Shoes, Shoes, Shoes

Some may say that I like shoes and that would not be incorrect! I have too many pairs to count and my collection just keeps growing. Just like jewelry, shoes can make or break an outfit so I have to make sure I have a wide assortment to choose from. Maybe in the future, I can document my shoe collection on Kindly With K!

Summer is the perfect time to break out the wedges and sandals and add the “little something extra” to your outfit. I have compiled some of the shoes that are on my summer wish list – everything from sneakers to flats to wedges! What shoes are on your summer wish list?

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

“Cinderella is proof that a pair of shoes can change your life” 

Maya Angelou – A Way With Words

Today the world lost an incredible soul. Maya Angelou passed away at the age of 86. Her words were unlike anything I have ever heard before and when Maya Angelou spoke, you listened. She will be forever missed, but her legacy will always live on in her words. My thoughts and prayers to her family.

“If you have only one smile in you, give it to the people you love.” - Maya Angelou

The Bachelorette Goes On Her First Dates

Happy Tuesday! I hope everyone enjoyed their Memorial Day weekend and reminisced the true reason why we celebrate the holiday – to remember those that have lost their lives fighting for our freedom and those that are still fighting.

My holiday weekend was capped off with episode 2 of The Bachelorette - did you tune in? Andi went on her first 1-on-1 dates and had her first group date and in my opinion these dates are very telling on what she likes and how the season is going to go as a whole.

First 1-on-1: Eric -- Let me start by saying that I know there has been some controversy as to if ABC should have cut him out of the show. In my personal opinion, I think that ABC did the right thing by airing Eric’s date with Andi. He seemed like such a charismatic guy and you could tell that Andi was intrigued by all of the stories that he had to share. His legacy will definitely live on. For more information on how you can #LiveLikeEric, please visit www.livelikeeric.com.

Group Date – How do I even begin to describe this date? I actually don’t think words are needed for the first part of the date…just enjoy the pictures!

Image via The Bachelorette Facebook page

Now the second half of the date didn’t go as well. What was Craig thinking?? Come on, you are a grown man and you think getting drunk and losing your marbles is the right way to win a woman’s heart? I’m sorry but he is a complete loser and I’m surprised Andi waited until the rose ceremony to eliminate him. On the other hand, Marcus got the only rose on the date. I can’t figure out though if Andi really likes him or if she just thinks he hot.

Second 1-on-1: Chris -- It is adorable that Chris is a farmer from Iowa…it doesn’t get more real than him. The whole concept of the date was awesome and they both looked fabulous. I just didn’t see the chemistry right away with Andi and Chris; maybe the sparks will be a gradual build. To me, he is too safe for her! But what do I know, he did get the first kiss!

Image via The Bachelorette Facebook page

Ohh and we can’t forget about Josh M. His interaction with Andi during the cocktail party was unreal. There is so much chemistry and you can tell how much she likes him already just by the way she looks at him! I can’t wait to see their relationship blossom. 

What did you think about Andi’s first dates? 

"Death cannot extinguish the spark that glows within all of us." - #LiveLikeEric

Five Friday Favorites

It’s finally Friday AND it’s the official start to summer this weekend!! Does anyone have any fun plans for the holiday weekend? I am planning on just relaxing, hanging out with family and of course watching the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday.

Here are my Five Friday Favorites:

1. Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop 
I could not be happier that they just opened a Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop down the street from me! They literally make the best made-to-order sandwiches with fresh roasted pulled turkey – my favorite is the Cole Turkey!

Cap's Specials

2. Daily Dose of PR
PR News posted a great personal #PRmantra on Twitter this week that I loved and that I had to share!

@PRNews

3. Kate Spade Surprise Sale
Kate Spade has the best sales and this surprise sale was no different. If you follow me on social media, you know that I purchased a new purse!! If I could I would buy the entire store!

4. Reclaimed Pine Cross Base Desk from West Elm
Love, love, love this desk. It is so simple, yet adds so much character to a room!

West Elm

5. Indianapolis 500
For anyone that knows motorsports, you know that this weekend is one of the biggest racing spectacles in the world – the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Every race car driver dreams to compete in this race and every race fan dreams of watching their favorite driver “kiss the bricks”! I hope to one day be able to attend the race in person and experience everything that makes this race so special and unique, but until then I will watch as the best drivers in the world go over 230 mph for 500 miles!

Indy 500 | 33 Starting Drivers

Have a great weekend everyone!

"Better days are coming. They are called: Saturday and Sunday."

Kindly With K on Social Media

Social media is a huge aspect of today's society. There are positives and negatives to social media, but I hope to use my channels as a way for people to follow along with my amazing (sometimes crazy) life and connect with people like me! Social media is a conversation! 

If you haven't already I would love to have you like Kindly With K on Facebook and follow Kindly With K on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Bloglovin'. 

