leaving the nest

This is such a fun blog post to sit down and write, y’all, and there are a few reasons why. But before I get ahead of myself with overused adjectives and excessive exclamation marks, let’s first start with what’s going on…

I’m moving!

IMG_7121striped sweater (old Forever21, similar linked)   |   mint jeans   |   monogrammed sandals   |   blush tote

Not states, not even cities, but residences… so to speak.

After graduating from the University of Texas last May, I moved back home to Dallas to follow my dreams. AKA devote 110% of my time to this little place right here. And in order to do that… to run head-on into a new business without a boss or a normal 8-5 hour workday or even an idea of what each new day held… I needed stability. The stability of my little room in my little house, with my lil’ precious, supportive parents who have watched Lonestar Southern happen from the very beginning.

So for me, moving home was perfect. Whenever the “where are you living now?” question would come up, I’d always feign a little bit of embarrassment when replying with “oh, my parents. lol.” I think there’s an unspoken stigma attached to moving home after graduation… that you don’t have your life together or something. But the truth is, I’ve loved living at home. Every single second of it.

I’ve loved the familiarity, the routine, and the safe environment it’s provided in the middle of a hectic, exciting, transformative, scary stage of life. I’ve loved the family time it’s given me. I’ve loved the flexibility it’s provided. I’ve loved walking in to a fire burning in the fireplace and something yummy cooking on the stove and my puppy wagging his tail and my mom and dad chatting and joking one room over. And I’ve loved not paying rent. That’s been nice, too.

There’s been a lot to love. And I am so, so happy that I happened to spend my first year out of college at home. (In fact, for those of you debating whether or not you want to move home post-grad, let this serve as my mini soapbox in stressing that it can be a really, really great thing.)

But if there’s one thing I’ve learned this past year, it’s that nothing stays the same forever. Even great things grow and change and transform. I told myself at graduation that I’d give myself a year to figure out this blogging thing… to get a feel for whether or not I enjoyed blogging full time, was productive working alone, could make a sustainable living from it, etc, etc. And that once I figured out those things, I’d make a step in the next direction.

Suffice it to say, this year has been such a whirlwind that I didn’t even realize I’d been inching closer and closer to that “one year” mark! But it’s funny how the Lord works out timing, because the past month or two I’ve been hearing this slight background noise in the back of my mind… a restlessness that’s keyed me into the fact that it’s time for the next thing. Recently it clicked… I’ve outgrown my little room, and I’m ready for the next adventure.

Just like that, the perfect apartment kinda fell into my lap. Rather, it was a big, huge, quickly answered prayer… one that was so big and huge and quickly answered that it almost felt as if had fallen into my lap! As of May 1st, I’ll have a new home. And man, as a girl who loves change, I’m excited so excited for this new stage!

I’ve always loved sharing my personal life with y’all here on the blog, and I’m so excited to do the same with this move. Naturally, my first thought has gone to decorating… I get a whole blank canvas to fill! I’ve listed a few interior design stores I’ll be browsing through, but would also love your recommendations and any tips you may have on furnishing an apartment!

Furbish Studio

Serena & Lily

Pottery Barn

One Kings Lane

West Elm

Hope this post was a fun little mix-up from the usual! If you’d like to see a sneak peak at my apartment, check my snapchat (username: LonestarSnaps) before 2pm CST. Y’all are the very, very best!

Love from Texas,

Kate

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26 Comments

  1. Emily said:

    Yay, Kate!!! That’s so exciting, congratulations on your new place!

    I am in a really similar spot! A few months back, I felt a tug in the back of my head saying it was time to move (currently living with roommates and don’t love it), and literally days later the Lord answered my prayer about my living situation. A guy at my church is getting married in May and moving, and I was able to just take over his place. It worked out so seamlessly and stress free, and I’m so thankful!

