And so it begins

Sweater: Forever 21 / Tank: Old Navy / Pants: Gap circa 2006 / Flats: Gap circa 2007

Happy Monday yall! This week is set to be an exhausting one. B and I have barely packed and yet we are getting the keys to our new place on Wednesday. We have movers coming to move the heavy stuff (we are on the 3rd floor right now, ain't no way we were lugging my giant Victorian style bedroom set down those stairs ourselves!), new furniture being delivered, and loooots of packing to do. On the upside I only have a 3 day week in the office. On the downside, I'd rather be in the office then doing moving. Hashtag UGH.

Due to the long days of work and the long nights of packing, you'll likely see pretty casual, comfortable ensembles this week. See Exhibit A above. :)

Hope you all have a lovely start to your week!!

Smooth Criminal

Blazer: Forever 21 (similar) / Jeans: AE / Tee: AE / Booties: Kohls

I hate hate hate that I have to lighten these so much all the detail is lost! My jegs look black but in reality they are a pretty shade of burgundy. Ah well.

This blazer was another sweet find in my Forever 21 haul a month or two back in Seattle. This was its first wear and I lurve it. Cozy like a sweatshirt and cute like... something I can't think of right now. Hey it's Friday, this is what happens to me at the end of a long week! Irregardless (yea, I went there) I have a feeling its going to get a lot of mileage, especially given the Tri-Cities propensity for random weather. It also makes me feel like I'm in prison stripes a little bit, which I oddly like. Hm.

Anyhooters, this weekend is going to be spent packing with some beer and Halloween partying mixed in. We get the keys to our townhouse next week! Whoop whoop! Here's hoping we actually make a dent in boxing up our apartment!

Have a lovely weekend yall!

Hammer Time

Sweater: Kohl's (Chaps mens clearance) / Pants: CAbi / Flats: Target

It's official - I get home too late to take outfit pictures in the evening. Sun, where have you gone?!
I have no place in my apartment that has good lighting.. that'll be remedied when we move in a few weeks but I suppose until then you'll have to suffer through painfully photoshopped and brightened photos. What do you fellow bloggers do when there's no good lighting for your shots?!

Anywho, I seriously love these pants.
I tried them on at the CAbi party, but ended up not purchasing them... only to not be able to stop thinking about them and all the lovely ways I could integrate them into my wardrobe this fall and winter. I lovingly dubbed them my 'Hammer pants' (2 legit 2 quit) and called the consultant to add them to my order. I'm sooooooo stinkin' glad I did! They can be worn as leggings or scrunched up to the knee as cute little capris like so. They are a stretchy, sweat pant type material, but have a professional look about them. I am officially on the 'lounge wear as work wear' bandwagon. Consider me sold. They will fit in nicely with my recently acquired and also lovingly dubbed Pajama Skirt.

Am I getting lazy or what?!

Wrapped up with a bow

Sweatshirt: Forever 21 / Skirt: Target / Booties: Kohls

Two days in a row! What?! Ok let's not jinx it, shall we?

The cool streak in the Tri-Cities continues and I'm hella not complaining. I'm more then happy to bring out my sweatshirts and booties. I got this adorbs little graphic sweatshirt whilst perusing Forever 21 downtown Seattle. Sometimes I miss my favorite stores so much it hurts. I never realized how much I took for granted having all the best shopping at my fingertips. There were more than twenty Forever 21's within a short driving distance around Chicago. TWENTY. And now I have to drive 2 hours to even be near ONE. Oi. Problems with small town living, amirite?! At least we live in the day of online shopping!

Hope you all are having a beautiful (stress-free!) week!

Barely Breathing

Sweater: CAbi / Skirt: Kohls / Boots: Blowfish

Well hey there friends! Long time no see!

I'm sorry for my little disappearing act. And I didn't even leave a note. Hope yall weren't too worried! (I'm sure you weren't :)

Turns out, sometimes, life just majorly gets in the way of daily blogging. Which is really sad, especially when I wear cute outfits and have cute new hair (obviously not seen here). Meh. Work has just been a nightmare lately. And by nightmare I mean I come home from work and cry into my passion tea after stuffing my face with leftover pizza (and not hitting the gym). Yea. Pretty awesome. And aside from that, B and I are also in the midst of trying to get packed to move. AND I'm PMS-ing. So that being said, its probably in everyone's best interest that I took the last week off. Ha!

