a lonestar state of southern

 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!

 BASKET   Pom Pom Basket (exact color sold out)   |   TOP   Strappy Swing Tank   |   JEANS   White Destroyed Jeans   |   WEDGES   Ankle Strap Wedges (sold out, similar linked)   |   BRACELET   Gold Wrap Bracelet   |   WATCH   Michael Kors Watch   |   NECKLACE   Delicate Gold Necklace

 You know that slightly creepy but pretty accurate yellow/blue mouth gaping open emoji? (This one if you’re totally lost. It says “face screaming in terror” but it’s more of a shocked emoji in my book.) That’s the face I made when I received an email in late May from Furbish Studio announcing these pom pom baskets. On the walk back to the Kappa house after class, I managed to pick this pink and orange beauty out, add it to my cart and check out on my phone all without running into too many pedestrians… cause when you know, you know! That’s what they all say, right?

This thing has been with me all summer – brightening up my travels and holding important cargo in the cutest manner possible. Like… pom poms?! For real! They sold out almost immediately, and while they’ve come back in stock a few times here and there throughout the summer, these colorful beauties never last long. I’ve tracked a few down at Design Darling, though, in case you need.

As much fun as I know he’s had on trips to the lake house and the like, my little pom pom basket friend has found a true home here in Seaside. He loves the ocean and pastel houses, and is begging me to stay here and never leave. I just might listen to him!

Love from Texas,

Kate

Photography by Hilary Rattikin

P.S. This top is amazing. It’s the ultimate dress up or down blouse (did you see the gorgeous back?) and is so flattering! You can snag it in 5 different colors including white (I’m in the orange) for just $30. Can someone say #closetstaple?

SHORTS   Vineyard Vines Shorts   |   SHIRT   Scalloped Top (non-crop version linked)    |   BAG   Blush Tory Burch Crossbody   |   SANDALS   Gold Tory Burch Sandals   |   EARRINGS   Gold Dangle Earrings   |   WATCH   Michael Kors   |   BRACELET   Gold Wrap Bracelet   |   WEDGES   White Wedges (sold out, similar linked)

 Crisp whites get me. Every single time. The other week, in fact, I read a comment remarking on how I had been wearing a lot of white lately – it’s something I haven’t been doing consciously, but something that’s been so true of my style the past couple of months. You all know how much I adore bright colors, but the feel of clean, classic white ensembles is so refreshing and absolutely impossible to resist, especially during these hot summer months!

The gorgeous, clean blue pattern of these Vineyard Vines shorts immediately reminded me of the decorative ginger jars you see from time to time. And on a beautiful white linen? Oh, so classic. I adore these for their relaxed fit, and ultimate timeless nature – a tricky thing to find in shorts these days!

This scalloped top and pretty blush cross body seemed like the perfect accompaniments, completing an outfit fit for even the hottest days of late summer. Don’t tell anyone… but I’ve been wearing this look excessively at the beach this week! That’s when you know it’s good.

Lizzie McGuire, you are an OUTFIT REPEATER!

Love from Texas,

Kate

Photography by Hilary Rattikin

ROMPER   Off the Shoulder Romper (also comes in green)   |   NECKLACE   Turquoise Beaded Necklace (under $20!)   |   NECKLACE   White Rayne Necklace   |   SANDALS   Gold Sandals (hurry, still available on sale!)    |   CLUTCH   Blush Clutch   |   EARRINGS   Delicate Hoops   |   BRACELET   Gold Wrap Bracelet   |   BRACELET   White Bangle   |   Lip Color   Mod Pink

It happens every year. Towards the latter half of summer, I start subconsciously collecting rust colored pieces. Not only is cute burnt orange clothing worth it’s weight in gold as a co-ed at the University of Texas, the color holds a gorgeous uniqueness that I’m always drawn to in late summer and fall. I kid you not… I think I walked in and out of Nordstrom with this romper in all of 10 minutes. I couldn’t help it!

Besides the gorgeous color of this romper, I adore the cut of it! An off the shoulder neckline paired with fluted sleeves and breezy shorts make it not only summer heat-bearable but gorgeously flattering as well. Always a plus for rompers, as I’ve tried on a few in my day that are flat. out. awkward. I added more bohemian gold and turquoise accents (like this gorgeous turquoise necklace) for a look that’s perfect for a football game or night out with friends! Look out, Austin, Texas. You’ll see me in this exact outfit in a few months for football season! And if orange isn’t your thing (hook ’em, anyway) this romper also comes in a pretty fall green.

Love from Texas,

Kate

Photography by Hilary Rattikin 

DRESS   Color My Soul Dress (similar here)   |   SHOES   Leopard Wedges   |   EARRINGS   Gold Dangle Earrings (I’ve been wearing them nonstop!)   |   CUFF   Gold Cuff   |   CLUTCH   Blush Tory Burch Clutch (also works as a crossbody)   |   NECKLACE   Delicate Gold Necklace   |   BRACELET   White Bangle   |   LIP COLOR   Mod Pink

There’s a reason the term “party dress” is even a thing. A party dress is a special dress – one that’s striking, playful, makes you feel like a million bucks and most of all, it’s fun. I don’t think I’d ever laid eyes on such a flawless specimen of said dress until I came across this beauty from Red Dress Boutique. The color? Knockout. The easy, effortless fit? Stunning. The flirty, skirted detail on the bottom? Um, YES. Takeaway? This is the ultimate pink party dress, friends.

Topped off with ridiculously fun leopard wedges, darling gold earrings and the perfect gold cuff, this look is set to spin you straight into the middle of the dance floor. I’ve been shopping online at Red Dress Boutique since high school (seriously!) and have to relay just how on point this online store is. Their offerings are always too cute, and way affordable! Fun fact – they were on Shark Tank a few months ago. Unbeknownst to me, I was watching an episode with my roommate and squealed a little too loudly when they came on.

This whole week is cause for a party dress, as I finally made it to Seaside, Florida for my family’s summer vacation! Everything smells like saltwater and sunscreen and I’m never leaving. I’m documenting the trip heavily on Instagram, so make sure you’re following @LonestarSouthern and signed up for LIKEtoKNOW.it so you can shop my looks on the go. Have a lovely, lovely week everyone!

Love from Texas,

Kate

Photography by Hilary Rattikin