I have fallen down a decor rabbit hole lately. I’ve been rearranging some stuff in our home, which I love to do, and I will get ideas and inspiration from things I’ve seen in a coffee table book or a friends home.
My biggest tip would be to start in your own home with things you already have. Often times you have great pieces, you just need to mix up how you’re displaying them. Move chairs around, move decorative accents and even better – don’t be afraid to move art! Patching up a wall and touching up the paint takes no time and is no big deal.
But if you’re still trying to fill a spot, below you might get some ideas for DIY-ing something. On my Instagram, I have an “Art | DIY” saved story that shows some of the hacks I’ve used in our home. Below you’ll find even more decor DIY ideas that I’m loving right now.
The $17 designer dupe lamp in the below video has me SHOOK!
And piggy-backing off of that lamp I love so much, here is the same strategy applied to thrifted vases. Apparently, I need to buy some oven bake clay, like asap.
The below aren’t as much of DIY’s and more-so just major inspiration.
– adding a clam shell to our shelves that I’ve had my eye on (similar one here) –
– finding six brass champagne flutes at Goodwill –
– a little extra time with this very, very busy little man –
I hope everyone has had a beautiful week! We took Monday off in honor of MLK Jr. Day, so the short week has me double checking if it’s really Friday. I heard that one of the men running for Mayor of New York is claiming to encourage the four day work week. And it got me thinking… maybe I should be doing that more often. What’s your work week typically like?
This has been my second week back into Reformer Pilates, and it has been so great. It’s really refreshing how good it makes me feel, and I’m mad at myself for not getting back into it earlier. But at least we’re on a roll now, and for that I’m grateful.
I stayed up late watching the Real Housewives of Orange County reunion and WOW. Talk about a boxing match. I thought Potomac was intense but that was another level! Did anyone else watch?
We got this ball pit this week, and it is just the most adorable thing ever. I’m hoping to play in it with Hudson this weekend. It comes with a little storage box for the 500 balls that are in the pit and I’m like, for a Covid kid this is just the best. So fun!
That’s all I’ve got, friends. I hope you have a wonderful weekend and thank you so much for reading! XO –
I love an orchid because you can often get beautiful blooms for months rather than a week or two with freshly cut flowers. I always assumed these beautiful orchid arrangements I saw in other people’s homes must have come from a fancy florist. But lately I started playing around with an extra planter I had. With a quick google search, I realized that most are creating their own masterpieces from the grocery orchids for $12.99 we all know and love.
I learned a few tricks that make a big impact in making your inexpensive orchid look like it too came from a fancy florist.
Step 1 |Ditch the planter your orchid comes in and transfer the inner plastic casing around the roots a larger planter.
Get creative! Below you’ll see my three orchid planters – a jar, a wine cooler and an actual planter.
If there is space to fill, I’ve filled the bottom with loose bubble wrap and placed moss around the sides and top. Which leads me to…
Step 2 | Use different kinds of moss as filler. I bought mine from a local craft store.
Step 3 | Replace the plastic support rod with natural sticks or twigs. Add a few extra for some visual interest. Also, if you ever receive fancy arrangements, you can save the twigs and clips for future use!
Step 4 | Pull some green moss to use as a disguise of your plant clips. My sister told me some people like to use little ribbons instead of clips. Personally, I prefer the natural look of simply using moss. But I think with the right delicate ribbon that could be really pretty.
Have you ever repotted an orchid? If you have any additional tips, I’d love to hear.
We have already embraced some Valentine’s Day pajamas over here, so I am already thinking in red and pink! I wanted to share a few picks that grabbed my attention.
I love these pajamas (shorts version here) because while they have hearts on them, they still feel appropriate year-round. These are the slippers I pretty much live in right now. I have these sunglasses in black and red – they’re so fun!
This has been a most-worn fragrance of mine this year, and this is a new lipstick that I can’t stop wearing. I put this on every night, and I absolutely need this book for Hudson.
What do you usually do on Valentine’s Day? I usually hunt down a heart-shaped pizza. Seriously! Thanks so much for reading – XO –
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– is this entire post going to be about my love of flowers? –
Early in the week I simply googled “how to make an orchid look expensive.” And from there my rabbit hole journey of trying to upgrade all of my orchids began. I’ve been considering making this topic its own post, but all of this time I’ve been thinking everyone is getting their fancy looking orchid arrangements from some magical location. Now I realize they’re just upgrading them with beautiful planters, moss and twigs from home. Totally attainable and an easy, inexpensive hack!
