Monograms – PINEAPPLES AND SWEET TEA

Fashion and Style, Lilly Pulitzer, Monograms, My Favorites

Easy Spring Style

April 17, 2023 No Comments

Spring is here and it’s time to ditch the heavy layers, dark colors, and big boots. Spring style is all about lighter layers, pastel colors, and sandals. I know that I am ready for all of this after the long winter. Spring means fresh, airy, and simple.

Pastel colors are the colors of the season. Is there anything prettier than a beautiful shade of light pink, canary blue, or mint green? These colors say spring is here. Look to the colors of the season for inspiration.

Perfect for the season

Fun colors for spring

White and pastel jeans will always be a favorite of mine even before Labor Day. Does the no white before Labor Day rule even exist anymore? It doesn’t for me. Pair white jeans with a tunic and gold sandals for an easy spring look. My favorite white jeans are from Lilly Pulitzer and have a little extra rope detail along the side. Old Navy also makes great white jeans. Jeans in pastel colors are a great way to dress up any outfit. Lilly Pulitzer jeans are my favorite. Pair pastel jeans with a coordinating button-down shirt for a look that can go from lunch to the office.

From casual to dressy

A classic style

A great jean jacket is a must for the spring season. I own a few different ones from casual to dressy. A favorite is a jacket with a monogram. Everything looks better with a monogram. A jean jacket looks perfect over a sundress or t-shirt. I carry one everywhere because I am always cold inside places. Try a jean jacket in white, another favorite of mine, or a pastel spring color.

The Colony Hotel

Spring has sprung

Sundresses are my go-to all spring and summer too. Throw a sundress on, add a cute pair of sandals and jewelry and you have instant style. My favorite sundresses are from Lilly Pulitzer and I have so many in my collection. I usually add a few to my wardrobe each season and I get my use out of them.

A beautiful custom piece

Colorful accessories

Spring means it’s time to have fun with accessories too. I love colorful Tory Burch sandals to pair with my spring styles. Jewelry can be fun and playful. I love my acrylic monograms from Molly B Originals and have them from mini to large. Stacks of bracelets in colorful colors and mixed metals are a must now that we are wearing short sleeves again.

These are just a few of my favorite ways to style and update my wardrobe for spring. A few new pieces and swaps will have you ready for the warm weather and sunshine in no time. Enjoy!

Until next week,

Carrie

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All About Home, Decor, Everyday Life, Fashion and Style, Food, Longaberger, Monograms

January Favorites

February 6, 2023 No Comments

Can you believe that we are already through January? It feels like we were celebrating the holidays yesterday. I hope you are finding time to slow down and relax after the busy holiday season. After the decorations were packed away and the house was back to normal, I have been trying to slow down. I love the holiday season but it keeps me busy. January was full of new and old favorites. I hope you enjoy some of what I loved in January.

Home Chef is something my husband and I are still enjoying. We have been subscribers to this meal kit service for almost a year. With just two of us in the house I sometimes felt like we were wasting so much food especially if we had to buy an ingredient that We knew we would never use again. We really like the variety of choices and have been trying new things too.

Always a delicious meal with Home Chef

Spring can come anytime now, I’m ready. I always change my scents each season, and Lily of the Valley from Longaberger is perfect for spring. Our Santal, Lily of the Valley Candle smells like sandalwood, linen, and lily of the valley. I love that it is topped with dried rose petals and rose quartz crystals. The modern sleek design fits any home decor style too. These candles are clean with no toxins or parabens, and the scent is incredible.

A beautiful scent from Longaberger

January always finds me purchasing a new journal. Last year I tried something new and it was okay but not my favorite. I went back to the Gratitude Journal. I really like how it is laid out. A few minutes each morning to start the day off right and a few minutes each evening to end the day on a positive note and reflect on what could have been better that day. I prefer to journal in short pieces like this.

