The Life of Katie!

Happy happy Tuesday, y’all! Today is the day after Valentine’s Day and is a day in which it feels like a return to nothing but reality. Personally, I have always loved holidays such as Valentine’s Day and embrace my singleness and self love to yours truly and going back to my typical day to day life beyond allll the hearts and pink and red items on the shelves of every store. BUT, Valentine’s Day isn’t just the only time and excuse that we have for self love and care – it should be every day. Today, I’m sharing with y’all a peek into the Life of Katie and, yes, life beyond Valentine’s Day!

  • Exciting professional opportunities – This past week has been nothing but a whirlwind of excitement for me professionally. I’ve been onboarding to a project that’s in an area that I’ve since become extremely fascinated with since learning more about it and working on it on a very minimal basis back in December. While I won’t share much about my work on here, I will say that I am REALLY excited about this project and my future growth professionally on it. This project requires that I go into the office starting most likely this Spring sometime every Tuesday and Wednesday which will be so great for my social soul! At the same time, I am also on a planning committee for a STEM-related female empowerment group at my company, and it has been nothing but a blessing to me.
  • Neurodiversity awareness thanks to The Bachelor – So, if you follow me on Instagram (@_thepinkchickadee) – I’d LOVE to connect! Then, you probably already know about my major obsession with ABC’s The Bachelor Franchise. This season of The Bachelor starred Elizabeth – a neurodivergent woman who was proudly open about her disability on the show. While there was a bit of drama this season, as always, Elizabeth truly preached on being a woman who has a disability and others, including myself, rallied behind her. Elizabeth truly created a safe space for all of those to share their disabilities and embrace their differences, too. Trust me, it has been a beautiful thing. Everybody is unique and having Elizabeth on The Bachelor truly showed that to us all.
  • Enjoying Shonda Rhimes’ Inventing Anna on Netflix – Just like The Bachelor, I am ALSO a major major major fan of Grey’s Anatomy! The writer of Grey’s Anatomy is Shonda Rhimes – who recently wrote Inventing Anna aka the Netflix series documenting the true story of Anna Delvy who is actually Anna Sorokin. Anna Sorokin was a Russian/German socialite con artist who changed her name to Anna Delvy and moved to New York City and conned several thousands of dollars out of several folks. Anna Sorokin was famously in the news, given her arrest, trial, and imprisonment following her scandal. Needless to say, Anna Sorokin walked all A LOT of people and her story is extremely intriguing. Not to mention, my inner Grey’s Anatomy fangirl LOVED seeing some of the show’s many supporting actors in Inventing Anna. Read more about her story and a bit more about the Netflix film series by THE ICONIC Shonda Rhimes here.
  • Booking up my Spring/Summer 2022!! – Yep, you heard that right. My calendar’s ALREADY booking up for Spring/Summer 2022. LOTS of excitement is happening over the next coming months. Some of the festivities include: turning 23, graduation ceremonies and parties, a good friend’s 21st Birthday, conferences and galas hosted close to home, and much more! As someone who likes to stay busy, I am OH SO glad that I can live my hustling life that I so truly love to the fullest.
  • Binge-watched Netflix’s Sweet Magnolias Season 2 in a day – Many of us fellow bloggers LOVE Netflix’s original series – Sweet Magnolia’s. While I won’t share any spoilers here in this post, I will say that I did watch the entire Season 2 in a day, which was A BALL to do, too! There were a ton of mic drop moments over the course of Season 2. At the same time, I really enjoyed ALL the gorgeous fashion statements made by several of the characters throughout the season. ALSO, I love love love some good olde Southern Charm, and Sweet Magnolia’s gives me that charm that I so miss while living up North (although, I prefer living up North at the moment!). Bring on Season 3, Netflix!
  • Draper James x Kohl’s Collaboration Fangirling – So, Draper James recently dropped a GORGEOUS collaboration with Draper James. The pieces come at a much more affordable price when compared to the brand’s usual retail price on their main site. Many of the pieces are super classic as per usual with Draper James and workwear ready to go. Knowing me, I will *probably* be purchasing some new pieces to add to my work wardrobe as I go into the office this Spring. Below, I have linked some of my favorite products from the collaboration!
  • Girl’s Weekend with Bryn last weekend & Girl’s Weekend with Alanna and Hannah this weekend – So, this past weekend, my Instagram was FLOODED with photos of me and my best friend Bryn’s Girl’s Weekend here in the Washington, DC area. A fun fact about Bryn is that she actually grew up here in the Northern Virginia area and moved down to North Carolina. Like myself, she wants to relocate to here after she graduates from college – something that we both bond over regularly! We both explored so much of the Washington, DC area – from the National Mall, the White House, Reston Town Center, her old neighborhood, The Wharf, and everywhere in between! The time that I had with Bryn was nothing but priceless and is irreplaceable. Such special memories were made, and I am SO excited to celebrate my best friend Alanna’s Birthday THIS WEEKEND down in good olde Raleigh, North Carolina and have a 3 night slumber party with her and my best friend Hannah at her new place in the area. I love these girls more than words can say – they’re truly the best best friends I could ask for, amongst others too!!!
  • Women in STEM awareness at the Smithsonian this March – The other day, I was on LinkedIn. Actually, it was a Saturday – haha! Well, I saw a post on something quite amazing – orange statues going up at Washington, DC’s Smithsonian in honor of Women in STEM. As a PROUD Woman in STEM, I am more than excited about this display throughout the majority of March here in my own city. Women empowerment is so so so important, and especially, for women in STEM who sometimes to me feel like a dime a dozen.
  • Marshall’s/TJ Maxx Swimwear Obsessed – Recently, I have been OBSESSED with Marshall’s and TJ Maxx’s swimwear pieces. I’ve most definitely been browsing a lot lately online, but luckily for my wallet, have yet to commit to buying anything from it. BUT, I do plan to buy an adorable new swimsuit this season. Below, I have linked some of my favorites that are currently online!

