Next Stop: Atlanta!

Hello hello! As you're reading this, my sister and I are in the car, heading from Houston to Atlanta, with an overnight stop in Montgomery.

I'm so very excited to be starting this new chapter in my life, and even more excited that my sissy and I will be having some good bonding time, as well as a girls trip to Hotlanta with our mama. I'm so blessed to have this amazing opportunity, family members who love me enough to take the time to help me apartment-hunt and move in, and all of you for being so supportive and excited for me.

I can't wait to share all the new details about my life in Atlanta, but in the meantime you can see little snippets of our road trip and apartment-search adventures on Instagram!

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Lilly Pulitzer Fall Preview

I like Lilly Pulitzer, but I'm not an obsessed fan. Some of the prints are a bit twee for me, but the brand nails certain shapes and they're definitely not afraid of color, which is something I can agree with.

The Fall collection is available for pre-order right now, and I'm totally in love. Pieces are more modern, colors are brighter and bolder, patterns are more abstract and less sweet. This feels like modern Lilly, but still maintaining that same whimsical, fun sensibility.

Elsa Top in Multi Hearts A Flutter

Beckett Dress in Mambo Pink Stripe (obsessed)

Kirkland Dress in Multi Hearts A Flutter

Briella Dress in Tropez Blue Stripe

Maris Top in Royce Blue Corsage (the bow back kills me)

I can't wait to see what else the Lilly print and design teams have cooked up for this fall! I have a feeling I'll be snapping up that Beckett dress in every pattern available...eep! I'm getting excited for fall already!

Decorating Daydreams

As my move creeps ever closer, I've been daydreaming more and more about finally being able to decorate my very own apartment. I've always had roommates, so I've never been able to decorate my entire living space exactly the way I want it. I'm so excited about the chance to finally have everything just the way I want it. Since I'm not bringing any furniture with me to Atlanta, I really do get a chance to start from scratch!

I'm leaning more towards a very edited, very curated apartment. I don't want it to look like I bought everything from the same place, I want it to look very organic--pick up a headboard here, pick up a dresser there, pick up a set of armchairs from somewhere else. I'm going to make a very conscious effort to only buy things I really love and to buy high-quality pieces that will last a while, rather than a year or two. I'm completely aware that it might take a long time to fully furnish and decorate my space and that's totally fine with me!

Of course, since I don't have an actual apartment lease signed yet, this is all just daydreaming right now! I can't wait to settle on a space, start decorating for real and sharing the process with you!

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Parrott Design Studio

I have a slight obsession with paper goods. I love stationery, greeting cards, note paper...basically if it's paper and cute, I'm a big fan. I'm also a big fan of letterpress stationery and beautiful swirly calligraphy, so when I discovered Parrott Design Studio on Pinterest one day, it was instant love.

Mr & Mrs card: perfectly elegant but also modern...if I planned out gifts/cards more than a day in advance, this would be my go-to wedding card. So elegant in its simplicity.

Sarah has such beautiful designs. Everything is modern but also elegant. You'd feel equally comfortable giving one of her cards to your grandmother as you would to your friends. Plus letterpress cards just feel and look so luxurious!

Floral Thank You card: hand-drawn floral pattern? Neon pink ink on creamy white paper? YES.

Sweet Little One card (also available in blue): I find baby cards are either a) obnoxious, b) overly sappy or c) ugly. This is just right and perfect for the soon-to-be born baby of a friend of mine!

Looks like I'll be planning farther in advance for holidays, birthdays, weddings, celebrations in general so I can give some Parrott Design love!

Monday Inspiration

"Overwhelmed" is definitely an understatement about how I feel right now. I have a wedding on Saturday, work two days this week, and somewhere in there, I have to go through all of my things and figure out what I can't possibly live without so I can pack it up in preparation for my move next week. So. Much. To. Do. And that's not even the end...

The quote above was something I pinned a while back and it really hit home for me yesterday. All of this stress and uncertainty and busyness is because of something really, really great: I'm starting a job I love and am really excited for.

