Style – Collectively Kaitlyn

Items you actually NEED from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

It’s that time of year again, the #nsale, or, Nordstrom Anniversary Sale … Blogger Christmas, if you will! You’ve probably seen bloggers trying on tons of fall and winter items, putting together bomb outfits, and stressing about getting the blog post(s) live before the cardholders can shop the sale tomorrow (July 12th).

The last couple of years I’ve blogged about the Nordy Sale and this year, I’m taking a different approach. I’m not going to lie to you, I’m on a super strict budget this year which is every bit annoying but, that’s adulting for you ;). I’d be a complete fraud if I said I was going to go ape shit crazy during the sale this year and my goal is to always remain transparent with you guys. With that being said, I decided to find just eight, yes you read that right, EIGHT items you need from this sale that you can walk out of Nordstrom with (or walk back to your bed if you’re shopping from home) and be totally, 100% happy.

Tory Burch Mini Everly Crossbody Bag; $165

This crossbody is cute, super versatile (aka I’ll dress it up and down) and doesn’t completely break the bank for a designer piece!

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Jumbo St. Tropez Tanning Mousse; $49

If you literally don’t buy a single thing from this sale, PLEASE, buy this. It is, in my opinion, the absolute BEST value. I’m a self-tanning, pale as f gal and this bronzing mousse is my bff. This size is typically not even sold in stores and if it were it would be like $88 … sooOooOoo … you need it.

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DryBar Get Brushin’ and Crushin’ Set; $165

You already know I’m all about DryBar and allllll the products that come along with DB. I haven’t tried this straightening brush yet but, if I wanted to, NOW would be the time. The straightening brush retails alone for $145 so this is really a no-brainer purchase if you’re in the market for some new goodies from DryBar.

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Steve Madden Rockstar Booties; $79.90

I bought these last year in snakeskin and I absolutely adore them! I’m so happy good old Steve released them in leopard print because, if you couldn’t tell, that’s my favorite neutral color … heeehee! They are a little pricey, I will admit that. However, they’re a good, quality bootie that will last you from fall into winter for years to come. They’re a great statement piece to add a little bit of somethin’ somethin’ to any outfit.

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Adidas Edge Lux 3; $63.90

I’m always on the lookout for running shoes on sale and these are such a cute staple item to grab! I’ve heard that the word on the street is these shoes feel like you’re walking on a cloud and, I don’t know about you, but that’s exactly what my feet deserve to feel.

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Zella Live-In Leggings; $38.90

I actually “live-in” these leggings most of the time. I work from home, don’t have friends, and despise wearing actual clothes … sound familiar? If only me from college could see me now wearing leggings all the time. HA, athleisure for life, am I right? I’m serious though when I say that these leggings are comparable to Lululemon leggings and a fraction of the price. While they’re not the cheapest thing you’ll come across, they ARE the best quality for the price. ***my subtle humor should be taken with a grain of salt, I do have friends and there’s nothing wrong with literally living in leggings, do ya thang girlfriend!***

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Madewell 10-inch High Rise Denim; $84.90

On the off chance that I DO have to wear jeans or put real clothes on, my go to bottom is ALWAYS a pair of Madewell Jeans. Why? Because they’re flattering, actually fit my body, and are comfortable! If you’ve been waiting to try a pair because of the price tag, now is the time to grab a pair and see what the magic is allllll about!

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BlankNYC Leopard Cozy Teddy Coat; $64.90

This is my slightly boujee, not really practical for everyday wear, but still love it pick! Everyone needs to have one of those, right? If you’ve never tried a jacket by BlankNYC, first off, you need to and second, this is the time to do it! I’m obsessed with the style of the coat (it’s called a trucker coat, so whatever that means!!!!) and I think it would be the cutest addition to a casual outfit to give it that extra bit the outfit is missing.

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And that’s a wrap! Eight items that you’ll be totally satisfied with. Sure, swap a few items out and replace them with you personal favorites. Maybe a v-neck tee from BP ($11.90) or maybe something else that fits with your style. Remember, while I’m trying to (and many other bloggers too) build a shopping list for you based off of my favorite items, always feel free to do your own thing and purchase the items YOU love.

xx, Kaitlyn

Cyber Monday 2018

Happy Cyber Monday, Friends!

