Summer of the Maxi Dress

I feel like each summer, I end up wearing a different "uniform" of sorts. Last summer, I lived in button downs, jeans and chambray skirts. The summers before that I lived in Nike shorts and t-shirts (I didn't say the uniform was always cute...). The summer I lifeguarded, I can count on 2 hands the number of days I wore something other than a swimsuit.

Since last summer was so hot, I have a feeling that this summer is going to be equally as hot or hotter. I'm already dreading the heat and humidity, so I think I'm going to officially declare Summer 2013 as the Summer of the Maxi dress. I'm such a fan of maxi dresses because they always look so chic and pulled together, even when it really took you about 5 seconds to get dressed. There's just something so elegant about the floor-length skirt but jersey fabrics are so easy, comfy and cool when it's 90+ outside. Plus it's kind of like wearing pajamas all day, only you look cute...which is really all I want out of life.

These maxi dresses are my top picks for summer and I bet you at least one will find its way into my closet!

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I mostly chose dresses that you're able to wear a regular bra with, since they have a bit more coverage and would be appropriate for more places. I also hate wearing strapless bras, so that's a bonus too :) Happy shopping!

Feeling Floral

I own absolutely nothing floral-print. I'm typically drawn to more geometric prints or stripes or polka dots, but lately I've been really attracted to delicate floral patterns. I really like the idea of pairing a feminine floral with something a little more masculine or modern. After all, what's more perfectly suited to spring than something floral?

Here are a few of my favorite floral pieces for spring and summer...

 Zara Floral Printed Trousers: This pattern reminds me of wallpaper, but in a totally good way! It's a pretty floral but not too overdone, and the yellow is just so cheerful. These are definitely statement pants, so I'd keep it simple with white or chambray on top and nude or cognac shoes. I love these pants.

Topshop Silk Organza Tee: I really like that the pattern is muted and not too in-your-face. I can see this working with lots of different pieces: skinny or wider-cut jeans, under a suit jacket, tucked into a pencil skirt, over ripped denim...very versatile!

Cooper & Ella Kate Everywhere Blouse: I'm in love with all the colors in this blouse and the fact that it's a really abstract, almost watercolor floral. Definitely perfect for a floral-phobe like myself.

kate spade new york Dabney wedge: The perfect spring wedge. This would be so cute with pretty much anything: white skinnies, boyfriend jeans, pencil skirts, a-line skirts, shirtdresses...the list goes on.

Zara Printed Top: Another muted floral. I'm kinda obsessed with the background color of this top and I think it would be beautiful tucked into white jeans or underneath a white blazer. Another piece that could easily be dressed up or down!

Anthropologie Floral iPhone Case: The perfect way to add just a hint of floral to your life! I really love these colors and am very tempted to switch out my own phone case for this springy one!

C. Wonder Floral Printed Canvas Tote: This tote would be so cute with an all-white outfit and bright flats. It's big enough to carry all of your stuff and is just so cheerful.

How do you feel about florals--love them or hate them? I don't think I'll be adding a ton of florals to my closet, but I think that I definitely need a few floral pieces to shake up my wardrobe a bit!

TGIF.

via Suri's Burn Book...always a great read

The picture above has nothing to do with anything, but I think it's one of the best things I've seen in a while. And it ties in to the fact that I had a dream about Will and Kate the other night and I was solving mysteries with them, Nancy Drew-style. Plus Kate's dress is adorable.

This week has been long and exhausting so TGIF. Have a good weekend y'all!

Exciting News!

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

So you may or may not know that Google Reader will be going away soon, which may or may not affect Google Friend Connect...so I'm excited to announce that What Kate Likes has joined Bloglovin! You'll still be able to keep up with all the latest happenings around here, just click on the photo above and you'll be all set!

I'm still figuring out how to use Bloglovin and it's certainly more confusing/more difficult than Google Reader, so there may be a few kinks until I figure out exactly what's up...but we'll get there!

