Street Style: Kathryn Mikolajczak
To me, dressing casual and looking stylish is an art form in itself. I don't tend to dress casually very often, so I’m impressed when someone pulls it off really well. Kathryn is that person. Whether she’s rocking a cotton dress and sneakers or activewear, she is always incredibly put together. When you ask her where her dress is from, she may respond, “Target,” and when you go and try it on for yourself – it just doesn’t look quite as cute on you. The hilarious thing is she’ll disagree with you when you share that assessment, because she is so polite and kind.
She was even surprised to have been nominated for Street Style. When I shared the news with her, it reinforced why she was chosen – she had just pedaled over to my house on a seafoam-colored bike, donning a cute pink dress, Keds and baseball cap, personifying ‘girl next door’ (straight out of a movie!), complete with dip and veggies tucked inside a matching tote for our book club meetup. She makes it look easy.
Kathryn is not only a spectacular mom, but an amazing friend. She is always cool, calm and collected, regardless of time of day or activity: being a nurse, shuffling two super-energetic kids to their activities, cooking dinner for her fam, and still having a social life. If she weren't one of the nicest and most considerate people, it might annoy you how effortless she makes it seem while getting it all done.
Check out her Street Style, and perhaps, you too, can embody that girl-next-door vibe.
Photography by Renée C. Gage Photography.
Jewelry from The Hive
Hair & Makeup: Self-styled
Shoot Location: Founders Park, Alexandria, Virginia
ABOUT YOU
Neighborhood: Potomac Yard
Hometown: Westmont, New Jersey
What would surprise people about you? I was a walk-on to my college track team at Villanova and ran 400 hurdles.
Favorite book or movie: A recent favorite book I read is Demon Copperhead. All-time favorite movie, Dirty Dancing.
Guilty Pleasure: Chocolate chip cookies
Latest binge-watch: I don’t normally watch much TV, but on vacation I got hooked on The Summer I Turned Pretty.
Bucket list travel destination: Mediterranean cruise through Greece
STYLE
Define your style in three words: Classic, comfortable and casual.
Go-to piece in wardrobe: Scrubs by default, jean jacket by choice
Favorite trend: Is ‘Coastal Grandma’ still a trend?
Beauty product you can’t live without: Lip balm – like fresh Sugar Lip from Bellacara
Boots, sneakers, or sandals? Sneakers
WELLNESS
Go-to way to de-stress: Change of scenery – a quick walk, get outside for even five minutes of fresh air.
Most fun way to stay active: Over this summer, it was teaching my daughter to ride her bike without training wheels so we can go on family bike rides.
Wellness goal: Consistency
Want to try: Barre3 once I get into a back-to-school routine.
Proudest wellness achievement: Recently, keeping up a 63-week streak on Peloton!
HOME
Favorite room in your home: The kitchen is where I end up spending a lot of my time at home, someone is always hungry.
Antiques, modern, or a mix? Mix
Last item you bought for your home: Flowers
Favorite way to entertain: Appetizers and drinks
Clutter-free or well-lived in? Realistically, a little too well-lived for my liking.
Next planned purchase: Updating our primary bedroom – paint & new flooring, maybe custom closets, too.
ALEXANDRIA
What do you love about Alexandria Stylebook? I get a sense of community when reading the articles and it’s a convenient resource that highlights fun, new places and local events all in one place.
Favorite spot in Alexandria: Anywhere along the water.
Your go-to shop: Too many to name, the great thing about Alexandria is that you can always find it, no matter the occasion!
Best food spot: Also SO hard to choose! My favorite coffee is from Swings, amazing charcuterie ingredients from Cheesetique, yummy breakfast or grab-n-go from Junction, date night at Ada’s On The River, and my whole family loves Mia’s and Los Tios.
Favorite local organization: I discovered Together We Bake from sampling their delicious granola, and then learned about their important cause. ALIVE! also does amazing work.
Annual Alexandria event you most look forward to: Art on the Avenue and Scottish Christmas Walk Parade.
