Three Easy Tips To Start Your Day Right

 

Do you struggle with starting your day off right? I had been for a while. Pre-COVID, I had a morning routine that I really didn’t stray from. When we were all on lockdown, the yoga studio was closed, coffee shops and restaurants were closed, it seemed like everything we took for granted was closed. Thankfully, most places have opened back up and life has somewhat returned to normal. We are starting to travel again, and I have enjoyed getting back to travel.

I knew that during COVID I needed to create a new routine. I am a creature of habit and like structure and routine. These are three easy ways that I have found to make my morning start out on the right foot. Starting the day off on a positive note just makes the rest of the day even better.

  • Affirmation card and journaling. I start every morning by pulling an affirmation card from this deck and writing in the Five Minute Journal. I really enjoy this journal, just 5 minutes in the morning and 5 minutes in the evening. A few motivating words and thoughts start the day off right.
    Five-minute journal is my go-to journal

    Affirmation Deck I use every day
  • Working out. After my affirmation card and journaling, I get my workout in first thing in the morning. If I don’t do it then, I will get too busy and put it off. I have been doing Beachbody on Demand this last year. There are so many varieties of programs you won’t get bored. A morning workout gives you a boost of positive energy to start the day. I make sure to set my equipment out the night before so I have no excuse in the morning.

    I set all of my equipment out the night before
  • Lemon water. A simple glass of lemon water every morning is so beneficial for your body. I am not a coffee drinker, and a glass of lemon water does the trick for me. I have been trying to drink more water and I really like making my own flavored waters too. Lemon, lime, and mint is my favorite combination.

    Lemon water starts the day off right

This is the way I start my day. Just a few simple things can make such a positive impact and really set the tone for a positive and productive day. How do you start your day?

If you like this I invite you to enjoy a free guide to proper monogram etiquette here:

carrie kellyCarrie Kelly is an Interior Redesigner Industry Specialist and  Lead Designer at Carrie Kelly Designs specializing in interior redesign, seasonal, and home decor helping clients create beautiful spaces in their homes without the time and expense of a full remodel. She is also a Senior Outfitter with Initial Outfitters, a boutique featuring all things monogrammed and personalized for your unique style. Carrie is also the author of Pineapples and Sweet Tea, a Lifestyle blog, and co-author of the #1 best-selling book The Art of Connection.

 

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A Little About Me

carrie kelly

 

I thought it was time to sit down and do a little get to know me for everyone. Welcome to everyone new. First, I hope you are enjoying following along on the blog as much as I enjoy creating it. It’s just a little peek into my world and all of the things that I enjoy.

I am living in the same area I was born in. Actually, my whole family is still here too. Luckily, I do get to escape the cold winters to my home in Arizona. I have quite a bit of extended family in Arizona too. The best of both worlds. A few weeks ago, I celebrated my 50th birthday. Bob and I have been married for 29 years and have one son Bobby and son-in-law Cody. We are fur parents to Yorkies Finn and Ruby too. They are the most spoiled little Yorkies. Finn has been with us since he was a puppy, and Ruby was adopted about a year ago. She is a senior and her owner passed away. One look at her and I couldn’t resist.

carrie kelly
Family trip in AZ

 

carrie kelly
Two spoiled pups

 

I have always enjoyed fashion and most importantly decorating. Even as a kid I was always redecorating my room. Those passions led me to Initial Outfitters and last year to becoming an Interior Redesigner Industry Specialist. I can combine my love of all things monogrammed with my love of interior redesign. Interior redesign is taking a space and making it better with just a few changes. Changing my decor for each holiday and season is something I am known for. I love creating new tablescapes and looks throughout my home. I really enjoy all things about home, cooking, gardening, and creating a space full of love and happiness. This year I have really gotten more into vegetable and herb gardening. I am hoping to find a space for a bigger kitchen herb garden next year. Is there anything better than picking vegetables and herbs from your own garden?

carrie kelly
Spring dining table design

 

carrie kelly
Enjoying conference with my IO team

 

carrie kelly
The start of my herb pots

 

If you have been following me for a while, you know that I am a Lilly Pulitzer lover. I have met so many friends through my love of Lilly and the Lilly groups. Next year, I am attending the Pink Retreat in Palm Beach. Sadly it was canceled this year due to COVID. A group of us still went and had a lovely time. Charleston and Disney are other favorites that I love to visit. My other passion is yoga and working out. My favorite yoga class is aerial yoga. Who wouldn’t want to fly in the air like a circus performer? So much fun!