Whew! Now, that was a lot. I hope y’all are well, and, as always remember to take time for YOU!

XOXO – Katie <3

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Memorial Day Weekend 2021 Sales Going On NOW!

Tis the season for a sale! Memorial Day weekend is such a great time to stock up on some excellent deals throughout the sweet summertime. Today, I have rounded up some of the current sales going on, so you can have them all in one place!

*Disclaimer: Please note that this post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase through one of my links, then I will receive a small commission. This commission is at no extra cost to you. Additionally, this post is not sponsored, and all opinions are my own.*

Fashion

Beauty

Home

Miscellaneous

All of the Above

My look:

  • Dress: Hatley (thrifted years ago)
  • Hat: Marley Lilly (currently out of stock)
  • Earrings: SugarFix by Bauble Bar at Target (got a few years ago)

Cheers to those great deals!!!

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Black Friday Deals to Shop this November 2020!

With everything going on, one thing that remains consistent is the Black Friday Sales. In fact, they may even be better than in years past (they always seem to)!!! While it is not the safest option to shop in-stores this Black Friday, several stores are offering online Black Friday deals to enjoy right from your couch. That being said, I have provided a long list of Black Friday deals from your favorite stores and MORE!

Fashion

Beauty

Home

Miscellaneous

All of the Above

Happy Shopping!!!

XOXO – Katie <3

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Black Friday Deals to Shop This 2020

With 2020 being one ride of a year for us all, it only is necessary that our favorite stores start offering Black Friday deals right now. You heard me right: several stores are offering Black Friday deals right now!!!! Today, I have rounded up a bunch of stores that are offering deals for your own online Christmas and/or treat yourself shopping sprees. Happy shopping!!!

XOXO – Katie <3

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What I Wore Last Week

Hey y’all! If you have not heard already, I started a style series called Katie’s Confetti Style. Each day, usually weekdays, I will be sharing how I style a different piece in my closet for various occasions/seasons. I’m really excited that my first-ever week of Katie’s Confetti Style has been a success!!! Today, I will be sharing a round up of each of my four looks from throughout the week.

