so this is totally not my idea. My friend, Leah, posted a photo of her daughter eating “Painted Toast” yesterday morning on Facebook (one of the reasons why I havn’t deleted it)… I immediately commented and asked her where in the world she got it. She told me that it was just milk and food coloring, in which Taylor painted on. She also mentioned that she found the idea on Pinterest. WHAT! Why have I not seen it… I’m addicted to Pinterest!!!

Within minutes (seconds really!), I had the cups, milk and food coloring out. HAH.

So simple. All you need is:

• food coloring
• milk (we used vanilla almond milk… I’m sure water would work too, maybe not as good though)
• paint brush
• bread and toaster
  

Just add a few drops of food coloring into the milk, hand your little a paint brush and let them have fun.

Pop the toast in the toaster to dry the masterpiece… add butter, and serve.

It was  HIT. And I have to say that the vanilla almond milk added an extra yummy factor

A simple way to liven up breakfast a bit. I’m always searching for ways to make things fun for the kids, and this was a great way to turn the ordinary into EXTRAoridinary.
(Maybe painted hearts for a V-Day breakfast in bed for the lover)

Adelyn has been a pretty picky eater lately. She’s been sick, so getting her to eat is like pulling teeth! I knew she’d have a blast with this… and did she ever. We might just have to make a habit out of painting toast on Sundays! Because she CHOWED it! Hmm… I wonder what else we could paint that she would eat?!

How do you get your picky eater to try new foods??

# kristanlynn
xoxo