My go-to journal

You know that I love a monogram necklace. Molly B Originals has become a favorite of mine. Molly is so sweet and always sends a nice little note in her beautifully put-together packages. I had to have the heart for Valentine’s Day and plan on wearing it throughout the year too. The others are new designs and are perfect with all of my Lilly. My favorite feature of Molly B is that many of the necklaces are interchangeable. I order them with a lobster clasp to interchange on my different necklaces.

Monograms for every occasion

My Cricut is something that I have been using non-stop. I made many things during the holiday season with it and for our Christmas Eve craft I cut out holiday items and we transferred them to plates. It was so fun and everyone had something that they made to take home. I needed a new Valentine’s Day door hanger and it was my Cricut to the rescue. I picked up the wooden piece at Michael’s and the bow was something left over from a previous project. In just a few minutes, I had a new piece for the door. Check out all the details and how I created it in this blog. Now, I am working on one for St. Patrick’s Day.

Valentine’s Day door hanger

These were just a few of my favorites from January. New projects, scents, and more to start the new year off right. I see many more Cricut projects in my future too, it’s just too much fun!

Until next week,

Carrie

Shop my favorites below:

Home Chef

Longaberger Lily of the Valley candle

Gratitude Journal

Molly B Originals

Cricut

Everyday Life, Fashion and Style, Monograms, My Favorites

Easy Fall Fashion Favorites

October 17, 2022 No Comments

Fall is here and it is time to break out the warm sweaters, jeans, boots, and accessories. I like to pick up a few new pieces each season to incorporate into my Fall wardrobe. I love the ease of Summer dressing but there is just something about the colors and warmth of Fall styling. Here are just a few of my favorites.

Prana plaid perfect for Fall

I love dresses and a great dress for Fall is so versatile. This dress from Prana is perfect for the season. I would dress this up with tights and a tall pair of boots or down with flats or a sporty-looking boot. The colors in this piece just say Fall to me and I have been wearing it often.

Favorite J. McLaughlin sweater

Basic sweaters are a must but there is nothing basic about these sweaters from J. McLaughlin. I have this sweater in multiple colors and it is such a versatile piece. The gold button detail on the sleeves adds a little extra touch too. I like to add a colorful scarf to make this piece pop or a colorful necklace.

A great pair of boots is a must.

A great pair of boots for the season is a must. I love cowboy boots and think they add a unique flair to any outfit. There are so many styles, colors, and designs to choose from. This pair from Roper caught my eye when I was browsing on Zappos. The color is so pretty and the black underneath is actually sparkly and just adds a little something unexpected.

A favorite sweater

This poncho-style sweater is going to be on rotation all season long. From Carve Designs, it also comes in other colors which I will be picking up soon. I wore this with jeans, my boots, and bold jewelry for a night out. I could see this being styled in so many ways.

Fall monograms

Jewelry is such an easy way to change the look of an outfit. Molly B Originals is one of my favorites for monogrammed and acrylic pieces. This clear acrylic in a modern monogram with a leaf design was a new addition for Fall. I also picked up a Lilly-inspired pumpkin and a holiday piece, it’s never too early to start thinking about the holidays.

I hope you enjoyed a peek at a few of my Fall favorites. Now, go enjoy the cool weather in your favorite snuggly sweater.

Until next week,

Carrie

Shop the looks HERE:

All About Home, Beauty, Decor, Everyday Life, Fall, Fashion and Style, Holidays, Holidays, Longaberger, Monograms, My Favorites, Theorem

September Favorites

September 26, 2022 No Comments

Fall is finally here, the leaves are turning, the air is getting crisper, and the days are getting shorter. It has been unseasonably hot here so this is a welcome change. Fall decor is done and we are enjoying cooking new soups and comfort food recipes. I thought with the change of seasons that I would share a few of my favorites from September.

Fun seasonal accessories

I always like to add a few new accessories each season. Molly B Originals is one of my favorites for unique monogram pieces. You know I love a good monogram. When I saw the clear acrylic with leaf pattern, I knew it would be perfect for Fall. I picked the chic monogram style and love how it turned out. Of course, I had to get a Lilly-inspired piece too. This pumpkin is adorable, and I know I will wear it all season. I have quite a few Molly B pieces and I love that you have the option to change the pendant without buying an entire new necklace on certain pieces.

