Summer Dresses

Can't believe that it is already the end of June. As we head into July, why not take a look at some fun summer dresses that can take us from day to night!


What dresses will you be adding to your closet this summer?
"Love is life. And if you miss love, you miss life." - Leo Buscaglia

Summer Picnic Essentials

Hope everyone had a lovely weekend! With summer now in full swing, it is the perfect time to take advantage of the weather and go outside and have a picnic. No picnic is complete without the essentials and I have put together a list of everything you will need to make your picnic picture perfect!

 
1. OKL Exclusive Picnic Cooler for 4 - onekingslane.com
2. Two Bottle Wine Tote - picnicfun.com
6. Sherborne Bread & Cheese Serving Set - onekingslane.com
7. Hinge Raffia Crochet Fedora - nordstrom.com

What do you pack when you go for a picnic?
"Action may not always bring happiness; but there is no happiness without action." - Benjamin Disraeli

Liebster Blog Award

I have been nominated for the Liebster Blog Award by Jessica Rayome. Thank you Jessica for thinking about me! The Liebster Award is a great way for readers to learn more about their favorite bloggers and is great way to discover and meet new bloggers!

So Jessica came up with eleven questions that will help you get to know me a little better!! Hopefully they give you even more insight into who I am in my daily life!

1. Why did you start blogging?
I started blogging after I left my job at a boutique PR firm. I had always enjoyed reading other peoples blogs and was fortunate to meet and connect with some throughout my time in PR and on a whim I started my own. Now it's a place where I can not only connect with others but it also has become my creative outlet as I transition into a new career. 
2. What is your favorite childhood memory?
My favorite childhood memory has to be all of the hours that I spent at the dance studio. I danced for 10 years and the memories that I have from being in the studio to going to workshops and competitions are ones that I will always cherish.
3. Who inspires you?
My parents are the ones that inspire me the most. They have always taught me to live my life with no regrets and to always chase my dream. Without them, I wouldn't be the person I am today and I wouldn't be able to constantly be growing to achieve what I want in this life. 
4. What do you do with your free time?
That is such a tough question. In my free time, I like to relax and take time for myself. But usually I end up either shopping or watching sports on TV! :)
5. What is your favorite book?
I'm not a huge reader! So I don't have a favorite book.
6. What does a normal day in your life look like?
Right now, I don't have a normal day. Since I am currently a full-time blogger until I start back to school in the fall, every day is different! Once I go back to school, it will be school, studying, lesson planning and trying to run errands when I can!
7. Favorite makeup product?
Ahh my favorite makeup product is bareMinerals Complexion Rescue! It literally has saved my skin and I wear it when I don't feel like putting on a whole face full of makeup.
8. What are your favorite types of posts to read?
My favorite types of posts to read are posts that I can take something away from them. Whether that be a beauty or styling trick or even an inspirational message. If I've taken away something after reading the post then it definitely makes an impression.
9. What is your dream job?
My dream job is being a high school math teacher! And I am currently in the processing of chasing my dream! :)
10. What is your favorite food?
I absolutely love Mexican food. Living in SoCal I am spoiled with how many good Mexican restaurants there are. I could eat Mexican food for breakfast, lunch and dinner!
11. What is a random fact about yourself?
A random fact about me...I am the biggest football fan! I love football season. And I wanted to be a race car driver when I was younger!! 
I NOMINATE THESE BLOGGERS TO ANSWER MY SET OF QUESTIONS SO THAT YOUR READERS CAN GET TO KNOW YOU BETTER TOO!

  1. Megan of Chasing Pradas + PR
  2. Lauryn of Living as McBrides
  3. Michelle of Gold Dust and Sugar Lust
  4. Whitney of Whit's Wildnerness
  5. Kate of A Thought & A Half
  6. Daniela of Innocently Awkward
  7. Seren of Pepe Silvia
  8. Lydi of Lydi Out Loud
  9. Taylor of Taylor DuVall
  10. Kate of Hand of Kate
  11. Eryn & Larissa of Halfsies
HERE ARE YOUR QUESTIONS:

  1. If you could live anywhere, where would it be?
  2. What is your favorite thing about your career?
  3. What motivates you to work hard?
  4. If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be?
  5. Do you like or dislike surprises? Why or why not?
  6. Would you rather win the lottery or work at the perfect job? And why?
  7. How would your friends describe you?
  8. How many pairs of shoes do you own?
  9. What's the craziest thing you’ve done in the name of love?
  10. What three items would you take with you on a deserted island?
  11. If you had a warning label, what would yours say?

For an explanation and rules on how the Liebster Blog Award works, check it out here!
"The most beautiful thing in the world is, of course, the world itself." - Wallace Stevens

Friday Favorites

TGIF! It was a big week on Kindly With K with the redesign...I hope you're all loving it as much as I am! I can't thank Lauryn from Adoration Studios enough. She did an amazing job and if you need any web design help, she is your go-to girl!

I hope everyone enjoys their first full weekend of summer! I know I'm going to!


  1. What Vitamins You Should Be Taking In Your Twenties. (advicefromatwentysomething.com)
  2. Unbeatable Charm Of A Handwritten Note. (theelginavenue.com)
  3. I Got a Job Through Social Media”: 5 Millennials Share Their Stories. (levo.com)
  4. How To Make Sure You Get A Good Night's Sleep. (tipsywriter.com)
  5. The Art Of Making Friends As An Adult. (thenectarcollective.com)
"Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm." - Abraham Lincoln

Want It, Need It

Time for my monthly list of favorites and this month it's all about the shoes!! It is no surprise that I love shoes and these are just some of the pairs that have been added to my monthly list of "I need these!".