I'm also taking this little quote to heart right now. Once I get through two days of work, I can concentrate on packing. Once I attend the wedding, I can focus more on enjoying my last few days with family. Once I finally get to Atlanta, I can focus on finding somewhere to live. Once I have somewhere to live, I can start looking for furniture. Baby steps.

And of course, this whole thing is a huge, scary, exciting adventure that's going to be totally worth it in the end. What adventures are you starting?

Queen Eliz and The Royal Baby

Can we just talk about a few things for a second?

 Namely, how absolutely adorable Queen Elizabeth is in the picture above (so colorful! so happy!)?

Also this article where a schoolgirl asked her about Will and Kate's bebe, and she said she'd like the baby to hurry up and be born before she goes on holiday...I just can't. Just like any great-grandma who wants her grandbabies to have kids! The Queen...she's just like us.

The last quote in the article: "The Queen was said to be thrilled when presented with a bottle of damson gin saying she would be 'keeping that for herself'"...she is a delight.

Baby Cambridge, where are you? And QEII, can we be besties? I'll totally play with your corgis and drink tea with you every day.

Anniversary Sale!!

Nordstrom is having their big Anniversary sale right now, and it's the perfect time to stock up on fall things! Or at least start thinking about fall outfits...

Here's a few things I have my eye on...

Eliza J Seamed Fit and Flare Dress: perfect for work with heels, perfect for play with flat boots! And the prettiest shade of blue.

Nexx Collarless Silk Blouse: Another perfect work blouse, tucked into a pencil skirt. Also super easy to dress down with some skinnies.

Pour La Victoire Butler Tote: Drool. So luxurious.

Hanky Panky Low Rise Thong: A really good price on a total necessity...stock up!!

What's on your fall wishlist?

Georgia On My Mind

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I am SO happy and excited to announce that I'll be moving back to Atlanta in just a few short weeks!!! I've accepted a position with a company there and I couldn't be happier.

I'm excited about my job, the opportunities, the people I'll be working with, the opportunity to move back to a city I love, the workwear possibilities, furnishing my very own apartment...it'll be a new adventure and one that I'm super excited for and ready to start!

I'm also incredibly overwhelmed with all that I have to do in a small amount of time! If you have any Atlanta suggestions, tips, or anything that could possibly help me, I'm all ears!

Wallet Upgrade

I desperately need a new wallet. For the past five or so years, I've been using a Juicy Couture wristlet as my wallet and while it's worked out quite well, it's now looking very sad and needs to be retired. So I'm on the lookout for something new!

I want something durable, high-quality, and fun. I've rounded up a few favorites below...now I just have to pick one!

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All of these are fun but still chic and sophisticated...and none of them would easily be lost in a dark purse!

GOOP Collection

I know Gwyneth Paltrow is one of those people you either love or hate, but I fall firmly in the I Heart Gwynnie camp. She is, in my mind, one of the most effortlessly chic people out there and isn't afraid to take risks fashion-wise. Obviously, I'd love to learn her secrets and apply them to my own life, so I've been a GOOP subscriber for a while. BUT what I didn't know until recently is that you can shop GOOP!

Each week GOOP does an exclusive collaboration with a brand...and you know how I feel about collabs. Considering GP is one of my style icons, I'm head over heels about this and have some definite wants from the shop...

Sarah Chloe Pinky Ring (monogrammable!)

Sarah Chloe Heartbeat Ring (so unique)

Lemlem Gigi Top (these are made of the best cotton: soft, a good weight, a good nubby texture and they smell amazing...plus stripes, so duh.)

Araks Pajamas (minimalist-chic, perfect for summer!)

I'm sure that if I buy these things, GP's sophistication will rub off on me and I'll magically attract a British musician and become famous...right? Isn't that how this works?

TB Fall Shoe Loves

I'm not the biggest Tory Burch fan out there (I think the Revas are so overrated...but I've never tried them on, so.) but her Fall shoes are k-i-l-l-i-n-g me. Y'all know I'm not a shoe person at all, but I need all of these pairs in my life ASAP. The lady knows how to design perfect shoes: classic but with a touch of trendy/modern to keep them relevant.

Juliet Riding Boot: do I own a pair of perfectly good riding boots already? Yes. Does that stop me from coveting these beautiful boots? Not one bit. Such a perfect fall staple and no huge hardware!

