the holiday rush!

I don't need to remind anyone just how INSANE the month of December is, do I? Well, I'm going to anyway. Projects at work become SUPER busy to beat the year-end, holiday parties with friends, failed-attempts at catching up on sleep. It all culminates in this seemingly shrinking month! On top of that, my inner Martha starts screaming to be let out and let her deck the halls...

And so far, this is what I have to show for it. A pathetically bare Christmas tree. I feel as though I've failed and the elves at the North Pole are pointing and laughing. No ornaments, no star and not to mention no other decorations of any sort in our apartment. I'm hoping to remedy all of this tonight or sometime in the coming week. Have you gotten your holiday decorations up? I'd love to hear that I'm not the only one behind the tree-trimming schedule... ;)

xoxo,
Kat

let's play dress up!

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and this is the perrrfect opportunity to say THANK YOU to y'all who come back again and again to read my ramblings :) you're much appreciated! xoxo

Today's post is about prepping for all of those holiday parties you've been RSVP'ing to for weeks now! It's time to brainstorm about your dashing threads you'll rock at each soiree! :) Here are a few of my favorites...

 

 This makes me SO ready for some festive holiday fetes! Here's the rundown:

1.  Silk Organza Strapless by ABS - found {here}

2.  Last Dance Dress by Madewell - found {here}

3.  Portia Dress by Joie - found {here}

4.  Silk Faille V-Neck Party Dress by Chloe & Reese - found {here}

5.  Ombre Sequin Dress by Michael Kors - found {here}

6.  V-Neck Sequin Dress by ABS - found {here}

Does this get y'all excited for eggnog, mistletoe and some good ole' fashioned jingle bell rock? Me too :) Let me know which one is your favorite in the comments!

xoxo,

Kat

I swear by it...

The other day I was talking to a dear friend about beauty products we cannot live without. And I thought it would be fun to share with all of you too! Everyone has their go-to gloss, their must-have hairspray or the perfect bath beads. Here are few items I cannot live without:

Acne Clarifying Primer by Philosophy - This stuff is magical. The "On a Clear Day" line is fabulous in and of itself. However, the primer is my super favorite part! Wash your face, pat dry, moisturize and then throw on a dime-size amount of this primer. It smooths out your skin without clogging your pores. Plus it makes your makeup last ALL. DAY. LONG. Pricey at $30 per 1 oz. bottle, but worth every penny. You can find this at Ulta or at philsophy {dot} com.

Anti-Humidity Smoothing Milk by Garnier Fructis Style - My hair would be the size of Manhattan, everyday, if it weren't for this product. I have obnoxiously thick, wavy hair. But this smoothing milk comes to the rescue! I apply a healthy amount to my wet hair, blow-dry it in sections and then I use it again, as needed, during my straightening or curling process. It catches fly-aways and smooths out kinks! Super reasonable too at $2.99 per 5.1 oz. bottle at Target.

Nail Bonder by Orly - Want to make your homespun mani & pedi last just a bit longer? This rubberized bonder is the JAM! It extends my mani by at least 3 days without chipping. Just a quick base coat and you're ready to roll. Plus I love the Orly brush handles - no-slip grip! This is key for clumsy, right-handed peeps like yours truly. $9 per bottle and can be found at Ulta.

Super Shiny Natural Lip Gloss by Burt's Bees - You will not look in my purse and not find this 100% natural gloss somewhere in the depths of that bag. Chock full of vitamin E, almond oil and antioxidants, this gloss works WITH your lips, not against them. And it comes in a fun assortment of colors. I stick with the Zesty Red, because well, it's zesty! :) Bonus? Burt's Bees is based in Durham, North Carolina - hometown shoutout! $7 per tube and can be found at your local drug store, Wal-Mart, grocery store, Ulta...

Well, those are my essentials! What products can you not live without? Share in the comments, lovelies!

xoxo,
Kat

daddyio

I was spending some time with my Dad recently and snapped a few pictures of him in his element...

Hope y'all are having a great week!
xoxo,
Kat

tgif + a few happy thoughts

This is how I feel about it being Friday. via {Stephanie Rausser}

 Happy Friday, y'all! WOW! It's been a hot minute since I've posted. The full-time job, travels and family ties are definitely tugging me a lot of directions - all appropriately-so. However, I must admit time away from writing makes me feel like a tiger with no stripes! I'm happy to get back into the swing of things...

I have LOTS of fun news! Numero uno, MY BROTHER, BRYAN, IS ENGAGED! Yes, yes. While I already consider MegWhite to be my sister, they're going to make it oh-fficial! YAY! So big congrats to those two lovebirds :)

So freakin' cute - love them!

 Two, I'm super pumped because this weekend I am trekking up to Richmond, VA to visit with one of best friends, Ashley Brooke. I'm excited to see her, but I am also extremely excited about our plans (baking, massages, movies, the list goes on...) Needless to say, it will be a rockin' weekend!

Annnd three, my new friend Victoria has just started up her new wedding/design blog, Tickle My Fancy! Please be sure to hop over there and check it out!

Just a few things I want to mention that have put a smile on my face during my recently hectic schedule:

• There's a Christmas tree farm being put up, as I type, across from my apartment complex! Anyone who knows me can attest to the fact that I have an over-the-moon love for the Christmas season. And just seeing them hammer the wooden fence in the ground, hang the white lights and lay the pallets out gets my insides in a twist! And the trees aren't even here yet :) Yes, I know this obnoxious. But I cannot contain myself!

• This bookshelf:

Via {Lonny} Random? Yes. Beautiful? Absolutely.

• The Making Things Happen 2010 tour is starting its second-leg this week in Houston, Texas. And the ladies of MTH have yet to disappoint. They've started up a new Tumblr blog to update us MTH fans and hopefuls! Crossing my fingers that the 2011 tour dates are being set in NC!

• The boy and I live across the street from Southpoint Mall (yes, dangerous for this shopaholic). But we've had two upgrades recently to this uber-convenient shopping district that I'm excited to share! One, they've put in a new traffic light at the main entrance. Yes, I'm weird, but totally entitled, for being excited about this. Living near one of the nicest/largest shopping malls in the state brings people from ALL over during the holiday season, hence making getting to my own home somewhat difficult. So high-five to whoever pushed the traffic light idea to fruition. Two, we stole Raleigh's Crate & Barrel! WOOO! Enough said.

• What has put a smile on YOUR face this week? Share in the comments, please :) No, really. Please share!

Okay, party people - I hope you all have a fantastic weekend! 
xoxo,
Kat

tgif + can't stop, won't stop

Hi friends! It's Friday, again! Can I get a "hallelujah!!"??? But the work-train won't stop today for this gal. Rehearsal tonight, Durham blessing all day tomorrow at the Kings Daughters Inn, and then off to Bikram Durham and brainstorming sesh on Sunday! Wooo! This one is for my girl, Mallory...

via {carol hannah}

I hope y'all have a relaxing & super fun weekend!
xoxo,
Kat

Paper Goods: Cartolina

I found this paperie and immediately felt the need to share! Cartolina is a stationer who mixes old antique prints and images with modern color and fonts. Cards, notebooks, pads, the works! And it's all incredibly adorable. See for yourself!

Recycled paper - check one off for mother earth :)

Cute lil' pocket mirror

rabbit + military jacket? yes, please!

Who wouldn't want a beautiful card like this one, for their birthday?

Love the sunrise in the background :)

Aren't these incredible? You can check out all the Cartolina goodies here and you can purchase them here. And for all of you iPhone crazies, they have a rockin' app just pour vous! ;)

xoxo,
Kat