Photography: Melissa Oholendt/ Wardrobe Styling: Faith Brue
Kate Arends is the quirky and adorable mind behind the blog Wit & Delight. Kate embraces the fun side of fashion, home decorating and even cooking, and injects happiness and humor into everything she does. Based in Minnesota, Kate spends her days working as a graphic designer and her nights blogging and working as a freelancer. She shared with us her thoughts on her personal style, favorite recipes and decorating inspiration.
What inspired you to start Wit & Delight?
Wit & Delight came to be in 2009 when I was looking for a place to document my fashion and design-related musings. It’s grown into a part-time hobby of mine and I still can’t believe how wonderful it’s been to get to know W&D readers. They’re a special kind of awesome.
How would you describe your style?
Casual, a little quirky, a little tomboy, decidedly feminine but not girlie. I look to Alexa Chung, Sincerely Jules, and Dree Hemingway for style inspiration.
Do you have any staple pieces in your wardrobe?
I splurge on classic pieces like versatile blazers, jeans that fit perfectly, basic blouses, and a set of heels you can comfortably strut in. They make a good foundation for exploring trends without loosing my identity in the latest fashions.
We love your passion for food. When did you start cooking?
I was a Food Network junkie all through college, so when I got my first apartment I thought I was ready to take down Barefoot Contessa and steal her Domestic Diva title. Not the case at all. But over the years I’ve gained some culinary skills and I can cook without a recipe. It’s a soothing activity for me, so I’ll often whip up something as a way to wind down after work. I’m sure that will change when I have a family, but right now it’s a time in my life where I can indulge in good wine, music and food.
“Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day, and french toast is my favorite indulgence. Add a little orange zest, sugar, cinnamon & cream to 5 eggs and beat well. Pour the mixture over 6 slices of texas toast and let it sit for 10 minutes. Fry on both sides in some butter, then real maple syrup, fresh blackberries and a mini scoop of dulce de leche ice cream topped with coffee grounds! I’ll be posting the recipe in its entirety on W&D this week.”
“The kitchen is my favorite space to play. It’s small but works great for culinary adventures. Many messes and memories have been made here.”
Top five favorite foods?
My can’t-live-without foods are: avocados, Brie, baguettes, proscuitto, & eggs. I look forward to Pho or a Bahn Mi sandwich, often however.
“I don’t own a TV, which makes this space a little sanctuary for me, and a great place to host wine night with my girlfriends. It’s my happy place.” Couch from CB2, Rug from Ikea, Bertoia Diamond Chairs, Gus Thompson Chair, Side table by Urban Outfitters, Artwork by Caroline Wright & Wayne Pate.
Your home is adorable. Can you tell us about the design process?
Some could say my home is the result of me being a bit of a hoarder. But really, I collected pieces over time that have sentimental value. I’m drawn to minimalist décor but like to add personality through antique pieces and expressive artwork. I wanted my home to be a pick-me-up and it is just that.
“I inherited a set of Harry Bertoia Diamond chairs from my grandparents and they mean so much to me. I’ve curled up in these since I was a baby and have so many childhood memories attached to them. I like to think that they are the first piece of design I really fell in love with.” Bertoia Diamond Chairs, Mug by Heath Ceramics, pants by RACHEL Rachel Roy, Loafers by Le Blu, Denim top by Urban Outfitters, Necklace by Stella & Dot
Where do you look for inspiration?
Inspiration to me is recognizing beauty when you see it. It can come from anywhere, but sometimes it catches you off guard. I’ll notice a particularly interesting looking person on the city bus or sometimes it’s just the way the light looks when it hits a building. It’s a bit cliché to say, but there’s so much beauty in the mundane if you look for it.
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so excited to read this feature on kate! I love her style and blog so it was great to see more into her life
Love her little office, and those PJs are so cute!
Amazing feature! Her home is so chic, and that French Toast looks simply to die for!
yay for midwest bloggers! such a chic home + im craving french toast now.
I adore Kate! This is such a terrific feature, thank you!
total yum!
truly a girl after my own heart. she is adorable – so true to herself with a keen design eye in all aspects of life. great feature!
have always been a big fan of her blog + that living room is so cute!
What a great feature! I love kate’s blog and her style is just perfect!
