Packing 101 Part 1...Summer Vacation

Everyone loves a vacation. Whether it is a weekend getaway, a family vacation, or even better yet a dream vacation. If you are like me...what everyone doesn't like, packing. I spend hours contemplating outfits and making lists, and packing and then repacking. For me, it might be the most stressful part of your trip (which in most cases hasn't even started yet!)

I have a friend who is about to go to Italy for 10 whole days (to say I am jealous is an understatement) but we were talking the other day about how she feels like she has nothing to wear. Her upcoming trip inspired part one of this series, Packing 101...Summer Vacation!

I scoured Pinterest, Google, other blogs and what seems like everywhere in between searching for what other people suggest for summer vacations. Then it occurred to me...this is my blog. So, I am going to tell you my must haves for packing effectively and efficiently!

I know I am starting to sound like a broken record...but if I say it enough maybe everyone will listen to me. BUY A MAXI DRESS! I love this one from The Red Dress Boutique in Athens, GA. The color is bright and summary and is versatile enough where you can wear it during the day or at night. The color also lends itself to lots of jewelry choices. A maxi dress is a must for summer travel not only for its versatility but also because of its easily packable fabric. It can be rolled up or folded and stores easily and with relatively little space in your suitcase. A definite plus!!

Another must have when traveling for the summer are linen shorts, like these ones from Loft. Linen is a perfect material for summer because it is light and airy and usually fit a little bit more loose than khaki or jean. I love these ones because they are so fun and can offer a versatility that other prints sometimes can't. But if these aren't your style any linen short is a great addition to your suitcase and will keep you stylish and comfy through your whole vacation.

Tank tops are a must have. I will be honest I don't buy expensive tank tops. I admire the people who rock J Crew and Banana Republic and my most coveted...Anthropologie tank tops however for me it isn't practical. I wear mine all the time. I have a child...who likes to get insanely dirty. I buy almost all my tank tops from Old Navy. They come in an assortment of colors and styles and if I get a hole in one or stain it..I can deal.

You can't go on a summer vacay without your favorite pair of sunnies! I know this sounds like a given but I can't tell you how many times I forget mine. They are in the other purse or in the car or sitting on the counter. Make sure you remember them! These are one of my new favorites. They are from Ray-Ban and I am in love! These are available at Sunglass Hut and definitely my next must have!

Last but not least...you need an awesome clutch! You don't want to be trucking around a huge purse full of stuff on your vacation. You just need a small purse like this one to hold all of your essentials. I am definitely a fan of this one from Tory Burch! It is small enough to hold all your essentials but still cute enough that it is worth the splurge! Plus it comes in two bright colors perfect for summer!

Stay tuned tomorrow when I talk about my must haves for business travel. But in the meantime let me know where you are all heading this summer! Until tomorrow...

Love Always,

Katie

The Pinterest Pledge

As probably most of you are, I am obsessed with Pinterest. I have my go-to websites everyday: Facebook, Blogspot, US Weekly, CNN (just to look grown-up LOL) and of course Pinterest. I joined Pinterest at the urging of a coworker. It was the up and coming social media site a few years ago and as soon as I joined I fell in love.

It really is great. I used it to plan my whole wedding (or at least get inspiration). I can find every and any beauty and make-up look I have ever desired. I can even find recipes and awesome workouts to do. Who wouldn't love it? Here's my complaint with Pinterest and it's really not so much of a complaint as it is a ...I ALWAYS END UP FEELING INADEQUATE!

This card seems to sum it up perfectly. Everything I pin (for the most part) is my "dream life. What I would do if there were more hours in the day; more money in the bank; more energy to exercise. But the truth of the matter is there isn't.

I fill my board with beautiful pictures such as these ones below.

I spend countless hours scouring Pinterest looking and pinning at all these things that other people have and at the end I end up feeling inadequate. When I start really diving in deep and really exploring how I feel, Pinterest makes me sad. 

The truth is that am never going to be able to make the dinner above (Steven might but not me LOL!). I am never going to have this amazing closet that I am obsessed with. I am never going to look like Megan Fox and my house will never be this clean and organized. 