carrie kelly
One of my many visits to Lilly Pulitzer

 

carrie kelly
With my pal Buzz

Honestly, I am pretty simple at heart. Give me a glass of tea or Veuve, a good book, and my pond and I am a very happy girl. I hope you enjoyed a little bit about me and hope you continue to follow my journey.

carrie kellyCarrie Kelly is an Interior Redesigner Industry Specialist and  Lead Designer at Carrie Kelly Designs specializing in interior redesign, seasonal, and home decor helping clients create beautiful spaces in their homes without the time and expense of a full remodel. She is also a Senior Outfitter with Initial Outfitters, a boutique featuring all things monogrammed and personalized for your unique style. Carrie is also the author of Pineapples and Sweet Tea, a Lifestyle blog, and co-author of the #1 best-selling book The Art of Connection.

carrie kelly

A Few Days in Palm Beach, Lilly Girls Getaway

brazilian court

 

A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to spend a long weekend in Palm Beach. The Pink Retreat was canceled due to COVID, but a group of us decided to still go and have some fun. And fun we had. I knew a few of the ladies from the previous Pink Retreat and many through Facebook, so it was so nice to finally get together and meet in person. If you have never been to Palm Beach, I highly recommend it. There is so much to do.

I went a couple of days early. Home base was The Brazilian Court, an experience in itself. The staff was amazing, friendly, and answered any questions that I had. I booked my stay there for next year, too. The rooms were comfortable, extremely quiet, and spacious. I love that you get an actual key for your room. Honestly, you feel like you are in your own tropical retreat. The grounds are filled with little nooks to sit and relax. After checking in, I walked down to the famous Worth Avenue Tower on the beach. Bring comfortable shoes, Palm Beach is a great place to just walk and take in the atmosphere. I love exploring all of the little vias filled with shops, restaurants, and gardens. Taboo is always the place to go, so I stopped and had an early dinner. I was tired after a long day of travel and headed back to the hotel for a good night’s sleep.

 

brazilian court
Beautiful Rooms

 

brazilian court
Stocked bar in each room

 

brazilian court
Beautiful and relaxing resort

Going a couple of days early gave me a chance to explore and stop at a few places on my list. My morning started with a few hours of relaxing by the pool. The pool is so peaceful and secluded, I even met a sweet dog, Lilly. I really enjoy exploring on my own. Lycette was my first stop. I have always wanted to learn to needlepoint, and I knew that was the place to go for my first project. The ladies were lovely, and we found the perfect first piece for me. I made my usual stop by the local firehouse. This fire mom always checks out the local house. I kept on walking to The Breakers. The Breakers is absolutely stunning. Old World Palm Beach. I did a little shopping at the Lilly Pulitzer store there and enjoyed relaxing by the water. Palm Beach is one of those places that I feel very comfortable walking and exploring by myself. My night ended with dinner at Pizza al Fresco, and I even treated myself to a delicious dessert. I figured I deserved it, I logged about six miles that day and five the day before.

brazilian court
An inviting pool

 

lycette designs palm beach
Lycette Designs, Palm Beach

 

the colony palm beach
The newly remodeled lobby at The Colony

 

the breakers palm beach
The beautiful fountain at The Breakers

Friday morning was our first official Lilly get-together. We all met at the Lilly Pulitzer Worth Avenue store for a shopping event. It was so fun to see everyone, enjoy mimosas, and shop. This store is beautiful. Here, you can have a custom shift or bag done. I am having a custom crossbody bag made. I can’t wait to get it. Finn and Ruby will be in the design too. Of course, we all did a little more shopping. Worth Avenue is the place to shop in Palm Beach. Many of us headed over to The Chesterfield for Afternoon Tea. A lovely experience. The table was Lilly-inspired just for us. Our server was the sweetest, and we enjoyed tea, scones, lots of laughs, and way too many desserts. The Chesterfield is beautiful as well, very British-inspired. Luckily, my hotel was a block away so I headed back to relax. The lounge at The Brazilian Court is lovely, so I stayed there that evening. You just never know who you will meet in Palm Beach. I spent a fun evening chatting and making some new friends that I have stayed in touch with.

