[KatBeckDesigns]: summer collection is on ETSY.

KatBeckDesigns etsy shop. click....

check out and purchase all my new headbands!

What a weekend.

So my lover/roomie was out of town this weekend and while I miss him VERY much- I had the most amazing girly weekend EVER. Every week in college was like this weekend; endless girl talk, poolside lounging, bottles of wine, and just some good bonding. I’ve definitely missed that about living with ladies but I am SO thankful to have been able to experienced four years of that at Clemson and now I get to be a wife.

I had my first experience as a photographer for my featherband summer photo shoot- TOO much fun. Annnd I accompanied my girl Brittany to the NKOTBSB (new kids and backstreet boys) show last night. Their energy level is insane. Sexy as ever. Never seen a boy band ever before so it was pretty cool to see the original ones rocking it 25 years later.

I definitely don’t like staying at home alone (at night) but I am rather proud to say that I was just fine taking the trash out myself and preparing meals for one- haha. That sounds really lame, but I feel like one of the most important things about keeping a marriage alive is being independent within your relationship. If you lose yourself and rely on the other to provide all your happiness you’re eventually going to break.

Happy Monday pretty ladies and random dude friends that read my blog (and I thank you).

PS- blog’s getting a makeover (obviously)…more to come.

Clean and Clear?

I am one of those people who craves zip popping (gross, yes but I know there are others). I am VERY lucky to have clear skin most of the time except for the occasionally massive mountain that grows on my chin and takes over my ability to smile correctly. Well people- I’ve got one in the works right now. It’s painful; 50% because it literally hurts and 50% because I want to squeeeeeeze it soooo bad. It’s been 2 days now and I have successfully not even touched it except by accident when in deep thought. I usually over dry these suckers and then get a nasty scab that looks worse than the actual zit. This time around I’ve been applying Clean and Clear Acne Spot Treatment
and then slightly smoothing some moisturizer on top after the gel has absorbed into skin. The swelling has definitely gone down so far and you really can’t even see the zit! It still is under the skin though…I’ll report back with my results in a few days. My goals- no popping and no over-drying.


- Posted using BlogPress

HBO go & True Blood

A year ago we canceled HBO to save money. However- when the Lady Gaga special debuted in May, and I HAD to watch it, I subscribed yet again. It was a good excuse. And I have now found an even better excuse for paying that extra $$$ a month…HBO go & True Blood.

Nicholas downloaded HBO go on our iPad last week and while we were visiting his family in Little Rock, it became quite useful. EVERY season of ANY HBO show you can watch wherever you can take your iPad. After deliberating on which amazing series to start, we both agreed on True Blood.

People have been telling me for the past year that I need to get obsessed with this show. Well it only took about 10 minutes for me to declare my love for it. Nicholas as well. FYI- this show is not for you Twilight Tweens…for real. What we both found amusing was that before watching one episode of True Blood, Nicholas and I did not find Anna Paquin to be the hottie Hollywood was raving about. After hearing her sassy little southern accent (its not even real)- we’re fans! She’s so adorable.



Highly recommend the show and HBO go.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Quotes to live by

Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Fun in the sundress

I look forward to summer for 3 main reasons:

1. Excessive sunshine resulting in tan lines & freckles.
2. Drinking blue moon garnished with an orange on any given day of the week.
3. Sundresses & wedges

I love me some sundresses. I own way too many of them but always find a reason to buy more every season. It’s just too simple- throw on a sundress and wedges (accessorize with a featherband of course- duhhh) and you walk out the door looking fly. Lulus’s has only made this obsession grow.

Here are few fabulous finds currently on sale at www.lulus.com :

6 months later using the miracle concealer

pretty little products.: Miracle concealer

Y'all. This stuff us legit.

Glamour shots!

Friends & family in featherbands!!

























Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

in the red.

I love to browse through celeb magazines and admire the gorgeous Gwyn Stefani always looking chic and ALWAYs rocking RED lipstick.
It makes her “look” complete and unique.

Gwyn inspired me; it occurred to me one day- I don’t have to want it, I can just do it. So I did. Around the apartment at first. Then out on special occasions. Then out to the bars. Then I just started putting in on with daytime outfits to run errands around town. Now I find myself wearing it all the time. I don’t know why I find it so fun and invigorating.
It’s weird that something so superficial can do that- but sometimes a little confidence is all we need as women.

Red lips are bold enough to be your outfit’s accessory. Lipstick is one of the most highly advertised products in magazines and television. Almost every back cover is an advertisement for a lip stain or lipstick. Yet- I NEVER  see ladies wearing any in my day to day life OR even going out on the town. So I challenge you to go buy a tube and see what it does for you.

Current favorites lipcolors from Revlon:    

Siren (BRIGHT and BOLD coral)

Nude Attitude (many of yall have purchased this already and told me you love it)

Boots No. 7: cherry; recommended my some lady promoting products in Target, she said Anne Hatheway wore this one in Devil Wears Prada, I just bought it to get her off my back but it really is $30 lipstick for a third of the price just like she said.

My first dance recital in 3 years.

For me- that’s like a decade; I haven’t gotten nervous like this about performing in probably a decade either.

I’m doing a contemporary dance and hip hop dance. I’ve been very blessed to have two of the best instructors I’ve ever had in my life at Denton Dance Conservatory. Chris Koehl (hip hop instructor) is actually in VEGAS for the finals of So You Think You Can Dance right now. Only 30 contestants left and they are picking a top 20- I am SO anxious to hear the results tonight. Jose Zamora (contemporary instructor) has been so inspirational. I’ve never taken a contemporary class so I’m dancing with a group of 15 year old tweens; they rock though.

