A day that I anticipated for months finally came and went. The Ramblin’ Rose Triathlon was September 26th, and myself plus 3 friends completed the event! This was my second sprint triathlon, but since it’s been 9 years and I’ve bore 3 children since that time, this very much felt like a brand new experience.

The weather was absolutely perfect the weekend of the race, and that was truly a gift since all “legs” of the event were outside. Bad weather can really kill the vibe of an outdoor race so the perfect blue skies were very appreciated.

A sprint triathlon is a mini or shorter triathlon that contains all the traditional parts of that kind of race. It was a swim, bike, and run. The distances of each of those legs were short, which is why it’s called a sprint triathlon. The word “sprint” confuses people sometimes because they imagine it’s a speed race, like a “run as fast as you can kind of sprint”, but like any event like this you can take it as fast or slow as you personally desire.

The swim was 225 yards, the bike was 8 miles, and the run was 2 miles. I love sprint triathlons because each part of the race is short enough that you feel like “I can do this” and it’s over so quickly.

I peer pressured my friends Kathleen and Anna to join me, and then Kathleen did the same with her friend Dana. So, the four of us all signed up and eagerly waited for race day to arrive.

Personally, after having the Peloton for about 1.5 years, I knew I would be able to excel at the bike portion. I was not confident with swimming freestyle, and felt indifferent about the run. Mentally, I was most nervous about the swimming, and I knew as soon as that part was over I could enjoy the event more. This ended up being very true as I really did not perform well for the swim portion. My nerves took over and I felt breathless as soon as I jumped in the pool, which made it very hard to swim!

In transition, I took some deep breaths to calm down, and was able to regain my composure enough to walk my bike to the start line, hop on, and hit the road. I was so happy to be out of the water and doing a form of exercise that I was comfortable and confident in.

I took the bike portion as hard and fast as I could. I am really happy with my time given the sheer volume of hills and turns on the bike course. You would not believe how steep some of the hills were on the course, it was brutal.

The bike course ended back in the transition area, and that is where I saw Justin, David and Luke! They came to cheer me on, which was so sweet. Emily, my daughter, was happily playing at a park with my parents on the morning of the race.

I hopped off the bike and intended on changing shoes, but I was feeling really good so I just took a swig of Propel, threw on my running hat, and started on my run.

It took about a half mile to get my legs back to feeling more normal since getting off the bike. I was feeling pretty depleted during the run, but I got it done and was so happy to cross the finish line!

Overall, I feel really great about how the race went, except the swim, and I am so glad I signed up and pushed myself to do this!

This was my first Ramblin’ Rose triathlon. The race I did 9 years ago was through a different organization and was men and women. Sunday’s race, and all Ramblin’ Rose events are women only, which was a nice element as a beginner.

The entire experience was smooth, the race ran perfectly, and I felt very prepped and aware of what to expect thanks to the people running the event. The participants of the race were so encouraging and supportive too, so that was a really wonderful addition.

This sprint triathlon was challenging and it pushed me to dig deep to finish strong. I would highly, highly recommend signing up for an event like this if you even have a tiny bit of desire. You can do this!

Q & A from Instagram:

One. Why did you sign up for this? I wanted a challenge and wanted to do something that would push me and also utilize all this bike training I’ve been doing on the Peloton.

Two. What did you wear? I wore my Spanx bike shorts, a Lululemon sports bra, and a Triathlon tank. I wore Nike Phantom sneakers (these) and intended on changing into my Miler’s for the run portion because I thought my feet would be wet, but I ended up feeling fine and just ran in my Nikes.

Three. Did you change or just do the bike and run portion in wet clothes? I just wore my sports bra and bike shorts for the swim. My Tri tank was draped over my bike handlebars waiting for me, with the bib pinned onto it. So after the swim, I jogged over to the transition area (where my stuff was), and towel dried. Then, I pulled my tank on, put on my socks, shoes, and helmet, and hit the road. My clothes were a bit damp, but not dripping wet.

Four. Would you sign up for another one? Absolutely yes, but I think I may do a duathlon instead of a triathlon to omit the swim portion!

Five. Is the swim in a pool or a lake? For this event, it was in a pool. I don’t think I could do a triathlon with a lake or ocean swim. I would have to really improve my swimming abilities.

Six. Did you follow a training program? No, I regularly ride the Peloton or run outside for exercise, so I just maintained that. I swam a few times but wish I had trained more for that. I’m sure there are training programs available but I did not use them.

Seven. How did you feel the rest of the day after the race? I was absolutely exhausted! But I was also really happy.

You can head back 9 years and read my recap of that triathlon here.

The temps have dropped about 40 degrees and it feels like FALL outside! This is affectionally called “fake fall” in the south. We will definitely have more 80-90 degree days in the next month or so, but I’ll take any reprieve from the humidity that I get!

Do you have plans for the weekend? My sprint triathlon is on SUNDAY. It felt so far away for so long and now it’s happening. in 48 hours. I’m excited and also have a lot of nervous energy! The beauty of this race is that I have one goal: complete the race. And I’m pretty sure I’ll be able to hit that goal!

Beyond that, my parents are visiting this weekend so that should be fun, and I’m hoping to spend as much time as possible outside enjoying the weather!

Flare jeans for under $100.

I love these stretch bracelets.

Such a pretty back porch!

Amanda was wearing these Target sneakers at our meeting Wednesday and agreed that they are so comfortable!

This is a great intro to some wonderful Ole Henricksen products that I love.

A simple maxi that could be styled with a belt and booties!

And here are a few things I mentioned on Instagram Stories recently that you may have missed: 

Madewell Perfect Vintage Jeans

Madewell Curvy Perfect Vintage Jeans

Banana Bread Recipe

Flour Container – nice and large so it’s easy to scoop into!

OPI Lisbon Wants Moor -my go to nail color for the past couple years!

Wedge Slip-on Sneaker

Canon Camera

Current Favorite Foundations: NARS Sheer Glow. Georgio Armani Luminous Silk, Sephora Best Skin Ever, Lancome Tient Idol, Urban Decay Stay Naked

amika Got Grit! Dry Texturizing Hair Paste

lululemon Align Leggings – G.O.A.T.

