a lonestar state of southern

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Beach Tote   |   White Bracelets   |   Beach Towel   |   Yellow Bikini Top (comes in lots of colors)    |   Yellow Bikini Bottoms   |   Pastel Wallet   |   White Sandals   |   Blue Maxi Dress   |   Beach Spike   |   Lip Balm   |   Gold Earrings   |   Sunglasses   |   Journal   |   Fiji Nailpolish

TODAY’S THE DAY!

Today, I leave for the beach. Seaside, Florida, specifically. Golly gee whiz is this kid pumped! We weren’t able to go last year due to conflicting summer schedules between my sis and I, so it’s been two whole years (absolutely abominable) since I’ve been to my favorite place on earth. YIPPEE. So wait… have I mentioned I’m excited?

My room is currently in chaos as I prepare for a week of salt, sun, seafood and sand, but above you’ll find a general overview/wish list of my Seaside suitcase. I purchased the yellow swimsuit top in white and can’t wait to break it in. A fabulous pair of sunnies is a must (I manage to forget or loose mine this time every year so pls pray for me) and a few tubes of lip balm are absolutely necessary for braving days in the sun. There’s nothing I love more than quiet times on the beach, so I’ll be packing up my prayer journal as well! (Any journaling fans out there?)

Bottom line, I am too excited for this little getaway and hope to bring y’all along as best as I can! So be sure to tune in to Snapchat (@LonestarSnaps) and Instagram (@LonestarSouthern) for the fun. And speaking of Instagram, did you see the giveaway I posted last night?! I’m giving away a Barrington Cabin Bag (see yesterday’s post) to one of you! Be sure to follow the instructions on this picture to enter.

Final thing… I’m in huge need of book recommendations! I love futuristic-America, Hunger Gamesy, thriller/romance types because I’m a huge nerd and have no friends and would seriously love any suggestions! I just finished the Delirium series by Lauren Oliver and totally recommend it for an entertaining read.

Love from Texas,

Kate

 BAG   Barrington Cabin Bag (classic colors here)  |   SHOES   Lace Up Heels (just got them and am in love)   |   JEANS   Destroyed White Jeans   |   SHIRT   Ralph Lauren Button Down   |   SUNGLASSES   Miu Miu (black color here)   |   BELT   J.Crew Leather Belt   |   WATCH   Michael Kors   |   BRACELET   Gold Wrap Bracelet   |   BRACELET   Pom Pom Bracelets   |   EARRINGS   Pearl Studs 

The best cure to cabin fever, which I’ve found strikes hardest in the dead hot days of mid-summer, is always a trip away! Be it 30 minutes away or 3 hours, a change of scenery and experience always seems to put a pep in my step. Which is why I’m currently doing backflips – I leave for a week in Seaside, Florida tomorrow! I simply can not wait to get back to my favorite spot on earth.

I’ll be packing up my best fun, beach-ready pieces in this B E A U tiful Barrington Cabin Bag! Y’all. Easily the best travel bag I’ve ever owned. I’ve had my eye on this guy for forever for it’s classic, timeless look that comes customizable in a million different patterns and colors. (That means there are tons of great options for our guys, too!) Anyone surprised I chose pink and orange? :)

I’ve always thought that lovely luggage gives off a wonderful impression, which makes the Cabin Bag a great investment. (Or gift! Graduation, rush, etc, etc.) The beautiful leather finishes (including the detachable shoulder strap) and sturdy material ensure this is a bag I’ll carry for years to come.

I’m too thrilled to share two bits of WAY fun info regarding this beauty with y’all! First off, I’ll be hosting a G I V E A W A Y for one Cabin Bag on Instagram later this evening! Make sure you’re following @LonestarSouthern to get in on the goodness. Secondly, Barrington is holding it’s “Christmas in July Sale” starting midnight tonight through July 26th! Everything (including the Cabin Bag!) will be 10% off with free shipping – including international! So if this bag is calling your name, or you’ve had your eye on a St. Anne (that I always, always wear) now is the time to strike!

