Happy Monday, y’all!

It’s been a while since we’ve done a life lately post, so fill cup that cup of coffee or freshen up your diet coke and let’s get to it!

GRAD SCHOOL / I AM FINALLY IN MY LAST SEMESTER OF GRAD SCHOOL! I started all the way back in January 2015 in Georgetown’s PR and Corporate Comms program. (For those of you curious about my grad school experience, I’ve written about it here, here, here, and here.) While I can absolutely say with confidence that the program has helped me grow as a professional communicator, and even lead indirectly to a promotion at work this spring, it can be very emotionally and physically draining to work full time and attend school. So needless to say, I’m excited to get that time back in my week after graduation in December.

Luckily, this last semester is shaping up to be a fun one. Similar to a thesis in other programs, this one requires us to write a 50-60 page communications plan for a real life client of our choosing. I am teaming up with Salt & Sundry, which is a popular boutique here in DC. They curate the best  gifts, barware, home decor, and paper and it truly is a dream to have them as a client. We’ll be working together on a communications challenge they face. I’m excited to dig in, but a little overwhelmed at all the work this major project is going to entail! #finishlineisinsight

ALL THE WEDDINGS / You guys! My oldest and best friend H is engaged! I was so honored to go wedding dress shopping with her a few weeks ago, and she purchased a stunning gown for her special day. That same night, she also asked me to me a bridesmaid in her wedding with the cutest candle. I obviously said yes! I’m excited to spend the months leading up to her wedding next July showering this lady and her hubby-to-be with love. Any cute shower or bachelorette ideas, send ’em my way!

But the wedding fun doesn’t end there. In addition to the two weddings I’m going to in November, my cousin is getting married next April and my former coworker is getting married next September! Thanking the lawd I invested in Rent the Runway Pro right now ;]. I am helping my former coworker pull together her save-the-date, and it’s been a fun design project to work on. Since I am sure your social calendar is full, or soon to be full, of weddings, I’ll put together some wedding-related gift guides soon. Stay tuned!

BLOG REDESIGN / In a link love earlier this year, I set out three blog goals for 2016. One of them was to redesign my blog.  I did some work on this back in the spring by emailing my all-time favorite web designer to see what her rates were. She emailed me back right away, but I basically would have had to go homeless for a few months in order for her to design my site and I don’t think y’all want to see street-living-chic Katie. So I tabled the project for a while until I could think things through more thoroughly and research designers within my budget.

I *think* I found the perfect designer for what I want to do here on A Touch of Teal, and we’ve been emailing a lot about the project the past week to get it off the ground. While I love this design, it’s been around for a little over two years now, so after staring at it everyday for that long, I’m ready for a little refresh to incorporate some new trends and ways to show off my content. And, I’ve come a long way in my blogging journey since then, so my needs have changed a little bit. Don’t worry, it’ll still be a traditional blog design. No crazy editorial site here. And yes, the light gray text will become more readable in the new design! ;]

INVISALIGN / As I mentioned briefly in January, I started the Invisalign process at the beginning of the year. I had braces for seven—yes seven—years as a kid and over the years decided I still wasn’t super thrilled with my teeth. I switched dentists in November, and my new doctor told me he thought I could really benefit from the treatment so I went and saw the orthodontist he recommended. She is awesome—I definitely have a girl crush—and I am about halfway done with my trays. Since I had braces for so long, they are moving my teeth slower than they would other patients to make sure my teeth are with me for the long haul.

I bring this up not because I find my dental history super enthralling, but because ever since I started Invisalign, it seems so many people I know have also either done the process or are very interested in Invisalign in the future. I had a really hard time finding relatable testimonials and peer recommendations on orthodontists when I was researching the process back in December. So if you ever have any questions, or need the name of a great one in Arlington, hit me up: katie@atouchofteal.com.

COUNTRY MUSIC CONCERTS / After seeing Lady Antebellum and SAM HUNT (!) in concert last September, I made a mental note to see more country concerts. This summer, I definitely followed through on that! My sisters and I saw Luke Bryan back in June, and he is such a good performer. It’s also a great concert when you know practically the entire setlist.

A few weeks back, my family went to see Kenny Chesney one night after work. I’m a proud member of ‘No Shoes Nation’ and my only critique of his concert is that I wish he’d mixed in a few more fan favorites to his newer songs, most of which I’m not as familiar with except the ones they play on the radio. He did have unbelievable video and graphics—that was definitely no low-budget show!

Labor Day weekend, though, was definitely the best concert of the summer, if not my favorite ever: Zac Brown Band. Seriously, if you ever have the chance to go one of their concerts, you should GO! Even if you don’t like their music, their raw talent will hook you in. I mean, the fiddle player literally plays with his eyes closed. It’s also nearly a three hour set list so you get your money’s worth!

To finish out the 2016 concert series, my sister and I are seeing Carrie Underwood in Charlottesville in October. I’ve heard she puts on a great show so I am excited!

FALL / This fall is shaping up to be a busy one! (Though, it’s hard to think of September as fall since it’s still 90 degrees most days. Ah, the Sunday of summer.) Work is going to be absolutely insane, so I am staying put here in DC for as much of the next few months as I can. I’m hoping to fill my weekends with lots of fall things like wine tasting in Loudoun County, a trip to the pumpkin patch, and a trip to UVA’s homecomings. I went to my favorite outlet mall this weekend to stock up on workwear for cooler temps, and am excited to be shooting a few looks for y’all next weekend!

I’d love to know what’s happening in your life lately,
so tweet me or drop me a comment below!