A unique scent

Scents are a quick and easy way to change the feel and vibe of a space. Capri Blue Volcano has been a favorite of mine for years. It is a hard scent to describe but it is one of those that is always recognized. Capri Blue has so many wonderful scents. I always pick up a new candle each season.

Perfect decor for Fall

How cute is this bentwood pumpkin from Longaberger? I thought the design was so unique and knew it was a piece that I wanted to add to this year’s decor. I chose the small pumpkin and this color is gorgeous. Each piece s handmade and will be in my Fall decor for many years to come. Longaberger has so many gorgeous and unique pieces for Fall.

So many options

Tiered trays are one of my most useful and versatile pieces. This year’s fall tray was made with pieces left over from previous projects. I added some garland, pumpkins, acorns, and cotton. The metal words were from DollarTree, and I thought they were the perfect addition. The little truck lights up too. The options with a tiered tray are endless.

Theorem Alpha cleanser

I must admit that sometimes in the Summer I am a little lax in my skincare. Fall is the perfect time to get back to my routine and back on track. Alpha cleanser from Theorem has been my go-to. Alpha is a resurfacing gel-based cleanser packed full of AHA, BHA, and peppermint. I only use it a few times a week and my skin feels incredibly refreshed and cleansed. I have noticed a definite change in my skin. My skin is smoother, brighter, and less congested.

I hope you enjoyed a peek at a few of my favorites from September. Maybe you find something new that you would like to try too. Wishing you a wonderful Fall season. I’m looking forward to it.

Until next week,

Carrie

Shop my favorites here:

Molly B Originals

Capri Blue Volcano

Longaberger

Theorem Alpha Cleanser

Beauty, Everyday Life, Fashion and Style, Longaberger, Monograms, My Favorites, Theorem

July Favorites

July 31, 2022 No Comments

July favorites, wow, the year is flying by. We have been in a heatwave here like so much of the country. I am getting out early every morning to work in the yard and late in the evening for my walks. Summer means life is a little slower and more relaxed. I know that I like to simplify during the summer too. These are a few of my favorites for July.

For wrinke-free clothes

Who wants to iron in the summer (or really anytime)? I have been reaching for this crease release from The Laudress often. It really does eliminate wrinkles and creases and the scent is light, fresh, and airy. This is the first product that I have purchased from their line and I think I am going to look into a few more of their products. I love fresh-smelling laundry and the packaging is beautiful as well.

A gentle exfoliation

My skin gets a little more sensitive and reactive in the heat of the summer. I have been reaching for this Gentle Face Scrub from Longaberger a few times each week. Did you know that Longaberger has a line of natural skincare products? This scrub does not contain the plastic microbeads like so many others do and gives skin a smooth and soft glow!

A beautiful custom piece

I can’t resist a monogram necklace. Molly B Originals has a beautiful collection of necklaces as well as other jewelry pieces. I love that this necklace has a removable monogram so I can just buy other monograms and reuse the necklace. Genius!

For soft shiny hair

Theorem Helix Conditioning Curl Cleanser may be a surprise favorite because I do not have curly hair. It really should just be named a cleansing conditioner. I love a one-step system. This product makes my hair so soft, smooth, bouncy and conditioned. It has been a new favorite for me.

A great summer read

Last, but not least a great summer read. My book club selected this book for July and I have really enjoyed it. The Lost Summers of Newport is written by 3 different authors and intertwines generations of families and their Newport mansions. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and thought I had the ending figured out, but I was wrong!

Until next week,

Carrie

Shop my favorites HERE:

The Laudress Crease Release

Longaberger Gentle Face Scrub

Molly B Originals

Theorem Helix Conditioning Curl Cleanser

The Lost Summers of Newport

All About Home, Decor, Entertaining, Everyday Life, Fashion and Style, Holidays, Holidays, Lilly Pulitzer, Longaberger, Monograms, Tablescapes

4th of July Decor & Style

June 20, 2022 No Comments

I love the 4th of July. I know, I know that means summer is half over, but it is such a special day. The town where my husband grew up and that we lived in when we were first married always puts on a fantastic parade. We see all of our old friends, bringing back so many happy memories. This year, our street is having a block party complete with fireworks(don’t tell anybody). Poor Ruby Sue, she will definitely need her medicine that night.

