We just got back (literally less than 7 hours ago) from our stay in Maui, and I wanted to share some of our trip this morning since I was radio silent on CBL last week! I’m writing this post from the plane, watching Eat Pray Love and wondering why on earth I’m returning to real life. And wanting pasta.
Just kidding – I do miss my bed and pets, but I think watching a movie centered on travel was the wrong choice on a return flight from vacation! I read the book many, many years ago, but I’ve never seen the movie. It’s fabulous – if you haven’t seen it, you should definitely put it on your list!
When I got this dress, I knew I wanted to save it for our trip. I love the contrast of the sleeves with the side cutouts, the subtle but sweet pattern. Some of you may have seen me wearing a dress from ba&ash on Instagram here, but this black floral dress just feels so easy and flowy – my favorite kind of dress for summer.
Thank you so much for reading! I will be sharing a full blog post on both our stay in Kapalua and Wailea in Maui – so stay tuned for more scoop, photos and recommendations. Our first trip to Maui (with a travel guide) can be seen here, and our visit to Kauai here and here. XO –
If you search “polka dot” on this blog… you’ll find quite a few blog posts. I think polka dots are such a fun nod to retro style. They can be as current as you want to make them.
This maxi dress is so fun, mixing both lace and polka dots for an ultra girly dress. I paired it with a lightweight blazer for a layered look that I think could easily be worn to church, work, a bridal/baby shower, etc.. That’s one of the things I love most about maxi dresses – you can dress them up or down so easily to work for almost any occasion!
A great place to find some fab maxi dresses for summer is Bloomingdale’s AQUA line. The line is completely exclusive to Bloomingdale’s, and I’ve found so many great gems there. One of my girlfriend’s found a wedding guest dress in the AQUA line that she was nearly bombarded with questions about – it was that cute!
Living in a warm climate, having that natural glowy skin is a year-round priority for me. And for most of us, having a summer glow is what we’re going for, both inside and out! When I was younger, I always loved that on family beach trips I would get some of that natural color that would allow me to skip makeup and just embrace the glow. I mean… who doesn’t want that year-round?
While we know that real radiance comes from within, there are also some great makeup and skincare products available now to assist in getting that look. I want to talk to you about one that I’ve been using!
Olay has body washes and facial cleansers, the line I’m sharing today is infused with sea kelp, and it conditions your skin so it’s left soft and moisturized. Unless you’ve been living under a rock you know how important it is to keep your skin moisturized. It’s definitely the first step in giving your skin a natural glow just in time for all the sleeveless weather!
They have a strategy saying that if you tilt your skin toward the light, you’ll see a natural glow! It’s called the “Tilt Test.”
Have you ever tried Olay’s Glow products? I’d love to hear what you thought! I’m already thinking of how I can transport this body wash to our vacation next week. Get your glow on, girl –
– slowly expanding my closet to all things linen, loving this shirt dress! –
– finishing touches on packing –
– and trying some new self tanner (y’all know I’m an addict) –
Happy Friday señoritas! This week has been an emotional and mental challenge for me. You know those days when you’re just “off?” I felt like everything I did, I failed. Messed up the recipe, had some work struggles, wasn’t able to meet a deadline, lost my temper… you know those days where you just want to throw in the towel? I literally went to bed at like… 8PM on two different nights just because I wanted the day to be over.
Not to be a huge wet blanket on our TGIF, but I just wanted to share because the way things were going, I really had to wake up in the morning and make a choice: do I want to have a good day today? Christian could clearly sense my frustrations (poor guy… living with Kat ain’t always easy), and would wake me up by bringing me both coffee and Lula. Waking me up with coffee and one of my pets is kind of the best way to wake me up. He said to me one morning, “you don’t have to have the best day today, just a better day.” God bless him.
A little friendly reminder that happiness is between your ears. We are all entitled to bad days, but attitude is everything. Personally I kind of sit in my bad attitude for a day or so, get it out and then say, “Ok – onward and upward.”
The timing couldn’t be more perfect, Christian and I are going on a little adventure together. Next week I won’t have as many new blog posts hitting as I usually do because I really want to slow things down. It’s our last vacation together for the next year (one-year fellowships don’t come with vacation days #whompwhomp). BUT once we are back home, CBL will be back to its usual programming! And of course I’ll still be sharing more about our trip during the week on Instagram.
Thank you guys for your love and support. I hope this wasn’t too Debbie Downer, I just think sometimes it’s nice to share the good and the not as good. It’s nice to know you aren’t alone when you have bad weeks that just feel like they’ll never end. Onward and upward! Thanks so much for reading – XO –
I go through waves of being in shape and out of shape. We’re human, and I think a lot of us struggle with this when seasons are busy or less busy. We do our best, right!?
I’ve always played sports, regularly attend lagree pilates classes and secretly (or not-so-secretly) love a hotel gym – literally, I look forward to it! I try to squeeze in exercise when I can, and not because of my weight or cellulite or bikini season, but because when I feel toned, I feel strong. When I feel strong, I feel confident. And when I feel confident, I am happier.
