"I Like New York in June - How About You?"

Hooray for love...and these perfect summer outfits. Check out Judy Garland and Barbra Streisand in gingham button-downs, slim white pants, and white flats. A classic, casual, and stylish look for relaxing on a warm summer's day - be it shopping or milling about on the ranch. To quickly catch the full view of their outfits, skip to the very end. Or, you can just watch the entire great performance. :)
Below, some suggestions for re-creating the look.

Judy and Barbra by Pretty Keen featuring flat slip on shoes

Sandra Ingrish gingham top, $34
J crew, $72
Zara jeans, $60
Forever21 stretch denim jeans, $25
GAP flat slip on shoes, $40
Flat bow shoes, $23
Flat shoes, $17

Love and sunshine,
Kate
 P.S. Aren't they so perfect together and exuberant and amazing? Oh, and the title of this post is taken from the song's lyrics (of course.)

Polka Dot Sensation

Polka Dot Sensation by Pretty Keen featuring a pleated skirt

Marc Jacobs halter top, $319
Ralph Lauren Black Label pleated skirt, $250
Lilly Pulitzer wedge shoes, $139
Dogeared party bracelet, $88
Diamond stud earrings

This outfit is definitely one of my favorites. It's fresh, fun, and girly with a retro feel. Word on the street is that polka dots are going to be the next big thing, so get ready to invest in this trend (and really, polka dots are always in). The khaki pencil skirt is classically gorgeous and feminine, and balances out the attention-calling top. The Lilly Pulitzer wedges perfectly compliment the look. Keep the focus on the blouse by wearing simple jewelry like the pearl bracelet and diamond studs I showed here. 
Have a lovely week!
 XOXO, 
Kate

Being Good Seed

The farmer sows the word. Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown. -Mark 4:14-20, NIV

I personally have a lot of history with the parable of the sower found in Mark chapter 4. I've heard a lot preached about it, and I can also say that I've been at least three out of the four soils sometime within my natural life. The four different types of soils all describe the four different ways that people may respond to the word of God. They range from apathy to compelling enthusiasm. The first type of seed, the one eaten by birds, is the response a person has when they hear the Word of God and never get a chance to react to it in any way. They automatically reject it, but almost subconsciously. I know this happens because when I was younger, I did that. I totally disregarded what God and the Bible had to say. The Word went in one ear and out the other. I didn't even give it a chance.
  The second type of soil I've definitely displayed in the past is the thorny ground. By that point I really loved God and wanted to live for Him, but just wasn't willing to take time to read my Bible, pray, and focus on Him. I won't use business as an excuse, because there is always time for God. I've heard a youth pastor say it like this, "If you're too busy for God, then you're too busy." I know this statement is true. I knew it then too. I knew God was more important than everything else put together, but I still ended up slipping away sometimes. I think part of this is because the Holy Spirit is a gentleman. He won't push or shove His way into a person's life, but the enemy will. The enemy will try to make everything you think about against God's will, so you can't follow His great plan for your life. Thankfully, God's grace is sufficient to get you through any hard time you may be having (2 Corinthians 12:9), and as James 4:8 says, if we draw near to God, He will draw near to us! This is why by now I've gotten much better at focusing on God and keeping Him first. It's in a place of obedience to Him that we can most easily mold ourselves into fertile soil for the Word of God. The fertile soil are those people who hear the Word of God and live it out, allowing it to produce thirty, sixty, and a hundred fold in their lives. You could say they let the Word affect their lives to such a degree that it changes each and every area for the better. I try to be like that. I want to respond to the Word with action. I want to be a doer of it, and not a hearer only (James 1:22). I think we should all strive to let the word of God change us and develop us into the people He has created us to be. A big key in being able to do this is giving the Word of God credibility, and putting what it says above all else. Becoming good soil can be a process, and take some time. Don't be discouraged, though. You can be well on your way to doing this by realizing how much you need God and developing a hunger for Him. Then, when you come across His Word, you will consume it, and allow it to change you and all that is yours continually.
Much love,
Kate

Pretty Keen Party

Pretty Keen Party by Pretty Keen featuring a cz bangle

Giambattista Valli zipper dress, 1,720 GBP
Tory Burch ballet flat shoes, $195
Elaine turner handbag, $275
Bex Rox cz bangle, 210 GBP

This outfit is the perfect party look for summertime. The leopard print is extremely glamorous and playful, but the simple shape of the dress prevents it from being overpowering. The gold accessories amp it up a bit and lend a seasonal warmth to the outfit. The straw bag is also very season-appropriate and the orange trim adds a nice zing. Happy mixing! 
XOXO,
Kate 

Summer Reading & Watching

Hey all! I was recently inspired by the Jane Austen Prepster on tumblr to create a "Summer Reading" list, where I'll document all of the books I read over these next few summer months. Hopefully this inspires you all to read, read, read - and encourages me to stay dedicated to it.The list will be in the sidebar, where you can view it most easily. In addition, I'll compose a list of all of the films I watch, too, under "Sumer Watching." I think this will be really enriching and am excited to get started!
XOXO,
Kate
P.S. If you have any questions or suggestions, or want me to post on any of the books or movies I read/watch, feel free to leave a comment on any post and ask! I'd be happy to oblige!

"Summertime, and the Living is Easy"

"Summertime, and the Living is Easy" by Pretty Keen featuring skinny leg jeans

J Crew long top, $70
Seven For All Mankind skinny leg jeans, 200 EUR
Diane von Furstenberg flat slip on shoes, $70
Marc by marc jacobs bag, 130 GBP
Kate Spade aqua jewelry, $98

This look is perfect for an easy, breezy day out. As soon as I saw those leafy DVF espadrilles, I knew I had to feature them in a post. All of the bright tones really add some pop and punch to the ensemble, making it super fun to wear. Roll up the shirt's sleeves to show off your bangle and you're ready to conquer anything. 
XOXO, 
Kate
 P.S. Click here to watch a video of Ella Fitzgerald singing "Summertime" (where I derived my post's title from.)