So I am going to take this pledge and I challenge you all to do the same. I pledge to continue to be obsessed with Pinterest. To scour and pin as many things as possible and come up with as many ideas as possible. However, I pledge to no longer feel like I am supposed to have the perfect life, perfect house, perfect family, perfect body etc. I am amazing just the way I am...messy house and all. 

I feel like by doing this we are letting go of all the unrealistic expectations we put on ourselves and just learn to be happy with who we are. After all, if we are being honest with ourselves has anything we have tried to copy from Pinterest turned out as great as the picture you pinned? I can tell you mine all turn out fair at best LOL.

What do you all think? Is Pinterest creating unrealistic expectations for your life?

Love Always,

Katie

Stella & Dot Fall Collection

Stella and Dot has finally launched their Fall 2013 collection and I must say I am SO excited! The jewelry and accessories for the fall are to die for and I can't wait to show everyone! I just ordered a whole bunch of new items from the collection and I am anticipating their arrival. But today, I wanted to showcase a few of my favorites.

The Sutton Necklace:

If I could only buy one thing from this season's collection it would be this piece. This necklace is AMAZING and by far my favorite piece. The best thing about this necklace is it can be worn 5 different ways! Talk about versatility! Who doesn't want one necklace that can be worn a whole bunch of ways? Once this is delivered I will definitely be rocking this ALL the time so get ready to see lots of pictures!

The Kahlo Bracelet:

This bracelet is another awesome statement piece. The deeper colors are a great transition into fall and winter. Because of the multiple stones you are able to wear a multitude of colors with this. My favorite look is pairing this with a simple gold necklace and stud earrings and let this amazing piece do all the talking. Another great benefit to this bracelet is the clasp. I know that sounds trivial but the clasp back allows it to stay in place all day and the fact that it is not so bulky near the clasp means you will be able to wear it all day without it bothering you. Definitely a must have!

Union Square Scarf in Mariposa

I love this scarf! The assortment of colors means that you will be able to wear it now until the end of the year. Wear it now with boyfriend jeans and a white tank top. Once the weather begins to get cooler keep warm with this scarf, jeans, camel colored boots, and blue puffer vest. I will be showing you once it gets a little cooler that there are so many ways to wear a scarf, so buy this one today. I promise you won't be disappointed.

These are just a few of my favorites from this season's Stella and Dot Collection. Check out my site to get all of the items shown above and many more I know you will love. Keep an eye out in the upcoming weeks for more of my favorites from the new collection. 

Also, if you are interested in hosting a party let me know. Open a bottle of wine, invite your girlfriends over and let's bring the party to you. Until tomorrow...

Love Always,

Katie

Tan Today...Gone Tomorrow!

Hello Everyone!

I hope you are all enjoying your Thursday. It is finally a nice day here in ATL and I am excited that I have my first Stella party tonight. I will be giving you an update on that tomorrow! 

I have a confession to make...when I was younger I lived in the tanning bed. I loved tanning so much not only did at one time I look like a member of the Jersey Shore but I actually worked there so that I could tan for free. Needless to say that as I have gotten older, I have grown a little wiser and learned that people aren't lying when they say "Cancer Coffin."

When I got engaged last year I started looking for the perfect spray tan...one that wasn't too orangey or to grayish. I wanted to look perfect on my wedding day and seeing as I had given up "the bed" a few years back, I needed a supplement.

My search for the perfect spray tan led me to Solar Dimensions where I fell in love not only with the custom airbrush tan (the only way to go) but also with a product that I use almost everyday during the summer. As an aside, before I start on my must have, if you live in the Atlanta area and are looking for the perfect tan...GO HERE! I have never been to a better tanning salon (and I worked in one!) Not only are the super professional but they are AMAZING at what they do. I can't say enough good things about them!

While falling in love with the custom airbrush, I happened upon a product they sell there called Infinity Sun Glow On the Go. This stuff is amazing. It is spray on self tanner that I use predominantly on my face but can be used anywhere. It goes on completely even and adds just the right amount of color. Plus as I have mentioned below, it is buildable. If you are new to my blog and haven't heard the new beauty buzzword yet, let me give you a quick tutorial. 