Before you come for me with pitch forks, let me explain. As much as I love blogging, my audience prefers to see my life unfold on Instagram. So, while I enjoy writing about deals, life experiences, reviews of places, etc… I want to make sure my audience is getting my content where they want it most! Earlier this year I tried to set a goal to blog on a consistent basis, but, we all know how that turned out. So, instead of promising the world, I’ll leave you with this; I’m going to continue to blog when it makes the most sense for not only my audience, but for me. I strongly encourage others to do what makes the most sense to them so I’m going to live by my own virtue as well.

Okay, on to the goods! Cyber Monday is here, everyone … although I feel like Cyber Monday and Black Friday have been going on for the entire month of November …. anyone else get that vibe? I know my credit card does. I’ve made a list of my favorite sales from my favorite places for you to shop! Most of these deals are only valid until midnight tonight so grab your credit card (as if you haven’t already) and treat yourself (and your family/friends, come on now don’t be selfish) to some goods!

Alex and Ani // free gift and 25% off everything

American Eagle // 50% off sweaters and 40% off everything

Anthropologie // 30% off everything

Banana Republic // 50% off everything

Baublebar // 35% off with code CYBER35

Express // 50% off everything

Free People // 50% off select styles and an additional 30% off sale items

Jcrew // 60% off sale styles and 50% off everything else

Jcrew Factory // 50% off new arrivals and up to 80% off sale items with code ADD2CART

Kendra Scott // 20% off all purchases, 25% off $100+, and 30% off $200+

Loft // 50% off everything with code CYBER

Madewell // 25% off everything

Matisse Footwear // 30% off full price items with code CYBER30

Neiman Marcus // 25% off select styles and gift card opportunities based on amount spent

Nordstrom // up to 60% off select styles (there’s a LOT on sale!!)

Nordstrom Rack // spend $150 get $25 back, 50% off dyson vacuums, extra 30% off sale items

Rebecca Minkoff // total amount discounts (25% off $100+, 30% off $200+, etc…)

Revolve // extra 20% off and up to 75% off on new markdowns

Saks Fifth Avenue // get $50 every $200 you spend

Sephora // up to 50% off new markdowns (a ton of goodies have been added!)

Show Me Your Mumu // 50% off everything including sale with code CYBERMUNDAY

Target // 15% off site wide and BOGO 60% clothing & shoes

Tarte // 25% off site wide and up to 60% off new markdowns

ThirdLove // buy one, give one (to victims effected by fires in california!!), $25 off strapless bras, and 30% off select styles

Tory Burch // 30% off $250+

Ugg // up to 60% off select items

Ulta // $10 off $50 or more and up to 50% off select items + my favorite mascara is 50% off today online only!!! (benefit roller lash)

Urban Outfitters // $50 off $150, $25 off $100, $10 off $50

Victoria’s Secret // 40%-50% off all bras and BOGO sleepwear/lingerie

Vineyard Vines // 40% off sale styles and 25% off full price items

xx,

Kaitlyn

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2018

Hiiiiiiiii everyone! As you can tell, I’m EXCITED to bring my 2018 #nsale picks to you. This is honestly my favorite sale of the year, because so many of my favorite brands go on sale and I can scoop them up for that low-low. I don’t live super close to a Nordy so I had to shop the first day of the sale super early (4AM) online which was totally fine and completely worth it because a PJ party with my laptop is basically my favorite thing ever. However, I did shop in store for a few items that I wanted to try-on before buying. I won’t bombard you with too many of my picks and I tried to make sure everything I’m sharing with you is 100% affordable or an incredible deal. So, without further adieu, let’s jump on in!

Tops/Jackets:

1 – BB Dakota Faux Suede Drap Jacket $69

I love finding jackets that are casual like this one, like a hybrid cardigan! BB Dakota is a great brand to invest in and it’s even better when it’s on sale.

2 – BP. Raw Edge V-Neck Tee $11

Okay, hi! $11 for a tee? I’m sold. This tee comes in a variety of colors, many of which are still fully in stock! Grab some while you can. (I bought three!)

3 – BP. Twist Front Sweater $31

I thought this was so cute with the twist front detail! What I really like is the fact that this can be worn casually or you could definitely dress this sweater up for a night out.

