OOTW: Beach Days

Hi guys! Where I have been living, it has been extremely hot outside (104 to be exact). Everyone who lives here is either trying to stay cool in the pool, or is cowering inside their houses, praying that the dreaded heat wave will disappear. I am cowering inside my house.

Today's look is called "Beach Days." It reminds me of a lazy day at the boardwalk or the beach, where you can toss your worries behind you and relax! Don't forget the ice cream! 

Here it is:

If you wanna recreate this look:

Find a top! Chances are you're using this as a swim suit cover-up, so you want to keep it loose and comfortable. Anything that floats your boat! 

Grab some shorts! I chose these American flag patterned shorts, not only because they are super comfy, but because they add a unique pop of color and pattern to the outfit. Of course, leggings and yoga pants would look great as well-it's up to you!

Top it off with a cardigan! If you haven't seen this fringed cardigan from A Floral Summer, then I have news for you! I LOVE THIS THING! It's a great cardigan for the summer weather. I encourage you to experiment with different cardigans for this outfit-you'll find that they can completely transform a look!

Slip on some shoes! Flip-flops are essential for the beach. I chose this pair because the cream color matches the cardigan. You could also wear some cute sneakers or oxford flats as well!

There you have it! This is probably one of my favorite looks. What do you think? Comment below!

See ya around!

Xoxo,

Kiley

P.S Please share my blog with your friends! It would really make me smile :)

Dating In Middle School?

Happy Sunday! I hope you've had a nice, relaxing weekend! Today I'm writing about something that's pretty controversial, and although it may seem innocent, it has brought up a lot of issues that tweens/teens face today. This is indeed dating in middle school. 

Now, before you come at me with angry comments, let me say that it is up to your parents to decide the age of when you should start dating/be in a relationship. If you really want any advice, you should talk to them. Also, if you're already dating in middle school, just know that I'm not trying to shoot you down, but rather expressing my views about the topic. 

First, let me explain the different types of motives and relationships that I see middle schoolers have when it comes to dating. I feel very strongly that most middle school teens are dating just for the sake of having a boyfriend or a girlfriend. I'll go online to social media websites and see so many girls/boys practically bragging about how they have a boyfriend/girlfriend. Some like doing this because of the impression it gives towards their peers. Some find it cool, believing that they're "older" or "mature" because they're in a relationship. Whatever the reason, it definitely makes them feel special.

Then there are the teens who date only because they "like" the person. I see many teens(mostly girls) who "like" the person, date them, lose interest in them(sometimes because of a first fight, or for no reason at all), and then drop them. The process keeps repeating, and soon, they've already been with eight or ten guys/girls! It sounds unrealistic, but it's true!

The main cause for all of this simply might mean these teens are unaware of what a true relationship is. If anyone is in a relationship, I believe they should love them, not like them(there's a difference). For instance, you like your celebrity crush, but you love your mom and dad. Your boyfriend/girlfriend should lean towards the "love" spectrum more than the "like," right? 

If you don't know what love is, then I'll tell you right now that love isn't posting your relationship status on social media or holding hands and kissing in public. Love definitely isn't boastful, proud, or rude. Love is staying together and overcoming hardships. Love is accepting each other for who you are. Love doesn't have to be flashy or dramatic for you to feel it. Love is...well....love! 

I feel that if middle schoolers aren't mature enough for a relationship like this, they should wait until they're older. Sure, it can be fun to have a non-serious relationship, but is it really worth it? Or is your relationship more like friend-status?

If you're in a middle-school relationship right now, just remember what a true relationship is, and don't stay in it if it isn't worth the hardships you'll face as a couple. On the other hand, if you're not in a middle-school relationship, don't worry about it! Ignore those girls on social media! You have your whole life ahead of you. My advice would be to learn from the mistakes from others around you, and wait until you're older to have a long-lasting relationship that's really worth it. 

I hope you have enjoyed today's post! Remember to stay beautiful and be yourself!

See ya around!

