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Hurricane Harvey 2

by thelifestylelady

Howdy Y’all,

Today I am going to keep this very brief we are safe and still have power we are incredibly lucky. The conditions here and in Houston have deteriorated considerably due to the continual barrage of rain. When I say rain I mean rain. It is very hard at the moment not to glue yourself to the news and see the terrible conditions that others are suffering. Roads around us are flooding and our back garden on the lower ground is beginning to flood but we are not experiencing the several feet of water that Houston residents are suffering. What makes this worse is that we are said to have this continual down pouring and flooding till Wednesday. Whenever I have seen natural disasters I have been fortunate enough to empathize with it but am removed, this is different. I feel involved and wish I could do more to help. If you feel as I do and would like to donate to the cause and help those whose lives have been altered immeasurably by the events of the last 48 hours you can follow this link to the Red Cross there you can select Hurricane Harvey, every donation large or small is greatly received.

I attach some photos and videos if you are interested. We are touched beyond measure to everyone who has reached out, that also goes for people who have contacted my family to check in. It has been scary and we are blessed to know so many good and kind people. I am not sure how much I will post this week, I am sort of in two minds, it seems so trivial will all that is going on and I am not sure what position we will be in tomorrow. I will see how things are. Currently I am thinking and praying for those who are suffering.

Thanks friends,

Kx

 

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Editorial

Hurricane Harvey Update

by thelifestylelady

Howdy Y’all,

It is unusual to hear from me on a Saturday but the events of the last 24 hours have been significant. Some of you may not be aware that I live about 75 miles away from Galveston (the coast of Texas.) Overnight the coast of Texas has been hit by a Cat 4 hurricane the worst storm in the last twelve years. What makes this worse, is that we are facing deluges of water and flooding. This storm is said to be stalling upon us for the next 3-5 days bringing over 3ft water. Being August and the peak of the summer heat, you can imagine the​ ground is harder than granite, and a barrage of water will not be warmly received. We are fortunate, just enough inland to not have received much of the heavy winds just the water. We still have power but the devastation being faced in Corpus Christie, Galveston and along the coast is unimaginable. We did get some notice of this natural disaster, and many were evacuated. We were told to prepare, schools and offices were closed yesterday and look to be for the distant future; until we have a better understanding of how long this down pouring will continue and the flooding, we face. We have been touched beyond words for all the family and friends who have reached out to check how we are. You really learn about the people that matter when faced with something like this. We are fine and are counting our blessings. We hope the storm will dissipate quicker than they are predicting and we are praying for those who have had their lives altered in such a small amount of time. It is times like this that you realize that there are bigger things in life and ultimately we live at the will of the elements. I attach below some pictures of yesterday and this morning and thank y’all for checking in on us, I am not going to lie it has been scary.
Thanks friends,

Kx

This is a video from one of our courtyards, I am so thankful they are enclosed because I am a little afraid of the alligators. After all as the water rises they come to higher land. It wouldn’t be the first time. I don’t think it really shows the magnitude of the rainfall.

Despite the storm Gertie still needs pottie, I have been choosing breaks in the storm to let her out.
Even the garden is in storage.
Trying to protect the plants.
The garden looks bare and I am checking the pool level
This shows you the start of flooding

