Carrie Bradshaw Lied

Friday’s Five

– after debating keeping this throw, Lula has decided we’re keeping it by sleeping on it 24/7 –

– trying out this Sigma Beauty Brush Cleaning Glove and being all, “WHY did I wait so long to use this magic mitt?” –

– a quick and easy DIY to add a little marble contact paper to the bottom shelf of our bookshelf –

– having the idea to cut bougainvillea from our patio for a floral arrangement and wondering… WHY have I not thought of this earlier!? –

– packing for a quick trip to Las Vegas –

After a whirlwind week, I’m doing what any logical person would do when they’re exhausted… heading to Vegas! It’s a quick 36-hour trip with a direct, one-hour flight, so I will back in town on Sunday to celebrate my birthday with Christian. I am dragging him to have high tea with me at a tea salon near our house (because my birthday would be the only time he would eat tea sandwiches and drink tea with me with a smile on his face), and then hoping he gives me the vacuum and teacups/saucers I’ve requested. SERIOUSLY!? I am sounding older and older by the minute.

This week has been full of blog dinners, happy hours and work events, and the earliest I’ve gotten home is 9:00pm (this is where Christian sings a la Justin Timberlake “cry me river”), so I am actually really looking forward to a low-maintenance birthday. I’m turning 28… which I have to share because I feel like you probably think I’m turning 65 based on the paragraph above. I’m not mad about it. Every year I turn older I’m more and more comfortable making decisions and following my intuition.

I was recently listening to a podcast that talked about ego vs. intuition and learning to trust your intuition in times that required important decision-making. Your ego tells you to do the thing that looks the best to the outside world, while your intuition tells you what you’re made of – your conscious, your integrity. I’m a religious person, and I’ve always felt that the gut feeling I feel is God guiding me to the right choice. The older I get the more confident I am to stay true to myself, which makes me feel like this.

Thank you so much for reading, for sharing your kind (and often hilarious) comments, and for making this blog one of the most fun and rewarding things in my life. Love you, mean it – XO –

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Nordstrom Anniversary Sale: Early Access

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If you haven’t seen it all over your Instagram feed yet… early access to one of the best shopping holidays of the year, the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, is ON for Nordstrom cardholders! I think this is such a great time to snag a major deal on some of those name brand items you might not be able to budget for full-price.

In years past I’ve scored Frye boots, designer jeans, perfumes and handbags at a serious discount. Today I’m rounding up some of my favorites for those of you with early access! Don’t have a Nordstrom card? Don’t sweat it, you can still see what’s marked down, you simply can’t complete your purchase until the sale is available to all shoppers on July 17th.

I’ve also included some extra items that I think are great deals below in the product thumbnails – this bag? Tassel everything, yes please.

Thanks so much for reading, and Friday’s Five will actually be shared tomorrow. Friday’s Five on Saturday… that doesn’t make sense you say? Well it actually sums up my manic life right now because I feel like I’m all over the place on four hours of sleep with work and blog… so I’m going with it, as it feels fitting! #Jesustakethewheel Happy weekend, babes! XO –

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Wednesday Wish List

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A great pair of distressed denim is what dreams are made of. I practically live in my 501 shorts in the summer – I’ve had them for five years now and the more worn in, the better. These espadrilles might be the cutest ones I’ve seen yet, and this necklace has my name written all over it.

What are you wishing after this week? My birthday is on the 12th… so I’m working on getting my wish list in order. It’s really wild if I tell you what’s on there now… additions to my everyday china, a bundt pan so I can make Christian a chocolate chip poundcake, a pet rumba, a new slipcover for our ottoman, a new kettle, and a ginger jar.

My friends tell me, “you’re like a 60-year old in a 27 year-old’s body… but, like, you’re still a good time.” I think the latter part is just to soften up the first part. Christian told me my birthday list was a little sad, and I was like “well I mean I could ask for a Chanel bag and black Louboutins so if you’d like me to jump ship I surely can.” So I’m trading in the Louboutins for a more affordable bunt pan… because that’s a normal trade-off.

