FRAU Oxfords c/o — Use code “KELLYINTHECITY” to take 10 percent off your order when you spend $100+! / Tory Burch Tote / J.Crew Gingham Shirt (Also love this one) / Madewell Jeans (Old, similar here and here) / Jet Set Candy Necklace – Charm #1 and Charm #2 c/o / Kate Spade Sunglasses (Old, similar here and here) / Moon and Lola Earrings c/o Tuckernuck (Also love these and these!) / Daniel Wellington Watch c/o (Also available at Nordstrom)
It was weirdly cold for the last few days due to the heavy rains, but I’m SO excited that temperatures will be in the 80s for the week. Hah. STILL SUMMER! This, of course, is a look from one of those cooler days, when summery dresses and skirts just weren’t cutting it. And while I’m a summer girl through-and-through, these new leather oxfords from FRAU are at least delaying my heartbreak that my favorite season is coming to an end. ;)
Because aren’t they perfect?! I love that they’re light gray and therefore go with both navy and black, and that they’re buttery soft. As I tend to work at local coffee shops during the fall, I’m positive that these guys will be a favorite. The best part is that you can take 10 percent off your own pair when you use code “KELLYINTHECITY.” Yay!
In terms of life, things are okay here. Our master bedroom and bathroom were essentially demolished on Friday (it took nearly ten hours), and industrial dehumidifiers and fans were brought in to dry the place out. Huge sheets of plastic were placed over our closets and furniture, and then sealed off… and stupid me didn’t think to grab essentials before it happened. As a result, all my clothing–save for three t-shirts, three pairs of underwear and two pairs of jeans which were mixed into Mitch’s clean laundry pile upstairs–is down there. So yeah. Looks like I’m going shopping tomorrow? (Ugh. The last thing I need to be doing right now is shopping.)
I have to say: the flood has been a bit more devastating than I thought it would be. Logical Me knows that we’ll recover, and that in a few months, we’ll have our home back. But Emotional Me is really freakin’ upset and, well, emotional. Mitch and I waited years for our dream home, and a month and a half into homeownership, half of it is taken away. But the gloom and worry–mostly over the unknowns–comes in waves, at least.
We had our friends Dan and Laura in from Denver this past weekend, which really got our minds off our worries. (Thanks for being so wonderful, guys!) We’re trying to focus on rebuilding, too. And while that probably won’t happen for a little while, browsing Pinterest and thinking about what our new space will look like has certainly been helpful. We’ve learned that you can find waterproof tile flooring that really looks like hardwood, for example, and that we’re completely in love with subway tile and dark grout. (Of course this bathroom is located in the West Village. So typical of me!)
We also know that we’re actually very, very lucky. Everyone is healthy, and it didn’t happen while we were traveling. Soon we’ll have answers, and things can only improve. (Right? RIGHT?! Contractors need to stop delivering bad news. If one more person sighs and rubs their head before saying something, I’m going to crack, haha.)
Do you have some great bathroom inspiration pins/photos to share? Or flood stories in which the homeowners came out triumphantly? ;) Mitch and I would LOVE to hear!
Also: Mom and Dad, have a safe flight tomorrow… and the time of your lives in Paris! Remember: the Latin Quarter, Musée d’Orsay, and street sandwiches are the best. And it’s not “French Onion Soup” over there. It’s just “Onion Soup.” (Anyone else want to share Parisian recommendations?!)
COFFEE?! Hehe.
Oh Kelly, I feel awful for what you’ve been going through with the flooding but things will look up eventually. Sending lots of positive thoughts your way!
-Alex
http://www.monstermisa.blogspot.com
Thank you so much, Alex! Means a lot!
I’m so sorry for everything that’s happening with your new house! Like you said though, the good news is that everyone is okay!!
With bathrooms, I love doing an eggshell blue and really really good lighting! Trust me. You don’t want to have to run out of the bathroom to see if your makeup looks accurate!
Alyssa | Glitter and Grey
Thank you, Alyssa! I think we have an eggshell blue in our upstairs bathroom and I LOVE IT!
We actually don’t have a window downstairs. Right now, it’s painted a HORRIBLE shade of dark purple, haha… So I’m thinking white will make it the brightest. What do you think?!
Oh that sounds horrid. White or a really light grayish blue! I’m just all about blue. Don’t mind me : )
Glad to hear you’re having fun picking out new designs despite why! There is always a positive. And I agree with the point about making sure you have really good lighting in the bathroom!
Yay for lighting. It’s pretty bad in there right now. Thanks, Girl!
Love those shoes! Hubby and I just remodeled our bathroom (I’ve got to get photos up on the blog!!). I hated our brown cabinets, so we had them painted white and had new counter tops put in. It made a world of a difference and was pretty cost effective! While I didn’t get my claw-foot, free standing tub (a girl can dream) I am beyond happy with the results.
