just kate

Monday, June 20, 2011

Wildfires a'burning

It is entirely too hot in Texas to a.) have hair and b.) be outside. Nonetheless, I am doing both in my outfit today. East Texas is having the second largest wildfire in its history, and we've literally been able to see the smoke painting the sky interesting shades of taupe and salmon. As far as I know, we're not in harm's way, but stepping onto my crunchy grass is quite an experience in and of itself. I've been watering my little garden every morning, though, and it seems to be holding out!

Squinting? Scowling? All of the above?

Not posing, just trying to keep my hair away from my face.

Here I am, pretending I like my dogs... Haha. You know I do (most of the time).

It's much easier to pose for a picture with your eyes covered. Nate kept telling me to stop squinting, which was physically impossible.

Close-up detail of my fabulous flowers. Yes, I made them myself.

Bright blue ruffle shirt - Old Navy; Navy cardigan - Target (with homemade tweaking); Shorts - Heidi Klum; Shoes - Target

Family Photo

Loved this picture, taken by the gorgeous and talented Delaney Harbuck.

Sunday, June 19, 2011

The Ultimate Party Recap

I don't know how to put into words my amazing 30th birthday party, but I'm going to do my very best. Imagine the classiest, coolest event you've ever been to, and then go above and beyond. Nate brought to the party everything that I love - earthy, natural, vintage, crafty, green, and the feeling of not being in Lufkin... If I were a party, this is what I would have been. Plus he had awesome black and white photos of me everywhere (can't go wrong there, right?), including tons of me growing up (and a big 8x10 of me and my dad).

I should have known how perfect everything was going to be when I saw the invitation, which looked like a newspaper with my birth as the headline. And seriously, who doesn't want a great shot of this chubby baby heinie hanging on the fridge? Good thing it also made a tasteful framed decoration.

Nate is a whiz with decorations, and he didn't disappoint on this one. The color scheme was green, yellow, and wood, and he used old doors as the tables. One night I heard him rap-tap-tapping away in the garage (which I was banned from entering), and come to find out, he was creating these amazing "30" table decorations. Need one? We have 6 now!

Tons of my friends and family were at the party, which was perfect. I feel sorry for anyone who missed, because it was amazing. Nate had probably the best idea ever when it came to food - a salad bar that put Jason's Deli to shame, and an ice cream bar with every topping I could have desired. They were both so brightly colored that they were decorations in and of themselves, and they combined my favorite foods with my love of preparing my own food. Plus my brother made the most amazing punch based on my favorite lemonade at Olive Garden. These people know me too well!

Some of my family tattled on me and told funny stories, and my brother-in-law wrote and performed a song about me. I have to say, I make pretty good inspiration, and Chad is beyond talented, so everyone got quite the treat. I'm sure it will be a radio hit any day now, so make sure to look out for "Kater Potater," coming to a station near you.

Nate also knew that I'd want all my nieces and nephews and childfriends at the party, so he set up a little movie theater area for them, and Jen handled the set-up of a kids' craft table. I loved having all the babes there, and I also loved that their parents could just relax and let them play without worrying. Seriously, there's nothing Nate missed.

And as if everyone hadn't done enough, I got a myriad of amazing gifts. Let me just say, I am one spoiled girl. THANK YOU to my wonderful husband who always thinks of everything and makes me feel like the most important person on the planet. And thank you Jen, Ann, Tree, Mom (Kath), Mom (Pegs), Becky, Gary Foy, Chad, Michael, Mikey, Sar, and anyone else who helped put together the best party Lufkin has ever seen. I love and treasure you all.

Here I am, looking thoughtful and sentimental, which is how I feel about this gorgeous event.

Oh, and Mom, I forgot to get you a gift for birthing me, even though I blogged about it not too long ago. So let me just tell you this. You and I spent some time butting heads over the years, probably because we can be so much alike. But having Milo has given me such a new perspective on the wonderful and supportive mom you've always been to me, and I can't believe that I haven't spent every day of my life telling you that. I love you so very much, Mom, and I know that who I am today is because of who you were to me.

Outfit of the Day: Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to every dad who reads my blog... and I know there's a ton of you...
I've spent Father's Days in mourning since my dad passed away, but now that we have a Milo, celebrating Nate makes the day pretty exciting. However, Nate made me promise that we could just have a day at home today. He didn't want big plans or anything elaborate, just peace and quiet after at least a week of full-blown birthday party planning mode (more on that later). So he slept in a bit today, and we've just been chilling. I gave in and bought him some Sperry's, which he's wanted forever and I've told him I hate. But check this out - matching baby/daddy Sperry's are pretty adorable!