Monday: Lilly Pulitzer Skort for Fall

Start it out with a BANG! To kick off Katie’s Confetti Style, I decided to style none other than a piece from my favorite fashion designer: Lilly Pulitzer. Since I have SO MUCH Lilly Pulitzer in my closet, I opted to style my skort in my favorite print from this past Spring – Who Let The Fronds Out. With this print being extremely summery, I knew that it would be a super fun challenge to style for the Fall season. To transition this skort of mine to Fall, I paired it with a long sleeve grey top that I have had for years from Kohl’s along with a baby pink tweed jacket that I thrifted from the Nice, France-based fashion house Faconnable. To top it off, I added my pearl strands that I have had for years from Nordstrom Rack along with my vintage pink silk scarf that I wore as a hairband. Last but not least, NO Fall look is complete without riding boots and pink knee high socks courtesy of Target, like the one’s I am wearing from Tommy Hilfiger!

Tuesday: Dressing Up a Flannel

For the First Day of Fall, I could not choose a better piece to style than a flannel. The flannel that I am wearing is from Vineyard Vines and was gifted to me by my step mother about a month after I moved into my first semester at Meredith. To dress up my flannel while staying comfy, I wore my black Nicole Miller leggings that I purchased from TJ Maxx and added some dressy accessories, including my J Crew Factory necklace that I have had for years and my pearl embroidered top knot hairband from Madison Boutique in Raleigh. Lastly, I could not not wear my Tommy Hilfiger riding boots yet again!

Wednesday: PINK!

On Wednesday’s we wear pink! If you’re a Mean Girls fan like myself, then you know that quote ALL too well!!! As silly as it sounds, I just LOVE wearing pink on a Wednesday – it is my favorite color so what can I say?! For styling my pink outfit of the day, I decided to wear my long sleeve hot pink top from one of my favorite small North Carolina-based businesses Haley & the Hound and pair it with a Lilly Pulitzer skirt that I have had for years which I got from ThredUp. Since the skirt is in more of a geometric print, I knew that it could easily work for Fall! To top it all off, I added my Elie Tahari black and white bow flats.

Friday: Dressing the Part for a Virtual Career Fair!

Coincidentally, Friday happened to be a rainy day and also the day of Meredith College’s Virtual Career Fair. Since I strongly dislike getting my fancy shoes wet and well everything is on a virtual front for the time being, I decided to style my tweed Rebecca Taylor dress with my pink Hunter Boots. I mean everything is done better in pink aka the Elle Woods way, right?!

Katie’s Confetti Style has most definitely become a highlight of my day to day life. I know that y’all enjoy seeing them too!

XOXO – Katie <3

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My Lilly Pulitzer Inspired College Apartment

Hey y’all! I am SO excited for today’s post, which is an Apartment Reveal of my on-campus college apartment!!! This is my second year living in this gorgeous apartment that I LOVE to call my home, but I definitely did some decorating here and there since moving in last week. Decorating is one of my favorite hobbies and if I could do it ALL DAY EVERYDAY, then I would. I get such an adrenaline from shopping for decor, especially on a budget. Keeping this in mind, the majority of things in my apartment are from Marshall’s/Home Goods/TJ Maxx, The Dollar Tree, Walmart, The Christmas Tree Shops, Amazon, Hobby Lobby, small businesses such as The Redheaded Camel, The Local Squirrel, and Pamlico Paper Company, gifted to me, things that I already had, secondhand finds, and DIY. My apartment was furnished for the most part, which is an extreme blessing! Hopefully, I can provide you with some decoration inspiration for your own place. Enjoy!!!

