a lonestar state of southern

wedding wednesday no. 13 // our custom wedding monogram

January 23, 2019

for today’s “Wedding Wednesday” post, I am absolutely thrilled to share with you the stunning custom wedding monogram Pam from Shuler Studio created for me and Andrew! And y’all, I’m giddy just typing that sentence!

If there’s one cliché this southern girl has completely bought into, it’s a deep, deep love for monograms. I think the first monogrammed item I ever owned was a Vera Bradley duffle bag I got for my 13th birthday (throwback, anyone) and ever since, that collection has steadily grown!

So when it came to dreaming up my and Andrew’s June wedding, I instantly knew of one special touch I wanted… a custom wedding monogram.

I love that a custom wedding monogram is something you can use for years and years to come, not just a single day! And that’s exactly what I so desired with ours… an elegant, beautiful and timeless design that I could use throughout our home and belongings for a lifetime.

Do you remember my first ever “Wedding Wednesday” post? I shared the three words I settled on to describe my dream wedding day, and mentioned wanting to incorporate a custom wedding monogram. (You can read the full post here.) Y’all were so kind to leave some incredible recommendations! After pouring over those and doing tons of pinteresting, instagram hashtag stalking and blog browsing, I finally came across Shuler Studio and immediately knew I found exactly what I was looking for!

So for today’s “Wedding Wednesday” post, I am absolutely thrilled to share with you the stunning custom wedding monogram Pam from Shuler Studio created for me and Andrew! (I’m giddy just typing that sentence!)

Our Custom Wedding Monogram

Swoon. I don’t think I’ve ever been so in love!

Initially, I had no idea how the custom monogram design process worked. To be quite honest, the whole thing felt rather daunting to me. Creating something completely custom from scratch? Talk about pressure!

As they often do, however, things became much clearer after a bit of browsing! The Shuler Studio website has a “Monograms” tab, which lays out the three different design options. I was pleasantly surprised to see how affordable they were!

The Pricing

Depending on the level of customization you’re looking for, prices range from just $10 to $450. And let me just say, if this is something you’re not wanting to devote a huge sum of money to, you can purchase a stunning pre-made monogram on her Etsy page for $35. (Type in your two letters in the shop search bar to see the options!)

Upon reaching out to Pam, the talented wonder behind Shuler Studio, about the monogram design process, she so graciously offered to design my and Andrew’s monogram. So, completely custom we went!

The Process

And how exactly did that process go? First, I filled out a questionnaire and sent in some monogram inspiration. (Speaking of inspiration, take a look through the Shuler Studio Instagram feed… I could spend hours on there!) I decided on a “duogram” featuring a “K” and “A” both for aesthetic reasons, and so we could use it before the wedding itself!

Upon submitting those initial materials, Pam had an initial design concept back to me within TWO. DAYS. Here I was thinking this would take months and months… no, no! Two days!

She encouraged me to print out the monogram, draw and doodle on it, and get back to her with thoughts. I did this, sent them in with a few ideas, and was pleasantly surprised to receive the second design draft in, again, in two days. It was incredible!

After thinking through the second draft, I realized I wanted to change the direction of the monogram. I was wanting a masculine “A” and a more feminine, symmetrical “K,” which involved shifting gears a bit from my initial idea. But y’all, when I shared this vision with Pam, she was nothing but accommodating, encouraging and, again, insanely prompt. On the third try, it was perfect!

The Finished Product

Nearly a week and a half after reaching out to Shuler Studio, I had the custom monogram of my dreams!

I am over the moon, to say the least, and can’t stop thinking about different ways of using it. That’s where y’all come in! I would just love any and all ideas, so please feel free to leave links and thoughts in the comments of this post. I’ll be pouring over each one!

I can’t end this post without saying this… if you are looking to get a monogram designed (for a wedding or otherwise) I cannot recommend Shuler Studio enough! Truly, y’all. This process has been, by far, one of the things I’ve most enjoyed about wedding planning to date, and I am so excited to incorporate this stunning design into our big day, and the rest of our lives!

