Thursday, April 18, 2013

Organizing: Shoes



I have been in my current apartment for a year and am finally organizing my closet. My last place had built in shelving for shoes in the closet (well that's what I used it for). My current closet has two really high, long shelves. I tried putting the shoes on the floor (with and without a rack) but it was hard to see below my clothes, tough to keep organized and they kept falling off (since I don't have many heels). I really wanted to do an over the door shoe thing but I don't have a real door on my closet.

 Before
one side had a bunch of shoes in boxes
other side had various shoes out of boxes
I even had shoes on the top shelf

So I decided to splurge on plastic shoe boxes from the Container Store. Spring organization sale, 15% off coupon, and cashback from my bank made me feel slightly better ($1.69 each when you buy 20). I wanted the drop front boxes but not in the budget right now. I took a photo of each pair, printed it and then had it laminated and taped to the box (similar to what I did with the toy bin labels for H's playroom).

After
I put shoes I wear most often closest to the door and on the top for easier access
All of my shoes on 1 shelf instead of 3! (I'm keeping 2 boxes of high heels on the top shelf for now though)
this post contains affiliate links

How do you organize your shoes?

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Nautical Outfit of the Week: Anchored to Seersucker


Today I am featuring Rachel of a Preppy State of Mind






Get the look:
Skirt: Brooks Brothers
Espadrilles: J.Crew
Belt: Kiel James Patrick
Bracelet: Kiel James Patrick
Necklace: J.Crew Factory

this post contains affiliate links

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

11 Things

Last night I went for a run around my neighborhood and thought about what I was going to post today. Originally I had scheduled something fun, something I would normally post. But it seems like there is quite a division in blog world when there is some sort of national tragedy. Do you post as usual, sharing something positive, not dwelling on the negative? Post your thoughts on what happened? Post nothing? I don't think there is a "right" answer, just what feels right to the author. I decided to reschedule the post I had written for later this week. I wasn't going to post anything.

Then Tierney emailed me and her emails always make me smile. Tierney writes over at the Preppy Leopard and now she is hoping to be a published writer (!) and started a new blog here for her writing. I can't wait for Tierney's new book (think Gossip Girl, the A List, YA)!

Anyway Tierney tagged me in a recent post to share some facts about me! I don't post much about my personal life so this is a chance to share a bit more with my readers.

1. My birthday is October 8, my sister's birthday is October 9 (we are 6 years apart)
2. I majored in psychology and criminal justice in college. I am still planning on going to grad school to purse one or both of those (maybe forensic psychology?)
3. I really love living alone. I'm not sure I could ever live with a roommate again. I had both ends of the crazy roommate spectrum-party 24/7, always had friends/guys over girl (had two of these) and then the other direction- a girl that needed total silence (using the microwave or tv at 10 on a Friday night was too much) and even complained when I used the space heater in MY ROOM (it was making her room "too hot")
4. I lived in the same house for my whole childhood (rare for LA) and now live just over a mile from that house
5. I stopped drinking soda during my semester in Australia in 2008. I don't like the taste of it out of the can/bottle (prefer fountain soda) so I stopped drinking it. I very rarely drink soda now. Maybe once every 6 months if that. I have never had coffee. The only issue with this is that when I do have soda/caffeine, I am awake for hours at night!
6. I am terrified of spiders
7. I have the bad habit of popping pimples but I never pick at scabs/scrapes/cuts
8. I've never had a hamburger (well maybe as a toddler before I got super picky but definitely not in the last 20+ years)
9. I thought I was going to be a teacher after college. I made it to the final round of Teach for America and then got rejected. I'm happy with my current job but it took a long time to get over that rejection
10. I started online dating last fall and that is quite an adventure. Entertaining I'll say!
11. I always sleep with the covers/blanket over my head. Even when it is hot!

Here are the new questions from Tierney:

1. Do you have a special story of how your parents picked out your name?
I am actually not sure why they chose Kate (not short for anything). I know my dad liked Kay. The funny thing is that my oldest sister has a 3 syllable first name, next sister has 2 syllable name, then I have just 1 syllable. Easier to yell out 1 syllable names? ;) My middle name is after my beloved Great Uncle though

2. What did you want to be when you grew up?
I always loved babies so something to do with kids. I think I said teacher?

3. What was your favorite memory from a child?
Family trips to Sun Valley, sleepovers with my neighbors, the yearly fall festival at my elementary school

4. If you had to wear one color for the rest of your life, what would it be?
PINK

5. What fictional place would you most like to visit?
This is a tough one! Capeside from Dawson's Creek. Nautical small town!
source

6. Who is your fictional crush?
Pacey Witter (Dawson's Creek) and Ben Covington (Felicity). Honorable mention to Chuck Bass (Gossip Girl)
7. What is the craziest/most brave thing you’ve ever done?Skydiving in Australia8. What has been your most embarrassing moment to date? I cried in front of my english class in high school, threw up once on an airplane in high school (I don't think anyone but the lady next to me saw but it was an awful experience)9. If you got to spend one day as a member of the opposite sex, what would you do? I think I would just try to pick a guy's brain and see what they are thinking! I did try to pee standing up when I was in preschool with my best friend. It didn't go well. Maybe I'd try that again. 10. What fictional character do you think is the most like you? Blair Waldorf meets the members of the Babysitters Club
source
11. What’s the most likely reason you could end up in jail one day? Protesting something/civil disobedience
Thank you, Tierney, for tagging me!

Monday, April 15, 2013

Vineyard Vines Kentucky Derby Collection

For the third year in a row, Vineyard Vines is the official style of the Kentucky Derby! This collection sells out FAST so order now. The first year of the collection I tried to order my mom something and all they had left was a baseball hat (which I still love and wear)!
Vineyard Vines kentucky derby collection 2013

Here is a look at the 2013 Kentucky Derby collection. You can view the full collection here

Derby sash halter dress (it even has pockets!)

How cute is the back?


Bow back





Horseshoe Logo Seersucker Hat (also available in blue and green)

And we can't forget the hats!

For the guys:
There are multiple tie and bow tie designs including mint julep, win place show, bits, jockey and horse, helmet and rose, and more!

Horseshoe gingham shorts (also available as pants and with matching sport coat)

Patterned helmets canvas club belt (also available in red)

Jockey helmets graphic t-shirt (also available in blue)


Whale horseshoe patch hat (also available in white and light blue)

Are you going to the Kentucky Derby? Throwing a themed party? What will you be wearing?

Friday, April 12, 2013

Nautical Photo of the Week: Ahoy It's a BOY Baby Shower


Today I am featuring a nautical baby shower that Tierney of the Preppy Leopard helped organize.

The baby shower was supposed to be held inside, but the weather was so beautiful that it was moved outside!
Where the Mommy-to-Be sat

guests signed old slips of paper and left them in a recycled bottle (instead of a traditional guest book)

DIY anchor welcome sign

A DIY banner made from old maps

A lady from church makes the most adorable themed cookies

Baby announcement that the parents to be sent last fall
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