Happy Friday! This week was a short one since Monday was a holiday and Hudson and I spent the day together. It’s funny how you prioritize your time once you have a baby. It’s a change in pace that I welcome in this new phase of life.
I want to dig a little deeper on that. When Australia first began having intense bushfires, it really got me thinking about our life on earth and how quickly things can change. If your life was to change in an instant, would you look back on the past few years of your life and be pleased with how you spent your time? Would you be pleased with your attitude and the time you spent at home on your sofa vs. with your community? Would you be glad you stared at your phone all night instead of playing with your kids on the floor?
I am trying to implement this attitude into more of my daily life. Saying yes to plans with friends even if my email gets backed up. Reading books to Hudson instead of listening to a podcast while rocking him. Eating dinner while looking at my husband instead of the TV. With just a few small changes you can live your life with more intention day-to-day. I would challenge you to change three things in your daily life and assess your heart at the end of the week. It’s worth it, I promise.
In other news, we finally watched Parasite last weekend after it won Best Picture at the Oscars and WOW. It was such an interesting concept for a movie, and it stayed with me for days. Absolutely worth the watch!
I cooked this shrimp penne pasta when we hosted our first supper club and it was a hit! I did a trial run with the recipe over the weekend and it was so good. Christian said it tasted like it came from a restaurant, so it was approved. I would definitely recommend trying it out.
That’s a wrap for this week, come back and visit on Monday when we’re taking a deep dive into breastfeeding and how long I lasted before throwing in the towel (and why!). Thanks so much for reading – XO –
How to become financially stable while living in an expensive city?
LOVE this question. Such a great question and so hard to do when you’re starting out!
I have always saved a percentage of my income since my first job out of college. I still do. No matter how much you make, you can start by saving 10%. Once you earn more, try to save more.
From there, try to limit those small expenses that are unnecessary. For example: I don’t want to give up my manicures. Ever. I typically get one a month, and that $40 (including tip) each month brings me joy all month long. So that’s an expense that is worth it. BUT, I don’t go to the coffee shop. I make my own lattes at home (y’all know I love my Nespresso!). So that is money I save every month.
Be intentional with your routine expenses. Make sure you are purchasing versatile clothing and accessories rather than tons of trendy items. If you want something beautiful for your home? Save 15% rather than 10% until you can purchase it. It will mean so much more when you see it knowing that you saved for months to splurge. It will also confirm you really love it if 6-8 months later, you’re still saving for it.
For the Nespresso machines I use, simply search “Nespresso” and this post comes up with them linked. There’s also tips for saving money in this same post!
Will you get a new cat any time soon?
I got this question quite a bit. I am still pretty tender about losing Lula. To be honest, I’ve never been a big cat person and she just came into my life by happenstance.
If I were to have another cat, it would be the same scenario – I would find a stray, start feeding one that showed up at my house or take in an elderly person’s cat after they passed. I welcome any that come into my life on their own!
How’s Intermittent Fasting going?
I think it’s going pretty well! My window of eating is 12:30PM – 8:30PM and I will often take off on Saturday or Sunday so Christian and I can make breakfast together.
I lost a few pounds initially, but haven’t weighed myself in a week or so. If anything, it keeps me from mindless snacking. I try to eat with intention.
It does take a week or two for your body to adjust to the eating window. Then it gets much easier!
If you were getting married this year, what would you register for?
If you search “registry” or “register” on this blog you’ll find this post which addresses exactly that.
Would you choose the name “Carrie Bradshaw Lied” again today?
Great question. I’ve thought about this before and while I might choose something a little more professional and polished if I were to start my blog today, I still love the name. It’s fun, lighthearted and sassy… and I think that remains on brand for the tone of this blog.
What did you do before being an influencer/blogger?
I worked in PR/marketing for Southern Living magazine. Then I started my blog on the side. I had a short five month stint at a marketing firm that was the only job I’ve ever disliked, so I left it to work in PR/marketing for a bank’s corporate headquarters. Everyone assumes this job wasn’t fun because it was at a bank, but I actually loved it! The team was wonderful and the bank raised millions for the local children’s hospital through galas and events. I was honored to be a part of that and had my first mentor there.
