Sometimes the most simple outfits can feel the best. There’s nothing wrong with wearing mostly solids and dressing up jeans and a tee. I always tell my sister, hey – Jennifer Aniston always looks fabulous and she sticks to solids and neutrals all the time!
When I was in New York last month for fashion week, I made sure to pack some casual outfits for times I would want to sneak out from the shows and events and just grab dinner and take a minute. I mentioned in this packing post that bringing comfortable lounge clothes is something I always try to remember to pack. Nothing is worse than wanting to get comfortable and realizing all you have are… dresses and pumps. Not cool!
I have this tee in white and black and it’s so comfortable and cute to wear with a pair of jeans. I’m hoping they extend the colors so I can slowly have one in every color of the rainbow!
I shared some polka dots recently from Napa in this post, but how fun in this polka dot maxi wrap dress? I love that it comes in multiple colors (how gorgeous is this velvet version!?). Such a fun statement dress!
When Christian and I initially moved to California, we made a bucket list of things we wanted to see while we were here. As we crossed off most of the things on that list, we kept adding new adventures. Knowing that we are moving to SF next year, the pressure is on to tackle any of our remaining SoCal items! Greystone Mansion was definitely on my list, and finding a time that we could both visit was surprisingly challenging with C’s work schedule.
When we visited LA for Labor Day, we finally made our visit to this gorgeous mansion that is hard to even describe. It is so majestic! Just attempting to envision the kind of galas and events that were once held in the walls of this home is really something else.
Another bucket list home to put on your California list would be Hearst Castle (Lady Gaga filmed this video there). It is INCREDIBLE, and the guided tour is so worth it!
What’s prettier than a little red lace dress? I shared my love of red this fall in yesterday’s post, but today we’re dressin’ it up a little bit for the weekend okurr!
California is so causal all the time, so when I have an opportunity to dress it up, I take it. I love the peek-a-boo hem and waistline of this dress. Because there are just a few sizes left I’ve shared some of my favorite little red dresses below (almost all of which are included in Shopbop‘s sale!).
Of course I can’t go without talking about this darling little clutch. I worked with the fab team of Ki’ichkelem to design a little “Kat Barnes” hardshell clutch that makes a statement on its own. I know it would still look great in the fall with a blazer and denim. I love a great clutch for date night!
With a new season comes some new trends, and red is one I’m excited to hop on this fall. I recently read this article that laid out some of this fall’s trending colors. I’m glad to see that several colors from last fall have popped their heads back in (like burgundy, blush and shades of green)!
Red is a color I love to wear but surprisingly don’t have a lot of in my closet. When I saw this sweater at Nordstrom, I knew it could be dressed up for date night or paired casually with slides for a daytime look. It comes in a ton of colors too! I have it in pink too and wore it last week here.
The neckline allows you to wear it off the shoulder or as a mock turtleneck, which is really neat. I think it would look so cute with faux leather leggings (my fave pair, recently styled here) and ankle booties!
What is your favorite trending color for fall? I love that Nordstrom shares their best of fall collections here which helps navigate some of this season’s trends.
You guys know I’m more of a maxi skirt/dress girl, but every now and then there’s a mini skirt that steals the show. When I saw this studded leather skirt, I thought it could be the perfect skirt not only for NYFW, but also for California’s mild fall with ankle booties or OTK boots.
I styled a similar faux leather skirt last year here that had a little fringe, and I love that this one is still feminine with the peplum hem but edgy with the studs. Plus it feels like butta’.
I’m already trying to think of all the other ways I can wear it! I’m heading back to London next month so maybe it will help me achieve that London “cool girl” look they pull off so effortlessly. A girl can dream!
What are your thoughts on leather skirts? I once found a knee length one (with pockets!) at a consignment store when I was still working at a corporate office and wore it ALL the time. You can definitely make a longer leather skirt work for the office!
AND, I have to share that today starts one of Shopbop‘s epic sales! Starting today:
Spend up to $500, get 20% off |Spend over $500, get 25% off with promo code: EOTS17.
