Where has summer gone?! Time always passes quickly when you are having fun and we’ve truly been enjoying every bit of summer. We start back to school in early August so we are already starting to prepare by getting together our school supplies, backpacks, locker swag, etc.

Every couple of years, the kids get to pick out a new backpack, which is one of their favorite things to pick out for back to school. We’ve always loved Vera Bradley backpacks…their prints are colorful and fun, they are comfortable to carry, they are sturdy and they are made to last.

Today, I’m sharing a Vera Bradley backpack comparison guide in hopes of helping you select the right backpack for your student. Vera Bradley backpacks are excellent for anyone who enjoys carrying a backpack too…from school, to work, to travel…they are the perfect everyday companion.

1. The XL Journey Backpack in ReActive – we love this backpack in the lavender butterflies print…it also comes in 3 other prints and in solid black. The ReActive material is lightweight, water repellant, and is made from recycled PET water bottles. This backpack has all of the bells and whistles and I particularly love all of the pockets and compartments. There is also a ventilated pouch for your shoes and extra clothes. This would be an excellent backpack for a student who needs the extra space and may have a sports practice after school!
2. The XL Campus Backpack in Recycled Cotton – this style has always been one of our personal favorites.
   We love the cotton quilted look and how cute is this Butterfly By pattern?! This backpack is made from 100% recycled cotton. It has front and back zip pockets and two side slip pockets…perfect for carrying a water bottle. The shoulder straps are nicely padded as well for extra comfort!
3. The Utility Backpack in Recycled Cotton – this backpack is available in 5 solid colors and 2 prints and is made with recycled cotton. The size of the backpack is perfect for everyday use. I especially love carrying this backpack when running errands or shopping. It is comfortable to carry and big enough to fit all of your everyday essentials. The drawstring keeps the backpack snuggly closed and the various zip and slip pockets are ideal for holding your phone, keys, etc.
4. The Small Backpack in Performance Twill – this backpack comes in 3 solids and 4 prints and is made of water-repellant polyester. This backpack is also a great option for everyday use. It is lightweight, super comfortable to carry and small enough so your belongings are easy to retrieve. The side slip pocket will keep your water bottle secure and the other zip pockets will help you keep everything organized.
5. The Grand Backpack – this backpack comes in solid black and two different prints. I love this fun colorful tropical print called Rain Forest Canopy Coral! It is lightweight, has padding for comfort, is water-repellant and is made from recycled PET water bottles…22 bottles to be exact! This one has pockets GALORE…any pocket that you may need, this backpack has it! It also had an adjustable chest strap which is helpful when carrying heavier loads. You can also clip your keys or water bottle onto this backpack to keep them secure and nearby for easy access! What’s not to love about this backpack?!

As you can see, Vera Bradley has an awesome selection of backpacks for all stages of life and all of your needs. You can truly find a backpack that will carry you throughout your day and beyond! Vera Bradley backpacks are high quality and made to last and not to mention…SO FUN TO CARRY!

Now all you have to do is decide which backpack is right for you! Happy backpack shopping!

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Summer is officially here and we are enjoying lots of get togethers with friends and family…we hope you all are doing the same! From pool parties, to cookouts, to holiday gatherings, birthday celebrations, and beach vacations…summertime is truly one of our favorite times of year!

I’m always on the lookout for great summer gift ideas for friends and family…those we are gathering with and those we are celebrating birthdays with as well. Vera Bradley has so many beautiful gift options for all who are hosting this summer and for all who are celebrating a birthday…maybe you are looking for the perfect “just because” gift…whomever you may be giving a gift to and whatever the occasion, Vera Bradley has it all.

Their bold colorful prints are so fun and they have gifts for every gal on your list. I personally love their aprons…any gal who loves cooking, hosting or entertaining should have a Vera Bradley apron! From coffee mugs, to various tote bag styles, to beach towels, to pajamas, to the coziest blankets, and even an adorable phone charging cord…there are just so many amazing summer gift giving options.