Thanks so much for reading! XO –

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My Favorite Bloody Mary

I love a lazy afternoon with a Bloody Mary. I can remember my grandmother making me virgin Bloody Mary’s at family get-togethers when I would ask what she was drinking. She taught me a few important details for the drink — lots of olives, lots of celery and serve it in a McCarty glass. Today I’m making my favorite Bloody Mary in a Mason jar so you can see the ingredients better, but trust that I still love drinking them in McCarty glasses!

I shared this recipe a few years ago, but honestly the pictures were so frightening that I wanted to start fresh, so here’s my favorite recipe, and it makes two drinks.

Ingredients:

4 oz vodka (added last)

3 cups tomato juice (I like to use the Garden Patch juice from Trader Joe’s)

1 TB Worcestershire

juice of one lemon (keep peel to use on the rim of the glass)

2 tsp olive juice

2 tsp horseradish

1 tsp hot sauce

freshly ground pepper

1 tsp Old Bay, plus extra for the rim

Garnish with:

a lemon wedge

2 stalks celery

a few olives

a pickle

Mix the top ingredients together (without the vodka — that comes later), shaking well to make sure the horseradish is blended properly. Run the lemon peel from the juiced lemon along the rim of your drinking glass. Pour some Old Bay seasoning on a flat dish or your cutting board and dab the glass rim in the seasoning. Fill glass with ice, pour the vodka and fill the rest of the glass with Bloody Mary mix. Toss some olives, a pickle and celery in that baby and add a lemon slice if you’re feeling fancy.

And there you have it! If you have a recipe you love I would love to hear it! Thanks so much for reading y’all and thank you to my fabulous 87-year-old Grammy for teaching me how it’s done. XO –

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Red, White & Blue Outfit

It’s safe to say this white ruffled romper is a summer obsession of mine. I love how polished it is with a little feminine ruffle and party in the back. I also think it would look so cute with a chambray shirt knotted in the front.

Christian was working on the 4th, so we celebrated on the 3rd with a day at the pool, a picnic with Bailey and cooking together at the house while arguing between old Sex & the City episodes vs. The Discovery Channel. So basically it was our usual summer day! Sidenote: I think this is why I’ve always been an Aidan fan. If I relate to Carrie, C is most definitely Aidan. Like this scene? Tis my life – down to the dog. And this scene? Been there, done that.

“No, I’M taking a walk. You can stay here with your boxes of shit and your shoe-eating dog, and you can knock yourself out putting on the rogaine and the speedstick!”

I have so many favorite scenes I could talk about it for hours. Do you have a favorite SATC scene? I need to hear it!

Thanks so much for reading and I hope you guys had an amazing weekend! XO –

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4th of July SALES!

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BANANA REPUBLIC – 30% off regular-priced items with code BRTHIRTY through 7/5 and an additional 50% off sale items with code BRGOBIG through 7/8

BAUBLEBAR – 30% off sitewide with code RSJULY through 7/5

CHARM & CHAIN – 20% off your order with code FIREWORKS through 7/6

DOLCE VITA – 20% off with code FIREWORKS15

DVF – additional 25% off with code JULY25

FOREVER21 – 30% off select styles

FURBISH STUDIO – 15% off entire side with code HAPPY4 through 7/5

GAP – up to 50% off select styles

J.CREW – extra 40-60% off final sale items through 7/6

LOREN HOPE – 15% off everything with code HAPPY4TH

LULU & GEORGIA – 15% off $250 with code SOSWEET15 | 20% off $500 with code SOSWEET20 | 25% off $1000 with code SOSWEET25 through 7/5

MAX & CHLOE – 20% off site-wide with code STRIPES20

NASTYGAL – extra 40% off sale

TRINA TURK – additional 20% off

Happy shopping and I hope everyone has an amazing and safe weekend! God Bless the USA – XO –

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Friday’s Five

– the most amaze package from the First Aid Beauty team –

– flowers from my guy –

– this face begging for a walk or any source of entertainment –

– my new love of Marula Oil –

– snagging this ottoman for $25 and creating a makeshift sectional for lazy lounging –

I’m not going to lie, my holiday weekend started after lunch on Wednesday and it’s been real nice. It’s amazing what adding an extra day or two to your weekend can do. Christian has of course been working, but I’ve used the time to dig deep into some house to-do’s (like getting our guest bedroom ready to reveal – have you seen the snapchat snippets, @CBLied?) and do some blog work, and I’m feeling refreshed and mega grateful for the extra time!