I can’t wait to hear what y’all think about it. As always, thank you for tuning into another “Wedding Wednesday” post, and for letting me share this season with you!

Love from Texas,

Kate

P.S. Here are some gorgeous new wedding-white dresses I think are to die for! Simply click on a dress to shop it.

recipe // my mama’s cranberry salsa

January 21, 2019

A gorgeously fresh, unique and delicious treat, I’m thrilled to be partnering with Bloomingdale’s to share this family-favorite recipe, my mama’s cranberry salsa, with you!

Of all the wedding-related requests I’ve been receiving from y’all as of late, would you like to hear one of the most common by far? Advice on wedding registries!

“Where are you registering?” “Any tips on what to register for?” These are the exact questions I, myself, started asking shortly after getting engaged. The whole idea of creating a single list that covers everything you’ll ever need (ok not really, but you know what I mean) can feel so overwhelming. Where to even begin?

Naturally, I turned to the expert on all things cooking and kitchen-related, my mama! I grew up watching her create the most amazing dishes in our home, and always hoped one day I’d be as proficient a chef as she. Just as I thought, she had tons of great insight into the wedding registry process.

The very first item she insisted make it on my list? The Cuisinart Food Processor! She has used hers for years and years to create some of my lifelong favorites, including this unbelievable cranberry salsa. A gorgeously fresh, unique and delicious treat, I’m thrilled to be partnering with Bloomingdale’s to share this family-favorite recipe with you, along with why the Bloomingdale’s wedding registry program is one of the best I’ve found!

Cuisinart 14 Cup Food Processor // Striped Aprons (also in navy and black)

To start out, let’s chat about why both my mom and I are loving the registry experience at Bloomingdale’s. With all of the choices, expectations, input, and opinions surrounding wedding registries, I knew I wanted an online registry experience that was organized, incredibly easy to use, lovely and convenient. After all, you don’t only want the process of registering to be enjoyable… you want your guests’ gift-buying experience to be effortless and easy as well!

The Bloomingdale’s website alone is so beautifully laid out, easy to operate and lovely to look at. It’s clean, it’s organized, and I feel excited about all of the gorgeous options instead of overwhelmed! Plus, Bloomingdale’s has made their registry not just easy to use, but helpful. Don’t know where to start? Check out this checklist (pun intended) that walks through everything from place settings to stemware. This guide provides amazing insight into best products and brands, and if you’re moving (like we are) you can choose when and where gifts will ship to in the future. A few other perks I’ve particularly enjoyed:

20% off dresses, suiting, intimates and more
10% off everything left on your registry for six months after your wedding
20% off a one-time purchase in the three months after the big day
amazing gifts with completion

You’ll also find Bloomingdale’s carries all of the best brands, including La Creuset, Nespresso, and the hero of today’s recipe, Cuisinart! And with that said, let’s move into the recipe! Trust me, y’all. It is incredibly simple to make (thanks to this tool) and such a crowd pleaser. In fact, I’m planning on bringing it with me to the Superbowl watch party I’m headed to in a couple weeks!

My Mama’s Cranberry Salsa

1 (12 oz) bag fresh cranberries, rinsed and well-drained
1 bunch cilantro, washed and spun dry in a salad spinner with at least 1-2 inches of stems removed
1 bunch green onion, cut into 2-inch pieces
1 jalapeno, seeded and cut into 4-6 pieces
1/3 cup lime juice
3/4 cup white sugar
1 pinch salt

Combine cilantro, green onion, and jalapeno into food processor. Pulse until consistently chopped into fine pieces.
Add cranberries into food processor mixture. Pulse until cranberries are coarsely chopped. (Cranberries should be in halves and pieces.)
Transfer mixture to bowl.
Add lime juice, salt, and sugar. Mix.
Refrigerate for two hours or until sugar has dissolved.
Serve and enjoy!

As you can see, this recipe is so easy, and so unique! The key to the perfect texture? The Cuisinart Food Processor. And now that I have one of my own, thanks to the amazing deal I found on it at Bloomingdale’s, I can’t wait to recreate even more of my mother’s favorite recipes!

You can check out my Instagram Stories today to see a video step-by-step as we photographed this.