I’ve included some of my favorite Vera Bradley summer gift ideas below! Definitely order an apron for yourself and gift one to someone else too and check out the many other gift options as well.

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I’ve always heard that 40 is fabulous and I have to agree…it truly is…at least so far! As I write this, I’ve only been 40 for a hot minute but I knew before today even came that I was going to embrace my new age and look forward to a brand new decade ahead…a decade in my 40’s….WHOA, that just got real! Eeeekkk…I’m 40 y’all, WOW!

This year has been an eye opener in so many ways…life can change in a heart beat (as we all know), nothing is ever guaranteed, and life is so precious. I’m so very grateful for the life I have been blessed with, for the amazing family and friends that I have, and for my health and well being.

I cherish each and every day and I look forward to many more life experiences with family and friends in this brand new decade! I’m alive, well, happy, healthy and ready to take on this exciting new chapter of the book that God so lovingly wrote for me.

In celebration of this milestone birthday, I thought it would be fun to share 40 things about me that you may or may not know…so here goes!

• Carolina girl…born and raised
• 1 brother and 1 sister
• cheerleader from pee wee football through high school
• softball player from t-ball through high school
• pageant girl from the age of 13 through 21
• clogger – my Paw Paw taught me
• raised Presbyterian
• favorite show as a kid was Full House
• favorite show in my tween years was Saved by the Bell
• favorite country singer growing up was Tim McGraw
• favorite music genre growing up was hip hop – still is
• love to dance…dancing to hip hop music is my favorite
• 1st job was working at Things Remembered at the mall
• lifeguard through high school
• celebrity crush has always been Brad Pitt
• 1st flight ever was to New York City when in HS
• Clemson University honors graduate
• went to Clemson for the pre veterinarian program…I always wanted to be a Veterinarian
• Kappa Kappa Gamma
• Miss Clemson 2000
• first job out of college was as a Store Analyst for a women’s apparel company in Charlotte, NC
• skydived for my 21st birthday
• met Peter while on vacation in Myrtle Beach, SC
• have lived in Newport Beach, CA, Phoenix, AZ and now Nashville, TN
• got engaged in Palm Springs, CA…married in Charlotte, NC
• first dance at wedding was to It’s Your Love by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill
• honeymooned in Tahiti
• favorite vacation spot is anywhere in the Caribbean
• favorite food…Mexican…guacamole is my JAM
• least favorite…mayonnaise and pimento cheese
• my nicknames are Sizzle, Bianca (after a few margaritas) and Beyonce
• favorite movies are Pretty Woman & Dirty Dancing
• have had 3 English Springer Spaniels…Clemson was our first baby and we now have our sweet girls Cali & Carolina
• favorite tv shows…Game of Thrones, The Office, This is Us
• have read all of the Harry Potter books and am a big fan
• have ran a half marathon and haven’t really ran since
• claustrophobic when anything is too close to or tight around my face
• daydream of living on a small farm and having lots of animals or having a retreat at the beach
• love to sing but can’t carry a tune
• loves of my life…Peter who I have been married to for 14 years and my babies Reins who is 10 and Addison who is 8

My best advice to you…embrace your age and be thankful for every day that you have! Surround yourself by those who love and cherish you for who you are. Stay focused on what’s truly important in life and your life will be so rich and so fullfilled.

Here’s to a great year ahead, here’s to being confident at 40, here’s to all of the 1980’s babies out there…CHEERS!

*Cake is from Copper Whisk Cakes and marquee letters are from Alpha Lit Nashville

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Meet Victoria Emerson!!! I’m so excited to share more about this amazing brand with you today (and the INCREDIBLE 40% off sale that is currently happening) because I was recently, within the last several months, introduced to Victoria Emerson myself and I’m so glad that I was!

