Making Time For Self Care

Shirt || Jeans || Heels ($50 off with Code: SARAHFLINT-BAKATIE) || Clutch || Similar Earrings

We are coming down to almost one full year of social distancing and isolation from COVID-19. Valentine’s Day is also just around the corner, this Sunday, and I thought it would be appropriate to focus on what’s important. While taking your loved one out to dinner or exchanging gifts is great, it’s also the time to give a little on yourself. Here are my favorite recommendations for making time for self-care.

Get Off Social Media

I know this sounds a little hypocritical from someone on Instagram, but this can be the best piece of advice for mental health. As the saying goes, “comparison is the thief of joy.” While social media has pockets of positivity and community, it’s still very easy to fall into the comparison game. Every once in a while, be sure to schedule a social media detox to clear your headspace.

Give Yourself “You” Time

There is so much power in spending some time alone. It allows you to clear your head and get mentally prepared for what’s down the road. Be sure to schedule some quiet time where you can be with just yourself. I know it can sound like a difficult task with work, family, and anything else on your plate. Some time to clear your head can be as quick as a bath or sipping your morning coffee. Listen to your body and schedule as needed.

Indulge In What Matters to You

Knowing what to splurge on can mean different things depending on your personality or mood. For me? I love to indulge in either a great meal or getting a pedicure, but I know that’s not for everyone. Think about the joys, big and small, that you look forward to the most. If where you live is still strictly enforcing social distancing, either find something that gives instant gratification or officially make an appointment. Even having something to look forward to in the future can be a big step in self-care.

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Start Saying No

This can be a tough one. As a society, we need to normalize the ability to say “no”. As in, I don’t want to do something and that’s okay. Too often, an emotional and personal attachment is associated with turning down an invitation. More often than not, that’s simply not the case, especially during this trying time. If, emotionally or mentally, you’re not up to a certain event or activity, find a gracious way to decline. This can be done eloquently if you give a brief explanation or offer to raincheck in the future.

As Valentine’s Day approaches, give yourself an emotional check-up. How are you feeling? What is your body telling you? It’s so easy to get caught up in your loved ones, but it’s always best to take care of the number one person in your life… You!

Love from Florida,
Katie

As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.

Winter Brights in Florida

Sweater (Similar) (Similar) || Jeans || Flats ($50 off with code SARAHFLINT-BAKATIE) || Clutch || Earrings

January in Florida had been so unseasonably warm, that I almost abandoned this entire post. Not that I’m complaining… I really don’t do well in the cold! Still, February gave way to a cold front and there’s been a chill in the air scheduled for the whole week. While I would prefer sundresses and sandals, it’s allowed me to wear the sweaters that have wandered to the back of my closet. Since I’m in Florida, these winter pieces are as bright and cheerful as the rest of the Sunshine State. No matter where you live, here are my top tips for incorporating brights in your winter wardrobe.

Find Transition Pieces

The easiest way to add bright colors for the winter is to find pieces that will seamlessly transition into Spring and Summer. While shopping, the place to start is with pieces for the workplace. Often, you’re going to get a lot of bang for your buck in terms of versatility. As soon as I laid eyes on this lemony yellow beauty from J. Crew, I wished I had an office to go to each day. Dress it with navy leggings and brown riding boots in the winter. As soon as the weather starts getting warmer, swap those boots from a pair of espadrilles wedges. Bonus points if your shoes match the dress!

Pair With Versatile Neutrals

When it comes to wearing a vibrant color, neutrals are your friend. The most forgiving of all neutrals would have to be the classic white jeans. My J. Crew pair are perfect! They’re comfy, flattering, and I probably wear them more than my blue denim jeans. They will help any bright color pop and really stand on its own. For footwear, either brown or black will be the right call. The cognac leather of my Sarah Flint flats will work no matter the hue you pair it with.

