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

5 Things I’m Loving, February 2022

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5 things i'm loving february

Can you believe that we are a month into the new year already? It feels like we were just celebrating the holidays. January is always cold and dreary in the Midwest so we headed out to the Desert Southwest to spend the next couple of months. I enjoy spending time outside and the abundant sunshine. The little dogs like it too. They were not amused by the cold weather. We are going to do a little landscaping and hopefully watch some baseball. Guests will come in and out and we always enjoy sharing our home with our friends and family. But, it’s the start of a new month and that means new things that I have been enjoying. Enjoy.

The harsh Midwest winter had been doing a number on my skin. It was so unhappy and reactive. A friend recommended that I try Tula Sensitive Skin Treatment Drops. Just a few drops of this mixed with my serum have made such a difference. I notice my skin is not so red and irritable. I plan on keeping this in my routine twice a day for the foreseeable future.

tula sensitive skin drops
Calm your skin

Fresh flowers make me so happy. I treat myself to flowers almost every week. Having them in my kitchen just brings a smile to my face. The local markets always have a nice selection and I usually just pick one up there. During the summer, I really enjoy cutting fresh hydrangeas, roses, and black-eyed Susans from my own flowerbeds.

fresh flowers
Fresh flowers every week

Speaking of flowers and landscaping, I needed some new landscape lights. Between the dogs and landscaper, a few of my traditional lights are run over. I decided to try these LED lights from Amazon that are flush to the ground. My friend has them and they look so nice in her flowerbeds. Let’s hope these don’t get crushed too.

led solar lights
Light up the landscape

Mornings and evenings here in the desert are chilly. Layers are a must. A classic, roomy sweater is a must, and this one from Carrie Kelly Lifestyle fits the bill perfectly. It’s comfortable, on-trend, and personalized.

monogrammed turtleneck sweater
Perfect on a cold day

A cup of tea or hot chocolate is a must for me every day. A pretty teapot makes it even better. Mackenzie-Childs carries a selection of beautiful teapots. The black and white courtly check is a favorite pattern of mine.

mackenzie childs teapot
Pretty and functional

These are just a few of my current favorites. Valentine’s Day is coming up and I hope you enjoy the day. Next week, my friends and I are doing a virtual Galentine’s Day, it’s going to be fun. If you have any favorites that I should try, let me know. I love trying new products!

Until next week,

Carrie

Shop my favorites here:

Tula Sensitive Skin Treatment Drops

Sevnnes LED Solar Lights

All American Girl Monogrammed Sweater

Mackenzie-Childs Courtly Check Teapot

carrie kellyCarrie 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 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, Gardening and Outdoors

Summer Beach Fairy Garden

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summer beach fairy garden

 

Can you believe it is almost the 4th of July? Summer is flying by so fast, but it always does. Next week is also a big birthday for me, I turn the big 50. Honestly, it really doesn’t seem awful and scary. I feel like I am in a good place. This last year has taught me a lot. I made it a point to keep working out every day and added morning meditation and evening stretch and meditation to my routine as well. Some friendships have gone, and not all friendships were made to last. I have been enjoying stepping into the world of YouTube and content creating, and I really enjoy it. If you would have told me a few years ago I would be doing many of these new things, I would never have believed it. I have found what is good for me and what makes me happy. I am lucky to have a wonderful and supportive family and friends, and two very cute fur babies. I’m looking forward to seeing what the next chapter has in store for me.

I love a fairy garden. The last few years I have had one on my back deck, but the elements always end up destroying it. This year I moved it to my front porch. But, I needed a new and fun theme. I decided on a beach theme. It doesn’t get more fun or summery than that.

My base is actually an old fountain that broke. I just took the top piece off and it makes the perfect base. Some of the pieces I reused, and I ordered some fun beach theme items from Amazon. I decided not to use real plants because they tend to take over as the summer goes along.

summer beach fairy garden
Before

 

summer beach fairy garden
All of the accessories ready to go

I like to start with the big pieces, so the cabana was placed first. Plants, palm trees, and the bridge placement were next. I added a combination of blue glass, light blue rocks, and blue sand to create the water look. There are some bigger pieces of colored glass in the water as well. What beach would be complete without some beach chairs? These are such a cute addition to the garden. A lifeguard chair, boat, picnic table, and surfboard finished the look. I sprinkled colored shells and glass throughout for some color. Adding a set of waterproof fairy lights creates a beautiful glow at night.

summer beach fairy garden
After

 

summer beach fairy garden
I love the lights at night

I’m really happy with my finished fairy garden this year. They are so much fun, and the possibilities are endless. Have you created a fairy garden? Watch my garden come alive on YouTube.

summer beach fairy garden
The finished project

Wishing you a wonderful week,

Carrie

carrie kellyCarrie 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 without the time and expense of a full remodel. She is also a Senior Outfitter 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, and co-author of the #1 best-selling book The Art of Connection.

