Florida,  Friendship,  Husbands,  Marriage Confessions,  Stuff I Use

A Little Girl Talk; A Little Window Shopping

April 14, 2010 /

This afternoon, I left Bean Man with Chris and met my oldest friend, Sarah, for a little shopping and an early dinner.  It was a much needed little break.  Chris and I have never spent this much time together in one block before and, while I love him and am enjoying all this time I have with him, we need our space.  When we’re together for too long, we start to pick at each other.  I know when we start to bicker like brother and sister that its time for us to go to our separate corners and chill out.

It was so nice to have a girlfriend afternoon.  I’ve been missing my girlfriends from Connecticut and even though Sarah doesn’t replace them, she does remind me of them and that makes me feel closer to them in some small way.  I’ve never really had too many girlfriends.  when I was growing up, I hung out mostly with boys.  I lived with two boys in college.  Then I married and moved-in with Chris.  And then I had Bean.  Good girlfriends have always been few and far between for me.  But that makes me appreciate the ones in my life even more.  Spending time with them helps me feel better about myself.  I get to talk about things that I don’t get to talk about with Chris, like how my hair has suddenly become brittle and frizzy since I’ve had Bean Man and how I’m so glad that nude shoes are in this season because I’ve had a pair for three years that I’ve been dying to wear.

But the great thing about really good girlfriends, like Sarah, is that I get to talk about even more things.  Like my relationship, money, jobs, future plans, more kids, spirituality, and family.  Its not that I can’t or don’t talk to Chris about those things, too, but talking them over with good girlfriends gives you all new ideas and perspectives and things to think about.  A good girlfriend is like a really great book.  You can’t put it down and you’re sad when its over.

Of course, the major difference between my girlfriends and my guy friends is that we can talk about the Dhali Lama while flipping through dresses at J Crew.  So, you know.  That’s a plus.

Tonight, I found two really cute things to wear next week when we head to our hometown of Gulf Breeze, Florida for my sister’s wedding.  There are a few little events and things that I need outfits for and I picked up the last few pieces while I was with Sarah tonight.

First, I found this cute little dress at Old Navy for $29.50.  This will serve two purposes.  First, I have made the command decision to avoid shorts this summer at all costs.  My legs were just not made for shorts.  I’m much more of a casual skirt or sundress kind of girl.  I feel better in those and they are more comfortable.  But moving from Connecticut, the only dresses I have are wool.  Which I don’t recommend for Florida summers.  So, this little dress is perfect for running errands or maybe a lunch date on the weekends.  I’ll take this to Gulf Breeze with me and probably wear it when I’m buzzing around helping my sister and my mom with last minute wedding details.

As a redhead, the green is perfection.  Makes me look milky and not pale.  BIG difference in my world.  Also, I love this detailed trim on the bottom.  I think it jazzes up the dress just enough to make it cute, but still casual.

With a casual little sundress like this, I’d vamp up my accessories a little bit.  Starting with the jewelry.  Oh, how I love jewelry.  Big, chunky jewelry.  I think its because I dress pretty plainly and not very trendy, so you throw a big ol’ piece of interesting jewelry on and suddenly you’re stylish!  With this dress I would add my beautiful glass disc necklace.  I found this at a street fair in New York one weekend.  I bought it in baby blue and this one in white.  It is huge and chunky, but still pretty simple so I think it adds a lot without being too flashy.  It weighs a TON though, but I put up with that because of the ridiculous price I got.  I paid $5.00 for both necklaces.  And they are beautiful and hearty and have held up for three years now.

For the shoes, I’d add a little pop, too.  My mom bought me these shoes to wear with a different sundress and I just love them.  They are a little flashy, but nothing too over the top.  And their color makes them neutral enough to wear with anything I own.  I think they would be perfect with this little dress.  And they’re comfy enough to run errands in!  Perfect!

When pulled together, I think this is a great outfit to pack for the wedding festivities!

The Thursday before the wedding, some of my parents friends are hosting a BBQ on the beach for those of us who are coming in from out of town for the wedding.  It will be a really casual event, but I’ll be seeing a lot of people I haven’t seen in a long time and meeting people for the first time, so I don’t want to look like I just got back from the grocery store.  I bought this shirt from Old Navy, too.  And at $19.99 I think it was a steal for being so darn cute!