I decided to keep my dining room and decor simple this year. I have a collection of patriotic baskets from Longaberger and I thought that they would look nice on the dining room table. I wanted to keep my lemon and blue decor and the baskets were a nice compliment. The glass bottles were a great find at DollarTree years ago, and the simple addition of flags takes them up a notch. Garlands were the finishing touch.

Simple and classic

I simply add to the existing decor

My fireplace area always is draped in patriotic bunting. Simple and classic. I added a USA set of letters, floral picks, glass bottles, and candle holders. I kept this simple as well.

I love patriotic bunting

The entry is fun with the fireworks decor. The wooden flag I painted a few years ago and this year I decided to let it stand on its own. I sprinkled a little more decor throughout the house, but these are the key areas that I try to focus on. This week will be outdoor decorating.

A few fun pieces for the entryway

Lilly Pulitzer is a timeless American brand, and I love that they come ut with a new patriotic pattern every year with their colorful spin. This dress is from the newest collection. I paired it with an acrylic monogrammed star necklace.

Fun take on a patriotic theme

I liked this print so much that I also bought the matching skort and top. Wear them together and you have what we call a Lilly tuxedo. This will be my outfit for our neighborhood party and parade. For a casual event, I paired a patriotic monogrammed tank with a pair of Lilly shorts from seasons ago. Add a pair of white keds to any of these outfits and you are ready for the 4th.

A Lilly tuxedo

Casual look

I hope you enjoy celebrating the holiday with family and friends!

Until next week,

Carrie

All About Home, Decor, Everyday Life, Fashion and Style, Gardening and Outdoors, Holidays, Holidays, Initial Outfitters/Social Selling, Monograms

The Personalized Patriotic Collection From Initial Outfitters

May 9, 2022 No Comments

Can you believe that Memorial Day and 4th of July are just around the corner? The year is flying by. We always go back to where we lived when we were first married for the annual 4th of July parade. It’s always so much fun to visit with our previous numbers and see old friends. You know me, I love a holiday so of course, I need some new personalized patriotic decor, apparel, and accessories from Initial Outfitters by Carrie Kelly Lifestyle. Here are a few of my top picks from this year’s collection.

The easiest way to decorate the yard is a garden flag. I change mine for each season and holiday. Get into the patriotic spirit of summer, celebrating the good ole U-S-A and your pristine yard, all in one go! This design is perfect for the summer season!

Welcome friends with a personalized flag.

If the beach or pool is on the agenda, this personalized patriotic tote bag will have you seeing stars! The perfect summer tote bag, and the perfect size to use for the pool, the lake, or the beach!

Ready for the beach or pool with this bag!

Keep beverages cold with a personalized slim can cooler. I hate when drinks get mixed up when you set them down. This can cooler will solve that problem. This messy bun design is so fun too?

Never lose your drink again with a can cooler

New earrings are always a must for each holiday. Red, white, and SPARKLE in these patriotic Stars and Stripes feather earrings! Light as a feather and a dazzling addition to your outfit or swimwear!

Fun earrings are a must

Did someone say matching patriotic tees? Yes, please. With designs that everyone will love, there’s no better way to celebrate the great U-S-A!

Match your mini with a patriotic shirt

Whether you’re celebrating the USA by the pool, at the beach, at the lake, or at a backyard BBQ, these personalized soft tanks are cute and festive!

Show your spirit in this tank

Initial Outfitters by Carrie Kelly Lifestyle has everything you need to get into the patriotic spirit. Visit the boutique HERE!

Carrie Kelly is an Interior Redesign 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 without the time and expense of a full remodel. She is also a Theorem Independent Hair Specialist helping everyone have the best hair day ever and Personal Stylist with Carrie Kelly Boutique, 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, and co-author of the #1 best-selling book The Art of Connection.

