Thursday, July 31, 2014

A Fashionable #TBT


Tonight's a new episode of Project Runway, so here's a #TBT to Fashion Week last year, with some wonderful ladies.

What was your favorite moment at NYFW'13? Who are you rooting for on PR this season?

Thursday, July 24, 2014

Get Healthy and Happy Playlist #1

No matter what you're facing right now- money issues, relationship troubles, work stress or anxiety, getting out for a nice invigorating walk can make things just that much better. Here's some songs that helped me take a mental and physical health-boosting walk today, and have lots of fun while doing it!

(Catgroove by Parov Stelar can make anyone dance, trust me!)

(Gold Rush by Clinton Sparks ft 2 Chainz and Macklemore is so much fun!)

(I Belong to You by Muse puts a smile on your face and that clarinet puts a bounce in your step!)

(Attack 61 by Chris Corner gets you pumped!)

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Fashion Spotlight: Fabletics, and Why You Need Some Camo Leggings

As a typical modern woman, I would describe my life in one word as "busy." Or maybe "stressed," if I was being more honest. These days we have more to do than ever before, especially if we are single and supporting ourselves while also building a career in the arts (hands up, ladies! Who knows what I'm talking about?) Fitting in time for relaxation, time with friends and self-care can be difficult.

One aspect of self-care that I've noticed always helps the most is working out. It's not that I'm an outdoors person (this girl? You'll never find me in the mountains or on a long hike. Noooo way), but the practice of mental quiet and physical exertion allows me to disappear into another, private world for a short time.

Working out involves time, though, and for those of us who don't have much time for anything, it can get pushed to the bottom of the list. When that happens, many of us find ourselves in poorer shape than we'd like to be in and experience low self-esteem. This cycle of negativity can send someone down a path of even worse health and anxiety.

Enter Fabletics, an upbeat and refreshing lifestyle brand that works hard to provide AFFORDABLE and ATTRACTIVE workout gear for gals of all sizes, shapes, ages and financial situations. Fabletics encourages far more than a cute shirt for yoga, though; the company regularly shares well-being messages and tips, speaks to their audience with a refreshingly conversational voice, and genuinely supports women in all of their crazy modern lifestyles.



It's hard to get this girl out of a dress, and even more so into a pair of anything resembling pants, but I'm amazed to say that my first Fabletics outfit lived up to the hype- not only did I put it on immediately and head outside for a walk, but I actually wanted to wear it on errands-- and did! Putting on a cute workout outfit can really motivate you to take even small steps in the right direction. Whoohoo, confidence boost!


My outfit is called Seconde, and features the most comfortable (and sexy!) camo workout leggings in the universe. Seriously, slip into a pair of them and tell me you don't want to wear them all the time! The tank top is loose and swingy and looks very nice, though it should be noted the back./sides hang pretty low, so if that's a problem area for you, you might want to choose a different tank. And that workout bra! Love it!

Fabletics provides another cool service... you sign up for their VIP program, get your first 3-piece outfit at a greatly discounted price, and then receive outfit suggestions at the beginning of each month (you can choose to buy or skip your selections each month). Fabletics also offers accessories now, including cool water bottles.


(Outfit: Fabletics. Bag by Payton Designs.Visit Payton Designs tumblr and Instagram)

As a long time fan of Kate Hudson, I'm truly excited to see her sunny and positive vibes shining through the Fabletics brand.

(Kate wearing Fabletics. The camo leggings are the bomb, truly)


Do yourself a favor and pick something up NOW! And tell them Kendry Bird sent you, because Kendry Bird can always use more gorgeous workout gear ;) 

http://www.fabletics.com/invite/51431680/

Thursday, July 17, 2014

A Moment With... Project Runway's Leanne Marshall

I had the opportunity to ask Leanne Marshall a few questions recently. Read on for her answers and some gorgeous photos from her fashion show last September!







Q: I attended your show at NY Fashion Week, September 2013. Your collection was just stunning, with brilliant punches of color (that pink!) Are bright colors going to work their way into your creative palette again?


