My favorite month is here! September is the best month EVER! But before we can dive into it's greatness, we have to reflect on the month that has come and gone. Historically I am not a fan of August, but I must say that this one went great. Between moving, starting a new job, and just enjoying life, it was great. Here were some of my favorites this month!

Book: Pretty Happy by Kate Hudson

Beauty Product: Kat Von D Lock It Concealer 

Drink: Gingerberry Kombucha; This stuff is going to get me through the next 26 days as I go through the Whole 30 and am unable to have soda or alcohol. (Yes I realize kombucha has fermented alcohol, but the massive health benefits it provides makes it acceptable and encouraged during Whole 30.)

Song: Peter Pan by Kelsea Ballerini


TV Show: Hard Knocks; I always enjoy watching it, but it has been fun to watch them in LA. The Rams new practice field is on campus at the university I attended and where my other half got started on his coaching career.

Thing I Did: Move! It is so nice to be closer to my #1 and to be out on my own. It has forced me to step out of my comfort zone and explore a new place and new people.

Clothing Item: Calia by Carrie Underwood has comfortable and durable workout gear. I treated myself to the Essential Fitness Jacket from her line when I realized I was going to need something warmer while working out here on the coast.

Scripture: James 1:12; As amazing as this move has been, it has also been difficult to be in a new place with new people and a new job, without the constant vision of my friends and family. This verse has brought me great comfort in reminding me that through the trials I am relying on and trusting God's plans and promises.



YouTube channel: GlamPlanner; Elle Fowler is a YouTuber who has opened her own Etsy sticker shop and created a YouTube showing her planner layouts. I am a self described Erin Condren Addict and love watching what others do with their planners. My favorite layouts are created with stickers I have purchased from Elle's store. This layout she did is my favorite of hers to date!

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
Although a couple years old, I recently picked this book up for my Tone It Up book club and absolutely loved it. When I started I was lucky enough to be at the beginning of a week long vacation because I could not put it down. I was reading near to twenty chapters a day. This sharp humored murder mystery is one that I have heavily recommended since completing. It will be an HBO show starring Nicole Kidman and Reese Witherspoon in 2017.


Pretty Happy by Kate Hudson
A friend recommended this book to me, saying that it helped her to focus on her inner self and listening to what her body needs. I read the first chapter last month then stopped reading because of the chaos with my move. However I have since picked it up again and am glad to be reading it now as a supplement to me beginning Whole 30. This book focuses on being mindful of your mind, spirit, and body.

You Are A Bad Ass by Jen Sincero 
This inspirational story gets your butt in gear to stop sabotaging yourself and live your best life. Sincero assists readers in making the most of their life with what they have where they are. It pushes readers to fall in love with every aspect of their career, mind, finances, and more. It was so well received that Sincero is coming out with a follow up book in April that focuses solely on finances.

What books are you loving right now?

1. Kat Von D Lock It Concealer is the bomb.com. The tiniest amount goes a really long way and provides ultimate coverage.
2. This season of Big Brother is the most boring of all time, yet I still spend three hours a week watching it. 
3. I just realized I also spend three hours a week watching Bachelor in Paradise. Why.
4. Kettle Quinoa Crisps from Trader Joe's are my new favorite snack. They taste like kettle corn, are low in sugar, and have quinoa, chia seed, flax seed, and sunflower seed in them!
5. Total Body Tone Up by Tone It Up is an amazing workout. Check it out on YouTube and prepare to sweat.
6. Another great workout I am loving lately is Beach Body's newest workout, Country Heat. It is country line dancing and is so fun that you do not even notice that you are working out.
7. I have so many bookmarks of websites listing "life changing books" saved on my laptop that I could create my own "life changing" library.
8. I am so thrilled to hear their will be a Tone It Up Fall challenge in October! I have been banking on it as motivation.
9. The California drought could be solved by Ashley I's tears.
10. Trader Joe's has beautiful flowers for great prices. I got a stunning bouquet for $3.99!

Now that school is back in session, studying is a major part of life again. While I am taking the semester off of school, I still need study-eque music for working on my blog, prepping for things at work, and studying for my board exams next year. The right music can make or break the perfect study sesh.

Here is my current study playlist:

• First Breath After Coma by Explosions in the Sky (the guys responsible for the great instrumentals in Friday Night Lights the tv show)
• We Used To Be Friends by The Dandy Warhols
• House That Built Me by Miranda Lambert
• California by Phantom Planet
• That's What I Love About Sundays by Craig Morgan
• I Will Follow You Into The Dark by Death Cab For Cutie
• Miserable At Best by Mayday Parade
• Drop In The Ocean by Ron Pope
• Slow Dancing In A Burning Room by John Mayer
• Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran

This week's Erin Condren Life Planner spread was a fun one to do. It also shows to me just how quickly life can take a change. I created this layout at the end of July. When I did this, I had a trip planned for Denver this Friday to visit family and watch the Broncos preseason game. Within that time I got a new job and moved, canceling my long weekend in Denver, thus making the airplane irrelevant.