Xoxo,

Kiley

P.S Please share my blog with your friends! It would really make me smile :) 

The Basics of Bullying

(I did not have the time yesterday to post this! Sorry for the inconvenience) 

Hi! Today's topic is something universal-it has occurred since the beginning of time, and it seems that no matter how hard we try, it won't go away. You guessed it; it's bullying.

There are several different types of bullying, but they are all targeted towards one thing; controlling an lowering the confidence of their peers. Bullying is one of the hardest obstacles to overcome, and it doesn't stop after school years. That's why having confidence and high self-esteem are key to making bullies disappear.

Try thinking about why this person is bullying you. Could it be because of certain circumstances in their home life? Are they trying to become popular with a group of people? Or maybe it's a friend who thinks they're just teasing you. Whatever motive, having an idea about it can get you to understand the bully better. Most of the time, a bully doesn't have enough confidence about him/herself, so he/she brings down the confidence of others to make him/her seem better than the rest.

First thing's first, you need to stand up for yourself, and don't let bullies control you like a puppet. Whenever a bully comes at you with a rude remark or maybe a punch in the gut, whatever you say MUST sound confident. I cannot stress this enough. Say something such as, "Wow," or "What are you trying to accomplish?" Most bullies don't pick on people who are already confident in themselves. 

If the bullying gets worse, try telling your teacher(s). Tell them to keep an eye out for the bully-maybe your teacher(s) might catch him/her in the act!

If all else fails, it is essential that you report the bully immediately. Don't think you're "chickening out" instead of taking a hit. It takes real courage to talk to someone about your personal struggles, and, trust me, we all have them. The principal and your parents can really help you-all you have to do is ask. 

What about cyber bullying? Well, I believe that you mustn't let one hateful comment ruin your day. Try focussing on the positive instead. But; if there are more than a few hateful things being spread about you on the Internet, you need to tell someone. Most websites allow you to report hateful or explicit comments or pictures so that they can be delt with. If not, try having a parent send an email to the owner of the website. Either way, the less time you spend on the Internet while bein cyber bullied, the better. 

Just remember that you need to stay true to yourself. If you are being bullied for wearing a style you like, don't change it! A bully wants to control you. If you change yourself in any way, you're letting them get what they want. If you show the bully you aren't affected by them, they will bother you less. 

While you are being bullied, it's important to have a strong support group. Spend more time with your family(no matter how crazy they are!). Hang out with friends who cheer you up, not bring you down. You need to be reminded of the beautiful, amazing person that you are. 

I hope this post really helped! I recently posted about confidence if you would like to read that as well (read it here: http://fashionbykiley.blogspot.com/2014/08/back-to-school-tips-confidence.html?m= ). Remember to stay beautiful and be yourself!

See ya around!

Xoxo,

Kiley

P.S Please share my blog with your friends! It would really make me smile :)

OOTW: Denim Love

Hello! I hope you're enjoying your Labor Day weekend! It feels great to finally relax after a stressful week of school.

If you don't know what OOTW means, it stands for "Outfit Of The Week." Because this blog now has more than just fashionable outfit-recreating ideas, I will use this term from now on every time I post my usual outfit creations. Capiche? 

This outfit has a punk rocker flair to it, yet carries a casual vibe. You could wear it anywhere (though I wouldn't recommend fancy dinner parties). I like to call it, "Denim Love," because I fell head-over-heels in love with this street style!

Here it is:

If you wanna recreate this look:

Grab some denim! Choose some denim apparel that will compliment each other. I once read in Tavi Gevinson's Rookie Mag that the best way to wear two denim staple pieces together was to wear them in different shades. I don't know about you, but I think Rookie was right! 

Layers! Layers! Layers! Choose something to wear under or over your denim, whether it be a funky flannel or a solid black T-shirt. Get creative with it!

Find the right shoes. For me, black combat boots are my go-to-shoes for any street-style look. To be frank, you could wear any casual shoes for this look and it would be perfect.

