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

September Favorites

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september favorites

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.

molly b originals
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.

capri blue volcano
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.

longaberger bentwood pumpkin
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.

tiered trays
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
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

All About Home, Decor, Fall, Gardening and Outdoors, Holidays, Holidays, Longaberger

Fall Decor

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fall decor

It has been a busy week so this blog will be a little shorter. I had the privilege of participating in our local NAWBO/Women in Leadership Annual Conference last week and preparing kept me busy. It was a wonderful day with 300 women enjoying speakers, shopping, networking, lunch, and so much more. I had a great time but boy was I tired. I met so many wonderful ladies and I am looking forward to connecting with them again soon.

Last week I shared my dining room Fall decor. I thought this week I would share the rest of my decor. I always do a little in each room and focus on key areas to create vignettes. My foyer table is changed out each season. This year I took my Longaberger wreath and added Fall garland and acorns as the centerpiece. I like to try to reuse and repurpose as much as I can.

In my family room, I try to concentrate on the fireplace area and built-in area. I had not used my tired tray in a couple of years and decided to fill that with all things Fall. A big impact! The fireplace looks festive with pumpkins and decor from Mackenzie-Childs.

The porch is another favorite area. My potting bench is a treasured piece, and I always add to its decor each season. Switching the pillows on the bench is a quick way to make a change too. Mums, pumpkins, and gourds finished out all of the decor.

 

I hope you have time to enjoy all that Fall has to offer. The weather is finally starting to feel more like Fall so I am hoping to have our first bonfire and smores of the season soon.

Enjoy!

Carrie

All About Home, Decor, Entertaining, Holidays, Longaberger, Tablescapes

Fall Dining Room Makeover And Decor

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fall dining table decir

Fall is finally here, and as much as I love summer and summer decor, I was looking forward to decorating for Fall. I always like to focus on a few key areas for impact and build on my decor from there. The dining room is always my first spot to decorate. I try to change it or do something a little different each year.

This wreath I purchased at a craft fair and I think it is perfect in this space. It really brings out the fall colors in the room. I may leave it out all year too. My corner table got a little makeover for fall too with just a few key pieces.

I started with my Longaberger placemats and napkins. The fruit pattern is the same pattern on my valances and border so it coordinates perfectly. I love the pop of blue in the pattern too. The place settings are also from Longaberger from years ago. The place setting is simple with the white pumpkin and acrylic word again in the pop of blue.

The center of my table always has the beautiful tray that Bob made me. I love using it as a focal point and building from there. My Emma Bridgewater hurricane is always a favorite each season. I added the wine cooler, fall floral display, and smaller Bridgewater vases to the tray.

fall dining room decor
A beautiful tray to group items

The olive trees line the rest of the table, and I love the natural look these add to the design. The design was finished with candles from Rae Dunn, glass pumpkins, and acorns and pumpkins. The design did not take too much time, and I think it brings in the fall feel to the dining room. Happy decorating!

Until next week,

Carrie

All About Home, Beauty, Decor, Fashion and Style, Holidays, Holidays, Lilly Pulitzer, Longaberger, My Favorites, Theorem, Travel

June Favorites

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june favorites

Can you believe July is almost here? Summer always goes by way too fast. June was a busy month with my trip to Palm Beach, the announcement of Initial Outfitters closing, and the exciting new adventure with Longaberger. Becoming a Longaberger stylist is such a natural fit for me, and I am so excited for the future. I really do live the Longaberger lifestyle. Check out all that Longaberger has to offer HERE.  I think it just might surprise you! Anyway, let’s get into June favorites. A little beauty, travel, fashion, and more.

the brazilian court hotel, palm beach
A luxurious retreat

The Brazilian Court Hotel Palm Beach. This was not my first stay here. It is my go-to hotel in Palm Beach. I prefer to stay on the island and this boutique hotel is the perfect place. The hotel is designed to make each room feel like you are in your own little villa in the tropics. Each room is also spacious with a luxurious bath complete with a soaking tub. The pool is quiet and relaxing and a great place to spend an afternoon. The staff is always helpful and gracious. They even came to remove a lizard from my friend’s room. The lounge is always a fun place to spend an evening, and you just never know who you will meet there. I have met some very interesting people that I have stayed in touch with since. I highly recommend this resort.

scalp massager
A treat for your scalp

I can’t believe that I have never used a scalp massager before. I love it. You know that feeling you get at the salon when your stylist gives you a wonderful scalp massage, this product will do that too. I start by adding a little shampoo to my hair and work it in with this. It helps deep clean and encourages hair growth. Here is a scalp massager that I found on Amazon that I have been using. Have you ever tried one?

home chef
Try something new with Home Chef

Do you sometimes struggle with what to cook for dinner every night? We sometimes do, and I started looking at meal services. We have been using Home Chef for about 6 weeks now. We are really enjoying trying some new recipes and I feel like there is less waste. Everything comes portioned out. I also think we are eating a little less with the smaller portions. Cooking for 2 can be hard and Home Chef is making it easy. We are doing 2 meals a week and still usually have leftovers too. I’m also finding that I am spending less at the market too. If you are interested in trying it out I have a few $35 gift cards available. Send me a message here, and I will get one out to you!

longaberger boardwalk basket
Love this huge basket

A giant pink basket. Yes, it was something I had to have. I can’t believe the size of this Boardwalk Basket from Longaberger, and I know that I am going to be using this basket all of the time. How cute to take to the beach or out running errands. Right now I have it sitting on a cute ottoman with some crafting supplies in it.

lilly pulitzer
A fun outfit for the 4th

I always wear something patriotic for the 4th. Lilly Pulitzer always does a patriotic print with their spin. This one is one of my favorites. With just a hint of pink it is still very patriotic and something a little different. I’m wearing this outfit to our neighborhood July 3rd party.

I hope you enjoyed this month’s favorites. Stay tuned for a Pink Retreat recap and a guide to my favorite things in Palm Beach. I hope you have a wonderful, happy, and safe 4th of July.

Until next week,

Carrie

Enjoy a complimentary decorating guide and stay in touch when you sign up for my newsletter HERE. I share my favorite recipes, decor, travel, gardening, tips, and so much more!

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

4th of July Decor & Style

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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.

4th of july dining table decor
Simple and classic

 

4th of july dining table decor
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.

4th of july dining table decor
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.

4th of july decor
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.

lilly pulitzer
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.

lilly pulitzer
A Lilly tuxedo

 

4th of july style
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

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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!

 

personalized patriotic garden flag
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!

 

personalized patriotic tote bag
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?

 

personalized patriotic slim can cooler
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!

 

stars and stripes feather earrings
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!

 

monogram patriotic kids shirt
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!

 

personalized patriotic tank
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!

 

personalized patriotic collection from initial outfitters

 

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 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

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personalized easter decor and gifts

 

personalized easter garden flagWelcome 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.

personalized easter towelFun 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!

personalized easter placematsUpdate 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.

personalized easter toteEaster 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.

personalized easter egg bagFun 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

All About Home, Decor, Holidays, Holidays

Easy St. Patrick’s Day Wreath

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st patricks day wreath

St. Patrick’s Day is almost here. With the last name Kelly, it is a day to celebrate and have fun. Finn and Ruby even get little shamrock bandanas to wear. Wait until you see the shirt I found, it may or may not have a leprechaun flamingo on it! My front door was in need of a new wreath this year. I wanted to create something quick and inexpensive. Of course, DollarTree it was.

I knew DollarTree would have great pieces that I could do something with. Unfortunately, they were out of the green foam wreath shapes so I went with a wire one. Sometimes, you just have to improvise. I knew that I did not want too much bling and glitter in my designs so I picked a burlap ribbon. It covers so well too without making a huge mess. I almost picked the garland but I knew it would shed everywhere, especially on a windy day.

st patricks day wreath

st patricks day wreath

A simple and fun look was what I was going for. I decided to do all shamrocks. DollarTree has these packs of 12 shamrocks in light green and dark green combos. Perfect, the shamrocks will give it a little bling but not go overboard. I bought two packs but ended up only using one.

Instead of a glue gun, which was my original plan, I used glue dots. They worked well. Sometimes glue guns get so messy and I always end up burning myself. These glue dots were leftover from a previous project but are handy to have in a craft kit. I use them for so many things.

st patricks day wreath

Putting the wreath together took no time at all. I started by laying everything out and coming up with my design. I decided to just cover one side of the wreath with the shamrocks so the burlap ribbon could still be seen. Taking the burlap ribbon, I simply wound it around the wreath form and made sure it was secure. I added a few glue dots to each shamrock and placed them on the wreath. I wanted to create a lush look so I overlapped some of them.

st patricks day wreath

st patricks day wreath

That was it, quick and easy. I think this will look great on our front door or gate. A little leprechaun luck never hurt anybody!

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 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

Everyday Life, Holidays, Holidays, Initial Outfitters/Social Selling, Lilly Pulitzer

Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas

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valentines day gift ideas

 

Valentine’s Day will soon be here. I love all the pink, hearts, and flowers. Just means Spring is soon to follow! I put together a few of my favorites for Valentine’s Day gift-giving.