4 – Chelsea28 Lace Yoke Top $45

When I saw this, I immediately thought of fall and how cute this would look layered under a cardigan with some dark (or black) denim. It comes in four colors and I wish one of those would have been black BUT that’s okay. This rust color sold me!

5 – Free People Found My Friend Sweater $51

I love Free People but I love freep even more when I find it on sale. This cute sweater can be worn off one shoulder and comes in a variety of colors! So cute for fall.

6 – BP. Colorblock Sweater $31

I really love neutral colors so I was drawn to this mock neck sweater! This isn’t something I would typically buy, but I think styled with some distressed black denim, it will be a cute piece to have for fall.

7 – BP. Lace Trim Camisole $22

Super cute and super feminine! Great for layering but sadly almost sold out (hopefully they’ll restock!!)

8 – Woven Heart Chenille Sweater $36

Well, clearly, I had fall on my mind when I shopped the sale yesterday morning because I am so excited to style this sweater all fall long!

Bottoms:

1 – Madewell 10-Inch High Waist Skinny Jeans $89

If you didn’t know, Madewell denim is my absolute favorite of all time. I currently don’t own any high waist jeans like this so I was super excited to score them for such a deal! (Madewell denim runs true to size)

2 – Zella Live-In Legging $35

If there’s ONE thing you pick up from this sale, it needs to be these leggings. I legitimately live in these leggings 75% of the time. I compare them to Lululemon quality but at a much more reasonable price point.

3 – Leith Surplice Jumpsuit $52

Jumpsuits have 100% been my go-to this spring/summer. Naturally, I’m obsessed with this one and I love the tasteful cut out in the front.

4 – Levi’s 501 Destroyed Boyfriend Jean $85

I’ve been looking for a cute, destroyed pair of boyfriend jeans and these were the savior! They’re so cute and, in my opinion, destroyed perfectly. I can’t wait to style these with a tee and a pair of heels!

Shoes:

1 – Hunter Original Tall Rain Boot $99

Hunters are my favorite for fall, winter, and spring (at least here in the midwest)! This is an amazing deal and a great time to snag a pair for yourself considering they’re usually $150 or more.

2 – Sam Edelman Caprice Boot $149

I had been eyeing these boots for a while and truly couldn’t justify paying full price so when I saw that they were included in the sale, I was off the wall with excitement (it’s the little things in life, people!!) These boots come in three colors, I’m personally most excited for the black ones.

3 – Steve Madden Trace Studded Mule $50

I’m pretty sure these were the first things in my cart yesterday morning, partially because I don’t own anything like them and because I envisioned so many of my favorite fall styles pairing so well with them.

4 – Adidas Flashback Sneaker $68

You really can’t go wrong with a pair of classic sneakers! I’m always on the hunt for fairly priced athletic shoes and what I love about this pair is that they can be paired with a casual, athleisure outfit.

Accessories:

1 – Tory Burch Marsden Crossbody – $151

This beauty comes in four colors and, at this price, you really can’t beat it! I’m a huge fan of crossbody bags and an even bigger fan of Tory Burch bags so when I can grab one for over 50% off, you better believe I jump on that opportunity.

2 – Kendra Scott Miku Drop Earring $39

I had to pick these cuties up when I saw that they were on sale! They come in three metals; gold, silver, and rose gold.

3 – Rebecca Minkoff Crossbody $149

I’m crying a little on the inside because I bought a crossbody super similar to this one last fall at a much higher price and I’m kicking myself for not waiting! This is a super cute bag to take you through the fall and into winter. Is anyone else happy leopard print is back?

4 – Brixton Baker Boy Cap $31

Everyone is obsessed with this style of hat and I can see why! I scored one on sale so I’m going to see if I’m cool enough to pull off this style.

Beauty:

1 – drybar The Most Wonderful Waves Set $165

You already know I love drybar (if you didn’t, now you do)! Any time I can grab something like this for a friend or as a gift, I try to. This is such an incredible deal because the curling wand alone is $165!

2 – St. Tropez Jumbo Self Tan Express Mousse $49

Like being tan without the worry? Me too! St. Tropez is one of my favorite tanning lotion brands AND this self tan express mousse has been my go-to allllllll summer! You’re getting the JUMBO for the price of the regular size bottle.

3 – NARS Undressed Liquid Lip Set $49

I’ve been really obsessed with NARS liquid lip lately and I’m so happy to see this set of four on sale for such a great price!

