Well, look at this! It’s Casual Friday and I’ve got to first dive in and tell you that… drumroll, please… we have floors and walls again!

Life with Floors + Walls Again

After three months of waiting and so much drama and frustration over the whole situation from the flood, our apartment is finally back in one piece. And while we knew living in a construction zone would be hard, doing it while smaller-space living? That’s a whole new level of sport.

I’ve got to tell you, I have to continually fight my brain not to see the glass as half empty. I wish it didn’t come so naturally for me, but through this whole process, I intentionally forced myself to find the good. Self-preservation, you know? Anything and everything that would help me stay in a positive mindset I grasped onto. And you know the thought that kept coming to me? Maybe, just maybe, this experience is preparing us for living in a construction zone again in the near future. But the next time? It will be in our own home. Who knows. Maybe in just another year, I will be able to tell you all about it.

Just a quick visual reminder of what we have lived in since the end of December. Still can’t believe it…

So ridiculously glad to be on the other side of this one!

And while I could write an entire book on the negative experience in dealing with delays and management, finding out they wanted to initially renovate the empty units that were affected first so they could continue leasing them out (*insert all angry feelings here*) – I won’t. I will simply say we are so ready to be moving next month.

Spring + Summer Staples for the Closet

And because of life in a construction zone and the lack of a home I have had to work with, I have had plenty of time to focus on smaller areas of my life. First up? Adding a few staples to my closet for warmer weather. I have been eyeing a few things for the spring and summer seasons, but I also have this ache to simplify EVERYTHING. This also means the clothing I purchase. Give me a few “ride-or-dies” and I am good. I don’t need options on top of options, you know? Maybe I need to look into capsule wardrobe-ing…

Anyway, I have a very short list of five staples I am looking to find the best of. They are:

1. A white tee that is NOT see-through 
2. This year’s most comfortable, yet stylish linen pants
3. Summer hats – definitely a good Panama-style one as well as a white baseball cap
4. Light and airy button-down(s)
5. Summer skirts (loving the look of a skirt paired with an easy tee knotted to the side)

I’ve got a few things added to carts and I am going to go and try a few things on in person, but I will definitely let you know what the winners end up being!

Coming Out of the Winter Funk

I am not my best self in winter. Point blank. It’s just the honest truth. But this last winter season? Goodness gracious, it’s been a long and not-so-pretty walk desperate crawl out of the funk. Have you struggled at all with finding your pace with the change of season? For so many weeks I kept thinking, okay Kara. This is it. Energy is coming back. Let’s go. Only to need a little more time and to keep a slow and steady pace rather than doing too much too soon. However, when Nashville now looks like this and the weather has been in the 70’s and sunny? I’m game. Let’s do the darn thing.

My Spring Vibe Playlist

I wanted to make sure and share the playlist I have been curating since the start of the year and it is perfect for all the spring feels! The perfect playlist to turn on Saturday morning or when in the kitchen and cooking dinner with the family. I hope you enjoy it as much as we are at my house!

Listen over on Spotify right here

Are you relishing spring where you are at? Happy Friday, my friend! Wishing you an absolutely wonderful weekend!