Fall Favorites

Sweater  ||  Banana Republic (similar here)

Pants  ||  H&M

Shoes  || Target

It is the season for breezy days and chilly evenings.  Each year the leaves change, the weather gets cooler, and my excitement peaks each time I slide open my closet door.  With autumn temperatures come so many options, so many layers, and so many combinations.  With the possibilities being practically endless, I tend to stick to my four fall staples. These are pieces that I trust, always feel confident in, and literally go with anything because they are easily mix-and-matched. Here are my four must-haves this time of year:

1. Fierce Top-Knot.

Want to know why you'll love this one? Because it won't cost you a penny, and it is so simple to do. When you have long locks like me, the wind can sometimes be your worst nightmare, which is why the top-knot bun is perfect for those gusty afternoons. It's a quick fix when you're in a rush or when your hair is just not loving you back. Bad hair days be gone! You can leave it on the messier side or tame it with bobbies for a sleeker look. Up-dos are something I used to avoid at all costs, but the top-knot has stolen my heart.

2. Favorite Sweater

Everyone needs a favorite sweater...or five. It makes you feel fearless, but keeps you warm, while still looking great. My go-to is a soft beige, crew neck. It shouldn't be of any surprise that my knitted soulmate is a neutral hue. I just can't get away from earth tones, and I don't think I ever want to.

3. Fall-Colored Pants

Currently I have been crushing over my new olive skinny jeans. Before these pants walked into my life, I was pretty skeptical of pants that weren't a classic shade of denim, black, or tan. Honestly, it took me four months after I bought them to even wear them out. But once I gave them a fair chance, I fell head over heels for them. They double for casual occasions with flats and a cardigan and dressier events matched with stilettos and a flowy top.  Maroon and mustard are next on my wish-list.

4. Faithful Booties

I cannot get enough of booties; they’re the real prize of any Saturday afternoon shopping trip.  Maybe it's because shoes are my weakness, but there is just something about them that catch my eye, and my wallet. With the different styles, materials, and colors, it's hard to choose my preferred pair. Lately, I have been wearing my black, suede, wedges with a cute little tie. They look great with just about anything you couple with them! But the absolute best part about them is that they look glam without killing my feet. Score! When you find shoes that do this for you, buy them right then and there! Your feet will thank you later. My motto is that you can never have too many boots! 

Learning How to Swim

Here I sit, knee deep in my to-do list. It’s full of things for school, my job, and just life in general. Lately, my drive to be productive has hit an all time low. If you happen to find where I have lost my motivation, please let me know, because I dearly need it back. I can’t seem to pull it together to get anything done. I have a handful of incomplete projects that need to come to completion, and it feels never ending. I am a full-time student, with a part time job, and a social life that fills the remaining time gaps.

I’ve hit the brick wall that has been labeled “senioritis.” Actually, I am pretty sure that if you look up senioritis in the dictionary, you will find a picture of me there with gold stars next to my name. I don’t have much desire to write another paper or read another chapter in a textbook. I don’t really care to spend my time commenting on another discussion board or searching for anymore peer-reviewed academic journals for my latest research assignment. This lack of determination has caused me to become so behind in my classes, and in case you didn’t know, deadlines that have passed are more stressful than deadlines that are upcoming.

So as I’m surrounded by all of these things on my to-do list demanding my time, it sometimes feels like I’m drowning.  I’ve found myself sitting in the sand on the bottom of the ocean with the coral and starfish not really knowing what to do or where to start.  Last night I submitted an assignment, and realized that I am learning how to swim again.  I am remembering how to channel my ambition and get things done.  

I’m so thankful that my head is above water again because I have missed blogging.  Blogging has become an outlet for me and something that I adore.  I am overjoyed to get back to this love of mine.  Although our readers may be few, we appreciate you.  Thank you all for reading, commenting, loving, and supporting us.

It's Basic Season

As autumn approaches, so does “basic season.”  This idea of being basic has escalated and taken on it’s own culture.  This epidemic of being basic can strike anyone at anytime.  You just have to fit a few criteria that I have observed.

First, you have to love coffee.  Or at least pretend to.  As long as your cup has the green siren logo plastered on it, you’ve fooled everyone into thinking you’re drinking a fancy, complicated, coffee drink.  But for those of you who are truly basic, you know it’s pumpkin spice season, and you’ve lost count of how many pumpkin spice lattes you’ve had this September.  

Secondly, you are basically a professional photographer with an iPhone.  Instagram is your platform; your stage, if you will.  You have to have the right audience who will applaud you.  After the stage and audience are set, basics always have an unrivaled costume (the filter).  Your photos are always edited to perfection — no matter what app you use.  Presenting your perfectly plated food or your OOTD on Instagram is your favorite hobby, besides actually selecting your OOTD.  Oh, and don’t forget to conjure up a creative caption that will set your post apart from the rest.

