When cooler months roll around, pink, even a pale pink, feels a bit too bright. That’s why I’m excited to share my absolute favorite fall hue with you today, one that delivers in every way Fiji does, but in a autumn-appropriate manner. Friends, meet…
As much as I love color in nearly every aspect of my life, nail polish hues have never been something I’ve gone crazy with. In fact, as boring as it sounds, I’ve become loyal to a few select hues that both flatter my fair skin tone and blend in perfectly with endless ensembles and outfit combinations over the years.
That’s why I’m a nearly year-long Fiji by Essie lover. This pale pink hue is one I keep gravitating towards, as it creates an elegant, clean, bright, and pretty nail. I don’t know what it is, but it’s amazing on every skin tone and always leaves me delighted I decided on it.
But when cooler months roll around, pink, even a pale pink, feels a bit too bright. That’s why I’m excited to share my absolute favorite fall hue with you today, one that delivers in every way Fiji does, but in a autumn-appropriate manner. Friends, meet…
I’ve actually been talking about this shade here and there since it’s debut back in the fall of 2017. But as I get more and more DMs about my nail colors, I figured this gem deserved a blog post of its own!
I stumbled upon it on a trip to Target and was pleasantly shocked at how it was the exact shade I didn’t know I needed. Since I’m naturally pale, beige and nude nail polishes often end up being darker than my skin tone… not necessarily a bad thing, but not the look I love, either.
In my experience, nail polish colors that are lighter than your skin tone are most flattering.
Mixtaupe by Essie delivers that subtle, nude, universally flattering color and if you haven’t tried it yet, I think you’re in for a wonderful surprise!
But here’s the bad news… it’s no longer available on the Essie website, which makes me think they’re no longer producing this perfect shade. I wouldn’t rely on your local nail salon to carry this color, either. Instead, grab it here or here while it’s still available and keep it on hand next time you head in for a manicure!
Here are a few inspiration photos so you can see Mixtaupe on.
Since it looks like I may need a new go-to fall hue soon, I’d love to know what your favorite polish colors are! Do you lean more towards light neutrals or bold accents?
It’s finally here! Launch day for the hats I designed with Africa New Life are available for purchase, and 100% of the proceeds are going to support 5 incredible women through the Africa New Life vocational training program. Hip, hip, hooray!
It’s finally here! Launch day for the hats I designed with Africa New Life are available for purchase, and 100% of the proceeds are going to support 5 incredible women through the Africa New Life vocational training program. Hip, hip, hooray!
I’ll be processing and packing up these orders all week, and can’t wait to get these into your hands. Shipping is free! Don’t forget to share a photo wearing your hat tagging @LonestarSouthern and @AfricaNewLife so I can post it on my Instagram Stories!
Missed the announcement? Catch up on this cause, and why I’m hoping you’ll get involved with me, here!
And finally, if you’re looking to support these women but aren’t interested in a hat, don’t have the budget for a hat, or want to give more towards our goal, you can donate directly HERE. Any amount helps!
I can’t wait to keep you updated as we work towards our goal. Thank you SO much for jumping in!
We’ve officially entered that awkward in-between season. You know, the one in which I wear shorts and a t-shirt while shopping for cashmere sweaters I absolutely do not need for my next two years of Florida life.
I usually reserve my roundups of the cutest new arrivals to hit the web for Fridays, but since today is technically still a part of the long weekend, I hoped y’all wouldn’t mind an exception today!
We’ve officially entered that awkward in-between season. You know, the one in which I wear shorts and a t-shirt while shopping for cashmere sweaters I absolutely do not need for my next two years of Florida life.
I suppose it’s fitting, therefore that today’s roundup would be a little all over the place in terms of new arrivals I’m loving… from lightweight athletic dresses to cozy-chic sweater dresses.
I hope you enjoy the schmorgesborg! As always, simply click on an item below to shop.
I’d love to know what you’re enjoying browsing online for right now… warm-weather staples? Fun fall finds? Let me know in the comments below!
One piece you can wear no matter the weather? The baseball caps I designed with Africa New Life… that launch TOMORROW morning! I am so excited to get together in support of five incredible women, and know tomorrow morning is going to be amazing. Don’t forget to set your alarm for 9amCST/10amEST and click here for all the info!
I am so excited to finally share all the details on a project I’ve been working on over the past couple of months. Mark your calendars, because this coming Tuesday at 10amEST/9amCST, I’m thrilled to be launching a limited collection of baseball caps I designed in support of five special women with Africa New Life!
I am so excited to finally share all the details on a project I’ve been working on over the past couple of months. I’m thrilled to be launching a limited collection of baseball caps I designed in support of five special women with Africa New Life!
Some of you may remember my trip to Rwanda at the beginning of the year. As a quick refresher, I was invited by the Africa New Life team to witness firsthand (keyword: witness… I didn’t do a single thing but observe and share while there) the incredible work the Rwandan-founded and Rwandan-operated organization is doing to disrupt cyclical poverty in Rwanda.
How? There’s a myriad of amazing things ANL is doing, but in a nutshell, through providing children with access to food and education! This past January, together you and I raised over $10,000 for the Africa New Life school lunch program, something I will always be blown away by!
