Everyday Life

Enjoying the Last Bit of Summer

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I love the summer. Everyone is much more relaxed and not rushing around so much. even though this has certainly been a different summer for us all, I still make sure to savor and enjoy it. Late sunsets, cookouts, pool parties, beautiful gardens, and fresh fruits and vegetables from the local farms are all things that I look forward to every year.

Decorating the outdoor spaces can be fun too. A bar cart can be turned into the perfect station for all of your supplies. Adding some cute baskets for sunscreen, beach towels, outdoor speaker, and supplies keeps everything organized for you and your guests and it is easily wheeled in during inclement weather. I added some new beach towels and chair toppers from Initial Outfitters this year. Instead of a traditional monogram I thought some fun summer sayings be fun. They turned out great. Finn approves too. Finn loves the pool and usually swims a few laps every day. A monogrammed basket by the back door also stores extra beach towels, you can never have too many towels.

I have decorated our outdoor space in a tropical, flamingo theme. I found some great pillows and a side table at Pier 1 a few years ago. Pillows give the chairs and couches a little color and soften the lines on them. A little covered seating area is another must for some relief on those hot days. I spend quite a bit of time in the pool as well.

As much as I do enjoy summer I am looking forward to the transition to fall. Fall is such a beautiful time with the changing colors, leaves, and bonfires. I enjoy changing my decor for each season as well and have a few new pieces that I am working on. What do you love most about summer?

 

Carrie Kelly is an Interior Redesigner Industry Specialist and  Lead Designer at Carrie Kelly Designs specializing in interior redesign, seasonal, and home decor helping clients create beautiful spaces in their homes. She is also an Independent Consultant with Initial Outfitters, a boutique featuring all things monogrammed and personalized for your unique style. Carrie is also the author of Pineapples and Sweet Tea, a Lifestyle blog.

Find her at: https://carriekellydesigns.com

                   https://pineapplesandsweettea.com

                   https://www.facebook.com/carriekellydesigns

                   https://www.initialoutfitters.net/ckelly

                   carrie@carriekellyesigns.com

Everyday Life, Gardening and Outdoors, Pond

My Peaceful Place

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The perfect place to relax

 

The world has certainly been different these last few months. Everyone is stressed out now more than ever. I think it is so important for us all to have a place where we can relax and just be. This place can be anywhere, tiny or large just as long as it is special to you.

My favorite spot is my pond in my backyard. I had always wanted one and finally, about nine years ago we had one put in. Creating a feature that looked like it belonged and was natural was the look I was going for. Our designers did a fabulous job of bringing my vision to life. Without a doubt, I knew my pond must include a waterfall feature. I wanted to hear the running water when I am outside and when I have the windows open in my family room. It is so soothing and peaceful.

The perfect complementary plants were so important. I wanted it to all tie in with a natural look. Hydrangeas are my favorite plant, and I was happy we could incorporate a few of those. A beautiful tree, hostas, grasses, and Little Henry plants completed the perimeter. Plants were planted in odd numbers keeping with a more asymmetrical look. We started with four goldfish and koi and we are up to around twenty. In the winter we add heaters to the pond to keep the fish alive through the season. Many years ago I planted a couple of waterlilies and they have taken off. I also added a water grass plant to keep in line with my theme.

A bench and colorful pots finished up the area. Notice my cute little alligator keeping watch too. To me, this is a perfect spot to rest, relax, and recharge. There are always a few frogs hanging around and listening to them and the waterfall is one of my favorite ways to spend an evening. Grab a glass of sweet tea and a few magazines and I am set for a wonderful, relaxing evening. Remember to always take the time to enjoy the things that bring you joy and peace.

Carrie Kelly is Lead Designer at Carrie Kelly Designs and specializes in interior redesign, seasonal, and home decor helping clients create beautiful spaces in their homes. She is also an Independent Consultant with Initial Outfitters, a boutique featuring all things monogrammed and personalized for your unique style. Carrie is also the author of Pineapples and Sweet Tea, a Lifestyle blog.

