TOP applique peplum top (wearing size XS, also here and here) | JEANS abercrombie white skinny jeans (wearing 25 short) | WATCH michele deco watch | CLUTCH ysl clutch (old, similar linked) | SHOES stuart weitzman nudist heels (similar color linked) | EARRINGS liza yates gold floral pearl earrings

This probably isn’t the first time you’ve seen this darling applique peplum top here on Lonestar Southern. I’ve had my eye on it since May, when I included it in this post, and have been waiting for it to go on sale in my size ever since.

After a series of out-of-stocks and restocks, I finally managed to snatch it up for under $50. Turns out, the wait was well worth it! The fabric is beautiful, and gives the top a far more expensive vibe than it is.

While sizes are limited and this blouse continues to sell out quickly, I recommend you keep checking on it if it’s a piece you’re wanting to add to your closet. That’s the strategy I employed, and after a big of waiting, it worked for me!

After a bit of digging, I found that it’s from a new-to-me line called Samsoe Samsoe, a European brand that embodies classic, simple silhouettes that look as if they were created to be worn all around Paris. While I don’t think they ship to the US as of now, I did find that the line is carried here in the states at Nordstrom and Intermix. I can’t wait to keep my eye on this brand in the future!

In the meantime, I rounded up a few other peplum styles that are reminiscent of this fun blouse. Take a peek below!

 

 

Love from the Sunshine State,

Kate

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TOP green smocked top (wearing size 4US, but wish I’d ordered a 2US) | BAG senreve midi maestra in pebbled chestnut | SHOES caramel ballet flats (chanel, similar linked) | JEANS abercrombie skinny jeans (these are my favorite! wearing a 25 short) | EARRINGS gold and white floral dangle earrings (sold out from Liza Yates, similar here) | HEADBAND white knotted headband (old Anthropologie, similar linked)

I’ve always loved green, but lately, it’s been creeping more and more onto my radar. There’s something timeless and transient about green, and this beautiful blouse perfectly showcases why I’m crushing on this hue as of late!

The floral fabric is a lovely, crisp cotton fashioned sweetly into a smocked neckline. And you know how I feel about a puffed-sleeve… feminine through and through!

I love the attainable price point, as well. This blouse looks far more expensive than $55, and since it will work gorgeously into fall as well (just picture it with dark-wash denim and boots!), you’re really getting a wonderful piece for the price!

I typically size up to a 4US in Topshop, since the line tends to run a bit small. That’s what I ordered in this top as well, but to my surprise, it fit a little bit big. (Nothing egregious, though, I’ll still be keeping it.) So in this particular instance, my advice? Order your normal blouse size and disregard the “(fits like ___)” on the side. So, for example, I would in retrospect order a 2US.

Here are a few other pieces I’m green with envy over. Get it?

 

all things green

 

 

As you may have seen on Instagram, I road tripped to the beach on Friday and am so happy to be here for the week with my much-missed family! While we typically have a marathon of restaurant-visits lined up for this week, this year we’re staying in and cooking at home. While I miss our favorite spots, it’s been wonderful and so, so restful to go straight from the beach to dinner in pajamas!

I do have few fun posts planned for this week ahead, so stay tuned!

Love from the Sunshine State,

Kate

I’ve been talking about Barrington bags almost as long as I’ve been blogging. The Dallas-based leather goods company was one of the first to ever collaborate with me, and I’ve been in love with their customizable products ever since! (Check out this post for a good throwback.)

I always love when the brand releases a new pattern or color. Their custom bag builder tool has provided me endless hours of entertainment, combining different color and monogram options. Too much fun! So when they announced their new giant monogram option earlier this week, I did a little happy dance.

And then spent far too long playing around with the new addition. Oops.

No surprise here, I’m loving this fun new monogram option. It’s bold and fresh, and updates the classic monogram in a really fun way.

I thought it would be fun to share a few of the favorite color combinations I came up with while using the custom bag builder tool! It can be overwhelming to design your first (or fifth) Barrington because of all the beautiful options, so I hope these provide a bit of inspiration.

Check out my favorites below. You’ll find the exact pattern and color information below each set!