As you know, I LOVE accessories…in fact, I have quite the collection of them and feel that a gal can never have too many accessories…kind of like shoes, am I right?! I’m also always on the lookout for beautiful unique accessories that tell a story so when I came across Victoria Emerson, I was immediately intrigued and drawn to her stunning handmade designs. And yes, I said handmade…her wrap bracelets are intricate, the attention to detail is like none other, and you are getting a unique one-of-a-kind bracelet! From the colors, to the bead combinations, to the mix of materials…you are sure to find one, two, or three pieces that you just HAVE to HAVE!

Not to mention, all of her pieces are so affordably priced so you can start your own collection of Victoria Emerson wrap bracelets and now is the time to stock up because they are currently running a 40% off site wide sale now until September 2nd! This sale is one that you don’t want to miss y’all and you can shop their gorgeous pieces exclusively from their website!

It’s never too early to go ahead and check some people off of your holiday shopping list or maybe you even have a birthday gift to buy, are looking for the perfect bridesmaid gift, etc. Or maybe you are just treating yourself because you know that I believe YOU DESERVE IT! Whatever the occasion, don’t let this incredible sale pass you by…there is no code needed to enjoy 40% off your Victoria Emerson order. Simply head to their site, fill your cart with some gorgeous handmade designs, and check out my friends!

I’m sharing some of my personal favorites below as well which include the turquoise beaded wrap bracelet and the crystals on natural beaded wrap bracelet.

Have fun shopping Victoria Emerson and as always, thank so much for stopping by! See you back here real soon!

Special thank you to RewardStyle and Victoria Emerson for partnering on today’s post! Victoria Emerson is a brand that I truly love and feel honored to work with.

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Today is a very special day…kristen BROOKE is finally here, YAY!!! I’ve been working on this project since April and I’m thrilled to finally be able to share it with you! kristen BROOKE is a curated collection of accessories that I have sourced and handpicked just for YOU!

As a child, I loved accessorizing with colorful charm necklaces, stackable bracelets and sparkly earrings. I frequently spent time going through my Mom’s jewelry box, trying on her jewelry, while wishing that one day those special pieces would be mine. As my love for accessories grew, so did my collection! For those of you who know me well or who have been following along for a while, you know how much I love elevating my outfits with unique beautiful (and many times BOLD) accessories.

Curating my own collection of accessories was a natural next step for me so that is why I started kristen BROOKE! Each piece is unique and special in its own way and I hope that you love my summer collection just as much as I do. Head to www.shopkristenbrooke to see and shop the entire collection!

I’ll be curating a fall collection very soon so if you have any feedback to share, please do…I truly value your opinions and input! Be sure to sign up to become a VIP so we can stay in touch regarding upcoming collections.

Thank you so very much for all of your love and support with this new endeavor, kristen BROOKE! I appreciate each and every one of you…thank you of being here and being a part of my journey.

As always, thanks so much for stopping by…see you back here real soon!

Photography by Madi Flournoy Henderson

The post Introducing kristen BROOKE appeared first on KBStyled.

We recently had lunch at Cafe Roze here in Nashville for the first time and it quickly became one of my new favorite spots.  I love discovering new places in our amazing city especially so I can share them with all of you, those that live here and those that are visiting.  Cafe Roze may be well known to many but believe it or not, it was not on my radar until a friend mentioned how delicious it is, of course recommending that I give it a try ASAP!  How can I resist a must try new cafe…I can’t and so we went!

Cafe Roze Nashville is a quaint charming cafe tucked in urban East Nashville.  It is brightly lit during the day with clean marble countertops and subtle pale pink tabletops.  It felt all the bit airy, clean, and FRESH.  I can only imagine what the vibe is like at night time…I’m sure the cozy quaint daytime feeling becomes even more cozy and quaint in the evening.  Believe me, I will be going back very soon to enjoy dinner!