A few weekends ago I hit my first CAbi party. Never heard of it? Yea I hadn't either. But it turns out they have some SUPER cute stuff. And I'm told by all my CAbi-crazy friends that their clothes last forever, which I'm pretty stoked about. This sweater was just one of my awesome finds, and I know i'm going to wear the crap outta it this fall and winter. Cozy? Check. Great colors? Check. Awesome collar? Check.
I feel especially fall-y in this ensemble too, which is fitting as it was actually a dreary, rainy and COLD day in the Tri. B also brought home some pumpkins to carve (yea we are a little late in the game with moving and such). AND we'll be watching the Bears game and eating our leftover chili. Yup. Doesnt get much more fall-y then that.

Anyhooters, hopefully I'll be back tomorrow with another outfit, but if I'm not, don't fret, I'm still alive.. barely!

It all started with chili and pumpkin coozies

Top: Freebird via StitchFix / Jeans: LC Lauren Conrad (last season) / Flats: Target

Ya'll its happening, and it's happening quick.

Fall.

There's no doubt about it. It's definitely here. 

It started yesterday when B made his DELICIOUS chili... the skies were overcast and there was a cool breeze. As we drank Coors light on the couch out of my pumpkin coozies whilst watching football, I started to feel the shift. Then today, after work, the light faded fast. I mean FAST. And and it started RAINING (Gasp! Honestly, this is a supreme rarity in the desert of the Tri-cities, Washington). And now, I know for sure. Welcome fall, my old friend.

Now the down side is that it made for super poor lighting for my photos, so I apologize.

One thing that has nothing to do with the lighting, however, is the darkness of my hair! No need to adjust your monitors -- I've gone ombre! I know, I'm out of control, and my hair is going to fall out soon. But it's going to stay like this a bit because I'm pretty in love with it.

I'm off for a day of fun shooting with the video team. I hope ya'll have a lovely Tuesday! :)

Supa Casz.

Sweatshirt: Maurices / Pants: AE / Flats: Target / Glasses: Bebe

Any other daily style bloggers out there feel like every outfit you put on has to be 100% amazing? Like the average, run of the mill casual outfit isn't good enough to even take note of, so you usually don't bother with a photo and don't even think about blogging it, you just prefer to act like that outfit never happened? Cuz I totally do that. And last Friday when I wore this I had no intention of sharing it. But then I thought, um, why not?! I want you guys to see the REAL me. That was part of me wanting to do this blog! I'm perfectly imperfect. I'm not stick thin, and I can't afford a ton of fancy clothes (or camera equipment for that matter!). And sometimes, just sometimes, I don't at all feel like putting any effort or thought into my outfit for the day (I'll be honest, this typically does occur on Fridays, HA!).

So, here we are. My hair is dirty and my makeup unfinished. I was too lazy to put in my contacts so glasses were what was up. I didn't even bother to look for earrings or other accessories. And it doesn't get much more comfy then linen pants and a sweatshirt, amirite?! B was super sweet and told me I looked 'so cute' when I came from work in this ensemble. I thought he was crazy, and then I was so thankful he appreciates me all done up and in lazy clothes and barely there makeup face just reminded me how lucky I am. Even though sometimes he also compares me to this.

Also - HI JENNA!!!!
One of my favorite co-workers and friends has ditched me in the office to recover from some craziness at home for a few weeks. You can read about her health journey here if you are interested, but just know this lady is hella strong and super amazing. I miss her dearly and whilst I want to beat her up for leaving me with some of her clients, I'm so glad she's making great strides in getting better. COME BACK SOON (but not too soon, only when you are ready!) PLEASE!! :)

Hope everyone has a beautiful start to your week!!

Stylitics is winning

Top: Simply Vera @ Kohl's (old) / Jean: Old Navy / Scarf: Handmade gift from B's momma! / Shoes: Kohls (similar)

I have raved about www.stylitics.com before, and you are about to hear it some more. Awhile back, they ran a little contest for you to send them an item in your virtual closet that you needed help styling. I sent them these green jeans, and while I didn't win the contest, they still looked in my closet and sent me 2 or 3 recommendations on how to style them with things I already own. Epic. This outfit is the result of one of those recommendations and I'm COMPLETELY in love with it. The colors work great together and it was super comfortable. Stylitics win.

Seriously though, if you are into planning your outfits ahead of time and seeing how much you really have in your closet - start a Stylitics account! Add clothes, play, mix and match, plan your whole weeks worth of outfits on Sunday night (yes I do that, stop judging me).

OH and I just remembered its Friday (yea my brains fried ATM)! Enjoy your weekend lovelies!!!