Happy Chic by Jonathan Adler

Did you know Jonathan Adler did a diffusion line for JC Penney? Because I sure didn't, until I randomly saw an ad for it online. I've shopped at JC Penney approximately 4 times in my entire life, but their whole rebranding is turning out some cute things! They also seem like they're trying to capitalize on Target's designer collab success, which I really don't blame them for because I shop at Target approximately 4 times a week and if I was a retailer I'd want to be like Target too.

Anyway. JA for JCP. Totally cute stuff. Some of it is a little too retro for me, but a lot of it is very versatile and would easily work with any style. I wish prices were a bit more in the affordable range, but I bet you can snag a great deal on sale.

Crescent Heights desk, $1,345: Such a basic desk, but it could work in any space, right? It's small enough to work in an apartment or small office but a bit more stylish than just a plain desk. I love the fact that it comes in such bright colors too...while white would be my first choice, I'm loving the gray or red finishes too!

Elizabeth Bubble Vase, $35: This vase is so springy and would be perfect on the desk above with bright pink tulips or white roses in it. Perfect for adding a little pop of color to an end table or a desk.

 

Lola Solid Duvet Cover, $110-170: This duvet also comes in a bunch of other colors, but I think that this taupey gray shade is actually really pretty and really sophisticated. You could mix in other colors like coral and turquoise and still have a sophisticated, modern bedroom without looking childish. That ribbon/fret detailing is super chic too!

Crescent Heights Linen Bed, $2,375: This is possibly my dream bed. I love upholstered beds, nail heads and dramatically arched headboards, so all of this combined in one bed? Perfection. I think I like the white better than the navy but both are equally preppy and beautiful.

Elizabeth Greek Key Serving Bowl, $42: A chic way to serve anything. This bowl would really go with practically any style of dishes. I love the Greek key detail since it keeps the bowl from being boring.

There's a lot of reasonably-priced frames and candles available as well that would be really great for gift-giving! I definitely think "Happy Chic" is the perfect name for the line since it's all happy and chic. I think I'll have to stop in to see what I think in real life vs. online, so hopefully things measure up to their potential!

Vineyard Vines x Autism Speaks

Autism Speaks is an organization that's near and dear to my heart. My sorority's national philanthropy is Autism Speaks, and we also did (and still do) lots of work with the local autism community in Auburn. Autism is becoming overwhelmingly prevalent in America and there's so much less funding and awareness of autism-spectrum disorders than other disorders. Many people think that autism only affects the individual diagnosed, but the disorder has such an effect on family members as well. The show Parenthood does a really good job of illustrating the difficulties and frustrations of living with an autistic child.

What does that have to do with Vineyard Vines, do you ask? Well, Vineyard Vines partners with a charity each month and creates special limited-edition items for each charity. The proceeds from the sales of these items are then donated to the charity and go towards making a difference.

I am so proud of VV for partnering with Autism Speaks for the month of April. The Autism Speaks tote bag is totally adorable and is a subtle but effective way of supporting a very worthwhile charity. I want one of these for myself!

There's also a great tie for your dad, brother, boyfriend, fiance or any other man in your life. The tie comes in yellow too, if blue isn't your guy's color.

Happy shopping! It's for a good cause, so it's totally fine ;)

Jeah!

 I can't even handle this.

Ryan Lochte. So much potential in that face of his, until he opens his mouth (see here). I can't imagine who at E! thought it was a great idea to give this guy his own show, even if he is incredibly attractive.

 typical.

What Would Ryan Lochte Do? premiered the other night and while I didn't watch it, this clip hits the highlights, as it were. From his "fashion" dreams to the Lochterage, there's so much he just doesn't get. I find him totally hilarious and the tiniest bit endearing. I think that WWRLD? is definitely going to be my new feel-good television show based purely on this recap by Vulture.

yes.

Did you watch Ryan Lochte's show? Would you watch Ryan's show or do you just prefer to stare at pictures?

Was this a shameless way to just post Ryan Lochte pictures? Of course. (you're welcome)

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Jennifer Latimer/Gilded Mint

"Chanel Falling Rich Petals"

"Mod Undercurrent no. 5"--this is SO ME.

