If all goes as planned*, we are moving this weekend and last week B and I made the executive decision to get new furniture. Since we got married at the ripe age of 23, we pretty much have nothing of worth in the furniture department. We took hand-me-downs from family or spent our life savings at Ikea and Target our first year of marriage and have used those things ever since. Now while there is nothing wrong with Ikea or Target or hand-me-downs for that matter, after about six years and three moves, our furniture has had it. Case in point, we tried to move a dresser the other day and it literally just fell apart in front of our eyes. I’ve never seen wood crumble like that. We knew in that moment a fourth move was not going to happen.
So this weekend we braved furniture shopping, meaning I’ve dragged Bryan to West Elm three times in the last week. The good news is we get to have brand new furniture in our new house, the bad news is I’m a thinker, a worrier, a list maker, a dweller and I need about a year to make a solid decision on an investment. I have spreadsheets, people; this is serious business. But on the other hand, I want things finished and done like yesterday so the inside of my head is pretty much a heavy storm of confusion at all times. I am laid back and up-tight all at once.
*things that could and will most likely happened to screw up our plan: heavy rain, busy day at the store so we can’t leave, the high chance of not being fully packed, injuries, lost car keys and the always off chance of an act of God.
______________________
Top: c/o Daisy Rae Boutique
Jeans: Similar
Scarf: J.Crew Factory
Shoes: c/o Ivanka Trump
Tote: Madewell
Top: c/o Daisy Rae Boutique
Jeans: Similar
Scarf: J.Crew Factory
Shoes: c/o Ivanka Trump
Tote: Madewell
133 Responses
Good luck on your move Kendi!
Yay for furniture from West Elm. You can go in blindfolded and pick out anything and it will look great. Love that store!
xo Jessica
My Style Vita
Totally head over heels for this outfit! I wish you the best of luck during your move!
love this look! so crisp!! enjoy your new place!! how exciting!
x I dipped in yellow
so pretty and I'm loving those heels! xo
http://allthingsprettyandlittle.blogspot.com/
best of luck on the move and love your earrings!
I think you can pretty much toss plans out the window as a small business owner. Any time Chad and I make an itinerary of any sort, the flood gates open at the shop and we're stuck like chuck, or an employee calls in sick, or the delivery van breaks down. Le sigh 😉
Good luck with your move! And furniture shopping. Excited for you and your fresh start!
I love that water coloured scarf! It's so fresh and crisp!
http://kiwifashionblog.blogspot.com
Moving is a pain in the butt! But yay for new furniture!
~Jessica
Always beautiful 🙂
R de Rita
I'm moving on Thursday (and purchasing grown up furniture too!) and can relate to your anxiety 100%.
I'm in total love with this look. the mint stripes and the blue polka dot scarf…so perfect for each other!
<3
heather
fashionistanygirl.com
Good luck with the move! It can be torturous but having seen the sweetie-coloured houses where you are moving it looks to be worth the upheaval!
You really look so happy in your recent posts, obviously it really helped you to share your woes & take a load off 🙂
Good luck on the move!
Good luck on moving! For your sanity's sake, I really do hope everything goes as planned… there's nothing worse than not feeling like you have all the power in the world because the universe decides to make a joke out of a well-planned to-do list!
http://perpetuallycaroline.blogspot.com
Is "drug" a verb? Don't you mean "dragged" :)? Good luck with the move!
is it dragged? i wasn't sure so I left it up to chance — thanks 🙂
kendi, your hair. It is perfect! I know this is a fashion blog but can you please show us how to style it, what products you use, etc? I would love to know!
I'll keep my fingers crossed for you guys. Just remember that you'll be there soon, and road bumps will just make for fun stories later on!
Whoa that's quite a trek for you to make three times in one week. Unless of course there is a West Elm that is closer to you than Mockingbird Station. I love West Elm. It's dangerous to just 'browse', though. Good luck with the move.
Good luck!!! I wish I lived in Dallas so I could take a shift for you at the store. I'm sure plenty of people feel the same way! Moving stresses me out terribly as well, but on the plus side, you get to make a whole new start and that's very refreshing.
Love your hair and lovely look 🙂 Good luck on your move! x
http://pslilyboutique.com
Ahem. Earrings? Where are the earrings from?!
