Happy September ladies, a new month means of course … a new cover for Pretty & Smart Co. This month we are featuring Kate Wetterstrand. You might recognize Kate from her guest piece on ways to make your apartment feel like home. Kate is a Canadian-Californian living in San Francisco. She is currently a law student at UC Hastings and in her spare time she likes to explore her passions for fashion, lifestyle, and interior design. Kate loves all things social and aesthetic and spends her time curating outfits, thrifting clothes and home décor and exploring the many beautiful places that California has to offer with her partner and friends. You can find her on social here. So let’s get right into it ladies and gentlemen, meet Kate Wetterstrand.
Zodiac sign:
Aquarius!
What is your relationship to P&S Co.?
I met Co-Founder Brooklyn Mattinson and author Reilly Dwyer while interning at the Parliament of Canada in 2016 and have continued to follow P&S as well as their socials over the years since. I’ve been honored to write an article as a guest contributor for P&S over the summer.
Where do you live and what do you do?
I live in the Nob Hill neighborhood of San Francisco, California and am currently a 1L law student at the University of California Hastings College of the Law.
Overall what is it like living abroad?
Living abroad has been both exceptionally rewarding and challenging! I’ve really enjoyed widening my worldview and having such vastly different experiences than I had whilst in Canada. However, the logistical and bureaucratic elements impacting this move have been extremely challenging.
What is your dream career/career goal or ambition?
I’m still narrowing exactly what my dream career is. I’m just beginning my legal studies and don’t want to close any doors or narrow my opportunities yet. However, my career ambition is unequivocally: to live and work in a manner that loves and serves others while furthering fierce equality and comprehensive justice.
What inspired you to take the plunge and go to law school?
When I moved to California in 2018 I was confronted with the most blatant disparities I had ever been exposed to. Silicon Valley is comprised of both the most wealthy and most marginalized people. Seeing the tents of houseless individuals every day inspired me to take action –which I did in the form of seeking an internship at the Office of the Public Defenders doing community outreach. The rest is history!
Can you tell us a bit about how you got started down this path?
After interning at the Office of the Public Defender under two felony and one community outreach attorneys, I accepted a second internship in policy and communications at the District Attorney’s Office in San Francisco. From there I continued to seek learning and opportunities in the area of law. After I graduated in March of 2020 with my Bachelor of Political Science I used my downtime during the peak of the pandemic to write the LSAT and apply to schools.
What makes you feel pretty and smart/what does it mean to you?
What makes me feel pretty and smart is honoring and celebrating all the aspects and features that make me who I am! I think it’s very common for women to want to diminish an aspect of themselves that may seem like it invalidates them in certain spheres; dressing less boldly when in academic or professional environments or silencing their intellect when wanting to be seen for their beauty. I used to do this a lot! I feel most pretty and smart when I show up authentically, which for me right now is dressing fashionable (loving the light academia and soft girl aesthetics) and challenging the bounds of my intellect within the legal field!
One piece of advice to your younger self:
Be prepared (and unembarrassed) to change your mind a lot! Never be afraid to change your opinion or perspective just because it’s a long held belief. Life is not linear and your opinions, interests, and trajectory shouldn’t be either.
What you’re reading/watching/listening to:
Currently I am reading a million law cases a day. I’m listening to the news podcast NPR Up First while I have my morning coffee and the Doja Cat “Planet Her” album on repeat at the gym. As for what I’m watching tik tok definitely takes the #1 slot.
Favourite thing in your closet right now?
This is a tough one, but I’d have to say sweater vests! They are so on trend right now, and perfect for the law school/ fall fashion aesthetic I’m going for. Honorable mention goes to blazers! (Aritzia and Oak and Fort are my favs to shop for these pieces!)
Where is your favourite place to be in the world?
There is so much of the world I have yet to see! But with where I’ve been so far it’s an even split between San Francisco, New York City and Taipei. I absolutely love big, metropolitan cities and the little glimpses you get of so many different people with unique lives and styles.
Best word to describe you and why?
I would have to say that the best word to describe me is determined. I’m incredibly tenacious and persistent. I will work hard for the things that I value and want out of life.
What are your summer 2021 food and drinks of choice?
I’m obsessed with iced lavender oat milk lattes and strawberry matcha boba milk tea! Also, pho is my absolute comfort food no matter what time of year it is but for summer I’ve been loving acai bowls with tons of fruit and honey and any charcuterie board.
Where can people find you online? What is your handle?
People can find me on Instagram @katewetterstrand
What is one thing I didn’t ask but you want people to know about you?
I love meeting new people! I’m a total extrovert and get so much energy from socializing and making new connections! Feel free to message me on Instagram if you have any questions or are just looking to make a new friend.
Thank you so much to Kate for sharing this with us! If you have any questions please feel free to ask them in the comments below or get in touch with Kate personally here.