Then I was in event planning and social media for Urban Decay Cosmetics corporate headquarters, which was as awesome as it sounds. I left this job to run CBL full-time but it was such a hard decision because that company is epic.
Don’t settle for mediocre day jobs – there are AWESOME workplaces out there, you just have to focus on finding them!
Do you have a team and how many people?
Yes and no. I have a management team so that entails a business manager and her assistant. I take both photos myself and hire a photographer on an as-need basis. I have a virtual assistant who helps me with a few digital tasks each month. And I have a video editor who edits all video content for me.
Other than those wonderful gals, it’s just me. I’ve considered hiring an assistant and/or publicist, but considering my business in still myself and my personal life, I’m not sure that hiring someone else helps me that much. I kind of take this month by month!
Does the rampant consumerism of your job ever stress you out (asking genuinely)?
This is a great question, and no – because that’s not how I run my business. I am always preaching to you guys about versatility and making multiple outfits out of the same piece. I wear vintage and have pieces that are 10+ years old. I frequently say no to companies offering to send me things. If I don’t need it or it’s not my style, I don’t want to waste their inventory when they could gift it to someone else who might love it.
There are bloggers who buy the same shirt in 10 colors and do try-on sessions every week… but you know that’s not me. And that’s ok! There’s space for everyone to do their thing.
Best concealer for under eyes?
I LOVE this one. I first tried it about two years ago and haven’t looked back. I wear both medium-light (winter) and medium (summer).
Longest you’ve ever been without Instagram?
Probably a few days other than my honeymoon when I locked my phone and computer in the safe for the entire week! I’m still so happy I did that and would recommend it to any brides out there. I still used my camera to take photos, but everything can wait a week, you know?
Do you have hair styling tips?
Yes! Just search “hair” on this blog or check out this post for styling short hair.
How do you schedule your time to get everything done and on schedule?
This is a great question! I wake up and spend about an hour and a half with Hudson. Feeding him, getting him ready for the day, engaging with him. Around 8:30AM right before his first nap, he is in the loving hands of someone else so I can get to my office.
I used to play the TV and/or music while I worked. Not anymore. I try to completely focus on my job and completing any necessarily house errands/chores before 4-5PM when it’s back to Hudson time. We play, bathe, eat, do some tummy time and he’s in the bed by 7:30PM.
Then it’s dinner with Christian, time together before being in bed by 11PM. I’d love to be in bed by 10PM but I often get sucked back into email or answering direct messages and it keeps me up later. I’m trying to get better about this by limiting my screen time, but screen time is also my job so it’s complicated!
I will ask this of you – before you send an influencer or blogger a direct message or email, try finding the answer to your question yourself. Either google your question if it doesn’t pertain to their content or use the search bar on their blog. If you cannot find it, of course feel free to send them a message! You’re already reading this blog, so thank you, truly. I spend many hours a week putting information here so that it’s accessible to you guys, so take advantage of that!
We live in a world where we tend to ask others before even trying to find the answer on our own. I speak on behalf of every influencer/blogger that it means the world to us when you first try to find the answer on your own before asking. I don’t answer all of the questions in my Instagram Direct Messages simply because I can’t. That would legitimately be a part-time job, and the majority of the questions have already been answered on this blog. I do however answer every email I receive from you guys, even if it takes me a week! Even if you can’t find it, knowing that you at least tried is meaningful.
When did you know you were ready for a baby?
When I turned 30 I felt way more interested in babies than I was in my 20’s. I loved my family and friends kids but never saw them and thought, “I want one.”
Once I entered my 30’s I felt much more eager to get started on our family. We did genetic testing to make sure things looked good and waited to be in a more stable home setting. I didn’t want to have a baby until Christian was done with his training. I was hoping to leave that last fellowship year pregnant and was lucky enough to move to Georgia around 18 weeks pregnant with Hudson.
Now that we are in our own home, I know I would have really struggled if I’d had a baby in San Francisco. It wasn’t the time for us. We have so much more space now for all of his swings, bottles, toys, clothes and strollers. More privacy when he’s having meltdowns and we need to tap out for 15 minutes. It could have been done, but I’m really, really thankful we waited.