This week I’ve been toying with a lot of new beauty products, and First Aid Beauty and Marula Oil are two brands that are rocking my world. You know that smell when you enter a spa that makes you close your eyes and take a big inhale? Marula Oil has bottled it in their face lotion. Can’t stop, won’t stop – I adore the scent and the satin feeling after applying. I’m an addict!

This sleeping cream is another incredible new discovery that is so great for the dry months here in California. I love pairing it with this eye treatment to get some maximum beauty sleep.

Other than that, I plan to drink some champagne and spend some time at the pool before I’m out of town every weekend in July. What are your holiday plans?

And last but of course not least, a big thank you to all of those who have served this country for our freedom, including both mine and Christian’s grandfathers. It’s so important to remember what our flag truly stands for.

Love to y’all, have a fun and safe weekend and thank you for reading! XO –

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Guide to Catalina Island

When Christian and I first moved to California, we made a short bucket list of places we wanted to visit (also mentioned here). Catalina Island was on the list, so it was just a matter of time before we hopped on the ferry to visit this ridiculously adorable town.

With Christian’s job, we don’t have the ability to plan that far in ahead, as his hospital schedule is constantly changing. So we had a few weeks notice to plan our Catalina trip, and it meant most of the hotels in town where we would have like to stay were booked. Thanks to TripAdvisor, Christian found out about these little condo rentals in Hamilton Cove, and it must have been meant to be because now that I’ve visited, I wouldn’t want to stay anywhere else! Scroll on down to see what we did in Catalina and my recommendations for anyone planning the trip.

– dress c/o (it runs true to size for me) –

After reading some reviews and talking to some of my coworkers, I made a short note in my phone for places to visit while we were there. Our condo rental came with a golf cart, but if your accommodations don’t include one, I would recommend renting one. There are no cars on the island and very few cabs – plus let’s be honest – driving around a golf cart everywhere is pretty fun! Here are some of the things we did that I’d recommend:

Dinner at Bluewater Grill – a view of the boats and yachts and delish seafood can’t be beat!
A visit or peek inside El Galleon for karaoke – because it’s hilarious.
Lunch and a Buffalo Milk at Descanso Beach Club – according to reader comments they have the best Buffalo Milk cocktail on the island!
Sushi and wine/beer tastings at CC Gallagher – my favorite meal during our visit (and we would stop by periodically for their delicious coffee!).
A tour of the Catalina Casino – absolutely gorgeous!

Other places we didn’t visit but that I heard were fabulous –

Island Spa Catalina
Zip Line Eco Tour – I’ve zip-lined in Mexico and Christian has zip-lined in Belizé, so he wasn’t up for it – but I think the next time we visit I will force him.
Ghost Tours of Catalina – because I love this kind of stuff.
Catalina Brew House
An ice cream cone from Big Olaf’s – the smell is intoxicating!
Renting a pedal boat.

And that’s about it! The island and town are very small, so the best part of all is relaxing and slowing down to that island pace. Have you visited Catalina? If you have any spots you think I missed I’d love to hear!

Thanks so much for reading – XO –

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Wednesday Wish List

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So many adorable pieces I’m loving this week! For starters, does this bag not remind you of the much more expensive YSL tote that is all over the place? Love.

This necklace (which you may have noticed me wearing here) was a design collaboration between one of my good friends Jenn of Haute off the Rack and Elizabeth Stone. I can’t stop wearing it – it looks beautiful with everything! Check out the full collection here and tell me it’s not stunning.

I also love this linen blazer and think it could look so chic with white denim and a tank. I tried these wedges on in Nordstrom and was instructed by a sales gal to snag ’em while I could because they’re constantly selling out! I’m now thinking I have to have them. Le sigh.

