Art & Design of Kelli Murray

OHHH this BAG = my new best friend.  It doesn’t match with anything too well, but I suppose that’s the point. Perfectly mis-matched.  It’s from Anthro (surprise, surprise).  That store gets me every time.  I seriously need to scale down my visits because it’s near impossible for me to walk away without something lovely in my hands.  The fabric is some sort of knit tapestry, and I think it would make for a beautiful upholstered chair. Haha. I just might get a chair made to match my purse…not really. But that’d be neat.

The grey knit hooded scarf I am wearing in these photos was sent to me by WHOLESALE-DRESS.NET. I had never heard of the website before a representative of the shop emailed me about styling a few free samples into my LOOKBOOK posts. They have SOOO much awesome stuff….and for such great prices!! I had the hardest time deciding on what to get.  I had had my eye on a hooded scarf from ASOS for the longest time, and lucky for me I found almost the exact same one on WHOLESALE-DRESS.NET. I love it.  And although winter is quickly fading into Spring here in San Diego, I am going to wear this baby for as long as I can drag it out.

Scarf - Wholesale-dress.net / Bag & Dress - Anthropologie / Tights - J.CREW / Boots - Steve Madden; Hoodlum

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I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Sam and I are finally booking our tickets to Chicago in March! Main reason is to attend our dear friends wedding. (YAYYY CARLY & CHRIS!).  But we are extending our stay to enjoy the Magnificent Mile that is Michigan Avenue! I can hardly wait! Maybe they’ll have some cute maternity stores…or NOT maternity stores that I can find things to fit my belly in. (oh Lord).

Mostly, I am looking forward to doing THIS with my kitty all weekend! (it’s been a long week!) xo -Kelli

I didn’t think I’d ever be one of those girls who got free clothes for having a blog….but go figure.  What a happy day when I came home to a package full of free loot from CLUBCOUTURE.  I am IN LOVE with my nautical inspired jumper! I paired it with a sheer floral blouse I picked up from Urban Outfitters and my (super old) Nine West black velvet heels.  Those things have gotten some love over the years. And lucky for you, CLUBCOUTURE was kind enough to offer all of my readers 15% OFF of their  purchase!  Just enter the code CCBLOG15 at checkout!  Happy shopping!

Nautical inspired jumper via CLUBCOUTURE, Blouse - Urban Outfitters,

Watch - Nixon, Shoes - Nine West, Bag - F21, Hairpiece - Handmade.

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Photos by JOIELALA

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AND….

I know this has been done a thousand times, but it’s always interesting to me to learn what other people consider “must-have” beauty products.  (what a funny word, “Beauty Products”…all those things that make us BEAUTIFUL right!?)  I decided to show you “What’s in the bag” for me, in hopes that some of you might have some tips or products to share as well!   What do you love?  What is your “MUST-HAVE”?

Here is my daily make-up roundup.

1.  KATE SPADE Cosmetic Case – This is on it’s way to me and I am SO excited!  I have had the same make up bag since high school.  Yes, gross. I love this print.

2.  LANCOME Juicy Tubes Lip Gloss – This is my “everyday”.  I have like 8 tubes…one for each purse. ha!

3.  URBAN DECAY Naked eye Shadow Palette – If you are into neutral shadows….this is the way to go.  It has twelve shades to choose from.  All I ever need.

4.  MAC Lip Pencil, Red – Only worn with my Ruby Woo Lipstick (below)

5. MAC Matte Lipstick, RUBY WOO – I can’t get enough of this lip color. I am wearing it in the photos above.  I used to be very afraid of using any sort of lip color….but somehow the boldest of them all has become a new favorite.  I think I just had to get past the initial shock of what I looked like at first.  It’s a bold move! But you might grow to love it!

6.  LAURA MERCIER Liquid Foundation – One of my best friends works as a make up artist for Laura Mercier and she has got me hooked!  It is a bit of a splurge, but their product speaks for itself!  Their liquid foundation is the best I have found yet. It’s so light and smooth.  Not so thick to where it FEELS like you are “wearing make-up”.