Yes.
Q: Your Instagram is full of Wes Anderson-esque warm and lush photographs of your work and your adventures in life, including some jealousy-inducing travel snaps. Any tips for fashionistas who want to create their own aesthetic on Instagram?

Pictures that compliment each other and are very appealing to flowers. Avoid TMI photos. People are rarely interested in your food (unless the plating is extraordinary) and they never care yo see you waiting at the doctor's office. 
Q: What accessory or item of clothing is currently rotating heavily in YOUR wardrobe?

Items from the ROSS Dress for Less binge that I just had in Portland.

Q: At Kendry Bird, we promote body positivity and body diversity. What's your best advice for curvy fashionistas who want to look great? 

Wear what you feel amazing in. If you feel fantastic, that is exactly what the world will see. If you question your look, they will too. That advice goes for everyone, with every body type.




Q: What can your fans do to support you and your work?



They can follow me on instagram: LeanneMarshallDesigns and on facebook: LeanneMarshallOfficial.


Q: If you could create a wedding dress for anyone, including a fictional character, who would be your top wish?
Jennifer Lawrence.







Q: Thank you so much for your time, Leanne. It's so exciting to have you as a guest and I can't wait to see what you make next! Is there any last message you'd like to leave for your fans?

Thank you for all of the support through the years!

Friday, July 11, 2014

Wellbeing Spotlight: Pure Indulgence Day Spa

Yesterday I had the great opportunity to visit Pure Indulgence Day Spa in Concord, NH. A lady with gorgeous bubble-gum pink nails had mentioned Pure Indulgence to me as a fabulous spot for manicures and many other delights, so I made an appointment right away!

Once inside Pure Indulgence Day Spa, I was greeted by the most adorable French Bulldog in the world, five year old Petunia. Petunia wandered over to me for inspection and then retrieved her toy so we could play. Truly the best way to start any spa visit!

Just as friendly and wonderful was Pure Indulgence's owner, Heidi. Heidi greeted me personally, welcomed me in and told me a little about some of the services they offer (nails, facials, massages, oh my!) I was able to enjoy a relaxing cup of tea by a fireplace (fake, of course, since it was roasting hot outside) while looking through some fun magazines (Cosmo and Allure. Perfect!) After a very busy and sometimes painful last two months, it was wonderful to unwind somewhere so homey and pleasant.



Heidi, who received training from one of the most talented massage therapists (or massage WIZARDS, I would call her!) Amber Flanders, was able to communicate with me about my painful shoulder and the issues I have with my back and neck. She brought me to a cozy room and helped break up tension in my very, very unhappy muscles. As someone who has chronically tight muscles in the neck, shoulders and back, thanks to a lot of stress and a slightly misaligned spine (hellllllooo one shoulder that is an inch higher than the other!), this was a godsend. I carry my stress in my upper body usually, and Heidi knew just what to do to help it! Heidi is empathetic and just as great with working magic on sore muscles as Amber.

You should definitely make a visit to Pure Indulgence next time you're in the area. Everything is wonderful from the moment you walk in the door until the moment you leave, including the relaxing music and smells you'll experience. I can't wait to get back and try my very first facial at Pure Indulgence... but that will be an adventure for another blog post!


-Kendry Bird

Pure Indulgence is located at  244 N Main St Concord, New Hampshire

Call to make an appointment: (603) 228-7873
Like them on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pure-Indulgence-Day-Spa/146999783477
Tell them that Kendry Bird sent you!


 (If nothing else, you have to visit to meet Petunia!)

Sunday, July 6, 2014

Kendry Bird's Top 4 Girl Crushes

STEVIE NICKS

 One of my earliest memories is of sitting at the foot of our baker's rack, staring at my mom's record collection. We kept our ancient record player on the bottom section of the rack, along with the small collection of records that my parents had hobbled together over the years. It was my mom's records, though, that fascinated me the most, especially one in particular... Stevie Nicks' Bella Donna. Stevie looked like a mythical princess to my eyes, wearing a gorgeous dress and holding a bird with the same doe-eyed enchantment of a Disney character. I wanted to know more about her and vowed to myself that someday I would find out where she'd come from and go there, since obviously it was a magical place.

