KATIE KENNEDY

Vionic Shoes for Spring
📍 Vinoy Hotel, St. Pete

Jacket || Similar Shirt || Jeans || VIONIC Sandals || Clutch

When’s the last time you thought about foot health? If you’re a twenty-something, like me, then it may have been something that has never even crossed your mind. At 29, I know I’m not getting any younger and it’s something I’ve been thinking about more and more recently. Since I know you don’t want to sacrifice style for comfort, let me introduce you to Vionic Shoes for Spring. They have stylish footwear down to a science, literally! 

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What is Vionic?

Established in 1979, Vionic’s mission began with the work of renowned podiatrist Phillip Vasyli. Early in his illustrious career, he realized that so many of our most common foot-related problems came down to one simple thing… Shoes! From there he developed a low-cost orthotic and the journey to Vionic shoes began. Today, Vionic offers hundreds of shoe types (sandals, sneakers, flats, boots, and more) for both men and women. The styles available are as unique as the people who wear them. As I looked, I was blown away at the variety of fashionable and on-trend footwear they have available.

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How are they different?

As soon as you take a look at Vionic, the science is upfront and clear. They are even approved by the American Podiatric Medical Association, representing 15,000 podiatrists from around the country. The secret comes down to three key factors: stability, arch support, and cushioning. With those elements always at the forefront of the Vionic mindset, the result is a difference you feel instantly as slide into a pair of their shoes. They also have a handful of experts: surgeons, podiatrists, and physical therapists, on staff to help guide them every step of the way. While living in NYC, I had the pleasure of meeting them in person and they are a wealth of knowledge! Dr. Jackie Sutera, in particular, helped me really think about now just what I’m wearing, but how long I wear them. The mileage you put on a pair of shoes can greatly affect your foot health.

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Why does that difference matter?

Like I said before, we’re not getting any younger. As I quickly approach 30, I’ve begun thinking a lot about preventive measures I can take now so I can feel young for decades to come. Consistently wearing sunscreen? Check! Seeing a chiropractor? Check! Well-balanced diet and exercise? Double-check! There’s so much we instinctually do for our body’s health, but our feet seem to get left out of the equation. Let’s change that dynamic. After all, our feet are the literal base that supports us. Arguably, they need to most love of all. That’s especially true if you find yourself on your feet all day. 

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What is the Tala Sandal?

Vionic was so kind to send me their newest addition to the sandal family, the Tala! The T-Strap style with hoop and loop closure gives an ample amount of adjustable support. When I slipped them on, I instantly felt the arch support against my flat feet. Dare I say, it even felt like a workout when I wore them? Better still, I really tested them out. I wore them all day long and didn’t have the slightest issue of “breaking them in”. They were ready to spend the whole day with me, fresh out of the box. I love the subtle pastel blush color, but they also come in a fun seafoam, and practical black and white pairs. This will quickly become your new best friends in terms of footwear!

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So, what was my goal with this blog post? Namely, I hope you stop and think more about what you wear on your feet. Are they making you as happy and healthy as they should be? As we go into Spring and Summer, when flat sandals are always a staple, consider adding a pair with fantastic stability, arch support, and cushioning.

Love from Florida,
Katie

Thank you so much to Vionic Shoes for sponsoring this post! All opinions are my own. More importantly, if you have questions about your own foot health, schedule an appointment with a podiatrist. Your body will thank you!

SHOP:

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.

One Year of Working Remotely
📍 Kennedy Bungalow, St. Pete

Outfit: Blouse (also) || Jeans || Sneakers

Office: Desk || Similar Chair || Similar Garden Stool

Today marks the one year anniversary of working remotely. This time last year, I was fresh back from Spring Break and straight into virtual teaching. I, like so many teachers, was in pure survival mode. When the school year was finally over, there were still so many unanswered questions about what the following school year would look like. In truth, the uncertainty took away my love for education and I began to look for a career shift. In August, I found my dream job as a Community Manager for a New York based Educational Publisher and Tech company. It allowed me to utilize my six years in the classroom, my love for copywriting and social media, and work from home. It’s been a wild 365 days, but here are some of my biggest lessons from one year of working remotely.