This layout is one I purchased on Etsy from Penguin Prints Co. I love the bright colors and how well my purple fine tip Sharpie works with it. The stickers are vinyl, so writing on them with standard pens is difficult. I used the side bars to keep track of my blog posts (which are already off schedule...LOL!), my workout challenge, and each day I will write a goal.

Order your own Erin Condren and receive $10 off!

Life can turn you upside down pretty quickly. Between the hustle and bustle of work, school, family, and other obligations, women can be quick to forget about themselves. Treating yourself and focusing on self care is extremely important in order to be the best version of yourself.

By subscribing to Rebecca Mail, you guarantee yourself a fun break at least once a month when this box full of surprises arrives on your door stop. This box is filled with fun goodies such as jewelry, office supplies, home decor, and more. As an added bonus, one lucky box each month will receive an extra special gift. For example, one box this month also included a Kate Spade planner. (Sadly I did not open my box to find that!!!)

What my box did include however is fun items for an ice cream sundae night (spoons, straws, cups, and candies), a beautiful card, earrings, and a mason jar cup.


If you want to try out Rebecca Mail, visit her page and check out her shop. Be sure to enter KICKBACKWITHKATE at checkout to get 10% off your first box!

Those who think the office is no place to show your real style, let me tell you, you are so wrong. It is the place to show your real personality in a moderate, but stylish way. You just need to be a little tricky while selecting the right outfit for you. Doing a little research will help a lot or just read the articles to find out some nice tips to add a compliment to your regular office look. Making a good impression also matters a lot for your career. Dressing up in a good and stylish way will help you draw the proper attention and build up a strong image. Here are those important tips you can remember before dressing for the office:

• Add something spicy. You must have heard those universal words to wear it simple and moreover, colorless while going simple. That is true in a sense, but it is still possible to spice up your look. Wear shoes with color that do not pop up in your outfit or that have to design details that make you look official, yet still beautiful at the same time.
• Play with colors carefully. It has become a rule to stay far away from bright colors in the work place. Wearing black and gray is good, but how long can you do that for? It is time to change perspective and try a different look. Wear a light color with a full neckline to look bright. When playing with colors, keep in mind the full outfit, too avoid too many details. 
• Concentrate on accessories. A little trick to bring a huge transformation to your office look is wearing accessories. Carry a nice handbag or a statement piece of jewelry to draw appropriate attention.
• Have variation in your pants. If you know that you are going to wear business slacks daily, get some that have a few details like side stripes or loose buttons. They look good and are not drastically noticeable. 
• Work the hair. Find a hair style that is fun, but elegant. Make a messy bun chic and it can dress up your regular wardrobe.

You can order some great business styles from Stylewe that are formal, but stylish. Browse Stylewe to get your desired official outfit and stay stunning in the office.

*Thank you to Stylewe for collaborating in this article about staying stylish for the office!

This spread was purchased on Etsy from CleverGalCrafts who also happens to ship out of my new town! It is called Poolside Party and I love it for wrapping up summer. Visit her on Instagram because she is often sharing coupon codes for her store.

*note: The football sticker is not from CleverGalCrafts. I purchased those from a separate store to use during football season.
*SQUEAL OF EXCITEMENT BECAUSE BRONCOS PRE-SEASON STARTS THURSDAY!

For $10 off your Erin Condren planner, click here!

My favorite healthy summer treat is watermelon. I love it fresh to eat, but also love it as a flavor for drinks and treats. In honor of National Watermelon Day today, I have put together a watermelon cocktail that I had zero problem sampling for you. ;)



How to:
Blend, garnish, get crunk.

How did we get to August? Summer is basically over and the dog days are here. Historically July is always my favorite month and this past month continued the streak. I spent time with family, read many great books, and had a week off to enjoy sunshine and time with my boyfriend. I attended concerts, caught up on my favorite television shows, and spent time with friends. Throughout the month I enjoyed many things, but here are some of my favorites:

Favorite book: Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty


Beauty product: NARS illuminator stick

Drink: Starbucks Skinny Cinnamon Dulce Latte

Song: Formation by Beyonce

TV show: Big Brother (I know I said that last month, but it really consumes my summer nights!)

Thing I did: This is near impossible to choose. I guess I will go with Blake Shelton concert, with Tim McGraw being a very, very close second.

clothing item: This month it's an accessory. The Kendra Scott Dee Earrings I received in my Rocksbox were gorgeous! To sample Rocksbox for free for a month, comment below with your e-mail address.


scripture: Proverbs 16:3



And.......

Giveaway winner is Betsey S. Please send me an e-mail by Thursday 8/4 at 12pm PST to receive your gift card.

Thank you to all who entered. A Back to School giveaway will be going live the second week of August, so be sure to stay tuned!