Dress: Shop Buddy Love [c/o] | Shoes: Nordstrom | Bag: YSL | Sunglasses: Nordstrom | Bracelet: Baublebar, David Yurman | Necklace: Love Always [c/o]

Photography by: Angie Garcia

I wore this little dress to my sister’s last senior chapel at her school and I got so many requests to blog it! First things first, I love that this Buddy Love dress is lined. Can we please discuss how many pieces aren’t lined for the summer?! One does not need sweat or spray tan or whatever other summer issues getting on a dress. Praise for lined items. Secondly, these shoes! I’ve had them in my shopping cart for a year. A. YEAR. I loved how they looked but thought they had to be uncomfortable. Lies. They are so comfy and I can walk around with complete ease. I’ve worn them three times just this week so I can’t believe I waited this long to purchase.

Now for Friday Frills!

1.What Do People Talk about in Therapy?

Oh this article so hit home! Fair warning, don’t read this at work and cry! I’ve bookmarked this article to my computer and each time I read it I sob. I talk a lot about my first-born syndrome and how I put a lot of pressure on myself. I’m the type of person that doesn’t run, but if you ask me to run a half-marathon I’ll do it and I’ll make sure I look like I’ve run one before. It’s silly and I’m not quite sure what any of it accomplishes, but it’s just my nature. This article talks about how those things do matter, but they aren’t what define you.

I wanted to put this article to the test so I called my mom on a whim yesterday and I said, “What makes you love me?”

Her answers honestly surprised me. Having a daughter myself I always am thinking about little things Maxi does that make me fall in love with her, so my mom’s answers seriously stuck to me.

This is what she said:

1. I love that you call me for everything. You call me at least 10 times a day and ask me everything, which makes me feel valued as a mom. You ask me everything from what to put in a recipe to how to clean a stain and I know you already know the answer.

2. I love how loyal you are. Everyone at your sister’s school was nearly scared of you because they knew if they messed with Kirsten you’d drive up unannounced and call them out about it at the lunch table. [LOL! I swear I’m not that scary of a big sister…or maybe I am?! You just don’t mess with my baby!] 

3. I love how much you soak up Maxi being a newborn.Every time Dad and I pop over you are on the couch hugging and kissing her.

4. I love how you’re great at faking things in 5 minutes. You’re the only person I know that can get ready in 5 minutes, cook dinner in 5 minutes or clean their entire house in 5 minutes. You were always a procrastinator as a child and it became quite the talent now!

5. I love how content you are. You were such an easy child because everything makes you happy and content, which is why I think you’re such a homebody. You always just wanted to be by me doing whatever I was doing.

My mom likes that I’m a homebody that can get ready in 5 minutes to cuddle on the couch all day and defend my sister to bullies. LOL! None of that has anything to do with my achievements, my goals or my job. I encourage you to do the same today with someone who loves you! It reminds you to stop being hard on yourself and just be yourself. Your ordinary qualities are what make others fall in love with you. Sure, I fully believe achievements are important- you’ve got to be proud of yourself and evolve as a person! But this article is such a beautiful reminder to not let stress affect me, because at the end of the day whatever I’m stressing about isn’t what makes my family love me.

2. Vegan Tortilla Soup

Okay, now that we have all cried this morning about the beautiful things that make us ordinary, let’s chat food! haha! How GOOD does this soup look?! I’m not sure what it is but I’ve been on such a veggie kick lately. I made a big bowl of raw veggies and a homemade salad dressing and let it sit in the fridge all week to snack out of. It was seriously the easiest way to get in enough greens and now I’m wanting to try a few vegan recipes just for fun. This soup shared by Julia looks delicious!

3. Hair Oil

My girlfriends were raving to me about the Ouai hair oil. I thought, “An oil is an oil!” But so many reviews had me convinced and I made my merry way down to Sephora to purchase it. I’ll be honest, the smell is okay…but not FABULOUS by any means of the imagination. I tried it, thought it was fine. Moved on. However, I continually used it for 2-3 weeks each time I got out of the shower and each time after I styled my hair. I officially feel like my hair is so much healthier. My photographer kept complimenting it while we were shooting and I went an unmentionable number of days this week without shampooing it. I never had to recurl it all week and it felt wonderful. I was sold, so yesterday I purchased a few more products to try from the line! Many of y’all told me I had to get the masque, which I did!

4. Calling All Pregnant Mamas

If you are pregnant or due to have a boy, look how sweet this nursery is! I keep trying to convince Paul that I want to be surprised if we are blessed with another baby [he is NOT on board to be surprised!], so we would probably just do a completely neutral nursery. However, I love how masculine the chair is in this room and how it can truly grow with him!

5. Pilates

I’m trying pilates today for the very first time. I’m extremely nervous because I just always envision girls that do pilates to be perfectionists at working out! But I’ve always wanted to try a class and my friend Elizabeth is teaching this one! I will let you all know if I survive. 😉 A new workout outfit always motivates me to try something different, here are a few I love.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend! Thanks for spending a bit of Friday with me!