Kate's 5 Things

Jul 14, 2023

Happy Friday! The week back from vacation absolutely flew by. I’m getting used to a new routine and am admittedly feeling pretty overwhelmed as I write this. One foot in front of the other…

What I’ve been reading:

Her Body and Other Parties. I finished this book last week and it was one of those reads that has lingered with me. Highly recommend!

What I’ve been eating:

I have been making this delicious ginger miso dressing and putting it on everything—salmon, salads, and rice. It’s a great staple to turn to when preparing meals.

What I’ve been watching:

Wimbledon!! I’m looking forward to the finals this weekend.

What’s in my cart:

I was gifted a couple of jars of Lindre lotion. It is a hemp lotion, which means it not only helps moisturize but may also help balance the skin's pH and oil levels and may have positive anti-aging effects, restoring the skin's elasticity. It has a cooling effect, and I look forward to using it twice daily. I’ve gone through the two jars and used it on Bennett’s skin, too!

One thing I’m looking forward to…

I've been waking up each morning excited to start my day. It's so simple but such a profound change.

Reader Question:

How do you find your personal style?

My Answer:

There is no one size fits all answer to this question. Knowing it isn't formulaic helps you get there faster, however! Personal style is a journey—an exploration that helps you get to know who you are through experimenting.

Pay attention to how you feel. If particular objects, spaces, clothes, art, or music give you that flutter in the pit of your stomach or you zone in and suddenly feel, This is me!—take note. It might be anything that sparks your creativity, like fabrics or colors that make you smile when you see them, an outfit you love wearing even when no one else does, old family dishes, etc.

You may not even realize you are judging your innate reactions to your style. We often want to get approval when we're feeling less confident, and the opinions of others often cloud our clarity and keep us away from those Aha! moments.

I think there are some techniques one can try when decorating to help reveal a truer sense of one's style. Here are a couple:

1. Incorporate heirloom pieces from family members to keep traditions alive. Frame an embroidered napkin or handkerchief, display your dad's matchbook collections, or style a beloved piece of childhood art—I love a wonky sculpture from high school art class mixed into a bookshelf!

2. Start with a signature color palette. Pick colors that reflect your personal style and use them consistently throughout the space. I love using pinks, reds, greens, and blues consistently throughout many of our spaces.

3. Mix and match styles to create a unique look that reflects your personality. When things don't match, it helps you see new combinations and opportunities to work with items you have on hand. You’ll also start to see gems in thrift stores, on FB Marketplace, or in your parents’ basement. Just start experimenting.

Space of the Week:

Lucy Williams is probably my favorite online follow and an absolute inspiration for me. She recently stayed at Villa Arniano, a Tuscan farmhouse designed by Camilla Guinness. The color, texture, and views of the Tuscan landscape are all a feast for the eyes.

You can follow Lucy here and Villa Arniano here.

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I hope you have a wonderful weekend!