OMG. Your shoes just instantly made me turn green…GREEN! Love them, and love the outfit. So summer at the Hamptons. Good luck with the move, and YAY for getting new furniture!
http://www.butshoppingmakesmehappy.blogspot.com
You look beautiful! Glad to see you looking so happy!
Trendy Mondays – your online destination for Indie European designs.
I'm a big fan of brown and the combination with white looks perfect.
beautiful outfit..white and blue looks so greek..lovely
http://underthestarsandsun.blogspot.com/
You look calm, cool and collected even if your head is racing with a million things to do! Love the outfit!
Megan
budgetfashion101.blogspot.ca
"I am laid back and up-tight all at once." Perfect sentence. I am the same way, I just had never been able to put it into words.
Love the outfit, but mostly, I'm so excited for your new furniture!
Hoping the act of God is perfect weather and a truck load of friends ready to help you both move.
Good luck on your move. They say that it is almost as stressful as divorce or losing a loved one. Hopefully it won't be that bad. ; 0
bisous
Suzanne
Love this look! What I would love to see is the new outfitted home! Please show pics!! Also, those shoes are awesome!http://akstylemyway.blogspot.com/
Totally my style… Great outfit!
xx
http://www.serendipitystyle7.blogspot.com
good luck! moving sucks. at least you will look cute doing it 🙂
http://www.thismomsgonnasnap.com
Love the outfit – definitely something I could recreate with my own pieces xo
http://www.dashofkate.blogspot.com
Good luck with the moving and it's so great that you're getting the new furniture too, you'll be happy once you start decorating everything that you will forget to think about an investment that you had to put up so quickly.
Great outfit as well! Like your pants and scarf very much!
http://lartoffashion.blogspot.com
great look! Love the shoes.
~Ellen
http://www.everydayfancy.com
Good luck with the move!! I have a slight obsession with West Elm. I'm sure your new home will be lovely!
Laura
http://www.sequinsatbreakfast.com
That sounds like me and my husband buying furniture for our new home! You want to think through your purchases and make wise choices, but you also want furniture like, yesterday, lest your "house warming" party be in like a year from now.
Best wishes during your move!
Love the color combo on this outfit, very fresh! And LOVE West Elm! It's an exciting process, acts of God and all. Have fun with it 🙂
You can drag him there or drug him – either way will get him to West Elm 🙂
OR it could all go profoundly perfect! I am also getting ready to move after ten years and our youngest going off to college. Can you say "empty nester and shouting it from the rooftop?". While I have to admit that routine is my friend (I really could eat the same thing every day, I know, I know), I also love a fresh new start. I'm happy to share that "fresh new chapters" can still happen in your "fabulous fifties" and they are always worth celebrating. Good luck on your fresh new chapter—love your look. SO pretty!
I love the all white! The sheer polka dot scarf is super cute! Enjoy the home decorating process.. and remember.. it pretty much takes years to fill a home. And once you're done, it's time to buy a new house. 🙂
xo, Yi-chia
Always Maylee
Love this look! That scarf is so cute! Hope moving goes well!!
xox
http://thattallgirlinheels.com
Love your outfit and WANT that iced coffee! Shopping for furniture is stressful! I highly recommend Restoration Hardware. Expensive, but very high quality and will still be "in" after 15 years. I know, because our RH dining room set is that old and we still get tons of compliments on it. 🙂
Such a cute outfit! I love the color combination! Good luck with your move. I'm sure it will all be fine 😉
I completely relate to your state of mind when it comes to deciding on investments! We are currently in the "Ikea/Target/hand-me-down" phase of marriage, but I'm so eager to get the "West Elm" years!
Honestly by the end of this, I'm going to have to drug him! baha — that might be the way to go, that way I can really get what I want right?
Haha, I totally feel you…fellow list-maker, worrier, etc over here! 🙂
Great scarf!
sweetenedstyle.com
You look fabulous! I love the outfit. 🙂
we got married at 21, got the second hand/Target furniture too… it's all survived only 1 move & 3 years so far… hoping it won't be making the next move. fingers crossed. I have a Google Doc going of links to all my favorite furniture things.
and as always, amazing outfit!
