Decorating – Blue & White

I consider myself very “traditional” when it comes to decorating. I get it from my Mom. She has exquisite style and taste when it comes to dressing and decorating; therefore, like Mother, like daughter, I inherited her style. And, thank goodness I did.

As for decorating our house, she taught me the art of symmetry and balance. I always buy décor in “pairs.”

When we registered for our everyday china pattern, my husband and I both fell in love with the “Mandarin Blue” collection by Lauren Ralph Lauren.

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Since, then I’ve been able to find several discontinued pieces of our pattern like vases, cookie jars, and candlesticks at HomeGoods. My Mom always calls me and says “I found more…” and I tell her “grab them, please!”   Now, I’ll be the first to admit, other than our everyday pattern, I don’t like a lot of blue and white décor, but I do like it sprinkled in ” here and there” around the house. Too much of a good thing is not good, in my opinion.  If you’re lucky, you can find some really great buys on blue and white ginger jars, bowls, vases and more at HomeGoods. That’s the place to hunt for them. When you see one, grab it, because they go fast. I recently found a blue and white bowl for $24.99. It now resides on our sideboard in our foyer. It’s a piece we’ll love for years. The “hunt” for these pieces is half of the fun!

Do you like decorating with blue and white? If so, where do you shop for your pieces?

Below are some images inspiring my “blue & white” style.

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Images via

~KSSBelle

Loving Lately

Happy Wednesday Friends! I hope y’all had a great weekend! We sure did, and I’m not going to lie, I did need a “vacation” after our entertaining all weekend. Our guests left Monday morning, and I was beyond tired. Four days of entertaining was fun, but add taking care of a toddler and cooking and cleaning every meal, it gets pretty tiring, pretty fast! Moving right along…

Here are a few things that I’m loving lately/have my eyes on right now!

Factory Suede Kitten Heels

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These kitten heels are the perfect height, especially for a Mom. Chic, yet practical. I can see wearing these well into the Fall. They come in a pretty pink and classic black, too.

 Factory Tassel Fringe Pendant Necklace

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I really love this necklace. I love the combination of the pink, white and black beads. The tassel top is just plain fun, too. I would wear this with almost everything in my closet.

Eyelet Sleeve Tee Dress

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You can never have too many LBD’s or LWD’s. I really like the eyelet sleeve detail on this one. A great date night dress. And, it’s on sale!

 Striped Dolman-Sleeve Shirttail Tee

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As a busy Mom, I want to look put together, but things have to be comfortable too. This stripe top would look great with shorts, white jeans or regular denim as well.

 V-Neck Sweater

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A v-neck sweater. I love this navy color (comes in several colors), and it’s perfect to transition into Fall. Can you tell what season I’m really shopping for these days? Fall.

Factory Multistrand Pearl Necklace

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I’m sure it’s no surprise to you by now that I love pearls. This necklace has been on my list to add to my collection for far too long. My incredibly stylish Grandmother passed down her pearls to me that I adore and wear on very special occasions, but this necklace would be a great everyday option that I didn’t worry about as much. Plus, this necklace is on sale, too!

Factory Racerback Camisole 

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This camisole is so comfortable and chic worn alone or layered underneath a blazer or cardigan. I have it in cream, but I’m thinking about this pink color now. These would be great year round in your closet.

What are you loving lately?

~KSSBelle

Embroidered Details

I love the embroidery detail for the Summer months. I think some of these items could also easily take you into the Fall months, as well. Just throw on a blazer or cardigan, and you’ve got an entirely new look (minus the tan). So, since we can’t change this heat, we can embrace it. Shall we?

I’ve rounded up my current embroidered favorites for you, including a gorgeous pair of earrings to top off your look.

Happy Shopping, Everyone!

Embroidered Poplin Top

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This top would look great with shorts and white jeans. I love how simple this is, so chic. And, it’s on sale! Even better.

Factory Embroidered Pom Pom Tank Top

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I’m pretty sure this top is a must-have. The pom poms make it so much more fun, too.

 Factory Embroidered Tunic Top

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This tunic is classic and subtle. Add a pair of bright earrings, and you’re done.

 Factory Embroidered Maxi Dress

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I’ve written about this dress once already, but I had to repost it, because now it’s on sale, and I think it would be a great addition to your closet. Trust me.

 Pink & Turquoise Embroidered Earrings

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These earrings are stunning. I just love the colors, and they scream “fun!” Perfect for a date night!

