Tag: lifestyle blogger

College Apartment Bedroom Reveal: 2020 – 2021

Published on by Kayla2 Comments

I’ve been moved into my new apartment for just over a week now and I’m so glad to be back in Norman. I’m already loving my bedroom and had such a good time planning it out in the weeks before my move. If you’ve been following along since my Austin room tour last summer, some things might look familiar, but I tried to incorporate a lot of new pieces as well! If I can find the new pieces online, I’ll have them linked down below.

My bed was super important to me when planning out my space because I knew it was going to be the focal point of the room. I had a mostly white comforter before, but decided to upgrade to full white for my new room. I tried to phase out navy as one of my colors and decided to shift more to light blue instead. It was a little hard to imagine the finished product without an actual bed to put things on, but I’m super happy with the final product!

My étagère is by far my favorite part of my whole room. This room is super limited on closet space (something I’m still getting used to) and I knew I would need something extra to help hold all my accessories. This TikTok was my inspiration, but obviously I knew my space was tight so I needed to scale it down a little bit. I decided it would be the perfect place to display my handbags and my favorite pairs of shoes, along with my jewelry organizers and my Burberry perfume! If I acquire more shoes and/or bags I may start rotating them out, but for now everything I wanted to display fits perfectly.

This little wall was perfect for my minimalistic portraits! I picked up this hobby in quarantine and have been loving it ever since. (Want one of your own? Visit Kayla Creative Co.) I usually frame actual photographs of my friends and I, but wanted to take a slightly different route this year. I got the frames from Michael’s for super cheap and printed the portraits myself, and I just feel like this wall adds so much personality to the space!

As a full-time graduate student with many side hustles, I knew my desk area had to be perfect. I love that it comes with a built-in light- no lamp necessary- and is a lot bigger compared to my last apartment desk. I was able to fill the upper shelves with more accessories, decor, and office supplies.

This photo board was the last thing to arrive (it was actually delivered to my apartment several days after I moved in) and I knew I wanted to turn it into a vision board. I work at my desk every day and wanted to have this in prominent view so I could always be reminded of what I’m working towards.

SHOP my Room:

Lumbar Pillow: Lyla Ruched Throw Pillow – Stein Mart
Étagère: Aimee Narrow Etagere Bookcase – Crosley Furniture
Jewelry Organizer: Acrylic Jewelry Box – Mebbay
Photo Frame: 8×10 White Narrow Frame With Mat – Michael’s
Headband Holder: Stackable Clear Plastic Headband Holder – STORi
Sunglasses Stand: Sunglasses Display Stand – World Pride
Photo Board: 20×30 Cork Linen Bulletin Board – U Brands

It’s crazy to me that the start of the school year is almost here! So excited to take on my final year of college (!!!) as a graduate student. It may look different, but overall I’m feeling optimistic. How does school look for your university this year?

-K

All Tied Up: An OOTD

Published on by KaylaLeave a comment

It’s getting hot in Texas, so I’m always looking for easy-breezy outfits to choose on days I need to be out and about running errands. This is one of my new favs! The silky top is super lightweight and keeps me super cool, and the shorts are stretchy and comfortable. Paired with my wedge sandals that are meant to provide a comfortable walking experience, this outfit is perfect for the days that I’m on the go!

I always struggled with wearing tie-front shirts because I felt like my bra was always showing, but recently I saw a TikTok that showed how to tie the front around your bra to completely stop that from happening. A game-changer for sure!

SHOP THE LOOK:

Headband: Puffy Black Headband – Target
Earrings: Gold Hoop Earrings – Target
Top: Cropped Tie Shirt – Target
Shorts: High Waisted Denim Shorts – Forever 21
Shoes: Gold Wedge Sandals (similar)

What’s your go-to errand running ensemble? Any other light and airy outfit ideas welcomed!

