Tanaka Strawberry Farm

– eating strawberries all week that I picked with C –

PRO Beauty Tools 24K Gold Plated Curling Irons

– a new favorite curling iron that gives perfect summer waves –

Stylish Rustic Paris stamped ottoman

– an ottoman that reminds me to return to Paris with the hubs –

White Sperry Sneakers

– bike rides in the neighborhood –

Wander Beauty cheek stain

– sprucing up my summer beauty collection with these new favorites from Wander Beauty and Borghese

Hey hey Friday!  This summer Friday is a little extra bright because my guy is back in town and we are heading to Catalina Island this afternoon.  We’ve had this little weekend trip on our bucket list since we first moved out here (along with being a guest at the Chelsea Lately show which definitely didn’t happen. #RIP.), and I know Christian is so excited to explore the island.  I think the ferry ride over will be fun but what’s not fun is the limited luggage requirements. Oy vey.

On another note, I’ve never really been into Snapchat or Vine, but once I had to learn more about it for my day job, I signed up and have been Snapchattin’ under the name CBLied.  I do dig sharing the ridiculous snippets of day to day – Christian lecturing me for buying things I don’t need and Bailey sprinting down the hall at work like a maniac – but I also feel it encourages me to be on my phone nonstop, and that’s the last thing I need to introduce in my life.  I already feel glued to my phone enough, you know!?  How do you guys feel about Snapchat? I’d love to hear.

Thanks so much for reading – y’all have a beautiful weekend! XO –

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White midi dress

This is like the best of my Miami Vice summer inspiration, and I’m into it.  I wore this ensemble to dinner in downtown LA and I realized it was the first bodycon style dress I’ve worn in quite some time.  I’m all about a shift dress or roomy outfit, as I like to say – it leaves more room for tacos – but sometimes you gotta pull out the zsa zsa zsu (as Carrie Bradshaw would say).  And I often forget that less fabric can actually be more flattering.

In this Lulu’s midi and moto jacket duo, I was channeling my inner J.Lo. Of course my favorite J.Lo is Jenny from the Block.  As I mentioned in my instagram sneak peek of this outfit, if my husband’s ex-girlfriend was Jennifer Lopez I would just give up.

She doesn’t age. I don’t understand, but Lord, please help me to understand.

Kathleen Barnes Orange County blogger Steve Madden Stecy floral sandals Bodycon white midi dress White biker jacket J.Crew Tortoise tassel chandelier earringscarrie bradshaw lied blogger Carrie Bradshaw Lied blogger Orange County blogger

photos by my Dad

 

dress & coat c/o  (the jacket is on sale!) | heels c/o | sunnies | clutch | gold bangle c/o | thin gold bangle c/o | turquoise bracelet c/o | watch c/o | earrings | ring c/o

Thanks so much for reading! XO –

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Summer wish list

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

 

I mean… is this romper not the cutest thing you’ve ever seen?  I think my friend Krystal has something similar and with her long legs, she makes this beauty a 10. I also can’t get enough of this sarong that can be worn so many different ways and even comes in three colors – genius!

I can’t get enough whites and blues in the summer – something about the crispness against a summer tan just can’t be beat in my book.  Christian and I are heading to Catalina Island this weekend for a quick getaway and I’m going to be sure to pack plenty of beachy pieces for our golf cart rides around island!

What’s on your wish list!? Thanks for reading! XO –

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Surf and Sand Laguna Beach

with my blogger besties Haute off the Rack, My Style Diaries & A Pinch of Lovely

I recently saw this post of one of my longtime favorite bloggers and I loved the concept of making a to-do list for the summer.  It’s easy to have a fun summer in Southern California because there is always so much going on, but by making an actual list it puts my hopes and goals in a much more realistic place.

The most challenging on this list? #3, #4, #9 and #10.  Oy.

1.  Pick watermelon at Tanaka Farms.

2. Spend a full day reading at the beach watching Christian surf.

3. Organize the garage so Christian can squeeze his car in on late nights at the hospital (we’ve had a car towed at 3AM after our neighborhood ran out of spots… good times!).

4. Finish redesigning our guest bedroom and share the grand reveal (!!).

5. Spend a lazy weekend in Palm Springs.

6. Have high tea at Paris in a Cup.

7.  Paddleboard on the harbor.

8. Have a picnic and listen to the summer concerts in our neighborhood.

9.  Spend one day a week without touching the computer.

10.  The inevitable goal… to wake up early with Christian in the mornings.

What are some of your summer goals!?

PS – BaubleBar is offering 25% off all necklaces TODAY ONLY with code SUMMERSTATEMENT. Don’t miss out on some of my faves!  Thanks for reading – XO –

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Carrie Bradshaw Lied.

It’s times like this that California takes my breath away.  When I was staying in LA with my parents while they were in town, I would look out the window in Silver Lake and think… am I in Los Angeles or Italy? The beauty in the bougainvillea, succulents and greenery never ceases to amaze me.

