arizona – PINEAPPLES AND SWEET TEA

All About Home, Beauty, Decor, Fashion and Style, Initial Outfitters/Social Selling, Lilly Pulitzer, My Favorites

5 Things I’m Loving, September 2021

September 6, 2021 No Comments

I can’t believe September is here. The year is flying by. I have even thought about starting holiday shopping because I think shipping is going to be an issue everywhere this year. We enjoyed a week in Arizona and a quick trip to Chicago. I hope you enjoyed my Arizona recap blog last week. We are lucky to have a place to retreat and relax at. Of course, a few days in Chicago is always a good time. We did a little shopping and took in a Sox game. Our rescue, Miss Ruby Sue is celebrating her one-year anniversary with us. It still amazes me how easily she fit in here. The minute she saw us I think she knew she was home. Her previous owner became ill and had to surrender her. I can’t even imagine how hard that was. I love my fur babies so much. The boys have been moving into their new house. I’ll share some pictures when they get settled. Of course, I’m happy to help decorate and landscape! Busy, busy, busy! These are my top 5 things I’m loving for September 2021.

Olive decor. This year I am switching up some of my fall decor. My dining room is a different theme this year. I’m going with a more natural and earthy look with olive trees, garlands, and white pumpkins. I picked up some olive trees at Hobby Lobby and ordered pumpkins and garlands on Amazon. I have really been gravitating towards more natural decor lately.

Going with white this year

Olive trees from Hobby Lobby

Bath and Body Works Open Sky. I change my scents every season and holiday. I feel that scents can really enhance the feel of a space. It’s time for some warmer scents. Open Sky literally smells like the open sky, fresh and warm. It is described as fresh air, wild blackberries, soft violet, and comforting vanilla. Sounds perfect to me!

My new favorite for fall!

Initial Outfitters Tuscany Collection. Fall fashion calls for metallics and bold accessories. The Tuscany Collection from Initial Outfitters is gorgeous. To be honest, I wasn’t sure if it would be too brown for me. I ordered a few pieces and immediately fell in love with the pieces. Necklaces and bracelets that have the layered look create instant style. This collection will be in my rotation all season long.

Tuscany Collection

Lilly Pulitzer Water Bottles. I am one of those people that carries a water bottle everywhere. I try to drink as much water as possible. If I am going to carry a water bottle around, it might as well be a cute one. Lilly Pulitzer water bottles are my favorites. The patterns are bright, cheery, and colorful. Makes drinking all of my water a little easier.

Lilly Pulitzer water bottles

Mother’s ring. I celebrated a big birthday this year and the boys bought me the most beautiful gift. A mother’s ring. My son’s birthstone is surrounded by mine and my husband’s. They designed it and hand-picked the stones too. It was the most incredible gift.

My beautiful family ring

I hope you enjoyed 5 Things I’m Loving, September 2021. Before you know it, Halloween will be here. I really enjoy dressing up and decorating the house for Halloween. My friends and I do a witches walk and I hope the event happens this year. We get dressed up and spend the evening visiting local pubs. Last time there were at least 100 of us, quite a sight to see. I hope you enjoy the change of the seasons and all that fall has to offer!

Until next week,

Carrie

P.S. Enjoy a complimentary guide, Top Tips To Give Your Home That Decorator’s Touch Here:

http://decoratingguide.carriekellydesigns.com

Carrie 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 Personal Stylist 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.

You can find her at:

http://links.carriekellydesigns.com

Arizona,My Second Home, Travel

A Quick Week In Arizona

August 30, 2021 No Comments

We spent a quick week in Arizona, we have a home in the Phoenix area. It was time for a visit to take care of a few things. Summer in AZ is crazy hot and it was so humid due to the monsoons. We experienced a couple of those last week. It felt like we were back in the Midwest and poor Ruby thought she had escaped the storms. She is so scared of them. The water just has no place to go out there and flooding happens so quickly. Some of the common areas in our neighborhood were flooded too. But the storms were gone as quick as they came.

Flooding from the monsoons

Honestly, this trip was very uneventful. I intended to vlog but never did. We really just spent our time relaxing in the pool during the day. Finn is an expert swimmer and loves to swim a few laps. It’s the cutest thing. Ruby is not interested in swimming. I could spend the entire day in the pool, and I did. It’s just so relaxing and refreshing.

