Links I Love

I can't tell you how much I miss blogging after this crazy week. It reminds me that this blog is a safe haven for me, a place for me to talk about the things I'm passionate about and, hopefully, inspire you too.

Happy Halloween! I try my best to avoid Halloween each year, I've never been all about it, but now that I'm living in a great neighborhood I can't wait to pass out candy. Plus, I can't avoid my friend's birthday party tomorrow which also happens to be a costume party; needless to say I'm still trying to figure out what to wear.

I'm still completely booked, so a Links I Love post (with a few narratives!) will have to do for now. If it's any consolation, similar posts are my favorite on the blogs I read regularly. The best of the web, all in one place!

Resume tips

Pumpkin chocolate chip pancakes (I'm planning on using a few substitutions to make it a bit healthier)

When I can't sleep, I always search through airbnb. Recently: New York

I got my first client as a personal stylist

Currently obsessed with everything Preserve

I've been thinking about these leggings for weeks

I follow everything Rachel Brathen AKA yoga girl, and I can't wait to order her first book

I may or may not have posted about Teeki before, but I'm still in love

Watch someone get a tattoo in slow motion (pretty gross) then learn some stuff about tattoo removal (so interesting)

I would save so much money+calories with my own latte machine

I can't wait to visit Williams-Sonoma for peppermint bark, hot chocolate and mulling spices

I love this blog, it lets you go to Paris whenever you want

Just real busy

bus·y

ˈbizē/

adjective

1. 1.

   having a great deal to do

Gosh, busy is such a cliche word. I hate saying it but admittedly it takes up about half of my vocabulary.

I've actually been saying it so much that I've found synonyms. "Wanna go to coffee?" "I can't, I'm so swamped with homework."

I've been thinking a lot about what's expected of the average college student like me. For example:

//Work full time. Or work multiple jobs. Or both.
//Go to school full time.
//Don't take out loans-no-too much debt (yeah right)
//Make good grades. Get into that honor society. Be involved on campus.
//Get a full night's sleep.
//Exercise. Every day. Don't forget that balanced diet!
//Keep your house clean. Your house that you pay astronomical rent for. And bills... ALL the bills!

I am so grateful for my independence (it's something I'm very proud of, actually) but my blog has seemed to take a backseat to the list above.

With my mind on other things, it's hard for me to be inspired and I want to create interesting posts that my readers actually want to read.

Basically, for the next couple of months I will still be blogging; just not as frequently. Don't worry, I will be back to my regular schedule before you know it!

Until then, follow me on Instagram @styleandthingsblog, Twitter @styleandthings or my personal Instagram @katieallie to keep up to date! I post something each time I post on the blog. You can also sign up to have my blog posts sent directly to your email by putting your name in that little box on the right side of the page!

Thank you, so much, for reading. And please stick around! XXO

Exciting news

I'm so thrilled to announce that I've just launched my 100% online, free personal styling service through Keaton Row!

Keaton Row is partnered with top retailers like ASOS, Shopbop and Nordstrom to bring our clients the best of online shopping.

I’ll work with your wardrobe needs, personal style preferences, and budget to help you look and feel your best. You only pay for the items you choose to buy, and the prices are exactly the same through Keaton Row as through the retailer. Plus, you get free shipping. It's a win win win!

Have an event coming up? Don't have the time to look for that perfect pair of boots? Just say the word and I will create personalized lookbooks based on your wants and needs. Even if you're not looking for anything in particular and just want to see what's out there, I would love to help.

Sign up to be styled by me today!

Good vibes Monday

Just because the world is in a shit state doesn't mean YOUR world has to be. Be who you want to be. Happy Monday!

Travel solo: Global Peace Index

A favorite blog of mine, World of Wanderlust, recently posted about the top 10 places to travel solo. In her post, she mentioned the Global Peace Index. Upon looking it up, I found the top ten most peaceful countries in the world for 2014. Here they are:

1//Iceland
2//Denmark
3//Austria
4//New Zealand
5//Switzerland
6//Finland
7//Canada
8//Japan
9//Belgium
10//Norway

I'm pleased to find this out, as I would love to travel solo to at least a few of the above countries. Always have!

Intrigued? Read 2014's Global Peace Index.

Things I like: equality

Same sex marriage is now legal in my home state of Oklahoma.

From USA Today: Federal appeals courts already had struck down bans against gay marriage in five states — Indiana, Oklahoma, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin — and those rulings will be allowed to stand. Colorado, Kansas, North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia and Wyoming are in the same judicial circuits, so they must abide by those appeals court rulings, too. Nineteen other states and the District of Columbia already permit same-sex marriage.

Love wins.

Good vibes Monday

What makes your soul happy? Figure it out, then do more of it. Happy Monday!

PSL no-no's

In my last post I mentioned that I was giving up dessert. If you know me at all you know I have a mean sweet tooth and while I can still eat half a package of Oreo's in one sitting (the first step is admitting you have a problem) I have officially veered off onto a more sugar-less journey. It's been surprisingly easy! My body is telling me this is a welcome change.

I also decided that, recently turning 22, I should make more adult-like decisions: no, Katie, you can't have brownies for dinner.

So, naturally, I've been re-thinking the things I'm drinking. What exactly is in that PSL of mine?

left: Pumpkin Spice Latte, right: Salted Caramel Mocha

Above, you'll see my two favorite fall drinks from Starbucks in their usual form: nonfat, no whip.

Do you see the sugar content in those suckers? And the carbs... THE CARBS! Also, vegans and non-dairy people of the world: even if you get soy milk and no whipped cream, the syrup still contains dairy.

My first suggestion would be to visit your favorite local coffeehouse and ask what's in their pumpkin spice (or other) syrup. I know there's one by me that uses all natural ingredients and that, overall, makes me feel better about drinking it, even if it does have my day's worth of sugar and then some.

Second, make your own Pumpkin Spice Latte! This recipe from Eating Bird Food seems solid, or try this easier version from the always faithful Chocolate Covered Katie. My impression is that, once you have the main ingredients down (pumpkin, pumpkin spice, milk of choice, coffee or espresso) you'll be able to modify and make it your own. And, bonus, you know exactly what's going in there!

Visit my Pinterest board for more easy, at home latte recipes!

Links I love

We The Economy is putting out 20 (funny it seems) short films starting October 21st

I don't have kids, but this post is pretty funny and, from what I can gather, very true

Yoga postures and their Sanskrit names-great for yogis

Dying to make this Pumpkin Zucchini Bread

Speaking of baking, I recently gave up sweets (on the weekdays)-here's the 5 phases of giving up ALL sugar

Lena Dunham's book, Not That Kind of Girl, is out. Watch her give awesome advice (I watched every single one)

I want this not-quite-wallpaper wallpaper

Have you ever seen a huge lake dry up? Now I have

You may have seen this by now, but if not, watch it

I desperately want to gain the courage to clean out my closet

These are awesome for parties

There's a big difference between whole grain, multigrain and whole wheat-learn which ones to choose

Pretty home office inspiration