Patrick Ta Cream and Powder Blush

Virtue Healing Oil

Madewell Road Tripper Jeans

Black and White Coffee Cold Brew Lemonade -Amanda loves these

Wilson’s Eatery – amazing food.

Jordan at Douglas Caroll Salon – truly talented hairstylists!

Denim Jacket

Bouncy House – best kid purchase.

This week’s discount codes (#partnerships): 

Loopy Cases: Code smallthings10 for 10% off

amika: Use code SMALLTHINGS10 for 10% off your purchase

One-Third Clothing: Kate15 will give you 15% off

Bagging Rights: KATE10 gives you 10% off any items at BaggingRights.com

Miranda Frye: “Smallthings10” will get you 10% off and free shipping!

Spanx: Use code “KateXSpanx” for 10% off plus free shipping!

Beddy’s: Code “SmallThings” saves you 20%!

Questions from Monday’s Q&A Box:

Do you have a post about your camera/filming gear? I have a post about lighting, click here to read!

What luxury items are worth the splurge? For me, jewelry and bags that would fall in the luxury category are always purchases that I enjoy for years.

How do you find a good hairstylists? Click here to read the post!

Do you retouch your makeup during the day? Very rarely. At most I may add a bit of concealer, but generally that is all.

Have you ever done a color consult? I’m currently in the process

Favorite charity? It’s hard to pick one, but an organization I’ve donated to regularly and happily support is Feeding America. You can read more here.

Have you found the secret compartment in your Roadster yet? ::runs out to the garage::

I remember the first time I sprayed White Rain on my hair when I was working a temp job at a metal production company. My hair was messed up from the headset I had to wear, and I grabbed the white rain sitting in the bathroom and sprayed.

Small beads of crispy liquid flung out of the bottle and coated my hair. I couldn’t even brush through it with my fingers!

And that is when I knew–hairspray can be realllllly wrong, or really right. Find a few of my favorite hairsprays below!

No 1. Big Sexy Hair Spray & Play Volumizing Hairspray – this is another more firm hold option and can also be forgiving like the Kenra Volume 25.

No 2. Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Soft Texture Finishing Spray – the lightest of all, but great for loose and beachy waves.

No 3. Amika Fluxus Touchable Hairspray – this is such a great flexible option for those who like a looser hold. It’s lightweight and smells really nice.

No 4. Bumble and Bumble Dryspun Finish Texture Spray – this is a rather loose hold but adds a really nice texture to your hair. If your curls mesh together, try using a texture spray like this to give them a little definition!

No 5. Kenra Volume 25 – my absolute favorite for almost 20 years! It’s a strong hold while still being brushable and flexible. Layers beautifully too!

Well? How was it?

Did you have a nice week?

Mine moved at a steady pace and I finally got to experience an entire week of our new schedule now that school has begun for the kids. The evenings are feeling short, and I’m figuring out the best time to make lunches for the next day is IMMEDIATELY after dinner so I don’t have to clean the kitchen twice!

Merrick shared her experience with laser hair removal here.

Tips for hosting a party!

And here are a few things I mentioned on Instagram Stories recently that you may have missed: 

Spanx Bike Shorts – these are my favorite bike shorts. I’m planning on wearing these for the sprint triathalon that is coming VERY SOON!

fresh Black Tea Instant Perfecting mask – one of my all time favorite face masks.

Osteria G Italian Restaurant – very yummy!

Tillamook Ice Cream Truck

Virtue Healing Oil – I looooove this oil for my dry, distressed ends.

No7 Total Renewal Exfoliator – a fantastic drugstore exfoliator.

Cristo’s Bistro Grandmas Pizza

Urban Decay Naked Lipstick  – one of the best pinks I’ve worn.

Almay Eye Makeup Remover Pads

Jamie Pant from J.Crew Factory -I ended up needing a different size and it looks like the new size will be delivered today!

J.Crew Factory White Popover Top 

Floral Blouse 

Graphic Tees from J.Crew  – easy and casual.

Rothy’s Stripe Bag – so cute!

bumble & bumble Blow Dry Accelerator

Madewell Perfect Vintage Jeans, Roadtripper Jeans

This week’s discount codes (#partnerships): 

Aera – My code KATE20 will save you 20% on diffusers

amika: Use code SMALLTHINGS10 for 10% off your purchase

One-Third Clothing: Kate15 will give you 15% off

Bagging Rights: KATE10 gives you 10% off any items at BaggingRights.com

Miranda Frye: “Smallthings10” will get you 10% off and free shipping!

Spanx: Use code “KateXSpanx” for 10% off plus free shipping!

Beddy’s: Code “SmallThings” saves you 20%!

Questions from Monday’s Q&A Box:

What do you use to clean your makeup brushes? I love this cleanser from Sephora.

Do you read to your kids nightly? Sometimes we read, sometimes we play a card game, and other times we play!

What is your favorite part of your beauty routine? Doing my hair!

Do you take any medication for your migraines? No, just advil or tylenol.

How do you feel about apple cider vinegar for your hair? Not only is the smell extremely off putting to me, but I would wonder if it could be too strong for some hair types.

What do you think of Mary Kay products? I haven’t used them in a very, very long time!

Go to, everyday non-sponsored makeup favorites? I only ever work with brands that I have or would use organically (I wish you could see how many campaigns I turn down monthly!). So, whether it’s sponsored or not–if I tell you it’s my favorite, it’s certainly one of my favorites.

I’m about to share a potentially controversial statement:

I’m team “no thong”. I know, I KNOW! But I found the best briefs that are the closest thing to wearing nothing at all.

One.     Two.     Three.     Four.     Five.     Six.     Seven.     Eight.     Nine.     Ten.

From time to time I’ll share my favorite undergarments, from underwear to bras to socks, but I wanted to have a simple spot where I rounded up all of my very favorites. When it comes to underwear, I only have black, white, or taupe in my drawer. And the same holds true for my bras!