7.  LAURA MERCIER Mineral Powder – Just a few dabs on top of the liquid foundation and I am good to go.

8. L’OREAL Voluminous Black Mascara – I always go for cheap here.  I feel like they are all the same.  Prove me wrong

9.  NARS Bronzer – LOVE! Gives me just a little added glow being the white-y that I am.

10. MAC Fluidline Eye Liner – I always had a problem with eye liner pencils smearing after an hour or so.  MAC fluidline lasts longer than any pencil I have ever tried.  You have to make sure to bet the right brush with it though.

11. LAURA MERCIER Secret Concealer – The best secret.  Helps with those ugly dark circles under the eyes.

I’m not sure what happened to winter, but I certainly can’t complain about the weather the last few days.  It feels like the middle of June here.   I don’t know if you are at all like me, but the sunshine makes me happier. Maybe it’s the vitamin D soaking into my skin, but it never fails to brighten my mood. I’ve been sick on and off the last few weeks with nausea.  The sunshine has helped.  It kind of comes and goes all day…sometimes really strong and sometimes just that dull, gross “i kind of want to vomit” feeling.  Really nice picture…i know.  I have four weeks to go before my first trimester is over and I hear after that you should start feeling good again.  I am keeping my fingers crossed.  They say my baby is nearly an inch long now….but I still don’t have much of a bump.  It is bound to make it’s debut soon enough though.  I’ve been following along week by week with BabyCenter’s email updates.  Basically, you can plug in your due date and it updates you each week with the development of your baby and important tips and information you should be aware of.  Pretty cool.  Right now my baby’s heart finishes dividing into four chambers, and the valves start to form — as do her tiny teeth.  Organs, muscles and nerves are kicking into gear and the external sex organs are there, but  won’t be distinguishable for a few more weeks.  I can hardly wait til that day!   It is all starting to feel VERY REAL!  Anyway, enough baby talk.  I didn’t even intend to talk at all about that on this post, but I suppose it is consuming my life right now!  ….Here’s my latest LOOKBOOK post.

I am in love with my Dolce Vita Shoes.  They are skyscrapers (to my standards) so I have to be selective as to where I can “realistically” wear them.  Thank God they are a platforms, otherwise there is no doubt I would need assistance in walking.  Ha! I have never had a shoe scream my name as loudly as these did!  Have you ever had that happen? What clothing item screams YOUR name?  I’d love to know!

Tights - ASOS, Skirt - F21, Graphic Tee - Jedidiah, Leather Jacket - Urban Outfitters,

Shoes - Dolce Vita, Glasses - Oliver Peoples

Photos by Michael Chen

I’ve had “Skinny Love” by Bon Iver stuck in my head all day.  I don’t care how many times I hear it….I love it always.  I could not think of a title for this look, so I defaulted to the melody in my head.  Usually I am not one for bold colors in photographs and fashion….but there is something about red and mustard that makes everything ok.

Photos by JOIELALA

FREEDOM! No more work through Christmas!  I am actually sitting with my hubby and his family in a cozy cabin in Boulder, CO right now.  This will be my first Christmas away from my family! It’s a little strange, but I am happy to be sharing it with people I love so much.  Sam has three sisters who I adore and all their husbands are equally as wonderful.  We were hoping for a white Christmas in Colorado, but when our flight landed this afternoon there was not a snow flake to be seen.  Boo!  Apparently tomorrow we might get snow…so I am crossing my fingers.  It is not allowed to be this cold with no snow! Tomorrow a little ice skating is in order…. in which Sam will most likely show off his hocky skills and I will wobble about trying not to fall.  I am actually really excited….I live in San Diego and we just don’t do these things.

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday surrounded by the people you love.  Thanks for reading my little blog, I am so thankful for all your kind comments and encouragement.  I will be back in full blog force soon.  I promise.  This holiday season has been a crazy one.

Here is my latest outfit.  I just wore this shirt in a “look” not too long ago. Sorry for the repeat.  Red and green backdrop to celebrate the cristmas spirit.  OH JOLLY!

Photos by JOIELALA