– watching this little quarantine herb garden thrive –
Where do I even begin!? Thank you, thank you, thank you. Never in my wildest dreams could I have envisioned you guys blowing through every single garment in less than three hours. Speechless. Now all I want to do is whip out a sewing machine and make some more clothes. You guys are a dream!
I’ve been walking on air this week, but there are a few other highlights to share. Each time I clip some herbs I can’t believe how far this little plant bed herb garden has come in just a few months. If you have a yard or patio and haven’t planted a 2020 herb garden – get to steppin’, sister!
I have a few Missoma jewelry pieces that I’ve been wearing for a few years now (especially this necklace and this necklace). They hold up so well, are so unique and beautiful and look great with everything. I added a few more pieces to my small collection this year with this ear cuff, this chain bracelet and this locket necklace.
I made some big moves toward our bathroom renovation this week and look forward to getting that project started this month (!!). I’ve been working on gathering Nordstrom Sale content for you guys that will be coming next week! And I got together with a few gals in town for a socially distant happy hour that was just lovely. This weekend I hope to spend some “pool time” outside, unwind and take a breath. It’s been a memorable and busy week and I want to be sure to stop and smell the roses. Thank you again for your encouragement and support. Big time. XO –
You guys were ICONIC yesterday and sold out all 9-pieces of the limited collection with Amazon in 2.5 hours. 2.5 hours!!! I cannot begin to tell you how much this means to me. I know I keep saying this, but I truly designed these pieces with all of you in mind – the women who do it all. From the office to work-from-home, mom life, drinks with the ladies, dates… the goal was to create a small collection of versatile and comfortable pieces that can be work numerous ways.
While the 9 pieces I designed did sell out, there are still some great Staples pieces that I really love. So much so that we included them in the storefront. This black midi dress is beyond comfortable. It’s under $50, runs true to size and comes in three colors. It is stretchy with a really nice weight to it and a sassy side slit. I also think this would be super cute on a baby bump! I love it so much I bought it in pink also.
You know I love a blazer, this one has a loose fit (I probably could have gone down a size). It’s nice and lightweight for these hot months, and it’s very chic belted over a dress.
dress (I have it in both black and pink, size small) | mules (if you’re in between sizes I would size up), also love these (run TTS) | blazer (wearing size small, if you’re in between sizes I would size down) | earrings – $14 | initial ring – $13
Another combination I really love from the Staples lineup are these highwaisted jeans and this sleeveless ribbed mockneck sweater (I snagged this one in black also). While skinny jeans don’t necessarily look as great on my frame, if you are a slim denim lover, this pair is amazing for the cost. I have a pair that I cut at the ankle and you would absolutely never know they actually cost under $50.
When I wore these jeans on my stories, you guys wanted the tea on them and fast. They’re under $55, have plenty of stretch to be comfortable and have really nice high waist. But we must talk about the 4 Amazon accessories you cannot sleep on.
Lightweight gold hoops under $14 (these were actually a recommendation from my friend Nicole), the cutest initial ring for $13, an amazing look for less of the trendy croissant bag and these slim strappy heels that have a 3.5″ heels that feels realistic for longtime wear.
highwaisted mom jean (if you’re in between sizes I would size down, has a good amount of stretch, wearing 27), also love these (run TTS) | mockneck ribbed sweater (runs TTS, wearing small, snagged this in black as well!), also love this one | bag – great look for less, comes in 3 colors! | heels (runs a little small, I would size up 1/2 a size) | earrings – $14 | ring – $13
Above are a few more looks with these pieces. I love these Staples pieces so much that I wanted to include them along with the neutral pieces I actually designed myself. So I felt they deserved their own post, particularly considering they’re still in stock! Thank you so much for reading, for sharing in this excitement with me and for your support. ADORE YOU! XO –
My collection with Amazon The Drop is now LIVE, I can’t believe it! We have been working on fine tuning this collection since 2019. The launch moved from spring to summer and now it is here. I’m elated to share it with you guys!