A buildable product is a beauty product that you can continue to add more to until you achieve your desired look, without looking cakey and overdone. This is important all year but especially in the summer because, our face tends to be oilier in the warmer months so having a product you can start off small and add more if necessary is definitely a plus! The only down side to this product, which can actually be a positive too, is that when you wash your face, the color does come off. However, because it is is a tanner, it does leave a little color behind. 

It has been rainy down here in Atlanta this summer and I have not been able to spend as much time a the pool I would like, but with this product I get the perfect amount of color to make people believe you have been out in the sun (even if you have been cooped up inside).

I am definitely a fan and you should be to. Until tomorrow...

Love Always,
Katie

July Birchbox Review

I saw this "Stay Calm" sticker the other day and it could not be closer to the truth. This is month two of my Birchbox subscription and I could not love it anymore than I do. I seriously sit by the mailbox and anticipate the arrival. Before we get into what I got this month just a few quick notes...

• If you are not subscribing to Birchbox already click here. Once you sign up you be put on a waiting list to be added to the Birchbox subscription list. It take about a month, but I promise the wait it worth it. You definitely need to sign up!
• This month they are partnering with USA's show Suits, which comes back tonight. I recently got hooked on past seasons of this show. It is great...and the eye candy isn't too bad either. Check it out on USA tonight at 10pm eastern.

Now to what you all have been waiting for...July's Birchbox! I will admit, i was a little disappointed when i first opened the box, mostly becuase there was not a lot in there this month. But as soon as I started trying the items I realized it was definitely quality OVER quantity this month!

My absolute favorite thing this month, without a shadow of a doubt is the Benefit's It's Potent Eye Cream. I cannot say enough good things about this stuff. I have tried eye creams before and read all the articles about how you need to start using it in your 20s however, I never found one that I was like...this is it. That is until now. This cream goes on smooth and not at all greasy but the best part is I can already see the difference with the brightness and reduced puffiness under my eyes. I cannot say enough good things about this eye cream. Seriously a must buy for any beauty junkie!

DDF's Acne Control Treatment is another great add to this month's box. I used it the other night on a spot I had on my chin and the next morning you could definitely notice a difference. It is a leave on treatment so I suggest you put it on at night and let it work its magic. The other great thing about this treatment is that it didn't dry the effected area out. Sometimes when I use overnight treatments I find when i wake up in the morning my face is dryer than normal from the treatment, not with this one. I was able to wake up and go. Definitely a great buy!

As I mentioned above, USA's show Suits partnered this month with Birchbox. Their pick for me (I like to think they picked it just for me LOL) this month was theBalm's InStain. This blush is amazing! The best thing about this blush is the fact that it lasts all day and doesn't budge! I apply it in the mornings before work and I am still just as rosy at 7pm when I am crawling home. Who wouldn't want that?  The color i got was also perfect for summer, a pretty peachy pink. Definitely a favorite of mine!

I have used Number 4's Super Comb's Prep and Protect leave in conditioner a few times after I get out from the shower. It makes my curly hair super manageable and adds some shine to it that seems to not exist if I don't use it. I am dying to spray it in during a day at the pool to see how it holds up all day in the sun, however sadly ATL has been more wet than dry this summer. So once I do I will definitely give you an update!

Lastly, in my birchbox this month was Birchbox Bobby Pins. These bobby pins are heavy duty (but super cute!) I feel like I would use them more if my hair was longer but right now I am using them primarily for keeping the hair out of my face when I am doing my makeup. They stay put and slide out easily (two of the most important things when using bobby pins). I will try and use these on some friends who have longer hair for a better review.

All and all this month's Birchbox was awesome. I am hoping for some more makeup products in the coming months but I can't complain. I will continue to stay calm and remember Birchbox ships on the 10th. Until tomorrow...

Love Always,

Katie

Fashion Night Out!