    I’m getting the design bug too!!! I can’t wait to pick out some things for my new place. A few of my favorite gals who have beautiful homes are Katey from Chronicles of Frivolity and Ashley from the Teacher Diva, I’m taking inspiration from them. I love the white/neutral with pops of bold colors and gold accents. I am also looking at stuff from Target, they have some really adorable home stuff and most is super reasonably priced!! (Esp. pillows and decor, that stuff can get so pricey!!)

    Emily
    http://www.emilyseyeview.com

    Published 3.31.16 · Reply
  2. Congrats, Kate! I’m a long time reader. I appreciate that you did what’s best for YOU by living at home at first and leaving the nest a little later. Good luck on your next adventure!

    Published 3.31.16 · Reply
  3. So excited for you and glad that your year at home was so fruitful!

    Not going to lie, as I was watching your Snapchat video I was hoping that it would be the same apartment we are moving to in June so I could run into you at the pool and pretend not to fangirl hahaha but alas, it’s not.

    My one piece of advice would be to decorate as soon as possible. With apartments and leases you just never know how long you will really stay so I find that if I don’t decorate right at the beginning, it never comes together (we’ve moved twice in the past three years) and with our first place I just kind of hated it and I think it’s largely because it was never “finished”. It was like one step above off-campus college house and that’s it hahaha. But with our newest place, since I knew we would only be here one year, I decorated right from the outset and didn’t care if it was “absolutely perfect” but at least that I really liked it and then made some changes later but it’s been sooo much better.

    Best of luck!

    xo Mary-Katherine | http://www.goldhattedlover.com

    Published 3.31.16 · Reply
  4. nadin said:

    great news! enjoy!!
    http://killthemwithchic.com/

    Published 3.31.16 · Reply
  5. Kathryn said:

    Oh, Kate! This is wonderful news! I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the mark of one year past graduation. This will be such an exciting new venture for you! Looking forward to pictures from the new place!

    xx Kathryn
    http://www.chicandshimmer.com

    Published 3.31.16 · Reply
  6. I’m so happy for you! What an awesome transition! Your blog is SO cute – keep up the great work – and enjoy the move!!

    http://www.veiledfree.com

    Published 3.31.16 · Reply
  7. I so WISH I could have moved home after college…yay, you! Congrats on the big move, decorating and living on your own is great!
    xoxo, http://www.piperellice.com

    Published 3.31.16 · Reply
  8. Katie said:

    Yay! Congrats Kate! I can’t wait to see how you decorate your new place!

    xoxo,
    Katie
    chicincarolina.blogspot.com

    Published 3.31.16 · Reply
  9. Amy said:

    Congrats on the move and cannot wait to see pictures of your place! This is so exciting and I wish you all the luck with your new space!!
    xoxo
    Amy | Pastel N Pink

    Published 3.31.16 · Reply
  10. I am SO excited for you-when I saw it on snapchat, I may have totally squealed! I can’t wait for you to infuse more “home” aspects in your blog, if you’re planning on doing that. Your style and mine are so similar I know I’ll continue to get lots of great inspiration from you :)

    xoxo,SS

    The Southern Stylista

    Published 3.31.16 · Reply
  11. Congrats this is so exciting! I’m glad you found the perfect place for you!

    xx. The Coastal Confidence
    http://the-coastalconfidence.com

    Published 3.31.16 · Reply
  12. So excited for you! Best of luck on the move!

    Paula- http://www.livingpaula.com

    Published 3.31.16 · Reply
  13. Olivia said:

    Congrats Kate!! I graduated in December and moved home and told myself the same thing, I will give myself a year while working at my first job and then figure out what I want to do next. I can’t tell you how glad I am that I decided to live at home. I am excited to move out when I am ready but I am enjoying every minute of living here for now, I’ll have plenty of time to live on my own later. :) I am so excited for you and can’t wait to see what He has in store for you in this next chapter!

    Published 3.31.16 · Reply
  14. Kaeleen said:

    You are so cuuuute! Congratulations on the apartment :) I totally agree- there’s so many perks to living at home while in college or post-grad & I hate that there’s such a negative stigma towards it. Anyway, I can’t wait to see how you decorate!

