See Ya 2013!

2013 was an incredible year, for many reasons. We moved back to the south, I landed a job I love, I married my sweet Austin, and list goes on...Needless to say, 2013 was a good year to me. While still very fast paced, it is somewhat of a blur, all of which I am so thankful for. I am also so thankful for all of you that read this little ole' blog! I am so excited to see what 2014 holds, and cannot wait to ring in the new year with our friends.

Wishing you a very happy & safe new year!

xo,

-K

back to reality...

Today is my first day back to work in over a week and I must say it sure was tough to get out of bed this morning. Am I the only one that struggles to get out of bed in time on work days, but Saturday and Sunday am up and at it at 7am? Bizarre. I do enjoy having my daily routine but it will be a tough adjustment getting back into the swing of things.

I am looking forward to tomorrow evening. We are having another couple over for drinks before we head out for NYE celebrations at Oro. I went there for dinner with a few girlfriends the other night and the truffle macaroni and cheese made me need to come back for more. 

Cheers!

-K

After Christmas Sale

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! I'm finally sitting down to catch my breath from all of the festivities that have taken place in the past week. So much fun to see family and friends that we don't get to see often. With a little down time, of course I'm browsing the sales online and I swear they are even better than the Black Friday sales! Here are a few of my favorites that I am currently shopping:

{1} J Crew - Extra 40% off Sale items w/ code SHOPHAPPY

{2} Sephora - Extra 20% off Sale items w/ code EXTRA20

{3} Serena & Lily - Up to 70% off (!!!) items at the Year End Sale 

Also, today Target released a new line of gold items from Threshold that I'm pretty sure I need all of. Starting with this lamp.

Santa brought me a slew (8+) of blue & white jars which I am so excited to begin using (I think Santa must read my blog or something). Which gives me an awesome excuse for lots and lots of fresh flowers! I got started this past week with fresh peonies in December! Gotta love Whole Foods.

Merry Christmas, ya'll.

Today is my last day of work for 9 glorious days, so I wanted to take a quick second between the craziness of wrapping everything up to say that I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas! I plan to unplug during vacation and enjoy our family. We head to my parents on Monday and I couldn't be more excited. 

Hope Santa is good to everyone! :)

-K

Blue & White Everything

I guess you could say my mother fueled my ginger jar addiction about one year ago. She gifted me this vintage one straight off the boat from Paris. I instantly became obsessed. I've been swapping out what I put in it seasonally, and love the cotton off my in-laws farm for the Christmas season.

Then, I discovered these adorable handpainted ornaments from a local girl here in Raleigh as well. I knew that they had to be mine. Her page Finian Finery is stocked full of interior goodness. Check it out.

Now, I cannot be tamed. I browse Ivy Cottage in my hometown each time I'm home to see what else I can drum up. Not to mention HomeGoods has been killing it with their ginger jar inspired lamps for a seriously reasonable price. I love how these designers incorporated them into their design.

I love everything about this crisp and clean look

Such a clean (and gender neutral) way to style bookshelves.

Loving this idea of blooming branches for my kitchen jar in the Spring

I adore this look for Christmas. As well as the magnolias year round for a classic look.

-K

Christmas Cocktails

Friday evening we are having a couple of friends over for some festive drinks and snacks before we head to dinner at Coquette. I've been browsing Pinterest for some delicious food and drink recipes that feel extra in the season! Do you have any favorites you would recommend? If you know me, you know that I would like to consider any type of bubbly a food group, so there will obviously be plenty of champagne to go around....

I picked up a delicious Prosecco that I think will be perfect for this recipe.

This looked so refreshing and I love the festive red and green touches!

The Cranberry Old Fashioned Looks Incredible, plus its a favorite of Austin's!

Sparkling Cranberry Christmas Cocktail

Do you have any favorites??

Christmas Wishlist

I haven't blogged in quite some time! We've been so busy with this, that and the other I've hardly had time to come up for air! With Christmas two weeks from today (whhhhaaat?!) I have built my ultimate wishlist on goodies I would love to have under my tree (hint hint hubby).

Kate Middleton apparently wore this perfume on her wedding day. Ever since I received a sample, I knew I needed it.


These had me at navy, gingham and flannel. I could see many a cozied up evening in these J. Crew PJ's


I love that these shoes are super light and the colors are super cute too!

This top is great for outdoor workouts while its still chilly out. Plus, I love the pink color.