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Editorial

Monday Musings- Dunkirk, Planners & Toasters

by thelifestylelady

MondayMusingsAugjpeg

Howdy Y’all

Happy Monday, how was your weekend? Ours was relaxed. Mr. L and I went on a date night!!! The first in too long, what did we do when it is a million degrees outside? We went to the movies to see Dunkirk. It was such an important movie because it keeps the story of those horrific events alive. The sacrifice a generation went through to give us the daily freedoms that we take for granted, should be a message we never forget. The events they experienced are unimaginable. I sometimes feel that those of us luckiest enough not be living in a war torn area can be almost immune to the atrocities of war, with the 24-hour news cycles, headlines can seem diluted and loose their impact. A generation of whom the vast majority were little more than children, who had the sense of respect, pride, and patriotism to represent their country. Many of whom probably had little idea the cause in which they were fighting. Little did they know that their sacrifices would be far reaching. It would allow my life because if the alternative had happened and the Allies had lost the war the likelihood of my life would have been uncertain, as my father has a disability and that is something wholly unwelcome in the oppositions version of the perfect world. So I am eternally grateful and will never let any losses be in vain. I shall make sure that Little L is aware of their sacrifice. I was staggered after the movie in the bathroom when a group of young ladies giggled away at how they didn’t get the film and how cute Harry Style looked. All perfectly normal girly chatter but their lack of understanding blew me away and the disrespect they showed disappointed me. I left the bathroom with the impression that they were unaware these events were real?! The message of the movie got me thinking about the parallels with the world today, particularly at the moment with the horrendous terrorist attacks in Barcelona and Finland plus the racial attacks happening in the US. Do we learn nothing from history? Is history a little like fashion? A regurgitation with little differences of what came before? Do we learn nothing because we are flawed individuals? Or that after a generation we forget the lessons and messages of what went before? I for one do not have the answers to these highly complex questions and issues, but I ponder them this weekend. I always maintain that the world will never be perfect after all nobody or nothing is. If we could all be a little kinder, more tolerant, more accepting wouldn’t the life we lead be a bit better? I do sometimes consider when did a person opinion become more important than the feelings and considerations of others.
I must share with y’all that today I bought my new wall planner for 2018; it took me a slow minute to realize I will have to order my new planner soon and that before I blink the winter months and then the Holiday season will be upon us. I don’t know about you but the last few months of the year seem to move the fastest, I am not sure if that is the shorter days or maybe they are busier, who knows, but they fly. We had our first full week of school last week, and Little L is now going four days, I will share with you that it was more difficult because I missed her little sassiness about the place (for about five mins.) Honestly, she is ready for more school, she has a new class, classroom and after a shaky start a great new teacher. I did notice her being a little more tired than normal so we shall see, if you have followed me a while you will know that Little L is allergic to sleep, far too afraid of missing out. We have Wednesdays together which is going to be sacred, this week we have a ballet trial lesson, although she has done ballet before this is in a professional dance school. I will add that Darcey Bussell she is not, but she wanted to continue. I think the trial is as much for them, like us, will she take quiet instruction and think elegance (pray for me!)
I also realized this weekend how much my life has changed; I got excited because we ordered a toaster. Yes before you scoff and decide to unsubscribe we have always used British appliances with the aid of a cumbersome transformer, Mr. L promised me that we could replace said items once we bought a house and he is true to his word. As you can image TLL was particular about the color and style of the said toaster, and so the one I desired was not cheap. I can tell you that a toaster is a useful little appliance and when you are not using one you miss it (Champagne problems I am aware.) I got a 20% off coupon and bite the bullet, this machine is beautiful, and I am genuinely excited. I will post a pic on Instagram (do you follow me there?) as soon as it arrives.
My weekend was fairly quiet and relaxed which was super lovely; I can not tell you the security owning a home has brought us, it has delivered more control to our lives regardless of where Mr. L’s job may lead us next. Did you see on Facebook or Instagram this weekend the Play doh pic of my fashion designing hubs? I was very impressed. If you are not on those scroll to the bottom of my blog and you will see the latest pictures from my Instagram. I have some fun things coming up on TLL in the next few weeks. I do have some videos that I meant to post before I moved, I filmed them an age ago, are y’all ok if I share now? Otherwise, I could re-film, I shall see.

How is your week ahead looking? Anything exciting planned? Keep in touch I love to hear from you.

Ta Ta for now.

Kx

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DecorEditorialFamily

Summer Update- Where have you been?

by thelifestylelady
Hot Summers = First Time Bowler
She got the hang of it fast
Time for a big girl bike
Enjoying our old neighborhood
Vet visit
At the beginning of the summer she was so small
After first visit to the groomer, she did not stay like this long!
Erm excuse me!
Kentucky Derby Fun
Family Selfie!
Yes sneak peak into kitchen progress
Carpet Runner
Progress and I love light
So happy
Color choices
Granny is visiting! Donuts!
Patient Granny helping Anna cycle.
Isn't this how you visit the icecream shop?
Granny reads the best stories!
Happy 4th
Family nighttime selfie
Fourth of July
My pretty American
Erm TLL 2. She knows how to rock the walk.
Im going to be out of a job, she is sampling makeups!
David Beckham 2
Royal Car Ride
Here come the girls selfie not easy.
Her babies!
Church cuteness.
Sunday Brunch Family Fun.
How many monkeys jumping on the bed?
New Year of School
My heart!
I eanred this!