Find her at: https://carriekellydesigns.com

                   https://pineapplesandsweettea.com

                   https://www.facebook.com/carriekellydesigns

                   https://www.initialoutfitters.net/ckelly

                   carrie@carriekellyesigns.com

Everyday Life

Five Things I’m Loving Right Now

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This week I thought I would do something a little different. I always enjoy hearing about everyone’s favorite products and recommendations. These are five things that I am loving right now. This list is always changing and seasonal.

The Nest Bamboo fragrance. I first found this on my trip to Charleston last year. The resort featured this scent in their bath products. I immediately fell in love with it and knew Bamboo would become one of my signature scents. The soap lotion combo sits by my kitchen sink. This candle will fragrance your entire house and I always love a beautiful reed diffuser. The presentation is simple and elegant. Bath and Body Works Suntan scent is exactly that, suntan lotion. It literally transports you to the beach. I burn this all summer and when they have a sale I make sure to stock up.

Acrylic necklaces are my favorite summertime accessory. I love the look of one with a cute sundress. These are a fresh modern take on a popular trend. With so many color options these are an easy way to update your wardrobe without spending a fortune. I love switching the charms I wear. These can be found at www.initialoutfitters.net/ckelly

This favorite is not just mine but Finn’s as well. He loves his Barkbox and Chewy. He knows when we get that Barkbox and gets so excited to open it. We get a laugh watching him have fun with all of his new toys. Chewy is something we just started. Their service was so quick and I signed up for auto-ship as well. Why not make things a little easier? Our box arrived in two days.

I am a lipgloss girl. It is probably my favorite makeup product. My go-to glosses are from Chanel and Limelife. Chanel glosses are just beautiful with no stickiness. The packaging is also beautiful and what Chanel is known for. Limelife is fairly new to me, but their glosses rival the high-end brands. A blingy case also will get me every time. The color choices are phenomenal and they also are not sticky at all. Nobody likes a sticky gloss.

For summer decorating I’m having fun with flamingos. I will do a post later on all of my summer decor. It’s fun to not be so formal with the summer decor and have some fun. What says summer better than flamingos? Summer is a time to lighten up and enjoy the sunshine and warmer weather.

Let me know what you are loving right now.

Carrie Kelly is an Independent Consultant with Initial Outfitters. She is available to assist you in creating a beautiful, personalized, and welcoming home, bridal planning, personalized jewelry, and accessories for yourself and to help you select the perfect gift for every occasion. She is also the author of Pineapples and Sweet Tea, a Lifestyle Blog. 

Find her at: https://www.initialoutfitters.net/CKELLY/

                   https://pineapplesandsweettea.com/

                   https://www.facebook.com/IObyCarrie

                   https://www.instagram.com/pineapplesandmonograms/

                   pineapplesandmonograms@gmail.com

Everyday Life

A Little About Me

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I hope you have enjoyed Pineapples and Sweet Tea so far. I thought this week I would introduce myself and tell you a little more about me. I am a wife to Bob, mom to Bobby, and fur mom to Finn. I always thought about starting a blog and thought this was the perfect time. I’m really enjoying sharing the things that I love with you, and I hope you are enjoying it as well. I split my time between Illinois and Arizona, and I’m lucky to escape the Illinois winters. I’m sure many of you can relate.

Masters 2019

 

Little Finn
The Arizona Biltmore

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am an independent consultant with Initial Outfitters and have been with the company for two years. This was really the perfect company for me because it allows me to combine my love of all things monogrammed and personalized with my love of fashion and decor. It really is the best of both worlds. Initial Outfitters is based in Auburn, Alabama and monogramming and personalization is our specialty. I really enjoy setting up displays at shows and helping my customers find just the perfect gift for themselves or a loved one. I have been lucky to meet some great women within the company and made  many friends around the country.