lilly pulitzer worth avenue
Lilly Pulitzer, Worth Avenue

 

lilly pulitzer worth avenue
A very successful shopping day

 

tea at the chesterfield palm beach
Afternoon Tea at The Chesterfield

 

afternoon tea the chesterfield palm beach
Delicious treats at Afternoon Tea

 

afternoon tea the chesterfield palm beach
We enjoyed our Afternoon Tea experience

 

the chesterfield palm beach
The beautiful lobby at The Chesterfield

Saturday, I was free until that night’s group dinner. I decided to head back to the pool and relax. I spent most of the day there with a few other Lilly girls. Our group met at Carmine’s for dinner. They went above and beyond, even creating a special menu for our Lilly Getaway. Dinner was delicious. Of course, I had pasta. We had a little gift exchange and everyone enjoyed that. It was so nice to get to chat with other Lilly-loving ladies and their husbands. A few husbands joined us too. We were quite the sight of all of us in our Lilly taking pictures outside. The entire evening was lovely. My friends from the previous night were in the bar, so I stopped in there before heading to bed.

worth avenue palm beach
Worth Avenue, Palm Beach

 

carmines palm beach
Dinner at Carmine’s

 

dinner at carmines palm beach
Special menu for the Lilly Getaway

 

dinner at carmines palm beach
A sea of color

Sunday morning, we went to Batch for brunch. Wow, it was delicious. I had the cinnamon rolls and ate almost all of them. We were gifted the cutest wine glasses with our names on them in a Lilly-inspired design. Some of us headed to Palm Beach Sandals for a private shopping event. Thank you to Brittany for welcoming us into her beautiful shop. There were a few vendors and of course more champagne and treats. What is it about champagne that makes everything better? I ordered a pair of custom sandals. They are so cute. I picked a light pink with a gold pineapple. I’m going to order a pair of monogrammed ones next.  We headed back to Worth Avenue for one last round of shopping at Lilly. Most of the ladies left on Sunday, and quite a few were local too. I stopped at Peter Millar and picked up a few things for Bob. I stopped at The Chesterfield and enjoyed dinner at the Leopard Lounge before heading back to The Brazilian Court. I got back just in time, a storm came rolling through.

batch palm beach
Brunch at Batch

 

batch palm beach
Ladies who brunch

 

palm beach sandals
Private shopping event at Palm Beach Sandals

 

palm beach sandals
Choosing our custom sandals

Monday, it was time to pack and head home. I took one last walk around the grounds and Palm Beach. I love to travel, but it is always good to be home. Finn and Ruby missed their mom. Bob missed me too. I am looking forward to next year’s trip to Palm Beach and The Pink Retreat!

carrie kellyCarrie Kelly is an Interior Redesigner Industry Specialist and  Lead Designer at Carrie Kelly Designs specializing in interior redesign, seasonal, and home decor helping clients create beautiful spaces in their homes without the time and expense of a full remodel. She is also a Senior Outfitter with Initial Outfitters, a boutique featuring all things monogrammed and personalized for your unique style. Carrie is also the author of Pineapples and Sweet Tea, a Lifestyle blog, and co-author of the #1 best-selling book The Art of Connection.

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  Visit My YouTube Channel

5 Things I’m Loving, July 2021

 

Happy July. I hope you had a nice day celebrating the 4th with family and friends. It was so nice to celebrate together again this year. The last few weeks have been a whirlwind for us. I spent a long weekend in Palm Beach on a Lilly Pulitzer girls’ trip. We had a fabulous time. Stay tuned next week for a full recap on all of the fun and my Palm Beach recommendations. After I returned home, our son got married the following weekend. It was a lovely day full of family and friends together celebrating. That same weekend was Bob’s birthday and Father’s Day. July 2, I celebrated my 50th birthday. I think I need another vacation after all of this. Summer is by far my favorite season, and these are some of my favorites for summer.

Palm Beach. Like I mentioned before, it is an amazing place to visit. I stayed at The Brazilian Court, and the service was phenomenal. The resort is gorgeous, and you really get the feeling of being in your own private little villa. The staff was always helpful with a suggestion for things to do or to answer any questions. I already booked my return stay for next year. I recommend the book Palm Beach by Rick Rose. If you ever get a chance to attend one of his walking historical tours, do it. Palm Beach is so full of history.