The menu offers a variety of hearty yet healthy (and colorful) options and let me tell you, we tried several things and everything was DELICIOUS!  We started with the Avocado Hummus Toast, which is a must.  We then shared a Roze Bowl which is packed full of all kinds of healthy delicious goodness and their Hard Boiled BLT!  With every bite, there were lots of yuuuummmmssss and chit chat about how delicious everything was.  I also enjoyed a pineapple mint fizzy drink which is one of their daytime non alcoholic drink specialities…again, soooooo good!

We had the most delightful lunch at Cafe Roze.  The service was wonderful, the food was amazing (cannot wait to go back), and the environment was perfect for memorable conversation and time well spent with friends and family.

I highly recommend that you add Cafe Roze to your list of places that you MUST try here in Nashville!  I promise you will have a delightful experience, just as we did!

As always, thanks so much for stopping by…I’ll see you back here real soon!

All photography by Madi Flournoy Henderson.

The post Cafe Roze Nashville appeared first on KBStyled.

Photography by Madi Flournoy Henderson

School may be back in and we all may be craving cooler fall temps, but we still have several weeks of summer left and peaches are still filling the produce shelves.  We love peaches and will be eating them until they are out of season.  Today, I”m sharing an easy, healthy, & delicious peach blackberry summer salad.  This salad is the perfect way to enjoy the last days of summer!

Here’s what you will need to create this colorful salad!

• spring mix salad
• fresh peaches
• fresh blackberries
• goat cheese
• candied walnuts
• honey
• salt & pepper
• balsamic vinaigrette dressing

Get as creative as you would like with your presentation…I like to spread the spring mix salad (after mixing the spring mix lettuce with your favorite balsamic vinaigrette dressing) on a serving platter and then place the blackberries and peaches artfully on top.  I crumble the candied walnuts and sprinkle on top. I also break up the goat cheese into crumbles and then sprinkle the cheese on top as well.  Drizzle the salad with a bit of honey and then add a dash of salt and black pepper.

This salad is perfectly paired with barbecue chicken in the summer and a nice white wine!  Serve up and enjoy my friends!

You can easily make this salad in the fall by replacing the blackberries with blueberries or dried cranberries and replacing the peaches with pears or apples!

Do you have a favorite summer salad?!

As always, thanks so much for stopping by and I’ll see you back here real soon!

The post Peach Blackberry Summer Salad appeared first on KBStyled.

Photography by Madi Flournoy Henderson

It’s that time of year…school is back in session and it is time to get back into all of our school year routines!  As a Mom of two, I love spending time with our kiddos during the summer months and it is always bittersweet when summer comes to a close BUT I’m also thrilled to return to a set daily schedule and honestly, to be regain some ME time!  Momma’s, whose with me?!

Feeling excited for the start of a new school year does not mean that you should feel that “Mom guilt” that I know we have all felt from time to time.  Yes, the years pass quickly and yes our kiddos are only little once BUT it is what we do with that precious time that truly matters.  When you are present, living in the moment, you will always feel confident that you are giving your all when you are with your child/children.  Cherish all of the special moments that you have with them regardless if it is when they are in or out of school.

Reins and Addison have been so excited to start a new school year so of course I’ve been so excited for them!  Their excitement has truly helped me squash any Mom guilt that I have been feeling.  After all, their happiness is what is most important and when they are happy, so am I!

It has been a joy to send them off to start their 3rd and 1st grade years and I’ve really enjoyed some personal time doing some of the things I love most like shopping and enjoying lunch with girlfriends.  On their first day of school, I picked out a new outfit from Evereve and then met a girlfriend for lunch at one of my favorite spots…it was the perfect way to celebrate the start of a new year for both our children and myself.  In my opinion, we have to fuel our souls to be able to fuel our children’s so it’s totally okay to take care of yourself and focus on what makes you most happy as well.