Thanks so much for reading – XO –
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As we say goodbye to summer, I wanted to share the second set of photos we snapped at the beach in July with Abbi (first post with her photos here). We had so much fun capturing one of our favorite parts of summer – actually being able to get in the ocean (it’s typically freeeeezzzzing out here)! I know when we’re in San Francisco next year it will be so fun to have these photos to remember how fun our five years in Southern California were. Not going to lie… I don’t think I’ll be ready to say goodbye to OC in May but I’m grateful to have several more months to soak it in!
Today I thought we could chat about dating your spouse. You’ve heard people say to “date your husband” before, right? When I first heard someone call their husband their boyfriend I thought, that is so simple yet a genius way to remind yourself to keep it light and fun.
I wanted to share five of our favorite ways to revisit that “young love” feeling in a relationship. I think even if you’ve been dating for a while or if you live with your significant other, it can be easy to forget some of those initial things that drew you together in the early days.
And of course I’m not saying I’m a relationship expert, but these are some of the things we actively try to do, especially when life gets busy and we slip into just going through the motions.
1. Make plans.
Christian one time told me that the best part of a vacation was looking forward to the trip beforehand. I had never really thought of it like that, but I completely understood what he was talking about. I think it’s the same with a date night. It might even just be cooking dinner at home and eating outside on the patio under bistro lights with candles and music while the kids are asleep. But set a date and time so you can look forward to it during the week, dedicate some alone time, plan what you’re going to wear, which brings me to…
2. Dress up.
This is actually another one of Christian’s requests – ha! When we would go on dates earlier in our relationship, we always dressed up for each other and of course over the years there is a little less effort when you see each other every day vs. just a few times a week. Just the act of getting ready and knowing it was done for each other (not for a wedding, girls night, church, etc.). It just shows that little bit of extra time and thought, wanting to look our best for each other.
3. Hold hands.
I mean… what’s better than walking around before or after dinner holding hands? Perusing windows, people watching. Something so simple, yet can evoke those early warm and fuzzies.
4. Try something new together.
This is my favorite! I LOVE trying new things with C. Sometimes this involves traveling somewhere new that we’ve never been. Other times it’s making a list of things we want to do – ice skate together, take a cooking class, see an outdoor movie, go to a concert. It’s easy to get in a routine (and I love staying in and watching movies with takeout too, don’t get me wrong), but trying something new together can stir up those fresh, new feelings of excitement and fun.
5. Give compliments.
I tend to compliment C on the same things, and he knows some of the things I love most about him… but who doesn’t like a compliment? Whether it’s on appearance or personality, a little reminder is nice to hear.
swimsuit (50% off! Size up if you’re a long torso girl), also love it in black and white | denim shorts (run TTS), also have and love these, similar look for less here | hat | similar swim trunks here and want to buy C these
Thanks so much for reading and if you have any suggestions on this topic of keeping it fresh – I’d love to hear! I think we all have so much to learn from each other when we take the time to open up. Appreciate you guys – XO –
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3. It’s modest enough for church yet fun enough for date night, an event or holiday party.
Because I was holding onto it for so long to bring with me to NYFW… it’s now only available in one size but don’t fear! There are nearly identical styles available here and here, and they have bell sleeves. So that’s real fun.
I’m also linking some of my favorite black floral dresses below!
Today I’m really excited to share a fun collaboration I’ve been secretly working on. I’m sharing how to style Old Navy‘s Stevie pant three different ways on Who What Wear and sharing how I prep looks ahead of time for busy weeks!
When I worked in the corporate office, outfit planning was essential. I still find it saving me tons of time when I know I have places to be, and I want to feel great and not rushed.
I’m linking the details to these looks below but head over to Who What Wear for the full scoop!
Look 2 | pants | similar top here and here | similar striped sweater here (60% off), also love this one | similar clutch | similar loafers here and here (under $25!)
Look 3 | pants | vintage trench, new version here and look for less here | similar sweater here and here | mules | bag, how fab would this one be!? #need
For the full post and why the Stevie pant is a great staple for fall, head over to Who What Wear.
