When we moved into this house I knew I wanted to plant an herb garden. I’ve never owned a home, much less had an actual yard or plant bed, so I knew I wanted to do some spring planting.
Some herbs do really well in pots and others don’t, but I’ve been so pleased at how much these have grown since I planted them about a month ago. I actually just planted the cilantro this week and you can see how small it is next to the others. It’s wild how quickly they can go with a few tips.
Tip 1 | Don’t over-water! Most herbs prefer moist, but well-drained soil with plenty of sun. Very wet soils will not produce healthy herbs.
Tip 2 | Keep them close. Choose a spot that is near enough that you won’t forget about them. I also think the easier in reach they are, the more likely you are to pull a sprig or leaf here and there for your tea or lemonade. I was simply walking by the mint the other day and noticed it was wilting. So I gave it about 6 ounces of water and within 20 minutes it was upright again.
Tip 3 | Start small. If you’re not sure if you’ll be able to keep them up, try starting with three popular and easy to use herbs like rosemary, basil and mint. See how they turn out and if after a few months they’re still doing well, expand your garden.
Tip 4 | Don’t over-fertilize. When reading up about starting an herb garden I read that fertilizing herbs too much can actually affect the flavor of the herbs.
Tip 5 | I originally planted the peppermint in the flower bed with the rest of the herbs and was quickly told on social media that mint can quickly take over your garden. I did leave the lemon balm in the bed with the rest but moved the mint to a pot to help contain it. I plan on keeping my eye on the lemon balm, but just a note about mint!
Do you have potted or planted herbs? My mom usually pots hers and they do well, but she keeps them by the patio door so they’re easy to keep an eye on.
I love to hear what people have planted or projects they’ve done while in quarantine. I think it’s going to be really special to one day look at a tree or plant and think, “wow, it has grown so much since that spring in 2020!” Having a few visual projects to remind you of this unusual time is going to be really special.
Would love to hear any tips you have if I missed anything! Bugs keep eating my sweet basil and I’ve tried a few home remedies but I think I’m going to have to do something more. Any advice is welcome!
What herb do you cook with most frequently? I’m considering add chives to the mix… thanks so much for sharing and reading! XO –
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I love hearing that so many of you are spending more time outside. Whether you’re revamping your patio or working in the yard or garden… I think we are all looking to freshen up our outdoor space. Nothing like the government ordering you to stay home to make you want to create an outdoor sanctuary for your family!
When we lived in California, everyone really counted their outdoor space as an extension of their home. I was so impressed with the efforts neighbors took into making their outdoor space as cozy as inside, and it’s something I knew I wanted to do in our home one day also.
I think comfort is really important when picking out any furniture, including outdoor pieces. We have a sofa and these egg chairs on our patio and even though the sofa is plenty comfortable, we’re always in the egg chairs. They are so cozy and can fit multiple people in one chair. If it’s not comfortable, you’ll be less tempted to spend extra time outside!
A rug for your feet, throw pillows and candles or lanterns are another great way to make a space feel warmer and more welcoming. We bought these Adirondack chairs and foot rests and put them across from the outdoor TV. We have eaten dinner al fresco so many times in those chairs!
Music is another way to keep you wanting to stay outside. We played this playlist on bluetooth speakers for hours while gardening a few weeks ago. And as silly as it sounds, a cute watering can can bring you a lot of happiness when you’re watering your plants each week. I’ve had mine for at least seven years and use it every single week!
Would love to hear what you’re working on for your patio or yard. I’m sharing a full gardening post tomorrow with some of my favorite little plants that have started taking off since quarantine started. Thanks so much for reading and sharing – XO –
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Light fixtures – I know, I know… it can be so hard to choose! While I’m by no means an expert and did run most of these choices by a local interior designer, I definitely learned a few things when choosing fixtures for our Georgia home.
