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I wore this dress and these boots the other day when it was supposed to rain. It did, albeit for about 20 seconds. Today though, today it is really supposed to pour and I will be ready. Ready to sit inside while wearing my boots and watch it rain outside. Because goodness knows I don’t want to get my new rain boots wet. Also, this dress is quite possibly the happiest dress I own therefore I like to wear it. I wonder if there is a theory out there that if you dress happy, you are happy. I am testing that out today.

So since I now know in full that you want to hear about my life, here goes:

We found a new town home down from the shop and are moving in twelve days.
Our one employee at the shop gave her two weeks a week ago.
We are interviewing and training three new people this week.
My sister just had a baby and she is the most precious thing in the world and I want to hold her at all times but I can’t because of life and work and other things that keep me from becoming a retired grandmother who sits in a rocking chair for 8 hours at a time.

Half of our stuff is in storage, we just went through it last night and most of it is crap, broken, or really stinky.
Did I mention we are moving in twelve days?

Now taking volunteers who want to come and help pack so I can go hold that new baby and watch you work. 

________________________

Dress: Bloom (one size left! It sold so quickly in store I couldn’t get it online fast enough.)

Boots: Hunter, Flame

Tote: c/o Jigsaw London

Sunnies: c/o Coach

***
PS: My heart goes out to those who were affected in the Oklahoma tornadoes. As a born Okie, much of my family and my heart still live there. I can’t imagine the heartbreak of the families who lost their homes or even children and I know it’s not much, but my thoughts are with you as you recover and rebuild.

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154 Responses

  1. I giggled because I was like 'Is Kendi wearing a dinosaur dress?'… which you are not, but you should one day…

  2. Congratulations on everything! Your new place on Instagram looks gorgeous. Remember to take time to breathe and enjoy all of the new things. 🙂

    Alyssa

  3. I love that dress! Just one left and not my size.. 🙁
    And congrats on the niece!

    Sip-n-wear.blogspot.com

  4. Bummed about that dress being sold out- as soon as I saw it I thought "my sister in law would love that, I'll buy it for her birthday!"
    Congrats on the niece and the new home!

  5. Oh my gosh, please continue sharing things about your life because you are so funny and delightful! Hiring/training is so stressful, but babies and giraffe print dresses make the world a beautiful place!

  6. Take it one step at a time, and even the most overwhelming week will pass. Congrats on the new baby in the family!

    Brittney

    anotherbeautifulthing.blogspot.com

  7. You look great!
    Try not to stress; everything that matters WILL get done. Enjoy your new place (I'd love to see some new house pics sometime)

  8. Congrats on everything!!!! I have heard that theory and agree with it… if you dress happy then you are happy 🙂

  9. Ummm giraffes are my favorite!! 😀 This dress makes me happy. Also, it's nice to be on a more personal level with you. Congrats on being an auntie! And more congrats on moving 🙂

    xo Ashley

    thetiniestfirecracker.com

  10. Kendi! Can you tell us who the designer is? I need this in my like and Bloom is SOLD OUT!

  11. Cutest dress ever! I absolutely think that dressing in something cheerful makes us feel a little bit happier. And so much going on with you right now! Hope the move goes well. Congrats on your new niece, too! Being an aunt is my favorite thing!

  12. The best reason to buy hunter boots (I own a pair) is that you are happy every time it rains! I get so excited on rainy days because then I'm justified in wearing my adorable red Hunters!!

  13. Agreed with Jessica, didn't know that and that does make you even more awesome 😉
    I live about 15 min from Moore and the tornado hit several of our friends homes. We were able to get in there yesterday and implement a pet rescue for some friends who were away on vacation who's home was hit.
    thanks for thinking of us in OK 🙂

  14. This dress is absolutely adorable and it is so perfect with those rain boots!

    Xo, Amanda

    theamandakathryn.blogspot.com

  15. LOVE that outfit. Haven't seen Hunter Boots in that color before…I love how it's so bright and cheery for rainy weather! I totally feel happy when I dress happy, so I hope that works for you today. Eeek! Moving stinks, and I feel you girl. Just take it one step at a time and take lots of breaks for ice cream! =)

    http://www.butshoppingmakesmehappy.blogspot.com

  16. Hey Shannon — it's from I.Madeline. If you find it online, let me know! I'm trying to see if I can re-order since I can't find it anywhere else 🙂

