Hi, friend! I’m Kristin. Affectionately KNW to most everyone. As someone who appreciates a properly placed monogram, the fact that most people refer to me in shorthand monogram is nothing if not fitting. I acquired this moniker when I married the boy I met on the first day of class our senior year in college. But much more on that at a later date.
Funny enough, I attempted blogging back in 2010 but chickened out because I was too much of a perfectionist and too concerned with what everyone would think about it. Hottmess.blogspot.com rode off into the sunset because I was so wrapped up in the idea that I lacked expertise on a topic. I don’t consider myself an expert in anything, unless you count hot rolling my hair and making slice-and-bake cookies taste ‘homemade’.
I’m not a fashion maven or an education-degree-know-all-the-things mommy-blogger. I love to cook, but as a hobby, not as an expert. While I read, it’s typically lighter ‘beach read’ fiction and my taste in music is stuck between 90’s pop princesses and big-haired Reba & Faith. Why on earth should I have a blog?
Then, I had a few long chats with my girlfriends, let about 10 years pass and had a chance to grow up and be reminded over and over of an important life lesson — you aren’t supposed to be anything more than you.
Me: a nearly-40-year-old mama of toddler twin tornadoes who tends to be an over-sharer when random things pop in my head, which include anything from an eye mask I learned about from an actual beauty blogger to the latest Brené Brown podcast I listened to while unloading my dishwasher for the tenth time this week.
I’ve always hoped to have a little corner on the internet that would mimic what it would be like to live next door to me. A ‘come over to borrow an egg, sit at the kitchen island, and chat about the Royals, raising toddlers and what I’m making for supper that night…’ kind of space.
So here we are. TBH, I’m excited for this to finally go from ‘wouldn’t that be fun’ to ‘oh my gosh, it’s live’. Welcome to my real life; full of big hair, my treasured BFF Survey and a deep love for any and all holidays. Thanks for popping by. I’m so glad you’re here.
Love,
KNW
I completely understand the doubt, I am on my third blog and have struggled with comparison. I am excited for your new little space on the internet (and we can always jam to Faith+Tim+90s)
One of my biggest hopes for this little corner of the internet is that we encourage one another to lean into and through the trap of comparison. And I’m here for a 90’s country sing-a-long!
YOU DID IT!!
Thank you, J!
Congratulations!! The blog is gorgeous.
Thank you, Kristen <3
“You aren’t supposed to be anything more than you.” <3
Leaning in and believing this for all of us. xo
Congratulations!!!!!
Thank you!! xo.
KNW! This little slice of the internet is just what we need! What a breathe of sweet hydrangea filled air. Can’t wait to grab my coffee and follow along. Proud of you for pressing the big LIVE button! HOORAY! Hugs and kisses from a long time SW follower. 🙂
Kelly! Thank you for your kindness and support.xo.
Kristin! I am so excited to read along on your journey of life! Happy launch day!!!
Welcome to my virtual kitchen island!! xo.
Yay! So excited! It’s so pretty!
Thanks, Brittany!! xo.
Hooray!!! It is live for the world to see how you beautifully poured your heart and soul into each detail! I know Ashley is so proud of you and celebrating with her fancy coffee in hand! LOVE YOU!!!
No words for how grateful I am for you, T! xo.
Whooo hoooo! I am so for this! 🎉🎉🎉
Thank you, Lauren! xo.
Your blog is everything that I imagined it would be! I’m so excited that you are now blogging regularly! I looked around and all I see is things that are you! Excited for you!
Awww, thank you, Debbie!! I am partial but I think it’s beautiful. xo.
Hooray! So glad to see this milestone for you come to life!! Appreciate your kindness and love!
Thanks so much, Deena! xo.
Looks beautiful! Very excited for you! You’ll do amazing – can’t wait to go with you on this journey!
So grateful for you, KGE! xo.
EEEEKKKK!!! So so excited for you friend! Can’t wait to follow along! It looks amazing and so perfectly you! Congrats! xo
Thanks for being in my corner, E!! xo.
Hooray!! So excited you finally made a blog, KNW!
Thanks, Frances! xo.