-Meg
http://www.smalltownsisters.blogspot.com
Yes — PLEASE post photos! I would love to see!!
Can I ask how you went about getting new countertops? During demolition, we lost our countertop, but the cabinet itself seems find. Would love to save money by just replacing the countertop!
Also, claw-foots are overrated. Mitch and I had one in New York once and showering was IMPOSSIBLE. The bathroom also flooded constantly because of it, haha!
Thank you so much!
Check this out for some fun subway tile ideas:
http://www.abeautifulmess.com/2015/09/subway-tile-designs-inspiration.html
SO HELPFUL I LOVE YOU!
I can’t wait to see what you do with the space, but sad it happened. Can we hang out this week? I miss you!
I MISS YOU TOO! No contractors next week. Girls’ Day?! XOXO
Awww cannot imagine all the stress you have to deal with Kelly! You know you can text/call whatever if you need to vent! And those oxfords are looking fabbbb!
http://asequinloveaffair.com
Heart you. Thanks, Shira!! :)
Kelly this flood seriously must have been a real doozy! But those oxfords are heaven sent and sending all the positivity your way!
xo, Jessica || The Petite Diaries
Thank you, Jessica!
I love the white oxford, so chic!
xx. The Coastal Confidence
http://the-coastalconfidence.com/
I am so sorry that this happened. The tile that looks like hardwood is amazing. Just make sure you get a rug to cover parts you walk on a lot because the tile can be REALLY cold in the winter.
On the plus side you look lovely and have convinced me that I need oxfords.
THANK YOU!! I am really excited about the tile that looks like hardwood. Apparently, if it ever floods again, it won’t matter. Which is AMAZING!
But yes. Totally agree about the carpeting. We’re also considering installing heated floors. But we’ll see. ;)
unfortunately your inspector should have predicted this….but don’t even get me started on how inspectors carry no liability in their inspections (we once owned the house that everyone said “I’ve never seen it done that way” – spent 5 years and a ton of $$ fixing all the issues – so glad we sold it! My inlaws house just flooded in California and 4 feet of drywall had to be removed..it is all a design flaw that after 13 years of ownership and one major rain it was discovered. The good – they got new carpet, the bad insurance doesn’t cover floods of this kind. It isn’t fun but you will come out okay and like you said, at least you were not on vacation (unlike my friend who went to Italy for a month to come back to her house under water – as in the entire house! What a mess – we always turn off our water main when we leave for this reason when we leave town. Stay positive!
Susan,
THANK YOU for your sweet note. I agree that the inspector should have predicted this. What’s the point of an inspector if they don’t catch major things?! He EXPLICITLY told us there was no evidence of past flooding.
Alas. ;)
Anyway, we’re going to get out of Chicago this weekend to get our minds off of the situation. I know things will be better in a few months; just hard to imagine that right now.
Can’t thank you enough for sharing your story! Always helpful to hear that people have experienced similar situations and come out okay. :)
XOXO!
1.) Love your outfit! You are styling as always!
2.) While it may be horrible right now to have to go thru the hassle of having your master bedroom and bathroom redone because of the flood damage think of the positives. Both the bedroom and the bathroom will be fresh canvas for you two to have fun with. It will also be a huge growing exercise for your relationship as a couple. Just remember to breathe thru it all and you’ll be fine.
3.) Nothing beats a French bakery! When in Paris hit them up regularly to try all the different breads, desserts, ect. Going to French bakeries was my favorite thing to do when I lived in France for a summer.
Sarah Jessica
The Laws of Beauty
Sarah Jessica,
Thank you! Mitch and I definitely are trying to think that way… thank you for the reminder! Before, the bedroom and bathroom really weren’t our style. Now… well, it’s nonexistent, but we’re excited about making it our own. Eventually, haha.
Trying to remember to breathe. Yesterday was a good day; today I’m feeling overwhelmed. But we’ll get through this! In a year, I know we’ll look back and laugh. :)
Thanks again, SJ!
6 years ago, my family came back from my state volleyball game to find our hot water heater in the attic had rusted out at the bottom and flooded the entire first floor of our house. Now, we look back and laugh at our reaction to finding the ceiling collapsed on the floor! Plus, my mom redecorated everything just the way she wanted, modeling the kitchen colors after the green-gray of the Atlantic from her childhood spent on Long Island.
I’ve been following your blog for a couple years, and I know you and Mitch will pull through this tough time. It might take a bit, but you two will be laughing about this experience someday! Keep up the positive vibes, Kelly!
PS I love your hair just a shade darker for fall!
OH MY GOODNESS, GINA. That is horrible. I’m so sorry that you had to go through that, but so great to hear that you guys love the new floor and that you laugh about it now! I really appreciate you sharing this. :) You’re such a sweetheart!
Also, I grew up on Long Island. ;) xx
I am so sorry to hear about your home, Kelly! Hang in there and lean on those around you! Sending good thoughts your way!