This week I revisited an old mindset of mine that is very freeing. Even when you’re busy (and not swamped busy, but just a full day), ultimately what’s most important will get done. So often I feel like, “one day when _____ is done, I’ll be able to relax.” But there will always be a laundry list of things to get done. It reminds me of one of my all-time favorite quotes from Alfred D’Souza:
“For a long time it seemed to me that life was about to begin — real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life.
This perspective has helped me to see there is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way. So treasure every moment you have and remember that time waits for no one. Happiness is a journey, not a destination.”
Sometimes you just have to stop busy bee-ing and allow yourself time to do what you want. Not what you should be doing, but what you want to do. And this week that has been less cooking, more playtime and actually sitting down and flipping through, selectively reading my interior design coffee table books. Typically they just sit there, looking pretty and serving decorative purposes. But if you actually pour a cup of coffee, grab a Diet Coke or sparkling water and just enjoy the beauty of every page… so much inspiration is there for you!
And it has really brought my mood up. After such a sad and disappointing week in America last week, this week I’ve been on social media less and flipping through design books more. I would give it a 10/10.
Those are just a few things bringing me joy this week. And my sister is coming to visit us today for her first Georgia visit in a year, so we are so excited to see her! I hope everyone has a beautiful and cozy weekend. Hugs –
There have always been a few things on my personal home “I’ve made it list.” Some of those things are a double oven (got it!), two refrigerators (don’t got it) and a small, dedicated space for a mini gym (somehow… got it!). A few months ago we added a MYXfitness bike to our basement gym. It’s sleek (I love the white!), doesn’t take up much space and packs in a lot of workouts.
The biggest reason why I thought this would be the best stationary bike for us is because not only can you take instructor-led classes or scenic rides with road noise, silence or music, but you can also swivel the monitor 360 degrees and take an instructor-led mat class. Mat classes vary from yoga, pilates, core, HIIT to stretching and meditation.
Like most, during quarantine I started working out more often and then it slowly tapered off. But my goal this year is to remind myself that anything is better than nothing. Even if it’s just a 20 minute ride or a 15 minute core workout. It eventually adds up and most of all, it affects my daily attitude.
For price, dimensions and a full list of every class offered, check out the MYXfitness website. There you can also watch a short bio video on each instructor and see which classes they specifically teach.
Last week I asked you guys on Instagram to send in any questions you had on the MYX system. Thank you so much for taking the time to do that, below you can find my answers!
How are the classes? Do the spin classes have choreography or is it just biking?
I really enjoy the classes and have found myself actually take more mat classes than cycling classes, whereas Christian usually only takes the cycling classes.
There are a variation of rides – climb rides, HIIT and Interval rides, Endurance rides, MYX rides and warm up/cool down rides. You can also watch sample clips from rides on their website.
Does it sync with the Apple Watch?
The MYX mobile app connects with Apple Watch but the tablet app does not.
How’s the music?
There are different playlists for each workout, and you have the ability to skip a song should you want to. The music differs for every type of class, which means you can take the same class five days in a row and possibly never hear a single repeated song.
Lastly, there are separate volume controls for the music and coaches, which I really appreciate.
How much is the monthly membership after you buy the bike?
$29 per month for unlimited access to all content. Collectively they have hundreds of workouts and compared to its competitors, this is the best monthly membership cost.
How often do they upload new workouts?
New workouts are added weekly!
Do you have to have special shoes?
No, I just wear sneakers. But the pedals are made for both options, so if you have bike shoes and want to wear them, they’ll clip in.
Why MYX over Peloton or SoulCycle?
By far, the question I get asked most frequently. First things first, I don’t have a Peloton and have only taken one of their classes in a hotel gym a few years ago. I probably took less than 10 SoulCycle classes while I lived in California. So I’ve dabbled in both but truthfully am not super knowledgeable about either.
What I like about the MYXfitness is the wide assortment of classes and the 360 swiveling monitor for the extra classes including core workouts, pilates, yoga, kettlebell, etc. My favorite combo is to take a short 20 minute hip hop class and follow up with a mat workout.
On their website, if you scroll down you’ll find a full graph with the differences between MYXfitness and Peloton in terms of size, workouts, weight, etc.
Do you feel like there are enough variety in the classes?
Definitely yes!
How long are the classes?
They range from 5-60 minutes with everything in between.