I shared two underwear recommendations on the graphic, the Chantelle brand is what I wear every day, and I love the Tommy John Air Mesh brief for working out (or every day…!).

Natori bras are extremely comfortable and fit my body really well, and if you’re interested in exploring some of my other favorite bras you can read this post!

When it comes to athletic socks, I shared my favorite ankle socks for any kind of fitness, from running to strength training, and also included the no-show nylon socks I wear in the cooler months.

If you enjoyed this post, you may enjoy a round up of some crew neck white t-shirts I pitted against each other recently! 

I got trapped in a store during a torrential downpour the other day, so I found myself wandering through the cosmetic aisles and left with a pile of new products to try. I shared my first impressions and a quick demo on Instagram Stories, but in case you missed it or would rather have a quick look and few sentences about the products, I wanted to put them all in one place here.

I used a Lancome foundation and an Urban Decay lip color (Naked) in this look due to not having the right color of drugstore foundation, and really disliking the color of the lip products I bought, but the products I’m highlighting below are all drugstore.

One. essence Sun Club Matt Bronzing Powder – has a noticeable smell, albeit not a bad one.

Two. Maybelline Falsies Lash Lift Mascara – this is a nice mascara but isn’t my favorite. I wish I would have used Lash Paradise instead.

Three. essence Pure Nude Highlighter – very subtle and easy to apply!

Four. Milani Conceal + Perfect Longwear Liquid Concealer – reminded me of Nars Creamy Concealer and worked wonderfully under my eyes. It collected a bit in some dry patches on my face and turned a tiny bit yellow by the end of the day.

Five. Covergirl Clean Fresh Creamy Eyeshadow Stick – no creases with this! It wore a bit lighter than what I was hoping for but applied really nicely.

Six. Makeup Revolution Forever Flawless Dynamic Mini Palette – really nice pigmented shadows! They crumbled a little bit in the pan but blended nicely on the eye.

Seven. Milani Baked Blush in Dolce Pink – such a beauty.

Eight. L’Oreal Paris Le Liner Signature Mechanical Eyeliner – fantastic! Zero complaints here.

Nine. L‘Oreal Paris Brow Stylist Definer Eyebrow Mechanical Pencil – I can’t stop using this. It applies beautifully, has a very fine pointed tip, and lasts all day!

If you’re looking for more makeup recommendations, check out my highlights on Instagram. 

Well, we have started school and everything kicked off swimmingly! My boys are together at the same school, and Emily is spending another year at the preschool we’ve sent all the kids to over the years. Each of the kids was excited for the new school year, and they all transitioned really well with the change.

The most dramatic shift in our daily life is that Emily is alone during the days with our nanny. It’s sweet that they have this one on one time together, but it’s a dramatic shift from usually having her brothers to play with all day! I’m excited to watch Emily grow this year and I’m certain she will enjoy getting to make a lot of the play-based choices during her day.

Some of you may remember that we chose to homeschool Luke last year. He didn’t get into the school David got into (they use a lottery system, it’s not a reflection of academics) so instead of having Luke do kindergarten on the computer, we opted to pull him out of the school system entirely and do a homeschool curriculum. It is not lost on me that it is unique that we were able to make this decision for him, and the timing of meeting an extremely wonderful nanny that was willing to take on a homeschool program was truly a gift.

Luke thrived last year, and I was surprised about how I felt when I started taking down some of the “classroom” type decor in our playroom. It was really amazing to witness the skills that he developed last year. He’s a strong reader, good at math, and generally enjoyed learning. I was very trepidatious about taking on the responsibility to homeschool, but I’m so glad we did it and very grateful that we all had that experience.

David was thrilled to be back in a classroom and meet new friends. You have never seen a more proud boy as he walked Luke and I through the school during the “Meet the Teacher” time. And David is like the mayor of that building, saying hello to literally every staff person we passed in the hallway. It’s a smaller school, and I love that there is comfort and familiarity from teacher to student, despite not necessarily being in the same classroom.

David lives for recess, PE, and anything that involves playing with other kids. His room is set up in a table format, versus regular desks, and I know he will make friends quickly!

Emily is doing less school than in the past this year, which was a specific choice in order to continue employing our nanny. They will be working on some pre-school related academics at home, and I’m looking forward to seeing Emily practice the alphabet and writing her name!

I always prefer when my birds are in the nest, and even though it’s hard to let them go out and become more independent, the chance to see them beam with pride over nailing car pool pick up line, or excitedly tell a story about what they did that day, is so rewarding to me as their mom. I’m so proud of them for enduring a very strange time in life, especially as it relates to their school time, and finding happiness through all of it.

Well, the first week of school is in the books! I have underestimated how much mental energy I spent thinking about the boys when they were gone all day! I am so used to having them home, and even though I love their school and know they are happy, I missed them terribly! It felt like an extremely productive work week, personally, and that is always a gratifying feeling!

I shared a post recently about how we were prepping for school with some systems and routines, you can read it here.

I’m still hearing from people that the White T-Shirt Contest post was helpful, and I love that! I’m curious: what would you like to see next? V-neck t-shirts? Straight Leg Denim? 

Did you know I have an Amazon Storefront where I’ve compiled my favorite things from Amazon? From home favorites (like the organizational bins I use in my pantry) to clothing purchases I love. You can check out my picks by clicking here!

My boys have outgrown some of our kid dishes so I found a melamine dish set on Amazon that has exactly what I need for the kids! 4 bowls, 4 large plates, and 4 small plates. They are melamine so they won’t easily break, and dishwasher safe as well.

I tried this dress on when it arrived in the mail this week. My first instinct was not love as the shoulders were a bit puffier in real life than displayed on the website, but after sharing it on Instagram I’ve been influenced to give it another try.

And here are a few things I mentioned on Instagram Stories recently that you may have missed: 

Laneige lip sleeping mask – the best!

Anti-Slide pads for mules – very helpful for keeping your foot in the mule.

Flare/Bootcut Jeans 

Shani Darden Retinol Reform

Favorite Jean Jacket – I’ve had mine for many years and it just gets better with age.

