a lonestar state of southern

Three cheers for a new coffee date, friends! If you do the math, you’ll quickly see that this edition is over a month from our last. Normally, I try to keep these going live at least once a month… but this month has been crazy, busy, and in many ways, a complete whirlwind. Scrolling through the photos below, I think you’ll get a peek at why!

As always, you’ll find outfit details beneath each photo, along with a month recap at the bottom of this post! I hope you grab an extra-delicious cup of coffee and enjoy. I’m so excited to catch up with you!

SCARF   ombre plaid scarf   |   TOTE   blush reversible tote   |   SHIRT   basic white tee   |   JEANS   ripped blue jeans   |   HAT   tan wool baseball cap   |   BOOTIES   tan cut out booties

SHIRT   green gingham button down   |   JEANS   black toothpick jeans   |   VEST   tan shearling vest   |   BOOTIES   tan cut out booties   |   EARRINGS   pearl stud earrings   |   WATCH   gold oversized watch   |   TOTE   mini reversible tote (sold out, similar larger one linked

SHIRT   red plaid button down   |   SHORTS   distressed jean shorts    |   HAT   patagonia baseball cap   |   BOOTIES   tan cut out booties

SHIRT   jeweled collar blouse   |   SKIRT   structured mini skirt (sold out, similar linked)

SHIRT   green plaid button down (sold out, similar linked)  |   JEANS   white jeans   |   BOOTS   tan leather boots   |   PURSE   tory burch fold-over cross body

LEGGINGS   monochromatic leggings   |   SHIRT   gray workout tank (sold out, similar linked)   |   SPORTS BRA   racerback sports bra   |   SHOES   white adidas superstar sneakers

VEST   quilted puffer vest   |   COAT   double breasted peacoat   |   JACKET   open front draped jacket   |   COAT   kate spade jeweled button coat   |  COAT   fuzzy pink coat

DRESS   flowy red dress (sold out, similar linked)   |   SHOES   nude platform heels   |   BELT   skinny pink belt   |   PURSE   tory burch fold-over cross body   |   BRACELET   gold kendra scott cuff   |   BRACELET   drusy stone cuff (sold out, similar linked)   |   EARRINGS   gold hoops

DRESS   striped t-shirt dress (sold out, similar linked)   |   SHIRT   green plaid button down   |   PURSE   leopard cross body   |   NECKLACE   monogrammed circle necklace   |   SHOES   white adidas superstar sneakers

PONCHO   drapey tan poncho   |   SHIRT   drapey white blouse (sold out, similar linked)   |   JEANS   ripped skinny jeans   |   SHOES   nude platform heels   |   EARRINGS   gold statement earrings   |   NECKLACE   monogrammed circle necklace   |   PURSE   large reversible tote

JEANS   white high rise jeans   |   SHIRT   drapey white blouse (sold out, similar linked)   |   BOOTS   tan suede booties   |   JACKET   open front draped jacket

DRESS   pink ruffle dress   |   HEELS   nude louboutins

SHIRT   basic white tee   |   SHORTS   frayed denim shorts   |   SHOES   white adidas superstar sneakers   |   NECKLACE   monogrammed circle necklace   |   PURSE   red leather cross body (similar here)

SHIRT   red plaid button down   |   SHORTS   frayed denim shorts  |   BOOTIES   tan leather booties   |   NECKLACE   monogrammed circle necklace   |   EARRINGS   pearl stud earrings   |   SUNGLASSES   tortoise cat eye sunglasses   |     BRACELET   drusy stone cuff (sold out, similar linked)

JEANS   ripped skinny jeans   |   BOOK   drybar tutorial book

JEANS   ripped skinny jeans   |   SHIRT   comfy pullover sweater   |   SHOES   white adidas superstar sneakers   |   WEEKENDER BAG   barrington captain’s bag   |   SUNGLASSES   oversized tortoise sunglasses

TOP   light pink fitted tee (sold out) c/o   |   BRA   heather grey and pink sports bra c/o   |   LEGGINGS   textured mesh capri leggings   |   BAG   navy workout duffel bag (sold out) c/o   |   SHOES   blue nike running shoes