I love exploring the little vias

 

Palm Beach by Rick Rose

Bobbi Brown Beach. I love summer scents, and one that smells like the beach is even better. It is one of those scents that just brings back memories of fun times at the beach. It has been my go-to scent for quite a long time. Honestly, it just smells like suntan lotion and beach. What could be better?

My go-to summer scent

Lilly Pulitzer dresses. It is hot here and dresses are the way to go. I prefer dresses year-round. Lilly has so many styles, cuts, and patterns to pick from. I live in them all summer. It’s just so easy. Throw on a cute dress, a few accessories, and a cute pair of sandals and off you go.

I live in Lilly Pulitzer dresses all summer

Bath and Body Works Suntan candle. Again, there is a pattern here. Another product that smells like the beach and suntan lotion. I buy three or four of these candles at a time because I go through them that fast. I try some of the other scents but always come back to this one.

My favorite summer candle

Frosted Mason Jar mug. I think this mason jar mug from Initial Outfitters is just the cutest thing to sip sweet tea from. These would be fun for a backyard barbeque, ladies’ garden party, or as a gift. There are many different designs available.

Frosted mason jar mug

These are just a few of my favorites for summer. I plan on enjoying all that summer has to offer because before you know it, winter will be here again.

Wishing you a wonderful week,

Carrie

carrie kellyCarrie Kelly is an Interior Redesigner Industry Specialist and  Lead Designer at Carrie Kelly Designs specializing in interior redesign, seasonal, and home decor helping clients create beautiful spaces in their homes without the time and expense of a full remodel. She is also a Senior Outfitter with Initial Outfitters, a boutique featuring all things monogrammed and personalized for your unique style. Carrie is also the author of Pineapples and Sweet Tea, a Lifestyle blog, and co-author of the #1 best-selling book The Art of Connection.

Enjoy a free digital magazine, Summer is a State of Mind, 100 Tips for Enjoying Summer

Visit My YouTube Channel

 

Summer Beach Fairy Garden

summer beach fairy garden

 

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

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

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

summer beach fairy garden
Before

 

summer beach fairy garden
All of the accessories ready to go

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

summer beach fairy garden
After

 

summer beach fairy garden
I love the lights at night

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

summer beach fairy garden
The finished project

Wishing you a wonderful week,

Carrie

carrie kellyCarrie Kelly is an Interior Redesigner Industry Specialist and  Lead Designer at Carrie Kelly Designs specializing in interior redesign, seasonal, and home decor helping clients create beautiful spaces in their homes without the time and expense of a full remodel. She is also a Senior Outfitter with Initial Outfitters, a boutique featuring all things monogrammed and personalized for your unique style. Carrie is also the author of Pineapples and Sweet Tea, a Lifestyle blog, and co-author of the #1 best-selling book The Art of Connection.

Enjoy a FREE digital magazine, Summer is a State of mind, 100 Tips for Enjoying Summer

Visit My YouTube Channel

Freshen Up Your Kitchen For Summer In 5 Minutes

 

I hope you had a nice Father’s Day and enjoyed the day with your families. We have had a very busy week. I just returned from Palm Beach on Monday from a Lilly Pulitzer ladies’ getaway. Palm Beach is one of my favorite places, and I will share a full round-up of the trip soon. Our son got married on Saturday. I enjoyed helping with the planning and decor and had most of it done before my trip. Our favorite local florist did an amazing job on the centerpieces. She did the flowers for my wedding almost 30 years ago. The wedding was at the barn on his property so the theme was rustic with a little firefighter added. He’s a volunteer firefighter. Saturday was also my husband’s birthday and of course, Sunday was Father’s Day. Yep, I was definitely busy. But it was a happy busy.

Before I headed to Palm Beach, I wanted to freshen up my kitchen for summer. Each season I can accomplish this in 5 minutes with just 5 pieces. Choosing a few key pieces to change for each season and holiday makes this job so much easier. I have a couple of cabinets dedicated to my collections of cutting boards, placemats, coasters, floor mats, flags, and so much more.

Changing out my cutting board is where I usually start. The lemon theme is so fun and summery for the season. That was the starting point for my design. The glass cutting boards from Initial Outfitters by Carrie. look so pretty displayed on a stand and they also make a great gift. It is my go-to wedding gift.