When we moved in, three rooms had no light fixtures and the outdoor patio fans weren’t in great shape. I could only live so long with a single lightbulb in the ceiling of these rooms, so I found some clean and simple light fixtures and fans from Craftmade. In other rooms, we made some major chandelier statements!
I’m going to break down the fixtures room by room and why we chose what we did. Would love to hear any of your questions or tips in the comments!
Our bedroom didn’t originally have a ceiling fixture and it didn’t bother me at all. I think rooms with no ceiling fixture can look so clean and beautiful. But Christian has to have a ceiling fan when he sleeps. Between us… he’s a little bit of a sleep diva and it’s one of his requirements. We installed this ceiling fan from Craftmade and I love that it’s super quiet and blends into the ceiling.
The shape of the room required us to get smaller bedside tables. This meant I wanted sconces so we could have more counter space. I love how they turned out!
In my office I knew it was my opportunity to do something more feminine and fabulous. This Sullivan and Phenix chandelier is handmade, so beautiful and happens to be Hudson’s favorite because he will stare at it, completely mesmerized! Because it’s handmade, you can determine exactly what size you want, which is very cool.
There are some measurement guidelines when choosing lighting for a space, some based on room size and others based on table size underneath.
I wanted something clean and simple above the breakfast table. You see it from the front door and this room is open to the foyer, kitchen and den, so I wanted all of these light fixtures to vibe together.
We chose this clean pendant from Craftmade. Sometimes I wonder if I should have gone for this one!? But I feel like I’m always second guessing myself! I added an oversized lightbulb for some added interest.
These two pendants came with the house and I love the black, white and gold. They blend really nicely with the breakfast room and den which is great as we have a pretty open floor plan.
I always love a set above an island –
In the foyer, we had a single lightbulb when we moved in which gave no light with the tall ceilings, so I was on the hunt for something and fast!
This space was tricky because I wasn’t sure how big to go. I loved the clean lines of this Craftmade fixture, but was it big enough? Once the staircase frames were hung and the zebra rug was added… it felt right. The focus of the room isn’t the light fixture, it isn’t the rug or round table… it’s all of it. It all plays together rather than one particular thing stealing the show.
Our dining room chandelier always feels so va-va-voom to me! I originally fell in love with this one, but after measuring the table and room, I worried it would be too small.
I am so glad we went with the larger size because it makes such a formal statement, and when we are eating in the room it feels really special.
This might be the biggest light fixture in the house, but it doesn’t feel overpowering because of its simplicity. I love the contrast it brings to the space, and it feels so right for the ambiance of the room.
We originally had three fans on the patio without light. They functionally worked fine, but looked a little dated. Once the house and patio ceiling was painting, they didn’t vibe. We replaced all three fans with crisp and clean Craftmade fanswith lights and it’s made such a big difference! Love this one too.
At night we have much more light, the fans together create such a nice breeze.
And that’s all she wrote. If you have learned anything about picking fixtures, I’d love to hear. I have been keeping my eye on something like this… but I think if I switched it up Christian might lecture me, so I’m staying put for now!
Thanks so much for reading – XO –
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We meet again. I’ll be honest, writing these weekly wrap ups feels very deja vu when there’s so little changing from week to week, but I am trying to keep as much consistency in my work and life as I can. Cabin fever has absolutely hit over here, but we can always find some things to chat about, right?
I shared Wednesday that I finally painted the laundry room. I knew I wanted to paint it when we moved in, but we painted and touch-up painted so much that I gave myself a break. I called the paint store and they were mixing colors, taking payment over the phone and would deliver your paint curbside. So I painted the room Benjamin Moore White Dove, got my magic eraser after all of the cabinets and built-in desk and plan on buying a cork board and doing this DIY. It feels so fresh and clean in there now. I’m so proud! I also want to paint our bedroom, but it’s obviously a bigger space and I’m going to be honest… my back hurts. So I bought the paint for it, but I’m giving myself a breather.