Experiment With Color Blocking

If you’re feeling particularly bold, dress like it’s 2010 with bright and cheerful color blocking. Essentially, it’s the art form of pairing two contrasting and vibrant colors together. This was the peak of fashion, especially if you were a lover of J. Crew style. In my opinion, the queen of color blocking will always and forever be Blair from The Atlantic-Pacific. Peruse her blog for daring combinations that you can actually bring into the workplace.

Go Monochromatic

My absolute favorite way to incorporate bright colors is to just go for it with a full monochromatic ensemble. It looks so glamorous, no matter the color you pick. Don’t focus on being too matchy. Instead, you can find colors that are in the same family. Think about pairing a bubblegum pink with a pastel or a soft with lavender with a regal purple. Going monochromatic will work for either dressing up or an easy casual style.

There are so many incredibly fun and bright pieces out there, at all price points. Whether you’re looking for work or a little bit more casual, there’s something for you. Feel free to start with my shopping guide below to inspire you with brights and fun color combinations. Honestly, the sky is the limit!

Love from Florida,
Katie

As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.

Orange Winter Hat || Green Cashmere Sweater || Royal Blue Pants || Bright Mask Set || Yellow Work Dress || Turquoise Ballet Flats || Multi Statement Earrings || Lavender Ruffled Blouse || Coral Pencil Skirt || Yellow Handbag

Shop Small for Valentine’s Day

Dress || Sandals (Similar) || Earrings

Apart from Christmas, Valentine’s Day is one of the top gift-giving days in the year. It’s when you can extend a gift as a way to say I Love You. In lieu of exchanging, David and I always opt for a dinner out and one of our favorite restaurants around St. Pete. If you’re shopping around this Valentine’s Day, I highly recommend shopping with small businesses. Since the beginning of Covid last year, this has been a primary focus and something I’m planning on continuing in 2021 and beyond. Here’s a quick roundup of some of my favorite small businesses and what they offer for the perfect Valentine’s Day gift.

St. Armands Designs: Heart Earrings

These are the earrings that actually inspired this post! My collection of St. Armands Designs earrings are growing, almost, by the day. Each style is lightweight, cheerful, and well priced. The fact that she’s local to Tampa Bay is an extra bonus. These Pink Heart Earrings (also available in Red) sell out every year. I recommend grabbing a pair ASAP. Buy them for Valentine’s Day, wear them all year long!

Lake: Pink Pajama Sets

Lake Pajamas are the softest things around. The 100% Pima Cotton feels softer than a cloud and is great for lounging, or more accurately, working from home. I have a few pairs and it’s actually an effort to not wear them 24/7. This Petal Pink Short Set is exactly what you need for Florida winter, but if you’re loved one is somewhere colder, you may want to consider the long-sleeve set instead. 

Kiel James Patrick: Monogram Sweaters

I couldn’t help, but include several Kiel James Patrick pieces in my shopping guide. As I was exploring, each item was more precious than the last. I’m itching to get this Mother of Pearl ring for myself! My favorite, though, is definitely the monogrammed Sweetheart Sweater. It comes in this pristine shade of pink, as well as a more versatile cream and navy. A personalized gift is always so appreciated and this sweater definitely takes the cake!

Amanda Lindroth: Sailor Valentines

Amanda Lindroth offers so many incredible pieces that make my heart flutter. As soon as we’re back in our home, I’ll be ordering all of the table linens and bedding to decorate our St. Pete bungalow. For Valentine’s Day, I just had to highlight the Sailor Valentines. The history is just fascinating! Popular during the 1800s, they were designed to be brought home from a sailor’s voyage at sea and given to their loved one. Sailors would collect seashells from their travels and create these incredibly intricate designs.

Weezie: Short-Sleeve Robes

Over the summer, I became a Weezie convert. Their towels and robes are absorbent and so cozy. For Florida life, I highly recommend their Short-Sleeve robe because I can wear it year round. It comes in a rainbow of colors to match your style. Don’t forget to add the monogram. You can read my full robe review in this previous post.

