My New Set of Wheels

Blouse || Jeans || Loafers || Bag || Sunglasses || Earrings || Watch || Bracelet || Bike

I may be one of the few people to openly admit this, but I love public transportation! Let me explain, I love not having to drive and living in NYC really spoiled me. I’d just hop on the subway and be at my destination with minimal (although still some) headache. Back in Florida, that just can’t be option. This area was not designed with public transportation in mind and it’s back to driving my car from Point A to Point B.

Monday through Friday, I have to drive my car to and from work, but as soon as the weekend is here, I won’t pick up my car keys again until Monday morning. I’m typically that friend that will walk anywhere if it’s an option. If it’s under three miles away, and I don’t have much of a time crunch, then I normally pick to bypass the car.

I’ve put in a lot of miles around the city and my shoes are what really show it! St. Pete is a safe and bike-friendly city. That’s why I felt like a kid again when I got this stunning classic beach cruiser for Christmas. Before we moved, David and I would bike everywhere we could, but decided to get rid of our rides since space is such a premium in NYC. For moving back to St. Pete, getting a bike was going to be a top priority.

I want to make you proud and say that this is all about reducing my carbon footprint. It absolutely helps and I’m happy to do my small part. The other huge benefit is not having to worry about finding or paying for parking in downtown St. Pete. It’s so satisfying to be able to ride right up to a bike rack, lock it up, and be at my final destination in no time flat!

I love the look of a classic beach cruiser. I actually used to have this exact sky blue model from Huffy, a present on my 22nd birthday. It conveniently came with a cup holder and oversized basket, but had no gears. That made it difficult to really change speeds or go up even slight inclines. David suggested finding an in-between option. They’re called hybrids and they have the vibe of a beach cruiser with gears to help me get around more effortlessly. I instantly loved everything about this butter yellow bike from Schwinn. It may not come with baskets or a bell, but those are all little things I plan on adding later.

If you live relatively close to the excitement of your town, highly recommend foregoing a car. With so many bike styles and options, both pedal and electric, there is something that will your lifestyle and budget. Get ready to feel like a kid again!

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.

Maxi Dress Moment

Dress || Wedges || Handbag (Similar) || Earrings || Bracelet || Watch

I’m having a very serious maxi dress moment right now. More specifically, I just get can’t enough of flowing, oversized caftans. Really riding the line, they are right at the intersection between glam and boho. They may feel right at home in the ritzy scene of Palm Beach, but St. Pete just has a completely different energy. Making them part of my daily uniform would seem a bit out of place. Still, I was feeling very compelled to have at least one in my closet.

Since this was going to be a fun, statement piece, I didn’t really want to make a huge splurge. In fact, I was in love with this dress from Mira Mikati, but spending almost $1,000 on a dress, for obvious reasons, just isn’t the right call. So, I turned my attention to more economical sources. H&M has a great selection of those exact maxi dresses I was looking for. After all, they need to get ready for Spring Break season.

After looking through all of the different options, my heart eventually decided on this green and floral number. The price point was just right, only a quick $50, for exactly what I was looking for! The color was so cheerful and eye-catching, plus could absolutely be an option for upcoming St. Patrick’s Day. The chiffon material gave the dress amazing movement and really let it flowed as I walked. Keeping with my bohemian roots, the dress was styled like the peasant tops I love in my closet.

Originally, I had my heart set of wearing this dress with my green accented Tretorn sneakers. I’ve been seeing the sneaker and maxi look everywhere and I wanted to try it out for myself. Alas, my 5 foot 5 frame, and laughably short inseam, made that a bad choice for me. If you’re my height or shorter, I think it’s crucial to give yourself a little bit more height when you’re trying to rock an oversized dress. Otherwise, the dress will end up wearing you.

That little bit of height comes from my black Catañer espadrille wedges. They are some of the most comfortable shoes that I own, but still play into that boho/beachy style that I love so much. Because of the color, adding this coordinating black rattan handbag was just a no-brainer. The finished look is dramatic, but still works in even the most casual of towns.

There are so many options out there right now for that perfect maxi caftan dress. If you think that’s something you need to your wardrobe, be sure to shop my favorites down below. Because I made pricing such a priority, they’re all going to be under that $100 price point, with two fun splurges. Happy shopping and take in that maxi dress moment.

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.

Tweed in Old Northeast

Dress (also) || Heels || Clutch || Earrings || Bracelet || Watch

I think it’s time to consider rehab for my obsession with tweed! Over the past few weeks, I think I’ve shared at least four or fives pieces. My husband, who actually has a great eye for style, even called me out on it. “Don’t you already have a jacket is that exact same fabric?” With that being said, I pinky promise that this will be my last tweed share for the foreseeable future. It’s just as well though because it’s going to be too warm for tweed in Florida soon enough.

I’m truly saving the best for last with this gorgeous Gal Meets Glam piece, called the Stacey dress. As luck would have it, the creator of this brand, the iconic Julia Engel, is sharing it on her blog today too! I want to say the great minds think alike, but it really comes down to Julia’s inspiration and impeccable style. It’s also a testament to how this dress can work for a variety of body types.

I loved how Julia styled this dress with a pair of white sneakers and straw clutch with pearl accent. It turns a pretty modest and traditional look and makes it surprisingly casual. I envision it as a great option for a running errands. All you have to do is slip into a different pair of shoes and it work in the office or for date night.

I added my own clutch, one of my personal favorites from Cult Gaia, to help keep a slightly beach flair. Although I love the sneakers add, I opted to stay classic with a pair of nude heels from Ferragamo. The patent bows are such a great ladylike detail, but the low heel makes this very practical. I have no problem wearing them in my historic neighborhood. The pristine brick lined streets can sometimes be treacherous and it’s important to wear a comfortable pair of shoes.

On this particular evening, David and I decided to walk to the nearby Vinoy Hotel for a few cocktails and light snacks. Old Northeast is always pretty, but twilight might be my favorite time of day. The evening glow brights the green from all of the plants which makes the homes really stand out! Sometimes I catch myself daydreaming of having our own little craftsman bungalow in the neighborhood to make my own. Hopefully some day, but until then, I’ll just keep strolling.

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.