-K

Crocodile Rock: Styling Unconventional Animal Print

Published on by Kayla3 Comments

I’ve always been a sucker for traditional animal prints like leopard and cheetah, but recently I’ve been drawn to less common animal prints, as well. Snakeskin, crocodile- basically everything is fair game for my closet. While leopard is fairly classic and easy to style, I’ve found it’s a little harder to put together a look that incorporates an untraditional print.

When styling something like crocodile print, I’ve found that it works best to lean into the edginess it inherently possess. Mom jeans aren’t the move here- a fitted skirt is my go-to and what I have found works best. High-waisted shorts (not too baggy!) could be a viable option, as well. I love this light-wash skirt from Target because it provides a nice color contrast to the black shirt. My Adidas sneakers help tie some black back into the bottom of my outfit, rounding everything out.

SHOP THE LOOK:

Top: Black Stand Collar Crocodile Shirt – SHEIN
Skirt: Women’s Seamed Denim Mini Skirt – Wild Fable
Shoes: Grand Court Sneaker – Adidas

I’ve already purchased snakeskin and crocodile-print shirts- is there anything else I should consider adding to my wardrobe? I never met an animal print I didn’t love, so I’m open to any and all suggestions!

-K

Senior Photo Reveal: University of Oklahoma Class of 2020

Published on by KaylaLeave a comment

The end of my senior year definitely didn’t go as planned. While I wasn’t able to finish out my undergraduate career at the University of Oklahoma on campus with my friends and peers, I knew I at least wanted some photos to commemorate my 4 years as an undergraduate. Since social distancing procedures were already in place by mid-March, I was unable to hire a photographer for a senior portrait shoot.

Luckily, my time blogging has given me loads of experience with iPhone photography, self-timers, and tripods! I got ready and loaded up all my gear early one morning and headed to campus. I love how they turned out, although trying to wrangle all the props with the addition of a cap/gown/stole/hood on my own was a hassle. (Also, do you realize how hard it is to take a cap-throwing picture on your own with a 10-second self timer? REALLY hard.)

I’m proud of my work on these pictures, and over the past 4 years as well. I can’t wait to experience virtual commencement and graduation with my family this weekend!

-K

The Ultimate Spring Break Beach Vacation Packing List

Published on by KaylaLeave a comment

It’s March now, which means that spring break is right around the corner. Last year, some of my girlfriends and I took a trip down to St. Augustine, Florida, where we spent a glorious 6 days relaxing on the beach, indulging in great food, and exploring the city.

When it came time to pack last year, I was kind of at a loss. What’s important? What isn’t? And as a chronic overpacker, I stuffed my carry-on-sized suitcase to the brim and hoped for the best.

While I’m not heading back to the sun and the surf this spring break (although stay tuned to see where I will be headed), I wanted to share my tips and tricks on what you need and what you don’t for the ultimate spring break beach vacation.

I’ll be detailing my top 10 items below, and attaching a full packing checklist at the bottom full of everything you’ll need. Let’s dive right in!

1. Swimsuit(s)

If you’re on a beach vacation, this should be a no-brainer. You can probably get away with just one bathing suit if you won’t be swimming every day, but if you will be, pack multiple: because believe me, putting back on a damp or sandy swimsuit is no fun.

2. Sundress

Going out to dinner, walking around town, or even just hanging around the beach house- a flowy sundress is a must! They’re super versatile and can be used for several different outings.

3. Light jacket

Hopefully your trip is sunny and warm, but if mother nature doesn’t favor you and you’re struggling to soak in those rays a light jacket will be your best friend. Beach weather can change on a dime and a light jacket will make sure you don’t get too cold.

4. Sunglasses

The ocean glare can be super bright, so always pack sunglasses to protect your eyes while you’re lounging in the sand. You really only need one pair, but they don’t take up a lot of space, so you can pack multiple if you would like!

5. Multi-purpose sandals

If you’re traveling with a big group or flying with a carry-on, luggage space is limited. Luckily, most beach clothing doesn’t take up a lot of room, but picking pairs of shoes that are super versatile can really help maximize your luggage space. Sandals that you can wear out to grab lunch or to a bar later in the night serve double duty and help you have more space in your luggage for other things!

