Hot in the City.

May 1, 2014 Kelly Donohue

May 1, 2014

Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA

Things have really started to heat up over the past couple of days here in LA- we are having temperatures in the high eighties- AT NIGHT- and I think that’s pretty wonderful. There is nothing better than being able to step outside at night without a jacket and lately, if you can’t already tell by simply looking the size of my frizzed out/ over-humidified hair, it’s quickly transformed from spring LA weather, to hot and humid Floridian weather overnight.

When we have little bursts of warmth like this, I tend to find myself acting like a bit of a vacationer- venturing to different parts of the city, traveling further away to catch up with friends, and making it in time for few more happy hours than usual. Yesterday I swung by the Palihouse in West Hollywood to try out their happy hour and it was pretty great! We also swung by Barney’s Beanery caught a bit of the King’s game (not that I’m a King’s fan- I support the Bruins of course) and relived our college days, reminiscing about how much more exciting and wild we were back then. It doesn’t get much better than an impromptu night out with friends with make the middle of the week feel like a Friday!

I have to confess that I did not do much of my own styling today. In fact, this entire little outfit was sent to me as an Easter gift by my fashionable Mum! She’s pretty great huh? She really knows what I like and I loved taking a little break from thinking of what to wear for a change, so thanks Mum- you’re hired! The skirt, top and necklace are all from Forever21 and the sandals- you’ve seen, but those are from Marshalls. Best part about this look? It’s under $100.

Oh if you’re looking for an easy way to style your hair with braids, while keeping cool in the heat, try out this braided headband look! I’ve included a tutorial below but trust me, if I can do it- it’s an easy one!

Kelly's Under $100 Look:

Skirt: $12.80 Forever21

Top: $15.80 Forever21

Sandals: $34.99 Marshalls/ Steve Madden

Headband braid Tutorial: Here!

Total: $74.39

Photos by: Richard Manus

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Rosy.

April 25, 2014 Kelly Donohue

April 25, 2014

Los Angeles, CA.

Every once in a while it’s fun to blend in a little right? Ok, well it all depends on the context, but in my case, today, I loved fitting in with my beautiful surroundings. There’s a lovely little rose garden outside of my place and while I often marvel at the fact that I live in such girly building (I’ll have to post pictures some day) with roses out front and private vanity rooms in every apartment, I often imagine that Audrey or Marilyn may have visited this old Hollywood gem back in the day as I walk up the little walkway home. A girl can dream right?

Anyways, it’s Friday so I decide to have some fun and add a bit of color to this otherwise cloudy spring day with this collared floral dress. It has a bit of a European vibe with the collar and the pleated bottom and puffy sleeves, which I absolutely love. Check out some similar ways to get this look below & have a great weekend!

Dress: Urban Outfitters

Sandals: Macy's (In white)

Nails: Essie

Bracelet: c/o ThatsMine!Boutique

“As you walk down the fairway of life you must smell the roses, for you only get to play one round.” – Ben Hogan

Photos taken by : Courtney Locks

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Retro.

April 23, 2014 Kelly Donohue

April 23, 2014

Santa Monica, CA.

A couple of weeks ago I was lucky enough to shoot with the brilliant Leo Jaramillo, with hair and makeup by the equally talented Kristen Koskella. Bright and early on a Saturday morning- I’m talking 7:30AM early- we all got together down at Leo’s place in Santa Monica to do a quick little shoot. Busy with additional shoots later in the day, my old friends who I met working on a film a couple years ago, were kind enough to take time out of their busy weekends to shoot with me and catch up over some coffee and doughnuts (and even some cronuts too!) Nothing wakes you up at 7 in the morning like a giant CRONUT!

Leo is able to make even the simplest things look amazing, while capturing the essence of a moment or place. From his charming green painted balcony a couple stories up, he is able to quickly take you to the neighborhood streets of Santa Monica: complete with tall palm tress, the quiet calm of the morning, and the serenity that life near the ocean immediately brings. His apartment is only a couple of blocks away from my boyfriend’s childhood home, and over the past couple of years, spending lots of time there, I have come to find these streets to be incredibly peaceful; an escape from the city and a bit of a home away from home.

I chose to show off my new favorite shades- these adorable and affordable retro round sunglasses from Forever21. I adore them. They complete todays retro inspired look! And what’s not to love about this floral wide-legged jumpsuit from Urban Outfitters? It’s honestly one of the most comfortable things I own and it’s effortlessly cool.