a lonestar state of southern

TOP & BOTTOMS   Matching Set   (from Lion&Witch, similar look here, here and here)   |   BAG   Red Crossbody (more colors here)   |   SHOES   The Nudist Heels

This past Saturday, I had the incredible opportunity to co-host Teen Vogue’s “Back to School Saturday” event with Amanda Steele at The Domain in Austin! Y’all, I’d been looking forward to this day all summer. I was a little bit nervous (naturally) but more than anything, incredibly excited to get the chance to speak on the style panel and meet everyone there!

After making the 3 hour drive from Dallas the day before, and getting some much needed catch-up time with my cute friends Amanda and Becca, I woke up jittery with excitement Saturday morning. I’d chosen a chic, but of course colorful two piece set for the day, along with my go-to strappy black heels. The favorite addition? My gorgeous new red Chloé bag! (#swoon) The outfit ended up being the perfect combination of cool (in the style sense) and cool (in the crazy hot weather), and was a ton of fun to wear.

I spent the hour before the VIP event began meeting the Teen Vogue editors (um… who are just as stunning and chic as you’d expect) and YouTube star Amanda Steele! It was so fun bragging about the amazing city Austin is, and hearing about their amazing lives in LA and New York.

We made our way to the VIP meet and great, and immediately got to jump into fun conversations (and selfies) with the 50 girls there. That hour flew by. I seriously could have stayed and chatted all afternoon!

Finally, we got to the main event… the style panel and fashion show! Amanda and I got to share a little bit about YouTubing and blogging, and then had a great time breaking down three back to school trends with the Teen Vogue editors. I’m so impressed with those models… they were in full fall gear in the 100+ degree heat!

One of the cute girls I got to meet (heyyy Jillian!) grabbed this SnapChat of me that I thought I’d share to give you a feel of the event! An editor had just asked me to share something about blogging most people don’t know, so of course I jumped on the opportunity to explain how much blackmail I have on myself from photo shoot bloopers…

All too quickly, the day was over! It was a lovely (although incredibly hot) afternoon, and I absolutely loved getting to meet the girlies who attended! Big hugs to those of you who made the trip out.

I hope your weekend was wonderful as well, and that this week is proving to be even better. It definitely is for me… I’m headed to Midland, Texas today to visit my roomie from last year. I’ve missed her and can’t wait to be reunited! (Plus, her mom is one of the best cooks around. We’re talking homemade onion rings, y’all…)

Love from Texas,

Kate

Photography by Hilary Rattikin

P.S. For more pictures of the event, type in the hashtag #BTSS on Instagram, and look in my Instagram tagged photos!

 EARRINGS   Orange Tassel Earrings   |   BLOUSE   Red Tank ($30, comes in a million colors)   |   SHORTS   Pom Pom Shorts   |   CLUTCH   Blush Clutch   |   WEDGES   White Wedges (sold out Tory Burch, similar linked)   |   BRACELET   Gold Wrap Bracelet

Among the numerous color combinations I have an affinity for, red and orange is one that holds a special place in my heart. While you don’t see it incredibly often, it’s one pairing that always looks effortlessly smashing. I find the combination is best worn in the later months of summer and early months of fall, mimicking the rich, beautiful sunsets of July and September.

Bold red and orange adds instant drama to any outfit, so play the two up accordingly! I paired this favorite pair of orange statement earrings and vibrant red blouse with fun pom pom shorts for a night out with friends. (A quick word on the shorts – I wasn’t sure how this style would look on, but it turns out they are really elongating!) An all-white ensemble with a rich red and orange scarf would be another lovely pairing, but the possibilities are endless! And that’s always the most fun to create with.

Love from Texas,

Kate

Photography by Hilary Rattikin

Today marks one week since our departure from Seaside. *dabbing my eyes with a tissue as I type this* I would say it’s bitter sweet looking back on it, but let’s be real… I’m mostly BITTER about not being a lazy bum by the beach every day. I’m entitled to that, right?

In commemoration, I thought I’d compile all of the bright, cheery photos I was able to capture on my trip! I must say, looking through them again helped the “getting over it” process a bit. (But just a bit.) I hope you enjoy a trip down this bright, beachy memory lane!

While packing up for the week, I noticed a reoccurring theme… PINK! From bikini tops to Lilly Pulitzer skirts and much, much more. 

After a 12-hour-straight road trip from Dallas to Seaside (my father is a saint) we headed straight to our favorite spot to kick off the week… Frostbites!

It turns out that tasseled coverups are the best kind of cover ups. And pom pom’d beach baskets are the best kind of beach baskets. Trust me.

One of my favorite things about Seaside is that everyone rides bikes everywhere! My sister and I found this pastel cottage during a ride through the neighborhood.

Best beach read EVER! What I’d sum up as a fiction based off of the story of William and Kate… but the heroine is from America. (The authors based her off of me… shh don’t tell!)