6. Cover-up

Depending on the area you’re in, you might be privy to restaurants or bars right on the beach. Packing a cover-up ensures you’ll be able to go in and grab a drink or bite to eat during your beach day!

7. Shorts

Probably no explanation necessary, right? Pack a couple pairs of shorts and you’ll be ready for anything you have planned, from a beach day to lunch downtown.

8. Multi-purpose tops

Much like with sandals, packing tops that can go from day to night will really save you space in your luggage. Flowy tank tops and bandeaus are your best bet!

9. Scrunchies/bandanas

Down by the ocean can get pretty windy, so prepare to hold your hair back with scrunchies or bandanas! Anything that helps keep your hair out of your face will be essential.

10. Sneakers

If you’re in a beach town with things to do other than hang out in the sand, you’ll want a cute and comfy pair of sneakers to walk around in! I wore mine out to a local farmer’s market and coffee shop.

And that’s my top 10! Here’s a full list of everything you’ll need:

Did I miss anything? Let me know in the comments, and have a great time on your vacation!

-K

P.S. Heading to St. Augustine or somewhere similar? Check out my recap posts from spring break 2019 to see what we did on our trip!

Seas the Day | Low Tides, Good Vibes | The Oldest City in America | How We Roll | Girls Just Wanna Have Sun

8 Things I Wish I Knew When I First Started Blogging

Published on by Kayla5 Comments

One year ago today I created my blog, and one year ago tomorrow I launched it. I’ve come a long way from my first few posts, taken with a makeshift tripod propped up on my bed in my bedroom. What a year it has been, and I’m thrilled that Selfies & OOTDs has continually given me a platform to create content and share what I love.

If you want a good laugh, go back to February 2019 and see what my first few posts looked like. (Yeah. Pretty amateur.) Luckily, I’ve matured in more ways than one, and I’ve learned a ton about blogging, social media marketing, and content creation in the process. Here’s 8 things I wish someone had told me when I first started blogging:

1. For the best shots, have no shame

When I first started, I took all my #OOTD shots against the door in my bedroom. Aside from the fact that I didn’t have a real tripod, I was also self-conscious about people seeing me pose and wait for the self timer to go off. When I got my tripod this summer, the game completely changed, and after a few outings of taking my pictures in public I was no longer fazed. This let me have way more creativity with my poses (and it meant you could actually see my feet!

  • 2019
  • 2020

2. Even lighting is the best lighting

I thought the wall by my window was giving me good natural light, but it really wasn’t. The best lighting I’ve found is when I’m outside, in the shade. That way no one part of my face is in the shadows and none of the lighting is too harsh. But more on that in a bit…

  • 2019
  • 2020

3. Early bird gets the worm

Remember what I said about even lighting in the shade? That’s why I take almost all my pictures in the morning, preferably before 9 a.m. This gives me optimal choices for locations in terms of where is still shady, as the sun has just barely come up over the horizon. I also like the mornings because it lets me take pictures when my makeup and hair are freshly done.

  • Woke up at 6 a.m.
  • Woke up at 6:30 a.m.

4. No one can tell how cold it was when they look at the picture

When you’re getting up early in the winter, you know what that means… It’s going to be cold outside. Luckily, no one can tell how much your toes were freezing when you took the shot as long as the end result is cute- and I find that the pictures I took on the coldest days end up being my favs.

  • 27 degrees
  • 28 degrees
  • 24 degrees

5. Hashtags are everything

About 4 months in to my blogging journey and I had only hit 80 followers. What gives? Answer: not using the tools Instagram was handing me in order to reach a larger audience! I used to feel squeamish about hashtags, but once I started using them I never looked back. It’s never been so easy for me to find and engage with like-minded individuals!

6. Engage and be engaging!

Like I just said, the purpose of Instagram is to engage with others. You will see such a difference in what you get out of it if you give it as well! Tell that girl you like her outfit, comment on your favorite brand’s post- there’s tons of people just like you out there waiting to connect!