My Dad snapped these photos for me before we went to a family dinner in West Hollywood, and forgive me for the wrinkles but hey – it means I really wore this ensemble all day, right!? Realness.

This scarf doubles as a blanket you guys – I mean, WHAT. Talk about investing in multipurpose pieces! I can already imagine taking it to outdoor concerts this summer.

Olive green jumpsuit. Gigi New York Parker Satchel.Gigi New York Parker ToteAztec blanket scarf. Carrie Bradshaw Lied blogger. Army Green romper.

photos by my Dad

 

romper – Forever21, old, similar here and here | scarf c/o | bag c/o | heels | wrap cuff c/o | hand chain c/o | watch c/o | sunnies | silver bracelet c/o

Thanks so much for reading! XO –

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Poolside watermelon

– poolside watermelon in Peixoto

Fashion Illustration

– my week being made with this incredible fashion illustration by Waltz in Water Illustrations – 

Organic potato chips

– my newest addiction to avocado oil jalapeno chips

The Getty Museum in Los Angeles.

– a visit to The Getty Museum for a picnic lunch –

Bloomthat Floral Arrangement

– the prettiest flowers from BloomThat

PS – CBL10 is good for $10 off first time purchases (with a minimum order of $35)

The past few weeks have breezed by so quickly that it has me longing to slow down. With so much travel and so many visitors (not that I can complain, because those are two of my favorite things!), it’s been go-go-go from my day job work week to weekend play, and I’ve been up until at least 1AM most nights working on blog posts so I can keep this space consistent.  So this past Sunday when I got home from LA, I put all my to do’s to the side, because there will always be to do’s.  I told C to put on his swimsuit and we took it to the pool for a few hours of straight nothing, laying on the air mattress of the water, also known as my flamingo pool float (obsessed). 

With summer trips to Catalina Island, Vegas, Palm Springs and the Dominican Republic in the works… it’s not going to slow down anytime soon so wheels up!  I can sleep in my 30’s… right? 

It was sad to see my parents go home earlier this week.  I had so much fun dragging them all over town and handing them over to my brother for some LA time. I brought them to my workplace and everyone loved their sweet Southern-ness!  This weekend I plan to go wedding dress shopping with my bridal bestie and drag Christian to Tanaka Farms to pick strawberries before it becomes watermelon season.  

What are you guys up to?  And what’s your favorite way to slow down when the world around you is spinning!? Thanks so much for reading! XO – 

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carrie-bradshaw-lied-blogger

The pairing that no one can mess up – nautical stripes with crisp, white denim. Always stylish, always classic and effortless in my book.  I wore this to dinner with my parents when they were in town and again, my sweet Dad took these photos!  And while my Dad was handing his glasses to my mom while he tried to take the perfect photo, my mom was chuckling to herself catching up on The Fat Jewish on her phone, trying to read the funny ones out loud.

So basically it was the usual.

These wedges though. So cute and seriously, so comfortable.  I’ve been wearing them with everything after I saw them on my blogger bestie!  I’m addicted.  I can’t rave about them enough. A++, my shoes of the summer.

Styling a striped sweater.Gigi New York Madison CrossbodyCarrie Bradshaw Lied BloggerKathleen Barnes of Carrie Bradshaw LiedStriped sweater and white denim.Carrie Bradshaw Lied blog.Sofft Panama Wedges

photos by my Dad

 

sweater c/o, sold out, similar here and here | denim c/o | wedges c/o | cashmere scarf c/o | sunnies | bag 15% off through Sunday with code FRIENDS15 | tassel bracelet c/o | white knuckle ring c/o | gold cuff c/o

Thanks so much for reading! XO –

 

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Father's Day gift ideas.

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

 

Last week I shared some of my ideas for the Dads in your family (Father’s Day is June 21st), but I wanted to follow up with some more options for the dudes.  This towel matches the apron I shared last week that is now sold out, and I think they’re basically the cutest things ever.

My dad has one of these smart watches and is obsessed.  Between my parents and I, we were all counting our steps at Disneyland and each reached over 20,000 steps (over 10 miles)! My parents have had a good time comparing they’re daily steps/calories burned/miles, and I think it’s definitely a great health tool to easily strap on your wrist that is also functional as a source of time and alarm clock. #winning

Have any great ideas for Father’s Day? I would love to hear them – I’m always looking for tips!  Shopping for guys is hard especially because I’m so not in tune with the latest gadgets and outdoor accessories.

Thanks so much for reading!  XO –

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Tropical crop top and culottes.

Say hello to my party pants.  HOW MUCH FUN IS THIS OUTFIT!? When I saw this crop top + culotte duo, I’m pretty sure my entire face lit up.  I have absolutely loved seeing some of my favorite fashionistas in Orange County rock the culotte trend, but I just wasn’t sure if it was the right style for my body.

