As we were shooting this morning, my husband (who shoots all my photos) stopped and said “hey do you remember the first few weeks of taking outfit photos? And it was really cold?” It’s freezing outside so I’m in model mode — this is where I do my best Tyra as quickly as possible and then jump back into the warm car and cry into my half frozen hands. So obviously I have no time for memory lane when it’s freezing outside, so I nod while keeping my smize intact. 

He didn’t elaborate, so I asked what made him think of that memory. He said “I don’t know but this just reminded me of that one day we were shooting and it was so cold but you were so determined to get photos that you stood there and smiled until we got enough photos for a post. Remember that?” 
As soon as he said that, I immediately remembered. In fact, I remember most of the outfits over the last four years and even details of the days that we shot. He was talking about outfit number five, to be exact and one of my favorite outfits at the time. I wore that dress every chance I could. I was 25 when I started so my style has inevitably changed but I’m still determined, even in 20 degree weather, to get those outfit photos. Some things will never change. 
(And apparently I also have a strong penchant for short dresses and black tights in the winter. At least I’ve upgraded from thin cardigan to a jacket, right?) 
________________
dress: madewell / similar
jacket: topshop
tights: hue

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143 Responses

  1. Oh my goodness, you look so different in that post! I remember reading your blog (not quite that far back) when it was still a little rougher around the edges and not quite as polished. I loved your blog then, and I love what it has become. And this outfit/hair combo is fabulous.

  2. You look beautiful. It’s so funny to look back to when things began; and you’re right, some things will never change 🙂

  3. I can completely relate! Those outfits and looks which are comfy indoors until your trying to capture it with natural light, outside, in the frigid wind or chill. But keep your smile on until all the shots are done. I always remind myself of the bloggers in the snow…I can manage to CA chill!
    You look fantastic. This is a great look. So effortlessly looking and cozy;-)

    OUTFIT POST:: MAD HATTER
    http://www.eyelikefashion.com
    http://www.eyelikefashion.com
    http://www.eyelikefashion.com

    xoxo

  4. Love it, girl! Talk about blogger determination! It’s been freezing here in Minneapolis, so snapping some outfit photos has been quite the adventure. Nothing like workin’ a miniskirt in the middle of the polar vortex. 😉

  5. you just can’t go wrong with a black leather jacket, black tights + a pretty white dress. love this look.

    xx, valerie @ lilyonfillmore.com

  6. So fun to look back at those old outfit posts! I love the way you combined all these basics and can you please tell me how you did your hair? It’s cute-messy, and when I try that I just look like I haven’t showered.

  7. LOVE the black & white look! Thanks for the inspiration girlie! And seeing the mustard cardigan in post 5 reminds me of when I first found your blog almost 3 years ago and decided to do the 30 for 30 challenge. I had just had my son and couldn’t fit into any of my clothes yet so it really inspired me to work with what I had that DID fit. Keep on keepin on. =)

    XOXO, Jenn
    The Stylish Housewife

  8. I’m always so nervous about black and white looks like this when it includes a white dress… but this is perfect! I’m very much a all black tights type of girl so I could never add color to my tights collection. Loving the edge and what a sweet note you wrote at the bottom. It was so lovely to see the beginnings of Kendi Everyday! x

    http://www.chevronsandeclairs.com

  9. The outfit is really pretty and so is outfit number 5 🙂 No matter how cold it is, i think it’s worth it for you to go out just so that we can be inspired xx

  10. Oh goodness I feel so ooolllllld! Only because I took a look back at outfit number five, saw how you’d grown up so much since then, and had a serious urge to cheek-tweek. You know the cheek-tweek? The one that old great-aunties do to little toddlers. Yes that. And I’m 34. So I figure there must be an inner great-auntie in me waiting for her (sensible) shoes to be grown into. Hurrumph.

  11. Standing in the freezing cold is hard work. I always whine and complain and usually just end up putting on my coat and gloves because I’m a wimp when it comes to the cold.

  12. You guys are adorable. Also, what is that lipstick? it’s out of control gorgeous!

  13. Ok. You look amazing, as usual. But also, I want you to know that your post made me think of Mambo #5, which I will now annoyingly be singing to my officemates for the remainder of the day.

  14. Ok, I just HAVE to comment because you have achieved the perfect combination of girly and badass! Also, thanks for linking back to one of your old posts! It’s fun to see how your style has changed over time.

  15. Oh my goodness, you look so different in that post! I remember reading your blog (not quite that far back) when it was still a little rougher around the edges and not quite as polished. I loved your blog then, and I love what it has become. And this outfit/hair combo is fabulous.

