KATIE KENNEDY

Shop Small for Valentine’s Day

Dress || Sandals (Similar) || Earrings

Apart from Christmas, Valentine’s Day is one of the top gift-giving days in the year. It’s when you can extend a gift as a way to say I Love You. In lieu 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. Since the beginning of Covid last year, this has been a primary focus and something I’m planning on continuing in 2021 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.

St. Armands Designs: Heart Earrings

These are the earrings that actually inspired this post! My collection of St. Armands Designs earrings are growing, almost, by the day. Each style is lightweight, cheerful, and well priced. The fact that she’s local to Tampa Bay is an extra bonus. These Pink Heart Earrings (also available in Red) sell out every year. I recommend grabbing a pair ASAP. Buy them for Valentine’s Day, wear them all year long!

Lake: Pink Pajama Sets

Lake Pajamas are the softest things around. The 100% Pima Cotton feels softer than a cloud and is great for lounging, or more accurately, working from home. I have a few pairs and it’s actually an effort to not wear them 24/7. This Petal Pink Short Set is exactly what you need for Florida winter, but if you’re loved one is somewhere colder, you may want to consider the long-sleeve set instead. 

Kiel James Patrick: Monogram Sweaters

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 definitely the monogrammed Sweetheart Sweater. It comes in this pristine shade of pink, as well as a more versatile cream and navy. A personalized gift is always so appreciated and this sweater definitely takes the cake!

Amanda Lindroth: Sailor Valentines

Amanda Lindroth offers so many incredible pieces that make my heart flutter. As soon as we’re back in our home, I’ll be ordering all of the table linens and bedding to decorate our St. Pete bungalow. For Valentine’s Day, I just had to highlight the Sailor Valentines. The history is just fascinating! Popular during the 1800s, they were designed to be brought home from a sailor’s voyage at sea and given to their loved one. Sailors would collect seashells from their travels and create these incredibly intricate designs.

Weezie: Short-Sleeve Robes

Over the summer, I became a Weezie convert. Their towels and robes are absorbent and so cozy. For Florida life, I highly recommend their Short-Sleeve robe because I can wear it year round. It comes in a rainbow of colors to match your style. Don’t forget to add the monogram. You can read my full robe review in this previous post.

Sarah Bray: Vintage Inspired Sunhat

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 sunhat to match. Each hat comes with a set of grosgrain ribbon 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.

Hellenic Aesthetic: March Bracelet

I went to high school with the owner, Marianthi. She beautifully showcases her Greek heritage by showcasing Greece-based designers. Her in-house jewelry line is filled with stunning 14k gold pieces that constantly inspire me to hop on the next plane to Athens. For a sweet little Valentine’s gift, I highly recommend either the Laguna Beach bracelet, which I wear almost every day, or her new March bracelet. The March Bracelet is an Ancient Greek tradition that is meant to usher in Spring. Since so much of the country is having a universal snow day, I thought this was extremely appropriate. 

Estelle: Rose Wine Glass Set

Founder and owner, Stephanie, is inspired by her grandma who loved antiquing through South Carolina. Her glass pieces, from stemware to cake stands, 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 wine glass set would be just what you need for an evening for two. 

Margaux: Cream Cozy Slippers

Baby, it’s cold outside! Even when the temperature is a balmy 60 degrees, I need to throw on a pair of slippers. These Margaux slippers are exactly what I need to feel put-together at home. The wool-cashmere blend is guaranteed to keep you warm. Choose from a variety of colors in either the ballet or slide styles. Use the code KATIE10 at checkout to get 10% off your first pair of Margaux shoes.

Sarah Flint: Floral Scarf

Similar to the Amanda Lindroth Sailor Valentines, the scarves from Sarah Flint are truly a work of art! I could spend hours looking at the detail on her filigree floral. There’s honestly so much to drink in. Because of the large 51 square size, there’s an infinite number of ways to style and wear. Even if it’s just for a quick dinner out, grab this scarf on your way out the door for a great accessory that will receive so many compliments.

Pamela Munson: Straw Handbag

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. The detailing on her Eyelet Shoulder Bag is a beautiful update on a classic style.

Tuckernuck: Pink Midi Dress

Finally, I round out my shopping guide with this extremely comfy t-shirt from Tuckernuck. Who says you need to get gussied up for Valentine’s Day? The pastel pink is even prettier in person and I can’t wait to style this dress well into spring and summer. The laidback style can be dressed up for dinner on the town or worn as is for a quiet night at home.

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.

Red Heart Earrings || Pink Heart Earrings || Pink Pajama Set || Sailor Valentine #1 || Sailor Valentine #2 || Monogrammed Heart Sweater || Vintage Inspired Sunhat || Short-Sleeve Robe || Cream Heart Sweater || Mother of Pearl Heart Ring || Cream Slippers || March Bracelet || Rose Wine Glass Set || Straw Handbag || Floral Scarf

The Grayson Hero Style Guide

Tissue Cotton Shirt ($25 off with code KATIEKENNEDY) || Jeans || Sneakers || Earrings || Handbag

There is something so liberating about finding the perfect white button-down shirt. And oh, what a feat it can be! In my mind, there are two scenarios that I typically find myself in. Sometimes, my broad shoulders and chest will leave buttons puckering. It’s seriously one of my biggest pet peeves. On the other end of the spectrum, a shirt will be so oversized that no amount of styling can make it feel polished. 

After years of dealing with the tale of two shirts, I’ve finally found a company that simply gets it. Let me introduce you to Grayson. They are a woman-owned company so, they know a thing or two about how a button-down should fit. The Hero Shirt is always machine washable, available in multiple fabrics, and fits like a dream. I’ve had the pleasure of trying on the scope and wanted to give a quick crash course in what they offer and how they can be styled. 

The shirt pictured is the Tissue Cotton shirt. It is made from an extremely lightweight (but definitely not sheer) cotton that is perfect for those warm Florida days. How you style it, really the sky is the limit. If you live somewhere cooler, it will be a great layering piece under a favorite sweater. Personally, I can’t wait for my next beach day so I throw it over a swimsuit.

Surprisingly, the Liquid Lyocell is a completely different button-down experience. The satiny smooth fabric, made from eucalyptus pulp, is beautiful enough to stand all on its own. Don’t worry about using it as a layering piece, this shirt was born to stand out! I’ll style mine tied in a not with a satin midi skirt for an easy date night outfit.

Finally, let’s talk about Tumbled Linen! I live in Florida. Linen is one of the most loved and appreciated fabrics I could ask for. Sometimes, especially with fashion companies, you find linen to be itchy and comfortable. That is not the case here. This linen feels as soft as cashmere but still helps keep you comfortable. Like the Tissue Cotton, I would definitely wear this as a swimsuit cover-up or with a favorite pair of chino shorts. 

Not to be forgotten, Grayson also offers the Hero shirt in a classic Washed Cotton and lounge worth Cozy Cotton. I personally haven’t had the pleasure of wearing them for myself, but I’m sure they are just a splurge worthy as anything they offer.

There you have it folks! White button-down shirts, an essential in any closet, have been demystified and perfected. If you want to try out Grayson for yourself and really feel the difference, use the code KATIEKENNEDY at checkout for a whopping $25 off of your order. Trust me, you’ll thank me later!

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.