Team Lucky Charms
Conference banquet

 

IO Conference

In my spare time I enjoy all forms of yoga and working out but my absolute favorite is aerial yoga and fitness. It is definitely one of the most challenging classes I have ever done. Learning circus tricks is always fun. For someone that doesn’t like heights I was really nervous my first few classes. I also enjoy restorative yoga the repetition of Ashtanga yoga. It’s always a good idea to balance the types of classes you do.

Hanging around in aerial yoga

I really enjoy travelling too. This past year I have taken some great trips. I was lucky enough to go to The Masters in 2019. Augusta National is even more beautiful then it is on television. Definitely a once in a lifetime experience. After Augusta, we headed to Charleston and stayed on Isle of Palms. I love the history and beauty of the south. My next trips were girls only. The Pink Retreat in Palm Beach was a Lilly Pulitzer lovers dream. I also met some amazing women that have become wonderful friends. Unfortunately, due to Covid 19 it was cancelled this year, but I’m meeting some of the girls in Tampa. I met up with some Lilly friends at Disney in January and did we have a blast. I had not been there in twenty years. It was so fun to see how it has changed. We had an amazing time. I will do future blogs on my travels and some of my recommendations as well.

The Pink Retreat Palm Beach
Who doesn’t love Olaf?

That’s just a little about me. If there is anything you would like me to blog about let me know. I love new ideas. I also hope we can all have a little fun and I hope one of my ideas will spark your creativity. Remember Anything is Possible with Sunshine and a Little Pink.

Everyday Life

Surviving The Stay At Home

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We are all living in this new strange world of quarantine. Places are starting to open back up, but how different will it be? I’ll be the first to admit that I really fell into a rut when we got back from Arizona. I miss my friends, my yoga studio, and just being able to go places and enjoy a nice dinner out.  I imagine most of you feel the same way. We did tackle a remodeling project so that was fun. After a couple of weeks I decided to create a new routine for myself  and carry on.

Having always been one of those people that enjoys getting up early, I make sure I do. It’s always quiet and peaceful. Starting the day writing in my journal and reading something inspirational is a great way to put yourself in a positive frame of mind first thing in the morning. I’m just using the Five Minute Journal, just a few minutes writing in it morning and night. I ordered A Yogic Path by Sahara Rose to start reading. First off this book and cards are beautifully illustrated. The guidebook and cards are meant to insight and guide you to your inner inner wisdom and unlocking a deeper understanding of self. Fascinating. I also love this little box of cards on my table to quickly read throughout the day. It’s easy to get into a rut during this time, but I am making a conscious effort to not let that happen.

I am also back in the habit of making sure I get a workout in first thing every morning. Workouts don’t always have to be traditional. Moving furniture, yardwork, and walking are all great workouts. It really gives me more energy and helps me keep on going throughout the day. I find that setting your workout gear out the night before makes me more motivated to make sure I get my workout in. Of course, cute gear always helps. I am so looking forward to the day we can get back to the yoga studio. I really enjoy working out with a group and really miss the camaraderie we all share.

This time at home has also given me time to do a little refresh of my office. I may move it or completely redo this room but just a little change makes me happy. I set up a small work display that I rotate with new items weekly to keep it fresh. Pretty baskets and bins make organizing a breeze and I cleared my desk for a more simple look. Adding a scent diffuser lets me change the scent for my mood. I’m spending a lot more time in here lately.

 

I’ve saved the best for last. Being able to stay connected to my Network Together group and my Initial Outfitters team during this time has been wonderful. We are all learning and helping each other through our zoom calls. It’s a way to connect us all since we are spread throughout the country. My absolute favorite thing I have loved is the zoom happy hours with my girlfriends. Why did we not think of this before? Our last happy hour we dressed up and wore hats and had a great time. Just having some fun , a cocktail, and a laugh for an hour or two is really good for the soul. Again, we are spread throughout the country.

These are some of the ways I have been dealing with quarantine. How are you handling it? I would love to hear your thoughts and tips. We are all on a different path but in this together. Remember it’s temporary and to be kind.