This was the first look I wore in NY for fashion week (as in… three hours after I landed from a red-eye), and I wanted to share with you guys why I think ivory is perfect for year-round. Unless you’re attending a bridal function and you’re not the bride – but you guys know that! Speaking of, this dress would be PERFECT for a bride. Just sayin’.
I think we all tend to go dark for fall and winter. Hunter green, black, navy, burgundy, etc., but that’s why ivory, camel and gray can be so refreshing to break up the darker colors. Truth be told, before I moved to California I purchased much more dark colored pieces. Now I tend to gravitate toward the lighter colors after living in coastal atmosphere.
Who knows, maybe next year in San Francisco I’ll return to darker colors! For now, pretty dresses like this make me feel like all I’m missing is the SATC intro song and a bus to drive by and splatter me with a puddle of water.
JK, please don’t do that – unless someone is videotaping and it will get me on my favorite Instagram account.
What are your favorite colors to wear in the months ahead? Do you try to work in lighter colors or embrace the darker palettes of fall? Thanks so much for reading and sharing – XO –
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I’ve said it before, but one of my favorite things about living in California are all the quick weekend trip options we have. Christian schedule is much less flexible than mine, so if we can pack a quick duffle bag and spend a weekend away, we try to take advantage of it.
I recently personalized some travel bags with Barrington Gifts that are perfect for fall getaways. I am seriously loving them. I also have a matching laptop case that isn’t pictured, but I’ll be sharing in a Friday’s Five post with you guys. As soon as I got it, I immediately tossed my old cover because this beaut is a serious upgrade.
I love that you can customize the bags with numerous color combos, fonts, etc. It really allows you to put your creative touch on something personal, and I’m already thinking about all the weekend trips I’m going to be taking this duffle on. I actually took the tote with me to New York recently and it was the perfect carry on for my computer, headphones, etc.
Where are some of your favorite places to travel to on the weekend? Have you looked at all the different patterns available for customization (you can check them out here)? How cute would a personalized bag be for a holiday gift?
Thanks so much for reading – and if you’re a Californian, I’d love to hear your favorite spots. Ojai is on our list! XO –
I love a pair of wide leg pants. I had a black pair in the CBL x Morning Lavender collection styled here (and if you’re looking for a black pair, these are pretty amazing). This green velvet pair from ModCloth is a whole new ball game. In LOVE!
When I first saw them, I automatically knew I had to have them because they’re fun, unique, comfortable AND have pockets and an elastic waistband. Come to think of it, it seems like a no-brainer that these need to be my Thanksgiving pants. Mental note.
ModCloth has a seriously great collection of wide leg pants for fall, and below I’m linking some of my favorite pairs. I think these would look great with a fitted turtleneck or tee, but I chose an oversized sweater for a cozy fall look. If you need some more inspiration on how to style them… I mean, the images are endless.
Are wide leg pants a trend you would try? I am tall and wear the tallest heel I can find when rocking wide leg pants (like these). If you’re on the petite side, I would recommend wearing your tallest heel and finding a pair that is lest voluminous like this pair or this pair.
Would love to hear your thoughts on this trend! Thanks so much for reading – XO –
In every handbag I use, you’ll probably find a lip gloss or lipstick hidden somewhere in there. I can’t leave the house without a few of my beauty staples, so today I wanted to share some of my new favorites in the “on the go” arena!
I’ve always been more of a fashion girl than a beauty girl, which is why most of the beauty products I purchase are from Nordstrom. I go for a pair of jeans and leave with jeans… a lipstick and highlighter. #Gofigure. I recently tried out Charlotte Tilbury’s Instant Look Palette and now I know it is the perfect travel companion. One compact with everything you need (and labeled – how easy is that!?).
The two beauty products you’ll never find me without are a colorless finishing powder for a quick touchup when I’m shiny (this MAC one is a great buy) and a neutral lip that will go with any look. This lip liner and lip gloss are the prettiest duo!
Another bonus from snagging beauty items at Nordstrom? The samples. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve tried a sample and ended up going back for the product. Which is even better because you can be way more certain that you’re actually going to like it!
And did you guys know that there are a ton of beauty services offered at Nordstrom? AND you can even find tutorials online! Tell me the last beauty product you bought – I want to hear!