Until tomorrow, friends! Stay cool…
~KSSBelle

Southern Summers & Dreaming of Fall

The temperatures are hot here. I mean they’re so hot, they make you want to stay inside all day. I literally step outside to recycle something, and it makes me cringe. And, I LOVE being outside. Here’s a little known secret about me, I am not a fan of heat or hot temperatures, which ultimately means I’m not a fan of Summers in the South. I was born and raised in the South, and I love the South, but who wants to get all dressed up to then walk outside and sweat immediately? I know I don’t. It is only bearable if I can be beside a pool all day, everyday, but that’s about it. Since that’s not been my reality since I was a teenager lifeguarding, I have to deal. And, by July I am dreaming of Fall. Who’s with me? Don’t get me wrong, I am not a negative person at all, but I don’t know anyone who says “Oh, I love the heat and sweating all of the time.” Said no one, ever.

So, here are a few things getting me through this heat wave! What do you do to escape the heat?

Playroom
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Over the July 4th weekend my sweet husband actually painted our little one’s playroom. We’ve been wanting to create this space for quite awhile now, and now we have one. It’s the perfect place for us to play when it’s too hot outside. This space is going to be loved by our children for many years to come, I just know it.

 Workout Outfits
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When the temperatures get into the triple digits and you’re chasing a little one around, workout outfits are a go-to. I haven’t given up when it comes to fashion, I just don’t care to ruin my clothes by 10am with nothing but sweat. I know it sounds gross, but I love workout gear even more now that I’m a SAHM.

 La Croix Orange
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I’ve never been good at drinking a lot of water each day. I know it’s bad, but I have found I drink more water with these orange La Croix sparkling waters. Target always is running specials on them, so I stock up.

Early Mornings
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If you have a little one, you know the days of “sleeping in” are over. So, I try to take our walks in the mornings and run errands early in the mornings before the heat really moves in.

InStyle Magazine
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My first Fall issue of InStyle came in the mail this week, which also means the Fall catalogs from all of my favorite places to shop will soon be coming in the mail too. There’s hope afterall!

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So, while I can’t quite wear my pretty coats like the one above just yet, I’m quite excited about planning Fall outfit posts for the blog, and I am dreaming of the first “crisp” Fall day. Until then, I have plenty of fun posts ahead, but I’ll be the first to admit I’m most excited about the ones this Fall.

What’s your favorite season?

All images in post via

High-Rise Denim – J.Crew

J.Crew finally came out with a high-rise denim. And, they come in Tall.  I’ve been a denim loyalist to 7 For All Mankind for over 10 years now, because they fit me so well. But, I’ve had my eye on this pair for quite some time (I’m talking almost a year). I know they’re back ordered, but I may have to just buy this pair. They would look great year round. I know if I buy them that they will be on repeat a lot. I love wearing crisp, white denim in the fall/winter, too. I think wearing white in the winter makes me feel like sort of a rebel. I know, I am dork, and I’m happy to admit it.

Have you tried their high-rise denim? These sold out really quickly, so they’ve gotta be good, right?

Tall Lookout High-Rise Crop Jeans

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 I’m off to celebrate my birthday now! I’m looking forward to a fun day filled with playing with my little one, and then topping off my birthday with Italian takeout & my Mom’s homemade chocolate cake & chocolate frosting with my husband and family tonight! I have been so incredibly blessed so far in life, and I’m excited to see what the next year ahead has in store for me!

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Enjoy your Tuesday friends!
~KSSBelle

Boden – The June/July Edit

Can you believe it’s almost July? I can’t. Maybe that’s because I’m in denial that I’ll be a year older in just a few short days (Eek!). Either way, I have a lot to be grateful for, and that’s how I intend to look at this birthday!

Moving right along, I decided to do a “June/July Edit” for Boden, mainly because it’s Monday, and I thought I’d brighten the day up a bit for you. Their styles are always so colorful and fun. I have a few dresses from them, and still love them years later. Their stuff is so well made, too. As I’ve mentioned before, I’m tall, so a longer dress is necessary. The good news for all of you tall girls out there, the majority of their dresses are also available in long! You don’t have to order a size larger (like I do in most places that don’t offer tall/long styles) to get the right length. That to me is worth a few extra dollars for sure.

Here are my current favorites at Boden. Do you love Boden as much as I do?

Sarah Ponte Dress

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This dress is gorgeous. It comes in several colors. I love this color and the navy.

 Sandra Sundress

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What a great Summer frock, right? I could wear this on a date night, girls night out and church! It’s so pretty and screams “have fun!”

 Kiera Ottoman Dress

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This stripe dress is just classic. I don’t need any convincing to add this to my shopping cart. Do you?

Pretty Embroidered Shorts

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Pretty embroidered shorts. The name says it all. They would look great with a tee or dressed up with a pretty blouse! These are a Summer must.

Chic All in One

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I am not a fan of the rompers (not yet anyway), but this jumpsuit looks chic. Even better, it comes in long. I would wear a blazer/cardigan for day with flats. And for night, I’d wear it with a pair of cute heels, and throw a pashmina in my handbag in case it gets cold.

