This year with doing so much traveling I decided to keep my dining table a little more simple. To be honest, I have been creating more simple designs lately. I have been drawn to more natural simple elements and designs.
A beautiful focal point
Festive and bright
My Longaberger basket has become the focal point for my table each season. It is big and beautiful. The olive trees were in the basket already and I simply added garland around it. The candles and fairy lights I left in for a soft glow. It looks so pretty at night. I love the wreath basket from Longaberger and keep it out all year long. For summer I just added a potted hydrangea for a pop of color.
Simple style
Perfect for summer
I usually start with a table runner to fit the season. This bamboo design is perfect for summer. Keeping with my natural theme I kept the birdcages on the table this year. Normally, I take them down for the summer but this year decided to leave them out for the season. I like the change. A little touch of summer was added with mason jars and Emma Bridgewater bud vases.
Summer place setting in style
My place settings were simple this year. I ordered these pink charges a few years ago and they are the first layer. A placemat from Lucy Grymes is the second layer. I love the scalloped shape of these. My Juliska plates complete the look along with a seersucker napkin in pink.
What do you think? A simple summer tablescape.
Until next week,
Carrie
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I love the 4th of July. I know, I know that means summer is half over, but it is such a special day. The town where my husband grew up and that we lived in when we were first married always puts on a fantastic parade. We see all of our old friends, bringing back so many happy memories. This year, our street is having a block party complete with fireworks(don’t tell anybody). Poor Ruby Sue, she will definitely need her medicine that night.
I decided to keep my dining room and decor simple this year. I have a collection of patriotic baskets from Longaberger and I thought that they would look nice on the dining room table. I wanted to keep my lemon and blue decor and the baskets were a nice compliment. The glass bottles were a great find at DollarTree years ago, and the simple addition of flags takes them up a notch. Garlands were the finishing touch.
Simple and classic
I simply add to the existing decor
My fireplace area always is draped in patriotic bunting. Simple and classic. I added a USA set of letters, floral picks, glass bottles, and candle holders. I kept this simple as well.
I love patriotic bunting
The entry is fun with the fireworks decor. The wooden flag I painted a few years ago and this year I decided to let it stand on its own. I sprinkled a little more decor throughout the house, but these are the key areas that I try to focus on. This week will be outdoor decorating.
A few fun pieces for the entryway
Lilly Pulitzer is a timeless American brand, and I love that they come ut with a new patriotic pattern every year with their colorful spin. This dress is from the newest collection. I paired it with an acrylic monogrammed star necklace.
Fun take on a patriotic theme
I liked this print so much that I also bought the matching skort and top. Wear them together and you have what we call a Lilly tuxedo. This will be my outfit for our neighborhood party and parade. For a casual event, I paired a patriotic monogrammed tank with a pair of Lilly shorts from seasons ago. Add a pair of white keds to any of these outfits and you are ready for the 4th.
A Lilly tuxedo
Casual look
I hope you enjoy celebrating the holiday with family and friends!
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.
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.
Initial Outfitters by Carrieacrylic 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.
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.
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.
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
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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.
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.
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.
Until next week,