Found this old photo in my grandmother’s house when I was home last month. Thought yall would get a kick out of it.



My mom, a little older than I currently am, danced in this recital with me in the “big girls” class. She made me realize that you’re never too old to do what you love.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Get slim quick.

Overindulged at lunch?

Need to fit in a little dress by this evening?



A quick way to get your bloating to go away is a quick10-30 minute walk, elliptical exercise or jog to get things moving through your digestive tract.
I tested this piece of advice (from Women’s Health Magazine) on Saturday when I was somewhat hung-over and going to a barbeque to indulge in a lot of grilled delicious steak. I just did 12 minutes on the elliptical before the barbeque and 12 minutes the following day. It really did work.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Mind tricks to curb cravings

Visualizing eating a piece of food you are craving can trick your mind into thinking you have already consumed it. This was tested on subjects with M&Ms and found that they at 61% fewer pieces when applying this mental exercise. Sweet and smart. Thanks Women’s Health.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

One year ago today I got hitched

To commemorate the wonderful day it was, I feel like giving y’all a depiction of what my day was like as a bride.

I started the day off with an oatmeal mask and relaxing bath at my Aunt Kathryn’s home. Then my maids and I headed over to one of our favorite bars downtown Clemson, TD’s, for some grub. I find it humorous that I had been stressing over what to eat the day of the wedding for so long and ended up with a chicken sandwich and fries. Next was primping time. I did my own makeup in my grandparent’s home, in my mom and aunt’s bathroom they grew up in. My hair appointment was early in the afternoon to ensure she had enough time to work with the LOAD of hair I have. She finished in 15 minutes. My hairstylist may be superwoman. Then my sister and I made the drive to Westminster, aka middle of nowhere South Carolina. Usually when I get really excited, I get anxious and talk too much. But on this day I had a cool calm come over me…






I had only seen the venue twice before the wedding day; the second time was at the rehearsal. When I arrived, everything was in place. Since I had to plan from Texas, I relied on my awesome family members to do a lot of the decorating (luckily my aunt and grandmother are interior designers so I fully trusted all of their decisions). I had NO idea what my bouquet, table centerpieces, or ceremony flowers would look like. The surprise was astonishing. My grandmother had grown hydrangeas in her back yard and had them lining the aisle. The centerpieces were to die for. The bridesmaids' bouquets were so unique and classy. As I sat in the “holding area” with the lovely ladies of my life, I realized they were being kind of sketchy (which is kind of normal for them, but I detected something else). I hear one of my little flower girls, Crosby, tell someone, “oh nooo, it’s raining!” No one wanted to let me know it was raining in fear of a bridezilla freak out moment. But at that point in time- I was ready to walk rain or shine. I didn’t let it get me in a tizzy. When it was time for my 10 bridesmaids, 6 junior bridesmaids, and 3 flower girls to begin the stroll down the brick aisle, I headed upstairs to watch the processional. I had my iPod on Alejandro on repeat. For some reason that song gives me stellar confidence and put me at ease for the 5 minutes I was by myself.





Ahhh- as I am typing this, all of these memories are coming back and I’m literally shaking and can’t stop smiling.

SO, I am standing at the top of the stairs, looking through glass doors at what has to be one of the most beautiful sites I have ever seen. A sanctuary of vivacious green trees surrounding everyone who I care about it one place at the same time; and my best friend standing at the end of the aisle, looking handsome as ever. When the doors open, my dad is right there to help me make it down the ten steps which I was fretting over – didn’t want to make an entrance falling on my face. I remember giving him this look (that my photographer captured because he is the bomb) that said “I’ve been waiting my whole life for this moment. Let’s do it”

Ok I’m already tearing up. Dang it.






When I saw Nicholas tearing up as I walked down the aisle I lost it. The sensation/reaction that I had making the walk can only be described as euphoric hysteria. I was laughing so hard and crying at the same time. I’ve never had this experience before or since…yet..



The ceremony went perfectly. My nervous energy made its way out of me by a shaky leg that you can totally see in the video. I recall doing it and just not being able to stop. We kissed and made our way down the aisle hand in hand with high hopes to make this last forever. I was so caught up in the moment that I didn’t realize until everyone started running up to me that the rain stopped the minute I stepped outside. Thank you mother nature.



Making our entrance into the reception hall I got to see my cake for the first time. This was another aspect I didn’t pick out. I chose 5 and let my mom pick and surprise me. She did well. Very well. Elegant and tasty!






We danced our first dance with our gigantic wedding party joined around us swaying to the sounds of Citizen Cope’s, “If There’s Love.” We danced and mingled the night away.





Our exit from the front door of the bed & breakfast was another unforgettable memory; a cloud of bubbles and every one chanting Tiger Rag. I wish I could replay that moment over and over again.

Our limo driver was a sweet man who chatted us up all the way to….WENDYS. They gave us some free food they were so excited to see a bride and groom. Then we headed to our hotel room for the evening and dot dot dot before changing into the shortest and tightest dress I have ever worn for the after party taking place at another favorite bar in downtown Clemson, Tiger Town Tavern. We rarely get to see our family and friends since we moved out to Texas so we wanted to celebrate all night with them, and we did, and it was glorious.

If you made it to the end of this ridiculously long account of my day as a bride, thank you for reading. I can’t wait to be there for all the women in my life on their special day.