  16. I can completely relate! Those outfits and looks which are comfy indoors until your trying to capture it with natural light, outside, in the frigid wind or chill. But keep your smile on until all the shots are done. I always remind myself of the bloggers in the snow…I can manage to CA chill!
    You look fantastic. This is a great look. So effortlessly looking and cozy;-)

    OUTFIT POST:: MAD HATTER
    http://www.eyelikefashion.com
    http://www.eyelikefashion.com
    http://www.eyelikefashion.com

    xoxo

  17. Love it, girl! Talk about blogger determination! It's been freezing here in Minneapolis, so snapping some outfit photos has been quite the adventure. Nothing like workin' a miniskirt in the middle of the polar vortex. 😉

  18. you just can't go wrong with a black leather jacket, black tights + a pretty white dress. love this look.

    xx, valerie @ lilyonfillmore.com

  19. LOVE the black & white look! Thanks for the inspiration girlie! And seeing the mustard cardigan in post 5 reminds me of when I first found your blog almost 3 years ago and decided to do the 30 for 30 challenge. I had just had my son and couldn't fit into any of my clothes yet so it really inspired me to work with what I had that DID fit. Keep on keepin on. =)

    XOXO, Jenn
    The Stylish Housewife

  20. I'm always so nervous about black and white looks like this when it includes a white dress… but this is perfect! I'm very much a all black tights type of girl so I could never add color to my tights collection. Loving the edge and what a sweet note you wrote at the bottom. It was so lovely to see the beginnings of Kendi Everyday! x

    http://www.chevronsandeclairs.com

  21. The outfit is really pretty and so is outfit number 5 🙂 No matter how cold it is, i think it's worth it for you to go out just so that we can be inspired xx

  22. Love your jacket and boots. This is the perfect mix of soft and hard, and I’m in love with it.

    xo Ashley

    thetiniestfirecracker.com

  23. so many great memories! so cool!… just out of curiosity has your husband’s style changed much over the years or since your full time venture into this daily fashion blog? Im always trying to keep my husband motivated with fashion and we’ve been married 14yrs now! haha…

  24. Oh goodness I feel so ooolllllld! Only because I took a look back at outfit number five, saw how you'd grown up so much since then, and had a serious urge to cheek-tweek. You know the cheek-tweek? The one that old great-aunties do to little toddlers. Yes that. And I'm 34. So I figure there must be an inner great-auntie in me waiting for her (sensible) shoes to be grown into. Hurrumph.

  25. Standing in the freezing cold is hard work. I always whine and complain and usually just end up putting on my coat and gloves because I'm a wimp when it comes to the cold.

  26. that was the first post I read of yours! Since then i've become reader everyday of kendi everyday.

  27. You have come so far! I have loved reading your blog and seeing how your style changes. It is always adorable!

    I wish we could still be motivated when it is cold! It is so hard sometimes.

    Leah Faye
    a clover and a bee

  28. Love your jacket and boots. This is the perfect mix of soft and hard, and I'm in love with it.

    xo Ashley

    thetiniestfirecracker.com

  29. so many great memories! so cool!… just out of curiosity has your husband's style changed much over the years or since your full time venture into this daily fashion blog? Im always trying to keep my husband motivated with fashion and we've been married 14yrs now! haha…

  30. You have come so far! I have loved reading your blog and seeing how your style changes. It is always adorable!

    I wish we could still be motivated when it is cold! It is so hard sometimes.

    Leah Faye
    a clover and a bee

  31. My mind is blown by how perfect this outfit is- must recreate!! Now I’m seriously kicking myself/depressed that I passed on this Madewell dress over the holidays. I couldn’t justify the price and it kind of felt like I was in a paper bag. Well now I’m pregnant and wish I had this roomy dress! You look gorg.

  32. Wow… 2009 was like FOREVER ago! When I saw the first pic, my first thought was “Hey look, must be cold in Texas because Kendi is wearing tights!” lol You may hate them, but It’s absolutely a great look on you!

  33. My mind is blown by how perfect this outfit is- must recreate!! Now I'm seriously kicking myself/depressed that I passed on this Madewell dress over the holidays. I couldn't justify the price and it kind of felt like I was in a paper bag. Well now I'm pregnant and wish I had this roomy dress! You look gorg.

  34. Wow… 2009 was like FOREVER ago! When I saw the first pic, my first thought was "Hey look, must be cold in Texas because Kendi is wearing tights!" lol You may hate them, but It's absolutely a great look on you!

  35. I love the black and white and the play on edgy and femme! That is amazing that you remember what he was talking about, right down to which outfit! And I do love that outfit (and your bangs)!

  36. I love the black and white and the play on edgy and femme! That is amazing that you remember what he was talking about, right down to which outfit! And I do love that outfit (and your bangs)!

  37. I love that your husband takes the pictures for you !!! I just started my blog and my fiance is taking the pictures of me and there is no one else that I’d want to take the pictures haha I love it 🙂 great pictures !

    http://lifelation.blogspot.com

  38. I love that your husband takes the pictures for you !!! I just started my blog and my fiance is taking the pictures of me and there is no one else that I'd want to take the pictures haha I love it 🙂 great pictures !

    http://lifelation.blogspot.com

  39. what a little cutie you were back in outfit number five! i think it’s so funny to look back and see how much we’ve changed and evolved…. hope you enjoyed your trip down memory lane!

  40. what a little cutie you were back in outfit number five! i think it's so funny to look back and see how much we've changed and evolved…. hope you enjoyed your trip down memory lane!

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