posts in life

Weddings are Stressful

Sunday, September 02, 2018


invitation, flatlay



It's been a while since I have sat down and really written without an outfit being involved, or being the focus.

Weddings are stressful, guys. I know it's not been said a million times on a million different websites, so this is brand new information for you all. At the beginning of the year, I wasn't thinking about planning a wedding myself, or even having one. We didn't have a date, a time, a venue, or an even an idea that a wedding was going to happen this year. In all honesty, I thought if we were going to get married this year, we'd be eloping in a local park, or going downtown with a witness to the courthouse. But, when we talked about it, me at the kitchen sink, and Tony on the other side of the kitchen bar, we decided that we would get married this year. In November. We decided this in June.

We made this stress ourselves, don't get me wrong. No one told us to plan a wedding in 5 months--that was all us. But, at the same time, we thrive on time constraints and on stress. Or, at least our track record says we do.

What is making this whole thing stressful is the thought that planning it is all on us. Thankfully, we found a venue that comes with a day-of coordinator (thank the gods), and our wedding is small, but dang, my whole head is in planning mode, and it's pretty insane. Could I hire extra help? Totally. Will they be of help this far into the process? Probably not...

We sent out invitations on Friday and are paying the deposit for our venue this week. I have my dress, I have my bouquet (silk flowers for the win, no allergic reactions here!), we have catering on the lock down. It's real. It's real, expensive, and scary, but it's real.

This is a budget wedding, too, so that adds extra to the situation. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of sites out there for wholesale or "cheap" wedding supplies, but cheap is pretty relative. It's like going to a restaurant with 2 dollar signs on Yelp and realizing that Yelp lied because $20 for a salad is not cheap. Just me? Am I the only one who experiences this?


So needless to say, wedding planning is an adventure I never wanted to go on, but am on it anyway!





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The Birthday Edit - 2018 Edition

Sunday, February 25, 2018




The Birthday Edit katielikeme.com velvet skirt pink velvet outfit





It's my birthday!

Last year was quite the year--I was promoted, I got engaged, we moved across the city--and I hope this year can top it!


What 2018 May Bring

Monday, January 01, 2018






So, it's January 1st 2018, I'm in black leggings, mismatched socks and an oversized sweatshirt because it's -8 Fahrenheit outside and boy does my apartment lack insulation.

I'm starting 2018 raw and focused, which is the opposite of what I have been the last couple of months. I'm not going to lie, there have been so many moments in 2017 where I have thought about letting my domain expire and give up with blogging. Obviously, I didn't and I'm still here, but the thoughts were there. I've had a really weird year of challenging moments, both blogging and in my personal life, and blogging got pushed further and further back that it became almost a chore to update it, but all I needed was a kick in the butt to reignite the fire.

So, what will 2018 bring?

First and foremost, I want to take more chances and be more creative. I tend to live life guarded and calculated because I hate surprises, but I want to change that. It's not a resolution as much as it is a general want for my life, and something I've been wanting to change about myself for years.

I also want to shop using the three S's--small, slow and sustainable. I have already stopped shopping at Forever 21, H&M and the like, but I really need to small and local and shop at more sustainable retailers. Hold me to this, please!

And, finally, what 2018 may bring is a change to the domain of this blog. I already own the domain katielike.com, and I already have a back up of this blog on to it, so to me, it's a natural step to move my new content to katielike, and invite you all to join me. It's not set in stone and I'm up for any recommendations you guys may have, but that's a plan that's been stewing in my mind for over a year.

Welcome to 2018 all, let's make it a great year.









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Cozy Corner

Sunday, November 12, 2017



Cozy Corner papason blanket ladder Google Home katielikeme.com


Cozy Corner gallery wall moon light katielikeme.com

Cozy Corner gallery wall moon light katielikeme.com

Cozy Corner fireplace mantle stag head horse head mantle decor katielikeme.com




It has been a slow start to this Sunday, but I wanted to share the finished pieces of our new place, being the wall above the couch, the fireplace mantle and the cozy corner.

Tony loves a good papason, so he gladly took this Pier 1 papason from his parents when we moved to our studio over 2 years ago. After a few accidents involving cats and territorial issues, it's back with a new cushion and cats are banned from it. Behind the papason is a blanket ladder, with my favorite cozy blankets draped over it.

On the gallery wall, we have an eclectic mix of things that really showcase who we are. The triangle shelves are from Five Below from about a year ago, the crescent moon light is from Target that I stalked until it went on clearance. The succulent in the large triangle shelf is from Target, and the qhite quartz stone is from Home Goods. The amethyst in the smaller triangle shelf was a gift from Tony from GenCon. The gazelle head with gilded horns, the bunny head and the golden diamond are also from Target and the hat with ears is from eBay way back when, and all the frames are from Meijer from years ago, when they were cents on the dollar on clearance. For real, we bought so many of these. The prints in the frames, the ampersand, the arrows and the "Adventure Awaits" (which you can barely see) are from a gallery wall print book I found in a craft store, but is also available on Amazon, and the pictures of Tony and I are 2 years old now, and need to be replaced ASAP.