Everyone says you’ll know when you are ready. And I think this is true. You’ll know, don’t stress about it. You have your whole life to be a parent but you’re only in your twenties once! Enjoy it.
How do you get ready every day with a newborn? New mama over here.
I put him in this Baby Bjorn bouncer and either let him watch Baby Einstein or Sesame Street in the bedroom while I get ready and make the bed. Even if he’s fussy, he can wait 15 minutes.
So many people talk about not finding the time to shower with a newborn… I don’t get that. I never went a day without a shower. My pediatrician says, “if he’s crying, he’s not dying.” A baby can cry for 10-15 minutes while you get dressed. They will survive and it’s important that you do that for yourself!
Now I’m not saying I’m putting on makeup or doing my hair everyday, but I’m getting dressed and making the bed. And look!! Hudson is almost 13 weeks old and alive and well!
How has your relationship changed since having the baby?
Love this question! There is definitely less time with your partner when you have children, that’s simply a fact.
We aim to put Hudson down at 7:30PM every night, whether he likes it or not. It’s good for him to have consistency and it’s good for us. We both try to implement cell phone-free dinners and while we often eat in front of the TV, I’m trying to reduce this to weekends only. It’s important to connect every day, even if it’s just over a meal.
Lately I’ve noticed all of our dinner conversations are about Hudson. I think that’s natural, but I want to be better at this. On occasion, I’m trying to say “no chat about the baby.” We can talk about our careers, our home, plans, news, life, etc. I’m not perfect at this, but it’s a goal!
How is Hudson’s sleep going? Where does he sleep – the crib or bassinet?
Please don’t hate me… but he’s always slept so well at night. Don’t get me wrong, we have other struggles but sleep isn’t one. He sleeps at least 9 hours at night and sometimes up to 11-12. But I’m aware the next child could be totally opposite. Babies are wild cards!
We had Hudson in our bedroom for 2-3 weeks before we moved him to his room. It seemed SO early, but our night nurse (more on that here) thought he was ready and he was already napping so well in his nursery crib. It was the best move for him. He sleeps so well in his crib and we sleep better not waking up at his every little squeak. Babies can legitimately cry, moan and grunt while they’re sleeping… and they never even wake up!
He does occasionally nap in the bassinet in our room. Once he’s rolling, we’ll move it to the attic until the next baby.
Do you have any plans to fly with the baby?
Not currently. I’d love for him to be a little older before flying just so we can all have more understanding of each other. Honestly if I were to fly somewhere I would prefer to have either set of grandparents keep Hudson… is that bad?
I don’t know that vacationing with him would be the best investment, and I think he would be a happier baby following his usual schedule/routine rather than it being out of whack while traveling.
Thank you so much for submitting your wonderful questions!! You can catch this Q&A series every month and simply search “Q&A” to see at least eight other posts dedicated to reader questions. Appreciate you guys and thank you for reading – XO –
I shared some of my newborn essentials in this post not too long ago. Honestly, everyone’s “essentials” looks a little bit different. As they all say, you’ll find what works best for you pretty quickly!
My biggest tip is do not buy everything ahead of time. Your baby might love motion, they might hate it. They might love pacifiers or not at all. You don’t want to have all these things you cannot use before you’ve even met your bambino.
Today we’re going to take a little bit of a different approach. It’s true what most say – you really don’t need that much. But there are some extra chic things that I’ve felt were definitely worth the splurge simply from an enjoyment factor.
And today, we’re gonna dish on those.
Bugaboo Fox Stroller | This is the most beautiful stroller I’ve ever seen. We have the bassinet and carseat attachment and use both. Truth be told, we probably only need the carseat. But how precious is this bassinet? I’ve found that Hudson loves being able to see the world, so I usually have the canopy collapsed so he can check things out. But wow – it is so gorgeous and glides so smoothly.
When he outgrows the bassinet part… I might cry. It is just so chic! When I’m strolling him I feel like a London lady with her little bitty baby. It’s just the sweetest.