BRA   heather grey and pink sports bra c/o   |   LEGGINGS   textured mesh capri leggings   |   SHOES   blue nike running shoes

SHIRT   sequin cami tank top (also available in other colors here and here)

SCARF   neutral blanket scarf   |   SHIRT   basic white tee   |   JEANS   ripped skinny jeans   |      BRACELET   drusy stone cuff (sold out, similar linked)   |   BOOTIES   bone leather booties   |   EARRINGS   pearl stud earrings   |   NECKLACE   monogrammed circle necklace

SWEATER   knit bell sleeve sweater   |   JEANS   ripped skinny jeans   |   BOOTIES   tan fringe booties (on sale!)   |   EARRINGS   gold hoops

SWEATER   knit bell sleeve sweater   |   JEANS   ripped skinny jeans   |   BOOTIES   tan fringe booties (on sale!)

SHIRT  green peasant blouse  |   JEANS   skinny toothpick jeans   |   BOOTS   tan leather boots   |   PURSE   mini reversible tote   |   MAKEUP   pink lip and cheek stain

DRESS   black off the shoulder dress   |   SHOES   nude platform heels   |   PURSE   black quilted cross body   |   EARRINGS   black tassel earrings      |   MAKEUP   pink lip and cheek stain

SHIRT   v-neck sweater top   |   JEANS   white skinny jeans   |   BOOTIES   tan leather booties   |   SCARF   beige blanket scarf   |   HAT   tan wool baseball cap   |   EARRINGS   pearl stud earrings

TOTE   blush monogrammed tote bag   |   BOOK   coffee table book

SHIRT   good vibes tee   |   JEANS   white skinny jeans   |   SHOES   white slip on sneakers

BOOTIES   tan leather booties   |   RAIN BOOTS   hunter duck boots   |   BOOTS   black quilted boots   |   BOOTS   over the knee leather boots

DRESS   navy and gold shift dress (also here)

SHIRT   silky split neck blouse   |   JEANS   high rise skinny jeans   |   SCARF   leopard blanket scarf   |   BOOTIES   bone leather booties   |   EARRINGS   pearl stud earrings   |   WATCH   oversized gold watch   |   BRACELET SET   dainty gold bracelets   |   MAKEUP   pink lip and cheek stain

I always have a difficult time starting coffee date posts. This same question constantly runs through my head… “Where do I even begin?” As I have been doing quite a bit of traveling since we last got coffee, I figured we’d go through a little breakdown of my adventures from the past month, and take it from there! Sound good?

Lake Namekagon, WI

For those of you familiar with the cowboy (cowboy = the blog nickname I’ve given the boyfriend) you may remember me mentioning he has quite the crazy schedule. Currently, he works two weeks on, one week off. While that can make getting into a rhythm difficult, the huge bonus is it means we often get an extended period of time together to go do fun, out-of-the-ordinary things!

One such adventure was a trip up north with his grandparents to their lake house in northern Wisconsin. Y’all. THE VIEWS. I have never seen such a spectacular fall… oranges, yellows and reds everywhere you looked. It truly seemed like it was out of a post card! We took long boat rides, saw otters playing in the lake, and all four fell asleep in front of the TV at about 9:30 each evening. Talk about a relax and take-it-slooow kind of weekend… it was wonderful!

The State Fair of Texas

Next up was one of my family’s favorite traditions… the Texas State Fair! The four of us attend every single year, and have a system down pat. Grab a corny dog at the Fletcher’s Corny Dog stand. (AKA the ONLY corny dog worth eating.) Walk through the vendor tents. (Always fun seeing what new models of knives and vacuums are out… I’m not kidding!) Purchase a tornado twister. (Think just-made potato chips) Browse through the new car models. Make it out before night falls. (To avoid the crowds, naturally.)

This year was just as wonderful as years past! I’m already looking forward to next year!

Beaver’s Bend State Park

On this latest cowboy’s week off, he came to Dallas! In order to break up the routine and instead do something adventurous, we decided to take a spontaneous, quick trip to Beaver’s Bend, Oklahoma. Do you see the image of me sitting next to a huge, gorgeous lake? That’s Oklahoma, y’all! I was ASTOUNDED when Andrew and I turned a corner to see this massive, jaw-dropping lake sprawled out before us!

