I was thrilled to recently work with Blushington Fashion Island to visit the new salon in Newport Beach! Such a darling spot and a great location to pop in and out – a necessity in my book for visiting salons to get beautified.
I met with Jasmine and she helped me choose the look I wanted to achieve – a subtle smoky eye and natural complexion, called “Smoke & Mirrors.” With champagne in hand, I watched her work her magic. I loved that she would ask me questions along the way, customizing my look for me with a matte lip and bronze cheeks.
And I mean, this salon…can we talk about how fabulous the decor is? It made me want to go home and revamp my bathroom and desk pronto.
And on insta:
It was such a treat to visit this adorable salon and if you are in the West Hollywood, Newport Beach or Dallas areas – I can’t encourage you enough to give Blushington a try. I felt pampered and fabulous and was so glad I was smart enough to have plans after so I could show off my new look! Have any of you ever stopped by this beauty salon and if so, which look did you choose?
Thanks so much for reading and a big thank you to Blushington. Don’t forget to enter the Kiki La’Rue giveaway! XO –
What could be a better tee for a (self-proclaimed) fashionista than an OOTD tee? I’m pretty into it. Luckily this super soft cotton tee can easily be knotted and layered, so I predict wearing this comfy piece often this summer (over a maxi dress, over an empire waisted cocktail dress, y’all may have seen it with some jumper pants on instagram…).
And yes, I bought a sequined mini in two colors, you might remember the orange and blue version here. Guilty! A girl can never have too much sparkle in her closet…right?
Christian loves some horchata. I was always a little hesitant to try it – this mysteriously sweet milky concoction that I wasn’t even sure what the ingredients were. BUT, a sip here and a sip there of his drink and I was like, “alright, I’ve got to figure out what’s in this.”
After doing some research I was so surprised how simple it was to make. I made a batch at home in no time and Christian couldn’t have been happier! This is definitely a great little dessert drink and I look forward to occasionally spiking it.
You’ll need:
1 cup uncooked white rice
5 cups water
1/2 cup milk
1/2 TB vanilla extract
1/2 TB ground cinnamon
1/2 cup white sugar
Blend the rice and water in a blender for about a minute. Let this mixture sit overnight at room temperature (I let it sit about seven hours). Strain the rice-water mixture in a nut milk bag (I used a nut milk bag that I often use for juicing, but I noticed when I was pouring the mixture into a bowl the majority of the rice was stuck to the bottom of the blender so it was really easy). Stir in milk, vanilla, cinnamon and sugar. Pour into pitcher and serve over ice.
Do you like horchata? And more importantly, have you ever spiked it?
You can see my first round of favorites here, but I wanted to follow up with some more of my favorite items from the fabulous Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. Serious discounts on Jo Malone and cute booties – I don’t know where to draw the line.
I’ve snagged some great pieces for fall and I can’t wait to show them off (like this faux fur collar, hello), and I finally pulled the trigger on these Frye beauties. What have you snagged? You must share!!
Some of you might remember this vintage scarf worn as a top here, but when I was looking for something colorful and cheerful to wear on my birthday in Santa Barbara, I saw this baby and knew she was the one.
Plus – what color is better for the birthday girl than pink!? We snapped these photos in a little garden on the way to brunch – more photos from this trip here.
This is a different post than I normally share – a bit more personal, but I was led to write it and wanted to see if it resonated with any of you.
The other day as I was sitting in traffic in my new delightful commute home (while I do adore our new place, I live further away from work and the commute is tragically twice as long), “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” came on my iPod and my eyes got a little teary. This was the song I walked down the aisle to when I married my college sweetheart.
When I was trying to select music for our wedding ceremony, I was stumped on what I should choose to walk down the aisle to. We knew we wanted it to be meaningful, but just didn’t know what that was. I called my sister to help us and she encouraged us to choose something that not only represented our love for each other, but also represented what walking the aisle symbolizes – to reflect that we as believers, the bride of Christ, wait with anticipation for the day we will be reunited with our Bridegroom.
When she said this, I knew “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” was the song I wanted to walk down the aisle to. Now that it has this deeper meaning to me, when I sing this song in church or hear it on my iPod, I’m always overwhelmed with love, gratitude, thankfulness and peace. It now represents the love and respect I have for the person I will live my earthly life with and with the One who created me.
I think it’s amazing that music can be so moving – taking you back to memories and experiences so quickly. When my mom was a senior in high school her grandfather (a man who came to America with a dream, his bride and a couple bills in his pocket) died at Christmas time. When she was a junior in college, my uncle was diagnosed with a brain tumor around Christmas and then died several years later during the Christmas season. Because of this, my mom almost always tears up at the Christmas Eve church service when we’re singing hymns. Literally, when the lights go out and we hold our individual candles, there are more often than not tears rolling down her cheeks. Tears for both the loss she has experienced and gratefulness for the blessings she’s been given.
Do you ever feel moved to tears by music? Is there a song in particular that triggers emotions or specific experiences for you? I would love to hear about how music or a specific song has been meaningful in your own life.
I shared my birthday weekend in Malibu and Santa Barbara here, but I wanted to show some more photos that we snapped while in Malibu. When I saw this sequin mini at Forever21 online, I bought it in both colors. I loved the geometric print and knew that I wouldn’t be devastated if the sequins popped off after a few wears – one of the great things about a $40 skirt!
I was all shades of blue with a blue lifeguard tower and the blue Pacific waters, watching the sunset on a Friday night – a kind night I wish I could have more of.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year…for shopping!! I have purchased some of my favorite pieces this year from Nordstrom (like this kimono dress available here and this fabulous vest) and can’t wait to stock up on some more this week.
