Mad Hatter

If you know me, then you ALREADY know I have a major minor obsession with Alice in Wonderland. I love the fantasy, the style and everything about WONDERLAND. Somewhere it's real. This post was inspired by my new found (within the past few months) LOVE of hats and hair accessories. Not only do hats cover my usually UN-washed & sometimes shamefully UN-styled hair (my stylist is rolling his eyes as we speak .. Jimi) "SORRY I'm not sorry" :-).

In my pursuit to be the REAL Alice I have found a couple of ama-ziiiing head pieces perfect for tea with Rabbit or the Mad Hatter and croquet with the Queen. I've scored two awesome "skater" (named by society) or as I call them "slouchy" caps, one over-sized velvet riding hat which I've deemed the ultimate Nicole Richie swag and an aggressive black floral arrangement made into a headband. I've worn all of these in the last 6 days if that gives you an inclination into how much I AM REALLY digggggin' headwear.

When wearing headbands, I've found it best (with my hair in particular) to rock a high top knot. With my slouchy caps, I like to make sure my hair is SUPER straight and pulled to the front on both sides. The over-sized riding hat can be styled a couple ways. I prefer my hair UN-straightened and full of dry shampoo and hair spray (the messier the better) and pulled all to one side. I've also styled it with my hair straight and pulled to the front. I tried it with a side braid and I ended up looking like an equestrian .. sooo if that's what you're going for then that works too! I would LOVE to find the perfect headband that has the mini hat attached with a bird cage. I don't know the outfit I want with it, but stay tuned...it may appear sooner rather than later!

I'll leave you with this quote from the Tim Burton version of Alice in Wonderland, "What a regrettably large head you have. I would very much like to hat it. I used to hat The White Queen, you know. Her head was so small" -Mad Hatter
PS- "We're ALL mad here."



                           

 

 

 

 

                          

 



Xox Krista                   



You're a Teacher?

"You're a teacher?" The most frequently asked question ...errrr.. I mean statment in question form that I receive when "off school duty" and at my happy place, Lotus. The conversation with customers and fellow fashionistas usually goes like this. "You are usually only here on the weekends, what do you get to do during the week?" "Well I'm a teacher and I work with First grade students at a school near here & then style, BECAUSE I LOVE IT, on the weekends." Que the next response, "You're a teacher?" YEP, I am and no not alllll teachers look like Mrs. Doubtfire.

The whole cardigan sweater, khaki pants and glasses (although I DO wear glasses..BIG ones) is a thing of the past. Teachers have style too. All in their own corky way. I mean, I got away with faux leather leggings and converse shoes last week. How awesome is that? I even was able to go from school teacher to Lotus stylist that evening in the SAME OUTFIT. SCORE! Mixing both of my worlds without changing in my car.

The pictures below are from "Open House": which is a meet the teacher night we had at our school a couple of weeks ago. My friend, Blakely, asked for a "Back to School" post and the "teacher" outfit I wore. Shout out to Blakely because she is a teacher too! Not following the typical scholar form, I wore light pink acid wash pants, a light denim button down complete with rhinestone flats and a gold caviar crystal statement necklace. I twisted my hair in a low side pony tail and was out the door. HELLLLLO First grade, my name is Ms. Hanline and welcome to the Rainbow Room.

PS- Lotus is getting a mini "face lift" with our online website. Check out the NEW pictures, descriptions and layout NOW. We are getting SUPER creative and it may be fun just to read or BUY. Whatever feels good. Here is the website in case you've missed it in my last 17 posts: www.lotuslook.com ! !

Flats: Steve Madden Girl

 

 

 Shirt: Denim button down from Lucky

Pants: Pink acid wash denim

 

 

 Lotus: www.lotuslook.com

 

Necklace: Lotus 

 

 First Grade: Welcome to the "Rainbow Room"

 

 

 

Xox Krista



Like A Diamond

"Shine bright like a diamond
  Shine bright like a diamond
  Shining bright like a diamond
  We’re beautiful like diamonds in the sky." Yes, I did just put that Rihanna song and tune in to your head. SORRY :-) This song is PERFECT, actually too PERFECT for this post and you'll soon find out why.

Happy Sunday fellow fashionistas!!! Whether your enjoying football with some pumpkin beers, studying for school, watching the Desperate Housewives of New York marathon or just relaxing with the ones you love, I'm honored you chose to click on this link and see what I have going on today.

I worked at my happy place, Lotus, this afternoon and took full advantage of the AMAZING window display (for one of my blog pics)  Effie/Jackie set up to promote THE upcoming Fashion show : Style Night Out (SNO) which is September 26, 2013. Click on the previous link to be directed to the SNO site. If you're in the Charlotte or surrounding area I highly suggest you grab a ticket to the best runway show in the QC. Sooooo using the mannequins and my outfit for the day, I scored a pretty FUN pic, which is also now my cover photo on Facebook. SNO! SNO! SNO!

I paired a pleated melon colored maxi with a screen tank (SHINE BRIGHT LIKE A DIAMOND), black eyelet bra, black beanie and black&white Converse shoes. You may NOT love this outfit, but I DO. I get it's not for everyone and the idea of pairing Converse shoes with any type of "fancy" bottom is a bit off, but take a look at the pics and if you still hate it.. well then that's okay too. The "typical" look in which I would usually see this skirt would be to wear a neutral pump, fitted tank tucked in, simple necklace and DONE. Wellllll it's just not MY style and to each his own, but think of taking a new stand and "funk-ing" (new word) up your outfit by changing one or two things that you would NORMALLY put together. Try something NEW and see what you think. Start off with something simple and go from there. Caution: YOU DO NOT NEED TO WEAR PUMPS WITH MAXI SKIRTS ...do you GIRL.

 

Style Night Out: September 26, 2013

SNO tee shirts: Lotus

 

Maxi skirt: Lotus

Screen Tank: Forever21

Converse shoes

 

Black beanie: Urban Outfitters

 

Surrounded by beautiful things @ Lotus 

 

Shine Bright Like a Diamond tank

Studded & Back to Reality

Heeeeey! So it's been a couple of weeks since my last post .. and I have no excuse really .. except I am BACK TO REALITY as of August 26th. My reality as a First grade teacher is in full force and students were welcomed back to school eight days ago. Needless to say I've been BUSY ..and a bit neglectful of my Mirror on the Gray Wall therapy. I want to say that I have gotten my life somewhat together and the stress of going back to school has gone subsided, soooooo here I am!

I worked at Lotus this past Thursday evening after I left school and I had to figure out a way to transition from a teacher to a fashionista ..in..my..car. I wore black leather leggings to school (yes I know, not your typical Elementary teacher) with a black tank and blouse over top. Once in my ride at 4:35pm, I changed out my blouse for a STUDDED blazer and my sparkly Toms for a pair of vintage zipper Jessica Simpson heels. BAM, school teacher to stylist in a matter of 3 minutes. Threw on some lipstick ..because I LOVE it and I was ready. I managed to get to Lotus by 5:00pm and was ready to rock'n'roll. I love when Effie (owner and dear friend) sees me come from school. She thinks I'm the most stylish teacher IN THE WORLD and she says so every time she knows I have come straight from work. Guess I'm letting her in on my little switch out secret that takes place in the parking lot.

Moral of the story: One or two pieces CAN transition from one extreme to the other. Que teacher goes glam.

Studded jacket: Lotus

Leather leggings: Lotus

Heels: Jessica Simpson

 

Stacked gunmetal bangles

Lipstick: MAC Viva La Glam III

Black&White version