The goal was to create a collection that is sophisticated and versatile. All of the pieces can easily be mixed and matched to create so many looks, all while keeping the color palette neutral and timeless with black, white and caramel. These are pieces that you can dress up for the office, going out or a date or dress down with denim, flats and sneakers for mom life, work-from-home life or weekend lounging.
The collection consists of 9 styles and fabric details for each piece can be found on the product details page for each item. The pricing ranges from $29.90 – $59.90 and all items should ship within 3-4 weeks; they are all made to order (which eliminates waste!). I really hope you love these pieces as much as I do. Thank you so much for all of your excitement and support. It means so, so, so much to me.
And here she is in the python print. You can wear this one with the matching wrap skirt or easily style it on its own. I love it with jeans but it would easily work with a black pant or skirt! It also looks fabulous with white denim or a white blazer.
I love this skirt so much I could marry it. I think it’s so flattering, looks great on curves and looks just as chic with matching top, a black mock neck or crop top. I also think it would look amazing with ankle boots, OTK boots and a turtleneck. A year-round piece!
The fit is loose and breezy, a true wrap skirt that can grow with your body (hello postpartum or #quarantine15 life). I’m wearing a small but could likely also do an extra-small.
The outerwear piece you can layer over everything, all year long. I can’t wait to wear this over a turtleneck in the fall! When I worked in offices, I loved layering vests and blazers over spaghetti strap pieces to make them work-appropriate.
The fit is loose and breezy, if you’re in between sizes I would size down. I’m wearing a small.
I was really intentional with the length of this dress so it could be easily worn with both sneakers, flats or heels. The back cuts straight across to accommodate a strapless bra, and it can be fabulously cinched at the waist with a belt or belt bag. Chic! I wish we also had this dress in python, I love it that much!
The fit is loose and breezy, if you’re in between sizes I would size down. I’m wearing a small.
I think this is the most interesting and unique piece in the collection. I love a crisp white top, but the wrap element of this shirt makes it anything but boring. You can tie it in the front in bow or in the back in a simple knot. I prefer this top tucked in to show some shape, but you can just as easily style it untucked with any pair of jeans or pants. The open cuffed sleeves are also a special treat!
I would recommend ordering your usual size. I’m wearing a small.
I looked for a caramel jogger set for over a year. I’m not joking – it’s so hard to find one that is both flattering and comfortable! So we made one. Even better, there are two matching tops! You can wear all three together or choose your preferred matching piece. The joggers also look great with a simple white or black shirt. The material feels like the tshirt sheets you loved so much in college. The. Best.
I’m wearing smalls but could probably also do a medium in the jogger for a looser fit.
I love these tops. You can wear all three together for a chic Yeezy moment or style them all as separates. All are the same color and fabric and wildly soft.
The cut of the sleeveless top does work best with a racerback bra. It’s a really pretty cut that is not your basic sleeveless top. You can see the long-sleeved shirt styled with denim above! I have a girlfriend who styled these tops with white denim and it is *chef’s kiss!*
I think these both run true to size, and I would recommend ordering your usual size. I’m wearing a smalls in both.
And there we have it! Let me know what you think and I would love to know which pieces you could see yourself wearing. Thank you so much for your encouragement and support. You guys are the foundation of CBL and every opportunity I have is thanks to all of you, so thank you so much from the bottom of my heart. XO –
Sharing this month’s top 10 items amongst CBL girls! Each item is linked underneath the photo. These posts always blow my mind because the items are all over the map. A tent to jewelry, baby diaper covers and ice cream bowls. I love it.
If you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen yesterday’s announcement of the date my Amazon Drop collection will be live! TOMORROW is the launch! I am so, so excited for you guys to be able to see all of the pieces and shop anything that speaks to you. You can find all of the information on each piece in the product listing (including my height and what size I’m wearing), and I’ll be sharing a full blog post with information on each piece as well. If you signed up for the SMS text notifications (thank you!), you’ll know the minute the collection is live.