Those views and that fresh air did me a world of good. Also, I have a new-found respect for the state. Well played, Oklahoma. Well played.

Reese Witherspoon & Carrie Underwood

The most surreal thing about this past moth is the fact that I’ve had the opportunity to meet two of my pop-culture heroes… Reese Witherspoon and Carrie Underwood! What an honor to join them for the openings or promotions of their new fashion ventures – the CALIA workout line by Carrie Underwood and the Dallas Draper James storefront by Reese Witherspoon.

They were both so down to earth and genuine in person. Plus, they looked even better in person than photographed! Which is seriously hard to even imagine. If you’d like to read more about my time with Carrie Underwood, check out this post. As for Reese, I have an accidental 4 second video a friend took of me meeting her, and I may watch it daily…

Taylor Swift in Austin, TX

The day after meeting Carrie Underwood, I zipped off to Austin for another fun event… Taylor Swift at the Formula 51 race! My two girlfriends and I had the most incredible time thanks to Chandon! (I think the fact that we wore matching sequin tops in different colors had a lot to do with the “incredible time” thing.)  Funny story, I had never been to the F1 races in Austin, and therefore had no idea how large the event is. I ended up having to walk down a looong, steep gravel hill in these heels and guys, I did it! Please congratulate me.

Song Fest

Perhaps one of the more out-of-the-ordinary things I got to do this past month was judge Texas A&M’s Song Fest! If you don’t know what it is, you’re missing out. It’s so fun! Basically, it’s a big fundraiser put on by Chi Omega where greek and on-campus organizations pair up to put on 6 minute dance numbers. Each group has a theme, costumes, the whole 9 yards. I remember driving from UT to see it with my friend Julie, and getting to go back to judge was simply surreal! Congrats to all the performers on an incredible show. (My new life-goal is to learn a dance to Beyonce’s ‘Formation” that one of the groups performed.)

Lilly Pulitzer Meet & Greet

Hands down, one of my very favorite things about October was the meet & greet I got to host with the Lilly Pulitzer at Northpark mall this past Sunday! The thought of getting to hug so many of you in person had me with a Christmas Eve-level of excitement and anticipation the whole week before! Despite the rain, I still got to see so many of you cute faces there, and just want to let those of you who were there know that I mean it when I say thank you for making the trip! There were cute ones who drove in from Baylor, TCU and even Austin. Can we do it all over again?!

At the risk of this coffee date sounding like a highlight reel of “look how much fun I’m having,” I want to throw in that as amazing as this month has been, it’s had it’s own sets of challenges as well. While the flexibility and constant traveling has made for some fun stories and sweet memories, it’s also left me feeling a tad bit unsettled in life in Dallas. I think that’s because I crave routine so much… it’s what makes me feel in control and organized. Anytime I don’t have it, I wind up feeling less-than in so many aspects of life. Work, friendships, faith, the list goes on.

I think that’s one of Satan’s favorite lies to tell us… that wherever we’re at, we’re not doing enough. Whoever we are, we aren’t enough. That the hard work and long hours and effort we are all pouring into one thing or another will never quite add up, no matter the intent.

Have you felt this, too? That pit in your stomach when you feel out of control, and like there’s nothing you can do to really get on top of things? It’s something I’ve been working through, and the Lord has been so gracious to continue to remind me of his love with this verse:

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

What a sweet thing it is to have a savior who tells us, “I don’t need you to have it together. In fact, it’s through your brokenness and inadequacy that I’m able to accomplish so much in you!”

As we head into the business and stress of the holiday season (don’t get me wrong, there’s so much joy in it, too!) that’s one thing I hope we can all encourage each other with and remind one another of. We aren’t alone, and we don’t have to have it all together. That is a freeing thought, y’all!

As always, I adore each of you so much. It really means the world to get to share parts of my life and pieces of my heart with you here, especially in an outlet where things are supposed to look poised and perfect 100% of the time. I’m wishing each of you a magic-filled November, and can’t wait until our next Coffee Date!

Love from Texas,

Kate