"Marbleized DVF I"

"Marbleized DVF II"

24K Gold 4-Leaf Clover

I came across Jennifer Latimer's Gilded Mint Etsy store the other day and I'm in love with all of her prints and paintings. They're fun and modern and the canvas prints are a perfect way to have "real art" on a not-real-art budget. I've always wished I could paint and Jennifer's paintings are beautiful without being literal. The gold bits on some are just the icing on the cake!

The Last Roll

Tomorrow marks the end of an era at Auburn. It will be the last time ever that our beloved Toomer's oaks at Toomer's Corner will be rolled in celebration of an Auburn win.

I am so sad that I won't be there to join in celebrating and remembering with my fellow Tigers. I'm sad that this tradition is coming to an end, not by choice but by necessity.

In a way though, I'm also intrigued by what will come in the future. Obviously Auburn fans will always find a way to celebrate a win. We're not letting this stop us. I'm interested to see what new traditions we come up with as a family and how those traditions will evolve as the university evolves.

War Eagle.

If you're not an Auburn fan and you have no idea what I'm talking about, read this.

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DVF x GapKids

DVF did an adorable collaboration with GapKids a while back, and now she's up for her second round of creating adorable clothes for little ones. I'm so smitten with all the cuteness (those little heart leggings! a baby wrap dress!) and all I need now is a small child to dress up. Or to figure out a way to squeeze myself into that last top pictured!

all photos via Vogue UK

Boston.

via

I've been trying to wrap my head around Monday's horrific events and I really can't. I can't articulate my thoughts very well, I just keep asking why and can't find any answers. My emotions about this are so mixed and confusing. Everything I keep trying to type looks and reads so harsh, so cold, so unfeeling when in reality I feel the complete opposite. Everything sounds so cliched and like it's already been said.

Every Bostonian, every Boston Marathoner, every marathon supporter is in my heart right now. I'm sending love, prayers of praise for the outpouring of help, prayers of peace for families of those lost, and prayers for speedy recovery to all of the injured.

Love to all of you sweet readers too. xx

Darling Magazine

 Have you heard about Darling Magazine? The above photo is their mission statement and I think it's absolutely perfect. I clicked around their website and I'm pretty sure that this magazine is exactly what I've been looking for. It's intelligent and well-written, deals with "fluffier" things like home and fashion but also tackles more intellectual topics as well. I'm interested in picking up a real, paper copy of the magazine and seeing what it's like in print vs online.

 Visually, it's exactly what I look for in design: a bit vintage, clean and not cluttered but still has personality. I'm totally smitten with the pictures alone!

Interested and want to know more? Read what makes Darling different here...I think you'll like it.

all images via Darling Magazine

Weekender Bags (and a HELLO!)

Uhhhh sorry it's been super quiet around here...I'm not sure why I've been so quiet, I guess life just got kind of chaotic and here we are. I've missed this little space and all of you and posting pretty pictures and random thoughts and things like that.

So HELLO, I'm back!


One of the things on my 'to-buy' list is a really good weekender bag. I have plenty of huge suitcases and a few tote bags that are fine for overnights but I definitely need a weekender bag ASAP. I hate to admit this, but I'm often that girl who overpacks. A lot. The more space I have, the more things I'll fill it with. I think traveling with a smaller bag will definitely help me streamline while still having space for essentials.

With the thoughts of possible business travel and fun short trips to see friends floating in my head, I've come up with a few good options for myself...now I just need to pick one!

Tory Burch Robinson Weekender (so luxe!)//Longchamp Expandable Travel Tote (my #1 right now)

J. McLaughlin Sailcloth Duffle (monogrammable!)//Jack Spade Nylon Wing Duffle (guy-chic)

It All Started With a Juice Stand...

We lost a colorful lady, Lilly Pulitzer Rousseau, yesterday. I don't even know what to say, I'm so sad. Lilly was quite the inspiration and the world will be a bit less colorful without her in it. She was the embodiment of her phrase "live life colorfully" and will be missed dearly.

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Real Talk: Organ Donation

I know, not the most glamorous subject for a post, but very important. I read this post on Sheridan French's blog while just bouncing around the Internet, and while I'm uncomfortable thinking about my death, I have now signed up for organ donation. It's something that's been on my 'to-do list' for a while, and this was the post that made me just do it.