4 – Luxie Face Complexion Set $35

These are some of my favorite makeup brushes ever! $35 for this set is an absolute steal.

Happy Shopping, friends! Leave a comment with your favorite items!

xx, Kaitlyn

Play Hard: Chicago

It’s no surprise that Chicago is my home away from home and I absolutely love experiencing new things the city has to offer. My friends know I’m the gal to go to for recommendations in the city and I thought I’d bring my list of favorites to life by sharing it with all of you!

Drinks and Eats:

Three Dots and a Dash – MY FAVORITE BAR EVER. It’s grown wildly popular for it’s underground (yes, you heard me, underground!) tiki theme and imported rums in the last few years so you’ll need to make a reservation but I promise it’s worth it.

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Pops for Champagne – We all know I love my champagne and pops definitely delivers the best selection of champs and cheese boards!

Raised Bar – I actually did an entire review of Raised Bar last year so I’ll link it here and let that post do the talking.

The Up Room at The Robey – I was lucky enough to collab with The Robey earlier this year and had the best experience at The Up Room! The views were incredible and the drinks were all hand crafted.

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Cindy’s Rooftop – Another place with a great view and trendy drinks!

LondonHouse Rooftop – Hellllooooo perfect view of the Chicago River! This rooftop terrace is one of the prettiest in Chicago to grab a drink and admire the beauty of Chi Town.

Cubby Bear – A typical bar located in Wrigleyville but perfect for a pre-Cubs game drink!

Quartino – Honestly, one of my favorite Italian restaurants ever. I love pasta and I love pasta even more if it’s fresh/homemade. Let’s not forget about their Lemoncello Martini!

Public House Chicago – One of my favorite stops in River North for not only a great brunch but for their boozy cake shakes!

Giordano’s Pizza – Don’t come for me, this is my FAV deep dish ‘za in Chicago and always will be.

Rosebud – A cute restaurant with some Italian flare in River North.

Beatrix – With a couple of locations in Chi, this is one of the best places for a girl’s Sunday Funday brunch! (my girl gang and I went to the one in the west loop!)

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The Q – I’m not a huge fan of BBQ but The Q always serves up some delicious southern ‘Q.

Hub 51 – A great, American classic restaurant where you can devour a burger and fries or a few cocktails!

Portillos – I hate hotdogs so I can’t personally vouch for this but everyone says Portillos is THE place to get a legit Chicago dog. The cheese fries are delish too!

Noyane – SUSHI and a view!

Velvet Taco – Theeee place to taco ’bout! Everyone loves Velvet Taco and if you go, you’ll see why!

Big Star Taco – Margs? Check. Family style tacos? Check. Multiple Salsa Options? Check.

STK – I literally loveeeeee STK. I recently visited the Las Vegas location and the food is literally always amazing. Slightly pricey but totally worth it!

Tavern on Rush – A chic, trendy place to grab lunch or dinner. Great for groups too!

Steak 48 – Another super good place to get a steak cooked to absolute perfection.

Goddess and the Grocer – Absolutely obsessed with G&G. Super fresh ingredients and so great for a tasty lunch.

Hampton Social – The best frosé in the game and the cutest vine wall ever! (also great for brunch)

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Summer House Santa Monica – Beachy vibes and great food.

Where to Stay?

I’m partial to River North because that’s just where I like to hang out so most of my favorites are in that area!

Acme Hotel Company – If you follow me on Instagram you already know I love this place with my whole heart. The vibes, the location, the staff, the cleanliness … everything is amazing! Can’t say I love it enough!

The Gwen – A cute, swanky hotel in close proximity to Michigan Ave and the River front.

The Dana – Adorable hotel complete with spa! Who could want more?

Moxy Chicago Downtown – a NEW hotel to Chicago. Similar vibes to that of Acme but located a little south of River North in the loop!

Where to Play?

Cubs Game – I’m a Cubs fan and have been since basically birth! So, I’m partial to a Cubs game but the White Sox fans know how to party too. Either way, you really can’t go wrong … but … Wrigleyville has my heart.

The Bean – A Chicago classic attraction. Pro Tip: Go early before all the tourists get there … oops probably shouldn’t give away my secret 😉

Navy Pier – It’s always a good time at Navy Pier! River cruises, Chicago eye, the conservatory … all the best things in one place!

