Carrie Bradshaw Lied

Styling Espadrilles

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Payless. As always, all opinions are my own.

In the small town I grew up in, there was a Payless store in the mall and I would find cute shoes there all of the time. In fact, I have a pair of python stacked heels that I snagged from Payless over five years ago that I still get compliments on all the time!

So when I found these adorable espadrilles in two colors on sale for $12 each, I knew I had to have them in both colors. I’ve seen espadrilles styled so many cute ways for summer, but I think you can easily pull them into fall. Since I’ve been wearing these around town I’ve been stopped twice and asked where they were from, and of course I had to tell them, “run, don’t walk. They were $12!”

My challenge to you guys – pop into Payless next time you’re in a mall or shopping center and you’re looking for some trendy shoes but don’t want to break the bank. I’m telling you – you’ll be surprised. I went in for one pair and left with six. Seriously! Stay tuned – you’ll being seeing which pairs I picked up!

Thanks so much for reading, and if you need some inspiration on how to style your Payless purchase, check out their Pinterest. XO –

10 Comments|See Comments

Styling the LBD for Fall

LBD – the mandatory dress in your closet. I have a black wrap dress that I called my “interview dress” the first few years out of college. Still have it and still love it!

This little black dress adds some spice with a split side and is just as fab on it’s own, but I wanted to bring it into fall with a leather jacket and some booties. A great reminder that you can always revamp those old faithful pieces in your closet!

And a pink fringe bag because… it’s real, real cute.

What’s one of your favorite ways to style an LBD in your closet? Thanks so much for reading and don’t forget to enter the Rebecca Minkoff bag giveaway! XO –

13 Comments|See Comments

On the Fringe

Suede, chambray, fringe… all the things. Unless this is your first time visiting CBL (and if it is, welcome!), you guys know I’m a more is more kind of gal. I’ve loved seeing all the different ways girls have been styling the suede skirt this fall and this one is for the tall girls!

This skirt is from TTYA x Long Tall Sally, a clothing company dedicated to clothing for taller girls. Brilliant. They have the cutest pieces, like this turtleneck dress I wore a few weekends ago here.

photos by Taylor Cole Photo

Thanks so much for reading, and don’t forget to enter to win one of two Rebecca Minkoff satchels here! XO –

9 Comments|See Comments

Friday’s Five

– some new sunglasses for cruisin’ –

– the prettiest palette that brings some serious glow, addicted –

– the coolest speakers that also work as an alarm clock + transportable cell charger –

– having a little too much fun with this Hanes sweatshirt and flare –

– walking outside to a pink sky –

It’s HALLOWEEN weekend you guys!! So fun. I have been binge-recording scary movies on the DVR so C and I can have a movie marathon while hoping for trick or treaters so I don’t eat an entire bowl of chocolate candy by myself.

It’s happened before.

I regret nothing.

I feel like when you’re in between having graduated college and having children you’re in this weird limbo phase where you still love Halloween but there’s not always a party or something to do… so this is the phase we are in. I’m going with it.

In other news, I was slated for the 2:30 speaking panel about Topshop Holiday Trends on 11/7 at StyleCon here in Orange County! Following the panel I will be in the Skin Laundry booth, so I would LOVE to meet any of you who will be there! You can get $5 off your tickets with the code KATHLEEN. This brings your ticket down to only $24 and you get a swag bag valued at over $100… so I’d say that’s a steal.

Tell me your Halloween plans. So far this is definitely the best Halloween costume setup I’ve seen. OBSESSED. Thanks for reading and y’all don’t forget to win one of TWO Rebecca Minkoff satchels here! XO –

PS – this new Barbie commercial my sister sent to me must be mentioned. GENIUS rebranding. I was always obsessed with Barbie (duh, she was basically just my fit model), so I’m loving this new #girlboss mentality!

11 Comments|See Comments

Pumpkin Patch

Last week I went to (what I think is my) first pumpkin patch ever! I love Tanaka Farms. I try to go every season for their different pickin’s – strawberry, watermelon, pumpkins, Christmas tree. So fun every time!