I know a lot of you have kids or busy jobs, and attending a fitness class or hitting the gym just isn’t practical or realistic. Girl – I got you. I shared a blog post not too long ago here about some of my favorite at-home workouts. If you search “fitness” on this blog, you’ll find lots of exercise-inspired posts!
Often times I’ll put a 10 minute arm video on my laptop, mute it, and do the exercises while I’m watching Housewives. Even if it’s just 10 minutes, I feel better about myself and I’m working toward something. Every bit counts!
SO, all of that being said, great exercise clothes that make me feel stylish and comfortable are some of my most-worn pieces of clothing I have. Seriously! Six:02 has such a great variety of exercise clothes from running to yoga and athleisure, it’s all there. I’ve had pieces from this site for years and go back to them over and over again.
I’d love to hear some of your favorite exercises – whether it be at-home or classes! Also, tell me what kind of fitness wear you keep going back to. For me, highwaisted leggings are everything. I wear them with a sports bra and jacket or sweatshirt to my pilates class, ditching the jacket once I’m on the machine and warmed up.
Have you ever shopped from Six:02? Thanks so much for reading and sharing! XO –
I know this is a little random, but I love seeing other people’s recommendations for all-around great products, and I had so much fun compiling my Best Buys of 2017 that I thought rounding up some of my favorite Amazon buys would be a fun post!
A little this, a little that – let’s get into it, shall we?
1 | I’ve worn this bag nonstop since I got it – most recently here and here. It is a great dupe, goes with everything and is a fantastic size. I really love that it’s both a wrist and crossbody bag. You get the best of both worlds, and it comes in 20 colors!
2 | I have a lab and a black cat. Lint rollers are in every room of the house. I recently tried this one to see if I could get away with it’s reusable factor… and it’s amazing. Why didn’t I buy this 10 years ago?!
4 | This was a Christmas gift from C, and we really have had so much fun with it. She controls the lights in our house now, and honestly my favorite thing about her is playing any style of music or song instantly when asked, or having a hands-free device to set a timer while cooking.
6 | I bought these for this party… and then loved them so much I ended up putting one on our display shelves in the living room. I also pulled them out for Bailey’s birthday party!
7 | When I was younger, my mom would heat up an ice pick and then help me punch extra holes in belts or purse straps, etc. I discovered this device a few years ago, and I actually use it quite a bit! I’m always punching extra holes in belts so I can wear them as hip or waist belts.
8 | I took a deep dive not too long ago to try to find a pet bed for Lula that wasn’t ugly. I have a few little beds for her throughout the house, but I keep one under our coffee table, so it’s easily on display. I found this one, and it’s both cute AND she is obsessed with it. Such a great buy for a small-medium sized pet!
10 | This powdered pb changes your smoothie game, big time. SO much flavor with a fraction of the calories (no oil!). Yum.
11 | I use both a desktop computer with a mouse and a macbook. I recently bought another mouse for my laptop and for someone with wrist pain, it’s so much better for me. I could kick myself for not doing it earlier!
12, 13, 14 | I LOVE these little containers. I also have one for onions and avocados.
15 | Christian bought these bistro lights and strung them up on our patio as a Valentine’s Day surprise one year, and they bring me so much happiness each night when we turn them on. Such a great purchase and something I know we’ll incorporate in every place we live.
16 | I wear these almost daily. They’re a dupe and at a fraction of the cost, I don’t have to stress if I scratch them. I’m actually on my second pair!
17 | My most recent sunglasses addition! These are so fun and spice up any summer outfit!
18 | I have way too many robes. Most of them are gifts, but I love them for different reasons! I have my cozy robe, my summer robe, my black robe for when I’m wearing self-tanner… it’s a problem. Christian was always complaining about the door hook being overloaded, and then I discovered this guy. Best decision ever! Now I can hoard all my robes without his judgement. Cheers!
19 | This outdoor rug is reversible and adds so much color and fun to our patio. It’s been really durable for us and I get so many questions about it on social media. It comes in a few different sizes!
Ok I know that was a novel, but now I want to hear what some of YOUR best Amazon purchases are! If you can’t tell… I’m a frequent Amazon shopper, so I’m always on the hunt for the latest and greatest.
Let me know if you’d like to see more posts like this! I could do my favorite kitchen gadgets, favorite household products, travel must-haves… let’s get into it.
On another edition of wearing dresses as tops, I wanted to bring a dressed up version to continue to show you guys how you can rock this same trend!
I shared a more casual version of this here, and today’s look I would definitely have worn to my corporate 9 to 5 back in the day. I’m always preaching versatility and maximizing your closet, and I think this is such a great way to get the most bang for your buck.
This shirtdress is so gorgeous worn as a dress or top. It comes with it’s own fabric belt, or you can belt it on your own. The length is perfectly appropriate for work or church, or you can layer it to create a different vibe. The material is so pretty in person, and I love the longer length in the back. So chic!
Is this something you could see yourself wearing to the office or church? Or am I totally out of left field with this dresses-as-tops conversation I keep bringing up? I would love to hear what you guys think!
AND if you’re looking for more office inspiration, some ideas here:
Below are five tips for using a blow dryer – some we’re more aware of than others, but it’s always great to have a reminder, right?