What is on your wish list for June?
"Let us live for the beauty of our own reality." - Charles Lamb  

4th of July Inspiration

Just a little inspiration for the upcoming 4th of July holiday!

What are your plans for the summer holiday?
"Success - keeping your mind awake and your desire asleep." - Walter Scott    

5 Recipes To Try This Summer

With yesterday kicking off the summer season, what better way to celebrate than by trying out some new recipes in the kitchen! Here are my top 5 to try out this summer!


What recipes are you trying this summer?
"This world is but a canvas to our imagination." - Henry David Thoreau

Friday Favorites

Hope everyone had a great week and is ready to enjoy the weekend and celebrate all the Dad's out there!

  1. 5 Career Statements to Help You Work Smarter. (tipsywriter.com)
  2. When Is It Ok To Say "NO" at Work. (careercontessa.com)
  3. Love Left On The Table. (maxiemccoy.com)
  4. 10 Healthy Summer Recipes. (theeverygirl.com)
  5. How To Style The Perfect Shelfie. (apartment34.com)

"It is not so much our friends' help that helps us, as the confidence of their help." - Epicurus

Splurge vs. Save


I have been known to splurge on watches! Both of these from Daniel Wellington and Wristology are my style, but I think if it came down to it I would have to splurge!!

What would you do?? Splurge or save?
"The universe is made of stories, not of atoms." - Muriel Rukeyser

Father's Day Gift Guide

Father's Day is right around the corner (Sunday June 21st) and your dad or the men in your life deserved to be spoiled! Here are some of my favorite picks for this year! :)

What will you be buying your dad this year?
"I know that I will never find my father in any other man who comes into my life, because it is a void in my life that can only be filled by him." - Halle Berry

Travel Dreams: London

For as long as I can remember I have always wanted to travel to the UK and spend time in London. I have a fascination with everything British and as much as I don't want to admit it, I love watching British TV. My friends sometimes even joke with me that I have a British accent! My love for London even goes as far as me applying for jobs in the UK when I was right out of college. I don't know if it's the Royals or the charming buildings, to me London just seems like a magical place!

One of my good friends and I actually plan to take a trip overseas once we are both settled into our jobs and our first stop is going to be London. So until that day comes, I have put together my perfect travel itinerary for a stay in London!


Have you ever been to London? What are some of the best sights to see?
"Great art is as irrational as great music. It is mad with its own loveliness." - George Jean Nathan

LBD | Little Blue Dress

With all the talk of a summer dinner party here on the blog this week, I thought I would share what to wear when you get invited to one. Usually the LBD is the little black dress, but this summer it is the "Little Blue Dress." Blue is the must-have color for the summer and since it's my favorite color I can't wait to dress it up! Here are some of my favorite budget buy little blue dresses.

Will you be picking up a little blue dress for your summer gatherings?
"You can design and create, and build the most wonderful place in the world. But it takes people to make the dream a reality." - Walt Disney

Friday Favorites

TGIF! I hope everyone enjoyed this weeks posts about planning a summer dinner party! Have a great weekend and don't forget to be kind.

  1. 10 Hidden Sights in London, England. (theeverygirl.com)
  2. From the Desk: My Future PR Self. (prblonde.com)
  3. My DIY | Rotary Phone Succulent Planter. (ispydiy.com)
  4. 5 Tips for Last Minute Travel. (hellofashionblog.com)
  5. Summer Holiday Beach Reads. (the-frugality.com)

"No bird soars too high if he soars with his own wings." - William Blake

A Fun, Fabulous Summer Dinner Party | Menu

Time to get down to business. We have our decor set, we know what music will be playing and what drinks will be served, now it is time to create the menu for our fun, fabulous summer dinner party! The menu for a dinner party can vary significantly depending on the overall theme of your evening. Some people might choose to do a BBQ menu, while others will might want a more Mediterranean-style menu. There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to choosing the right foods to serve. One thing to remember though is to always be courteous to your guests dietary and food restrictions. Be accommodating.

I have chosen to put together a very summery in nature menu. For me and my dinner guests, this would make the perfect summer dinner party menu!

Starters

Main Meal

Dessert

What will be on your summer dinner party menu? I want to see pics of your parties...send them to me via email (kindlywithk@gmail.com) or share them with me on social media (@KindlyWithK)!
"No one has ever loved anyone the way everyone wants to be loved." - Mignon McLaughlin

A Fun, Fabulous Summer Dinner Party | Drinks

Now that we've gone over decor and music it is time to talk about everyone's favorite...drinks! Depending on the feel of how you want your evening will depend on what types of drinks to select. I always suggest going with a simple bar menu. Whenever I have events or parties I always stick to beer, wine, a nonalcoholic beverage and a specialty cocktail. This makes planning easier and this way you are not spending your whole budget on the alcohol.

I've selected three specialty cocktails that are perfect for your summer dinner party!

What crafty cocktails will you be serving up this summer?
"To live is like to love - all reason is against it, and all healthy instinct for it." - Samuel Butler

A Fun, Fabulous Summer Dinner Party | Music

Yesterday was all about decor and today it's all about the music! Having the perfect playlist is the best way to create your own ambiance throughout the evening. Now you have two options when it comes to creating the music for your evening. You can either stream music from a certain station on Pandora or iTunes or you can create your own playlist of your favorite tunes. Make sure that you keep the songs subtle and relaxing. You don't want any overbearing rap or pop songs on your playlist while you are trying to enjoy your company.

Now lucky for us, Tori over at Thoughtfully Simple has created the perfect dinner party music playlist. This is just the right mix of tunes. You can listen to her Summertime Simplicity playlist on Spotify here.
via Thoughtfully Simple
What tunes will you be adding to your summer dinner party playlist?
"Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced." - Soren Kierkegaard