Bailey’s 13th birthday is actually this Sunday. I can’t believe I have a teenager, ha! Although in big dog years she’s around 96 years old. God bless her. She has lived in Oxford, Mississippi + Jackson, Mississippi + Santa Ana, California + Orange, California + San Francisco, California and now Athens, Georgia. It’s not always easy moving and driving all over the country with an 80+ lb dog (perhaps a large dog wasn’t Christian’s wisest choice), but she sure has had a lot of adventures. Lakes, beaches, dog parks, vacations, cross country drives and now that she finally has the big backyard I’ve always wanted for her, she just wants to sleep! I usually bake her this doggie cake, but this year Christian is grilling her a steak. I think she’ll love it.
Do you do anything special for your senior pets? Once Lula passed away, it really made me look at Bailey differently. As much as I wish pets could live as long as humans, we don’t have forever. So I try to sneak her some extra treats!
Don’t get me wrong, I love a pair of sweatpants as much as the next person (literally wearing sweats as I type this), but every now and then girlfriend has to get dressed. It is a mood and self-esteem booster to put on an outfit, make sure my jeans will still zip (!!) and fix my hair and makeup. It reminds me that it is still spring and my outer appearance can greatly affect my inner attitude.
I wanted to share three spring outfits that give my mood a little boost –
I never thought I would be the mom in matching outfits with her kids… but alas, here we are. Honestly, it often happens by mistake. I think I just dress Hudson in things I like, and then I dress myself in things I like.
But how cute is his little blue set? I am tempted to buy it in ivory as well!
So technically this is a set and not a dress, but I had been holding onto it to wear in Florida. Seeing as that beach trip has been postponed, I decided to wear it last Sunday anyway. I think this top would also look so cute with high waisted jeans!
Have you been shopping for any spring or summer pieces lately? I’ll be honest… I have hardly glanced at anything shopping-wise unless it’s home or cooking related. I shared April’s Top 10 items on Monday, and I loved seeing that you guys are also gravitating toward home and loungewear.
Let me know if you’re getting dressed occasionally or if it’s strictly loungewear… I want to know how to best serve you guys! Thanks so much for reading and sharing – XO –
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Oh snap, hunny! I feel like the sales have been major for months, but this week’s wish list is sale-only. Except for this inflatable pool I’m trying to convince Christian we might need. It’s one of those things that sounds like a really fun idea, but will we use it? The verdict’s out. If you have an inflatable pool, please share with the class if you use it!
Loving this beautiful planter. Thinking leopard will be my camouflage this summer. Absolutely loving these outdoor serving pieces and think this is about the coziest chair ever. If you’re in the market for a faux plant, I’m loving this one. This coin necklace is such a great layering piece, and after realizing I seem to only wear white and denim together… how can I say no to this cute summer shirt?
We have been really working in the garden and yard lately, transferring monkey grass and pruning. We plan on planting some jasmine and potted plants this week, and I caught a second wind and finally got around to painting the laundry room. It’s amazing what a fresh coat of paint can do to a room. Total transformation in two days!
What are you guys up to? Still moving and grooving, adjusting to this (temporary) new normal? Thanks so much for reading! XO –
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I’ve seen a few blogs share their top 10 sellers that month, and I always love seeing the lineup. It’s usually all over the map, which is what makes it so interesting to see.
I wanted to share CBL’s April top 10 – a mix of home, beauty, fashion and accessories. And if you like these kinds of posts to be in a regular rotation, let me know!
I had never tried an essence until two months ago. I would cleanse my face and go straight to a serum, but I’ve been applying SK-II PITERA™ Essence since the beginning of March. And I have some thoughts.
At first try I thought, “is this just water?” How could something so thin really do that much for my skin? I did some further research and learned how Pitera Essence began. Scientists noticed that the older edlerly sake brewers in Japan had incredibly youthful skin on their hands, while wrinkles on their face.