Evereve celebrates every stage of motherhood and they recently reminded me that it’s okay to focus on me and it’s okay to be excited for the start of a new school year.  I don’t feel shame in that excitement…I feel recentered and refocused and since we are being honest, I feel like a better Mom because I have reclaimed some of my time!  Evereve encourages all of us Momma’s to embrace the start of a new school year and celebrate it as if it’s Mom’s New Year!  This is not only a brand new start for our children but it is also a brand new start for each of us…an opportunity to focus on yourself!  There’s no need to wait until January 1st to celebrate a fresh start…instead your fresh start begins now…Happy Mom’s New Year my friends!

I challenge you to focus on YOU, find something that fuels your soul, something that makes you happy…a personal passion, a hobby, or whatever helps you regain some ME time!  Lock away any guilt you may be feeling and celebrate the awesome Mom that you are!  Remember…before you became a Mom…you were simply YOU and that person still needs love and attention!

How will you be celebrating the start of Mom’s New Year?!

As always, thanks so much for stopping by and I look forward to seeing you back here real soon!

The post Evereve Mom’s New Year appeared first on KBStyled.

Photography by Madi Flournoy Henderson

Turquoise Statement Jewelry C/O JTV

Turquoise has always been one of my favorite gemstones and I especially love wearing it during the summer months.  The rich and bold blue, sometimes green color, of statement turquoise jewelry has always caught my eye and these pieces from JTV are so stunning!

I’ll always remember discovering turquoise when we lived in Phoenix, Arizona.  We spent a day summer day shopping in Old Town Scottsdale and I was in awe of all of the gorgeous turquoise.  From the variation in color, to the statement jewelry pieces & dainty gemstones, to the turquoise home décor and so on…I enjoyed discovering a beautiful gemstone that I wasn’t familiar with before.  There were so many amazing pieces to pick from but I chose a pair of sterling sliver and turquoise statement earrings…these earrings were my very first turquoise purchase and I’ve loved turquoise ever since.

Over the years, I’ve slowly added to my turquoise jewelry collection and JTV is my go-to destination for unique beautiful pieces.  What I love about JTV is that they have a variety of turquoise styles so you can get a statement piece like this turquoise Kingman Mohave silver ring or this blue turquoise silver cuff bracelet.  If you prefer dainty pieces, you will love this beautiful turquoise bead silver pendant necklace.  And how gorgeous are these turquoise silver dangle earrings?!  They are classic, great for everyday wear, and can be dressed up or dressed down.

Turquoise jewelry is a must have…it is the perfect accessory especially during the summer months.  Wear your turquoise pieces with crisp white or with a fun pattern like I’ve done here…it truly compliments a variety of looks.  I personally love layering my JTV turquoise pieces.  I’ve worn two statement rings at a time and have layered my turquoise cuff bracelets.  You can never wear too much turquoise!

My top 5 JTV turquoise summer pieces are listed below!  Each of these pieces immediately caught my eye…they are GORGEOUS!!!

1. This southwest statement blue turquoise cuff bracelet

2. This southwest blue turquoise silver cuff bracelet 

3. These southwest blue turquoise dangle earrings

4. This southwest blue bead turquoise pendant with chain

5. This southwest turquoise Kingman Mohave ring

JTV  has an incredible selection of beautiful turquoise pieces and I’m certain you will be able to find a unique piece or pieces that will perfectly compliment to your own personal style.

Do you remember your very first piece of turquoise jewelry?

As always, thanks so much for stopping by and I’ll see you back here real soon!

My blog may contain links to other websites.  I am not responsible for the privacy policies of those other websites.  When you click on a link, your information may be collected by those websites so I encourage you to read their privacy policies.

These affiliate links are not associated with JTV.

The post Statement Turquoise Jewelry appeared first on KBStyled.

Photography by Madi Flournoy Henderson

sun protective clothing c/o Mott 50

Today I am teaming up with Ren Dermatology and Mott 50 to share tips on how to protect your skin from the sun.  I’ve always been told that with age comes wisdom and I definitely agree with that, especially as it relates to my personal decision to stop baking my skin and start protecting it from the sun.