Don’t Blow Dry Too Early!
I always try to let my hair air or towel dry at least halfway if not more before I turn on the blow dryer. Once I’m ready to start with the blow dryer, this one dries your hair ultra-fast so you can be on your way to fabulous, healthy hair!
Spray Heat Protectant
I LOVE that there are so many great heat protectants out there. I have used this one for a while and I really like it. So much so that when I ran out, I immediately bought it again without thinking twice.
Use the Dryer Attachments
This Conair blow dryer comes with two attachments for the nozzle. One is a diffuser for you wavy and curly haired gals (lucky!!) and if you’re a straight hair lady like me, the narrow concentrator attachment is your new bff. It allows a more concentrated air flow that helps focus on specific areas to reduce frizz and fly aways. I try to blow dry strands downwards for that sleek, shiny hair we all love so much.
Use a Lower Heat Setting
The 3QMS in this Conair blow dryer provide up to 70% more air pressure with less heat, which allows it to dry hair fast with less damage – so you’re already a step in the right direction! There are three heat settings and two speeds. Try the medium heat at first and then cool down with the cool setting. I rarely even use the hottest setting (unless I’m in a real hurry and Christian is pressuring me)!
Try a Brush
I always use a brush to assist in blow drying my hair, and I go back and forth between a paddle and round brush. It helps give you that “blowout” look (a great tutorial here). And how cool is this half round brush? I definitely need one of these!
Do you use your blow dryer regularly? I’d love to hear if you’re a blowout girl, a curling iron person or velcro/hot rollers gal. Fill me in – I love any tips I can get! You can find all the products below at Target.com! Thanks so much for reading – XO –
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve seen the thousands of people that have been flocking to spring and summer music festivals the past few months. It’s about that time! When it comes to getting that “festival vibe” while staying comfortable and without looking like you tried too hard, you can’t beat a classic Levi’s look.
Today I’m sharing a festival-inspired look that doesn’t involve body paint, braids or swimsuit tops. I think I’ve found a new love in these classic jeans. A old school “mom jean” fit, but with mega stretch so you stay super comfortable. This tee is so perfect for summer months and as a transplant, you know I had to have it. Below I’m sharing several more super cute tees that would work with this look!
And one of my favorite Levi’s pieces lately – this denim jacket that I made my own with patches (more on that here) that feels very festival-appropriate.
I mentioned recently here that I finally visited the Carlsbad Flower Fields for the first time, and WOW. We were completely blown away!
I knew it would be beautiful but I didn’t prepare my mind for the miles of flowers that would be waiting for us. It was truly a spectacular site to be seen. I wanted to pluck a flower behind my ear and run through these rows and rows of beautiful blooms!
It was such a beautiful, sunny day when we visited. Honestly I didn’t plan on taking that many photos but it was too special not to, so I tried my best!
I must confess, I had quite the polo shirt collection in high school. I had all these spring colors that I would wear with my bootcut jeans and summer shorts, but the one that got the most wear was my classic white one.
I love a collared shirt, so why not pull out my high school favorite again? And better yet… let’s double that collar, girl.
This look is a fun little twist on how I use to wear my Polo Ralph Lauren shirts (classic with denim). I love the idea of layering it with chambray and tucking them into a mini skirt. Classic can still be unique and flirty!
Happy Friday, ladies! This week has breezed on by… almost too quickly I might say. BUT, Christian has the entire weekend off so you best believe we’re going to make the most of it.
I’ve been working on slowly starting to purge the little corners of our townhouse. After watching some Marie Kondo videos on YouTube to get inspired, I started by going through all the books we’ve acquired over the years. Then I moved onto trinkets and clothes. I went to my favorite consignment spot, sold a ton of clothes, shoes and accessories… and came home with a few pieces including a teal Balenciaga bag (hello, fabulous!).
That’s one of the many amazing things about consigning. You feel better about reselling pieces that are no longer bringing you use or joy, and you can put that toward a trade or cash. Crossroads will give you 50% trade or 33% cash. Sometimes I choose trade, other times cash, but when I see J.Crew heels and Balenciaga bags… you best believe I’m going to choose trade, sister!
So perhaps the purge thing isn’t going so well… ha! BUT I feel better taking the next 4-6 weeks to slowly sell items to used book stores, consignment shops, Craigslist, Salvation Army, etc. It’s always great to put gently loved items back into the neighborhood when you can, right?
Just a short PSA for consignment. I really can’t say enough about consignment shops – one of my favorite ways to buy and sell items. I’ve found so many gems that way!
Of course I have to say something about all these amazing skincare goodies from D’Andra Simmons of Real Housewives of Dallas and Hard Night | Good Morning! We connected over email and I am so excited to try some of her skincare items, especially the L22 Elixir (RH-watchers know what I’m talking about, reminder here). She also told me it’s Mama Dee-approved, and as a MAJOR fan of Mama Dee, you know that’s all I need to hear.
Tell me your weekend plans! And if you have purging-before-moving tips, I would be SO grateful! Thanks so much for reading and sharing – XO –