Naturally, there was then a search for the ingredients that were causing these benefits. And that’s how Pitera Essence was born. The formula has been meticulously perfected and is very difficult to replicate, which is why it is such a coveted product. Fun fact – the formulation hasn’t changed in about 40 years and a bottle is sold in the world almost every two seconds.
And after using it for two months? I’ve had no blemishes, my skin is smooth and clear. I also feel less oily throughout the day (I’m a very oily t-zone person).
The application process is as you would expect. After cleansing your face (or after using a toner if you use one), simply pour 2-3 shakes in your palms, press together and pat pat on your face. It feels like a lightweight facial vitamin mist on your skin and dries quickly. Then proceed with your usual skincare regimen. At night this usually means a serum and in the morning I’ll just use the essence and skip the serum.
Have you ever tried an essence? I’d love to hear your experience. If not, check out some of the reviews here. I read about 20 before finally thinking, ok – I have to try this for myself. And if you are interested in trying it out for yourself, just a note that Sephora is currently having their Spring Saving Event!
How do you hide your cords since your desk is in the middle of your office?
I have them hidden behind a curtain panel. So when I need them, I pull them out. When I don’t, I hide them behind the panel.
Do you let Bailey on the furniture? How do you deal with the fur?
Bailey isn’t allowed on the furniture. Occasionally we will lay a blanket down and she will lie on top, but we trained her to know that she has to be invited to do so.
I get this question about dog hair a lot. We clean. We vacuum all of the time, the Roomba runs every day. There is no secret to dog hair – it’s just cleaning more often. Bailey will be 13 in May and because she is mostly an indoor dog… Christian knows she’s most likely our first and last retriever. The hair is relentless. God bless her!
Out of all the places you’ve lived, where would you want to be during this pandemic?
This one, as it’s the most spacious with a yard. If I was in my previous apartment I would be losing it.
What would you call your interior design style?
I have no idea! I love mixing old and new and I try to stick to mostly black, white, neutrals, etc. because it allows me to mix and match all over the house. I love antiques mixed with modern and traditional… may I like it all?
Where is the first place you’re traveling when we are able to travel again?
The beach! We have already had to postpone one trip but feel confident we’ll be able to take this one.
Moving this week… any tips for purging?
If you’re paying movers, know that everything you take is practically doubling its value with the added cost to move it. Is ____ item worth increasing the value of?
If you have time and it’s not worth it, sell or donate.
Who is your favorite housewife?
Oh boy… I have so many! But my tip tops are Bethenny (OG), Lisa Rinna and Shereé. Because they make me laugh. But I love them all!!
I’ve never watched the Housewives. Favorite city to start?
New York or Beverly Hills.
On a budget… where should I save/spend on skincare?
The order of events (if you’re using all of these things): cleanser, toner, essence, serum, moisturizer with/or facial oil, eye cream, pimple cream (as needed), chapstick.
Self-tanner recommendations?
If you search “self tanner” you’ll find this post!
Any other filler or treatments you swear by? How was Botox?
I have never gotten a peel and have only had a few facials in my life. I genetically have been fortunate to have clear skin, but I do keep a several-step regimen morning and night (shared in the “beauty” category of CBL as well as above).
I’ve never had an injectable other than Botox in my forehead and in between my brows. I love Botox, Christian has never strayed me! A perk of his facial plastics training.
Cuticle/nail health while cooking/dishes/laundry 24/7?
I feel you. I try to wear dish gloves when I’m at the sink and it makes a big difference.
Anything you do for foot care?
This mask is wild. VERY good for a once-a-year shape up!
He gave it to me when he graduated residency as a “thank you” for being along for the ride. It’s very special to me!
Best cocktail recipes?
Easiest cocktail ever: 2 ounces tequila, 1-2 fresh limes. Shake it up with ice and enjoy! Also love this one.
What kind of music are you into? Share some artists!
I have several playlists if you search “playlist” on this site. My favorite playlist is probably this one and this one!