Lincoln Park Zoo – What better way to spend an afternoon?

Social 25 – A club in River North with an upstairs and downstairs. In my prime, I may or may not have danced on a table of two in the basement of this place.

I’m always updating my list of favorites in Chicago so don’t hesitate to ask me for more recommendations and if I didn’t cover something you wish I would have in this post, let me know!

xx, Kaitlyn

Passion for Influence

A while back I made an Instagram Story (if you don’t follow me on IG, I post stories about my dog and food mostly – it’s quality stuff!) about taking a break from blogging. I wasn’t creating content I loved and I simply didn’t feel inspired to write about things I was truly passionate about. Sure, I can produce content weekly, even daily if I wanted to, but that’s not why I’m here in my little corner of the internet. I’m here because I have a passion for creating. So, long story short, I opted not to produce content just for the sake of having a blog post go live and I hope my followers can appreciate that because when I do post they know they’re getting the maximum.

Sooo frequently I’m asked “how do I become an influencer!?” or “how do I get free product?!” or “how do I start making money on Instagram!?” … and I’m always taken back before I answer. You see, you can’t go into this industry of blogging and being an influencer with the mindset that you’ll be able to quit your job immediately and bask in the glory of “free product” in exchange for a post. If that’s what your intention is, I’ll tell you right now, you probably won’t be happy. Being an influencer takes work, real work, and you’re not always compensated for your time. It’s not as simple as standing next to a cool wall with a cute outfit and taking photos. It’s creating content even when you’re not in front of a camera, planning your blog posts, and most importantly, constantly having your “business” in mind. Being that my background is in Public Relations and Marketing, specifically as it relates to social media, I have a really good grasp on the influencer market and on the ever changing world of Instagram, my platform of choice. Instagram is like an actual game of risk because it takes planning and determination to grow yourself organically. I could go on forever about Instagram but I’ll save that for another blog post. I’m continuously researching how to better myself and how to combat Instagram’s algorithm so that I’m able to share my successes and my failures with not only my Instagram friends but companies and brands. Now, remember what the title of this blog post is? Passion for Influence. That’s something raw and real. Each day, as I’m plotting my attack on IG (heehee), I remind myself why I’m doing what I do. Each time I have a fluctuation in engagement or my follower count isn’t at a constant incline, I remind myself why I continue to do what I do. Here’s the short answer, I have a passion for influencing others. I believe strongly that the power of influence can impact the lives of many and that’s why I’m here. Most of the time, I’m sharing products I love or collaborating with companies that I love to give you guys the best reviews and testimonials. However, I’m also sharing when I fall short. I’m hoping that by not only sharing the good but the bad too, that I’m able to positively impact someone. It’s not always about the number of followers you have or your engagement score, it’s about having fun with your content and being transparent to your followers!

Usually, when I tell people the long version of that story, they either decide that becoming an influencer isn’t as easy as they originally thought it would be and they move on with their life or they take the challenge head on to begin growing their brand. I’m not an expert and I have a long way to go to be where I want to be. There will always be influencers who are better than I am and do way more than I ever could, but I know that at the end of the day I’m giving this path I’ve chosen my all to strive for my ultimate goal of spreading my passion to create content and positively influence others to the masses. Happy Monday!

xx, Kaitlyn

Dote Shopping

Happy March, everyone!

I knowwww, it’s been like a solid month since I’ve actively blogged, woops! It’s okay though because I’m back with the hottest app that you need to download like … yesterday. What’s the app? Where can you find it? Why is it so great? No fear, I’ll tell you.

Dote Shopping is an app that hosts all of your favorite clothing brands in one place with one check out. Literally everything I’ve ever wanted in an app because what’s more annoying than ordering online and having to go to multiple stores or open multiple apps and place multiple different orders just to get the items you want? Think of Dote like your personal mobile mall. You select the brands that you love and those brands are what get featured in your feed so you’re really getting to fine tune what you want to see. The best part? You get to take your mobile mall with you wherever you go! Also, Dote notifies you when items you’ve saved go on sale or when brands you love are having a sale so there’s no more missing out on those amazing deals. Currently there are roughly 150 stores on Dote and that number continues to grow each week!

