Top: Chicwish [c/o] | Shorts: Shopbop | Shoes: Marc Fischer, Similar | Bag: YSL, Similar | Lipstick: Rosa | Bracelets: Julie Vos [c/o] | Necklace: Baublebar [c/o] | Watch: Kate Spade [c/o]
Photography by: Angie Garcia
I was having a moment meltdown the other day while grocery shopping in 103 degree heat. One of those instances where you think, “That’s it! I’m calling my husband! We are moving to San Francisco! I don’t even care about the cost of living! I’ll live in a park. A cool. Breezy. Park.”
But since I can’t jet set like a Real Housewife to whatever climate floats my boat, I’ll stick with some affordable off-the-shoulder tops! This one is so light and comfortable and I love that the length will pair well with leather leggings [faux!] and a jacket come fall.
I know it’s August 3rd, but I always love the first week of the month! Something about getting our budget, schedules and to-do lists in order is always inspiring and refreshing as we can forget mishaps from the previous weeks.
Sometimes I get so caught up with to-do lists that I forget to focus on what I need to grow. I’m listing three things I want to be better about this month and the reasons why. I’d love to know what you’re working on!
1. Texting
I used to talk about texting a lot months back and my thoughts on it. Between e-mail, phone calls, snapchat, texting and everything in between our realm of what we think friendship is can be a bit skewed. I also think because social media is business for me, I really appreciate those moments of friendship you don’t see. My friends who cry with me, my friends who check on me and my friends who drop anything for me. I don’t put as much weight in texting or social media, because well, I fail at it a lot!
A year ago I would respond to messages right as they came in which led to me being really absent in a person’s presence. I hated it. So this year I decided to only respond during allotted times. I’d check my phone about 3 times a day or so, and leave it at that. I treated my text messages more as e-mails. I check them all at once. I thought it was a great system because I was able to be present with whomever or whatever I was working on and talking to.
But then I felt like the one with constant excuses. “Hi! Sorry!! Just checking my phone.” And then responding. The guilt feels awful! I still don’t want to check them as they come in, but I do want to be better about it. Do you have a system you follow for responding? Between e-mails, texts and social media I know it can be a lot so how do you respond best and make everyone feel valued?
2. Not Doubting Myself
My favorite form of humor is self-depracation. If I can’t poke fun at myself, what’s the fun in that?! But sometimes it leads to doubting myself.
Paul is a CPA but in our marriage I work on all the taxes [which takes time just because I’m self employed!], budget, savings, investments, tithes. There are a few reasons for that! First off, he works on financial statements all day long. The last thing I want is for him to have to come home and do it too. Secondly, being a business owner I’m always working on accounting, so it’s easy to just also work on our budget as a couple. Of course, we talk about everything together and do everything together, but overall I lay things out/#crunchthenumbers and then we go over it.
The other day I had to take about half the day to work on some financial things for the blog and us and then when I showed him everything he was really thankful. He kept complimenting me and each time he did I made jokes. I said things like, “Well aren’t you glad you married a CPA. Imagine if you had married a fashion blogger? You’d be out of luck.”
He stopped me and asked why I said that. I didn’t really think anything of it, except I was just not taking myself too seriously. But he went on to say how he just wanted to make sure I don’t doubt myself and actually think those things.
And you know what? I think he is right. I love humility and people that are humble, but there is also a time to accept compliments, and they aren’t mutually exclusive factors. Humor is nice, but sometimes those thoughts can get in your head and I need to be better about it!
3. Cooking What We Have
First off, I’m going to do the mature thing and blame Gwyneth Paltrow. I kept seeing her high-brow recipes on Pinterest thinking it would turn me into the epitome of health and wellness and making them. And you know what, Gwyn [can I call you that?] they all taste fabulous. So I’m going to keep blaming you! But then I’d be putting up my $18 specialty cooking oil up in the pantry and think, “Wait, I have these 14 things I should be making before they go bad!” I need to be better about meal planning while actually looking at the fridge and not Gwyneth. I’ll work on that!
I hope you have a wonderful rest of your week! Thank you so much for reading!