But back to the July showstoppers. You can find April’s top 10 here, May’s top 10 here and June’s top 10 here. Let’s get into it, ladies –
I do want to be transparent that often times the same top sellers remain top sellers month to month. I have been skipping those to avoid repeat mentions and have been choosing new items. But would you rather see the repeat items or no? I just want to make sure I’m doing what you guys prefer.
I hope you’ll come back and visit tomorrow when the Amazon collection launches. I designed each piece with all of you in mind, so I can’t wait to hear from you. Thank you so much for your continued encouragement and support. Truly means so, so much to me. XO –
– receiving this photophore – I’ve been on the waiting list since spring! the one I bought isn’t available online at the moment but you can find a similar one here –
It’s the weekend, my sweets! I have been on a mission to get some things checked off my list. I’ll admit, I’m the type A personality type that really feels rejuvenated in completing tasks. Cleaning closets, donating clothing, cleaning out the refrigerator… it’s like it releases endorphins for me. Is anyone else like this or am I the only cuckoo cleaning one?
I snagged this dress and this dress this week for under $36 a piece – a rare markdown. Felt like a rare gem of a deal. I’ve been ordering various parts and pieces for our master bathroom remodel coming soon and wow, those of you who have remodeled homes? My hat is off. There are so many details that go into home redesign and building. It’s definitely not my strength, God bless.
That’s about all I’ve got this week. I’m hoping to spend some time in the sunshine this weekend, and I’ll be making a special announcement on Sunday about my Amazon The Drop launch, so stay tuned on social media for that! Thank you so much for reading – XO –
Will your Amazon Drop collection be available to your loyal Canadians?
Yes – it will be available worldwide! You can find more info about the collection details here. As soon as I can release the launch date, I will. And you can know immediately when the collection drops by signing up for their really simple SMS text notifications. You only get one text when it drops!
Also… love you and that loyalty, sis.
What are your favorite wide leg, cropped flare denim?
I mean… always! I would love a little red Chanel flap bag or a small black Birkin… but a gal can dream.
Can you speak about the effectiveness of blue light glasses and where are yours from?
I’m usually wearing this pair. And you can read an article about blue light glasses here. Also if you search “blue light glasses,” my glasses will come up in the first post!
We are starting on our master bathroom next month (!!). We have two backyards – an upper and lower yard. The upper yard is kind of a mess… we’re just not quite sure what to do with it. The previous homeowners had plans to install a pool, which would be fabulous… but we’re not there yet.
Honestly, we’re just thrilled to have any yard. It is such a huge luxury and we don’t take it for granted.
What was on your must-have list for buying a home?
I wanted space. A yard. Preferably painted brick only because I love a brick house. A kitchen that was up-to-date. Some character that made it feel unique. I mean… once you start looking you realize house hunting is actually the pits. Or is that just me?
Ultimately, like with any big decision or investment, we just had to take a leap of faith. So far, I have no regrets!
In my basement. I haven’t ventured to a studio here yet.
I’ve got a case of the quarantine blues. Will you share about your experience in SF and how you coped?
I hear you, girl. I shared a lot of posts in the “personal” category of this blog about being down, perspective and what I decided to do about it. You can find some posts on these topics here, here and here.
You also might like this post about signs to look for when it might be time to take a social media break.
Do you have any tips on managing anxiety? Was doing ok with COVID until this month.
I’m so sorry you’re dealing with that, and I know these uncertain seasons can be really triggering for those who struggle with anxiety. My first recommendation would be talking to someone (I share my experience with therapy in San Francisco here). My next would be trying CBD. I’ve been taking Equilibria Women since March (kathleenbarnes will snag you 15% off your first order). I really do feel it’s helped me keep my cool in tense moments.
Can you share some of the behind-the-scenes of blogging?
I wrote a saga about this once here. And Krystal and I talked about it a lot on her podcast!
How did you lose all the weight?
Time and patience. I know it is annoying, but I didn’t really think about it until about 4 months after having Hudson. I had about 10-12 lbs. to lose, and half of that came off by being mindful of what I ate and exercising.