XOXO – Katie <3

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25 Budget-Friendly Preppy Back To School Staples

1 – Hairband

Hairbands are such a fun way to spice up any look. From embroidered to studded with pearls to solid colored to printed, the options for a cute hairband are ENDLESS! Luckily, there are many ways to style a hairband for a fraction of the cost. I have purchased hairbands from Lilly Pulitzer, when studying abroad in Belize, and Old Navy. Whatever your style is, a hairband is such a fun way to spice up your back to school wardrobe for a fraction of the cost.

2 – Fun Necklaces

Like hairbands, fun necklaces also come in a variety of gorgeous styles! I have found my favorites at J Crew Factory, Talbots, Target, and while thrifting. Each of these stores has super great sales and deals, as compared to many other places. That being said, getting a fun necklace is a great way to find a great find at an even greater price!

3 – Department Store Finds

Whoever said department stores were not fun to shop at clearly never loved finding a great deal! Belk, Dillard’s, Macy’s, JC Penney, and Kohl’s alike all offer AMAZING deals at a steal of the cost. Each of these stores has great in-house brands and name brands for clothing. Belk offers preppy brands Crown & Ivy in-house and Lilly Pulitzer as a name brand on their website. One of the best things about department stores is the COUPONS! Most of the time, department store merchandise may appear to be overpriced, but the coupons and plethora of sales that they offer significantly reduce the prices and BRING ON THE DEALS!!!

4 – Scrunchies

I like to think that if Gossip Girl were filmed today, then Blair Waldorf would have worn scrunchies over hairbands. Although hairbands are super in-style at the moment, scrunchies are definitely also having a big moment. I have found some of my favorite scrunchies at The Dollar Tree and Walmart for under $5 of all places. Target also has some great scrunchie scores as well. The super fun hair accessory is such an affordable and fun piece to spice up your ponytails/buns in the classroom!

5 – Outlet Finds

Outlets are definitively the new black!!! Practically every preppy fashion house has an outlet, which usually offers great deals on their clothing at a fraction of the cost. While the clothing may not be the latest and greatest, it usually is still pretty on trend with the latest styles and in some stores I have seen the same designer finds in both the outlet and flagship shops. Stores such as Vineyard Vines, Tory Burch, Kate Spade, Old Navy, Ralph Lauren, Francesca’s, Tommy Hilfiger, GAP, J Crew, and Vera Bradley ALL have outlet stores. The best part: most of these outlet stores have AMAZING sales that are even better than their non-outlet counterparts. I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling plenty of great deals coming your way!

6 – Blanket Scarf

Love me a blanket scarf! This Fall and Winter staple is such a great addition to any wardrobe. You can either dress it up or down for the occasion, and they’re great to wear to and from classes. Stores such as Old Navy, Forever 21, H&M, J Crew Factory, and Target each have several adorable blanket scarf options to fit your Back to School wardrobe’s desires. However you choose to dress it, a blanket scarf will be an affordable staple for your wardrobe this season and many more moving forward.

7 – Fun Stationary

Having fun stationary is always a great way to start off your classes with a bang! Not only will your stationary have some bubbly pops of colors, but they will also be uniquely your own. Walmart, Target, Staple’s, Michael’s, Hobby Lobby, and Marshall’s, TJ Maxx, and Ross ALLL offer super adorable stationary at a fraction of the cost. However you choose to style your stationary, getting your necessary back to school classroom staples with a fun pop of color is such a fun way to ring in the new school year!!

8 – TJ Maxx/Marshall’s/Ross Finds

When in doubt, go to TJ Maxx (or Marshall’s or even Ross)! Each of these amazing stores carries everything from clothing to shoes and accessories to home decor and even stationary for ALL at a fraction of the cost! I have found Lilly Pulitzer, Vineyard Vines, Calvin Klein, Jack Rogers, Rebecca Taylor, Michael Kors, and Kate Spade pieces here at a much more affordable price than in their flagship stores. Sometimes, the prices are even better than the outlets! It is all just a luck of the draw to see what you find on your TJ Maxx, Marshall’s, or Ross hunt. That being said, TJ Maxx, Marshall’s, and Ross are definitely the places to go!!

