A floral dress and sneakers that go with everything

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Etsy finds for Summer

Since I was going to be near Chicago this week, I went ahead and scheduled another styling appointment with Ari at Trunk Club. I had so much fun at the last one I went to with my sister and I knew I had to take advantage while I was close!

As I was walking over to Trunk Club from the train station, I started to think through what I was looking for. I had a bit of credit left over from past referrals, so that gave me a little bit more freedom to invest in some statement pieces if I found some winners. Last time I wanted some “special” items that were different from the typical grey t-shirt I wear all the time, and Ari introduced me to this top during that appointment.

For this round, I wanted pieces that I can wear more often in my daily life. She knows my style pretty well now, and pulled a handful of great pieces right away for me.

dress, shoes, bag, similar sunglasses

one, two, three, four, five

Everything fits in so well with what I typically wear, and I’m most excited about those white slip on sneakers! I tried them on with almost every outfit and they went with everything. They are easy to wear and are leather on the exterior so I’m hoping they won’t get too dirty like a canvas sneaker would.

A few of the items are a bit higher than my typical price point for clothes but I had some credit saved up to offset that cost! I did find some similar options at a lower price to a few of the items shown above though! Here is a similar blue floral dress with sleeves, and a sleeveless option! These are really cute white slip on sneakers, and a similar grey t-shirt dress with pockets too!

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Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says · 07.12.17

I love wearing sneakers with dresses – it’s the cutest and adds such a casual element to an outfit. Not to mention, more comfortable too!

Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com

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Ray says · 07.12.17

Sneakers with dresses is the ultimate sporty chic look. Love it.

http://www.underaytedray.co.uk

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Kelsey says · 07.12.17

Oh so cute! I’m looking for some good slip-on sneakers to wear this fall (it’s too hot in Austin for me to wear them in the summer, haha!). That’s so fun that she knows your style and can help you find adorable pieces like these 🙂

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Lynn says · 07.12.17

Really cute outfit, but wondering how often you’ll really wear an almost $400 dress in your daily life? Yikes!

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Kate says · 07.12.17

If you read the last paragraph of this post, I explain I had credit saved up for months ago to offset the cost.

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Lynn says · 07.12.17

I did read that, but it’s STILL an expensive dress! With $200 shoes to match!

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Heather says · 07.12.17

I read this blog almost daily and I’m starting to wonder why – it’s turned into something very materialistic. I shop at Nordstrom and have spent $400 on dresses before ( I’m a healthcare executive) but – the thing is — thats not likely the financial status of the majority of readers on this blog. I feel like it’s turned into a blog about what you have and not who you are or how you love the lord and raise your family as such.

The translation to your last paragraph – to me – was ….” all of you readers that envy my life and clicked on my links paid for the shopping trip that I went on – thanks for reading my blog so that I can live outside my means” …… I mean – you’re basically selling something in every single blog you post or link to…… I don’t need that inspiration – I need motivation and encouragement – things that can’t be bought!

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Amanda says · 07.12.17

At the risk of angering the Kate lovers, I have to agree. I used to read daily for the hair inspiration and Christian world view; now it just seems like a platform to showcase her photogenic life and a parade of new stuff that all of us provided. This blog is literally the only blog I read, the only single one, so maybe all blogs are like that. I do understand needing to be compensated for time and she isn’t doing this for free. I just find myself growing more and more jealous of all her awesome stuff. I was perfectly content with both my circumstances and all I had in my closet up until I read the latest post. God gave us this life and I think He wants us to enjoy it. I don’t think wearing ugly clothes or having bad hair makes us more holy. But I do think we can easily become consumed with the lie that more stuff will make us happy- and all more stuff does is make us want more stuff. Remember all these shiny things are all temporary!

Kate says · 07.12.17

I don’t believe more stuff will make me happier, I’ve never thought that and never will. Please understand that I receive questions about items of clothing I’m wearing or any makeup I’m wearing in a photo–not always, but quite often. I link to it because I’m asked. I use affiliate links as a form of revenue as creating content for this site is my full time job. I’m never, ever trying to brag or show off.

