March Favorites

march favorites

I really can’t believe how fast the year is going. It seems like just yesterday I was planning for our Christmas Eve celebration. I am happy that spring is finally here. Nothing makes me happier than bulbs in bloom, grass greening up, and longer days. Spring decorating is done. Everything is bright, cheery, and floral! I think by my March favorites you can tell that I was looking forward to spring. Enjoy!

faux tulips
Looks so realistic

I have seen everyone rave about the faux tulips from Amazon, and I had to give them a try. I love fresh flowers from the market, but sometimes there is little to pick from. Wow, I am impressed. They are made with a plastic/rubber mix and the texture is so natural. They can be bent and shaped too. My Mackenzie-Childs vase was perfect. It took me about 5 minutes to bend and shape them to create a casual arrangement. I like the look of tulips falling from the vase. There are so many other faux floral options on Amazon and I am going to pick up some hydrangeas for summer.

fentimans rose lemonade
A refreshing treat

Who doesn’t enjoy a refreshing drink on a warm spring day? A rose lemonade from Fentimans is even better. I found these at my local Target but have seen them randomly at other places too. Of course, they are also available online. I love flavored lemonade and this one is so pretty in the bottle too. Spring is finally here when you have a nice cold lemonade.

younique serum foundation
For a natural, flawless look

Serum foundations have become my new favorite. I don’t wear much makeup and rarely do on a daily basis. I want my skin to look like my skin only better. Younique Touch Serum Foundation has been my new go-to. My favorite way to use it is just to mix a little in with my moisturizer. A little really does go a long way.

aerin lilac path
A perfect spring scent

Aerin Lilac Path is still my favorite spring perfume. I’m not sure if that will ever change. Lilac Path has a beautiful lilac smell that does not smell artificial. It is light, airy, and perfect for spring. I have many perfumes from Aerin and each one is unique. Cedar Violet is still my favorite for winter too.

aembr secret garden
Natural and clean scent

Another favorite spring scent is Secret Garden from Aembr. This candle is exactly what it sounds like, a secret garden. One of my favorite bloggers and YouTubers, Kristina Braly started Aembr in her home. She wanted to create clean fragrances with only the best ingredients in small batches. These are all hand-poured, most of them by her too. She left the medical world to follow her dream of becoming a business owner. I love the story behind the brand as much as the brand.

As I said, March was full of anticipation for spring. I hope you give one of these great products a try. Let me know if you do, I love to hear your favorites. I hope you find time to enjoy all that March has to offer.

carrie kellyUntil next week,

Carrie

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Shop my favorites below:

Amazon Faux Tulips

Fentimans Rose Lemonade

Younique Serum Foundation

Aerin Lilac Path

Aembr Secret Garden

 

5 Quick Ways to Decorate The Kitchen For Spring

5 quick ways to decorate your kitchen for spring

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.

  1. 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.
    quick kitchen spring decor tips
    Practical and pretty

     

  2. 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.
    personalized spring placemats
    Add Spring placemats

     

  3. 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.
    anthropologie candle
    Fresh Spring scents

     

  4. 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
    Fresh flowers every week

     

  5. 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.
    spring kitchen decor
    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 kellyCarrie 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.

You can find her at:

links.carriekellydesigns.com

Five Things I am Loving May 2021

 

It looks like the cold weather is finally behind us here in the midwest. My daffodils, tulips, and hyacinth are all in bloom. Unfortunately, a late frost damaged my beautiful magnolia tree. Luckily, it did bloom first. I have been busy planting away. Most of my pots and baskets are finished. On my deck, I planted a pot of herbs for my tea and another herb pot for cooking. Is there anything better than cooking with fresh herbs? I love stepping outside and picking just what I need. I have also been busy doing a bit of spring cleaning and organizing. It’s always a good feeling to clear the clutter. Spring always gets me in the mood for a little decor refresh too. I changed out some heavy drapery, moved a few pieces of furniture around, added a few new pictures just for a little change. I’m looking forward to celebrating Mother’s Day and everything that spring has to offer. Here are five things I am loving for May.