Anything Cashmere | I know what you’re thinking, “cashmere!? For a baby? But they’ll outgrow it!” Hudson was born 11/22 which means he is so tiny for these winter months. I wanted him to not only stay warm, but also to look delicious. We all get to benefit from snuggling a little baby in the softest cashmere, right?
I bought him one set in Paris and one set from H&M (pictured above). He wears them together or as separates.
Sometimes we even just layer the cashmere pants on top of a onesie. I bought them in neutral colors so if we have another winter baby, any gender could wear them. Honestly the happiness it’s brought me to love on a cashmere clad baby has been worth every penny and then some.
Pottery Barn Kids Glider + Ottoman | I featured this glider and ottoman in Hudson’s nursery reveal, but I continue to love it. There’s no telling how many hours we have spent rocking this little boy in this chair, and I know I’ll be in this same chair for all of our future children.
We also have two rocker/gliders in our living room and I’m often found rocking H in them as well. Having a rocker upstairs and downstairs has been an unexpected treat!
Tote Savvy | I realize backpacks are the most handy diaper bag… but I’m not there just yet. For just one baby, I’m still trying to limit how much stuff I schlep around, so I use this insert in my Louis Vuitton Neverfull. It helps me feel a little bit less like a “new mom” and little bit more like Kathleen. Which makes me feel good.
Aristot Bassinet | This tufted leather bassinet is honestly on another level. It is so gorgeous, so aesthetically pleasing, the opposite of a bassinet eyesore in your bedroom. The pieces are mix and match, so you can customize a bassinet to your decor. See more options here!
And there you have it. My top 5 most chic, most loved baby items. They make those tired days a little more glamorous, which makes this mama smile even on the most exhausted newborn days!
– which means Hudson’s first experience with snow! –
– the prettiest orchid –
– constantly tinkering with different setups on tables and shelves –
Whew! We made it, guys! I thought this week was going to be a little more quiet and chill. Then it picked up like it always seems to do. 2020 was supposed to be my year of slowing down, and so far I wouldn’t say I’ve done a great job… but it’s a goal I’m consistently working toward!
Earlier this week I had my brows microbladed for the second time. The first time was in California in 2016. This time I had them done in Atlanta and am tending to them like little pets until they fully heal. I am one of those gals with one wonky brow and it drives me nuts. Last time my brows stayed full for almost two years, so it felt worth the investment! You can read more about what exactly microblading is here.
I had so much fun watching the Oscars on Sunday, followed by podcast breakdowns. I always make time to watch a few of the nominated films each year and it makes watching awards shows so fun. I wasn’t able to catch the SAG Awards or Golden Globes, so I made sure to catch the Oscars! The films, the red carpet, the speeches – something about it just always feels so exciting. Now we have Parasite at the top of our list to watch, along with Bombshell, Judy and Little Women. Did you see any nominated films that stood out this year?
This weekend I have a little bit of work to do but will make sure to get in some big Hudson time. Now that we are in more of a flow with work, I inevitably spend a little less time with him during the weekdays. It feels good to have some moments that feel like “Kathleen business woman special,” but it really makes that morning, evening and weekend time so, so precious.
Lastly, I cannot thank you enough for your incredible comments and touching words on last week’s Friday’s Five, centered around the loss our Lula. She was such a special pet, and while it’s still hard to talk about, I am so thankful for so many of your beautiful hearts. Honestly… I don’t even know what to say. Thank you.
Hope all of you have a beautiful weekend! Thanks so much for reading – XO –
1 – I have two of these! | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14
Last week I got waist-deep into a huge sconce debate on Instagram Stories. I’ve always loved the detail that sconces add to a home, but when you move frequently it doesn’t feel like it’s worth the trouble to knock a hole into the wall.
SO, when we moved into this home I knew some sconces were in my future. Because of the layout of our bedroom, we needed smaller bedside tables. I didn’t want a table lamp to take up half of the table, so we added these to our bedroom. We love them (sneak peek here, full room reveal to come). We have smart bulbs in them to make them dimmable and I couldn’t love them more!
But you know that’s not enough. There are built-in bookshelves in our den/family room. I have debated adding sconces to the bookshelves (inspiration below) since we moved in. The places I would mount the sconces will only allow for a small backplate, and it’s a whole thing. But I think it would look so pretty!
