LuLaRoe Julia dress

I learned about LuLaRoe a few months ago from my friend Julie, who sells the brand. 

LuLaRoe clothing is "simply comfortable," modest, unique, and affordable. 

I've worn my Julia dress to work and to church. The leggings are great for barre class, and I've enjoyed wearing my Irma tunic all kinds of ways; it's professional enough for work and comfortable enough for barre or lounging around the house. 

I'm hosting a LuLaRoe clothing party on January 8 and would love for any of my local friends to come over and shop! 

Loren Hope Palmer necklace in crystal // HMD sweater from Granny // LuLaRoe Julia dress // Loren Hope Carson bracelet // J. Crew tights // Kenneth Cole Reaction pumps

Granny

My grandmother, Granny, passed away recently. My earliest memories of her include reading me Yertle the Turtle and making me pancakes when I spent the night at her house. I also remember my mom driving us to the mall (#mychildhood), and Granny would always say, "Kathryn's being so quiet back there. I think she fell asleep," just trying to get me to say something. 

Living right next to my high school, Granny could tell my mom when I was late to school, but she was also happy to write me an excuse and to let me and all of my friends come over for off campus lunch. She had classic style, and it was common for me to compliment something she wore, only for her to take it off and give it to me. I'm wearing one of her sweaters as I write this, and I even spent a whole month in her sweaters last year. She left me quite a stylish inheritance that I hope to continue to share on the blog. 

I am so thankful for the legacy of each of my grandparents. I've been fortunate to have all four of them for most of my life--until two years ago--and I still have my dad's parents. 

When my grandfather passed away, I began to understand why we took food to people when they lost a family member. With visitation and funeral to attend, obituary to write, et cetera, it's nice to not have to plan a meal. I woke up on the morning of my grandmother's funeral and thought to myself, I can have literally anything I want for breakfast today. What a show of love and care from friends of my family. 

I've been slowly making my way through Keep a Quiet Heart by Elisabeth Elliot, reading an article each morning. On the morning of my grandmother's funeral, I read an article about church troubles. She writes, "How shall the world recognize His love unless we act in love toward one another?" I saw the love of the church for my family as they cared for us before, on, and after that day. 

I hold dear each precious friend who brought us food, sent us cards, attended the visitation and funeral, emailed, and texted me memories of my grandmother. At the time, I didn't always acknowledge each act of kindness, but I do appreciate them. I hope that I will love and support my friends as well in their times of need. Certainly my parents have set that example for me over the years. 

J. Crew chino shorts: neon pink and white

Much of my summer's work has been toward a well-mannered dog and a productive garden. 

My two tomato plants yielded exactly one tomato, but it was excellent!

I wore this outfit to meet some friends on Friday night. 

The neon was so bright that Dan had to shut his eyes. 

HMD necklace from Mom // J. Crew tank (old) // HMD sweater from Granny // J. Crew 3" chino shorts // Jack Rogers Napa Valley Navajo

welcome white season

I am enjoying a day off today and taking a moment to thank God for servicemen and women and their families. 

We've been wearing white in the south since Easter, but now it's officially the season for everyone to wear white. 

Friday was an important day because Dan became mine! I had been fostering him for over a month, and the time finally came for me to adopt him. My mom's good friend's daughter runs a fabulous rescue organization called Saving Grace. I had been checking their website for months by the time "Jackson" showed up. I'm so glad I adopted with them! Since Dan is a rescue dog, I don't know much about his history. He is definitely a hand me down, though ;) His name is also HMD because my mom's family had a dog named Dan when she was growing up. You can find Dan at #handmedownDan on Instagram. 

Moon and Lola Gidleigh earrings // HMD belt from Granny // Moon and Lola Preston charm bracelet // Jack Rogers Napa Valley Navajo

on Dan: Over Under Huntsman Collar

spring things

Our yard is in full bloom. It's looking like spring!

I've always been a pearl girl, but I thought I was set with my classic short and long single strands, single strand bracelet, and simple, small studs. Now that I've played with some Waccamaw Pearls, I want even more, fun pearls. 

This triple strand, mixed texture necklace is the perfect combination of classic, fun, and affordable.

I found this floral square in a box with one of my grandmother's clutches and felt it would go perfectly with our blooming yard. I think pocket squares are a nice touch on men, and I've had fun folding them to go in a man's pocket. The pocket on my blazer is much smaller than on a man's blazer, though!

Moon and Lola Hartford block monogram earrings // Triple Threat necklace on loan from Waccamaw Pearls // HMD pocket square from Granny // J. Crew schoolboy blazer // Loren Hope small Sarra cuff // H&M dress (old) // Stuart Weitzman shoes (old)

Easter outfit 2014

You know when you were little, you had to have a new Easter dress each year. Little white gloves and a hat, too. I've matured a bit past having to have a new Easter dress every year. But then, I have a new dress this year! 

If you are into getting new dresses every year, check out Lilly Pulitzer's spring collection. I loved Lilly in high school and college and then was kind of over it until this spring. They came out with a fabulous collection that reminds me of what they were doing ten years ago. In the best way. The shift dresses are so tempting. When Kelly gave me a gift card to Palm Avenue for my birthday, I tried on the shifts in store and settled on this Liz shift in Sweet Tart Yellow Crazy Cat House. 

I'm also wearing one of my favorite accessories from Waccamaw Pearls--this pearl headband! I'm a headband fan, but I usually take them off during the day because I start getting a headache. This strand of real pearls has a stretchy hairband attached so that it stays comfortable for hours. I'm crazy about this headband and think that it is the perfect compliment to any Easter dress. 

Aphrodite's Tears of Joy headband c/o Waccamaw Pearls // Loren Hope Sophia studs (color exclusive to Monkee's of Raleigh) // HMD sweater from Granny // Lilly Pulitzer Liz Shift in Sweet Tart Yellow Crazy Cat House // Moon and Lola Preston charm bracelet // Essie Bottle Service // HMD Givenchy bag from Granny // Jack Rogers Napa Valley Navajo

Old Try shirt

Ray Ban Original Wayfarer Classic // Mary Kay Firecracker lipstick // The Old Try shirt // Premier necklace // American Apparel skirt // HMD Ferragamo bag from Granny // Sam Edelman Alvin flat

sweater gold

Is it time for some more Pirate football yet? My ECU pals may remember this sweater from that time I insisted that the game was a "gold out," yet I was the only one wearing gold. 

Ray Ban aviators // Mary Kay True Dimensions lipstick in Firecracker // Moon and Lola Compton earrings // HMD Ralph Lauren sweater from Granny // Lacoste dress // Michael Kors small Layton watch // Moon and Lola Preston charm bracelet // Frye pull on Billy boot

second place

Mary Kay True Dimensions lipstick in Firecracker // HMD sweater from Granny // J. Crew skirt // Kenneth Cole Reaction pumps

standin' in line

I don't have an Olympic sweater :( but hey, I have this. 

HMD Ralph Lauren sweater from Granny // Lilly Pulitzer top // Joe's Jeans // Frye pull on Billy boot

amethyst

Amethyst is the birthstone for February, which I think may have something to do with why I'm into purple. 

 

gifted pearls from Mom and Dad // HMD sweater from Granny // HMD belt from Mom (with her maiden monogram) // HMD St. John skirt from Mom // Nina shoes