As you can imagine, COVID-19 has impacted life in Rwanda, as well as the role Africa New Life is seeking to play, in massive ways. Thankfully, the Rwandans of Africa New Life are rising to the challenge, and I’m so excited that we have the opportunity to help support their efforts!
One of the ways Africa New Life is making a difference is through its Women’s Vocational Program, which you can read all about here! This one-year vocational training program provides employable skills in sewing or cosmetology, alongside childcare for pre-school children, all infused with Christian discipleship. Each year this program moves 80-95 women and 40 of their young children toward a better life.
Earlier this year, we were able to make an impact on the Africa New Life budget food budget, benefiting thousands of children. Today, I’m hopeful that we can come together again… this time, to provide scholarships to the Women’s Vocational Program for five incredible women!
the who
Friends, meet the five women that together, I’m confident we can support through the Africa New Life Women’s Vocational Program! Not only have they have given Africa New Life and me permission to share their photos and stories with you, but they are also so hopeful and excited about this opportunity.
Clarisse Niwerwibutso
Clarisse Niwerwibutso is 25 years old and single with two children. She is an only child and lives with her mother in a rental home. Her mother worked as a farmer when Clarisse was young and was able to put her through secondary school. Now Clarisse provides for her mother by finding temporary jobs like housecleaning and laundry. She loves sewing because her mother used to sew. Clarisse plans to become a master at sewing so she can support her children and teach others.
ANTOINETTE NYIRAMINANI
Antoinette Nyiraminani is 26 years old and married without children. Her mother died in childbirth with Antoinette, leaving behind eight children. Her father remarried quickly. School was difficult for Antoinette and she did not consider attending university. Instead, she looked for a job. When she could not find one, she found herself getting married young. Her husband has a small job which provides for the rent and a little food. They pray for children. She wants to learn sewing so she can get a job, and teach other women in situations like hers.
MARIE LOUISE NAHIMANA NDITONZI
Marie Louise Nahimana Nditonzi is 25 years old and married with one child. She grew up with two siblings and both parents, and she was able to complete secondary school before getting married. Her husband finds some work but it only meets their most basic needs. They struggle to pay the school fees for their son. Marie Louise’s goal is to learn how to sew so she can support her family and teach others.
MANIRAHARI NAOME
Manirahari Naome is 20 years old and unmarried. She has three siblings, and both parents. Her father is disabled, and her mother doesn’t have a reliable job since she cares for the family. Manirahari completed Secondary 3 (ninth grade) but could not afford to continue. Her siblings dropped out at the same time. Their life is difficult, and the family relies upon one of the sisters who uses her small income to buy food. Manirahari’s goal is to learn how to sew so she can begin working, and support her family.
AKAYEZU ASSOUMPTA
Akayezu Assoumpta is 20 years old and unmarried. She is a middle child with four siblings, all raised by her mother alone. Akayezu completed secondary school, but university was not possible due to cost. She describes herself as always dependent on her mother. Her goal is to open a sewing co-op to earn income with others. Akayezu wants to work hard and not only be self reliant, but also to meet the needs of her family. She dreams of returning to school and earning a university degree in land surveying.
I love how similar in age many of us are with these five ladies. Antionette and I are just a year apart, and my sister is nearly Clarisse’s age! What a huge honor that we have the opportunity to be a part of their stories and their amazing futures.
It’s no secret that this is a hard time for everyone, and I wanted to go further than simply asking you to hit a donate button in order to reach this goal. So my wheels were spinning… what could I create that would be super fun, very on-brand, and enjoyable by everyone, no matter age/size/etc? Voila, a small collection of embroidered baseball caps came to be!
I was inspired by the three beautiful, bold stripes of the Rwandan flag, the happy shades of pink I’m always drawn to (taken from this website), and the simplicity and versatility of a white baseball cap. After showing Andrew the first mockup, he expressed how he wanted to jump in too… and lo and behold, the khaki stripe style was born.
Andrew and I are huge baseball cap fans, and have loved wearing these around this week. I think you (and your guys!) are going to love them, and am so excited to get them in your hands!
So head here to grab one for yourself… and maybe a few for friends! :)
the goal
The cost of one woman’s attendance in the Vocational Program is $1,800 per year. I am praying that together, we can raise the nearly $10,000 needed to make the Women’s Vocational Program a reality for Clarisse, Antionette, Marie Louise, Manirahari and Akayezu! I’m happy to share that 100% of the profits are going directly to the scholarships of these ladies!
If you aren’t interested in a hat, it’s not in your budget at this time but you still want to jump in, or you’d love to give more to this effort, I have a donation link here, where you can start giving today! Every single dollar counts, and if we are able to surpass our goal, the funds will go to other scholarships for the Women’s Vocational Program!
I’ll be sharing more in these hats in the coming days over on my Instagram Story, and will create an Instagram Highlight tab for you to refer to. When you receive your hat, I’d absolutely love for you to share a photo of it on your feed or story and tag me… I’ll be reposting each one on my story!