9 – Monogrammed Tees

If it’s not moving, then why not monogram it?! Monogrammed tees are such a fun and adorable preppy addition for any preppy lady’s wardrobe. You can dress it up with a skirt or dress it down with yoga pants/leggings or shorts. You can even style a monogrammed tee with your pajama pants! My favorite places to shop for monogrammed tees are United Monograms and Marley Lilly, as they’re always having sales and great deals on some fun monogrammed finds. However, Etsy also have some good deals depending on the shop that you are purchasing from. When in doubt, let’s monogram it!!!

10 – Kate Spade Surprise Sale Finds

Who doesn’t love a SURPRISE SALE?! I sure do!!! Luckily for all of my Kate Spade lovers, Kate Spade occasionally offers a Surprise Sale. Let me just tell y’all: the deals are AMAZING! I have purchased a pair of stud earrings for $21 as well as a billfold wallet for under $60. If you sign up for their email list, then you can get in on all the fun and stay up to date with the latest and greatest of the brand’s sales. If you LOVE Kate Spade, then most definitely shop their Surprise Sales – it’s like a Lilly Pulitzer After Party Sale Kate Spade edition!

11 – Silk Scarf

Silk scarves are such a fun way to spice up a tote bag or ponytail. Whether printed or solid, they’re definitely a super adorable staple, especially for the Back to School season. I have recently become obsessed with this new trend, as I can style a silk scarf in SO MANY different ways. Additionally, I feel it adds a nice European accent! A Hermes silk scarf anyone?! However you choose to style yours, a silk scarf is definitely a fun Back to School accessory for your wardrobe.

12 – Leggings

Leggings! Leggings! Leggings!!! Leggings are such a comfortable and versatile staple to add to your wardrobe, especially when in classes and studying. While places such as Lululemon and Lilly Pulitzer sell them at a steep cost, Kohl’s, Old Navy, Marshall’s, TJ Maxx, Ross, and Nordstrom Rack each carry them at a fraction of the cost and with the same exact quality. Leggings are also such a fun staple that comes in practically every print and color. That way YOU can find the perfect pair(s) for YOU!

13 – Fun Earrings

I have been a major addict for super fun earrings at a steal of the cost! My favorite places to shop for earrings include: Target, TJ Maxx, Cora’s Den, Nordstrom Rack, Marshall’s, and Ross. Fun earrings are real great to style with a t-shirt and leggings in the classroom or with a dress for a night out/Zoom happy hour with the girls. Wherever I go, I am ALWAYS looking for some good deals on earrings, and I know y’all will too!

14 – Nordstrom Rack Finds

Nordstrom Rack is known as the outlet for the notable Nordstrom. Nordstrom Rack has AMAZING deals on everything from clothing to makeup to shoes and accessories. Through it all, Nordstrom Rack offers ALLL of the designer deals at a steal of the price! If you don’t have a Nordstrom Rack near your house, then hit up their website to also find some great deals like you would in store. As a Nordstrom lover, I have become an even bigger lover of Nordstrom Rack being the deal-seeker that I am!

15 – Kendra Scott’s Birthday Discount

Who doesn’t love celebrating a birthday with a DISCOUNT?! You heard me RIGHT!! Kendra Scott offers a 50% birthday discount to its customers throughout the month of their birthday. That being said, you can score all of your dream Kendra Scott finds at a fraction of the price. I know that you can use this discount online if you sign up for emails as well as in-store as long as the birthday person has their ID with them. Kendra Scott definitely makes celebrating a birthday be celebrating the right way!!!

16 – Monogrammed Wine Glass

Monograms are clearly a preppy fashion staple! Why not put it on a wine glass?! After a long day of classes and meetings especially through Zoom, it’s always super fun to pop out an ADORABLE wine glass to wind down. My favorite places to get monogrammed wine glasses are on Etsy. I have found some with and without Lilly Pulitzer prints, that way, you can customize your glass(es) to your liking. Why not wine(d) down in style?!