Being a doctor’s wife, how are you handling the cleaning after coming from outside?
We take off shoes, shower once we are home, wash hands, keep hand sanitizer in the car, wear masks when out, etc. We are both mindful of it but I have chosen not to obsess over it. All we can do is make conscious decisions and stay home as much as possible until we are advised otherwise.
Favorite thing you’ve learned to be thankful for during quarantine?
Well this may be obvious… but I’m thankful Hudson is here. If you have kids, there’s never a dull moment! It also helps that I truly do not have time to watch the news.
How do you find the time to do anything with such a young baby?
Hudson has been on a pretty tight schedule forever (we use the Moms on Call schedule), so it makes it easier to know when I will have work time and when it’s play time. He takes two two-hour naps during the day, and Christian and I are currently taking baby and work shifts.
When we’re not quarantined, I hire help.
But thanks to Moms on Call and Taking Cara Babies… he sleeps 13 hours at night now and has been sleeping 10-12 hours since he was 8-10 weeks old. Which definitely helps. I think I need to buy the next age group course, worth the investment!
Did Hudson experience the dreaded 4-month regression?
Not yet. He’s about five months, so I’m holding I’m breath! But this kid loves to sleep.
Does Hudson use a pacifier?
When he’s tired he will. But he usually prefers his thumb when he’s sleepy or upset.
How do you make it through the last few weeks of pregnancy?
Other moms told me to keep moving, so I did. I think I was on a three mile walk the week before I had him. Stretch it out, sister!
How did you lose the baby weight?
I haven’t. I think I had about 10-12 lbs to lose and now I’m still up 7 lbs. pre-baby. My clothes mostly fit so I’m not too bothered, but I’m hoping it comes off by 9 months postpartum!
Have you experienced postpartum hair loss?
Around three months postpartum I started losing hair when I showered. It’s not ideal, but all I know to do is take vitamins (like this or this).
Tips for getting through colic?
I touched on it last month here, but I unfortunately don’t have any groundbreaking tips. Ultimately we gave him probiotics and knew when to take a break. Know when to hire some relief, and know that colic is incredibly common. Everyone who has dealt with it knows how challenging it is, and we all get through it and it becomes a distant memory.
I’m sorry I don’t have anything more helpful to say about it, but it passes. Be open and honest with your pediatrician!
Did you struggle with postpartum anxiety? After I became a mom, my anxiety got worse.
I didn’t, but I’ve heard that CBD can really help with this. I actually started taking Equilibria a few weeks ago as I noticed my patience was shorter than normal (#stress). I am still trying it out but I think I’m noticing that I’m more zen about things that would normally ruffle me.
How do we best support you? Likes? Comments? How to ensure you get commission?
This is perhaps the most kind question I have ever received. Thank you for even asking! You’re on the nose, sister. Commenting on blog or Instagram posts that are relevant or helpful to you, liking content you enjoy, sharing my blog or social accounts with friends you think might enjoy it – incredibly helpful. I appreciate you greatly!
That’s a wrap for April! Thank you so much for taking the time to ask and read these questions. You can find all of CBL’s Q&A’s in the “personal” category of this site!
If there is something you would like considered for next month’s post, please leave your question in the comments. Appreciate you and hope you are all well – XO –
Mother’s Day is May 10th, and being quarantined at home – this is the year to get ahead of the gifting. A foolproof gift for the ladies for me is always jewelry. I don’t know about y’all, but I’m always wearing jewelry. I keep my earrings in and necklaces on when I sleep, when I shower, when I exercise. I wear a bracelet tht also never comes off… so even in quarantine, my jewelry is still on, honey!
SO, today we are going to talk some of my favorite jewelry brands to wear and gift –
If you’re looking to splurge, Monica Vinader and Michele are beautiful and timeless – both available at Nordstrom. I love Monica Vinader’s bracelets, and I have my eye on these earrings. So pretty, and one of the best price points for quality diamonds out there. I’ve worn this Michele watch for at least five years and have multiple watch bands. It is honestly gorgeous. I love the larger watch face, and this one is so interesting and unique – I love it.