I know firsthand how powerful it is when women come together to support other women, and I’m praying that this coming Tuesday, we are able to richly bless the lives of Clarisse, Antionette, Marie Louise, Manirahari and Akayezu with this fundraiser! I am so grateful for this incredible community of women (you!!), all the fun we’ve had over the years, and especially the moments we’ve been able to team up to make a difference.
While I’m usually one to hit “unsubscribe” to every email list I find myself on, there’s one I actually look forward to opening every day… that of one of my favorite Dallas-based brands, Mi Golondrina!
While I’m usually one to hit “unsubscribe” to every email list I find myself on, there’s one I actually look forward to opening every day… that of one of my favorite Dallas-based brands, Mi Golondrina!
Odds are you’ve heard me gush about this brand before. Each piece is beautifully hand-crafted by artisans in Mexico, and are simply magical. The stunning, vibrant, and unique color combinations truly take me away. Y’all know I love color, and there’s no short of it with these stunning pieces!
Over the past few years, I’ve found myself “collecting” Mi Golondrina pieces, if you can even say that about articles of clothing. They are definitely an investment, but one I feel really, really good about given the stunning craftsmanship. (And that’s saying a lot considering you know how much I love a bargain buy!)
So when I saw an email announcing the arrival of the stunning Gabriela blouse, with hand pulled lace detailing and gorgeous embroidered flowers, I couldn’t add it to my cart fast enough. And let me tell you, unboxing it late last week was even more of a thrill!
I will never forget, as a young girl, combing through the pieces of clothing my mother had saved from over the years. My personal favorite was always her gorgeous pink embroidered Mexican dress, so perhaps it makes sense that I’m drawn to that same artistry now. (Do you remember when I decorated my apartment bedroom in pink otomi?)
Even when puffy sleeves and exaggerated ruffles are no longer “in style”, I look forward to this Mi Golondrina piece brightening up my closet for years to come.
I cannot recommend following the Mi Golondrina Instagram page enough! Christina, founder and visionary behind the line, always does an amazing job of showcasing new pieces on Instagram Stories, oftentimes the day before they launch. I feel like she’s always launching something new, and following along on Instagram has enabled me to stay in the loop!
P.S. I always get asked about sizing for Mi Golondrina. I would suggest ordering your usual size, but since the pieces are generally roomy and blousy, you have a little bit of flexibility to go up or down. For example, I own both x-small and small in a few different silhouettes, and really can’t tell that big of a difference. The Mi Golondrina team says if you have a bigger bust, however, it’s a good idea to go up one size. The team is always so helpful to reach out to if you need sizing help!
Whether you’re already layering up, or you still have a few weeks to go before even thinking about ordering your first pumpkin spice latte, I hope these ensembles have you looking forward to what’s ahead.
Last week, I finally started getting antsy for fall. There’s something about nearing the end of August that always gets me in the spirit! Does that happen to anyone else?
On the off chance you’re feeling the same way (something tells me we’re all in the same boat on this one!) I thought it would be fun to share four affordable fallish outfits, and you’ll never guess where they’re from.
So whether you’re already layering up, or you still have a few weeks to go before even thinking about ordering your first pumpkin spice latte, I hope these ensembles have you looking forward to what’s ahead.
Oh, and thanks to Walmart’s attainable price points, each ensemble is well under $100… total!
This pretty floral blouse is giving me major Anthropologie vibes… but for just $13! I accidentally picked up a Medium, but would recommend going with your normal side. Heads up, this top comes in three other beautiful colors!
I also have to give it to the Sofia Vergara line of denim… I have found so many great pairs of affordable jeans here! Since I’m 5’2″, I love that the line offers a variety of lengths. I always go with the short inseam (25″) for a perfect fit.
I could live in classic t-shirts, especially striped ones! This one, in particular, has the prettiest burnt orange hue to it, matching all of my favorite fall shoes and bags perfectly. Keep in mind, the neck is a tad bit larger than a true crewneck, but it looks fabulous layered!
These $18 booties have lots of five-star reviews, and I give them two thumbs up as well! They have a very flattering and classic shape to them that I can pair with nearly any ensemble!
One piece I’m especially excited about is these $19 leopard sneakers! I bought this pair last year (worn here and here), and they quickly became my most-worn shoe of the season. Many of y’all ordered them and DM’d me to say you’d become obsessed as well! They’re incredibly comfortable, fit true to size, and truly go with everything. So happy to see them back in stock! (They were fully stocked as of last Friday, but I don’t think they’ll last long!)
I’m also obsessed with this camo sweatshirt. I sized up all the way to a large for a really big, roomy look, but love the more trim, J.Crew look of ordering your usual size as well.
Red and navy stripes? Yes please! This t-shirt dress is a Florida gal’s dream. Cute, classic, and extremely lightweight. Sizing heads up: it’s really long on me, which makes it a perfect candidate for belting or tying up with jean jackets or sweaters!
I’ll have a try on for each look linked up in my LIKEtoKNOW.it app, so be sure to head there for a better look and further sizing details on each piece! And as always, I’d love to know your favorite!
Love from the Lonestar State,
Kate
Thank you, Walmart, for sponsoring this post.
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