At times I find myself not feeling like blogging & I can never quite pinpoint why. This space I've created is my baby, a safe haven of inspiration (hallmark, much?) and I love every second of it. But the thing is,
sometimes I don't.
Don't get me wrong, I don't not love it on purpose, obviously. & I guess we shouldn't expect ourselves to love blogging every minute we do it. There are sometimes when life gets in the way & no matter how much you want to blog, you feel stuck. 
Am I the only one?
I always want my content to be 110%, to pour my soul into it & for that to be palpable, but I think sometimes I still put too much pressure on myself to just churn posts out. Someone, tell me WHAT THAT'S ABOUT. I know I'm not the only one that struggles with the balance of it all. 
LET'S DISCUSS: how do you avoid/ deal with blogger burnout? Any tips are helpful.....
xo,

I Take Up Space.

My sister didn't get a B until her college years. My first B, however, was in the unknown territory that was the fifth grade. No matter how much I tried to hold out, that reading class just had it in for me. I was devastated, to say the least. 
Looking back I can pinpoint that as the first time I've truly compared myself to someone else.
The question is: WHY? 
I often wonder how much time out of our lives we spend comparing ourselves to other people, believing we're not good enough on our own. We take up too much space. We're too loud. Too quiet. Too everything. For reasons I can't quite comprehend, we never seem to be happy with ourselves. Maybe that's why I find myself still wishing I was more extroverted, (i'm way cooler online, believe me) more creative.... whatever whatever.
BUT. 
I take up space. I take up space. And that's okay. Spending so much time comparing yourself to someone else leaves little room for living your life, & that is not okay. You are allowed to take up space.
xo,

Recent Music Loves | WDAC Playlist

Every once in awhile some songs come along that just HIT, ya know? I feel like a lot of these are repeats from other playlists I've shared, but what can I say? I like routine.

Anyway, I've compiled a little playlist to get you through the start of your week:

I LOOOOVE Miranda's new song & the fact that it actually sounds like it's being played on vinyl. More of that, yes? 
What's your favorite on the list? Any I missed?
xo,

Three Things

How many ways can I title a post to let you in on current inspirations? A lot, apparently. Maybe this whole 'three things' things will stick? We'll see. 
ANYWAY, just a quick little Friday loves update:
1// I've been hearing about Milk & Honey EVERYWHERE & finally decided to see what it was all about. I actually really love poetry and just flipping through this book leaves me inspired. & OF COURSE I love a good badass female writer!

2// Everything about this quote. I'm not actually sure where it's from (if anyone knows let me know!) but it's perfect. 
3// The Glitter Guide can do no wrong. If you're looking for a breath of fresh air.... you've found it!

OKAY your turn. What are your three things?
xo,

Bodysuits x Denim

Hopping on the bodysuit trend in 3, 2......
I don't know the how or why on bodysuits but I know that I'm down for them, & for making them look as 90s as possible. How to do so?
Denim and white kicks, duh!
THOUGHTS on bodysuits? Tell me your favorite ways to style them!

DETAILS// bodysuit | asos skirt | f21 (similar) shoes | STEVIES (similar here) necklace | lc lauren conrad bracelet + earrings | francesca's  xo,

Favorites From Couture Fashion Week Paris

{via}

Couture shows are always so interesting to me. Even though I'll never be in the REALM of being able to afford any of the pieces, I love watching the shows. And what's more, the intricate detail that goes into making each piece is fascinating & its own kind of art.
ANYWAY instead of me writing a novel on ateliers & the like, here are a few of my favorite shows from Paris' couture fashion week:
Which one is your fave?

CHANEL


ELIE SAAB


VERSACE


DIOR

BEST FOR LAST.  xo,

As If: A '90s Revivial

The '90s is a very important decade to me, as it should be for everyone, in my opinion. It brought us some of the best music & shows, & OF COURSE the fashion.
That's what I'll be over here talking about for the rest of my life. Seriously. And lucky for us, some of the best '90s trends have been back for awhile now, & it looks like they might be here to stay? I mean, look how far denim has come. (oh, denim, my love) 
LET IT BE KNOWN: I'm calling it now. 