Accessorize! This sparkly chevron beanie just brings this whole outfit together! Yet with accessorizing, anything is possible! You could wear a crocheted beret, a studded snapback,  a baseball cap, or even a hair bow, and this look would would still be amazing. 

There you have it! A perfect street look for all you punk chics out there! Don't forget to stay beautiful and keep being yourself!

See ya around!

Xoxo,

Kiley

P.S Please share my blog with your friends! It would really make me smile :)

Makeup & You: My Views on Beauty

Hi, guys! Makeup has been taking the tween/teen beauty world by storm! It seems that the majority of YouTube is becoming fashion and beauty-based, and girls can never stop talking about it! This Sunday, I, Kiley, will bring up this controversial topic onto my blog.

I have a confession to make; I love makeup. "You're always telling us to be ourselves an talk constantly about being confident! How hypocritical you are!" You might say. However, I like makeup for a different reason than you might think.

There are two different ways that makeup is used , and it seems to have confused modern society. You see, some women wear makeup for the artistic purpose. Blending different eyeshadow colors, Experimenting with different eyeliner techniques, contouring and highlighting different parts of your face-it sounds pretty artistic to me!

The other way makeup is used is for pure enjoyment. For instance, I love makeup because it's fun. I do it for enjoyment; doing my makeup is one of my favorite parts of getting "dressed up" to go to a fancy restaurant or for a special occasion. 

Then, there are the cons of makeup. Many girls wear it to "cover up" because they feel ugly. Tween girls as young as eight are coerced into wearing it due to peer pressure. Some girls I know can't go a day without wearing it. Therefore, this is a controversial topic.

Now, you might be wondering-what do I think about makeup? Should girls as young as ten and eleven start everyday beauty routines? Well, I'm a little bit in between. 

You see, I believe that it should be the parents' choice on how mature their daughter is to start wearing makeup. In my opinion, I think ten and eleven year olds are a little too young. When I was ten, I was acne-free and the only makeup product I found interest in was lipgloss and lip balm. Then again, maybe a ten-year-old has a lot of acne for her age and is embarrassed about it, therefore wanting to wear makeup for that purpose.

Why I'm writing this today is to say: girls, you don't have to be embarrassed! 

One of my good friends once told me, "I like your acne. It makes you unique." Of course, I thought it was ridiculous at first. Why would anyone want a bunch of white and red bumps on their face?

Now, I realize, that my friend was just trying to tell me that there's more to me than bumps on my face. It's the inner beauty that really matters. 

A girl can have an excessive wardrobe, professional makeup, and the beauty of a celebrity. She could be an amazing friend of yours with a beautiful heart. Or, if she is a girl who whines when she doesn't get everything she wants, or ignores you when you need her support most, then do her looks really matter?  Well, I think not!

Please remember that true friends value you for what's inside your heart, and not what you look like on the outside. 

Makeup isn't a bad thing-it can be really fun once you're a teenager! But, young girls, please know that peer pressure is something we all go through. If you're wearing makeup just because everyone else is, then don't. Girls your age might not understand the meaning of makeup. They might wear it because it makes them look older, or so they can cover up what they believe is ugly. If you know any girls like that, give them a confidence-boost today! I'm sure they'll thank you for it!

Stay beautiful and remember to keep being yourself!

See ya around!

Xoxo,

Kiley

P.S. Please share my blog with your friends! It would really make me smile :)

Kiley Being Crafty: I sewed a kimono!

(Sorry for not posting yesterday--technical difficulties arose.) 

Hi everyone! I decided to get a little crafty (hence the title) and sew a kimono! This was a great way for me to connect with my grandma and expand my horizons of craftiness!

What inspired me to make this was eyeing a new kimono for $36 from the Bethany Mota Summer collection at Aeropostale. For a while, I really wanted to buy it, but after watching a DIY video, I though, "hey, why don't I make one myself?" And here I am, writing this.

This kimono cost only $12 to make. That's about $24 cheaper than the Bethany Mota kimono! I think I like this one better anyway.