Faux Boxwood Spiral Plants

Planters from Home Depot 

Hair Dressers Invisible Oil Soft Texture Finishing Spray from bumble and bumble – A really nice texture spray that adds definition without stiff hold.

Black Jeans

White V-Neck Tee

Brownie Knife – An essential for cutting baked treats (from brownies to banana bread) out of metal pans without cutting the metal.

Tortilla Land uncooked tortillas – so delicious!

Urban Decay All Nighter Lightweight Loose Setting Powder

bumble and bumble Thickening Volume Shampoo

Forver Mood “Caked Up” Candle

Velour Fluff’n Brow Pencil 

Benefit POWmade for brows

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz – A favorite easy to use eyebrow pencil.

FlutterHabit Lashes – Their new glue really is better!

Lashify Lashes

Patrick Ta “She’s That Girl” Cream and Powder Blush – hopefully in stock soon!

Revlon Photo Ready Insta Highlighting Stick in Rose Gold Kiss – a very subtle stick highlighter

Always Pan by Our Place – I just ordered the pot since I love the pan so much.

This week’s discount codes (#partnerships): 

amika: Use code SMALLTHINGS10 for 10% off your purchase

One-Third Clothing: Kate15 will give you 15% off

Bagging Rights: KATE10 gives you 10% off any items at BaggingRights.com

Miranda Frye: “Smallthings10” will get you 10% off and free shipping!

Spanx: Use code “KateXSpanx” for 10% off plus free shipping!

Beddy’s: Code “SmallThings” saves you 20%!

Questions from Monday’s Q&A Box:

Do you use a planner? No, I use iCal on my phone!

Purse or mom bag that you carry? I have a daily purse just for me, but occasionally will carry around a tote bag with things I need for the kids.

How often do you wash your hair? Almost daily, sometimes I’ll skip a day.

Do you have a favorite eye cream? I really love the Bobbi Brown Eye Base!

Should I buff my nails before polishing? Yes!

When it comes to hair care, it can feel overwhelming to try to determine what products are best for whatever your hair may need! There are products for softening, hydrating, strengthening, adding shine, moisturizing, and even products that claim do to all of those things. If your hair is feeling distressed, looking dry or feeling lifeless, you may want to explore adding a bond repairing product into the mix! 

What even is hair bond? The inner part of your hair is made up of disulfide bonds. These bonds make up the strength and structure of the hair, so when they are broken, hair becomes weaker, more fragile, and prone to splitting or just breaking off.

If you are noticing damage in your hair, it wouldn’t hurt to look into a bond repairing product. Bond repairing products contain ingredients that help heal broken bonds in the hair. 

How is a bond repairing product different than a keratin or protein spray? A protein spray is great for restoring strength to the hair and helping strengthen the cuticle (the outer part of the hair shaft). But if you overdo protein sprays, it could end up making your hair feel stiff or hard, especially towards the ends. 

I don’t know what to use but my hair feels like straw! Add a deep conditioner (or a hair mask) into your weekly routine. And make sure you’re using a heat protector before you style, like Bumble and Bumble Hairdressers Oil Heat& UV Primer. Look into one of the bond repairing products below to incorporate into your hair care routine on a once weekly basis. 

A few well-loved bond repairing products: 

bumble and bumble Bond Building Repair Treatment – my hair always feels fantastic when I use it! I typically switch up my hair masks pretty regularly, but I’m almost to the end of this bottle. 

Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Restructuring Bond Repair Leave-in Overnight Serum – I love the ease of applying this to dry hair at night before I go to bed. 

Olaplex Number 8 – this is probably the best known hair bond repairing line, and while it works really nicely, I do want to simply share that the other two options I listed above work great as well! I’ve used this specific product a number of times and my hair feels great afterwards! 

Questions? Leave them below! And if you enjoyed this, you may also like this post! 

I have such a fondness for my Brooklinen sheets and towels because it’s all I’ve used for the past 3 years! I was influenced to purchase some after seeing so many people rave about them, and now it’s such a pleasure to be able to partner with them and, perhaps, influence YOU to shop for some of the softest bed sheets I’ve ever tried.

And if my claim of their softness isn’t enough, maybe the 15% off promotion they are running right now will help!

Justin and I both sleep “hot” and the down alternative comforter is perfect for lightweight warmth. I just recently added the Heathered Cashmere duvet cover and it is *next level* soft. I love the warmth it brings to the room, and it’s a nice change-up from my lighter cream luxe duvet cover.

The Brooklinen classic towels are generous in their sizing. I love a big, cozy towel and these are some of my very favorites.

You can take a peek at some of my other Brooklinen favorites on this post I shared a few months ago (It has the luxe duvet cover!) or this post where I shared their linen collection.

Shop for some of the best bath and bedding linens I’ve personally used at Brooklinen’s site. The 15% off will be automatically applied at checkout on Brooklinen products!

This post was sponsored by Brooklinen.

(lots of Miranda Frye jewelry pictured above, find my code near the bottom of this post!) 

We have made it to the end of the last week of summer for my family! We met all the teachers yesterday and I texted my friend who asked how the “meet the teacher” went and told her that I feel truly humbled and blessed to have such warm, loving teachers for all 3 of my kids this year! I’m excited for them to have time with friends at school too!

September also means that we’re in the month of the sprint triathlon, and I’m feeling very behind in my training. Here’s to hoping the next 3 weeks will get me prepped enough to cross the finish line!

How was your week? Are you feeling a little scattered and spread too thin with all the activities or commitments that tend to pick up this time of year? One of the things that helps ease my busy schedule is getting my HomeChef delivered on Tuesdays. I have a NEW promo code, it’s the best one yet, and you can find it if you scroll to the promo code mentions at the bottom of this post!

My website is getting a makeover and I can’t wait for you to see it. The design is fully executed, now we’re just at the coding part. And when I say we, I’m actually 100% not involved with any code work whatsoever. I just sit here and wait for the magic to be done and then I’ll let you know when the new site is ready to view!