I AM HERE FOR THIS! Makes me want to start a blog. So inspired by you in all of the ways! Congrats on your launch!
Big hugs to you, Madi!!
I’ve been following you since Emily L. mentioned your IG account. I am an instant KNW fan – but how could you not be right? The color palette, the babies, the experience of your work life, the royal coverage, the graceful approach to life you seem to have – that we are all ok, no matter where we are and what lane we sit in comfortably. Your IG Lives at 9:30A are so fun and sweet … I am sure this site will be all those things x infinity and I cannot wait to watch it happen. Cheers to you and all the things happening. xoxo
Amy, this is so sweet!! I am so glad your here!! xo.
Fabulous!! Just perfect, from the girl who grew up sitting with her BFF on opposite sides of her of her parents kitchen counter tops discussing “all the things “ after school and then before her wedding and even now on our treasured friends forever beach weekends each summer this is exactly what all of our hearts need-real life!!!
Sharon!! This is exactly what I hope this space becomes. Thank you for your kindness! xo.
Oh I just love it all!!!
Thank you Kathryn!! xo.
I am so glad you started a blog!!!! I too started on in 2009. It’s had a few names, but now I don’t feel pressured to write all the time, although ideas come into my head all the time and maybe I should just write and post more of a “sit around the kitchen island” post. Perhaps it’s just what the internet needs hey? I’m so excited to get to read yours and from one mom with tornados to another, I’m a fan! Happy launch day!
I fully support the ‘leaning into writing when you feel inspired’ mantra! Thank you for your kindness! xo.
Thanks for the welcome to your neighborhood.
Congratulations! I am so happy to be invited to follow along! 💗
Thanks J!! xo.
So glad you’re here, Debbie! xo.
Yay! So excited for your blog! Congratulations!! Looking forward to reading 🙂
Thank you, Samantha!! xo.
Congratulations! So happy for you. Looks fantastic!
Thanks Ann! Sending hugs from NC to VA! xo.
Ahh!!!!!! I’m SO PROUD OF YOU!!!!! I’m going to count that I know you in real life, even though we only met once. So many things you’ve shared are so helpful for me, and I can’t wait to have a place to refer back and share with all of my friends!! Congrats, KNW. Your little corner or the internet will be one of my favorite places, my friend!!!
Sara! So grateful for your kindness and encouragement! xo.
So excited! Happy to visit your corner 😊
So happy to have you, Shannon!! xo.
HOORAY!!!!!!!!! You’ve been a ray of sunshine in my life for over 6 (!!!) years now, and for all 6 years I’ve felt convicted that this little spot of the Internet needed to happen. While I daydream of moving close enough to ACTUALLY have morning coffee on your porch, I’m thrilled that you’ll come straight to my inbox in the meantime. Thank you for taking the time to share yourself with the world in this way- you are a shining example of love and humanity and we’ll all be the better for it. Congratulations!
Grateful for you, B! xo.
So excited! Congratulations on the blog! Can’t wait to continue reading! Also #TeamFaith #TeamBigHairedReba
Emily – I am pretty sure that Big-haired Reba was one of my first cassette tapes…
Congratulations, how exciting! So glad you took the leap and did it!!
Thanks, Jennie! xo.
Yayy!! Congrats! 💗💗
Grateful for you, J!! xo.
It’s finally here! I am so excited to read your corner of the internet!!
Hooray! Thanks, Annie! xo.
Congratulations! Best looking blog on the block!
Thank you, Jessica!! xo.
So excited for you!! I’ve loved following your insta and I’m excited for this next step ☺️
Eeep! I’m excited too! Thanks, Emmy!
Woohoo!!! Three cheers for you!! Happy Launch Day!
Cheers! Thanks, Rachel! xo.
So excited for you!! Your a joy to watch! I love that you are a real mama that just enjoys conversation! That’s perfection to me!! Wish you all the success!
Thank you Kelly!! xo.
You make my midwestern-southern heart happy! Excited to follow along – congratulations!
Hooray! Thanks, Erin! xo.
You had me at “chat about the Royals” 😄💙⚾️
I am convinced my love of the Royals is because the Queen and I share a birthday. Destiny 😉
YAY! This is awesome, just like you 😘
Grateful for you, KLR!! xo.