I plan on doing a more in-depth post on everything Andrew and I are registering for soon, so leave your questions (and your recommendations) below! And if you’re looking to begin your registry, start here!

Love from Texas,

Kate

Thank you, Bloomingdale’s, for sponsoring this post.

latest & greatest vol. 74

January 18, 2019

Wanna hear some good news? We’re more than halfway through January! I don’t know about y’all, but January isn’t my favorite month of the year. When Christmas lights come down and new years decorations are thrown in the trash, I’m ready to get rid of the cold!

click on an item to shop

That’s why you’ll find lots of spring-worthy hues in today’s roundup of the cutest new arrivals to hit the web. This zenith blue? A personal favorite of mine, and one I plan on wearing throughout the months ahead!

I loved how it was used in this adorable otomi bikini. Have you ever seen anything quite so cute! I am obsessed with the otomi pattern (see how I used it all over my bedroom here) and so when I saw it in this swimsuit, I had to pull the trigger. It’s much more than I would ever spend, but I’m planning on packing it away for my honeymoon… so it’s worth the splurge, don’t you think? See more otomi swimsuits here!

This week was insanely productive, y’all, including quite a few wedding things checked off the to-do list, and the return of my happy mail newsletter! I took a short break over the holidays, but am so excited to be back. Yesterday, I included my favorite self-tanner… this stuff! You put it on after you turn the water off in the shower, pat dry, and then you’re good to go! It doesn’t stink, it doesn’t stain, and it’s super moisturizing. Seriously, obsessed!

So if you haven’t yet, sign up to receive my happy mail here! Every week, my goal is to make sure it’s the happiest thing in your inbox. :)

Wishing y’all a wonderful weekend!

Love from Texas,

Kate

wedding wednesday no. 12 // how i asked my bridesmaids

January 16, 2019

It feels like we are checking off “Wedding Wednesdays” left and right. Time seems to be flying, y’all, and I am too excited about it! Today, I’m sharing a highly requested post… how I asked my bridesmaids!

It feels like we are checking off “Wedding Wednesdays” left and right. Time seems to be flying, y’all, and I am too excited about it!

Today, I’m sharing a highly requested post… how I asked my bridesmaids!

Can I be honest with you? Early on, I simply called them. I know, I know. So not trendy. But to be honest, in the midst of the craziness of those first few months of planning, finding a cute way to “propose” never seemed to be the most pressing matter at hand. Suddenly, I looked up and realized it was high time my girls at least know they’re in my wedding. Let me tell you, the good old fashioned way worked just fine.

I did want to do something special to honor these ladies, though, so once the dust settled on the planning landscape I decided to put a little something together! My priorities? A gift that was simple, meaningful, non-junky and something that tied in with the theme of our wedding. A few Amazon orders and intensive Facebook stalking session later (you’ll see what I mean below), I’m so happy with how these “bridesmaid proposal gifts” turned out!

Take a look at the process of putting these gifts together, and read on for the details!

ACRYLIC PHOTO FRAMES // MONOGRAMMED GINGER JAR NOTE CARDS // WHITE BOXES // CRINKLE FILLER // PINK GROSGRAIN RIBBON

In thinking about meaningful gifts that stand the test of time, two things immediately came to mind. A handwritten note (my favorite thing!) and a framed photo!

I decided to have fun with the handwritten notes by ordering these monogrammed cards with my future initials. Now, I know using your married monogram before the wedding is a hugeee no-no. But here’s the thing… I wanted a personal, unique way to clue my bridesmaids into what this little box meant, and felt like my new initials would do just that! Plus, only my bridesmaids are receiving them and I have a feeling they’ll cut me a little slack. (Even though my mother is horrified. :)

The second component of the “proposal” box? A framed photo. I found these 4″x4″ acrylic frames on Amazon, and immediately loved them for their price point and neutrality. Here’s the fun part: I decided to hunt down the first photo (or one of the first) that I could find together with each of my bridesmaids to fill them with! This was such a fun, hilarious and sentimental step, and I think my girls are going to die when they see them. Once we get photos back from the wedding, I plan on sending a square image of me with each bridesmaid for them to put in the other side of the frame!

