Cheers to Fall ♥

Hi loves!

It has been WAY too long since my last blog post, and it feels good to be back :) I don't know why, but I always seem to get the urge to write as the seasons are changing.  As a Coloradan since birth, I am accustomed to the oh-so-perfect weather conditions, yet every time one season transitions into the next I can't help but feel extra grateful (seriously, how gorgeous is this weather right now?!). Perhaps this feeling of gratitude stems from the fact that when the seasons change the passing of time becomes tangible.  We can feel the air turn brisk, we can see the leaves changing color, and Sundays once agin become centered around our favorite NFL team (Go Broncos.. PFM!!).  As Fall approaches, my senses are awakened and I am reminded to live life to the fullest and appreciate how blessed I am.

Here's to a fabulous Fall :) ♥ 

My Fall Favorites

☞ All things PUMPKIN.

The Pumpkin Scone from Starbucks is one of my favorite Fall treats. What's not to love about a little bit of icing for breakfast every once in a while?

☞ Cozying up.

Love comfy black tops! They go with everything.

Faux Fur Throw by Restoration Hardware. These make amazing gifts and are the most comfortable blankets ever (plus they come in different colors!) fabulous for Fall!

www.restorationhardware.com

I can't get enough of scarves! And I love this Tribal Print with the Fall colors.

☞ School

One of the best things about Fall is the start of the school year! I am so happy to be back and ready to tackle Chemistry after a year-long hiatus.

  

☞ Football

Go Buffs and Broncos!! 

Broncos!

Looking for a show-stopper at your next tailgate? These chocolate covered strawberries are not only festive, but they are DE-LICIOUS.

☞ Family & Friends (of course!) 

I love you all so much and I am so grateful for each and every person in my life! 

xo KB

Spring Fever ❀ ♥

Hi loves!


I can't believe March is here.  The speed at which time flies is truly starting to amaze me. Although snow is still covering any glimpse of warmer weather here in Denver, CO, I am very much looking forward to Spring.  Today was a gorgeous day in the mile-high city, and it makes me VERY anxious for the patio weather that we all love so much.  This week simply.kate is focusing on upcoming Spring trends, as well some other inspirational tid-bits to get us through the seemingly never-ending winter.  

love lace.

Lace is going to be everywhere this Spring, and I could not be more ecstatic.  Feminine, sexy, endearing...

love color.

One of the best parts about Spring Fashion is bringing bright, flirty colors back into your wardrobe. Is anyone else sick of black leggings, neutral sweaters, and boots? I am most definitely looking forward to the Spring color palettes... mainly turquoise, coral, and light pink.

photocred: the budgetbabe.com

love bows. 

It's all in the details :) 

Tory Burch Patent Bow Cuff

toryburch.com

Kate Spade Sandals

katespade.com

nude & bow pumps

wanelo.com

love you. 

Be.you.tiful ♥

Hi loves!


I wanted to share a few sources of inspiration to get your week headed in the right direction...... And always remember not to sweat the small things ; ) Have a fantastic week. 

We have all had those moments that change our lives forever.  We all have "issues", and we all go through difficulties.... the bottom line is that it is not hard to be kind to anyone and everyone you encounter.  Hold doors for people, smile, and love life.  You never know how your acts of kindness may change someone's day, or even their outlook on life.  I truly believe that it takes more energy to be mean, so save your energy and be nice to people.  

Happiness is a choice.  Since we all have power over our choices, we all have the power to be happy. Yay! 

photo cred: littlereasonstosmile.tumblr.com

Feel beautiful.  It's ok to treat yourself to things that make you feel great, beautiful, and free.  Treat yourself to.... a new pair of shoes, The Bachelor (I dare you to watch just one episode), Starbucks (Valentine's day cups are adorable), a great sale, yoga, and spend your time with people who love exactly who you are.  

Jam out to your favorite music.  It's ok to play songs that make you feel great on constant repeat.  Right now I am loving Young Love by mat Kearney... feel good music is always a must.   

xo
KB

Valentine's Day ♥

Hi loves,


Valentine's day is right around the corner, and what better way to celebrate than with Pink & Red? I have put together some great gift ideas as well as a few fun things to do on this oh-so-romantic day (and even if you are single, you can still indulge in these sweet & flirty finds).


I absolutely adore these wrap watches from La Mer Collections.  They are fun, sophisticated, and happen to make great Valentine's day gifts in these flirty pink shades. 
Visit Lamercollections.com for more info.

Looking for a clever way to say "I love you"? Traditional paper valentines are thoughtful, but these cookie valentines are both adorable and practical.  Who wouldn't love a valentine that can satisfy their sweet tooth?  I recommend using classic sugar cookies (I will include my favorite recipe below) to be iced with pink and red, of course.   

The BEST sugar cookies  ( courtesy of Mom ♥ )

Ingredients:  
2 1/2 Cups all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1 C butter (softened)
1 C sugar
1 large egg
1 1/2 tsps grated lemon peel 
1/2 tsp vanilla extract


Directions:
Combine flour and salt in bowl.  Meanwhile, beat butter and sugar in mixer bowl until light and fluffy.  Beat in egg, lemon peel, and vanilla.  Gradually beat in dry ingredients.  Wrap and refrigerate for an hour or two to make dough easier to roll out.  


Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Roll out dough about 1/8" thick, and use your favorite cookie cutters to cut out individual cookies.  Bake cookies for 8 to 9 minutes until edges are golden brown.  Cool cookies on wire racks and ice with frosting when cooled.  

Another clever (and affordable) valentine idea... Go to your local hardware store and pick up a handful of free paint samples in Valentine's Day shades.  Use a heart punch tool (available at any major craft store) to cut out hearts, attach a ribbon to the top, and voila, you have yourself valentines that double as bookmarks :) C-ute. 

 Looking for fun & unique activities to celebrate Valentine's day?  Singles & romantics alike can appreciate these Denver outings... 


5k Valentine's Day Run through Washington Park

Get your juices flowing with a 5k run through the Wash Park area! Run stag, or drag your significant other along for some good exercise to benefit Cancer research. 

When: Sunday, February 12th at 9:50 am

Entry fee for adults is only $30

for more information visit:

 http://www.active.com/running/denver-co/rundenver-races---valentines-day-5k-2012

Denver Zoo 

I love going to the zoo, and it just so happens that on Feruary 16th, zoo admission is FREE :) 

d bar desserts 


If you are looking for a place to satisfy your sweet tooth in a fun atmosphere, dbar is the place to go.  Offering a decadent dessert menu, as well as gourmet food and wine, dbar is the premier Valentine's day spot.  dbar doesn't usually accept reservations, but they are accepting reservations on Valentine's day. visit dbardesserts.com for more information

First Seating: 6pm-8pm

Second Seating: 8:30pm-10:30pm

 visit dbardesserts.com for more information

I hope you all have a fantastic Valentine's Day!

xo KB

Welcome!

Hi all!!

Welcome to simply.kate., a blog that will chronicle some of my favorite things, daily thoughts, current events, fashion advice and much more.  I hope you enjoy :) 

Great Expectations

      Over the years I have come to develop an intense fear of flying that I cannot seem to get to the root of.  I am no stranger to the friendly skies.  In fact, I have been accustomed to airplane travel for as long as I can remember.  When I was much younger I recall enjoying the unknown world of flying, and loved every facet of being airborne.  I would board the plane with no qualms about my safety, buckle my seat belt, and happily munch on the complimentary peanuts provided by the picture perfect flight attendants.  Needless to say, a lot has changed since these anxiety-free days of travel.  First off, the peanuts are no longer free and the flight attendants are anything but picture perfect.  While it would be easy to blame the aging and angry stewardesses for my influx in anxiety over the years, the origin is rooted beyond those heinously pleated uniforms. 

      If you know me now, you know that I have become a, well… train-wreck when it comes to flying.  From the second I enter the jet way, my pulse quickens and I start to think about anything and everything that could go possibly go wrong.  I picture the scene from LOST where the plane goes down in fiery chaos and the lives of the good-looking cast members are changed forever.  As if that wasn’t bad enough, I have to touch the outside of the plane every time I board because I once heard that performing this ritual is a form of good luck.  Good flying Karma, if you will.  It is really quite remarkable how anxious I become, and it is a mystery due to the fact that I have never been involved in any sort of major plane disaster.  It would be one thing if air travel was statistically dangerous, but as I know, flying is the safest mode of transportation from a statistical standpoint.  So why in God’s name do I lose my cool?  Every rational bone in my body says that I shouldn’t be afraid, yet thinking rationally does little to calm my nerves. 

      I have been trying to analyze my fear of flying for a couple years now, and I have come to the conclusion that my fear is directly correlated to my expectations. I am only afraid when something happens that I am not expecting.  When there is any type of in-flight turbulence my anxiety levels skyrocket, and I immediately think that something is going wrong.  If I know about this turbulence in advance, however, I find that I am much less frantic. 

     While attempting to psychoanalyze my fear of flying, I got to thinking that expectations were the very things responsible for nearly every human experience.  Fear, disappointment, happiness, surprise, and even love are all dictated by our individual expectations.  When our expectations don’t match up with reality we get scared, confused, and often times end up hurt.  I am not saying that expectations are bad.  In fact, they are necessary in order to understand the world in which we live.  I do think, however, that expectations can be heartbreaking and scary. I am currently going through a break-up with my boyfriend of nearly four years, and I have come to realize that my expectations of him and of our relationship did not come to fruition.  Although my expectations for our relationship didn’t match up with the reality he wanted, I still find it extremely difficult to let go of those pesky “what-ifs” and “whys” and “why not me's”.  Although our expectations often lead us to disappointments and fear, it is important to remember that without them we could never be pleasantly surprised or extremely happy.  So always remember that even though there may be a little turbulence in your life, you are probably scared or confused because you weren’t expecting the bumps, not because you can’t overcome them. So be happy :) xo KB