When I first heard about Dote, I was skeptical because it sounded WAY too good to be true but I created my account, placed my first order, and fell in love. It’s just that good. One of my favorite parts about Dote is that you’re able to create lists to categorize your favorite items and items that you want to buy but want to wait for the item to go on sale. It’s an awesome way to organize your “wish lists”.

They’re not paying me to say any of this, I just genuinely love using Dote and think that all of you will too! Dote is available in the app store and if you use my code at check out “JPQJ” you’ll get $5 off your order.

If you download the app, be sure to follow me by clicking here so I can connect with you on Dote!

xx, Kaitlyn

Serving Looks: Valentine’s Day

Dinner, drinks, date night extravaganza! I don’t know about you, but those are three D’s I’m all about. I’ve compiled a list of my favorite looks for Valentine’s Day both casual and not for any Valentine’s Day Dat Night you might encounter.

(Side note: What are your plans? I still don’t have any and need to figure that ish out real quick!)

First Look: Edgy VDay Vibes

This first look, I am in love with and probably going to recreate in some way for Valentine’s Day depending on my tentative plans. I’m living for the black strapless jumpsuit paired with the moto jacket. I’m not a huge fan of red or pink and, to be honest, both colors are super unflattering on my skin tone. SOOOOO, I’ve incorporated a little pop of red with the pumps. Not to mention, the pumps are leopard print – need I say more?

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BlankNYC Life Changer Moto Jacket

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Adelyn Rae Strapless Jumpsuit

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Sam Edelman Haide Feather Pump

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Rebecca Minkoff Mini MAC Crossbody

Second Look: Girlie Girl Gang

This outfit is lace, grace, and va-va-voom in your face …. (this is why I don’t write poems and I’m rolling my eyes at myself right now)! ANYWAY, this stunning romper has been all over the internet the last year or so and I’m telling you, it’s here to stay. It makes perfect sense for a date night because it’s comfortable and moveable, yet the lace overlay adds a layer of elegance to the piece. Paired with some simple nude pumps (or if you’re blessed with the genes of height, flats), you have yourself an adorable Valentine’s Day Date outfit.

Socialite Lace Overlay Romper

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Sam Edelman Ankle Strap Sandal

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Vince Camuto Leather & Suede Clutch

Third Look: Confidently Casual

This look is for a fun-type of Valentine’s Day Date … think Dave & Busters. This is for the girl who is totally cool with being casual and rocking her look while completely annihilating her date in arcade games at D&B. To be honest, I love this outfit and the best thing about it is that it’s versatile and can be worn on more occasions than simply Valentine’s Day. Also, Madewell denim has become my absolutely favorite recently. Anyone else feel that way? (#MadewellEveryday)

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Free People Cuddle Up Pullover

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Madewell Skinny Jeans

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BP. Block Heel Bootie

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Gold Kendra Scott Sophee Drop Earrings

Which look is your favorite? Leave a comment and let me know!

xx, Kaitlyn

Realistic Resolutions for the New Year

New Years resolutions can be hard to keep, especially if they’re major life changes or something you have to work hard to maintain. Aside from the fact that it takes a minimum of 21 days to break a habit, such as going to the gym instead of binge watching Netflix, the added pressure of reaching your goal can be daunting which makes it harder to focus on the desired results. I’ve compiled a list of my favorite yet simple ways to ensure you’ll have a fabulous year in 2018!

Drink more water. This sounds like an easy task but even if you’re just sitting around the house, your body requires roughly 64 ounces of water each day! How funny is it that we can drink several glasses of champagne in one sitting but the thought of drinking our daily required amount of water feels hard! I love water and always have so for those of you who find it difficult to drink enough, I suggest investing in a fun water bottle like a S’well or a bottle that encourages you to want to drink more water. Also, take note of how many ounces are in the bottle of your choice and make a mental note of how many bottles of water you need to drink to hit your goal. It won’t seem as horrific as drinking eight, 8 oz glasses of water each day.

Stretch more. How silly does that sound? “My New Years Resolution is to stretch more” … but I’m serious! Take some extra time in the morning, literally 2 additional minutes, to stretch your body. Wake your body up the natural way instead of running for the nespresso machine in your kitchen. Now, I’m not saying to stop drinking your favorite lattes but you will notice a difference in your energy level first thing in the morning simply from stretching your body.

