A Day the Life: Estelle, 13

Estelle was trying her hardest not to smile for the camera. Tall and slender with big green, gold eyes and a full pout, she would glare at me every time I pleaded, "Look at me Estelle!" It wasn't that she was uncomfortable being photographed; it was that it was I on the other side of the camera. I’m her mama, the one that has been washing her tights and leotards for 10 years. Because, you see, Estelle is a ballerina. I tell the story of her dancing in the womb, gently pushing her hands and feet against the side of my tummy.

It’s true and she lives it to this day, pushing her hands and feet gently, not against my tummy, but against the studio air. She also manages to finesse the dance of leaving the nest while she keeps her eyes and ears at home. Because she is 13, she is entering one of the most exciting times of her life. As a teen Estelle wanders away from me a little bit every day. She does so with a graceful awkwardness. She is loving but tough as nails. She is confused yet has her feet firmly planted on the ground. I often marvel at her dance of life, so thoughtful. Her every move, however reckless, is carefully rehearsed and her positioning always perfect.

I spent some time photographing Estelle Sunday afternoon; Texting, filing her fake nails, texting, watching Fanboy and Chum Chum, texting, resting, texting, taking off her fake nails, snarling at the camera, re-doing her real nails, and texting.

Read all the deets on Estelle and scroll down for more photos of this beautiful girl. 

10 things I ♥:

1. Friends
2. Doing my nails over and over and over
3. Crimping my hair
4. Drawing
5. Cody (my BF)
6. Scary things
7. Twinkie (favorite stuffie)
8. Dancing
9. Not smiling for the camera!
10. Overdosing on my iPad- Psych and Bones

Top 5 on my playlist:

1. So Sick, Ne-Yo
2. Deuces, Chris Brown
3. Mirror, Lil Wayne ft. Bruno Mars
4. Where Dem Girls At, David Guetta ft. Flo Rider and Nicki Minaj
5. How to Love, Lil Wayne

Fav Nom Noms: 

1. Twix
2. Skittles
3. Milky Way
4. Three Musketeers
5. Fritos

Designer and Shopping Reveal:

1. Coach shoes
2. Nike dunks
3. Adidas jackets
4. Vans sneakers
5. F21 everything
6. Betsey Johnson dresses
7. Papaya everything
8. VS Pink
9. Aeropostale
10. Juicy hoodies

Photography by Justin Gollmer, Styling by Kamie Kahlo, Hair and Makeup by Vanessa Phillip

Ask Adelita: To Tolo or Not to Tolo

Dear Adelita Style:

My school is having our Tolo dance soon and I do not want to look like everyone else. I know if I go to F21 I might find something cute but I just know I will bump into someone wearing the same thing. Embarrassing! I have a smallish budget so I went to Urban and the dress I love just doesn't seem formal enough. It fits me perfect but I'm worried it's a bit too casual. It's a white eyelet, strapless mini. What am I going to do! The clock is ticking!!!
 "Sadie Hawkins"- Seattle

Dear Sadie Hawkins:

Here are 3 solid ideas that are sure to make you the Belle of the Ball:

Option 1.) F21: Don't worry about showing up all dolled up only to see another girl staring back at you in the same dress. If you accessorize well and choose just the right shoes you may be the "do" in your dress and she may be the "don't". Make every outfit your own by adding your own personal style!

Option 2.) Urban: A dress that fits you perfectly? Go get it! You can always dress up something simple. Try a glittery pair of heels, some shimmery tights, sew on a few sequins, go big with your hair and add some shine to your makeup with oh-so-clever smokey eyes and golden bronzer on your brow bone, above your cheeks and across your collar bone. You will stun, I am sure of it!

Option 3.) Vintage: Hit up some vintage shops for last season's lbd (little black dress). Throw on some patent pumps, slip into some satin wrist gloves, gloss your pucker in daring crimson, don a sweet leather bow headband and voila! Every thing old is new again! 

Good Luck!

Today's Adelita Style Self Portrait

click on this collage for a closer look!

I'm not even going to pretend that watching Bill Cunningham New York didn't have everything to do with my blog post today. If you love people watching, fashion and a beautiful human story, you must watch it!

This mini collage of photos starring me is an homage to the fact that pulling a fantastic outfit from your closet, or in this case Lucia's, is definitely not exclusive to designers, stars or stylists. Making an outfit is about your personal tastes and expression. And what a treat is was for me to be on the other side of the camera! Frankly, I was flattered... and nervous.

Because someone was dressing me this time, I felt as if each outfit was a costume and me the character. My favorite was the plaid 70's number because of the wide-legged pants and giant brimmed hat. It transported me to a place where models were lean and leggy, where the Carpenter's Top of the World (look it up kiddies) was playing in the background. My least favorite was the genie jumper. I kept saying, "Who am I?" It was almost too comfortable, made me feel like I was in pj's, which was weird. 

How clothes make you feel, Cunningham's On the Street column, talent is everywhere; all of these ideas lead to one thing, YOU are the taste-maker. So dress up! 

contributors: Sean Watson as photographer, Lucia as wardrobe stylist, Me as model, Kamie Kahlo from Kimchee-Girl.com as designer

Military Man

Here's my dad with his movie-star good looks standing in front of his barracks.

Today is my father's birthday. He would have been 89 and as the years have gone by since he died, I have discovered that I miss him less and less because I have found that I feel his presence more and more.

Our conversations haven’t stopped. He still listens attentively as I ramble on. When I ask him a question, he replies. As a teen, he would often look at me as if to say, “I think you already know the answer Kamie.” Indeed I did. I just had to dig a little deeper. I would not have known that if he had not instilled in me a sense of internal strength and reliance of intuition. He is not only present in my memories, he is present in my every day thoughts and decisions.

His photos surround me, his nameplate from the Navy sits atop my desk, his endless stories of military life echo through my mind. All of these things I hadn’t really paid attention to are becoming clearer as I get to know him. My father’s life was so big; it couldn’t be told in one sitting or even through one lifetime with him. His legacy is greater than any sorrow I could carry, any loss I could suffer. I can keep my relationship with him because I am still discovering this amazing man.