June Favorites

june favorites

June has been a busy busy month. I attended the Pink Retreat in Palm Beach again this year. It just gets better and better each year. Catching up with friends, it’s always a great time. We pick up right where we left off, those friendships are priceless. We have been busy keeping up in the gardens with summer in full swing. I don’t know about you but we have had no rain here in weeks. With lots of water and care, the plants are hanging in there. June was a mix of all sorts of favorites. I hope you enjoy it!

My new issue of Bella Grace arrived and I enjoy reading a bit of it every night before bed. It’s uplifting and unlike any other magazine that I have read. This is a magazine that I take my time reading. Bella Grace encourages you to find magic in the ordinary and that everything is special. The photography and stories are beautiful and so well written. There are also worksheets for you to complete to get the most out of this magazine. It has become my favorite treat!

bella grace magazine
For inspiration and beauty

Have you ever been at the airport desperately searching for your luggage? I don’t anymore. I treated myself to a brightly colored suitcase. Trust me, you can’t miss it. I ordered mine on Amazon. Marshalls has a nice selection of bright bags too.  A colorful luggage tag from Lilly Pulitzer makes identification easier too. Who wants to spend time looking for luggage? Not me, I’m ready to get my vacation started.

colorful luggage
You can spot my bags

I make sure to always have a hat with me if I’m traveling somewhere warm. How fun is this hat that I picked up a few years ago? Unfortunately, it is not available anymore but there are great options at all of the stores. I make sure to look stylish and comfortable on travel day. Normally I will wear a comfortable Lilly dress, a sweater over my shoulders(those planes can get so cold), and comfortable sneakers for walking the airports.

monogram hat
Easy travel style

I switch my scents each season and my go-to summer fragrance is Beach by Bobbi Brown. It smells exactly like it sounds, the beach. I can’t get enough of it. It pairs nicely with At The Beach from Bath and Body Works too. I use the wash and lotion from there.

beach by bobbi brown
A go-to summer scent

I change my front door wreath each season to reflect the time of year. A plain wreath can be dressed up and changed out all year long. Adding a ribbon for the 4th of July or any holiday gives it a fresh look. A guest will get the feel and vibe of your home from the front porch and door decor. Make it welcoming.

summer wreath
Welcome guests with a wreath

I hope you find time to enjoy the great that summer has to offer. It is going to go by so fast.

carrie kellyUntil next week,

Carrie

 

 

 

Shop my favorites HERE:

Bella Grace

Amazon Luggage

Beach by Bobbi Brown

 

 

Summer Dining Table Design

summer table design

This year with doing so much traveling I decided to keep my dining table a little more simple. To be honest, I have been creating more simple designs lately. I have been drawn to more natural simple elements and designs.

My Longaberger basket has become the focal point for my table each season. It is big and beautiful. The olive trees were in the basket already and I simply added garland around it. The candles and fairy lights I left in for a soft glow. It looks so pretty at night. I love the wreath basket from Longaberger and keep it out all year long. For summer I just added a potted hydrangea for a pop of color.

I usually start with a table runner to fit the season. This bamboo design is perfect for summer. Keeping with my natural theme I kept the birdcages on the table this year. Normally, I take them down for the summer but this year decided to leave them out for the season. I like the change. A little touch of summer was added with mason jars and Emma Bridgewater bud vases.

summer table design
Summer place setting in style

My place settings were simple this year. I ordered these pink charges a few years ago and they are the first layer.  A placemat from Lucy Grymes is the second layer. I love the scalloped shape of these. My Juliska plates complete the look along with a seersucker napkin in pink.

What do you think? A simple summer tablescape.

profileUntil next week,

Carrie

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April Favorites

April favorites, can you believe April is already here? So crazy. April was a busy month and I found some new favorites that I am excited to share with you. A little home decor, fashion, treats, and more. Enjoy.

tea box
Personalized for me

How cute is this tea box that Bob made for me? I love my tea and a personalized tea box sitting on the counter I perfect. I created this design and he engraved using his laser machine. Personalized pieces are a great way to add a custom look to the home. My favorite teas are ready to go!

longaberger & Paint& petals
Perfect for spring

Another favorite home decor piece is from the Longaberger and Paint&Petals collaboration. This is the bunny basket with a custom-designed liner with bunny ears attached. It’s adorable as a bunny basket but I plan to use it all year long. I tucked the ears in and now I have a new basket to use. Add a plant or flowers for a spring look, place utensils in it to use as a serving piece, pop a bottle of wine in it, there are so many ways to use this basket.

farmhouse fresh timescape
For glowing skin

FarmhouseFresh has been my go-to skincare line for a while now. I love a good micro derm but hate the rough abrasive feel of some of them. Timescape Micromazing face polish is incredible. In 2 minutes my face is smooth and polished without feeling like I scrubbed it with sandpaper.

palm beach sandals
A custom design

Spring means that it is finally time to bring out all of the cute sandals. I love this pair from Palm Beach Sandals. This pair was designed and custom-made for me. You can create just about any design that you can imagine with Palm Beach Sandals. I have a pair with flamingoes on them too, so cute. This year, I think that I am going to do a monogrammed pair.

cayla gray
Perfect summer scent

I love perfumes and have quite a collection of fragrances. When I find a local small business creating amazing scents, I must try them. Cayla Gray is a Scottsdale business and she creates so many unique scents. Water is my second purchase and it is a perfect scent for the warmer weather. I purchased Petals last year and it continues to be a go-to fragrance for spring and summer.

April, a little bit of everything. It’s that time of year to change up our decor, fashion, and beauty. I am ready for all things spring.

profileUntil next week,

Carrie

Enjoy a complimentary guide and learn to decorate like a pro when you sign up for my newsletter full of exclusive content, tips, tricks, recipes, style, decor, and so much more.

Shop my favorites below:

Longaberger pink basket

Farmhouse Fresh Timescape

Palm Beach Sandals

Cayla Gray

 

 

Favorite Spring Scents

spring scents

Spring is here and that means new scents and fragrances. I am one of those that likes to change my perfumes, home fragrances, and candles every season. I love my Cedar Violet and woody scents but it is time to lighten things up for spring, and I am ready for the change.

Candles and home fragrances set the tone, mood, and feel of a home. I ordered some lavender and pink jasmine refills for my Pura device(which I love), and I am looking forward to trying those as soon as I get them.

magnolia hearth and hand herbs
A fresh pot of herbs

I was in Target a few weeks ago and can’t resist browsing the candles and Heart & Hand Magnolia collection. It’s such a beautiful collection. This collection “Herbs” smells exactly like it sounds, a pot of freshly grown herbs. I picked up a diffuser and candle. The rustic look of the candle looks perfect in any decor. I will repurpose it when the candle is gone.

longaberger lily of the valley candle
Welcoming Spring scents

Lily of the Valley is another one of my favorite scents. Can you tell I gravitate toward florals? Santal, Lily of the Valley Candle from Longaberger by Carrie Kelly Lifestyle smells like sandalwood, linen, and lily of the valley. This Lush candle is a complex blend that can enhance any room. Each candle is topped with dried rose petals and rose quartz crystals which just adds to its beauty.

mackenzie childs lotion, february favorites
For soft hands

Another favorite brand of mine, Mackenzie-Childs has ventured out into scents too. The Lavender Fields hand lotion sits by my bedside table and it is the last thing that I put on every night before going to sleep. The bottle is beautiful and the scent is light lavender and eucalyptus, a perfect scent for a good night’s sleep.

aerin lilac path
Freshly picked lilacs

As I said before, I change my perfumes each season too. Is there a better scent for Spring than lilac? I love Aerin Lauder fragrances, they are all so unique (Cedar Violet is my go-to Winter scent), and Lilac Path is a favorite for Spring. Lilac Path weaves a delicate story of crisp greens, rich blooms, and delicate petals. Evocative Lilac infuses the scent with inviting depth, heightened by lush fragrant Galbanum. Creamy Jasmine Lactones blend with soft Angelica Seed Oil and Orange Flower to create an incredible scent.

une balade en forte beauty pie
Fresh and light

Une Balade En Foret from Beauty Pie. is a surprise scent for Spring. It is not overly floral but I really enjoy it. Beauty Pie is a membership-based skincare, makeup, and fragrance line. I have incorporated many of the skincare products into my routine(along with my favorite FarmHouse Fresh) and have been so impressed with the results. High-end skincare without the middleman or high-end price tag. But, back to the perfume. I ordered a sample set so I could try them all. There are a few that could be dupes for some high-end fragrances too(one is a dupe for my beloved Cedar Violet). An atmospheric blend of aromatic Balsam Fir and earthy Gentian Absolute, warmed by Cashmere and Amber Woods and brightened with a touch of citrus ‘zing’ on top. It’s a little more wintery but I am really enjoying it.