Sign up for a new workout class. Workout classes are 100% different than casually going to the gym because with a workout class you’re held accountable to be there or you’ll be fined. I don’t know about you but I’m not about paying money for something I didn’t do. So, sign up for a spin class or a TRX class or even just a beginners yoga class. Do something you wouldn’t normally do! You’ll probably really enjoy the challenge.

Practice daily self affirmation. Tell yourself each day through writing or by speaking that you deserve to have a great day! Tell yourself that you’re a boss ass b*tch and remind yourself that you deserve that raise. Tell yourself that you’re going to do a great job today. At the end of the day, reflect on what happened. Did you meet your goals? Did you lose hope in your words of affirmation? If so, what can you do better tomorrow? Live your best life!

Try something new at least one time each month. So, this was a resolution I came up with for myself a few years ago. At the time, I had never been on an airplane, I had never been out of the country, etc … and I was itching for new experiences. During the year I flew across the country to visit one of my best friends, I went to Canada for the first time (my friendly neighbor to the east), and at the end of the year I had at least 12 new things I did that year. It was absolutely incredible to reflect on the memories I made, the laughs I shared, and the challenges I had. Each month set a goal to do or try something new to you and when you accomplish it, write it down either in your notes on your phone or physically on paper. Even if you didn’t like what you tried, you still pushed yourself to do something new!

Meatless Day. Pick a day of the week and go meatless. I’m not here to preach to you about veganism or vegetarianism but I am here to say that I really monitor my animal product consumption for my own health reasons. I’ll still eat a cheeseburger and love every second of if but I’ll always have multiple days per week where I go completely meatless. If you’re skeptical, feel free to reach out! I have a ton of self-created vegetarian recipes that I’d love to share with you. Who knows, you might actually prefer the vegetarian option to the option made with meat. Plus, this can be your “something new” to try for the month!

I hope you celebrate the New Year and have the most amazing time with friends or family. If you’re watching the ball drop in your jammies on the couch or if you’re decked out in sequins at a VIP party popping champagne at midnight, I wish you the best start to 2018!

xx, Kaitlyn

Gift Guide #4: For Him

We allllllllll know guys wait until the last minute to let us know what they want for Christmas. So, no fear, I’ve linked some last minute items for your man, dad, brother, or grandpa that are sure to be a hit with any guy!

Native Union Charger Set

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Earlier this year, I was introduced to Native Union through my boyfriend after he forgot to pack our chargers as we were leaving our hotel room in Vegas (charger packing and tech things are his job — he took full responsibility!). Anyway, he immediately turned around to purchased these amazing chargers from Native Union and we’ve been hooked ever since! The best part is that Native Union sells a plethora of cables in all lengths and sizes!

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I absolutely love MVMT watches! They were founded on the ideals that style shouldn’t break the bank and that luxury can be affordable. These watches are some of the best quality for the money that I’ve ever seen. With so many styles, these are definitely going to be a hit with any guy on your list!

Jack Black Gift Set

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Jack Black has become one of the most requested items from the guys in my life! The gift sets are great for stocking stuffers or an all-in-one gift at an affordable price point.

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Happy Socks are probably the funkiest, yet coolest dress sock on the market right now and, I mean, who doesn’t love getting fun socks these days?

Patagonia Quarter Zip

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Patagonias are not only practical, but on trend. If your guy isn’t into prints and designs, these quarter zips are the perfect alternative!

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Chukka boots have been a necessity with the guys I know. They’re stylist, go with so many outfits, and can be dressed up or dressed down. What more could you honestly want as a guy than a shoe that makes getting ready more effortless than it already is.

Sephora Cologne Sampler

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Possibly the best gift for picky guys on your list! With this gift set, they’re able to redeem a voucher for a cologne of their choice.

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Men don’t always like to admit it but they love slippers just as much as women do. These Ugg slip on slippers are some of the comfiest you can buy and will make your man feel like he’s walking on a cloud!

Google Home or Google Wi-Fi

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Google Home is a super convenient device to have in your home because you can do just about anything with a google home system. From playing a Spotify playlist to getting the answer to a perplexing question — google home has your man covered. Google Wi-Fi is an incredibly easy device to set up and syncs with an app to make managing it super simple.

Many of these items can be purchased on Amazon Prime, too! I hope this gift guide helps you navigate the tricky world of shopping for men.

