Hello, I’m Carrie and I am so glad you stopped by. Longaberger has been a part of my family’s life for many years, and I am excited to make Longaberger a part of Carrie Kelly Lifestyle. I love the traditional and classic designs meant to be passed down from generation to generation. But, did you know that Lonagaberger is so much more than baskets and pottery? Longaberger features a carefully curated collection of home furnishings, decor, jewelry, skincare, stationery, food, and even wine(which I can’t wait to try). Pieces designed to make your house a home full of warmth, tradition, and your unique style. Longaberger really is a lifestyle. I knew it was a lifestyle that I wanted to be more a part of. I decided it was time to become a Longaberger Home Stylist.
Longaberger makes being a Home Stylist easy. You are free to run your business your way with no overhead, quota, inventory, or party requirements. All you really need is a laptop or phone. I know for me this was one of the biggest deciding factors because I travel often and did not want to be stressed about hauling inventory and quotas. Longaberger does much of the work for you with a beautiful storefront that you can customize and direct to your unique shopping website, beautiful product images, weekly videos with Rachel and others, and so much more. Invite followers and friends to our live stream events. Longaberger provides content for you to post something new every day. Intuitive tools and dashboards to manage your progress.
No complicated earning plans, no minimum ordering or sales, no pressure. Just share and get rewarded for doing good. Earn 20% of every purchase you refer, and if you bring someone along, earn 5% on the sales they drive, plus more perks. All of this for a yearly fee of $49.
Sound like something you would love? Send me a message HERE and let’s have a cup of tea and a virtual chat! Ready to join the Longaberger lifestyle? Click HERE. From my home to yours!
Finally, Spring looks like it is here to stay. Actually, last week here in the midwest it felt more like summer. This week is back to rain. Mother Nature. During the warm stretch, I took full advantage of the weather and freshened up the porch for the season.
Everything received a good clean. It really needed it after winter. I started with the lights and went from there. The lights look so much nicer all spick and span. I did the ones around the garages too.
I always start with my potting bench. Bob made this for me a few years ago and I just love it. It fits perfectly. I only added the little watering can and birdhouse from Rae Dunn. The geranium basket came all the way back from Arizona with us. Again, I took everything off and scrubbed it all down. Mrs. Meyers geranium cleaner worked wonders.
This year I decided to add ferns to my pots instead of something colorful. My hanging baskets are ferns as well. I just love ferns, they grow beautifully and last until frost. Instead of the pots flanking the door I moved them to opposite ends of the porch. I also changed the furniture placement this year and the bench now faces the front yard. It’s such a nice peaceful place to sit and enjoy tea and a book. I hope you enjoyed this quick porch refresh.
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!
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!
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?
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!
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.
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!
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.
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?
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.
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.
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)
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.