Unpopular Opinions

 via Andrea Janes Photography (the natural light is s-t-u-n-n-i-n-g)

There are so many things that are "trendy" or "in" right now that are so not me...I can guarantee this is the only time you'll see the things listed below on What Kate Likes. I definitely fall into the unpopular camp for all of these things...

-Beyonce: I really don't get the obsession. Yeah, she's got some catchy tunes. Yeah, she has a pretty enviable lifestyle. But I don't really get why people are so obsessed with her?

-Statement Jewelry: It's pretty rare that I wear jewelry other than a simple necklace or pair of studs, but I'm so tired of statement jewelry. Far too overdone.

-"Arm Parties": My wrists are legitimately child-sized, so wearing one bracelet is a struggle for me. An armful of them is my biggest nightmare. And the phrases "arm party" or "stack"? Just no.

-Jennifer Lawrence: I know, I'm not a fan of the Internet's biggest darling, who am I? I think she seems nice enough, but also very crass...not my thing.

-Print Mixing: I just cannot even. It's gotten out of control.

-Topknots: The only time you'll find my hair in a legitimate top knot is when I'm getting in bed. Crafting the perfect top knot for the day? Ain't nobody got time for that. Buns, on the other hand, are my jam....

-Macarons: I love basically every other dessert on the planet, but I just cannot get into the macaron obsession. They don't really have a taste? Plus, I'd much rather have a full size cookie or a brownie or something that's big enough to justify spending $3+.

-Jack Rogers sandals: A preppy staple, but one that I think looks like it came out of your grandmother's closet. Sorry.

-Bar Carts: What's wrong with a liquor cabinet?

-Bows: If you're under the age of 10, sure. If you're in your mid-20s...no.

I'm sure there's a lot more...what are yours??? I'm dying to know, especially since some of mine are fairly controversial!

*If you're a fan of any of the things I listed, I promise I'm not making fun of you or anything like that...they're just not my favorite things or I don't get the hype. You're entitled to your opinion, I'm entitled to mine :)*

Spring Wishlist

I'm so over winter, it's not even funny. We've had hints of spring weather here and there, but I'm ready for consistent warm, sunny weather.

What's obviously not helping is my preoccupation with shopping for a new spring wardrobe...I'm SO ready to wear breezy layers instead of bundling up, to have bare legs and not freeze, and to transition from my beloved riding boots into my equally-as-beloved desert boots.

Here's a few things that are on my To Buy For Spring list...or at the very least, my Dreaming About For Spring list ;)

Lilly Pulitzer McLane Shift Dress, $278 (completely obsessed)

Zara White Sleeved Dress, $79.90 (I want ALL THE WHITE DRESSES, apparently)

Zara Basic Oversized Sweater, $16.90 (such springy colors, priced so I can get one of each to wear over leggings...)

Gap Gingham Oxford Shirtdress, $59.95 (soooo cute!)

Ann Mashburn Gamine Cardigan in Lapis/Fuschia, $350 (I am literally dead. So. Cute.)

J. Crew French-print Popover, $88.00 (le duh. so chic.)

J. Crew Ever Stretch Toothpick Jeans, $120 (the perfect dark skinny)

J. Crew Sailor Stripe tee, $49.50 (because any list on this blog would be incomplete without at least one striped item...)

J. Crew Liberty Poppy's Patchwork Top and Bottom, $56 and $50 (a fun print for sunny pool days)

Mane Message The Boho Package hair ties, $10.50 (mine have mysteriously disappeared, due to a little kitty loving to chew/play with them...so why not restock with some fun springy tie dye?)

Also on my list: multiple white tops, fun new shoes (list to come!), and a new purse or two...what's on your spring wishlist??

Valentine's Day!

1//2//3

Happy Valentine's Day, loves! Whether you're single or taken, I hope you're having a great day full of love and chocolate (because that's what Valentine's is about, duh). I'm so thankful for all the love I have in my life, even if I'm sometimes frustrated with the people who love me and impatient about finding "true love".

In the spirit of the holiday, here's a few fun links for you...enjoy! xoxo

-these shoes are TOO perfect for today...and any other day you're just bursting with love (engagement party, anyone?)

-forget to buy a card for someone? Melissa has you covered with this adorable (free) printable!

-my favorite red lipstick so you can give someone an oh-so-festive smooch ;)

-Whitney wrote a great post about finding "the one"...perfect if you're feeling a bit bummed about today

-Hilarious Valentines if you're single, if you're a history fan (or dating one), or a big Pitbull lover...

