Shop Small for Valentine’s Day
📍 St. Pete, Florida

Similar Dress || Wedges || Handbag || Earrings || Lip Color

Apart from Christmas, Valentine’s Day is one of the top gift-giving days of the year. It’s when you can extend a gift as a way to say I Love You. Instead of exchanging, David and I always opt for a dinner out and one of our favorite restaurants around St. Pete. If you’re shopping around this Valentine’s Day, I highly recommend shopping with small businesses. Recently, this has been a primary focus, and I plan to continue in 2022 and beyond. Here’s a quick roundup of some of my favorite small businesses and what they offer for the perfect Valentine’s Day gift. 

Weezie Towels

The Weezie Beach Towel is the kind of Valentine’s Day gift that I would use so frequently! Your beach towel will wear so many hats on your day out to the sand and surf: blanket, hair wrap, coverup, and the list goes on! Weezie makes the closest thing you’ll find to the perfect beach towel. It’s soft and plush, but somehow isn’t a magnet for all the sand you could pick up along the way. Embroidery it with a sweet message that’s just right for the holiday.

St. Armands Designs

Jewelry always makes for such a fantastic gift. That’s especially true when you find a woman-owned small business with so much coastal flare. St. Armands Designs offer so many incredible earrings that make a statement. For Valentine’s Day, I always wear my pink beaded earrings. I know that’s not everyone’s choice, so be sure to look at her beautiful pearl pieces as well. 

The Tiny Tassel

The Tiny Tassel is a Charleston-based company from owner Mimi Striplin. She is such a ray of sunshine on my Instagram feed. While she’s started with darling tassel earrings, she’s expanded to an entire collection of gifts, accessories, and even handmade garments. For a sweet little Valentine’s Day gift, take a look at their holiday shop, especially these fun Charlotte Earrings.

Kiel James Patrick

I couldn’t help but include several Kiel James Patrick pieces in my shopping guide. As I was exploring, each item was more precious than the last. I’m itching to get this Mother of Pearl ring for myself! My favorite, though, is this beautifully embroidered sweater. It comes in this pristine shade of ivory, as well as a more versatile navy. 

Sarah Bray Bermuda

When you live in the Florida sun, it’s important to have an army of sun hats on hand. Writer Sarah Bray-West recently moved to Bermuda, one of my favorite destinations, and launched a sustainable collection of sunhats to match. Each hat comes with a set of grosgrain ribbons so you can feel like you have a completely different look every time. The Hibiscus Red ribbon will be a spot-on match for any outdoor Valentine’s Day activity. 

Lake Pajamas

Lake Pajamas are the softest things around and perfect for Valentine’s Day! The 100% Pima Cotton feels softer than a cloud and is great for lounging, or more accurately. I have a few pairs, and it’s actually an effort not to wear them 24/7. I can already see my loved ones, or even myself in this Long-Short Set. If that’s not your own mom’s style, be sure to take a look at everything they offer. 

Pamela Munson

If I was magically turned into a handbag, I would probably look like a Pamela Munson handbag. Each season, when she unveils a new collection, I fall in love with each and every piece. Inspired by childhood trips to Florida and the Bahamas, each bag looks specially made for a tropical getaway! More importantly, the materials used are ethically and sustainably sourced.

Sunshine Style

My friend on the East Coast of Florida, Katie, has created the sweetest little Etsy shop called Sunshine Style. I’m so happy to see it grow! She makes a cute collection of coordinating masks and scrunchies. With so many pastel pinks in stripes and ginghams, it’s hard to pick one headband to add to your rotation.

Breck and Grier

You all probably know my penchant for straw bags. I think they are the perfect summertime accessory and make for an even better gift. Breck and Grier was created to bring Moroccan straw bags to the masses. They can be personalized to match the style of your mom, grandma, or any woman in your life. Recently, they launched a Valentine’s Day collection that is perfect to wear year-round!

Sarah Flint

What can I say about Sarah Flint that hasn’t already been said? This thoughtful, woman-owned company offers some of the most amazing shoes on the market today. Everything about them was designed with a busy, modern woman in mind. The quality, the support, and the style are individually reason enough to invest. This particular pair of Perfect Emma heels would be perfect to wear for Valentine’s Day date night. 

Hellenic Aesthetic

I went to high school with the owner of Hellenic Aesthetic, Marianthi. She beautifully showcases her Greek heritage by showcasing Greece-based designers. One of her latest collections is Valentine’s t-shirts that you could wear all year round. A red tee says “I Love You” in Greek (σ’αγαπώ), while the white tee says “My Love” (αγάπη μου). Both are amazingly comfortable and a great way to sprinkle the Greek Isles into your everyday life. 

Estelle Colored Glass

Stephanie, founder and owner, is inspired by her grandma, who loved antiquing through South Carolina. From stemware to cake stands, her glass pieces are absolutely stunning and come in a rainbow of colors. It seems like a loving nod to dinner parties from years ago when the tablescape was everything. I can’t decide between the wine glasses or the champagne coupes, which pales in comparison to actually picking a color. For Valentine’s Day, this rose-colored flute glass set would be just what you need for an evening for two. 

While our own Valentine’s Day plans have yet to be made, I feel incredibly thankful to have David in my life. If you’re single, be sure to take the day to celebrate the most important person in your life… Yourself! Self care, especially this year, should be maintained and nurtured. If that includes a little self-gifting, by all means, shop away!

Love from Florida,
Katie

As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.