Cooling off the best way I know how… with a snow cone IN the ocean!

Dinner a few miles away in the beautiful town of Aly’s Beach gave me the excuse to break out my new turquoise tube top!

A few festive baubles I packed for the trip… aren’t those tassels to die for?!

Hands down my FAVORITE outfit of the trip! This dress not only kills me with the quite, it is also the softest thing ever.

I had the best time at my meet up at Willow Boutique… wishing I could give everyone there ANOTHER round of hugs. And it was so fun to meet the designer of this beautiful tassel necklace!

I’ve decided no beach trip is a true beach trip without a darling Brim Couture hat! This was my first one, and I couldn’t have loved it more. You should see the huge monogram on the top!

Loved the combination of classic navy gingham + a red lip + a few minutes of reading before dinner.

My every day beach necessities… Kate Spade sandals, sunnies and a pair of pearl earrings!

I had to stock up on souvenirs before heading home, of course. You bet the wiener dog shirt came back with me!

For our last night at the beach, this lovely white eyelet dress was perfect!

While it doesn’t involve a trip to the beach, I am so very excited about this weekend! I’m making the drive to Austin, Texas today, and can’t wait to get back to my home away from home. We’re talking girl time (and apartment crashing) with some of my favorite Austin-livin’ gals, and then co-hosting the Teen Vogue Back to School event on Saturday! I am hoping I get to meet so many of you there… full details here!

Let me know what you’re up to this weekend! If it involves sun, please get some extra for me. Tans last all of 3 days for me… #sharethelove

Love from Texas,

Kate

Hello you lovelies! I’ve got a new video for you today… a rundown of my favorites goodies from the month of July! A little bit of everything… from the perfect statement-but-wear-with-anything necklace to how I’ve been keeping my hair healthy and shiny in the summer sun. I hope you enjoy it! I’m always on the lookout for new, fun things so let me know what some of your favorites from July were. Happy 6th day of August!

Love from Texas,

Kate

 BLOUSE   Turquoise Strapless Top (in size S, comes in 2 other colors)   |   NECKLACE   Blue Tassel Necklace   |   NECKLACE   Delicate Gold Necklace   |   PURSE   Rebecca Minkoff   |   JEANS   White Toothpick Jeans   |   BRACELET   Mint Bracelet   |   BRACELET   Gold Wrap Bracelet (more colors here)   |   WEDGES   White Wedges (old Tory Burch, similar linked)

Sigh… last week’s trip to Seaside, Florida was nothing short of a dream! I’m so sad it’s come to an end, and somehow I’m exhausted from a week of laying out by the beach. How is that even possible? Getting back into the swing of things has proved to be quite the challenge, hence the late post yesterday. Oh the trials of returning from vacation!

This outfit was captured in a beautiful town a few miles west of Seaside… Aly’s Beach! The family and I made the short drive to Aly’s for dinner at George’s, one of our favorite Florida spots. (If you get the chance to dine there, the key lime pie is the best I’ve ever had!) I decided to wear this gorgie top (I’m wearing a size S) for the festive dinner, which I purchased specifically for the trip. Isn’t the gorgeous turquoise color and strapless cut perfect for the beach? I can’t express just how flattering the color is. In fact, my sister loved it so much that she borrowed stole it from me for family pictures. (She thinks I should take it as a compliment.)

Playing up the beach vibes of the top, I added this delicate tassel necklace in shades of blue and this mint bracelet. The subtle gold accents of my wrap bracelet and cross body (obsessed with the thing) added the perfect festive flair. Overall, the evening was perfect, and I’m still craving that piece of key lime pie. Take me back!

Love from Texas,

Kate

I have been DYING to spill this exciting announcement for quite a while, and it’s finally time! Drumroll please…

I am thrilled to let y’all know that I will be co-hosting the Teen Vogue ‘Back to School Saturday‘ at The Domain in Austin, Texas THIS Saturday, August 8th!

The evening lasts from 4-8pm, and will be filled with fun like a fashion show, flash tattoos and a braid bar! Plus, from 4-5pm, Teen Vogue is inviting 50 of their most stylish “It Girls” and readers to attend a special VIP meet and great with a Teen Vogue editor, Amanda Steele and I. It doesn’t stop there… These ladies will also get front row seating to the fashion talk that begins at 5pm, a gift bag from Teen Vogue and Simon Mall, and more!

And guess what. YOU can win one of the 50 VIP spots! Here are the deets…

Email [email protected] with the subject line “VIP EXPERIENCE – The Domain” saying why YOU should be chosen to be a VIP! For full details, click here.

I couldn’t be more thrilled to get to meet so many of you in person at this crazy fun event! Already have butterflies in my stomach… SO EXCITED. Let me know if I’ll get to see your face there!

Love from Texas,

Kate

P.S. I’m wearing this dress (worn here) and this lipstick in the color “schiap” in the photo above!