Howdy Y’all,

It feels a lifetime ago that I wrote to y’all and in many ways it is, not simply in time but also in what has been going on in Casa Lifestyle. So where to start.  I am now typing this in my new home, moving is not a phenomenon to me, but this is different because we have bought a home, our first American home. I don’t remember how much I told you about our purchase and I think the level of information is different depending on what social media channels you follow me on! (If the answer is not on all forms, I ask you why the hell not?!) So we bought a house back in March/April and spent two or so months remodeling. A project which I managed, back in my working days this would have been a piece of cake but now I found daunted me a little (will share more in a future post.) I am happy to say that we finished the projects on time, I wont say on budget (because if you know me speculation = accumulation is my moto -lol) In all seriousness the budget increased because the scope increased and honestly we were so fortunate not to be living in the home at the time so it made sense to get works done! Now I love interiors and design but I will say this was a large project and by the end making decisions got frustrating. I am thrilled with the end result and hope to share the transformation with y’all in the coming months. We are settled, there are no boxes and I certainly think it looks as if we have been living here longer than we have. I still have finishing touches to add, which honestly I don’t want to rush, I want to take a breather from all things house for a while. I want to live and love it before I decide what sort of art or chotskies to add for dust collection. If you have time to flick through the slideshow above I share a few sneakpeaks into the transformation.

The rest of the summer has been busy and hot, Little L is growing up at a rate of knots. I’m officially stopping her, she has remained in school for three days a week which has been a lifesaver because we are still making friends and it’s hot here, school has been a blessing. She has taken to the new house super well. She has had a lot of change for a three year old and it blows my mind how resilient kids are. I do think it helped that she had been able to visit the house during works and had a say in her bedroom etc. I think the arrival of Gertie has helped, who has been a total trooper, she is now five months and although we have had one or two more difficult days (she loves to eat underpants.) I can honestly say good outweighs bad and she has adjusted to the new home and garden like the golden gal she is. Gertie will have her own post coming very soon.

My mother came for a visit soon after we moved in, we loved having her. I will try not to hammer on in my champagne life about how challenging it can be with family so far away but it really makes the visits special. Little L and Gertie especially enjoyed Granny time. Just wish she could have stayed longer.

Last week I was down with a ear infection it was a nasty one, I had not had one this bad since my honeymoon. (Yes what a love dampener.) I had a face like a Bo Selecta character and if you have no idea of what I speak, google it. I still cant hear out of my left ear and am hoping it will come back. I mentioned earlier that it is hot here in Texas and I am using that to my advantage, planning and organizing content for TLL over the coming months. I really appreciate you taking the time to read, watch and participate in my things. I am a one woman band and like many of you time is a precious commododity. I love and need The Lifestyle Lady and thoughts for content and replying to comments is never far from my mind. Now life is calming a little I hope I will be able to dedicate some more efforts to her. So please don’t be a stranger are there things you would like to see, get in touch! Above I have a slideshow of some summer pics, please enjoy and I will be back soon!

 

Ta Ta for now.

Kx

 

 

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EditorialFamily

Manchester

by thelifestylelady

I didn’t want to start this post with pleasantries, mainly because I don’t feel like it. I hadn’t planned to write but I felt I needed to. I am of course referring to Manchester, bizarrely being a Brit in the US meant due to the time difference I was aware of the attack before many of my friends and family, they were tucked up in bed blissfully unaware of the brutality occurring. During my lifetime there have been too many attacks in the name of terror, but something about this particular one has resonated with me. I think being a mother of a young daughter I could relate. Yes Little L is only 3 but I could see her and her friends wanting to see a music concert. It is a right of passage for a young girl to go to their first music concert, often to see a band or performer whom you slightly obsess over, for me it was Take That. I remember going with friends to see them, in fact I was probably aged 12 or 13 so very similar to many of the audience in Manchester. I think the motivation of attacking an event where the vast majority of the audience are young girls horrifies me. I am not sure why I feel shocked after all these young female concert goers represent everything so abhorrent to the terrorists. I have been through all the emotions, numbness, tears and anger. I cried this evening after a young lady Olivia Campbell (15) was pronounced dead, her parents had been looking for her all day. I heard her heartbroken mother on CNN on the night of the event when they could not find her. Now the unimaginable horror has been confirmed, how are they and others who have lost their children supposed to continue? It is not the natural order.

I had noticed today that my feelings were focusing on anger, who wouldn’t be angry? Life being taken to young and unnecessarily. I’m angry that these events make me question my parental style and shape what I might let my daughter do or behave in the future. As a mother I am one to push independence, I think I have mentioned before that I feel it is my role to give Little L the wings to fly. I want her to go to music concerts, travel and experience life in the ways that our society allows. I have to remember that anger breeds anger, hate breeds hate etc. If I remain angry I allow these monsters to win. It made me feel sick on Monday because I had just explained to Little L that monsters don’t exist, I lied, they do and they hide in plain sight. I don’t want to feel angry that is not justice for all those people who died or have been injured. I pray that the media do not continue to name the bomber or show his face, after all that promotes the infamous martyrdom that they so desire. I have to remember that as much as I want to hunker down, not go out and wrap Little L up in cotton wool that is not the answer. We must stand united, we must allow our girls the freedom to be who or whatever they want, after all that will bother them far more. They are not worthy of my emotion.