 

freshen up your kitchen for summer in 5 minutes
Glass Cutting Board

Placemats are another easy switch. Personalized placemats really create that designer look. It is fine to mix and match styles. I chose the lemon placemats to coordinate with my cutting board for our snack bar. For my kitchen table, I chose the pineapple design from Initial Outfitters by Carrie. I like to keep the kitchen table simple. My Mackenzie-Childs kitchen table is my favorite piece. It is so unique and stands out on its own.

freshen up your kitchen for summer in 5 minutes
Pineapple Placemat

 

freshen up your kitchen for summer in 5 minutes
Lemon Ring Placemat

 

freshen up your kitchen for summer in 5 minutes
Mackenzie-Childs Table

I love kitchen towels. I have different towels for each holiday and season. Bob says I have more kitchen towels than I will ever use. That’s ok, I love them. WH Hostess has a beautiful collection of towels. I simply switch out the towels on my dishwasher and ovens. Another quick change.

 

freshen up your kitchen for summer in 5 minutes
WH Hostess Towel

Floor mats are a fun way to bring your unique style to the room. Personalize one for each season. My dogs are even on some of mine. These can be used in so many ways to brighten up a space.

 

freshen up your kitchen for summer in 5 minutes
Bicycle Design Floor Mat

I added a new tray from Initial Outfitters by Carrie this year. I like to group items on trays to create a designer look. I added my favorite Mackenzie-Childs pitcher and Nest Bamboo candle to the tray. Having things grouped on a tray also makes it easier to move around when needed.

 

freshen up your kitchen for summer in 5 minutes
Personalized Wooden Tray

Bonus tip; I love Nora Fleming pottery. Create an entirely new look just by changing the mini. I have different minis for different holidays and seasons.

 

freshen up your kitchen for summer in 5 minutes
Nora Fleming Pottery

I hope you enjoyed this little summer kitchen decor refresh and found a few easy changes to make in your decor. Redecorating a room does not have to be hard or expensive. You just need a few good pieces.

Let me show you how I made my kitchen summer-ready in my latest vlog.

Wishing you a wonderful week,

Carrie

carrie kellyCarrie Kelly is an Interior Redesigner Industry Specialist and  Lead Designer at Carrie Kelly Designs specializing in interior redesign, seasonal, and home decor helping clients create beautiful spaces in their homes without the time and expense of a full remodel. She is also a Senior Outfitter with Initial Outfitters, a boutique featuring all things monogrammed and personalized for your unique style. Carrie is also the author of Pineapples and Sweet Tea, a Lifestyle blog, and co-author of the #1 best-selling book The Art of Connection.

Enjoy a free digital magazine, Summer is a State of Mind, 100 Tips for Enjoying Summer

 

Visit My YouTube Channel

 

The Wedding Collection With Initial Outfitters

Calling all brides! Are you overwhelmed with too much to do for your big day? Initial Outfitters by Carrie is here with everything you need to make your wedding day a breeze. Bridal jewelry, attendant gifts, wedding day items, and a bridal registry are just a few of the many services I provide.

The perfect bridal jewelry is such an important part of the day. Add some sparkle with beautiful rhinestone pieces or go a little more traditional with classic pearls. Treat the groom to a monogrammed tie and belt. The options are endless to coordinate the bride and groom with the bridal party.

the wedding collection with Initial outfitters
Pearl & Glass Bead Earrings

 

the wedding collection with initial outfitters
Monogram Belt

 

the wedding collection with initial outfitters
Beautiful Starlette Necklace

Say thank you to your attendants with a personalized gift. Monogrammed totes are always loved by bridesmaids. The groomsmen would enjoy personalized mason jar glasses. I think the puzzles are a perfect gift for any children in your wedding party.

the wedding collection with initial outfitters
Antler Mason Jar Glass

 

the wedding collection with initial outfitters
Floral Spray Tote

 

the wedding collection with initial outfitters
Personalized Llama Puzzle

 

the wedding collection with initial outfitters
Personalized Sports Puzzle

How fun is it to see your new monogram? Register for gifts with Initial Outfitters and have your new monogram on so many new things. Head out on your honeymoon with personalized luggage. Entertain at home with a cheese board and baking dish. Enjoy nights on the porch with mason jar mugs.

the wedding collection with initial outfitters
Personalized Luggage

 

the wedding collection with initial outfitters
Personalized Dopp Kit

 

the wedding collection with initial outfitters
Personalized Baking Dish

 

the wedding collection with initial outfitters
Personalized Slate Cheese Board

 

the wedding collection with initial outfitters
Mr. & Mrs. Ceramic Mugs

For the big day, welcome guests with a personalized flag. Add a wooden cutout to a wreath for an instant table centerpiece. Bring everything you need for the day in a special tote. Share a toast with Mr. & Mrs. mason jar mugs.