 

How are you connected?! Feel free to leave your username in the comments or send me an email {kindlywithk@gmail.com} and I would love to give the love back to you! 

"Saying hello doesn't have an ROI. It's about building relationships." - Gary Vaynerchuk

Summer Favorites - Jewelry

With summer fast approaching, I wanted to share some of the baubles that I have been lusting after. In the summer I usually live in either dresses or basic tees and shorts, so adding a great necklace or pair of earrings is an easy way for me to put my twist on a simple outfit. Accessories just give that little burst to every great outfit. My go to jewelry designers are Kendra Scott, Stella & Dot, BaubleBar and Kate Spade.

Here are some of my favorite baubles for the summer!

Clockwise from top left: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

Clockwise from top left: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Clockwise from top left: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9

What are some of your favorite summer accessories?!!

"Pearls are always appropriate." - Jackie O.

Kindly With K was not given compensation to publish this post - I truly love all of these brands. All opinions expressed are my own. 

Andi Meets Her 25 Bachelors + My Predictions

I couldn’t be happier that Andi is The Bachelorette. She is strong, smart, independent and seems like just a fun person to be around. Last night she met the 25 guys that are going to try to win her heart. Now I have to admit watching the guys get out of the limos is probably one of the funniest things ever. I actually think that they make themselves look like complete dorks – going in for a handshake on the first date, come on guys!! If you missed the season premiere, here are a couple of the notable moments of the guys getting out of the limo:

• Brett stole a lamp (full-size) from the hotel and gave it to Andi. She made sure that it was returned!
• Cody decided it would be a good idea to push the limo because he is a personal trainer. Andi made note that Cody shouldn’t be out of breath if he was a trainer!
• Nick S. rode in on a golf cart – that is just what professional golfers do!
• Patrick brought out a soccer ball (Really???!! Did you not watch last season??!!) and then claimed he wasn’t anything like her last experience with a soccer player!

Overall I think it was a great start to the season and I really am rooting for Andi in her journey to find true love. Now, there were some guys that stood out and I have narrowed down my top three and have made my prediction for who Andi will choose in the end. 

1. Josh M. – You could tell that there was an instant attraction and chemistry just by the way she looked at him! As she said last night, he is her type! He will get the final rose.
2. Marcus – The only reason I am putting him in my top three is because she could not stop commenting on how “hot” he was.
3. Nick V. – While I do think he is on the dorkier side for her, she did give him the first impression rose. He could be a front runner this season!

Josh M. | Marcus | Nick V.

What did you think of the season premiere of The Bachelorette? Who do you think Andi will give her final rose to? 

“He’s more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.” – Emily Bronte

The Bachelorette is Back!!

I am so excited that The Bachelorette is back and couldn’t be happier that it is Andi’s turn to find love - she was one of my faves on The Bachelor! As much as the whole “journey” of The Bachelor/Bachelorette is made for TV, I really can’t help but get invested in the show. Come on, who wouldn’t love the chance to date 25 yummy bachelors who are all vying for your attention! I can’t wait to see the 25 guys that will try to win Andi’s heart and I totally hope that she finds her Mr. Right. Tomorrow I will be doing a full recap of the premiere and I will make my picks for who I think she chooses in the end.

Andi and her 25 Bachelors

Are you going to be watching the season premiere of The Bachelorette tonight? Follow along on Twitter with me tonight {@KindlyWithK} and make sure to use #TheBachelorette!

"All is fair in love and war."

Ten FAQ's About Me

1. My name is Kourtney.
2. I am 23 years old.
3. My birthday is January 30.
4. I majored in Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations at California State University, Fullerton.
5. I started college as a Mathematics major – I thought I wanted to be a high school math teacher.
6. I graduated from college in May 2013.
7. My favorite color is blue.
8. My favorite college football team is Oklahoma – go Sooners!
9. I have never traveled outside of the USA.
10. My dream job is a career in motorsports. 

What else do you want to know about me? Leave a comment or send me an email {kindlywithk@gmail.com} and I will answer all of your questions!

“If you are in my life I am inspired by you in some shape or form.”

Beating the Heat in Southern California

With temperatures tipping the thermometers at over 100 degrees, Southern California is scorching. The unusually high temps are not enjoyable, but luckily I have four easy ways for you to beat the heat. 

1. Go to the beach – or anywhere there is water that you can cool off in.
2. Keep your hair up – I love a good braided updo.
3. Enjoy a shaved ice – Oahu Shave Ice & Ice Cream anyone?! 
4. Stay hydrated – a Blood-Orange lemonade or Guava limeade from Lemonade Fashion Island will do the trick! 

How do you beat the heat? 

Life is better in flip flops!