To pack everything up, I filled these white gift boxes with a little crinkle paper, tied it off with a bow (pink, of course) and delivered/shipped off these little goodies to each of my bridesmaids! I love knowing they’ll not only have something to get excited about, but something to have even after the wedding is done.

So if you find yourself trying to figure out how to ask your bridesmaids one of these days, take my advice and keep it simple and sentimental. You really can’t go wrong with that combination. And while we’re on that note, here are a few adorable ideas for items to achieve just that!

If you’ve done or received a “bridesmaid proposal,” I’d lvoe to hear your ideas below!

Love from Texas,

Kate

the hair tool you have to buy

January 15, 2019

Revlon One Step Hair Dryer & Volumizer Ok, y’all. I know this is a dramatic statement, but today I’m going to introduce you to a hair tool that you ABSOLUTELY MUST BUY. During the Christmas break, my sister came across this hair dryer & volumizer and, after reading the reviews.…

Revlon One Step Hair Dryer & Volumizer

Ok, y’all. I know this is a dramatic statement, but today I’m going to introduce you to a hair tool that you ABSOLUTELY MUST BUY.

During the Christmas break, my sister came across this hair dryer & volumizer and, after reading the reviews. ordered it immediately. My mom and I? We shook our heads and laughed. “She doesn’t realize its a gimmick,” we smugly thought. “Some things are too good to be true.”

Boy did my sister have the last laugh, because when this thing arrived and she tried it out for the first time, our jaws DROPPED! Her hair (which is collarbone length) looked full, incredibly shiny and full of flip. Salon-worthy, to say the least!

I was so wow’d that I immediately jumped in the shower and afterwards tried it out myself! Y’all. It’s the. best. thing.

Here’s why… it basically acts as a blow dryer and round brush all in one! I don’t know about you, but I simply can’t handle using a dryer and round brush at once on my own. Too much to handle, takes too long, etc. This solves that problem!

I will say, ever since I got this, I haven’t used my Dyson hair dryer once. Eek! It’s under $100, and if you want to change the way you do your hair for the better, click here to grab it! And if you’re way ahead of my and already use this thing, let me know in the comments.

Love from Texas,

Kate

a crazy sweater sale

January 14, 2019

If you, like me, haven’t been doing much online shopping over the past few weeks, you may be oblivious (like I was) to the fact that so many of our favorite retailers are having huge sales right now. Specifically, J.Crew!

SWEATER purple fair isle sweater (XS, use code BIGGERSALE for extra 50% off) | BOOTS sorel joan of arctic fawn boots | HAT pom pom beanie (on sale) | SCARF oversized cable-knit scarf (more colors available) | JEANS j.crew toothpick jeans

I don’t know what happened, but Dallas was transformed into what felt like the Arctic tundra this weekend. I should probably clarify that I’ve never been to the Arctic tundra and therefore cannot substantiate that claim, but let me just say… I was definitely colder than I’ve been in months!

Just when I was hoping to begin the “pack away winter” process, I’m realizing we still have quite a bit of cold ahead. And while that does make my summer-lovin’ heart shed a tear, there is one good thing that comes out of it… so. many. sales!!!

This sweater, for example, is originally $120. Now, with the code BIGGERSALE, you can snatch it for $34! (Sizes are going quick, so hurry!)

It’s not just sweaters, either. You’ll find cozy jackets (like this one I wear all the time), party dresses, chic shirts, darling denim and so much swimwear (I snatched a pink polka dot bikini for $9 TOTAL) at a crazy discount. Trust me, it’s worth checking out!

Another thing you’ll want to check out? The YouTube video I’ll be posting tomorrow! Let’s just say.. my hair will never be the same.

Happy Sales-ing!

Love from Texas,

Kate

P.S. Totally unrelated, but Andrew and I are starting our premarital class this evening and are so excited. So many friends, acquaintances and people in my life have gone through Merge and have had the best things to say about it. We are looking forward to learning and growing through it as we get closer to June!

a lonestar state of southern