17 – Printed Umbrella

Rain is a reality in our day to day lives. Why not make those gloomy days a bit brighter?! Places like Target, Vera Bradley, and Hallmark offer adorable vibrantly printed at a great price. Why not bring the sunshine on a dreary day?!

18 – Lilly Pulitzer After Party Sale Finds

Who doesn’t LOVE a good party AND a good sale, especially with Lilly Pulitzer involved?! Lilly Pulitzer is one of many preppy ladies’ favorite brands. Twice a year they do an After Party Sale which is the ONLY time that Lilly Pulitzer has a huge sale each year. Shorts, dresses, Luxletic, tops, and everything in between are ALL sold with major markdowns, which makes for none other than a partyyy!!! As many of y’all know, Lilly Pulitzer’s clothing comes with quite the hefty price tag. Meanwhile, the After Party Sale offers several of Lilly Pulitzer’s hottest finds of the previous season at a fraction of the price. If you love Lilly Pulitzer, then definitely check out its biannual After Party Sale for some AMAZING deals!!

19 – Printed Tumbler

From monograms to solid colors to everything in between, a printed tumbler is definitely the way to go to show off your personality and in a preppy fashion. Michael’s, Hobby Lobby, Simply Southern, and Lilly Pulitzer all offer adorable printed tumblers usually for under $20. One can also show off their school spirit in style, as most high schools and colleges also sell school-spirited tumblers; however, these are usually upwards of $25. Tervis is also a top tumbler brand, collaborating with many colleges/universities and carrying tumblers in several prints. Like school-spirited tumblers, these usually cost upwards of $25, which is worth the investment for day-to-day use. Tumblers definitely make for a personalized and fun style to carry with you from the halls to the classroom.

20 – Secondhand Finds

If you LOVE to shop secondhand, then look no further than your local thrift store! Thrift stores of all kinds can provide you with some AMAZING deals, especially on super cute, preppy, and name brand finds. Over the years, I have found Lilly Pulitzer, Vineyard Vines, BCBG, J Crew, and Express at my local thrift stores. With Covid-19 keeping many of us at home, there are also several online secondhand shopping options, such as Ebay, Poshmark, Mercari, and ThredUp. Usually, secondhand stores carry even name brand clothing at a STEAL of the price! I have found Lilly Pulitzer shorts at a GoodWill for $4 along with J Crew and BCBG pieces for under $10 on ThredUp. When you #ShopSecondhand, you are also helping think green and save our planet. Name brand clothing at a steal of the price with good intentions for our planet?! How could you NOT #ShopSecondhand!!

21 – Persoanlized Stickers

Who doesn’t LOVE a cute sticker?! Fortunately for us all, websites like Amazon, RedBubble, and chains and local businesses alike are all now selling stickers. The majority of stickers that I have seen are sold for under $10, which makes for a great deal for something that you can put on your phone, folders, notebooks, or even calculators. The best part of it all: the stickers that you have are uniquely your own. Express yourself!!!

22 – Cute Phone Case

Like a sticker, phone cases come in all colors, prints, and styles! Luckily, there is several options and usually at a very reasonable price point. I ALWAYS spot some cute phone cases in the checkout line at Marshall’s and TJ Maxx. Target and Amazon, I know, also have super adorable phone cases as well. Like a sticker, a phone case can be personalized to be uniquely your own.

23 – Crown & Ivy at Belk

Whoever said department stores lack cute and preppy clothing clearly has never shopped in a department store! The Crown & Ivy in-house brand at Belk is NO EXCEPTION!!! Crown & Ivy is a super adorable brand filled with all-things preppy. Personally, I find it as a mix between Lilly Pulitzer, J Crew, and Vineyard Vines with its vibrant prints and Southern preppy flare. Since the brand is exclusively sold at Belk, Crown & Ivy is consistently included in Belk’s regular sales and discounts online and in-store. Keeping this all in mind, Crown & Ivy finds will definitely keep you in style for many years to come!