Great feature-I especially love her thoughts on her home design process and inspiration. Those chairs from her grandparents couldn’t be any cuter, what a great story to visitors.
Great feature on a great blogger. She has a killer Pinterest feed, too.
beautiful home, beautiful girl, beautiful style.
ah! kate is the cutest. i want to be her when i grow up.
Love this feature! Definitely going to check out her blog now :)
Love the pj’s where are they from?
Aww I love Kate’s blog! What a great feature. It’s so nice to get to know her more. Thanks for sharing! What a beautiful space!
I love Kate’s blog! So nice to hear more about her and her style! x
Kate {Something Fabulous}
http://thesomethingfabulous.blogspot.com
Her style and blog are one of my absolute favorites. What a talent! Loved seeing her home, and more of her. Her living room is fantastic!
I really enjoyed this read.
thanks for this, love Wit&Delight! wonderful to get a peek into the woman behind it!
I loved Kate’s blog before but now I love her even more – she’s such a sweetie. Wanna be her BFF :)
Becky @ life.style.flash. x
Great article and spotlight! Love the apt! Wish I had my very own place to do just the same!!
kat
aneyeforfashion.blogspot.com
I always enjoy The Glitter Guide, and this feature on Kate is fabulous! She is so refreshing and stylish :)
xx
Sarah
Love love love kate! I am so excited you did a feature on her! Her style and home are amazing.
We totally have the same food loves! She’s adorable and has the cutest place. Oh, and I want that french toast to jump off the screen. STAT.
Kate is absolutely adorable and what a fun post!!
What a great feature! I love her personal style.
She is fabulous! – http://www.mydreamtolife.blogspot.com
I’m such a fan of Kate and her unique style is always inspiring- great feature!
great article, please tell us where her pj’s are from?
I love her and this article! So great to hear more personal stuff from her and see her home. Keep ’em coming!
My jewelry blog: joliejouel.blogspot.com
Amazing feature. Thanks so much. I have been dying to see Kate’s place. Does anyone know where the stacked shapes (altnernating multi-colour and natural wood) come from?
Lovely home. Can u pls share where the bronze floor lamp is from?
Is that a trunk coffee table? Would u be able to tell me where u got it from?
Where are her coral jeans and white top from? Love the simple but gorgeous outfit!
Great article!! I’m obsessing over her neutral/peach nail polish in the kitchen photos… what is it?!?!
I love your golden sweater! Always good to have some sparkle! And I LOVE the Get in Here Heart print. Where did you get that from? I would love to buy one… Simple but has huge meaning!
Kate has a great sense of style (fashion and home decor), I fall in love with her gold cardigan!
I love these features, I can feel related in one way or another with the lovely ladies who share their lives, secrets, and lifestyle.
“without loosing my identity” — losing, not loosing
I LOVED THIS FEATURE POST!!!
therunwayoflife.blogspot.mx
Kate Arends is a style icon to me ever since I discovered her Tumblr and blog! Thank you so much for this feature- this peek into her home is proof that she really does live the image she presents online (if that makes sense).
Thanks for featuring her. I am so trying that recipe pronto :) & I’ll make sure to check out her blog.
Lovely Q&A, and such a cool/interesting/beautiful home!
I absolutely adored this feature. Kate is the nicest, and she inspires in so many ways!
She was a fantastic Irish dance instructor in her college days too!!!!
I would love to know where that PJ shirt is from as well as those red jeans! I am swooning over them!
I adore this interview! Kate’s home and work are gorgeous.
i LOVe the pic of kate standing on her MCM chair reaching into the pantry. i hope she keeps that for as long as she lives – quite the quintessential stylish culinary snapshot
Thank you for sharing this. I will surely read this and more
of your posts. I really am sorry for the late reply because I just have got to
know how to be notified of follow-up comments. :) Thank you
I love the sparkly sweater and tulle skirt.
I actually highlighted it on our Best of Pinterest post we did on our blog.
http://www.eastcoastwestcoaststyle.com/post/41719482214/east-coast-best-of-pinterest
K.
These are great!! I love this post :)
One of my favorite Style at Home features!
I’m chompin’ at the bit to get to Target to check out her line and to read more of her blog!
charity
lifeafterbaseball.net