KATIE KENNEDY - Page 65 of 265 -

What I’ve Read Recently, Vol. 3

August 2, 2022

What I’ve Read Recently, Vol. 3
📍 Downtown St. Pete, Florida

Books, What I've Read, Lady Bird, Anna Wintour , Queen Elizabeth, Biographies, Historical Fiction

Dress (Also) || Sandals || Earrings || Bracelet

When I was a kid, I was an ardent bookworm. There was always a book in my hand and my nose in a book. I really wanted to find that passion again. So each year, I set the resolution to read more, and each year it’s completely overlooked. Maybe it’s because I spend more time at home, but I’m happy to report that I’m reading again! While I set a goal of 50 books in 2022, I’ve gotten pretty behind pace. I’ll keep going, though. Who knows! Maybe I’ll be able to make up for the lost time! Here’s a quick look at the new additions to my bookshelf and what I’ve read recently.

Elizabeth & Margaret

Elizabeth and Margaret is a must-read for fans of The Crown or anglophiles. It closely follows the lives and relationships of Queen Elizabeth II with her sister, Princess Margaret. Although their personalities and positions couldn’t be any more different, they still shared an incredible bond as only sisters can. Although incredibly dense with information and stories, this felt like such a quick read.

Dress Code

The psychology behind what we wear and why we wear it never ceases to fascinate me! Dress Code opens the door to some of the conscious and subconscious choices brands, and consumers make in their daily decisions. Why do some trends come and go while others stand the test of time? Although there have never been more choices, are we starting to all dress the same? The different topics in this book will have you really evaluating what you shop for and what you have in your closet.

Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald

Our recent trip to Paris was a huge inspiration for picking up Z: A Novel. Sadly, most know Zelda Fitzgerald as the wife of F. Scott Fitzgerald, author of The Great Gatsby. What many don’t know is that she was incredibly ambitious in her own right. This fictionalized account follows Zelda from her beginnings in Alabama to New York, Paris, and beyond. I finished this book with an appreciation for her sacrifice and resilience against the gender roles of the era.

Anna: The Biography

Is there a more powerful name in the fashion world than Anna Wintour? In Anna: The Biography, you learn how the editor-in-Chief of Vogue was almost destined for greatness but still worked relentlessly hard to get there. I definitely recommend this as a read for any professional woman, female business owner, or fashion lover. It was so enlightening to learn more about the woman behind those iconic sunglasses.

Lady Bird Johnson: Hiding in Plain Sight

When it comes to First Ladies, minds tend to Jackie Kennedy, Eleanor Roosevelt, or Michelle Obama. Lady Bird Johnson: Hiding in Plain Sight gives you an intimate look at MRS. LBJ and her time in the White House. Even though it was a time of incredible change in the United States, many today overlook the Johnson administration. We think of Kennedy’s Camelot or the pain caused by the Vietnam War. While these are very fair viewpoints, you cannot overlook the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act. Lady Bird had a very active role in her husband’s presidency. She was a sounding board for LBJ and had her own initiatives in the arts, the environment, and education. She was such an incredible woman, and I loved learning about her work.

Better Luck Next Time

I can’t remember who recommended Better Luck Next Time, but I’m so happy it made its way to my radar! It’s the kind of story you can’t put down and is told from the perspective of our narrator’s flashbacks to 1930s Nevada. At this point, the easiest way for women to get a divorce was to stay in the state for six weeks to gain residence, and Reno was the epicenter. Wealthy women from across the country would call the Flying Leap Ranch home to begin their life as fresh divorcees. This book has wonderful character development, which I always look for when finding a good novel.

The next book on my journey to 50 in 2022 that I’m currently reading is The Grand Design: A Novel of Dorothy Draper. This is a perfect, fun read for any grand millennial or lover of interior design. It’s a unique story about the interior design of the iconic Greenbrier Hotel in West Virginia, which is absolutely on my travel bucket list. Before I get ahead of myself, you can expect a mini-review in my next issue of ‘What I’ve Read Recently.’ Until then, keep reading!

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.

Why I Blog

July 22, 2022

Why I Blog
📍 New York Public Library

Social Media, Instagram, Style Blogger, NYC, Creative

Dress || Flats || Handbag || Earrings

So, I’ve been thinking a lot about this topic recently. Why do I blog? There’s a lot that I absolutely love about this space, even with the seemingly endless hours I put into creating for Orange to Apple. That’s in addition to my full-time 9-5 career, which I will never leave, and the freelance chances that pop up. There are so many wonderful opportunities that have come my way since its founding in 2018. Still, sometimes it feels like an ultimately thankless task. Creating quality content that I’m proud of takes time, resources, and energy. None of it could be accomplished without my incredibly supportive husband/photographer, David! For this post, I wanted to take a moment to share the very real pros and cons and what I’ve learned about myself along the way. This is one of the few posts that isn’t about style or travel, so I appreciate you following along!

Pro: Connecting With So Many Wonderful People

In a social media world, it only makes sense to find the social element in it. Especially when I was living in New York, I met so many wonderful women with whom I know I’ll be lifelong friends. Some, I’ve had the pleasure of getting together in person, while others are still on Instagram, but they’re the first to like my pictures. Upcoming lunches and get-togethers are on the horizon! Without my life as a blogger, my paths may have never crossed with them. I also have to mention how thankful I am to have the opportunity to partner with some of my favorite brands. Whenever they reach out for collaborations, campaigns, or simply share my picture, I feel my content must be on the right track.