I'll admit, I am super uncomfortable thinking about organ donation, but I think the benefits for far outweigh my temporary mental discomfort with the idea right now. Through the Texas registration, you can specify which organs you want to donate and if you want them donated to research or not, if they're not able to make a living match. I assume that other states are the same way.

I know a lot of you readers are Canadian, and I don't know anything about Canada's healthcare system, but I'm sure there's a way to register for organ donation in Canada. If you're American, you can go here and read about how to register. I suggest reading all the FAQs here before registering.

(If the thought of saving a life isn't enough of a reason to sign up for donation, is a $50 Sheridan French gift card enough? Check out Sheridan's blog post for more details!)

Total transparency: I totally keep forgetting that organ donation is after death...and that's where I'm leaving that. My organs will not matter to me after I'm dead and if they can help someone in need, that's much more important.

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My Style: Defined

 I've been scrolling through Pinterest for the past week, culling images, ideas and inspiration for my upcoming blog redesign, and it's gotten me thinking about my style and how to easily define it.

I don't think my personal style can be summed up in a single word like "preppy", because sometimes I hate things that are traditionally "preppy" and love things that aren't preppy in the least, but I have a closet full of some traditional prep staples.

Words that I think describe my style include uncomplicated, streamlined, casual, refined, classic, colorful, relaxed, crisp. While I appreciate and like things that aren't necessarily all of these qualities, I find that I keep coming back to them.

I may do an all-sequinned dress, but it's probably an uncomplicated, unfussy shape and a solid color. I love bright colors but prefer to do a single color paired with neutrals rather than other brights. I love the idea of bright, bold, busy patterns but end up purchasing solids or smaller-scale patterns. I feel most comfortable and myself in jeans, a t-shirt or buttonup and sneakers. Clutter on every surface makes me anxious, I prefer limited decorations and breathing room. I love saturated wall colors but want to keep everything else neutral.

I wish there was a way to sum all of that up into a single, easily-said word or phrase, but I'm glad there isn't. My style is me, pure and simple.

What's your style? Is it easily definable or more abstract like mine? Or is yours more random and multifaceted?  

Ps: how great is Pinterest? I love that I can scroll through my own boards and pick out common threads between pins and identify recurring themes...Pinterest is a post in itself!

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Summer Weddings

I don't know about you, but wedding season is speeding towards me. Last year, I had two weddings within two weeks of each other, and this year I have two that are about a month apart. Since I'm not in either wedding this year, I get to choose what to wear, so I've been keeping a lookout for wedding-appropriate dresses everywhere I go.

Outfits for weddings are tricky. On one hand, you want to look ah-mazing just in case there's a hot, unattached groomsman or two (real talk: I got set up at the rehearsal dinner last year...but that's a story for another time), but on the other, you don't want to make any grandparents (or pastors) appalled by your choice of outfit. Add in the fact that it's considered bad taste to wear white or anything resembling white, and you have a conundrum on your hands.

Here are a few picks to help solve that problem...

Zara Halter-Neck Dress, $49.90: Perfect dress for accessorizing. You could do a statement necklace and nude heels; big earrings and a dressy sandal; simple jewelry and snazzy shoes...really the options are endless, not to mention the price is perfect.

Zara Striped Combination Dress, $59.90: By now, you should know that I'm a huge stripes advocate so this is an obvious pick. Conservative but still fun and easy to throw a cardigan or wrap over. This would also be really easy to accessorize.

LOFT Dropwaist Dress, $98: So feminine and fun. The mix of eyelet and pleats is perfectly summery, and the dropwaist is unexpected.

J. Crew Greta Dress, $325: Perfect for a more conservative wedding or an evening wedding. The U-back is a little sexy and unexpected and the dress itself can easily be dressed up or down.

BHLDN Tea Rose Dress, $380: So pretty and ideal for an evening wedding. I love the color!

BHLDN Arabesque Sheath, $300: The detailing on this is just gorgeous. I would wear this with gold earrings and heels and an elegant updo much like the model's. Such an elegant dress.

Are you ready for wedding season yet? The first three dresses could easily be worn to bridal showers or lunches in addition to the actual wedding.