A little bit Rock'n'Roll

Tee: A&F / Vest: Stylemint / Jeans: Forever 21 / Flats: Target / Glasses: Firmoo

I'm kind of obsessed with this vest. It was my first ever Stylemint purchase, and I've been waiting for the right time to wear it. I feel a little grungy 90's in it, no? This vest definitely showed me that I need a little more flannel in my life. I often put outfits together without really thinking about the whole look head to toe, but that was not the case here. Everything from the dirty, messy hair to the glasses to the cuff of my jeans was intentional, and I looooove the way it turned out. What do you guys think? Am I channeling my rocker side?! 

So GUESS WHAT!

B and I got the townhouse! Whoop whoop! We pick up the keys Oct. 31! I always knew Halloween was a lucky day. I can't wait to move and, in typical Katie fashion, I also can't wait to go furniture shopping this weekend! We have a lot of space to fill! Last night we sat down and discussed what we needed/wanted, and the fact that the couch we purchase, will be our couch for the next 10 years, is just nuts to me. It feels like a really big commitment to a piece of furniture. Hopefully we find one that makes us say 'we do'. 

Now on to the NOT so fun part - getting our apartment packed up in 3 weeks - eesh! (Side note, isn't it crazy that after living somewhere for a year you can accumulate so much crap?! We purged when we moved here and yet we have a TON of stuff to get rid of already! Goodwill here we come!)

I hope ya'll have a lovely Wednesday hump day!!

Out of control

Top: Sonoma for Kohls / Skirt: Sonoma for Kohls / Flats: Target / Glasses: Firmoo

Guys, my Bloglovin' feed is out of control. I usually have time to peruse it on and off through out the work day, but after a WEEK of being crazy busy and not being able to check it at all, I'm thousands deep in unread blog posts. Makes me sad.

I digress. Today Blaine and I are going to finish the final step of the application process for a SUPER CUTE townhouse we stumbled upon. Our lease is up at our apartment next month and we have been dying to get out of apartment life. We didn't know where to look when we first decided to make this move, so getting into an apartment was ideal at the time. Now, we have been here almost a year and 2 noise complaints, 4 annoying neighbors, 1,000 measly sqft., and a whole lot of parking issues later, we are ready to be donezo.

This townhouse is ideal, because one, its huge - over 2,100 sqft., 3 stories, 3 bed/3.5 bath, with an oversized garage, and oversized deck, etc.; Two its an end unit, which means we only share one wall with neighbors, and its the stairway wall, so only 2 rooms in the whole place actually share the wall; and Three its a good in between step from an apartment and a house. We don't have to worry about lawn maintenance but we still have outdoor space. I'd love to be in a house, no doubt, but the price is right and the lease is month to month, which means we aren't tied down should we decide we'd rather have a house, OR if Blaine gets transferred.

Anyway, we are SUPA excited about it. Change is good :)

Hope you all have a beautiful Tuesday!!

[Weekend Wear] Anniversary Edition

Blazer: Target / Tank: Old Navy / Jeans: LC Lauren Conrad for Kohl's / Shoes: Michael Kors / Purse: Coach / Photos compliments of photographer B :)

Happy Monday ya'll!

Though Blaine and I's anniversary was last Monday, we actually celebrated it Saturday night. And this is what I wore!

We had a nice fancy dinner, hit the comic book store and grabbed a couple beers and played the touch screen games at a local dive bar. We ended the evening playing a round of Wii Wheel of Fortune. Ah 2 years of relationship bliss :) It may have been simple but it was a blast, and I'm so thankful to have had B in my life for these last two years. I'm a lucky lady!

Win-Win

Cardi: AE (similar) / Top: Target (similar) / Jeans: Old Navy / Shoes: Keds (old) (similar and STINKING adorable)

Happy Friday ya'll!

We survived yet another week!

Yesterday we had an on-site meeting with a client that wasn't entirely thrilled our company. I wanted to wear something professional to assert myself, but casual (they are a jeans and tee environment too), but still young and creative to reflect our company. This outfit totally worked for me. Plus it was super comfortable and warm for the crazy chilly morning air, and I could remove the cardi in the afternoon when it warmed up (a little). Outfit win. It was also a client win as we totally won them back over with our wit and charm. Er, something.

I spent the back end of this week trying to get back in my groove, and I think it's working. I've been to the gym everyday (if it seems like overkill, trust me, it's not. If you only knew how tight my pants are currently fitting..), I'm actually putting a little bit of effort into my outfits AND remembering to take photos, AND blogging them! Honestly though, I'm EXHAUSTED from all the effort. It doesn't seem to matter if I go to bed at 10pm (too much sleep) or 1:00am (too little sleep) or any time in between, I just can NOT peel myself out of bed in the morning. Does anyone have a good fix for actually waking up when your alarm goes off? And not being so tired in the morning?! Its killing me.