On to the outfit of the day. This super-soft Anthropologie shirt is beyond comfy. I mean, I practically wanted to cuddle with myself! And I had to go with the flattest of flat sandals for my running shoe shopping at Academy. Somehow wearing a peep-toe wedge didn't seem quite right for the occasion...

After watching loads of America's Next Top Model, Nate now reminds me to "elongate my neck" when I take pictures. Here's my best attempt.

Shirt - Anthropologie; Shorts - Old Navy; Sandals - Old Navy; Fedora - Target

Birthday Party Outfit

Okay, here's a quick recap of yesterday evening. I had an amazing birthday party, and my wonderful hubs has been working on this party for weeks. Here's what I wore (Nate took the camera for most of the day, so we didn't get a picture of my outfit until last night). There will be a description (with pictures) of the party to follow, as well as my Father's Day Outfit later today.

Who doesn't love a list?

So today I turned 30. And instead of looking at any of the negative aspects I have anticipated, I decided to focus on what's good about me, and why being 30 is so much better than being 20. I've compiled a list of 30 things I like about myself, some silly, some serious. So if you don't want to know all about me and how fabulous I am (haha), stop reading this very second.

What I like about me:
1. I have lines around my eyes. This means I smile a lot.
2. I have the loudest laugh most people have heard, which used to embarrass me, but then I found a man who thinks it's one of my best qualities.
3. Sometimes I don't pee because I don't want to wash my hands. But the point is, I never pee without washing my hands.
4. I am extremely unselfish at least 95% of the time.
5. My legs are ridiculously strong.
6. As an addendum, my heinie is quite strong as well. These are both excellent qualities to have when you're a runner who likes to tackle hills. Neither my bootie nor my legs have ever let me down.
7. I'm a runner!
8. I had a baby, and I'm still a runner!
9. I have two college degrees and several assorted certifications. Although this does not make me a better stay-at-home mom, I am still proud of myself.
10. I type at machine-gun speed.
11. Fabric-flower making is one of my secret specialties.
12. My style is always changing. This says two things about me - that 13. I'm flexible, and 14. I'm current.
15. I never go a day without shaving my armpits. This really hits home for me as I recently attended a baby shower with someone who does not shave hers. And good for her for having that confidence.
16. I'm extremely good at laughing at myself. Good thing because...
17. I'm usually pretty darn funny.
18. I never ever gave up on Nathan, and I'm now I'm being rewarded with the most amazing, wonderful, thoughtful, loving husband on the planet.
19. Most days I'm a pretty fabulous wife and chef (cooking is my newly acquired art form).
20. I made a Milo.
21. I'm working on being an excellent mommy, which is a never-ending process. But I feel good about the direction I'm heading.
22. I like my eyes. Sometimes they're brown, and sometimes they're olive, and they're always very expressive. Plus I'm decent with eye makeup,which I also appreciate about myself.
23. My discernment is getting stronger and stronger the older I get. Like, I can spot a liar a mile away. And even if I don't always call someone out, I still know...
24. I love to learn.
25. I will always give someone the benefit of the doubt.
26. I'm finally learning to speak my mind and not let people run over me.
27. When I was little in the church nursery, I used to cry when the other babies cried. As I got older, life forced me to lose that sensitivity. I've regained it in the last year or so, and I really like that.
28. I really miss my dad. I know it's an odd thing to like about yourself, but it makes me treasure every moment that I have with Milo (and really with anyone special in my life).
29. I'm becoming wiser all the time. I've always been pretty smart, but wisdom and common sense haven't come as easily through the years.
30. I am divalicious, and that's what you really need to know (snap snap).

Hope you enjoyed this bit of self-indulgence. This is what happens when Nate and Ann are busy making me a birthday party (tomorrow night - I have no clue anything about it and I'm so delighted), and Milo's taking a nap. I get rather thoughtful. But since I ran almost 8 miles this morning and have been up since 4 a.m., perhaps a birthday nap is in order? Happy day of my birth to you.

Happy Birthday to ME!

A very wise woman (my fabulous Grandma Marilyn) told me that I'm not getting older, I'm getting better. I'm choosing to believe her on that, and I will tell you this - 30 doesn't feel much different than 29 did. My 30's are bound to be so much better than my 20's, because, after all, I've learned quite a bit, and I'm well on my way to being a pretty amazing person.

So today I'm celebrating my birthday in something comfy and understated, but something that makes me feel gorgeous and elegant and earthy all at the same time. Pair that with lunch at the tea room and a great pedicure, and I'm having a fantastic birthday.