You can find her at:

links.carriekellydesigns.com

All About Home, Arizona,My Second Home, Beauty, Decor, Entertaining, Fashion and Style, Initial Outfitters/Social Selling, Lilly Pulitzer, Monograms, My Favorites

5 Things I’m Loving, April 2022

April 4, 2022 No Comments

Can you believe April is already here? It seems like just yesterday we were decorating for the holidays. We have had a nice Winter/Spring in Arizona. Finally, baseball is back and we have been able to enjoy a few games. Friends from home came to visit and we enjoyed showing them a few of our favorite places to visit in AZ. I have a friend arriving today for a few days, and I am looking forward to a little girl time. We are going to shop, enjoy tea, and catch up. It’s going to be a fun week. We will be heading home in the next few weeks too. But, it’s the first of the month so that means that it is time to share 5 of my favorites for April. There is a little fashion, beauty, scents, and more. Enjoy!

I was so excited about the Lilly Pulitzer/Disney collaboration. How cute is this print with Mickey and Minnie in it? I picked up a few pieces from the collection, a pair of shorts, a popover, a backpack, and this adorable dress. On my next trip to Disney, I will be all set with my Lilly!

Lilly & Disney, a fun collaboration

Since we are on the topic of fashion, this hello weekend tote from Initial Outfitters was a piece that I could not resist. The design of the bag is perfect for summer and who doesn’t love the weekend? I am sure this bag will get a ton of use and will be perfect for travel. It’s roomy and functional.

Ready for the weekend with this cute tote

If you know me, you know that I am always looking for the best in makeup and skincare. Seint beauty has been my go-to for the last few months. The skincare routine is simple (some lines have sooo many products, it takes forever to get ready), a few products complete the line. I do sometimes add a serum from Estee Lauder, and I use a daytime moisturizer too. The cream is too heavy for me during the day, but at night, it’s incredible. The makeup concept is right up my alley. You customize your own palette with your favorite products. It is so nice not to be wasting colors out of a premade palette. There is even a solid perfume too. These are going to be fabulous for travel. I try to pack as little product as possible. This is a palette I customized for Spring/Summer. What do you think of the colors?

Perfect Seint palette for Summer

It wouldn’t be a favorites if I did not have a favorite scent to share. Voluspa Casa Pacifica is a new fragrance to me. I found it an Anthropologie and it was such a unique scent, I knew that I had to add it to my collection. Voluspa jars are also so beautiful and are perfect to reuse for makeup brushes or to store hair ties. Casa Pacifica has notes of California driftwood, sea salt, and shore brush. It is probably more of a summer scent, but I plan on burning it all Spring too. Very fresh.

Fresh Spring scents

Last, but certainly not least, the Desert Botanical Gardens. If you are ever in the Phoenix area, it is one place that I suggest you don’t miss. The desert is so much more than cacti, dirt, and rocks. I think you would be very surprised. My friends really enjoyed it. Dale Chihuly also had an installation at the time we visited. If you are familiar with his work, it is breathtaking, and seeing it in a garden setting is incredible. Stay tuned for a blog full of fabulous pictures from the gardens.

Desert Botanical Gardens

And that’s it, another month of favorites. Is there anything new that you are loving? Wishing you and your family a Happy Easter or Passover, and I hope you get to spend time with your loved ones.

Until next week,

Carrie

Shop my favorites here:

Lilly & Disney (hopefully more pieces will be released, it is sold out right now)

Hello Weekend Jute Tote

Seint Beauty

Voluspa Casa Pacifica

Desert Botanical Gardens

Carrie Kelly is an Interior Redesign 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 without the time and expense of a full remodel. She is also a Theorem Independent Hair Specialist helping everyone have the best hair day ever and Personal Stylist with Carrie Kelly Boutique, 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, and co-author of the #1 best-selling book The Art of Connection.