See this neckline?  That’s my favorite neckline to wear.  It is sleeveless and casual, but it isn’t too bare on top.  I think I’m too old for those strappy little shirts now.  I feel much more confident when I’m wearing something with a little more coverage, and this style top is a good alternative for me without having to dress like a soccer mom.

When I wear a busier top like this, I usually take it pretty easy on my jewelry.  For this one, I’m probably going to wear these wooden bangles that I have.  I think they fit the Bohemian style of this shirt.  And I think they’re cute, but I never got to wear them in Connecticut because I was in sweaters most of the time.  My Grandmother brought me the brown beaded bracelet from Greece and I bought the pearl bangle on a trip to New Orleans several years ago.

For earrings, I’ll go even simpler because the pattern is so close to my face.  I just got my first pair of really big hoops a few weeks ago.  I’ve never been brave enough for them before, but I feel like its time.  I’m ready to stand up to the big hoops.  I like these because they have really tiny rhinestones in them that you can’t really notice until they hit the light.

But my favorite part of my new outfit are the shoes that I bought tonight at Forever 21.  As Sarah and I walked around Forever 21, we discussed whether or not we were too old to be shopping in a store like that.  But the truth is that every girl can use a cheap little trendy shirt every now and then or a great, chunky necklace…  Or these fantastic bright yellow shoes!  Regardless of your age or body type, you can always use a pair of bright yellow flats, in my opinion.  And at $15.00?  Well, that’s just ridiculous to NOT buy them.  Right?  RIGHT?!?!?

I actually didn’t even realize these two things looked so cute together until I was laying everything out to take pictures for the blog.  I think this is a super cute beach look for an evening of BBQ and beer.

Now, usually when I go shopping for anything, I come home to a series of lectures from Chris about how we don’t have the money right now or how I really didn’t need another shirt or pair of shoes.  And since he would have been right on both accounts tonight, I mentally prepared myself for an argument when I got home.

Argument #1:  I have absolutely no summer clothes, except the ones my mom has so very, very graciously bought me so that I didn’t have to walk around looking like the Abominable Snowman in Florida in April.  But I haven’t gotten to pick anything out for myself yet.  I have an entire wardrobe consisting of 2 pairs of shorts, 3 polo shirts, and 2 pair of capris.  And that just ain’t gonna cut it for the rest of the summer.

Argument #2:  Last week we bought Chris several new shirts and we are in the process of finding him a ridiculously expensive pair of flip flops to replace the ones that Molly ate of his last summer.  And I buy those things graciously for Chris.  So, I would ask that he not give me a hard time when its my turn to shop for something.

Argument #3:  I’m tired of being poor and for one night I wanted to pretend like I wasn’t.

Okay, so that last one is probably not a great argument to bring to your husband.  But I had the other two all ready to fire back at Chris when he attacked me for my purchases.

But when I came home, he kissed me hello.  And I waited for him to notice I was carrying two shopping bags.  He did notice.  But he asked, “Get anything good?”  And so I waited for him to jump all over me when I showed him I’d bought a sundress and a pair of yellow flats.  But he said, “That’s a cute outfit for you.”

I was dumbfounded.

So, the moral of the story the following:

1.  Girlfriends are just about the best gift you can give yourself and good ones make you a better person every time you’re with them.

2.  Summer clothes are a lot of freaking fun to shop for.

3.  At the point when you think you need a break from your husband, he probably needs a break from you, too.

4.  When you take a little break from your husband, you both will be happier and he will let you buy things without giving you a hard time.

(I’m still studying that last moral there.  I think I’ll need to test that hypothesis a few more times to determine if my conclusion is firm.  Maybe I’ll try again tomorrow…)

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49 Comments

  • Mandy

    April 14, 2010 at 10:58 pm Reply

    Love the green dress! I’m obsessed with eyelet cotton. Old Navy had a few years there when it was a veritable suckfest, but this season it seems to have turned around. I got a cotton trenchcoat there a few weeks back and I’m completely in love with it.

    Shopping is good for the soul.