Surprisingly, when I made this kimono, I didn't follow a pattern. Instead, I followed the instructions given by an awesome DIY YouTuber, making sure to hem any raw edges along the way (you can watch the video here: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=SmJ8L4VCMjk). She used a floral scarf and hand-sewed the project. Fortunately, my grandma had a sewing machine, and we chose a pattern at the craft store. 

I have to admit that, although it was easy, getting the measurements was hard. All projects have their ups and downs, right? Anyways, I'm so excited to show you the final product! 

Here it is:

As you can see, I think it turned out rather well! I love how I can pair this with any solid shirt and it can boost the look. 

Have you ever sewn/crafted something?Comment below! I'd love to read about it!

I hope you enjoyed this post!

See ya around!

Xoxo,

Kiley

 P.S. Please share my blog with your friends! It would really make me smile :)

NOTE: All opinions are mine. This blog is not sponsored or advertised in any way by LaurDIY or any sewing or crafting company. Those are my words, not someone else's :)

Back-to-School Tips (Confidence)

Happy Sunday, everybody! I hope your weekend is going well! Back-to-school is coming up(or has already begun), and that can definitely be stressful, especially if you're starting a new school. That's why today's post is all about tips that help me, and can help you, go back to school with confidence!

Confidence is different for everyone. Some people are born with it, some pretend they have it, and others have to gain it. People also gain confidence through different resources. Take Maya Van Wagenen, the author of the memoir Popular: Vintage Advice for a Modern Geek. She went to the extreme for a major confidence-building experience. To be frank, it can take many years to get the confidence and strength you need. So the tips I've prepared for you may not work like magic. Just know that if you keep pushing yourself, you will eventually receive the confidence to face the day with a smile!

The first step to confidence is to get out of the universe of negativity. This means to start by being more positive. When you're feeling down about yourself, try to find something that puts you in a happy mood, whether it be music, sports, reading, etc. The happier you are, the better you'll feel about yourself. What my grandpa taught me to do before I go to bed is to write down one or more good things that happened that day. This way, you can go to bed concentrating on positive things instead of something embarrassing you might have said to someone, or other negative things that make your stomach lurch. 

Something that can make you feel better about your appearance is to stop focussing on the imperfections. An activity to try might be to compliment yourself every time you look in the mirror. Now, I'm not saying that you should become narcissistic, but it can be a great way to cancel out those bully-some thoughts. Instead of saying "I have too many pimples!" or "I'm so fat!"  try "I love how I look in this dress!" and "Who cares about those pimples! Pimples don't define my beauty!" The more you stand up for yourself, you'll find that the bully inside you will stop invading your thoughts.

A problem that I struggle with personally is having confidence outside of school, but not at school. If you struggle with this as well, I suggest you target the source that drains your confidence. Is it your friends? Teachers? Popular kids? Once you've found the source, it's much easier to search for solutions. For instance, my confidence drains when I worry about what other people might think of me. Sometimes I try to make myself as invisible as possible, hoping that no one will notice me. What helps me gain my confidence back is to constantly repeat in my head, "I don't care what they say! I don't care what they think!" The more I focus on that, the less I pay attention to the negative.

Another thing that gives me confidence is a huge confidence-boost from a friend or family member. One of my best friends sat down and had a long talk with me when I was feeling upset one year. Kids had been bullying me and I felt so alone. What she said gave me so much confidence, that I can not describe to you how confident I felt because of her. I am extremely grateful to have an amazing friend like her! Remember, no one should take the journey through life alone, so a good support group of friends is necessary to have on your life shopping list! 

I hope these tips helped you gain the confidence you needed! Remember that you're beautiful inside and out and to be yourself! 

See ya around!

Xoxo,

Kiley

P.S Please share my blog with your friends! It would really make me smile :) 

NOTE: This was not sponsored by Maya Van Wagenen or Penguin Books. All opinions about Maya's book are mine only.

Back-to-School Lookbook!