7. Content planning saves lives (or at least, your feed)

I’ll admit it, I fell off the wagon somewhere between September and December. School caught up to me, and suddenly I was posting less and less just because I wasn’t prepared with a plan. I implemented a content calendar for the start of 2020, and it’s already working wonders. Consistency is key, however frequently that means for you!

8. Don’t be afraid to call yourself what you are

When I first started out, I felt weird calling myself a blogger. I felt like that was just a title reserved for influencers and people with way more followers than me… but I soon realized that it’s not the number of followers you have or the number of likes you get: if you have a blog, you’re a blogger, and you shouldn’t be afraid to call yourself one. (Shout-out to my dad who always tells people I’m a blogger if we’re out doing a restaurant review in public. It’s hella validating!!)

So excited what February 2020 – February 2021 has in store for me. I hope you’ll stick around, because there’s more where that came from!

-K

P.S. Thanks to Nompton Social for letting me come in before opening and take pictures with your murals today- you’re seriously the best!

The Aussie Grind

Published on by KaylaLeave a comment

I’ve never had the chance to go to Australia, but I got to taste a little bit of it this weekend at The Aussie Grind in Frisco! My dad and I are always looking for new quirky breakfast spots to try, so when we found out about a new Australian-style brunch place that had just opened near our house, we knew we needed to check it out.

My dad and I both like coffee, so we decided to try a flat white– a style of coffee that originated in Australia. Since The Aussie Grind is authentically Australian (the owners moved to Texas from Australia in 2018), we knew that this was the perfect place to put flat white coffee to the test.

Verdict: it was so tasty! The presentation was beautiful and it tasted good, too. Since I’m used to sweet coffee, I made it about halfway through before adding sugar packets in. (Oops!)

I soon found out that Australian food is similar to American food, but with a twist. Being who I am, I decided to get the Avo Smash– a proclaimed “staple” on their menu. I thought it was super interesting that they served the avocado toast on sourdough bread. I’m used to eating my avocado toast on plain white bread, so the sourdough definitely elevated it a bit. I might have to get some sourdough at Trader Joe’s once I get back to Austin and try to make Avo Smash at home! Also, I’m not sure what they did to those scrambled eggs, but they were amazing– seriously some of the best eggs I’ve ever had.

By the time we left, I was riding a super strong caffeine/sugar high from that flat white coffee. The Aussie Grind has tons of other interesting options on their menu, so I want to come back next time I’m in town and see what else they have to offer! I tried my dad’s Breakfast Gnocchi, and that was top-tier as well. The Hotcakes intrigue me, but might be best saved for a day when dessert-for-breakfast sounds appealing (it’s pancakes served with cotton candy and vanilla ice cream!)

If you’re in the Frisco area looking for a fresh take on American brunch food, I highly recommend The Aussie Grind. They’re only open for breakfast and lunch, though, so plan to go early!

-K

The Erin Condren Flagship Store

Published on by KaylaLeave a comment

I’m an agenda girl at heart. Being able to plan out my days and clearly see all my to-dos in one place is what basically keeps me from bursting into flames, especially during the school year. So when I found out that the Erin Condren flagship store is located in Austin, I knew I had to pay it a visit! I’m a Lilly Pulitzer agenda fan, personally, but I was still excited to go visit a store thats sole mission is selling agendas and helping people get their life in order.

When I first arrived at The Domain, I was surprised at how easy it was to find the Erin Condren location. It’s at the corner of an intersection, so its beautiful, colorful mural isn’t easy to miss.

For me, stepping inside a planner store was like stepping into my own personal heaven. Colorful and chic, I felt inspired just being in that space. You can see almost everything from the front entrance, so that’s where I stayed for a while, taking it all in.

Like I said, I’m not an Erin Condren agenda-user, but I was still interested in checking out the products and seeing agenda layouts different from the one I primarily use. Something I like about Erin Condren’s philosophy is how customizable everything is. In-store and online, customers can choose the layout, cover, and coil that speak the most to them. I think the ability you have to make your agenda completely unique to you is pretty cool!

