Kara Lately

 

 

 

This summer is flying by and I have yet to begin Stylish in Los Angeles. Instead of writing a usual blog post, I thought I'd start something fun and new and give a little update too.

Lately, I have been...
Wearing: My pineapple tank and black Old Navy shorts - comfy and casual is the way to go!
Watching: The Bachelorette - I'm a sucker for love, travel, and roses. Plus Andi is the real deal.
Eating: Nutella pancakes - I made Sunday breakfast and cooked too much. At first, I planned on making pancakes and then I found some Nutella. So then I thought... why not mix them together! Sadly I forgot to take pictures but they looked a little something like this.
Planning: My next road trip - Now that I live in Southern California, I can drive to places like Palm Springs, San Diego, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, and so much more. Do you have any other suggestions my friends? I'm all ears!
Searching: For a Bridesmaid Dress - I was recently asked to be a bridesmaid for my close family friend and I am beyond excited for her wedding. The wedding is next summer but it is never too early to start looking for the perfect bridesmaid dress!
Listening: To Rude by Magic! - This is my summer jam. It's so easy to listen to. If you're familiar with the song, check out Dad's response. It is pretty clever. What do you think?

Have a great week everyone!

Dress: Nordstrom Rack
Purse: Thrifted
Sneakers: Vans
Sunnies: Ray Ban

Photography by: Taylor Matsunaga

Stylish in Los Angeles

 

 

Nowadays, I feel like I'm on vacation in LA. There is so many things to do and see here. Everyday feels like a new adventure! It's crazy to think that I've been here for over a month and things are starting to pick up back up again. Sadly, I have no need for my jeans and jackets here. These days I live in shorts and sandals. I'm slowly learning my way around LA and how to deal with traffic. With a little patience and some good music, traffic is more bearable. I started a new job working with kids and I adore them and the office is only a short walk from the beach! Also, did I mention that I have found a new love for Lemonade, sorry Starbucks. They have six wonderful lemonade flavors and I plan on trying them all!

I'm constantly learning new things, meeting new people and trying to find my niche in this big city. I don't have everything figured out down here but surprisingly things are falling into place. I may not know what I'll be doing next week, next month, or next year but I do know that the sun will always be shining and that gives me hope and happiness.

Top: Nordstrom Rack
Sweater: Forever 21
Shorts: Abercrombie
Sandals: Report
Purse: Coach

Photography by: Taylor Matsunaga

Goodbye Seattle



This is my last post as a Seattle girl and I'm getting a bit emotional. All my bags are packed and I'm ready to go. This afternoon, my mom and I will start on our twenty hour road trip to Los Angeles. I don't plan on posting about the trip here but you can follow our mother-daughter road trip on my instagram.

These past few weeks, I felt so loved. Thank you for all of the goodbye cards, gifts and kind words. It isn't easy saying goodbye. As much as I want to avoid it, I know saying goodbye comes with the whole moving away thing. Seattle friends, please stay in touch. I'll be back but feel free to visit!

Also in case you were wondering, this isn't goodbye to Stylish in Seattle. I plan on keeping my blog name (because I'll always be a Seattle girl at heart) and blogging down in Los Angeles. Thank you to those who have followed me in Seattle. It's been a fun experience so far and I hope you all will continue to follow me on my journey in Los Angeles. Get ready LA 'cause here I come!

Blazer: Nordstrom
Top: J.Crew
Pants: Old Navy
Shoes: Vans

Photography by: Ryan Yanagihara

Moving Forward

You guys, it's finally happening. I'm moving to California! In less than one week, my mom and I will be driving down to Los Angeles. And I am beyond excited! This is a huge move for me. I've never left Seattle before. I'm born and raised in the Seattle's area and went to college twenty minutes away from home. It's hard to leave the only city I've ever known. But in my heart, I know this is exactly what I need.

It's just the beginning of my lasts and many goodbyes in Seattle. This was my last photo shoot with my photographer friend, Landon. Thank you Landon for taking the time to shoot with me every week.  For the past year, he has grown tremendously as a photographer and captured so many beautiful photos. If you're in the Seattle area and want some nice pictures, contact him here. 

Kimono: H&M

Tank Top: Old Navy

Jeans: The Rack

Heels: Ann Taylor

Photography by: Landon Nagata

It's Not Always Sunny in Seattle

 

 

 

 

 

After traveling so much lately, it's nice to be home and relax. Normally, I relax at home on the couch and catch up on my shows (currently Grey's Anatomy & Scandal). But since the weather has been so nice, I've been relaxing outside at the park. It's not always sunny in Seattle but when it is, you'll most likely find me here.

 

Where do you like to relax?

 

Top: Thrifted

Skirt: Forever 21

Shoes: Old Navy
Purse: Coach

 

Photography by: Landon Nagata

Bold, Bright, and Beautiful

 

 

Sometimes, saying a few words is more powerful than saying a lot. And for once, I don't have much to say today. All I want to say is: be bold, bright and beautiful.

Shirt: Old Navy
Pants: Old Navy
Coat: Zara
Heels: Target
Purse: Thrifted

Photography by: Landon Nagata

 

 

 



A Thousand Miles



 

 

 

Later today, I'm off to Las Vegas to reunite with Dean for the weekend. Today marks our four year anniversary and I thought it was the perfect time to share some pictures we took with my friend, Landon. Dean and I have become frequent flyers due to the fact that we live a thousand miles apart. So it was only fitting that we shot some pictures together at SeaTac Airport. Even though it's not the most romantic place to take pictures, the airport is a special place to us. From happy reunions at baggage claim to tearful goodbyes at the security gate, we've experienced all kinds of emotions there. It's crazy to think that we've been doing this long distance relationship for so long now. In four years, we've struggled, learned and grown so much together. I can't imagine my life without him.

