Hey friends! Wanted to pop in and share part 2 of the Karton cardboard furniture feature. You can view the first here. This isn't a step by step process but wanted to give a brief overview for putting the dresser together. Here is how it arrived (above). At first you may think,"How on earth did that dresser fit in there?!" Don't worry! It's folded up nice and compact waiting to be transformed! I pulled the pieces out and organized them on my kitchen floor according to the instructions (gonna need some space). Here are a few tips: 1. Organize pieces 2. Follow instructions slowly (it's a bit tricky) 3. Make sure the shiny side is on the outside 4. Pay attention to the fold lines shown on the instructions
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Good morning, friends!!! Today I'm STOKED to share about a new brand that is making an impact on the fashion world. It's called ARAROSE - they responsibly produce clothing AND work to break negative stereotypes concerning women and superficial beauty. How's that for an intro?! I'm truly inspired by their mission and can't wait to watch them grow. Make sure to check them out on Instagram: @_ararose and their website: https://ararose.clothing/collections/view-all Use code KAT for 20% off!!! ARAROSE is an online clothing brand committed to empowering and celebrating women. Their collections are designed to create a classic wardrobe that allows you to effortlessly express your individual style. Their aim is to promote a sisterhood of girls encouraging each other to be their most powerful, natural, greatest selves. They choose to work with a variety of female models, recognising that beauty lies in every race and shape. I'm honored to partner with them and share a few pieces from their collection. In the photos, you will see the Isla Striped Tank , Camille Tank Top and Laura Floral Shorts. Each piece fits as if they hand sewed them directly on my body - soooo good! I'm especially thrilled with how simple versatile yet hip their clothing is. From lush white linen button downs to floral wrap skirts to graphic tees, they have something for everyone. "Where fashion becomes human, women become empowered. Our natural state is our greatest, let's embrace who we are." - ARAROSE OUR PHILOSOPHY - HUMAN FASHION
We pride ourselves in working with those who share our vision of Human Fashion - prioritising the importance of well being throughout production to purchase. We fully support the slow fashion movement where factory workers are treated with dignity and respect, receive a fair living wage and high standard working conditions. Our garments are sewn by a handful of employees at a small scale clothing factory in Bangladesh. I've always loved rooting for the underdog or an individual who is passionate about their dreams but told they'll never make it. These people posses so much determination, focus and drive that they usually do make their goals a reality. This definitely carries over into the fashion world concerning small business. Shopping for sustainably and ethically made products can have a special added bonus. I prefer finding brands that meet my standards and then purchasing them through small shops that carry those products. This allows me to shop the brand I want, while at the same time, support small businesses. I would like to introduce you to a shop that focuses on carrying ethical and sustainable products. They have beautifully and purposefully curated their businesses to carry high quality items that help make a difference in the world. MOD + ETHICO is KILLIN it and I'd love for you to read this from their site: "We’re edgy + refined. Distinct + classic. Luxe + every day. We’re Mod + Ethico, a clothing and lifestyle store that curates modern pieces made socially responsibly and sustainably. Dedicated to providing a conscious collection, comfort and functionality, Mod + Ethico caters to the busy lifestyle of the active, urban woman. We believe that women don’t have to compromise style for their values for quality, sustainability and fair wages. Each emerging designer we feature shares our vision for a better future for fashion and meet one or more of our standards: made in the U.S.A., fair-trade practices, eco-friendly materials and small scale production." I'm so honored to have the opportunity to partner with them and share these Veja sneakers. Veja, is definitely a huge name in the sustainably and ethically made shoe world! Their designs are perfection while being rooted in purposeful and mindful creation. Their kicks come in a variety of colors with looks that cater to your personal style. Featured here, are the Veja Holiday Bastille in Rose Quartz . They are the perfect casual sneaker to dress up or down any outfit. I encourage you to visit Veja's website and read about their incredible brand. I'm blown away by the information they share concerning what materials they use, where they source them, efforts made to produce shoes sustainably and ethically, certifications as well as the design process. I don't believe they could be more transparent. Brands like this whether sustainable or not, deserve an applause when they choose to be open with their customers and reveal the inner workings of the production behind their products. Truly so inspiring and shows what can be accomplished when we work together and choose the power of community to make a difference.