Festival Scarf

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This is a “wear with everything” kind of scarf. It would look great with a pretty much any outfit you own. Plus, how can you ignore these pom-poms?

Alice Flat

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These flats are darling. I’d wear them year round…just one of the beautiful things about being Southern…we love color, and our weather allows us to wear them year round.

Happy Monday, Friends!

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~KSSBelle

Southern Frock

A few years ago, I discovered “Southern Frock.” I have several tops of hers, and I just love them. They fit my frame really well (I’m 5’10), and give me that bright, preppy patterned top that I crave to wear in the Summer. I think one of my favorite outfits to wear in the Summer is a pair of crisp, white jeans and a bright, happy top. Who’s with me? Southern Frock in my opinion is just a pretty as Lilly Pulitzer, but is more budget friendly, especially when you buy some of her pieces on sale.

Below are my current favorites from the Southern Frock line right now.

 Milly Blouse

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I love everything about this blouse. The ruffle collar, the navy & pink print, the gold buttons, an the list goes on. I would wear this pretty blouse year round.

 Gardner Blouse

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This is another pretty top. The pattern is really cute, and the detail is on point.

Carolina Seersucker Dress

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This dress is gorgeous, and perfect for the Summer. Love the pink, but the blue and white seersucker would be cute, too.

Did I mention that these are machine washable? That’s right, no dry cleaning. A lot of my tops are dry clean only from my working days. And, if you have a little one, machine washable just makes the most sense, at least right now – this line is both chic and machine washable.

Happy Weekend!

T.G.I.F.

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Who’s glad to see Friday? I know I sure am. I was all mixed up on my days this week for some odd reason. Yesterday, I thought it was Friday almost all day – talk about a major let down when I realized it was only Thursday.

I am kicking off my weekend with a hair appointment this morning (yay!), then planning on having a low key weekend with my little family! I do have a few t0-do’s like planting a few pretty hydrangeas, finishing up some thank you notes, as well as taking care of some other odds and ends around the house. Either way, it will be a fun, fun weekend spent with the ones I love.

I hope y’all have a happy weekend!

 

The Perfect Summer/Fall Dresses

The one thing I love most about a great Summer dress is the fact that all you have to do is figure out what shoes you’re going to wear, and add some pretty jewelry and you’re done. What makes a great Summer dress even better? Being able to wear it through the Fall, too. Now that I am at home with my little one, it’s easier for me to wear a cotton dress, add a pair of sandals, and we’re off to play in the sun. Add a vest and rain boots in the Fall, and you’ve got one versatile dress.

I’ve rounded up a few casual Summer dresses for you that you can also wear in the Fall when the temperatures start to get cooler. I love a dress that can work a lot of overtime.

Factory Textured Cotton Dress

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This is great to wear now while the temps are hot, and later with a crisp button up underneath and some boots in the Fall.

 Factory Printed Tee Dress

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Another great dress to wear now with some cute, neutral sandals, and then later with a blazer, tights and boots.

Women’s Stripe Ponte Knit Dress

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This dress is a classic now, and later with a cardigan and boots or booties in the Fall.

Lilly Pulitzer Christie Print T-Shirt Dress

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The perfect T-Shirt dress. I love the 3/4 sleeves. It would be great now, and then later with a puffer vest and some cute rain boots. The Elephants…too cute for words.

Minor Obsession – Throw Pillows

If I had to say the one thing I change out at our house décor-wise quite frequently would be throw pillows. I will admit I have a teensy weensy obsession with throw pillows. I simply chalk it up to the fact that you can literally make an inexpensive update instantly to a room with a new set of throw pillows. If that cures my boredom with a room, then I’ll keep the obsession going. All in all, if you find a great pair of throw pillows it will probably run you close to $50.00, but that’s a lot cheaper than updating an entire couch or other furniture in a room, am I right? If you have a neutral base (like couches and chairs) then you can add pattern and poppy throw pillows into the mix easily. I love accessorizing with color in both fashion and décor. In my opinion, it’s all in the details. I have a few other obsessions like lamps, handbags, coats and shoes (we can chat about those in another post later), but for the most part décor-wise, my weakness is a cute set of throw pillows.

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Some of my favorite places to find these beauties is at Target (of course), Homegoods, and I have even found a few at Etsy that I like, too.

Here’s a round up of some fun throw pillows I have my eyes on right now.

Monogrammed Pink Gingham

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I fell in love with this throw pillow a few months ago. These may just have to be a birthday present to myself. Pink and white gingham and pom poms? I’m in L.O.V.E.

Greek Key Pillows

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These are classic. They come in several colors too.

Jute Braid Pillow

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This is a timeless, neutral pillow that you can mix colorful throw pillows with to create a layered throw pillow collection on a couch, etc.

What are some of your décor obsession change outs? Do you love a good throw pillow as much as I do?