Do you have a discount code?
Yes! With the code KATHLEEN you can get $150 off your order and free shipping (valued at $250). AND the MYX and the MYX Plus are $100 currently, so that is up to $500 off!
Can you use other fitness apps on the screen? For example take a peloton class using the MYX?
No. You can ride with our without a MYX instructor and with or without music. The scenic solo rides are in locations like San Francisco, Costa Rica, Northern Italy, Hawaii and so on. The solo scenic rides offer road noise, music or you can silence both.
Does it track your performance?
The MYX bike comes with a heart rate monitor that allows you to track your heart rate in every workout.
Also, when you create your MYX account you’ll be asked a series of questions that helps create your custom heart rate zones. There is also a SmartMYX option that will tell you which workouts to take based on your specific goals.
One thing it does not do is track distance, which I wish it did.
Who are some of your favorite instructors?
Most of the classes I’ve taken are from Christina and Shaun.
How long is shipping?
Typical shipping is 2-5 weeks which is significantly faster than its competitors!
I hope that helped clarify some of your questions about this particular at-home system. If I missed your question, please leave it in the comments or check out the MYX Fitness website.
Don’t forget that with the code KATHLEEN you can get $150 off your order and free shipping (valued at $250). If you are a self-motivated person who will really use a machine like this for quick and frequent workouts, it is really, really worth it.
Thank you so much for reading and leave me any additional questions you might have! XO –
What a start to 2021. If you’ve turned on the television or opened any social media app, you are aware of what is going on in our country. So in hopes to give us a pleasant distraction, I wanted to stay in theme with this Friday snippet post and share five moments of gratitude from this week.
1. We finally got the Christmas trees in the attic (!!). And it wasn’t easy with two flights of stairs, so that’s a win.
2. All my shows are back with fresh episodes, loving that.
3. The frostbite on my outdoor plants is really depressing, however I’m happy to report my indoor plants continue to thrive. And that’s important because after my spouse, child and dog, they are my next of kin.
4. I discovered and ordered this vase on Amazon and trés chic!
5. I finally received this beautiful star for a tree topper for next year. It clearly took a very long time to cross the ocean and arrive… but I never think about holiday decorations until it’s holiday time. So at least I’ll be ready next year!
This weekend I have a little bit of work to do, but I look forward to some disconnect and playtime with my little guy. What were some of your moments of gratitude amongst the chaos this week?
In times like these, I do look for the joy and good. Sometimes we can focus too much on the hate, but there is always good. I hope you have a beautiful weekend – XO –
I’ve shared some of my top podcasts picks before in 2016, 2017 and 2018 (or you can find them by searching “podcast” on CBL). But it’s been a little while since I shared some new podcasts I love, so I wanted to spill the tea!
Celebrity Book Club | This is a new podcast to me but I honestly love the recaps to celebrity books I’m interested in but won’t necessarily read. It’s almost like a cliff notes!
Tom Brown’s Body | A deep dive into a 2016 disappearance of a Texas teenage boy.
Even the Rich | REALLY love these two girls and how they break down some of the most iconic historic families – JFK Jr, Princess Diana, the House of Versace, even Britney Spears!
Anatomy of Murder | This pod is relatively new but I need more episodes. It’s two former detectives discussing different murder cases and analyzing them.
Unlocking Us | Queen Brené Brown is here to save us all. Hallelujah!
Just B | You know I am going to listen to Bethenny’s podcast, but it’s actually really good. Per usual, she gets straight to the point and has a wide variety of guests.
If you have a favorite podcast right now, I’d love to hear! Thank you so much for reading – XO –
HAPPY NEW YEAR!! Wow, 2021 – we made it!! I think we are all excited about a fresh start this year. I don’t know if it will be that different at first, but I think the hope for a different summer, fall and winter is certainly there.
We spent our first Christmas in Georgia in our home and honestly, it was lovely. I think part of what made it feel so full was that Christian and I made little lists ahead of time. We each wrote some things we wanted to make sure to do – have a fire, hot chocolate and Christmas movies, a drive to look at Christmas lights, board games, Christmas Eve church service, watch The Nutcracker, bake and so on. I think making those lists kept us intentional with our time rather than just lying around.
I also didn’t expect Hudson, at only 13 months, to really be into the presents and so on. We only gave him a few but he really got into it more than we expected! The biggest hit was probably this trike bike from his grandparents. It’s for kids a little bit older than him, but he shocked us by hopping right on and getting the hang of it instantly. We even attached a little wooden crate to the front to use as a basket and I have to say… it’s adorable. Being a parent for the holidays does kind of make things extra magical.