Just looked up where Bloom is located in regards to Denton. My husband will be happy to know that I have two items on the 'pro' side of my 'maybe move to Texas' list- the house market & that I could come check out your cute shop! Good luck with your move and furniture buying 🙂
Is that a genuine smile on your face?! I hope so. Because if you made it through that Starbucks without getting a coffee stain on your beautiful white outfit, you definitely have a reason to smile.
~Sarah of Sarah's Real Life
You're description of furniture shopping and making a decision could have been written by me! It's spot on! I just wanted to say GOOD LUCK and you're not alone!
I could go into West Elm 3 times a week…nbd. Love that place! It's tough to make such tough decisions that you will have hanging out in your living room for years to come. Go classic.. 🙂 Lovely outfit.
Julia @ http://www.livingoninspiration.com
Shopping for furniture excites me just like shopping for shoes, is lots of fun! Hope the move goes as planned and soon you settle in your new home. Looking so fresh and chic girl!
Cee. ♥
Code Overdressed
I love this look Kendi. So spring like and fun! As for the home shopping goes, I am sure your place will turn out amazing and beautiful just the way you dress!
xo, Meg
http://www.sealed-with-style.com
this post reminds me of a book I'm reading right now that encourages us to look at everything as imperfect progress. As women especially (and self-motivators) we have a tendency to be disappointed if things aren't exactly right the first time we do them. The book encourages us to look at everything as imperfect progress, that as long as we move forward a little every day, things will continue to improve and we will be better off than we were before. With your move, I hope you can see the progress of each little action that matters instead of looking at the whole thing as a task to accomplish. You're getting furniture, which is a huge step! If something goes wrong with your move and things are behind schedule, it is OKAY. You can keep moving forward the next day, and even if it takes a week instead of a weekend, just remember that any progress is movement forward toward your total goal. Good luck!
Good Luck with the moving and decorating! can't Wait to see it! Don't worry about the decorating…looking at your clothing style and the way you put things together, im sure you'll be fine
xoxo
Birdy
http://www.thtwirlteam.blogspot.com
Your hair looks gorgeous today! Good luck with the move!
Emily
http://www.flyover-fashion.com
Can I have that bah when you're done with it. It looks new and I love it every time I see it. Love the brown sandals with the white
Moving is so stressful – but how exciting to have all new West Elm goodies to look forward to! I'd like to redo my whole house in that store! Or, better yet, just move into West Elm and save ourselves the trouble of rearranging!
xo
See Mo Go.
Can I just say you look especially bright and beautiful in these photos 🙂 Furniture shopping with spreadsheets is always fun haha…good luck with the move!
you look gorgeous – good luck with the move!
I love your hair.
Great look. I like how you paired the white ith the camel and blue colors!
I just scored a sheer vintage scarf at an estate sale and was wondering about how to wear it. shanksh.
I told myself during our last move that decorating was a marathon & not a sprint. I took my time and only bought/moved in things I truly loved. 11 years later I still love most everything!
Love the white jeans! I recently got some and am so afraid they will end up dirty looking by the end of the day. 🙂
Love how that scarf just finishes off the outfit. Good luck with the move this weekend!!
http://www.topitoff-mel.blogspot.com
"I am laid back and up-tight all at once." UGHHH, me too! Seriously everday.
I love your outfit Kendi! The scarf totally pops! And good luck with the move!
Lauren
http://thebudgetingfashionista.blogspot.com/
First thought: you are one gorgeous lady. Love this look and absolutely adore you.
Kendi – Love your blog and you! Question…your hair always looks SO good…any tips? My hair is straight and flat!
I find it terrifying and comforting at the same time to learn that someone else's brain works the way that mine does. Oy vey. Good luck!!!
Love your white jeans and striped top! 🙂
xo, AInslee
abeautifulheartblog.blogspot.com
Kendi, you look like a movie star today!
Your hair looks perfect. The length is amazing on you!
Talk about a fab hair day!! 🙂
Cute top!
I love all of the white!! I also have a hard time committing to furniture. Good luck!