  • Christina

    April 14, 2010 at 11:00 pm Reply

    Therapy, man. No doubt about it.
    Those are some cute things! I got a few things at Old Navy too, but I didn’t see that shirt! Or dress. I wonder if they are not here, or if they are new. The dress is great, but I don’t have the, um, bust to pull it off. Or hold it up right. Whatever.
    It’s all really cute (how many times can I say that word?) and I bet you have so much fun. Glad it was a good time with your girlfriend, and that the time apart made for a happy reunion! 🙂

  • Mary

    April 14, 2010 at 11:01 pm Reply

    I wish our Old Navy here in College Station, Tx had clothes that cute! It all looks fantastic, and it’s true. Finding a good deal really does make everything better. If only for a little while!

  • Ashley

    April 14, 2010 at 11:11 pm Reply

    Thanks for sharing! I am at a point right now where the only people I am around are boys as well! I wouldnt change this for the world, but I am still waiting to find just the right “girlfriend” out there!! I hope she will come my way soon because I totally agree that every girl needs one! CUTE outfits by the way! I love them both!

  • Jen

    April 14, 2010 at 11:17 pm Reply

    BBQ, beer, and the beach! Sounds perfect and I adore the outfit you found. Old Navy has some of the best deals and cutest summer clothes 🙂

    • Katie

      April 15, 2010 at 8:09 am Reply

      THAT IS TOTALLY RIGHT! I have three bangles that I get all confused. I spent an hour last night trying to remember which bangle came from where! In the end I was like, “Eh, I’ve got a 50/50 chance its from New Orleans.” Oops. Sorry, Em. Its one of my favs, you know.

  • Casey

    April 15, 2010 at 12:24 am Reply

    Great finds! I, too, have to have valid arguments when I buy anything clothes-related… which is VERY rarely, I might add. Right now, I am 7 months pregnant and up until this point, my Mom has graciously bought ALL the maternity clothes that I needed. Problem is, all of that stuff was for winter, and dangit, it’s hot now! Especially for a preggo in Florida! So, last weekend, I bought 4 shirts (all of which I can wear to work!) and 2 pairs of shorts… for $100. And I prepared to argue. And, I only had to argue a little weensy bit. 🙂

  • Tracey!

    April 15, 2010 at 12:46 am Reply

    Funny you should say you never had a lot of girlfriends, I happen to think you would fit quite nicely into the girl’s girl club right next to ME, the chair. Yes Katie, I hate to be the one to tell you (Lie. I love it)you are a girl’s girl. 😉

  • Kate

    April 15, 2010 at 1:01 am Reply

    Cute jewelry! Love that necklace ($5 Are you Kidding?) and the pearl bangle. I love to get pieces at antique stores. Usually just need a quick polish and they are like new again! Plus I always feel there’s a back-story and they were pre-loved.

    Oh and I always have a back-up argument when I return home with shopping bags too…

    http://www.klmphotos.wordpress.com

  • Liss

    April 15, 2010 at 1:39 am Reply

    I love the top, and I have to admit I’m a tiny bit jealous of your red hair and green dress. 🙂

    Like Ashley, I’m still waiting to find an awesome, stick-by-me-through-anything girlfriend. If there was a smaller age gap between me and my sisters, I’d probably stick to them like glue…
    And my partner and I are with each other 24/7. For nearly eighteen months now. Sometimes, it’s not great.

    Sure you don’t want to pack up your things again and move to Australia? It’s pretty warm here… 😛

  • Diana

    April 15, 2010 at 7:53 am Reply

    I feel a need to test all of your theories this weekend. I mean we are going on a weekend getaway in a few weeks so obviously need new clothes – right?

    I love the jewelry by the way – I don’t think I could pull it off though!

  • Shannon

    April 15, 2010 at 8:00 am Reply

    Very cute stuff! I wish I had an eye for these things! I seriously want to go to the store and buy those exact things since you laid it out there for me and I don’t have to think about it! ha!

  • deepa

    April 15, 2010 at 8:10 am Reply

    Great post! I love they way you put those outfits together! I love chunky jewlery too, but my short hair and sharp nose makes me look like I am a 4-year old playing dress up..

    Can’t wait to see the pictures from the wedding!

  • kirsten

    April 15, 2010 at 8:45 am Reply

    cute stuff! forever 21 also has fun funky cheap jewlery too. although I’m way too old for anything else there.

