Everyday Life, Wellness and Fitness

How Life Has Changed In The Last Year

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Can you believe that it has been a year since COVID first hit us? Sometimes it seems like yesterday, and other times it seems like it has been this way forever. I think as many people did that it would blow by and be gone before we knew it. Were we ever wrong. Between COVID, political divides, and tension it has certainly been a strange year for all of us, some good, and some bad. In the beginning, everything seemed so strange. It was awkward going out and you really didn’t know what was right and what was wrong. Many of us lost friends to COVID, and many of us worry about our loved ones who are front-line workers and battle this every day. Luckily, it seems that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Life is starting to get back to normal, even if it looks a little different.

I am sure that like me, many people took this last year to slow down and reevaluate certain aspects of life. COVID forced us to slow down. I was staying home a lot more, and it was strange. I was always on the go it seemed. Creating some kind of routine was so important because I could see how many people could fall into a state of depression during the last year. I have made it a point to keep up with the same routine and find that I have enjoyed the slowdown and change. There is nothing wrong with a little slowdown.

Self-care has become so important in the last year. Many of us really didn’t make time for ourselves. I enjoy getting up very early when everyone else is still sleeping, and the house is so quiet. I start every morning with an affirmation and then a workout from Beachbody on Demand. Honestly, I never thought that I would like to work out at home, but I really do. A morning workout is a perfect way to start the day. I follow that with time to work on my business, blog, YouTube, and anything else business-related. In the evening, I have adopted a routine as well. I do a stretching workout and meditation. After those are done all electronics are off for the night. This small step has made such a difference in the quality of sleep I get.

I also took this past year to do some things that I have always wanted to do for myself. I took classes in Interior Redesign, and became certified in the field. Creating my brand has always been a dream of mine, and I ventured into social media, marketing, and YouTube. I have found an amazing group of supportive women that helped and guided me along this journey. My friend Brenda always says Did It Scared, Didn’t Die. Yep, I’m still here. I journaled more and have been more focused on creating the life that I love and want for my family.

This past year has also shown me that sometimes people only come into your life for a short time. Unfortunately, I lost friends that I thought would always be in my life over politics. In all honesty, were they really good friends if they couldn’t respect my views? I will always respect my friends’ views and love them anyway. My circle got smaller and that is okay by me. I was sad at the loss but moved on. Many people know that my husband was in a work accident in December. It was a very scary time, and he is still recovering. Again, in these situations, you find out who your friends are. Some people I thought would be supportive were not, and other people surprise me with their care and concern.

Life has certainly been a roller coaster this last year. I am looking forward to what the future has in store for me. I am enjoying all of the new aspects and adventures of my business. In June, I am taking a much-needed break and heading to Palm Beach for a Lilly Pulitzer girls’ weekend. I hope your future looks bright too.

Carrie

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.

All About Home, Decor, Holidays

Five Minute Fall Decor

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Fall is finally here and it’s time to bring in the warm colors of fall into our home decor. Does the thought of changing out your decor stress you out especially with the holiday season right around the corner? Do you skip decorating for fall altogether? What if I could help you decorate a room in five minutes with five accessories? Sounds easy, right? It really is with a few perfect pieces.

Let me show you my kitchen refresh for fall. Clearing out the summer decor and pineapple placemats and accessories were the first steps. It’s nice to start with a clear space to really see all of the possibilities. I love bringing in some warm-colored pieces and buffalo plaid prints are some of my favorites. I switched out my pineapple placemats for a gray buffalo plaid with a pumpkin personalized with our name for our counter eating area. Personalized pieces are a quick and easy way to achieve a high-end designer look. These are pieces you won’t see in everyone’s kitchen and on every store shelf. Mixing patterns is always a great idea, pieces don’t always need to match, they just need to go together.

With that thought, I used personalized black placemats on the kitchen table to coordinate with my napkins and napkin rings. It all pairs nicely. A pumpkin soup tureen from Pier 1 became a pretty centerpiece. My napkin holder is a Nora Fleming piece. I love her pieces because you only need to switch the minis to create a new look. Their collection contains minis for every holiday, season, and occasion. I highly recommend them. A fall candle and fresh flowers complete the table. Fresh flowers are always a must in my house.

Kitchen Table Refresh

The last few changes were simple. I always have a personalized cutting board on my counter and I just switched it out for the same pumpkin style as my kitchen counter placemats. A Mackenzie-Childs pumpkin and fall candle add to the display. Switching my summer kitchen towels for pretty fall ones was the last step in the kitchen refresh. Towels are such an easy way to achieve a quick change. Normally I add garland to the windows but decided to leave them out this year. I wanted a clean, uncluttered look.

What do you think? I really did just do this refresh in just five minutes with five accessories. Room designs don’t have to be complicated, sometimes less is more. I really enjoy the simple uncluttered look before the holiday decorating begins. Enjoy the crisp fall weather and changing colors.

 

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 an Independent Consultant 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.

Find her at: https://carriekellydesigns.com

                   https://pineapplesandsweettea.com

                   https://www.facebook.com/carriekellydesigns

                   https://www.initialoutfitters.net/ckelly

                   carrie@carriekellyesigns.com

 

Everyday Life

New Adventure

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Have you ever thought about doing something you have always wanted to do but unsure of yourself? All of this craziness of COVID made me stop and think about this. I love what I do with Initial Outfitters but wanted to do more. Ever since I was young I have always redecorated and designed for fun. I love to create new spaces and find new ways to repurpose what I have. This got me thinking, what could I do?

Design and decorate, it’s always been my passion. I decided to go back to school and take classes in Interior Redesign. I knew this was more for me, as I didn’t want to get into the architecture and reconstruction of spaces. After doing some research I decided to go through the online program through International Association of Professional Career College and complete the Interior Redesign program. I really worked and studied and completed the course with High Honors. Carrie Kelly Designs was created.

But now what, what is Interior Redesign? Interior Redesign is taking what you have and improving on it without the expense and time of a full remodel. It is really what I have always been doing, I do not enjoy the chaos of a remodel. A project that can be completed in a day, weekend or short amount of time is for me. Even just having a plan to do a project in stages is great. Sometimes you just need a fresh look at your space and move things around or repurpose what you already have. It’s amazing what a few changes can do to create a new look.

I am happy that I can incorporate my love of Initial Outfitters and their personalized pieces into my love of interior design. Carrie Kelly Designs has launched and I am so excited to help my clients create a new space that they will love for years to come. I am excited for this next adventure and what is to come. Is there anything you have been thinking about but haven’t had the courage to do yet? My advice is go for it. If you are passionate about something it will show to everyone. Take a chance. Anything is possible.