Kristina does the Internets
With as much moving as I've done (I'm a military brat and we would move every 2-3 years while I was growing up), you'd think I'd be a pro, but I hate the process. The thought of a new place is exciting but the actually process of getting to that new place, always exhausting. So I totally understand being a bit stressed, but HOORAY for new furniture I'm trying to convince the bf that we need update a few pieces in our apartment as well. 😉
Good luck with the move!
Ashlei
http://www.kinksarethenewpink.com
Love how light and summery this look is!
creamystyle.com
Oh my, there is such a lightness and beauty to these pictures.
And the furniture story… priceless. Yep, you are pretty lucky indeed if your IKEA furniture makes it past two moves. You were already in uncharted territory having successfully executed a third move – a fourth would have been completed only through some act of divine intervention. 😉
Moving sucks! I hate it and seriously has done it 6 times in last 9 years… We waited to get new furniture until we bought our new house. The best decision ever although living with hand-me-downs for 5 years wasn't all that great…
Take it easy! You can do it!
btw, loving the white and brown trend – going to copy that
happymedley.blogspot.com
I have a simliar scarf—been wondering how to style it–thanks~
Colour Me Classic
Perfect summer outfit! Love the mint stripes)
http://tri-skelos.blogspot.com/
good luck with your move
Such a lovely outfit! I like the white with the green, blue and tan 🙂 Hope your move goes well – and no more furniture falls apart! 🙂
Away From Blue
Yessss I finally found a pair of white jeans that I love 🙂 good luck moving!!
http://thesocialchairdc.blogspot.com
I LOVE this outfit!!
Love the pop of blue from the scarf…and those shoes are amazing!
xoxo
Cathy, your Poor Little It Girl
http://poorlittleitgirl.com
I love your shoes! Good luck with the move 🙂
I just want to say, I am loving the pop of Kendi we get in posts these days. Thanks for being brave enough to put YOU in this blog. It's noticed and appreciated.
I know exactly how you feel! I've been married for two years and we have only gotten hand me down or Goodwill furniture and I'm ready to have real furniture that matches!
Good luck with your move and furnitue shopping! This is a time for a fresh new "start" and if you look that good furniture shopping I'm sure your house will be put together perfectly!
Classy Chic & Chardonnay
http://ceislin.com
Happy furniture shopping Kendi! We're still smack dab in the middle of Ikea and hand-me-downs so I'd love to see what you guys pick up. I love this cute weekend look, that tote is PERFECT for errand running!
xoxo,
Chelsea & The City
nice summer look! I like the white like that
Kiss
Aurélie
http://www.lespetitesbullesdemavie.blogspot.com
Ahhh, you sound like me! I am exactly the same way with big changes! In other news, those shoes are freaking awesome and I love the blue/white combo.
I love those earring and your scarf is pretty! Nice look.
CHECK OUT MY LATEST POST http://sapphire-brushstrokes.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/walk-in-park.html
I am sure that your house is as stylish as you are, though as an interior decorator I feel I am much better at interiors than dressing myself. If you need guidance I am happy to help. Sometime you just need someone to tell you that you're on the right path. http://www.capellakincheloe.com
Obsessed with this scarf!!!
Lovely scarf , you look gorgeous 😀
http://www.facebook.com/GloriaAgostina
http://www.gloria-agostina.com
u look lovely!
Good luck with your move! I'm sure your home will look lovely; West Elm is a great choice for home goods and furniture. Remember to enjoy the new goodness!
I completely relate to the furniture shopping!!! My hubby & I got married 1 1/2 ago & have been inching along to furnish out home…now we are relocated to Mississippi for a few months & had to furnish an apartment….we went the target/marshalls route for that since there was NO ikea anywhere near Jackson, MS….which seems so wrong to me!!!!!
I always find myself on the hunt for household items…my list is never ending. I keep it on my phone so I have it with me at all times to add things 🙂
http://stylishadventures-al.com
Loving the mixed prints with the stripes and that scarf!