I assumed some people would comment about the price of the dress, which is why I included the disclaimer paragraph. I see it has been misinterpreted and I’m disappointed in that.

Kate says · 07.12.17

For having read this blog almost daily I can’t believe you interpreted that last paragraph as that. That is never my tone as that is not how I feel, nor how I’ve ever felt. Envy my life? I would never think that. That’s such an unfair accusation to make.

Laura says · 07.12.17

Wow that’s an expensive dress

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Kbee says · 07.12.17

Wow.. thoe prices. Not real life.

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Shannon says · 07.12.17

That dress is perfect for summertime! (And is gorgeous on you by the way!)

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Kate says · 07.12.17

Thank you!

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Christen says · 07.12.17

I’m a big fan of investing in really solid pieces (dresses, swimsuits, high-quality work pants and shoes) and then filling in my wardrobe with Target t-shirts/tanks, etc. that are less trendy and I can easily repurchase when they get old.

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Patti says · 07.12.17

Off topic, but thanks so much for the Glossier Cloud Paints recommendation. I ordered Puff and Beam and love them! Perfect replacement for the Bouncy Blush…you are right, they are even better. More expensive but I feel sure they will last longer. I was always wanting to toss the BB after a month or so because of the way it got gummy. These have a similar look once on, but the tube won’t get yucky.

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Katie says · 07.12.17

Kate, don’t feel like you have to explain yourself or your spending to anyone! You look great, and we value your style advice!

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Lori says · 07.12.17

Now THAT dress is super cute on you!

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Liberty says · 07.12.17

such a cute dress! looks lovely on you
http://www.libertylife.me

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Dawn says · 07.12.17

I think it’s great that you can afford to buy the dress and the other items regardless of a credit. I enjoy your blog but have say I miss the Christian message aspect. Thank you for sharing.

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Kate says · 07.12.17

Can you explain the difference in Christian messaging you are referring to? What am I doing different in this post than I’ve done in other posts that is creating this apparent disconnect in “Christian messaging”? The price of the dress? I’m not asking in an accusing tone, simply curious.

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Erin says · 07.12.17

The dress is cute but $368!! Who can afford that?!

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Kristen says · 07.12.17

Hi Kate, I’ve been reading your blog for quite a while, and I think I might be able to explain what a few of your readers have mentioned here. One of the reasons I (we) love you is because you seem down to earth, warm, and approachable. It really does seem like we could be friends in real life! However, when you post about $1000 shopping sprees, you lose most of us, even if it was paid for by referral credit. In other words, I could never see myself doing that, so you seem a little less relatable as a result. Of course, you can use your money and credit to buy whatever you choose. Just wanted to try to explain a bit more about where some readers might be coming from. Still love you!!

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Kate says · 07.12.17

Okay, thanks for explaining your thoughts. I understand what you are saying. It’s a little unfair to make broad generalizations about the lack of christian content, like others mentioned, based on a few items of clothes I bought (one time, I want to note, as opposed to shopping spreeS), but we may have to agree to disagree here.

My tone is not combative or argumentative, just fyi. I realize it’s hard to interpret tone through typed/written word so I just want to add that in here. I do appreciate you trying to explain where a reader would be coming from.

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Lynn says · 07.12.17

I completely agree with Kristen. I’ve read your blog, and your sisters’ for several years. I feel you have gotten very “high end” and it is disturbing to those of us who cannot afford things like Trunk Club, as well as what seems like daily shopping sprees. Please understand that this is not mean-spirited in ANY way! You and your family are so cute and sweet, I love your style and have learned a lot of makeup tips from you. I also understand that you seem to be doing quite well financially. I guess many of us who follow you like the Target /drugstore/more middle class posts, and we feel slighted when you seem to be out of our league. Please know I still look forward to your posts!