Style Files - Deb Shops

I am constantly on the lookout for new stores and online shops that offer affordable and trendy styles. While I love my basics – Gap, JCrew, Nordstrom, etc. – it is always nice to find new places to shop! Recently on Instagram I have been seeing a lot of other bloggers and young women (like myself) wearing pieces from Deb Shops and I knew I had to check it out. Deb Shops sells clothing, footwear and accessories for the trendy junior and plus sized female customer. I really appreciate that they sell clothing for the curvy girl because as much as we would all like to be a size 0, that is not the reality. For me personally, I tend to run in between juniors and plus sizes so Deb Shops is the perfect place for me. I cannot wait to order some of their pieces and confirm for myself what all the rage is about!

I have picked out some of my favorite staples from Deb Shops that I will be rocking all summer long!

Maxi Dress | Flat Sandals | Crochet Shorts | Neutral Wedges | Peplum Top 

For more information on Deb Shops, please visit their website at www.debshops.com.

“Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak.” – Rachel Zoe

Kindly With K was not given compensation or clothing to publish this post. All opinions expressed are my own. 

Public Relations = My Life

Public relations (PR) is not only my passion, but it is also my life. Now I have to preface this by saying that I did not always know that I wanted to go into PR, it sort of just happened. When I started college I was a Mathematics major with every intent on becoming a high school math teacher. But somewhere along the way I discovered that although teaching was wonderful, it was not the path that I wanted to continue on. To make a long story short I changed my major to Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations and have never looked back.

PR is a world that not many people understand. When trying to describe my job to friends and family, I always get puzzling looks or a million questions. People think that PR can be a glamorous job full of red carpets, lunches and meeting celebrities - that is the part of PR that people see – not in true reality how PR professionals spend there days! Don’t get me wrong PR does have its perks, but it is the intangibles that make my job and life so exciting. Getting huge placements for clients and seeing their businesses grow as a result, knowing that you just spent weeks putting together a smooth and successful event, or even meeting with your client to discuss their next big idea – these are things that make being a PR professional so exciting and worthwhile.

via Cohn Public Relations

Studies have shown that PR is one of the most stressful jobs – we are among doctors, active military members and firefighters. But the stress is what we make it. Yes there might be long days and days where you feel like you can’t do anything right, but it is the little successes at every turn that make all of your hard work turn into a reality. I wouldn’t trade my job or my career in public relations for anything!

Being a PR professional “newbie” (I graduated college in May 2013), I wanted to share some simple things that I have learned about being in this business and being successful.

• Your reputation – personally and professionally – matters.
• Representing clients and brands that you are passionate about is much easier than trying to fake enthusiasm for clients/brands you know nothing about.
• ALWAYS ask questions – its how you learn.
• Find one person (in the PR industry) that you can always go to and ask for advice.
• Don’t forget to have a life – recharging is just as important for you as it is for your job.
• NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK!

Do you have any tips or lessons that you have learned in your career? Share them with me on Twitter - @KindlyWithK or email me at kindlywithk@gmail.com.

“The things you are passionate about are not random, they are your calling.” – Fabienne Fredrickson

Mani Monday

For those that know me, I never go without painted nails. What can I say - a good manicure is my favorite accessory! The great thing about nail polish is that you can change it as often as you like and no matter what the color, it is always trendy and on-point. When I’m picking my color I tend to go towards neutrals, but I have been known to rock brights every once and awhile. If you are getting gels then I definitely suggest picking a neutral color because you will have to wear it for three to four weeks! Picking the perfect nail polish color for your manicure also depends on what type of office environment you work in. For creative professionals, it is more acceptable to rock all of the latest nail trends. Whereas for most business professionals, simple and classic is always better.

Zoya - Avery | Orly - Classic Contours | Essie - Downtown Brown

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My favorite nail salon is Forever Nails & Spa in Costa Mesa. From the moment you walk in you know that you are in an amazing salon. The entire salon is clean, the service is impeccable and all of the girls are awesome! If you are ever in Costa Mesa, I highly recommend you go to Forever Nails & Spa to get your fresh mani and pedi! Forever Nails & Spa is located at 1514 Baker Street Costa Mesa, California 92626. For appointments call (714) 825-0789.

Be Kind.

Kindly With K was not given compensation to publish this post. All opinions expressed are my own. 

Welcome to Kindly With K

Hi everyone! After months of preparation, I am so excited to finally launch Kindly With K. This is a space where I will share my favorites, show you the latest trends, talk about what it is like to be a young PR professional, vent about my crazy life, ask questions and engage with other like-minded individuals. You will also find the occasional sports posts – I willingly and wholeheartedly love motorsports and football! There will never be lackluster content on Kindly With K and I welcome any and all suggestions. Feel free to leave comments or send me a personal note at kindlywithk@gmail.com.

I am looking forward to starting this blogging journey with everyone!

“No act of kindness is ever wasted.” – Aesop