Shannon
http://GBOfashion.com
Love that bag! Looks amazing with all your outfits. Have fun at West Elms. Looove that place. So many great pieces there.
http://thecorporatecatwalk.blogspot.com
Gosh, I just can't get enough of how you write. For reals, can you write a book? Also, I'm sending good vibes your way so none of the things that could go wrong..don't. I hope it works 😉
http://www.lovecourtxoxo.com
Good luck on the move! I just moved yesterday and can feel your furniture shopping pain. I'm so indecisive so it's hard for me to decide on investment pieces! My last move two years ago also involved a crumbling dresser that we actually glued back together. Let's just say it didn't make this move!
Gorgeous casual look! I love the white denim and oak tote, summer essentials!
XXX
M
http://fashion415.com/layers-of-the-spring-variety/
You look so elegant dear Kendi!!
http://www.julesfashionweek.com
ahh… furniture shopping so much fun and stressful all at the same time.. give yourself the freedom to have fun and make mistakes.. it's ok.. in 50 years your grandkids will be like "oh Nana, that couch is so lame.." and you'll be like " don't you realize it came from West Elm??" In the long run it doesn't matter…just don't ever put plastic over the couch because that's never cool.
Hope
hchdesigns.blogspot.com
we recently moved to a new house and redecorated the whole place .. its a lot of fun but stressful at the same time … don't rush … take ur time ..
Check out my latest post at
http://ithinkiloveit2.blogspot.com
love this outfit! it's soooo refreshing! and those sandals are so cute!
http://www.counttofour.com
Loving the scarf
Latest post >>>Beauty Bits {Eye-shadow and lipstick palette}<<<
When faced with a shopping decision, whether it is to buy a striped tee or a dresser, isn't a similar complication?
I do love your outfit though, very light and refreshing!
Abi
http://thebelatedbloomer.blogspot.com
twitter and instagram: @BelatedBloomer
I love the combo of polka dots and stripes, looks great 🙂 Good luck with the move!
Very light and fresh outfit!! (: love it!
-theresa
collaredblouse.blogspot.com
So clean! This look is so 'Martha's Vineyard'. Love it! Those shoes are killer as well!
http://sagebrushgazette.blogspot.com/
Oh I'm a bit jealous! I studied interior design, so if there's anything I could to to help you, feel free to ask 🙂
You could have a look at my pinboard, maybe there is something that inspires you:
http://pinterest.com/goldstuecke/home-interior/
On the other hand, who needs a bunch of distractions when there's already too much to be done 😉
lovely and fresh !! best styles =)
http://www.thestyletographer.com
I know exactly how you feel. I moved into my apartment a few months ago and I cringe when I walk in because it's not done!
Kelly Vaughan
She's In High Cotton
I live in Dallas and my good friend is a terrific interior designer. She is very reasonable and can help you make good solid, long-term furniture decisions. Send me an email and I can give you her name and number. There is no reason why you should have to do it all yourself.
I love your outfit – especially that scarf! Good luck with the furniture shopping & move, too!
xx Sarah
sarah kate style
New place sounds exciting 🙂 Love your hair and the outfit here!
I totally get this!
My husband and I made spreadsheets for furniture when we bought our home last April, we are both obsessive planners but I also want things done and perfect right away!
This a simple yet stunning outfit esp for weekend errands….we recently moved and love our new place too….good luck…
-Jasmine
http://wolkedrei.blogspot.de/
Dude. Whatever you did to your hair this day, it looks _incredible_. Nice shoes, too. And congrats on the move/new furniture! My husband and I are still in the ikea/hand-me-down stage, but I actually really love our bedroom which is all done up in ikea. Can't wait to get a legit couch, though.
I really need to get myself a bag like that! love the color and how simple it is.
also, your hair looks phenomenal in these pics. i don't know if you did it or if you are just blessed with naturally messy and awesome hair but i'm jealous 😉
sunshinestateofstyle.com
Haha, I am 23, just moved in with my partner, and we bought all of our furniture from Ikea & Target – thanks for the insight into our future 😉
Perefct outfit!
Amazing you
With love
Elisa – My Fantabulous World
I can relate to your last paragraph 🙂 I am planning the decor I want for my studio next year and I can't decided what style I want to go with. I have a pinterestboard, a word document, a folder on my PC, snaps on my iPod, … of everything I liked and / or want furniture and decor-wise. I'm terrible! x
Loving the white!
http://www.brightandsassy.com/
LOVE that scarf.
http://www.lamalu.com