I have been burning my Holiday Nest Candle like a crazy person this season. I also love the Bamboo scent for year-round. I recently came across Beach and knew I had to have it! Plus the jar is adorable for storage use after you're done with the candle!

Merry Christmas!

-K

pardon

Pardon my blogging absence, I have been too busy watching this.

You're welcome.

Friday Favorites

This week really flew by. We are heading down to the coast for the last wedding of 2013! I cannot wait to see my old college roomie finally marry her sweetheart :)

{This week:}

-A sweet friend shared this hilarious video. I think it speaks directly to me and my obsessive compulsive love for this season.

-I picked up this Dior powder this week an wonder how I managed my near 25 years without it.

 -This hairstyle has been all over Pinterest this week and I'm tempted to try it out for the wedding on Saturday. I do love effortless.

-This quote. If I must be honest, I'm SO over the comparison game. These days it seems like lives revolve around Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc to see what others are up to. Its only natural to compare, and can truly effect you, but only if you let it. I love this quote for so many reasons. Be the queen of YOUR own life!

-This living room is too perfect. The clean neutral palette with cool blue tones is right up my alley.

Have a great weekend!

-K

Beauty Roundup {Favorites}

There are a few products that have made a recent entry into my daily routine that I seriously cannot get enough of. I absolutely love the results and wanted to share!

This perfume originally came as a sample from a previous Sephora order. I used up the entire sample and knew I needed more. I love Nest candles and now love the perfume even more!

At first I thought I was somewhat drunk for paying $50 for a bronzer. I stand corrected. I just started using this a couple of days ago, and it works absolutely perfectly even on the most fair of skin tones like mine.

My previous round brush literally broke in half in my hand after 5 years of companionship. I became slightly addicted to Drybar in DC and knew I had to try this brush. It was love at first blowout.

This originally came to me as a sample as well (your tricks are working Sephora) and I absolutely love the way it thickens my lashes. Its a different consistency than normal mascara, as it has a more gel-like base. But, I absolutely love how it will literally stay put for 12+ hours.

If you have combination skin like me (some parts dry, some parts oily) this primer is a match made in beauty world heaven. I've tried many primers, and some left me feeling super oily while others didn't feel like they did anything at all. This primer is worth every cent. It goes on so smooth and really helps your makeup last!

Happy Friday!  I must say this week crept up on me and flew right by. This weekend I plan on lots of quality time with the hubs and sleeping late :)

xo,

-K

Friday

We are currently packing up to head to the coast for the second weekend in a row. I am most definitely not complaining as there is some beautiful weather to be had this weekend. We will also be celebrating two of our close friends tying the knot tomorrow! It'll be a gorgeous weekend for a wedding and lots of wine fun to catch up with many friends!

Cheers!

-K

Perfect Timing?

Is there really such thing as perfect timing? I am a firm believer that all things "happen for a reason". I believe that my husband and I married exactly when we were supposed to, moved to DC precisely when we should have, and everything else in between. We have found ourselves frequently asking ourselves "is the time right for xyz?" Will we ever wake up and say "today is the day?"....probably not. That's why I am the firmest believer to let God's plans work when they should and to let Him take the drivers seat on all of your big life plans. Because you never know when they could change! I have always been a hesitant person in big life decisions and changes. I think this quote is perfect for so many reasons. I am working on being open to anything that can come your way, and knowing that the timing is just right!

Have a great Wednesday!

-K

J. Crew { on sale }

J. Crew is offering a Fall sale on ALL items (sale included) with code SHOPFALL. An extra 25% off sale items is a pretty great deal in my book. And, speaking of great deals, today is the last day of the Kate Spade Surprise Sale. I am even getting in a little Christmas shopping (way early - but fellow Type A's, you can never be too prepared right?)

I'm really into basic, classic pieces for Fall/Winter this year. You can never go wrong with a go-to black legging and oversized sweater. That'll probably be me every day until March.

Collection Icon Trench

Pixie Pant - Leather Tuxedo Stripe

Oversized Pocket Sweater


Merino Pocket Tunic
(The leather pocket option is pretty adorable too)

Viv Metal Cap Toe

Happy Shopping!

-K

Currently Obsessed

This past weekend in DC was such a refresher. It felt SO good to be "home" and spend time with such an amazing friend. We drank lots of good wine, ate lots of restaurants I missed dearly and just caught up on life. It's one of the most precious things in the world to have a friend that you can truly feel 100% comfortable and open with. They are a rarity these days!