Get into the Valentine spirit with a fun candy hearts sweatshirt. This one is monogrammed from Initial Outfitters. I think it is a cute way to add a touch of Valentine’s Day into your wardrobe.

valentines day gift ideas
Fun candy heart sweatshirt

Perfume is always a favorite gift to give. And who doesn’t love a little blue box? Tiffany & Love is a unique scent.  Tiffany & Love Eau de Parfum for Her is a floral, woody scent. The fragrance opens with a burst of bright and sparkling top notes, beginning with blue basil–a botanical ingredient developed exclusively for Tiffany–paired with grapefruit for an aromatic crispness. It is one of my favorite scents.

valentines day gift ideas
A fabulous fragrance

A beautiful sentimental piece of jewelry is always appropriate. This stamped stainless steel bracelet is a gift that will always be treasured. Personalize this with up to 5 characters.

valentines day gift ideas
Hand stamped and special

Don’t forget your favorite fur baby. Treat your pet to a personalized Valentine bandana. Finn and Ruby get a new bandana every holiday!

valentines day gift ideas
Don’t forget Fido

Lilly Pulitzer released some beautiful Valentine pieces this season. The wrap is a favorite with its fun design. It is a piece I would wear year-round. The sweater is a more simple statement but still bursting with Valentine’s vibes.

valentines day gift ideas
Lilly Pulitzer Valentine Collection

 

valentines day gift ideas
Lilly Pulitzer wrap

Acrylic necklaces are a staple in my wardrobe. I love the modern style of these bar necklaces. Personalize this with a name, monogram, favorite word, or saying. So many different options.

valentines day gift ideas
Personalized acrylic necklaces

A fun gift for the girls, a mason jar mug. This personalized heart design is fun and festive. Pick up matching ones for all of your friends.

valentines day gift ideas
Mason jar mugs

Valentine’s Day shopping made easy. I’m looking forward to a virtual Galentine’s Day party with friends and we will probably cook a lovely dinner at home. I hope you enjoy a special day too!

Until next week,

Carrie

Shop the pieces here:

Carrie Kelly Designs And Initial Outfitters Boutique

Tiffany & Co.

Lilly Pulitzer

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

 

 

 

Everyday Life, Holidays

Happy New Year 2022

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Happy New Year! I just can’t believe 2022 is just a few short days away! I hope you had a magical holiday with your family and friends. The holiday season can be a difficult one. If your holiday was not all that you hoped I wish you a fabulous start to 2022. We hosted our annual Christmas Eve and as always everyone had a great time. We have crafts, bingo, a special cocktail, presents, and lots of food! On Christmas day we hosted a small brunch with the boys. Bobby was on duty Christmas Eve.

2021 was certainly full of ups and downs. Could we have imagined that Covid would still be taking a toll? Bob and I both had it in the fall but our symptoms were mild. We were vaccinated in the spring. We spent the spring at our home in Arizona, always great to escape the cold Midwest winters! We didn’t have any visitors this past spring but looking forward to welcoming guests back soon. We enjoy hosting our friends and family for visits. The summer season always finds me at my happy place, the gardens, and flowers. My herbs went crazy this year and I always had a supply of mint and chives for cooking. I made it a point to try to get out for a long walk each day and just connect with nature. I still am doing that now on nice days! Bobby got married over the summer and that was certainly a special day celebrating with family and friends! We took a quick trip to Chicago for some shopping and a ballgame too. Love walking around the city. We took a few other trips out to AZ and a trip to Florida in the spring but mainly stayed around our home this year. I love spending time decorating for the seasons and puttering around the house. We had many extra doctor visits and unfortunately, Bob’s eye surgery was not successful. He suffered too much damage in his fall. That has been a big one.

I learned many lessons this past year. The biggest one is that sometimes friendships aren’t meant to last. It has been a hard one to end friendships with people that you thought would always be in your life. I learned a lot about people and when you are going through something rough you really find out who your friends are. I let some go and to be honest, it has been very freeing. I am blessed to have friends that I know I can count on anytime. My circle became smaller but I became happier. I learned that life can change in an instant. We never would have imagined Bob’s fall from a ladder last year and that his injury is permanent. But the silver lining is that his injuries could have been so much worse. I learned a lot about myself this year and what I am capable of. I expanded my business and ventured out into YouTube, newsletters, and more content. I even am a co-author of another book being published soon. Stay tuned. I learned to give myself a break and realized that I put too much pressure on myself to do everything. I give myself a break and do things just for me!

2022, I am ready and looking forward to all it has to offer. I know it will offer many challenges as each year does but we get through them and always come out stronger on the other side. There will also be many wonderful things to celebrate and to celebrate the little things in life.  I am looking forward to spending the winter in Arizona and Spring Training. Hopefully, a trip or two with my friends too. 2022, bring it on! Wishing you and your family a happy, healthy, and fabulous 2022!

Cheers,

Carrie

 

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