I love the contrast of a black sconce on a white wall or bookcase. So chic. Although you can’t go wrong with gold or brass either.
Do you have sconces in your house and are you as obsessed as I am? I want to hear! Thanks so much for reading and sharing. More interior content in the “home” category of this site. XO –
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Last week I shared the behind-the-scenes of the design process of this room. Today I can finally share the finished result! A neutral room that has some subtle masculine energy… the exact vibe I was going for.
I’m also sharing an IGTV video today on Instagram that walks you through the development of this space. One of the most unique things I learned in this process about Ballard Designs was how incredibly personalized you can make their pieces. Their upholstered furniture selection of over 85 pieces can have one of hundreds of their fabric designs and colors for both the base fabric and the welt piping. Or you can bring or mail in your own fabric and they will upholster their pieces in it. The possibilities of customization are on another level.
I love these Larkin chairs so much. They swivel and glide! We rock Hudson in them, feed him, read, have phone conversations in them… I know they’re going to be so functional and comfortable in our house. I chose the Stockton Cream fabric and love how custom and luxe they came out.
Another fabric I couldn’t live without is the Koko Black. I loved it so much I wanted to marry it. We had it covered on the Jackson and Cecil benches and I love, love, love them.
Last but not least on fabric (if you can’t tell… I could literally talk about this for days), we chose Sunbrella fabric for the sofa in the shade Adena Pure Performance for many reasons. I love choosing neutral anchor pieces and accessorizing with color and patterns. I also have a 10 week old. Which means function is equally important as appearance. Sunbrella fabric is crazy, y’all. It is made to withhold anything. Thankfully we haven’t needed to spot clean just yet but when that time comes, water and dish soap will take care of it. Watch this video. This fabric is literally made for durability which is why it trumped other fabric swatches for our home.
Something that I think makes this room look so polished and styled is the mix of prints. Koko with Stockton fabric, the Casa Florentina rug and an antelope lumbar pillow… that’s what makes it the room look unique and personalized. And that is an area where I really leaned into Robin who I was paired with through Design Solutions. It’s those kinds of decisions that feel so much better when they’re supported by an expert.
And I think Robin nailed – I am so beyond happy that I followed her insight and expertise!
You can shop all of the available pieces in this room here (the coffee table, side tables and rug have since sold out) and read more about the design process here. And be sure to come check out the room in video on IGTV on Instagram!
The bolster pillow was custom made and you can find the acrylic frame for the Hermés scarf here.
Thank you so much for reading, and please leave any questions you have about the room in the comments! XO –
– a new place for Diana (dining room details here) –
– updating our den with a modern floor lamp I’m kind of obsessed with –
– a very tender moment with two of my favorites –
– flowers from a thoughtful friend –
This week felt like a long one. Christian caught a bug and has had to be quarantined as to not get the baby sick… which has meant single mom status. And WOW – this has been my first time without any help from him. Shoutout to all the single moms out there – you are iconic, incredible, resistant, there aren’t enough adjectives.
I haven’t had the courage to share the biggest news for our little family as of late. Two weeks ago we said goodbye to our precious Lula. She has been on a steep decline since we moved to Georgia, and I think I was in a little bit of denial. Saying goodbye to her was one of the hardest things I’ve had to do as an adult. To make that decision when it’s “time” is honestly excruciating. I asked Christian to take a photo of us on one of her last days, and after seeing it, I held her and sobbed in that very spot.
She has been by my side since I found her in a parking lot almost ten years ago. She has survived cancer and an amputation. She’s moved all over the country with us, sat in my lap purring day after day while I worked on this blog until I was 8 months pregnant and had run out of space.
I strolled her in a pet stroller in San Francisco so she could get fresh air when we didn’t have any outdoor space. I would clean her face every day because in her last few years she had trouble doing it with only one front leg. I gave her four beds throughout the house because getting around had become difficult. I would wear her in a pet sling (not even joking!) and she loved it. She was my first pet of my own and one of a kind.