You can find her at:

links.carriekellydesigns.com

All About Home, Decor, Initial Outfitters/Social Selling, Monograms

5 Quick Ways to Decorate The Kitchen For Spring

March 28, 2022 No Comments

I don’t know about you, but I am so happy Spring has sprung. As soon as the holidays are over I am ready for Spring even if Mother Nature is not. It’s time to lighten and brighten up the home decor. The kitchen is one area that gets a lot of attention and use so I like to give it a little spruce. These are 5 of my favorite tips to decorate the kitchen for Spring.

Fresh fruit. A basket or tray of fresh fruit on the counter is bright, cheerful, and a nod of what is to come in the season. I picked this basket up at Target from the Hearth and Home Collection. This also ensures that I have fresh lemons and limes on hand at all times for my water. I also picked up a mint plant to add to my tea.
Practical and pretty
Placemats. The quickest way to change the look of the kitchen table is to swap out the placemats. I keep a drawer full of placemats for each holiday and season. Personalized placemats add a professional decorator look without the professional decorator price. These are from my Initial Outfitters boutique.
Add Spring placemats
Candles. Nothing can change the feel of a room quite like a candle. Spring scents are light and floral. A few of my favorite scents are lilac, lavender, and jasmine. I picked up this candle at Anthropologie and the scent is incredible.
Fresh Spring scents
Fresh flowers. If you have been following me for a while you know that I love fresh flowers. It is a little treat I give to myself each week. There is just something about fresh flowers. I try to change my color scheme each week too.
Fresh flowers every week
Little vignettes. I like to group pieces into vignettes throughout my kitchen. This one sits in the corner of my counter and I filled it with Spring items. My Mackenzie-Childs pieces coordinate with every season and I added Spring napkins, lemons in my glass vase, lemon cutting board, a Spring scented candle, and a small vase with flowers to finish the look. The wooden tray stays in that spot and is the base for all of my displays.
Group pieces into vignettes

Spring decor made easy with Carrie Kelly Lifestyle. I hope you found a few ideas for your Spring decor. If you would like more tips to decorate your home like a pro, subscribe to my newsletter HERE.

Carrie Kelly is an Interior Redesign 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 without the time and expense of a full remodel. She is also a Theorem Independent Hair Specialist helping everyone have the best hair day ever and Personal Stylist with Carrie Kelly Boutique, 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, and co-author of the #1 best-selling book The Art of Connection.

You can find her at:

links.carriekellydesigns.com

All About Home, Decor, Holidays, Initial Outfitters/Social Selling, Monograms

Personalized Easter Decor And Gifts

March 14, 2022 No Comments

Welcome guests

Welcome guests with a personalized flag. Make sure that bunny knows where to stop with a personalized Easter-themed garden flag! I always change my flag each season and holiday. A garden flag is a quick and easy way to update your home.

Fun for the kitchen

Update the kitchen in two minutes with two accessories. You will love our new hand towels! Made of 100% polyester and woven into a waffle pattern, they’re super absorbent and durable. At 16×24″ they’re the perfect size to hang over the handle of the oven or refrigerator to add a pop of color or personal style to your kitchen. Choose a green, pink, or blue design!

Update any kitchen

Add style and flair to your table settings with personalized placemats. Whether you’re purchasing one as a housewarming gift or gifting yourself, we have designs to fit every style. Our placemats are designed in-house and handmade just for you. Made with a polyester front & neoprene non-slip backing, these placemats can be purchased individually or as a set of 4.

Easter egg hunt fun

Perfect as an Easter basket or gift bag! Personalize with a name to make it extra special! This tote will be perfect for an Easter egg hunt or party.

Fun for Easter

Just in time for Easter and that special little egg hunter in your life! Our Ready Set Hunt Easter Bags are perfect for egg hunts or to fill with Easter goodies! Available in light blue or purple.

Easter made easy with initial Outfitters by Carrie Kelly Lifestyle. Personalization is always complimentary. Let your unique personality shine with Carrie Kelly Lifestyle.

Visit the boutique here!

shop.carriekellydesigns.com

Easy Spring Style

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January Favorites

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Easy Fall Fashion Favorites

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July Favorites

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4th of July Decor & Style

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