Kaitlin Wedge: I have a thing for quilted leather (so luxe), so this quilted leather wedge, with a shiny gold cap-toe, is just great. Luxurious but not too pricey. I also love the Kaitlin Ballet Flat!

Chandra Loafer: I don't even care that this is a super trendy shape right now, I love these shoes. They're just the right mix of masculine and feminine and would be so cute with rolled up jeans and a t-shirt.

Ludlow Driver: Such a classic. A definite staple and something I need to have when ballet flats aren't quite right.

Mabel Pump (on sale!): I've been kind of looking for a pair of lower-heeled neutral shoes, and these are currently available in my size and for a decent price...practically begging me to buy them. I've also got my eye on the leather version...

Metallic Tania Sandal (on sale!): I already own a pair of gold shoes, but judging from the amount of wear they get, it couldn't hurt to add another summery pair to my closet. A girl needs options, right?

Beller Wedge (on sale!): not available in my size, which is a total bummer because I'm obsessed with that bright blue color. So summery with crisp white jeans or a white dress! If you wear an 8 or above, jump on it (or if you see a 7 anywhere in your travels, holla at a sista)

What do you think--are you as entranced by these shoes as I am or are you just over TB shoes?

This, That, or This Other? Part 2

Remember when I wrote this post and couldn't decide on a dress for an upcoming wedding? Well, I finally decided on one. As much as I (and y'all too) love the minty/gold DVF dress, it was just more than I wanted to spend, so I ended up going with the purple lace Shoshanna! Totally out of my comfort zone...so I have a backup dress in my closet just in case :)

Yay, pretty dress!

I freely admit that I'm terrible at accessorizing. I nearly always have a hair tie on my wrist as a "bracelet", chunky jewelry makes me cringe, and lots and lots of sparkle isn't really my thing. Normally, I'd throw a simple gold necklace on with the dress and call it a day, but the delicate lace edging of the neckline is something I want to show off and a necklace, no matter how delicate, would just compete.

So...I'm going to go with "statement" earrings and/or a bracelet. I just can't choose which earrings or which bracelet. 

This Marc Jacobs bracelet is simple, not overly chunky, and the texture keeps it from being boring. It's also priced right :) I'm just not sure...I already have a few delicate gold bracelets that I could wear instead.

 As far as earrings go, I love the idea of a bright, fun color pop. I love the Gorjana ones above, but I'm torn between the pink and the turquoise! I also have my eye on these Kendra Scott pretties after seeing them on a friend at a 4th of July party...so many color options!

Or should I play it super safe and go with gold earrings? Help me accessorize!!!

Lately...

 how cute is this little French illustration showing you how to draw a lobster?

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Hiiiii! So July has seriously been a busy month already! I've been working a ton, and a lot of interesting things have opened up on the job front (fingers majorly crossed!) and I've just neglected this little bloggie and all of YOU.

How were your 4ths? Lots of festive colors, foods, sparklers/fireworks and fun? I hope so!

I'm definitely going to make blogging more of a priority for myself, mostly because I love having a little outlet to share all my thoughts, wants, wishlists, etc. It's very cathartic for me to write everything out and get it out of my head, even if I never end up posting what I wrote. This means I need to be more intentional in using my editorial calendar...which I'm trying to do!

Anyway, I still have lots of ideas and plans for What Kate Likes, including a knockoff of Mackenzie's 101 in 1001 list, so keep checking in! And you can always send me an email if you're wondering where I am, what I've been up to, or what's going on!

July 1

Can you believe it's already July?!? 2013 is speeding by. It's both terrifying and a good thing. I keep feeling like everything has been sneaking up on me this year (like 4th of July...) and I'm really just ready to end the year already.

In other news, it's been scorchingly hot here and all I want to do for the Fourth is lay on a beach somewhere that's not 100+ degrees. I know I was complaining about being cold back in the winter, but I'd definitely take some of that weather right now!

ALSO, if you weren't aware, Google Reader is now gone, so be sure to follow my blog on Bloglovin or any other reader site you prefer! The Bloglovin link is to the right :)

Stay cool, y'all!

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