Hi guys! It's the beginning of August and back-to-school shopping is right around the corner! I don't know about you, but my school sends us back the second week of August(school just started the 13th, to be precise).

Although I didn't have a huge back-to-school shopping spree(two pairs of leggings, jeans, and a T-shirt), I have compiled a back-to-school Lookbook of the outfits I wore for the first three days of school. 

This post will be a little different. I'm not showing you how you might recreate these looks. Instead, I am sharing the outfits with you in hope that you might be inspired to recreate these on your own!

Here they are:

For this first look, I tried to make due with my big leadership club T-shirt that I had to wear the first day of school. So, I tucked it into a blue, flow-y skort, and slipped on my solid sneakers. Because I love to accessorize, I added my teal hair bow and BAM! I was ready to go!

I personally love this second look! Audrey Hepburn is probably my favorite classical movie actress. Keeping it simple, I paired this "Audrey" T-shirt with a pair of light wash jeans to compliment the white. Then, I slipped on the same sneakers from the first outfit, and wore a sparkly headband just to give this look some glam. Viola! 

In this final look, my overall shorts were the highlight of the outfit, and, probably the most simple way for me to look casual, but put together at the same time. Bringing a pop of color into the look, I wore a bright teal T-shirt and slipped on those solid sneakers. That's all it took!

I hope you enjoy back-to-school shopping as much as I did! I know going back to school can be stressful, so I will give you some helpful tips this Sunday so that your confidence will soar!

See ya around!

Xoxo,

Kiley

P.S Please share my blog with your friends! It would really make me smile :)

A Little Change

Hello! This is just a quick note explaining the changes that are going to happen around here. You see, I am now going to be dedicating more time and effort towards Fashionbykiley than ever before. Instead of posting at any random moment, I will be posting on a schedule!

On Saturdays, I will still post my outfit of the week (OOTW) and give you tips on how to recreate it. I will also do other fashion-related posts that I just know you will love!

Now, on Sundays, I am going to post about Inner Beauty, Bullying, Confidence, etc., because I want this blog to be more than just a fashion blog; I want it to be about you being you!

Thank you for taking into consideration the awesome changes that I will be putting into action very soon!

See ya around!

xoxo,

Kiley


P.S Please share my blog with your friends! It would really make me smile :)

A Floral Summer

Hi everybody! Summer is in the air and I have been loving it! One lazy beach day after another and I think it's too good to be true (Hmm....could this be the reason why I haven't been posting?).

Recently I went shopping with my family and created a look that I have been wearing constantly. When I wear this, it gives me this girly feeling , like I'm wearing a style that really shows people the girly-girl that I truly am (am I the only person who experiences this? Comment down below)!

Here's the look! I call it "A Floral Summer"!

If you wanna recreate this look:

Grab a shirt! I wanted this look to be loose and comfortable, while also expressing my girly personality,

so my flow-y patterned top was perfect for this! Your top can be patterned or solid, loose-fitting or more tight-fitting, Girly, or casual,

whatever fits your style standards! 

Find some bottoms! Once again going with the loose-and-comfortable look, I thought my comfy jeggings (jean/leggings) would be great paired with my top. If I had chosen a more tight-fitting shirt, a flow-y skirt would be a good fit as well. It's all up  to you and what you love best! 

Shoes! Shoes! Shoes! Being in the middle of summer, I find that close-toed shoes are much too warm for the weather here. So, I decided to choose my slip-on sandals for this look. This is not the only option; I think sneakers, ballet flats, or boots would work just as well! 

Pull on a Cardigan! I think any type of cardigan that works well with your top can bring the whole outfit together! I chose my open-knit tasseled cardigan. This is just an optional part of the look.

Accessorize! Just to top off this look, I added an oversized mint green/teal bow and an oversized necklace with a ballerina charm on it. Of course, accessories are optional, so if you aren't very fond of them, then you can skip this step.

There you have it! One of my favorite looks this summer that I'm sure you'll love!

See ya around!

Xoxo,

Kiley

P.S share this with your friends! It would really make me smile :)