I’ve taken down all of the holiday decorations outside of the empty Christmas trees. When it’s so cold outside, I love the “naked” tree in its beauty for a little while longer. I know many leave theirs up until January 6th for religious reasons while others like to start the New Year with less on their to do lists. Whatever works for you!
I hope all of you have a beautiful start to 2021 and if you haven’t made a vision board or some affirmations for the year, I would encourage you to do so. I did this last year for the first time and despite 2020 being such a wild ride of a year, when I look at the vision board I made, more came true than I would have expected.
Ask, believe, receive! Thank you so much for reading – XO –
similar turtleneck here (60% off) and here ($25 off) | blazer | similar joggers here and here (have and love these, I ordered my usual size) | heels
What is the best gift you’ve ever given and received?
What a fabulous question!
Given – Christian’s watch from Paris on our babymoon.
Received – A Chanel bag on my 29th birthday. Although this year I bought myself this air fryer that I found at a store in town on sale for $40 and it might be rivaling my handbag because I am obsessed.
What did you ask for this Christmas?
A carpet cleaner. This personalized bag. And for Christian to repair the broken plantation shutters in our house (seriously though).
What is your favorite childhood memory?
Going to our church’s Christmas Eve service (the church is over 150 years old) and singing Silent Night by candlelight.
How often do you clean out your closet? And how do you get motivated to do it?
Usually at least 3x a year. When I’ve run out of hangers, that’s when I know it’s time to start sifting.
I’m motivated to do it when my closet doesn’t inspire me. It should get me excited about getting dressed, not dread it!
How do you keep them clean since they are made for the outdoors?
We have a large covered patio with curtains and furniture (peek here) and because of the design, somehow we don’t really get anything other than some leaves on our patio.
So after having outdoor furniture, throw pillows and a rug for a year, they are all still in great shape. So I don’t worry about the cabinets, but it’s also why I don’t spend a lot of money on outdoor furniture. I’m more willing to splurge on interiors and I don’t want to feel bad if I need to replace something after a few years outside.
How do you care for your cashmere? Dry clean? Wash?
Depending on the item, I’ll dry clean, hand wash or machine wash in a mesh bag on the delicate cycle.
I’ve noticed your lashes looking longer lately… different mascara?
I’ll take it! I use R+F eyelash boost a few times a week and bounce between this mascara and this one. One thing I have stopped doing lately is curling my eyelashes… I wonder if that has helped less fall out?
What is the air fryer you bought?
I bought this one because I stumbled upon it in a store on sale for $40. So far I am loving it. Some of the things I have used it for: chicken tenders, root vegetables, fries, carrots, brussels sprouts, red potatoes, fried pickles, salmon and shrimp gyoza.
Where is the personalized tote bag from that you received for Christmas?
I wrote a blog post on this back in the day that you can find here.
How often are you actually live/pre-recorded? Honestly just curious.
I’m always live unless I’m sharing sponsored content. Sponsored content requires the brand to review and approve it before I can post it, which is the only reason it isn’t live.
I wish I could always be live!
How do you rest during your busiest season? What does your self-care look like?
Um… if I’m being honest, I don’t really. I’m a workhorse and it can be a weakness. Now that I have a child, I don’t have the option of when my work day ends. So when I’m busy busy, which has been all of November and December, I shut my computer at 5PM and open it back up at 8PM once he’s asleep and I’ve had dinner.
It’s not great. I’m working on it… hence hiring a “House Manager” to help me with day-to-day tasks so I can allow myself to actually relax more.
Do you use anything on your neck and décolletage to help prevent wrinkles?
I try to expand my serums and moisturizers down my neck and I use a body lotion on my arms and décolletage every night.
Do you get regular facials? Use retinA? Retinol? Lash serum?
I don’t get facials. I use retinol sometimes but not regularly. I do use this lash serum.
I religiously wash my face morning and night with a gentle cleanser and use any combination of an essence, serum, moisturizer or facial oil and under eye cream. The lineup typically depends on how much time I have!
What is your makeup routine? Everyday makeup tutorial?
I don’t really have a set routine because I wear different products almost every day. A part of my job is to try new products, so I’m mixing it up pretty regularly.