And here are a few things I mentioned on Instagram Stories recently that you may have missed: 

Sam Edelman Aubrie Sneakers – limited sizes are 40% off at the time of this posting!

Prada Ocean cologne – Curious about how this came up with Justin? Check my IG Story saved here!

Virtue Flourish Density Booster

Palmetto Moon masks for kids – currently sold out!

Kid’s ear savers for masks

Nugget Comfort – I bought one. Then I bought a second one. 2 is better than 1!

Face Forward book by Kevyn Aucoin – see more about my history with this book here!

Making Faces book by Kevyn Aucoin

Chantelle High-Rise Briefs – nothing better!

Ghirardelli brownie mix

Anti-slip pads for the inside of mules

This week’s discount codes (#partnerships): 

Home Chef Labor Day Sale 9/2 – 9/6: Use my code KATE100FA to also get $100 Off- that’s 11 free meals!

Brooklinen Labor Day Sale 9/1 – 9/8 – All Brooklinen* products are 15% off on their site

**NEW** amika: Use code SMALLTHINGS10 for 10% off your purchase

One-Third Clothing: Kate15 will give you 15% off

Bagging Rights: KATE10 gives you 10% off any items at BaggingRights.com

Miranda Frye: “Smallthings10” will get you 10% off and free shipping!

Spanx: Use code “KateXSpanx” for 10% off plus free shipping!

Beddy’s: Code “SmallThings” saves you 20%!

Questions from Monday’s Q&A Box:

Have you ever tried Monat haircare? No, I haven’t. I wonder if I should make a list of commonly promoted products that I’ve never personally tried? Would that be helpful?

Can you explain why you don’t give a hoot about clean products? It’s not that I don’t care, but I am not interested in fully shifting over at this time. I include lots of clean products into my routine though!

What are the hair ties you like? Gimme Beauty!

Do you have curtains hung over your wood shutters? No, only in Emily’s room and simply because there was already a rod hung up!

Have you found a powder to replace the Becca Soft Light Blurring Powder? The closest I’ve found is the Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder in Glow.

Do you wear different pajamas every night? I wear tommy john tanks to bed, and I’ll often wear them a couple times before washing.

How do you plan your workouts? I loosely follow the Hard Core On the Floor Schedule.

I simply would not even be able to count how many times I flipped through the book Face Forward, cover to cover. It was published in 2001, and I was at the ripe old age of 15. I’m sure I saw it on a bookshelf at my local Barnes and Noble, a place my dad would often take my siblings and me during the freezing cold winters in the midwest. The sun sets early in the evening, and he doesn’t do well sitting around the house for many hours, so a bookstore trip was a very regular activity for him.

I wish I could remember buying this book, but I only remember flipping through it. I was mesmerized by the incredible detail and flawless makeup application. It would only be two short years later that I would start attending beauty school and I’m certain this book played a role in my interest in the beauty industry.

I brought this book up recently when I was talking about how I got started in the beauty industry and thought that I should repurchase it for memory’s sake. I have no idea where my original copy is!

When I flipped through it, I was reminded of the pages that contained visual step by steps of makeup application. I remembered how much I enjoyed seeing the process from start to finish, and how the application of one product changed the entire look. I remember laying on my bed with a friend from beauty school, looking over all the details of the images and talking about how we could recreate these looks thanks to the step-by-step process.

It struck me that one of the first things I did when I started this blog was share step-by-step videos, or photos, of whatever I was trying to demonstrate and teach.

And then I made the connection.

I am sure that my enjoyment and fascination of seeing the process of Kevyn creating makeup looks from this book, whether it be a theatrical transformation or a simple everyday eye, had a lasting impact on my desire to do something similar in my career. I had completely forgotten that there were step-by-steps in this book, and seeing them again earlier this week when my new copy arrived in the mail was sort of a revelation to me.

I’m so glad I was still able to purchase it and have this happy memory of me discovering my passion for the beauty industry thanks to the incredible talent displayed by Kevyn in this book. I have yet to watch the documentary about his life, but it’s on my list to do so soon.

Are your curls falling flat immediately after dropping them out of the iron, or even within an hour or so? This video will show you a few simple steps to help ensure the bounciest, strongest curls that should last much longer than usual!

It’s very helpful to have metal duckbill clips (I like these!), and a humidity spray (this one is my favorite!), as well as a hairspray to use at the end of styling. A great curling iron makes a big difference as well, and I tend to use either my T3 Micro 1.25 inch barrel, or my Babyliss 1.5 inch barrel iron.

It also helps to have your hair prepped and ready to be curled, and if you’ve ever wondered if you’re making mistakes while blowing your hair dry, watch this video!

P.S. if you enjoyed this, you may also enjoy the 3 date night hairstyles I demo’d on this video! 

How was your week? Mine was jam-packed because we left yesterday to head to South Carolina for a long weekend. My folks have a home there, though they are currently in Wisconsin, so we’re crashing at their place and enjoying a final summer hurrah!

I shared a video on Instagram this week about my own experience with hair changes over the years, focused on thinning or the patchy baldness from a dermatitis/psoriasis flare-up. It’s hard to talk about hair loss as a woman! You can watch the video here to learn more about the new line from Virtue that is all centered around hair regrowth and care.

I’ve been wearing colorful beaded bracelets and they’re kind of the perfect addition to otherwise simple, layered gold jewelry.

The rose color of this tunic sweater is gorgeous.

We are **so close** to starting a new routine, a new season of kids in school, and I’m looking forward to it! It’s going to be a lot of new things happening at once, so I’m planning on getting back into my meal planning routine.

I think I may make some of Joanna’s Baked Oatmeal for that first week, Luke loves it!

And here are a few things I mentioned on Instagram Stories recently that you may have missed: 

Jones Road Beauty cream eyeshadow

Revlon cream blush stick and highlighter stick

YSL lipstick balm in shade 44

Jacket from One Third – use code Kate15 for 15% off!

Madewell Perfect Vintage jeans – some of my favorite jeans!

Madewell tank top

DSW Steve Madden mules – I love the look of these, I need to try them with gel inserts to make sure they stay on.

Old Navy white crewneck tee – this washed really well and fits great!