  17. I love the details you shared in this post, woohoo for more Kendi! Good luck on the big move and congratulations on a sweet niece. That dress is so sweet and you've convinced me to go with that color when I invest in my Hunters.

    xoxo,
    Chelsea & The City

  18. sorry, I should have said that. Their home was hit pretty bad, but we were able to find their three pets and thankfully they were ok. 🙂

  19. It is strange that I wish I could give you a hug? Or come over with a casserole? Yes, that IS strange, I guess.

    *hug* (anyway)

  20. That dress is adorable and love it paired with your pretty coral hunter boots! Great Spring outfit!

    Hugs to you during the next few busy weeks! You'll make it through… 🙂

    Megan
    budgetfashion101.blogspot.ca

  21. This love is SUPER adorable! LOVEEEEE the dress. It's so darling.

    good luck with the move!! Moving is such a pain in the you know what!

    <3
    heather
    fashionistanygirl.com

  22. Hey Kendi,
    I love this whole look. I was wondering where your monogram necklace is from. I reallylike it. Thanks!

  23. That dress is so adorable and it looks fantastic with the boots! Good luck with the move! We moved last summer and it is always a nightmare no matter how prepared you feel!

    Nikki
    thefashionablewife.com

  24. How great that you have found something new – 12 days Will come and og before you have time to worry. Maybe it will turn out to be just what you needed… There is an old saying "what ever you Think you Can do it or not, you are right". Maybe that goes for dressing happy as well :0) I put on my blue tutu skirt when ever i need to feel extra happy – works like a charm on me and the people around me.
    Wish you all the best with the move – a first step in a new chapter

  25. Oh Kendi I'm in love with you, you look really yummy wearing your Rubber Wellingtons, they are such a lovely color and look adorable on your bare legs, I want to pull my Wellingtons on and meet you for coffee.
    Hugs and Kisses
    Julie

  26. That dress looks like the happiest dress on earth! Sometimes when I'm feeling down I always put on my brightest clothes to lift up my spirits!! Congrats on all the exciting changes!!
    Classy Chic & Chardonnay
    http://ceislin.com

  27. This outfit even made me happy, and I'm not even the one wearing it! 🙂 I love dresses- but dresses with giraffes on it? Get out. Happy, happy!
    P.S. Here's my strategy for feeling less stressed when you have a gazillion things to do in very little time: break it up into do-able, realistic increments each day. You will feel better knowing you have a plan of action and it will all get done on time and you will feel accomplished each night as you check off your day's worth of "to-do's" instead of harried and stressed. (of course, if you don't get them done, that compounds the stress- so get. it. done.)
    And reward yourself with some time for nothing else other than holding a sweet infant in your arms and enjoy every second because they are not tiny for very long 🙁
    ~Karen
    sewstitchincute.blogspot.com

  28. Such a fun outfit! I love the dress and the boots 🙂

    Sounds like you have a busy couple of weeks ahead, I hope they go smoothly and that you get lots of time to cuddle the baby!

  29. Great dress! And I don't know that I've seen that color Hunter boots before – super cute! I didn't realize you were an Okie originally…I hope your friends are family are OK.

    Also, I didn't comment on your big post because I just wasn't sure what to say….but I totally identify with everything you said. I always thought I suffered from depression, which I do a bit, but turns out it's more anxiety than depression (epiphany thanks to my *wonderful* therapist). But they're so similar and both so hard to explain to people who don't have the same experiences. I used to write a lot about that kinda stuff on my blog but shied away from it because I felt like things got a little dark. Your post has encouraged me to open up more about it. I only have a couple followers but just documenting how I feel & the improvements I make is good for ME.

    Thank you for having the courage to post such personal (& meaningful) words to your thousands of followers.

    I hope you see this 🙂

  30. Oh I've moved so many times that I now keep the boxes my glassware came in just so I'l have a box to move them in without having to wrap each wine glass! Also I've been know to use sheets and towels to wrap breakable like frames and such..It's a job! Hopefully it will all go smoothly for you!
    Hope
    hchdesigns.blogspot.com

  31. I love this outfit. It's so happy and perfect for a dreary rainy day. I believe that rainy days are the best days to wear uplifting colors and fun prints.