He is now 8 months, and I still have 5 lbs. left but I just can’t stop eating cheese. Hopefully I’ll get it off… eventually!
Tips on “flipping” hand-me-down furniture?
This may be an unpopular answer… but it rarely goes well for me. In my experience, I end up trying to make something work that I don’t actually love. And the time and energy I pour into it is just not worth it. I would rather save for something I really love as-is (whether it’s new or from an antique store).
I have a few hand-me-downs I love (very few). I’ve learned to politely decline the rest.
Where do you shop for your ginger jars?
Ours are from all over, mostly antique malls and markets. You can find some pretty ones online here and here.
What resources did you use to make a decision about what formula is right for your baby?
I spoke with our pediatrician, got several samples, talked to friends who had babies and ultimately found what worked with Hudson, had limited spit up, etc. The most important advice, in my opinion, is from your pediatrician.
In my experience, trying several for a week or so at a time and then observing his behavior led us to what we use now.
Are you still making Hudson’s baby food? If so, what are you making?
Yes! We love our Béaba to make his food. I also feed him Beech Nut purees. I’ve found some websites with great ideas here and here.
If you search “baby monitor” on this site you’ll also find it linked here and here.
Thank you so much to everyone who submitted a question this month! I always love hearing from you guys and learning what you’re curious about. Appreciate your time and support – XO –
Now THIS is something unique! Usually MacKenzie-Childs has a Barn Sale that is in-person only in Aurora, New York. This is the first year that the sale has been brought online, and it is a major opportunity to snag some of these gorgeous and classic pieces at a major discount!
They have many beautiful collections, like Royal Check, Flower Market and Parchment Check. But my favorite is the oh-so-classic Courtly Check. I have so many pieces throughout our home, and it reminds me of those special treat yourself moments. My mom always cherished her MacKenzie-Childs pieces, and when we would travel to New York she would often bring us with her to pop into the store on West Broadway.
I had the pleasure of visiting the headquarters in Aurora (posts here and here), and after seeing how each piece is so carefully curated and created… I’m as big of a fan as ever.
Some of my favorite pieces that are just as functional as they are beautiful are the classic tea kettle, casserole dishes, planters and pet bowls. I don’t own the canisters personally but I always love how beautiful they are on countertops. I love all of their cookware like the pots and casserole pans with lids (I love using these for pastas or anything with a sauce). These ice cream bowls are so great for snacks (apple slices, grapes, chips, etc.) and this butter dish is beyond fab. They’re so beautiful and I think adding a few pieces to your kitchen is just the cherry on top.
Are you a fan or familiar with M-C? I’d love to hear if you have any special pieces in your home! Sales like this on their site are extremely rare, so I just had to round up some of my favorite picks. But there are SO many beautiful pieces, I’d encourage you to thumb through! Thanks so much for reading – XO –
Whenever you guys submit questions for our monthly Q&A’s, what I eat in a day is always asked a few times. I’ve never answered it before because like most of us, there’s not a routine day. Some days I am constantly hungry and eat everything. Other times I am busy and don’t find as much time to sit down. I also am not a nutritionist and don’t want to assume as much!
But I understand that it’s interesting to see what other people are eating and cooking, mostly because it gives ideas. And with the monotonous vibe of 2020, we could all use some ideas, right?
For breakfast, I have two cups of coffee with non-dairy creamer (any plain almond creamer works for me). If I am not that hungry, I’ll wait until around noon to have lunch. If I am really hungry, around 10AM I’ll have a snack.
Some of my favorite healthy snacks are fruit, laughing cow cheese on a rice cake or egg salad with pickles on nut crackers. But sometimes I’m not in the mood to be healthy, and that’s when a snack pack of chips comes into play. Christian actually gave me a big bag of mixed doritos and cheetos snack packs as a gift recently (LOLOL) because he knew it would be something I loved that I wouldn’t buy for myself. And it has gotten me in trouble because every time I want to eat like… 3 bags!
On other days I want something equally less healthy, I try to keep it around 250-300 calories or less. I also love this for a healthy snack.