Con: Feeling So Small in a Big Social Media World

With over 500,000 influencers on Instagram and about 1 billion users, it’s easy to feel too small in a vast pond. There are a few so-called “vanity” metrics, like the number of followers and likes. These can be manipulated, hence the vanity, but that is a practice that I wouldn’t be caught dead doing. Still, I can’t help but get caught up in the numbers game. When I take the time to style an outfit, take the pictures, edit the images, and create the posts, it’s incredibly disheartening to feel like no one is seeing the fruits of my labor. The worst days are when I get down on my self-appearance, which I used to struggle with during my younger years. Yes, I’m in a wonderful marriage with a husband who makes me feel loved daily, but self-doubt can sometimes come out of nowhere. I remind myself to keep posting for the pure enjoyment of it and joke that maybe the next Instagram post will be the one that gets me “noticed.”

Pro: Having My Own Creative Outlet

When I started Orange to Apple, I was a classroom teacher with little creative outlet to speak of. I’ve always been an avid writer and had a passion for style, starting at a very young age. As a side note, I should find the pictures of me raiding my mom’s closet when I was four. In high school, when I was a high-level athlete and eventually a varsity swimmer in college, those interests took a big backseat. As in, I wasn’t doing even the smallest thing to pursue them. After so many years of only thinking about my swimming career and only wearing workout gear, it was time to redefine my personal style. Admittedly, it took some trial and error, but I’ve gotten to a place where I look back and still love outfits from five-plus years ago.

Con: Always Wondering If I’m Doing Enough

In short, yes! I always know that I could/should be doing more. This may turn into a veiled criticism about the algorithm’s priority of Reels but just bear with me. I know it’s not a fresh take, but I’m not a fan of having to make Reels to watch my blog and Instagram grow. Some of my Insta-friends have been doing an incredible job and serve as a huge source of inspiration. It’s all about balance. I know I could spend all my waking hours juggling posts, reels, and stories, but I can’t. I have a 9-5 job that I love and the need for a social life that doesn’t always involve my camera or phone. Besides, you don’t want to see me in video form. I have all the grace of a bull in a china shop. Part of blogging for nearly five years is that I’ve learned my strengths, the poses that work best for me, but also my weaknesses.

Since I want to end this list on a positive, let me say that I love blogging! The glee of thinking up blog topics, styling outfits, and editing pictures alone is worth it. This blog is something I own. I don’t have clients to make happy, no corporate policies that I have to adhere to. It’s just me. And that is ultimately where this post came from. I’ve learned to really like myself after some out-of-sync high school and college years, and it’s freeing to share myself with you as often as possible. Thanks so much for stopping by and getting to know me. You have no idea how much I appreciate it!

Love from NYC,
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.

Early Mornings in SoHo

July 19, 2022

Early Mornings in SoHo
📍 SoHo, New York City

Early Mornings, Summer, SoHo, NYC, Coffee, New York

Tank Top || Skirt || Flats || Similar Handbag || Earrings

Without a doubt, my favorite time of the day in New York is the early morning hours. Especially during the summertime, a beautiful light fills the street. The city of 8 million is still, and you have it all to yourself. While this moment of quiet and calm is short-lived, it’s an incredible experience that I love to take advantage of on every trip. During this time of the year, the sunrise is around 5:30 am. That’s an early wake-up call for even the peppiest of morning people. Here are my top recommendations to take advantage of early summer mornings in SoHo and anywhere else in Manhattan.

Get a Good Night’s Sleep

In a city that never sleeps, it’s very tempting (and all too easy) to stay up into the wee hours of the morning. I’ve been guilty of doing that on several occasions myself and have suffered the consequences the next day. Especially if you want to take advantage of an early morning exploration, getting a good night’s rest is critical. Start with happy hour, enjoy a wonderful meal on the town, and wind down the evening by relaxing at the hotel. Cozy in a hotel robe by 10 pm with to-go dessert? That sounds like an ideal night to me!

Go Easy on the Adult Beverages

When enjoying the evening with friends, this is sometimes my downfall that keeps me from getting up with the sunrise. I’m not saying you have to abstain entirely, but definitely save it to a minimum. I’ve found that a cocktail at happy hour and a glass of wine with dinner, mixed with several glasses of water throughout, is a good measure. Instead of having a few rounds of post-dinner cocktails, hold off until mid-morning. Countless brunch spots around the city have incredible mimosa specials. It’s all a better reason to start your weekend mornings earlier.

Use the Black Out Curtains

Oh, how I’ve come to love this on our stays in New York! Blackout curtains are so helpful in blocking out both light and sound. I’m a pretty light sleeper, and while the sounds of the city often lull me to sleep, one expected noise jolts me awake. I also never sleep well the first night in a hotel room, but getting it as dark and quiet as possible is helpful. I will recommend leaving a little sliver open, so you can see the morning light as it begins to trickle in. Without, you may sleep in well beyond the early morning hours.

Visit a Local Coffee Shop

Nothing like a full cup of caffeine motivates you first thing in the morning. Whenever I wake up early to explore a new neighborhood, I always scout the local coffee shop scene. The little things help me get some extra pep in my step. Take your drink to-go with your favorite pastry, and wander the area. Relax at a nearby park if you find one and watch the world pass. The point is that the peace and quiet are even better when you have a great coffee in hand, making the early alarm much more bearable. My personal favorite in SoHo would have to be Felix Coffee Roasting on Greene Street.

After a quiet morning to yourself, you’re now ready to take on the day in New York. Join your friends for brunch, book a ticket at your favorite museum, and explore all the city has to offer. Whether you’re just visiting for the weekend or have the pleasure of calling yourself a resident, early mornings are the perfect opportunity to see bustling Manhattan at its very best!

Love from NYC,
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.