Carrie Bradshaw Lied

For Her

I recently traveled to the Dominican Republic with Healing Waters International to bring awareness to their initiative to empower women and children – The Her Initiative. As I’ve shared before in this post, when I was approached to go on this trip I wasn’t quite sure if it was for me. I talked about it for weeks with Christian and prayed that the Lord would guide me to make the right decision. Clearly the decision was to dive right in and I am so incredibly glad I did. This trip truly opened my eyes to what some of our sisters are going through, and my heartstrings were pulled the entire five days I was there.

Kofi Annan, former UN Secretary-General said, “To educate girls is to reduce poverty.” In summary, The Her Initiative works to provide clean drinking water to women and children and educate them on health and hygiene. The program is focused in the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Haiti, Mexico, Rwanda and Uganda. With clean water programs in place, these children will be healthy and won’t miss school, giving them a greater change at success.

Many women in these countries spend up to eight hours a day carrying water back to their families. And this isn’t even clean water. We actually made this walk ourselves, carrying water in buckets on our heads, and I was truly left speechless. Tears were rolling down my cheeks afterward, as the female pastor of the village told us how blessed her community is and how she prays for our health and happiness. Can you imagine being in her shoes and still having a heart full of gratitude and appreciation?

all photos by Jenna Kutcher

I could write a novel about the moments from this trip that made me clutch my heart – how these children had never even brushed their teeth, how most of these women have their own child to care for by 16, how I saw toddlers carrying their infant siblings – but I know you guys have heard these stories. I want to share how you can help, and how I plan to help. We all have the resources, time and money that can make the difference for these women. For $25 a month, you can make a difference for her. Think of what you spend $25 a month on. A manicure, a Netflix subscription, movie tickets, a good bottle of wine… to think that sacrificing a movie date could give a child clean drinking water blows your mind, right?

Thank you guys for being so open and accepting to hearing more about this cause and why it’s important to me. We are all so incredibly blessed and we have the talents we possess because of our Father. He calls us to use our gifts for His purpose, and I feel called to use this blog as a platform to raise awareness for our sisters who need our help.

“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever.” 1 Peter 4:10-11

Thank you so much for reading this blog and for being a part of this experience with me. I need to go wipe these tears from my cheeks now, #crybabyKat. Love you guys, XO –

PS – you can win one of these Her tank tops by following @the_her_initiative and tagging two friends in the most recent photo!

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Friday’s Five

– surprise Valentino sunnies, yes please! –

– a Nespresso pod to perfection –

– becoming addicted to this mascara –

– snagging this bag that is a designer look alike but only $22 –

– packing for Cabo to join some of my girlfriends in a week of R&R –

Happy Friday! This Friday started a little extra early this AM when I woke up at 4AM to toss my bags in the car and head to Cabo! I absolutely love visiting Mexico and it’s been three years since I’ve visited, so I am all about this getaway. Even better is that I’m traveling with My Style Diaries, Taylor Cole Photography, A Pinch of Lovely and Haute off the Rack in tow, so be sure to follow the adventures on Instagram and Snapchat (CBLied)! I packed last night until the wee hours of the morning because I was at a local event until 10PM… so my packing choices should be interesting. Nonetheless, I can’t think of a better way to wrap up summer than with some of my closest friends.

A few weeks ago I traveled to the Dominican Republic with The Her Initiative (a branch of Healing Waters International) and shared a quick snippet on the day I returned here. You guys were SO incredibly open and supportive, and it means the world to me. I promised you guys more info on the experience and wanted to share that it will be coming to you on Monday! I’ve been waiting to post about the trip until we had all the photos back as well as time it with the launch of The Her Initiative’s website (which should be up and running next week). SO – more on that Monday!

Are you guys taking any last minute summer trips? I’d love to hear where you’re heading! Thank you so much for reading – XO –

PS – To any of you on Snapchat, did you see my romantic In ’n Out experience at 11PM Tuesday night? The best. And also that I’ve been showing up places with my clothes inside out? Totally normal.

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Feathered Crop Top

I love how playful this top is, and after trying to pair it with multiple skirts and pants, a sleek pencil skirt was the perfect balance to its fullness. These photos were snapped in Downtown Santa Ana (like this post and this post), and I felt like this was another Carrie Bradshaw-inspired outfit. Can’t you see her in this the season she had long straight hair?

This top is definitely a conversation piece, and the feathers reminded me of birds which reminded me of one of my favorite Portlandia skits, Put a Bird on It. I mean… so good. Other favorites would be Is the Chicken Local and Get the Gear. If you have a favorite Portlandia skit, please share in the comments!

photos by Jason Huang

Where would you wear a feathered top? I mean… you’ve got to say party because when you put on something with feathers, it’s game time.