Anyhooters, I digress. B and I are going out to one of my favorite (and most fancy!) places in the Tri to celebrate our anniversary this evening. Other then that, this weekend we are going go look for rental houses, make some yummy chili, and probably play some games! We are making a concerted effort to chill the next few weeks instead of going out and spending our moolah, as we'll likely need some of it for a deposit on a house soon!

Ok time for some work for this girl, hope you all have a beautiful weekend :)

It's OK and an outfit!

Sweater: B's, old, I think its from Target? / Skirt: Forever 21 / Boots: Blowfish

Normally today I'd Thursday remix it up. Sadly, I didnt post an outfit last week so I had none to remix. Next week I'll remix something from THIS outfit though, so watch out! This is happening.

So on to my 'it's ok's'. I really like this little Thursday feature because it makes me feel better about my bad choices ;)

It's OK that I went to the gym on my lunch hour, and forgot my sweat towel, shower shoes and deodorant... or is it? That will be determined by how my coworkers react to my smell AND if I develop athletes foot. TBD.

It's OK that I couldn't find anything for lunch so I stopped at the gas station and bought a greek yogurt and cheese stick. Must go to the grocery this weekend.

It's OK that I had to talk myself off a ledge when I got a new AE coupon in the mail. "You DO NOT need to buy any more clothes right now!"

It's OK that my beautiful roses from my anniversary are starting to wilt. I will keep them as long as humanly possibly because they represent something so special, I love looking at them every day.

It's OK to take a mental health break in the middle of the day, and go talk to my girlfriends instead of working. My plate is overloaded and my brain is having a hard time keeping it straight.

It's OK that the temps are cooling off and now I can't stop thinking about all my fall outfit choices! Katie is a happy girl :)

It's OK that I've been so busy this past month all I can think about in the evening is plopping on the couch and playing video games or catching up on my DVR until my brain is numb and then I go to sleep.

Thats all I got. What are your 'It's OK' moments??

Time to get back

Kimono Wrap: Poshlov via StitchFix / Tee: AE / Jeans: AE / Mocs: Minnetonka for AE

I feel bad for my bloggy. This past month I haven't given it the TLC it so deserves. With that being said, I haven't given myself the TLC I so deserve. You know how I know? My outfits have been less then satisfactory, the gym has been a distant memory, and I haven't done my hair in weeks. I think it's more then time to get back to my routine. No?

2 Years and a Whole Lotta Change

Due to my slacking last week I dont have an outfit post for ya'll today. BUT I do have a lil something else to chat about it! If you dont like to read sappy love story posts (and I don't blame you, I usually don't either but today is a special occasion so I get to spew about all things sweet and lovey!) hop to the next post in your blog feed! :)

Just over two years ago, I was single and living in a super cute little apartment outside Chicago. I dated, but hadn't actually connected with anyone in a really long time. I decided if I was going to meet someone worth having a relationship with, I needed to try something new. I signed up for eHarmony and was active for about a month when I saw a cute guy blonde guy show up on my matches. When I read through his profile I was in awe. It felt like I was reading about myself - we had so many common interests! We started chatting and found out the crazy similarities didn't stop at favorite TV shows and hobbies... our families lived in the same small town, we were both the youngest and he was the only boy and I the only girl, we shared the same life goals.

We met October 1, 2010 at Lou Malnati's (only the best pizza place in the world). As nervous as I was, when I saw him I felt at ease. We had no trouble communicating, and we ate and talked forever. After dinner we went next door to a little hole in the wall bar that we ended up closing down. We had 3 dates that first week, and we've never looked back. Two years later I look back at all we've already been through in the short time we've been together, and its amazing to me how much we have grown.

We made the decision to move to Washington for his job when we were just shy of being together a year. Moving in together, a million miles away from friends and family wasn't without its challenges, but every step we take, and every fumble too, feels like its the right one for us. He's my rock. When I feel like I'm the only one in the world that feels some way about something... like no one else could ever understand me - he does. So thank you Blaine, for being amazing and supportive, and helping me through bad times as much as you hold my hand through the good. Thank you for loving me the way I love you. Happy 2 years past and many more to come ;)  <3

 2 months

 3 months

 5 months

 6 months

 8 months

 8 months

8 months

22 months

You all may now stop barfing and get ready to be back to outfit posts tomorrow!