Good morning friends! I'm so SO excited to begin sharing travel posts here to hopefully help when planning your next trip or encourage you to get out there and adventure! Traveling has opened my eyes to the vast beauty and intricate design that is our world, allowed me to experienced different cultures firsthand, helped replace fear and stereotypes with understanding, pushed me outside of my comfort zone by learning to say YES! instead of waiting for more experience, and taught me the importance of making a schedule but then being open to new opportunities and allowing life to just happen. If you're a traveler or hope to travel, then you completely understand my feelings. If you're not, then I hope this new series helps you over come fears or encourages you to truly get outside of your comfort zone and allow yourself to be changed forever (in a good way). Traveling is often romanticized. While it is AMAZING in every sense of the word, there are also some not so pretty parts. I want this to be a real and honest series so I'll include both. Haha! To start, I'll be sharing a more in depth look of a trip I took in 2016. It will cover some of my favorite places to visit: Zion National Park, the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley and the Petrified Forest. When visiting these places, we usually fly to Vegas then rent a car and drive to the parks. However, we've also driven there and back. There's a plus to both options; it usually depends on the amount of time you have for vacation. From where I live in Texas, flying allows us to obviously get there in less time giving more days to spend exploring our destinations. Yet, driving allows you to see the country up close... think of the actual road trip as your trip. Does that make sense? It almost becomes the heart and soul of the vacation. Music, windows down, snacks, chatting, laughing, wrong turns, HOW MUCH LONGER MY REAR IS KILLING ME, pit stops, roadside attractions, random photo shoots on the side of the road and so so much more. There is just so much to cover so I'll leave the rest for individual blog posts. It's going to be fun. We'll have fun together pretending we're planning our next trip. Haha! Below are some photos taken during last summer while on the road. Heading to Zion National Park from Mesquite, NV. Zion National Park North Rim of the Grand Canyon Monument Valley Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, Arizona
Below: Winslow, Arizona Have you ever stopped to consider how many people inspire(d) your journey? Or how many people you have inspired? As we daily interact with others, we are constantly inspiring and being inspired whether we realize it or not. Isn't that thought provoking? It makes me want to assess my life to make sure I'm having a positive purposeful impact on others and choosing the best influences for my own life as well.
I would like to introduce you to a brand called FOR BETTER, NOT WORSE. You can see their INSPIRE(D) tee in the photos above and below. Their products feature bold phrases/words that push you to dig deep and develop a desire to be change in the world. However, that's just a small way their company is making a difference. One in five children go to bed hungry in the US. For each product FBNW sells, a bag of groceries is donated to a child in need in the US. How incredible is that?! I have followed their mission for several months now and never cease to be amazed by their passion, determination and hope for making a difference in the world. They don't just write checks, but personally deliver/hand out food at their monthly FBNW food drop events. They are a powerful example to us all and are garnering attention from popular health brands/stores such as Whole Foods and KIND. Recently, they partnered with their local boys and girls club for food drops. Once again, inspiring others to get involved and make a difference! If you live in the area, they're always looking for volunteers for food drops and companies to partner with to add to the grocery bags. So I ask you, what are you doing to be change in the world? It's a hard question. One that I ask myself often and certainly don't have figured out. But I'm deeply thankful for a company like FOR BETTER, NOT WORSE to help inspire me to push forward, fight hard and find ways to serve our world. Please be sure to check them out on Instagram: @forbetternotworse Good Morning friends! Happy Monday! I'm so eager to hop right in to today's post featuring a powerful company called SUDARA. Let's get started! In December 2015, I had the opportunity to connect with a clothing brand, through IG, that focused on producing fair trade products. Their mission was to empower women while fighting human trafficking. At the time, I had no clue what it meant to avoid fast fashion, shop ethically and sustainably or serve a greater purpose through my purchases. To me, shopping fair trade was just something fun and trendy to do every now and then. I was still a good year and a half away from the journey I'm on now. The company, was none other than SUDARA. They hired me as a photographer to shoot some of their products. My relationship with them remained on a business level and I never truly valued the purpose behind their company. I look back in complete disgust at myself and how I could be so naive. Ignorance is definitely NOT bliss! Fast forward to June 2017. I was scrolling through my IG feed, when I saw a post about a company that produces ethically and sustainably made clothing (at this point I was a couple months into my journey of trying to avoid fast fashion). The name sounded familiar so I tapped on their handle and headed to their account. I soon realized why I had recognized the name - it was SUDARA! At this point, I was able to realize the deeply moving and purposeful impact they are making in the world. It's funny how sometimes we can understand something immediately and other times we must experience a period of growth. I'm very humbled and honored to have the opportunity to partner with them and share some pieces from their collection. "Let's get right down to it: No human being should be owned by anyone, anywhere, for any reason - ever. It really is that simple. Here at SUDARA, we believe in products that promote hope and comfort as much for the person who purchases them as for the person who produces them. This garment directly benefits women who remain free from sex slavery and continue to be safely employed because of purchases like this one. Every time you wear a SUDARA product, you are sharing in a piece of Freedom, so wear it proudly... and often!" (From the tag on my shorts) SUDARA sent me a pair of the Suna grey leggings from their new yoga collection, the Mina shorts and the Be Kind tee.