As a child, I was always outdoors and I remember spending hours outside playing but I don’t remember sunscreen being an important part of my daily routine.  I’ve always idolized the sun…I wanted to have a tan and I can remember crossing my fingers for sunshine, especially during the summer, so I could spend time by the pool or at the beach working on my tan.  Don’t get me wrong, I know my parents put sunscreen all over me but it wasn’t a big topic of conversation as it is today.  During my teen years, and even my very early adult years, I would lay in tanning beds on a regular basis, spend my summers outside as a lifeguard or on the golf course as a beverage cart attendant, and spending every spare moment by the pool…again working on my “tan”.

It wasn’t until my honeymoon that I realized how badly I needed to start protecting my skin.  I suffered a very bad burn on my chest that ended up being pretty severe and painful and I also started to notice melasma on my forehead and above my lips.  I left our honeymoon in a bit of pain due to my burn and motivated to change my sun worshipping ways.

We returned to California, which is where we were living at the time and I immediately scheduled an appointment with a local Dermatologist.  I had never had a need to see a Dermatologist but I knew it was time.  I met with the Dr. and she immediately stressed the importance of using sunscreen each and every day.  We put a plan together, which also included having a laser treatment on my face to help with the melasma, and from that moment forward, I was determined to not only protect my skin but to transform it from many years of sun damage.  So in my mid 20’s the transformation began and I’ve been determined to care for my skin every since.  I always go in for a yearly checkup and have had several biopsies that have luckily only been precancerous.

Now that we live in Nashville, I regularly visit Ren Dermatology to ensure that my skin is healthy and that I’m using the right products not only to protect my skin but to also appropriately treat it as it ages.  Sun damage can be very unfriendly to your skin and overtime, the appearance of your skin will change if you don’t take measures to protect it.  I recommend starting early…the earlier the better!  Ren Dermatology has helped me improve my skin over the years and has also educated me on various high quality products that provide the type of protection that my skin needs.

Not only should you be protecting your skin with the right skincare products but you should also be taking measures to protect your skin with sun protective clothing.  If you haven’t heard of Mott 50, I highly encourage you to check out their site.  Their sun protective clothing is high quality, very stylish, and has UPF 50 in it.  Every garment is UPF 50 certified.  Not matter if you are wearing a swimsuit, a coverup, or even a cute dress during the summer months, Mott 50 has a great selection of sun protective clothing to meet your needs.  I especially love wearing their rash guards when spending long days on the beach and their coverups are great for days spent in the sun as well.  Typically you will also find me wearing a large brim hat to provide extra protection to my face and chest.

Here are a few tips you should take into consideration when protecting your skin during the hot summer months.

1.  ALWAYS wear sunscreen.  You should wear an SPF 30 or greater and you should also reapply every 2 hours.  It’s best to use a lotion to ensure complete coverage as spray sunscreens often times miss the mark.  Apply to every part of your body, where skin is exposed.  Wear a moisturizer with sunscreen in it every single day as well.
2. Consider wearing UPF 50 sun protective clothing…Mott 50 has some adorable options for both you and your little ones.
3. Seek shade when spending long hours in the sun.  Even when in the shade, you still need to wear sunscreen and/or protective clothing!
4. Consider wearing a wide brim straw hat…a hat that provides full coverage of your face as well as additional coverage for your shoulders and chest.
5. Limited your time spent in hot showers and baths.  Hot water strips your skin of its natural sun protective barriers and makes it more susceptible to a burn.  Keeping your skin moisturized on a daily basis is important as well.

What are some ways that you protect your skin or your family’s skin during the summer months?

As always, thanks so much for stopping by and I look forward to seeing you back here real soon!

The post Skincare Tips: Protecting Your Skin From The Sun appeared first on KBStyled.