Wednesday 31 August 2016

Discovering Colour | Haul

I wear a lot of black.

This is common knowledge to anyone who knows me- I love to wear black. It's an easy colour to wear. Black on black always matches.

My monochrome wardrobe never bothered me until others started pointing out that I have a serious aversion to colour. What really struck me was when my cousin said to me, "I've never met someone who loved the world as much as you and who notices all the colours of the Earth. Yet, you dress like you hate life."

My thought process is usually about as deep as a kiddie pool- I don't tend to read too much into things. For some reason though, this comment has been weighing on my mind since he said it to me back in June!

Alas, I have been dedicating the majority of my textile purchases this summer to items that are a touch more colourful. This is a collective haul over a couple months and from a few different stores. To be honest, I think the majority is still black... but hey; I'm trying!

Forever 21
Winners
H&M
Ricki's
Joe Fresh
Sears
Boathouse
Nothing completes a haul like some new Vans! I'm really trying with this whole 'more colour' thing- we'll see how it goes I suppose! Hope you all are enjoying the last shred of summer and are looking forward to returning to school!

Thanks for reading & check back again to see what KatieDidd, xo

Tuesday 9 August 2016

Catch of the Day! | Girly Guide to: Fishing

I love being outdoors- the sun, water, fresh air- doing activities that are less than glamorous. Mudding, hiking, sea-dooing and fishing are just a few of the outdoor summer activities I enjoy on a regular basis. If you're anything like me- outdoorsy but girly- it can be hard to balance enjoying the great outdoors while protecting your manicure!

Fear not my adventure lovin' ladies. I have a few tips and tricks to help keep you looking fresh faced and gorgeous all day while enjoying the less than beauty guru approved outdoor activities that you love!

Today I am going to focus on fishing. I love to go fishing! Being out on a boat in the sun for hours on end is enough to make me happy, but throw in the thrill of catching a fish- the fight to reel it in, that feeling in your stomach when you realize its a big one!- and you've got me hook, line and sinker. 
1. Think Pink
I like to use pink equiptment when I'm doing activities that aren't exactly feminine. I know it really doesn't make a whole lot of difference in the fishing itself. However, I think being surrounded by pink helps to keep your girly side on the surface. Also, they're all super cute!
Even my fishing rod and reel are pink! I got this rod and reel set from Bass Pro Shop about four years ago and I still love it just as much!
2. Get Girl Gloves
I would strongly suggest getting yourself a pair of fishing gloves for baiting hooks and taking off fish. Baiting hooks is just kind of gross in my opinion and slimy fish can slip out of small hands. Having a pair of fishing gloves that have grips on the fingers and palm is a life saver when trying to unhook a squirmy slimy fish with baby hands!
3. Bring a Book
Spending hours out on the lake is so relaxing but when you're not catching any fish it can get a touch boring. Bringing a book to read keeps you in the tech free, open air mindset while still providing you a little something to keep you occupied. 
4. Bring Layers
This particular day of fishing I started off with just a bikini on and ended up in this outfit. As the sun goes down and the wind picks up, it gets really chilly out on a lake! Bringing long pants and a sweater can never hurt, even if you don't end up putting them on!

I hope this post is helpful to you outdoorsy ladies who respect clean nails! Do you have any tips for fisher-women out there? Leave a comment below!

Also, let me know if there are any other Girly Guide ideas I could post about!

Thanks for reading & check back again to see what KatieDidd, xo

Tuesday 2 August 2016

Cool For The Summer: Mens Edition | Fashion

I love this time of year- bikinis, flip flops, tank tops, booty shorts- less clothes less problems! Except, Monday always comes which means back to work. It can be so hard to balance summer fashion and work appropriate clothing choices. 

Worry not, my friends! I'm here, in collaboration with Tommy John to share with you my tips and tricks when dressing for the office during summer time. Tommy John is a menswear company that specializes in comfortable and casual basics without compromising quality. The website offers a great feature where you are able to shop by fabric! This is so helpful when choosing lighter, more breathable fabrics for summer outfits. 

The 'cool fabric' line from Tommy John is perfect for this time of year! It's designed to keep you cool and sweat free for the summer! The line offers a great selection of socks, undershirts and underwear that will help to keep you cool in a stuffy office. 
This starter kit is a great place to begin building an outfit. 

Working with this, I'd start with a simple white button down shirt with sleeves that have the ability to be rolled up. White is a great option on hot days because even if you sweat you don't have to worry about soggy under arm stains. Button downs are available in all sorts of fabrics, but I'd recommend going with a light, breathable cotton. 
Wearing a suit is mandatory for a lot of people who work in an office. Again I'd recommend cotton. A lot of suit designers offer summer suits which are lighter and more breathable. The jacket is great in the morning when it's still a little bit chilly, but easy to take off in the heat of the afternoon.
If a suit isn't mandatory in your office space, khakis are a great option. The light colour won't attract any sunlight through the windows, making you unnecessarily warm. They're also an easy transition into the evening, after work. If you remove the tie and undo the top buttons on the shirt, this outfit goes from office wear to dinner date in a flash!
Again, make sure you're wearing a cool fabric undershirt from Tommy John! It will help to keep you cool and sweat free all day!

Even though Tommy John is a menswear line, don't think I forgot about the ladies! Check back on Friday for the ladies edition to this work wear post!

Thanks for reading & check back again to see what KatieDidd, xo

*This post is in collaboration with Tommy John. It is not sponsored. All opinions are exclusively my own*f