 

favorite barrington color combinations

 

BAG: blush chambray // MONOGRAM: punch-white

 

 

BAG: green rattan // MONOGRAM: buff-white

 

 

BAG: stone chambray // MONOGRAM: cloud-cadet

 

 

BAG: navy fireworks // MONOGRAM: white-summer navy

 

 

BAG: oyster grey geometric // MONOGRAM: buff-white

 

 

BAG: chequers // MONOGRAM: rosé-blush

 

 

BAG: black geometric // MONOGRAM: black-white

 

 

Now I’m dying to know… which combination is your favorite? To design your own, head here!

Before signing off, I had to mention what fabulous gifts these pieces make. I normally loath a generic gift card, but for the graduate/new mama/best friend birthday in your life, a Barrington gift card would be such a cute gift idea! That way, the recipient gets to design exactly what they enjoy. (And dhe design process is part of the fun!)

Think of it as Build-a-Bear for adults! :)

Love from the Sunshine State,

Kate

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outfit details

TOP colorful tassel blouse (40% off today with code LOVEIT) | JEAN SHORTS wild fable high rise jean shorts ($15, wearing size 2, size up one size from your typical jean size) | SHOES gold platform sandals (fit tts) | HEADBAND white knot headband (old, similar linked) | BAG white straw bag | EARRINGS wide gold hoop earrings (old H&M, similar linked) | BRACELETS allie + bess 6mm bracelets

home details

LAMPS white woven lamps (homegoods find) | CREDENZA white credenza | ART blue and white prints (sold out from Wisteria) | PILLOWS custom made | TUREEN herend princess victoria tureen

 

I don’t know about you, but I’ve been on the hunt all spring and summer for the seemingly-everywhere but oddly elusive, perfect pair of jean shorts. And after countless misfires, I finally landed upon the perfect set in the most unlikely place and at the most unlikely pricepoint…

Target, for $15!

Why does this budget-friendly pair of jean shorts win first place among a sea of higher-priced competitors?

For starters, the fit! Finally, a pair of jean shorts that fits narrowly at the waist, but doesn’t remain tight through the leg. I am typically a 25/0 in jeans and sized up to a 2 in these shorts. The waist is really fitted, but I’ve found that the shorts ease up in a good way over the course of a wear. So, I recommend sizing up one from your normal jean size! For more insight, check out the reviews.

Secondly, I love the color options. I ordered both the white and the light blue and found they both had an identical fit and looked fabulous in person. In fact, I loved them both so much that I just ordered the darker blue and will keep you updated when it arrives!

Finally, the price point. I truly can’t believe the best pair of jean shorts I’ve found this season is also the cheapest I’ve found… by a long shot! At $15 a pop, I don’t feel a twinge of guilt scooping up all three colors for a grand total of $45. Isn’t that the best?

Now, a couple things worth mentioning. For starters, I haven’t washed these yet. I’ll be sure to wash on cold and hang dry so they don’t shrink, but I’ll let you know if that doesn’t work. Secondly, the fringe was a bit too aggressive for me, so I took a pair of scissors to it! The result? A cleaner hemline that I love much more, although it does make them look a bit shorter.

All in all, I am so excited about this budget-friendly find. Currently, the white, light blue and dark blue styles are fully in stock in sizes 00-18.

Almost feels to good to be true! Best jean shorts ever.

Love from the Sunshine State,

Kate

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DRESS blue and white toile dress (c/o, wearing size XS) | SHOES white espadrille wedges (similar here) | EARRINGS pearl studs (similar linked) | BRACELET woven bangle | TOTE woven straw tote (sold out, cute seashell style linked here)

Ever since I started the decorating process for our home here in Florida, I’ve found myself drawn more and more to the classic color combination of blue and white. Granted, I’ve always appreciated this scheme… but something about the timeless nature of the two hues has found its way into not just my home, but my recent wardrobe picks as well.

I absolutely love the way these two colors are utilized in this unique, lovely dress from Tuckernuck. From the neckline to the detailing along the hem, not to mention the gorgeous toile pattern, each detail works in tandem to create a piece that is simultaneously timeless and fresh. In a nutshell, I couldn’t love it more!

A few other items I’m loving in blue and white? This personalized hair ribbon, this swimsuit (I’ve never owned a more flattering two piece) and these tumblers. And that’s just the start!

Any color scheme you’re currently crushing on?

Love from the Sunshine State,

Kate