    Published 3.31.16 · Reply
  15. Cait said:

    Congrats on your new digs! So exciting! A little piece of decorating advice is to focus on neutrals and classically lined furniture and larger peices you won’t grow tired of, then spruce up the space with fun brightly colored items that are less of an investment (throw pillows, art from some great Etsy shops, vases, etc). Looking forward to following as you move in and decorate!

    -C
    http://www.pearlsandparm.com

    Published 3.31.16 · Reply
  16. Congrats! I moved back home after my post-grad internship and, honestly, it’s nearing that one year mark for me, too, and I can’t believe how fast it’s gone! I’ve saved so much by living at home and, God willing, will have my car paid off this year and be able to look into living into a place I can not only afford, but I can decorate and make truly mine! I love Carly’s home (College Prepster) with the white walls and navy and pink accents but I’m always looking for decor inspo!

    I’ve loved watching you grow and be such a strong woman of God. You are one of the people that inspired me to get back into the church and it’s been amazing. You are going to do amazing things and I can’t wait to see how it goes! Definitely keep us updated on the moving and decorating process!

    Published 4.1.16 · Reply
  17. Congrats! I’m moving back home this summer so that I can participate in a teaching credential program. I’m really excited actually :)

    Jordan: The Teacup of Style
    IG: teacupofstyle

    Published 4.1.16 · Reply
  18. Mariah said:

    Congratulations! I’ve lived at home all through college, and there is a stigma to it, but I love living with my parents. I am hoping to one day be able to live on my own though. Congrats on finally getting there!

    http://moosmusing.com

    Published 4.1.16 · Reply
  19. Yay!! So happy for you <3

    Blessings,
    Edye // Gracefulcoffee

    Published 4.2.16 · Reply
  20. Congratulations Kate!! You have such a genuine spirit that really inspires me in a lot of ways, thank you for being such an authentic voice online! I was actually inspired by your March favorites video to share how God has been guiding me through the month in my favorites on my blog!! Thank you so much for being such an inspiration!

    http://melliottsmakeup.blogspot.com/

    Published 4.3.16 · Reply
  21. I’m so, SO happy for you Kate! As a recent college grad myself and a stay-at-homer, I’m moving myself this May! Makes me happy that we’re going through the same deal together! All the love and prayers going to you! xoxo – Taylor Aubrey

    Published 4.4.16 · Reply
  22. Congratulations! My tips for decorating is to start slowly, don’t rush to buy something just so it will “finish” the room, make sure you like each and every piece you let enter your space or one day you’ll look at it and think “why on earth did I purchase that!” Congrats again!

    Published 4.4.16 · Reply
  23. Brenda said:

    Hey Kate!

    I am SO excited that your getting an apartment! Please take us on your journey of decorating and etc. I myself am moving into an apartment soon (from the dorms!!) and I’m looking for some inspiration! I love your style and I would love to see how you would plan and decorate a new space! So have you decided that your going to be blogging full time still?

    Well, congrats Kate! I look forward to reading more blogs!

    Published 4.4.16 · Reply
  24. Ashley said:

    Congrats!! Decorating your first apartment is so fun! Target, Wayfair, and Homegoods are my favorite places to shop for home stuff. Happy shopping :)

    Published 4.4.16 · Reply
  25. Marloes te Grotenhuis said:

    Dear Kate,

    Congrats from The Netherlands, I always watch your vlog posts and I love the tips you’re giving on fashion and home decorating.
    I want to wish you all the luck with your new home and i can’t wait for the blog posts. :)

    Kind regards
    Marloes te Grotenhuis
    The Netherlands (Europe)

    Published 4.5.16 · Reply
  26. Victoria Rivera said:

    Congrats Kate! you should check Lulu & Georgia they have amazing décor items!
    https://www.luluandgeorgia.com/

    Published 8.8.16 · Reply