These are just a few of my favorites for Spring. I imagine that I will find a few more favorites along the way this year. I always do. Fragrances are very personal. When you find one that speaks to you, enjoy it. I would love to know your favorite Spring scents too.

carrie kellyUntil next week,

Carrie

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Spring Home Refresh With Longaberger

longaberger decor

I don’t know about you but when Spring rolls around I get in the mood to freshen up the house. Spring signifies rebirth and our homes should do the same. It’s time to shed the heavy blankets and accessories and lighten things up a bit. I always change just a few things and it really makes an impact. Longaberger by Carrie Kelly Lifestyle has everything needed to transition the home from Winter to Spring.

longaberger hanging mail basket
A Warm welcome

Nothing sets the tone for a home better than a welcoming front door. Our delightful Hanging Mail Basket with a Longaberger 1973 gold tone tag is perfect for a covered front porch or front door. This basket is great for more than just mail. Greet each visitor with a seasonal arrangement on your door. Change the flowers out each season for a new look.

It’s true, the kitchen is the heart of the home. The Small Robin’s Egg Blue Cake Stand is fit to elegantly display your creative baking creations. Set the stage with icing-covered cakes, cupcakes, fresh-baked cookies, and more. When I saw this piece, I knew that this would be my focal point on our kitchen table. I added a plant, napkin holder, and salt & pepper shakers to mine. A perfect pop of Spring color. Our 1973 pottery collection is made to mix and match and coordinate with all of our collections. I love the mix-and-match look.

What better way to add a touch of Spring than with beautiful floral fabrics and pieces. Our newest partner is Paint&Petals from Bridgette Thornton. From the walls of your home to your kitchen and bathroom needs, Paint&Petals believes everyone deserves to live with beautiful art and design. Paint&Petals elevates usable household objects by adorning them with founder Bridgette Thornton’s vibrant floral art. I love a beautiful apron and all of the pieces are sure to become a favorite of mine this season.

I always say that the bathroom in a home should be inviting and a place to relax, rewind, and refresh. Fluffy white towels look crisp and clean in a beautiful basket on display. I like to organize my bath products into baskets too. Greenery is another must for the bathroom for that spa-like feel. Pop a plant into a basket, it’s that easy. Candles, candles, candles, I can’t get enough of them. A fresh scent like Lily of the Valley is perfect for the bathroom.

longabergerWith a few easy changes and your home is ready for Spring. I am ready for plants to pop up, grass to green up, and more time spent enjoying the outdoors. I hope you enjoy all that Spring has to offer.

carrie kellyUntil next week,

Carrie

Enjoy a complimentary guide and learn to decorate like a pro when you sign up for my newsletter full of exclusive content, tips, tricks, recipes, style, decor, and so much more.

 

 

 

 

St. Patrick’s Day Door Hanger & Decor

st. patrick's day door hanger

It’s hard to believe that St. Patrick’s Day is almost here. I know that I am ready for sunshine and warmer weather. St. Patrick’s Day is a fun holiday in our household. Even the pups have something to wear. I thought it was time to put my new favorite tool, my Cricut, to use and make a new door hanger for the holiday. I was so happy with the Valentine’s Day door hanger. You can check that one out here.

The rustic wooden circle I found at Michael’s looked complimented our front gate so nicely that I picked up another one for my St. Patrick’s Day hanger. I may even use the same style for my Easter one. It’s such a versatile piece.

The truck design has become a favorite, and I knew I wanted to incorporate that into my design. The Cricut design space is full of graphics, design ideas, and project ideas. When I came across this truck with shamrocks, I knew that this would be the starting point for my design.

I wanted to add just a touch of sparkle and shine too. What’s St. Patrick’s Day without a little gold, right? I cut out random gold shamrocks and added them to the design. For most door hangers I will add a pretty bow. I found this one with a truck design on Amazon and picked it up. I admit that I am not a great bowmaker. I’m really happy with this St. Patrick’s Day design. What do you think?

I had extra shamrocks left that I did not want to go to waste so I took another piece of wood and added a K monogram. The extra shamrocks went on there too. I’m sure that I will find the perfect spot for this one too!

carrie kellyUntil next week,

Carrie

Enjoy a complimentary guide and learn to decorate like a pro when you sign up for my newsletter full of exclusive content, tips, tricks, recipes, style, decor, and so much more.