    I love that area of florida. I’ll be in Pensacola in June .. although I must admit I’d rather be there in say .. February. But I’ll take what i can get.

  • Sarah H.

    April 15, 2010 at 9:41 am Reply

    I walk in with bags and my husband says “So how much did you spend??” And I say—wait, wait–you haven’t seen what I got yet! You can’t ask me the price until you see my items! And then I proceed to rationalize every purchase 🙂 I use to leave some bags in the car for a few days—bring them in slowly. Or just hang up them clothes and don’t say anything, because he probably wouldn’t notice. But I haven’t really shopped too much lately, so those techniques haven’t been too needed. But your outfits look PERFECT for the events you described, good job!!

  • Lee Ann

    April 15, 2010 at 11:02 am Reply

    Katie, obviously you are much better at shopping than me! I can’t think in terms of the “whole outfit.” Take tonight … I have to go to a nice cocktail party before a big event. So I did the preplanning thing last night, pulling obvious choices from the closet and trying them on (just in case I had lost weight since last time I wore them!) (Big HA on that one!) And I had a fabulous top … but absolutely nothing that went with it. No great skirt. No great cocktail pants. Nothing. Zilch. So I had to settle for an okay cocktail dress. Why, oh why, can’t I shop like you? You are my shero!

  • Emily

    April 15, 2010 at 11:22 am Reply

    You are absolutely right! Husbands, no matter how much you love them, don’t *really* care too much for chit-chatting about shoes, friendships, how to cute your hair, or the latest chick-flick. I miss living near my girlfiends, so I’m jealous!

  • Marie

    April 15, 2010 at 4:07 pm Reply

    Loving the outfit choices!!! And it’s making me even more excited about my holiday in North Carolina in June, so I can go shopping (coming from Ireland!)

  • Jeannette

    April 15, 2010 at 5:37 pm Reply

    I ordered that same floral top a few weeks ago! Summers here in Italy are like Floridas (I’m originally from Florida, but live stationed overseas with my husband), so it works great! 🙂

  • Angela

    April 15, 2010 at 8:53 pm Reply

    I don’t think you’ll ever look like a soccer mom with those cute outfits 🙂

    I’m sixteen and would totally wear those!
    Especially the flower-print top from Old Navy.

  • Ashley

    April 15, 2010 at 9:35 pm Reply

    Adorable outfits! And this is exactly why my fiance and I plan to have a joint account for bills and such, but separate accounts for guilt-free shopping! 🙂

  • Whitney

    April 15, 2010 at 10:40 pm Reply

    We are SO ON THE SAME WAVELENGTH. I totalLy tried on this EXACT dress today!!!!!! And ended up not getting it bc I had too many things already I wanted to get. And I SO feel ya on the leg thing. Shorts are the worst.

  • Jaymie

    April 15, 2010 at 11:09 pm Reply

    Love the new buys! I love when my new buys go w/ the rest of my wardrobe. A great place for accessories that are cute and reasonable is Charolette Russe. Can’t wait to see pics of y’all in the beautiful white sand. I have always wanted beach family pictures w/ the sea oats and dunes in the background.

  • Emily

    April 15, 2010 at 11:34 pm Reply

    I love Old Navy! I almost always find something in there. One time I even bought two skirts, and a dress in one trip there, which is like spotting a unicorn. I agree with Angela. Totally not soccer mom-ish. Have fun not melting in wool!

  • Molly

    April 17, 2010 at 10:47 am Reply

    What a great post! I sooooo feel you on the #3 argument. Sometimes, even though I know I shouldn’t buy something new, you just HAVE to anyway because you’re tired of the thought that you have no money to spend! I have felt like this for the last 9 months so you can bet that after I pop this baby out I’m going to go shopping for some cute summer stuff.

    Oh, and I always feel a bit weird when I’m in Forever 21. Like, if you are past 25 that maybe I shouldn’t be in here. Oh well, teeny boppers, be damned. They’ve got some cute and cheap stuff!

  • Kimberly

    April 19, 2010 at 11:14 am Reply

    How silly/crazy is it that I have a super cute yellow clutch that I want to ship to you and let you borrow?

    Cute clothes! Makes me want to go shopping! 🙂

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