I kind of felt like all the other little kids there – I would’ve left with 10 pumpkins if I could have carried them out. Of course it was actually warm and I was pretending it was cold for my own personal enjoyment – the truth is revealed – but as I type this in the joy of air conditioning, I have no regrets.

I’ve been looking forward to today because today I am teaming up with the Fashion Island to give away not one, but two Rebecca Minkoff satchels from Bloomingdale’s! I’ve had my eye on these satchels since they came out and you can enter to win a green bag like the one I’ve styled here OR a taupe suede bag like in Tuesday’s post. Scroll on down to see how you could win!

photos by Taylor Cole Photo

Our winners are Marit M. and Jenell K.! Thank you so much to everyone who entered!

Winners selected must be able to claim prize at Fashion Island in Newport Beach, CA.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks so much for reading and entering! XO –

15 Comments|See Comments

Wednesday Wish List: Workwear Under $50

1 (40% off) | 2 | 3 | 4 (35% off and comes in 3 colors) | 5 (40% off and comes in 2 colors) | 6 | 7 | 8 (35% off)

I recently had the best phone catch-up session with one of my college best friends (she was also a bridesmaid in our wedding!), and we started talking about clothes and shopping, fall trends, etc. She works in a very corporate setting with a strict dress code, and it reminded of me of when I worked in the marketing department of a bank (note: that job was bomb, seriously loved it so much!).

It got me thinking about those of you who work in strict dress code settings. I used to struggle with the same dilemmas (no leggings! #thestruggle), so today I wanted to share my picks under $50 for a 9 to 5 gig.

If you would like these roundups to be themed – I’d love to hear some topics you might be interested in. What to wear to weddings, cocktail parties, football games/tailgating, baby showers, etc. I’m totally up to suggestions!

Thanks so much for reading – and seriously – some of these pieces are just too good (insert praise hands emoji). XO –

10 Comments|See Comments

Striped

If you guys follow me on Instagram, you may have seen that I can’t stop wearing this striped sweater (like here and here). I love the boyfriend fit, and it’s exactly the layering piece I need right now, comfortable and non-wool… if anyone has been paying attention to national weather you’ve seen it’s definitely not cold here! Even though at times I’m pretending it is for my own personal enjoyment.

Meanwhile, my turtleneck obsession is real and this is one of the three gray dresses I have. I can’t help myself! What I love about this one is that it’s a little more form-fitting and has this great front sweatshirt-like pocket. Plus it’s a cotton blend, which means I can look the part even when it’s really 75 degrees!

I must note that in the middle of snapping these photos, a giant bus was pulling up. I couldn’t stop laughing, because in the same week I could’ve have been hit by a bus while standing here or a tractor (at the pumpkin patch – coming soon!), and if I had been hit by either large vehicle while attempting blog photos I gave Christian full permission to put that on my tombstone. #strikeapose

Thanks so much for reading, and stay tuned to Thursday’s post because we have not one, but two majorly fab giveaways happening! XO –

11 Comments|See Comments

Gray High Low Skirt

I like midi skirts, and I cannot lie. I had intended to pack this beauty with me when I traveled to New York but I didn’t get it in time, not to worry – I knew I would find a reason to wear it! Thanks to this crazy California weather, some days are sweater days and others are crop top days, so I’m just going with it. What else can you do, right?

I’ve always loved anything feminine and flowy – I think it’s my best attempt at being graceful. Fake it ’til you make it style. I think this skirt would also look so pretty with a thin black sweater and black ankle booties – it’s all about mixing and matching. BUT, these heels – y’all may have seen them here – have my heart. I can’t get over how cute they are, and they’re under $40 and come in red too. Need!

Thanks so much for reading! XO –

13 Comments|See Comments

Colorful Cape

I recently walked Bailey down this neighborhood street and realized I had never really stopped to notice what a darling street it was. These huge trees, beautiful homes and fences – I made a mental note to drag Christian back for some photos and voila! Here we are.

Poor Christian.