But when I saw this pair, I had to give it a shot, and… I’m into it. Even better is that I wore this to dinner with my parents when they were visiting, and my Dad actually snapped these photos for me!  I think he did a pretty good job, right? I miss my parents living across the country from them, but it does make our visits together that much sweeter.  You guys should have seen how hard he worked to get a good shot, but it turns out that he was so good at it that we got quite a few outfits in during the two weekends we spent together (and Christian was very supportive considering it got him off the hook). #1 Dad!

Tropical crop top and tassel statement necklace. Baublebar tassel necklace. White boyfriend blazer. Julie Vos bracelet.kathleen-williams-barnes Orange County fashion blogger.

photos taken by Dad

 

crop top + culottes c/o | heels – Forever21, old, nearly identical here | statement cuff c/o | sunnies c/o | necklace c/o | ring c/o | blazer – boutique (old), similar here | turquoise cuff c/o

Do you have a fun pair of patterned pants or shorts that are your party pants? I need to hear about it.

Thanks so much for reading! XO –

 

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k_0689

I mean… when you combine hot pink with a maxi you’ve basically made my dreams come true.  This Morning Lavender dress basically sums up my college self with a serious punch of color topped off with Christian’s favorite piece of jewelry of mine (other than my wedding rings he designed) – the necklace I used to wear with everything when we were dating.

Y’all know I’ve asked you guys before if your significant others are this way, but Christian loves it when I have long dark hair, sun-kissed skin and am wearing fitted, bright colors – because that was my college uniform. A girly-girl always, I always feel myself when I’m wearing colorful pieces or my go-to, bright white against a summer tan.

Tell me your favorite summer looks – and seriously… who doesn’t love a hot pink Barbie dress!?

Leopard foldover clutch. Hot pink maxi dress. Shop Morning Lavender. Turquoise statement necklace.kathleen-barnesshop-morning-lavenderturquiose-statement-necklace

photos by Jason Huang

 

dress c/o Morning Lavender | heels c/o | necklace – old, similar here and here| foldover clutch | sunnies | gold cuff | gold bangle c/o | “c” bangle c/o

Thanks so much for reading, and don’t forget to tell me your summer style staple! XO –

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Colorful berries at the farmers market.

– the farmer’s market berry selection by our house never disappoints –

Pink peonies.

– peony season at Trader Joe’s –

Fashion illustration

– this lovely sketch by Gabriela Giliberto of this outfit that made my day –

photo-bomb

– my Dad proud to photo bomb my blog pics –

Dermalogica products.

– some goodies to try out thanks to my friends at Luna –

To start off the week with a trip to Disneyland with your parents just can’t be beat (you may have seen some of the instagram pics that my Dad took for me, how cute is he?).  I had so much fun playing around Orange County with my parents, and Christian was even able to join us on Saturday which was a treat.  I sent them on their way to LA earlier this week, and I plan to join them today for a weekend in LA while Christian stays back to work.

Do any of you live far away from your parents and when they come to visit you’re totally surprised at what does and doesn’t impress them?  I took my parents to some of our favorite spots, thinking I already knew what the “wow” factor would be.  It turns out they were most impressed with a really tall eucalyptus tree down the street (like… who cares?), discovering the world’s largest wind chime at Fashion Island and a hipster ice cream place that bragged on the fact that its cows slept on memory foam mattresses (I live in Southern California… this is real life).  Of course we had sunsets and Disney fireworks every night (you can see them from the town where I live), but I was like… really!?  You think the beet hummus from Trader Joe’s is more impressive than this Laguna Beach sunset?  Hhhhmmmm… “parents just don’t understand.”

So after my Dad performed his first-ever photobomb (he was proud), my parents told me I was wearing them out with all the activities I had planned and that on Sunday they wanted to take it easy at my house, get a good night’s sleep before our Disney adventure (we walked over 10 miles) and “take my blog pictures.” I started laughing and it only made them more determined.  SO, this coming week you’re going to see photos by Dr. Williams, and I’m telling you – they’re not half bad!  I told my Dad he needed to tell Christian, “I don’t know what you complain about… this isn’t that hard.”  But of course he didn’t. #brocode

What are you guys doing this weekend?  And please tell me funny stories about your parents – I know I’m not the only one who spends 15 minutes trying to explain to my them what “ride or die” means. Thanks for reading! XO – 

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Palm leaf romper.

When my parents came in town, Christian wanted to take them to Corona del Mar to see the jumbo waves and surfers at The Wedge.  A trip to Southern California is never complete without a trip to the beach, so I was happy to hop in the car and the palm leaf romper was the perfect piece for a casual day in Newport and Laguna.

And I mean… it’s a palm leaf romper.  What’s better than that?

Wide brim straw hat Gold tassel bracelet. Green palm leaf romper. palm-leaf-romper Gigi New York Madison Crossbody bag. Green palm leaf romper. Palm leaf jumpsuit. gold-and-grey-tassel-necklace

 

romper c/o, dress version here | sandals | bag | hat | sunnies | tassel bracelet c/o | gold cuff c/o | watch c/o | tassel necklace c/o | monogram pendant | white ring

Thanks so much for reading – and stay tuned tomorrow for a classic photo bomb from my Dad. XO –

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