All About Home – Page 4 – PINEAPPLES AND SWEET TEA

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

All About Home, Decor, Holidays, Holidays

Easy St. Patrick’s Day Wreath

February 28, 2022 No Comments

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.

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.

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.

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

5 Things I’m Loving, February 2022

February 7, 2022 No Comments

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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 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, Holidays, Initial Outfitters/Social Selling, Lilly Pulitzer

Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas

January 24, 2022 No Comments

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

Lilly Pulitzer Valentine Collection

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.

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.

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 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, Decor, Entertaining, Tablescapes

Holiday To Seasonal Decor Tips

January 17, 2022 No Comments

The holidays are over and the decorations, trees, and lights are gone until next year. Now what? The house looks so bare. I enjoy the less is more approach after the holidays but I still want to incorporate a little bit of winter into my decor. It’s still a little too early for all-out Spring decor, even though I did get out a few springy items. The glow of lights on a cold winter night is still something that I enjoy too. This is how I changed my holiday decor to more seasonal winter decor.

As always, I concentrate on a few key areas. My balcony and foyer is a main area that I like to focus on. After the Christmas tree came down I just repurposed the branch tree from the foyer. It t’s pretty all on its own. My vase remained the same with seasonal greenery and feathers in it. When the tree is lit, which is most of the time, it really becomes a feature that is noticed as soon as you enter. I may leave it there all year because I really like the look. In the foyer, I simply left out some snowmen and another winter tree. It doesn’t get any easier than that.

Adding warmth with trees

Keeping it simple with snowmen and a tree.

The family room focus is always the fireplace area. The mantle is a simple garland surrounded by topiaries with a spring theme. Again, I used a branching tree that was in another room for the holidays. I wanted to incorporate a little winter color too and the basket was perfect. The wreath is the same one I used in this spot over the holidays and I think the antler theme is perfect to carry over until spring. The sled also adds just a touch of red and color. I popped the lantern on top, filled it with Buxus balls to add a little more color. I love greenery for every season. A personalized floor mat finished the look.

Winter fireplace design.

Reuse and repurpose pieces

My dining table is the last piece I focused on this season. I left the same table runner and added a beautiful wood tray that Bob made for me. The hurricane from Emma Bridgewater is the focal point and is surrounded by smaller mason jar vases and is a favorite from my boutique. The only other new pieces are the smaller vases also from Emma Bridgewater. The olive trees and herb pots I use each season. I also switched out my placemats to a more seasonal design. I wanted a very clean, natural, and simple look for the table this season.

Simple winter table

Dining table focal piece

Changing my decor from holiday to winter was quick and easy. I mainly repurposed a few pieces from other parts of the house. This will get me through until the bigger spring refresh. I always feel a new sense of joy when I change just a few things each season.

Until next week,

Carrie

Shop my favorites here:

Emma Bridgewater

Enjoy a complimentary easy decorating tips guide here.

You can find her at:

links.carriekellydesigns.com

All About Home, Decor, Everyday Life, Fashion and Style, Lilly Pulitzer, My Favorites, Tablescapes

5 Things I’m Loving, January 2022

January 3, 2022 No Comments

Happy New Year everyone. I hope you had a wonderful holiday season and enjoyed time with family and friends. We hosted our annual Christmas Eve and since Bobby was on duty we had a small brunch on Christmas Day. It was so nice to be celebrating and enjoying. On New Year’s Eve, we went to our favorite local restaurant and then home. We’re lucky to make it to midnight anymore. I usually start taking down all of the holiday decor on New Year’s Day. I love all of the sparkle and holiday decor but it is so nice when the house is back to normal. Just looks so refreshed. This year, I am going to keep some things out to create a little winter seasonal decor. We made homemade pizza and enjoyed hanging out by the fire watching Yellowstone. It’s another new month and that means it’s time for 5 of my favorite things. This month features everything from beauty products, fashion, and home decor. Enjoy!

A new year always means a new planner for me. This is my second year using Plum Planner and I am still so happy with it. Having the option to customize it with sections that I need is my favorite feature. I add sections on travel, social media, blogging, and more. There are also so many design layout options too. I changed my layout this year. Of course, designing your cover is another favorite feature. This year I went with a blue background with flamingoes and my name in script. I’m really happy with the design.

Customizable planner

If you have been following me for a while, you know I love unique scents. I ordered Aerin Cedar Violet on a recommendation from another friend and it is everything that I wanted in a winter scent. I have quite a few Aerin perfumes and each one is so unique and different than anything else I have used before. Cedar Violet is exactly as it sounds and transports you to the woodland. The bottles are also so pretty displayed on my dresser too. This has been my go-to all season. If you’re looking for a unique winter scent that is not too musky and strong, this is it.

A perfect winter scent

I had been eyeing this extra-large hurricane from Emma Bridgewater for so long. I thought it would make the perfect centerpiece for my dining room table after the holiday tablescape comes down. Black Friday it was 30% off, so I scooped it up. I am so happy I did. This piece is going to be beautiful all year round and give me a great foundation for all of my seasonal decor. I added the little bud vases too. I thought those would be fun down the table as well. Stay tuned for a dining room table makeover!

Beautiful table centerpiece

My blond hair can sometimes be so hard to maintain, it likes to turn too yellow for my taste. I have tried many purple shampoos and conditioners too. I stopped into Aveda to pick up a few things and was intrigued by their Blond Revival line. I decided to just grab the conditioner because I just ordered a new bottle of Tressa Watercolors silver shampoo. This conditioner has been amazing and leaves my hair so soft while neutralizing the yellow in it. And of course, the smell is amazing. I’m going to stop back in and pick up the shampoo too. I rotate these products and only use them once a week.

Pamper your blonde hair

It’s sweater season, and I love a fun sweater with words and sayings. This sweater from Lilly Pulitzer has been a fun one to wear. They have a selection of sweaters that are just whimsical and fun! Why not add a pop of color to your wardrobe with a bright and cheerful sweater!

Fun and whimsical

There they are, a few of my favorites! Do you have a favorite right now? Wishing you all the best in 2022!

Until next week,

Carrie

Shop my favorites 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 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

December 27, 2021 No Comments

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 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

Easy St. Patrick’s Day Wreath

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Holiday To Seasonal Decor Tips

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5 Things I’m Loving, January 2022

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Happy New Year 2022

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