    I'm sending you good vibes for your upcoming move.
    -Jess
    http://www.JessicasWonderland.com

  32. This dress is so adorable, I can totally see why it sold out immediately! You look gorgeous as always, Kendi. =)

    Avec Amber

  33. Cute dress! I love the color of those boots. I have them in black and am kind of regretting not buying a more playful color. Congrats on your new niece! My sister is expecting my niece in July and I'm sure I'll be like you…just want to hold her all day 🙂

    Kristin
    http://www.dressedandfed.com

  34. I love the dress! Like for real LOVE. I would so come help pack if I lived in Texas, I actually love packing. It's weird. Alas here I am useless in Canada. Good luck with the move!

  35. Kendi, I am a faithful reader and have never commented before. Want to let you know how much I admire your courage in your recent posts . You are a beautiful person inside and out. And this dress you're wearing today is adorable. You look stunning as always:)

  36. When I saw the first picture of this dress, I thought, "ooo, I like the cut and colors." When I saw the giraffes, I actually dropped the f bomb. It went something like this: "oooo" skurrrrrrrt (that's the figurative tires screeching to a halt in my brain) "*f bomb* are those giraffes?!"

  37. That dress is INCREDIBLE. No wonder it sold out so quickly.

    I think your theory about feeling happy when you dress happy can be proven correct. I find a direct correlation between how I feel and how I dress. Shopping also makes me happy. New clothes (or boots) are basically key for feeling good on any given day.

    I had a horrible work day on Friday and literally felt like a new person after I bought myself a couple new tops downtown.

    xoxo Jackie
    somethingaboutthatthing.blogspot.com

  38. This dress is perfect. I hope you get it back in the shop soon because I absolutely love it.

    Lately I've been trying to change my wardrobe (slowly, because I'm broke) to reflect the fact that I'm becoming more feminine and just plain growing up. I'd love to read more of your thoughts on clothes and their reflection of what you're going through inside in the future. I can say that at my worst times in life (dealing with loss, depression from that) I dressed almost exclusively in dark colors. I wasn't making an emo statement, it just came out that way. I'm trying to work more light blue, light pink, and white into my wardrobe now 😉

    And I'll run the shop so you can hold your niece! Those first few months are too precious to miss a moment of possible cuddle time.

  39. Seriously, how cute is this dress!? Hope you're starting to feel better. I've been there and totally understand. Also, prayers for Oklahoma.

  40. This is all so exciting, Kendi! I wish you a smooth and easy move.

    P.S. I'd love to work for Bloom if I lived in Texas. Well, not just anywhere in Texas. That wouldn't work, since it's kind of a large state and all. You get the idea.

    -Nathy
    http://earnestyle.blogspot.com/

  41. When I saw this outfit I blurted out 'Adorable!'. Congrats on the new member of the family! That is always happy news! Good luck with moving and the new employees.

  42. Oh wow! Love this outfit! I wish I could find some rainboots like those, in that gorgeous colour where I live! And that dress! Hope you get more like it in future! Congratulations with your baby niece, she will be one lucky spoilt little girl with you as her Aunt! 😉
    So excited for you and your new home! You will be living in the cutest little house! Stinky storage stuff sucks, I dread the day i have to go through the boxes of crap under my mum's house! Sometimes best to just chuck it? In 12 days though – think of all the fun you will have with your new place! New possibilities, new adventures!
    Oh, a tip my sister used when she moved last – she placed all her hanging clothes, hangers and all, into several suitcases so they'd be safe! And at the other end, she could just open up the suitcases and hang them up right away into the new closet! 🙂

  43. Love this outfit, you look great!! Take the time to sit and rock your baby niece as much as you can…it will go by so fast and it will calm your soul. Everything.will.fall.in.to.place. Really, it will.

  44. your dress is gorgeous – good luck with the move & hope you get lots of snuggle time with little one 🙂

  45. Looooooooooooove that dress!
    And I'm pretty sure that if you dress happy, you'll be happy.
    Have a nice move! ;p

  46. Just got a pair of Hunter boots for Mother's Day! I agree…they do make you happy too and if there is even a chance of a grey cloud in the sky – I wear them ? Happy feet make for Happy girls, right? Just think, in 12 days, you will be in your new place and the baby doesn't care about the boxes…..trust me!!! xxox

  47. I didn't know you were a born-Okie. I knew there was a reason I loved you so much. This outfit is outrageously adorable!