 

the wedding collection with initial outfitters
Wedding Flag

 

the wedding collection with initial outfitters
Mr. & Mrs. Mason Jar Glass

Initial Outfitters by Carrie really is your one-stop wedding shop. Helping brides make the day easier is one of my favorite things. Sit back and let me work my Initial Outfitters magic.

Wishing you a fabulous week,

Carrie

Enjoy your FREE digital magazine, Summer is a State of Mind, 100 Tips for Enjoying Summer Here:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfFYE0AIPWpgpnNvt8wLhyXUCwa3U7QjNyonsqJjyXNFOqiJA/viewform

 

carrie kellyCarrie Kelly is an Interior Redesigner Industry Specialist and  Lead Designer at Carrie Kelly Designs specializing in interior redesign, seasonal, and home decor helping clients create beautiful spaces in their homes without the time and expense of a full remodel. She is also a Senior Outfitter with Initial Outfitters, a boutique featuring all things monogrammed and personalized for your unique style. Carrie is also the author of Pineapples and Sweet Tea, a Lifestyle blog, and co-author of the #1 best-selling book The Art of Connection.

5 Things I’m Loving June 2021

 

Can you believe it is already June? I hope you enjoyed a nice Memorial Day and the unofficial start to summer. I love summer, it really is my favorite time of year. Life seems to be returning to a little bit of normalcy. It has been so nice to enjoy the warmer weather and be out in the gardens. My strawberry pot has really taken off and I had to already re-pot it. I can’t wait for some tasty strawberries. My herb pots are growing like crazy too. These make me so happy.

It has been nice to catch up with friends and enjoy some girl time. I had not seen one of my dearest friends since last September, and it was just wonderful to get together, enjoy a leisurely lunch and wander some local boutiques. I have really missed the time spent with friends this last year. Next week, I am heading to Palm Beach for a little Lilly Pulitzer girls trip. I am really looking forward to a little shopping, cocktails, beach, and friendship.

Here are 5 things I am loving for June. Everything you need for summer decorating, beauty, and fashion. These are my go-to products for this month and I’m sure all summer.

Beauty Society Undercover Blue Light Protection Mist. We are all sitting in front of computer screens more and this spray provides protection from harmful blue light rays. Very hydrating and luxurious. I keep a bottle at my desk at all times and spritz my face often when I am sitting in front of the computer.

5 Things I'm Loving June 2021
Beauty Society Undercover Spray

ByTerry skincare. I keep going on about this line, but it is just that good. These three products are in my everyday rotation as well as the moisturizer and mask. The rose scent alone makes me love the product but they are powerhouses. My skin feels so soft and under control. Summer tends to aggravate my skin and these just calm it down. Make sure to check out my full review of luxury skincare on YouTube.

5 Things I'm Loving June 2021
ByTerry Skincare

Initial Outfitters by Carrie acrylic mini-me collection. I love fun bright jewelry for summer. These acrylic pieces are so fun. Available in 20 different colors of necklaces and earrings and all personalized with a single initial. I plan to mix and match colors and wear these all season. Perfect with sundresses.

5 Things I'm Loving June 2021
Monogram Acrylic Jewelry

Juliska Seaside Estate plates. I was looking for a new design for my summer dining table when I came across these in a boutique. So fun and that became my new summer dining table design starting point. Exactly what I was looking for and they coordinate with any color palette. This video shows how I created my summer dining table.

5 Things I'm Loving June 2021
Juliska Seaside Estate Plates

Summer accessories. I’m heading to the beach and great accessories are a must. The pom pom sunhat from Initial Outfitters by Carrie will be fun for the beach or really anytime. It will match everything. A great pair of Lilly Pulitzer sandals are a must for all of the walking I will be doing. I don’t leave home without a tote. This tote from Lilly Pulitzer caught my eye. The print is all summer to me.