Begin the Day Early and With Time for Yourself

As much as I used to be an early riser when I was an athlete, I still really need to work on this one. Ideally, I would be consistently getting up with enough time for a morning run and sitting to enjoy my morning coffee afterward. Although our backyard is a major work in progress, I love to sit outside and listen to the birds singing. Somedays though, I love to lay in bed and enjoy the quiet home when Tripp, my basset hound, has cuddled up with me. On those days, I make sure to get in a run after work. Both answers are correct. Think about what “you” time looks like and make that a priority before you start your day.

Make Yourself a Set Schedule

I live for a good schedule! I’m unashamed to admit that I’m someone who needs structure throughout the day. When I was in the classroom, my day was extremely regimented to teach different subjects, when to have lunch, and so on. It was a huge transition to work in an environment where I was really the one deciding how I divided up my day. To help me stay on track, I created a little schedule on how to best spend my 9 to 5 life. Most days I have meetings or last-minute tasks that pop up, so I give myself grace in knowing it’s a fluid document. The schedule lives discreetly on my desktop. I pop it open when I need a gentle reminder.

Get Out of Your Seat

I actually have this specifically scheduled in my day and it has made a huge difference! I used to have a job where I was pacing all day long. Bouncing from student to student, running down the hallway because my lunch break went by a little too quickly. I’m too restless of a person to so drastically spend my entire day in a chair. Sometimes, I just need to stand up! I was the kid in school who always wanted to write, draw, color while standing at my desk. When that happens, I move over to our kitchen because our counter is the perfect height for me. My husband, David, now fully works from home as well and he feels the same way. When our schedules align, we take that as a sign to go for a quick 30-minute walk around the neighborhood. His job can be a little stressful at times and allows him to clear his head.

Have an Organized Work Space that Inspires

This is something that I always made a priority! Sitting down for the workday is so much better when I have a curated desk to look forward to. To give you some of the details… This mid-century style desk is one of my favorites. I had it in New York and pre-flood in a sky blue, but wanted a pop of color for version 2.0 with this beautiful Kelly Green. Also included on the desk, is a large-scale photo of Lake Como I took while on our honeymoon. It’s in a Slim Aarons/Gray Malin style, but without the sticker shock. There’s a stack of my favorite Coastal Living Magazines, propping up a conch shell, and a chinoiserie vase full of white hydrangeas.

A Loyal Four-Legged Friend Helps

What’s the best thing about working from home? Honestly, it’s probably getting to hang out with my dog 24/7. I 2020 and 2021 have been difficult for so many, but our pets have loved every second of it! While Tripp is sometimes an aloof creature, he’s often an arm’s reach away… Probably waiting for a treat or head scratches. My favorite is when he squeezes himself under my desk and lays right on top of my feet. He definitely feels like an emotional-support dog at times and I love having him around. It makes me question if I’ll ever be able to go back to an office without him!

This has been a strange year, full of change, both good and bad. The highlight of it all has been finding a new career where I feel so valued and that I genuinely enjoy doing. Yes, it was scary to launch into a new field and transition to a home office, but it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I’m already looking forward to the next 365 days of working remotely and what lessons I learn along the way.

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.

Beautiful Easter Dresses
📍 St. Pete, Florida

Dress || Heels ($50 off with code SARAHFLINT-BAKATIE) || Clutch

Yesterday was the first weekend of Spring and it was, surprisingly, probably one of the coldest we’ve had in a while. Go figure! Still, despite the chill in the air, I know that hot days are just around the corner… Who knows, probably tomorrow! No matter the weather, I can always find an excuse to wear bright and cheerful florals. Now that Spring is fully here, I can wear them all with abandon. With Easter, just around the corner, I’ve rounded up some of my favorite floral dresses for whether you celebrate with church, brunch, or family dinner.