Evereve necklace

White blouse (on sale at the time of posting this!)

Shopbop bracelet set – I love the colorful beaded bracelets right now.

Royal Copenhagen cologne – My husband’s new signature scent that he discovered from a golf club locker room.

This week’s discount codes (#partnerships): 

One Third: Kate15 will give you 15% off

Home Chef! : Use code KATE90 and get $90 off – that’s 10 FREE meals.

KATE10 gives you 10% off any items at Bagging Rights

Miranda Frye: “Smallthings10” will get you 10% off and free shipping!

Spanx: Use code “Katexspanx” for 10% off plus free shipping!

Beddy’s: Code “SmallThings” saves you 20%!

Well, I’m glad I’m not the only one who isn’t a huge fan of the enormously exaggerated shoulders/arms in blouses these days. I put a poll up on Instagram stories recently and the vast majority of you agreed that they weren’t your favorite trend.

I can see how they look beautiful on so many, but they just aren’t really in line with how I feel comfortable dressing.

So, I did some searching and found a handful of pretty blouses (to wear now and later!) that don’t have overly puffy sleeves( like this )!

One.     Two.     Three.     Four.     Five.     Six (Similar).     Seven.     Eight.     Nine.     Ten.     Eleven.

The retailers I look to when I need a slightly dressier blouse is Banana Republic, Loft, H&M, or Target. Loft always seems to have a handful of beautiful shells to wear alone in the summer months, that also work perfectly under a blazer or sweater because they are sleeveless!

I did something fun yesterday that I’ve never done before! I was invited to attend a Topping Out ceremony for Fenton, a new mixed-use development in Cary, North Carolina. I had to look up what topping out meant, and it’s essentially putting in the last beam or part of a building to complete that phase of a project. I’ve had my eye on Fenton ever since I first heard about it, and I cannot wait to enjoy it when it’s finished next year!

Did you catch my post earlier this week all about the 10 white crew-neck t-shirts I tried on?! Read it here!

I also shared a few of my “back to school” hacks that are very easy on this post!

I’m continuing to train for the sprint triathlon I’m doing next month, but I’m behind schedule on my swim practice. Honestly, this week ended up being quite busy and I was hoping to swim laps at least once a week. Between a full schedule and lots of rain, it just didn’t happen. I did get my triathlon tank in the mail this week so I’m hoping to try it on and practice swimming with it this weekend. My plan for my outfit during the race is to wear a triathlon tank with my favorite Spanx bike shorts.

Has anyone tried this Sleep Plus Pillow Spray? I saw it on Things.I.Bought.And.Liked instagram and am tempted by it!

And here are a few things I mentioned on Instagram Stories recently that you may have missed: 

Green Floral Walmart dress -this is so pretty and such a great price point!

Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar in Raleigh – a yummy burger place

Virtue Refresh Purifying Leave-in Conditioner

Lancome Teint Idol Ultra Wear in color 310

Coquette Brasserie in Raleigh – fantastic brunch on Sunday morning, would love to go back for dinner!

Bobbi Brown cream eyeshadow in Taupe, Shell, Nude Beach

YSL Easy to wear pink lip color in shade 44 – a soft, very hydrating pink

Amazon watchband – milk tea color

Peloton handle K8_Smallthings – FYI if you have the peloton app or bike, this is my handle!

Canva for printed lists

This week’s discount codes (#partnerships): 

KATE10 gives you 10% off any items at Bagging Rights

Miranda Frye: “Smallthings10” will get you 10% off and free shipping!

Spanx: Use code “Katexspanx” for 10% off plus free shipping!

Beddy’s: Code “SmallThings” saves you 20%!

Questions from Monday’s Q&A box on Instagram!

Questions from Monday’s Q&A Box:

My 18 year old just started Cosmetology school, any advice? Yes! Pay attention to the science to understand how it all works, but plan on learning most of your skills in a salon as an assistant.

Thoughts on Botox? “you do you” is my only thought!

What is a lash lift? You can read about it here!

What exactly are curvy jeans? I wrote about my favorite curvy jeans on this post, in case you missed it, but generally curvy jeans are cut in a shape that allows for a bit more room in the butt and thighs, with a tapered waist.

Purse question: How many are too many? It’s hard for me to answer that but I generally like to have a casual option and a more dressed-up option in any given season.

Looking for an eyeliner for the waterline that won’t budge. I haven’t found one yet! It’s kind of impossible because you’re applying it to a generally moist area of your eye!

Mini review on your Maya Brenner Necklace? It’s incredibly sturdy and I almost never take it off. Highly recommend! 

My boys are going to be in second and first grade this year, and I’m setting up a few helpful resources to encourage them to be responsible and in charge of their stuff! Read the three simple “hacks” below!

Print out a “menu” to help guide the kids in making their lunches.

I have not been consistent with making the boys’ lunch the night before a school day but I’m determined to do better this year. And I want their help! This year both boys will be attending the same school (you may remember that we homeschooled Luke for his kindergarten year, which was the best decision) so we will be a little bit busier in the evenings with managing any projects or things they need to do when they get home at the end of the day. I’m really aiming for lunches to be made and almost completely assembled the evening before school and this “menu” I printed out is an effort to help guide their selections. We keep meals pretty simple around here, in general, and the same is true for school lunch. My kids are happy eating repeated meals, and for lunchtime that keeps it really simple!

Store socks right by their shoes.

I’ve shared this hack a few times over the years, but I wanted to share it again because it instantly solved an ongoing problem in our family. I would always store the boys’ socks in their bedroom dressers but found myself repeatedly asking them to go back upstairs to get socks before we ran out the door somewhere. We typically run around the house barefoot because we have hardwood floors throughout, including the stairs, and I don’t want anyone to slip. So I started storing my kids’ socks down in the “shoe closet”, which is essentially our mudroom, and it may be my best “system” set up in motherhood. I’ve never had to ask the boys to run back upstairs when we’re trying to leave because everything is ready to go right in the mudroom!

Encourage personal responsibility with a “home from school” checklist.