 

5 Things I'm Loving June 2021
Lilly Pulitzer McKim Sandals

 

 

5 Things I'm Loving June 2021
Monogram Sunhat

 

5 Things I'm Loving June 2021
Lilly Pulitzer Tote

I hope you have found some new products to try out. Summer is a great time to freshen things up. Be sure to watch my video on 5 Things I’m Loving for even more information. If you are looking for more great tips to enjoy summer, make sure to grab the Summer is a State of Mind, 100 Tips for Enjoying Summer here.

Wishing you a fabulous week,

Carrie

Grab your FREE digital magazine, Summer is a State of Mind, 100 Tips for Enjoying Summer Here:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfFYE0AIPWpgpnNvt8wLhyXUCwa3U7QjNyonsqJjyXNFOqiJA/viewform

 

carrie kellyCarrie Kelly is an Interior Redesigner Industry Specialist and  Lead Designer at Carrie Kelly Designs specializing in interior redesign, seasonal, and home decor helping clients create beautiful spaces in their homes without the time and expense of a full remodel. She is also a Senior Outfitter with Initial Outfitters, a boutique featuring all things monogrammed and personalized for your unique style. Carrie is also the author of Pineapples and Sweet Tea, a Lifestyle blog, and co-author of the #1 best-selling book The Art of Connection.

Visit my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDW2iJSg7kqylYMuTwfxQmA

Visit My YouTube Channel

Summer 2021 Dining Table Design

 

Happy Memorial Day. I hope you are enjoying the day with your family and friends. I have been busy around here this last week. I did a small refresh in the master ensuite. It’s amazing what new draperies and artwork can do for a room. Eventually, that room will get a full makeover, but I am not ready to tackle that yet. Summer decorating is finished outside and inside. I am enjoying nice walks in the evening and time to relax by the pond. Installing a pond was one of the best things that we have done. Just hearing the water is so soothing. We have been trying new recipes on the grill and Finn and Ruby are happy to be spending so much more time outside enjoying the sun.

If you have been following me for a while you know I always change my dining table decor each season. Simply changing the dining table and adding a few more accessories creates a new look in the dining room each season. My kitchen, foyer, mantle, and fireplace get a refresh each season too. I really like the change without spending too much on redecorating.

This year I really changed things up. Lately, I have been pairing down my decor and going for something a little simpler and not so dramatic. The drama really comes out during the holidays and winter. My bamboo table runner was the first step. One tall bamboo-style lantern sits in a tray from the Lilly Pulitzer for Target collection. Instead of the usual tall vases of hydrangeas, I added glass hurricanes again from the Lilly Pulitzer for Target collection. I repurposed the hydrangeas and used them in the formal living room. Something completely new this year is the flower balls. I saw these on Facebook, and they aren’t exactly what I was expecting, but I knew I could make them work. Normally, I add a floral garland down the middle of the table, but I added the floral balls instead for a different look. I like it. Of course, a few flamingos, candles, and flamingos finished the look.

spring 2021 summer table design
Summer Table Design

 

summer 2021 dining table design
Fun With Flamingos and Pineapples

My place settings had a makeover as well. The Juliska Seaside Estate plates are new, and I knew they would be perfect for my dining table. I started with flamingo placemats that I picked up at a shop in Charleston. Pink metallic chargers were next with Kate Spade dinner plates on top. The Juliska plates look perfect on top of the Kate Spade plates. I finished the plates off with acrylic place setting toppers from Initial Outfitters by Carrie. I love these acrylic pieces and can think of a million ways to use them. A combination of napkins and napkin rings made the table complete.

 

summer 2021 dining table design
Acrylic Place Setting Topper

 

summer 2021 dining table design
Juliska Seaside Estate Plates

I will say it took me a little time to get used to this design. It was something completely different, but I am really liking the change.  Stay tuned for updates on the rest of my summer decor and how to freshen up your kitchen for summer in 5 minutes with 5 products.