Monogrammed Towel || Pink Statement Earrings || Fuchsia Dangle Earrings || Embroidered Sweater || Straw Sunhat || Pajama Set || Embroidered Clutch || Striped Headband || Custom Straw Handbag || Floral Heels || Greek T-Shirt || Champagne Flute Set

Brighter Days with Cabana Life
📍 Seaside, Florida

Dress from Cabana Life (c/o) || Similar Sandals || Clutch || Earrings || Bracelet

Although the weather was pretty cloudy while visiting Seaside, I couldn’t help but feel the optimism for a new year! One element that I’m incredible excited for is my partnership with Cabana Life. I give them a proper introduction in this blog post from November. A Florida-based, woman-owned company, they are slowly taking over my entire wardrobe. So, don’t be surprised if you see me wearing it all year long! For the start of the new year, they are launching a new campaign called ‘Brighter Days’ to celebrate new arrivals and long, sunnier days in the future. Since I’m still thinking of my own resolutions and goals, here’s what I’m looking forward to in my own upcoming brighter days.

Hosting Family and Friends

The first few months of 2022 are uncharacteristically quiet. As much as I love hopping from destination to destination, it’s going to be so lovely to stay home. What a great opportunity to explore more of the Tampa Bay Area. Instead, we’ll be hosting a handful of family and friends who want a reprieve from the snow and cold. Denver, Chicago, Vermont, and more! Our home is open and ready for whichever visitors wish to make the trip down.

New Growth and Opportunities at Work

It’s no secret that I absolutely love my job! While leaving the classroom was a difficult decision, I know it was the best one I’ve ever made! With this upcoming year, I’m so excited for new projects and initiatives that will be put on my plate. I strive under pressure and am so efficient when checking off a to-do list. With my current company, I feel like the sky is the limit. There’s truly no better feeling in the world!

Spring and Summer Travel Plans

While there aren’t any big trips planned for the first portion of the year, that doesn’t mean there isn’t any on the horizon. There are a few beautiful destinations that I particularly have my eye on. I can’t wait to research and get them on my schedule for the late spring, summer, and maybe even the fall. The biggest challenge is convincing my husband to take a few vacation days. His work ethic is one of my favorite qualities about him, but it certainly doesn’t help my travel daydreams.

Anything Else Not Yet Known

I know I’m an eternal optimist. I wake up each day with a sense of purpose and wonder. Anything good can happen! That being said, I’m so excited for anything unchartered that may pop up in the year 2022. New friends, new opportunities, or new adventures… I’m ready to meet them all! The only thing I have going against me is my slight impatience and wanting these new experiences to happen sooner!

I hope every one of you is looking forward to the brighter days ahead! Cheers to all of the currently unscripted happenings and moments, new resolutions and goals. Always know that I am in your corner, rooting for you along the way. You’ve got this!

Love from Florida,
Katie

As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.

Resolutions for the New Year
📍 Watercolor, Florida

Button-Down Shirt ($25 off with code KATIEKENNEDY) || Skirt || Similar Heels ($50 off with code SARAHFLINT-BAKATIE) || Similar Handbag || Earrings || Bracelet || Lip Color

New Years’ Eve 2021… I was dancing with friends at a party in Seaside, Florida, when I had a big realization. NYE may just be my favorite holiday. I mean, think about it. You can get as dressed up as you want to, have a fun meal with whoever you wish to, and celebrate. It’s a time for a fresh start and to make new goals for the future. There are infinite possibilities. To make the most of the next 365 days, here are my personal resolutions for the new year.

Create and Stick to a Morning Routine

While the morning routine is still a work in progress, I had this horrible epiphany in how sedentary I had become last year. I wanted to see how much I walked on our most recent trip to NYC and saw how little non-existent my steps are during the workweek. Ideally, I want to create a morning routine where I have a set wake-up call, take the time for a lot of movement, and have a moment of quiet for myself. The main piece of this goal is to move more. Whether it be from a long walk, tennis lessons, or a spin class, I’m going to keep my options open. This will help set the tone for a productive workday and a successful year!

Read At Least A Book Per Week

During the summer months, I’m so proud of how I could make reading a priority. I was even averaging about two books per week. Although those numbers dropped in the fall, I’m ready to start the new year on a fresh note. I think 50 books for the year is a reasonable goal to set, but I would love to read well beyond that. Even though I typically lean towards non-fiction, I want to remind myself that it’s okay to sit and enjoy a well-written novel, especially historical fiction. I’m also excited for my New Yorker subscription to begin arriving. I envision it as the perfect read with my morning coffee for a way to start each day on the right note.

Be More Intentional With What I Eat

Because saying “diet” sounds like such a dirty word, right? I think the whole diet culture can have a pretty negative feeling, especially when it comes to New Year resolutions. As someone with an intense love for food, I would hate to give up some favorites just to have a smaller dress size. Instead, I simply want to be extra mindful about what I eat each day. Working from, snacking out of boredom is almost an occupational hazard, and before I know it, I’ve wandered into the kitchen for multiple snacks. Starting now, I want to listen to what my body tells me. “Am I truly hungry right now?” will be a top question. As part of that same conversation, I’m excited to take a stab at more cooking in the kitchen. I come from a line of incredible home chefs, and I want to grow my skills. With a cookbook wish list a mile long, I can’t wait to try new dishes and cuisines.

For Fun: Learn French!

Or Italian! I actually have a good knack for picking up languages, and I think it’s time to capitalize on it. I like to daydream about a fabulous European vacation home. Knowing the language is an absolute requirement if I want to talk to the locals and other expats! I like to make my grocery list in the second language and have a fun playlist while working for little bits of practice. Until the vacation house happens, the language is a great skill to have as I travel abroad.

I know it’s a cliche, but I genuinely believe that 2022 will be a great year. Even though I’m beyond thankful for another year, I’m ready to work towards new goals and have new experiences. Best of luck to each of you with your own personal resolutions, If we can continue to support each other as a community, nothing will stand in our way!

Love from Florida,
Katie

As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.