What drew me to these pieces is how versatile they are; you can wear each one so many ways and dress them up or down. As I tried on the leggings, I immediately noticed how soft and smoothie the fabric is and how it I can move so freely - literally feels like I have nothing on. Sometimes the fabric used for leggings doesn't have the right stretch and can feel more constricting than jeans. Not with these! I notice myself wanting to do yoga more and stretch when I wear them. Hands down the best pair of long leggings I've ever worn. Also, it may be my imagination, but the color and texture of them does something to highlight leg muscles and make them look so toned! Now for the shorts! I'm usually a little leary of anything other than denim or workout shorts. I'm always afraid they're going to come with that thin jersey material that is so unflattering. Definitely not the case with these! The material is comfortable, structured and they have that perfect 90s fit and pattern. Would recommend to EVERYONE! I'm a graphic tee junkie. My closet is proof. When I saw the Be Kind tee on their website, the simple yet bold design drew me to it instantly. The sleeves have a slightly rolled up edge and the fabric is thin but structured. Very VERY pleased! It's comfortable enough for yoga but could also be dressed up. Friends! A couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to eat at the Spiral Diner and Bakery in Fort Worth. I. Have. No. Words. Well, actually I do! Lots of them! So let's get started! The Spiral Diner and Bakery was established in 2002; they currently have two locations: Fort Worth, Dallas and coming soon to Denton. They specialize in vegan food while leaning towards an organic ethical lifestyle. The moment I stepped through the door, I was immediately drawn in by the upbeat artistic vibe and the items listed on the menus. Honestly, I was speechless! Everywhere I looked, there was something health oriented that I recognized and felt an immediate connection. Even at the soda fountain as I filled my cup with ginger beer (or ginger ale?), I noticed they were labeled with "fair trade soda." How awesome is that?! My brothers were a little hesitant as they placed placed their orders wondering what on earth vegan food would taste like! Little do they realize that they eat that way almost everyday. It's funny how we let a label/stereotype (vegan) scare us off. I was proud of them for having positive attitudes and reminding each other that it's not scary but fun to try new things. My sister ordered the Grilled Portabello Quesadilla (see above). The flavors were insane, the cheese was the BEST I've ever had - so rich and creamy! And the sour cream?! Well... cashew cream was delicious! I ordered the hot hummus wrap with a side of pasta. Both were jam packed full of flavor and the veggies were super fresh! I could eat this every. single. day!!! Do you see those nachos? No, take another look. Every single piece of that creation is plant based but you would NEVER know! The culinary artists behind this diner are absolute geniuses! Seriously, this place hands down is at the top of my favorite restaurant list! Unbelievable! I wasn't able to take photos of my brother's food in time but they ordered the Mac & Cheese, Spaghetti and Meatballs and the Poor Man's Sandwich. I tried every single plate and was floored each time! Friends, I think it's obvious that I would recommend this place in a heartbeat! Oh! Don't forget to try their shakes. The Chai Latte one is KILLER!