Then comes lunch. For lunch I’ll eat something that I’ve meal prepped like this quinoa salad over arugula with feta cheese or a veggie quiche with some extra fruit or veggies on the side. Or I’ll just warm up some leftovers like veggie fajitas.
I spend the most time (and also probably eat the most) at dinner. I usually pick the week’s meals on a Sunday or Monday and then I’ll write them on our large breakfast room chalkboard so we know what our options are. Each night we do the “_______ or ______?” dance. I love this juicy baked chicken breast recipe with roasted veggies and brown rice. I also love throwing chicken breasts in the crockpot and doing bbq chicken (so easy). Other go-to’s are fajitas or tacos (I fill the tacos and pop them in the oven for a few minutes.) And any kind of pasta is always on the menu. My favorite recipes are this one and this one!
Nothing too fancy and forgive the real time photos – but this is as honest as it gets! Oh – and one more confession: I usually have a Diet Coke with lunch. I know, I know… but it brings me joy and I just let it be. It’s the little things, and it could be worse, right?
Would love to hear an easy go-to lunch or dinner idea in your house! Thanks so much for reading and you can find more recipes in the “food + drink” category of this site. XO –
I’ve been mentioning to you guys on Instagram since last fall that Christian and I had chosen to reset my wedding rings. Christian originally designed the engagement ring (which is discussed in detail here), and I absolutely loved it. It was so personal and thoughtful.
But my cushion cut center stone continuously got loose. I have had the prongs tightened literally all over the country and even replaced the prongs with larger platinum prongs in Huntington Beach. But once a jeweler recommended another set of double platinum prongs… I start to rethink things.
Christian and I discussed the cost of a third set of platinum prongs in 8 years or the cost of using all of the same diamonds to reset the ring entirely. He had always shared how the setting didn’t turn out as delicate as he had originally intended, and after weighing both options, we chose to reset the ring. And I can’t even begin to tell you how much I love the new setting. I loved the previous setting as well, but I actually feel like I got an entirely new diamond. The new setting allows the center stone to “pop” much more so than the previous design. It is wild how much a new setting can completely change and revamp the style of your diamond!
I connected with Cameron of Albriton’s Jewelry in Jackson, Mississippi. Albriton’s is a very well known jewelry store in Mississippi – they’ve been family owned and operated for over 100 years. So I definitely trusted them fully to help me achieve the end results I was looking for. We spoke over the phone for the goals of resetting my ring and then designed the entire ring with Fana over phone and email over the next few months. The entire process was so streamlined and quick, I was honestly shocked.
I wanted to see their new location when we visited Mississippi in March for Hudson’s baptism, so we stopped in and wow! If you are able, their store is beautiful. They have an entire private wing for engagement ring shopping so it feels completely private. A major bonus for any gentlemen looking to ring shop, if you know what I mean!
Once we started talking, Cameron feltFana was the designer to partner with for our goals. And once I checked out some of their pieces, there was no doubt about his choice. I sent Cameron some inspiration photos and in a week or two we had some sketch options from Fana.
The hard part was deciding which route to go on the band of the engagement ring. Ultimately I decided to keep it simple and went with the first design with a simple, delicate band. When I received it in person… I was speechless. Below is the original ring and wedding bands and then you’ll see the new design. We combined the diamonds from my two matching bands to one infinity band that would complement the new engagement setting, and somehow we even ended up with 8 small diamonds leftover.
I wanted to share this process because once the stone kept getting loose, for years I thought, “maybe I’ll redesign my ring for our 10 year anniversary.” There was a period I went almost a year without wearing it. A year! Which is crazy. I could have put a third set of prongs on, but instead we just overhauled the full design and I couldn’t be happier. The more delicate band makes the center stone appear larger, and as a whole it just feels like a completely different ring.
I keep telling Christian how happy I am that we used all of the same stones. It really makes me feel like the original ring is still there, just in a stronger setting that allows me to wear it daily without any hesitation or worry.