Love from Texas,

Kate

Photography by Hilary Rattikin 

 TOP   Lavender Blouse (under $70)   |   JEANS   J.Crew Jeans   |   WEDGES   White Wedges (sold out, similar linked)   |   CLUTCH   Marley Lilly   |   EARRINGS   Danielle Earrings   |   WATCH   Michael Kors Watch   |   BANGLE   White Bangle   |   Bracelet   Cross Bracelet

I don’t know what more to say about this top other than that it’s just so, so pretty. Every single detail. From the beautiful thick lace top, to the criss cross back, to the sheer lining that peeks out underneath. It doesn’t really need a human, in my opinion. It would look just as pretty framed and on the wall! But wearing it is more fun so…

This week has been a whirlwind. Do you ever feel like you’ve completed two weeks in one by the time Wednesday rolls around? It’s all downhill from here, though, and the beach is just around the corner for me! (And for you, because I’m taking you along, DUH.) No matter how your week has been and is looking ahead, chin up buttercup! We’ll get there soon enough. :)

Love from Texas,

Kate

P.S. In keeping with the lavender theme (this was not planned but I’m going to pretend it was) I am crushing HARD on this baby. But that’s the problem… it’s for… like… babies. I’ve had luck ordering XL and XXLs in kids sizes before, so maybe it could possibly sorta work? Another find from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. Gosh dangit. Gets me every time day. If you’re new around here, wanted to let you know that I’ve got a video and guide up that give you all the info on the sale!

Look #1

DRESS   Julie Brown Designs c/o    |   PURSE   St. Anne c/o  |   SHOES   Jack Rogers c/o  |   NECKLACE   Kendra Scott c/o (tons of colors on sale!)   |   WATCH   Michael Kors   |   BRACELET   Gold Wrap Bracelet   |   SUNGLASSES   Miu Miu

Look #2

DRESS   Julie Brown Designs c/o   |   CLUTCH   Grateful Bags c/o   |   SHOES  The Nudist   |   Earrings   Tassel Earrings (sold out from J.Crew, similar linked)   |   BRACELET   Gold Wrap Bracelet   |   BRACELET   Gold Cable c/o

Everyone touts the wonder of the little black dress. It’s the always-appropriate, perfectly classic with a touch of sass, incredibly flattering option that you can wear just about anywhere. Put all of those attributes in a dress, and sign even me, who y’all know loves color more than anything, up.  But what if instead of black… that magical dress, complete with every magical detail, came in pink!

Enter the Orla by Julie Brown Designs. Simple in nature and classic in cut, this little beauty has won my heart! Apart from being incredibly comfortable (so soft) and absolutely flattering, I can’t get enough of how versatile it is. I decided to style it for y’all two different ways – a casual yet put together run-around-town look, and a fun night out ensemble! It really provides the perfect, classic backdrop to whatever style you’re wanting to lend it to. I’m too excited to have it in my closet for formal meetings, Saturday brunches with friends, church and more. (And who’s excited for riding boots and a cardigan when fall rolls around? Me!)

I’m wearing the Petite size, and hemmed the dress up a couple inches to make it proportional to my 5’2″ self. Luckily, the lovely A-line shape makes the dress fit like a dream on short and tall alike. Is it clear I can’t get enough of this staple?

And I am so excited, because I’m giving one reader a $300 gift card to Julie Brown Designs! Their Pre Fall collection launched yesterday, so I have a hunch you won’t have trouble spending the loot at all. :) To enter, start out by visiting my Instagram @LonestarSouthern. Sometime today (stay tuned!) I’ll be posting an image from today’s post. Just tag three friends in the comments there, then follow the options below! (Feel free to go ahead and complete the extra entry options below before the Instagram portion.) The giveaway will end this Friday, July 24th at midnight, and I will be in touch with the winner shortly thereafter.
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Best of luck, my friends! So excited that Julie Brown gives us a darling means to be classic in color, aren’t you?!

Love from Texas,

Kate

Photography by Hilary Rattikin 

(I am SO excited to be photographing with Hilary again after her fabulous travels in Greece! Did you see her debut on SnapChat yesterday? @LonestarSnaps)

Thank you, Julie Brown Designs, for sponsoring this post!

