Hello! I’ve been thinking about starting this for more than a year now, so it’s about time I get on it. The idea for A Case of the Kates began when things I used to read that were fun and real and insider about D.C. stopped existing. Honestly, a lot of them were columns or stories that I wrote at points along my career, dumping parts of my life into chronicles about others, but some had a smart blend of humor and truth, irreverence, cool, humanity, intelligence, and the absurdity of daily life. Some dealt with fashion and style, others about Washington’s social scene, a few had juicy gossip, and others just said what to do and what not to do on a whole bunch of categories. And now those readable D.C. insights all in one place are just gone.
Simultaneously, I’ve found I get a lot of questions, either via my Instagram or from friends, about what I’m wearing, buying, reading, cooking, and decorating, or how I live, where I go for my face, my hair, my clothes, my dating life, or for a good martini and a great people-watch — again, runs the gamut.
I’m going to share all of that here.
We can also talk about bigger “serious” observations in media, politics (apolitically, pls), policy, and other D.C.-esque things, because I’m a firm believer there is nothing wrong with discussing the alarming depletion of US drones due to the war in Iran in the same breath as downloading on the first episode of Season 3 of “Lioness” (if you know you know.)
The below might help to see if you’re in the right place: a list of a bunch of things I’ve thought about lately and wanted to to discuss - and if any of them do it for you, you should probably sign up. I showed this list to my friend Rachel a few weeks ago and the fact she knew exactly what I was referring to when I said “john Travoltas berets” means we are not alone.
My notes app is filled with things like this. (And so are my journals/notebooks that I have on me at all times. I just ordered a new Kate-customized one from Louise Carmen in Paris.)
And some explainers:
This is the Victoria Beckham lip shade I’ve found on my never-ending quest for the perfect nude.
My friend Sam has an ick list to end all ick lists. It’s about four pages long and I’m not even joking.
This is the baby goatie girl. I would like to swap lives with her, even though she is a toddler. C’est la vie.
Oh my god, this is the massage therapist, Megan, who will change your life and is worth the schlep. She’s booking into September...
It’s really the 4th pic that goes full gag on a dating profile. One, two, three … jump scare. So just be mindful of what you’re putting in that fourth slot. Subscribe and I’ll share literally what I’m talking about.
These are the makeup glasses, and if I truly do need them, why don’t you just go ahead and roll me up to the home. No, but actually do.
Fiona & Maple are dopamine hits/twins who share a crib and at night talk about how much they love each other and share hugs and blankets in a way I could only dream about with my intimacy issues tbh. Honestly, goals.
I will also be putting most of the things I wear and recommend (or get asked about - leave me comments!) in my ShopMy, but we can skip that for now. There will be a lot of what I am obsessing over in terms of style and fashion, for both women and men (I see you, Jake) — but nothing crazy in terms of price point and accessibility because I’m also out here trying to control my habits like the rest of you. Unless we’re being unhinged and aspirational, which I am also totally here for.
Please share and subscribe and ask me all of the questions you’re curious about. Like, do you want me to put in a weekly “must do/buy/see/read” list? Or, do you want what-to-wear collages with links? Or a beauty roundup? Or, do you want to know about my personal life - the dates I’ve gone on and the men I’m very poorly attempting to juggle? Or, is there something you need: fall outfits, new places to eat, where to get your pants taken up in a day, or your shoes re-soled? (Seriously, though, I’ve done the research and those are my A-teams.) Or, should we GOSSIP?
Either way, it’s going to be fun.
And besides, there are worse things to catch in Washington.
Just going to go heavy on the buttons for now so do it up: