#khafraco

We know you’ve been waiting, so we’ll try to make this quick!

**REBLOG THIS POST & you’ll be entered to win 1 of 4 $50 gift cards we’re giving away by December 15th!**

Overwhelmed by holiday shopping?

Hi. My name's khoLi. and I'm a recovering "ditching my self-care blog for real work and my own actual self-care"-aholic. Do you still love me? Of course you do, so let's just skip that whole "apologize and pretend like I'll never do it again" thing ... because ... really ... let's face it ... I've been a busy girl.

Wait. What I meant to imply was ...

Over the holidays, I -- Engaged HEAVILY in the art of distraction -- Launched a new Khafra initiative, that I unfortunately won't be able to tell you about until May. -- Visited friends and fam on the east coast and lamented my own lack of baby and marriage and sprawling southern mini-mansion with wrapping veranda and acres of land -- I also wrapped up the first two chapters of BYOG, the book!

You hype or nah? Anyways ... we're back. Sorry for the wait, like Wayne but not. I wasn't dead or anything.

Settle into this story:  The other morning, I was getting my teeth cleaned at the dentist (I know, I know, I’m glamorous, y’all), and it turns out that the dentist’s assistant was Jillian, my childhood best friend!  Suddenly, I remembered all of the really dazzling times – the best times – of my childhood.  I spent whole summers with Jillian – one of the best was when we spent the summer with my flawless Aunt Antoinette in Saratoga, NY.  We went to our first concert – Britney Spears, the “Oops!…  I Did It Again” tour (I BEEN glamorous, y’all).  No regrets.  Never forget. 

ANYWAY, the whole point of this silly and nostalgic anecdote is that while the dentist was probing my mouth with metal tools, Jillian was saying how she was planning a vacation with her boyfriend, and how she needed to go clothes shopping.  When she said to her boyfriend that she needed to go clothes shopping, he skeptically asked her "Why?" (He's clearly missing the point of vacation).

As we were discussing planning and shopping for a vacation, I immediately remembered my recent weekend getaway to the Catskills.  Then, I immediately remembered what a hassle it was for me to choose and pack my clothes. Then, I immediately remembered and thought about how exciting and adventurous, albeit difficult, it is to live out of a suitcase for a weekend.

I am concept of “over-packing" ... to the nth degree.  For my weekend getaway to the Catskills, I packed two pairs of leggings, two pairs of jeans, three sweaters, one flannel, two t-shirts, two pairs of shoes…  What was I thinking?! 

Maybe I wasn’t, or maybe I was. 

Before leaving, my brother said to me, “Better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it.” 

He always says that.  But the thing is, I certainly didn’t need everything that I took with me.  I should have narrowed my clothing options to what was totally essential, but while I was packing, everything seemed totally essential.  Only in hindsight did I understand that I wasn’t thinking appropriately. If I had taken less, I could have certainly gotten more.

Throughout the whole trip, I wore one pair of leggings (these leggings by Hue - the best, ever), one pair of jeans (vintage Levi's), two sweaters (vintage), and one pair of sneakers (I literally lived in these Nike sneakers all weekend) – much, much less than I packed.

I suppose what I’m getting at is that packing clothing for a weekend getaway or for a vacation is a learned art.  As my brother says, it’s better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it, but with good planning, you’ll understand that if you really don’t need it with you – if you really won't use it during your trip – then it isn’t essential cargo. 

Having the extra flannel and t-shirts was a waste of good space in my backpack, and I suppose my inefficient packing was essentially hindering to me.

These days we want more, more, and more of everything we have.  But after that trip, all I want is what I need. 

I didn’t need the excess clothing I packed when I went to the Catskills. If I had packed less, I would have had less to carry.  I would have been able to run faster with everything I owned in a small backpack strapped loosely to my back.  I certainly would have felt more free.  I would have ultimately been happier.

And I think what I’m trying to say is that stripping your luggage (stripping your life) of all of the excess, of everything that you don’t need (of everything that isn’t good and isn’t right for you), is freeing.  Keep what you need.  And if you don’t need it, leave it behind – you’ll be happier with less weight to carry on your shoulders – and yes, this serves as a perfectly useful metaphor for life.

So now that we've got the lesson:

Vacation season is upon us (or if you're anything like us, it never ends)!

(yes, yes, khoLi + krys just left me alone on the east coast while they flew to Hilo, Hawaii. no worries. i'm not bitter)

I know khafra can't necessarily help you with your life luggage ... but we can make packing for all that comes along with life much much easier.  

EMAIL US and tell us about your next trip!  We can help you plan, pack, and head off in style!

with <3,

Rudy

**POSSIBLY NSFW** but then that depends on where you work

We've been wanting to call this "The Day After" ... for no real reason other than ... well ... itsarifitz spent most of the day after Valentine's Day (which also happens to be her bday ... everybody say "Happy birthday, Ari!") editing it.

Also, because folks spend A LOT of time trying to create some dream of love or lust or intense desire for 24 hours only, 1 day a year ... but we kind of want that the day after too ... and then every day after that.  

And don't we deserve it?

Lucky for us, we get to do all of that with some amazing creatives + even more amazing fashion ... pretty much anytime we want it!

So here's a "Few Days After Valentine's Day" gift from us to you!  If you're interested in any of the pieces, we've got some amazing shots coming from Meg Allen Studio this week!  Stay tuned!

And ... fall in love or lust or intense desire ... with something!

---

9 hours. 3 girls. 1 Elevator. 

Special thanks to JackLucy for providing the featured track, "Poison Me to Blend."

This film was shot, directed, and edited by Ari Fitz.

Creative direction, hair/makeup/styling by khoLi. of Khafra Company.

Wardrobe provided by:

Danielle Wood Designs

Mercy Vintage

Queering Vintage