24 – Printed Socks

I am a sucker for socks!!! Like myself, I know many others who are also obsessed with socks. Over the years, I have purchased printed socks from Vineyard Vines, J Crew Factory, and Old Navy. From animals to polka dots and stripes, printed socks come in all prints and styles. They definitely make for a fun Back to School edition!!!

25 – Fun PJ’s

The BEST way to wind down after a long day is to curl up with a blanket and put on some super fun pajamas! Stores like Old Navy, Vineyard Vines, and Target sell adorable pajamas for a great price. Moreover, a pair of fun pajamas is also a great way to match with all your crew for a girl’s night in. Whether for a late night of cramming or a night with the girls, a pair of fun pajamas are an excellent affordable staple to add to your wardrobe!!

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What I Wore During the Month of July

For today’s blog post, I got inspired by one of my favorite bloggers, Annaliese at Southern Belle In Training. Each month, she posts her outfits of the day for work, and I thought that it would be fun to do too for each weekday/class day that I have! I have ALWAYS loved sharing my outfits on my platform on my Instagram stories, and I know some of y’all enjoy seeing them too. Hopefully, I can provide you some outfit inspiration along the way! Cheers 🙂

  • Shirt: The Redheaded Camel (shop her super cute designs here)
  • Shorts: J Crew Factory (same style here)
  • Dress: J Crew (purchased from ThredUp for under $10!)
  • Necklaces: Bought at Nordstrom Rack years ago
  • Flats: Elie Tahari (got them a few years back)
  • T-Shirt: from school
  • Shorts: Vineyard Vines (purchased on clearance at the outlet)
  • Necklace: Kendra Scott
  • Earrings: Kendra Scott (shop similar colors here!)
  • Sandals: Michael Kors (got a few years ago at TJ Maxx)
  • T-Shirt: from school
  • Scalloped Skort: Lilly Pulitzer (shop the same style here!)
  • Sneakers: Nike
  • Dress: Tommy Hilfiger outlet (bought YEARS ago)
  • Earrings: Purchased at a local boutique in Placencia, Belize
  • Sandals: Jack Rogers
  • T-Shirt: from school
  • Skort: Lilly Pulitzer (shop the style in different prints here!)
  • Sneakers: Nike
  • Top: Shop similar style here!
  • Necklace: Cora’s Den
  • Skort: Crown & Ivy at Belk (bought 3 years ago)
  • Top: Thrifted at Goodwill
  • Skirt: Lilly Pulitzer (got off of Poshmark)
  • Pearl Strands: Nordstrom Rack (purchased YEARS ago!)
  • Romper: Lilly Pulitzer (got off of Poshmark)
  • Scrunchie: The Dollar Tree
  • Romper: Lilly Pulitzer (purchased in the Summer Remix print last year!)
  • T-shirt: Jadelynn Brooke (purchased on sale!)
  • Skort: Athleta (thrifted)
  • Dress: BCBG (got off of ThredUp)
  • Earrings: Target (got on clearance)
  • Necklace: Lilly Pulitzer (got as a free gift with purchase)
  • Hair Tie: The Dollar Tree
  • Top: Marshall’s (purchased a few years ago)
  • Pants: Sewn by my Grandma years ago!
  • Dress: Lilly Pulitzer (purchased a few years ago at Belk)
  • Earrings: Target (bought last year)
  • Scrunchie: Got for free at school!
  • Dress: Thrifted last year
  • Flip Flops: J Crew Factory (shop similar prints here!)
  • Dress: Lilly Pulitzer (bought a few years ago for a steal at TJ Maxx!!)
  • Scrunchie: Walmart
  • Necklace: Cora’s Den (linked up above)
  • Top: Shop similar style here!
  • Necklace: Bought in Krakow, Poland at the city’s Easter Market 5 years ago!
  • Skirt: J Crew (thrifted a few years ago)
  • Hairband: It’s actually a SCARF & I’ve had it for YEARS now!
  • Dress: Haley & The Hound
  • Earrings: Purchased from a Native American artist in North Carolina
  • T-shirt: Simply Southern (gifted a few years ago)
  • Skort: Lilly Pulitzer (purchased on sale 3 years ago!)