 MATCHING SET   Lilly Pulitzer Marbella Set c/o   |   SANDALS   Monogrammed Jack Rogers c/o   |   EARRINGS   White Tassel Earrings (old H&M, similar linked)   |   CLUTCH   White Scallop Clutch (old Elaine Turner, similar linked)   |   RING   Pineapple Ring   |   BRACELET   White Kendra Scott Bangle   |   BRACELET   Gold Cable Bracelet

Kate loves Lilly. SURPRISE! I know that comes as a shock to no one… so imagine my excitement when I saw that Lilly is carrying a two piece set this summer. Dead. I love, love, love how they integrated this young, fresh trend in a classic, colorful print! And everyone knows my obsession with pink and orange, so I won’t even get in to it. Basically, this little number is one of my forever favorites.

It was perfect for a delicious girls’ brunch at Sissy’s Southern Kitchen, and I’ll definitely be bringing it to Seaside, Florida – which we leave for in a week! AHH! But I digress. If any of you make the trip to Dallas, add Sissy’s to your list! We’re talking okra, fried chicken and waffles, all the good stuff, coupled with the cutest building in town. Because delicious food and cute clothes should just go hand in hand.

Wishing you a lovely Saturday, filled with just as much color and even more yummy eats!

Love from Texas,

Kate

SWEATER   Tassel Cardigan   |   PURSE   Rebecca Minkoff Crossbody (comes in 5 colors!)   |   BOOTS   Dolce Vita Over the Knee Boots   |   NECKLACE   Vineyard Vines Tassel Necklace   |   SHIRT   Free People Tank (only $20!)   |   JEANS   J.Crew High Rise White Jeans   |   BRACELET   Gold Wrap Bracelet (#nsale version here)   |   WATCH   Michael Kors (similar #nsale style here)

It’s HERE! And by here, I mean the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale that is officially and finally open to everyone! But you knew that already, didn’t ya?

I’ve been hinting at the goodies I fell in love with from the Early Access sale, and finally decided to pull them all together in celebration of this momentous day. It’s a tad bit fall (ok more than a tad… photographing this outfit was similar to sitting in a sauna but who’s complaining?) but that actually just gets me more exciting for frosty months ahead! My sweater, purse and boots are all a part of the sale, and if you’re still hungry for more I’ve got a guide and video pointing you to other must-haves. But now, an ode to the three items featured today…

First off, I’m set to go this fall with these these suede over the knee boots. Trust me, I was the last person to ever think I could pull off a pair! But somehow the perfect heel height and color combined to add a few non-awkward-looking inches to my petite frame. Holla. Atcha. Girl. Cause I’m in love with ’em. (Last night, @emilyp5 tweeted me to let me know she’d purchased them as well with the hashtag #shortgirltallboots. This is now officially a thing.)

Y’all. The easy “carry with everything” cross body is perfected in this Rebecca Minkoff oxblood beauty. After bringing it home, I realized I’ll be able to wear it almost as a neutral! It’s a gorgeous color that adds a subtle statement to any outfit. Oxblood not your thing? It comes in 5 colors. On trend – check. Easy – check. On SALE?! Check check check.

Finally, I am in love love love with this easy sweater. My favorite thing about it is that I can start wearing it now! Since it’s short sleeved and so light, it’s perfect for cool evenings, chilly movie theaters, the frozen goods section while I decide on an ice cream flavor or six, and then all through a mild Dallas fall as well. And it’s $40. Looks so much more expensive right?!

There ya have it folks, my ultimate favorites! I’d love to hear what you scored from the sale, too! I’ve probably said this a million times (sorry to make your ears bleed) but the sale usually sells out SO quick, so I’d jump on it sooner rather than later!

And in the midst of a full two weeks of sale talk, I just want to throw in the obvious fact (but sometimes not so obvious in this culture) that clothes – material things, really – don’t ultimately make you happy. They are fun to have fun with, but there’s just a whole heck of a lot more to life. Sounds so simple and obvious, but I know I need a reminder of that more than I’d like to admit. I want you all to know that I so desire for this blog to be a fun destination of light-hearted inspiration, but never another “you need this to be complete” voice in your head. And I want to truly ask for your forgiveness if it’s ever come across that way. I just started memorizing Psalm 16 so I can always have truth of what’s important right at the front of my mind, especially when I need to fight voices in my head that tell me otherwise. It’s a beautiful, fairly short chapter, and I would love for you to join me so we can do it together! (I need to be held accountable!)

Love from Texas,

Kate