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Arizona,My Second Home, Beauty, Decor, Gardening and Outdoors, Lilly Pulitzer

Five Things I’m Loving Right Now 3/15/2021

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Carrie Kelly

 

It’s time for another Five Things I’m Loving Right Now. The weather is getting warmer and I am ready to swap out warm bulky clothes for sandals and sundresses, lighter scents, new decor, and plants. I look forward to each season and freshening things up.

I switch out m perfumes each season. I like different, seasonal scents. Aerin Lauder’s Lilac Path is my favorite spring scent. A beautiful lilac scent that is not overpowering or fake. It’s light and refreshing and to me is spring in a bottle. Lilac is one of my very favorite scents. I highly recommend it if you are looking for a new scent.

Aerin Lauder Lilac Path Perfume
Aerin Lauder Lilac Path Perfume

Mackenzie-Childs is one of my favorite home decor lines. Mixing and matching all of the different patterns creates a custom and personal look. The new Royal Check collection has become my new favorite. I have many pieces in Courtly Check and Parchment Check, but this collection is beautiful. Gives a pop of color to any space. I also love the glass knobs on many of the pieces. I am slowly working this into my decor. I refreshed my kitchen with a few of these pieces, pink accents, and lemon decor.

Mackenzie-Childs Royal Check Collection
Mackenzie-Childs Royal Check Collection

Spring means it’s time to start planting. I’m at my home in Arizona and I was feeling the itch to add some new plants after stopping at a local nursery. I love tropicals and anything with a beautiful scent. I picked up some gardenias, hibiscus, and these pink jasmine. I have white jasmine already and when I saw the pink I had to have it. The pink also blooms earlier than the white jasmine. When the wind blows the yard smells amazing.

Pink Jasmine Plant
Pink Jasmine Plant

With the weather warming up it’s time to ditch the heavy sweaters and layers. Lilly Pulitzer dresses are my go-to for every season, but especially in the warmer weather. Sweatshirt styles are perfect for cooler days and nights. Shift dresses are classic, and always in style. My favorites are the swingy easy dresses and the rompers. Comfortable and stylish. Add a great pair of sandals, a few accessories and you have the perfect outfit.

Lilly Pulitzer
Lilly Pulitzer

My hair tends to turn too brassy. I have been going with a more platinum color to match my natural color. Sometimes purple shampoos turn my hair too purple. I was searching for something new to try, and this popped up on Amazon. The Keracolor Platinum Clenditioner. It’s a cleansing conditioner. I still do give my hair a wash before using this. I usually will put this on and let it sit about 10 minutes once a week before I rinse. I have been really pleased with the results. There are so many fun colors to try.

Keracolor Clenditioner
Keracolor Clenditioner

I hope you found something new to check out. These are just some of my recommendations for spring. I am so ready for the change of seasons. Is there anything you recommend I should try? Let me know in the comments if you try any of these out. Until next week!

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Happy Spring,

Carrie

Carrie Kelly

 

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 without the time and expense of a full remodel. 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, and co-author of the #1 best-selling book The Art of Connection.

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https://www.sassydirect.com/united-states/fashion/carrie-kelly

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https://pineapplesandsweettea.com/

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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

Gardening and Outdoors

Happy Memorial Day

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It’s the unofficial start to summer. I love all seasons, but summer has to be my favorite. Backyard barbecues, 4th of July parades, sundresses and sandals, fireflies, sweet tea, and hydrangeas are some of my favorite things about summer. Who doesn’t love a beautiful late night summer sunset? I know I do.

I had waited long enough and it was time to get my front porch summer ready. First off, I needed a new wreath for the front door. An Adirondack style chair wooden monogram really says summer and choosing a beachy blue and light coral paint fits my summer theme. Re-purposing an existing wreath and adding a few flowers and ribbon finished it off. I always love something personal with our name on it for the front door.

Rearranging the furniture and adding a focal piece really made the porch come alive. How gorgeous is this potting bench? My husband made it for me for Mother’s Day a few years ago and I love it. Usually I use it as a potting bench in my garage but I have always wanted to use it in my decor and thought the front porch was the perfect place to display it. Very eye catching. Adding herbs, plants, statues, and lanterns completed the potting bench.

Finally, I grabbed my outdoor pillows, new garden flag, rugs, and added a few pots of colorful flowers to make everything pop. I love the layered rugs by the front door and the flag is from our newest collection. Lavender and herbs smell wonderful as you walk up to the front door, and I enjoy having fresh herbs for my sweet tea. I decided on simple ferns this year for an organic element and to add some green to match the faux boxwood topiaries. I bought the topiaries for holiday decorating but really liked the look so I decided to use them year round. My other pots add just the right pop of color.

I think it’s the perfect time of day to grab a book and a glass of sweet tea and enjoy my beautiful porch. Care to join me?

A perfect summer read