 

January Favorites

january favorites

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.

home chef
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.

longaberger lily of the valley candle
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.

5 minute journal
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.

molly b originals
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.

valentines day door hanger
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

Valentine’s Day Door Hanger

valentines day door hanger

It was time to make something new for our front gate for Valentine’s Day. I wanted to do something a little different and not the traditional wreath. Door hangers are so popular and I thought that would be the perfect project. Can you believe that I have not made one yet?

I stopped at Michael’s and found this multicolor round plaque on a rope. I knew that I wanted to do something round to fit the curve of our gate door. This one with the rustic look really caught my eye and I decided on that one. Saved me a little time too since I did not have to paint it.

Next up, deciding on a design. I started searching on Cricut design space and let me tell you there is so much there. I knew that I wanted my sign to say hello valentine so I could narrow it down a bit. This design was the exact script and font that I was looking for.

If you know me, you know that I love pink. I decided to use a Fuschia vinyl instead of a traditional red. This was a matte vinyl. I have really been enjoying using my Cricut for a variety of projects. Next up is a Valentine’s Day shirt. I cut my design out, weeded it, and applied it to the door hanger. I was going to make a new bow but found this one left over from a previous project. The color was perfect.

valentines day door hanger
Welcome friends!

I’m really happy with my first door hanger project. It looks so nice and welcoming at our gate. What do you think?

carrie kellyUntil next week,

Carrie

Enjoy a complimentary guide and learn to decorate like a pro when you sign up for my newsletter full of exclusive content, tips, tricks, recipes, style, decor, and so much more.

Den/Office Space Refresh

den/office refresh

The holidays are over and it is time to get back into the swing of things. I needed a bigger workspace here in AZ. I love my little pink desk from Pottery Barn but it is very small. We have a nice little den space that I thought would be the perfect spot. When we do have guests that use it I will just go back to my pink desk. It is still in the same spot and I just freshened it up with some accessories.

We started by taking out the carpet and installing a laminate. Our two little Yorkies make having carpet impossible. If you have little dogs you totally understand. We did something a little different than the bedrooms that we redid last year. Home Depot was out of that flooring so I chose something a little different. I’m really happy with it and I like that it is a little different.

A small desk was the best fit for this spot. Knowing that it will not be used all of the time and not wanting to spend a ton of money, I checked out Amazon. Of course, I found just what I was looking for. I really like that it has a couple of drawers for all of my office supplies. This desk fits perfectly in the space and I ordered a chair too. I wanted the farmhouse look to keep with the colors of the room.

The lamp was also an Amazon find and I really like the pop of gold in the room. I made a Target run to check out the Hearth and Home line. I just wanted a few simple accessories. The basket was perfect to keep my most used supplies handy and a little greenery is a must. I picked up the picture at a local art fair a few years ago and finally found the perfect spot for it. It has moved around from place to place. The rest of the accessories came from my previous desk.

The only other thing that we did was reconfigure the room to fit my desk better. Everything else on the walls stayed the same too. I actually think that the room looks bigger configured this way. I think this is the perfect little office space for me here in AZ. What do you think?

Until next week,

Carrie

 

Holiday Outdoor Decor

Outdoor winter decor makes me so happy. I love seeing all of the lights around town glowing and sparkling during the cold winter months. It gets dark so early in the winter and all of the lights just look beautiful.

This year I went with some black and white buffalo check mixed with my touches of pink and green Lilly inspired touches. It gets so windy here sometimes we decided a few years ago not to put lights across the entire house. It seems like we would get them up and some would blow off or go out and it would drive me crazy. Now we just hang a large wreath in the foyer window and I think it gives just the same look. My garland on the door is also lit and trimmed with bows in the corners and pink and green ornaments. Last year I purchased the ball topiaries on Amazon and just love them. I keep them out all year and just add lights at the holidays. Just a classic look. The personalized garden flag is from Initial Outfitters by Carrie. My potting bench was trimmed with a large lantern and pot, simple and festive. I change out the pillows on my bench and the tables have a wreath and lantern on them too. Can you tell I love lanterns? They just make everything pretty. A tree in the corner completes the porch. My coach lanterns all have a wreath with lights and pink and green ornaments. A different look instead of swags. I saw this look at Opryland Hotel and thought it was so pretty. A simple lit tree and pots with greenery complete the decor. Simple, classic, and elegant with a touch of fun Lilly whimsy.

Enjoy the holiday season and beautiful decor.

Until next week,

Carrie