Sarah Bray: Vintage Inspired Sunhat

When you live in the Florida sun, it’s important to have an army of sun hats on hand. Writer Sarah Bray-West recently moved to Bermuda, one of my favorite destinations, and launched a sustainable collection of sunhat to match. Each hat comes with a set of grosgrain ribbon so you can feel like you have a completely different look every time. The Hibiscus Red ribbon will be a spot-on match for any outdoor Valentine’s Day activity.

Hellenic Aesthetic: March Bracelet

I went to high school with the owner, Marianthi. She beautifully showcases her Greek heritage by showcasing Greece-based designers. Her in-house jewelry line is filled with stunning 14k gold pieces that constantly inspire me to hop on the next plane to Athens. For a sweet little Valentine’s gift, I highly recommend either the Laguna Beach bracelet, which I wear almost every day, or her new March bracelet. The March Bracelet is an Ancient Greek tradition that is meant to usher in Spring. Since so much of the country is having a universal snow day, I thought this was extremely appropriate. 

Estelle: Rose Wine Glass Set

Founder and owner, Stephanie, is inspired by her grandma who loved antiquing through South Carolina. Her glass pieces, from stemware to cake stands, are absolutely stunning and come in a rainbow of colors. It seems like a loving nod to dinner parties from years ago when the tablescape was everything. I can’t decide between the wine glasses or the champagne coupes, which pales in comparison to actually picking a color. For Valentine’s Day, this rose-colored wine glass set would be just what you need for an evening for two. 

Margaux: Cream Cozy Slippers

Baby, it’s cold outside! Even when the temperature is a balmy 60 degrees, I need to throw on a pair of slippers. These Margaux slippers are exactly what I need to feel put-together at home. The wool-cashmere blend is guaranteed to keep you warm. Choose from a variety of colors in either the ballet or slide styles. Use the code KATIE10 at checkout to get 10% off your first pair of Margaux shoes.

Sarah Flint: Floral Scarf

Similar to the Amanda Lindroth Sailor Valentines, the scarves from Sarah Flint are truly a work of art! I could spend hours looking at the detail on her filigree floral. There’s honestly so much to drink in. Because of the large 51 square size, there’s an infinite number of ways to style and wear. Even if it’s just for a quick dinner out, grab this scarf on your way out the door for a great accessory that will receive so many compliments.

Pamela Munson: Straw Handbag

If I was magically turned into a handbag, I would probably look like a Pamela Munson handbag. Each season, when she unveils a new collection, I fall in love with each and every piece. Inspired by childhood trips to Florida and the Bahamas, each bag looks specially made for a tropical getaway! More importantly, the materials used are ethically and sustainably sourced. The detailing on her Eyelet Shoulder Bag is a beautiful update on a classic style.

Tuckernuck: Pink Midi Dress

Finally, I round out my shopping guide with this extremely comfy t-shirt from Tuckernuck. Who says you need to get gussied up for Valentine’s Day? The pastel pink is even prettier in person and I can’t wait to style this dress well into spring and summer. The laidback style can be dressed up for dinner on the town or worn as is for a quiet night at home.

While our own Valentine’s Day plans have yet to be made, I feel incredibly thankful to have David in my life. If you’re single, be sure to take the day to celebrate the most important person in your life… Yourself! Self care, especially this year, should be maintained and nurtured. If that includes a little self-gifting, by all means, shop away!

Love from Florida,
Katie

As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.

Red Heart Earrings || Pink Heart Earrings || Pink Pajama Set || Sailor Valentine #1 || Sailor Valentine #2 || Monogrammed Heart Sweater || Vintage Inspired Sunhat || Short-Sleeve Robe || Cream Heart Sweater || Mother of Pearl Heart Ring || Cream Slippers || March Bracelet || Rose Wine Glass Set || Straw Handbag || Floral Scarf