SLIP DRESSES Although it seems like it should go underneath something, the slip dress is meant to be seen, & that it does. Kate Moss and Rachel Green are a pair of icons when it comes to the slip dress. (also with everything else, obviously) Look to them for inspo.

CHOKERS This is not the first I've written on my favorite necklace trend & it definitely won't be the last. What makes them so special? I'm not sure anybody knows. All I know is they're here to stay.

DARK LIPS As much as I love my bright lips, there's no denying that brown shades have the upper hand at the moment, and for good reason. There's so many different tones that it's pretty much universally complimentary. PLUS it goes with anything!

OVERALLS If I'm being real, when overalls first really started gaining traction again a couple years back, I was a skeptic. The last time I had worn them Sister, Sister was still on the air and frankly, I was scared. Scared of the unknown. Could these glorified jumpsuits really make it in the 21st century? I had plenty of doubt. BUT it was quickly squashed when I actually put a pair on. & the rest was history. 

VELVET DRESSES When I think of the velvet dress I think of Topanga Lawrence. (hyphen Matthews, duh) I feel like she's the queen of the trend, rocking a plethora of velvet looks. Bring that into 2016 with a modern & chic feel, with a pair of heels or boots. I kind of need one of these ASAP, please!
How do you feel about the 90s revival?

xo,

Summer Blues

{iced coffee recipe found here}

I've got a thing for asos, and I've got it bad. I rarely ever shop online because sizing is so weird & the thought of something not fitting & having to return it just makes me anxious, ya know? BUT asos' petite shop is always stocked full of lovely things so one day I took the plunge and haven't looked back. Recently I came across this high neck floral dress that I NEEDED to add to my floral collection.
The textured fabric and high neck gives a chic feel that does't need much else: sunglasses & a pair of wedges or sandals is my favorite way of styling this look. 
Are you an asos fan? Lemme know some picks for my next spree.....

details // dress | asos petite sunglasses | target shoes | STEVIES (similar here) bag | kate spade

xo,

Two Ingredient YUMMY Iced Coffee

I've been looking for a way to perfect an easy iced coffee recipe for quite some time, because let's be real: there are few things more beautiful than a cup of iced coffee at any given time. I came across this coffee concentrate (NOT sponsored, just love) & I knew I needed to try it. Iced caramel macchiato? Yes please. The best part? All you need to add is milk. THAT'S IT. Two ingredients (besides ice, obviously) & you're good to go!

Once the concentrate & milk (I'll try almond milk with it soon) are mixed, you're left with a soft blend that tastes just as good as a coffee shop.  FOR REAL. Easiest iced coffee recipe on the planet? Maybe.  Thanks, coffee concentrate. What would the world do without you?

Lemme know your diy coffee tricks! xoxo,

Adulting.

The process started out seemingly slow enough, like a lazy summer afternoon, which was perfectly fine with me. Then, all of a sudden, things were speeding up & it hit me just as suddenly that WOAH. 
I'm an adult.
How did it happen? And in the words of the wise Meredith Grey, HOW DO WE MAKE IT STOP? Although I'm not sure we can, knowing we're all wandering through this thing together makes it feel a little less alone. Is this why we coined the term adulting? Who knows. Who knows if it was coined ironically or jokingly or in a totally serious way. What I do know is that this is our life, & now there's an article circulating on why we should just shut up about "adulting" already.
It warns us that it makes us look like we believe we're living in a fantasy, which, if you pay attention to anything at all going on in the world, I think you'll be well aware that life in 2016 is not a fantasy, and it also (in a well-meaning attempt to point out our inequality) ends up belittling millennial women, since we apparently joke about doing grown up things more than our male counterparts. 
A COUPLE OF THOUGHTS:
1// Why is the response to what young girls & women do with their lives one of such rage? Shouldn't that rage be directed towards, I don't know, racism? Sexism? Humans killing humans? I guess we're an easy target.
2// We're kind of just thrown into the world, expected to automatically know how to do everything. Family & consumer science courses are no longer required high school credit. There is no '101' college class on filing taxes or money management or how to change tires. Maybe searching through the #adulting tag on twitter is our way of learning. 
Why should that be a bad thing?
I'm a big believer in the notion that we're all in this together, (cue high school musical) and if helping each other get through this so called "adulting" thing, then there ya go. Maybe the word is getting a little overused, but the thought behind it & the meaning of it will always be relevant. The article got one thing right, the art of adulting is simply the art of existing in an adult world. But it's existing in our adult world, where the unknown is everywhere & all we have is each other. 
Hey! I adulted today.
xo,
   

Pretty In Pastel

I've always been a pastel kinda gal, so lucky for me that pastels have really been trending, especially with the colors of the year. I feel like they're always kind of in style, but it's at a peak at the moment. (fashion is just a circle of cycles, after all) I especially adore pastel hair, of any kind. 
What about you?