I haven’t been able to talk about it, and I have tears strolling down my cheeks as I write this. We buried her in the backyard next to a baby magnolia tree so I can see it from the kitchen window and think of her. It will be a while until I can talk about it without getting emotional. She knew I needed her and held on as long as she could. I’m forever grateful that I found her that night and her companionship has been everything to me.
With Bailey being in double digits also, I’ve tried to be extra conscious of spoiling her lately. Having two geriatric pets and a newborn has been a little more than I expected but I will do everything I can to give everyone their special time!
Thank you so much for your love for Lula over the years. If you have the opportunity to rescue an adult pet, I’d urge you to explore it. She’s the first adult pet I’ve adopted and her gratitude and appreciation was unlike any other pet relationship I’ve ever had.
And if you meet a black dog or cat, please consider giving them a chance. They are the least adopted at shelters and have so much love to give.
I am so excited to share a project with you guys that has been brewing since we moved to Georgia in the summer. When we were living in San Francisco, I had one of the most pinch-me calls about our future home. I connected with the talented minds behind Ballard Designs to discuss designing our living room.
If you love interiors, you know Ballard Designs. Their Suzanne Kasler Collections are drool-worthy, you’ve seen their chic and traditional touch on classic Southern homes. But for this space the vision was an androgynous, slightly edgier look. That’s what I personally love so much about Ballard. That you can achieve so many different vibes because they have such a large inventory. Throughout this process, I worked with their Design Solutions experts to make our vision come to life. And let’s dive a little deeper on what exactly Design Solutions is –
Design Solutions is a service offered that is not only incredibly educational, but also completely free. You can work with one of Ballard’s interior designers to create your space – whether it’s for a few accent chairs or an entire room design. If you have a store in your area, I would highly recommend making an in-store appointment. It’s so helpful to see endless fabric swatches in person, scroll through the site with the designer and have that one-on-one face time. I’ll be sharing an IGTV video next week that shares some of that process!
If you aren’t local to brick and mortar, you can also schedule a phone or email consultation here. But I do think it’s worth sharing that if you are in any kind of time crunch, visiting a store is going to be the most efficient way to get a designer’s input on your project.
Below you’ll see the inspiration I sent Robin back in July along with measurements of the room and “before” photos. From there she was able to pull some options of furniture and fabric swatches from Ballard that she thought would work for the room and together we went through and picked our favorite pieces that would help the vision come to life.
After my in-store meeting with Robin, we scheduled a time that she could come to our home. At the time, the room was totally empty other than a mattress in the middle of the floor. If you’ve ever moved to a new state… you know that the process of getting settled is a journey!
We confirmed measurements and added a few more pieces to the space once she could get a feel for the size of the room. I would say that having this home visit was incredibly helpful in further confirming our vision and that we were aligned.
You can also gets tons of inspiration and educational info at their blog, How To Decorate. They have a podcast by the same name as well!
Of course I don’t want to reveal too much before the official reveal, but stay tuned for the full room blog post next week on CBL along with an IGTV video of the entire process! I’ll also be sharing more about my favorite pieces in the room and why in that post.
I can’t wait for you guys to see it. It is by far one of our favorite rooms in the house.
February means red and pink aaaalllll month over here! Monday I shared some of my favorite Valentine’s Day blog posts from last year (with updated gift guide links!). Today I wanted to share some super cute picks to treat yourself with.
Pajamas are always top of list for me for any season. I can’t really describe why, but I can’t say no to a cute matching set. These look pretty dreamy.
These sunglasses are designer dupes and $11. I have them in both red and black – so fun!
This sweater is under $50 and I love fuzzy sweaters like this. So so soft.
A water bottle that doubles as a foam roller? I’m interested.
A little bit of a splurge but this feather-trimmed top is too much. Adorable!
I’ve never owned Le Creuset (have you and is it worth the splurge?), but this little mini cast iron gem is too cute. It comes in white too!
When in doubt… treat yourself on Valentine’s Day. Even if it’s just an uninterrupted bubble bath with a cold glass of wine and candles. Take a little time for yourself. It’s so important!
Thanks so much for reading – XO –
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With February upon us, I wanted to round up some of my favorite Valentine’s Day-inspired posts from last year! I updated all of the links in the his and her gift guide posts so everything should be current for you guys if you’re looking to get ahead on some gift shoppin’.