Lastly, you have to love everything about your fall wardrobe.  Your fashion choices play a key role in your identification as basic.  Starting at the top: your love for sweaters runs deep, specifically oversized ones.  The more it looks likes you made a killer find at Goodwill, the closer you are to being basic.  And naturally, your favorite sweater is meant to be paired with leggings and boots.  The leggings-boots combo is not one to be messed with in the lives of those who are basic.  Finally, in true basic fashion, you accessorize with fall-loving scarves that tie your entire outfit together. 

To those of you who could be labeled as basic, you are not alone.  And no matter what anyone tells you, there is nothing to be ashamed of.  In fact, I am not ashamed; I am the first to admit that I am basic.  I love coffee, actual coffee.  I haven’t gotten my first pumpkin spice latte yet because I’m too stuck on my summer favorite, peach green tea lemonade, that’s going out of season.  But you better believe the moment those chilly temps hit, I’ll be the first in line for my PSL.  As far as Instagram, we can all pretend we don’t care, but we know deep down we do.  And we all know we’ve been shopping for fall wardrobe staples since last fall.  Our eye never goes blind for a good sweater or pair of boots, no matter what the weather.  

Don’t hide your passion for fall; embrace it.  Break out your boots, fire up your Instagram, and go get that coveted PSL knowing that I am behind you, and I am cheering for you.  So to my fellow basics, raise your siren cup and join me in celebration for our favorite time of year. 

Introducing Me

Hi. I wanted to more informally introduce myself. I’m Kate. I’m pretty new to the blogging world, and I’m not quite the writer I wish I was, so bear with me.  

Like Nicolette said, people are my passion, so most of the blog posts you’ll see from me will probably be me stumbling over my words trying to relate to anyone who is reading this. I could only post so many times about my love for wearing neutrals and shopping at H&M. I’m just saying, prepare for me to share all the thoughts bouncing around my brain. Whether or not you read them, that’s up to you.  

I don’t care much to be heard. I don’t have some huge message to assert, or a personal agenda to push. I just want people who read this to know they’re not alone. At the least, if one person feels understood or heard because of something that I wrote, then it’s all worth it. I don’t desire to be relevant to everyone; I just want to be relevant to someone.  

If you are asking yourself why I care about people so much; people who are fallen, struggling, and actually awful; it’s Jesus. I’m going to be very straightforward in saying that without Jesus, I probably wouldn’t give a rip about very many people. It is because of the way that Jesus loves me that I can love other people. Because if you think about it, people are ugly and mean inside, and I am no exception to this.  People are sinful, and so am I; people are rude and selfish, and so am I; people let other people down, and so do I. But people are also loved, forgiven, and redeemed; and so am I. So, I love people because I am loved.

Now I know what you’re thinking, and no, I’m not some crazy, convert-everyone, bible thumper. Yes, I am passionate about my Savior, but I am not in the business of harassing or condemning people who do not have a faith like mine. But, I am also not in the business of hiding my light under a bushel; I’m gonna let it shine.  

So, if you’re still reading this: first of all, wow, thanks for sticking with me! I am excited to continue to falter and flail, all while learning to do this whole blogging thing alongside Hannah and Nicolette, and alongside you guys, my steadfast readers.

Meet The Magnolia Girls

We are three cousins, but we are better defined as sisters. Actually, Kate and Hannah truly are sisters, while Nicolette is just a tag-along, wannabe who was blessed with having only brothers. We are all in different parts of our life – Nicolette is in the beginnings of her career, Kate is working towards her masters, and Hannah is figuring out which profession to peruse. Even though we are on the journey of finding our own place in this world, this blog is what brings us back together.

Kate is the perfect combination of sweet and sassy. She is currently working on her masters in higher education after receiving her undergrad in psychology. People are her passion, which explains her dreams of one day guiding students throughout their college experience. She’s a lover of hammocking and her closet practically consists of neutrals. Coffee and cold brews are her obsession, so finding coffee shops that aren’t overrun by basics is a simple pleasure.

Nicolette is the wild and creative one. She believes in the magic of finding the perfect pair of jeans, or shoes, or both. She’s a designer with a witty sense of humor and a shopping obsession. The one who likes to cook, but never follows the recipe exact, which mimics her attitude in life – just go with it. Her best advice: when in doubt, choose black, always. She’s the sports fanatic that is in a love triangle with margaritas and wine.

Hannah can be defined by the 4 F’s: Family, Friendship, Food, and Flannels. She is the down to earth one and the brains of the trio. With a recent change in career path and school, Hannah is now in the process of receiving her undergrad in communication with a minor in business and science. She is fueled by tea, but s’mores are the way to her heart. Stripes are her fashion staple. She will always try something once and lives for the thrill of finding a good bargain.

Together we make The Magnolia Girls.