I don’t know how to do a makeup tutorial you guys… I don’t know that it would be helpful. I should try to figure out filming-wise how to do a good job.
Haircare and styling? Curling iron?
I keep my hair routine pretty minimal. I wash it 2-3x a week, switching shampoo/conditioner fairly often to avoid buildup. I use Moroccan Oil on damp ends. I let it air dry and then use my T3 curling iron and hairspray when I style it.
My brother’s first child was born terminally ill. Edie only lived to be four years old. I was in my 20’s when she passed and while I wish she could have been with us longer, she taught me so much in her short life.
It solidified that I would rather have a few close friends than an army of acquaintances.
Nothing in life is guaranteed. Be grateful. Really understand what basic gifts and senses are blessings and the value these things bring into your life.
And I ultimately chose to wait a little longer to have my own children because I wanted to feel ready for any child God sent to us.
Setting new year resolutions – what are yours?
I don’t really make resolutions but I did make a vision board in 2020 and shockingly, somehow the majority of it came to fruition. So I’ve already made another for 2021.
A quote I put on it: “God is not in a hurry. You are. It’s why you are tired. It’s why you are anxious and stressed and disappointed. Trust what was meant to be yours will be yours.”
Meal ideas for Hudson?
I follow the Moms on Call books and we just give him bite-sized pieces of what we eat. But if he doesn’t like it, I also always have yogurts, applesauce, veggie straws, bananas, peanut butter and Trader Joe’s bars nearby.
Is Hudson ready for a sibling?
Ha! He has just entered a very busy stage – walking and into everything. God bless everyone. We definitely hope and plan to give him a sibling but we aren’t in a rush. He keeps us plenty busy all by his little self.
I also know this sweet time with just one baby is so special. Just the three of us. I want to enjoy it as much as I can before expanding our hearts to another little one.
Thank you so much for reading and for sending in these questions! You could find all of this year’s and years past Q&A’s in the “personal” category of this site. I hope you had a MERRY Merry Christmas! XO –
MERRY CHRISTMAS to you!! Thank you so much for blessing our family by being a part of this blog, being a part of our journey and offering your support and encouragement along the way.
I am so grateful for the opportunity to share my interests and passion in fashion, photography, styling and writing with you, and it’s thanks to each of you that I’m able to fulfill my dreams all from a little office in this house.
Thank you. I hope you have a beautiful weekend with someone you love, lots of hot chocolate, some holiday movies and matching Christmas pajamas. Because to me, those things are really important!
Tonight we’ll be streaming Christmas Eve church service and then readingThe Christmas Baby, How the Grinch Stole Christmas andRed and Lulu. If you have any Christmas book traditions, I would love to hear in the comments. We really love all books in this house.
Lots and lots of love and joy from our hearts to yours!
”And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.'”
Luke 2:8 – 12
xoxo,
Christian, Kathleen + Hudson
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I’m always looking for inspiration for holiday meals, so I thought I would share what we plan to cook on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day!
We will be staying in Georgia because Christian is working the holidays this year, but now that we have this larger kitchen compared to solo holidays in years past – I’m actually looking forward to cooking. I think it’s going to be a pretty sweet little weekend.
Breakfast
Classic Breakfast Casserole | This is what we had every Christmas morning growing up. You can serve it with biscuits and fresh fruit, and it just tastes like Christmas to me. One year my mom didn’t make it, not really thinking it had become our “tradition.” All of us were like, “WHERE’S THE CASSEROLE!?” Needless to say, she won’t be skipping it again!
I read the comments of this recipe and I am going to try to use Texas Toast, half and half instead of milk and up the egg count.
Coffee Cake | Christian loves coffee cake, so he’s going to make this easy recipe this year.
Popeye’s Turkey | You read that right. My friend told me that her friend’s mother swears by their turkeys, and I want to see what’s up. So we’ve ordered one!
Grammy’s Dressing | We stick with my grandmother’s very basic dressing recipe that is my favorite, probably because of nostalgia. It’s very similar to this recipe!
Other plans we have are to stream our church’s Christmas Eve service (it was a lottery system this year and we didn’t get seats), hot chocolate and Christmas movies, board games, a family walk or exercise (a Christmas Eve tradition, oddly enough) and a wood-burning fire round the clock.
For some tablescape inspiration, be sure to check out this post which you can also find under the “holiday” category!
And if you have any recipe classics that are crowd pleasers, I would love to hear! Merry merry Christmas! XO –
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