my new year

Having an August birthday, Fall feels like more of a new year to me than January 1st. It could be the whole idea of "back to school" season that's been beaten over my head since birth, but I find myself more inspired to improve myself, change things I don't like, and set and accomplish new goals starting in September. As August comes to a close, I am antsy to redefine my look, and just be a little better and healthier over all.

fallhair2014 by alexandria-koehler featuring a bow headband

This typically starts with a change to my hair cut/color. I can't decide if I want a choppier bob, or to grow my hair out long. I do know that I want a rich, amber yellow hair color.  I ordered some Pravana Vivids - Yellow on Amazon, which should be coming this week. I'm also very interested in the styling my hair using velcro rollers and rag curls per these video tutorials...

fallhair2014 by alexandria-koehler featuring a bow headband

fall makeup 2014 by alexandria-koehler featuring a shimmer eye shadow

I realize I'm a little late to this game, but I'm really into the way bright/neon eyeliner looks. I went out looking for the right shades today at Sephora and MAC, but I came home empty-handed. After some research, it seems getting a mixer, brightly pigmented eyeshadow, and a brush is the way to go. My typical makeup is a black cat eye and bold lip. I'd like to switch it up sometimes with a bold eye and neutral lip. Acquiring more MAC matte lipsticks, Stila foil eyeshadow, and trying a more exaggerated cat eye are all on the to do list as well.

As for nails colors, I'm feeling copper, pea green, powder blue and dusty rose.

fall nails by alexandria-koehler featuring an essie nail polish

I'll continue to combine vintage dresses and sweaters, skater skirts, midi skirts, and crop tops, with the addition of ivory ribbed tights, handmade powder blue leather t-strap heels (which should arrive in the mail soon), a faux fur coat and button front, knee-length skirts. I want to delve into handmade clothing and custom tailoring. Maybe I'll start personalizing my clothing with some embroidery.

fall wardrobe by alexandria-koehler featuring a black skirt

I super love these hand painted dresses by Girl Friday. It's a clothing brand outta Kansas City that I just learned about. How amazing are these prints?!

Along with the aesthetic changes, I need to start up some sort of fitness routine. Hiking, jogging, swimming laps, and/or water aerobics at my community pool in the mornings would be ideal. In addition to this metaphorical cleaning of my house, I also need to get a good fall cleaning done on my actual house. 'Tis almost the season for so much decorating, and decorations don't look great in dusty corners. I have a handful of doctor appointments I need to make as well, but all of this stuff is painfully boring and doesn't make pretty style boards!

I guess this post was more for me, but hopefully I've inspired some of you to get on some fall "cleaning" of your own.

we're the kids in america

I recently got into Wildfox after I got this sweater on sale from ASOS. I got it because it reminded me of Clueless, namely the Muffs cover of Kids in America. On the official Wildfox site they have an archive of most of their lookbooks. I started going through them and found really well thought out, beautifully shot stories, complete with on-brand quotes and recipes. I went back to the Spring 2013 lookbook, which was titled We're the Kids in America. Apparently my sweater came from a line completely inspired by the Clueless era of teen movies. I wanted to share some of my favorite shots from the collection with you. (it is also now my duty to track down as many of these pieces on ebay as possible, because who can afford regular retail price?)

And just for good measure, I have to attach the Fancy video, since it is SO ON POINT.

More after the jump...

I went green!

I mixed some white conditioner and Manic Panic Enchanted Forest in one bowl, and then the same mixture in another bowl with a hint of Manic Panic Electric Banana for a greener shade.

Then I sectioned my hair into layers and alternated colors with each layer. Once I got to the top I mixed it up every other chunk of hair.

I'm excited for my neck not to be green anymore and to see how this color fades.

hairspiration

I really need to do something to my hair. I want to dye it some sort of bright, unnatural color, but I can't decide which one (or four).
I'm very into the hair colors of Chloe Norgaard and Bonnie Strange.

hairspiration by alexandria-koehler on Polyvore

photos a go go

Burger A Go Go was this past weekend in Santa Ana at the Observatory. Here are some photos I snapped throughout the day with my phone.

 sex stains

 allison wolfe

 peach kelli pop

 the muffs

 pkp takes pics of the muffs

 la sera

 katy

 lily teaches everyone the ghost moves

 shannon shaw

me as a ghost

shannon and the clams ghosts

backstage with BC

shannon

cody

best coast

beth with a bra on her head

Seth, Ali, and Shannon 2014

Seth, Ali, and Shannon 2010

gifs of burger a go go

peach kelli pop crowd surfer

 kim shattuck of the muffs

roy caught me snappin' pics

if you are a jane, put your fists up too: why girlpool is the best

1.) they are best friends and it's refreshing to see female friends creating together

2.) incredible, empowering lyrics that transcend their young ages

3.) minimalist, catchy songs that are executed with flawless imperfection and gusto

(they don't have any percussion and they don't need it)

4.) female voices singing in unison is both eery and effective

5.) they have good style/taste

Find tour dates and shows at their Facebook.

You can listen at their bandcamp here.

Girls and boys if you are listening

Don't ever feel imprisoned

Feeling like your mouth is glued tight shut

You were born for a reason

Share all of your feelings

If you are a Jane put your fists up too.