Instead I will spend my next days thinking of those affected, I can not imagine what those parents and loved ones are going through. There are no words. As a tribute to their angels I need to continue to raise Little L the way I want. I need to spend more time listening and being kind to others. I need to be a better and more present member of society, I should worry less about minutia and care more about what is going on around me. I should appreciate the small things, so today take a moment look around you at what is beautiful about the world. Take time to appreciate the moment and your loved ones because if this event has taught us anything it has shown us how precious and fragile life is.

To those affected I am so so sorry that mankind is so cruel.

Kate x

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EditorialFamily

Monday Musings

by thelifestylelady

Howdy Y’all,

Happy Monday! How was your weekend? Our weekend was relaxed although we are starting to get anxious as our moving date approaches. There is still much to do at our new place! It is in that state where everything looks started and nothing finished, I am not sure if that makes sense but it makes me feel a little uneasy. I finally got to see the color I have chosen for much of my living areas and I was relieved that it looked good. I will be honest and say that Little L’s pink bedroom might be a tad to pink for my liking and am inclined to get it toned down and then I think Champagne Problems – get a grip! She is only little for such a short time and she adores pink! I am really looking forward to writing or filming (do you have a preference?) all about our new place. I think it will look smashing when it is complete.

If you are a hardened TLL reader/subscriber you may notice a few changes around here. I was a little sick of my previous layout and although I am not sure that I love this either, you know what they say a change is better than a rest and since a rest seems unlikely in the next weeks I settled on the former. I do think it has a more contemporary feel, but as always would appreciate your feedback.

Gertie is settling in well and seems to have doubled in size! I will be honest a puppy and a three year old is a little challenging. Little L and Gertie adore each other, I am staggered at how well Gertie behaves with Little L (she can be a little rough at times) although Gertie seems to get her own back. Toddlers do not seem to have the knowledge to let sleeping dogs lie and likes to aggravate. We are facing a few potty training challenges, after surviving toddler training you would think this would be a walk in the park but little Gertie has taken a penchant to silk rugs for her number twos. Enough said. Mr L and I joked that our lives seems to radiate around piss and poop. Generally though she is a dream and the bond between our little family is strong she is a much loved and welcomed addition. I will be doing a video soon on all Gertie has taught me about being a doggie mama.

I often speak of homesickness, the longer you are away from home the easier it becomes or it is easier to manage I am not sure which.  Britain will always be home it is in my blood and soul, I pride myself on being very British even when I look like a burnt lobster living in Texas. I love living in America and please hear me I love this country to, I am so fortunate to be making this place home. This weekend I felt homesick when I saw pictures of The Middleton Wedding, there is something so special about an English country wedding, it really resonated, bringing back memories of our special day 7 years ago. Didn’t they all look breathtaking. Whether you are pro or anti monarchy it was a beautiful affair. Pippa looked as a bride should, simply beautiful. The dress, veil, makeup was understated elegance and no contouring in sight (praise the Lord.) I will add that HRH The Duchess of Cambridge and her beautiful children looked classy and regal. Mr L and I had a very similar day (slightly downscaled!) but we married in the village church followed by a marquee reception in my family garden. I loved how beautiful the event was in a time where the news is well dark and sad. My brother is getting married next year and this has made me quite excited. I wish the new Mr & Mrs James Matthews every happiness for their future lives together.

This week I’m not sure how much posting I will get done, I am flying around preparing for the move, but I wish you all a happy week.

Ta ta for now,

Kate

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EditorialYou tube

International Women’s Day – My Thoughts & Feelings

by thelifestylelady

 

 

Howdy Y’all,

Today I am sharing with you a different sort of video, something personal to me, quietly it is a video I am quite proud of, because I am sharing with you some of my innermost thoughts and feelings. I have not done a musings video before and I am thinking of starting to make it a monthly thing. I would love to hear your thoughts.

Happy International Women’s Day Y’all.

Ta Ta For Now

Kate x

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BeautyEditorialMakeupYou tube

February Faves

by thelifestylelady

Howdy Y’all,

Can you believe we are in March? I know I can not. Where is time flying to? Did you have a good February? I often think of it as love month, it has Valentine’s Day in it after all. Since I am married to Mr Valentine (it is his birthday) it is not such a big deal in the Lifestyle household but I did enjoy this year sharing in the goodwill and all types of love celebrated. This month was a goodie for faves, I am sharing with you a variety of lifestyle items plus a few great beauty things. Right I need to stop typing and get on with my March book, which I am not enjoying as much as Februarys.

Ta Ta for now,

TLL x

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