This is my favorite spot

We always visit our go-to restaurants. You know I love Mexican food, and we visited Fiesta Mexicana three times. It’s our absolute favorite. There was a mariachi band one night and I decided that I want a mariachi band for my next birthday! The staff is so nice and they always remember us and our orders. Best tacos and cocktails. I had a mojito and pina colada and they were both delicious. I love places like that. Our favorite pizza is Oregano’s, their salad is also fabulous. The local honky-tonk bar is another favorite. Talk about amazing food. Pre-Covid it was always fun to watch the line dancing and music. It’s always a great time there. Wigwam is usually where you will find us in the evenings. The resort is beautiful and a great place to hang out. You never know who you will meet there. We did get together with friends one evening for dinner and had lunch with our neighbors. It was nice to visit and catch up. We are lucky to have made great friends out there.

There was a mariachi band at Fiesta Mexicana

The best mojito in town

Wigwam, one of our favorites

That was really the extent of our trip. We had a few minor things to do at the house, nothing too big. We hung out in the pool in the morning and went out to eat at night. I didn’t do any shopping or redecorating. Can you believe that? A week away to relax was really what we needed. Do you have a favorite getaway?

Until next week,

Carrie

You can find her at:

links.carriekellydesigns.com

Arizona,My Second Home, Everyday Life, Travel

5 Favorite Things To Do In Phoenix

April 5, 2021 No Comments

I love the desert and the Valley of the Sun. We have had a home here for quite a few years, and it is certainly always a nice break from the long and cold Midwest winters. White Sox Spring Training is what originally brought us here, and I also have family in the area. They all escaped the cold years ago. There is so much to do in the valley, and I put together a top 5 of my favorites.

Afternoon tea at The Phoenician. I wrote a blog on this a couple of weeks ago. Out of all the teas I have been to, this continues to be my favorite. The Phoenician is a beautiful resort. You can easily spend the entire day there, which is what I usually do. The tea service is perfect. Enjoy a glass of champagne outside afterward or treat yourself to a spa treatment at their beautiful spa.
Afternoon Tea at The Phoenician

Afternoon Tea at The Phoenician
The Phoenix Zoo and Desert Botanical Gardens. These are right across the street from each other. You may think all zoos are the same, but the Phoenix Zoo is incredible. I have easily spent an entire day there. It is large and beautiful. The Desert Botanical Gardens is a fabulous place to explore. See plants native to AZ and beyond. The butterfly exhibit is an experience when it is in season. Thousands of butterflies all around you. The gardens show you that AZ isn’t all dust and dirt. Cacti in bloom are stunning.
The Phoenix Zoo

The Phoenix Zoo

Desert Botanical Garden

Desert Botanical Garden
Fiesta Mexicana is by far my favorite Mexican restaurant. They have locations throughout the valley and other states. I go there so much they know my order. The margaritas are fabulous as well. Authentic Mexican food in a fun atmosphere. It can’t be beaten.
Fiesta Mexicana

Fiesta Mexicana
Kierland Commons and Biltmore Fashion Park are my favorites to shop at. They are both outdoor shopping areas full of great restaurants and shopping. The Biltmore Fashion Square is the large mall in Scottdale, but it is indoors. I prefer a quaint outdoor shopping experience. I recommend Tommy Bahama or The Mission at Kierland Commons for lunch.
Kierland Commons

Biltmore Fashion Park
The Wigwam in Litchfield Park is an old-world western resort that was built in the ’20s for the Goodyear Tire Company executives. It always housed airmen during the war. Luke Air Force Base is nearby. When you think of old Arizona, the Wigwam is it. Three golf courses, an Aveda spa, restaurants, and a lounge are all at the resort. You really don’t even need to leave. Across the street are many other restaurants too. I love that there are always fresh oranges in the lobby for you to take.
Wigwam Arizona

Wigwam Arizona

Arizona is really so much more than just mountains and dust. Although there can be a lot of dust at times. I love to explore new places and there are so many, it’s always an adventure. I hope you try one of these on your next trip to The Valley of the Sun.

Carrie 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.