Tiered Midi Dress in Fairy Floral

Let’s start with the dress that I’m wearing and my number one pick! So officially, this dress is actually a swimsuit coverup, but I thought it was too beautiful to save for the pool. The floral print is a virtual rainbow of pastels. Honestly, I don’t know what could say, “Spring” more! The material is extremely light and flowing, which is perfect for warm Florida days. After you wear it for Easter, then it can switch back to a coverup. It’s the kind of dress you can wear straight from the beach to dinner and back again.

Faux Wrap Midi Dress in Rainbow Gingham

This dress was a very close second and one I couldn’t pass on. I already have a penchant for gingham, but I’ve never seen the print in such a rainbow of colors. I always find a wrap dress to be one of the most flattering styles, but that may not be your preference. Instead, you can find this same gorgeous gingham in a tunic, pencil skirt, button-down shirt, and even heels. Wear one favorite or, if you’re feeling bold, style an entire rainbow outfit. 

SHOP:

Pink Tweed Shift Dress with Rick Rack Detail

While I now lean more towards light and airy midi dresses, there was a time where my go-to style was a prim shift dress. When I see a really great shift, my knee jerk reaction is YES I need these. But in reality, I know I probably won’t wear it as often as I would like since I work remotely. If you love a good shift, then you’re going to melt over this pink tweed number. What really gets me is the rick-rack detail. I’m partial to the bright pink, but the emerald green is equally stunning.

Light Blue Midi Dress with Swiss Dot

This dress is an absolute dream! I think if Cinderella lived in the 21st century, she would wear something similar to her big night out. There’s something so romantic about a Swiss-dot fabric. The vintage inspired silhouette will so flattering no matter your body type. I think my favorite detail is the deep v-back. You can make a subtle statement when you enter the room and when you leave.

SHOP:

Royal Blue Gingham Midi Dress

Easter and Spring style doesn’t have to be all things pastel and floral. Think of it as an excuse to begin wearing your favorite warm-weather silhouettes again. There’s no better example of that than this royal blue gingham midi dress. The dress style was a fan favorite last year with J. Crew and I’m so happy that they brought it back for a second round! The ‘neutral’ color guarantees that you can wear it throughout Spring and Summer. I particularly see this dress being a hit for Memorial Day and the 4th of July.

Pink Gingham Drop Waist Tunic Dress

This is another dress that J. Crew classifies as a “beach cover-up”. I have much bigger plans for this stunning pink gingham and drop-waist style. It’s hard to tell, but the fabric isn’t as sheer as you would probably think and can be work independently. For even more ‘coverage’ you can simply add a nude slip for peace of mind. Although it has a pretty casual feel, I think it’s instantly elevated with the bow detail at the neckline.

SHOP:

Aqua Puff-Sleeved Eyelet Dress

Is there any fabric more approbate for Spring than eyelet? This sea green/aqua is starting to become one of my signature colors. It always looks good with a tan on a sunny day. Better still, I’m really loving the silhouette of this dress. Seriously, I’m kind of a sucker for puffed sleeves, even if they draw more attention to my very broad shoulders. As everything in eyelet should be, this dress is lined for your comfort.

Yellow Rose Print Smocked Midi Dress

To quote Miranda Priestly, “Florals in Spring, groundbreaking.” Still, I needed to add one more floral dress for good measure. This dress, for me, evokes a feeling of quintessential 50’s housewife, ala Mrs. Cleaver. It’s brought into this decade with a dash of waist-slimming smocked detailing. If you happen to be a reader from Texas, this dress also has me singing “Yellow Rose of Texas” to myself too.

SHOP:

Again, these Spring approved dresses aren’t just for those who celebrate Easter. Take advantage of the new season, the warm weather, and the optimism for the future by having a wardrobe that matches. Make plans with friends and family to look forward and always find the positive throughout the day!

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.