On Saturday I had the privilege of getting to see how the "other side" lives. I had the honor of hosting a party for my dear friends, Wendy and Keith at the St. Regis Atlanta. If you have never had the pleasure of stepping foot into this hotel, let me tell you from first hand experience how wonderful it is! From the moment you walk in, you are overwhelmed by the architecture and beauty and everything is so exquisite that I was almost afraid to touch anything for fear it might break. LOL! I immediately had to scope out the two things...

One I was looking for celebrities and you will never guess who I saw. COLIN FREAKING FARRELL!! Yes this guy right here. I wanted to scream and run over to him immediately but instead I silently freaked out and texted everyone I knew.

So, once I got over my initial shock of actually seeing someone famous I settled in to what I was really dying to know, what is everyone wearing? And to tell you the truth I was kind of surprised with what I noticed...for the most part everyone was wearing things already found in most women's closet. Sure, the maxi dress was DVF and the shoes were Jimmy Choo but if you looked past that I realized with the right outfit you can fit in anywhere. Here were a few of my favorite looks from Saturday.

The Black Maxi Dress

I can't tell you how many people I saw wearing the black maxi dress. I know I have touched on this before but I am not kidding, if you don't have one of these in your wardrobe, BUY ONE NOW! You will wear it everywhere from Catch Air with the kids, to church, to an event at the St. Regis. I have this one and i can't tell you how much I wear it. I actually am about to have to buy another one soon because the color is changing I wear it so much! The versatility of the black maxi is second to none. Wear it with a jean jacket and flip flops in the day or dress it up at night with statement jewelry (check out my SD site for amazing jewelry. HINT HINT.) and some wedges.

The Floral Mini Dress

The floral mini dress is another staple in my wardrobe. As you can probably tell I am all about versatility. I won't buy an item of clothing without knowing I will wear it multiple times and in multiple ways. This dress from Tinley Road is one of my favorites. Its super cute and super functional. I love the fact that it leaves a little to the imagination. By that I mean, the dress is already short you don't need to have everything "up top" on display as well. I am a big fan of the high neckline on this dress. It adds not only class to the dress, but also because of the short hemline, allows for it to be suitable for day and night. Definitely a must have, and at $45 on Piperlime who wouldn't want it?

Skinny Jeans and Sparkly Top

 The last look I saw a lot of this past weekend was the skinny jean and sparkly top combo. This is another great look for a night out. It is super simple and easy. Pair it with a black heel or if you are feeling adventurous a color heel and you are ready for a night out on the town. I love this look with simple makeup and a bold red lip. It's very old school glamour. Sometimes less is more and with the sparkly top makeup needs to be minimal. I plan on doing a tutorial of this soon.

A night on the town should not cost you $1000 (unless you can afford it than by all means...take me shopping with you!) Just know no matter where you go and who you are with these outfits will make you stand out for all the right reasons. Until tomorrow...

Love, Always,
Katie

Summer Must Haves

We are half way through summer. How did that happen? There were so many things I wanted to do this summer and as usual I am running out of time and fall is right around the corner. Okay, well maybe not right around the corner but it is definitely creeping in a lot quicker than I would like.  

I thought today we would focus on my fashion must haves for summer. Summer fashion is all about ease and comfort. It’s about spending time with friends and sipping wine by the ocean (or at the very least the pool!) It’s about minimal effort and letting your inner beauty show through.

My first must have is anything maxi. I was really anti-maxi for the longest time. I always felt like the dresses never looked right on me and the skirts were always too short on me. I was wrong…and I will be the first to admit it! I live in maxi skirts and dresses. They are my go to for summer chic. They are easy and simple yet can be dressed up in a second. Here are a few of my favorites for summer.

This dress is from Lush and available at Nordstroms. I love ALL these dresses. I seriously have 4 in my closet right now. And the best part, they are only $52! For a maxi dress (at Nordy's of all places) that is seriously unheard of!

This skirt is from ASOS and doesn't it just scream summer? I love the color and the fabric and is just simple and easy to throw on and go! You can pair it with a simple tank top and flats for a summer day shopping or dress it up a little by pairing it with a graphic tee and a cropped motorcycle jacket for a night out of the town. 