I love this kind of popover and borrow an egg kind of blog! Can’t wait to get to know you more!
This. This! This is what I hope for!! Thanks, Jill! xo.
Yay!!! So excited for this! Congratulations on your launch day!
Thank you, McKenzie!! xo.
Just so proud of you! It’s HERE!! I love it and you!
So very grateful for you, L!! Sending biggest hugs for the encouragement and support! xo.
Congratulations! Your website and branding is GORGEOUS!! And you’ve definitely achieved #influencer status because I’m dying to know… where is that bright painting the background from? And that dress! Totally in love with both!
Keleigh!! You’re a hoot. Painting is a custom piece from a friend who is an artist. But stay tuned for something exciting!! And dress is J.Crew. You need it! It makes me feel like a cupcake!! xo.
Hoorayyyyy!!! Yay you!!!!
Thank you Kyla!!! xo
Congratulations! So pretty!!
Thanks, Ellen! xo.
So happy for you! I have loved your morning show (it was such a bright spot during my maternity leave/quarantine) and am so excited to read your blog! Best wishes on this exciting new adventure!
Amanda! Congratulations on that sweet baby!! xo.
💕💕💕💕
Thanks M!! xo.
I’ve loved following your Instagram account and most recently your front porch lives and am so excited for you and for this new blog!
Thanks, Kristen!! xo.
I’m excited for you! I wish I was your neighbor because although we’re “just” “Instagram friends” I really enjoy talk to you about randomness and would love to have you come over for some cookies ❤️
There’s a house for sale on my street if you want to move to Cary 😉
Congratulations on the launch of your beautiful blog! I started following your morning shows a few weeks ago when Emily was pimpin you out 😉 and I’ve loved it ever since. I’m on the West Coast so I love catching up on your lives while I’m getting ready in the morning.
That Emily Ley. She is a gem. Thanks for sticking around 😉
Yay!! Congrats! I’ve already got this bookmarked!
Thank you, T!! xo.
Thank you for being so YOU! I struggle with the comparison game regarding my blog / insta / life and you inspire me to just show up! I love this and cannot wait to follow along!
Hoping we can all encourage each other to lean into fighting through the trap of comparison! xo.
Prettiest blog ever!! Love this honest and real first post! So excited to read more!
Rachel! Thank you!! xo.
This was great. You are so down to earth! Good luck on your new adventure!
Janice! So grateful you’re here! xo.
KNW you have a site! Woo!!! Can’t wait to see what you share next.
Thanks, Lauren!! xo.
Congratulations!!! You are exactly what the internet needed!! ❤️
Thanks, Ashley! xo.
There’s wisdom + beauty in getting older! Love that you’ve shelved perfection + prioritized sharing your fists with us!
C – I can’t help but be grateful for the timing of everything. xo.
So excited for you! It’s beautiful!
Thanks, Regina!! xo.
So excited for you! I have loved following along on your Instagram for years and have no doubts this space will be a continuation of your bright, wonderful personality!
Thank you Kelsie!! xo.
Hoorayyy!! You’ve wanted this for so long! Can’t wait to cheer you on as your #1 fan. I love you KNW!
Maghon!! Your support and encouragement mean the world!! I love you. xo.
Kristin, I am overjoyed for you as you begin your blogging journey! I recently took this same leap myself, and I am SO excited to watch you grow, and encourage your dream! You are an expert at being YOU! I will be the first person in line to link up with you if you ever venture down that road!! <3 Best of luck!
Valeri!! Excited to be doing this alongside you!! Rooting you on, too! xo.
Congratulations! Best wishes, from a mother of three, currently teaching and homeschooling!
Amy!! Thank you so much. And bless you as you wrap up for the summer! xo.
I am so excited! I have wanted you to start a blog wince you left Southern Weddings! I love getting to follow along with you and the twins.
Awww, thanks Grace! I am excited to see where this little space goes! So glad you’re here. xo.
This is beautiful!! I so appreciate your genuine and sweet spirit. Thank you for sharing real life with us!!
Meghan! So grateful to get to life all together in this little virtual corner of the internet. xo.