What’s on your wish list, guys? Don’t keep it from me. Thanks so much for reading! XO –

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Dressed Up Shorts

I’m going to be real with you guys – this was one of those nights that I was going to a group dinner with Christian and asked him to snap a few photos beforehand. He gave me – oh, I don’t know – about six minutes of photo taking and then ushered me back to the car, saying he didn’t want to be late because he wasn’t sure if the restaurant would seat everyone without the whole group being present.

He tucked me in the car without letting me take a peek at the photos.

We were the first ones to the restaurant and it took almost half an hour for the group to be seated.

I mean… am I bitter about it? Of course not (sarcasm)… but reflecting on the situation I’m all, “you could have told me my hair was ridiculously flat.”

We’re letting it go and moving forward.

I like the idea of a polished pair of shorts. Perfect for warm weather, yet sophisticated if paired appropriately. I’m all about a shorts suit (major throwback here), so these I Love Tyler Madison shorts fit right into my wardrobe! Except this is not a suit to wear to work. Except for at my job, where there is no dress code (one of my favorite parts of the gig!).

Thanks so much for reading! XO –

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Watermelon and Basil Salad

This is what I call a girl meal. Christian was out of town recently for his vacation week while I was still working, so it meant it was full-on girl mode. This usually means wine and cheese, but thanks to some help from April Norris of Optimal Vitality Wellness, I have a new stack of healthy, fresh summer recipes that I plan to take major advantage of!

April organizes seasonal wellness programs to revamp your energy, mind, digestion and overall health. Christian and I both enjoy eating healthy (not that I don’t love Cheetos so much I could marry them – I will never deny the truth), and when I mentioned April’s program to him he was definitely up for it.

I’m the kind of girl who can’t stick to a juice cleanse… I usually cheat six hours in. With April’s program, if you slip it’s ok. There are so many recipes to choose from and you can be as intense as you choose. Even better? You have the documents and recipes to hold onto forever, so you can always jump back on the wagon later!

I love this watermelon salad recipe that she’s allowed me to share with you guys. So delicious and summer fresh – even better when accompanied with a glass of Seven Daughters Wine (which is not on the program… so don’t tell!).

Ingredients:

4 cups chopped watermelon
1 cup spinach
6 basil leaves, chopped
2 TB pumpkin seeds
1 lime, juiced

Directions:

Mix everything together other than the lime juice. Add the lime juice last. Optional: add a source of protein (chicken, fish).

Do you have a favorite summer salad? Don’t keep it from me – do share!

Thanks so much for reading! XO –

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Friday’s Five

– remembering this view of Catalina –

– this self-tanner that I’ve been using to maintain my Hawaii / Miami tan –

– new mules that I’m wearing with everything –

– getting these photos and video of Bailey while she stayed with a host family when we were out of town –

– a mid-week show with Christian… even if he ended up losing his car in the parking garage afterward (did you guys see that Snapchat, @CBLied?) –

Friday, we meet again. And I’m always happy to see you, no matter the circumstances.

This weekend we’re at home with a little trip to Venice Beach on Sunday. Christian is working tomorrow, and I’m attending a Bloomingdale’s event and plan to catch up on life at home. I’ve been struggling lately with waking up on time, getting things done, being present enough to have a decent attention span – and I’m realizing I need to do some shifting in my priorities. I am pretty OCD and can be a perfectionist about certain things (can’t we all?), and when the bed hasn’t been made in a week – it’s a sign that I’m not balanced.

Lately I’ve been praying to have peace about some upcoming projects and life choices, and I recently have felt very secure with the future and what it holds. I read this quote this week, “the greatest enemy to great is good,” and I mean… can we just insert praise hands here!?

On another note, thank you so much for all of y’alls recommendations and kind words for our trip to Catalina Island last weekend! I honestly couldn’t believe how much the area reminded me of a summer trip to Greece years ago, and it was hard to believe this little Mediterranean-looking village is only an hour away from Orange County and LA. Per your requests, I’m putting together a list of recommendations from our trip that should hit the blog next week – stay tuned!

What are you guys doing this weekend? Any tips for becoming more centered when you’re feeling off balance? Thanks so much for reading and sharing. Love you guys! XO –

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