The GREAT news is that this sale is available until 8/3 – so you have plenty of time to shop for the best steals and deals. Some of my favorite pieces are above, particularly these heels, these bralettes and this bracelet. What do you have your eye on? A big splurge or something fun? DVF and Rag & Bone pieces would totally be my splurge of choice (insert emoticon with big eyes here).
Happy shopping and please share your steals with me! I’m ready – card in hand. Thanks so much for reading – XO –
– the most fun birthday surprise from Christian – my own Tiffany’s blue beach cruiser complete with a cup holder! –
– holding on to several adorable birthday cards I can’t toss (desk reveal with Design Darling and Eva Rose soon!) –
– seeing Jersey Boys for the second time and listening to the soundtrack all week –
– new YSL treats-
– adding some leopard into our den –
Christian and I plan to spend a quiet weekend at home after a fun birthday weekend away, and I need to get back in home-organization mode. We are getting there, but still needing a coffee table, fig leaf tree for the den and our guest bedroom is full of the extra knick-knacks and boxes we haven’t utilized = clutter central. I’m hoping I can buckle down and take care of these last bits so we can be fully settled.
Some of my favorite birthday surprises were a lemon tree, lime tree, beach cruiser (total surprise!), new desk and ghost chair. Thank you so much for all of your birthday wishes on instagram – y’all truly made the day feel so special! I must admit I also asked for a rumba due to Bailey’s enormous amounts of shedding, but somehow Dr. Barnes missed that one…so it looks like I’ll be giving it to myself – a must if Queen Bailey continues to rule the house.
Lastly and most importantly, I can’t thank all of you enough for your comments, emails and texts about my sweet Lula LaShonda last week. Some of you shared your own stories of your own precious pets that you loved and lost over the years and y’all have truly comforted me. I must share our pets aren’t “allowed” to sleep in our bedroom at night but since her diagnosis, this little kitty has found herself stretched out between Christian and me every night. My girlfriend Amy shared this story of a tripawd labrador’s last day on earth (a double whammy since I have a labrador AND a tripawd cat) and I sat at my desk with tears rolling down my cheeks as I read the touching story. I am grateful for the time I’ve had with Lula and feel blessed she chose me to spend her last years with.
Christian and I had such a fun weekend celebrating my 27th birthday in Santa Barbara! We stopped in Malibu on the way up to watch the sunset on the beach and have dinner at one of our favorite spots, Kristy’s. We then drove to Santa Barbara and spent Saturday brunching, hopping from tasting room to tasting room and walking along the pier. On Sunday we did a little shopping and stopped in LA on the way home to see my brother and sister-in-law who surprised me with a beautiful Magnolia Bakery birthday cake (and trick candles of course)!
Christian and I have visited vineyards in Santa Ynez Valley when we came to Santa Barbara for our anniversary (vineyard photos here), but playing downtown and walking around State Street was a totally different experience. We really had a great time together and Christian always has a way to make me feel so special.
More to come on some of my favorite birthday gifts – one of them having graced instagram already – my own lemon and lime trees!! Below are some snaps from our trip –
– a surprise farmer’s market off of Mulholland Drive! $5 for these avocados –
We had the best time and I’m already ready to go back. Thanks so much for reading! XO –
– getting some wicker patio furniture to enjoy outdoor dining on these cool California nights –
– an early birthday surprise from my Mom – my new desk chair! –
– the prettiest embellished dress from L.Mae Boutique –
Christian has pampered me all week with early birthday surprises here and there as I turn 27 tomorrow (!!!). He has been so wonderful, especially considering this week has been particularly heavy on my heart.
After speaking with Lula’s veterinary oncologist on Tuesday, we have learned her cancer cannot be cured. I don’t want her to spend her last months in and out of the specialty vet getting shots and x-rays, poked and prodded only to prolong the inevitable. She used to sit in my lap at the vet, as relaxed and calm as ever. She now fights to run straight for the door as soon as we step foot in the vet lobby.
I have cried in the shower, cried in the bed at night, cried in the kitchen chopping vegetables, cried in the car on the way to work. It breaks my heart that this full-grown rescue cat walked into my life three years ago and has been the most amazing blessing to me, and I will now lose her so quickly to cancer. Many of you have reached out to share your own experiences, heartache and sympathy and I can’t thank you enough. Your support and love really does help me get through it, knowing I’m not the only one to experience losing a young pet.
For now we will celebrate her life and be grateful for the time we have left. Lots of snuggle time, laying out in the grass in the sunshine, shredded chicken (rescued from the Mexican restaurant parking lot – this of course is her favorite) and naps on the bed. Christian and I are heading to Santa Barbara this weekend to celebrate my birthday and drink lots of wine. Crossing my fingers I don’t drink three glasses and starting crying in the tasting room about my three-legged cat with cancer.
It’s possible. There is no denying I am crazy about her.
Thank you for all of your support. I love y’all and we are so appreciative. XO – Kat and Lula LaShonda
Some of you may remember me mentioning this top here, but when the duo came in I knew the shorts were going back but the top was here to stay. So fun and flirty, the open back and ruffles are perfect for this breezy California summer. Plus – the parrots are extra fun considering we have a flock of parrots that flies over our townhouse every day. They might be pretty but they’re squawk is piercing (example here). The milkmaid braids comes from my post-pool day hair. A girl has to do what a girl has to do to get ready quickly for happy hour on the Circle.