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Jill says · 07.12.17

Love it all!! Thanks so much for sharing your cute outfit ideas! I think those people who can’t afford/or don’t want to pay the higher price for clothing items could still use the outfit ideas for inspiration for thrift store finds or other stores like Target and Kohls 🙂 Love your site, product suggestions and all!

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Karly says · 07.13.17

Totally Agree!!!

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Chantal says · 07.13.17

I totally agree. I use the looks I see on blogs to inspire me or to recreate a style I like (even if some are too expensive for my budget) . Anyway, I’m in Québec so most products are in US $ or would be too expensve to ship.
I don’t understand the big issue here, you are free to showcase and wear any product you like… If people find they are out of their budget, they simply have to look elsewhere to find something similar. I’ve been following you for a while and people ask you constantly about what you wear and where you got it, so it’s normal that you do posts about your style…
Love the dress and the shoes!

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Kailey | The Haphazard Housewife says · 07.12.17

Counting down the days until I can wear non maternity clothes again!!! I’m 33 weeks pregnant right now and WISHING I could wear clothes like this! haha

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Kathrin says · 07.13.17

I’ve been following your blog since way before you had kids, but I very rarely comment.

I don’t think that posting a link to an expensive dress that you actually own and wear makes you any less of a Christian or less relateable. Most of us probably splurge once in a while. The (super cute) JCrew pants you wrote about in the last post come in at less than $30, so its not like you just post expensive things. And even if you did – so what. Just because some of us can’t/don’t want to buy a $400 dress doesn’t mean you shouldn’t.

I do miss some of the more personal posts, though I feel that they have been more common recently than they were a year ago. And I also understand that you want to protect yourself and your private life from the kind of backlash you constantly face. In essence, I just want to say thanks for doing what you do, I appreciate it.

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Sophie says · 07.13.17

Love the outfit you are wearing in the photo – sneakers with dresses are always such a winner! Sophie x

http://www.sopharsogood.com

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Michele says · 07.13.17

I do agree with a lot of the readers saying that your more expensive choices (like this outfit or that $58 grey tee a few posts back) make you less relatable, but you DO balance that out with quite a few Target finds, which is very human. I don’t get why people are harping about the Christian message…I know from reading your blog over the past 2 years that you ARE Christian, but don’t feel like its ever been the overarching tone of the blog. I think people are just complaining about that to have something to complain about.

All that said, if you could possibly add in more affordable dupes for things you post about, I personally think that would be a happy medium for clothing, hair, and makeup products. I would say I miss all of the hair tutorials you used to do, but when I thought about it, how many more realistic, everyday ways can one invent to do hair that don’t look like avant garde runway looks? I just wish I could pull those styles off with my fine, straight hair!

Just my morning ramblings. Happy wedding week to your family!

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Cynthia says · 07.13.17

I’m a longtime reader and fellow Christian. I’ve never commented, but I love your blog and I love all that you share. I feel like we really get to know you through your posts and videos, and it’s so obvious what a kind, friendly, happy person you are. I also follow you on Instagram and feel like you share a lot of personal posts there, if people are looking for more of that they should follow you there. 🙂

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Sarah says · 07.16.17

Kate, you look beautiful! Love the dress and I’m glad you shared it with all of us! Who cares about the price? We can use it for an outfit inspiration if we can’t afford the exact dress. Good for you for taking advantage of the perks of being a fashion/beauty blogger. Not to mention, your full time job and source of income. More power to you!

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Gaurav says · 07.28.17

Sneakers are all the rage now. They are super comfortable to walk around in and can be worn with any kind of outfit. Thank you for sharing this helpful post. I am definitely buying a pair the next chance I get. Looking forward to your next post.

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Madhubani says · 03.28.19

Kate, you look beautiful! Love the dress and I’m glad you shared it with all of us! Who cares about the price? We can use it for an outfit inspiration if we can’t afford the exact dress. Good for you for taking advantage of the perks of being a fashion/beauty blogger. Not to mention, your full time job and source of income. More power to you!

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