Happy Holidays from me to you!

xx, Kaitlyn

Gift Guide #3: For The Person Who Has Everything

gift guide

Case App – With so many of the same, types of phone cases and laptop skins on the market, it’s often hard to find one that you haven’t seen 100 times before. If you’re shopping for someone who “has everything” chances are they probably have the latest and trendiest tech accessories. Well, Case App allows you to design and create your very own, customized phone cases and laptop skins! This means you complete and total creative freedom to really give that special person on your list exactly what they’re looking for. Use my code ” KAITLYN20 ” for 20% off until December 22nd!

Amazon Prime subscription – With everything accessible at the touch of your finger tips, Amazon Prime has quickly become one of the most useful services to purchase. What better way to say, “Happy Holidays” than with a year of free Prime! The best thing about Amazon Prime is that having access to Prime doesn’t just mean fast shipping and awesome discounts. It also means having access to Amazon Movies and other fun Amazon features that are sure to bring delight for months to come!

Monthly Subscription Box – I am all about monthly subscriptions and I love giving them as gifts! I think it’s so fun to open a little present each month that gets delivered right to my door. Some of my favorite monthly subscription boxes include UnderClub Co, Hum Nutrition, and Sephora Play!. Let me dive a little deeper into each box and give you the low down on why I love them all.

1. UnderClub is a luxury underwear subscription service for women. They pride themselves on delivering the best products to women to help them start their day off feeling their absolute best. I love the high quality items I’ve received and I love how simple it is to try new products because they’re delivered to me each month. I highly recommend giving this subscription service a try! You can sign up for 3, 6, and 12 month services on their website! Grab your UnderClub gift here

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2. Hum Nutrition is a monthly vitamin subscription service that, in my opinion, trumps all the rest. I have been obsessed with Hum Nutrition for years and I absolutely love getting new products in the mail each month. The sign up process is super easy and literally as simple as 1, 2, 3 …! After signing up for a subscription, you’re paired with a nutritionist that helps guide you through your journey to better health. You can customize your monthly box each month which makes giving this subscription as a gift to someone who has everything, the best possible!

3. Play! by Sephora It’s no secret that I’m a long time Sephora lover. I’ve tried allll of the other makeup subscription boxes and, while I like them, none of them have ever compared to the value I find in my Play! by Sephora box. What I love most in comparison to other monthly makeup subscriptions in the same price range is that with Play! by Sephora you’re promised 6 of their best selling or hottest trending products. One of those products will be a perfume sample and the other five will be something that you’ll actually use instead of throwing in your sample drawer and forgetting about it. For only $10 per month, I think this is a steal!

The best thing about giving a subscription of monthly boxes to someone that has everything is that they’re getting something new each month.

S’well Bottles – I am obsessed with S’well bottles and I have amassed quite a collection … good for me but not good for my cupboards and to be quite honest, lack of storage space. Anyway, with so many different designs and sizes of S’well bottles, there’s sure to be something for everyone. The best thing about S’well bottles is that they encourages you to drink more water and who doesn’t want that? They’re perfect to take on an airplane, to a workout class, to the office, or even just to keep in your car to refill at your connivence.

Popsocket – THE MOST UNDERRATED PRODUCT OF 2017! I am in love with my popsocket and I truly cannot imagine going back to the days before I had a popsocket on my phone. You know; the days of laying in bed, looking at your phone, and dropping it on your forehead? Or, how about, trying to take the perfect group selfie but your phone slipping out of your hand and cracking your screen as it falls onto the cement? Sound familiar? With a popsocket, you’re able to stabilize your phone and give your poor pinky a rest while texting. Not to mention, for less than $15 you can completely customize your popsocket and give one of the most practical and meaningful gift this year!

Tile – Never lose your things ever again! This little device pairs with your phone via bluetooth to help you track down anything it is attached to. If your item is within a 100-foot bluetooth radius of your phone, Tile plays a loud tune until your find it. This is literally the best gift anyone could give in my option, because I can’t even count how many times I’ve lost my keys, purse, sunglass case, etc… and have wasted hours looking for items that were right in front of me all along.

An Experience – If you think about it, the reason why someone claims to “have everything” is because they’re just craving an experience or just itching to spend some quality time with you. Ticket to a concert, or a show like cirque du soleil, or a fun night out at a food and drink tasting festival are all really incredible gifts that can be shared together making memories.

xx, Kaitlyn