I typed this out and printed it a few times to place in strategic locations for the boys to notice for their “home from school” transition time. They will each have a computer that needs to be charged every single night, and they also will have lunchboxes and cups that need to be washed (we use reusable lunchbox things as much as possible!). So this list will help them get into the practice of taking care of their school day things when they get home. I imagine having to talk through this routine several times at the beginning of the year and decided a checklist would be a better way to encourage the boys to be responsible for their own things. Whenever we travel, I print out a little checklist of things to pack and they both genuinely like following the guide to pack their own things. I’m sure that it makes them feel mature and responsible, and I’m always happy to encourage those feelings in them!

A few other helpful things: 

Machine washable and dishwasher safe labels for cups, lunch boxes, jackets, etc.

I’ve used these Bento boxes for years for my kids. The boys are requiring bigger lunches these days, but I still have these to use for Emily!

I used Canva to create the printables that I hung in our house. It’s such an easy way to create visually interesting printables!

My boys have to wear uniforms to their schools but if they didn’t, I would still generally follow this plan for buying new clothes for them.

Cheers fellow caregivers and parents, we made it! 

Jeans and a white t-shirt are probably one of the most basic, easy outfits of all time. The jeans and tee themselves can be as simple as they come, but the accessories and styling give you all the creative freedom to create the look you want.

As someone who has coveted the “perfect white t-shirt” through the years, I thought it was time to round up and review 10 crew neck white t-shirts. For the most part, these are 100% cotton tees. They are crew neck, standard sleeve, and generally hit at a standard length. There are a few t-shirts in the bunch that have different characteristics or fabrics, but generally, those were the parts of the shirt that I tried to keep similar for comparison’s sake.

I ranged in price point from $12.00 all the way up to $80.00, and I was very curious to see which t-shirt ended up being my favorite!

If you’re interested in watching videos of the t-shirt try on, you can check out my Instagram Stories today!

I’ll share a few notes about each of the t-shirts below, and you can find my least favorite and a most favorite at the bottom of this post!

Let’s get into it! (p.s. I’m wearing a medium in all of these t-shirts)

One. J.Crew Factory Girlfriend Crewneck Tee // Comes in 9 colors // Size range: XXS – 3X // Cotton // Price: $24.50

This t-shirt is as straightforward as it gets, and I love that. I loved the circumference of the neck, the length of the tee, and the detail of the vertical seam running down the back. The fabric has a nice weight to it and wasn’t overly see-through!

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Two. 100% Organic Cotton Vintage T-Shirt Gap // Comes in 16+ colors // Size range: XXS – XXL // Cotton // Price: $19.95

I really didn’t love the wide neck in this t-shirt. The length was nice, and the sleeve length was nice, but in general, I felt a little frumpy in it due to the larger than necessary neck hole! The fabric was noticeably soft, and probably the softest of the bunch.

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Three. Madewell Whisper Cotton Rib-Crew Neck // Comes in 10 colors //  Size range: XXS-4X // Cotton // Price: $19.50

I love this white t-shirt because of the ribbed collar. It’s a tiny detail that makes the shirt feel unique. The arm seams are dropped on this t-shirt, and the hem is rounded. This specific tee has been washed multiple times (I pulled it out of my dresser!) so it has gotten a tiny bit smaller with washes. It is also shrinking up a tad bit unevenly. I like it, but the rounded hem can be hard to “style” beyond just wearing it out.

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Four. Walmart Free Assembly Cuffed Pocket T-Shirt // Comes in 10 colors // Size range: XS – 3X // Cotton + recycled cotton // Price: $12.00

I loved the pocket and cuffed sleeve detail on this t-shirt. The price point is fantastic as well! I wish it was a brighter white. This specific one looked dingy compared to the other t-shirts hanging on my rack and almost read as cream-colored. It’s thin, has a relaxed albeit slightly boxy fit, but generally fits really well all around!

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Five. Madewell Supima Cotton Essential Tee // Comes in 5 colors // Size range: XXS – 3X // Cotton // Price: $25.00

I’ve had this t-shirt for a long time and really love it. It’s a warmer white than some of the others that I’ve included in this roundup, but not quite as off-white as the Walmart t-shirt. It’s a good weight, not see-through, and is a relaxed fit. I have this tee in a dark, charcoal grey and wear both it and this white one very often.

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Six. Z Supply Core Crew Tee // Comes in 2 colors // Size range: XS-XL // Cotton // Price: $42.00

This tee was the longest of the bunch. It felt thin and was a tad bit see-through. If you like to tuck in your shirts, this would be a really nice option because of its length!

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Seven. Vince Essential Crew Tee  // Comes in 3 colors // Size range: XS- L // Pima Cotton // Price: $80.00

This felt very luxe but fit *very* small. It’s also see-through! Not my favorite and definitely not worth the price tag!

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Eight. EveryWear Slub-Knit Tee for Women Old Navy // Comes in 2 colors / Size range: XS-4X // Cotton // Price: $8.00

This is like the *perfect* combination of the feel from the J.Crew Factory t-shirt and the rounded hem of the Madewell Whisper Cotton tee. I loved the fit of it! As usual, I think a little wash and dry would help the neckline of this t-shirt (it’s a little big for my taste), and the price is hard to beat.

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Nine. Modern Crewneck T-Shirt Gap // Comes in 4 colors // Size range: XS-XXL // 58% Cotton // Price: $24.95

This tee felt very soft and thick, but I really didn’t love the bulky “tubed” collar. It felt outdated and boring to put on. It’s more fitted than some of the other t-shirts I tried on for this post.

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Ten. Luxe Touch Crew-Neck T-Shirt from Banana Republic // Comes in 3 colors // Size range: XXS-XXL // Cotton // Price: $39.50

This material felt really nice in my hand, but generally, I found it to be too stiff for a comfortable t-shirt choice. It’s hard to explain this without feeling it, but I just found it to lack stretch or flexibility. It also ran small BUT it wasn’t see-through so that was a win.

So, which one was my most and least favorite?