We also shopped (duh). And I picked up this sweater in about every color. It is perfect for transitioning into cooler nights and I've already worn it a handful of times since Saturday! This scarf had to come home with me too, and I feel like I will LIVE in it. It is so incredibly soft and the coloring is perfect for Fall. I also splurged on a new Barbour. Its a looser fitting - more masculine style, which I love.

I love this saying. I find it to be so true. I feel like so many transitions go on in our 20's that falling out of touch with people is bound to happen. However, even in the most complicated of circumstances, the ones that are meant to stick around, do.

Hi, my name is Katie and I am addicted to golden retrievers. This event is now on my bucket list. I mean. Austin is pretty sure I am delusional, but I can tell you I could be happier than a pig in mud at this gathering.

Happiness = Reality - Expectations. Some of this article is a little off, but so much of it is so right. Be happy with where you are in this moment is my mantra (or tries to be!)

I have a hair appointment this weekend and am really loving the lowlights in this look. Being blonde is tough work, and getting "too" blonde in the winter is a definite no.

Have a great Tuesday!

-K

Ann Taylor

Girls, I mean it when I say Ann Taylor is absolutely killing it this Fall. In years past, I used to think it was only a place my mom shopped for boring "work clothes." Well, she's certainly stepped her game up this fall and I literally want one of everything. Not to mention Kate Hudson is a total bombshell. Here are a few pieces I'm coveting as of recently!

Maven Leopard Jacquard Ankle Pants

Metro Pants

These Cody Over The Knee Leather Boots...Julia from Gal Meets Glam also killed it with these boots. NEED.

Gallery Pave Necklace

Marled Open Cardigan

Long story short, it looks like I basically want everything. Per usual.

PS- While we are on the subject of great Fall pieces, I'm about 100% sure that this bag featured on a giveaway from Style Me Swanky would be the perfect accessory to any of these outfits! Head on over to her adorable blog to learn how to win one of your own!

xo-

Fall Cocktails : Bourbon

This week, I finally caved and had my first pumpkin beer of the season. It was tough holding out as long as I did, considering I wanted to buy it the second it hit the shelves on a 90 degree August day. The hubs reiterated that "patience is a virtue" and to wait until real fall is here. Well, with the fall candles in our home burning and a 70 degree weekend on tap, it just seemed right. I had the Harvest Time by Big Boss Brewing and must say it knocks every other pumpkin beer out of the running. I could literally taste every note of pumpkin, and nutmeg and cinnamon. Heaven. The only part that is heartbreaking is that its only available through October...I smell a stock up in my future.

Here are some other fall drink recipes that I cannot wait to try this season. My husband claims he doesn't know many women that love bourbon quite like I do, I take it as a compliment.

Bourbon Pumpkin Shakes

This is one of my all time favorites. A little trick I learned with this one, is if you take a match, light it, and put it out in the cocktail before serving, it gives a delicious smoky flavor that is TDF.

Cherry Bourbon Lemonade

Wassail Cocktail

And while this may not be an actual cocktail, the fruit is soaked in bourbon and just looks downright delicious.

Tipsy Spiced Fruit Tart

I am preparing to head to DC for a long girls weekend with one of my dearest friends and can hardly wait! Follow my trip here!

xo!

What I Loved This Week

It's here again! Thankfully this week wasn't too painful having Monday off. Here is what I loved this week!

This recipe. Seriously delicious.

This article on Cloture Club. It was hilarious and so accurate (DC friends I'm sure you can relate to these references)

I simply cannot handle the cuteness wrapped into this video. It's just too much.

Ladies, its tough to find non-biker style black boots. These are perfect and think they have to be mine.

I'm also loving that this time next week I will be DC bound to visit one of my very best of friends. I haven't seen her since the wedding, and we have a fun filled girls weekend planned out to the 9's. 

Have a great weekend!

xo,

-K

Happy September : Favorite Pumpkin Recipes

Happy September! With Fall just around the corner (I am still holding out for my first PSL - hoping to make it to mid-September) I am beginning to prepare our home with warmer tones, pumpkin scented candles and of course whipping up some pumpkin recipes. Here are some that I have come across that I cannot wait to try this year!

Pumpkin Pancakes with Bourbon Vanilla Maple Syrup

Baked Pumpkin Doughnuts

Pumpkin Cream Cheese

Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal

By the looks of it, it appears I will be spending some extra time in the gym too ;-) But I definitely think it'll be worth it!

-K