XOXO – Katie <3

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Valentine’s Day Looks Straight from your Closet

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, which means that several V-Day-themed celebrations are in store in the next few weeks. Being the indecisive person that I am when it comes to choosing what to wear, it can definitely be a struggle to decide which outfit to sport for each event. Valentine’s Day outings can also make this decision much more challenging, as we can be constrained to a theme. Although it may just seem easier in the spur of the moment to decide to hit the closest Target or TJ Maxx in search of a cute V-Day find, is it really worth it when your closet may already have some finds hanging right in it?! Below are some tips and tricks for how you can shop YOUR CLOSET instead this Valentine’s Day season!

Color

When most people think of colors related to Valentine’s Day, they immediately envision pink, red, and purple. I know for myself, I usually gravitate especially towards pink’s and red’s when picking out my Valentine’s looks. I, mean, each piece in Lilly Pultizer’s Valentine’s Day collection has the color pink in it somehow. Pink, red, and purple are definitely great colors to go with for the season, however, they are not the only colors to choose from. I also find maroon’s and burgundy’s to make for a great romantic look as well. In fact, last year for Valentine’s Day, I opted for a maroon dress that had been hanging in my closet for a while! A piece of clothing in any of these colors will allow for an excellent V-Day look!

Pink, purple, maroon, and red, oh my! But, what about neutrals?! Neutrals should definitely not be left out of the V-Day game! In fact, either a white dress or a classic LBD (as well as any neutral-dominated look) can make for a super sweet look when paired with either the right accessories or makeup. For example, a pop of color with pink or red flats/pumps, scarf, or piece(s) of jewelry can add for an extra Valentine’s pizzazz. When it comes to makeup, a red, Burgundy, or pink lip can also have the same effect. That being said, definitely don’t discard your favorite pieces in neutral colors for your V-Day looks!

Prints

We all know that hearts on everything is Valentine’s Day anthem. This holiday does revolve around love! On the other hand, heart-printed clothing does not have to be the only print that you can acceptably wear throughout the season. Polka dots have always been a classic print that I think has a sweet element to it in itself, which makes it a great one to pull off. Have any animal printed clothing in your closet?! Well, animal prints are also another excellent print to look towards. Leopard and snakeskin prints are both super in-style right now and, if paired with either a pop of pink, red, or Burgundy, they would go perfectly into the season of love.

At the same time, there are several other prints that would work for your V-Day outings. Floral prints are always super fun (as long as they’re worn appropriately for the Winter season) as well as many others that may have a pop of pink, red, purple, Burgundy, or simply scream Valentine’s Day. For a Galentine’s Party last year, I chose to wear a pink top with flamingo printed leggings which made for a super sweet V-Day getup with my girls. The possibilities are definitely endless in your closet!

Accessories

Now that you’ve picked out your outfit, it is time to select what accessories you plan to accompany it. In my opinion, I think that your choice of accessories should go depending on the color palette of your outfit. If your outfit is color-dominated, then it would be best to select more neutral-toned shoes and accessories, such as gold, silver, or white jewelry (diamonds and pearls are also super fun and romantic as well!). When I went to a Valentine’s Day semiformal last year, I wore a bright pink Lilly Pulitzer shift dress which I paired primarily with gold and bronze jewelry pieces and my platinum Jack Rogers sandals. On the contrary, if you chose a more neutral-dominated outfit, then you will probably want to add a pop of color somewhere in your look, whether that be with your shoes, jewelry/accessories, or makeup.

As someone who loves a great Valentine’s Day gathering, I know that it can sometimes be a struggle to find something to wear for the occasion. Like many going out occasions, you can easily find many ways just in your own closet to dress for a Valentine’s Day outfit success. Indeed, the possibilities are endless!

XOXO – Katie

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