Thanks so much for reading! XO –

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Wednesday Wish List: Back to School

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I can’t believe it’s already back to school time because honestly it still feels like June just began, BUT here we are! When I was in high school and college, my mom would take my sister and me to Birmingham to go shopping every year before school began. It should be no surprise that I took my first day of school outfit very seriously. I would lay everything out the night before, making sure my nail color and accessories went perfectly with my outfit selection.

I mean… I wish I had the time to take my outfits that seriously. #goals

SO, my picks for those of you heading back to school are definitely the classics. The perfect pair of distressed jeans, a classic chambray (because you can wear them so many different ways), stripes, a fresh pair of Chucks, and the v-neck tee you need in all three colors (and you can snag two for $48!). I also included some more of my favorites in the scrolling thumbnails if you look through!

Also – y’all should know that Amazon is offering 20% off all denim right now and with free shipping and free returns, that’s a pretty sweet deal. AND, Shopbop is offering 20% off of classic handbags with code INTHEBAG through tomorrow! Shop the selection on sale here.

Were any of you this into your first day of school outfit? I can’t be the only one… right? Thanks so much for reading! XO –

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Best Kindle Reads

sweater c/o | similar denim here and here | mug | kindle c/o

I’ll admit, I love a paper book. I love to leave my previous airline tickets as bookmarks and highlight or underline my favorite parts. I love stacking them on the bookshelf and glancing at them, remembering the intense plot lines or funny parts of biographies.

But the problem is that I never read them twice, and ultimately they crowd up my house sitting in stacks because I can’t part with them. The reality is that my bookshelf is currently full and I’m not looking to add to the collection, and therefore have been dragging my feet when there are so many books I want to read. SO, when the opportunity came to team up with Amazon to try the Kindle, I was all about it. It’s something I’ve been thinking about trying for almost a year but couldn’t take the final step to take the plunge.

After reading books on it for over a month, I’ve got to say I’m into it. I’m finally making a laundry list of the books I’ve wanted to read for months so I thought I’d share my top picks with you!

Sidenote – for those of you traveling, you can also download travel guide e-books to your kindle. I would never think to do that, but it’s genius!

1. Amy Poehler’s Yes Please

2. Peter Nichols’s The Rocks

3. Jessica Knoll’s Luckiest Girl Alive

4. Mary Kubica’s The Good Girl

5. Gillian Flynn’s Dark Places

6. Mindy Kaling’s Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? I’m actually reading this now and it’s hysterical –

What have you read this summer that you would recommend? I’m making it a priority to read more (I’ve always loved having my nose in books but not like… intellectual ones, more like Harlan Coben mysteries, #guilty) and would love to hear your picks! This year my favorite picks have been DVF’s The Woman I Wanted To Be (absolutely amazing), Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl, Paula Hawkins’s The Girl on the Train and Andy Cohen’s The Andy Cohen Diaries. LOVED all of them – although I confess The Girl on the Train was my least favorite… I think there was so much hype around it I expected something different.

Thanks so much for reading and sharing! XO –

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Southern Style

I recently discovered this little area in downtown Santa Ana that feels so incredibly Southern to me (and it was even incredibly hot and humid the day we snapped these photos, so you know that’s definitely a quick trip home), and paired with this dress it was honestly like I was suddenly transported back to the South. I even followed up this photo sesh with fried chicken and biscuits at 4th Street Market (if you live in OC you guys have to visit this place it’s amaze!) – like… what could be more appropriate!?

In addition to gushing over this sweet dress, I also wanted to share with you guys this Dittos Endless Eyewear program. You pay a flat fee of $19 per month and you can constantly rotate between different designer shades. You can keep a pair for months at a time or switch them out as often as you like, AND should you choose to want to keep the pair forever, you can use your credit to snag ’em. If you’re interested in being a part of the program you can get your first month FREE with code CBLied!

photos by Jason Huang

Thank you so much for reading! XO –

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Friday’s Five

– these loafers that take loafers to the NEXT LEV –

– breakfast al fresco –

– Mary Kay lipsticks that seriously feel like luxe chapstick, love! –

– farmer’s market figs –

– a belated birthday delivery –

Hey weekend – so glad to see you! Christian and I haven’t had a relaxing weekend at home together in over a month, so I’m excited to have some downtime, even if he’s working most of the weekend. So it’s safe to say I’m looking forward to the weekend more than he is, but I plan to make him some fresh and healthy dinners followed by not-so-healthy brownies (his fave) – so hopefully that will put a smile on his face!

We’ve had some cooler weather this week, so our dinners have picked back up on the patio (if you follow on Snapchat: CBLied, you’ve seen the photos!). It’s amazing what sitting outside in the fresh air for dinner does to my attitude in the evenings. After a long day at work followed by sitting in traffic, eating dinner with Christian and the pets on the patio feels so refreshing and definitely changes my mindset. I think I undervalue the positive affects of fresh air – are you guys like that?