My next must have is a nice pair of flip flops. Now don't get me wrong I am all for the $2.50 Old navy flip flops (I own 1000 pairs) but you need one pair of nice flip flops to where to dinners or a party. I live in flip flops in the summer. Again, they are simple and easy. You throw them on and go. And while, you can usually see me sporting a pair of $2.50 flip flops most days, I do have a nice pair I reserve for night time and nicer events. As, you all know by now I am OBSESSED with Tory Burch. I received these flip flops as a wedding present and they are my go to for nicer shoe attire in the summer. You don't have to spend anywhere near what these are but something a little nicer than the Old Navy flip flop is always a good idea. Check target...there shoe department is seriously insane these days!

My last must have for summer are comfortable shorts. Ladies, I do mean comfortable. I do not mean super tight, can't sit down, probably a size too small for you shorts. I used to be one of these fashion disasters. I used to think the toghter the short the better I looked. I WAS WRONG. Buy shorts that fit you. Trust me, they look much better. Old Navy has really had a great summer collection this season. I am in love with almost all their shorts and the fit is just as great. I really love these ones!

To me these just scream summer! They are so much fun and colorful and the it is really great. These are the 3.5" length that I wear but the nice thing about Old Navy is most of their styles come in a variety of lengths. That way you can get what you feel most comfortable in. Also at $15, you can stock up on a variety of styles that you are sure t wear all summer!

J. Crew is another AMAZING place for summer clothes! I love their shorts. They are probably the most comfortable and versatile shorts that I own. I don't know how J. Crew does it but their shorts can work at the pool or a chic club. Seriously, what other clothing do you know that can work for both without changing anything about your outfit. J. Crew is a little bit more expensive but SO worth the investment!

I hope your summer is going great. Until next time...

Love Always,

Katie

Happy 4th of July

Life has been a little crazy these last couple of days so I apologize I have been a little MIA. First and for most I want to formally announce I am now a stylist for Stella and Dot. There stuff is AMAZING. Seriously, I officially signed on last week and it is killing me not to order more jewelry and bags than I already have. Please check out my sight and have fun shopping! If you are interested in hosting a trunk show (either online or in your home) please let me know as well and we can set something up! I love SD and I know you will too!

Secondly, HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!! Whether you are at home in Atlanta (in the rain) or somewhere warm and sunny make sure to celebrate today. I plan to celebrate with cupcakes and a bottle of wine LOL but everyone has their own ways of celebrating! Now on to what you all actually come and rad for...the fashion and makeup!

I decided since it is 4th of July I would show you some of my favorite must haves for a 4th of July outfit!

I love this tank top! It is seriously one of my favorite American flag tanks! It is from Asos and right now on sale for $33! It is such a cool and modern take on the typical 4th of July shirt and the best part is, since it is modern, I am not lying when I say you can wear it all year round. It is the perfect layering tank and easy a shirt that can become a go to in your closet. It is easy to think of what to pair it with today, however throw on some jeans shorts or a pair of black leggings and a jean jacket and you can easily take this look from 4th of July to dinner out with friends!

My next must have when it comes to 4th of July fashion are stackable tank tops. I understand not everyone wants to wear a flag on their shirt and that is TOTALLY okay. My suggestion is that you pick up some a couple tank tops from Old Navy (not the 4th of July ones) and layer them. These are super easy and always a staple in my closet. They have every color in the rainbow and then some so grab and red and white or a blue and navy and layer them on with some shorts (which might I add Old Navy also sells and this season are my go-to short) and you have yourself a cute little 4th of July outfit.

If you are a little but more daring in fashion you should definitely try out these 4th of July denim shorts! I found this DIY on Pinterest and these could be super cute paired with a white tank, flip flops, and your favorite pair of sunnies! The blog makes it look super easy and although the blog is geared towards children's outfits these are totally doable for the creative fashionista!

Enjoy your holiday! Hopefully wherever you are there is no rain (like there is in Atlanta today!) I am so glad we live i in America so enjoy the 4th! Until tomorrow...

Love Always,

Katie