(None of this was sponsored - we paid for our food.) Summertime makes healthy eating a breeze! It brings us loads of fresh fruits and veggies but it also comes with the occasional snow cone, pina colada, bowl of ice cream or popsicle. I'm a firm believer in finding balance in life. It's a constant struggle that usually brings growth. This is especially important when it comes to eating. I try to focus on a healthy lifestyle but I must admit that I'm a junk food junkie at heart. If I didn't have the occasional sweet, I would go crazy. I'm also the type of person who could be led to an unhealthy obsession with food, become paranoid, heighten my anxiety and act out of fear if I strictly limited myself. Again, balance and moderation are key. I'm so excited to share this special partnership with Barritts Ginger Beer. They asked me to create a special mocktail and sent a super fun gift basket full of goodies. I spent some time brainstorming and finally decided on what to make. YOU GUYS!!! IT TURNED OUT SO GOOOOOOOD! You're definitely going to add this to your once in a while fav drink list! Haha! Their ginger beer comes in regular, diet and the bottles are made with pure cane sugar. They included a variety of fun items to make your special occasion exciting and festive. This would be perfect for your next holiday gathering! Above and below, you can see their cute recipe cards. If you don't know what to make, BARRITTS has your back! The cards feature recipes on the front AND back along with the cutest graphics. And now the MOMENT YOU'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR! Let's get started on this essence of summertime mocktail! WHOOP WHOOP! INGREDIENTS: Bottle or can of BARRITTS GINGER BEER Frozen watermelon (I like to scoop watermelon out in little balls and freeze them. Keeps them fresh and ready for smoothies, snacks or fun drinks like this) Frozen Blueberries 1 lime Fresh mint leaves STEP 1: I took some of the mint leaves and crushed them in the bottom of the glass to release their flavor/juice. STEP 2: Add several pieces of frozen watermelon to the glass. These act as ice cubes! STEP 3: Take a lime wedge and squeeze over the watermelon. STEP 4: Place a lime wedge on the side of the glass and sprinkle frozen blueberries into the glass. STEP 5: Pour the BARRITTS GINGER BEER into the glass. BAM!!! You're done!!! Share it with your friends and family - best part is that kids can join in too! ;) At this point, I wish I could hand you all a glass through the screen! Please let me know if you try it - I'd love to know you're thoughts!
The journey to shopping ethically and living sustainably, never ceases to simultaneously inspire and blow my mind. The immense amount of creativity individuals exhibit to make a positive impact on the world, astounds me. It gives me motivation to think outside the box, question my normal routine/beliefs, research brands and then act upon the experiences and information I've gained. Lately, I have been on the hunt for pieces to add to my room to give it a fresh but simple update. Of course I've been searching for ethical and sustainable brands. I discovered KARTON through a friend on Instagram and couldn't believe my eyes! They take cardboard - YES, CARDBOARD! And turn it into modern minimalistic yet functional pieces. When you're done with it (this will be a long time from now because you'll LOVE their furniture), you just turn it into something new or recycle it. I've partnered with KARTON to share their beautiful white chest. I'll also be sharing a quick blog post on putting it together as well as a view inside the drawers so stay tuned! I debated between the normal cardboard and the white but finally decided that I needed something to brighten up my space. I couldn't be happier! It's the perfect blank canvas to add character and inspiration yet provides a purpose. I'm forever changing things up and switching out my decor; this chest is so versatile and allows me to express my style in so many ways! What do you think?
I am STOKED to share a special series featuring Nuzest - a company featuring plant based nutrition products. Every product is NON-GMO, VEGAN, GLUTEN FREE and has LIMITED INGREDIENTS. They sent me 4 free samples of their protein powder to try and my mind is blown! You know that usual chalky and gritty taste that some protein powders have? NOPE! Not this time! The flavors that I will be sharing are chocolate, vanilla, strawberry and coffee. Use my code KATNTHEWILD for 15% off of your purchase and free shipping over $50.
Today I'm sharing this bomb STRAWBERRY SMOOTHIE BOWL! Here's what to do: ADD TO BLENDER (I use a Vitamix) : 5 small frozen figs 1 cup frozen zucchini Dash of vanilla 1 scoop of Nuzest strawberry protein 2 frozen strawberries honey (optional or sweetener of your choice) Almond milk (go easy - just enough to get things blended) Blend until ingredients combine but are still super thick (ice cream consistency). Scoop into bowl, top with toasted coconut and chocolate drizzle (dark cocoa, honey, vanilla). NOW DIG IN! |