At the end of last month, I was given the opportunity to host my first blogging event at Nordstrom! When I was asked by my wonderful friend Daniel Naranjo, Designer Apparel Manager at Nordstrom NorthPark, there was no way I could turn down such an amazing opportunity with such an outstanding company. And wow, what an incredible experience. As I arrived in Via C, I was greeted by a personalized desk that had been set up for me where I could greet guests, live blog etc. To be honest I wasn't there for but a moment before I was whisked away to change into my first look. I was styled head to toe by my amazing friend Daniel in incredible fall looks from high fashion designers like Alexander McQueen and Christian Louboutin. His eye for fashion is out of this world and he made me look and feel like a million bucks.

Throughout the event, I was completely overwhelmed by the amount of love and support I felt that evening and by the amazing turn out we had. This was my first time to ever host an event of this nature and it ended up being one of the most successful blogging events ever hosted by Nordstrom at Northpark.

We had live music being played by our guest DJ, had a mock photobooth setup, and I made a few specialty prints specifically for the event that were featured below. My sweet friend Laura, provided macarons for the event to accompany the beautiful sweets table set up by Via C. It was so such a fun atmosphere and it was beautiful to see everyone coming together, connecting, mingling and creating new relationships. I felt so fortunate to meet new people, see old friends, and share a bit about my experience with blogging, design, and photography.

By the end of the night I was literally too overwhelmed for words. I was utterly and completely filled with joy and I could not believe the night that had just taken place. The smile on my face refused to turn down and my cheeks hurt from laughter and excitement. Thank you so much for all of the support, for the texts, messages, little notes of support and encouragement, flowers, and most of all to you who were able to attend, for your presence. This event would have been nothing without all of you and your beautiful hearts that are so welcome to new opportunities, to supporting a friend (new or old), and to creating new connections.

All of my love, Kelsey.

A letter to the overachievers:

Dear friends... Dear me,



I know how you feel.

to thine own self be true.

JOY.

Dress by ASTR at Nordstrom | Necklace by J. Crew

This season of my life has been filled with so much joy. Things I once prayed, yearned and desired for so greatly in my heart have come to reality in ways I would've never imagined and in such abundance.  I feel like I've gained so many genuine friends and engaged in such wonderful relationships in such a short period of time. Truly a rush of grace and favor has come upon my life. I've been asked to partake in projects I never would've even imagined I would have the opportunity to do. I've felt that my opinion, my effort, and my work has been desired and cherished. And though I'm not really someone who has ever looked to man for approval, it's a nice feeling. I've been able to collaborate, contribute, listen, share, pray, think, empathize, and grow.  It's absolutely amazing how God delivers. 

In this period, I've found at times that you don't need to have an explanation for everything. If you're joyful, it's okay to take time out to simply be. To simply be happy and to enjoy life just because. Just because I feel like it, just because God's grace moves me, just because life is good. Like sit and paint outside, or get myself a frappuccino with caramel and mocha AND a shot of expresso, or to go out of my way to serve or give or share love and compassion with someone. This weekend, before one of my best friend Esther's birthday dinner's, was one of these times I wanted to do something just because. I asked my best friend Thuy-An if she would wanted to go take pictures in a field before we headed downtown, to which she graciously agreed, with heart eyed emojis and everything! The sun was setting so we parked and ran across a few lanes of traffic to frolic in some wheat and catch some warm rays.

Clean Lines + Smooth Times

Madewell blazer | BR similar denim | similar wedges | BR similar oversized t | Daddy's raybans

Let's face it. Sometimes life is truly a breeze. You're finally pursuing the things that drive your passion, you're getting recognized for your hard work, you're growing in areas you've prayed for, and things finally seem to be falling into place. And then there are times in life when things feel a little rocky. It may be your organizational skills, study habits, your quiet time, a relationship, or maybe something internal.

Growing up, whenever I was faced in a difficult situation, my mother would pray over me and then always say to me "Mind over matter, Kelsey. Mind over matter." And though that was probably the very last thing I wanted to hear, sometimes it was the very thing I needed to. 

An Upcoming Fall Fashion Soiree

So life can be whimsical, wonderful, overwhelmingly great, overwhelmingly stressful, but rarely mundane. If life is mundane you're doing it wrong. I'm positively sure of it because there are too many amazing things in this world for you not to be excited about something! If it's stressful, you may ALMOST be doing it right, but may need to scoot some things off your plate, get a sense of what items you find irresistible and want more of, which you might not want to go back for seconds to get, and what proportions work best for you. Food analogies are my favorite if you can't tell... I will try to work food into nearly any situation... bacon.

Which is totally where I'm at right now - not with bacon, but the rest of that paragraph. I know what I like and what I dislike. I like interacting with people who are passionate, who also like interacting with people, and who like to make working fun. I like people who focus on the positives, but who are also willing to be real and express a frustration or concern now and then. I like writing and painting and drinking tea outside. I like reading my Bible and realizing what a doofus I've been and how great people are and how good I have it. I like Jesus and how great He is. I like the fall, the warm air and the cool breezes. I like layering, the cozy color palettes and dark hues, slipping into something comfy and cute. I like the changing colors and all the frozen frapps I can't seem to get enough of each weekend. I like small gatherings, warm hugs, and smiling faces. And last but not least, I'd really like to see you this Thursday if you can make it! I will be hosting a little event in Via C at Nordstrom at NorthPark. There will be great people, sweet treats, killer tunes, and overall it will be a pretty darn neat time. Stop by between 6 and 8 to meet me and awesome new people, chat, shop, take a few pics with me or in the photo-booth and have a great time!

I would so love to see you guys there! Hope you can make it out :)

It's beginning to look a lot like Fall...

On Friday, fall hit us. Hard. Giving us a break from the hot hot, all encompassing heat and possibly ushering in an early winter. In Texas's temperamental weather, there's no guarantee how long it will stay, but with the damp air, the cool breezes, and the number of hot drinks pumped out at Starbucks today, I'd say fall is definitely among us and winter is probably quickly following suit.

I have been super overwhelmed these past few... weeks and sometimes it becomes easy to feel misunderstood. And as odd as it sounds to me, nature has been a place in which I've felt peace. Sitting on the porch, walking across campus, down the street, shooting in parks, at the water, whatever. It's been so nice to just take moments to experience peace.