*Yes, I named this post after a Vanessa Carlton song and yes, I can't get it out of my head. Cause you know I'd walk a thousand miles if I could just see you tonight.

His & Hers: Denim

 

Ever since I featured Dean on the blog last fall, I've been wanting to take more outfit photos of him. After asking him many times, Dean agreed take some outfit pictures this past weekend. He's such a good sport. This time, we took outfit pictures together in our first His & Hers post!

 

 

 

 

Dean and I are competitive people - so much that we turn everything into a competition. So what did I challenge him to? I challenged him to a fashion face off. The clothing item: denim! So I might have had an advantage since I live in jeans and he doesn't. Next time, I'll let him choose the clothing item :) I can only guess it'll have something to do with warm weather.

 

How do you wear your denim?

On Dean:
Shirt: Old Navy
Jeans: 7 for All Mankind
Shoes: Sperry's

On Kara:
T-shirt: Zara
Jeans: Old Navy
Boots: Sonoma

Photography by: Landon Nagata

 

The Tortoise Challenge

 

 

 

You know that one childhood story about the tortoise and the hare? The story where the fast hare and slow tortoise race. The hare takes a nap because he's in the lead and the tortoise ends up winning while the hare is still asleep. I'm trying to be less like the hare and more like the tortoise moving slowly and steadily to the finish line.

 

Ever since I got back from my last LA trip in late January, I've been slowing down my life. I am finally learning to rest and move at a slower pace. A few hours go by and you have no obligations. To be honest, I'm starting to like this go with the flow way of life. I never expected that I would be so content with an open schedule. It's a nice change, my friends.

 

I know it might be difficult (especially for those of you in school) but I challenge you to one day this month to slow down and choose only one thing to do for the day. Go spend the day at your favorite spot in the city or go eat at that one restaurant you've been dying to try. Don't be afraid to lose track of time and enjoy the experience. Life is not a race, enjoy it.

 

Jacket: Target

Top: Forever 21

Skirt: H&M

Flats: Target

 

Photography by: Landon Nagata



 

A (Snow) Walk To Remember

 

 

 

Every once and a while, Seattle gets snow and there's only one word to describe it - magical! The snow makes the streets, the trees, the cars, the ground, everything look beautiful. Earlier this month, Seattle turned into a winter wonderland. Not knowing how long the snow was here to stay, my friends and I went on a midnight snow walk to Greenlake Park. And before we know it, our snow walk slowly turned into a snow photo shoot. It was a snow walk to remember!

 

One thing people might not know about me is that I'm no snow bunny. Even though I live near the mountains, it's been years since I hit the slopes. Unfortunately, I don't know how to ski or snowboard. I get excited about the snow so I can play in it not ride on fresh powder haha. As much as I want it to be Spring already, I'm hoping that it will snow one more time this year. I don't think it's too much to ask... I just want to build a snowman!

 

Coat: Nordstrom

Scarf: H&M

Gloves: The Rack

Jeans: Old Navy

 

Photography by: Misa Yoshioka & Claire Nishida



Galentine's Day

  

 

 

 

My loves, did you enjoy Valentine's Day last week? I hope everyone felt the love in some way or another with a hug, kiss, sweet message or my favorite, chocolate.

Last week was difficult for me especially after watching the movie "Her". Normally, this holiday doesn't bother me but for some reason I had a hard time accepting the fact that I couldn't celebrate it with the boy. I've been in a long distance relationship for nearly 4 years now. As a young lady whose celebrated Valentine's Day long distance many times, it's hard. It's hard not to compare your relationship with all the couples who get to see each other and celebrate this loving holiday together. But I'm hopeful that one day we will get to be one of those couples.

This year, I celebrated Galentine's Day with my girl friend, Allison. Allison and I spent a perfect evening in Seattle catching up over Molly Moon's ice cream. It was exactly what we needed after a long week of school (for her) and work (for me). Over the years, I've learned that Valentine's Day isn't about celebrating with your significant other. It's about sharing love with the people you love including family and friends. I'm so thankful for friends like Allison that love me, accept me and keep me company. Thank you Allison for being my Galentine! All my love, Kara

"A friend is our truest blessing. God's way of proving he doesn't really wish for us to walk alone."

On Kara:                                   
Shirt: Old Navy
Jeans: Old Navy
Heels: Forever 21
Wallet: Kate Spade

On Allison:
Jacket: YesStyle
Jeans: Nordstrom
Boots: Nordstrom

Photography by: Ryan Yanagihara

What Makes You Beautiful

 

 

There's a few things that make me feel beautiful and getting dolled up is one of them. Last week, I had the pleasure of working with my friend, Ashley. Since I was in LA, I thought it would be fun to work with her. Ashley has a passion for make up and plans to go cosmetology school soon. It was a treat to have Ashley do my make up. It's not very often that I get my make up done. Thank you Ashley and Taylor for making me feel confident and beautiful!

This month, I want to feel more confident about myself. Right now, I'm creating a list on how to make me feel confident and beautiful. So far, I feel beautiful when I smile and when I make others smile. What makes you feel beautiful?

Shirt: Zara
Skirt: Sirens
Boots: Sonoma
Necklace: JcPenney

Make up by: Ashley Tani
Photography by: Taylor Matsunaga