All About Home, Decor

Easy Summer Decor

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Sweet summertime. Summer is the perfect time to be a little more relaxed and whimsical in your décor, a nice change from the formality of other seasons. With just a few simple changes a room can be completely changed all without spending a fortune. I love to use and repurpose what I have and maybe add just a few new pieces each season. Choosing just a few focal points in a home makes a major impact. I always swap out my décor on my dining table, fireplace mantle, and foyer each season and concentrate the majority of my efforts in those spaces. I also added in my Independence Day decor too.

The dining table is a great way to create a major impact because it is normally the focus of every dining room. I always incorporate a few personalized pieces from Initial Outfitters into each room design to help create that custom space. A burlap table runner embroidered in hot pink sets the tone for my summer table design. Mixing different textures and styles can make your space unique. Swapping out placemats with a fun summer design, adding summer plates with personalized napkins and silver napkin rings keeps the dining table formal but with a fun pop of color. Potted hydrangeas, greenery, flamingos, and candles finish my display. It really says summer and to sit down and have a little fun.

A fireplace mantle is another great place to create a major impact. They are always so pretty on their own and with just a few accessories can really shine. My favorite piece is always a beautiful garland. There are so many lifelike ones on the market today. I actually keep my mantle stylish yet simple and always start with a garland. Hydrangeas are my favorite and are the perfect choice for summer. Adding flameless candles across the mantle looks so pretty at night and mine are always on timers to come on at night. A few simple pineapple votive candles complete my look.

The foyer is another area I like to focus on since it is what guests see when they first enter the home. It can set the tone for the entire home. Every foyer should have a focal piece and I have a large foyer table to work with. Again I start with a burlap table runner that is hot pink and go from there. A fun beachy feel is great for summer and using mini beach chairs in bright colors on my table achieves just that look. A big, lifelike floral arrangement, summer tray, and candlesticks finish off the table. It really welcomes you into summer.

I hope that I have given you some ideas to incorporate into your summer home décor. It really does not have to be difficult or time-consuming. A few simple changes can take your home from spring to summer in no time. Happy decorating.

Carrie Kelly is an Independent Consultant with Initial Outfitters. She is available to assist you in creating a beautiful, personalized, and welcoming home, bridal planning, personalized jewelry, and accessories for yourself and to help you select the perfect gift for every occasion. She is also the author of Pineapples and Sweet Tea, a Lifestyle Blog. 

Find her at: https://www.initialoutfitters.net/CKELLY/

                   https://pineapplesandsweettea.com/                                                

                   https://www.facebook.com/IObyCarrie

                   https://www.instagram.com/pineapplesandmonograms/

                   pineapplesandmonograms@gmail.com  

Everyday Life

Five Things I’m Loving Right Now

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This week I thought I would do something a little different. I always enjoy hearing about everyone’s favorite products and recommendations. These are five things that I am loving right now. This list is always changing and seasonal.

The Nest Bamboo fragrance. I first found this on my trip to Charleston last year. The resort featured this scent in their bath products. I immediately fell in love with it and knew Bamboo would become one of my signature scents. The soap lotion combo sits by my kitchen sink. This candle will fragrance your entire house and I always love a beautiful reed diffuser. The presentation is simple and elegant. Bath and Body Works Suntan scent is exactly that, suntan lotion. It literally transports you to the beach. I burn this all summer and when they have a sale I make sure to stock up.

Acrylic necklaces are my favorite summertime accessory. I love the look of one with a cute sundress. These are a fresh modern take on a popular trend. With so many color options these are an easy way to update your wardrobe without spending a fortune. I love switching the charms I wear. These can be found at www.initialoutfitters.net/ckelly

This favorite is not just mine but Finn’s as well. He loves his Barkbox and Chewy. He knows when we get that Barkbox and gets so excited to open it. We get a laugh watching him have fun with all of his new toys. Chewy is something we just started. Their service was so quick and I signed up for auto-ship as well. Why not make things a little easier? Our box arrived in two days.

I am a lipgloss girl. It is probably my favorite makeup product. My go-to glosses are from Chanel and Limelife. Chanel glosses are just beautiful with no stickiness. The packaging is also beautiful and what Chanel is known for. Limelife is fairly new to me, but their glosses rival the high-end brands. A blingy case also will get me every time. The color choices are phenomenal and they also are not sticky at all. Nobody likes a sticky gloss.

For summer decorating I’m having fun with flamingos. I will do a post later on all of my summer decor. It’s fun to not be so formal with the summer decor and have some fun. What says summer better than flamingos? Summer is a time to lighten up and enjoy the sunshine and warmer weather.

Let me know what you are loving right now.

Carrie Kelly is an Independent Consultant with Initial Outfitters. She is available to assist you in creating a beautiful, personalized, and welcoming home, bridal planning, personalized jewelry, and accessories for yourself and to help you select the perfect gift for every occasion. She is also the author of Pineapples and Sweet Tea, a Lifestyle Blog. 

Find her at: https://www.initialoutfitters.net/CKELLY/

                   https://pineapplesandsweettea.com/

                   https://www.facebook.com/IObyCarrie

                   https://www.instagram.com/pineapplesandmonograms/

                   pineapplesandmonograms@gmail.com

Gardening and Outdoors

Happy Memorial Day

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It’s the unofficial start to summer. I love all seasons, but summer has to be my favorite. Backyard barbecues, 4th of July parades, sundresses and sandals, fireflies, sweet tea, and hydrangeas are some of my favorite things about summer. Who doesn’t love a beautiful late night summer sunset? I know I do.

I had waited long enough and it was time to get my front porch summer ready. First off, I needed a new wreath for the front door. An Adirondack style chair wooden monogram really says summer and choosing a beachy blue and light coral paint fits my summer theme. Re-purposing an existing wreath and adding a few flowers and ribbon finished it off. I always love something personal with our name on it for the front door.

Rearranging the furniture and adding a focal piece really made the porch come alive. How gorgeous is this potting bench? My husband made it for me for Mother’s Day a few years ago and I love it. Usually I use it as a potting bench in my garage but I have always wanted to use it in my decor and thought the front porch was the perfect place to display it. Very eye catching. Adding herbs, plants, statues, and lanterns completed the potting bench.

Finally, I grabbed my outdoor pillows, new garden flag, rugs, and added a few pots of colorful flowers to make everything pop. I love the layered rugs by the front door and the flag is from our newest collection. Lavender and herbs smell wonderful as you walk up to the front door, and I enjoy having fresh herbs for my sweet tea. I decided on simple ferns this year for an organic element and to add some green to match the faux boxwood topiaries. I bought the topiaries for holiday decorating but really liked the look so I decided to use them year round. My other pots add just the right pop of color.

I think it’s the perfect time of day to grab a book and a glass of sweet tea and enjoy my beautiful porch. Care to join me?

A perfect summer read