Christian and I were discussing what we might want to do this year since we would need to reach out to a babysitter early if we wanted to go out. With our recently completed dining room, we decided to put the baby down early, light candles and enjoy a date night at home.
If 2020 has taught me anything so far, it is to enjoy everything. Your fine china, crystal chandelier and 15-inch tapered candles in silver candelabras? ENJOY THEM. Decadent desserts, fancy scented bath salts and diamond drop earrings? ENJOY THEM. Life is short and the months breeze by too quickly. Don’t save the fancy champagne for the perfect moment. Pour yourself a glass and appreciate it now.
Let me know what you’re thinking for the weekend this year. Let’s look forward to it together!
I’m so excited to share photos of the home office I’ve been working on – welcome to “#CBLHQ!” When I left my corporate job in 2015, I knew having a designated office “space” was so important for my productivity. I wanted to maintain some of the structure of a traditional office even though I was working at home. It’s remained to be incredibly important to me throughout our many moves to have this little home base if you will.
The below mood board is how I worked on a few rooms in the house that I was looking to complete. It helped me see different patterns together to continue checking in to see if the room would flow. I also did this for the basement and dining room. It was honestly so helpful!
In our Georgia home, all of the bedrooms other than the master bedroom are upstairs. So I knew I would be transforming one of those spaces into an office. The downstairs is wood floors and the upstairs has carpet, which I appreciate because it really minimizes how much you can hear from downstairs. But I knew I needed more of a vibe than beige carpet and enter this rug.
There’s a little bit of a saga about how I ended with this desk. I ordered this one but the order was being “processed” for over two weeks and no one could tell me when it would ship. Then I ordered this one and it came damaged. I tried to buy one from Facebook Marketplace and the seller ghosted me. I had been in Georgia for over four months and still couldn’t find a desk!! I love this desk but I think it might be too big for the room. So I managed to snag this one 40% off and went for it. If I come cross one someday that I love, I can replace it. But at least I could get something to work on!
Originally this room had a white ceiling fan, but that wasn’t gonna do. I worked with Sullivan and Phenix who custom made this Sophie chandelier. They will work with your space and dimensions to make sure you have a completely unique fixture to work in your space which is very, very cool.
After I had the desk, rug and pink chair set up, I knew I wanted some edgy accent chairs. When Christian comes home, I’m often up here working while Hudson is napping next door in his room. We end up sitting in here discussing the day, what’s for dinner, etc. These boomerang chairs from Paula Rallis Home are so comfortable and sleek. They look great in here but I can also see myself moving them to an other room one day. You just kind of melt into them in the best possible way.
I also had to throw in something to remind me of when this blog actually started to grow in California, so the little cactus that I can see from my desk is a little nod to those special years.
1 | 2 | 3– 40% off | 4– 40% off | 5 – 15% off | 6 | 7 | 8 – 15% off | 9 | 10 – 40% off | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 – under $50! | 15 | 16
Back at it with a wish list, and with the super cold weather we have been having lately, I’m all about the winter loungewear!
If it can be worn by a space heater or a crackling fireplace (or even just the video of it, not even kidding)… count me in. You know I love a teddy coat. In a camel and under $50? You’ll wear it with everything. A robe with a hoodie? Sign me up. Long cardigans to pair with leggings and fuzzy slippers for around the house = my uniform.
I’m officially 10 weeks postpartum this Friday… but I still find myself wearing a lot of leggings and joggers. Not only because of the weather and straight comfort, but also because I just don’t know if the last 13-ish lbs that I’m holding onto is here to stay for a while or will be coming off slowly. I can’t decide if I need to start sizing up or give it time… it’s the whole limbo situation. That “fourth trimester” thing is starting to make a whole lot of sense. Being a woman is WILD at times. Truly!
With Valentine’s Day around the corner, I was thinking about gift guides for the next few weeks. Is that something that would be helpful or are we past gift giving for V-Day? Personally, I’m more of a dinner and roses kind of gal, but if you are exchanging gifts this year let me know. Will work on some guides if you guys are into it!
Thank you so much for reading and sharing! XO –
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