BUT, this little sidewalk and this cheerful cape has me feeling fall vibes, and I can never say not to a cape, let’s be real. I snagged these gray calfhair booties at the Piperlime sale last year (RIP Piperlime, loved that place) and they are a neutral bootie that really goes with everything. If you don’t have a gray pair – you need one! I’m sharing some of my favorite picks below.

Thanks so much for reading! XO –

12 Comments|See Comments

New York Blues

My last set of photos to share from New York Fashion Week, you’ve got to save the best for last! Y’all have seen me work with Morning Lavender in posts before (like this one and this one), and I knew when I collaborated with shop owner Kim and her mega talented photographer husband Jason (not to mention she’s pretty incredible behind the camera herself), that it would be magic.

They’re the dream team, and I love all of their shop’s clothing! I felt like the affordable version of Carrie Bradshaw on the cobblestone streets of Soho – some photos I know I will look back on when I’m having a frumpy day and need a little extra glam (like right now as I type this post with a top knot and a wrist brace for my right wrist which now has carpal tunnel, trés chic).

photos by Jason Huang

L to R: Jenn of Haute off the Rack | Nikki of My Style Diaries | yours truly | Krystal of A Pinch of Lovely – all in Morning Lavender pieces!

Thanks so much for reading! XO –

13 Comments|See Comments

Spotted Shift Dress

These might be some of my favorite photos from my time in New York because it captures the entryway to our hotel so beautifully and reminds me of what a dreamy time we had there!

But, let’s get to the clothes. This spotted dress is the pattern that I have on throw pillows on my sofa and I mean… now I want it everywhere! I love that it combines my favorite neutral colors – beige, white and black in a pattern that isn’t leopard, but a little softer.

These sunglasses have been a major hit on Snapchat (CBLied), and they are Dior dupes that I found on Amazon for less than $14! AND they come in 17 colors. I am not even kidding. Also, these are my second pair because I sat on my first pair in Cabo and broke them.

So do I regret all the nachos I ate in Mexico? Not one.

photos by Jason Huang

Thanks so much for reading! XO –

11 Comments|See Comments

Friday’s Five

– an unplanned brunch at home that turned out quite lovely (and was a girly touch to an AM football game!), coffee table available here –

– a few of my recent beauty favorites –

– mixing up my usual routine with some french pressed coffee –

– having fun with some skull tassels –

– putting out some Halloween décor, including these adorable skull candles –

Halloween decorations are full force, and I’ve been having so much fun with it! October and November are two of my favorite months because there are fun holidays to celebrate that have so much less pressure than other holidays. It’s all about ~~wine~~ food, fun, friends and family!

Some highlights this week include rearranging my bedroom a little bit (we’ll see if it lasts… stay tuned!), and falling deeper into my addiction to The Affair. I snapchatted about this (CBLied), and several of you have told me that you also watch the show – it’s SO ADDICTING, right? Even my mom and her best friend were like, “I don’t know about this show…” boom. Watched the first season in less than a week.

On that note, I also watched the next episode of American Horror Story last night and Christian was on call – in and out of the house all night. Which meant I was 98% sure a ghost was going to try to kill me in my sleep, so needless to say I slept terribly. Reflecting, I’m assuming my fear of getting a glass of water in the middle of the night boils down to the media I’m filling my subconscious with. How to Get Away with Murder, Scandal (which I decided I’m over this week), Narcos, The Affair, American Horror Story, the podcast Serial, The Americans… even the books I read are often centered around murder.

Perhaps I should be watching less TV. I also got jury duty this week, and I’d say my mind is a little paranoid.

As for today, off to check out a brunch spot today that I’ve been dying to try – The Attic in Long Beach. They put mini hamburgers on bloody marys… WHAT!? Thanks so much for reading – tell me what you guys are up to this weekend! XO –

10 Comments|See Comments

Explore The Blog

Shop Around

Styling Espadrilles

Styling the LBD for Fall

On the Fringe

Friday’s Five

Pumpkin Patch

Wednesday Wish List: Workwear Under $50

Striped

Gray High Low Skirt

Colorful Cape

New York Blues

Spotted Shift Dress

Friday’s Five