Images via, via, via, via, via, via, via

xo,

On Loving When You Don't Love Yourself

FUN GAME: Take a shot of whatever every time I say the word love. Hurrah!
"You can't love someone until you love yourself." We've all heard it at some point or another, if not scripted out in a pretty font and background, by some teacher or counselor or friend or other well-meaning human. It's a quote that is possibly one of the most well-known and dare I say, one of the most untrue. Hear me out.
Picture this: a confused and clueless seventeen year old girl, scouring old episodes of One Tree Hill for any semblance of an answer to one two of life's greatest questions: "Will I ever love myself? Can I love other people??" Unbeknownst to past Kae, yes, yes I could. At the time, however, I was stuck wondering if the love I had for the people in my life was even real. I mean, I didn't really love myself. So I couldn't love anybody else, right?

Y'all know I'm 110% pro-self love. Loving yourself is truly a beautiful & grand thing. BUT it's also a process that can't happen overnight, and sometimes it's just not possible at the time. It is, however, always possible to love other people, & the notion that it's anything other than possible can be damaging and confusing. It can cause you to question your entire life.
The love I have for the people in my life, for my best friends, is a magical kind that I almost missed out on experiencing because I thought I didn't deserve it. I mean, it wasn't real, right? How could it be if I didn't love my own self every minute of every day? Here's a secret: 
It's easier to love other people than it is to love yourself. I think that's just fact. The things we say & think about ourselves would never even spend a second in our minds if it were about a loved one. And another thing: the love you feel, even if it's not for you, is so, so real. Don't get caught trying to become a different person just because someone thought they were handing out good advice. 
My advice? Just love. Work on loving yourself while you love others. Or don't; just focus all on you. That's ok too. But you need to know that the first option is a thing & not being 100% in love with you never invalidates the love you feel for other people, whether that's romantic, platonic, or even the love you have for your cutie pet. It's all real. 

outfit details dress | rue21 (similar here & here) pearls | unknown, similar here wedges | STEVIES (similar)

xo,

Easy DIY Gel Manicure

Ever wanted to get a salon gel manicure without actually having to go to the salon? Don't worry, ya girl's got ya covered. In my June faves post I mentioned the diy route that I've tried a couple of times & while that certainly makes me no expert, it's something that works for me. (maybe this is kind of a no-brainer diy, but we gotta help each other out, am I right??) 
SO, here's the WDAC way to a gel mani, in five (or four!) steps:

First things first for any good manicure: moisturizing & massaging your hands with some good cuticle cream. This helps to soften the cuticle and nail for an easier process, plus it helps with the whole salon experience, if we're being real. 
The first time I tried this I used store bought acrylic nails & I absolutely love the look & feel of them. Unfortunately the glue ended up BUSTING after a few touch ups and I haven't got around to the store for a new tube, so this time around I did everything on my natural nails. Lucky for you, it works both ways! It's all about preference. I personally love the look of oval/almond shaped nails, so I'll use the fakes when I can. Either way, you'll need to file down the nails first. (If you're using acrylics, glue the nails on & file after)
Once that's done it's time for the most simple part: the actual painting! You'll polish your nails with the color of your choice, just like normal. I normally do two coats even when I'm not doing gel because I feel like it just helps with staying power & finish. Then it's the FINAL STEP:
There are a lot of gel top coats/ polishes out there & I'm sure most of them are good, but I'm an Essie snob so I stuck with what I know & used their Gel Setter Top Coat. So much shine! When the color is dry you just swipe this over everything & let dry. GOOD. TO. GO.

Have you tried an at-home or salon gel mani? I've only tried the at-home, so maybe I'm a bit biased. Tell me which one you like better!
xo,