  48. This outfit is fantastic! It's such a happy outfit and I am so jealous of the dress. It is a very happy dress!!!

  49. I remember moving and having to put a bunch of stuff in storage for a few months while we DIYed a remodel on our current house. By the time I returned to get my stuff, I decided to throw away half of it because I rationalized that if I didn't need it in 4 months, I didn't need it at all! Sometimes i do miss things from that rash decision, though. 🙂

    Great dress. I have always read your blog, but now I want to comment because you're telling us real stuff about your life. Very cool.

  50. When it rains it pours, doesn't it? Last year, I had two of my staff quit within weeks of each other, and I had just hired a new staff person. Needless to say, I spent months hiring and training people, but I have the best team now. What I'm saying is, things always work out the way they should. There's a silver lining in all of this stuff you have going on, and soon you'll be able to hold your new niece for 10 hours a day!

  51. Thank you for opening just a small window into your daily life! Makes me love you even more!!

  52. I definitely believe that wearing happy clothes makes for a happy mood – at least I hope it's true because I do it all the time. Your last few posts have been really brave. I'm a long time reader and first time commenter. Thanks for sharing with us.

  53. So bummed that dress is sold out. It is SO great. I love the print! Good luck with the move– that is one of my least favorite things– but the reward after the move always ends up being worth it!

  54. The dress is so pretty. You look amazing Kendi. Love the dress with the rain boots. Good luck with the move. Moving is hard but it's a great time to de-clutter. Good luck with hiring a new employee. That's always hard as well. When it's all said and done, sit back and have a stiff drink.

    Don't forget to stop by and link up tomorrow on my Tres-Chic Fashion Thursday Link Up and enter my stella & dot giveaway.

    Agi:)

    vodkainfusedlemonade.com

  55. This outfit is Perfect!!!! Love that dress+ rainboot combo! So hilarious about your 20 second rain because I can totally relate! I have the proud owner of 2 tall & 1 short pair of hunter boots & they never seem to be given the life they deserve because whenever I think about putting them on it stops raining!!!

    Nordstrom has a beautiful tall yellow pair on sale right now!!

    http://stylishadventures-al.com

  56. If I lived in Texas, I would definitely come help you pack! Sorry, I'm all the way in NY.

    I LOVE your dress and boots. You look adorable and it is most definitely a happy looking dress.

    Congrats on being an aunt and congrats to your sister too!

    All the best,
    ~FringeGirl (thedomesticfringe.com)

  57. I absolutely adore the giraffe print. They are by far my favorite animal. I also love the color of those boots!

  58. I'm freaking out. this is the most whimsical rainy day outfit ever. i already have hunters is green but…must. have. coral. XO

  59. I really thought the dress might have dinosaurs on it. Giraffes are even better.

  60. I am in love with your dress! Anything that has animals on it, I become completely obsessed with.

    -Haley
    thecookingveggie.blogspot.com

  61. omg. Hunter boots!! i want a pair soo bad. That outfit is fabulous!

    craft-deee.blogspot.com

  62. Adorei ver esse sorriso lindo no seu rosto foi o que eu mais gostei no seu look!

    O vestido é lindo e ficou perfeito com a bota!

    Beijos

    Ingrid

  63. This is so fricking cute… i can totally see how you are sold out on this dress… simply adorable!

    fashionkoketi.com

  64. I seriously had a dream the other night that I had started working for you at Bloom, before I read this post. If I ever leave teaching, and MA, I may be knocking on your door!!!

    Sarah
    smalltownchic.com

  65. Love the dress, the personal tid-bits and the fact that we are both moving in a couple of days.My husband and I are moving out of our newlywed apt and into a bigger place. I've decided that moving is the worst. And I have yet to pack a SINGLE box this go round. It sounds like you're doing much better than me:) June 1st is much too soon.

    Alexandra

  66. I love your outfit, Your attires are always spot on! And your shoes are making you more attractive.

  67. Oh my, Kendi! I absolutely love this dress and the bright Hunters! What a fun look:-)

  68. Hello! 🙂 I've been looking for this dress for months and I finally found it on your site, however your website is down? Is there any way you will sell this dress again? It is absolutely adorable and I'd LOVE to purchase it.

  69. HI there! I'm putting together a post on stylish ways to wear Hunter boots for my shoe blog, ShoeperWoman.com, and would love to include this look – hope that's OK with you: let me know if you'd rather not be featured!

  70. new rain boots??? and afraid to get it wet???? love the combination. a happy dress and cute boots indeed

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