Beyond the actual agendas, the flagship store also had agenda accessories galore. I was immediately drawn in by the pens. It seemed like they had pens in every color and style imaginable! If I’m ever needing a specific shade for my color-coding needs, I know where I’ll head first, because this place has them all.

As if the pens weren’t enough, they also have an entire wall dedicated exclusively to agenda accessories. From sticky notes, to stickers, to stamps, they really thought of it all. If I’m being honest, I didn’t stay and study this section too hard, solely because I knew I would leave with oodles of accessories and a hurt bank account if I did.

This store seriously has it all. While I can’t personally vouch for the agendas themselves, I can recommend that if you need any agenda accessories, this is the place to be. Especially if you’re into a bright, colorful aesthetic!

Do you have a favorite agenda brand? I love scoping out new layouts and styles of agendas, so if you have a brand that you live by, let me know!

-K

Las Palomas Restaurant

Published on by KaylaLeave a comment

I’m a huge fan of Mexican food, so I knew being in Austin for the summer would allow me to eat a lot of it. Although I didn’t eat any for the first few weeks of my stay, I recently ventured out to Las Palomas Restaurant on Bee Cave, conveniently located only a few miles from my house.

I chose to sit outside because the evening had cooled down significantly, and I’m so glad I did! The outdoor patio is beautiful, and paired with a gentle breeze and a frozen margarita, I wasn’t hot at all.

It was just past 6 when I arrived, so I ordered a happy hour $5 frozen margarita. I usually prefer my margaritas to have a fruity flavoring (like strawberry,) but the classic one was great, too! The food came out super fast, they had barely set the chips and salsa out before the food came out, as well. I had high hopes for Austin Mexican cuisine, and Las Palomas exceeded them. My tacos were so good (the had queso INSIDE of them!)

To finish up, I indulged in a sopaipilla. I haven’t had one in so long, and it was so tasty. The ice cream and cinnamon on top made it absolutely to die for! I should definitely splurge and get dessert at Mexican restaurants more often.

Overall, Las Palomas was a really nice and authentic Mexican restaurant, perfect for a nice dinner out! Also, I found out that las palomas is Spanish for “the pigeons,” which I love. If I wasn’t planning on coming back before, I definitely will now that I know it’s named after one of my favorite birds!

I’m having so much fun trying new places in Austin. Stay tuned for more restaurant visits as the summer continues!

-K

Tacodeli Grand Opening

Published on by Kayla1 Comment

If you followed along with my Instagram story on Monday, then you saw that downtown Austin recently had a Tacodeli grand opening! Since Tacodeli is one of bread & Butter‘s clients, I got to join in on the fun and finally experience these supposedly magnificent tacos for the first time.

I’ve always been a Torchy’s fan, so the bar was set pretty high. Would Tacodeli be able to measure up?

Short answer: Yes.

Long answer: Oh. My. God. These were seriously the best breakfast tacos I’ve ever had. I’m seriously in love with breakfast food and like to eat it whenever I get the chance, so that’s pretty high praise coming from me. I seriously can’t recommend these enough! The only downer is that they only serve their breakfast tacos until 11 a.m. on weekdays, and I would probably rather have them for lunch. Well, that and that the closest Tacodeli to Norman is in Plano!

The fun didn’t end with free tacos! As part of the PR team, I was recruited to be a model for Tacodeli’s social media. They gave me a Tacodeli shirt (which I was allowed to keep) and guided me through posing with a plate of delicious tacos. The smile on my face is genuine, I kept giggling because they had me hold and alter this pose so long!

Click here to see Tacodeli’s Instagram post, AKA what was basically my modeling debut.

Overall, it was such a fun morning! I’m craving some more breakfast tacos just writing this, so I know I’ll be back soon. If you missed my Instagram story on Monday, you can catch up with the highlight in my bio called “b&b life”!

-K