By Terry CC Brightening serum. I mix a dot of the Sunny Flash in with my moisturizer for just a hint of color.

Radiance boosting primer. Built-in skincare. Color-corrector. Instantly brightens. Evens out the skin tone.

Infused with radiant rose stem cells, this illuminating primer creates a flawless base with no coverage. ‘Optical glow’ technology blurs imperfections, evens out the skin tone, and neutralizes redness. Deeply hydrated, skin looks visibly brighter and positively glowing. Glides on effortlessly. Available in 4 shades. Flatters all skin tones. Lightweight serum texture. Easily buildable.

UNIQUE FORMULA

Enriched with radiant rose stem cells Brightening CC Serum boosts radiance and adds protection to the skin. ‘Optical glow’ technology mixes light-reflecting prisms, soft-focus microspheres, and color-correcting pigments.

THE RESULTS

Helps to hold makeup for longer. Skin looks instantly brighter and positively glowing.

N°1 Immaculate Light controls redness and reduces blotchiness. Ideal for pale/porcelain complexions that need a lift. Highlights high points of complexion.

N°2 Rose Elixir illuminates washed-out, ashy-looking skin with healthy pink undertones. Also a perfect highlighter for darker complexions.

N°3 Apricot Glow revives a dull complexion and gives the skin depth and warmth.

N°4 Sunny Flash is ideal for darker skin tones and creates a beautiful bronzed finish.

by Terry cc brightening serum
by Terry CC Brightening Serum

This personalized wooden tray from Initial Outfitters by Carrie is the new centerpiece of my family room table. I like grouping things together and using a tray creates a designer look. On my tray, I added a Bamboo candle from Nest, personalized ceramic coasters, and a hurricane. Trays are just so versatile, I have multiple trays in each room. These trays measure 18″ X 12″ with a rope handle and personalization is complimentary.

personalized wooden tray
Personalized Wooden Tray

I love personalized social stationery, office supplies, and gift wrapping products. I recently came across a new shop on Etsy, Initial Offerings 4 You with the cutest designs. I was looking for Lilly Pulitzer-inspired stationery, and they had exactly what I was looking for. Shipping was also very prompt. I went with the shift dress theme in a Lilly-inspired pattern and ordered personalized notepad and gift tags. Personalized gift tags make a beautiful presentation. A little Lilly print will be framed for my office. I also ordered a Jack Rogers-inspired hand towel and tumbler but those have not arrived yet.

 

personalized notepad
Personalized Notepad

 

 

 

shift print
Shift Print

 

personalized gift tags
Personalized Gift Tags

During this last year when most gyms and yoga studios were closed, I made it a point to continue working out. I started Beachbody on demand.  I felt it was important to try to keep doing the same things I had always been doing. Honestly, I never thought that I would like to work out at home. Turns out, I really do. I enjoy getting up early every morning and getting my workout done before anything else. Beachbody has such a variety of workouts, you will never get bored with all of the choices. To end my day, I destress with a short stretching video followed by a meditation video. After that, all electronics are off for the night. I have a fantastic coach and mentor, Sian Greenwood. If you are interested in learning more about Beachbody and all it has to offer, I highly recommend reaching out to her for a chat.

beachbody on demand
Beachbody On Demand

Last but not least, another Mackenzie-Childs piece. The Royal Check pattern has become my new favorite. I added this little pitcher to my collection. Just the perfect size for a little bouquet of flowers. I have this on my island. I really wanted something not too bulky and easy to move when I want to use the island for cooking or preparing meals. I think it is the perfect piece.

mackenzie childs royal check pitcher
Mackenzie-Childs Royal Check Pitcher

I hope you enjoyed a few of my favorite things and maybe found something new to try. What things are you loving right now?

Until next week,

Carrie