For less of a splurge, Kendra Scott, BaubleBar and Gorjana are some of my most worn pieces. I am linking the pieces of theirs I’m wearing at the bottom of this post. They are a little more trendy but still have pieces appropriate for any age, and I’ve had some of their pieces for years and years. They are fab!
Have you thought about what you might want to give your mom for Mother’s Day? Will you be able to drop something at her doorstep or will you be mailing something? I’d love to hear.
– and finding this olive jar (similar here and here) –
– getting my engagement ring back after repair –
It’s the weekend!! It means a little less right now as every day feels a little bit the same, but it still means less emails, less deadlines and a little more relaxation (hopefully)!
I am both surprised and proud that I did achieve my goal for this week (mentioned last Friday). I feel like I was mindful and intentional of how I spent my time. We made better choices this week than last. I enjoyed the consistency and feel like I’ve “earned” some total decompress time this weekend.
There are plans on sharing a full blog post about this soon, but I wasn’t able to wear my engagement ring for a year because the stone kept getting loose. We chose to reset it last year and just got it back! After not wearing it in what feels like so long, so it almost feels like I got engaged again which is definitely fun.
I started a new devotional and have been determined to set aside time each morning to be still. If I can’t find the time now, I know I never will. So even just trying to make good habits is enough to give me a positive attitude for the day ahead.
I get questions about the rugs in our home almost daily. Even though they’re all linked on this blog, I wanted to put them in one blog post that would be easily searchable for those with questions!
Many of the rugs in our home are from Annie Selke, and I love them. Each photo has the dedicated blog post with room details linked underneath, but before we go there I wanted to share my though process behind selecting rugs.
With rugs, I think the biggest points to consider are size, color, pattern vs. solid and texture/clean-ability.
SIZE | In my personal opinion, the bigger the rug in your space the better. Ideally, all seating should be on the rug. It makes the room feel bigger and look more luxe. This article makes some great points on this.
Take a measuring tape to the floor and tape it off to give yourself an idea of what will work best. Rugs can be expensive and heavy, so you want to get it right the first time!
COLOR | We have a yellow lab. So I know with rugs, it’s usually best to try to match her hair color if the rug is going in a room she is frequently in. The article linked above says, “If you already have a lot of color and pattern going on in your space, you might want to stick with a single-color rug, either a neutral or a shade which complements your existing furnishings. If you want a patterned rug with many shades, it’s generally easier to choose it first, and add in furniture and accessories that coordinate afterwards.” I think that is spot on!
PATTERN VS. SOLID | I usually lean toward lighter, more solid rugs. It makes the room feel brighter and airy. I still do love a lighter rug (especially because it matches yellow lab hair), but I took a risk with a few of the rugs in this home. Some different colors and moodier tone can really change the vibe of a space, and for those rooms I’m glad I chose something other than my “usual.”
TEXTURE | In the past, I’ve always had jute and sisal rugs. One pet stain after the next… they can be almost impossible to maintain. Typical pet cleaners (my favorites this one, this one and this one) don’t work effectively. I tried the baking soda and vacuum trick… moisture and sisal are ultimately just not friends.
When we invested in Annie Selke rugs, I knew I would need rugs that would be easy to clean. Lula threw up on maybe every rug downstairs, we have a small child… let’s be honest. Read the material details of any rug you choose to make sure it will work with your day-to-day life!
rug – easy to clean and is also reversible! | room details here
Do you have strategies when choosing rugs? I know it’s so hard because it feels like such a commitment! BUT, don’t be afraid to take some risks. In my experience I’ve been so pleasantly surprised with the outcome when I’m willing to take a chance.
Thank you so much for reading and you can find more home content in the “home” category of this site. XO –