Stevie stuck with me as a point of inspiration throughout my life. She's enigmatic and powerful, a songwriter to rival all songwriters, and she's not married. Something about that has been hopeful for me, the eternally single, career-minded writer with a taste for dresses and magic. Her song, "Juliet" is one of my favorite songs ever, because every strange, poetic and mysterious word of it relates in some fractured way to my life.

And I'd still love to raid her closet.


KATE HUDSON

Around 18 or 20, I remember picking up a copy of a fashion magazine at the library, and Kate was the cover story. She said something about how she would go to school without makeup, with zit cream on her face. At the time, that was revolutionary for me. I’ve always struggled a lot with self image and weight issues and whatnot, and still do even now (see: yesterday), but that was so inspirational. Here was this successful woman saying she didn’t have to always look 100%, she could admit to NEEDING zit cream… I mean, it was a crazy thing for me to read. It stuck with me, though, and I’ve been TeamKate ever since. She gets so much crap for a number of things, namely her personal/romantic life and her weight, and I’ve always thought it was unfair. She’s chipper, optimistic, funny and likes food and great clothes. I can get behind that! She’s pretty unapologetic about herself, and maybe that’s the problem people have with her… she’s a woman who’s not afraid to say she likes guys... a lot! She’s not afraid to say she’s weighed 185lbs. She’s also a killer cool mom and has dabbled in making kickass dresses (see: my Ann Taylor dress) and athletic wear and all kinds of other cool stuff, while not making fabulous movies. To me, that’s awesome.

Kate was also the one who introduced me to my love of designer fashion. Her iconic dress, eleven years ago now, stopped me in my tracks in a grocery store while I flipped through a magazine. From that moment, I paid more attention to designers, red-carpets and fashion in general. That dress still stands out as one of my favorite red-carpet moments.

(The legendary 2003 dress!)






FLORENCE WELCH

Much like Stevie Nicks before her, Florence Welch is an enigmatic, mysterious, gorgeous creature who seems to have flown directly out of a painting or a fantasy novel. Her songs are about love and life and death but they're also about magic and lights and spells. I was fascinated by her since she was first featured in Q magazine, and started listening to her waaay before she became popular in the US (there's my hipster moment for you)

On top of being all of those things, she's also the same age as me and has a similar eccentric taste in clothes. Whether she's wearing a dress from the 1930s, a peasant blouse, a short short skirt, a flowing dress made for a queen or a bathing suit with giant flowery shoulders, she's always a spectacle. And her voice could shake the foundations of the world. What an incredible woman!








HEIDI KLUM

Much like Kate Hudson, Heidi Klum is a positive influence with a lot of ambition and power behind her. I've always admired her open-minded approach to life, arms open and a big smile on her face. She's not afraid to say what she thinks about things and she's not afraid to have fun. She's also a mom to four kids (FOUR!) and has a career that most of us would die for. And hello? She's WAY gorgeous. Because of my opportunities to know so many lovely people from Project Runway, I've heard stories about Heidi from behind the scenes. She lives up to the hype, and she continues to inspire me on so many levels. This is a woman who still did her own taxes until a few years ago, revitalized the Victoria's Secret brand, helped create Project Runway AND saved her children from a riptide. Respect.

(One of my all time favorite Heidi looks!)

Saturday, July 5, 2014

"Mind the Gap" Boho Swingers added to the Half-Lucid etsy store!

Grab your own pair of these fabulous British-loving earrings:


These gorgeous handcrafted earrings are flirty, fun and a one-of-a-kind. Created by Half-Lucid Jewelry (Kendra L. Saunders' brand), they are part of the Boho Swinger line. They feature the symbol for the London Underground and are perfect for an England-loving fashionista!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/195241891/mind-the-gap-boho-swinger-earrings?ref=listing-1