So I went on a Forever21 shopping spree for the first time in what felt like years, but I snagged some seriously great basics like this crossbody bag, this t-shirt dress and some simple tees. Hoping everything fits!

What are you guys planning for the weekend? I’d like to say I plan to go to the pool but I’ll probably opt to get ahead on my blog and use self-tanner instead. #Confessions. Thanks so much for reading! XO –

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Seeing Stripes

You guys have probably seen this skirt all over my instagram feed (like here and here). Because I can’t stop wearing it! I love how it falls at that length where it’s long enough to be appropriate for any setting but short enough to be a little flirty.

This Topshop tank (only $28!) has seriously been a summer closet staple for me. I’ve styled it in the above two instagrams as well as here, and I absolutely need it in black to wear into the fall. I also love the full camisole versions seen here, here and here! If you love something, snag it in every color, right?

skirt c/o Ella + Scott Boutique, fits true to size | crop top c/o, fits true to size, can be worn with petals or a strapless bra | heels c/o | earrings, no longer available, love these, these and these | “take me away” cuff c/o | diamond bangles c/o | clutch – Bahamas souvenir, love this one and this one (33% off!) | sunnies – no longer available, steal these, splurge on these | taupe cuff c/o

Thanks so much for reading! Where would you guys rock this skirt? XO –

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Wednesday Wish List

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11

Last week was all about home, and this week I’m back on the prowl for closet gems… with the exception of the mirror game. More on that in a second!

How adorable is this sweatshirt dress? Under $40 and comes in three colors – I think this would look so great with sandals, wedges or over-the-knee boots. This shirt looks like a closet staple, and these lace-up beauties come in both beige and black – talk about hot! I also cannot get enough of this adorable dress – it reminds of a dress I used to wear all the time in college.

So I’ve been on the mirror hunt for a mirror for our guest bedroom. Something I notice when I’m staying with friends and family is whether or not there is a mirror in the room, because I hate to hog the shared bathroom to do my makeup, hair, etc. I think something as simple as having a mirror in each bedroom can be a huge game changer and allows guests to feel comfortable staying in their room until they’re ready. I love this one, but I’ve also been perusing Craigslist for any antique beauties. How pretty is this one and this one?

Any suggestions for places to shop for mirrors? Thanks so much for reading and y’all have a fab week! XO –

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Lady in Red

I’m finally sharing my last round of photos from our time at Miramonte Resort in the desert (more posts here and here)! It was love at first sight when I saw this red maxi dress. The color, the pattern, the way it falls and the cutout back – ooh la la! These earrings were the perfect addition because I mean… what screams summer more than bright tassel baubles!? If you love them too you’re in luck – they’re 20% off until Friday with code CBL20!

Christian snapped these photos quickly before dinner and fun fact – it was sprinkling the whole time. He was such a trooper though, and I felt a little bit like this. But I bought him a few cocktails to make up for it!

Thanks so much for reading! XO –

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Floral Midi

I love styling midi skirts because I think they’re so fun and flirty – you can see similar skirt stylings from previous posts here, here and here. This ensemble felt so Carrie Bradshaw-esque that you know I couldn’t help myself (insert praise hands emoji)! I think I was subconsciously channeling Carrie’s outfit in this scene with the studded belt. Something about pairing the feminine floral with the edgier belt felt like such a perfect pairing of my Mississippi and California style.

Today I’m sharing how you can shop this look on this blog, my social media and through Piccing. Piccing is the first lifestyle shopping experience built on a visually-driven social platform that gives shoppers globally the tools to access and purchase multiple items through an image. This could be anyone from a celebrity to your girlfriend! All you have to do is create a free account, upload an image and “picc” up to five shoppable items associated with the image.

They already have 80 million members, which means more styled images to peruse and shop. You can check out my profile here, as well as Piccing’s blog here. Their blog helps give more insight into how Piccing works and features the users they “cherry picc” they highlight.

photos by the talented Jason Huang

Thank you so much for reading! XO –

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Wednesday Wish List

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We are in the process of waiting for our new sofa to arrive before we move our current downstairs sofa upstairs to the home office, and I’m in a full-on nesting mode. I go through these phases where I want to sell everything in my house and start over, is anyone else like that? My sweet in-laws also gave me a slipcovered chair for my birthday that C shared I’d had my eye on, so I’m ready to move that baby in.

Is this not the coolest outdoor chair ever? I think it goes hand in hand with a glass of wine and patio bistro lights, am I right? I also have a similar ladder in our house that my mom made for me in college, you may have seen photos of it here or here. I love hanging blankets on it and it continues to be a piece I love having in our home.

I received the most adorable picnic basket (you may have seen it here) from one of my bridesmaid’s moms as a wedding gift and it remains one of the cutest things we have – something I love but probably wouldn’t have bought for myself. Great gift idea!

Any home pieces on your wish list? I’d love to hear! Thanks so much for reading – XO –

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