AYR

Have you heard of the new line AYR? It's a new offshoot of the men's brand Bonobos (read more about the AYR brand here). In their own words, the line is "our favorite pieces, the things we would live in every day, all year round", which is totally a design aesthetic I can get behind. Their pieces really are things you'd wear every day--skinny jeans, button up shirts, flowy tanks, crisp tunics.

Basically AYR is my dream wardrobe. Everything is seasonless and can be worn in a few different ways, depending on what you pair with it. I'm intrigued by the jeans, as I have the hardest time finding a pair of jeans that will make my flat butt look less flat. AYR says that their jeans "hold, lift and form to the body with wear"...so basically you'll look like a million bucks in their jeans. I support it.

My picks from the surprisingly extensive collection:

The Skinny in Jac's Jean

The Easy Shirt in White Poplin

The Slip Cami in White

The Criss-Cross Cami in Poppy

Martin Davis Tee

The Tunic in White

I'm pretty pumped about this...that white tunic, the easy shirt and of course the skinny jeans are all calling my name. Just think of how many ways you could wear all of those things and the CPW is pennies. Starting my saving now...

Nesting Mode

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There's been a lot going on "behind the scenes" over here, but the biggest change is that I'm staying in Atlanta. I've accepted a full-time job here and will slowly begin settling into a new routine and a more permanent life. I am so ready!

Since everything was so up in the air re: jobs and staying in ATL, I haven't bought any furniture for my apartment yet, except for a bed. So now that things are more permanent, I'm ready to commit to furniture and FINALLY move things into my apartment for real. I don't even think I can put my relief/readiness into words...

I've been scouting out furniture for a while now, but I'm seriously one of the pickiest people when it comes to putting something in my house. I want it to be perfect and exactly what I've been envisioning...and easy on the budget. I have an idea of where I want things to go in my place, what I want to do and where, and what sorts of things I want to have in my house.

If you take a look at this Pinterest board of mine, it's pretty clear that I'm drawn to creamy neutrals, lots of white, lighter-toned woods, airy spaces, pops of  bright colors and classic lines. I've used those criteria to narrow down my selections when searching for the perfect pieces to add to my place.

A few things I have my eye on...

Campaign Desk, World Market, on sale for $180: I have a little weird space next to my patio door that's where I envision my desk going. How cute would this desk be with a mercury glass lamp, a white pitcher of flowers and a bright (I'm thinking coral? turquoise? navy?) chair!

Hemnes 8 drawer dresser, IKEA, $299: I had this dresser in my apartment in college and l-o-v-e-d it. It's big enough to hold all of my clothing but isn't so big that it's overwhelming. And the quality is top-notch.

Carmen Chair, Pier 1, $600: Way more than I'm planning on spending, but I love the lines of this chair. I'll probably find something similar but more reasonably priced!

Upholstered Headboard, Meijer, $330: I definitely want an upholstered headboard for my room.I think headboards just make a room look more "finished". Plus I spend a lot of time sitting up in my bed and a padded headboard is definitely more comfortable than the wall!

Hudson Settee, Ballard Designs, $1,050ish: I go back and forth on wanting a full-size couch or a smaller "settee" and a few armchairs. I definitely know I want something on a more dainty scale than a massive sectional, so I really like the look of the sofa above...

Everything in my apartment has to be able to withstand little cat claws and a sometimes-overly-hyper cat...nothing too delicate, precious or breakable! I'm obviously not going to purchase everything I have listed above, but I'm excited to start searching on Joss & Main, RueLaLa, sale sections and the outlets!

Hope Burgoyne Art

One of my goals for when I finally get around to decorating my apartment is to buy a few pieces of real art. I want real, one-of-a-kind canvases where you can see the brushstrokes and feel the texture and thickness of the paint. I love prints, but there's just something about a real painting that's so special.

Thankfully, Etsy is a treasure trove of original canvases and paintings on paper that won't break the bank. I did a quick little search this afternoon to eat up some spare time and stumbled across Hope Burgoyne's paintings and fell in love.

Her pieces are soothing, relaxing, a bit abstract and they all remind me of the beach. PLUS they're all extremely reasonably priced!

"Distant"

"Passing By"

"The Strand"--this is one of my favorites

"Forever Fields"

See all of Hope's paintings here! Which is your favorite?