My most favorite of the entire bunch is the J.Crew Factory Girlfriend crew neck t-shirt. It’s a bright white, it has a classic fit, and if I’m looking for a no-nonsense simple white tee, this is what I would reach for.

My least favorite is between the Vince tee and the Gap t-shirts. I explained why I didn’t like them in my notes under the photos, but generally, the fit and overall look of these t-shirts didn’t work well for me.

Again, if it’s helpful to hear me talk through some of the details, check out my Instagram stories today!

P.S. If you enjoyed this, you may also like reading about my favorite built-in bra tanks!

I’ve always been curvy, whether I was wearing a size 2 or 12. And I’m sharing a few of my “holy grail” tried & true denim favorites that were truly designed to flatter and fit a body type that needs a little bit of room in the butt, thighs, and hips without being too loose in the waist.

J.Crew Curvy Vintage Slim Straight in Warm Surf – fits true to size, maybe a tiny bit large. I love that the cut is designed for a little extra room in the thighs, butt, and hips. There is a slightly longer rise to allow for the waist to cut in at the right spot too. If you are hourglass-shaped, these will fit you beautifully. I love the classic fit, wash, and hem from these J.Crew jeans. If you’re looking for one pair of straight leg, ankle-length denim to add to your wardrobe, these would be a great option!

Madewell The Curvy Perfect Vintage Jean in Lunar Wash – It’s hard to beat Madewell denim, in my option, and these black jeans are the perfect cut for a modern, updated silhouette but still allowing for space in the butt and thighs. The rise is high, and they are a bit stiffer (and feel thicker) than the J.Crew vintage pair I mentioned above.

Madewell Curvy Stovepipe Jeans in Ditmas Wash – These are a great classic straight fit that hits at the ankle. They have a bit more stretch than the Madewell Perfect Vintage, so if you prefer that in your denim, you would love these!

Beyond these 3 options (which are my absolute favorite. . .) I’ve found a great fit in Good American jeans as well as some Loft curvy denim as well. My only tiny complaint with Loft is that their denim can hit me a tiny bit too short, and since I have muscular calves it can make my legs look shorter than they are.

The heat is no joke this week in Raleigh, but that is par for the course of Raleigh at this time of year!

I got the new ilia mascara in a PR mailing and really, really love it! I liked the original formula for a no-nonsense, easy to swipe on mascara, but this new formula really packs a punch. It builds quickly and easily, and you get the look of thick, volumized lashes with only two layers. Ilia is a clean beauty brand too!

I’m working on a fun post all about crew neck white t-shirts. I bought a handful and will try them on and compare them to see which ones I like the most! I paid from $13-$80 per tee and will be sharing the whole try-on process on stories and instagram.

I remember reading about the 15% pledge that Sephora committed to and am really pleased to be a fan of the brand and a partner with the company as a part of the Sephora Squad. There are a handful of Black-owned brands that I have used and loved for a long time (like the retinol product I love, or the Fenty lip glosses), but I’m happy to see the results of their pledge as evidenced by more and more black-owned beauty brands becoming available at Sephora. There is an entire helpful section on their site that offers a lot of information and direct links to the brands, and I recently purchased a few new-to-me products that I’m enjoying! The Caked Up Candle from FORVR Mood is, like, baked goods happiness in a candle. The keynotes are Almond, Honey, and Vanilla Bean. I also got the LYS Higher Standard Satin Cream Matte Blush in self-love. This is a clean product, and I love a cream blush so it’s right up my alley.

And here are a few things I mentioned on Instagram Stories recently that you may have missed: 

Bandwagon Sunglasses – a fun alternative to traditional black sunglasses!

Shani Darden Retinol Reform – still love it as much as I professed in this post!

Floral long-sleeve dress from LOFT – so pretty.

Casual slide sandal

Mixed chain bracelet

Pima Robe – just added a new color to my collection!

Nugget Comfort – I just bought this recently for the kids and they are LOVING it!

Hallmark cards

Barcelona Wine Bar – I can’t stop thinking about the Tapas that we ate at this restaurant!

Killjoy Cocktail Bar – I can’t wait to go back here one day, it’s a beautiful cocktail lounge/bar in Downtown Raleigh

Bagging Rights tote bag – such a fun tote bag. I love the color!

Chantelle high rise brief – best underwear around.

Aera Diffuser – if you haven’t bought the Vanilla scent capsule yet, don’t wait another second. Buy it! 

Big Dog Little Bed Video Production Company – We’ve filmed 4 videos together and I can say they are fantastic to work with!

Jordan Maunder Photography – best photographer in the biz!

White roll cuff top from Banana Republic – ya’ll loved this on Instagram, and I do too! It’s a beautiful blouse that can be worn for work or play.

Miranda Frye Sawyer bracelet – a pretty bracelet

This week’s discount codes (#partnerships): 

KATE10 gives you 10% off any items at Bagging Rights

Miranda Frye: “Smallthings10” will get you 10% off and free shipping!

Spanx: Use code “Katexspanx” for 10% off plus free shipping!

Beddy’s: Code “SmallThings” saves you 20%!

Questions from Monday’s Q&A box on Instagram!

How do you prevent creases under your eyes from makeup? I swear it’s all in this setting powder I use!

Favorite foundation at the moment? Since I’m fighting some dark spots, I’m really loving the Lancome foundation I talked about in this post.

Considering the humidity where you live, do you use a primer and setting spray? Right now I’m only using a setting spray. I love the Urban Decay All-Nighter Spray!

Have you tried Bondi Boost? I have not.

Do you have a link for your Kindle Case? I do not have one in a case, but I do have a pop socket on the back to help me hold it!

Do you have anything special that you use for breakouts? Honestly, the Proactive moisturizer has been helping my chin area GREATLY!

What is your opinion on Collagen for hair health?  To be fully transparent, I’ve heard mixed reviews about whether or not ingesting collagen does anything at all for your hair, so I’m currently skeptical but open to learning more.

At what age did you start Botox? I’ve never had botox.

Amika The Shield spray, better to use before or after other products? My personal favorite way to use it is after I curl, but you can definitely use it before heat styling!