The mantle is jam-packed with stuff:  The stag head above the fireplace is from Target from a few years ago, but Target always has these porcelain fixtures. The horse head, or what I refer to it as "the majestic horse head" was something I fawned over for YEARS until the store clearanced it from $45 to $15, but you can find similar ones on Amazon. The copper glitter candle is 3 years old from H&M and will never be burned. The gold frame is from Michael's. The concrete succulents are from Five Below. The string art "T" I made from this piece of wood I found in the Dollar Spot at Target and nails and string I already owned. The big frame is from Meijer, and the smaller "T" is from Michael's. The golden heart, the marble candle holder and the golden vase is from Target and the poorly spray painted silver bunny is from Kroger.

We're not anywhere close to being completely unpacked--we need a bookcase and shelves for our books and for trinkets. Indiana got its first Ikea last month, so we've been making the 10 minute pilgrimage to the cheap furniture and decor mecca to get a tangible idea as to what kind of shelves and bookcases we want. But, we're getting there and I'm just so fortunate to having a loving and supportive fiance who shares the same design ideas.






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Apartment Inspiration

Sunday, October 08, 2017



Indiana State Fair

Sunday, August 20, 2017

indiana state fair state fair fashion katielikeme.com

State Fair fun.

The Birthday Edit - 2017 Edition

Saturday, February 25, 2017

Bell sleeves winter fashion outfit city scape ootd





Today is my birthday!


Chicago, Chicago

Saturday, November 12, 2016

Chicago street style | katielikeme.com chicago style fashion




Tony and I celebrated 5 years together on the 9th, which is not a milestone we take lightly. We haven't done much in the past besides go out for dinner or take the day off for work, but this year we decided to work the actual day and take the weekend off to take a day trip up to our cooler, neighbor city, Chicago.

DIY Faux Backsplash

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

DIY Faux Basksplah katielikeme.com home, diy



I'm a renter, and the renter's world sucks in the kitchen area. You can have big bedrooms, updated bathrooms, but the kitchen is almost always bland and lifeless. Mine happens to be bland, lifeless, and straight out of the 60s, and not in the good way. 

So what better way to customize the kitchen than with a faux backsplash?

The Birthday Edit - 2016 Edition

Thursday, February 25, 2016


The Birthday Edit, an outfit post on katielikeme.com fashion, outfit, streetstyle




It's my birthday!

The Crooked Dollhouse

Tuesday, February 09, 2016


The Crooked Dollhouse, a post on katielikeme.com necklaces, etsy, fashion, accessories

5 Perfect Red Lipsticks for Winter

Wednesday, December 09, 2015



5 Affordable Red Lipsticks for Winter, a post on katielikeme.com fashion, beauty, life

I am a red lipstick aficionado, I know my way around red lipstick and I have a collection I adore! I think reds have their place in the winter and holiday season (uh hello, red is THE Christmas color) and I wanted to share my drugstore red lipsticks for the winter!


 
5 Affordable Red Lipsticks for Winter, a post on katielikeme.com fashion, beauty, life
 Revlon Colorburst Balm Stain in Adore

Adore is such a light, fresh stain. It's not drying at all for a stain and the color fades off even when the stain does fade. It also smells like peppermint, which is an added plus! This balm stain is a little more opaque than sheer and is great for adding to a natural look, for a nice addition of color to the lips.

5 Affordable Red Lipsticks for Winter, a post on katielikeme.com fashion, beauty, life
 NYX Matte Lipstick in Alabama

Alabama is my favorite red lipstick because it's creamy, opaque and all around gorgeous. If I'm wearing a red lipstick in my outfits, it's probably this one. I can't say much more than that it's deep, it's dark and it makes me feel powerful and awesome.

5 Affordable Red Lipsticks for Winter, a post on katielikeme.com fashion, beauty, life
 Maybelline Super Stay 24 Hour Lipstick in Everlasting Wine

The name does not lie. If you're looking for a lipstick that does not budge and has amazing color pay off, this is the line to go for. It applies with a doe foot applicator and stays on until you remove with an oil based make up remover. It is super drying, but it comes with a refreshing balm to moisture the lips every so often. Stays during eating, drinking and even sleeping, if you happen to fall into a food coma this holiday.
5 Affordable Red Lipsticks for Winter, a post on katielikeme.com fashion, beauty, life
 NYX Soft Matte Lip Creme in Monte Carlo
The only fake red on this list--Monte Carlo is more of a berry red hybrid on the lips, which is gorgeous and is befitting of the season. I love to wear Monte Carlo with a neat top knot and a nice cat eye for a simple, yet dramatic look.

5 Affordable Red Lipsticks for Winter, a post on katielikeme.com fashion, beauty, life
 Maybelline ColorBlur Creme Matte Pencil in Partner in Crimson

This is probably the most gimmicky of the selection. You're supposed to be able to blend it out to do an ombre lip, but it takes away from the beauty of this red, so I use it as is. It's thin, making lining out and filling the cupid's bow a dream. It gets right into the corners of the lips with ease and spreads evenly. It's a great red for any winter occasion.


5 Affordable Red Lipsticks for Winter, a post on katielikeme.com fashion, beauty, life
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What is your favorite red lipstick of the season? Share it with us below!


4 Winter Must Haves (& Where to Get Them)!

Tuesday, December 08, 2015


Winter is here. I know, I know, it seems like Thanksgiving just ended, but truthfully, winter is here. Let's all mourn the passing of fall. 
...

Okay, moment of silence over, let's talk about my top 4 winter must haves. 




Winter is the most brutal season of the year, with bitter temperatures, bland skies, and sloshing snow. How do you combat those things without sacrificing style? The answer is simple, create a list of must haves and staples that you can't live without, and translate that into the winter season. Like scarves? Go for a knit one. Love tank tops? Layer tanks under chunky cardigans for a casual indoor look. So many possibilities! 

My winter must have list is short and sweet: an interesting coat, chunky knit scarves, wide brim hats, and fleece lined legwear.




Winter Must Haves and Where to Get Them! a post on Katielikeme.com fashion, winter, blogger
Plaid Coat --  Vinted
Coats in themselves are the most necessary item for the winter. Without a coat, you quite literally freeze. But, if you're forced to wear a coat, you might as well make it interesting! A plaid coat,  marled colorful coat, a color-blocked coat--anything besides black, and you're bound to stick out in the crowd like the stylish person you are. My favorite places to pick up coats are secondhand stores and consignment stores, but I can't help but to lust over Zara, Topshop, H&M and even Target's collections this year. 


Winter Must Haves and Where to Get Them! a post on Katielikeme.com fashion, winter, blogger
Chunky Knit Scarf -- DEB (old)
Similar / Similar
Chunky knit scarves are perfect for the winter because they trap in your heat and keep you toasty warm. Choose one with cable knitting for a classic look, or one with a cool design for a pop of interest to any look. Scarves like this are everywhere, and if you're on a budget, I'd definitely recommend a secondhand app like Vinted or Poshmark for a gently used one, or if you don't mind waiting, eBay or Amazon. But, if you're an instant gratification person, you can find quality ones, at Target, Forever 21, Charlotte Russe, pretty much any place in the mall.


Winter Must Haves and Where to Get Them! a post on Katielikeme.com fashion, winter, blogger
Wide Brim Fedora -- Forever 21 (old)
Similar / Similar 

Wide brim hats are great for every season, because they add drama to your head. But, they are particularly helpful in the colder months because they protect your face from the filtered sunlight from the clouds. Filtered sunlight is the absolute worst for your skin, so this hat is a definite must have for the winter. My favorite place for inexpensive hats is Forever 21, because I'm not breaking the bank on headwear, but I also recommend checking out ASOS for better quality ones.


Winter Must Haves and Where to Get Them! a post on Katielikeme.com fashion, winter, blogger
Over the Knee Socks -- Steve Madden
Similar / Similar / Similar

And, fleece lined legwear. Now, this is a little hard to photograph, but fleece lined legwear is a godsend invention to those of us who refuse to wear real pants. Fleece lined tights under a dress and a coat, and I am warm as can be in positive degree temperatures. Fleece lined leggings are great under jeans on those super cold days. Fleece lined high socks are perfect for the not so terribly cold days, and look even better atop tights. I cannot preach the benefits of some insulated, trendy legwear enough. Forever 21, Target, Kohls, TJ Maxx--they all sell affordable, opaque fleece lined legwear. My favorite site for legwear is SockDreams because they cater towards us plus sized girls, and they have a great collection of really warm legwear.





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Winter is a season of creativity and comfort, so I'm interested in what your winter must haves are.
What do you swear by, let us know down below!


HOME | Decorating a Small Space for the Holidays

Monday, November 23, 2015

3 Ways to Decorate Small Spaces for the Holidays | as post on katielikme.com #decor #home

I live in a studio apartment, which is far from large. It's perfect for us but it's not really conducive for decorating for the Holidays. Since this is the first year that we've had our own place sans a roommate, we decided we wanted to be festive!


But, how can you be festive in a small, rented, apartment?

HOME | Washi Tape Decor

Monday, November 16, 2015


When you're a renter, it's pretty hard to decorate without breaking your lease. Washi tape is a great way to spruce up your space. The cool thing about washi tape? It peels off so easily and it doesn't damage walls or peel off paint. It's nearly perfect in every sense for decorating.

There are tons of pins on Pinterest about washi tape and it's wonders and I've been apart of the hype train for quite a while now, and now I'm showing off my washi tape home decor.



LIFE | A Downtown Stroll

Monday, October 26, 2015





LIFE | Rainy Days are Thinking Days [Dear Fat People]

Wednesday, September 09, 2015


Recently, this video has been going around called "Dear Fat People". I'm sure you've seen it.

OUTFIT | The Fourth

Saturday, July 04, 2015

Happy Independence Day!

LIFE | Indy Pop Con (Video)

Monday, June 29, 2015






OUTFIT | The Weekend

Sunday, June 28, 2015

Also known as "I met Markiplier"

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