You are amazing! Your blog is beautiful! I am beyond blessed to be part of your little corner of this internet world. As an FYI… I drank my coffee in my monogrammed Tervis mug crying right along with you this morning. For so many reasons you are such an inspiration to all of us …..many blessings 💗
Maureen! Cheers-ing my monogrammed coffee mug across the miles. So grateful for your support! xo.
So glad you took the plunge! It is going to be great. The morning show feels like sitting on your porch and listening while you share the letter of the day. I am sure the blog will be just like that. Thanks for being real and inviting us into a safe place on the internet. I’m rooting for you.
Wish I lived next door to you! Love all the things you do. This blog will be the next best thing. Congrats!
The house next door is for sale??? 😉
Congrats my friend! It’s a beautiful piece of the internet and I’m so happy for you! Xoxo
Love you friend!! xo.
I love following your daily IG lives and am loving your own little space on the internet now! I’ve been a long time follower and look forward to all that is to come for you!! Congratulations! ECPB
Awww! Thanks Cayce!! xo.
You are adorable, funny and kind. While I’m a 40 something and in a diff season with kids in high school and college you are very relatable. And as I am a twin myself your twin stories make me giggle. I adore you on IG and can’t wait to read more! Sending you love from VA!
All I can say is god bless your mama 😉 and thank you for your sweet words. xo.
I am sooooo glad there’s a little cozy corner of the internet that is yours! I know it will be a favorite of mine
Stacy!! I am so grateful for everyone, yourself included, for making this little corner feel so cozy!! xo.
Yay!! Just so excited for you! This is already a special piece of the internet and I can’t wait to read more! Way to go girl!
Biggest hugs Katherine!! xo.
Thanks for inviting us to your corner of the internet! Your blog is gorgeous!! Happy launch day!
Thanks Alli! So happy to have you! xo.
I am so excited for you about your blog! I am excited to see what happens next… Happy Launch Day!
Thanks Mindy!! xo.
I’ve followed you since your Southern Weddings days, and I could not be more excited that you’ve carved out a little corner of the Internet to share with the rest of us! Your joy is infectious, and it instantly feels like we’re friends even though we’ve never met 😂 So, thanks for allowing all of us to follow along and to cheer you on in this new adventure! Congrats!
Ashley – so glad you found this little corner of the internet and so glad we get to be virtual friends! xo.
Congratulations! I’m so excited for this blog! I can’t wait to see it grow! 🥳
Thanks Elisha! xo.
I could squeal so loud that you could probably hear me from Canada. Oh my heavens, this has got to be my most favourite day ever. From the Southern Wedding days, to the babies, to the hot rollers, monogram everything & finally having swipe up!! You’ve been my go to gal and I have been patiently waiting for this day to happen and I’m elated it’s finally here! Thank you for filling my canadian southern heart with all the best things. Can’t wait to be along for this journey. xoxo
H KLG! This wins the comment of the day! Wish I could hug you through the computer. Sending love from NC to Canada and back!
Congrats on such a lovely first post (and killer design aesthetic)! Literally cannot wait for all.the.things. to come!
I can take no credit for the design but I think it’s pretty amazing too. And thank you for being here in this space with me. Excited for all the fun ahead. xo.
So glad to be able to pull up a chair with someone that’s a bit more like me than I’ve been finding lately. Already encouraged and I’m so looking forward to more!
Candice! This means the world. So glad you’re here! xo.
Your front porch chats have quickly become one of my favorite things about the slower pace of quarantine! So glad you’ve started the blog too! Also, eye masks are an excellent way to make good use of time spent on boring conference calls, as it turns out.
Eye masking while conference calling – multi-tasking at it’s finest!!
KNW!!! Y’all know I’ve been waiting on this for such a long time, I’m so excited I finally get to sit on your (virtual) front porch, sip some Chick-fil-a sweet tea and chat about life!
You go, girl!! I love seeing you shine in your element! The website is gorgeous – huge accomplishment. Sending hugs to you and kisses to the babies 😘
Congratulations on starting your blog!! The site is beautiful and you are so inspiring me to stop waiting and start doing :). I enjoy your morning show so much. I can’t wait to see what you share here!