Awwww…while I love reading your blog and enjoying it from a fashion and beauty perspective, this here today was so fresh and real and just what I was needing! I think that you’re amazing Katey and this just goes to show that we all have things we feel we need to work on and we’re actually all beautifully human. Keep on keeping on love! xx
hi katey!!! i have been following your blog for a couple of months now and i just want to say, i wish i had found you years ago!!! that top is sooo beautiful on you 🙂 and i LOVE that you brought up texting. i have been overwhelmed lately with all the millions of forms of communication we keep up with. email, texts, and messages on every other service! with texting i would love a good system! but right now i am so bad at it. if it’s not a good time, i do treat it like email and get back to it later… the problem is i sometimes forget!! ahh! oh well. i’m trying!! xoxo
Love the top! Trust me I’ve been having meltdowns about the heat lately too & I only live in Pittsburgh!! But I agree with what you were saying about texting. It is hard to be constantly trying to reply to messages as they come in. But then when I don’t check it I feel like that is the time everyone needs me & my husband is trying to call etc.
Hope you have a perfect Wednesday!
Xx
Taylor
http://www.tayandco.com
I loved today’s post, Katey! It’s so refreshing to hear what you had to say! I’m in the same way in that sometimes I get caught up in life’s everyday business that I forget to focus on what’s important. Thanks for bringing that back to the forefront of my mind!
xoxo,
Amy
http://www.styleandsequins.com
This month I am going to work on not playing the “comparison game”. I have found myself doing that too much lately ((esp in regards to blogging)) but want to instead focus on the successes I have and the person He made me .. to be my own person! …. PS – LOVE the color of this top!
-Morgan
How 2 Wear It [] http://how2wearit.com
I would just like to say that my boyfriend says almost the exact same when I make self-deprecating wise cracks. The last time he stopped me mid-sentence and asked if I really believed those things..because witty, humorous as they are…beautiful people on the inside and out are hard to come by.
No more self-doubt! 🙂 You’ve got this, girl. (Easier said, than done, ima right?)
also..boring embarrassing question….what system do you use for your budget? investments? Do you have any tips or companies you work with that steered you in the right direction?
Love the top. Keep on keepin’ on 🙂
Such a lovely top! The color is so beautiful and the ruffles are too cute!
http://sequinsinpink.blogspot.com
I really love the way this top looks. And I totally feel you girl! It has been so hot in Vegas that I just can’t take it anymore! I am so ready for Fall!
Hannah
glamlifeliving.com
I love this post, Katey! This whole outfit is amazing too 😉 Your humbleness and humility really shines in each of your posts and I love seeing the real side of your life with Paul!! It’s so sweet of you to take on the financials at home, Thanks for sharing
xox Tess | Sequins are the New Black
Love your top, the color is gorgeous on you!
I’m terrible at using the food we already have before it goes bad too, so glad I’m not alone on this!
xo
Amanda
Very Cute top! Love the barely pink color. I also totally agree with the texting, it can consume us if we don’t control it!
Absolutely love this look! That off the shoulder top is to die for and I love how you suggested to pair it with leather leggings for Fall! I will definitely be trying this look out!
xo, Caitlin
http://caitlincarol.com
Dying over that top!
The way I control my texting is when I am in the presence of someone else, I make myself be present,.(unless of course they ask me to check something on my phone!) It allows me to keep my attention on what is happening around me.
I also make myself keep my phone in my bag while in any type of stores unless I am checking my grocery list!
This top is so easy breezy for summer it’s adorable! I love how you paired it with shorts + THE perfect espadrille wedges 😉
http://www.toreystreasures.com
@toreystreasures
Hi Katey!
Aww, I love #2 and that you control all the finances. I’m a CPA and number crunch all day so I can totally relate. Whenever I do dinner with friends they always look to me to figure out the check, which is fine, but sometimes you just want a break from math, you know? You’re such a sweet wife and it’s really enduring reading your stories about you and Paul. You’re very inspiring!
You on track as usual! I love stopping here and just relaxing and reading. I totally agree with #3! We buy all these beautiful groceries and then decide we want something else! It makes me feel so guilty! I am definitely going to change that, or at least get better.! You are right we need be humble but also appreciate the compliments! I do the same thing “oh it was nothing..” or “oh anybody could do it.” No more ladies! Lets get our credit when its due!
I love this post Katey and that top is SO cute and perfect for Texas. I was SO hot today too in Dallas and can relate to wanting to escape to SF, but trust me you’d be tired of the cold summer there after a few days. hehe 😉 Really enjoyed reading this post too.
xoDale
I’m dying over this top! It’s so beautiful on you!!
xx Kathryn
http://www.chicandshimmer.com
This whole look is sooo pretty! Feminine and chic!!
Mel | http://www.thegossipdarling.com