So many of you have similar situations or have engagement rings you’ve considered redesigning. This process was so smooth and swift. I loved working with Albriton’s and Fana, and feel confident recommending them to anyone considering taking on this process. Again, we did everything over phone and email. So you can live anywhere and work with them!
Prices will vary depending on what you want to do. If you have been wanting to take on a ring redesign (or design a completely new ring with new stones) and want to inquire about the process or price estimates, you can contact Cameron at Albriton’s at cameron@albritons.com.
Thanks so much for reading and please share any of your questions below! XO –
1 | 2 | 3 – 60% off | 4 | 5 | 6 – 50% off with an extra 20% off in cart | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 – 50% off | 11 –50% off with an extra 20% off in cart | 12 – 50% off | 13 | 14
A few week ago I spent the entire weekend in our backyard in an inflatable pool (shared here), and it was glorious. For one of those days I wore a leopard swim set from summers past and so many of you were here for an animal print swim moment!
So today we are rounding up some of the interweb’s cutest leopard swimsuits. Whether you’re laying out in your backyard or going to a socially distant beach or pool, I think the neutral colors of these swimsuits compliments bronzed skin so nicely.
I love the clean lines of this one piece. I live in sarongs when I’m in a swimsuit (so flattering on curves) and this one is so cute and under $20. This one is python but you can’t beat the price and there are over 2k reviews so clearly… it’s a good one. And I have a girlfriend who has this one piece and it is so cute on her.
Do you have any swim moments ahead of you? I’m hoping we can set up the inflatable pool again this weekend – I seriously couldn’t believe how fun it was. In 2020, you just gotta make it work.
I wore this denim jumpsuit on Instagram stories last week and couldn’t believe how many of you wanted the details! Although some thought it was a dress, some didn’t know what it was… but here, my friends we have a jumpsuit. Although I like to think of them as overalls because my 7th grade GAP overall-loving self can never say no.
I styled overalls way back when here and here and recently here, but this sleek pair has a fun little cutout back that still works with a tank layered underneath. Because I clearly love overalls so much, I wanted to round up some of my favorites below!
How do you feel about overalls or denim jumpsuits? Is it something you would wear? Would love to hear. Honestly, the only con in my book is the same con for any jumpsuit… the bathroom situation feels vulnerable when you have to take so much off. I always triple lock any public restroom door… although public restrooms are a thing of the past. #COVIDlife
– playing with moss after all of my flowers left me –
– still living off of the most fabulous “pool” moment from last weekend –
– trying a pair of $20 biker shorts (which I said I would never try) –
– so proud of Caralyn for launching her Amazon the Drop collection this week –
We made it to Friday, my sweets! If we’re been 100% honest, I have so much work ahead of me this weekend as I continue to prepare for my clothing launch in a few weeks (will share the exact date when I’m given the green light!). We have made it to the final countdown now that we have finalized the pieces, so I have my work cut out for me but I know it will only make it feel that much better once it’s available to shop. You can find the answers to many of your questions about the collection here. I am ready!
Christian and I have both been so busy this week it’s felt like a game of ping pong. Add Hudson nearly being able to crawl and teething into the mix and I am feeling like a “working mom” more than ever. After trying to stay above water for almost five months, we’ve finally made plans for a more consistent schedule for him in August. As much as I love being able to be with him so much during the day, I’m left feeling like I’m scrambling in my job. And that doesn’t make me feel like my best self. My inbox is a major mess! I know so many of you working at home with little ones can relate. 2020 has been quite the unique challenge, but at least we are all healthy which is most important.
Yes, I bought a pair of biker shorts. Quite frankly, I never thought I’d see the day because they are not flattering on this bod. However, they were $20, they have a thigh pocket for my phone and they’ll help me on days when it’s 96 degrees. I do not remember July 2019 feeling as hot as it does this year… and I was nearly 6 months pregnant! Honey, we are melting down here!
That’s all I’ve got today, but if you have fun weekend plans may I please live vicariously through you? Or if you’re also trying to both enjoy your children and also actually get work done – girl, I feel you. Big hugs and thank you so much for stopping by! XO –