Until next week,

Carrie

Enjoy a FREE digital magazine, Summer is a State of Mind, 100 Tips for Enjoying Summer Here:

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carrie kellyCarrie Kelly is an Interior Redesigner Industry Specialist and  Lead Designer at Carrie Kelly Designs specializing in interior redesign, seasonal, and home decor helping clients create beautiful spaces in their homes without the time and expense of a full remodel. She is also a Senior Outfitter with Initial Outfitters, a boutique featuring all things monogrammed and personalized for your unique style. Carrie is also the author of Pineapples and Sweet Tea, a Lifestyle blog, and co-author of the #1 best-selling book The Art of Connection.

Contact Carrie at: 

pineapplesandmonograms@gmail.com

 

                Visit My YouTube Channel Here

 

Luxury Skincare Review

 

I can’t believe Memorial Day is this weekend. The year is flying by. We will probably enjoy the weekend working in the yard and enjoying a barbeque. I love this time of year, everything just tastes better on the grill. My herb pots are taking off, and I enjoy picking herbs for my cooking from right outside my kitchen door. I have already had to replant my strawberries. They were outgrowing their pot. Summer decorating has begun, and I will share that in a future blog and vlog on my YouTube channel as well. I have changed up a few areas in the house. I added a console table to the landing and styled it with pieces I already had. The table was an Amazon find, and I am so happy with it. Little changes can make a big difference. I plan to get out with friends and family and enjoy everything that summer has to offer.

Luxury skincare. It is something that I treat myself to. If your skin is healthy, there really is no need for makeup. I have become so used to not wearing any, and I really like the natural look. A few products and a few minutes are just what I need.

Colleen Rothschild products are products that I have been using for a couple of years. I use the Balancing Gel Cleanser and Micro Mineral Toner combination every night. They leave your skin feeling clean and not stripped. The toner is so soothing to the skin. I also use Facial Oil No. 9 at night mixed with my current moisturizer. Recently, the hair collection was launched. I love this line as well. The scent is amazing too.  I suggest trying the Discovery Kit. It has a little of everything and a perfect way to try the line. Once you try it, you will be hooked.

colleen rothschild skincare
Colleen Rothschild Skincare

ByTerry is a line new to me. Lydia Elise Millen recommended it, and I am so glad I listened. Pure luxury. I have been using the Baume de Rose collection. Sometimes rose scented products can be overpowering and chemical-like. These are the exact opposite. The fragrance is light and luxurious. If I have any makeup on, I use the Baume de Rose Bi-Phase Makeup Remover before my Colleen Rothschild cleanser. I use the Baume de Rose Micellar Water every morning followed by Baume de Tose Beauty Toner. The toner has actual rose petals in it. Baume de Rose Face Cream mixed with a small amount of the CC Brightening cream is my last step. The Baume de Rose Glowing Mask is amazing. Your skin looks lit from within. I am really impressed with all of these products and appreciate that even the makeup is infused with skincare. This line has become my new go-to.

 

byterry skincare
ByTerry Skincare

 

byterry moisturizer
ByTerry Baume de Rose Face Cream

 

byterry skincare
ByTerry CC Brightening Serum

 

byterry skincare
ByTerry Glowing Mask

Chanel skincare is always a classic. When my skin is feeling stressed, which it tends to do in the warmer months, I reach for La Solution 10 de Chanel. A sensitive skin cream that calms and soothes my skin. Also great after treatments or Microderm. Sunscreen is a must, and I use the UV Essentiel every day. It’s an anti-pollution broad-spectrum SPF 50. Many times I will mix this in with my moisturizer and CC cream. The Lip Balm came with this set, and it is luxurious.

chanel skincare
Chanel Skincare

These are the go-to products that I use daily. A few good products are really all you need. I don’t want to have to do 10 steps every morning and evening for a great skincare routine. What products are you loving? I am always looking for new skincare products to try. Visit my YouTube channel for a Luxury Skincare Video.

Until next week,

Carrie

carrie kellyCarrie Kelly is an Interior Redesigner Industry Specialist and  Lead Designer at Carrie Kelly Designs specializing in interior redesign, seasonal, and home decor helping clients create beautiful spaces in their homes without the time and expense of a full remodel. She is also a Senior Outfitter with Initial Outfitters, a boutique featuring all things monogrammed and personalized for your unique style. Carrie is also the author of Pineapples and Sweet Tea, a Lifestyle blog, and co-author of the #1 best-selling book The Art of Connection.

Contact Carrie at: pineapplesandmonograms@gmail.com